Patent ID: 8062520

Claim:
A quick-connect, replaceable column for holding a solid material for a pressurized liquid extraction system, the pressurized liquid extraction system including a rotatable toggle clamp having a plunger that is movable along an axis that is parallel to that of the replaceable column and a fluid source, the replaceable column comprising: a rigid, thread-less, hollow column portion having proximal and distal ends and an annulus therebetween; a first end cap assembly that is structured and arranged to sealingly engage the proximal end of the column to provide a tight, interference fit with said proximal end of the column portion at low to high temperatures and pressures; a second end cap assembly that is structured and arranged to sealingly engage the distal end of the column to provide a tight, interference fit with said distal end of the column portion at low to high temperatures and pressures; a top cup assembly that is hollow, cylindrical or substantially cylindrical in shape; includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a sidewall portion; and includes an internal fluid connection for fluidly coupling the first end cap assembly to a fluid source: the top portion including a depressed area for releasably attaching the top cup assembly to the movable plunger, the bottom portion including a depressed area for releasably attaching the top cup assembly to the first end cap assembly, and the sidewall portion including a fluid input/output portion that is in fluid communication with the internal fluid connection; and a bottom cup assembly that is hollow, cylindrical or substantially cylindrical in shape; includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a sidewall portion; and includes an internal fluid connection for fluidly coupling the second end cap assembly to a fluid source: the top portion including a depressed area for releasably attaching the bottom cup assembly to the second end cap assembly, the bottom portion including at least one recess for releasably attaching the bottom cup assembly to a base portion of the system, and the sidewall portion including a fluid input/output portion that is in fluid communication with the internal fluid connection; wherein each of the first and second end cap assemblies is of one piece construction and includes: a holding assembly having an outer surface and an annulus therethrough, the outer surface being adapted at a distal end and at a proximal end of the holding assembly to accommodate at least one sealing device for providing the tight, interference fit; a filter assembly that is adapted for disposal within the annulus of the holding assembly; and a plurality of filter assembly sealing rings being structured and arranged to provide a seal around a periphery of a respective top side or a respective bottom side of the filter assembly.