COUPLING IN A SYSTEM OF SEPARATION

Abstract: A coupling in a separation system comprising a separation unit (11), which is detachably mounted in a stand (10), said separation unit having an inlet and an outlet connection socket, respectively, connected to a connection socket via couplings (12A, 12B). Each coupling comprises a coupler portion (15A, 15B) on the stand and a coupler portion (16A, 16B) on the separation unit, wherein each coupler portion has a spring biased closure member, which is kept in a closed position by the spring bias. The closure members in the two coupler portions, which are included in a coupling are displaceable to open position against the associated spring bias by engaging the coupler portions against each other when the separation unit (11) is inserted into the stand (10).

Description: TITLE: COUPLING IN A SYSTEM OF SEPARATION The present invention relates to a coupling in a se- paration system, especially a gel filter, comprising a se¬ paration unit, which is detachably mounted in a stand, said separation unit having an inlet and an outlet opening con¬ nected to an inlet and an outlet, respectively, via cou¬ plings. Each coupling comprises a coupler portion on the stand and a coupler portion on the separation unit. In separation systems for separation and purification of biomolecules, for example gel chromatography, the pack¬ ing of the column is a very critical step. A badly packed column provides uneven flows and flow rates and bad resolu- tion. When packing the column it is important that a homo¬ geneous bed with even surface is achieved. An uneven bed surface leads to unevenly separated bands and bad resolu¬ tion. It is therefore often a question of time consuming processes to pack a column with, for instance, a gel filter medium. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a coupling for handling separation systems, which admits con¬ nection and disconnection of a separation unit in such a way that the pressure in the separation unit can be main- tained. In this way it is possible to pack columns in an earlier stage and to store such columns until they are to be used. In order to achieve this purpose, the coupling accor¬ ding to the invention has obtained the characterizing fea- tures of claim 1. For further explanation of the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG 1 is a side view of a separation system, wherein an exchangeable unit comprising the filter medium, for ex- ample the gel column, is connected to the separation system by means of an upper and a lower coupling, both identical and designed according to the invention, FIG 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the coupling in closed position, that is the position it has when the separation unit is removed from the separation system, FIG 3 is a corresponding longitudinal sectional view of the coupling in open position, that is the position it has when the separation unit is connected to the separation system and, FIG 4 is a sectional view along line IV - IV, FIG 5 is sectional view along line V - V, FIG 6 is a sectional view along line VI - VI, and FIG 7 is a sectional view along line VII - VII in FIG 2. In FIG 1 a separation unit 11 is detachably mounted to a stand 10 by means of upper and lower couplings 12A and 12B, respectively, which are both identical and comprise a coupler portion 15A and 15B, respectively, on the stand 10 and a coupler portion 16A and 16B, respectively, on the se¬ paration unit 11. The coupler portions 15A, 15B are shown in more detail in FIG 2 - 7. Each coupler portion has a connection socket 13 with a passage 13A forming an inlet on the upper coupler portion 15A and an outlet on the lower coupler portion 15B, and a closure member 17, which by means of a U-shaped portion is displaceably guided on the coupler portion 15A, FIG 7, and is connected with one end of a rod 17A displaceably guided in the coupler portion. The closure member 17 is kept in closed position by means of a tension spring 19 which is attached between the cou¬ pler portion and the other end of the rod 17A, FIG 2, the closure member keeping the passage 13A closed at a gasket 13B in said position. Correspondingly, the coupler portions 16A, 16B comprise inlet and outlet connection sockets 14, which are connected to the separation unit 11 and have a passage 14A and a displaceably guided closure member 18, which is kept in closed position by means of compression spring 20, the passage 14A being closed at a gasket 14B, FIG 2. When the coupler portions 15A, 15B on the stand 10 and the coupler portions 16A, 16B, respectively, on the se¬ paration unit 11 are separated, then the passages in both portions are closed. When the separation unit 11 is inserted into the sys- tem the stop members 17, 18 in the coupler portions are pressed to open position against spring bias by the coupler portions being pressed against each other. Then, the clo¬ sure member 17 is engaged with the gasket 14B and moved away from the gasket 13 at the same time as the coupler portion 15A and 15B, respectively, is engaged with the clo¬ sure member 18 and moves this away from the gasket 14B so that when the passages 13A and 14A of the two couplings are brought in register by the coupler portions being forced together, a connection is established between the passages 13A and 14A at the gaskets 13B and 14B, engaging each other.

Claims: CLAIM A coupling in a separation system comprising a sepa¬ ration unit (11), which is detachably mounted in a stand (10), said separation unit having an inlet and an outlet connection socket (14) , respectively, connected to a con¬ nection socket (13) via couplings (12A, 12B) , wherein each coupling comprises a coupler portion (15A, 15B) on the stand and a coupler portion (16A, 16B) on the separation unit, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each coupler por- tion (15A, 15B, 16A, 16B) has a spring biased closure mem¬ ber (17, 18), which is kept in a closed position by the spring bias, and that the closure members in the two cou¬ pler portions, which are included in a coupling are displa- ceable to open position against the associated spring bias by engaging the coupler portions against each other when the separation unit (11) is inserted into the stand (10).

Inventors: AXELSSON ROBERT, SVENSON JAN, AXELSSON, ROBERT, SVENSON, JAN
Applicants: AXELSSON ROBERT, SVENSON JAN, AXELSSON, ROBERT, SVENSON, JAN
Application year: 1991
Main classification: F16L37
IPC codes: F16L37, F16L39