Abstract:
This document describes devices and methods for reducing liquid spillage, such as fluid coupling devices that include one or more apertures that reduce spillage when the fluid coupling devices are disconnected. In some embodiments, the one or more apertures are designed with features to increase a level of acceleration that liquid within an internal volume of the fluid coupling devices would need to be exposed to in order to spill from the internal volume via the one or more apertures.
Abstract:
An axial tube connector assembly comprising a female coupling (200) to be axially connected to a male coupling (300), the female part including a main body (204) defining a fluid passage (201) therethrough and a upwardly spring-biased clip member (250) coupled to the main body and moveable perpendicularly to the main axis and fluid passage of the connector between an upward locking position for the male part and a downward decoupling position in which the male member can be removed, with the clip member including two opposing arms (260) which extend downwardly and into the female part main housing on either side of the space which receives the male part, each arm carrying a further arm (258) which extends in a plane perpendicular to the movement direction of the clip and including the main axis defining the coupling direction and the fluid passage, which arms are directed inwardly toward the main axis and thus toward the male part and form an angle of 45 degrees with said axis. The arms (258) are flexible and allow introduction of the male part, and engage and lock the latter via cooperation with a receiving groove (308) to establish the coupling. For decoupling the clip is pushed downward inside the housing, which lets arms (258) slide out of groove (308) thus allowing pulling the male part out of the female part.
Abstract:
A fluid manifold (110) includes: a main body (118) defining a fluid pathway (155); and a plurality of ports (112, 114, 116) coupled to the main body (118) and in fluid communication with the fluid pathway (155), wherein each of the ports (112, 114, 116) includes a first termination (130). Each first termination (130) is configured to be coupled to a respective fluid coupler (152, 154, 156) in a fluid tight manner using one or more of the following techniques: overmolding; sonic welding; spin welding; snap joints; heat welding; plastic welding; solvent bonding; vibration welding; and induction welding.
Abstract:
A coupling assembly includes: a first coupling device including: an insert configured to be coupled to a source or a destination of a fluid; a seal coupled to the insert to create a seal with a mating seal; and a sleeve coupled to the insert, the sleeve including a locking structure; and a second coupling device that is substantially identical to the first coupling device. The first coupling device is coupled to the second coupling device by rotating the second coupling device relative to the first coupling device and moving the second coupling device axially towards the first coupling device to allow the locking structure on the first coupling device to engage the locking structure on the second coupling device and seals of the first and second coupling devices to form an axial seal so that fluid can flow from the line and through the first and second coupling devices.
Abstract:
A female coupling device (100) includes: a main body (110) having a front face (112), the front face including an opening (114) leading into a fluid passageway; a stem (130) having a stem head (134) positioned within a sleeve (136); a spring (124) positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position; a first seal (142) that seals between the main body and the sleeve; a second seal (144) that seals between the sleeve and the stem head; and a third seal (146) that is positioned at the opening of the main body to seal against a mating male coupling device.
Abstract:
An aseptic coupling arrangement (50) including a first coupling device (100a) and a second aseptic coupling device (100b) is disclosed. The first and second coupling devices are substantially similar, each having a main body (102) defining a front face and a fluid passageway (108) therethrough. A first connecting feature disposed on the main body of each coupling device (100a, 100b) may be provided for aligning and coupling the aseptic devices together. Each coupling device may also include a sealing member received in the main body (102) and a membrane (400) removably coupled to the main body front face to cover the sealing member. The first aseptic coupling device may also include a rotatable protective cover (300) that is removably attached to the main body (102) and connected to the membrane (400). The removal of the protective covers (300) away from two coupled main bodies (102), in a direction parallel to the front faces, causes removal of the membranes (400).
Abstract:
Formation of a sterile connection includes inserting a first aseptic coupling device (100) into a second aseptic coupling device (200) while a locking ring (108) of the first aseptic device is in an indexed initial position, rotating the locking ring to a secured position in which a compressive force is created and in which a first membrane (104) from the first aseptic coupling device and a second membrane (204) from the second aseptic coupling device can removed thereby resulting in a first a first sealing member of the first aseptic coupling device sealing with a second sealing member of the second aseptic coupling device to form a sterile fluid passageway.
Abstract:
A coupling assembly (10) for removing contents of a container from an opening in the container. The coupling assembly includes a container insert (12) coupled to the container opening, the container insert including an insert passage, and an insert vent path (77) extending through the container insert. The coupling assembly also includes a unit (14) including a unit cavity, a valve assembly (88) positioned axially therein, and a unit vent path (78). When the unit (14) is coupled to the container insert (12), the insert vent path mates with the unit vent path to create a complete vent path extending from within the container to a vent port on the unit, and the valve assembly opens to place the insert passage in fluid communication with the first unit cavity.
Abstract:
A coupling assembly includes a body and an insert. The insert is introduced into the body to create fluid tight connection therebetween. Overmold seals can be formed in both the body and the insert. In addition, overmold joints can be formed to attach various components of the coupling assembly. A recessed sealing surface on the insert can be used.
Abstract:
An assembly for estimating consumption of a fluid includes a coupling device enabling fluid flow, a carrier assembly slidingly coupled to the coupling device, a biasing mechanism positioned between the coupling device and the carrier assembly, and a displacement sensing mechanism including a sensor coupled to one of the coupling device and the carrier assembly, and a magnet coupled to the other of the coupling device and the carrier assembly. The displacement sensing mechanism is configured to sense a displacement of the magnet relative to the sensor due to coupling of a fluid source to the coupling device.