Fluid transfer connector
AssigneeSartorius Stedim North America Inc.
InventorsMichael Zumbrum, William Kimmick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid connector includes a body that has a first end and a second end. The first end defines a first opening that has a first diameter and the second end defines a second opening that has a second diameter different from the first diameter. The body has an inner surface defining a channel that extends from the first opening to the second opening. The inner surface smoothly extending from the first end to the second end. The first connector configured to prevent foaming of media flowed therethrough as a flow diameter of the media transition from the first diameter to the second diameter.
Claims18
A fluid connector comprising:
- a body having a first end defining a first opening having a first diameter and a second end defining a second opening having a second diameter in a range of 1.5 to 4 times larger than the first diameter, the body having an inner surface defining a channel extending from the first opening to the second opening, the inner surface smoothly extending and continually increasing in diameter from the first end to the second end, the fluid connector configured to prevent foaming of media flowed therethrough as a flow diameter of the media transitions from the first diameter to the second diameter, the body having an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the outer surface including a first barb adjacent the first end over the channel configured to secure a first conduit about the outer surface.
A system comprising:
- a connector comprising a body having a first end defining a first opening having a first diameter and a second end defining a second opening having a second diameter in a range of 1.5 to 4 times larger than the first diameter, the body having an inner surface defining a channel extending from the first opening to the second opening, the inner surface smoothly extending and continually increasing in diameter from the first end to the second end, the body having an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the outer surface including a first barb adjacent the first end over the channel;
- a first fluid conduit secured to the first end of the connector via the first barb;
- and
- a second fluid conduit, a vessel stopper, or a vessel cap secured to the second end of the connector, the connector configured to prevent foaming of media flowed therethrough as a flow diameter of the media transitions from the first diameter to the second diameter.
A method of filling a vessel with media, the method comprising:
- securing a first fluid conduit to a first end portion of a connector via a first barb on an outer surface of the first end portion, the first fluid conduit having a first diameter;
- and
- flowing media through the first fluid conduit into the connector such media flows through the connector from a first end of the connector to a second end of the connector, the connector defining a channel having the first diameter at the first end of the connector and a second diameter at the second end of the connector in a range of 1.5 to 4 times larger than the first diameter, the channel continually increasing in diameter and smoothly transitioning from the first diameter to the second diameter between the first end and the second end of the connector such that foaming of the media is prevented as a flow diameter of the media changes between the first end and the second end of the connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.