scientific plastic products v. biotage ab et. al

8/3/2019 Scientific Plastic Products v. Biotage AB et. al.

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'11CV2778 MDDLAB

1 MATTHEW V. HERRON #711932 herron aw apeDiamond View Tower3 350 Tenth Avenue, Suite 8804

San Diego, California 92101Telephone: (619) 233-4122

5 Facsimile: (619) 233-37096 Paul K. Vickrey (Pro Hac Vice)7 Frederick C. Laney (Pro Hac Vice)Laura A. Kenneally (Pro Hac Vice)8 NIRO, HALLER & NIRO

181 West Madison Street, Suite 46009 Chicago, Illinois 6060210 Telephone: (312) 236-0733Facsimile: (312) 236-313711 Attorneys for Plaintiff12 SCIENTIFIC PLASTIC PRODUCTS, INC.1314 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT151617

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SCIENTIFIC PLASTIC PRODUCTS, INC.,18 a California corporation,19 Plaintiff,v.20 BIOTAGE AB, BIOTAGE GB LTD.,21 BIOTAGE, LLC, BIOTAGE, INC. andMERCK & CO.,22232425 III26 III27 III28 III

Defendants.

) CMeNo. ________________)) COMPLAINT FOR PATENT) INFRINGEMENT)) DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL))))) Judge:) Courtroom:

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT / DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL1

Case 3:11-cv-02778-LAB-MDD Document 1 Filed 11/29/11 Page 1 of 25


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1 COMPLAINT2 PlaintitI: Scientific Plastic Products, Inc. ("SPP"), complainsofDefendants, BiotageAB, Biota3 GB Ltd., Biotage, LLC, Biotage, Inc. (collectively "Biotage") and Merck & Company, Inc. ("Merck4 (together "Defendants"), as follows:56 1.

NATURE OF LAWSUITThis is a claim for patent infringement arising under the patent laws ofthe United Stat

7 \ Title 35 of he United States Code.89 2.

THE PARTIESSPP is a California corporation with its principal place ofbusiness in this Judicial Distri

10 located at 1121 South Cleveland Street, Oceanside, California. SPP is the named assignee of, owns11 right title and interest in, and has standing to sue for infringement ofUnited States Patent No. 8,066,812 B2 entitled "Flash Chromatography Cartridge" issued November 29,2011 (''the '875 Patent") (ExhI13 A). SPP designs and manufactures flash chromatography products used in the development a14 discovery ofnew drugs.15 3. On information and belief, Defendant Biotage AB is a Swedish "aktiebolag" with16 principal place ofbusiness at Kungsgatan 76, SE-753 18 Uppsala, Sweden.17 4. On information and belief, Biotage AB transacts business and has imported, sold and18 offered to sell to customers in this judicial district and throughout the State of California fla19 chromatography related products, includingbywayofexample its Biotage SNAP cartridge products, th20 infringe, without limitation, at least claim 1 of he '875 Patent.21 5. On information and belief, Defendant Biotage GB Ltd. is a British company with22 principal place ofbusiness at Withey Dyffiyn Court Dyffiyn Business Park, Hengoed, M Glam CF82 7R23 Wales.24 6. On information and belief, Biotage GB transacts business and has imported, sold and25 offered to sell to customers in this judicial district and throughout the State of California fla26 chromatography related products, includingbywayofexample its Biotage SNAP cartridge products, th27 infringe, without limitation, at least claim 1 ofthe '875 Patent.28 III

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT / DEMAND FOR JURy TRIAL2



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1 7. On infonnation and beliet: Defendant Biotage, LLC is a Delaware corporation wit2 principal place ofbusiness at 1725 Discovery Dr., Charlottesville, Virginia 22911.3 8. On infonnation and beliet: Biotage LLC transacts business and has imported, sold and4 offered to sell to customers in this judicial district and throughout the State of California fla5 chromatography related products, includingby wayofexample its Biotage SNAP cartridge products, th6 infringe, without limitation, at least claim 1 of the '875 Patent.7 9. On infonnation and beliet: Defendant Biotage, Inc. is a Delaware corporation wit8 principal place ofbusiness at 1725 Discovery Dr., Charlottesville, Virginia 22911.9 10. On infonnation and beliet: Biotage, Inc transacts business and has imported, sold and

10 offered to sell to customers in this judicial district and throughout the State of California fla11 chromatography related products, includingbywayofexample its Biotage SNAP cartridge products, th12 infringe, without limitation, at least claim 1 of he '875 Patent.13 11. Defendant Merck is a New Jersey corporation with a place ofbusiness at One Merck D14 Whitehouse Station, New Jersey 08889-0100. Merck has continuous and systematic busin15 transactions in this judicial district and throughout the State ofCalifornia including business transactio16 for products covered by, without limitation, at least claim 1 of the '875 Patent sold by Thoms17 Instruments Company. In addition, Merck is registered to do business in the State of California.1819 12.

JURISDICTION AND VENUEThis Court has exclusive jurisdiction over the subject matter ofthe Complaint under

20 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338(a).21 13. Personal Jurisdiction over Defendants is proper in this Court. Venue in this judic22 district is proper under 28 U.S.C. 1391(b), (c) andlor 1400(b).2324 14.

DEFENDANTS' ACTS OF PATENT INFRINGEMENTBiotage has, without limitation, infringed under 35 U.S.C. 271, at least claim 1 oft

25 '875 Patent through, among other activities, the manufacture, use, importation, sale andlor offer for s26 of its flash chromatography products, including, without limitation, Biotage SNAP cartridge line27 products.28 III

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT IDEMAND FOR JURyTRIAL3



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1 15. Merck has, without limitation, infringed under 35 U.S.C. 271, at least claim 1 ofthe '82 Patent through, among other activities, the use of he Biotage SNAP cartridge line ofproducts.3 16. For each Defendant, at least the filing of his lawsuit shall constitute actual notice of4 infringement of he '875 Patent.5 PRAYER FOR RELIEF6 WHEREFORE, SPP asks this Court to enter judgment against Defendants, and agai7 Defendants' subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, servants, employees and all persons in active concert8 participation with it, granting th e following relief:9 A. An award ofdamages adequate to compensate SPP for the infringement that has occurre

10 together with prejudgment interest from the date infringement of he '875 Patent began;111213

B.C.D.

Increased damages and/or attorneys' fees as permitted under 35 U.S.C. 284 and 28A permanent injunction prohtbiting further infringement ofthe '875 Patent; and,Such other and further reliefas this Court or a jury may deem proper and just.

14 JURY DEMAND15 Plaintiff SPP demands a trial by jury on all issues presented in this Complaint.16 Dated: November 29,201117

herronlaw,ape

1819202122232425262728

By: /slMatthew V. HerronMatthew V. Herron (SB # 71193)herronlaw,apeDiamond View Tower350 Tenth Avenue Suite 880San Diego, CA 92101-8705Telephone: 619-233-4122Facsimile: [email protected] K. Vickrey (pro hac vice)Frederick C. Laney (pro hac vice)Laura A. Kenneally (pro hac vice)NIRO, HALLER & NIRO181 West Madison Street, Suite 4600Chicago, Illinois 60602Telephone: (312) 236-0733Facsimile: (312) 236-3137

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT / DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL4



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EXHIBIT A



6/25EXHIBIT "A" Page 1 of 18

(12) United States PatentEllis et al.

(54) FLASH CHROMATOGRAPHY CARTRIDGE(75) Inventors: SamuelA. Ellis, San Diego, CA (US);

Jeffrey L. Harlan, Corona, CA (US)(73) Assignee: Scientific Plastic Products, Inc.,Oceanside, CA (US)( *) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of thispatent is extended or adjusted under 35

U.S.c. 154(b) by 736 days.This patent is subject to a tenninal disclaimer.

(21) Appl. No.: 12/152,165(22) Filed: Ma y 13, 2008(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2008/0217250 Al Sep. 11,2008Related U.S. Application Data

(63) Continuation of application No. 111125,017, filed onMay 9, 2005, now Pat. No. 7,381,327, which is acontinuation-in-part of application No. 10/842,288,filed on May 10, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,138,061.(51) Int. Cl.

BOlD 15108 (2006.01)(52) U.S. Cl. ..................................... 210/198.2; 210/656(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 210/635,

(56)

210/656,659,198.2,232,450; 961101See application file for complete search history.References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS3,433,380 A3,435,975 A3,441,161 A

311969 Kawchitch411969 Weigand411969 Van Baam

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111US008066875B2

(10) Patent No.: US 8,066,875 B2(45) Date of Patent: *Nov. 29, 2011

3,595,418 A 7/1971 Adcock et a!.3,682,315 A 8/1972 Haller3,692,669 A 9/1972 Bauman3,791,522 A 2/1974 Eisenbeiss et a!.3,901,404 A 8/1975 Feldman4,084,718 A 4/1978 Wadsworth4,131,547 A 12/1978 Michel4,143,785 A 3/1979 Ferrell4,283,280 A 8/1981 Brownlee4,309,286 A 111982 Lenihan, Jr. et aI.4,322,012 A 3/1982 Conti4,341,635 A 7/1982 Golias4,354,932 A 10/1982 McNeil4,392,579 A 7/1983 Uhlig eta!.

(Continued)OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Order Granting Request for Reexamination of Patent No. 7,410,571(Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,496), dated Nov. 25, 2009.

(Continued)Primary Examiner - Ernest G Therkorn(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - David M. Quinlan, P.c.(57) ABSTRACTA low pressure liquid chromatographic cartridge is providedhaving a tubular polymer container adapted to receive a chromatographic packing material. The container has an outletport located at a downstream end of the container and container threads formed on an upstream end of the container. Apolymer cap having cap threads located on the cap threadingly engage the container threads.An inlet port is located onan upstream end of he cap. A flange depends from the cap andmates with the lip of the container to form a fluid tight sealbetween the polymer cap and container suitable for use in lowpressure liquid chromatography. A locking tab on a skirt ofthe cap engages a recess on the container when the sealengages the cap and container to lock the cap in positionrelative to the container. Alternatively, continuous screwthreads on the cap and container may hold the parts together.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets

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US 8,066,875 B2Page 2

u.s. PATENT DOCUMENTS4,457,846 A 711984 Munk4,496,461 A 111985 Leeke et al.4,582,608 A 411986 Ritacco4,662,529 A 511987 Moore4,670,141 A 611987 Shackelford et al.4,692,243 A 911987 Porsch4,758,340 A 711988 Marchand et al.4,856,668 A 811989 Pfefferkorn et al.4,863,610 A 911989 Campbel l4,888,112 A 1211989 Kronwa ld4,894,152 A 111990 Colvin4,927,531 A 511990 Sakamoto et al.4,988,127 A 111991 Cartensen5,100,013 A 311992 Strassheimer5,167,810 A 1211992 Vassarotti et al.5,188,730 A 211993 Kronwald5,238,556 A 811993 Shirkhan5,297,688 A 311994 Beck et al.5,411,157 A 511995 King, II5,462,659 A 1011995 Saxena et al.5,601,708 A 211997 Leavesley5,667,676 A 911997 Alaska5,693,223 A 1211997 Yarnada et al.5,714,074 A 211998 Karlsson et al.6,068,766 A 5/2000 Van Davelaar6,132,605 A 1012000 Leavesley et al.6,139,733 A 1012000 Hargro et al.6,171,486 Bl 112001 Green et al.6,171,502 Bl 112001 Mueller6,221,252 Bl 4/2001 Hargro et al.6,260,723 Bl 7/2001 Bergholtz6,280,616 Bl 8/2001 Pettersson6,294,087 Bl 9/2001 Hargro et al.6,352,266 Bl 3/2002 Rigoli6,387,256 Bl 5/2002 Tuvim6,436,284 Bl 8/2002 Leavesley et al.6,444,122 Bl 912002 Van Davelaar6,457,905 Bl 1012002 Nickell6,491,175 Bl 1212002 Taha6,565,745 B2 5/2003 Hodgin et al.6,695,161 B2 212004 Kano et al.6,702,133 Bl 3/2004 Shenkar6,783,673 B2 8/2004 Horsman et al.6,802,968 B2 10/2004 Leavesley et al.6,949,194 B2 912005 Hodgin et al.7,008,541 B2 3/2006 Hodgin et al.7,018,365 B2 3/2006 Strauss et al.7,138,061 B2 1112006 Ellis et al.7,381,327 B2 6/2008 Ellis et al.7,410,571 B2 8/2008 Ellis et al.2003/0062330 Al 4/2003 Scalese2003/0102266 Al 6/2003 Ritacco2006/0011532 Al 112006 Van Davelaar et al.2007/0068861 Al 3/2007 Ellis et al.

OTHER PUBLICATIONSOffice Action dated Nov. 25, 2009, in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,496.Response to Office Action (by the patent owner), dat ed Jan. 27, 2010,including Exhibits A-E thereto, in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,495.Comments to Patent Owner's Response to Office Action RegardingReexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,381,327 (by Biotage AB), datedFeb. 25, 2010, including Declarations ofWilli amH. Pearson and JuhaEsala (with exhibits), in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,495.Response to Office Action (by the patent owner), dat ed Jan. 25, 2010,including Exhibit A thereto, in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,496.Comments to Patent Owner's Response to Office Action RegardingReexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,410,571 (by Biotage AB), datedFeb. 24, 2010, including Declarations ofWilli amH. Pearson and JuhaEsala (with exhibits), in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,496.Response to Office Action (by the patent owner), dat ed Jan. 27, 2010,including Exhibit A thereto, in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,497.Comments to Patent Owner's Response to Office Action RegardingReexamination of U.S. Patent No. 7,138,061 (by Biotage AB), datedFeb. 25, 2010, including Declarations ofWilli amH. Pearson and JuhaEsala (with exhibits), in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,497.

Exhibits 14-25 to Request for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S.Patent No. 7,381,327, dated Aug. 21, 2009 (Reexam. Cont. No.95/000,495).Exhibits 13-22 to Request for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S.Patent No. 7,410,571, dated Aug. 21, 2009 (Reexam. Cont. No.95/000,496).Exhibits 10-25 to Request for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S.Patent No. 7,138,061, dated Aug. 21, 2009 (Reexam. Cont. No.95/000,497).Still, Clark, et aI., "Rap id Chromatographic Technique for Preparative Separations with Moderate Resolutions," J. Org. Chern., vol. 44,Nov. 14, 1978, pp. 2923-2925.Request for Re-examination of U.S. Patent No. 7,138,061, Requester's Docket No. 086679-0103. Re-examination Control No.95/000,497, Nov. 2006.Request for Re-examination of U.S. Patent No. 7,381,327, Requester's Docket No. 086679-0104. Re-examination Control No.95/000,495, Jun. 2008.Request for Re-examination of U.S. Patent No. 7,410,571, Requester's Docket No. 086679-0105. Re-examination Control No.95/000,496, Aug. 2008.Reply to Notice of Failure to Comply with Re-examination filingrequirements for U.S. Patent No. 7,410,571. Re-examination ControlNo. 95/000,496, Sep. 2009.Order granting Request for Re-examination of Patent No. 7,381,327Control No. 95/000,495, Oct. 2009.Office Action involving claims 1-20 for the Re-examination of PatentNo. 7,381,327, Control No. 95/000,495, Oct. 2009.Order granting Request for Re-examination of Patent No. 7,138,061Control No. 95/000,497, Oct. 2009.Office Action involving claims 1-22 for the Re-examination of PatentNo. 7,138,061 Control No. 95/000,497, Oct. 2009.Office action closing prosecution in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,495(o f Patent No. 7,381,327), dated Aug. 28, 2010.Response to Office Action (by the patent owner), dated Nov. 17,2010, including Exhibits A-C (with exhibits), in Reexam. Cont. No.95/000,495.Requester's Comments to Office Action Closing Prosecution andPatent Owner's Response Regarding Reexamination of U.S. PatentNo. 7,381,327 (by Biotage AB), dated Dec. 17, 2010, includingSecond Declarations of William H. Pearson and Juha Esala, inReexam. Cont. No. 95/000,495.Right ofAppeal Notice in Reexam. Cont.No.95/000,495, dated Mar.3,2011.Office action closing prosecution in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,496(o f Patent No. 7,410,571), dated Oct. 2, 2010.Response to Office Action (by the patent owner), dated Nov. 17,2010, including Exhibits A-C (with exhibits), in Reexam. Cont. No.95/000,496.Requester's Comments to Office Action Closing Prosecution andPatent Owner's Response Regarding Reexamination of U.S. PatentNo. 7,410,571 (by Biotage AB), dated Dec. 17,2010, includingSecond Declarations of William H. Pearson and Juha Esala, inReexam. Cont. No. 95/000,496.Office action closing prosecution in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,497(o f Patent No. 7,138,061), dated Jan. 18,2011.Response to Office Action (by the patent owner), dated Mar. 17, 2011,including Exhibits A-C (with exhibits), in Reexam. Cont. No.95/000,497.Requester's Comments to Office Action Closing Prosecution andPatent Owner's Response Regarding Reexamination of U.S. PatentNo. 7,138,061 (by Biotage AB), dated Apr. 15, 2011, includingSecond Declarations of William H. Pearson and Juha Esala (withexhibit), in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,497.Right of Appeal Notice in Reexam. Cont.! No. 95/000,497, datedMay 5, 2011.Appeal Brief (by the patent owner), da ted Jun. 6, 2011, In Reexam.Cont. No. 95/000,495 (o f Patent No. 7,381,327).Respondent Brief in Inter Partes Reexamination (by the requesterBlolage AB), dated Jul. 6, 2011, Including Exhibit Y, in Reexam.Cont. No. 95/000,495.Appeal Brief(by the patent owner) in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,495(o f Patent No. 7,381,327), dated Jun. 6, 2011.




US 8,066,875 B2Page 3

Respondent Brief in Inter Partes Reexamination (by the requester) inReexam. Cont. No. 95/000,495, dated Jui. 6, 2011.Appeal Brief (by the patent owner) in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,497(o f Patent No. 7,318,061), d ated Aug. 8, 2011.Right ofAppeal Notice in Reexam. Cont. No. 95/000,497, dated Sep.2,20ll.

Respondent Brief n Inter Partes Reexamination (b y the requester) inReexam. Cont. No. 95/000,497, dated Sep. 8, 2011.Revised Appeal Brief (by the patent owner) in Reexam. Cont. No.95/000,497, dated Sep. 16,2011.Innovative Tools for Molecu lar and Celt Biology, MoBiTec GmbH,Gottingen, Germany (1999).




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US 8,066,875 B21

FLASH CHROMATOGRAPHY CARTRIDGE

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATAThe present application is a continuation of U.S. applica

tion Ser. No. 111125,017, filed May 9, 2005, and issued asu.s. Pat. No. 7,381,327, which in tum was a continuation-inpart of u.s. application Ser. No. 10/842,288, filed May 10,2004, and issued as u.s. Pat. No. 7,138,061, the completecontents of which related applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to method and apparatus involvingcartridges for use in flash chromatography and low pressure

liquid chromatography equipment.

2several separate cartridges. The secondary cartr idge is also anadditional expense, and requires additional time for loading.

There is thus a need for a cartridge that can be sealed tofunction under LPLC pressures but which allows the user toaccess the inside of the cartridge before it is sealed.Moreover, welded cartridges are limited by being pressurerated to only about 45 psi, due to leaking and instability athigher pressures. This pressure limits the end user, becausehigh pressures are desirable for separating chemical compo-

10 sitions that are thick and viscous. Without these higher pressures these thick, viscous chemicals can not be distinguished.There is thus also a need for a larger capacity cartridge thatcan be used at higher pressures, especially for viscous fluids.

In LPLC the fluid sample is sometimes prepared by passing15 it through one or more cartridges ofdifferent material, each ofwhich has a different sorbent to clean the fluid of particularundesirable materials or chemicals. Because the fluid samplecan vary, a wide variety of cartridges w ith different sorbentssealed in the cartridges must be maintained. Further, thehromatographic analysis passes fluids through colunmscontaining specially treated sorbent which allows the chemi

cals in the fluid to be eluted at different times and thus formseparated peaks on a chromatogram. In order to prepare orclean up the fluid being analyzed the fluid is often passedthrough a sorbent under pressure. Further, for low pressureliquid chromatography (LPLC) or flash chromatography thefluid may be passed through a sorbent at a pressure of 20-1 00psi. This operating pressure is sufficiently high that thesecartridges, which have relative large diameter bodies leak atthe seams. Threaded counections are thus not used to form thebody when the body is made of polymers. Thus, these car- 30tridges are traditionally made of plastic and have sonicallywelded ends. But even that welded constmction will leak ifthere are defects in the welds. That welded constmction andthe accompanying manufacturing and material costs cause inundesirably high costs, especially as the cartridges must beeither discarded, or must under go extensive and thoroughcleaning after a single use, or at most after a few uses withsimilar fluids. There is thus a need for a low cost, disposablecartridge.

20 removal and reconnection of hese various cartridges is cumbersome and time consuming, and the cost of each cartridge isexpensive. There is thus a need for a way to reduce thecomplexity and cost of using different sorbents.Sometimes a Y fitting is used to inject one or more fluids25 into the LPLC cartridge. The connection and use of these Yfittings is cumbersome. Further, the fitting must be eitherdiscarded or cleaned after each use. There is thus a need for abetter and less expensive way to introduce fluid or materialsinto the cartridge.

SUMMARYA low pressure liquid chromatographic cartridge is provided having a tubular polymer container adapted to receive a

35 chromatographic packing material. The container has an outlet port located at a downstream end of the container andconfigured for connecting to chromatographic equipmentduring use of the cartridge. Container threads are formed onan upstream end of the container. A polymer cap has capFurther, the welded constmction requires the chromatographic packing material be placed in the cartridge before it iswelded, or it requires careful packing of the colunm underpressure, both of which limit the usefulness of the cartridgeand increase its cost.Recently one company has introduced a disposable cartridge made of molded polypropylene having an end fittingthat uses openings in a number of cantilever members toengage detent members which fit into the openings to create

40 threads located on the cap to threadingly engage the containerthreads. The cap also has an inlet port located on an upstreamend of he container. The port is configured for connecting tochromatographic equipment during use of the cartridge. Aresilient fluid tight seal is interposed between the cap and45 container suitable for use in low pressure liquid chromatography. A locking tab is provided on a skirt of the cap and islocated and configured to engage a recess on the containerwhen the seal engages the cap and container. The locking tab

an interference fit to snap-lock the end fitting onto the cartridge. This is described in u.s. Pat. No. 6,565,745. But this 50interference fit is created at the factory and again creates acartridge that does not allow the user to easily vary the contents of he cartridge. There is thus a need for a cartridge thatallows a user to easily vary the contents.

locks the cap in position relative to the container.In further variations the seal comprises a resilient ringextending from a top of he cap with the seal being located andsized to engage a lip of the container. Preferably a fluiddispenser is interposed between the container and the cap.The dispenser has a plurality of fluid outlets located across aSecondary cartridges are sometimes tied into the systemfor use, but these secondary cartridges are limited in size to 70ml (or between 20-25 g of material). These secondary cartridges lie wi th tubing 1 to 2 feet away from the sample. Theuse of secondary cartridges increases the amount of mn timeand expensive solvent, due to elution of the sample. It causesdilution of sample because the cartridge is 1 to 2 feet awayfrom the sample. The tubing and secondary cartridge alsoallows the addition of air which mayor may not affect thechemical composition or performance. Also secondary cartridges have a capacity limit of20-25 g which does need meetthe needs of all users since at times up to 60 g is needed to beloaded. This forces an end user to separate the chemicals into

55 substantial portion of a cross-section of the container to dispense fluid from the inlet of the cap over the cross-section.The fluid dispenser preferably takes the form of a dish havinga plurality of holes extending through the dish, so as to placethe inlet and the outlet in fluid communication. Moreover, the60 dish preferably, but optionally has a rim placed between thecap and the container. In further embodiments the locking tabextends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container andextends from a distal end of a skirt of he cap. Further, the inletcan take the form of a tube threadingly engaging one of the65 cap or container, with the tube having a threaded exteriordistal end located on an exterior of he engaged one of he cap

or container. Advantageously the seal and lip abut at an




US 8,066,875 B23

inclined angle with the seal extending inward toward a longitudinal axis of the container and cap. Moreover, the sealpreferably joins the top of he cap at a corner which encirclesa longitudinal axis of the container. Still further, the fluiddispenser has a periphery located in that corner. Preferablychromatographic packing material is pl aced in the cartridge

4FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a

cartridge with a screw cap;FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the jnncture of the capand cartridge of FIG. 1;FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the cartridge of FIG. 1connected to chromatographic equipment;FIGS. 4a-b are top and side views, respectively, of he fluiddispenser shown in FIG. 1;

by the user before the cap is locked onto the container. Preferably, but optionally, the material to be analyzed is alsoplaced in the cartridge by the user before the cap is lockedonto the container. This allows the user to custom select andplace any of a plurality of different chromatographic packingmaterials in the container.FI G. 5 is a partial sectional view of a further embodiment of

10 inlet and outlet fittings for use with the cartridge of FIG. 1;FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a further embodiment of acontainer and locking mechanism;In a further embodiment there is provided a low pressureliquid chromatography cartridge having a tubular containeradapted to receive a chromatographic packing material. Thecontainer has an outlet port located at a downstream end of he 15container and configured for use with chromatographicequipment during use of he cartridge. The container also hascontainer threads formed on an upstream end of he container.A cap is provided with an inlet port located on an upstreamend of the cap, with port being configured for use with chro- 20matographic equipment during use of the cartridge. The capalso has cap threads located on the cap to threadingly engage

the container threads. Locking means on the container andcap prevent manual removal of the cap. Resilient sealingmeans are provided for sealing the cap to the container when 25a user places the cap on the container and engages the lockingmeans.In still further variations, the cartridge has means for distributing fluid from the inlet port over a cross-section area ofthe container during use of the cartridge. Moreover, chro- 30matographic packing material and materials to be analyzedcan be placed in the container by the user of the cartridgebefore the locking means are locked.

FI G. 7 is a partial sectional view of a further embodiment ofthe connection of the cap and the container of FIG. 1;FIG. 8 is a further embodiment of a fluid dispenser;FIG. 9 is a section of the fluid dispenser of FIG. 8 takenalong section 9-9 of FIG. 8;FI G. 10 is a front perspective view of a further embodimentofa cap;FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the cap of FIG. 10;FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the cap of FIG. 10;FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along section 13-13 ofFIG. 12;FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodimentof a container for use with the cap of FIG. 10;FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view taken along circularsection 15-15 of FIG. 14;FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a captaken along section 16-16 of FIG. 19;FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the cap of FIG. 16, takenalong section 17-17 of FIG. 19;FIG. 18 is a circular sectional view taken along section18-18 of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of he further embodiment of he35 cap of FIG. 16.

There is also provided a method for a user to perform lowpressure liquid chromatography. The method includes placing at least one chromatographic packing material in a tubularcontainer which has an outlet port located at a downstreamend of the container. The outlet is again configured for usewith chromatographic equipment. Container threads areformed on an upstream end of the container. The methodincludes threadingly engaging threads on a cap with the con- 40tainer threads. The cap is also provided with an inlet port on

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

an upstream end of the cap. The method further includessealing the cap to the container by tightening the threads andengaging a seal between the cap and the container. The sealprovides a fluid tight seal below about 100 psi suitable for 45LPLC use.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 and 7, a cartridge is provided comprising tubular container 20 suitable for flash chromatography. The container has a cap 28 with inlet and outlet ports 24,and 30, respectively. The container 20 has an open end 22 atand upstream or proximal end, and an outlet port 24 at adownstream or distal end. A fluid dispenser 26 is placed in orupstream of the open end 22 and a cap 28 is fastened over theopen end 22 and fluid dispenser. An inlet port 30 is providedIn further variations the method includes locking the cap tothe container. A still further variation includes connecting theinlet to a source of fluid for chromatographic analysis; anddistributing the fluid from the inlet over a cross-section area ofthe container. Moreover, distributing step preferably, butoptionally includes collecting the fluid in a fluid dispenser

having a wall with a plurality of holes spread across thecross-section and passing the fluid through those holes.Inclining the surface with the holes toward a centrallongitudinal axis of he fluid dispenser which also passes through thefluid dispenser is also a preferred variation. In a still furthervariation the distributing step is performed by a fluid dispenser with a periphery that is interposed between the cap andthe container.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

on the cap 28. A locking mechanism 32 is placed on one orboth of the container 20 and cap 28 to hold the cap to thecontainer. A seal 48 between the cap 28 and container 20 is50 held in fluid tight compression by mating threads 32, 34 andthe locking mechanism 32.

In use, the inlet 30 is placed in fluid communication with asource of fluid to be processed in a low pressure liquid chromatography (LPLC) or flash chromatography process. Pro-55 cessing or filtering media is placed in the container 20. Thesample fluid to be tested is passed through the media in thecontainer, and the resulting fluid is removed from the outletport 24 for further processing or other treatment or analysis.Preferably, but optionally, the outlet port 24 is placed in fluid60 communication with the LPLC equipment or other chromatographic equipment for the processing or treatment. Advantageously the downstream or distal end of the container 20 isslightly curved or domed or inclined so the fluid being processed is funneled toward the outlet 24.hese and other features and advantages of the inventionwill be better understood by reference to the following draw - 65ings in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and In more detail, the locking mechanism 32 can advantageously, but optionally take the form of mating threads on thecontainer 20 and the cap 28. FIG. 1 shows external threads 34n which:




US 8,066,875 B25

on the container mating with intemal threads 36 on a skirt 38of the cap 28. But the container threads 24 could be internalthreads and the cap threads 36 could be external threads. Thethreads can 34,36 be single lead, or multiple lead. The threads34, 36 can be continuous or segmented.

Preferably, but optionally, a lip or flange 40 extends outward around the outer circumference of the container 20adjacent the trailing end of the threads. Preferably, one ormore gaps or spaces or recesses 41 are formed in the flange40.As used herein, the leading end of he threads refers to theends that first engage the mating threads, and the trailing en drefers to the last to engage end of the threads. The outwarddirection means away from the longitudinal axis 42 of thecontainer 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, the polymer cap 28 is sealed to thepolymer container 20 sufficiently to allow flash chromatography up to about 100psi.Alip 44 is formed on the distal edgeof he skirt 38 of he cap 28 so the lip 38 abuts the flange 40 onthe container to limit the tightening of he cap on the container20, and to help seal the cap to the container. A locking tab 39extends from the skirt 28 along the direction of axis 42. Thelocking tab 39 is sized and shaped to fit into one of therecesses 41 on the flange 40. Thus, when the cap 28 isthreaded onto the container 20 by threads 34, 36, the tabs 39advance axially along axis 42 and fit into the recesses 41 tolock the cap from further rotation, and to lock the cap fromunscrewing and the accompanying leaking. The tabs could belocated on the container and the recesses on the cap.Advantageously the locking tabs 39 are configured so theshape matches that of the flange 40, making it difficult tomanually grab the tabs 39 and manipulate them to lillscrewthe cap 28. Advantageously, but optionally, the distal ordownstream edge of he locking tab 39 tapers toward the axis42 and that helps remove defined edges of sufficient size thatthe edge can be manually grabbed, and that helps avoidunlocking the cap. The locking tabs 39 thus provide means forpreventing manual removal of the cap.A shaped lip 46 is also preferably, but optionally placedaround the opening 22 on the proximal or upstream end of hecontainer 20. The shaped lip 46 is shown as inclined outwardat an angle of about 30 from a line parallel to axis 42. Thecontainer lip 46 abuts a sealing surface 48 on the cap 28 toprovide a fluid tight seal. Different angles and lip shapescould be used, especially if different types of seals are used.The cap sealing surface 48 is shown as comprising anaunular seal depending from the inside of the cap 28. Thesealing surface 48 is shown as connected to a top wall 50adjacent the juncture of he top wall 50 wi th the side walls orskirt 38 of the cap 28. The top wall 50 is preferably, butoptionally slightly domed or slightly curved outward. Thesealing surface 46 is advantageously a thin walled ring, andpreferably, but optionally has a slight conical shape narrowing toward the downstream end of the cap 28 and inwardtoward the axis 42. The cap sealing surface 48 thus preferablyhas a larger diameter at the upstream or proximal end whereit fastens to the cap 28, and has a smaller diameter, open endlocated downstream and inward of the upper end to form acone with the smaller end facing downstream.

6toward axis 42, a corner is fonned and the outer edge of thefluid dispenser 26 is p laced in this corner.As the cap 28 is threaded onto the container 20 usingthreads 34, 36, the downstream side of he cap sealing surface

5 48 abuts the upstream side of the cap lip 44 to fonn a fluidtight seal. The cap lip 44 on the distal or downstream edge ofthe cap 28 abuts the flange 40 on the container to preventover-tightening and preferably, but optionally also fonn aredundant seal. As the cap 28 is threadingly tightened on the

10 container 28 the conical cap sealing surface 48 is resilientlyurged toward the container lip 46, squeezing and furthersealing the periphery of the fluid dispenser 26 between theseal 48 and the cap 28. The fluid dispenser is thus heldbetween the container and the cap, and distributes fluid along15 axis 42 across at least a substantial portion of a cross section

of the container.Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the fluid dispenser 26 has acontaining volume within which the fluid being processedcollects and spreads over the cross-section of he container 2020 in order to more evenly distribute the fluid over the material inthe container. A plurality of holes 52 in the downstreamsurface of he fluid dispersing device allow the fluid to exit the

fluid dispenser 26. Various shaped fluid dispensers 26 couldbe used, including a container with a flat bottom, or inclined

25 bottoms. As used herein, inclined surfaces include curvedsurfaces. As the container 20 is preferably, but optionallycylindrical in shape, these shapes result in a cylinder with aflat bottom, or a shallow conical surface or a downwardlycurved surface. A flat surface on the dispensing device risks30 some fluid collecting in the device, and is thus not preferred.Various shaped and sized holes and hole patterns could also

be used, with the holes 52 being preferably arranged to distribute the fluid being processed evenly over the cross-sectional area of the container 20. If a curved fluid dispenser 2635 is used then the holes 52 may advantageously be larger indiameter as the holes get further from the longitudinal axis.Still referring to FIGS. 1-2 and 4 the fluid dispenser 26

comprises a circular, domed dish having a plurality of holes52 extending through the dish. The dish shaped fluid dis-40 penser 26 is preferably, but optionally curved toward thedownstream direction so that fluid entering the cap 28 throughthe inlet port 30 collects in the dish and passes through theholes 52. One hole is preferably located at the lowennost ormost downstream portion of he surface to avoid fluid collect-45 ing in the fluid dispenser 26. Preferably the lowest opening 52is on the longitudinal axis 42. A lip or rim of the dispenser isheld between the container 20 and the cap 28, and in thepreferred embodiment is held by the lip of the containerresiliently urging the seal 48 against the rim of he dispensing50 device 26 against the top 50 of the cap.The fluid entering the cap 28 through inlet port 30 enters atpressures of about 20-100 psi, and preferably about 50 psi,and at a flow rate of about 10-100 mUmin, although thepressure and flow rate can vary. The pressure and flow rate of55 the fluid entering the cap 28 and collecting on the fluid dispenser 26 is sufficient that the fluid spreads across theupstream surface of the dish shaped fluid dispenser 26 andsquirts through the holes 52 like a showerhead to more evenlydistribute the fluid over the cross-section of the container.Preferably, but optionally, the cap sealing surface 48 is 60integrally molded with the cap 28, although a two part assembly is also believed suitable. Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a series

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the container 20 is at lest partiallyfilled with a chromatographic packing material 60 selected tosuit the fluids being analyzed and the operating pressures andconditions. This is advantageously done by the user justbefore the cap 28 is locked onto the container 20. Variousof rectangular openings appear near the juncture of the skirt38 and the top of the cap 28 and these openings allow moldslides to pass through the cap to integrally mold the seal 48with the cap. Referring to FIG. 2, at the periphery where thecap sealing surface 48 extends downstream and inward65 silica based sorbents are commonly used, and various sorbents 60a, 60b (FIG. 2) or other chromatographically usefulmaterials can be layered by the user to achieve different




US 8,066,875 B27

effects on the fluid being processed. The level of the chromatographic packing material 60 can be varied by the user toleave a predetermined volume inside the container 20, withfluids or other materials being added to fill that predeterminedvolume.The dish shaped dispensing device 26 is preferably thin,with a thickness of about 1;16 inch (16 mm) is believed suitablewhen the dish is made of polypropylene. The thickness andmaterial will vary with the operating pressures and fluidsbeing used. A radius of curvature of about 1-2 inches for thedish shaped dispensing device is believed suitable, and 1.5inch curvature is used in one embodiment, but other curvatures could be used. The holes 52 are preferably, but optionally all the same diameter and are equally spaced. A diameterof about 0.03 to 0.04 inches (about 7-10 mm) for the holes 52is believed suitable. The spacing and size of the holes 52 canvary to suit the fluids and pressures being used, and arepreferably varied to ensure uniform flow through the dispensing device 26 across the entire cross-section of the container.The dispensing device 26 can be made of materials suitablefor the processing of the desired fluid. The fluid dispenser 26is preferably made of a polymer, such as polyethylene orpolypropylene, and preferably of high density polypropylene.Other polymers can be used, although are preferably used thatare low cost and suitable for injection molding to form disposable containers and caps. But metal dispensing devices arealso believed suitable, such as stainless steel.Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, in use a desired amount offiltering media or chromatographic packing material 60, such

8seal 48 and lip 46 provide resilient sealing means for sealingthe cap to the container when a user places the cap on thecontainer. The sealing means includes numerous other sealtypes, including one or more 0 ring seals interposed betweenabutting portions of the cap 28 and container. 20There is also provided a method in which a chromatographic packing material 60 is placed in a container either bythe manufacturer, or the user, but with the cap not beinglocked to the container, as by partially threading the cap onto

10 the container but not engaging the locking tabs 39 with therecesses 41. Alternatively, the cap is not placed on the container. The user removes the cap 28 and either alters the prioramount of chromatographic packing material 60, or addschromatographic packing materials of a different type, or15 adds further materials or chemicals to affect the fluid beingprocessed by the user in the cartridge, or even adds analyte orfluid to be analyzed. The user then places the cap 28 on thecontainer and seals and locks the cap to the container 20. Thedesired processing is then performed using the cartridge and20 modified sorbent contained in the cartridge. Given the abilityto remove the cap 28 and access the inside of he container 20immediately before fluid is passed through the container, a

variety of process variations can be devised.The inlet and outlet ports 30, 24, respectively preferably25 comprise fittings adapted for use in chromatographic applications, and Luer fittings are commonly used. Advantageously the desired fittings at ports 24, 30 are integrallymolded with the container 20 and cap 28 to form a unitaryconstruction.as a silica sorbent, is placed in the downstream end of the 30container 20 by the user. Removing a partially secured, andunlocked screw cap 28 allows easy access to place the chromatographic packing material 60 in the container, to adjustthe amount of material in the container, to add a differentmaterial or sorbent to the container or to adjust the amount of 35free volume in the container to receive the sample fluid ormaterial or sorbent. A frit 62 can optionally be placed on the

upstream and/or downstream end of the chromatographicpacking material 60 as desired. The cap 28 and fluid dispenser

Referring to FIG. 5, in a further embodiment the fittingscan comprise metal or plastic tubes 72 having external engaging threads 74 adapted for use with chromatographic equipment. A 114-28 threaded fitting is believed suitable for theengaging threads 74. The tubes 72 can have an opposing endwith sealing threads 76 configured to sealingly engage matingthreads formed at the location of one or more of the ports 24,30. The threaded portion of the cap 28 and container 20 mayneed to be thickened to provide sufficient threaded engagement. The sealing threads 76 preferably form a seal suitablefor use up to about 100 psi or higher. Using slightly differentthread dimensions or lead angles on the mating threads of he26 are then fastened to the container 20 to seal the media 60 40inside the container 20. The inlet port 24 can then be connected to a chromatographic fluid source or fluid pressurizingsource 64 and the outlet 26 counected to chromatographicprocessing equipment 66 using tubing 68 which tubing istypically flexible. The cap 28 is preferably not removablefrom the container 20 once it is installed by the end user andthe locks 29 engage the recesses 41. Thus, any adjustment ofthe chromatographic packing material 60 or other contents ofthe container 20 is done before the cap 28 is sealingly fastenedto the container 28. The fluid to be processed is then passedthrough the inlet 30, through the fluid dispersing device 26,through the contents of the container 20 (e.g., through chromatographic packing material 60) and out the outlet 24. Afteruse the container 20 and cap 28 can be discarded.This user access and easy modification of the contents ofthe cartridge was not previously possible as the containerswere welded shut at the factory to ensure they didn't leakunder the operating pressures. There is thus advantageouslyprovided a low cost, disposable cartridge made of a polymerwhich has a threaded, sealed cap on the container. The lockingtabs 39 and mating recesses 41 provide locking means on thecontainer and cap for preventing manual removal of the cap.The locking tab 39 forms a member resiliently urged into arecess, and various arrangements of such resiliently engagingparts, such as various forms of spring loaded detents andspring loaded mating members can be devised to form thelocking means, especially given the disclosures herein. The

fitting 72 and container or cap can help achieve the desiredleak proofseal.Referring to FIG. 7 a slightly different cap and container45 are shown in which there are continuous threads 34, 36. Thereis no flange 40 on the container 20, and the lip on the containeris only slightly inclined away from the longitudinal axis 42.The fluid dispenser 26 is held in a comer formed by a slightinward projection of he cap which projection extends toward50 the axis 42. The fluid dispenser 26 can be snapped into position in the cap 28, and tightening the cap onto the containerpreferably, but optionally helps further squeeze the periphery

of he dispenser 26 between abutting portions of he cap. FIG.7 shows the top 59 with an annular recess 51 which allows the55 thickness of the top 50 to remain fairly constant which helpsmolding of the cap 28. Further, the recess 51 adds flexibilityto the sealing surface 48 on the cap 50 and that is believed toenl13nce the performance of the fluid tight seal which mus tmaintain the seal under flash chromatography and LPLC60 conditions.Referring to FIGS. 8-9, a further embodiment of the fluiddispenser 26 is shown which has a generally a disk shapedsupport for a plurality of radially extending flow channels 84having openings 86 in fluid communication with inlet 88.65 Fluid to be analyzed enters through central inlet 88 that isadvantageously located on the longitudinal axis 42, and flowsacross the cross-section of container 20 (FIG. 1) through




US 8,066,875 B29

channels 86 and then out openings 86 onto the packing material. The openings 86 are preferably at the distal end of eachchannel 86, but could be located at one or more locationsalong the length of channel 86. This configuration is moredifficult to mold than the fluid dispenser of FIG. 1. Thisembodiment of he fluid dispenser 26 is held between the cap28 and container 34 as is the prior embodiment of the fluiddispenser. Various ways of holding the fluid dispenser 26 inthe desired position will be apparent to one skilled in the artgiven the disclosures herein, including various clamps,ledges, snap-fits. The various forms of the fluid dispenser 26comprise means for dis tributing the fluid to be analyzed overthe packing material and over the cross-section of the container 20.The threads 24, 36 provide means for fastening the cap 28to the container 20. But the threads represent one specificform of nclined mating surfaces, and other means for fastening the cap to the container include the broader use of nclinedmating surfaces. Thus, a lug 78 on one of the cap 28 orcontainer 20 can mate with a bayonet mount 80 on the otherof the cap or container to fasten the cap to the container.Placing the recess 41 on a trailing end of an inclined surfaceon the bayonet could allow the bayonet to also lock the luginto position so as to combine the locking means and thefastening means.A further embodiment is shown in FI GS. 10-14. The cap 28has a continuous skirt 38 that is preferably, but optionally,stiffened with increased thickness areas, such as by using ribs90. The ribs 90 are preferably, but optional ly aligned parallelto axis 42. Several groups with 3-5 ribs in each group arebelieved suitable. The ribs and any spaces between the ribsprovide for an improved manual griping surface to tighten thecap 28. The spacing between groups of ribs is thus advantageously equal.The inside of the skirt 38 has threads 34 which mate withthreads 36 (FIG. 14) on the upstream end of he container 20.The threads are preferably continuous rather than intermittentor segmented threads. For containers having diameters overabout 1 inch (about 2.5 cm) the continuous threads provide amore uniform gripping and holding force better suited toresist pressure variations occurring in the container 20 duringuse in flash chromatography. For containers having threads36 about 2 inches (about 5 cm) in diameter or greater thethreads are preferably pipe threads to provide bet ter holdingand sealing.The sealing surface is modified in this alternative embodiment. The sealing surface is located on an annular sealingflange 48' having a base on its upstream end that is wider thanthe downstream, distal end. The sealing flange 48' has aconical shape, preferably with a flat distal downstream end.The sealing flange 48' has two inclined surfaces, one innersurface 48a faces radially inward toward axis 42, and theother outer face 48b faces away from axis 42. Inner face 48aabuts a mating face on the container to form a fluid seal asdescribed in more detail later.The inner face 48a is inclined at an angle a of about 7.5relative to an axis parallel to axis 42. The opposing surface48b has a similar angle of inclination, but in the opposingdirection, and the angle of surface 48b can vary.The base of the sealing flange 48' has a groove 92 encircling the upstream inner periphery of the flange. A slightlyraised boss 94 is located on the downstream edge of thegroove 92. The top wall 50 of the cap 28 joins the upstreamside of the groove 92 to provide a generally flat wall joiningthe upstream wall of groove 92. The juncture with the top wallcould be offset a desired distance, but the tangential connection is preferred.

10The groove 92 is sized to receive the peripheral edge of hefluid dispensing device 26. The dispensing device is preferably a thin, curved surface with holes 52 (FIG. 7). The diameter of groove 92 is sized to receive the periphery of thedispensing device 26, and is preferably slightly smaller toslightly compress the dispensing device 26. The boss 96

narrows the opening into which the dispensing device 26 isplaced, so the circular periphery of the dispensing device 26forms a snap-fit with the groove 92. The flat port ion where the10 upper wall 50 joins the groove 90 helps guide the peripheraledge of he fluid dispensing device 26 into the groove 90. Theinclined inner face 48a also helps guide the fluid dispensingdevice toward the groove 90. The tight fit between the circulardispensing device 26 and the circular groove 92 allows the15 dispensing device to resist deformation of the cap 28 byabutting the walls of groove 92 to maintain those walls in acircular configuration.The annular sealing flange 48' is offset radially inwardfrom the skirt 38 of the cap 28. A shaped annular groove 9620 separates the flange 48 from the upstream end of he skirt 38.The groove 96 has a conical cross-section that is narrower atits upstream end and wider at its downstream end. The radi

ally inward side of the groove 96 is formed by the sealingsurface 48b and the radially outward side of the groove 96 is25 formed by inclined surface 98 formed as an inward facingsurface on the inside of he skirt 38, at the upstream end of heskirt. The inclined surface 98 is inclined relative to axis 42 at

an angle of about 10. The groove 96 has an upstream end100 which is shaped to conform to the lip of he container 2030 defining the opening 22. In the illustrated embodiment theend 100 is flat, located in a plane orthogonal to axis 42.Referring to FIG. 14, the container lip 46 is shown as flat,and joins two inclined sealing surfaces comprising inwardfacing sealing surface 102a and outward facing sealing sur-35 face 102b. The sealing surfaces 102a, 102b are inclinedtoward each other in anupstream direction to form a generallyconical cross section having a top surface comprising lip 46.

The sealing surfaces are about 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) longmeasured along axis 42. Inward facing sealing surface 102a is40 inclined at an angle ll. of about 15 relative to axis 42, andsealing surface 102b is inclined at an angle 8 of about 10relative to axis 42. Threads 36 extend from the downstreamend of the surfaces 102a, 102b to the outwardly extendingflange 40. Shaped groove 96 is formed to receive the lip 46,45 with the surface 98 having a length about the same as orslightly longer than abutting surface 102b. The threads 36 inthe cap 28 preferably stop before inclined sealing surface 98,but could be formed in the inclined surface 98.The lip 46 defines the upstream opening 22 to the container50 20. The container has a downstream end that is domed tobetter withstand increased operating pressures and to accommodate larger diameter containers 20.Referring to FIGS. 13-15, the seal between the cap 28 andcontainer 20 is described. The shaped groove 96 is configured55 to receive and seals both sides of he container adjacent the lip46. The inward facing surface 98 on the skirt 38 of the capabuts and seals against outward facing surface 102b of thecontainer lip. The outward facing surface 48b of the annularseal 48' abuts and seals against the inward facing surface 102a60 of he container's lip. The surfaces 102a, 102b are inclined at15 and 10, respectively, and they abut surfaces 48b and 98respectively, which are inclined at angles of about 7.5 and10, respectively. The abutting surfaces 102a, 48b areinclined so there is an angle ofabout 7.5 of interference. The65 abutting surfaces 102b, 98 are inclined so there is little or nointerference. The interference fit, abutting surfaces 48b, 102aare radially inward of abutting surfaces 98, 102b. The skirt 38




US 8,066,875 B211

and mating surfaces 102b, 98 thus fonn a relatively rigidsupport to prevent radially outward movement of inclinedsurface 48b, so that surface 102a is tightly forced againstmating surface 48b to fonn a seal.Advantageously the lip 46 is advanced into shaped groove96 until the lip 46 abuts the end 100 to form a further sealingsurface. Outwardly extending flange 40 abuts the lip 44 on thecap to prevent over-tightening and stripping of he threads 34,36.

12The threads 34 can stop at about the location on axis 42 ofthe distal end of flange 48' and the beginning of the shapedrecess 96, or the threads can continue into the shaped recess96 as is shown. When the threads 34 extend into the inclinedsurface 98, the surface becomes intermittent and the seal isnot as good. The container 20 will have correspondingly

shaped external or male NPT Threads 36, but those are notshown.Preferably, but optionally, the cap 28 also has a number of10 external ribs 104 to strengthen the cap. Preferably, but optionally, some of ribs 104 extend only over the top wall 50, whileothers continue along the exterior of the flange 38. Thedepicted embodiment has two ribs 104a extending only overthe top wall 50, and two ribs extending over the top wall 50

Viewed in cross-section, the lip 46 of the container 20forms a trapezoidal surface and the shaped channel has asimilar shaped trapezoidal cross-sectional shape in which theoutward located inclined walls are inclined at about the sameangle, while the inward located walls are inclined for aninterference, sealing fit. During use the pressure in low pressure liquid chromatography container 20 can reach 100 psi ormore. The radially outward pressure on inner surface 48aurges the flange 48' against the container interposed betweenthe flange 48' and skirt 38 to provide further sealing pressurebetween the abutting surfaces 48b and 102a, and between 20abutting surfaces 102b and 98.

15 and the flange 38. In addition to strengthening the cap 50, therigs also provide a manual gripping surface.

Further, the circular groove 92 is located downstream of heend 100 of he shaped groove 96, and on opposing sides of heannular flange 48'. The circular groove 92 forms a narrowercross-section at the base of the flange 48' so that the flange 25tends to flex locally at or by the location of the groove. Thatlocalized bending allows a greater contact surface betweenabutting surfaces 48b and 102a. The localized bending atcircular groove 92 also causes the walls fonning the groove92 to more tightly grip the periphery of the fluid dispensing 30device 26 located in the groove, and that provides greaterresistance to defonnat ion of the circular shape of the groovethat may be caused by increased pressure in the low pressureliquid chromatographic container 20.The angles a and ll. can vary, but advantageously create an 35interference on the mating surfaces. Interference angles of5-15 are believed suitable. The angle a can be from about 7

In the embodiments of FIGS. 10-19, it is believed possibleto omit the inclined surfaces 98, 102b and provide the sealbetween inclined surfaces 102a and 48b. The surfaces 48band 102a are generally aligned, as are the inclined surfaces 98and 102a. While the surfaces may be inclined to fonn aninterference fit as they slide along each other as the cap isadvanced along axis 42 as it is screwed onto the container, thesurfaces are aligned sufficiently to abut and form a sealingsurface.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 10-19, the fluid inlet 30 isintegrally molded with the cap 28. But it could be an insertedfitting as described herein. Likewise the outlet is shown asintegrally molded, but it could be an inserted fitting asdescribed herein.As required, detailed embodiments of he present inventionare disclosed herein; however, it is to be lmderstood that thedisclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various fonns. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein arenot to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one ski lled inthe art to variously employ the present invention in virtuallyany appropriately detailed structure.The above description is given by way of example, and notlimitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the artcould devise variations that are within the scope and spirit ofthe invention, including various ways of sealing the cap to thecontainer and various process steps that alter the material inthe container through which the fluid being analyzed ispassed. Further, the various features of this invention can beused alone, or in varying combinations with each other andare not intended to be limited to the specific combinationdescribed herein. Thus, the invention is not to be limited by

to 15. Larger angles up to about 30 are believed possible,but are not as suitable. Angles of 6 or less are not desirablebecause they can leak at higher pressures and/or with larger 40diameters of the container 20. The angles and 8 are preferably the same, and can vary from the 10 angle of the preferred embodiment. Angles from 7-15 are believed suitablefor and 8. Slight interference angles can be used, but are notpreferred. The above angles and dimensions are believed 45suitable when the cap 28 and container 20 are made ofpolypropylene, such as PP9074 med polypropylene. Thedimensions can vary with different materials and operatingconditions for the low pressure liquid chromatographic container 20. 50 the illustrated embodiments but is to be defined by the following claims when read in the broadest reasonable mannerto preserve the validity of the claims.Referring to FIGS. 16-19, a further embodiment is disclosed that is particularly suited for larger diameter contain-ers 20, or higher operating pressures, or both. In this embodiment, the skirt 38 is thickened in the radial dimension, and thetop wall 50 is also thickened. The continuous internal threads 5534 comprise power threads having lower angles of nclinationon the leading th read face and an even lower angle of inclination on the trailing face of the thread. A flat crest and anincreased thickness is typically provided between the threadroot and crest. A NPT Thread is preferred. These NPT 60Threads require more force to nnscrew the threads and thatprevents loosening of the cap under pressure variations thatmay occur during chromatographic use. The thickenedthreads also carry more force along the direction of axis 42 soas to accommodate larger forces on the cap 28. The thickened 65flange provides radial stiffness and further ensures a slidinginterference fit between surfaces 48b and 102a (FIG. 14).

What is claimed is:1. A low pressure liquid chromatographic cartridge kitincluding a polymer container and a polymer cap for attachment to said container by a user of he kit to form a chromatographic cartridge, wherein:said container comprises a hollow cylinder with a longitudinal axis and said cap has an inlet at which fluid isintroduced for performing low pressure liquid chromatography when said cap is attached at an upstream end ofsaid container, said container having a downstream endwith an outlet for the fluid;said container includes a chromatographic packing material placed therein before said kit is obtained by the user,said packing material having a surface spaced from saidupstream end of said container to form a predetermined




US 8,066,875 B213

volume between said surface and said cap sufficient tohold a sample for chromatographic analysis whe n saidcap is attached to said contai ner

said cap includes a depending s k i ~ having a longitudinalthreaded portion on an internal surface thereo f and saidcontainer has a longitudinal threaded portion on anexternal surface thereof proximate to said upstream e ndfor engaging said threaded portion on said skirt to enablethe user to screw said cap into a final position on saidcontainer after obtaining said kit and inserting the 10sample in said volume; anda s ~ a l c a p ~ b l e ofwithstanding pressures up to about 100 psi

14said cap flange includes an inclined surface in surface-tosurface contact with said container lip portion inclinedsurface when said cap is in its final position on saidcontainer.5. A low pressure liquid chromatographic cartridge kit as inclaim 4, wherein:said container lip portion further includes a second inclinedsurface facing away from said longitudinal axis and saidcap skirt includes an inclined surface in surface-to-sur~ a c e . contact with said second container lip portionmchned surface when said cap is in its final position onsaid container; a ndsaid first ~ o n t ~ i n e r lip portion inclined surface and said capflange mclmed surface are disposed at different anglesrelative to said longitudinal axis whe n said cap in not inplace on said container to form an interference fit? e t ~ e e n said surfaces, and said second container lipmchned surface and said cap skirt inclined surface aredisposed at the same angle relative to said longitudinalaxis.A low pressure liquid chromatography cartridge kit as inclmm 1, wherein said container is a circular cylinder with a

substantially constant cross sectional dimneter from saidupstream end to a location proximate to said downstream end.A low pressure liquid chromatography cartridge kit as inclmm 6, wherein said container dimneter is two inches orgreater and said cap threads are continuous.

IS provIded between said container and said cap whensa!d cap is ~ c r e w e d into said final position by the user,smd seal bemg formed between (a) an inner surface of 15said container proximate to said upstream end thereof,~ a i d container including a lip portion surrounding saidInner surface of said upstremn end and decreasing inthickness toward said upstream end, and (b) a single capflange extending downstream beyond the most upstremn 20e n ~ of ~ a i d threaded portion on said skirt, said flangebemg dIsposed for accepting said container betweensaid skirt and said flange with said container lip portioncontacting said cap flange proximate to a downstremnend of said flange to bend said flange inwardly toward 25said longitudinal axis as said cap is screwed onto saidcontainer and into said final position. 8. A low pressure liquid chromatographic cartr idge kit as inclaim 1, wherein said seal further includes an O-ring inter-

30 posed between said cap and said container.2. A low pressure liquid chromatographic cartridge kit as inclaim 1, wherein said cap has been screwed onto said container when said kit is obtained by the user.3. A low pressure liquid chromatographic cartridge kit as inclmm 1, wherem said kit is obtained by the user wi th said capseparate from said container.4. A low pressure liquid chromatographic cartridge kit as inclaim 1, wherein:said container lip portion comprises an inclined surfacefacing toward said longitudinal axis; and

A low pressure liquid chromatographic cartridge kit as inclmm 1, wherein said container and said cap are the smnematerial.. 10. A low pressure liquid chromatographic cartridge kit as35 m claim 9, wherein said container and said cap are polypropylene.

* * * * *



24/25

44 (Rev. 12101) CIVIL COVER SHEETJS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained bereinneither rep1ace nor supplement the filing and service o(pleadin gs or other papers as required by law, except as ~local rules ofcourt. This form, approvcd by the Judicial Con:fcrcncc ofthc United Statcs in Septcmber 1974, is required for the us c of he Clcrk.ofCourt for the purpose ofmcivil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE REVERSE OF THE FORM.)

. (a) PLAINT IFFS D EF EN D A N TSBIOTAGE, AB, ET AL.(b) County of Residcncc of First Listed P laintiff .:S:;,:a::.:n.:..=D;.,:i=e ..=0;......____ County ofResidence of First Listed Defendant . ; ; S . . ; ; W . . ; . . . ; ; ; E ; . ; ; D ; . ; E ~ N ; . . . . . . ___

(EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFFCASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)NOTE: IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OF TH

LAND INVOLVED.

(c) Attoroey's (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number) Attorneys (I fKnown)V. Herron, SB#71193, herronlaw, ape, 350 Tenth Avenue, Unknown80, San Diego, CA 92101; 619-233-4122 (see attachment)I. BAS IS O F JUR I S D ICT ION (phiccan "X" inOnc Box. Only) m. CIT IZENSHIP O F P R INC I P AL PARTmS(p lacean "X" in One Box. for(For Diversity Cases Only) and One Boll. fur Defundan1 U.S. Govemmcnt 0 3 Federal Question PTF DEF PTF Plaintiff (U.S. Government Not a Party) Citizen of This State 0 1 0 I Incocpomred or Principal Place )( 4

)( 4 Diversity2 U.S. GovernmentDefendant (Indicstc Citi7.cnshipof Parties.in Ttem TTT)

. NATURE O F SU IT (place an ..X" in One Box Onlv)CaNT . c r " " ' l 'Oll ' l 'S .. >"110 Insurance PERSONAL INJURY120Marine o 310 ADpIaue130 Miller Act o 315 ADpIanc Product140 Negotiable In..trumeot Liability150 Recovery of Overpayment 0 320 Assault, Libel &

&EnfoccementofJudgmenI Slander151 Medicare Act 0 330 Fedeml Employers'152 Recovery of Defaulted Liability

Student Loans 0 340 Marine(ExcL VeIcran..) 0 345 Marine Product153 Recovery of Overpayment Liability

of Veteran's Benefits 0 350 Motor Vehicle160 Stockholders' Suits 0 355 Mo tor Vehiclet90 Other Contiact l'rixIuctLiability195 Contmct Product Liability 0 360 Other Personal196 Frnnchi.e h\iury

Jt:BA;t.hbl>BIt'IY avu.:210 Land CODdemnation o 441 Voting220 Foreclosure o 442 Employment230 Rent Lease & Ejectment240 Torts to Land

PERSONAL INJURYo 362 PersonallnjuxyMed. Malpmcticco 365 PersonaIlnjuxy -Product Liabilityo 368 Asbestos Personal~ U I y ProductLiability

PERSONAL PROPERTYo 370 Other F:raudo 371 Truth in Lendingo 380 Other PersonalProperty Damageo 385 Property DamageProduct Liability

o 510 Motions to VacateSentenceHabeas Corpus:o 530Gcncml

Citizen of Another State

Citi7.cn or Subject of aForci Co

of Business In This Stateo 2 0 2 Incorpomred and Principal Place

of Business Tn Another Stateo 3 0 3 Foreign Nation

o 5o 6

:6LTY'. : .w :::{ ~ T t 1 T Eo 610 Agriculture o 422 Appeal2R USC 158 0 400 State Reapportionmo 620 Other Food & Drug o 423 Withdrawal 0 410 Antitrusto 625 Drug Related Seizure 28 USC 151 0 430 Banks and Bankingof Property 21 USC RRI 0 450 Commerceo 630 Liquor Laws .0 460 Deportationo 640 R.R. & Truck o 820 Copyrights 0 410 Racketeer lnfIueoco 650 Airline Regs. 830Patcnt Corrupt Organizatio 660 Occupational o 840 Trademark 0 4RO Consuiller CreditSafety/HcaIth 0 490 CablclSat TVo 690 Other 0 810 Selectivc Servicec': 0 850 Seeurities/Commodo 110 Fair LaborStaruIards o 861 HIA (1395ff) Exchange

Act o 862 BlackLung (923) 0 815 Customer Challengo 720 Labor/Mgmt. Relation.. o 863 DlWClDIWW (405(g 12 USC 3410o 130 Labor/Mgmt.Reporting o 864 SSID TitleXVI 0 890 Other Statutory Ac& Disclosure Act o 865 RSI (405(g 0 891 Agricultural Actso 140 Railway Labor Act : :RUIIIRAiticT:', 0 892 Economic Stabilimo 790 Other Labor Litigation o 810 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff 0 893 Enviromnenta\Mao 791 EmpL Ret. Inc. or Defendant) 0 894 Energy Allocation

Security Ac t o 8111RS-Third Party 0 895 Freedcm of nfimn26 USC 7609 Act245 Tort Product Liability

o 443 Hou..ingfAccommodationso 444 Welfare o 535 Death Penalty , '.D 0 900Appeal of Fee Dete290 All Other Real Property o 445 Amer. wlDisabilities -Employmento 446 Amer. wlDisabilities -Othero 440 Other Civil Rights

o 540 Mandamus & Othero 550 Civil RigbIso 555 Prison Conditiono 462 Natumli7.ation Applicationo 463 liaIJe&'I Corpus -Alien Detainee 0o 465 Other Immigration

Actions

ORIGIN1 OriginalProceeding(Place an "X" in One Boll. Only)o 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated o rO 5 T r a n s f e ~ ~ o m 0 6 MultidistrictAppellate Court Reopened a n o t h ~ r dIstrict Litigationstate Court

Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you arc filing (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless d iversity):Title 35 of the United States CodeI . CAUS E O F ACT ION Briefdeseriptionofcause:Patent Infrin ement

Under Equal Accesto Ju..tice

950 Constitutionality ofState Statutes

Appeal toJudge fromo 7 MagistrateJud t

R E Q U E S T E D INCOMP LA INT :

o CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTIONUNDERF.R.C.P.23

DEMANDS CHECK YE S only if demanded in complain

R E L A T E D CASE (S )IF ANY

November 29, 2011R OFFICE USE ONLY

RECEIPT # AMOUNT

(See instructions): JUDGE Michael M. AnelloSIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF REeO

Matthew V. Herron

APPLYlNG IFP------------ ------------------- ----------------

JURy DEMAND: I!I Ye s a No

DOCKET NUMBER

JUDGE MAG. JUDGE---------------- -----

'11CV2778 MLAB

44 (Rev. 12107) CIVIL COVER SHEETe JS 44 civil cover sheet and th e information contained herein neither replace nor supplementthe filing and service o fpleadings or otherpapers as required by law, except as plocal rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference ofthe United States in September 1974, is rcqutrcd fo r th e us e of he Clerk of Court for thc purpose of me civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON TIlE REVERSE OF THE FORM.)

. (a) P L A I N T I F F S D E F E N D A N T SBIOTAGE, AB, ET AL.(b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff ..;;S;.;a;;.;n..;...;;;D;.;i..;;;e....;;;o_____ County of Residence of First Listed Defendant _S_W_E_D_E_N_____

(EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLy)NOTE: IN LAND CONDEMNAnO N CASES, USE THE LOCATION OF THE

LAND INVOLVED.(c) Attorney's (Finn Name, Address, and Telephone Number) Attorneys (I fKnown)V. Herron, SB#71193, herronlaw, ape, 350 Tenth Avenue, Unknown80, San Diego, CA 92101; 619-233-4122 (see attachment)

l . B A S I S O F J U R I S D I C T I O N (phicc an "X" in One Box Only) m. C I T I Z E N S H I P O F P R I N C I P A L P ARTIES(placc an ..X" in One Box for1 U.S. GovcrnmentPlaintiff

2 U.S. GovernmentDefendant

V N A T U R E O F S U I TCONTRACT110 lrumrance120Marine 0130 Miller Act 0140 Negotiable Instrnment150 Recovery of Overpayment 0& EnforcemcntofJudgmen151 Medicare Act 0152 Recovery of Defaulted

Student Loans 0(Exc!. Veteran..) 0153 Recovery ofOvcrpaymcnt

of Veteran's Benefit. 0160 Stockholders' Suits 0190 Other Contract195 Contract Product Liability 0196 Franchise

REAL PROPERTY210 Laud Condemnation 0220 F oreclo."Ure 0230 Rent Lease & Ejectment 0240 Torts to Land245 Tort Product Liability 0290 All Othcr Real Property 0

00

o 3 Federal Question(U.S. Government Not a Party)

)( 4 Diversity(Indicate Citi7.cnship of Parties in Ttcm JJJ)

(Place an ..X" in One Box OnJv)TORTSPERSONAL INJURY PERSONAL INJURY310 AiIpIane 0 362 Personal Injury -315 Airplane Product Med. Malpractiec

Liability 0 365 Personal Injwy -320 Assault, Libel & Product Liability

Slander 0 368 Asbestos Personal330 Federal Employers' Injury ProductLiability Liability340 Marine PERSONAL PROPERTY345 Marine Product 0 370 Other FraudLiability 0 371 Truth in Lending350 Motor Vehicle 0 380 Other Personal355 Motor Vehicle Property DamageProduct Liability 0 385 Property Damage360 Other Personal Product Liability

InjuryC1Y1L RIGHTS PRISONER PETITIONS441 Voting 0 510 Motion.. to Vacate

442 Employment Sentence443 Housing/ Habeas Corpus:

Accommodations 0 530 Gcncral444 Welfare 0 535 Death Penalty445 Amer. wlDisabilitics- 0 540 Mandamus & Other

Employment 0 550 Civil Rights446 Amer. wlDisabilitics- 0 555 Prison ConditionOther440 Other Civil Rights

(For Diversity Cases Only) and One Box for DefendanCiti7.cn of This State

Citizen of Another State

Citi7.cn or Subject of aForei Coun

FORFEITURE/PENALTYo 610 Agricultureo 620 Other Food & Drugo 625 Drug Related Seizureof Property 21 USC 881o 630 Liquor Lawso 640 R.R. & Trucko 650 Airlinc Regs.o 660 OccupationalSafctylHealtho 690 Other

LABORo 710 Fair La bor StandardsActo 720 LaborlMgmt. Relationso 730 LaborlMgmt.Rcporiing& Disclosure Act

o 740 Railway Labor Acto 790 Other Labor Litigationo 791 Emp!. Ret. Inc.Security ActIMMIGRAnO N

PTF DE F PTFo 1 0 I Incorporated or Principal Place )( 4 ofBusincss In This State

02 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5of Business In Another State

o 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6BANKRUPTCY OTHER STATUTEo 422 Appeal 28 USC 158 0 400 State Reapportionmo 423 Withdrawal 0 410 Antitrust

28 USC 157 0 430 Banks and Banking0 450 Commerce

PROPERTY RIGHTS 0 460 Deportation820 Copyright. 0 470 Racketeer Influenc830 Patent Corrupt Organizatio 840 Trademark 0 480 Consumer Credit

0 490 CablclSat TV0 810 Selective Service

SOCIAL SECURITY 0 850 Sccurities/ Commodo 861 HIA (1395fl) Exchangeo 862 Black Lung (923) 0 875 Customer Challengo 863 D1WCIDIWW (405(g 12 USC 3410o 864 SSID Title XVI 0 890 Other Statutory Aco 865 RSI (405(g)) 0 891 Agricultural ActsFEDERAL TAX SUITS 0 892 Economic StabilIDo 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff 0 893 Envir onmental Ma

or Defendant) 0 894 Energy Allocation o 871 IRS-Third Party 0 895 Freedom of Inform26 USC 7609 Act

0 900Appeal of Fee Deteo 462 Naturalization Application Under Equal Acceso 463 Habea.. Corpus - to In..ticeAlicn Detainec 0 950 Constitutionality ofo 465 Other Immigration State StatutesActions

O R I G I N1 OriginalProceeding

(Place an "X " in One Box Only)o 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded fromAppellate Court

o 4 Reinstated orO 5 T r a n s f e r r ' ~ d ~ o m 0 6 MultidistrictReopened a n o t h ~ r dlstnet Litigations ee t o 7Appeal to Judge fromMagistrateState Court Ju d en t

Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you arc ftling (D o no t cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity):C A U S E O F A C T I O N I : : T : - , " : ~ l t I : = : e - = 3 = 5 : - " o , " : , - f . . ; ; ; t h = e : - U = n : . : . : i = t e : . . ; : : ; d : . . . ; S : : ; . ; t = a = t e = s . . . . ; : C : ; . ; o : ; . ; : : d : : . ; : e , - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Brief description of cause:R E Q U E S T E D IN

C O M P L A I N T :R E L A T E D C A S E ( S )IF ANY

November 29, 2011R OFFICE USE ONLY

Patent Infrin emento CHECK IF TInS IS A CLASS ACTIONUNDER F .R. C .P. 23

DEMANDS

(See instructions): JUDGE Michael M. AnelloSIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECO

Matthew V. Herron

RECEIPT # AMOUNT APPLYING IFP-------- --------------- -----------

CHECK YES only if demanded in complainJURy DEMAND: i!I Ye s 0 No

DOCKET NUMBER

JUDGE MAG. JUDGE-----------

x



25/25

ADDITIONAL COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFFScientific Plastic Products, Inc. V. Biotage, AB, et al.

Paul K. Vickrey (Pro Hac Vice)Frederick C. Laney (Pro Hac Vice)Laura A. Kenneally (Pro Hac Vice)NIRO, HALLER & NIRO181 West Madison Street, Suite 4600Chicago, Illinois 60602Telephone: (312) 236-0733Facsimile: (312) 236-3137


scientific plastic products v. biotage ab et. al

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