Sanitary sealed connector for fluid handling systems and storage devices

A sanitary connector apparatus comprising:

• a first tubular member including a first member end;
• a second tubular member coaxially aligned with the first tubular member and including a second member end positioned toward the first member end;
• a first sealing component radially extending from the first member end to a first component outer surface;
• a second sealing component radially extending from the second member end to a second component outer surface;
• the first sealing component comprising a first end face having at least one annular groove therein and a first component back surface between the first component outer surface and the first tubular member;
• the second sealing component comprising a second end face having at least one integrally-formed annular resilient rib extending therefrom and a second component back surface between the second component outer surface and the second tubular member;
• each of the at least one annular groove having a groove top width and a groove depth;
• each of the at least one resilient rib having a rib width less than the groove top width and a rib height greater than the groove depth;
• the first end face positioned toward the second end face such that each of the at least one resilient rib is receivable by a corresponding groove of the at least one annular groove;
• a clamp band including a band outer member positioned circumferentially about the first component outer surface and the second component outer surface and two extension members attached to the band outer member along respective attachment ends and having respective free ends spaced apart to receive the first sealing component and the second sealing component therebetween such that a first of the two extension members is immediately adjacent to the first component back surface and the second of the two extension members is immediately adjacent to the second component back surface,
• wherein the clamp band is secured around the first component outer surface and the second component outer surface and providing compressive force to the first sealing component and the second sealing component sufficient to deform each of the at least one resilient rib to fill the corresponding groove of the at least one annular groove, thereby forming a sealed interface.

A sanitary fitting for a fluid handling device comprising:

• a first sealing component including a first end face having an annular groove therein and a first component back surface opposite first end face and a first component outer surface extending between the first component back surface and the first end face;
• a second sealing component including a second end face having an integrally-formed annular resilient rib extending therefrom and a second component back surface opposite second end face and a second component outer surface extending between the second component back surface and the second end face;
• the first sealing component and the second sealing component coaxially aligned with the first end face adjacent to the second end face and the resilient rib corresponding to the annular groove;
• the resilient rib having a rib width and a rib height;
• the annular groove having a groove width greater than the rib width, a groove depth less than the rib height;
• a clamp band including a band outer member positioned circumferentially about the first component outer surface and the second component outer surface and two extension members attached to the band outer member along respective attachment ends and having respective free ends spaced apart to receive the first sealing component and the second sealing component therebetween such that a first of the two extension members is immediately adjacent to the first component back surface and the second of the two extension members is immediately adjacent to the second component back surface;
• wherein the clamp band is secured around the first sealing component and the second sealing component and providing compressive force sufficient to position the first end face against the second end face and to deform the resilient rib to fill the annular groove, thereby forming a sealed interface.