Connector for coupling a fluid line to a resterilizable port

A resterilizable connector-valve combination comprising:

• a resterilizable valve with a first fluid passage extending between first and second ends of said resterilizable valve, and further including a first coupling means at said first end for coupling said first end to a fitting, and a second coupling means at the second end;
• a fluid-line connector coupled at one end to said second coupling means, having a second fluid passage extending through said connector from said one end thereof to a second end thereof;
• an on-off fluid valve coupled to said second fluid passage at said second end of said connector;
• and
• sterilizing means for sterilizing said resterilizable valve and said fluid line connector,
• wherein said connector includes positioning means for placing said connector and said valve in a first position wherein said first and second passages are spaced to permit sterilization,
• and in a second position wherein said first and second passages form a continuous fluid conducting passage from said on-off valve to said first end of said resterilizable valve.

A fluid flow system for connecting a fluid transfer line between first and second fluid locations comprising:

• a fluid transfer line having first and second ends;
• first and second resterilizable connectors coupled to said first and second ends, respectively;
• first and second resterilizable valves connected to said first and second connectors, respectively, and having means for coupling said first and second valves to said first and second fluid locations, respectively;
• and
• positioning means for positioning said valves and said connectors in a first stable position to permit a sterilizing medium to simultaneously pass through said valves, connectors and transfer line, while blocking said medium from entering said first and second fluid locations, and in a second stable position which permits fluid flow to occur between said first and second locations.

A connector for connection to a fluid transportation means wherein said fluid transportation means comprises a nozzle means having an inside and an outside, said connector comprising:

• an outer tube;
• an inner tube, wherein said inner tube is located telescopically within said outer tube and wherein said outer tube is adapted to house said nozzle means;
• and
• positioning means for selectively positioning said inner tube relative to said outer tube in either one of a first position and a second position, wherein said first position permits said inside and said outside of said nozzle to be sterilized and wherein said second position permits said inside of said nozzle and not said outside of said nozzle.

A sterilizable connector for coupling to a fluid transfer line said sterilizable connector comprising:

• a coupling nozzle comprising a fluid passage extending therethrough, an end portion, an inner surface and an outer surface;
• an sleeve member, wherein said nozzle is mounted telescopically within said sleeve member;
• a body member located with said sleeve member, said body member comprising sliding means, an inner surface and sealing means, wherein said body member is capable of sliding telescopically over the end portion of said nozzle, thus forming a seal between the outer surface of said nozzle and the inner surface of said body member;
• and,
• locking means for selectively locking said sliding means in one of a first position or a second position,
• wherein said sliding means is capable of moving said body member from said first position into said second position and vice versa, and wherein in said first position there is a space between the outer surface of said nozzle means and the inner surface of said body member such that a sterilizing fluid can flow from said fluid passage into said body member and through said space over the outer surface of said nozzle means and in said second position said fluid flows directly from said fluid passage into said body member and said sealing means prevents said fluid from touching the outer surface of said nozzle means.