# US 11,898,679 B2 · Single-use disconnect fluid couplings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,898,679 B2 - Document ID: US11898679B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/972,232 - Filed: 2022-10-24 - Published: 2023-02-09 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-06-11 - Assignees: Colder Products Company - Applicants: Colder Products Company - Inventors: Timothy Charles Benson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898679B2 ## CPC - F16L 37/34: at least one of the lift valves being of the sleeve type, i.e. a sleeve being telescoped over an inner cylindrical wall - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A61M 39/16: having provision for disinfection or sterilisation {(A61M39/143 takes precedence)} - A61M 39/26: Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof {(check valves A61M39/24)} - F16L 37/08: in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members (F16L37/22 - F16L37/26 take precedence) - F16L 37/30: with fluid cut-off means in each of two pipe-end fittings - A61M 2039/1061: {Break-apart tubing connectors or couplings} - A61M 2039/268: {wherein the stem portion is moved for opening and closing the valve, e.g. by translation, rotation} - F16L 2201/44: sterile - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - 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 Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a single-use, disconnection functionality that can substantially limit fluid spillage when being disconnected. In some embodiments, the coupling portions cannot be functionally reconnected to each other after being disconnected from each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid coupling device, comprising: a first coupling comprising a first main body and a valve slidably disposed within the first main body; a second coupling releasably coupled to the first coupling, the second coupling comprising a second main body and a valve slidably disposed within the second main body; and a removable sleeve releasably engaged on the first and second main bodies, wherein, while the removable sleeve is engaged on the first and second main bodies, the removable sleeve directly contacts each of the valves of the first and second couplings. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling device of claim 1, wherein the first and second couplings are configured such that, when the removable sleeve is separated from the first and second couplings, the valves of the first and second couplings close. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling device of claim 1, wherein the first and second couplings are identical. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling device of claim 1, wherein the removable sleeve retains the first coupling releasably coupled with the second coupling while the removable sleeve is releasably engaged with the first and second couplings. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling device of claim 1, wherein, while the removable sleeve is engaged with the first and second couplings, the removable sleeve holds open each of the valves of the first and second couplings. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The fluid coupling device of claim 2, wherein the valves of the first and second couplings are spring-biased to close. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling device of claim 1, wherein projections of the removable sleeve directly contact each of the valves of the first and second couplings. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fluid coupling device of claim 7, wherein the projections are outside of an open fluid flow path that extends through the fluid coupling device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling device of claim 1, wherein the first coupling includes a first main body and the second coupling includes a second main body, wherein the first and second main bodies each define one or more openings through a respective outer wall of the first and second main bodies. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fluid coupling device of claim 9, wherein the removable sleeve includes radially extending projections that extend through the one or more openings through the respective outer walls of the first and second main bodies. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fluid coupling device of claim 10, wherein the radially extending projections engage in annular grooves defined by the valves of the first and second couplings. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling device of claim 1, wherein the first coupling includes a projection that is releasably engaged with a receptacle of the second coupling. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fluid coupling device of claim 12, wherein the removable sleeve defines a relief area that receives the projection that is releasably engaged with the receptacle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling device of claim 1, wherein the removable sleeve extends more than 180 degrees around an outer circumference of the first and second couplings. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The fluid coupling device of claim 14, wherein the removable sleeve is manually deflectable to allow disengagement of the removable sleeve from the first and second couplings. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The fluid coupling device of claim 1, wherein the first coupling includes a first main body and the second coupling includes a second main body, wherein the first main body defines two openings through the first main body, and wherein the second main body defines two openings through the second main body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The fluid coupling device of claim 16, wherein the removable sleeve includes four radially extending projections that extend through the two openings through the first main body and the two openings through the second main body. ### Claim 18 A single-use fluid coupling device, comprising: a first coupling comprising a main body and a valve; a second coupling comprising a main body and a valve, the second coupling configured to be releasably coupled together with the first coupling; and a removable sleeve configured to be releasably engaged on the main bodies of the first and second couplings while the first and second couplings are coupled together, wherein the removable sleeve includes one or more projections that extend through one or more openings defined by the main bodies of the first and second couplings, and wherein the one or more projections releasably engage with the valves of the first and second couplings. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The single-use fluid coupling device of claim 18, wherein the valves of the first and second couplings are spring-biased to close. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The single-use fluid coupling device of claim 18, wherein the one or more projections engage in annular grooves defined by the valves of the first and second couplings. ### Claim 21 A fluid coupling device, comprising: a first coupling comprising a valve; a second coupling releasably coupled to the first coupling and comprising a valve; and a removable sleeve releasably engaged with the first and second couplings, wherein, while the removable sleeve is engaged with the first and second couplings, the removable sleeve directly contacts each of the valves of the first and second couplings, and wherein the removable sleeve is outside of an open fluid flow path that extends through the fluid coupling device. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The fluid coupling device of claim 21, wherein the removable sleeve is releasably engaged on main bodies of the first and second couplings.