Method and device for introducing samples into chromatographic columns

Claim 1

An apparatus for continuous liquid chromatographic analysis said apparatus comprising: A. a chromatographic column; B. a pump for supplying liquid elution medium to the chromatographic column; C. a plurality of cartridges each adapted to contain a sample to be analyzed in the chromatographic column; D. means for alternatively directing the elution medium from the pump either: 1. directly to the top of the chromatographic column or, 2. to one of the plurality of cartridges to remove the sample contained therein and then to the top of the chromatographic column, E. said means for directing the elution medium comprising a valve having a valve casing and a rotatable member therein, said valve casing having an elution medium entrance duct, an elution medium exit duct, a sample entrance duct, and a column entrance duct, the rotatable valve member having passages therein arranged when in a first rotational position to connect the elution medium entrance duct with the elution medium exit duct and simultaneously connect the sample entrance duct with the column entrance duct, in the second rotational position of said valve member, said passages connect the elution medium entrance duct directly to the column entrance duct, while interrupting the flow between said sample entrance duct and said column entrance duct.

Claim 2

An apparatus for continuous liquid chromatographic analysis said apparatus comprising: A. a chromatographic column; B. a pump for supplying liquid elution medium to the chromatographic column; C. a plurality of cartridges each adapted to contain a sample to be analyzed in the chromatographic column; D. means for alternatively directing the elution medium from the pump either: 1. directly to the top of the chromatographic column or, 2. to one of the plurality of cartridges to remove the sample contained therein and then to the top of the chromatographic column, E. said means for directing the elution medium comprising a valve having a valve casing and a rotatable member therein, said valve casing having an elution medium entrance duct, an elution medium exit duct, a sample entrance duct, and a column entrance duct, the rotatable valve member having passages therein arranged when in a first rotational position to connect the elution medium entrance duct with the elution medium exit duct and simultaneously connect the sample entrance duct with the column entrance duct, in the second rotational position of said valve member, said passages connect the elution medium entrance duct directly to the column entrance duct, while interrupting the flow between said sample entrance duct and said column entrance duct.

Claim 6

A device for introducing into chromatographic columns a sample held in a longitudinal passage of at least one cartridge comprising in combination: a pump for supplying an elution medium; a chromatographic column; valve means including a valve casing and a rotary valve member reversibly displacable therein about an axis of rotation between a first position and a second position; a carrier for the cartridge, said carrier being moveable relative to the valve casing; a spring-loaded pressure head movable to clamp a cartridge between said valve casing and said pressure head; a first duct iN the valve casing passing eluate in the valve member''s first position from the pump means directly into the column avoiding the cartridge; and a second duct in the valve casing passing eluate in the valve member''s second position from the pump means to the pressure head and through the clamped cartridge into the column, said valve member having first and second valve passages arranged in parallel in a plane containing the axis of rotation of the rotary valve member; and a system of entrance and outlet ducts in the valve casing adapted to cooperate with said parallel valve passages so that in the first position of the valve means the elution medium flows directly from the pump means into the column and in the second position flows through the tightly clamped cartridge into the column.

Claim 7

A device for introducing into chromatographic columns a sample held in a longitudinal passage of at least one cartridge comprising in combination: a pump for supplying an elution medium; a chromatographic column; valve means including a valve casing and a rotary valve member reversibly displacable therein about an axis of rotation between a first position and a second position; a carrier for the cartridge, said carrier being moveable relative to the valve casing; a spring-loaded pressure head movable to clamp a cartridge between said valve casing and said pressure head; a first duct iN the valve casing passing eluate in the valve member''s first position from the pump means directly into the column avoiding the cartridge; and a second duct in the valve casing passing eluate in the valve member''s second position from the pump means to the pressure head and through the clamped cartridge into the column, said valve member having first and second valve passages arranged in parallel in a plane containing the axis of rotation of the rotary valve member; and a system of entrance and outlet ducts in the valve casing adapted to cooperate with said parallel valve passages so that in the first position of the valve means the elution medium flows directly from the pump means into the column and in the second position flows through the tightly clamped cartridge into the column.