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Publication Number
US-10413480-B2
Publication Date
2019-09-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
A connecting member is provided between an inside environment of a compartment and an environment outside the compartment. The compartment is isolated relative to the outside environment and the compartment comprising a communication orifice defined by a first connector connecting element. The connecting member comprises a main body arranged to cooperate with the communication orifice of the isolated compartment. The main body comprises a second connector or connecting element complementary to the first connecting element of the communication orifice so as to form a tight connection between the first connecting element and the second connecting element, the main body further being crossed through by a tubing comprising a first end on the side of the outside environment and a second end on the side of the inside environment.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a connecting member between an inside environment of an isolated compartment and an environment outside the compartment. The compartment comprises a communication orifice defined by a first connector, and the connecting member comprises a main body arranged to cooperate with the communication orifice. The main body comprises a second connector complementary to the first connector so as to form a tight connection between the first connector and the second connector.
The connecting member includes a tubing crossed through the main body, with a first end on the outside environment side and a second end on the inside environment side located beyond the main body. The tubing receives a supply line whose first end is situated inside the tubing and located beyond the main body on the inside environment side. The first end of the supply line is connected to a coupling member provided with an inner channel so that fluid leaving the supply line flows inside the inner channel, and the coupling member comprises a first end arranged to provide a tight connection with the first end of the supply line.
The coupling member further comprises a second end forming a male or female tip for a connection, and the supply line has a line part extending past the first end of the tubing to be connected to a fluid container and/or a pump and/or a metering system and/or a filtration system. In further embodiments, a cartridge is mounted removably on the main body so that, once mounted, it is secured to form an enclosure that isolates the second end of the tubing from the outside environment. The compartment and the communication orifice are thereby isolated relative to the outside environment through tight connections.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims, each covering a connecting member between an inside environment of an isolated compartment and an outside environment. Across the three independent claims, the main inventive features concentrate on forming a tight connection at a communication orifice, routing a fluid path through tubing and an inner-channel coupling member, and where specified enclosing the tubing end with a removably mounted cartridge and applying an inner-channel/supply-line internal diameter relationship.
Tight connection between communication orifice connectors with compartment isolation
A main body cooperates with a communication orifice defined by a first connector of an isolated compartment, and includes a second connector complementary to the first connector so as to form a tight connection between the first connector and the second connector.
Tubing routed through main body with inside-end beyond main body
The main body is crossed through by a tubing having a first end on the outside environment side and a second end on the inside environment side, where the second end of the tubing is located beyond the main body on the inside environment side.
Inner-channel coupling member connecting supply line end to tubing
The tubing receives a supply line whose first end situated inside the tubing and located beyond the main body on the inside environment side is connected to a coupling member with an inner channel, and the coupling member provides a tight connection with that first end of the supply line so that fluid leaving the supply line flows inside the inner channel.
Male or female quick-connection tip with supply-line connectability
The coupling member comprises a second end forming a male or female tip for a connection, and the supply line has a line part extending past the first end of the tubing arranged to be connected to a fluid container and/or a pump and/or a metering system and/or a filtration system.
Inner-channel diameter constrained relative to supply-line extremity
The coupling member inner channel has a diameter smaller than or equal to the internal diameter of a first extremity of the supply line.
Removably mounted cartridge forming enclosure isolating tubing second end
A cartridge mounted removably on the main body is secured to form an enclosure that isolates the second end of the tubing, associated or not associated with a coupling member, from the outside environment.
Overall, the claim coverage protects a tight, compartment-isolating connecting member that links an inside isolated compartment to an outside environment via complementary connectors at a communication orifice, routes transferred fluid through a tubing/main-body passage and a coupling member having an inner channel, and in certain embodiments further isolates the tubing’s inside-end via a removably mounted cartridge and constrains an inner-channel diameter relationship to a supply-line extremity.
Stated Advantages
Creates a tight connection between the first connector and the second connector.
Isolates the compartment relative to the outside environment.
Provides an enclosure that isolates the second end of the tubing from the outside environment.
Provides a tight connection between the first end of the supply line and the first end of the coupling member.
Enables connection of the supply line to a fluid container and/or a pump and/or a metering system and/or a filtration system.
Restricts the inner channel diameter to be smaller than or equal to the internal diameter of a first extremity of the supply line.
Documented Applications
Aseptic/sterility isolation context for fluid transfer between an isolated compartment inside environment and an outside environment, including an aseptic distribution device context connected to a coupling member.
Assembly or kit use with a coupling part having male or female tips that mate to form a tight quick connection and that includes a supply line arranged for connection to a device for the aseptic distribution of a fluid and/or a filtration system and/or a metering system.
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