Fluid connector having integrated pipe clamping

A Method for forming a coupling device intended for sealingly coupling a flexible pipe for biopharmaceutical fluid to a tubular nozzle of a connector, said flexible pipe having a smooth wall, the method comprising the steps of:

• /a/ providing a connector of molded plastic, said connector comprising:
• a tubular nozzle, onto which one end of a flexible pipe can be inserted along an axis A, with a stop area to end the insertion path of the pipe,
• a plurality of flexible tabs extending from an intermediate area of the connector body toward the free end of the nozzle, the flexible tabs being distributed all around the circumference of the nozzle, and formed integrally from the intermediate area of the body, and when at rest extending in a cone which opens toward the end of the nozzle,
• a connection interface arranged opposite the tubular nozzle,
• /b/ providing a separate ring, and placing the separate ring in an inoperative position at the rear of the pipe,
• /c/ inserting the pipe onto the tubular nozzle until the stop area is reached,
• /d/ moving the ring axially from the inoperative position toward the connector body into an operative position which is adapted and intended for covering the flexible tabs so as to force them radially inward in a manner that presses the pipe onto the nozzle in said operative position, the tabs extending substantially parallel to the axis when the ring is in the operative position.

A biopharmaceutical assembly comprising:

• a flexible pipe, the flexible pipe being comprised of a first wall having an outer diameter, a circular cross-section with a smooth internal wall surface, the first wall having a fixed thickness and a fixed interior diameter, an interior space defined by the first wall of the flexible pipe defining a first fluid space;
• a first connector having a first end with a tubular nozzle and an opposite, second end with a connection interface, and an intermediate portion located between the first and second ends, the first end including i) plural flexible tabs that each terminate at a free end, and ii) a tubular nozzle having a threaded exterior surface and a ramp formed by a chamfered edge, the tubular nozzle being symmetrical about an axis (A) and being located interior to flexible tabs, the intermediate portion including a stop area connected to the flexible tabs such that the flexible tabs extend from the intermediate area around toward a free end of the nozzle, the flexible tabs being distributed all around a circumference of the nozzle, the flexible tabs at rest forming a cone which opens towards the end of the nozzle and allowing insertion of the end of the flexible pipe onto the threaded exterior surface of the nozzle without the flexible tabs posing an obstacle;
• a ring, the ring being axially movable between an inoperative position and an operative position for covering the flexible tabs so as to force the flexible tabs radially to press the flexible pipe onto the nozzle in said operative position, thereby creating a radial sealing contact between the flexible pipe and the tubular nozzle,
• wherein, with the ring in the operative position, the flexible tabs extend parallel to the axis, and the flexible pipe has a deformed end sealingly connected to the first connector in a fluid-tight manner, the flexible pipe being threaded onto the threaded exterior surface of the tubular nozzle, the end of the flexible pipe being deformed radially outward at the ramp at the chamfered edge, the flexible pipe conforming to an outside diameter of the nozzle, a distal end of the flexible pipe bearing against the stop area of the intermediate portion;
• and
• a second connector sealingly connected to the connection interface of the first connector, the second connector configured for connection to a second fluid space with a fluid connection extending between the first and second fluid spaces.