Coupling for the connection of flexible tubes and the like

Claim 2

A coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, said first end of said coupling member being adapted for connection with a mating member connected to a first conduit, and said second end of said coupling member being adapted for connection with a second conduit, whereby said coupling member can be used to couple together said first and second conduits so as to provide for the flow of fluid therebetween, said coupling member comprising an outer substantially cylindrical coupling component which is thermally resistant, and an inner coupling component rigidly affixed to said outer coupling component, said inner coupling component being thinner and more flexible than said outer coupling component and including a substantially cylindrical portion concentrically disposed within said outer coupling component and including an outer surface, an inner surface defining a central passageway, and a penetrable first membrane sealing said central passageway and integral with said cylindrical portion, said cylindrical portion further including a first end corresponding to said first end of said coupling member, and a second end corresponding to said second end of said coupling member, thereby providing an annular space between said outer coupling component and said inner coupling component, with said first end of said inner coupling component being recessed within said first end of said coupling member, whereby said inner coupling component is protected from inadvertent contact thereby, and can withstand autoclaving so that it may be sterilized prior to use and remain substantially sterile thereafter, and said inner coupling component further including a second membrane portion separating said central passageway from said annular space, said second membrane portion being sufficiently thin so that steam can diffuse through said membrane in order to sterilize said annular space between said outer coupling component and said inner coupling component.

Claim 3

The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said first end of said coupling member includes a lid member closing said outer coupling component, said lid member including an area of weakness dividing said lid member into a first portion and a second portion, whereby said first portion of said lid member may be readily removed from said coupling member by tearing along said area of weakness so as to expose said first end of said coupling member for mating connection with said mating member.

Claim 4

The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said cylindrical portion of said inner coupling component includes a sealing surface defining an inner end of said annular space.

Claim 5

The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said outer coupling component and said inner coupling component include peripheral flange means, whereby they may be joined together at said corresponding peripheral flange means.

Claim 6

The coupling member of claim 4, wherein both said peripheral flange means of said inner and outer coupling components are disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said coupling member, and include substantially identical outside diameters.

Claim 7

The coupling member of claim 5, wherein both of said peripheral flange means include corresponding planar faces in contact with each other.

Claim 8

The coupling member of claim 6, including an outer joining member enclosing the outer diameters of both of said peripheral flange means.

Claim 9

The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said outer coupling component is cylindrical and includes an interior threaded portion for threaded engagement with said mating coupling element.

Claim 10

The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said penetrable membrane is sufficiently thin so that steam can diffuse through said penetrable membrane during autoclaving.

Claim 11

The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said second membrane portion comprises a plurality of second membrane portions.

Claim 12

A coupling device comprising a first coupling member and a second coupling member capable of mating with said first coupling member, said first coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, and said second coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, whereby said coupling device can be used to couple together a pair of conduits so as to provide for the flow of fluid therebetween, said first end of said first coupling member being adapted for connection with said first end of said second coupling member, said first coupling member comprising an outer substantially cylindrical coupling component which is thermally resistant, and an inner coupling component, said inner coupling component being thinner and more flexible than said outer coupling component, and including a substantially cylindrical portion concentrically disposed within said outer coupling component and including an outer surface, an inner surface defining a central passageway, a penetrable membrane closing off said central passageway of said inner coupling component, a first end corresponding to said first end of said first coupling member, and a second end corresponding to said second end of said first coupling member, thereby providing an annular space between said outer coupling component and said inner coupling component, with said first end of said inner coupling component being recessed within said first end of said first coupling member, whereby said inner coupling component is protected from inadvertent contact thereby, and can withstand autoclaving by being supported by said thermally resistant outer coupling component so that it may be sterilized prior to use and remain substantially sterile thereafter, said first end of said second coupling member including a substantially cylindrical penetrating portion including an outer surface and a central passageway therein and being adapted to enter said central passageway of said inner coupling component when said first end of said second coupling member is mated with said first end of said first coupling member so that said outer surface of said penetrating portion sealingly engages said inner surface of said cylindrical portion of said inner coupling component, said penetrating portion of said second coupling member being adapted to sealingly engage said inner flexible coupling component of said first coupling member prior to said penetrating portion of said second coupling member penetrating said membrane, whereby said flow of fluid between said first and second coupling members can take place exclusively within said central passageway of said penetrating portion of said second coupling member and said central passageway of said inner coupling component of said first coupling member and contamination of said central passageway is substantially prevented.

Claim 13

A coupling device comprising a first coupling member and a second coupling member capable of mating with said first coupling member, said first coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, and said second coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, whereby said coupling device can be used to couple together a pair of conduits so as to provide for the flow of fluid therebetween, said first end of said first coupling member being adapted for connection with said first end of said second coupling member, said first coupling member comprising an outer substantially cylindrical coupling component which is thermally resistant, and an inner coupling component, said inner coupling component being thinner and more flexible than said outer coupling component, and including a substantially cylindrical portion concentrically disposed within said outer coupling component and including an outer surface, an inner surface defining a central passageway, a penetrable membrane closing off said central passageway of said inner coupling component, a first end corresponding to said first end of said first coupling member, and a second end corresponding to said second end of said first coupling member, thereby providing an annular space between said outer coupling component and said inner coupling component, with said first end of said inner coupling component being recessed within said first end of said first coupling member, whereby said inner coupling component is protected from inadvertent contact thereby, and can withstand autoclaving by being supported by said thermally resistant outer coupling component so that it may be sterilized prior to use and remain substantially sterile thereafter, said first end of said second coupling member including a substantially cylindrical penetrating portion including an outer surface and a central passageway therein and being adapted to enter said central passageway of said inner coupling component when said first end of said second coupling member is mated with said first end of said first coupling member so that said outer surface of said penetrating portion sealingly engages said inner surface of said cylindrical portion of said inner coupling component, said penetrating portion of said second coupling member being adapted to sealingly engage said inner flexible coupling component of said first coupling member prior to said penetrating portion of said second coupling member penetrating said membrane, whereby said flow of fluid between said first and second coupling members can take place exclusively within said central passageway of said penetrating portion of said second coupling member and said central passageway of said inner coupling component of said first coupling member and contamination of said central passageway is substantially prevented.

Claim 14

The coupling device of claim 11, wherein said second end of said first coupling member is integral with a flexible bag member.

Claim 15

The coupling device of claim 11, wherein said outer coupling component and said inner coupling component include peripheral flange means whereby they may be joined together at said corresponding peripheral flange means.

Claim 16

The coupling device of claim 13 wherein both of said peripheral flange means of said inner and outer coupling components are disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said coupling member, and include substantially identical outside diameters.

Claim 17

The coupling device of claim 14 wherein both of said peripheral flange means include corresponding planar faces in contact with each other.

Claim 18

The coupling device of claim 15 including an outer joining member enclosing the other diameters of both of said peripheral flange means.

Claim 19

The coupling device of claim 11, wherein said penetrating portion of said second coupling member includes a first end corresponding to said first end of said second coupling member, and a second end corresponding to said second end of said second coupling member, and wherein said second coupling member includes an outer, substantially cylindrical sheath concentrically disposed surrounding said penetrating portion, thereby providing an annular space between said outer cylindrical sheath and said penetrating portion with said first end of said penetrating portion being recessed within said first end of said second coupling member, whereby said penetrating portion is protected from inadvertent contact thereby, and said outer cylindrical sheath is adapted to enter said annular space between said inner and outer coupling components of said first coupling member when said first end of said second coupling member is mated with the first end of said first coupling member.

Claim 20

The coupling device of claim 17 wherein said outer coupling component of said first coupling member includes a threaded inner surface, and said outer cylindrical sheath of said second coupling member includes a correspondingly threaded outer surface, whereby said first and second coupling members may be threadingly engaged with each other therebetween.

Claim 21

The coupling device of claim 18, wherein said outer surface of said cylindrical portion of said inner coupling component includes a sealing surface defining an inner end of said annular space between said inner and outer coupling components of said first coupling member, whereby said outer cylindrical sheath is adapted to sealingly contact said sealing surface when said first end of said second coupling member is mated with said first end of said first coupling member.

Claim 22

The coupling device of claim 17, including an outer sealing surface projecting from said outer cylindrical sheath of said second coupling member, whereby said outer coupling component of said first coupling member is adapted to sealingly contact said outer sealing surface when said first end of said second coupling member is mated with said first end of said first coupling member.

Claim 23

The coupling device of claim 11 wherein said penetrable membrane is sufficiently thin so that steam can diffuse through said penetrable membrane during autoclaving.

Claim 24

The coupling device of claim 11 wherein said penetrable membrane comprises a first membrane portion, and wherein said inner coupling component includes a second membrane portion separating said central passageway from said annular space.

Claim 25

The coupling device of claim 22 wherein said second membrane portion includes a plurality of second membrane portions.

Claim 26

A coupling device comprising a first coupling member and a second coupling member capable of mating with said first coupling member, said first coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, and said second coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, whereby said coupling device can be used to couple together a pair of conduits so as to provide for the flow of fluid therebetween, said first end of said first coupling member being adapted for connecting with said first end of said second coupling member, said first coupling member comprising an outer substantially cylindrical coupling component and an inner coupling component, said inner coupling component being thin and flexible and not being capable of withstanding autoclaving, and including a substantially cylindrical portion concentrically disposed within said outer coupling component and including an outer surface, an inner surface defining a central passageway, a penetrable membrane closing off said central passageway of said inner coupling component, a first end corresponding to said first end of said first coupling member, and a second end corresponding to said second end of said first coupling member, thereby providing an annular space between said outer coupling component and said inner coupling component, with said first end of said inner coupling component being recessed within said first end of said first coupling member, whereby said inner coupling component is protected from inadvertent contact thereby, and wherein said inner coupling component can withstand autoclaving by being supported by a thermally resistant component made of a more rigid material than said inner coupling component so that it may be sterilized prior to use and remain substantially sterile thereafter, said first end of said second coupling member including a substantially cylindrical penetrating portion including an outer surface and a central passageway therein and being adapted to enter said central passageway of said inner coupling component when said first end of said second coupling member is mated with said first end of said first coupling member so that said outer surface of said penetrating portion sealingly engages said inner surface of said cylindrical portion of said inner coupling component, said penetrating portion of said second coupling member being adapted to sealingly engage said inner flexible coupling component of said first coupling member prior to said penetrating portion of said second coupling member penetrating said membrane, whereby said flow of fluid between said first and second coupling members can take place exclusively within said central passageway of said penetrating portion of said second coupling member and said central passageway of said inner coupling component of said first coupling member and contamination of said central passageway is substantially prevented.

Claim 27

A coupling device comprising a first coupling member and a second coupling member capable of mating with said first coupling member, said first coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, and said second coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, whereby said coupling device can be used to couple together a pair of conduits so as to provide for the flow of fluid therebetween, said first end of said first coupling member being adapted for connecting with said first end of said second coupling member, said first coupling member comprising an outer substantially cylindrical coupling component and an inner coupling component, said inner coupling component being thin and flexible and not being capable of withstanding autoclaving, and including a substantially cylindrical portion concentrically disposed within said outer coupling component and including an outer surface, an inner surface defining a central passageway, a penetrable membrane closing off said central passageway of said inner coupling component, a first end corresponding to said first end of said first coupling member, and a second end corresponding to said second end of said first coupling member, thereby providing an annular space between said outer coupling component and said inner coupling component, with said first end of said inner coupling component being recessed within said first end of said first coupling member, whereby said inner coupling component is protected from inadvertent contact thereby, and wherein said inner coupling component can withstand autoclaving by being supported by a thermally resistant component made of a more rigid material than said inner coupling component so that it may be sterilized prior to use and remain substantially sterile thereafter, said first end of said second coupling member including a substantially cylindrical penetrating portion including an outer surface and a central passageway therein and being adapted to enter said central passageway of said inner coupling component when said first end of said second coupling member is mated with said first end of said first coupling member so that said outer surface of said penetrating portion sealingly engages said inner surface of said cylindrical portion of said inner coupling component, said penetrating portion of said second coupling member being adapted to sealingly engage said inner flexible coupling component of said first coupling member prior to said penetrating portion of said second coupling member penetrating said membrane, whereby said flow of fluid between said first and second coupling members can take place exclusively within said central passageway of said penetrating portion of said second coupling member and said central passageway of said inner coupling component of said first coupling member and contamination of said central passageway is substantially prevented.

Claim 28

The coupling device of claim 24 wherein said outer coupling component comprises said thermally resistant component made of a more rigid material than said inner coupling component and which supports said inner coupling component so that it may be sterilized prior to use and remain substantially sterile thereafter.

Claim 29

The coupling device of claim 25 wherein said outer coupling component and said inner coupling component include peripheral flange means whereby they may be joined together at said corresponding peripheral flange means.

Claim 30

The coupling device of claim 26 wherein said both of said peripheral flange means of said inner and outer coupling components are disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said coupling member, and include substantially identical outside diameters.

Claim 31

The coupling device of claim 27 wherein both of said peripheral flange means include corresponding planar faces in contact with each other.

Claim 32

The coupling device of claim 28 including an outer joining member enclosing the outer diameters of both of said peripheral flange means.

Claim 33

The coupling devices of claim 24 wherein said first end of said first coupling member includes an interior threaded portion, and said first end of said second coupling member includes an exterior threaded portion adapted for threaded engagement with said interior threaded portion of said first coupling member.

Claim 34

The coupling device of claim 30 wherein said penetrating portion of said second coupling member is recessed with respect to said first end of said second coupling member whereby said penetrating portion is protected from inadvertent contact during use.

Claim 35

A coupling device comprising a first coupling member and a second coupling member capable of mating with said first coupling member, said first coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, and said second coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, whereby said coupling device can be used to couple together a pair of conduits so as to provide for the flow of fluid therebetween, said first end of said first coupling member being adapted for connecting with said first end of said second coupling member, said first coupling member comprising an outer substantially cylindrical coupling component and an inner coupling component, said inner coupling component being thinner and more flexible than said outer coupling component, and including a substantially cylindrical portion concentrically disposed within said outer coupling component and including an outer surface, an inner surface defining a central passageway, a penetrable membrane closing off said central passageway of said inner coupling component, a first end corresponding to said first end of said first coupling member, and a second end corresponding to said second end of said first coupling member, thereby providing an annular space between said outer coupling component and said inner coupling component, with said first end of said inner coupling component being recessed within said first end of said first coupling member, whereby said inner coupling component is protected from inadvertent contact thereby, said first end of said second coupling member including a substantially cylindrical penetrating portion including an outer surface and a central passageway therein and being adapted to enter said central passageway of said inner coupling component when said first end of said second coupling member is mated with said first end of said first coupling member so that said outer surface of said penetrating portion sealingly engages said inner surface of said cylindrical portion of said inner coupling component, said penetrating portion of said second coupling member being adapted to sealingly engage said inner flexible coupling component of said first coupling member prior to said penetrating portion of said second coupling member penetrating said membrane, whereby said flow of fluid between said first and second coupling members can take place exclusively within said central passageway of said penetrating portion of said second coupling member and said central passageway of said inner coupling component of said first coupling member and contamination of said central passageway is substantially prevented.

Claim 36

A coupling device comprising a first coupling member and a second coupling member capable of mating with said first coupling member, said first coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, and said second coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a connecting passageway therebetween, whereby said coupling device can be used to couple together a pair of conduits so as to provide for the flow of fluid therebetween, said first end of said first coupling member being adapted for connecting with said first end of said second coupling member, said first coupling member comprising an outer substantially cylindrical coupling component and an inner coupling component, said inner coupling component being thinner and more flexible than said outer coupling component, and including a substantially cylindrical portion concentrically disposed within said outer coupling component and including an outer surface, an inner surface defining a central passageway, a penetrable membrane closing off said central passageway of said inner coupling component, a first end corresponding to said first end of said first coupling member, and a second end corresponding to said second end of said first coupling member, thereby providing an annular space between said outer coupling component and said inner coupling component, with said first end of said inner coupling component being recessed within said first end of said first coupling member, whereby said inner coupling component is protected from inadvertent contact thereby, said first end of said second coupling member including a substantially cylindrical penetrating portion including an outer surface and a central passageway therein and being adapted to enter said central passageway of said inner coupling component when said first end of said second coupling member is mated with said first end of said first coupling member so that said outer surface of said penetrating portion sealingly engages said inner surface of said cylindrical portion of said inner coupling component, said penetrating portion of said second coupling member being adapted to sealingly engage said inner flexible coupling component of said first coupling member prior to said penetrating portion of said second coupling member penetrating said membrane, whereby said flow of fluid between said first and second coupling members can take place exclusively within said central passageway of said penetrating portion of said second coupling member and said central passageway of said inner coupling component of said first coupling member and contamination of said central passageway is substantially prevented.

Claim 37

The coupling device of claim 32 wherein said outer coupling component comprises said thermally resistant component made of a more rigid material than said inner coupling component and which supports said inner coupling component so that it may be sterilized prior to use and remain substantially sterile thereafter.

Claim 38

The coupling device of claim 33 wherein said outer coupling component and said inner coupling component include peripheral flange means whereby they may be joined together at said corresponding peripheral flange means.

Claim 39

The coupling device of claim 34 wherein said both of said peripheral flange means of said inner and outer coupling components are disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said coupling member, and include substantially identical outside diameters.

Claim 40

The coupling device of claim 35 wherein both of said peripheral flange means include corresponding planar faces in contact with each other.

Claim 41

The coupling device of claim 36 including an outer joining member enclosing the outer diameters of both of said peripheral flange means.

Claim 42

The coupling device of claim 32 wherein said first end of said first coupling member includes an interior threaded portion, and said first end of said second coupling member includes an exterior threaded portion adapted for threaded engagement with said interior threaded portion of said first coupling member.

Claim 43

The coupling device of claim 38 wherein said penetrating portion of said second coupling member is recessed with respect to said first end of said second coupling member whereby said penetrating portion is protected from inadvertent contact during use.