Aseptic fluid couplings

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12338931-B2
Application number	US-202217860252-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 8, 2022
Priority date	Mar 31, 2020
Publication date	Jun 24, 2025
Grant date	Jun 24, 2025

Abstract

Aseptic fluid coupling devices can be used for fluid systems and manufacturing processes that require sterilized fluid flow pathways. For example, aseptic fluid coupling devices that include removable membrane strips that protect the interior of the aseptic fluid coupling devices from contamination prior to use can be used in such contexts. Methods for attaching removable membranes to the aseptic fluid coupling devices can include heat sealing using a protruding die that reduces the resultant tension of the removable membranes.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An aseptic fluid coupling device, comprising:
a main body defining an interior passage and having a front face surface;
an annular seal member: (i) coupled to the main body, (ii) surrounding a portion of the interior passage, (iii) defining an inner diameter and an area within the inner diameter, and (iv) extending beyond the front face surface; and
a membrane removably bonded, by a peripheral bond that surrounds the annular seal member, to the front face surface and covering the annular seal member, the membrane including an area of the membrane within the peripheral bond,
wherein the area of the membrane within the peripheral bond has a larger surface area than a planar area that is defined by the peripheral bond.

2. The aseptic fluid coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the membrane includes a fold.

3. The aseptic fluid coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the membrane closes an opening to the interior passage defined by the front face surface.

4. The aseptic fluid coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the membrane is bonded to the front face surface by a heat bond.

5. The aseptic fluid coupling device of claim 1 , wherein a free end of the membrane includes a handle portion.

6. The aseptic fluid coupling device of claim 1 , wherein a tension of the membrane portion within the peripheral annular bond is zero.

Assignees

• Colder Prod Co

Inventors

• Stierns Thomas Michael

Classifications

• F16L37/30

  with fluid cut-off means in each of two pipe-end fittings · CPC title

• F16L2201/44

  sterile · CPC title

• B29L2031/24

  Pipe joints or couplings (B29L2031/26 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B29C65/18

  using heated tools · CPC title

• A61M39/18

  Methods or apparatus for making the connection under sterile conditions, i.e. sterile docking · CPC title