Manipulators and Stoppering Systems for Vials

An important step in the freeze-drying process with vials is the stoppering or closing of the vials either at the end pressure of SD or at a chosen partial pressure of a specific gas. This avoids handling of open vials, which can lead to contamination and adsorption of water vapor from the atmosphere. 

This step is so important that some laboratory plants and usually all pilot and production plants are equipped with respective mechanisms. The principle is simple The shelves are connected flexibly with inlet and outlet of the heat transfer fluid. The shelves are pressed together, one after the other, by a plate, which is moved by an external force in this way the stoppers are pushed into the closed position. If the pres- 

Tool to close vials 2, arm of the manipulator 3, rod to push vials 4, ball cock 5, exit channel 6, exit container for vials 7, venting valve 8, vacuum valve 9, vacuum pump. 

The technical problems to be solved are twofold All parts must be steam-sterilized and no abrasion can be tolerated in the chamber. For this the manufacturers offer various solutions, in that the pressure plate is  

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