Fluid connector having integrated pipe clamping

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016178101-A1
Application number	US-201414392169-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 26, 2014
Priority date	Jun 28, 2013
Publication date	Jun 23, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Disclosed is a coupling device for sealingly coupling a first wall defining a flexible pipe ( 11 ) to a tubular nozzle ( 9 ) of a connector ( 1 ) in a biopharmaceutical assembly, the coupling device including the connector ( 1 ) including the tubular nozzle ( 9 ), on which one end of the pipe can be inserted along an axis A, a plurality of flexible tabs ( 3 ) extending from an intermediate area ( 7 ) of the coupling body toward the free end (la) of the nozzle, an abutment clamp ( 16 ), a connection interface ( 6 ), a separate ring ( 2 ), axially movable between an inoperative position and an operative position, for covering the flexible tabs ( 3 ) such as to push same radially inward in order to press the pipe onto the nozzle in the operative position, the tabs extending substantially parallel to the axis (A) when the ring ( 2 ) is in the operative position.

First claim

1 - 17 . (canceled)

18 . A Coupling device adapted and intended for coupling a first wall defining a first fluid space, in the form of a flexible pipe, to a second wall formed by a tubular nozzle of a connector, in a biopharmaceutical assembly, to enable establishing a seal between the first wall and the second wall formed by the tubular nozzle, the coupling device comprising:
said connector with: said tubular nozzle, onto which one end of the pipe can be inserted along an axis A, from a first end of the nozzle until it reaches a stop area for the pipe, a plurality of flexible tabs extending from an intermediate area of the connector body toward the free end of the nozzle, the flexible tabs being distributed all around the circumference of the nozzle, a connection interface arranged opposite the tubular nozzle, a separate ring which is axially movable between an inoperative position and an operative position, adapted and intended for covering the flexible tabs so as to force them radially inward in a manner that presses the pipe onto the nozzle in said operative position, thereby creating a radial sealing contact between the pipe and the tubular nozzle,
the tabs extending substantially parallel to the axis when the ring is in the operative position,
wherein the separate ring is moved in the direction of the connector body to transition from the inoperative position to the operative position,
and wherein the flexible tabs are formed integrally from the intermediate area of the body, and when at rest they lie in a cone which opens towards the end of the nozzle, such that the end of the flexible pipe can be inserted onto the nozzle without the flexible tabs posing an obstacle.

19 . The coupling device according to claim 18 , wherein the free ends of the flexible tabs comprise chamfers for the ring.

20 . The coupling device according to claim 18 , wherein the ring comprises a conical flared region which slides over the free ends of the flexible tabs.

21 . The coupling device according to claim 18 , wherein the connector comprises a collar and the collar forms a stop to end the axial insertion movement of the ring.

22 . The coupling device according to claim 18 , wherein the flexible tabs comprise at least one tooth on the radially inner face, such that the pressure on the pipe is greater at this tooth.

23 . The coupling device according to claim 22 , wherein the nozzle comprises a notch that is axially offset relative to the tooth.

24 . The coupling device according to claim 18 , wherein, in the operative position of the ring, the tabs are sandwiched between the ring and the pipe for a length representing more than half of the axial length of the ring.

25 . The coupling device according to claim 18 , wherein, in the operative position of the ring, the flexible tabs are adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction.

26 . The coupling device according to claim 18 , wherein the first connector forms a male interface adapted to be received in a second connector forming a female interface.

27 . The coupling device according to claim 18 , wherein the first connector comprises an attachment disc configured to be attached directly to a filter or bag type of container.

28 . The coupling device according to claim 18 , wherein the ring comprises a radially external shoulder to facilitate the movement from the inoperative position to the operative position.

29 . The coupling device according to claim 18 , wherein the ring comprises an annular rib received in a notch provided on the outer face of each flexible tab.

30 . The coupling device according to claim 29 , wherein the annular rib has a cross-section with a tip pointing towards the rear of the pipe.

31 . The coupling device according to claim 18 , wherein the ring comprises a fastening clip configured to clip the ring onto the collar in the operative position.

32 . The coupling device according to claim 18 , wherein the first connector or the ring further comprises an identifier such as a barcode or RFID tag or color code.

33 . A Biopharmaceutical assembly comprising a fluid-connection device according to claim 18 .

34 . A Method for forming a coupling device intended for sealingly coupling a flexible pipe for biopharmaceutical fluid to a tubular nozzle of a connector,
the method comprising the steps of:
/a/ providing a connector of molded plastic, said connector comprising:
a tubular nozzle, onto which one end of a flexible pipe can be inserted along an axis A, with a stop area to end the insertion path of the pipe,
a plurality of flexible tabs extending from an intermediate area of the connector body toward the free end of the nozzle, the flexible tabs being distributed all around the circumference of the nozzle, and formed integrally from the intermediate area of the body, and when at rest extending in a cone which opens toward the end of the nozzle,
a connection interface arranged opposite the tubular nozzle,

/b/ providing a separate ring, and placing the separate ring in an inoperative position at the rear of the pipe,
/c/ inserting the pipe onto the tubular nozzle until the stop area is reached,
/d/ moving the ring axially from the inoperative position toward the connector body into an operative position which is adapted and intended for covering the flexible tabs so as to force them radially inward in a manner that presses the pipe onto the nozzle in said operative position, the tabs extending substantially parallel to the axis when the ring is in the operative position.

35 . The coupling device according to claim 24 , wherein, in the operative position of the ring, the tabs are sandwiched between the ring and the pipe for a length greater than the inside diameter of the nozzle.

Assignees

• Sartorius Stedim Fmt Sas

Inventors

• Blake Florian
• Gibelin Jeremy
• Gay Isabelle

Classifications

• A61J1/1481

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

• A61M39/12

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

• A61M2039/1027

  Quick-acting type connectors · CPC title

• A61M39/1011

  Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16L2201/44

  sterile · CPC title