Title of Invention: Cover for Thin-Layer Chromatography Developing Chamber

Abstract

A thin layer chromatography developing chamber (1) that can be used for developing a thin layer chromatography plate (21) by introducing a liquid solvent to a sample disposed on the surface of the thin layer chromatography plate (21) includes a housing (2) with an opening (3) through which the solvent and the thin layer chromatography plate (21) can be inserted into the developing chamber (1). The opening (3) of the developing chamber (1) can be closed with a cover (4) that includes a data input unit (10) for inputting or collecting data related to the developing process performed in the developing chamber (1). The cover (4) further includes a data communication unit (16) that enables wireless data transmission of data related to the developing process to a thin layer chromatography data storage device (24).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover for a thin layer chromatography developing chamber that enables a thin layer chromatography plate to be developed by introducing a liquid solvent onto the thin layer chromatography plate, whereby the solvent and the thin layer chromatography plate can be inserted into the developing chamber, and whereby the opening of the developing chamber can be closed by the cover.

Background Art

[0002] Background Thin layer chromatography is a chromatography technique used to separate non-volatile mixtures in a sample, enabling the individual components of the sample to be identified and, in some cases, quantified. Thin layer chromatography is typically performed on a thin layer chromatography plate, which can be a glass or plastic plate, or an aluminum foil, coated with a thin layer of an adsorbent material such as silica gel, aluminum oxide, or cellulose. This layer of adsorbent is known as the stationary phase. After the sample is applied onto the plate, a solvent or solvent mixture known as the mobile phase is drawn up onto the plate by capillary action. When the sample is applied on a region near the edge of the plate and the solvent mixture is drawn up from the same edge of the plate, the sample is drawn up along with the solvent mixture across the plate. Since different components of the sample, i.e., different analytes, rise up the plate at different rates, separation of the analytes is achieved, and as a result, different spots are formed along the path of the solvent mixture that is drawn up and moves across the plate. After such development of the thin layer chromatography plate, the spots of different analytes in the sample are visualized. This can be done by illuminating the plate with visible light or ultraviolet light. It is also possible to perform a chemical process to visualize the spots. The position and size of the spots on the plate can be used for the identification of the analytes and for the quantitative measurement of the amount of each analyte in the sample. To quantify the results, the migration distance of the analyte under consideration is divided by the total migration distance of the mobile phase, i.e., the solvent mixture. This ratio is called the retardation factor. The retardation factor is unique, but it will vary depending on the exact conditions of the mobile and stationary phases. Therefore, typically, before developing the plate and analyzing the results, samples of known compounds and one or more target samples are combined on the plate.

[0003] Thin-layer chromatography can be used to monitor the progress of a reaction, identify compounds present in a given mixture, and determine the purity of a substance. Thus, thin-layer chromatography is an established method for analyzing samples in many different application environments, such as research and development, as well as monitoring and quality control of industrial production processes. However, in order to meaningfully compare different results of thin-layer chromatography measurements, many parameters, such as the plates and solvent mixtures used, as well as the time and conditions required during plate development, should be identical or at least known, and should be considered for the analysis and comparison of thin-layer chromatography results. Typically, these parameters must be determined and recorded by the person performing the thin-layer plate development. This is a tedious and error-prone task, and can, for example, hinder the evaluation of measurement results performed at different times or in different locations. Therefore, a thin-layer chromatography developing chamber is needed that allows thin-layer chromatography plates to be developed in a manner that facilitates meaningful comparison of different measurements taken at different times or locations. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0004] The present invention relates to a cover for a thin-layer chromatography developing chamber, the cover including a data input unit for inputting or collecting data related to the developing process performed within the developing chamber. The data input unit may be incorporated into the cover in such a manner that it does not interfere with the operation of the cover. The data input unit may include, for example, an input device having a mechanical input function such as a push button, key, or rotary knob. Preferably, the data input unit includes several membrane keys or a touchscreen for manually inputting data before, during, or after performing a developing step using the thin-layer chromatography developing chamber. Thus, the cover, which is used to close the thin-layer chromatography developing chamber and is always used and operated during a developing step using the developing chamber, may also be used to input information related to the details of this development, such as information about the plate, about the solvent mixture, and about the sample or a number of samples on this plate.

[0005] Furthermore, for example, sensors can be added to the data input unit, i.e., at any location inside or on the surface of the cover, to measure and collect data on the time taken, temperature, or other conditions during the deployment step, which may also be further considered during the analysis and evaluation of the measurement results. Data acquisition by the sensors can be automatically triggered before, during, or after the deployment step. Data acquisition can also be manually triggered by a user command before, during, or after the deployment step.

[0006] It is considered advantageous for the cover to include a status indicator unit that shows the operating status of the cover in use, in order to prevent malfunctions or missing data acquisitions during the development of thin-layer chromatography plates. The status indicator unit may include, for example, an acoustic indicator that plays a sound or beep to indicate when the operating status switches from off to on or from on to off. It is also possible to acoustically indicate the results of an automated function test that is performed each time the cover is switched on before developing a thin-layer chromatography plate. It is also possible to include a status indicator unit with a visual indicator that lights up when the cover is switched on, for example, a status LED. Different modes of operation or the results of automated function tests may be indicated by different status LEDs or by a single status LED with a different emission color.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the cover includes an information display unit for displaying data entered or collected by a data input unit. The information display unit may include a monochrome or color display. The information display unit may also include a bar display or a pointer display. The information display may be configured to display some or all of the data manually entered before, during, or after the unfolding step, or data collected using appropriate sensors before, during, or after the unfolding step.

[0008] According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the cover includes a data communication unit that enables wireless data transmission of data related to the deployment process to a thin-layer chromatography data storage device. All data manually entered into the data input unit, or all data collected by the sensors of the data input unit, can then be transferred to the thin-layer chromatography data storage device without requiring manual action or assistance from the user. Data transfer can be manually triggered or performed automatically. The data communication unit may include a standardized communication interface, such as a WLAN interface, a Bluetooth interface, or an NFC interface. It is also possible to utilize individually configured data communication units that enable data transfer from the data input unit to a data storage device that may be located near or far from the cover. It is also possible to provide data transmission from the cover by using a first data transmission protocol for first data transmission to an additional data transmission device that acts as a router and is located near the deployment chamber, i.e., within the same chamber, and then transmit data from the additional data transmission device to a storage device that may be located anywhere and far from the deployment chamber, using a second and different data transmission protocol. A thin-layer chromatography data storage device can also be a separate storage device that simply stores data without further evaluation or editing of such data. Such a storage device can be accessed from other devices, such as a thin-layer chromatography evaluation device, to retrieve data stored from the storage device for evaluation purposes. The storage device can also be integrated into a thin-layer chromatography evaluation device. The storage device may be integrated into any device in which data evaluation or data preparation of data from the cover can be performed. Furthermore, the storage device may also be integrated into any device that can be used to perform any desired steps between the unfolding and analysis of a thin-layer chromatography plate. The storage device may contain only volatile memory on which data is transmitted and stored for a short period of time. For most applications, it is advantageous to use a storage device that is suitable for and configured to perform long-term data storage.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the data input unit of the cover includes, for example, a timer device that can be set to indicate the deployment process duration via a separate external device connected wirelessly. The timer device can provide information to the user during the deployment step and indicate the end of a preset deployment process duration, thereby facilitating the termination of the deployment process immediately after the preset process duration ends. Furthermore, it is also possible to automatically collect the process duration, which will be preset as data for the data input unit to be transmitted and stored for this deployment step, within a thin-layer chromatography data storage device. When two or more deployment chambers are used simultaneously, integrating such a timer device into the cover facilitates the operation of each deployment chamber and prevents confusion that may arise from using an external timer device that is not clearly assigned to a single deployment chamber.

[0010] Furthermore, the timer device can be combined with a sensor device that monitors the connection between the cover and the housing of the unfolding chamber, i.e., the time elapsed from closing the housing of the unfolding chamber with the cover until the housing of the unfolding chamber is reopened to remove one or more plates after each plate unfolding step has been performed. In this way, the time required for the plate unfolding step can be automatically determined and monitored by the data input unit. It is also possible to provide the cover with a plate housing device that allows plates to be attached and fixed to the cover in a position that enables the unfolding step to be performed in the unfolding chamber after the housing has been closed with the cover. By closing the housing with the cover, the plates fixed to the cover are inserted into the housing of the unfolding chamber in a predetermined position, preferably a position with a boundary where the plates are immersed in the solvent mixture for the unfolding step to be performed. Thus, by monitoring the closing time of the unfolding chamber with a suitable sensor, the time required for the unfolding process can be automatically determined and monitored by the data input unit.

[0011] The system may also include a plate housing device suitable for moving the thin-layer chromatography plate between a storage position where the cover does not come into contact with the solvent bath in the developing chamber and a developing position where a portion of the thin-layer chromatography plate is immersed in the solvent bath. The plate housing device may be operated manually or automatically and may be implemented by using a lifting mechanism. In this way, the thin-layer chromatography plate is inserted into the plate housing device and the cover is placed on the developing chamber, thereby allowing the thin-layer chromatography plate to be positioned in the storage position without contact with the solvent bath located in the developing chamber. The time required for the developing step, in which the thin-layer chromatography plate comes into contact with the solvent, can be precisely controlled by manually or automatically operating the plate housing device to move the thin-layer chromatography plate from the storage position to the developing position and then back into the storage position. Since the cover on the developing chamber remains unchanged, there is no risk of accidental vibration or shock to the developing chamber or the thin-layer chromatography plate during the development of the thin-layer chromatography plate.

[0012] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the cover's data input unit includes a temperature sensor device for detecting the temperature inside the deployment chamber during the deployment process. According to yet another preferred aspect of the present invention, the cover's data input unit includes a humidity sensor device for detecting the humidity inside the deployment chamber during the deployment process. It is well known that the temperature and humidity inside the deployment chamber affect the execution of the thin-layer chromatography deployment step and the results from such measurements. By incorporating temperature and humidity sensor devices, information regarding these parameters can be automatically acquired and monitored during the deployment step. The cost of incorporating such sensor devices into the cover is low, but the benefits obtained in clearer and more accurate measurement results are high.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, the data input unit of the cover includes a pressure sensor device for detecting the pressure inside the unfolding chamber during the unfolding process. The cover may include a closing mechanism that provides hermetically closed housing of the unfolding chamber. Such a closing mechanism may include a rotary knob that is operationally connected to a locking or retaining means that engages with the housing after the cover has been positioned over the opening of the housing. By rotating the rotary knob, the locking or retaining means engages with the corresponding restraining means of the housing, and as a result, the housing is hermetically closed during the unfolding step. To prevent any unwanted lifting of the cover during the unfolding of a thin-layer chromatography plate, it is also possible to provide closure of the unfolding chamber by simply placing the cover over the opening of the housing, provided that the weight of the cover is sufficiently large. The ring-shaped contact surface of the cover that contacts the unfolding chamber may be covered with an elastic seal, and as a result, the unfolding chamber is hermetically closed as soon as the cover is placed over the opening of the unfolding chamber. By determining the pressure inside the unfolding chamber, this data can be monitored during the unfolding step and transferred to a thin-layer chromatography data storage device.

[0014] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the data input unit of the cover includes a bubble sensor device for detecting bubbles in the solvent inside the development chamber during the development process. Such a bubble sensor device may also determine the presence, and possibly the number or size, of bubbles by optical means, for example, by irradiating the solvent bath with a laser beam and determining and evaluating the light scattered from the bubbles. It is also possible to detect bubbles by utilizing a suitable ultrasonic sensor or by any other sensor suitable for detecting bubbles in the solvent bath. The number of bubbles generated in the solvent mixture during the development step has been found to affect the separation of analytes across the plate. Thus, this information may be automatically determined during the development step, added to the data compiled in the data input unit, and then transmitted to a thin-layer chromatography data storage device.

[0015] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the data input unit of the cover includes a fill level sensor device for detecting the fill level of the solvent in the solvent bath within the deployment chamber. Such a fill level sensor may be an optical sensor that detects the fill level by detecting light from a laser beam reflected from the surface of the solvent filled in the solvent bath cup, for example. Alternatively, the fill level sensor may also be a sensor capable of detecting the electrical conductivity that varies with the solvent at one preset optimal fill level or at different heights of the fill level. By detecting and monitoring the fill level of the solvent bath, it is possible to monitor and verify that the deployment step is being performed correctly. If the fill level is too low or too high before or during the deployment step, a warning may be displayed or indicated using the cover.

[0016] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the data input unit of the cover includes a solvent homogeneity sensor device for detecting the homogeneity of the solvent before or during the development step. The solvent used to develop a thin-layer chromatography plate is typically a mixture of two or more components. For the thin-layer chromatography plate to develop correctly and for accurate results to be obtained, the components in the solvent must be uniformly mixed. If such a solvent used to perform the development step does not meet the requirements related to homogeneity, a warning may be displayed or indicated by the cover.

[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the cover includes an attitude measuring device for measuring the attitude of the cover relative to a reference attitude. The attitude measuring device may be an alcohol level with a bubble in a tubular housing filled with liquid, so that the bubble is visible from the outside of the cover. In the case of such an alcohol level, the reference attitude is a horizontal plane that is also parallel to the surface of the solvent in the solvent bath. The attitude measuring device may also be a gyroscope that determines the attitude of the cover relative to a preset reference attitude, so that accurate information can be obtained regarding any tilt of the deployment chamber, which may be detrimental to the outcome of the deployment process.

[0018] To protect the data input unit from moisture and, in some cases, hazardous substances, the cover optionally includes a compartment for at least one sensitive part of the data input unit and data communication unit, which is sealed from the inside facing the deployment chamber with a solvent-inert seal. The sensitive part is preferably manufactured from a material having only low chemical resistance. Electronic components in particular may be placed within such a sealed compartment to protect them from moisture or liquids in the deployment chamber. Sensor devices may be placed outside such a sealed compartment and connected via wired or wireless connections to more sensitive parts of the data input unit to transmit sensor measurements to a data processing unit or data storage unit of the data input unit located inside the sealed compartment. The sealed compartment may be sealed with a seal that cannot be opened or removed without breaking the seal, thereby enabling highly efficient sealing. The compartment may also include an opening that can be opened and closed during the product life of the cover, thereby allowing, for example, the insertion and replacement of a battery for powering the data input unit. The opening may be closed by a rotatable or removable lid with an additional seal to prevent any moisture or liquid from entering the compartment. Additionally, it is possible to add a charging coil within the compartment that allows for wireless charging of the rechargeable battery without the need to remove and replace the battery itself.

[0019] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the sealing includes a glass plate and an annular sealing surrounding the glass plate, which allows for sealing of the gap between the glass plate and the opening edge of the opening of the deployment chamber. Such a glass plate provides an economical and effective shielding of the compartment from most harmful substances that may come into contact with the cover while the deployment chamber is in use.

[0020] According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the data communication unit includes a data receiving device for receiving data related to the thin-layer chromatography plate being deployed during the deployment process. Thus, the cover may also receive data before performing the deployment step using one or more thin-layer chromatography plates mounted in the deployment chamber. Such data may include specific information about the thin-layer chromatography plate to be processed and deployed during the deployment step, and it may be used to calculate and preset one or more conditions for the deployment step, such as a preferred duration required for the preferred deployment of the thin-layer chromatography plate (i.e., for the separation of analytes that allows for easy and meaningful evaluation of spots of different analytes spread along the direction of movement of the mobile phase used to deploy the thin-layer chromatography plate). Furthermore, such data may also be received from a sample dispensing device that allows for the automatic dispensing of a sample onto the thin-layer chromatography plate. Data received from such a sample dispensing device, or from a device that allows for the manual input of such parameters related to the thin-layer chromatography plate and the sample or sample applied to the plate, may be merged or combined with additional data input or collected by the cover of the deployment chamber before, during, or after the deployment step. The merged or combined data can then be transmitted to a thin-layer chromatography data storage device. This will significantly reduce errors and inaccuracies in input before evaluating the development results of the thin-layer chromatography plate.

[0021] The present invention further relates to a system for developing and analyzing thin-layer chromatography plates, comprising a developing chamber for developing the thin-layer chromatography plate, and a thin-layer chromatography evaluation device for collecting and analyzing the chromatographic results on the thin-layer chromatography plate developed using the developing chamber. A developing chamber known from the prior art includes a housing for receiving the thin-layer chromatography plate and several solvent mixtures required to develop the thin-layer chromatography plate during the developing step. Such a known developing chamber includes a cover designed to close and possibly seal the developing chamber during the developing step to prevent any unwanted leakage of solvent vapors out of the developing chamber and to prevent any unwanted disruption or contamination of the developing process within the developing chamber. Any data acquisition that may be useful for subsequent analysis of thin-layer chromatography plates after development in such a development chamber is usually done individually and manually, for example, by taking notes on the duration and conditions of the development process, or on the solvent used to develop the thin-layer chromatography plates. However, such manual data acquisition is tedious and prone to errors. When many thin-layer chromatography plates are developed simultaneously or in a short period of time, the risk of unintentional data confusion increases, which can result in data from one measurement being mistakenly assigned to another.

[0022] According to a very preferred aspect of the present invention, the system's development chamber includes a cover having the features described above. Such a cover allows for the input or collection of additional information related to the development of the thin-layer chromatography plate and sample during the development step performed by using the development chamber. This simplifies the accumulation of available data, as well as the data required for subsequent data evaluation, which will be performed manually or automatically, based on the results of thin-layer chromatography plate development performed using a development chamber with such a cover. Furthermore, the risk of inappropriate or erroneous data collection is reduced, thereby facilitating data accumulation and the evaluation and analysis of thin-layer chromatography results. According to a preferred option of the present invention, the thin-layer chromatography evaluation device includes a data communication unit that enables wireless data transmission of data related to the evaluation process to a thin-layer chromatography data storage device. Thus, the system according to the present invention provides means for automatic or assisted data acquisition related to a deployment step performed using a deployment chamber, and means for automatically transferring all data input or collected using the deployment chamber to a data storage device. This can significantly reduce both the workload associated with performing and recording the deployment step, and the potential source of any errors during or after data acquisition that are necessary or useful for evaluating the subsequent results.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a method for developing a thin-layer chromatography plate in a developing chamber. Typically, all data related to the subsequent evaluation of the developed thin-layer chromatography plate must be manually recorded and then manually entered into a thin-layer chromatography evaluation device used to evaluate and analyze the developed thin-layer chromatography plate. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the workload during the deployment step using a deployment chamber and to minimize the possibility of errors during monitoring. The present invention relates to developing a thin layer chromatography plate in a thin layer chromatography developing chamber, whereby a cover as described above is used to close and seal the housing of the developing chamber during the developing step, and whereby at least one data related to the developing step is input into or collected by a data input unit in the cover of the developing chamber. According to a highly preferred aspect of the present invention, during the data transmission step, at least one data related to the development of the thin layer chromatography plate input or collected by the data input unit of the cover is transmitted to a thin layer chromatography evaluation device for collecting and analyzing the chromatography results of the thin layer chromatography plate during or after the developing step.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] The present invention will be more fully understood and further features will become apparent when referring to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In fact, those skilled in the art may recognize that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the innovative concept of the present invention after reading the following specification and viewing the drawings. Similar parts depicted in the drawings are referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a thin layer chromatography developing chamber comprising a housing, and a cover covering the opening of the housing and including a data input unit for inputting or collecting related data, and a data communication unit enabling wireless data transmission. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the cover shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another aspect of the cover. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of a method for developing and analyzing a thin layer chromatography plate. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a thin-layer chromatography developing chamber covered with a cover of a different embodiment.

[0026] Detailed description of the invention Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of a thin-layer chromatography developing chamber 1 designed and suitable for developing thin-layer chromatography plates. The developing chamber 1 includes a housing 2 having an opening 3 on its upper surface. The housing 2 is large enough to accommodate several thin-layer chromatography plates, as well as a solvent that forms the mobile phase for developing the thin-layer chromatography plates within the developing chamber 1. The thin-layer chromatography plates and solvent can be inserted into the housing 2 through the opening 3. The opening 3 can then be closed and sealed by a cover 4 to prevent any interference or contamination during the development of the thin-layer chromatography plates within the developing chamber 1. The cover 4 has an outer circumferential groove 5 designed to receive the upper edge 6 of the housing 2, which includes an elastic seal 7 positioned within the groove 5. The groove 5 is designed to allow the use of a clamp-type seal to simplify the seal replacement procedure. The cover 4 can be placed on the top surface of the housing 2, thereby covering the opening 3 and sealing the opening 3 by the weight of the cover 4 using the elastic seal 7 clamped within the outer circumferential groove 5. The sealing of the cover 4 generates contact pressure and retaining force that can withstand the pressure that may occur inside the housing 2 during the deployment step performed using the deployment chamber 1, resulting in a robust and secure closure of the deployment chamber 1.

[0027] The cover 4 includes compartment 8 below a front plate 9 that provides closure for compartment 8. The data input unit 10 is located inside compartment 8. The data input unit 10 includes a temperature sensor 11, a pressure sensor 12, a data processing unit 13, a display 14, and several contact-sensitive buttons 15. The user can input some data related to the deployment steps performed using the deployment chamber 1 by using the contact-sensitive buttons 15. The data can be displayed on the display 14. Furthermore, additional data can be collected by the temperature sensor 11 and the pressure sensor 12 before, during, or after the deployment steps. The data input unit 10 is connected to a data communication unit 16 and an antenna 17, which enable some or all of the data input to or collected by the data input unit 10 to be transmitted wirelessly to a thin-layer chromatography data storage device or thin-layer chromatography evaluation device not shown in Figure 1. By positioning the data input unit 10 within compartment 8, the data input unit 10 is protected from mechanical stress and from interference or damage by solvents or formulations used during the development steps performed using the development chamber 1. The temperature sensor 11 and pressure sensor 12 are each positioned above small holes 25 in the bottom wall 16 of compartment 8. Each sensor 11, 12 interacts with the internal space 27 within the housing 2 through the corresponding holes 25. Furthermore, each sensor 11, 12 covers the respective holes 25, providing a seal that protects the interior of compartment 8 from solvent vapors. Since operating the cover 4 and closing the development chamber 1 with the cover 4 is essential for developing the thin-layer chromatography plate, data input is facilitated by enabling manual data input via a contact-sensitive button 15. Data collection, automatically or manually triggered by the temperature sensor 11 and pressure sensor 12, further facilitates the collection of data that may be relevant to evaluating the plate after it has been developed in the development chamber 1, which is closed and sealed by the cover 4. All data can be transferred by the data communication unit 16 from the data input unit 10 to the data storage device or to the evaluation device, thereby the data transfer can be performed either automatically by the data communication unit 16 or after being manually triggered.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a cover 4 equipped with a display 14 and a touch-sensitive button 15, which are located inside a glass front panel 9.

[0029] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the cover 4, which includes a rotary knob 18 that can be used to operate the cover 4 and to close and seal the opening 3 of the housing 2 of the deployment chamber 1. The rotary knob 18 causes a pressure pad to be activated and pressed against the housing 2, thereby increasing the contact pressure and holding force generated by the cover 4, which helps to ensure a firm and secure closure of the housing 2 using the cover 4. Furthermore, the cover 4 also includes several buttons 19 that can be manually pressed or released by the user. The cover 4 also includes two alcohol levels 38 that indicate an undesirable tilt of the cover 4, with bubbles 39 inside a liquid-filled tubular housing.

[0030] Figure 4 illustrates the main advantages of using cover 4. All parts, components, and devices used during the preparation of the thin-layer chromatography plate, the preparation of the thin-layer chromatography plate for unfolding, and the preparation of the unfolded thin-layer chromatography plate for evaluation and analysis are identified, and the corresponding data can be compiled and considered for analysis of the results. Identification can be performed, for example, by utilizing individual two-dimensional barcodes 20 attached to the thin-layer chromatography plate 21 used to analyze the sample. Further barcodes 20 are attached to the solvent container 22 containing the solvent used to unfold the thin-layer chromatography plate 21 with the sample. Yet another barcode 20 is attached to the front plate 9 of cover 4 used to close the unfolding chamber 1 during the unfolding step. Additional barcodes 20 are attached to the evaluation device 23 used to illuminate and evaluate the thin-layer chromatography plate 21 after the unfolding step using the unfolding chamber 1. Each of these barcodes 20 can be read by a barcode reader. Each individual barcode 20 may be referenced along with additional information about the corresponding component or device. Thus, all information related to the development and analysis of the thin-layer chromatography plate 21 (for example, concerning the thin-layer chromatography plate 21 itself, the solvent used for development in the development chamber 1, and the evaluation device 23 used for evaluating the developed thin-layer chromatography plate 21) can be referenced and collected via the barcode 20 and transferred to the thin-layer chromatography data storage device 24. This data is then available and can be accessed at any time to perform analysis of the results. Instead of the two-dimensional barcode 20, other two-dimensional codes such as QR codes (registered trademark) or data matrix codes can also be used, for example. Furthermore, non-optical encoding methods such as wireless ID tags, near-field communication, or magnetic stripes can also be used to enable contactless identification.

[0031] Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the unfolding chamber 1, comprising another embodiment of the cover 4, which is designed and preferred for unfolding a thin-layer chromatography plate 21. All features not shown, referenced, or expressly described below in Figure 5 may be identical to those of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. The unfolding chamber 1 comprises a housing 2 with a cup 28 that can be filled with solvent 29 and provide a solvent vessel at the bottom of the unfolding chamber 1. A plate housing device 30 is mounted on the bottom wall 26 of a compartment 8 facing the internal space 27 of the unfolding chamber 1. The plate housing device 30 includes a slot 31 for housing and securing a thin-layer chromatography plate 21 in the corresponding slot 31. The plate housing device 30 includes a lifting mechanism that allows a small area 32 adjacent to the lower end 33 of the thin-layer chromatography plate 21 to be lowered toward the solvent 29 in the cup 28. After the development step, the thin-layer chromatography plate 21 is pulled upward using the plate housing device 30, thereby removing the lower end 33 from the solvent bath and preventing further contact between the thin-layer chromatography plate 21 and the solvent bath.

[0032] The cover 4 includes a composite optical sensor device 34 that emits a laser beam into the solvent vessel below through a first hole 25 in the bottom wall 26 and detects the intensity of the return laser light reflected from the surface of the solvent 29 or scattered by bubbles in the volume of the solvent 29. Thus, the composite optical sensor device 34 can be used as a filling level sensor device and a solvent homogeneity sensor device to monitor the amount and usage of the solvent 29 during the deployment step. Cover 4 also includes a status indicator unit 35 using light-emitting diodes. Green light illumination corresponds to the ON state of cover 4. Different lights, such as red light illumination or intermittently flashing light emission, correspond to faults detected before or during the execution of the deployment step.

[0033] Within compartment 8 is a rechargeable battery 36, which can be recharged by a wireless recharge unit 37 that includes a receiving coil for electromagnetic induction charging of the battery 36.

Claims

1. A cover (4) for a thin-layer chromatography developing chamber (1) for developing a thin-layer chromatography plate (21) by introducing a liquid solvent onto the plate, wherein the solvent and the thin-layer chromatography plate (21) can be inserted into the developing chamber (1), and the opening (3) of the developing chamber (1) can be closed by the cover (4), and the cover (4) includes a data input unit (10) for inputting or collecting data related to the development process carried out in the developing chamber (1). The data input unit (10) of the cover (4) is characterized by including a bubble sensor device for detecting bubbles in the solvent (29) inside the deployment chamber (1) during the deployment process. The aforementioned cover.

2. The cover (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (4) includes an information display unit (14) for displaying data input or collected by the data input unit (10).

3. The cover (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover (4) includes a data communication unit (16) that enables wireless data transmission of data input or collected by the data input unit (10) to the thin-layer chromatography data storage device (24).

4. The cover (4) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) includes a timer device which can be set to indicate the time required for the unfolding process.

5. The cover (4) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover (4) includes a plate housing device (30) suitable for moving the thin-layer chromatography plate (21) between a storage position in which the cover (4) does not come into contact with the solvent (29) of the solvent bath in the developing chamber (1) and a developing position in which a portion of the thin-layer chromatography plate (21) is immersed in the solvent (29) of the solvent bath.

6. The cover (4) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) includes a temperature sensor device (11) for detecting the temperature inside the deployment chamber (1) during the deployment process.

7. The cover (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) includes a humidity sensor device for detecting the humidity inside the deployment chamber (1) during the deployment process.

8. The cover (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) includes a pressure sensor device for detecting the pressure inside the deployment chamber (1) during the deployment process.

9. The cover (4) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) includes a filling level sensor device for detecting the filling level of the solvent (29) in the solvent bath within the unfolding chamber (1).

10. The cover (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the data input unit (10) of the cover (4) includes a solvent homogeneity sensor device (34) for detecting the homogeneity of the solvent (29) before or during the unfolding step.

11. The cover (4) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cover (4) includes a posture measuring device for measuring the posture of the cover (4) relative to a reference posture.

12. The cover (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cover (4) includes a compartment (8) for at least one sensitive part of a data input unit (10) and a data communication unit (16), which is sealed from the inside facing the deployment chamber (1) with a seal that is inert to the solvent.

13. The cover (4) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the sealing includes an annular seal surrounding the glass plate, which allows the gap between the glass plate and the opening edge of the opening (3) of the deployment chamber (1) to be sealed.

14. The cover (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the data communication unit (16) includes a data receiving device for receiving data related to a thin-layer chromatography plate (21) that is deployed during the deployment process.

15. A system for developing and analyzing a thin-layer chromatography plate (21), comprising a developing chamber (1) for developing the thin-layer chromatography plate (21), and a thin-layer chromatography evaluation device (23) for collecting and analyzing the chromatography results on the thin-layer chromatography plate (21) developed using the developing chamber, wherein the developing chamber (1) includes a cover (4) as described in any of claims 1 to 8. The aforementioned system.

16. A system for unfolding and analyzing a thin-layer chromatography plate (21) according to claim 15, characterized in that the thin-layer chromatography evaluation device (23) includes a data communication unit that enables wireless data transmission of data related to the evaluation process to a thin-layer chromatography data storage device (24).

17. A method for unfolding and analyzing a thin-layer chromatography plate (21), wherein the thin-layer chromatography plate (21) is unfolded in a thin-layer chromatography unfolding chamber (1) equipped with a cover (4) according to one of claims 1 to 14, and at least one piece of data related to the unfolding of the thin-layer chromatography plate (21), input or collected by a data input unit (10) of the cover (4) during a data transmission step, is transmitted during or after the unfolding step to a thin-layer chromatography evaluation device (23) for collecting and analyzing the chromatography results of the thin-layer chromatography plate (21). The aforementioned method.

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