Connector

• US 4,508,367 A
• Filed: 11/17/1982
• Issued: 04/02/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sherwood-Accurate, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Accurate Surgical Instruments Corp (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Oreopoulos, Dimitrios G., Zellerman, deceased, Gabor, Price, administrator, by Robert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US06/442,457
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 285/3, 285/4, 285/DIG. 2, 285/331, 285/260, 285/423, 285/110, 285/133 R, 285/138, 285/24, 285/27
• US Class Current: 285/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1475 Inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/14 for connecting tubes having sealed ends needle sets A61M5/162; having valves closing automatically on disconnection of line A61M39/26
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/901 Cap closures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

The invention is a coupler for interconnecting the ends of two fluid conduits wherein the connectors are each mounted inwardly of the open end of respective cupped members; the cupped members telescope one over the other and one of them has a flared end to assist in the initial alignment of the telescoping action. The connectors connect with each other to establish fluid flow as the cupped members are telescoped together.

Claims

1. A coupler comprising a first part, said first part having a first cupped member integral therewith, said first cupped member having a bottom and an open end, said first cupped member having an exterior cylindrical wall extending rearwardly of the open end to said bottom and formed integral therewith and a flow opening extending through the bottom of said first cupped member;

a second part, said second part having a second cupped member integral therewith, said second cupped member having a bottom and an open end, said second cupped member having an interior cylindrical wall extending from the open end to said bottom and formed integrally therewith and a flow opening extending through the bottom of said second cupped member;

the said interior cylindrical wall of the second cupped member and said exterior cylindrical wall of the first cupped member having diameters for sliding relation with respect to each other whereby the two cupped members can be telescoped with respect to each other along an axis common to the cylindrical axis of their said respective cylindrical walls when the cylindrical axes of their respective cylindrical walls are aligned and their open ends are opposed whereby said first part and a second part are telescopical with respect to each other;

a connector for each of said cupped members for joining fluid flow between the flow openings of said cupped members, said connector in each of said cupped members being spaced inwardly from the open end of its respective cupped member, said connectors being aligned in their respective cupped members and adapted to connect together in fluid flow relation within the first cupped member as the cupped members are telescoped together;

an end portion of the inside cylindrical wall of said second cupped member being flared outwardly adjacent its open end to a diameter greater than the outside diameter of said first cupped member whereby to cooperate therewith and guide said cupped members into axial alignment when they are telescoped together;

the said cupped members when fully telescoped together to dispose the interior cylindrical wall of the second cupped member and the exterior cylindrical wall of the first cupped member in fully telescoped relation being adapted to cooperate and support said connectors connected in fluid flow relation and means for holding said connectors connected.

2. A coupler as claimed in claim 1 wherein said connector of one of said cupped members comprises a membrane extending thereacross, said connector of the other cupped member comprising a tube, said membrane being breakable by the free end of said tube as said cup members are telescoped together to unite said connectors in said fluid-tight relation, said tubular connector with a membrane being connectable as to container for fluid.

3. A coupler as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one of said cupped members has a cover for its open end for use when it is not in telescoping relation with the other cupped member, said last mentioned cupped member and its cover being formed with threads and said cover being adapted to threadedly engage therewith to form a fluid chamber that houses its connector.

4. A coupler as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cupped members have covers for their open ends for use when they are not in telescoped relation, at least one of said cupped members and at least one of said covers being threaded, the cover of at least one of said cupped members being adapted to threadedly engage therewith to form a fluid chamber within its respective cupped member.

5. A coupler as claimed in claim 2 being connected to a container for fluid.

6. A coupler as claimed in claim 5 wherein at least one of said cupped members has a cover for its open end for use when it is not in telescoping relation with the other cupped member, said last mentioned cupped member and its cover being formed with threads and said cover being adapted to threadedly engage therewith to form a fluid chamber that houses its connector.

7. A coupler as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cupped members have covers for their open ends for use when they are not in telescoped relation, at least one of said cupped members and at least one of said covers being threaded, the cover of at least one of said cupped members being adapted to threadedly engage therewith to form a fluid chamber within its respective cupped member.

8. A coupler as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for holding said connectors connected comprises threads formed on said cupped members which are threadedly engageable with each other as they are telescoped together.

9. A coupler as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said cupped members has a cover for its open end for use when it is not in telescoping relation with the other cupped member, said last mentioned cupped member and its cover being formed with threads and said cover being adapted to threadedly engage therewith to form a fluid chamber that houses its connector.

10. A coupler as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cupped members have covers for their open ends for use when they are not in telescoped relation, at least one of said cupped members and at least one of said covers being threaded, the cover of at least one of said cupped members being adapted to threadedly engage therewith to form a fluid chamber within its respective cupped member.