EP0355266B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for performing repetitive chemical reactions
Assignee: EMD Millipore Corp
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Filing: 1989-04-27
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Granted: 1993-06-09
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Expires: 2009-04-27
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Derek Hudson
- 👤 Jordan Honig
- 👤 Ronald M. Cook
- 👤 Douglas J. Ng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:58
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07K; C07K1/00; C07K1/04; C07K1/045; B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/0046; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/00274; B01J2219/00277; B01J2219/00279; B01J2219/00281; B01J2219/00286; B01J2219/00288; B01J2219/0029; B01J2219/00497; B01J2219/005; B01J2219/0054; B01J2219/00547; B01J2219/00549; B01J2219/00583; B01J2219/0059; B01J2219/00596; B01J2219/0068; B01J2219/00686; B01J2219/00718; B01J2219/0072; B01J2219/00725; B01J2219/00731; C40; C40B; C40B40/00; C40B40/04; C40B40/10; C40B40/12; C40B60/00; C40B60/14; C40B70/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
An installation for automated chemical processing, comprising: a plurality of chemical storage cartridges (12), at least one cartridge (12) for storing a first chemical; means (13) for choosing between any one of said cartridges (12) and holding said chosen cartridge (12) and positioning said cartridge (12) a priori at a fixed location within said system; a reservoir (Rn) spaced from said location for containing a second chemical to be reacted with said first chemical in said chosen cartridge (12) to produce a third chemical; means (16) at said location for fluid coupling to said chosen cartridge (12) to establish fluid communication with the contents thereof; a fluid conduit (15) connected to said fluid coupling means (16) and said reservoir (Rn) to dissolve and conduct said first chemical from said chosen cartridge (12) to said reservoir (Rn) to react with said second chemical; valve means (Vn) operably connected with said fluid conduit (15) for controlling flow through said conduit; said cartridges (12) including pump means (14) operable when said chosen cartridge (12) is positioned at said location for changing the internal volume thereof so as to cause bi-directional flow of said first chemical through said fluid coupling means (16), alternatively into and out of said reservoir (Rn) and said chosen cartridge (12) to promote mixing and reacting with said second chemical in said reservoir (Rn) to complete the formation of said third chemical; automatically operated control means (18) connected with said pump means (14) and said valve means (Vn) to obtain a predetermined sequence of operation of said pump means (14) and said valve means (Vn) for controlling the dispensing of said first and second chemicals and the further processing of said third chemical.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
39 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 1 wherein: a source of pneumatic pressure is connected with said reservoir (Rn) to pressurize the contents thereof to assist in flow of said first chemical into and out of said reservoir (Rn).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 2 wherein: said system comprises a protein synthesis apparatus, and said reservoir (Rn) includes a reactor column (17) connected in series with said fluid conduit (15) for receiving said first chemical from said chosen cartridge (12).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 3 wherein: said automatically operated control means includes a computer (18) programmed to operate said valve means (Vn) and said pump means (14) in said predetermined sequence.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The installation as claimed in any one of Claims 1-4 wherein: said pump means comprises a plunger (14) slidably sealed in said cartridges (12) and a reciprocating arm (40) connected with said plunger (14) to reciprocate said plunger (14) when said chosen cartridge (12) is at said location to alternately draw material into said chosen cartridge (12) and then expel the material from said chosen cartridge (12).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 5 wherein: said cartridge choosing means (13) comprises a rotating carousel (11) having means (35, 36) for holding and supporting said cartridges (12) thereon; and said control means (18) is connected to operate said carousel (11) in timed sequence with operation of said valve means (Vn) and said pump means (14).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 6 wherein: said fluid coupling means (16) includes means (16) movable into and out of contact with said chosen cartridge (12) at said location; and said control means (18) is connected to operate said fluid coupling means (16) in timed sequence with operation of said carousel (11), said pump means (14) and said valve means (Vn).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 7 wherein: sensors are positioned adjacent said carousel (11), said pump means (14) and said fluid coupling means (16) to detect the position and status thereof and in response thereto to send a signal to said control means (18) to insure operation of said carousel (11), pump means (14) and fluid coupling means (16) in proper timed sequence.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 8 wherein: said carousel (11) comprises a disc-shaped member (34) having a plurality of slots (35) in a peripheral edge thereof, said cartridges (12) being supported in each one of said slots (35).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 3 wherein: said first chemical in said cartridges (12) comprises a mixture of solid amino acid, hydroxybenzotriazole and benzotriazolyloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate; said second chemical in said reservoir (Rn) comprising N-methylmorpholine in dimethylformamide for dissolution and activation in said first chemicals in said chosen cartridge (12) to form said third chemical; and a polystyrene solid support included in said reactor column (17) for coupling with said activated third chemical from said chosen cartridge (12).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 5 wherein: said cartridges (12) include a diametrically enlarged flange (24) formed on the outside of the body (20) thereof between the ends (21, 22) thereof for attachment of said cartridges (12) to a support apparaturs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 11 wherein: a porous member (25) is secured in said body (20) adjacent to and covering the lower end (22) thereof to define a mechanical barrier to leakage of chemical from the interior of said cartridges (12).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
102 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 6 wherein: said rotatable carousel (11) for holding and advancing said cartridges (12) having an exterior flange (24) thereon, said carousel (11) further comprising: a top plate (34) having a peripheral edge with a plurality of radially extending slots (35) therein; and a bottom plate (36) secured beneath the top plate (34) to clamp between the top and bottom plates (34, 36) the flange (24) of one of said cartridges (12) received in a slot (35) in the top plate (34), whereby said one cartridge (12) is supported in an upright position by said carousel (11).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 13 wherein: said bottom plate comprises a spring plate (36) resiliently and yieldably biased against the underside of said top plate (34).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
129 words
The installation as claimed in Claim 10 wherein: said reactor column (17) for holding said solid supports comprises a molded body of material inert to chemicals being handled in said column (17), said body including an elongate inlet portion having opposite open ends, and an elongate outlet portion having opposite open ends, said inlet and outlet portions being releasably snap-fitted together at one of their ends in coaxial relationship with one another, a block of porous material secured in the other end of each of the inlet and outlet portions of provide a mechanical barrier to leakage of solid material from the column (17), and means on each of the other ends of the inlet and outlet portions for connection of said column (17) to a fluid delivery system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
EP0130739A2
Cited
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