Patent ID: 8715499

Claim:
A chromatography column apparatus comprising: a column tube having first and second ends, and first and second discrete end cell structures which are associated with the respective ends of the column tube and positionable to close off the column tube and thereby define therein a column space for retaining chromatography medium, in use of the apparatus; at least the first end cell structure comprising a piston portion fitting slidably in the column tube; wherein the first end cell structure has an insertable support structure which supports the piston portion from behind, connects beyond the first end of the column tube to a drive means for controllably moving the column tube and piston portion axially relative to one another and for separating the second end of the column tube and the second end structure to provide access spacing between the second end of the column tube and the second end cell structure, the support structure having sufficient axial reach for the piston portion to be exposed at the open second end of the column tube while still supported by the insertable support structure, and further comprising a safety plate movable to block movement of the second end of the column tube toward the second end cell structure to maintain the access spacing, before advancing the piston portion of the first end cell structure through the column tube to expose it at the open second end of the tube.