Disconnectable connector assembly
AssigneePall Corporation
InventorsDarren ELTON, Richard Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disconnectable connector assemblies, sets including the assemblies, and methods of using the assemblies, are disclosed.
Claims21
-8. (canceled)
The assembly of claim 23, wherein the stem includes at least first, second, and third circumferential grooves along the axial length of the stem, wherein the head includes the first circumferential groove, and the assembly includes first and second resilient members, the first resilient member engaging the first circumferential groove, and the second resilient member engaging the second circumferential groove;
- wherein the third circumferential groove is between the first and second circumferential grooves, and the third circumferential groove includes at least two apertures.
-12. (canceled)
The assembly of claim 23, wherein the second end of the first fitting and the first end of the second fitting each further comprise a flange, and the flanges are connectable to each other, and disconnectable from each other.
The assembly of claim 23, wherein the open end of the stem further comprises a first connector and the second end of the second fitting further comprises a second connector.
The assembly of claim 23, wherein the side wall of the stem includes a plurality of apertures.
The assembly of claim 23, wherein the first connector and/or the second connector comprise barbed connectors.
The assembly of claim 23, wherein the first connector and/or the second connector comprise flanges.
A set for processing fluid comprising:
- the disconnectable connector assembly of claim 23;
- a first conduit attached to the open end of the stem;
- and, a second conduit attached to the second end of the second fitting.
A method for processing fluid comprising:
- passing the fluid through the disconnectable connector assembly of claim 23;
- moving the stem from the first position to the second position;
- and
- disconnecting the first fitting from the second fitting.
A disconnectable connector assembly comprising:
- (a) a first polymeric fitting including a first open end, and a second open end;
- (b) a stem disposed in the first fitting, the stem including an open end and a closed end, a head comprising the closed end, a side wall including one or more apertures and a plurality of circumferential grooves, and a plurality of resilient members circumferentially engaging circumferential grooves in the side wall, wherein the stem is axially movable, from a first position to a second position, in the direction from the first end of the first fitting toward the second end of the first fitting;
- (c) a valve releasably attached to the stem, the valve including a plurality of legs, wherein the legs are engageable with a lip;
- (d) a second polymeric fitting connected to the first fitting, the second fitting including a first end and a second end, and the lip, the second fitting being in fluid communication with the stem and the first fitting when the stem is in the first position, and wherein fluid flow between the second fitting and the stem and the first fitting is blocked when the stem is in the second position;
- wherein the first fitting is disconnectable from the second fitting when the stem is in the second position and the valve is released from the stem and remains in the second fitting with the legs of the valve engaged with the lip, sealing the valve in the first end of the second fitting, when the first and second fittings are disconnected;
- and,
- (e) the assembly further comprises one or more of the following (i)-(iii):
- (i) a stem locking arrangement comprising at least one depression in the side wall of the stem, and a catch engageable with the depression, wherein the first fitting includes the catch;
- (ii) a lock-out device comprising a deformable tab having a frangible portion, the device preventing axial movement of the stem until the device is removed;
- and
- (iii) a connection locking device comprising a substantially cylindrical body, a handle, and at least one frangible portion, the locking device preventing disconnection of the first fitting from the second fitting until the locking device is removed.
The disconnectable connector assembly of claim 25, comprising at least two of:
- (i), (ii) and (iii).
The disconnectable connector assembly of claim 25, comprising (i), (ii) and (iii).
A set for processing fluid comprising:
- the disconnectable connector assembly of 24;
- a first conduit attached to the open end of the stem;
- and, a second conduit attached to the second end of the second fitting.
A set for processing fluid comprising:
- the disconnectable connector assembly of 25;
- a first conduit attached to the open end of the stem;
- and, a second conduit attached to the second end of the second fitting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.