Patent ID: 8241477

Claim:
A tank apparatus ( 10 ) for performing horizontal electrophoresis to a sample loaded gel contained within a gel cassette, said apparatus ( 10 ) comprising: a. a base member ( 12 ) comprising at least first and second receptacles ( 16 ), ( 18 ) for being filled with buffer solution, wherein each of said receptacles ( 16 ), ( 18 ) comprises an associated inlet ( 28 ), ( 28 ′); b. a cover member ( 14 ) for covering at least said first and second receptacles ( 16 ), ( 18 ), thereby forming first and second buffer chambers, said cover member ( 14 ) comprising at least two openings ( 40 ), ( 42 ) for enabling a sample loaded gel of a gel cassette to be externally inserted therethrough into contact with buffer solution contained in said receptacles, wherein each of said openings ( 40 ), ( 42 ) is aligned above one of each of said first and second receptacles ( 16 ), ( 18 ) when said receptacles ( 16 ), ( 18 ) are covered by said cover member ( 14 ); and, c. a pair of electrodes ( 33 ), ( 33 ′), wherein each of said electrodes ( 33 ), ( 33 ′) enters a receptacle via an associated inlet and is situated in one of each of said first and second receptacles ( 16 ), ( 18 ), and wherein said electrodes ( 33 ), ( 33 ′) are connectable to an electrical power supply; wherein said first and second receptacles ( 16 ), ( 18 ) are separated from each other by one of a space or partition between them, wherein each of said receptacles ( 16 ), ( 18 ) comprises suitable supports for supporting each of said electrodes ( 33 ), ( 33 ′); and wherein said supports consist of an array of pins ( 26 ) that extend vertically from the bottom of each of said receptacles ( 16 ), ( 18 ), and wherein the electrodes ( 33 ), ( 33 ′) are mounted substantially near the top of each of said pins ( 26 ).