Sanitary retainer

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001This Application claims priority to <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US75280310A" dnum-type="L"><text>U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/752,803, filed April 1 2010</text></patcit>, and <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US61166028A" dnum-type="L"><text>U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/166,028, filed April 2, 2009</text></patcit>.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0002The present invention generally pertains to a sanitary retainer connecting a pair of sanitary fittings.

BACKGROUND

0003Flexible tubing made of plastic or rubber is widely used in the medical, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, food and beverage and other laboratory environments. For certain assemblies involving connections from a medical instrument to a patient, stainless steel connectors or clamps have been used to connect ends of the flexible tubing together. Stainless steel connectors or clamps have the advantage of being capable of sterilization and therefore being reusable. However, stainless steel connectors can be expensive to manufacture and may not completely protect against cross contamination. <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US5060987A"><text>US 5 060 987 A</text></patcit> relates to fittings or couplings, and more particularly to improvements in tube fitting union nuts and nut assemblies. <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US4640530A"><text>US 4 640 530 A</text></patcit> relates to device for the tight connection of two parts, e.g. pipes, each part having a flange. The device has flange locking means, in order to compress a gasket between the two parts. <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US3406991A"><text>US 3 406 991 A</text></patcit> relates to a conduit joint of the type wherein spaced flanges are directed toward one another to create a seal by the engagement of the flange faces. <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="DE10259515A1"><text>DE 102 59 515 A1</text></patcit> relates to a pressure-tight pipeline flange connection using outer sleeve for securing clamp across abutting pipe flanges

SUMMARY

0004Embodiments of a retainer for connecting a pair of sanitary fittings are disclosed herein. The sanitary fittings each have a first end and a second end and the second ends each have a flanged portion. The retainer includes a first member having a through center aperture. The first member is adapted to receive at least a portion of each of the flanged portions. The retainer also includes a second member having a through center aperture and engageable over the first member. The second member is adapted to provide a compressive force to sealingly connect the flanged portions when the first and second members are in an assembled configuration.

0005Embodiments of a method for sealingly connecting a first sanitary fitting and a second sanitary fitting with a retainer are also disclosed herein. The retainer has first and second members with through hole apertures and the first and second sanitary fittings each having a first end and a second end with the second ends each having a flanged portion. The method includes inserting the first end of the first sanitary fitting into the aperture of the first member and positioning the flanged portion of the first sanitary fitting in the first member. The method also includes positioning the flanged portion of the second sanitary fitting in the first member. Further, the method includes engaging the second member over the first member such that a compressive force is applied to the first and second sanitary fittings.

0006Additionally, embodiments of a kit for assembling a pair of sanitary fittings each having a first end and a second end with the second ends each having a flanged portion is disclosed herein. The kit includes a first member having a through center aperture sized to receive the flanged portions and a plurality of resilient members such that, when compressed, sealingly connect the flanged portions. The kit also includes a second member having a generally concentric outer surface and a through center aperture.

0007Other embodiments of the invention are described in additional detail hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0008The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1A</figref> is a perspective view of an unassembled sanitary assembly containing a sanitary retainer according to a first embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1B</figref> is a perspective view of the sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref> partially assembled;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1C</figref> is a perspective view of the sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref> fully assembled;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 2A</figref> is a sectional view of the unassembled sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 2B</figref> is a sectional view of the sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref> partially assembled;</li><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 2C</figref> is a sectional view of the sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref> fully assembled;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 3A</figref> is a top plan view of the unassembled sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 3B</figref> is a top plan view of the sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref> partially assembled;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 3C</figref> is a top plan view of the sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref> fully assembled;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 4A</figref> is a bottom plan view of the unassembled sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 4B</figref> is a bottom plan view of the sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref> partially assembled;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 4C</figref> is a bottom plan view of the sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref> fully assembled;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 5</figref> is an exploded perspective view of a collet of the sanitary retainer shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 6</figref> is another exploded perspective view of the collet shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 7</figref> is an exploded perspective view of a sleeve of the sanitary retainer shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 8</figref> is another exploded perspective view of the sleeve shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 9</figref> is a perspective view of a sleeve of a sanitary retainer according to a second embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 10</figref> is another perspective view of the sleeve shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 9</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 11</figref> is a perspective view of a sanitary retainer according to a third embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 12</figref> is an elevation view of the sanitary retainer shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 11</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 13</figref> is a sectional view of the sanitary retainer shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG 11</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 14</figref> is a perspective view of a sanitary retainer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 15</figref> is an elevation view of the sanitary retainer shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 14</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 16</figref> is a sectional view of the sanitary retainer shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG 14</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 17A</figref> is a perspective view of an unassembled sanitary assembly containing a sanitary retainer according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 17B</figref> is a perspective view of the sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 17A</figref> partially assembled;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 17C</figref> is a perspective view of the sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 17A</figref> fully assembled;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 18A</figref> is an elevation view of the unassembled sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 18B</figref> is an elevation view of the sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 17A</figref> partially assembled;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 18C</figref> is an elevation view of the sanitary assembly shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 17A</figref> fully assembled;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 19</figref> is an exploded perspective view of the sanitary retainer shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 17A</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 20</figref> is a side elevation view of the sanitary retainer shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 17A</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 21</figref> is another exploded perspective view of the sanitary retainer shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 17A</figref>; and</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 22</figref> is an elevation view of a collet of a sanitary retainer according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0009Referring to <figref idref="f0001">FIGS. 1A-1C</figref>, according to a first embodiment, a sanitary assembly 100 is shown in an unassembled configuration (<figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1A</figref>), a partially assembled configuration (<figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1B</figref>) and a fully assembled configuration (<figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1C</figref>). Generally, sanitary assembly 100 can include a pair of sanitary connectors 102, a sanitary retainer 103 and a gasket 105 (gasket shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIGS. 2A-2C</figref>). Sanitary retainer 103 can include a first member or collet 104 and a second member or sleeve 106. Both collet 104 and sleeve 106 can have a generally concentric outer surface.

0010Sanitary connectors 102 can include a tubular member 108 having a barb connection 110 at one end for connection to a tube (not shown) and an opposing end with a funnel formation 112 including an expanded circular opening with a flanged portion at a terminating end 114. Of course, other sanitary connectors are available that may have a different configuration (e.g. with no funnel formation). Sanitary connectors 102 can be made of any suitable material, such as a non-metal, which can permit the connectors to be heat welded to, for example, a propropylene or ethylene medical or pharmaceutical bag. The same or similar materials can be used in other applications in, for example, biotech, pharmaceutical, medical, foodstuff fitting connections and manifold applications. Sanitary connectors 102 can also be made from other plastics, stainless steel or any other suitable material as desired or required. Other configurations of sanitary connector 102 are also available. Gasket can be any suitable seal, such as an O-ring seal, and can be made of any suitable material. Collet 104 and sleeve 106 can be made from any suitable material such as propropylene and polyvinylidene difluoride.

0011Referring to <figref idref="f0002">FIGS. 5 and 6</figref>, collet 104 is an essentially annular member having a through aperture 116 for receiving gasket 105 and terminating ends 114 of the pair of sanitary connectors 102 therein. Collet 104 forms a discontinuous ring at a securing end 120 of an incurved portion 122. Incurved portion 122 begins at an annular edge 126. Proximate to the annular edge 126 and is an annular groove 127. Collet 104 also includes a receiving end 124 with resilient fingers 128 for radially contracting around terminating end 114. Fingers 128 are formed by narrow through slots 130 extending from receiving end 124 and terminating essentially at annular edge 126. Further slots 130 extend between lateral edges of adjacent fingers 128. Slots 130 are shown in the Figures with rounded termination ends 130a, however, the termination ends 130a may have pointed ends or any other suitably-shaped end.

0012Fingers 128 form a resilient seal by, as discussed in more detail below, forming a 360° compression around gasket 105 and terminating ends 114 of funnel formations 112. Each finger 128 contains a stop 129, where sleeve 106 contacts collet 104 when fully assembled. Between every other finger 128 there can be a through slot 132 which extends from securing end 120 to approximately a mid-section 134 of the associated finger 128. The through slots 132 can provide resiliency to the securing end 120 of collet 104 without sacrificing durability. Through slots 132 are shown in the Figures with rounded termination ends 132a, however, the termination ends 132a may have pointed ends or any other suitably-shaped end.

0013The interior surface 134 of collet 104 is essentially smooth except for a locking shelf 136 at securing end 120 and a resting shelf 138 at receiving end 124. Locking shelf 136 and resting shelf 138 can be designed and sized to permit through aperture 116 of collet 104 to have a diameter that is slightly smaller than terminating ends 114 for reasons that will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

0014Referring to <figref idref="f0003">FIGS. 7 and 8</figref>, sleeve 106 is also an annular member with a through aperture 140 for receiving collet 104 therein. Sleeve 106 has a smooth exterior annular surface 142 and an incurved portion 143 beginning and extending inwardly from an annular edge 145. Sleeve 106 has a receiving end 144 forming an arcuate base to facilitate assembly to collet 104. An incurved portion begins at an annular edge 126. An interior surface 145 of sleeve 106 is essentially smooth throughout the length of sleeve 106 except for an annular projection 146 that extends from the interior surface 145. Annular projection 146 is sized and positioned on the sleeve 20 for disposition within annular groove 127 of collet 127 to form a lock when sanitary retainer 103 is engaged. Therefore, annular projection 146 can be positioned proximate to a securing end 148 of sleeve 106.

0015Referring to <figref idref="f0001">FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C</figref>, <figref idref="f0002">3A-3C and 4A-4C</figref>, during assembly, collet 104 is first placed over either one of the pair of sanitary connectors 102. Collet 104 and sleeve 106 can be loaded from the top or the bottom of the connection, allowing the operator to add the retainer before or after one of the barb connectors 110 of the sanitary connectors 102 is added to a tube (not shown). The terminating ends 114 of the sanitary connectors 102 can be placed into collet 104 to pre-hold sanitary connectors 102 and gasket 105 disposed between terminating ends 114 of sanitary connectors 102. As discussed previously, and as shown in <figref idref="f0001">FIGS. 1B and 2B</figref>, locking shelf 136 and resting shelf 138 on interior surface 134 of collet 104 hold sanitary connectors 102 and gasket 105 disposed therebetween so that sanitary connectors cannot easily move out of collet 104.

0016Sleeve 106 can then be slid over collet 104 by for example, the use of a tool (not shown). As sleeve 106 moves over collet 104, receiving end 144 of sleeve 106 initially encounters the securing end 144 of collet 104. Fingers 128 on collet 104 are pushed radially inwardly onto sanitary connectors 102 and gasket 105, so that a 360° compression provides a tight seal therebetween. Sleeve 106 continues over collet 18 until annular projection 146 on interior surface 145 of sleeve 106 sits within annular groove 127 of collet 106. To remove sanitary retainer 103, an operator may use a removal tool (not shown) so that disconnection and leakages are prevented.

0017<figref idref="f0003">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref> illustrate a sleeve 206 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that sleeve 206 has a number of springs 208. Each spring 208 projects outwardly from surface 142 to form an arch 212 having a through center aperture 214. Each spring 208 extends from receiving end 144 of sleeve 106 to annular edge 145. Springs 208 can accommodate the size variation of collets between, for example, different collet manufacturers. Springs 208 permit sleeve 206 to expand, when necessary, so that a collet having a diameter within a certain threshold can be received therein. Although three springs are shown in the Figures, sleeve 206 may also have more or less than three springs in alternative embodiments.

0018<figref idref="f0003">FIGS. 11 and 12</figref> illustrate a sanitary retainer 303 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that, the collet 304 and sleeve 306 are connected together by a plurality of frangible tabs 308. Frangible tabs 308 are connected to and extend horizontally from a radial surface of securing end 120 of collet 304. Opposing ends of frangible tabs 308 are also connected to an inner surface of sleeve 306. Frangible tabs can also extend vertically or in any other suitable direction to connect to sleeve 306. Frangible tabs 308 can be positioned, for example, in direct alignment with slots 130. Frangible tabs 308 can also be aligned in any other suitable manner. Although a plurality of frangible tabs 308 are shown, sanitary retainer 303 can contain one or more frangible tabs as required or desired.

0019The connection of frangible tabs 308 to the collet 304 and sleeve 306 form a gap 310 between the receiving end 142 of sleeve 306 and securing end 122 of collet 304 so that the frangible tabs 308 are the only connection therebetween when retainer 303 is in the unlocked position. The position of the frangible tabs 308 relative to collet 304 and sleeve 306 allow for breakage of frangible tabs 308 from collet 304 with a predetermined applied force.

0020During assembly, sanitary retainer 303 is first placed over either one of the pair of sanitary connectors 102. As discussed previously in connection with the first embodiment, terminating ends 114 of sanitary connectors 102 can be placed into collet 304 to pre-hold sanitary connectors 102 and gasket 105 disposed between terminating ends 114 of sanitary connectors 102. A locking instrument can be used to break the frangible tabs 308 to detach sleeve 308 from collet 302 and slide sleeve 306 over collet 304. Although frangible tabs 308 are broken away from collet 304, portions of frangible tabs 308 can remain intact on the inner surface of sleeve 306. Alternatively, all of the frangible tabs 308 can be broken away from both sleeve 306 and collet 304 or frangible tabs can remain intact on collet 304. When sleeve 306 is locked over collet 304, as discussed previously, the there is a 360° radial compression connection of sanitary connectors 102 and gasket 105.

0021Alternatively, in other embodiments, frangible tabs 308 can be replaced by a frangible meniscus of material (not shown). The frangible meniscus can be broken away from both the collet and the sleeve. The frangible meniscus can be connected to and extend from the radial surface of the securing end of the collet. The frangible meniscus can extend through the entire length of radial surface. Alternatively, frangible meniscus can extend to only a portion of the length of radial surface.

0022Opposing end portions of the frangible meniscus 428 can be positioned and connected to the wall of the interior expanded end portion 366 of the sleeve

0023<figref idref="f0004">FIGS. 14-16</figref> illustrate a sanitary retainer 406 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is similar to the second embodiment except that, the collet 404 and sleeve 406 are connected together by a frangible connecting member such as a plurality of frangible tabs 408. Plurality of frangible tabs 408 are similar to plurality of frangible tabs 308 in the third embodiment.

0024Referring to <figref idref="f0004">FIGS. 17A-17C</figref>, and <figref idref="f0005">18A-18C</figref>, according to a fifth embodiment, a sanitary assembly 500 is shown in an unassembled configuration (<figref idref="f0004">FIG. 17A</figref>), a partially assembled configuration (<figref idref="f0004">FIG. 17B</figref>) and a fully assembled configuration (<figref idref="f0004">FIG. 17C</figref>). Generally, as discussed in previous embodiments, sanitary assembly 500 can include a pair of sanitary connectors 102 and a sanitary retainer 503 and a gasket (not shown). Sanitary retainer 503 can include a collet 504 and a sleeve 506.

0025Referring to <figref idref="f0005">FIGS. 19-21</figref>, collet 504 is an essentially annular member having a through aperture 116 for receiving a gasket and terminating ends 114 of the pair of sanitary connectors 102 therein. Collet 504 forms a discontinuous ring at a securing end 120. Collet 504 also includes a receiving end 124 with resilient fingers 128 for radially contracting around terminating end 114. Fingers 128 are formed by narrow through slots 130 extending from receiving end 124 and terminating essentially at two thirds of the collet length. Slots 130 are shown in the Figures with rounded termination ends 130a, however, the termination ends 130a may have pointed ends or any other suitably-shaped end.

0026Fingers 128 form a resilient seal by, as discussed in more detail below, forming a 360° compression around gasket 105 and terminating ends 114 of funnel formations 112 when sleeve 506 is screwed onto collet 504. Each finger 128 contains a stop 129, where sleeve 506 contacts collet 504 when fully assembled. Between every other finger 28 there can be a through slot 132 which extends from securing end 120 to approximately a mid-section 134 of the associated finger 128. The through slots 132 can provide resiliency to the securing end 120 of collet 104 without sacrificing durability. Through slots 132 are shown in the Figures with rounded termination ends 132a, however, the termination ends 132a may have pointed ends or any other suitably-shaped end.

0027The inner surface of sleeve 506 contains a thread 510 and the outer or exterior surface of collet 504 contains a thread 512. Threads 510 and 512 can be, for example, an Acme thread. Threads 510 and 512 can also be any other suitable thread such as a square thread, a buttress thread, a tapered thread, or a tapered pipe thread.

0028Thread 510 can extend from securing end 148 of sleeve 506 to receiving end 144 of sleeve 506. Thread 512 can extend from securing end 120 of collet 504 to stop 129 of collet 504. During assembly, sanitary retainer 503 is first placed or positioned over either one of the pair of sanitary connectors 102. As discussed previously in connection with the first embodiment, terminating ends 114 of sanitary connectors 102 can be placed into collet 504 to pre-hold sanitary connectors 102 and the gasket disposed between terminating ends 114 of sanitary connectors 102. Sleeve 506 can then be screwed onto collet 504, creating a 360° radial compression connection of sanitary connectors 102 and gasket 105.

0029<figref idref="f0005">FIG. 22</figref> illustrates a collet 604 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that collet 604 has a number of interlocks 608. Each interlock 208 includes a groove 610 for receiving a projection 612. Accordingly, each of resilient fingers 628 can include a groove 610 for receiving a projection 612 from an adjacent finger and a projection for interlocking with an adjacent finger. Each projection 612 is shown in the Figures as a trapezoidal shaped projection. However, projections may have pointed ends, square ends, rounded ends or any other suitably-shaped end. Grooves 610 will generally have the same shape as projections 612 so that as the sleeve (such as sleeve 106 of <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>) moves over collet 604, interlocks 608 will hold collet 604 together. As such collet 604 will move into the sleeve when the sleeve does not contact the bottom of the collet. Accordingly, an operator does not have to turn and close the retainer containing collet 604 after the sleeve has been secured on the collet (as discussed in connection with <figref idref="f0001">FIGS. 1</figref>)

0030While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.