Patent ID: 7090774

Claim:
A method of packing and unpacking a column chamber, comprising the steps of: flowing a mixture of a matrix material and fluid into a column chamber having a rod in a first position and forming a packed column from the matrix material, said column chamber having a first port for receiving said mixture, an outlet port and an actuator port wherein said actuator port is provided as having said rod having a binary end placed within said actuator port wherein said binary end of said rod blocks the flow of said matrix material to said outlet port in said first position, permits the flow of said matrix material to said outlet port in a second position, and maintains contact with said fluid flow and allows the flow of said fluid through said outlet port in all positions; capturing said matrix material and permitting said fluid to flow therepast by positioning said binary end of said rod in said first position; and opening said outlet by positioning said binary end of said rod in said second position, thereby permitting said matrix material and said fluid to flow through said outlet port thereby unpacking the matrix material from the column chamber.