Method and apparatus for automatic sample loading for chromatography columns

Claim 3

Automatic sample loading apparatus for a chromatography column having an inlet means, comprising in combination pump means injecting an eluting fluid into said column; conduit means for the eluting fluid coupling said pump means with said column; at least two capillary sample receptacles; means delivering sample into each of said receptacles; hydraulic switching means within said conduit means controlling the eluting fluid to flow from said pump means into the column either directly or through one of said receptacles transferring a respective sample.

Claim 4

Automatic sample loading apparatus for a chromatography column having an inlet means, comprising in combination pump means injecting an eluting fluid into said column; conduit means for the eluting fluid coupling said pump means with said column; at least two capillary sample receptacles; means delivering sample into each of said receptacles; hydraulic switching means within said conduit means controlling the eluting fluid to flow from said pump means into the column either directly or through one of said receptacles transferring a respective sample.

Claim 5

Automatic sample loading apparatus for a chromatography column having an inlet means, comprising in combination a pressure pump for the eluent; a chromatographic column; at least two tubular capillary sample receptacles each having at its ends a first and a second opening, respectively; a first and a second conduit each leading into one of the first and the second openings, respectively; a first and a second multiway valve governing said first and said second conduit, respectively, each multiway valve having at least one outlet assigned to one sample receptacle; a first hydraulic distributing valve governing the flow of eluent coming from the pressure pump and a second distributing valve governing the flow into the chromatographic column, said first and second distributing valve conductively associated with each other and each with one multiway valve; said distributing valves in a first position connecting the pressure pump directly with the column bypassing any sample receptacle, and in a second position directing the flow of eluent from the pressure pump into and through one of the sample receptacles to transfer the sample therefrom into the column; suction means governed by the first distributing valve drawing a sample into one sample receptacle during the first position of the distributing valves; and actuating means coordinating said multiway valves and said distributing valves for complementing action during said first and second position of the distributing valves.

Claim 6

Automatic sample loading apparatus for a chromatography column having an inlet means, comprising in combination a pressure pump for the eluent; a chromatographic column; at least two tubular capillary sample receptacles each having at its ends a first and a second opening, respectively; a first and a second conduit each leading into one of the first and the second openings, respectively; a first and a second multiway valve governing said first and said second conduit, respectively, each multiway valve having at least one outlet assigned to one sample receptacle; a first hydraulic distributing valve governing the flow of eluent coming from the pressure pump and a second distributing valve governing the flow into the chromatographic column, said first and second distributing valve conductively associated with each other and each with one multiway valve; said distributing valves in a first position connecting the pressure pump directly with the column bypassing any sample receptacle, and in a second position directing the flow of eluent from the pressure pump into and through one of the sample receptacles to transfer the sample therefrom into the column; suction means governed by the first distributing valve drawing a sample into one sample receptacle during the first position of the distributing valves; and actuating means coordinating said multiway valves and said distributing valves for complementing action during said first and second position of the distributing valves.

Claim 7

Automatic sample loading apparatus for a chromatography column having an inlet means, comprising a pressure pump for the eluting fluid and a first conduit leading therefrom; a chromatographic column and a second conduit leading thereinto; at least two capillary sample receptacles each having at its ends a first and a second opening, respectively; a support for said sample receptacles reciprocable in a direction substantially perpendicular to their longitudinal axes; means feeding a sample into the receptacles; a first and a second hydraulic distributing valve operatively associated with each other and turnable into a first and a second position; in the first position the distributing valves establishing a direct communication of the pump with the column to deliver eluent thereinto, and in the second position connecting the pump with the column over and through one sample receptacle to directly carry the sample therefrom into the column by the flow of eluting fluid originating in the pump.

Claim 8

Automatic sample loading apparatus for a chromatography column having an inlet means, comprising a pressure pump for the eluting fluid and a first conduit leading therefrom; a chromatographic column and a second conduit leading thereinto; at least two capillary sample receptacles each having at its ends a first and a second opening, respectively; a support for said sample receptacles reciprocable in a direction substantially perpendicular to their longitudinal axes; means feeding a sample into the receptacles; a first and a second hydraulic distributing valve operatively associated with each other and turnable into a first and a second position; in the first position the distributing valves establishing a direct communication of the pump with the column to deliver eluent thereinto, and in the second position connecting the pump with the column over and through one sample receptacle to directly carry the sample therefrom into the column by the flow of eluting fluid originating in the pump.

Claim 9

Automatic sample loading apparatus for a chromatography column comprising sample support means having a plurality of bores in spaced-apart relationship and each containing a sample to be introduced into said chromatography column, first and second fluid coupling means disposed adjacent to said support means, means for intermittently moving said sample support means to successively dispose each of said bores individually in flow communication with said first and second fluid coupling means, means for directing eluent under pressure to said first fluid coupling means when a sample is to be transferred to said chromatography column and while a bore is positioned in flow communication with said first and second fluid coupling means, means for connecting said second fluid coupling means to said chromatography column, at least while said eluent is being directed to said first fluid coupling means, and means for introducing a sample into a bore while positioned between said first and second fluid coupling means.

Claim 10

Automatic sample loading apparatus for a chromatography column comprising sample support means having a plurality of bores in spaced-apart relationship and each containing a sample to be introduced into said chromatography column, first and second fluid coupling means disposed adjacent to said support means, means for intermittently moving said sample support means to successively dispose each of said bores individually in flow communication with said first and second fluid coupling means, means for directing eluent under pressure to said first fluid coupling means when a sample is to be transferred to said chromatography column and while a bore is positioned in flow communication with said first and second fluid coupling means, means for connecting said second fluid coupling means to said chromatography column, at least while said eluent is being directed to said first fluid coupling means, and means for introducing a sample into a bore while positioned between said first and second fluid coupling means.

Claim 11

Automatic sample loading apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said directing means further includes eluent fluid pumping means, and additional means for connecting said pumping means in fluid flow communication with said chromatography column along said first and second fluid coupling means and a bore positioned in flow communication therewith.

Claim 12

Automatic sample loading apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said directing means includes furTher means for connecting said pump means to said chromatography column in bypass of said first and second fluid coupling means while said introducing means is operative to introduce a sample into a bore disposed between said first and said second fluid coupling means.

Claim 13

Automatic sample loading apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said introducing means is operative to introduce a sample into a bore disposed between said first and second fluid coupling means by suction.

Claim 14

Automatic sample loading apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said introducing means is operative to introduce a sample and a covering buffer, separated by an air bubble, into a bore disposed between said first and second fluid coupling means.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each respective one of said plurality of bores is adapted to receive different unique liquid samples.

Claim 16

Automatic sample loading apparatus for a chromatography column comprising a chromatography column, pumping means for injecting eluent fluid into said chromatography column, first valving means having an inlet and first and second outlets, and a second valving means having a first and second inlet and an outlet, a first pressure line leading from said pumping means to said inlet of said first valing means, and a second pressure line leading from said outlet of said second valving means and connected to said chromatography column, a third pressure line leading from the second outlet of said first valving means to said first input of said second valving means whereby said pumping means is connectable directly to said chromatography column along said first and second valving means, sample support means having a plurality of sample containing bores and first and second fluid coupling means, means for intermittently moving said sample support means to sequentially dispose each of said bores in flow communication with said first and second coupling means, a fourth pressure line connecting said first coupling means to said first output of said first valving means, and a fifth pressure line connecting said second coupling means to said second input of said second valving means, and said first and second valving means being operative to connect said pumping means to said chromatography column along said first and second coupling means when a bore is disposed therebetween whereby a sample contained in said disposed bore is discharged into said chromatography column by said pumping means.

Claim 17

Automatic sample loading apparatus for a chromatography column comprising a chromatography column, pumping means for injecting eluent fluid into said chromatography column, first valving means having an inlet and first and second outlets, and a second valving means having a first and second inlet and an outlet, a first pressure line leading from said pumping means to said inlet of said first valing means, and a second pressure line leading from said outlet of said second valving means and connected to said chromatography column, a third pressure line leading from the second outlet of said first valving means to said first input of said second valving means whereby said pumping means is connectable directly to said chromatography column along said first and second valving means, sample support means having a plurality of sample containing bores and first and second fluid coupling means, means for intermittently moving said sample support means to sequentially dispose each of said bores in flow communication with said first and second coupling means, a fourth pressure line connecting said first coupling means to said first output of said first valving means, and a fifth pressure line connecting said second coupling means to said second input of said second valving means, and said first and second valving means being operative to connect said pumping means to said chromatography column along said first and second coupling means when a bore is disposed therebetween whereby a sample contained in said disposed bore is discharged into said chromatography column by said pumping means.

Claim 18

Automatic sample loading apparatus as defined in claim 11 including further means for introducing sample into a bore disposed between said first and second coupling means; said further means being operative while said pumping means is connected directly to said chromatography column along said first and second valving means and said first pressure line.

Claim 19

Apparatus for automatically loading samples for analysis on to a chromatography column comprising a transfer member movable along a path, a plurality of sample locating chambers located in a spaced relationship on said transfer member and extending through said member, a fluid inlet duct and a fluid outlet duct, said fluid outlet duct leading to said column, said ducts being located, relative to said transfer member to be connected with successive chambers, means for sealing both ducts to opposite sides of a fluid passageway through a given chamber with which the ducts are connected, such that fluid can flow from said inlet duct through the given chamber and through the outlet duct, and means for stepwise moving the transfer member such that each chamber is, in turn, simultaneously registerable with said inlet and outlet ducts.

Claim 20

Apparatus for automatically loading samples for analysis on to a chromatography column comprising a transfer member movable along a path, a plurality of sample locating chambers located in a spaced relationship on said transfer member and extending through said member, a fluid inlet duct and a fluid outlet duct, said fluid outlet duct leading to said column, said ducts being located, relative to said transfer member to be connected with successive chambers, means for sealing both ducts to opposite sides of a fluid passageway through a given chamber with which the ducts are connected, such that fluid can flow from said inlet duct through the given chamber and through the outlet duct, and means for stepwise moving the transfer member such that each chamber is, in turn, simultaneously registerable with said inlet and outlet ducts.

Claim 21

Apparatus for automatically loading samples for analysis on to a chromatography column comprising a transfer member movable along a path, a plurality of apertures in a spaced relationship in said member and extending through said member, sample support means for locating and supporting sample in eAch aperture, means for stepwise moving the member such that each sample support means in each aperture is held in exclusive register with fluid inlet and outlet ducts and fluid sealing means between the member and each of the said ducts for sealing the ducts to opposite sides of a fluid passageway through the sample support means in exclusive register with the ducts, such that fluids flow from said inlet duct through the sample support means and through the outlet duct.

Claim 22

Apparatus for automatically loading samples for analysis on to a chromatography column comprising a transfer member movable along a path, a plurality of apertures in a spaced relationship in said member and extending through said member, sample support means for locating and supporting sample in eAch aperture, means for stepwise moving the member such that each sample support means in each aperture is held in exclusive register with fluid inlet and outlet ducts and fluid sealing means between the member and each of the said ducts for sealing the ducts to opposite sides of a fluid passageway through the sample support means in exclusive register with the ducts, such that fluids flow from said inlet duct through the sample support means and through the outlet duct.

Claim 23

Apparatus for automatically loading samples for analysis onto a chromatography column comprising a transfer member having a plurality of sample locating chambers located in spaced relationship in said transfer member, each chamber being in the form of a bore extending through the transfer member, a fluid flow assembly including a fluid inlet duct and a fluid outlet duct, the two said ducts being located to be simultaneously registerable with a given chamber sealing the two ducts to the chamber such that fluid can flow from said inlet duct through the chamber to said outlet duct, said transfer member and said fluid flow assembly being relatively movable such that the two said ducts can register, in turn, with successive chambers of said transfer member.

Claim 24

Apparatus for automatically loading samples for analysis onto a chromatography column comprising a transfer member having a plurality of sample locating chambers located in spaced relationship in said transfer member, each chamber being in the form of a bore extending through the transfer member, a fluid flow assembly including a fluid inlet duct and a fluid outlet duct, the two said ducts being located to be simultaneously registerable with a given chamber sealing the two ducts to the chamber such that fluid can flow from said inlet duct through the chamber to said outlet duct, said transfer member and said fluid flow assembly being relatively movable such that the two said ducts can register, in turn, with successive chambers of said transfer member.