Stackable Chromatography Column Modules

1 . A chromatography column module stackable with like chromatography modules, comprising a column chamber fluidically connected to a column inlet and a column outlet, wherein said column inlet and said column outlet each comprise a valve, arranged to move from a closed position to an open position upon connection of said column inlet or outlet with a) a column outlet or inlet of a like chromatography module or b) with an outlet or inlet of a fluidics plate.

2 . The chromatography column module of claim 1 , wherein each of the column inlet and the column outlet further comprises a valve opening member arranged to act upon said valve of a column inlet or outlet of a like chromatography column module upon connection.

3 . The chromatography column module of claim 1 , wherein said valve comprises a spring-loaded valve member resting on a valve seat when the valve is in the closed position and wherein, upon connection with a column inlet or outlet of a like chromatography column module, a valve opening member causes said valve to move to an open position by urging said valve member away from said valve seat.

4 . The chromatography column module of claim 3 , wherein said valve member comprises a frustoconical segment, which when the valve is in the closed position is in sealing abutment against a frustoconical bore segment of said column inlet or outlet.

5 . The chromatography column module of claim 2 , wherein said valve opening member is integral with said valve member.

6 . The chromatography column module of claim 2 , wherein said valve opening member extends through an outer aperture of said column inlet or outlet.

7 . The chromatography column module of claim 3 , wherein said valve member is elastic and is intrinsically spring-loaded by means of integral projections extending from the valve member and engaging a bore annular rim.

8 . The chromatography column module of any preceding claim, wherein each column inlet and outlet is an aseptic connector, comprising a folded over protective film arranged to be pulled out together with a corresponding film in an abutting connector.

9 . The chromatography column module of claim 8 , wherein said folded over protective film releasibly adheres to a flange mounted on, or forming an integral part of, an axially movable or deformable outer side wall surrounding said column inlet or outlet.

10 . The chromatography column module of claim 9 , wherein said outer side wall is telescopically movable relative to said column inlet or outlet.

11 . The chromatography column module of claim 9 , wherein said outer side wall comprises a bellows.

12 . The chromatography column module of claim 11 , wherein said bellows is thermoplastic.

13 . The chromatography column module of claim 8 , wherein said outer side wall is arranged to be removed after connection.

14 . A stack of at least two like chromatography column modules of claim 1 , wherein a column inlet of a first chromatography column module is fluidically connected with a column outlet of a second chromatography column module.

15 . A stack of at least two like chromatography column modules of claim 1 , wherein a column inlet of a first chromatography column module is fluidically connected with an outlet of a fluidics plate and wherein an inlet of said fluidics plate is fluidically connected with a column outlet of a second chromatography column module.

16 . Use of the stack according to claim 14 for separation of a biomolecule.