Fluid transfer assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016146392-A1
Application number	US-201514948020-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 20, 2015
Priority date	Nov 21, 2014
Publication date	May 26, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fluid transfer assembly provides a substantially leak-proof connection between a thermoplastic tube and a thermoset tube. A fluid transfer assembly can provide the ability to maintain an aseptic connection between a thermoplastic tube and a thermoset tube, even after autoclaving.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A leak-proof fluid transfer assembly comprising:
a thermoplastic tube; a thermoset tube; a connector coupling the thermoplastic tube and the thermoset tube, wherein the fluid transfer assembly is adapted to maintain a substantially leak-proof fluid connection between the thermoplastic tube and the thermoset tube after autoclave sterilization.

2 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic tube includes a thermoplastic elastomer comprising a styrene-based block copolymer, a thermoplastic olefin-based elastomer, a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), a thermoplastic polyester-based elastomer, or any combination thereof.

3 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector is adapted to provide a fluid communication between the thermoplastic tube and the thermoset tube.

4 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the thermoplastic tube, of the thermoset tube, or of both.

5 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector has a reducing inner diameter adapted to connect tubes having different inner diameters.

6 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector can has a smooth inner bore.

7 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a material adapted for biopharmaceutical applications.

8 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a polypropylene.

9 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector includes an attachment portion.

10 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 9 , wherein the attachment portion includes a barb adapted to grip an inner diameter of the thermoplastic tube.

11 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises an overmolded connector.

12 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thermoset tube includes a tube comprising a polyurethane elastomer, a silicone elastomer, or a combination thereof.

13 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thermoset tube includes a tube comprising a silicone elastomer.

14 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the thermoset tube is bonded to the connector.

15 . The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fluid transfer assembly is adapted to maintain an aseptic connection between the thermoplastic tube and the thermoset tube after autoclaving.

16 . A sequential commercial lot of fluid transfer assemblies, wherein the commercial lot includes at least 5 fluid transfer assemblies and has an Autoclaved Submerged Leak Proof Test rating of at least 75%.

17 . The sequential commercial lot of claim 16 , wherein each of the fluid transfer assemblies includes:
a thermoplastic tube; a thermoset tube; a connector coupling the thermoplastic tube and the thermoset tube, wherein the fluid transfer assembly is adapted to maintain a substantially leak-proof fluid connection between the thermoplastic tube and the thermoset tube after autoclave sterilization.

18 . The sequential commercial lot of claim 17 , wherein the connector comprises an overmolded connector.

19 . A method of forming a leak-proof fluid transfer assembly comprising:
providing a thermoplastic tube; coupling the thermoplastic tube with a connector; coupling a thermoset tube with the connector, wherein the fluid transfer assembly is adapted to maintain a substantially leak-proof fluid connection between the thermoplastic tube and the thermoset tube after autoclave sterilization.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein coupling the thermoplastic tube with the connector includes overmolding a coupling structure on the thermoplastic tube and the connector.

Assignees

• Saint Gobain Performance Plast

Inventors

• Pennock Brandon J
• Zoellner Clemens E
• Pennington Gerald M

Classifications

• F16L47/20 Primary

  based principally on specific properties of plastics · CPC title

• B29C66/7394

  characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoset · CPC title

• F16L47/06

  with sleeve or socket formed by or in the pipe end · CPC title

• B29C66/1284

  comprising at least one butt joint-segment · CPC title

• B29C66/1222

  comprising at least a lapped joint-segment · CPC title