Patent ID: 9375657
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: B01D,G01N

Claim Text:
1. A modular apparatus for performing flash chromatography comprising: a. a chamber having a cylindrical shell having a proximal end and a distal end, said cylindrical shell enclosing a hollow cylindrical interior, said cylindrical shell having an outer surface and an interior surface, a centerline and a midpoint along the centerline; b. a proximal annular ring and a distal annular ring, each annular ring being sealingly disposed at the proximal end and at the distal end of the cylindrical shell, respectively, each annular ring having an upper surface, a hinge and a plurality of mounting clamps distributed uniformly about each annular ring, said upper surface having a raised ring; c. a proximal cover plate and a distal cover plate, each cover plate having a center, an outer side, an underside, and a nozzle, the underside of each cover plate having disposed thereon a registration channel, a sealing channel concentric with the registration channel, and a plurality of radial flow distribution channels extending radially from a distribution hub at the center and extending toward the registration channel, said raised ring being adapted to be disposed in the registration channel when each cover plate is in a closed position on each annular ring, each cover plate being removably disposed on the annular ring at the distal end and at the proximal end of the cylindrical shell and rigidly attached to said hinge to register the cover plate on the annular ring and to permit the cover plate to be sealingly disposed on the annular ring and secured by said plurality of mounting clamps, said nozzle being in fluid communication with the hollow cylindrical interior; d. a flash chromatographic cartridge disposed in the hollow cylindrical interior, said flash chromatographic cartridge comprising: e. a gasket disposed in the sealing channel of each cover plate to provide a seal between each annular ring and each cover plate and between the cylindrical cartridge shell and each cover plate; f. a pair of pivot shafts rigidly disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical shell at the midpoint and extending outwardly from the outer surface along a line at right angles to the centerline; g. a stationary horizontal base having a pair of upright members, each of the upright members extending above said base at a 90 degree angle relative to the stationary horizontal base and terminating in a bearing adapted to receive the pair of pivot shafts; wherein the cylindrical shell can be positioned vertically or horizontally relative to the stationary horizontal base and wherein the hinge is oriented in line with the pair of pivot shafts to permit said cover plates to be opened on a horizontal plane relative to the stationary horizontal base.