Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A system for preparing a plurality of slab gels having a density gradient between two opposite edges comrising: a prismatic chamber having a bottom wall, end walls and at least two side walls, for containing a plurality of slab-gel holders in an array with major surfaces of the individual holders generally parallel to the end walls of the prismatic chamber, each of the holders comprising a pair of spaced apart plates defining an intermediate volume for containing a slab gel, the prismatic chamber being rotatably supported on an axis passing transversely through its end walls, and including an inlet for coagulable solution flow at a lower longitudinal corner formed at the intersection of the bottom and a side wall; means for preparing and feeding a coagulable solution flow having an increasing density gradient into said inlet; and means for rotatably positioning said prismatic chamber with the bottom and side surfaces diverging upwardly from said lower longitudinal corner having said inlet to begin filling and means for rotating said chamber during filling such that the bottom wall is advanced to a horizontal position when filling is completed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
186 words
A system for preparing a plurality of slab gels having a density gradient between two opposite edges comrising: a prismatic chamber having a bottom wall, end walls and at least two side walls, for containing a plurality of slab-gel holders in an array with major surfaces of the individual holders generally parallel to the end walls of the prismatic chamber, each of the holders comprising a pair of spaced apart plates defining an intermediate volume for containing a slab gel, the prismatic chamber being rotatably supported on an axis passing transversely through its end walls, and including an inlet for coagulable solution flow at a lower longitudinal corner formed at the intersection of the bottom and a side wall; means for preparing and feeding a coagulable solution flow having an increasing density gradient into said inlet; and means for rotatably positioning said prismatic chamber with the bottom and side surfaces diverging upwardly from said lower longitudinal corner having said inlet to begin filling and means for rotating said chamber during filling such that the bottom wall is advanced to a horizontal position when filling is completed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said preparing and filling means include a flexible plastic envelope of thermally fusible material having first and second compartments separated by a curved septum comprising a thermally fused bond of the two opposing envelope sides along a curved line passing from top to bottom of the envelope, each of said compartments having an upper inlet and a lower outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said preparing and feeding means include a liquid mixing device connected between the outlets of both the first and second compartments for blending together a solution flow from each compartment to form a composite flow with an increasing density gradient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein noncoagulable liquid feed means are provided to displace said solution with a colored noncoagulable liquid from the preparing and feeding means after filling said sol-gel holders.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 wherein a diverging flow channel is provided in communication with said inlet of said prismatic chamber including an extended channel portion generally coextensive with said lower longitudinal corner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the end walls of said prismatic chamber is removable for loading and removing slab-gel holders.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said prismatic chamber walls are of a generally transparent material.