Fluid connector with clamp and protection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10584818-B2
Application number	US-201414901524-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 24, 2014
Priority date	Jun 28, 2013
Publication date	Mar 10, 2020
Grant date	Mar 10, 2020

Abstract

Disclosed is a fluid-connection device for connecting a first wall defining a first fluid space, in the form of a flexible pipe, to a second wall defining a second fluid space, in the form of a flexible or rigid disposable pipe or enclosure, in a biopharmaceutical assembly, including a first connector in fluid communication with the first space, the first connector including a tubular nozzle for receiving the pipe by insertion along the axis A, a pipe clamp arranged around the end of the pipe in order to clamp the pipe onto the tubular nozzle of the first connector, a protective cover forming a separate part, capable of being snap-fit in an operative position in which the cover is at least partially surrounding the first connector and the pipe clamp thereof, by way of which the pipe clamp cannot come into direct contact with external elements.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fluid-connection device adapted and intended for connecting a first wall defining a first fluid space, in the form of a flexible pipe, to a second wall defining a second fluid space, in the form of a pipe or enclosure that is flexible or rigid and disposable, in a biopharmaceutical assembly, for ensuring fluid communication between the first fluid space and the second fluid space, the fluid-connection device comprising:
a first connector defining a first hollow passage, adapted and intended for connection to the first wall and in fluid communication with the first space, the first connector comprising a tubular nozzle adapted and intended for receiving the pipe by insertion along an axis (A),
a pipe clamp adapted and intended for placement around the end of the pipe, with the tubular nozzle inserted within the end of the pipe, in order to clamp the end of said pipe onto the tubular nozzle of the first connector,
a protective cover forming a separate part, suitable for being snap-fitted into an operative position in which said protective cover is at least partially surrounding the first connector and the pipe clamp, the protective cover being snap-fitted into place in any orientation about the axis (A) after the pipe clamp is tightened around the end of the pipe, with the tubular nozzle inserted within the end of the pipe, clamping the end of said pipe onto the tubular nozzle, wherein, with the protective cover snap-fitted into the operative position with the protective cover at least partially surrounding the first connector and the pipe clamp tightened around the end of the pipe clamping the end of the pipe onto the tubular nozzle, the protective cover protects the pipe clamp from coming into direct contact with elements that are in contact with an external side of the protective cover, and wherein the protective cover comprises flexible radial tabs intended to bear against the flexible pipe in an area between the operative position of the clamp and the front end of the pipe.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective cover is formed by two half-portions configured to come together around the clamp in the radial direction.

3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the protective cover comprises two complementary semi-cylindrical portions connected by a flexible hinge portion, and the two portions are adapted to snap-fit together in an area diametrically opposite the hinge area.

4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the cover comprises an opening enabling verification of the presence of the clamp once the cover is installed.

5. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the protective cover comprises radial walls to enclose the pipe clamp and thereby immobilize or limit movement of the cover in the axial direction.

6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the cover comprises an opening enabling verification of the presence of the clamp once the cover is installed.

7. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the cover comprises an opening enabling verification of the presence of the clamp once the cover is installed.

8. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a second connector defining a second hollow passage, adapted and intended for connection to the second wall and in fluid communication with the second space, the first connector and the second connector being adapted and intended to be coupled together in a relative coupling position along the axis (A), and the protective cover being suitable for snap-fitting into place so as to at least partially surround the first connector and second connector, forming an indicator of proper coupling.

9. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the cover comprises an annular inner groove which, in the coupling position, forms a locking means immobilizing the adjacent collars that are respectively part of the first and second connectors, forming an indicator of proper assembly.

10. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the inner groove forms at least one tapered portion so as to exert an axial pressure on the collars, which tends to bring the two connectors together.

11. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the second connector comprises at least one flexible tab suitable for snap-fitting onto a second collar of the first connector, thereby establishing a first locking in the coupling position prior to installation of the protective cover.

12. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises an opening enabling verification of the presence of the clamp once the cover is installed.

13. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises an opening enabling verification of the presence of the clamp once the cover is installed.

14. The device according to claim 1 , wherein, with the protective cover snap-fitted into the operative position with the protective cover at least partially surrounding the first connector and the pipe clamp tightened around the end of the pipe clamping the end of the pipe onto the tubular nozzle, the protective cover is located between the pipe clamp and the elements that are in contact with the external side of the protective cover thereby preventing the elements that are in contact with the external side of the protective cover from coming into direct contact with the pipe clamp.

15. A Biopharmaceutical assembly comprising a fluid-connection device according to claim 1 .

Assignees

• Sartorius Stedim Fmt Sas

Inventors

• Blake Florian
• Gibelin Jeremy
• Gay Isabelle

Classifications

• F16L33/227

  the hose being introduced into or onto the connecting member and automatically locked (F16L37/084 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16L2201/10

  Indicators for correct coupling · CPC title

• A61M39/12

  for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment · CPC title

• A61J1/1481

  with connection retaining means, e.g. thread or snap-fit · CPC title

• F16L33/025

  tightened by deforming radially extending loops or folds · CPC title