# US 11,898,678 B2 · Self-closing bag connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,898,678 B2 - Document ID: US11898678B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/538,160 - Filed: 2021-11-30 - Published: 2022-03-24 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-01 - Assignees: Convatec Technologies Inc. - Applicants: Convatec Technologies Inc. - Inventors: Yun Jin; Bret Weig; John Cline; Mingliang Lawrence Tsai - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898678B2 ## CPC - F16L 37/32: at least one of two lift valves being opened automatically when the coupling is applied - A61F 5/4405: {Valves or valve arrangements specially adapted therefor (A61F5/441 takes precedence); Fluid inlets or outlets (A61F5/4407 takes precedence)} - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A61M 39/26: Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof {(check valves A61M39/24)} - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61M 2039/263: {where the fluid space within the valve is decreasing upon disconnection} - F16L 37/38: with fluid cut-off means in only one of two pipe-end fittings - F16L 37/46: with a gate valve or sliding valve - Y10T 137/9029: With coupling - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - 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)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A bag connector system includes a first coupling element, with a self-closing seal and a housing having a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port, and a second coupling element, with a housing having a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end. The fluid inlet end is configured to displace the self-closing seal when inserted into the fluid outlet port of the first coupling element. A bag connector system optionally includes a locking mechanism to maintain the first coupling element and second coupling element in a coupled state. Uncoupling of the first and second coupling elements results in minimal fluid contamination on the outer surfaces of the coupling elements. The bag connector systems provided herein are included in medical appliances for waste management. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bag connector system, comprising: a first coupling element, comprising: a first housing having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet; and a self-closing seal to prevent fluid flow from exiting the first fluid outlet, wherein the self-closing seal comprises a sliding cover connected to a spring element; and a second coupling element, comprising: a second housing having a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet, the second coupling element fluid inlet configured to displace the self-closing seal when engaged with the first fluid outlet; a check valve; and a valve holder positioned about the second fluid inlet and retaining at least a portion of the check valve in a fixed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bag connector system of claim 1, wherein the check valve comprises a duckbill valve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bag connector system of claim 1, wherein the first coupling element further comprises at least one O-ring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bag connector system of claim 1, further comprising means to maintain the first coupling element and the second coupling element in a coupled state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The bag connector system of claim 4, wherein the means to maintain the first coupling element and the second coupling element in the coupled state comprises at least one of a twist lock-in mechanism, a single cantilever snap-fit mechanism, a multiple cantilever snap-fit mechanism, an annular snap-fit mechanism, or an interference fit mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bag connector system of claim 1, wherein upon disconnection of the first coupling element and the second coupling element, the spring element pushes the sliding cover into position to close a drainage path. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A medical appliance for managing fecal or urinary waste comprising the bag connector system of claim 1, and further comprising an external waste storage container. ### Claim 8 A bag connector system, comprising: a first coupling element, comprising: a first housing having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion includes a first fluid port, wherein the second end portion includes a second fluid port; and a slidable cover movably mounted to the first housing and operable to selectively cover the second fluid port; and a second coupling element, the second coupling element comprising: a second housing having a third fluid port and a fourth fluid port, wherein the third fluid port is sized and shaped to engage the second end portion of the first housing; a self-closing seal disposed in the third fluid port; and a collar mounted to the second housing and maintaining a portion of the self-closing seal in a fixed position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The bag connector system of claim 8, wherein the second housing is configured to open the slidable cover during engagement of the second end portion with the third fluid port; and wherein the second end portion of the first housing is configured to open the self-closing seal during engagement of the second end portion with the third fluid port. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The bag connector system of claim 8, further comprising a lock mechanism operable to maintain the first coupling element and the second coupling element in a coupled state, wherein lock mechanism comprises at least one of an interference fit mechanism, a twist lock-in mechanism, or a snap-fit mechanism. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The bag connector system of claim 8, wherein the self-closing seal comprises means for biasing the self-closing seal toward a closed state. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The bag connector system of claim 8, wherein the self-closing seal comprises a check valve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The bag connector system of claim 8, further comprising a biasing element urging the slidable cover toward a closed position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The bag connector system of claim 8, further comprising an O-ring forming a seal between the second end portion and the slidable cover when the slidable cover is closed. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The bag connector system of claim 8, further comprising a pair of O-rings positioned on opposite sides of the second fluid port and configured to form seals between the second end portion and the slidable cover when the slidable cover is closed. ### Claim 16 A bag connector system, comprising: a first coupling element, comprising: a first housing having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion includes a first fluid port, wherein the second end portion includes a second fluid port formed in an outer periphery thereof and a solid end wall; and a cover sleeve slidably mounted to the second end portion for movement between a closed position in which the cover sleeve covers the second fluid port and an open position in which the cover sleeve exposes at least a portion of the second fluid port; and a second coupling element, comprising: a second housing having a third fluid port and a fourth fluid port, wherein the third fluid port is sized and shaped to engage the second end portion of the first housing; and a self-closing seal disposed in the third fluid port, the self-closing seal having an open state and a closed state, wherein the self-closing seal is biased toward the closed state; wherein the self-closing seal comprises: a perforated plate disposed within the second housing; a solid plate having a first position in which the solid plate seals the third fluid port and a second position in which the solid plate is nearer the perforated plate; and a spring engaged between the perforated plate and the solid plate and biasing the solid plate toward the first position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The bag connector system of claim 16, wherein the first coupling element further comprises a first coupler; and wherein the second coupling element further comprises a second coupler configured to engage the first coupler to retain the bag connector system in a coupled state in which the second end portion is engaged with the third fluid port, the cover sleeve is in the open position, and the self-closing seal is in the open state. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The bag connector system of claim 17, further comprising means for retaining the bag connector system in the coupled state, the means for retaining including the first coupler and the second coupler. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The bag connector system of claim 16, wherein the second housing is configured to move the cover sleeve from the closed position to the open position during engagement of the second end portion with the third fluid port; and wherein the second end portion of the first housing is configured to move the self-closing seal from the closed state to the open state during engagement of the second end portion with the third fluid port. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The bag connector system of claim 16, further comprising a pair of O-rings positioned on opposite sides of the second fluid port, the pair of O-rings forming a pair of seals between the first housing and the cover sleeve when the cover sleeve is in the closed position; and wherein one of the O-rings forms a seal between the first housing and the cover sleeve when the cover sleeve is in the open position.