Kenneth J Klein

US Patent:

6632353, Oct 14, 2003

Filed:

Mar 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/113599

Inventors:

Terry A. Berger - Newark DE
Kimber D. Fogelman - Hockessin DE
Mark Nickerson - Landenburg PA
Kenneth Klein - Newark DE

Assignee:

Berger Instruments, Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

B01D 1508

US Classification:

2101982, 210656, 210659

Abstract:

A process and device for chromatography, such as preparative and analytical supercritical fluid chromatography, or supercritical fluid extraction for a liquid phase SFC collection system that separates and retains eluted components from sample injections. The process efficiently separates liquid and gas phases in the flow stream upstream of a collection vessel and without additional pressure schemes or solvent extractions imposed on the flowstream. Sample fractions are collected from sample component concentration peaks based upon the chromatographic elution of the sample components. Samples are repeatedly the injected into the mobile phase flow stream and collected into large volume collection containers, thereby allowing longer unattended run times and cost-efficient sample purification and recovery.

US Patent:

6648609, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

Apr 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/117984

Inventors:

Terry A. Berger - Newark DE
Kimber D. Fogelman - Hockessin DE
Kenneth Klein - Newark DE
Mark Nickerson - Landenburg PA

Assignee:

Berger Instruments, Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

F04B 4908

US Classification:

417297, 417292, 417248, 137613, 1376142, 137512, 251118, 2101982, 73 2342, 73 6156

Abstract:

The invention is a device and method in a high-pressure chromatography system, such as a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system, that uses a pump as a pressure source for precision pumping of a compressible fluid. The preferred exemplary embodiment comprises a pressure regulation assembly installed downstream from a compressible fluid pump but prior to combining the compressible flow with a relatively incompressible modifier flow stream. The present invention allows the replacement of an high-grade SFC pump in the compressible fluid flow stream with an inexpensive and imprecise pump. The imprecise pump becomes capable of moving the compressible fluid flow stream in a precise flow rate and pattern. The assembly dampens the damaging effects of an imprecise pump, such as large pressure oscillations caused by flow ripples and noisy pressure signals that do not meet precise SFC pumping requirements.

US Patent:

6652753, Nov 25, 2003

Filed:

Feb 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/067011

Inventors:

Terry A. Berger - Newark DE
Kimber D. Fogelman - Hockessin DE
L. Thompson Staats - Lincoln University PA
Mark Nickerson - Landenberg PA
Paul Bente - Landenberg PA
Kenneth J. Klein - Newark DE

Assignee:

Berger Instruments, Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

C02F 144

US Classification:

210634

Abstract:

A fractionated sample collection process and device having at least one pressurized chamber used to gather and store liquid samples generated from a flow stream containing a mixture of highly compressed gas, compressible liquid, or supercritical fluid and a relatively incompressible liquid. A bank of multiple collection chambers is secured together in a frame to form a cassette unit. Each collection chamber may house a replaceable liner such as a test tube vial, to hold a fractionated liquid phase sample. After filling with sample, a collection chamber is returned to a clean state and ready for refilling with a new sample by manually or automatically replacing the liner.

US Patent:

6656354, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

Feb 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/066955

Inventors:

Terry A. Berger - Newark DE
Kimber D. Fogelman - Hockessin DE
Mark Nickerson - Landenberg PA
Kenneth J. Klein - Newark DE

Assignee:

Berger Instruments, Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

B01D 1508

US Classification:

2101982, 210511, 210635, 210656, 210659

Abstract:

A fractionated sample collection process and device having at least one pressurized chamber used to gather and store liquid samples generated from a flow stream containing a mixture of highly compressed gas, compressible liquid, or supercritical fluid and a relatively incompressible liquid. A bank of multiple collection chambers is secured together in a frame to form a cassette unit. Each collection chamber may house a replaceable liner such as a test tube vial, to hold a fractionated liquid phase sample. After filling with sample, a collection chamber is returned to a clean state and ready for refilling with a new sample by manually or automatically replacing the liner.

US Patent:

6685828, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Apr 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/119529

Inventors:

Terry A. Berger - Newark DE
Kimber D. Fogelman - Hockessin DE
Kenneth Klein - Newark DE
Mark Nickerson - Landenburg PA

Assignee:

Berger Instruments, Inc. - Newark DE

International Classification:

B01D 1508

US Classification:

2101982, 210656, 210659

Abstract:

A system for collection of liquid phase sample fractions from a supercritical fluid chromatography system is disclosed. The system has different ways of gathering the liquid phase into a collection chamber and provides for automated removal of liquid phase from a collection chamber into separate collection container. A separate pressure scheme is invoked upon the collection chambers to move liquid phase out of a chamber and into the separate collection container. In addition, the invention provides a renewal system for the collection chambers where each chamber returns to an uncontaminated stated by washing with a cleaning solution after removal of collected liquid phase. Spent cleaner from a chamber is purged using the pressure system into a waste stream for disposal.

US Patent:

7048517, May 23, 2006

Filed:

Jun 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/464333

Inventors:

Terry A. Berger - Newark DE, US
Kimber D. Fogelman - Hockessin DE, US
Kenneth Klein - Newark DE, US
Mark Nickerson - Landenburg PA, US

Assignee:

Mettler-Toledo AutoChem, Inc. - Millersville MD

International Classification:

F04B 49/03

US Classification:

417300, 417 53, 417286, 417287, 73 2342, 73 6156, 73 2341

Abstract:

The invention is a device and method in a high-pressure chromatography system, such as a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system, that uses a pump as a pressure source for precision pumping of a compressible fluid. The preferred exemplary embodiment comprises a pressure regulation assembly installed downstream from a compressible fluid pump but prior to combining the compressible flow with a relatively incompressible modifier flow stream. The present invention allows the replacement of an high-grade SFC pump in the compressible fluid flow stream with an inexpensive and imprecise pump. The imprecise pump becomes capable of moving the compressible fluid flow stream in a precise flow rate and pattern. The assembly dampens the damaging effects of an imprecise pump, such as large pressure oscillations caused by flow ripples and noisy pressure signals that do not meet precise SFC pumping requirements.

US Patent:

20040096986, May 20, 2004

Filed:

Nov 13, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/705940

Inventors:

Kenneth Klein - Newark DE, US
Kimber Fogelman - Hockessin DE, US
Vincent Worley - Wilmington DE, US
Terry Berger - Englewood FL, US

International Classification:

G01N033/558
C02F001/28
B01D015/08

US Classification:

436/514000, 210/656000

Abstract:

The invention relates to a system for sample fi-action collection in chromatography, and more specifically for using an extended vessel assembly that increases the total collectible volume of a liquid sample fraction in a single collection vessel in an automated system for collection, purification, and storage of purified sample fractions. The system uses an extended vessel assembly to provide collection of substantially large volumes of liquid fractions from chromatography system, such as a preparatory scale supercritical fluid chromatography (Prep Scale SFC) or preparatory scale liquid chromatography (Prep Scale LC), into a single collection vessel. The invention improves productivity while reducing the need for sample transfer between vessels and reducing the risk of human error. The collected liquid solvent is removed after purification using one of several types of evaporation devices or techniques, such as evaporation at moderate temperature under a vacuum with liquid agitation. Collection vessels are labeled and grouped into labeled racks for tracking, efficient movement between system modules, and storage.

US Patent:

51084660, Apr 28, 1992

Filed:

Dec 21, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/632330

Inventors:

Kenneth J. Klein - Wilmington DE
Robert C. Henderson - Avondale PA
Richard J. Phillips - Landenberg PA
Michael Q. Thompson - Coatesville PA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B01D 1508

US Classification:

55 20

Abstract:

Apparatus and method are provided for controlling at least one physicochemical property of carrier fluids and/or support fluids provided to chromatographic detectors by determining a physicochemical property of the one or both fluids and controlling that property using interactive feedback loops.