Fluid flow control systems and methods

A system for directing fluid flow, the system comprising:

• a first port configured to be coupled to a first channel;
• a second port configured to be coupled to a second channel;
• a third port configured to be coupled to a device defining a third channel, the third port comprising a female fitting;
• a body comprising a central passage connecting the first port, the second port, and the third port;
• and
• a valve comprising a member and an elastic flange, a periphery of the elastic flange being fixed to the body;
• wherein:
• the system is configured to be in a first state if a male fitting of the device is not inserted in the female fitting of the third port, the valve is configured to be in a first position if the system is in the first state, and the valve is configured to block a first fluid path defined between the first port and the third port if the valve is in the first position;
• the system is configured to be in a second state if a male fitting of the device is fully inserted in the female fitting of the third port, the valve is configured to be in a second position if the system is in the second state, and the valve is configured to connect the first fluid path and block a second fluid path defined between the first port and the second port if the valve is in the second position;
• the system is configured such that inserting a male fitting into the female fitting of the third port causes the system to transition from the first state to the second state;
• a shape of the elastic flange of the valve in the first position is different than a shape of the elastic flange of the valve in the second position;
• and
• the elastic flange biases the valve toward the first position of the valve.

A method for directing fluid flow using a system comprising a first port, a second port, a third port, a body comprising a central passage, and a valve comprising a member, the method comprising:

• connecting the first port to a first channel;
• connecting the second port to a second channel;
• and
• connecting the third port to a device defining a third channel, the third port comprising a female fitting, wherein the first port, the second port, and the third port are connected to each other via the central passage;
• wherein:
• the system is configured to be in a first state if a male fitting of the device is not inserted in the female fitting of the third port;
• the valve is configured to be in a first position if the system is in the first state;
• the system is configured to be in a second state if the male fitting of the device is fully inserted in the female fitting of the third port;
• the valve is configured to be in a second position if the system is in the second state;
• connecting the third port to the third channel comprises fully inserting the male fitting of the device into the female fitting of the third port;
• connecting the third port to the third channel causes the system to transition from the first state to the second state;
• in the first position, the valve blocks a first fluid path defined between the first port and the third port;
• in the second position, the valve connects the first fluid path and blocks a second fluid path defined between the first port and the second port;
• the member of the valve includes a slant lower surface, the slant lower surface defining a lower boundary of the member;
• and
• transitioning from the first state to the second state comprises the slant lower surface pushing a substance from the central passage to the second port.

A method for directing fluid flow using a system comprising a first port, a second port, a third port, a body comprising a central passage, and a valve comprising a member and an elastic flange, the method comprising:

• connecting the first port to a first channel;
• connecting the second port to a second channel;
• and
• connecting the third port to a device defining a third channel, the third port comprising a female fitting, wherein the first port, the second port, and the third port are connected to each other via the central passage;
• wherein:
• a periphery of the elastic flange is fixed to the body;
• the system is configured to be in a first state if a male fitting of the device is not inserted in the female fitting of the third port;
• the valve is configured to be in a first position if the system is in the first state;
• the system is configured to be in a second state if a male fitting of the device is fully inserted in the female fitting of the third port;
• the valve is configured to be in a second position if the system is in the second state;
• connecting the third port to the third channel comprises fully inserting the male fitting of the device into the female fitting of the third port;
• connecting the third port to the third channel causes the system to transition from the first state to the second state;
• in the first position, the valve blocks a first fluid path defined between the first port and the third port;
• in the second position, the valve connects the first fluid path and blocks a second fluid path defined between the first port and the second port;
• a shape of the elastic flange of the valve in the first position is different than a shape of the elastic flange of the valve in the second position;
• and
• the elastic flange biases the valve toward the first position of the valve.