Chromatography column

Claim 1

A chromatography column supply system wherein there are a plurality of chromatography columns containing sorbent and a lesser number of chromatography precolumns configured for use with some of the chromatogaphy columns, the improvement comprising: each chromatography column having first and second ends which are identical, the ends each column including an external groove and having internal, outwaradly facing shoulders; identical support nuts for each end, each support nut comprising two mirror image half-shells each having an internally projecting semicircular rib which is received in one half of the groove; a distribution element positioning in each column in abuttment with one of the shoulders and in engagement with the sorbent in the column; a thrust member for each column; the thrust member engaging the distribution element if the column does not use a precolumn, and engaging the precolumn if the column uses a precolumn; first cap nuts having selected lengths, internal threads for threadably engaging with the support nuts, and shoulders for engaging the thrust members to urge the thrust members into abutment with distribution element, and second cap nuts each having a length greater than the length of the first cap nuts, internal threads for threadably engaging the external threads of the support nuts and shoulders for engaging thrust members to urge the thrust members into abutment with precolumns; whereby more than one type of chromatography column need not be stocked for use either with or without precolumns.