Packaging and Materials

It is a frequently used technique for small-molecule drugs, but cryogranulation of proteins using liquid nitrogen has not been very successful. 

Freezing forms an amorphous solid of the protein and excipients with associated water in crystalline form. Annealing, an optional step, increases ice-crystal size and allows crystallization of bulking agents (such as glycine or mannitol), removing 

A drug solution is first frozen at atmospheric pressure, and then water is removed by a reduction of pressure in the lyophilizer chamber, coUecting the water as ice on a condenser. Samples are placed in glass vials and frozen, either before being put in the lyophilizer or on the lyophilizer shelves. The samples contain ice crystals, tmfrozen water, amorphous solids (including the therapeutic protein), and crystalline additives. Pressure is reduced, and the ice crystals sublime. This constitutes the primary drying. 

It is harder to remove the unfrozen water trapped in an amorphous solid. So after primary drying, a secondary drying stage removes that water by increasing the temperature. The final temperature of this secondary process is the key factor in determining residual moisture in the dried cake. The pressure is kept the same for secondary and primary drying to avoid protein collapse. The ideal result is a porous cake with little residual moisture. Porosity is important in later reconstituting the product. 

A patented variation of the classical lyophilization technology is applied as VitriLife (3) wherein the product is lyophilized using a mixture of sugars this formulation can be prepared in much shorter time and is different from classic lyophilization in that no sublimation is involved and the product undergoes fast drying the resultant product can be kept at room temperature, obviating the need for the cold chain for these products. The method has been applied to cholera vaccine and other vaccines and is still under development. 

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The weighing and proportioning of liquids and solids has also benefited from this technical revolution. Sensing devices and special-purpose computers give a level of precision and speed not possible in the era of elec tromechanical devices. The net result is that packaging and material handling systems now have the sophistication of chemical processes. 

Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Explosives In Ships , Ministry of Transport, HMSO (1965) 11) Anon, Packaging and Materials Handling Packaging Cost Manual , TM. 38-275 (April 1966) 12) Kirk Othmer, 2nd Ed, Vo 14 (1967), 432-461 13) G. Jones, Packaging... 

Sections of several packages were tested by dilute solution viscometry in decahydronaphthalene at 135°C to determine if the failures are consistent with UV degradation. The top surface of each package was partially covered by a paper label. This label should have shielded the underlying film from UV exposure, and there should be a difference in the solution viscosity of material taken from the shielded center of the package and material taken from the UV-exposed edge. Sections from the center and edge of three samples were... 

A few years ago there was a series of off-odor problems in packed food over a relatively short time period, occurring in different types of packaging and materials related to one another through the use of a polymer granulate. Even though each problem had a different nature, all of the samples studied had several similar characteristics ... 

Typical products are tanks (20-85,000 L, 5-22,500 gal), containers for packaging and materials handling, portable outhouses, battery cases, light globes, vacuum cleaners, garbage cans, surfboards, toys, traffic barricades, display cases, and ducting. 

Polymer blends for packaging and materials handling of electrical components would require a degree of electrical conductivity to provide for static charge dissipation. This can be achieved either by a conductive additive, such as carbon black, carbon nano-tubes or metal fibers, or via blending with a conductive polymer like polyanUine. Blending of the latter is necessary to provide flow... 

F ure 13.18. Proposal of mutual management of safety of packaging and materials in contact in contact with food... 

There is a largely untapped opportunity for wood-plastic composites [10] in packaging and material handling. This is evident from the fact there are nearly 600 million pallets made each year in North America and only about 50 million are plastic. One Canadian manufacturer, Dura-Skid, produces pallets by assembling lineals made from wood-filled HDPE. The main advantage of wood-plastic composites to the pallet manufacturer is the excellent stiffness to weight ratio afforded by wood filler. The greatest opportunity may be in structural foam and twin-sheet thermoformed pallets. 

The key point of new Global Hamonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is developed in the book How to Understand the New Labelling of Chemicals GHS and CLP A Better Analysis for a Better Enforcement (Classification, Labelling, Packaging and Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS or MSDS) of Chemicals)." ... 

The book illuminates the practical aspects of understanding and applying the technology within the industry and provides sufficient technical detail of newer materials being developed by experts in the field which may surface in the future. The book discusses the technical challenges and the practical limitations and their associated parameters in ES technology. It also covers the structure and options for device packaging and materials choices such as electrode materials, electrolyte, current collector, and sealants based on comparison of available data. 

Department of Packaging and Materials Technology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan Rd., Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand 10900. 

Responding to suspect packages and materials - actions to be taken... 

Further details in Guidelines for healih protiessionals dealing with suspected packages and materials http /www.hpa.org.uk/infedioiis/topics azMetiaerate r ease/menu.htm... 

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