Liquid chromatography installation with column, and chromatography column for such an installation

Abstract

The present invention relates to an installation (1) for liquid chromatography on a chromatography column (3), the column body (31) of which is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises: - a column inlet end (311) able to be connected to a feed pipe (TA) by a first activatable / deactivatable connection system (4), and - a column outlet end (312) able to be connected to an outlet pipe (TS) by a second activatable / deactivatable connection system (5), in order to allow said chromatography column (3) to be placed in an active position, connected to said feed pipe (TA) and to said outlet pipe (TS), and in an inactive position, disconnected from at least one of said feed (TA) and outlet (TS) pipes. According to the invention, the first and second connection systems (4, 5) have a structure that can be activated and deactivated by a translational movement.

Description

[0001] LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY INSTALLATION WITH COLUMN AND CHROMATOGRAPHY COLUMN FOR SUCH AN INSTALLATION

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a liquid chromatography installation on a column.

[0004] It also relates to a chromatography column for such an installation.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] High-performance chromatographic installations use cylindrical columns filled with a stationary phase (also called a "chromatographic bed") suitable for separating chemical substances from a mixture of components.

[0007] These columns are mounted on a support frame with one of their ends capable of being connected to a supply pipe by a first connection system, and with their other end capable of being connected to an outlet pipe by a second connection system.

[0008] The connection systems in question generally consist of manually screwed fittings.

[0009] Due to the evolution over time of their stationary phase, these columns must be changed periodically, involving the disconnection of the used column and the connection of a new column.

[0010] However, handling screw fittings is time-consuming and not always easy to do due to the rotating movements required.

[0011] In addition, once the connection is unscrewed or not completely screwed, the liquid phase contained in the column may drip.

[0012] However, particularly in a radioactive environment, it is essential to avoid any contamination of the workspace and to limit the time operators are exposed to radioactivity.

[0013] There is therefore a need to develop a solution for the removable fluidic connection of chromatography columns, which is fast, reliable and watertight.

[0014] Presentation of the invention In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a liquid chromatography installation on a chromatography column, which chromatography column comprises a column body of generally cylindrical shape comprising a column axis, which column body comprises a column inlet end and a column outlet end, which column inlet end is capable of being connected to a feed tubing by a first activatable / deactivatable connection system, and which column outlet end is capable of being connected to an outlet tubing by a second activatable / deactivatable connection system, to allow said chromatography column to be placed in an active position connected to said feed tubing and to said outlet tubing, and in an inactive position,disconnected from at least one of said supply and output pipes, this installation being characterized by the fact that said first and second connection systems are of a structure that can be activated and deactivated by a translational movement.,

[0015] Such a structure of connection systems is quick to implement and allows to improve their reliability and sealing characteristics.

[0016] It also makes it easier to assemble and disassemble the column on a support frame, particularly using mechanical assistance.

[0017] Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the installation according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following:

[0018] - the first connection system and the second connection system each comprise a male connection member and a female connection member, said male connection member and said female connection member each comprising a valve subjected to the action of an elastic return means, said valves of said male and female connection members being movable in translation between an open position and a closed position, which elastic return means is designed to tend to place the associated valve in the closed position, said open position of the valves being obtained when the chromatography column is connected to said supply tubing and to said outlet tubing, by engagement of said male connection members in said female connection members, and said closed position of the valves being obtained, under the action of said elastic return means,when disengaging the male connecting members from the female connecting members.,

[0019] - The chromatography installation includes:

[0020] (i) a column inlet support on which are fixed (a) an end piece of said supply tubing and (b) one of said male or female connection members of one of said connection systems, said end piece of said supply tubing and said male or female connection member being in fluid communication,

[0021] (ii) a column outlet support on which are fixed (a) an end piece of said outlet tubing and (b) one of said male or female connection members of the other of said connection systems, said end piece of said outlet tubing and said male or female connection member being in fluid communication, said male or female connection members fixed on said column inlet support and on said column outlet support being arranged on parallel axes, said column inlet end comprising a male or female connection member, complementary to that fixed on said column inlet support, said column outlet end comprising a male or female connection member, complementary to that fixed on said column outlet support, and which installation further comprises movement means, designed to allow the movement of at least one of said column inlet or outlet supports,or of said chromatography column, to allow said column inlet support and said column outlet support to be placed:,

[0022] (i) in a position remote from the column inlet end or the column outlet end, the male and female connecting members being disconnected, capable of allowing the addition or removal of a chromatography column, in the disconnected position, and

[0023] (ii) in a position close to the column inlet end or the column outlet end, the male or female connecting members of the column inlet support and the column outlet support being respectively engaged with the female or male connecting member of the column inlet and outlet end, in their connected position.

[0024] The axis of the connecting members and the axis of the column can be the same, parallel (connectors eccentric with respect to the column axis), perpendicular or other than perpendicular. The only constraint is that the two pairs of connectors have their axes parallel to each other, in order to be able to connect them with the same translational movement.

[0025] - The chromatography installation comprises a frame on which said column inlet support and said column outlet support are mounted, at least one of said column inlet support and column outlet support being mounted on a maneuvering carriage which is movable in translation on said frame along a displacement axis parallel to the activation / deactivation axis of said female and male connection members.

[0026] - The maneuvering trolley is equipped with a maneuvering handle allowing its direct or indirect movement between the said connected and disconnected positions.

[0027] - The chromatography installation comprises removable locking means for said connected and disconnected positions of the operating trolley.

[0028] - The removable locking means for the disconnected position of the maneuvering trolley comprise a ball stop cooperating with a reservation.

[0029] - The chromatography installation comprises a toggle mechanism interposed between the support frame and the operating carriage, which toggle mechanism is actuated by the operating handle and comprises an end-of-travel position constituting said removable locking means of the connected position of the operating carriage.

[0030] - At least one of the column supports includes:

[0031] (a) a support base fixed to the chassis, and

[0032] (b) an adapter on which are fixed (i) the end piece of the outlet pipe (or the end piece of the supply pipe as the case may be) and (ii) one of the male or female connection members of one of said connection members, with said end piece of said outlet pipe (or the end piece of the supply pipe as the case may be) and said male or female connection member in fluid communication, which adapter is guided in translation on the support base, along said support axis, with the interposition between them of elastic return means designed to tend to push said adapter in the direction of the male or female connection member fixed on the opposite end of the column.

[0033] The present invention also relates to a chromatography column for a chromatography installation as defined above, this chromatography column comprising a column body provided with a column inlet end and a column outlet end each equipped with a male connection member or a female connection member, which male connection members or female connection member each comprise a valve subjected to the action of an elastic return means, which valves are movable in translation between an open position and a sealed closed position, and which elastic return means is designed to tend to place the associated valve in the sealed closed position.

[0034] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0035] Detailed description of the invention

[0036] In addition, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description given with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where:

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a liquid chromatography installation according to the invention, with its chromatography column in the active position;

[0038] Figure 2 is a side view of the chromatography setup shown in Figure 1;

[0039] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the chromatography installation, according to section plane 3-3 of Figure 1;

[0040] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the chromatography installation of Figures 1 to 3, here with its chromatography column in the inactive position; Figure 5 is a schematic end view of a female connection member of the connection systems of the chromatography installation illustrated in Figures 1 to 4;

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic view of the female connection member of Figure 5, in section along section plane 6-6 of this Figure 5, shown here with its valve in the closed position;

[0042] Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, here showing the female connecting member with its valve in the open position;

[0043] Figure 8 is a schematic end view of a male connecting member of the chromatography plant connection systems illustrated in Figures 1 to 4;

[0044] Figure 9 is a schematic view of the male connecting member of Figure 8, in section along section plane 9-9 of this Figure 8 shown here with its valve in the closed position;

[0045] Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, here showing the male connecting member with its valve in the open position;

[0046] Figure 11 is a schematic, sectional view of part of the chromatography installation illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, detailing the column outlet support;

[0047] Figure 12 is a schematic, sectional view of part of the chromatography setup illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, detailing the column inlet support;

[0048] Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a liquid chromatography installation according to the invention, shown with its chromatography column in the disconnected position from the male / female connection members;

[0049] Figure 14 is a schematic front view of the liquid chromatography installation illustrated in Figure 13, shown here with its chromatography column in the connected position of the male / female connection members.

[0050] The liquid chromatography installation 1 illustrated schematically in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a frame 2 arranged to hold a chromatography column 3 and allowing the desired fluid connections to be made. The frame 2 here allows the chromatography column 3 to be held in a vertical position.

[0051] The support frame 2 here comprises a shaft 2a which is vertical.

[0052] In alternative embodiments, the shaft 2a may not be vertical.

[0053] The chromatography column 3 comprises a column body 31 of generally cylindrical shape, comprising a column axis 32, and which is intended to contain any stationary phase (not shown), for example intended for the purification or separation of chemical substances which may be radioactive.

[0054] The column body 31 comprises a column inlet end 311 (located here in the upper part) and a column outlet end 312 (located here in the lower part).

[0055] The column inlet end 311 is capable of being connected to a feed tubing TA (illustrated in dotted lines) by a first activatable / deactivatable connection system 4; and the column outlet end 312 is capable of being connected to an outlet tubing TS (also illustrated in dotted lines) by a second activatable / deactivatable connection system 5, this to allow the chromatography column 3 to be placed:

[0056] - in an active position connected to the supply tubing TA and the outlet tubing TS (as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3), and

[0057] - in an inactive position, disconnected from at least one of said TA supply and TS output pipes (as illustrated in Figure 4).

[0058] The TA feed pipe is responsible for feeding the stationary phase, by gravity or pressure difference, with the mobile phase (solvents containing chemical substances), with the aim of making them interact with said stationary phase.

[0059] For its part, the TS outlet pipe is responsible for evacuating the mobile phase (solvents containing chemical substances that have interacted with the stationary phase), by gravity or pressure difference.

[0060] The first connection system 4 and the second connection system 5 are of a structure that can be activated and deactivated by a translational movement.

[0061] They each comprise a female connection member 6, illustrated in isolation in Figures 5 to 7, and a male connection member 7, illustrated in isolation in Figures 8 to 10, complementary to each other. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, male connection members 7 equip the two column ends 311, 312; and female connection members 6 are secured to suitable supports fixed to the shaft 2a of the support frame 2, as detailed later in the description.

[0062] In alternative embodiments, the positions of the female 6 and male 7 connection members of the first and second connection systems 4 and 5 can be reversed (i.e. the male connection members 7 can equip the supports fixed on the shaft 2a; and the female connection members 6 can be secured to the column ends 311, 312.

[0063] The female connection member 6 (figures 5 to 7) comprises a tubular body 61, with a longitudinal axis 6', provided with a cylindrical attachment end 62 (possibly threaded), equipped with a circular seal 62a, and a cylindrical connection end 63 comprising a connection opening 63a.

[0064] The tubular body 61 incorporates:

[0065] - a movable axial shaft 64, the head 65 of which forms a valve oriented opposite the connection opening 63a and equipped with a circular seal 66, and

[0066] - an elastic return means, here in the form of a return spring 67 (and more particularly in the form of a spiral spring 67), interposed between the movable axial shaft 64 and a stop 68, here of annular geometry, integral with the tubular body 61.

[0067] For example, the stop 68 may be a clip-on type stop which comprises elastic portions with an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of a cylindrical housing of the tubular body 61 into which it is inserted. The contact angle tends to deform the elastic portions during insertion, thus making said insertion possible. When the stop 68 is sufficiently inserted into the tubular body 61, the elastic portions return to their original shape and are housed in recesses of the tubular body 61.

[0068] The axial shaft 64, provided with the end valve 65, is movable in translation, parallel to the longitudinal axis 6', along an internal surface of the tubular body 61. In the disconnected position (as illustrated in FIG. 6), the spring 67 presses the valve 65 with its seal 66 in a sealed manner against a frustoconical stop structure 69 of the tubular body 61, adapted to ensure its closed position. A thrust on the valve 65 against the thrust force of the return spring 67 ensures its opening (as illustrated in FIG. 7) and the desired fluid communication.

[0069] The male connection member 7 (figures 8 to 10) comprises a tubular body 71, with a longitudinal axis 7', provided with - a cylindrical attachment end 72 (possibly threaded), equipped with a circular seal 72a, and - a cylindrical connection end 73 comprising a connection opening 73a.

[0070] The tubular body 71 incorporates:

[0071] - a movable axial shaft 74, the head 75 of which forms a valve oriented opposite the connection opening 73a, and equipped with a circular seal 76, and

[0072] - an elastic return means, here in the form of a return spring 77 (and more particularly in the form of a spiral spring 77), interposed between the movable axial shaft 74 and a stop 78, here of annular geometry, integral with the tubular body 71.

[0073] For example, the stop 78 may be a clip-on type stop that includes elastic portions with an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of a cylindrical housing of the tubular body 71 into which it is inserted. The contact angle tends to deform the elastic portions upon insertion, thereby making said insertion possible. When the stop 78 is sufficiently inserted into the tubular body 71, the elastic portions return to their original shape and are housed in recesses of the tubular body 71.

[0074] The axial shaft 74 provided with the end valve 75 is movable in translation, parallel to the longitudinal axis 7', along an internal surface of the tubular body 71. In the disconnected position (as illustrated in FIG. 9), the spring 77 presses the valve 75 with its seal 76 in a sealed manner against a frustoconical stop structure 79 of the tubular body 61, adapted to ensure its closed position.

[0075] A push on the valve 75 against the pushing force of the return spring 77 ensures its opening (as illustrated in Figure 10) and the desired fluid communication.

[0076] The “axes” of the connection systems 4 and 5 and of the connection members 6, 7 correspond to their connection / disconnection direction and to the direction of passage of the liquid at the connection.

[0077] As detailed later in the description, the open position of the valves 65 and 75 is obtained when the chromatography column 3 is connected to the feed tubing TA and to the outlet tubing TS, by engagement of the male connection members 7 in the female connection members 6; and the closed position of the valves 65, 75 is obtained, under the action of the return springs 67, 77, when the said male connection members 7 are disengaged from the said female connection members 6.

[0078] The mounting of the male connection members 7 at the column inlet and outlet ends 311, 312 can be achieved by screwing their attachment end 72 into the end cap 33 of the column 31. Sealing is achieved by the gasket 72a.

[0079] The female connection members 6 are for their part mounted on suitable column supports, namely a column outlet support 8 and a column inlet support 9, integral with the support frame 2.

[0080] The column outlet support 8, detailed in FIG. 11, serves as a support for a first female connection member 6, the connection end 63 of which is oriented upwards here, and for an end piece 10 of the outlet tubing TS, said end piece 10 and said female connection member 6 being in fluid communication via a channel 11.

[0081] More specifically, the column outlet support 8 comprises - a support base 81 fixed to the shaft 2a of the support frame 2 by fixing means 82 (for example in the form of a flange with tightening screws), and - an adapter 83 on which are fixed opposite each other, by means of suitable housings (advantageously tapped), (i) said end piece 10 of the outlet pipe TS (for example by screwing) and (ii) said female connection member 6 (for example by screwing its attachment end 62, the seal 62a providing the seal).

[0082] The fluid communication channel 11 is provided in the adapter 83, between the bottoms of the two housings for receiving the end piece 10 and the female connection member 6.

[0083] The adapter 83 is movable in translation, parallel to the longitudinal axis 6' of the female connection member 6, on the support base 81, with interposition between them of elastic return means 84 (here in the form of a spiral return spring) designed to tend to push said adapter 83 in the direction of the male or female connection member fixed on the corresponding column end. The spiral spring 84 is held in position by a closing plate 85 fixed by screwing under the support base 81.

[0084] The column inlet support 9, detailed in figure 12, serves as a support for a second female connection member 6 and for an end piece 12 of the supply tubing TA.

[0085] The end piece 12 of the feed pipe TA is fixed to the upper part of the column inlet support 9 by means of a suitable housing, for example by screwing into a threaded receiving orifice. For its part, the female connection member 6 is here fixed to the lower part of the column inlet support 9 with its connection end 63 oriented here downwards, this by means of a suitable housing advantageously threaded, (for example by screwing its attachment end 62, the seal 62a providing the seal).

[0086] The end piece 12 of the supply pipe TA and the female connection member 6 are arranged in the extension of one another and they are in fluid communication via a channel 13 which connects the bottoms of their receiving housings.

[0087] The longitudinal axes 6' of the first and second female connection members 6 secured to the column outlet support 8 and the column inlet support 9 are arranged coaxially on the same vertical axis S, called the "support axis".

[0088] The column inlet support 9 is mounted movably on the shaft 2a of the support frame 2, so as to allow the column outlet support 8 and the column inlet support 9 to be placed: - in a position disengaged from the connection members 6, capable of allowing the supply of a new chromatography column 3, or the removal of a used column, in its disconnected position, and - in an engaged position of the connection members, with said chromatography column 3 in its connected position.

[0089] For this, the column input support 9 is here secured to a maneuvering carriage 14 mounted mobile in translation on the shaft 2a of the support frame 2, and which is equipped with an maneuvering handle 15, by means of a toggle mechanism 16, allowing its movement between a first engaged position of the connection members and a second disengaged position.

[0090] The toggle mechanism 16 is here composed of a single connecting rod 17, a double connecting rod 18, three axes 19, 20, 21 and the operating handle 15. The axis 19 ensures a pivot connection between the support frame 2 and the single connecting rod 17. The axis 20 ensures a pivot connection between the single connecting rod 17 and the double connecting rod 18. The axis 21 ensures a pivot connection between the double connecting rod 18 and the operating carriage 14. The operating handle 15 is fixed on the double connecting rod 18.

[0091] Preferably, the operating handle 15 is longer than the connecting rods 17 and 18 of the toggle mechanism 16 to enable the latter to be actuated with less effort and a greater displacement length.

[0092] More preferably, the chromatography installation 1 comprises removable locking means for said first and second positions of the maneuvering carriage 14.

[0093] The removable locking means for a first position of the maneuvering carriage 14 (here the high position) may be in the form of a ball stop 23 mounted on the upper part of the shaft 2a and arranged to cooperate with a hole-shaped reservation 24 made in the maneuvering carriage 14.

[0094] The locking of the carriage 14 is obtained when its reservation 24 comes into correspondence with the ball stop 23, the unlocking being carried out by a slight maneuver by force of the handle 14 to disengage the ball stop 23.

[0095] The removable locking means for a second position of the maneuvering carriage 14 (here the low position) are constituted by the toggle mechanism 16 interposed between the support frame 2 and the maneuvering carriage 14.

[0096] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 4, the shaft 2a of the support frame 2 can be equipped with a removable holding means for the chromatography column 3, useful in particular for holding the column 3 in a position where the connection members of the column are aligned with the connection members of the column supports when the system is in the disconnected position. For example, this removable holding means can be in the form of an elastic clamp 22 arranged between the column inlet support 9 and the column outlet support 8.

[0097] Implementation of the installation

[0098] In the absence of a chromatography column 3, the column inlet support 9 can be locked in the connectors disengaged position, after tilting (here upwards) the operating handle 15, by the ball stop 23 cooperating with the bore 24 (as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 12). The first and second female connection members 6 secured to the column outlet support 8 and the column inlet support 9 are arranged in parallel (here opposite each other and coaxially on the same vertical support axis S).

[0099] The distance between the output support and the first end of the column is greater than the length of a male and female pair of connecting members in the fully disengaged position.

[0100] The distance between the input support and the second end of the column is greater than the length of a male and female pair of connecting members in the fully disengaged position.

[0101] In the embodiment shown, the opposite ends 63 of the first and second female connection members 6 are spaced apart by a distance greater than the total length of a column 3 whose ends are equipped with the male connection members 7.

[0102] The first and second female connection members 6 are positioned far from each other, capable of allowing the supply of a new chromatography column 3 and its placement on the support axis S.

[0103] The operator can insert the column body 31 into the elastic clamp 22 to lock the chromatography column 3 in a position where the connection members of the column are aligned with the connection members of the column supports (here, to lock the chromatography column 3 on the support axis S); and he can then operate the operating handle 15 downwards.

[0104] The column inlet support 9 moves in translation along the shaft 2a. The female connection member 6 which equips the column outlet support 8 engages with the male connection member 7 of the column outlet end 312. The male connection member 7 of the column inlet end 311 engages with the female connection member 6 which equips the column inlet support 9.

[0105] The engagement of a male connection member 7 and a female connection member 6 causes the valves 65, 75 of the two connection members 6, 7 to open.

[0106] A fluid path is therefore created between the feed pipe TA connected to the column inlet support 9 and the outlet pipe TS connected to the column outlet support 8.

[0107] This path passes through the end piece 10 of the outlet tubing TS mounted on the column outlet support 8, through the channel 11 of the column outlet support 8, through the female connection member 6 of the column outlet support 8, through the male connection member 7 of the column outlet end 312, through the stationary phase, through the male connection member 7 of the column inlet end 311, through the female connection member 6 of the column inlet support 9, through the channel 13 of the column inlet support 9 and through the end piece 12 of the feed tubing TA fixed on the column inlet support 9.

[0108] The mounting of the female connection member 6 of the column outlet support 8 on the adapter 83 associated with the spring 84 makes it possible to compensate for the dimensional dispersions over the length of the chromatography column 3 associated with its male connection members 7.

[0109] The resulting sliding assembly allows the gap between the column inlet support and the facing end of the column to be adjusted to a length slightly less than the length of a male and female pair of connecting members in the fully engaged position; and the gap between the column outlet support and the facing end of the column to be adjusted to a length slightly less than the length of a male and female pair of connecting members in the fully engaged position.

[0110] In the illustrated embodiment, this sliding assembly allows the gap between the first and second connection systems 4, 5 to be adjusted to a length slightly less than the smallest column 3 accepted within the tolerance. Thus the connection members 6, 7 are fully engaged with the “shortest” chromatography column 3. With the “longest” column, the connection members will fully engage and then the spring 84 will compress to allow the movement of the toggle mechanism 16 to be completed. The compression force of the spring 84 is greater than the compression force to couple the connection members 6, 7.

[0111] By operating the operating handle 15 in the other direction (i.e. upwards in the embodiment illustrated in the figures), the upper column support 9 moves in translation along the shaft 2a, until it reaches the disconnected position.

[0112] The ball bearing 23 mounted in the shaft 2a aligns with the recess 24 of the upper column support 9 to lock the carriage 14, here in its upper position.

[0113] The valves 75 of the male connecting members 7 are held closed by the return springs 77. The valves 65 of the female connecting members 6 are held closed by the springs 67. The male connecting members 7 and the female connecting members 6 disengage. In the disconnected position, it is possible to remove or insert a chromatography column 3.

[0114] As an alternative embodiment, it can be provided that the guide carriage equips the column output support 8, the column input support 9 being fixed, possibly equipped with the adapter 83 associated with its return spring 84.

[0115] In any case, the adapter 83 and its return spring 84 can equip the column output support 8, or the column input support 9, or even both supports.

[0116] Still as variants of realization:

[0117] - the removable locking means of the high position of the maneuvering carriage 14 can be reversed, the ball stop 23 being fixed on the maneuvering carriage 14 and the complementary reservation 24 provided on the shaft 2a;

[0118] - the high and low positions of the operating handle 15 can be reversed;

[0119] - the column axis 32 of the chromatography column 3 may be in a position other than vertical;

[0120] - the inlet and outlet of the chromatography column 3 can be interchanged;

[0121] - the connection members are not necessarily coaxial or arranged opposite each other.

[0122] Figures 13 and 14 schematically illustrate an alternative embodiment of a liquid chromatography installation 1 in accordance with the invention.

[0123] Figure 13 shows this variant embodiment in perspective, with the chromatography column 3 in the disconnected position; and Figure 14 shows the same installation 1, seen from the front, with the chromatography column 3 in the connected position.

[0124] In these figures 13 and 14 we find the support frame 2 which allows the chromatography column 3 to be held (here with its axis 32 in a vertical position).

[0125] The chromatography column 3 comprises a column body 31 of generally cylindrical shape which ends on one side with a column inlet end 311 (located here in the upper part) and a column outlet end 312 (located here in the lower part).

[0126] The column inlet end 311 is capable of being connected to a feed tubing TA (illustrated in dotted lines) by a first activatable / deactivatable connection system 4; and the column outlet end 312 is capable of being connected to an outlet tubing TS (also illustrated in dotted lines) by a second activatable / deactivatable connection system 5, this to allow the chromatography column 3 to be placed:

[0127] - in an active position connected to the supply pipe TA and the outlet pipe TS, and

[0128] - in an inactive position, disconnected from at least one of said TA supply and TS output pipes.

[0129] In this embodiment, the first and second connection systems 4, 5 are of a structure that can be activated and deactivated by translational movements that are parallel to each other, but perpendicular to the axis 32 of the chromatography column 3 (these translational movements are illustrated by the orientation arrow F).

[0130] These first and second connection systems 4, 5 each comprise a female connection member 6, and a male connection member 7 as described above and complementary to each other.

[0131] In the embodiment illustrated in these figures 13 and 14, the male connection members 7 equip the two column ends 311, 312; and the female connection members 6 are carried by column input and output supports 8, 9, fixed on a carriage 14 secured to the chassis 2 and movable according to the translation movement F.

[0132] In alternative embodiments, the positions of the female 6 and male 7 connection members of the first and second connection systems 4 and 5 can be reversed (i.e. the male connection members 7 can equip the carriage 14 and the female connection members 6 can be carried by the column ends 311, 312.

[0133] The male 7 and female 6 connection members, fixed to the column inlet support 9 and to the column outlet support 8, are arranged on axes parallel to each other; the activation and deactivation axes of the pairs of male 7 and female 6 connection members (for closing and opening the valves 65, 75) are therefore parallel to each other and here perpendicular to the axis 32 of the chromatography column 3.As can still be seen in Figures 13 and 14, the maneuvering carriage 14, here in the general shape of a C, is mounted mobile in translation on chassis 2, and, as for the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, it is equipped with an maneuvering handle 15, by means of a toggle mechanism 16, allowing its movement between - an engaged position of the connection members (Figure 14), and - a disengaged position (Figure 13), corresponding to the remote positioning: between the column inlet support 9 and the column inlet end 311, on the one hand, and between the column outlet support 8 and the column outlet end 312, on the other hand.

[0134] The toggle mechanism 16 is the same or similar to that of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4.

[0135] More preferably, the chromatography installation 1 of figures 13 and 14 comprises removable locking means for the two extreme positions of the maneuvering carriage 14.

[0136] The removable locking means for a first position of the maneuvering carriage 14 (disengaged remote position) may be in the form of a ball stop mounted on the chassis 2 and arranged to cooperate with a hole-shaped reservation made in the maneuvering carriage 14.

[0137] The locking of the carriage 14 is obtained when its reservation comes into correspondence with the ball stop, the unlocking being carried out by a slight maneuver by force of the handle 15 to disengage the ball stop.

[0138] The removable locking means for a second position of the maneuvering carriage 14 (close position engaged) are constituted by the toggle mechanism 16 interposed between the support frame 2 and the maneuvering carriage 14.

[0139] As can be seen in Figures 13 and 14, the frame 2 may be equipped with at least one removable holding means for the chromatography column 3, useful in particular for holding the column 3 in a position where the connection members of the column are aligned with the connection members of the inlet and outlet supports 8, 9 when the system is in a disconnected position. For example, this removable holding means may be in the form of one or more elastic clamps 22.

[0140] As stated above, the chromatography installation according to the invention allows rapid connection and disconnection of the chromatography columns. Such connection systems have very good reliability and sealing characteristics.

[0141] They also facilitate mechanical assistance in the assembly and disassembly of the column on a support frame, in particular by means of a mobile maneuvering trolley in translation in the direction of the translational movement of the activation and deactivation of the connection systems.

[0142] The valves are held in the open position by the column supports being locked in position, which allows them to be dispensed with their own means of locking in the open position (in other words, it is the locking of the supports on the shaft 2a which maintains the open position of the valves; and the connectors do not require to have their own locking means to keep them connected.

Claims

Claims

1. Installation (1) for liquid chromatography on a chromatography column (3), which chromatography column (3) comprises a column body (31) of generally cylindrical shape comprising a column axis (32), which column body (31) comprises a column inlet end (311) and a column outlet end (312), which column inlet end (311) is capable of being connected to a feed pipe (TA) by a first connection system (4) which can be activated / deactivated, and which column outlet end (312) is capable of being connected to an outlet pipe (TS) by a second connection system (5) which can be activated / deactivated, to enable said chromatography column (3) to be placed in a position connected to said feed pipe (TA) and to said outlet pipe (TS), and in a position disconnected from at least one of said supply (TA) and outlet (TS) pipes,characterized in that said first and second connection systems (4, 5) are of a structure that can be activated and deactivated by a translational movement.,

2. Chromatography installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first connection system (4) and said second connection system (5) each comprise a male connection member (7) and a female connection member (6), said male connection member (7) and said female connection member (6) each comprising a valve (65, 75) subjected to the action of an elastic return means (67, 77), said valves (65, 75) of said male and female connection members (6, 7) being movable in translation between an open position and a closed position, which elastic return means (67, 77) is designed to tend to place the associated valve (65, 75) in the closed position, said open position of said valves (65, 75) being obtained when said chromatography column (3) is connected to said feed pipe (TA) and to said outlet pipe (TS),by engagement of said male connection members (7) in said female connection members (6), and said closed position of said valves (65, 75) being obtained, under the action of said elastic return means (67, 77), during the disengagement of said male connection members (7) relative to said female connection members (6). [Claim s] Chromatography installation (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises: - a column inlet support (9) on which are fixed (a) an end piece (12) of said supply pipe (TA) and (b) one of said male (7) or female (6) connection members of one of said connection systems (4, 5), said end piece (12) of said supply pipe (TA) and said male (7) or female (6) connection member being in fluid communication, - a column outlet support (8) on which are fixed (a) an end piece (10) of said outlet tubing (TS) and (b) one of said male (7) or female (6) connection members of the other of said connection systems (4, 5), said end piece (10) of said outlet tubing (TS) and said male (7) or female (6) connection member being in fluid communication, said male (7) or female (6) connection members fixed on said column inlet support (9) and on said column outlet support (8) being arranged on parallel axes, said column inlet end (311) comprising a male (7) or female (6) connection member, complementary to that fixed on said column inlet support (9), said column outlet end (312) comprising a male (7) or female (6) connection member, complementary to that fixed on said column outlet support (8), and which installation (1) also includes means of movement,designed to allow the movement of at least one of said column inlet and outlet supports (8, 9), or of said chromatography column (3), to allow the placement of said column inlet support (9) and said column outlet support (8):, (i) in a position remote from the column inlet end (311) or the column outlet end (312), the male (7) and female (6) connection members being disconnected, capable of allowing the addition or removal of a chromatography column (3), in the disconnected position, and (ii) in a position close to the column inlet end (311) or the column outlet end (312), the male (7) or female (6) connecting members of the column inlet support (9) and the column outlet support (8) being respectively engaged with the female (6) or male (7) connecting member of the column inlet and outlet end (311, 312), in their connected position.

4. Chromatography installation according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a frame (2) on which said column inlet support (9) and said column outlet support (8) are mounted, at least one of said column inlet support (9) and column outlet support (8) being mounted on a maneuvering carriage (14) which is movable in translation on said frame (2) along a displacement axis parallel to the activation / deactivation axis of said female (6) and male (7) connection members. [Claim s] Chromatography installation (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said maneuvering carriage (14) is equipped with a maneuvering handle (15) allowing its direct or indirect movement between said connected and disconnected positions. [Claim s] Chromatography installation (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises removable locking means (16; 23, 24) of said connected and disconnected positions of said maneuvering carriage (14).

7. Chromatography installation (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said removable locking means for the disconnected position of the maneuvering carriage (14) comprise a ball stop (23) cooperating with a reservation (24). [Claim s] Chromatography installation (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a toggle mechanism (16) interposed between the chassis (2) and the operating carriage (14), which toggle mechanism (16) is actuated by said operating handle (15) and comprises an end-of-travel position constituting said removable locking means of said connected position of the operating carriage (14).

9. Chromatography installation (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that at least one of said column supports (8, 9) comprises: - a support base (81) fixed on said chassis (2), and - an adapter (83) on which are fixed (a) said end piece (10) of said outlet pipe (TS), or said end piece (12) of said supply pipe (TA), as the case may be, and (b) one of said male (7) or female (6) connection members of one of said connection members (4, 5), with said end piece (10) of said outlet pipe (TS), or said end piece (12) of said supply pipe (TA), as the case may be, and said male (7) or female (6) connection member, in fluid communication, which adapter (83) is guided in translation on said support base (81), with interposition between them of elastic return means (84) designed to tend to push said adapter (83) in the direction of the male (7) or female (6) connection member fixed on the opposite column end (311, 312).

10. Chromatography column (3) for a chromatography installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a column body (31) provided with a column inlet end (311) and a column outlet end (312) each equipped with a male connection member (7) or a female connection member (6), which male connection members (7) or female connection member (6) each comprise a valve (65, 75) subjected to the action of an elastic return means (67, 77), which valves (65, 75) are movable in translation between an open position and a sealed closed position, and which elastic return means (67, 77) is designed to tend to place the associated valve (65, 75) in the sealed closed position.

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