# US 5,344,543 A · Method of manufacturing a plate of gell for separating and transferring macromolecules by electrophoresis, and plates of gel obtained in this way > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,344,543 A - Document ID: US5344543A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/937,898 - Filed: 1992-10-13 - Granted: 1994-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 1991-02-14 - Assignees: Bertin & Cie - Inventors: Jean Boquet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5344543A ## CPC - G01N 27/44704: {Details; Accessories} - B01D 57/02: by electrophoresis (treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge by electrophoresis C02F1/469; electrophoretic production of compounds or non-metals C25B7/00; investigating or analysing materials by using electrophoresis G01N27/26) - Y10T 436/255: including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method of manufacturing a plate of gel for separating and transferring macromolecules by electrophoresis, the method consisting in fixing the periphery of a microporous membrane (10) to a frame (12) and in casting the liquid gel into the frame while avoiding any solid contact with the free face (24) of the membrane opposite to its face that is to be covered in gel, e.g. by placing the frame (12) on a slab (14), with the membrane (10) being above the frame and the slab, and then casting the gel into the frame (12) beneath the membrane (10). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A plate of gel for separating and transferring macromolecules by electrophoresis, the plate comprising a layer of gel of constant thickness adhering to a face of a microporous membrane, and being characterized in that the membrane is plane and in that the gel fills the micropores of the membrane without overflowing onto the free face of the membrane opposite from its face covered in gel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A plate of gel according to claim 1, characterized in that the gel forms meniscuses that are concave in the pores that open out to said free face of the membrane. ### Claim 3 A method of manufacturing a plate of gel for separating and transferring macromolecules by electrophoresis, said plate comprising a layer of gel adhering to a face of microporous membrane, the method comprising: fixing the periphery of the membrane to a frame; placing the frame carrying the membrane upside down on a horizontal plane surface such that the membrane is then on top of the frame and at distance from said plane surface equal to the thickness of the frame; delivering the gel in a liquid state through a delivering means into the frame beneath the membrane, so that the membrane is supported by the gel; avoiding any solid contact with the face of the membrane opposite from the face which adheres to the gel; and allowing the gel to set in contact with the membrane for adhering the membrane to the gel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A method according to claim 3 wherein said gel is cast in a liquid state beneath the membrane until the surface of the gel reaches a predetermined level at which the gel is in contact with the bottom face of the membrane and supports it in a horizontal plane. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A method according to claim 4 wherein said predetermined level is determined by an overflow orifice formed in said delivering means. ### Claim 6 A method of manufacture a plate of gel for separating and transferring macromolecules by electrophoresis, said plate comprising a layer of gel adhering to a face of a microporous membrane, the method comprising: fixing the periphery of the membrane to a frame; placing the frame with the membrane on an air cushion having a uniform pressure field, the membrane being below the frame so that the air cushion is acting against the membrane and supporting the membrane and the frame; casting the gel in a liquid state onto the membrane, inside the frame; avoiding any solid contact with the face of the membrane opposite from its face which receives the gel; and allowing the gel to set in contact with the membrane for adhering the membrane to the gel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A method according to claim 6 wherein said cushion of air is provided by a means comprising a fluidized slab having a porous top wall with a top face that is plane and horizontal, said slab being fed with a flow of air under pressure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7 wherein said top wall is microperforated.