System for obtaining a homogeneous absorbent bed in a chromatographic column

Claim 1

A system for obtaining a homogeneous absorbent bed of particles in a chromatographic column, said system comprising a chromatographic column in which the absorbent bed is to be packed, a reservoir column containing a quantity of the absorbent bed, said chromatographic and reservoir columns being internally in communication with each other, said chromatographic and reservoir columns together forming a hydraulic-like cylinder, a slurry compressor contained in said hydraulic-like cylinder and subjected to pressure therein to compact the absorbent bed within said chromatographic column, said compressor including a shaped member having external dimensions slightly less than the internal dimensions of the hydraulic-like cylinder, said compressor having an innermost portion and a outermost portion, said portions being integral, the innermost portion being a solid segment incorporating a lower surface disposed for compressing against the bed of particles, said outermost portion having a hollowed interior forming a walled structure extending from the solid segment forming the innermost portion, and said walled structure flaring slightly outwardly to assure a resonable snugness and contiguity of the compressor with the interior wall of the hydraulic-like cylinder to assure the forced compaction of the compressor against the bed, while substantially preventing fluid from by-passing the compressor during compaction.

Claim 2

A system for obtaining a homogeneous absorbent bed of particles in a chromatographic column, said system comprising a chromatographic column in which the absorbent bed is to be packed, a reservoir column containing a quantity of the absorbent bed, said chromatographic and reservoir columns being internally in communication with each other, said chromatographic and reservoir columns together forming a hydraulic-like cylinder, a slurry compressor contained in said hydraulic-like cylinder and subjected to pressure therein to compact the absorbent bed within said chromatographic column, said compressor including a shaped member having external dimensions slightly less than the internal dimensions of the hydraulic-like cylinder, said compressor having an innermost portion and a outermost portion, said portions being integral, the innermost portion being a solid segment incorporating a lower surface disposed for compressing against the bed of particles, said outermost portion having a hollowed interior forming a walled structure extending from the solid segment forming the innermost portion, and said walled structure flaring slightly outwardly to assure a resonable snugness and contiguity of the compressor with the interior wall of the hydraulic-like cylinder to assure the forced compaction of the compressor against the bed, while substantially preventing fluid from by-passing the compressor during compaction.