Robbins Scientific Corporation

James E Stanchfield

Paul B Robbins

David J Wright

Chris N Bailey

Multi-well apparatus with independently detachable upper and lower covers

An apparatus for multiple simultaneous synthesis ( ), having a number of vials ( ), each vial ( ) having an upper end ( ), a lower end ( ), and a barrel ( ), the upper end ( ) opening into a mouth ( ). It also includes a lower frame assembly ( ) having a number of holes ( ) for receiving the vials ( ), and an upper frame assembly ( ), which includes inner side-walls ( ) and a ceiling portion ( ). A gas-tight seal ( ) surrounds a plenum ( ), the plenum ( ) being formed between the ceiling portion ( ) of the upper frame assembly ( ) and the lower frame assembly ( ). The plenum ( ) is adjustable in volume by the positioning of the upper frame assembly ( ) in variable relation to the lower frame assembly ( ), while maintaining the gas-tight seal ( ). The volume of the plenum ( ) is adjustable to a minimum whereby the mouths ( ) of the vials ( ) are sealed by the ceiling ( ) of the gas-tight seal ( ), which is optionally an upper gasket ( ). Also disclosed is a plenum enclosure ( ) for multiple simultaneous synthesis used in conjunction with vials ( ), which includes the upper frame assembly ( ) and lower frame assembly ( ) and the gastight seal ( ), as well as a gasket vial holder ( ) to be used in the plenum enclosure ( ).

Multi-well array with adjustable plenum

A multi-well synthesis and filtration apparatus (10) dimensionally arrayed in a standard multi-well format for performing multiple chemical reactions includes a deep-well synthesis block (12) with flowthrough wells (24) fitted with filter disks (48), an upper cover (14), and a lower cover (16). First and second sheet gaskets (18 and 20) seal inlet portions (38) and outlet spouts (40) of the wells (24). An optional skirt (26) provides a site for the independently releasable attachment of the upper and lower covers (14 and 16) to the block (12) while maintaining the seal on the unreleased cover. An alternative synthesis apparatus (310) additionally includes a reinforcement assembly (372) to improve the clamping action of the covers (14 and 16) upon the synthesis block (12). A rotating carrier apparatus (200) and a modified oven assembly (202) are provided to enable agitation and heating of multiple synthesis blocks (12) simultaneously.

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

James E Stanchfield