Freeze drying method
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the primary drying stage in a freeze drying apparatus having a shelf and a number of vials in different areas on the shelf which contain product to be freeze dried, comprising:
- positioning temperature sensors in selected vials which are representative of the positions of all of the vials in different areas of the shelf,monitoring and comparing the temperature sensors to determine the selected vial having the highest temperature while the temperature sensor therein is still in ice, andcontrolling the shelf temperature based on the selected vial with the highest temperature so long as the temperature sensor therein is still in ice.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of controlling the primary drying stage in a freeze drying apparatus having a shelf and bulk product or a number of vials in different areas on the shelf which contain product to be freeze dried. Temperature sensors are positioned in selected locations or vials which are representative of the different bulk product areas or the positions of all of the vials in different areas of the shelf. The temperature sensors are monitored and compared to determine the selected location or vial having the highest temperature while the temperature sensor therein is still in ice. The shelf temperature is controlled based on the selected location or vial with the highest temperature so long as the temperature sensor therein is still in ice. When the temperature sensor in the highest temperature selected location or vial is no longer in ice, another selected location or vial with the highest temperature and a temperature sensor therein that is still in ice is then used to control the shelf temperature.
12 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of controlling the primary drying stage in a freeze drying apparatus having a shelf and a number of vials in different areas on the shelf which contain product to be freeze dried, comprising:
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positioning temperature sensors in selected vials which are representative of the positions of all of the vials in different areas of the shelf, monitoring and comparing the temperature sensors to determine the selected vial having the highest temperature while the temperature sensor therein is still in ice, and controlling the shelf temperature based on the selected vial with the highest temperature so long as the temperature sensor therein is still in ice. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of controlling the primary drying stage in a freeze-drying apparatus having a shelf and bulk product on the shelf to be freeze-dried, comprising:
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positioning temperature sensors in selected locations in the bulk product which are representative of the drying pattern in different areas of the bulk product, monitoring and comparing the temperature sensors to determine the selected location having the highest temperature while the temperature sensor therein is still in ice, and controlling the shelf temperature based on the selected location with the highest temperature so long as the temperature sensor therein is still in ice. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification