# US 10,369,083 B2 · Adapter assembly for enteral feeding and method of making > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,083 B2 - Document ID: US10369083B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/955,660 - Filed: 2015-12-01 - Published: 2016-06-09 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-12-02 - Assignees: Kpr U.S., LLC - Applicants: Kpr U.S., LLC - Inventors: David Rork Swisher; Michael Dorsey; Sandra Walker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369083B2 ## CPC - A61J 15/0026: {Parts, details or accessories for feeding-tubes (external tubes from medical containers to a connector outside of the body A61M39/08)} - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A61M 39/20: Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes - A61J 2205/30: Printed labels - A61M 39/1033: {Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors or bayonet-connectors} - A61M 2039/1077: {Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors} - A61M 2205/6018: providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract An adapter assembly includes a tapered connector including a central passage and a tapered outer surface for sealing with a tube or bottle. A male connector for connection to a female connector to fluidly communicate the female connector with the tube or bottle is coupled with the tapered connector. A method of forming such an adapter assembly is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adapter assembly comprising: a tapered connector including a central passage and a tapered outer surface for sealing openings of different sizes in at least one of a tube and a bottle; a male fitting coupled with the tapered connector and in fluid communication with the central passage for attaching a device having a complementary fitting to the tapered connector, the male fitting including an annular portion having a threaded inner surface and a tubular portion disposed at least partially within the annular portion; and a mating member formed on a distal end of the male fitting such that the mating member and male fitting are formed as one piece of material, the mating member including a shoulder formed on the mating member and projecting outwardly from a remainder of the mating member in a transverse direction a distance less than a distance the annular portion projects in the transverse direction, the mating member further comprising a tapered section, and an outer surface annular channel located between the shoulder and the tapered section of the mating member, the outer surface annular channel being recessed from at least a portion of the tapered section and being free of threads therein; wherein the tapered outer surface of the tapered connector comprises a multi-stepped configuration including at least three steps. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly set forth in claim 1 further wherein the male fitting is releasably coupled with the connector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tapered connector is comprised of a thermoplastic polymer having a Shore A hardness in a range of from about 35 to about 75. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly set forth in claim 1 wherein the mating member is removably received in the central passage of the connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly set forth in claim 1 further comprising a cap secured to the male fitting, the cap comprising a female fitting complementary to the male fitting coupled with the connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The adapter assembly set forth in claim 5 further comprising a tether securing the cap to the male fitting. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly set forth in claim 1, further comprising a label connected to the adapter assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly set forth in claim 1 wherein the tapered connector is comprised of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness in a range of from about 35 to about 75, wherein the male fitting comprises a mating member, and wherein the central passage is sized to resiliently form a seal around the mating member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer surface annular channel comprises a first outer surface annular channel, the assembly further comprising a second outer surface annular channel located between the shoulder and the annular portion of the male fitting, a section of the mating member defining the second outer surface annular channel having a width that is greater than a width of a section of the mating member defining the first outer surface annular channel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shoulder extends around an entire circumference of the mating member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The adapter assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein a distal end of the tubular portion is tapered.