Method and device for interconnecting, sealed against contamination, the ends of elongate elements such as tubes or pipes

A device for interconnecting, sealed against contamination, the ends of elongate elements such as tubes or pipes by at least two cooperating connecting means each having an inlet for an associated end and each having an outlet for connection to each other, each connecting means being provided with a connecting plane into which the outlet opens, covered by a protective film, the device comprising:

• connecting planes movable to engage each other with the outlets facing each other;
• and
• a locking element slidably arranged on one connecting means, the locking element being movable, in a controlled manner and without interruption of the sliding movement, at least partially onto the other connecting means to a distinct end position, while at the same time the protective film covering the outlets are removable by the locking element when it is moved and while at the same time the outlets are sealingly pressable against each other.

A device for interconnecting, sealed against contamination, the ends of elongate elements such as tubes or pipes by at least two cooperating connecting means each having an inlet for an associated end and each having an outlet for connection to each other, each connecting means being provided with a connecting plane into which the outlet opens, covered by a protective means, the device comprising:

• connecting planes movable to engage each other with the outlets facing each other the connecting planes having sealing means around the outlets, on which sealing means the protective means are arranged and which are pressable against each other when removing the protective means;
• and
• a locking element slidably arranged on one connecting means, the locking element being movable, in a controlled manner and without interruption of the sliding movement, at least partially onto the other connecting means to a distinct end position, while at the same time the protective means covering the outlets are removable by the locking element when it is moved and while at the same time the outlets are sealingly pressable against each other.

A device for interconnecting, sealed against contamination, the ends of elongate elements such as tubes or pipes by at least two cooperating connecting means each having an inlet for an associated end and each having an outlet for connection to each other, each connecting means being provided with a connecting plane into which the outlet opens, covered by a protective means, the device comprising:

• connecting planes movable to engage each other with the outlets facing each other wherein the connecting planes extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the associated connecting means and wherein the connecting means are connected to each other by means of a hinge and are pivotable towards each other to move the connecting planes into engagement with each other;
• and
• a locking element slidably arranged on one connecting means, the locking element being movable, in a controlled manner and without interruption of the sliding movement, at least partially onto the other connecting means to a distinct end position, while at the same time the protective means covering the outlets are removable by the locking element when it is moved and while at the same time the outlets are sealingly pressable against each other.

A method of interconnecting, sealed against contamination, the ends of elongate elements such as tubes or pipes by at least two cooperating connecting means each having an inlet for an associated end and each having an outlet for connection to each other, each connecting means having a connecting plane, into which the outlet opens, covered by a protective means, the method comprising:

• simultaneously placing the protective means in contact with each other and moving the connecting planes of the connecting means into engagement with the outlets facing each other;
• and
• moving a locking element, slidably arranged on one connecting means, in a controlled manner and without interruption of the sliding movement, at least partially onto the other connecting means to a distinct end position, while at the same time the protective means covering the outlets are removed by the locking element when it is moved and while at the same time the outlets are sealingly pressed against each other.

A device for interconnecting, sealed against contamination, the ends of elongate elements such as tubes or pipes by at least two cooperating connecting means each having an inlet for an associated end and each having an outlet for connection to each other, each connecting means being provided with a connecting plane into which the outlet opens, covered by a protective means, the device comprising:

• connecting planes movable to engage each other with the outlets facing each other, and to simultaneously place the protective means in contact with each other;
• and
• a locking element slidably arranged on one connecting means, the locking element being movable, in a controlled manner and without interruption of the sliding movement, at least partially onto the other connecting means to a distinct end position, while at the same time the protective means covering the outlets are removable by the locking element when it is moved and while at the same time the outlets are sealingly pressable against each other.