Chris Bailey

US Patent:

6436350, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Feb 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/499068

Inventors:

James E. Stanchfield - Sunnyvale CA
David J. Wright - Fremont CA
Chris N. Bailey - San Jose CA
Paul B. Robbins - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Robbins Scientific Corporation - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B01L 100

US Classification:

422100, 422102, 422104, 422131, 4353052, 4353053

Abstract:

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 ( ).

US Patent:

6479020, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Feb 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/498942

Inventors:

James E. Stanchfield - Sunnyvale CA
Paul B. Robbins - Palo Alto CA
Chris N. Bailey - San Jose CA
David J. Wright - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Robbins Scientific Corporation - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B01L 300

US Classification:

422102, 422 99, 422101, 422106

Abstract:

An improved multi-well synthesis and filtration apparatus ( ) includes a deep-well synthesis block ( ) having a plurality of flowthrough wells ( ) optionally fitted with filter disks ( ) each of the wells ( ) being integrally formed in the synthesis block ( ), such that any material placed in the wells ( ) is in immediate contact with the material of the synthesis block ( ), an upper cover ( ), a lower cover ( ), and a pair of first and second sheet gaskets ( ). The first and second sheet gaskets ( ) are interposed between the upper and lower covers ( ) to seal inlet portions ( ) and outlet spouts ( ) of the wells ( ). The upper and lower covers ( ) are independently releasable, and, with the gaskets ( ) form a gas tight seal, so that material is retained in the wells ( ) when the lower cover ( ) is removed, but the upper seal maintained. Apertures ( ) in the upper cover ( ) provide that the first sheet gasket ( ) may be punctured for introduction of materials and/or maintenance of an inert atmosphere. An alternative synthesis block ( ) having half the number of wells ( ) but configured to be able to use a collection plate ( ) of the same array as the first embodiment is also described.

US Patent:

60541008, Apr 25, 2000

Filed:

Nov 18, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/972996

Inventors:

James E. Stanchfield - Sunnyvale CA
Paul B. Robbins - Palo Alto CA
Chris N. Bailey - San Jose CA
David J. Wright - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Robbins Scientific Corporation - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B01L 300

US Classification:

422102

Abstract:

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.