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US 11,898,136 B2Granted
Aseptic fluid couplings
AssigneeColder Products Company
InventorsMatthew Gregory Casura, Jonathan Steven Van Loon, Randall S. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems. For example, some embodiments described in this document are single-use, aseptic fluid coupling devices that can be coupled to create a sterile flow path therethrough. Some such aseptic couplings are genderless couplings such that two identical aseptic couplings can be coupled together and then latched to form a robust connection between the aseptic couplings.
Claims16
An aseptic fluid coupling comprising:
- a main body defining a longitudinal axis, a bore, and a fluid flow path through the main body along the longitudinal axis, the main body comprising:
- a front face;
- and
- a termination that is at an opposite end of the main body relative to the front face;
- a seal member including a portion disposed within the bore and a portion extending from the front face around the longitudinal axis;
- a latch configured to clamp the main body of the aseptic fluid coupling to a second main body of a mated second aseptic fluid coupling such that:
- (i) the seal member is compressed to a degree that ensures leak-proof operation and (ii) a robust mechanical connection is created between the aseptic fluid coupling and the mated second aseptic fluid coupling, the latch comprising:
- (i) one or more first main body latch elements projecting from a first end of the latch and (ii) one or more second main body latch elements projecting from a second end of the latch that is opposite of the first end,
- wherein the one or more first main body latch elements are arranged to releasably engage with the mated second aseptic fluid coupling and the one or more second main body latch elements are arranged to releasably engage with the main body;
- a linkage that movably couples the latch to the main body, wherein a first portion of the linkage is pivotably coupled to the main body, and wherein a second portion of the linkage is pivotably coupled directly to the latch;
- and
- a flexible membrane including a portion attached to the front face around the seal member to block contaminants from entering the fluid flow path, the membrane also including a tail end portion that is at an opposite end of the membrane in comparison to the portion attached to the front face.
9 more elements
An aseptic fluid coupling comprising:
- a main body defining a longitudinal axis, a bore, and a fluid flow path through the main body along the longitudinal axis, the main body comprising:
- a front face;
- and
- a termination that is at an opposite end of the main body relative to the front face;
- a seal member including a portion disposed within the bore and a portion extending from the front face around the longitudinal axis;
- a latch movably coupled to the main body, the latch configured to clamp the main body of the aseptic fluid coupling to a second main body of a mated second aseptic fluid coupling such that:
- (i) the seal member is compressed to a degree that ensures leak-proof operation and (ii) a robust mechanical connection is created between the aseptic fluid coupling and the mated second aseptic fluid coupling, the latch comprising:
- (i) one or more first main body latch elements projecting from a first end of the latch and (ii) one or more second main body latch elements projecting from a second end of the latch that is opposite of the first end,
- wherein the one or more first main body latch elements are arranged to releasably engage with the mated second aseptic fluid coupling and the one or more second main body latch elements are arranged to releasably engage with the main body;
- a flexible membrane including a portion attached to the front face around the seal member to block contaminants from entering the fluid flow path, the membrane also including a tail end portion that is at an opposite end of the membrane in comparison to the portion attached to the front face;
- and
- a spacer removably coupled to the main body and the latch, a portion of the spacer disposed between the main body and the latch so as to space the latch apart from the main body.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.