Indian Patents. 257802:FREEZE DRYER

Title of Invention	FREEZE DRYER
Abstract	A freeze dryer comprises a chamber (16) having a rectangular slot (14) through which vials are inserted into the chamber, and a slot door (12) for forming a seal with the chamber to close the slot. To enable the vials to be subsequently removed from the chamber, the slot door (12) is raised. As the door is raised, it is rotated to expose the rear surface (58) of the door for cleaning purposes.

Full Text	FORM 2 THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10) TITLE “FREEZE DRYER” APPLICANT THE BOC GROUP PLC Chertsey Road Windlesham Surrey GU20 6HJ United Kingdom Nationality : a British company The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed FREEZE DRYER The present invention relates to a slot door assembly for a freeze dryer or the like. Freeze dryers typically incorporate a pressure vessel having a freeze drying chamber for receiving a plurality of containers or vials containing sterile material to be freeze dried. Access to the chamber for automated loading and removal of vials is through a rectangular opening, or slot, formed in a wall or in the main door of the chamber. The slot is closed by a slot door which, with the chamber, forms a vacuum seal around the slot. To enable vials to be inserted into and removed from the chamber, the slot door is vertically raised relative to the slot by moving the slot door along guide tracks. Maintaining sterile conditions within the dryer requires periodic cleaning and sterilization of the slot door and guide tracks. In order to access the rear surface of the slot door, that is, the surface of the slot door which faces the chamber, it is necessary to manually remove the slot door from the guide tracks, thereby increasing the cost and duration of the cleaning and sterilization. It is an aim of at least the preferred embodiment of the present invention to seek to solve these and other problems. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a slot door assembly for a freeze dryer or the like, the assembly comprising a slot door for closing a slot formed in a chamber of the dryer, means for moving the door in a direction transverse to the slot to permit access to the chamber, and means for rotating the door as it is moved transverse to the slot. By causing the slot door to rotate as it is moved away from the slot, the rear surface of the slot door is exposed to allow manual or automatic cleaning and sterilization of the rear surface without the need to remove the door from the dryer. In a preferred arrangement, the rotating means comprises a cam attached to the door for engaging a curved guide to cause the door to rotate. The guides are preferably in the form of tracks provided on facing side walls of the dryer. The moving means preferably engages or is connected to a pivot of the door. Two pivots may be provided, one on either side of the door, each being associated with a respective cam and guide. The rotating means may be arranged to rotate the door during movement thereof from a closed position, so that the door is gradually rotated as the slot is opened. Alternatively, in a preferred arrangement the moving means is arranged to move the door from the closed position to a second open position at which the cam engages the guide, the slot being preferably fully exposed by the door at the second position. Means may be provided for automatically stopping the moving means at the second position. This can enable the door to be stopped at the second position to enable containers or vials to be inserted in and removed from the chamber with minimal disturbance of airflow by the slot door. Thus, in this preferred arrangement, the door rotates during movement of the door from the second position to a third, open arrangement. Means may be provided for automatically stopping movement of the door at the third position. The means for stopping the door in the second and third positions may be provided by sensors or switches located at these positions for detecting the presence of the moving means, the sensors being arranged to output signals to a controller for controlling the moving means. The or each cam is preferably attached to an arm connected at one end thereof to the pivot, and preferably comprises a roller rotatably mounted on the arm. The or each pivot is preferably connected to the door at or towards one end thereof so as to cause the other end of the door to swing away from the chamber as the door is moved away from the slot. The moving means preferably engages or is connected to the pivot. For example, the pivot may pass through an aperture formed in the moving means. The moving means preferably comprises means for raising and lowering the door, and may include means for isolating at least part of the moving means from the ambient atmosphere. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a freeze dryer comprising a chamber, a slot formed in the chamber for providing access to the chamber, and a slot door assembly as aforementioned. Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view, partially in section, of an embodiment of a slot door assembly, with the door in a first, closed position; Figure 2 is a side view, partially in section, of the door assembly as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2, with the door in a second, open position Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 2, with the door in a third, open position; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a freeze dryer incorporating the door assembly of Figure 1, with the door in the closed position; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the dryer of Figure 5, with the door in the second position; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the dryer of Figure 5, with the door in the third position. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of a slot door assembly 10 comprises a rectangular slot door 12 for closing a slot 14 formed in a wall or main door of a chamber 16 of a freeze dryer 17 or the like. Figures 1, 2 and 5 illustrate the door 12 in a closed position, in which the door 12 engages a sealing arrangement 18 extending around the slot 14 to form a vacuum seal. The assembly 10 includes a moving mechanism 20 for raising the door to enable containers or vials to be inserted into and removed from the chamber 16 through the slot 14. The moving mechanism 20 comprises an AC/DC drive motor 22 connected by a timing belt or gear assembly 24 to a drive shaft 26. Gear wheels 28 attached to the ends of the drive shaft 26 intermesh with gear wheels 30 each located on a respective lead screw 32, the lead screws 32 being provided on respective sides of the assembly 10 and supported by bearings 33. Each lead screw 32 may be a normal thread lead screw or a ball screw spindle, depending on the required speed at which the slot door 12 is to be raised and lowered. In this embodiment, the slot door 12 is raised and lowered at a rate of around 125mm per second. The upper end 34 of each lead screw 32 engages a pivot pin 36 attached to a side of the slot door 12. In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, each pin 36 passes through an aperture 38 formed in a cylindrical member 40 located on the upper end of the lead screw 32. To move the slot door 12 from the closed position shown in Figure 2 to an open, loading position as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the motor 22 is operated to cause the drive shaft 26 to rotate in a first direction. Rotation of the gear wheels 28, 30 draws the lead screws 32 upwards, which in turn move the cylindrical members upwards to raise the slot door 12, thereby exposing the slot 14. As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, each lead screw 32 is isolated from the ambient atmosphere, and thus from the surrounding sterile environment, by a surrounding bellows 42. One end of the bellows 42 is attached to the base 44 of the cylindrical member 40, and the other end of the bellows is fixed proximate the bearings 33 so that the bellows 42 expands as the slot door 12 is raised. Raising of the slot door 12 to the loading position shown in Figure 3 is detected by a first sensor or switch 46, which detects the presence of the upper end 48 of the cylindrical member 40 relative thereto. An output of the first switch 46 is fed to a controller (not shown), which may be arranged to stop the motor 22 once the slot door 12 is in the loading position to enable vials to be inserted into and removed from the chamber 16. In the case of laminar air flow, the disturbance of the air flow is minimal during loading of the chamber 16. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the assembly 10 further comprises support arms 50, each support arm 50 being connected at one end thereof to a respective pivot pin 36. A cam roller 52 is rotatably mounted to the other end of each support arm 50. In the loading position, each cam roller has just engaged a respective cam track 54 located on a respective side wall of the chamber 16. Each cam track is curved such that, with further raising of the slot door 12 from the loading position, the slot door 12 is caused to pivot about pivot pins 36 as the cam rollers 52 follow the cam tracks 54, moving the upper end 55 of the slot door 12 away from the chamber 16. A second sensor or switch 56 is located above the first switch 46. Similar to the first switch 46, the second switch 56 detects the presence of the upper end 48 of the cylindrical member 40 relative thereto, and outputs a signal to the controller to stop the motor 22 when the door 12 is in the open, cleaning position shown in Figures 4 and 7. In this cleaning position, the slot door 12 is supported by the pivot pins 36 and cam rollers 50, and the rear surface 58 of the slot door is exposed, thereby enabling substantially the whole door to be manually or automatically cleaned and sterilized. Cleaning and sterilization may be automatically performed on a periodic basis, for example, every few days. The slot door may be moved in a single movement from the closed position shown in Figure 5 to the cleaning position shown in Figure 7, or alternatively may be moved first to the loading position shown in Figure 6, and from there to the cleaning position. Following completion of the slot door cleaning and sterilization, the motor 22 is operated in reverse to lower the slot door 12. Third sensors or switches 60 are provided to detect the location of the slot door 12 in the closed position shown in Figure 1, and to output signals to the controller to stop the motor 22. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the moving mechanism 20, which includes the motor 22, drive shaft 26 and associated gears are located towards the base of the freeze dryer. However, the moving mechanism 20 may alternatively be located towards the top of the freeze dryer to raise and lower the slot door 12 as required. In another alternative, the moving mechanism 20 may be physically isolated from the freeze dryer. For example, the mechanism 20 may be located in a technical area divided from the sterile environment of the freeze dryer. Furthermore, whilst in the preferred embodiment the slot door 12 is raised from the closed position to expose the slot 14, the slot door may alternatively be lowered, moved sideways or in any other direction transverse to the slot to expose the slot 14. In summary, a freeze dryer comprises a chamber having a rectangular slot through which vials are inserted into the chamber, and a slot door for forming a seal with the chamber to close the slot. To enable the vials to be subsequently removed from the chamber, the slot door is raised. As the door is raised, it is rotated to expose the rear surface of the door for cleaning purposes. CLAIMS 1. A slot door assembly for a freeze dryer or the like, the assembly comprising a slot door for closing a slot formed in a chamber of the dryer, means for moving the door in a direction transverse to the slot to permit access to the chamber, and means for rotating the door as it is moved transverse to the slot. 2. An assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the rotating means comprises means for engaging the door as it is moved away from the slot. 3. An assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the rotating means comprises a cam attached to the door for engaging a curved guide to cause the door to rotate. 4. An assembly according to Claim 3, wherein the moving means is arranged to move the door from a first, closed position to a second open position at which the cam engages the guide. 5. An assembly according to Claim 4, wherein at the second position, the slot is fully exposed by the door. 6. An assembly according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, comprising means for automatically stopping the moving means at the second position. 7. An assembly according to any of Claims 4 to 6, comprising means for automatically stopping the moving means at a third, open position of the door following rotation thereof. 8. An assembly according to any of Claims 3 to 7, wherein the cam is attached to an arm connected at one end thereof to the door. 9. An assembly according to Claim 8, wherein the cam comprises a roller rotatably mounted on the arm. 10. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the moving means engages or is connected to a pivot of the door. 11. An assembly according to Claim 10, wherein the pivot is connected to the door at or towards one end thereof so as to cause the other end of the door to swing away from the chamber as the door is moved away from the slot. 12. An assembly according to Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the pivot passes through an aperture formed in the moving means. 13. An assembly according to any of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the moving means is arranged to move the pivot at a constant rate during both rotational and non-rotational movement of the door. 14. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the moving means comprises means for raising and lowering the door. 15. An assembly according to any preceding claim, comprising means for isolating at least part of the moving means from the ambient atmosphere. 16. A freeze dryer comprising a chamber, a slot formed in the chamber for providing access to the chamber, and a slot door assembly according to any preceding claim.

Full Text

FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970)
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10)
TITLE
“FREEZE DRYER” APPLICANT
THE BOC GROUP PLC
Chertsey Road
Windlesham
Surrey GU20 6HJ United Kingdom Nationality : a British company
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which
it is to be performed

FREEZE DRYER
The present invention relates to a slot door assembly for a freeze dryer or the like.

Freeze dryers typically incorporate a pressure vessel having a freeze drying chamber for receiving a plurality of containers or vials containing sterile material to be freeze dried. Access to the chamber for automated loading and removal of vials is through a rectangular opening, or slot, formed in a wall or in the main door of the chamber. The slot is closed by a slot door which, with the chamber, forms a vacuum seal around the slot. To enable vials to be inserted into and removed from the chamber, the slot door is vertically raised relative to the slot by moving the slot door along guide tracks.
Maintaining sterile conditions within the dryer requires periodic cleaning and sterilization of the slot door and guide tracks. In order to access the rear surface of the slot door, that is, the surface of the slot door which faces the chamber, it is necessary to manually remove the slot door from the guide tracks, thereby increasing the cost and duration of the cleaning and
sterilization.
It is an aim of at least the preferred embodiment of the present invention to seek to solve these and other problems.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a slot door assembly for a freeze dryer or the like, the assembly comprising a slot door for closing a slot formed in a chamber of the dryer, means for moving the door in a direction transverse to the slot to permit access to the chamber, and means for rotating the door as it is moved transverse to the slot.

By causing the slot door to rotate as it is moved away from the slot, the rear surface of the slot door is exposed to allow manual or automatic cleaning and sterilization of the rear surface without the need to remove the door from the dryer.
In a preferred arrangement, the rotating means comprises a cam attached to the door for engaging a curved guide to cause the door to rotate. The guides are preferably in the form of tracks provided on facing side walls of the dryer.
The moving means preferably engages or is connected to a pivot of the door. Two pivots may be provided, one on either side of the door, each being associated with a respective cam and guide.
The rotating means may be arranged to rotate the door during movement thereof from a closed position, so that the door is gradually rotated as the slot is opened. Alternatively, in a preferred arrangement the moving means is arranged to move the door from the closed position to a second open position at which the cam engages the guide, the slot being preferably fully exposed by the door at the second position. Means may be provided for automatically stopping the moving means at the second position. This can enable the door to be stopped at the second position to enable containers or vials to be inserted in and removed from the chamber with minimal disturbance of airflow by the slot door.
Thus, in this preferred arrangement, the door rotates during movement of the door from the second position to a third, open arrangement. Means may be provided for automatically stopping movement of the door at the third position. The means for stopping the door in the second and third positions may be provided by sensors or switches located at these positions for detecting the
presence of the moving means, the sensors being arranged to output signals to a controller for controlling the moving means.

The or each cam is preferably attached to an arm connected at one end thereof to the pivot, and preferably comprises a roller rotatably mounted on the arm.
The or each pivot is preferably connected to the door at or towards one end thereof so as to cause the other end of the door to swing away from the chamber as the door is moved away from the slot. The moving means preferably engages or is connected to the pivot. For example, the pivot may pass through an aperture formed in the moving means.
The moving means preferably comprises means for raising and lowering the door, and may include means for isolating at least part of the moving means from the ambient atmosphere.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a freeze dryer comprising a chamber, a slot formed in the chamber for providing access to the chamber, and a slot door assembly as aforementioned.
Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a front view, partially in section, of an embodiment of a slot door assembly, with the door in a first, closed position;
Figure 2 is a side view, partially in section, of the door assembly as shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2, with the door in a second, open position Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 2, with the door in a third, open position;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a freeze dryer incorporating the door assembly of Figure 1, with the door in the closed position;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the dryer of Figure 5, with the door in the second position; and
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the dryer of Figure 5, with the door in the third position.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of a slot door assembly 10 comprises a rectangular slot door 12 for closing a slot 14 formed in a wall or main door of a chamber 16 of a freeze dryer 17 or the like. Figures 1, 2 and 5 illustrate the door 12 in a closed position, in which the door 12 engages a sealing arrangement 18 extending around the slot 14 to form a vacuum seal.
The assembly 10 includes a moving mechanism 20 for raising the door to enable containers or vials to be inserted into and removed from the chamber 16 through the slot 14. The moving mechanism 20 comprises an AC/DC
drive motor 22 connected by a timing belt or gear assembly 24 to a drive shaft 26. Gear wheels 28 attached to the ends of the drive shaft 26 intermesh with gear wheels 30 each located on a respective lead screw 32, the lead screws 32 being provided on respective sides of the assembly 10 and supported by bearings 33. Each lead screw 32 may be a normal thread lead screw or a
ball screw spindle, depending on the required speed at which the slot door 12 is to be raised and lowered. In this embodiment, the slot door 12 is raised and lowered at a rate of around 125mm per second.
The upper end 34 of each lead screw 32 engages a pivot pin 36 attached to a side of the slot door 12. In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, each pin 36 passes through an aperture 38 formed in a cylindrical member 40 located on the upper end of the lead screw 32.

To move the slot door 12 from the closed position shown in Figure 2 to an open, loading position as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the motor 22 is operated to cause the drive shaft 26 to rotate in a first direction. Rotation of the gear wheels 28, 30 draws the lead screws 32 upwards, which in turn move the cylindrical members upwards to raise the slot door 12, thereby exposing the slot 14.
As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, each lead screw 32 is isolated from the ambient atmosphere, and thus from the surrounding sterile environment, by a surrounding bellows 42. One end of the bellows 42 is attached to the base 44 of the cylindrical member 40, and the other end of the bellows is fixed proximate the bearings 33 so that the bellows 42 expands as the slot door 12 is raised.

Raising of the slot door 12 to the loading position shown in Figure 3 is detected by a first sensor or switch 46, which detects the presence of the upper end 48 of the cylindrical member 40 relative thereto. An output of the first switch 46 is fed to a controller (not shown), which may be arranged to stop the motor 22 once the slot door 12 is in the loading position to enable vials to be inserted into and removed from the chamber 16. In the case of laminar air flow, the disturbance of the air flow is minimal during loading of the chamber 16.
As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the assembly 10 further comprises support arms 50, each support arm 50 being connected at one end thereof to a respective pivot pin 36. A cam roller 52 is rotatably mounted to the other end of each support arm 50. In the loading position, each cam roller has just engaged a respective cam track 54 located on a respective side wall of the chamber 16. Each cam track is curved such that, with further raising of the slot door 12 from the loading position, the slot door 12 is caused to pivot about pivot pins

36 as the cam rollers 52 follow the cam tracks 54, moving the upper end 55 of the slot door 12 away from the chamber 16.
A second sensor or switch 56 is located above the first switch 46. Similar to the first switch 46, the second switch 56 detects the presence of the upper end 48 of the cylindrical member 40 relative thereto, and outputs a signal to the controller to stop the motor 22 when the door 12 is in the open, cleaning position shown in Figures 4 and 7. In this cleaning position, the slot door 12 is supported by the pivot pins 36 and cam rollers 50, and the rear surface 58 of the slot door is exposed, thereby enabling substantially the whole door to be manually or automatically cleaned and sterilized. Cleaning and sterilization may be automatically performed on a periodic basis, for example, every few days.
The slot door may be moved in a single movement from the closed position shown in Figure 5 to the cleaning position shown in Figure 7, or alternatively may be moved first to the loading position shown in Figure 6, and from there to the cleaning position.
Following completion of the slot door cleaning and sterilization, the motor 22 is operated in reverse to lower the slot door 12. Third sensors or switches 60 are provided to detect the location of the slot door 12 in the closed position shown in Figure 1, and to output signals to the controller to stop the motor 22.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the moving mechanism 20, which includes the motor 22, drive shaft 26 and associated gears are located towards the base of the freeze dryer. However, the moving mechanism 20 may alternatively be located towards the top of the freeze dryer to raise and lower the slot door 12 as required. In another alternative, the moving
mechanism 20 may be physically isolated from the freeze dryer. For
example, the mechanism 20 may be located in a technical area divided from the sterile environment of the freeze dryer.

Furthermore, whilst in the preferred embodiment the slot door 12 is raised from the closed position to expose the slot 14, the slot door may alternatively be lowered, moved sideways or in any other direction transverse to the slot to expose the slot 14.
In summary, a freeze dryer comprises a chamber having a rectangular slot through which vials are inserted into the chamber, and a slot door for forming a seal with the chamber to close the slot. To enable the vials to be
subsequently removed from the chamber, the slot door is raised. As the door is raised, it is rotated to expose the rear surface of the door for cleaning purposes.

CLAIMS
1. A slot door assembly for a freeze dryer or the like, the assembly
comprising a slot door for closing a slot formed in a chamber of the
dryer, means for moving the door in a direction transverse to the slot to
permit access to the chamber, and means for rotating the door as it is
moved transverse to the slot.
2. An assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the rotating means
comprises means for engaging the door as it is moved away from the
slot.
3. An assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the rotating
means comprises a cam attached to the door for engaging a curved
guide to cause the door to rotate.
4. An assembly according to Claim 3, wherein the moving means is
arranged to move the door from a first, closed position to a second
open position at which the cam engages the guide.
5. An assembly according to Claim 4, wherein at the second position, the
slot is fully exposed by the door.
6. An assembly according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, comprising means for
automatically stopping the moving means at the second position.
7. An assembly according to any of Claims 4 to 6, comprising means for
automatically stopping the moving means at a third, open position of
the door following rotation thereof.
8. An assembly according to any of Claims 3 to 7, wherein the cam is
attached to an arm connected at one end thereof to the door.

9. An assembly according to Claim 8, wherein the cam comprises a roller
rotatably mounted on the arm.
10. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the moving
means engages or is connected to a pivot of the door.
11. An assembly according to Claim 10, wherein the pivot is connected to
the door at or towards one end thereof so as to cause the other end of
the door to swing away from the chamber as the door is moved away
from the slot.
12. An assembly according to Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the pivot
passes through an aperture formed in the moving means.
13. An assembly according to any of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the moving
means is arranged to move the pivot at a constant rate during both
rotational and non-rotational movement of the door.
14. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the moving
means comprises means for raising and lowering the door.
15. An assembly according to any preceding claim, comprising means for
isolating at least part of the moving means from the ambient
atmosphere.
16. A freeze dryer comprising a chamber, a slot formed in the chamber for
providing access to the chamber, and a slot door assembly according
to any preceding claim.

Documents:

3271-CHENP-2006 FORM-1.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 FORM-13 15-06-2010.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 FORM-18.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 FORM-3.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 FORM-6 15-06-2010.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 AMENDED CLAIMS 20-06-2012.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION 20-06-2012.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 ASSIGNMENT 15-06-2010.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 09-12-2011.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 16-05-2012.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 ENGLISH TRANSLATION. 16-05-2012.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 20-06-2012.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 FORM-1 20-06-2012.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 FORM-3 20-06-2012.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 FORM-6 16-05-2012.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 POWER OF ATTORNEY 16-08-2010.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 POWER OF ATTORNEY 16-05-2012.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 POWER OF ATTORNEY 20-06-2012.pdf

3271-CHENP-2006 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS.pdf

3271-chenp-2006-abstract.pdf

3271-chenp-2006-claims.pdf

3271-chenp-2006-correspondnece-others.pdf

3271-chenp-2006-description(complete).pdf

3271-chenp-2006-drawings.pdf

3271-chenp-2006-form 1.pdf

3271-chenp-2006-form 26.pdf

3271-chenp-2006-form 3.pdf

3271-chenp-2006-form 5.pdf

3271-chenp-2006-pct.pdf

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Patent Number

257802

Indian Patent Application Number

3271/CHENP/2006

PG Journal Number

45/2013

Publication Date

08-Nov-2013

Grant Date

06-Nov-2013

Date of Filing

08-Sep-2006

Name of Patentee

I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.p.A.

Applicant Address

VIA EMILIA 428-442,I-40064 OZZANO DELL EMILIA

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	DEMARCO, Francis, Ward	DEMARCO, Francis, Ward ., c/o BOC Edwards Pharmaceutical, 2175 Military Road, Tonawanda, NY 14150
2	RENZI, Ernesto	RENZI, Ernesto., c/o BOC Edwards Pharmaceutical, 2175 Military Road, Tonawanda, NY 14150
3	DAMEN, Franciscus, Antonius	DAMEN, Franciscus, Antonius., c/o BOC Edwards Pharmaceutical Systems BV, Steenstraat 7, Postbus 111, NL-5107 NE Dongen

PCT International Classification Number

E05D 15/58

PCT International Application Number

PCT/GB2005/000665

PCT International Filing date

2005-02-24

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	10/796,943	2004-03-10	U.S.A.