Opening system for freeze-drying machine doors

Abstract

An opening system (1) for a door (22) of a freeze-drying machine (101) is disclosed, the machine having a freeze-drying chamber defined by a plurality of walls. Access to the chamber for loading and removing a container containing the product to be freeze-dried is effected through a window (103) obtained in the vertical wall of the chamber. The system comprises a door (22) configured to close the window (103) of the freeze-drying machine (101), a transmission mechanism (2) configured to command the opening and closing of the door (22), and a support wall (3) configured to support the transmission mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening system for the door of a freeze-drying machine.

[0002] The freeze-drying process is a process of removing a solvent or a suspension medium, typically water, from a product. Pharmaceutical freeze-drying is often a sterile process that requires aseptic conditions within a freeze-drying chamber. It is important to ensure that all components of the freeze-drying system that come into contact with the product are sterile, and further, that the environment surrounding the freeze-drying machine is easy to clean and is not a potential source of contamination for the product entering and leaving the system.

[0003] A freeze-drying system typically incorporates a freeze-drying chamber defined by multiple walls and configured to receive a plurality of containers or vials containing a sterile material to be freeze-dried. Access to the chamber for loading and removing the vials is through a window formed in the vertical wall of the chamber. This window is generally rectangular, and its opening or closing depends on the positioning of a door that is moved vertically to block or allow access through the window. Generally, the opening system includes a transmission mechanism having a plurality of mechanical components suitable for transmitting the motion generated by an actuator so as to move the door automatically. Since the actuator needs to be inserted into a specific position, protected from and often separated from the moving door, it usually has an articulated transmission mechanism with a significant number of components that are exposed to the external environment of the freeze-dryer but still remain within the aseptic area.

[0004] To maintain aseptic conditions inside the freeze-dryer, regular cleaning and sterilization of the door and its associated opening system are required, and further, the area in front of the access window to the freeze-dryer must also remain aseptic.

[0005] A drawback of the prior art is that the opening system consists of numerous components that must be positioned close to the door being operated, and the area in front of the door must be kept sterile. This leads to longer cleaning times and makes the process more difficult. Furthermore, the form of the door opening system also makes cleaning the system difficult.

[0006] An example of these systems is described in International Publication No. 2005 / 088216(A1), in which the opening mechanism comprises a first shaft connected to an actuator at its central portion and to two threaded shafts at its ends. These threaded shafts are positioned on their respective sides relative to the door and are connected to the door for the movement of the door. As can be easily understood, cleaning the threaded shafts is difficult due to the grooves in the threads, and furthermore, friction with the threaded gears that transmit the motion generated by the actuator can generate debris that contaminates the product to be freeze-dried.

[0007] Furthermore, even when threaded shafts are covered with elastic sleeves or "bellows," these are not without their drawbacks.

[0008] Therefore, there are technical requirements for an improved open system with a limited number of components exposed to the external environment, a compact implementation, and a system that does not generate dust during operation, in order to have an easier and faster cleaning process.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to address this requirement by providing a system for opening the door of a freeze-drying machine. The system comprises a motion transmission mechanism configured to command the opening and closing of the door, and a support wall for supporting the transmission mechanism described in claim 1.

[0010] The present invention is disclosed and characterized in the independent claims. Dependent claims disclose other features of the present invention or preferred variations of the main solution.

[0011] Embodiments described herein relate to a door opening system for a freeze-drying machine, the system comprising a motion transmission mechanism and a support wall for the mechanism.

[0012] According to embodiments described herein, the motion transmission mechanism comprises a first wheel associated with the wall, a second wheel associated with a first lever, and a third wheel firmly coupled to the second lever.

[0013] According to embodiments provided herein, the transmission mechanism comprises a primary drive shaft that rotates around a rotation axis X, and the first wheel is mounted coaxially with the drive shaft.

[0014] According to one embodiment described herein, the second lever is rotatably coupled to the door in its second distal region to open and close the door.

[0015] According to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the device comprises a closed box in which the first, second, and third wheels are housed.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the closing box is configured to rotate around the rotation axis X at a rotational speed equal to the rotational speed of the primary transmission shaft.

[0017] According to embodiments provided herein, the first transmission lever is formed to be at least partially housed within the closing box.

[0018] An advantage of the open system according to the present invention is that cleaning operations of mechanical components that are part of the system and located around the access window of the freeze-drying machine are facilitated because they are sealed inside a closed box.

[0019] Another advantage of the present invention is to avoid the dispersion of possible particles that could be separated by friction between the mechanical components of the open system, and these particles are retained inside the closed box.

[0020] A further advantage of the present invention is provided by the compactness of the open system, which has very few moving parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments provided as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the open system according to the present invention applied to a freeze-drying machine. [Figure 2] This is a schematic axonometric projection diagram showing the configuration of the open system according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the open system in a cross-section along plane III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a schematic axonometric projection view of a part of the transmission system that forms a portion of the opening mechanism according to the present invention.

[0022] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings to identify identical elements whenever possible. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment can be conveniently incorporated into other embodiments without further explanation. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Next, various embodiments of the present invention will be referenced in detail, with one or more embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each embodiment is provided as an example of the present invention and is not intended to be an limitation of the present invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be adopted based on or in connection with other embodiments to generate further embodiments. It is understood that the present invention includes such modifications and variations.

[0024] Before describing the embodiments, it is also made clear that this description is not limited to the details of the structure and arrangement of the components as described in the following description using the accompanying drawings in its operation. The present disclosure can include other embodiments and can be made or practiced in various other ways. Further, it is made clear that the expressions and terms used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be construed as limiting.

[0025] The embodiment described using the accompanying drawings refers to an opening system 1 for the door 22 of the lyophilization machine 101, and only one of its walls is shown. The lyophilization machine 101 is typically used to remove a solvent such as water or its suspension medium from a pharmaceutical product. This machine is equipped with a lyophilization chamber separated from the external environment by a plurality of walls. One of these walls (the one shown in FIG. 1) is provided with an access window 103 configured to allow one or more containers or vials containing the sterile product on which the lyophilization process is to be performed to be inserted into the chamber.

[0026] The system 1 is particularly suitable for use in the pharmaceutical field for the automatic movement of the door associated with the window of the lyophilization chamber so that the product to be processed can be inserted and extracted.

[0027] As seen in FIG. 1, the opening system 1 includes a door 22 configured to close the access window 103 of the lyophilization machine 101.

[0028] The opening system 1 also includes a motion transmission mechanism 2 configured to automatically control the opening and closing of the door 22, as will be described in more detail below.

[0029] The opening system 1 also includes a support wall 3 configured to support the transmission mechanism 2.

[0030] In one embodiment, the support wall 3 coincides with one of several walls that define the freeze-drying chamber of the machine.

[0031] The support wall 3 is arranged parallel to, and preferably substantially perpendicular to, the unfolding surface of the window 103.

[0032] The door 22 is preferably movable between two operating positions: a closed position in which the door 22 closes the window 103, and an open position in which the window 103 is open and the chamber is accessible.

[0033] According to the embodiment, when the door 22 is in the closed position, it is in the lowered position in Figure 1, preferably having a substantially vertical arrangement and parallel to the opening surface of the window 103. When commanded to open or close by moving between two operating positions, the door 22 slides along a movement trajectory that is at least partially linear and parallel to the window 103 and the support wall 3.

[0034] According to the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4, the transmission mechanism 2 comprises a primary drive shaft 4 rotatable about a first rotation axis X substantially perpendicular to the support wall. The primary drive shaft 4 is connected in its first portion to an actuator device 10 that generates the motion necessary to move the door 22.

[0035] The actuator device 10 according to this embodiment can be positioned on the opposite side of the support wall 3 from the transmission mechanism 2, such that it has a primary drive shaft 4 that intersects with the support wall 3.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the primary drive shaft 4 can be directly connected to the actuator 10, or it can be connected to the actuator 10 via a coupling device 24, such as a cardan coupling, gear wheel, belt, or chain. According to one embodiment, the support wall 3 has a through hole through which the primary drive shaft 4 intersects. According to a different alternative embodiment, the support wall 3 has a cavity configured to at least partially accommodate the coupling device 24.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the transmission mechanism 2 includes a first wheel 5 mounted coaxially with the primary drive shaft 4 and fixed to the support wall 3 so as not to rotate. In this way, the first wheel 5 is fixed to both the support wall 3 and the primary drive shaft 4, even while the primary drive shaft 4 is rotating.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the transmission mechanism 2 includes a first transmission lever 6 that is firmly connected to the drive shaft 4 in a first proximal region of the first transmission lever 6. Through this connection, the first transmission lever 6 can rotate around a first rotation axis X together with the rotation of the primary drive shaft 4.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the transmission mechanism includes a second idler wheel 7 rotatably mounted on a first transmission lever 6. The second idler wheel 7 preferably has a second rotation axis Y parallel to the first rotation axis X as its axis of rotation. The second idler wheel 7 cooperates with the first wheel 5 with some play.

[0040] In one embodiment, the transmission mechanism 2 comprises a third wheel 8 that cooperates with the second idler wheel 7 and is rotatably coupled to the first transmission lever 6 in a first distal region of the first transmission lever 6. In practice, the second idler wheel 7 can rotate relative to the first transmission lever 6. In another embodiment, the transmission mechanism 2 comprises a second transmission lever 9 mounted to be firmly coupled to the third wheel 8 in a second proximal region. In practice, when the third wheel 8 rotates, the second lever 9 also rotates. Preferably, the third wheel 8 is firmly coupled to the second lever 9 via a transmission pin 25, which is then mounted to be coaxial with the third wheel 8. In this way, the second lever 9 rotates together with the rotation of the third wheel 8 according to a common third axis of rotation Z parallel to the first axis of rotation X.

[0041] Therefore, the rotation of the primary drive shaft 4 rotates the first transmission lever 6, which in turn drives the second idler wheel 7, causing the second idler wheel 7 to rotate on the fixed first gear 5. In practice, the second idler wheel 7 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation of the primary drive shaft 4. In this way, the third wheel 8, which works in cooperation with the second idler wheel 7, rotates with respect to the axis of rotation Z and is therefore set to rotate in the direction corresponding to the rotation of the primary drive shaft 4.

[0042] As a result, the second transmission lever 9 rotates along with the rotation of the third wheel 8.

[0043] According to the embodiment, the second transmission lever 9 is coupled to the door 22 in its second distal region, thereby moving the door 22 when opening and closing in accordance with the rotation of the primary drive shaft 4.

[0044] The opening system described herein is characterized in that the first wheel 5, the second wheel 7, and the third wheel 8 are housed inside the closing box 11.

[0045] The enclosed box 11 is composed of multiple walls that define a closed internal space in which the indicated mechanical elements are housed.

[0046] The enclosed box 11 described above is configured to house at least three wheels as described above and is configured to be conveniently opened by an operator for maintenance or inspection of the mechanical parts housed inside. It is obvious that the box 11 can be implemented as a plurality of shells mounted around the mechanical parts to be housed.

[0047] Preferably, the closure of this box 11 is of the airtight type.

[0048] According to an alternative embodiment, the closing box 11 is configured to rotate when the primary drive shaft 4 is rotating. More specifically, the closing box 11 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis X at a rotational speed equal to the rotational speed of the primary drive shaft 4. According to this embodiment, it is clear that the closing box 11 is firmly coupled to the first transmission lever 6.

[0049] According to an alternative embodiment, the first transmission lever 6 is at least partially housed within the closing box 11. In this embodiment, one or more shells are coupled to the first transmission lever 6, which together form a box 11 in which the three wheels 5, 7, and 8 are housed.

[0050] In a further embodiment, the transmission mechanism 2 is connected to the door 22 via a guide unit 12 shown in Figure 1. The guide unit 12 comprises several elements suitable for enabling the movement of the door 22. The main function of the guide unit 12 is to enable the movement of the door 22 when opening and closing according to one pre-established direction.

[0051] The guide unit 12 includes a bracket 13 which is coupled to a second distal region of the second lever 9 and further coupled to the door 22. The coupling between the bracket 13 and at least one of the second lever 9 and the door 22 is preferably of the rotatable type, allowing the second lever 9 to rotate relative to the door 22. In this way, the rotational motion of the second lever 9 can be converted into the translational motion required for opening and closing the door 22. The translational motion is a sliding motion that is at least partially parallel to the support wall 3.

[0052] The guide unit 12 may further comprise a guide body 14 fixed to the support wall 3 and a sliding rod 15 fixed to the door 22, wherein the sliding rod 15 is configured to slide inside a sliding channel 16 formed in the guide body 14. Preferably, the sliding rod 15 is firmly fixed to the door 22 via the bracket 13. Conveniently, the sliding rod 15 and the sliding channel 16 have an extension parallel to the support wall 3.

[0053] According to a predetermined embodiment, the system 1 further comprises an inclined unit 23, which includes a curved sliding body 17 attached to the wall 3 and a sliding roller 18 fixed to the door 22. The sliding roller 18 is configured to slide on the curved sliding body 17, thereby moving the upper end of the door 22 away from the support wall 3, exposing the back surface of the door 22, i.e., the portion of the door that fits inside the freeze dryer chamber. The sliding roller 18 is preferably coupled to the door 22 via a sliding lever 19.

[0054] Next, the sliding lever 19 is rotatable about a rotation axis W that is perpendicular to the first rotation axis X.

[0055] Therefore, this embodiment allows the door 22 to tilt when it is opened to the window 103, and allows the rear of the door to be cleaned.

[0056] According to an alternative embodiment, the first wheel 5, the second wheel 7, and the third wheel 8 are each configured as a cooperating toothed wheel in the manner shown above. Alternatively, the three wheels (5, 7, and 8) can each be configured as a cooperating toothed wheel or pulley through the movement of a predetermined sliding means such as a chain or belt.

[0057] As described above, the opening system 1 according to the embodiment may further include an actuator 10 connected to the motion transmission mechanism 2 and configured to generate motion transmitted by the transmission mechanism 2 to command the opening and closing of the door 22. Preferably, the motion generated by the actuator 10 is of the rotational type, in which the axis of rotation coincides with or is parallel to the first axis of rotation X of the primary drive shaft 4.

[0058] Therefore, it will be clear how the opening system 1 described herein in various embodiments can be used on a freeze-drying machine 101, which comprises a chamber having at least one wall, as mentioned above, the chamber being accessible through a window 103 formed in the wall by opening a door 22, the opening being carried out by the opening system 1 according to the present invention. According to this embodiment, it will be clear that the wall of the chamber of the freeze-drying machine coincides with or is integral to the support wall 3 of the opening system.

[0059] The opening system 1, which is an object of the present invention, may comprise a single transmission mechanism 2 for opening the door 22, or may conveniently comprise two similar transmission mechanisms 2 for easier opening of the door 22. Preferably, the door 22 has a rectangular shape, and in the configuration shown above, each transmission mechanism 2 is located on the left and right sides of the door 22, respectively, as shown in Figure 1.

[0060] As can be understood from the description, the opening system for the door of a freeze-drying machine according to the present invention satisfies the requirements and overcomes the drawbacks mentioned in the introduction herein with reference to the prior art.

[0061] Clearly, those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations to the invention described above to satisfy incidental and specific needs, but all such modifications fall within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims. [Aspect 1] An opening system (1) for the door of a freeze-drying machine (101), wherein the system (1) - A door (22) configured to close the access window (103) of the freeze-drying machine (101), -A motion transmission mechanism (2) is configured to control the opening and closing of the door (22), - comprising a support wall (3) configured to support the transmission mechanism (2), The transmission mechanism (2) is The transmission mechanism (2) comprises a primary drive shaft (4) that rotates around a first rotation axis (X) substantially perpendicular to the support wall (3), The first wheel (5) is mounted coaxially to the primary drive shaft (4) and fixed to the support wall (3) so as not to rotate, A first transmission lever (6) is firmly connected to the primary drive shaft (4) in the first proximal area so as to rotate around the first rotation axis (X), A second play wheel (7) is mounted to be rotatable around a second rotation axis (Y) on the first transmission lever (6), and works in cooperation with the first wheel (5) with play, A third wheel (8) is rotatably coupled to the first distal region of the first transmission lever (6) and works in cooperation with the second idler wheel (7), A second transmission lever (9) is firmly coupled to the third wheel (8) in a second proximal region of the second transmission lever (9) so as to rotate together with the third wheel (8) according to a third axis of rotation (Z) parallel to the first axis of rotation (X), and the second transmission lever (9) is also rotatably coupled to the door (22) in a second distal region of the second transmission lever (9) so as to move the door to an open or closed configuration according to the rotational direction of the primary drive shaft (4), further comprising: A system in which the first wheel (5), the second wheel (7), and the third wheel (8) are housed within a closed box (11). [Aspect 2] The system according to embodiment 1, wherein the enclosed box (11) is configured to rotate around the first rotation axis (X) at a rotational speed equal to the rotational speed of the primary drive shaft (4). [Aspect 3] The system according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the first transmission lever (6) is also at least partially housed within the closing box (11). [Aspect 4] The system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the second axis of rotation (Y) is parallel to the first axis of rotation (X). [Aspect 5] The system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the second lever (9) is rotatably coupled to the door (22) by a bracket (13), and the bracket (13) is firmly attached to the edge of the door (22). [Aspect 6] The system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the connection between the bracket (13) and at least one of the second lever (9) and the door (22) is rotatable, allowing the second lever (9) to rotate relative to the door (22), and converting the rotational motion of the second lever (9) into translational motion in opening and closing the door (22), the translational motion being a sliding motion at least partially parallel to the support wall (3). [Aspect 7] The system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the third wheel (8) rotates in the same direction as the primary drive shaft (4). [Aspect 8] The system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, comprising a guide unit (12) having a guide body (14) attached to the support wall and a sliding rod (15) attached to the door (22), wherein the sliding rod (15) is configured to slide within a sliding channel (16) formed in the guide body (14). [Aspect 9] The system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, further comprising an inclined unit (23) having an arched sliding body (17) attached to the wall (3) and a sliding roller (18) coupled to the door (22), wherein the sliding roller (18) is configured to slide on the arched sliding body (17) while the door (22) is moving in an open configuration, thereby inclining the door (22) to allow access to the rear surface of the door (22). [Aspect 10] The system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the first wheel (5), the second wheel (7), and the third wheel (8) are gear wheels that mesh with each other. [Aspect 11] The system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, further comprising an actuator device (10) connected to the transmission mechanism (2) and configured to rotate the primary drive shaft (4). [Aspect 12] The system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the support wall (3) has a through hole through which the primary drive shaft (4) intersects. [Aspect 13] The system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 12, comprising two transmission mechanisms (2), each of which is positioned on the side of the door (22) with the door (22) in between. [Aspect 14] The system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the enclosed box (11) is sealed shut. [Aspect 15] A freeze-drying machine (101) comprising a sealed chamber provided with an access window (103) closed by an opening system (1) as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 14.

Claims

1. An opening system (1) for the door of a freeze-drying machine (101), wherein the system (1) - A door (22) configured to close the access window (103) of the freeze-drying machine (101), - A motion transmission mechanism (2) is configured to control the opening and closing of the door (22), - comprising a support wall (3) configured to support the transmission mechanism (2), The transmission mechanism (2) is The transmission mechanism (2) comprises a primary drive shaft (4) that rotates around a first rotation axis (X) substantially perpendicular to the support wall (3), The first wheel (5) is mounted coaxially with the primary drive shaft (4) and fixed to the support wall (3) so as not to rotate, A first transmission lever (6) is firmly connected to the primary drive shaft (4) in the first proximal area so as to rotate around the first rotation axis (X), A second play wheel (7) is mounted rotatably around a second rotation axis (Y) on the first transmission lever (6), and works in cooperation with the first wheel (5) with play, A third wheel (8) is rotatably coupled to the first distal region of the first transmission lever (6) and works in cooperation with the second idler wheel (7), A second transmission lever (9) is firmly coupled to the third wheel (8) in a second proximal region of the second transmission lever (9) so as to rotate together with the third wheel (8) according to a third axis of rotation (Z) parallel to the first axis of rotation (X), and the second transmission lever (9) is also rotatably coupled to the door (22) in a second distal region of the second transmission lever (9) so as to move the door to an open or closed configuration according to the rotational direction of the primary drive shaft (4), further comprising: A system in which the first wheel (5), the second wheel (7), and the third wheel (8) are housed within a closed box (11).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the closed box (11) is configured to rotate around the first rotation axis (X) at a rotational speed equal to the rotational speed of the primary drive shaft (4).

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first transmission lever (6) is also at least partially housed within the closing box (11).

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second axis of rotation (Y) is parallel to the first axis of rotation (X).

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second lever (9) is rotatably coupled to the door (22) by a bracket (13), and the bracket (13) is firmly attached to the edge of the door (22).

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the connection between the bracket (13) and at least one of the second lever (9) and the door (22) is rotatable, allowing the second lever (9) to rotate relative to the door (22), and converting the rotational motion of the second lever (9) into translational motion in opening and closing the door (22), the translational motion being a sliding motion at least partially parallel to the support wall (3).

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the third wheel (8) rotates in the same direction as the primary drive shaft (4).

8. The system according to claim 1, comprising a guide unit (12) having a guide body (14) attached to the support wall and a sliding rod (15) attached to the door (22), wherein the sliding rod (15) is configured to slide within a sliding channel (16) formed within the guide body (14).

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an inclined unit (23) having an arched sliding body (17) attached to the wall (3) and a sliding roller (18) coupled to the door (22), wherein the sliding roller (18) is configured to slide on the arched sliding body (17) while the door (22) is moving in an open configuration, thereby inclining the door (22) and making the rear surface of the door (22) accessible.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first wheel (5), the second wheel (7), and the third wheel (8) are gear wheels that mesh with each other.

11. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator device (10) connected to the transmission mechanism (2) and configured to rotate the primary drive shaft (4).

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the support wall (3) is provided with a through hole through which the primary drive shaft (4) intersects.

13. The system according to claim 1, comprising two transmission mechanisms (2), each of which is positioned on the side of the door (22) with the door (22) in between.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the closed box (11) is sealed shut.

15. A freeze-drying machine (101) comprising a sealed chamber provided with an access window (103) closed by the opening system (1) described in Claim 1.

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