Connector

Abstract

A connector adapted to form a fluid flow path therethrough by connection with a reciprocal connector, the connector and reciprocal connector each including a fluid flow channel portion defining a fluid flow opening, a socket portion located on the fluid flow channel portion and adjacent the fluid flow opening, a socket portion located on the fluid flow channel portion and adjacent the fluid flow opening, a plug portion adjacent to the fluid flow opening and spaced apart from the socket portion in a direction crossing the fluid flow opening, the socket portion of the connector receiving therein the plug portion of the interfacing connector for connection therewith such that the fluid flow opening of the connector is aligned with the fluid flow opening of the interfacing connector, and a closure portion that openably closes the fluid flow opening of the connector and receives a pushing force from the received plug portion of the reciprocal connector, displaced in a direction crossing the fluid flow opening to expose the fluid flow opening, thereby enabling the connector to be connected to the reciprocal connector, the respective fluid flow openings are in fluid communication.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to an earlier application with application number GB2020053.1 filed on December 17, 2020, and application number GB2113596.7 filed on September 23, 2021, the contents and elements of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202180079760.4, the application date is December 13, 2021, and the name of the invention is “Connector”. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to connectors for forming fluid flow passages. The present invention relates to connectors for securely forming fluid-tight connections between fluid flow conduits to form fluid flow paths therebetween, for example. In particular, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to connectors for forming fluid flow passages in medical, pharmaceutical and bioprocessing applications. Background Art

[0004] In some cases, it is critical that the process of forming a fluid flow conduit connection avoids or at least minimizes the possibility of introducing contaminants into the conduit so formed. This is certainly critical in medical settings, but is also very important in other settings, such as in food manufacturing or processing settings where contamination needs to be controlled.

[0005] In certain medical, pharmaceutical, and bioprocessing applications, it may be necessary to connect two fluid flow conduits so that they form a sterile and leak-proof fluid flow path between them. In these applications, it is critical to ensure that any fluid passing through this connection point is not exposed to foreign contaminants from the external environment, such as microorganisms or debris. Likewise, it is important that the external environment, including operating personnel, is not exposed to the fluid flowing between the two connected fluid flow conduits.

[0006] This type of sterile connection is particularly important in processes where the fluid is either; highly sensitive to external contaminants, cytotoxic or otherwise harmful to health and / or is used with patients (animal or human) where any external contaminants would be life threatening or compromise the therapeutic effect of the fluid. There are many such sterile or "sterile" connectors on the market today. Many employ the use of sacrificial membranes that are used to protect the openings of the fluid conduits until the two conduits are brought together in a closed or semi-closed environment, at which point they can be safely removed.

[0007] Typically, bringing two interconnecting connectors together to form a sterile connection requires a multi-step sequence of events. These sequences vary in complexity and time required to effect a sterile connection, with many connectors requiring significant force, significant user training, and / or additional clamping to create a successful connection that can withstand the required operating conditions. Unfortunately, currently available connector products still have significant user error issues inherent to their design and mode of operation.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve this problem and provides a connector device for establishing a connection between fluid flow conduits to safely form a fluid flow path. Summary of the invention

[0009] In its first aspect, the present invention may provide a connector adapted to form a fluid flow path therethrough by connection with a reversible connector, wherein the connector and the reversible connector both comprise: a fluid flow channel portion defining a fluid flow opening; a socket portion, the socket portion being located on the fluid flow channel portion, adjacent to the fluid flow opening; a plug portion, the plug portion being located on the fluid flow channel portion, adjacent to the fluid flow opening, and spaced apart from the socket portion in a direction intersecting the fluid flow opening, wherein the socket portion of the connector is configured to receive the plug portion of the reversible connector therein for connection therewith, such that the fluid flow opening of the connector is aligned with the fluid flow opening of the reversible connector; and a closing portion, the closing portion being arranged to openably close the fluid flow opening of the connector and to receive a pushing force from the received plug portion of the reversible connector, thereby displacing in a direction intersecting the fluid flow opening to expose the fluid flow opening, so that the connector can thereby be connected to the reversible connector, with the respective fluid flow openings being fluidically connected.

[0010] Preferably, the configuration of the connector means that it can act as a reversible connector of a substantially identical connector (e.g., a replica of itself, or at least having a substantially identical connection interface in function and / or design, shape or structure), and the two can be directly connected to each other, where each of the two connectors acts on the other in the same way, and each responds to the other in the same way. Therefore, the connector is preferably "genderless" so that the user only needs to obtain multiple copies of the same connector to make such a connection. In this case, it is not necessary to obtain multiple "male" connectors and an equal number of corresponding "female" connectors as in prior art systems. The user can rest assured knowing that each connector according to the present invention can be connected to another such connector. Historically, connectors in the art include two structurally different parts: a male part and a female part, which are configured to fit together to form the desired connection. The two "gendered" parts are two distinct parts, each with its own structure, designed to match the reverse structure of the other part. Connections like this are considered "gendered" in the art. The "female" attribute of a connector is generally an attribute that defines a container for receiving and holding a "male" connector element. The terms "socket" and "plug" are synonymous in the art with "female" and "male" herein. A gendered connector has the opposite nominal gender from the connector it is designed to connect to (or "mate with") .

[0011] However, in the art, a "genderless" connection is considered to be a connection where the interconnecting elements of the two connector parts are substantially identical in function and / or design, shape or structure, thereby eliminating the need for different male and female parts to make the connection. The term "genderless" is used in the art to include connectors having mating elements or surfaces that have male and female attributes, the connectors comprising complementary pairs of identical parts, each part individually comprising "male" attributes (e.g., protrusions) and "female" attributes (e.g., recesses). These mating structures can be installed in the same accessories, which can be freely mated with any other accessories without regard to gender.

[0012] Genderless connectors can eliminate the inherent problem of gendered connectors, where two connectors of the same gender cannot mate together. This attribute is particularly important when designing new fluid paths in industrial environments with multiple connections, as it reduces errors in system design, where designers must ensure that each connection has the correct gender ("male" or "female") at each connection point in order to interact with the next part of the system. The use of genderless connectors also makes ordering replacement parts simpler, as procurement does not need to worry about the number of "male" and "female" parts to be stocked on site, where a relative imbalance or shortage in the inventory of either type of connector and when the correct number of male-female parts are ordered can cause downtime in the process. In currently available connectors, it is common for each manufacturer to have a different connection type, so a connector from one manufacturer cannot be used interchangeably with a connector from another manufacturer. Genderless connectors may be simpler and / or more intuitive to use because they can reduce the number of actuation steps - genderless means that the actuation of one part (one half of the connection) is the same as the actuation of the other part (the other half of the connection). The more different actuation steps required in a connection, the higher the risk of operator error.

[0013] Another advantage of the genderless connector is that it reduces the tooling requirements for manufacturing (e.g., molding) the connector components. Because the genderless connector connects to a replica of itself according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, only one set of tools is required to produce the connector. This reduces manufacturing costs and time.

[0014] In preferred aspects of the invention disclosed herein, the connection is genderless. The plug portion of the connector (or, therefore, the reversible connector) can be configured to be pushed into the socket portion of the reversible connector (or, therefore, the connector) during the connection of the connector and the reversible connector. This push can be a linear displacement in a direction transverse to (e.g., perpendicular to) the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow channel. The displacement can be a linear sliding action (e.g., without rotation or twisting). When the plug portion is pushed into the socket portion, the connection preferably forms a push-fit, or click-fit or snap-fit ​​(e.g., as described in the following examples) of the received (or, therefore, the connector) plug portion of the reversible connector in the receiving socket portion of the connector (or, therefore, the reversible connector). During the action of connecting the connector (e.g., pushing together) to the reversible connector, the fluid flow opening of the connector (or, therefore, the reversible connector) can thereby be pushed to align / align with the relative fluid flow opening of the reversible connector (or, therefore, the connector).

[0015] The fluid flow channel of the connector (or, therefore, the reciprocal connector) preferably extends linearly and extends linearly (i.e., straight) along the longitudinal axis from the fluid flow inlet (e.g., nozzle) to the fluid flow opening. The plug portion of the connector can be configured to be pushed toward (and pushed into) the socket portion of the reciprocal connector (or vice versa) in a direction transverse to (e.g., perpendicular to) the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow channel. The connector and the reciprocal connector can be connected with the longitudinal axes of each fluid flow channel aligned in a coaxial alignment. This has the advantage of providing a composite fluid flow channel (i.e., formed by two colinear flow channels) that is linear and has no turns along its longitudinal axis. Therefore, fluid flow along the composite fluid flow channel will not be affected by pressure drop as non-linear fluid flow channels.

[0016] Preferably, the plug portion and the socket portion are located on the fluid flow channel portion, adjacent to (e.g., directly disposed on) the opposite respective sides of the fluid flow opening, and separated in a direction transverse to (e.g., substantially perpendicular to) the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow channel portion. The plug portion and the socket portion may be located on the outer surface of the fluid flow channel portion, adjacent to the opposite respective sides of the fluid flow opening, separated in a direction transverse to (e.g., substantially perpendicular to) the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow channel portion, and separated in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow channel portion. The longitudinal axes of the plug portion and the socket portion may be substantially parallel to each other, and may also be transverse to (e.g., coplanar with) the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow channel. When the connector is rotated 180 degrees around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow channel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the socket portion and / or the plug portion, the result may be to provide the orientation required for a reversible connector used as a connector connected to the connector as described above. To this extent, when connected to the connector, the reversible connector may be substantially the same as the connector when rotated 180 degrees as described above (i.e., as an example of "genderlessness"). Thus, the fluid flow openings, socket portions and plug portions of both the connector and the reciprocal connector may be configured to enable the connector to be connected to the reciprocal connector to position the longitudinal axes of their respective fluid flow passages in coaxial alignment with each other.

[0017] The present invention can provide a connector device for establishing a connection between fluid flow conduits to safely form a sterile fluid flow path, wherein the number of manual operation steps is reduced and no sacrificial membrane or additional clamps are used. For example, an effective and easy-to-install sterile connector can be provided, which can meet one or more of the following beneficial requirements: provide a reliable and strong sterile connection; can operate at suitable processing temperatures and pressures; is cost-effective to manufacture and install; reduces the possibility of operator error and requires less operator training; requires low / minimal operating force, and is quick and safe to install; and is made of compatible and safe materials.

[0018] The fluid flow channel portion is preferably configured to contact with the fluid passing through the fluid flow conduit in use, and the fluid flow conduit is formed by the connection of the connector and the reciprocal connector. The material forming the fluid flow channel portion is preferably a material with suitable chemical resistance (that is, when contacting with selected fluid chemicals, chemical erosion resistance, damage or degradation). The fluid flow channel portion (and preferably the plug portion and / or preferably the socket portion) is preferably formed by a material with suitable greater rigidity compared with the rigidity of the closure. Preferably, the closure is configured to be elastically bent, and the fluid flow channel portion (and preferably the plug portion and / or preferably the socket portion) is preferably configured to be substantially rigid and substantially inflexible. The appropriate rigidity of the fluid flow channel portion (and preferably the plug portion and / or preferably the socket portion) can be realized by a combination of wall thickness, design features and material selection. The fluid flow channel portion (and preferably the plug portion and / or preferably the socket portion) can be integrally formed and can be formed as a single mold. These parts can be molded by, for example, polycarbonate, polysulfone, acetal, polypropylene or nylon 6.

[0019] The closure may be formed as a single molding and may be formed as a single injection molding. The connector may be used so that the closure does not come into contact with the fluid that subsequently flows through the conduit formed by connecting the two connectors after the conduit is formed. In this case, it is not necessary for the component to have any chemical resistance. In this case, the selected material preferably has such mechanical properties that when the closure slides away from the fluid flow port in response to the push from the push plug portion of the reciprocal connector during the connection process, it allows it to bend correctly. In this case, the material of the closure may be polypropylene, polyethylene or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).

[0020] On the contrary, when the connector is not connected (not yet connected) to the reciprocal connector, the connector can be used as a closure device to close the end of the fluid flow conduit connected to the fluid flow channel of the connector, thereby blocking the fluid until it is connected to the reciprocal connector. In this case, the closure can also be made of a material with appropriate chemical resistance. Therefore, in this case, the material selected for the closure may also have mechanical properties that allow the parts to bend when necessary. In this case, the material forming the closure can include polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, acetal (copolymer or homopolymer), PTFE or nylon 6. Other chemically resistant moldable plastic materials are also available and can be selected according to specific applications.

[0021] By providing a closure covering the fluid flow opening when the connector is not connected to a reciprocal connector, but the closure is movable to expose the fluid flow passage by the same action of connecting the connector to its reciprocal connector, the present invention provides simultaneous and immediate: (a) exposure of the fluid flow opening of the connector and its reciprocal connector; (b) alignment of the fluid flow opening of the connector and its reciprocal connector; and (c) connection of the connector and its reciprocal connector. This reduces the time taken to connect the two connectors, and the number of manual operations / actions required to connect the two connectors, and therefore, it reduces the exposure of the fluid flow openings of the two connectors and the opportunity for contamination thereby. It should be understood that the fluid flow opening can be a terminal fluid flow opening of a larger fluid flow conduit, with which the connector forms a terminal end. The connector can include an adapter disposed (e.g., formed) at an end of the fluid flow portion, which is opposite to the end at which the fluid flow opening is disposed (e.g., formed). The adapter can be configured to make a fluid-tight connection with a hose, and can include a hose adapter or an insertion nozzle for inserting the hose. The adapter may include a spike or cannula or other elongated fluid flow interface for allowing the adapter to form a secure fluid flow connection with a fluid flow container (eg, bag, vial, etc.) or conduit (eg, tube, hose, etc.).

[0022] Ideally, the closure is configured to be displaced into the socket portion by said displacement. For example, the closure may be housed within the socket portion and may be slidably displaced in a direction toward the socket portion (i.e., further toward the socket portion). The closure may be fully housed in the socket portion, wherein a portion of the closure is accessible through an opening of the socket portion, or may be partially housed within the socket portion, wherein a portion of the closure protrudes from a socket opening of the socket portion. The accessible portion of the closure is thus accessible to the plug portion of the reciprocal connector to allow the plug portion to abut against the accessible portion of the closure therein by two push displacements of the closure toward the socket portion.

[0023] Preferably, the plug portion of the reversible connector is configured to be inserted into the socket portion, so that the displaced closure is maintained therein. The socket portion may include an elongated hole or passage, and the hole or passage has a longitudinal axis, along which the displaced closure and the plug portion of the insertion of the reversible connector can move simultaneously. The transverse dimension (such as width, height or diameter) of the hole of the socket portion may be shaped to be mutually consistent with the transverse external dimensions (such as external width, height and diameter) of the closure and / or plug portion of the reversible connector. The transverse dimension of the plug portion and the socket portion may be such that when the plug portion is inserted during the connection of the connector to the reversible connector, an interference fit is formed between the socket portion and the plug portion of the reversible connector.

[0024] The closure may include an elongated hole or passage with a longitudinal axis, along which the plug portion of the reversible connector can be fully moved to substantially fill the hole of the closure. The longitudinal axis of the hole of the closure may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hole of (e.g., colinear) socket portion. The transverse dimension (e.g., width, height, or diameter) of the hole of the closure may be shaped to be mutually consistent with the transverse external dimension (e.g., external width, height, or diameter) of the plug portion of the reversible connector. The transverse dimension of the plug portion and the closure may be such that when inserted into the closure during connection of the connector to the reversible connector, an interference fit is formed between the closure and the plug portion of the reversible connector.

[0025] Described connector comprises releasable snap mechanism, and described releasable snap mechanism is operable to change to the second state that is configured to allow the described displacement of closure part from the first state that is configured to be maintained at the position of closing fluid flow opening.Releasable snap mechanism can be formed by the mechanical interface between socket part and closure part.Releasable snap mechanism can comprise the elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member that is arranged on any one in socket part and closure part, and it is configured to be releasably engaged with the reciprocal groove, pawl, notch, ridge, edge or groove that is arranged on another socket part and closure part.Releasable snap mechanism can be configured to form snap fit connection between elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member and reciprocal groove, pawl, notch, ridge, edge or groove formation.

[0026] The releasable snap mechanism is configured to be actuated by the plug portion of the reversible connector from the socket portion of the connector by the action of receiving the plug portion of the reversible connector in the socket portion of the connector to change from the first state to the second state. For example, the elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member can be arranged at a position accessible by the plug portion of the reversible connector on the connector, for receiving a thrust from the surface of the plug portion to elastically deform the elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member when the plug portion is pushed into the socket portion of the connector during the connection process between the connector and the reversible connector. The plug portion, the socket portion and the elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member can be configured together so that the thrust in question is sufficient to disengage the elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member from the reversible groove, pawl, notch, ridge, edge or groove formation to release the releasable snap mechanism.

[0027] The releasable latch mechanism includes an abutment surface configured to be abutted by the plug portion of the reversible connector when received in the socket portion of the connector, and the releasable latch mechanism is operable to change from the first state to the second state in response to abutment between the releasable latch mechanism and the plug portion of the reversible connector.

[0028] The socket portion of the connector may include an abutment surface of a releasable snap mechanism. For example, the abutment surface may be presented inwardly into the hole of the socket portion so that it can be approached by the plug portion of the reciprocal connector when inserted into the hole of the socket portion. The abutment surface may be provided on an elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member. The elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member may be provided on (e.g., formed on) the socket portion. For example, the elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member may be provided on (e.g., formed on) the surface or wall of the hole of the socket portion. The reciprocal groove, pawl, notch, ridge, edge or groove formation may be provided on (e.g., formed on) the surface or wall of the hole of the closure portion.

[0029] The closure of the connector may include an abutment surface of a releasable snap mechanism. For example, the abutment surface may be presented inwardly into the hole of the closure so that it can be approached by the plug portion of the reciprocal connector when inserted into the hole of the closure. The abutment surface may be provided on an elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member. The elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member may be provided on (e.g., formed on) the closure. For example, the elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member may be provided on (e.g., formed on) the surface or wall of the hole of the closure. The formation of a reciprocal groove, pawl, notch, ridge, edge or groove may be provided on (e.g., formed on) the surface or wall of the hole of the socket portion.

[0030] The closure may include a support surface configured to receive a motive force from the plug portion of the reversible connector when received in the socket portion of the connector. The support surface may be configured not to receive the motive force from the plug portion of the reversible connector before the releasable snap mechanism changes from the first state to the second state. For example, the support surface may be configured to receive a motive force from the plug portion of the reversible connector after (or at the same time) the releasable snap mechanism has changed from the first state to the second state. For example, the motive force causing the releasable snap mechanism to change from the first state to the second state may be separated from the motive force that subsequently causes the closure to be displaced into the socket portion alone. For example, the abutment surface of the elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member may be separated from the support surface for receiving a motive force from the inserted plug portion, which motive force is used to displace the closure along the hole of the socket portion of the connector after the releasable snap mechanism is in the second state. Optionally, the support surface can be configured so that before the releasable snap mechanism has changed from the first state to the second state, the support surface receives an urging force from the plug portion of the reversible connector. For example, the urging force that causes the releasable snap mechanism to change from the first state to the second state can be the urging force that also causes the closure portion to shift into the socket portion. For example, the abutment surface of an elastically deformable arm, pin or clip member can also be used as an abutment surface for receiving an urging force from the inserted plug portion, which is used to move the closure portion along the hole of the socket portion of the connector after the releasable snap mechanism is in the second state.

[0031] Ideally, the socket portion defines a hole for receiving the plug portion of the reciprocal connector, wherein the lateral dimension (e.g., width, height, area, or diameter, etc.) of the opening of the hole exceeds the internal lateral dimension (e.g., width, height, area, or diameter, etc.) of the hole, and when received therein, the hole abuts against the plug portion of the reciprocal connector to push the fluid flow channel portion of the connector toward the fluid flow channel portion of the reciprocal connector. In this manner, the action of laterally squeezing the connector and the reciprocal connector together to advance the plug portion of each connector into the socket portion of the other connector simultaneously produces a longitudinal squeezing action that squeezes the fluid flow openings (i.e., the opposing, aligned peripheral edges) of the connectors together. Sufficient squeezing force can be a force of fluid sufficient to sealably maintain the pressure (P) within the fluid flow conduit generated by the aligned fluid flow channels of the two connectors when fully connected. The pressure is applied to the interface between the two squeezed together fluid flow openings. Preferably: 0.5 bar≤P≤4 bar, or more preferably 0.5 bar≤P≤6 bar, or more preferably 4 bar≤P≤6 bar, or still more preferably 4 bar≤P≤10 bar, or preferably 6 bar≤P≤10 par.

[0032] Preferably, the plug portion and the socket portion are located on the fluid flow passage portion adjacent opposite respective sides of the fluid flow opening and separated in a direction transverse to the axis of the fluid flow passage portion. In this way, a lateral movement or action is enabled to connect the two connectors together, which is consistent with the lateral displacement of the closure portion of each connector.

[0033] Ideally, the plug portion and the socket portion are located on the fluid flow channel portion, adjacent opposite respective sides of the fluid flow opening, separated in an axial direction along the axis of the fluid flow channel portion. In this manner, longitudinal accommodation is provided to allow lateral movement or action for connecting the two connectors together. This also accommodates a longitudinal squeezing action to push the fluid flow openings of each connector together.

[0034] Preferably, the fluid flow openings, socket portions and plug portions of the connector and reciprocal connector are configured to enable the connector to be connected to the reciprocal connector to position the longitudinal axes of their respective fluid flow passages in coaxial alignment with each other.

[0035] The plug portion of the connector is preferably configured to be inserted into the socket portion of the reciprocal connector to connect therewith so that the fluid flow channel portion of the connector is urged against the fluid flow channel portion of the reciprocal connector to urge the respective fluid flow openings together.

[0036] The connector may be such that the longitudinal position of the plug portion of the connector and the longitudinal positioning of the socket portion of the connector are such that:

[0037] (1) an outer surface of the plug portion that is also farthest from the fluid flow opening is also longitudinally separated from the fluid flow opening by a predetermined longitudinal spacing; and

[0038] (2) The inner bore surface of the socket portion farthest from the fluid flow opening is also longitudinally separated from the fluid flow opening by the same predetermined longitudinal spacing.

[0039] This accommodates a longitudinal squeezing action to push / squeeze the fluid flow opening of each connector. This can provide an interference fit between the plug and socket portions of the connector and the reciprocal connector and between the peripheral edges of the opposing fluid flow openings when the connector and the reciprocal connector are connected.

[0040] Preferably, the closure comprises a concealed surface portion arranged to cover the fluid flow opening.Preferably, the closure completely seals and conceals the fluid flow opening around its entire periphery.

[0041] The closing portion is elastically deformable and compressed within the socket portion to elastically urge the concealing surface against the fluid flow channel portion around the peripheral edge of the fluid flow opening.

[0042] Preferably, the hidden surface portion comprises a surface undulating ramp structure configured to protrude from the surface undulating ramp structure through the fluid flow opening and into the fluid flow channel, whereby the displacement in a direction intersecting the fluid flow opening causes the surface undulating ramp structure to pass over the adjacent peripheral edge of the fluid flow opening to move the hidden surface portion in a direction away from the fluid flow opening. Such formation may not only enhance the effectiveness of the closure in providing a sealing interface with the periphery of the fluid flow opening, but may also allow a surface portion of the closure that surrounds the fluid flow opening and is not in communication therewith to be lifted (displaced) away from the periphery of the fluid flow opening as the closure is displaced and moved (e.g., slid) over the fluid flow opening to expose the opening. This reduces the likelihood of contaminants entering the fluid flow opening that may be present on the surface portion of the closure that surrounds the fluid flow opening.

[0043] The surface relief slope structure may extend along the hidden surface to define a shape that is the inverse of the shape of the peripheral edge of the fluid flow opening. For example, a circular fluid flow opening may be accompanied by a circular surface relief slope structure on the hidden surface.

[0044] The surface portion of the connector directly surrounding the peripheral edge of the fluid flow opening facing the closure portion may have one or more surface undulation ramp ring structures (e.g., more than one concentric ring), or partial ring structures (e.g., one or more arcs), surrounding some or all of the periphery of the fluid flow opening. The closure portion may be pushed against the one or more surface undulation ramp ring structures. This helps to form a more secure sealing interface between the closure portion and the opposing portion of the fluid flow portion containing the fluid flow opening.

[0045] The closure is preferably elastically deformable, elastically compressing in the direction away from the fluid flow opening in response to the surface undulating ramp structure crossing the adjacent periphery of the fluid flow opening. The compression of the closure can be promoted by providing an elastically deformable cantilever spring arm structure in each lateral side wall of the closure. For example, two parallel cantilever spring arms can connect the upper platform portion and the lower platform portion of the cover portion. The upper platform portion and the lower platform portion are usually planar and parallel to each other. The upper platform portion and the lower platform portion can be spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow portion. These upper platform portions and the lower platform portions can form the upper and lower portions of the closure. The outer surface of the upper platform can also provide a closed surface for directly (but movably) covering the fluid flow opening of the connector. One end of each elastically deformable cantilever spring arm structure can be connected to the upper platform of the closure at a position close to the opening of the hole of the closure. The other end of the corresponding elastically deformable cantilever spring arm structure can be connected to the lower platform of the closure at a position axially located on the same side of the hole in the closure. This allows the elastically deformable cantilever spring arm structure to extend in a direction diagonally transverse to the compressive force experienced by the closure portion when it is displaced into the hole of the socket portion of the connector. Therefore, this diagonal direction is consistent with the operation of the elastic "spring" action of the cantilever spring arm structure.

[0046] When the connector is not connected (not yet connected) to a reciprocal connector, the connector can be used as a closure device to close the end of the fluid flow conduit connected to the fluid flow channel of the connector, thereby blocking the fluid until it is connected to the reciprocal connector. In this case, the material selected for the closure may also have such mechanical properties: allowing the component to flex when necessary, while also being able to apply sufficient thrust (i.e. spring force) to the periphery of the connector fluid flow opening when the fluid flow channel is stationary and closed before connection with the reciprocal connector. The sufficient thrust can be a force (F) of the fluid sufficient to sealably maintain the pressure (P) in the fluid flow channel, which is applied to the closure at the fluid flow opening of a given cross-sectional (i.e. hole) area (A), where: F = P×A Newtons. Preferably: 0.5bar≤P≤4bar, or more preferably 0.5bar≤P≤6bar, or more preferably 4bar≤P≤6bar, or even more preferably 4bar≤P≤10bar, or preferably 6bar≤P≤10par. In this case, the material forming the closure may include polycarbonate, polyethylene, acetal (copolymer or homopolymer), PTFE or nylon 6. Other chemically resistant moldable and sufficiently elastic plastic materials are also available and can be selected according to specific applications. The compression of the closure can be promoted by providing an elastically deformable bend in the wall of the closure, such as in the optional inner support wall of the closure, and / or in each lateral side wall of the closure, the bend can be longitudinally parallel to or extend along the longitudinal axis of the hole of the closure. If a curved inner support wall is provided, if the plug portion is configured to be inserted into the hole of the closure of the reversible connector containing the corresponding curved inner support wall when the plug portion is connected to the socket portion of the reversible connector, the plug portion may include a groove or other shape or configuration of the corresponding curved inner support wall of the reversible connector. For example, a curved inner support wall and / or two opposite curved side walls can connect the upper platform portion and the lower platform portion of the cover portion. The upper platform portion and the lower platform portion are usually planar and parallel to each other. The upper platform portion and the lower platform portion can be spaced apart from each other in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow portion. These upper platform portions and the lower platform portion can form the upper and lower portion of the closure. The outer surface of the upper platform can also provide a closed surface for directly (but movably) covering the fluid flow opening of the connector. The top of the corresponding elastically deformable curved inner supporting wall and / or the curved side wall structure can be connected to the upper platform of the closure, and the other end of the corresponding spring-deformable curved outer supporting wall and / or the curved side wall structure can be connected to the lower platform of the closure on the same side. This allows the elastically deformable curved inner supporting wall and / or the curved wall structure to bend in the direction of the compressive force experienced by the closure transversely to the closure when the closure is displaced in the hole of the socket portion of the connector.The curved surface may include a radius of curvature in a plane transverse to (e.g., substantially perpendicular to) the longitudinal axis of the hole of the closure and / or the socket portion. The curved surface may include a radius of curvature in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow portion. The inner support wall and / or the curved side wall of the curved surface may have a wall thickness substantially the same as each other, and may have a substantially uniform thickness along the arc of their respective curvatures. For example, each side wall may have an inner wall surface facing the hole of the closure and having a first radius of curvature, and an outer wall surface facing away from the hole of the closure and having a second radius of curvature, wherein the second radius of curvature exceeds the first radius of curvature by a substantially constant amount along the arc of curvature of the corresponding side wall. The first and second radii of curvature may share a common center of curvature so that the arc of the outer wall surface is substantially parallel to the arc of the inner wall surface. Therefore, the bending direction of this bending allows the wall to bend elastically in response to the compression force in a manner consistent with the pre-existing curvature of the wall to achieve the operation of the elastic "springy" effect of the curved wall structure. This structure has been found to be very effective in providing the greater spring force (F) necessary to successfully resist (suppress) the higher fluid pressures (P) within the above pressure range, and is also easily manufactured when the closure is molded in conjunction with the curved wall structure.

[0047] In another aspect, the present invention may provide a connector assembly comprising a pair of connectors as described above, and wherein any one connector of the pair of connectors is the aforementioned reciprocal connector for the other connector of the pair of connectors.

[0048] In another aspect, the present invention may provide a connector assembly, which includes a connector and a reversible connector, each connector being suitable for forming a fluid flow path therethrough by connecting the connector to the reversible connector, wherein the connector and the reversible connector each include: a fluid flow channel portion, which defines a fluid flow opening; a socket portion, the socket portion being located on the fluid flow channel portion, adjacent to the fluid flow opening; and a plug portion, the plug portion being located on the fluid flow channel portion, adjacent to the fluid flow opening, and spaced apart from the socket portion in a direction intersecting the fluid flow opening, wherein the socket portion of the connector (or accordingly, the reversible connector) is configured For receiving the plug portion of the reciprocal connector (or therefore, the connector, respectively) therein to connect therewith so that the fluid flow opening of the connector is aligned with the fluid flow opening of the reciprocal connector; and a closing portion, which is arranged to openably close the fluid flow opening of the connector (or therefore, the reciprocal connector, respectively), and receive a pushing force from the received plug portion of the reciprocal connector (or therefore, the reciprocal connector, respectively), thereby shifting in a direction intersecting with the fluid flow opening to expose the fluid flow opening, so that the connector can thereby be connected to the reciprocal connector, and the respective fluid flow openings are fluidly connected.

[0049] In yet another aspect, the present invention may provide a method for forming a fluid flow path, the method comprising the steps of: providing a connector assembly as described above; connecting the connector to a reciprocal connector, the respective fluid flow openings being in fluid communication.

[0050] Preferably, the connector includes a transverse cushioning member disposed along a step structure of the connector, the step structure being formed by an offset between adjacent surfaces of the connector between which the base of the plug portion is located. Preferably, the height of the step structure substantially matches the thickness of the platform portion of the closure portion. Preferably, the height of the transverse cushioning member substantially matches the height of the step structure and the thickness of the platform portion of the closure portion. The transverse cushioning member is connected to the connector, the transverse cushioning member comprising:

[0051] - a front surface and a rear surface, a transverse gap (501A) extending between the front surface and the rear surface, the transverse gap extending along the longitudinal axis of the transverse buffer member and extending through and exposed to the opposite surface portion of the plug part (13A) where the transverse buffer member is located, the opposite surface portion of the plug part being used to cover the transverse gap;

[0052] - a covered surface portion which is protectively covered and physically contacted by the closure (14A) of the connector when the connector is not connected to the reciprocal connector.

[0053] Preferably, the transverse buffer member (500A) is configured such that when the leading edge of the transverse gap (501A) slides on the plug portion (13A) in a direction toward the inner edge of the transverse gap in response to a compressive force applied to the front surface of the transverse buffer member in that direction, the resulting compression of the transverse gap narrows the width of the transverse buffer member and causes the covered surface portion to peel off from the protective covering surface of the closure portion with which it is in physical contact.

[0054] Preferably, the transverse buffer member is a longitudinal extension of a step structure on which the lower platform portion of the closure portion of the reversible connector can slide during the process of connecting the connector portion to the reversible connector portion. Preferably, the transverse buffer member is formed of a compressible, flexible and / or elastically deformable material. Preferably, an outer groove is formed in the front surface of the transverse buffer member (500A) and is sized to receive a tongue portion (350B) of reciprocating size protruding from the front edge of the closure portion (14B) of the reversible connector, the position of the outer groove being such that when the connector and the reversible connector are brought together during the process of connecting them, the tongue portion becomes aligned with the outer groove, applying a compressive force to the transverse buffer member by receiving the outer groove of the transverse buffer member. Preferably, the front surface of the lateral buffer member (500A) includes an inclined surface portion (506A), which is the flat surface closest to (and inclined to) the closing portion (14A) of the connector, and the inclined surface portion (506A) is configured to respond to a compressive force applied to the front surface of the lateral buffer member so that the inclined surface portion contacts the closing portion (14B) of the reciprocal connector.

[0055] Preferably, deformation of the transverse cushioning member causes the covered surface portion to peel away from the protective covering surface of the closure portion in physical contact therewith. Preferably, portions of the surface of the transverse cushioning member are sealed and contained within a trapped volume defined by opposing portions of the transverse cushioning member surface and an abutting surface of the closure portion of the reciprocal connector.

[0056] Preferably, the connector and the reversible connector each include two longitudinal buffer members (508), the longitudinal buffer members are configured to collide with and deform relative to the longitudinal buffer members of the reversible connector, each longitudinal buffer member can simultaneously form a side seal on the longitudinal side of the component of each connector around its respective fluid flow opening. The longitudinal buffer members can be configured to elastically flexibly / conformably abut against the adjacent sides of the relative closure of the reversible connector when the two connectors are connected together, thereby forming a sealed (e.g., airtight) interface between the two connectors. The longitudinal buffer members of the connector and the reversible connector can form at least a portion of the peripheral seal around the corresponding fluid flow openings of the connector and the reversible connector when connected. The connector may include an internal transverse buffer member, which is located in the surface area of ​​the hole of the plug portion, the surface area is adjacent to the surface area of ​​the connector, and the external transverse buffer member is positioned along the surface area (or adjacent to the surface area). The internal transverse buffer member is preferably located on one side of the fluid flow opening, which is opposite to the side where the plug portion and the external transverse buffer member are located. The internal transverse buffer member is preferably configured to elastically flexibly / conformably abut against an abutment surface of the base of the relative closure portion of the connector while the connector remains unconnected and during and after forming a connection with the reciprocal connector. The internal transverse buffer member of the connector can form at least a portion of an outer peripheral seal around the corresponding fluid flow openings of the connector and the reciprocal connector when connected. The internal transverse buffer member of the connector can be connected to or integrally formed with each of the two longitudinal buffer members of the connector. The transverse buffer members, the internal transverse buffer member and the two longitudinal buffer members of the connector and the reciprocal connector can be configured to press against opposing surface portions to form at least a portion or all of the outer peripheral seal around the corresponding fluid flow openings of the connector and the reciprocal connector when connected.

[0057] Preferably, the longitudinal buffer member (508) and the transverse buffer member (500A) form an edge buffer assembly along three consecutive edges around the fluid flow opening (26A). Preferably, at the corners of the edge buffer assembly, defining where the bearing surfaces of the transverse buffer member and the two longitudinal buffer members meet, the outer surface of the edge buffer assembly is inclined to form a ramp surface portion (509) configured to abut against the reciprocal ramp surface portion of the reciprocal connector when the connector and the reciprocal connector are connected together.

[0058] The present invention includes any combination of the described aspects and preferred features unless such a combination is expressly impermissible or explicitly avoided.

[0059] Reference herein to "catch" may be considered to include a mechanical fastener that connects two (or more) objects or surfaces while allowing their regular separation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0061] Figure 1a and Figure 1b A perspective view of a connector assembly is shown;

[0062] Figure 2a and 2b shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a connector forming a Figure 1a and 1b a part of a component;

[0063] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1a and Figure 1b A cross-sectional view of a connector assembly;

[0064] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a connector for forming part of a connector assembly;

[0065] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 A perspective view of a connector;

[0066] Figure 6 Shows Figure 4 A perspective view of a connector;

[0067] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly comprising two Figure 4 Connectors in

[0068] Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 A perspective view of a connector assembly;

[0069] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 7 A perspective view of a connector assembly;

[0070] Fig.10a Shows two Figure 4 A perspective view of the connector;

[0071] Fig.10b Shows Figure 4 A perspective view of the components of the connector in FIG.

[0072] Fig.11 Shows two Figure 4 A perspective view of the connector;

[0073] Fig.12a and 12b The connector ( Fig.12a ) and reciprocal connectors ( Figure 12b ) perspective view;

[0074] Fig.13a , 13b , 13c and 13d show Fig.12a and 12b Connector ( Fig.12a ) and reciprocal connectors ( Figure 12b ) cross-sectional and perspective views;

[0075] Fig.14a and 14b Shows Fig.12a and 12b Connector ( Fig.12a ) and reciprocal connectors ( Figure 12b ) cross-sectional view;

[0076] Fig.15a and 15b Shows Fig.12a and 12b Connector ( Fig.12a ) and reciprocal connectors ( Figure 12b ) cross-sectional view;

[0077] Fig.16a and 16b Shows Fig.12a and 12b Connector ( Fig.12a ) and reciprocal connectors ( Figure 12b ) cross-sectional view;

[0078] Fig.17a , 17b and 17c shows Fig.12a A perspective view of a connector;

[0079] Fig.18a and 18b A perspective view of the connector is shown;

[0080] Fig.19 Shows Fig.18a and 18b A cross-sectional view of a connector;

[0081] Fig.20a and 20b A cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the connector are shown;

[0082] Fig.21a and 21b Shown by Fig.20a and20b A cross-sectional view and a perspective view of a connector assembly formed by two connectors;

[0083] Fig.22a and 22b A cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the connector are shown;

[0084] Fig.23a , 23b and 23c show the Fig.22a and 22b A perspective view of a connector assembly formed by two connectors;

[0085] Fig.24a and 24b Shown by Fig.22a and 22b A cross-sectional view of a connector assembly formed by two connectors;

[0086] Fig.25a and 25b A perspective view of the connector parts is shown;

[0087] Fig.26 a perspective view showing a closure portion of the connector;

[0088] Fig. 27 A view showing a portion of a connector including a cushioning member;

[0089] Fig.28A , 28B , 28C and 28D show the Fig. 27 A cross-sectional view of an interconnection process of a connector assembly formed by a connector;

[0090] Fig.29 Shown by Fig.28A , Fig.28B , Fig.28C and Fig.28D A cross-sectional view of an interconnection process of a connector assembly formed by two connectors;

[0091] Fig. 30A , 30B , 30C and 30D show the Fig.29 A cross-sectional view of an interconnection process of a connector assembly formed by two connectors;

[0092] Fig.31A , 31B , 31C and 31D show the Fig.29 A view of a connector component used in the interconnection process of two connectors forming a connector assembly;

[0093] Fig.32A , 32B , 32C, 32D and 32E show the Fig.29 a view of two connectors in successive positions during interconnection of a connector assembly formed by two connectors;

[0094] Fig.33A , 33B , 33C, 33D, and 33E show two connectors in Fig.32A , 32B , 32C, 32D and 32E shown in cross-sectional views of successive locations;

[0095] Fig.34A and 34B Shows a close-up view of a specific location during the interconnection of a connector assembly formed by two connectors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference.

[0097] refer to Figure 1a and Figure 1b , which shows a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1a The components are shown from one side, while Figure 1b The same assembly is shown from the other side. The connector assembly is adapted to form a fluid flow path by connection of the connector to the reciprocal connector. The connector and the reciprocal connector are identical in structure. In other words, the connector assembly includes two identical connectors, since the reciprocal connector is simply a copy of the connector. Reference Figure 2a and 2b , which shows a perspective view of the individual connectors ( Figure 2a ) and a cross-sectional view of a single connector ( Figure 2b ). It will be appreciated that a reciprocal connector that is a replica of a connector is identical to the connector.

[0098] Each connector includes a fluid flow channel portion (1A or 1B) defining a fluid flow opening (6A or 6B). A socket portion (2A or 2B) is located on the fluid flow channel portion, adjacent to the fluid flow opening. A plug portion (3A or 3B) is located on the fluid flow channel portion, adjacent to the fluid flow opening (6A or 6B), and spaced apart from the socket portion (2A or 2B) in a direction intersecting the fluid flow opening.

[0099] The socket portion (2A) of the connector is configured to receive the plug portion (3B) of the reversible connector therein (and vice versa), thereby connecting the socket portion of the connector to the plug portion of the reversible connector. By doing so, the fluid flow opening (6A) of the connector is aligned with the fluid flow opening (6B) of the reversible connector. The hole (10A) of the socket portion is sized to receive the plug portion (3B) of the reversible connector, whereby the lateral dimensions (e.g., width and / or height) of the opening of the hole exceed the corresponding lateral dimensions of the interior of the hole, so that when the plug portion (3B) of the reversible connector is received in the hole (10A), the interior of the hole abuts the plug portion (3B). For example, the hole can be appropriately tapered. The closure can be appropriately laterally compressible, elastically, to accommodate the tapered contraction of the hole of the socket portion when moving along it. In this example, the closure is formed as a hollow tube having a closed distal end accessible to the plug portion (3B) of the reversible connector as an abutment surface (500A, or 500B for a reversible connector), and an open proximal end received within the aperture of the socket portion, allowing for resilient compression of the closure. Lateral compressibility may be provided in other configurations, as exemplified in other embodiments disclosed herein. This creates an increased interference fit between the received plug portion (3B) of the reversible connector and the aperture (10A) of the receiving socket portion when the plug portion is pushed into the socket portion. Similarly, the closure portion (4A) of the connector has corresponding transverse dimensions (e.g., width and / or height) which, when received in the bore (10A), abut against the inner bore (10A) of the socket portion (2A) of the connector, thereby providing a secure connection with the bore of the socket portion to resist free sliding of the closure portion relative to the socket portion, thereby maintaining the closure portion in position over the fluid flow opening (6A), but allowing the closure portion to be forced (pushed) sliding displacement along the bore of the socket portion (i.e., into the socket portion) in response to a thrust from an inserted plug portion (3B) of the reciprocal connector. Preferably, a tapered bore of the socket portion is provided, the tapered bore being sized to securely retain an undisplaced / displaced closure portion and securely retain a received socket portion by an interference fit, which is applicable to each embodiment of the invention described herein.

[0100] Preferably, the lateral dimension of the hole (10A) of the socket portion in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow channel (7A) is tapered so as to narrow / reduce as the distance inserted into the hole of the socket portion increases, so that progressive insertion of the received plug portion (3B) of the reciprocal connector (3B) along the hole causes the tapered inner surface of the hole to impact against the adjacent surface of the receiving plug portion (3B), thereby urging the received plug portion in the longitudinal direction towards the fluid flow opening of the fluid flow channel portion (1A) of the connector. Since the socket portion of the connector and the plug portion of the reciprocal connector are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides (in the transverse direction and in the longitudinal direction) of the fluid flow opening (6A) of the connector, this means that such longitudinal urging force acting on the plug portion generated in this way also causes such longitudinal urging force of the fluid flow opening (6B) of the reciprocal connector.

[0101] When two connectors are Figure 3 When connected as shown, the fluid flow opening (6A) of the connector is pushed toward the fluid flow opening (6A) of the connector by symmetrical, similar but opposite longitudinal urging forces, thereby assisting in providing a secure interface between the peripheral edges of the fluid flow openings (6A, 6B) of the connector and the reversible connector. Preferably, a tapered bore of the socket portion is provided, the tapered bore being sized to generate a longitudinal urging force thereon by abutting against the received socket portion, which is applicable to each embodiment of the invention described herein.

[0102] The closing portion (4A) is arranged to openably close the fluid flow opening (6A) of the connector and receive a driving force from the received plug portion (3B) of the reversible connector. The received driving force causes the closing portion (4A) to shift in a direction that intersects with the fluid flow opening (6A) of the connector, thereby exposing the fluid flow opening (6A). Due to the reversible nature of the reversible connector, the closing portion (4B) of the reversible connector is arranged to openably close the fluid flow opening (6B) of the reversible connector and receive a driving force from the received plug portion (3A) of the connector. The received driving force causes the closing portion (4B) of the reversible connector to shift in a direction that intersects with the fluid flow opening (6B) of the reversible connector, thereby exposing the fluid flow opening (6B) of the reversible connector. As described above, this is performed simultaneously with the exposure of the fluid flow opening (6A) of the connector. In this way, the connector can thereby be connected to the reversible connector, wherein the corresponding fluid flow openings (6A, 6B) are aligned in a fluid-connected manner, such as Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the fully connected connector assembly is shown.

[0103] The closure portion (4A) comprises a substantially flat concealed surface portion (400A), such as Figure 2bAs shown, the hidden surface portion is configured to cover the substantially flat fluid flow opening (6A) when the connector is not connected to the reciprocal connector, but when the two connectors are connected as shown. Figure 3 When connected as shown, it is displaced by the plug portion of the reciprocal connector to reveal a fluid flow opening (6A).

[0104] Figure 3 It shows how the closing portion (4A) of the connector is configured to be displaced by a thrust / squeezing force exerted thereon by an abutment surface of a plug portion (3B) of a reciprocal connector, thereby displacing into a hole (10A) of a socket portion (2A) of the connector. At the same time, the closing portion (4B) of the reciprocal connector is configured to be displaced by a thrust / squeezing force exerted thereon by an abutment surface of a plug portion (3A) of the connector, thereby displacing into a socket portion (2B) of the reciprocal connector.

[0105] Furthermore, the plug portion (3B) of the reversible connector is configured to be inserted into the hole (10A) of the socket portion (2A) of the connector to hold the displaced closing portion (2A) of the connector in the socket portion (2A) of the connector. At the same time, the plug portion (3A) of the connector is configured to be inserted into the socket portion (2B) of the reversible connector to hold the displaced closing portion (2B) of the reversible connector in the socket portion (2B) of the reversible connector.

[0106] The recess (5A) is formed within the peripheral edge of the opening of the socket portion (2A) of the connector and is configured and dimensioned to provide a secure connection between the connector and a reciprocal connector such as Figure 1a , 1b and 3 to receive the outer diameter of the fluid flow channel portion (1B) of the reversible connector when fully connected. Similarly, the recess (5B) is formed within the peripheral edge of the opening of the socket portion (2B) of the reversible connector and is configured and dimensioned to receive the outer diameter of the fluid flow channel portion (1B) of the reversible connector when fully connected as shown in FIG. Figure 1a , 1b and 3 are the outer diameters of the fluid flow channel portion (1A) of the receiving connector when fully connected.

[0107] The connector and the reversible connector each have a pair of parallel snap-fit ​​latch mechanisms integrally formed on the outer surface of the corresponding connector for holding the connector and the reversible connector together in an attached state. Each of the snap-fit ​​mechanisms includes a resiliently flexible protruding male portion (8A, 8B) formed on either the connector or the reversible connector, the male portion being configured to be pushed into a receiving through hole of a female portion (9A, 9B) formed on either the reversible connector and the connector, thereby interlocking the components together. Each protruding male portion (8A, 8B) of the connector or the reversible connector has a tapered barb structure at its external terminal, the tapered barb structure being configured to abut against the inner peripheral edge of the entrance end of the receiving through hole of the corresponding female portion (9A, 9B). During the pushing operation, the tapered nature of the barb configuration is slightly bent by the reaction force exerted by the inner peripheral edge of the receiving through hole, and once the barb has completely passed through the corresponding through hole, its elasticity causes it to snap fit back to the peripheral edge of the receiving through hole outlet end, thereby interlocking the components. Each flexible protruding male portion (8A, 8B) is disposed on the outer surface of the corresponding connector or reciprocal connector, and its position is offset to one side of the plane containing the fluid flow opening (6A, 6B) of the corresponding connector. Similarly, each through hole of each female portion (9A, 9B) is disposed on the outer surface of the corresponding connector or reciprocal connector, and its position is offset to the opposite side of the plane containing the fluid flow opening (6A, 6B) of the corresponding connector. The offset of the male portion matches the offset of the female portion (although in opposite directions relative to the plane), so that when the plug portion of the connector is aligned for insertion into the socket portion of the reciprocal connector (and vice versa), the male portion of the connector is aligned with the female portion of the reciprocal connector (and vice versa).

[0108] In its lateral shape, the closure portion (4A) of the connector (and 4B of the reciprocal connector) is sized and shaped to fill the lateral area of ​​the inner hole (10A) of the socket portion (2A) of the connector (or 2B of the reciprocal connector) and has a terminal end face (500A, 500B) that extends transversely across the inner hole of the socket portion so as to laterally fill the hole. The terminal end face provides a support surface for the closure portion against which the terminal of the plug portion (3B) of the reciprocal connector (or 3A of the connector) can abut to apply a pushing force to displace the closure portion of the connector (or reciprocal connector) in a direction to move it into the hole (10A) of the socket portion (2A) of the connector (or reciprocal connectors, 10A and 2B). In its longitudinal shape, the size and shape of the closure portion (4A) of the connector (and 4B of the reciprocal connector) is set to only partially fill the longitudinal length of the inner hole of the socket portion (2A) of the connector (or 2B of the reciprocal connector) so that when the connector and the reciprocal connector are connected, the hole can fully accommodate the displacement of the closure portion along it, such as Figure 3 In this way, the closure portion of the connector is configured to receive a pushing force from the plug portion of the reversible connector when the plug portion is received in the receptacle portion of the connector.

[0109] The plug portion (3A) and the socket portion (2A) are located on the outer surface of the fluid flow channel portion (1A), adjacent to the opposite respective sides of the fluid flow opening (6A), separated in a direction transverse to the axis (7A) of the fluid flow channel portion, and separated in an axial direction along the axis of the fluid flow channel portion. The longitudinal axes of the plug portion (3A) and the socket portion (2A) are generally parallel to each other and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow channel, but coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow channel. This means that when the connector is rotated 180 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the fluid flow channel and an axis perpendicular to the hole of the socket portion, the result is a reciprocal connector as described above that is provided in the desired orientation for connection to the connector. Figure 1a , 1b and 3. To this extent, when connected to the connector, the reciprocal connector is identical to the connector when rotated 180 degrees as described above. Therefore, the fluid flow openings, socket portions, and plug portions of both the connector and the reciprocal connector are configured so that the connector can be connected to the reciprocal connector to position the longitudinal axes of their respective fluid flow passages in coaxial alignment with each other.

[0110] The plug portion (3A) of the connector is configured to be inserted into the socket portion (2B) of the reversible connector and at the same time the plug portion (3B) of the reversible connector is configured to be inserted into the socket portion (2A) of the connector to connect the connectors together so that the fluid flow channel portion (1A) of the connector is pushed against the fluid flow channel portion (1B) of the reversible connector to push the corresponding fluid flow openings (6A, 6B) together.

[0111] This is achieved by forming the connector such that the longitudinal position of the plug portion (3A) of the connector (or reciprocal connector) and the longitudinal positioning of the socket portion (2A) of the connector (or reciprocal connector) are:

[0112] (3) The outer surface of the plug portion (3A) is configured to engage with the inner hole surface of the socket portion (2B) of the reciprocal connector and is also farthest from the fluid flow opening (6A), and the outer surface is also separated from the fluid flow opening by a predetermined longitudinal interval (X, see Figure 3 );and

[0113] (4) The inner hole surface of the socket portion (2A) is farthest from the fluid flow opening (6A) and is also configured to engage the outer surface of the plug portion (3B) of the reciprocal connector, and the inner hole surface is also separated by the same predetermined longitudinal spacing (X, see Figure 3) is longitudinally separated from the fluid flow opening (6A).

[0114] This ensures an interference fit between the plug and socket portions and between the peripheral edges of the opposing fluid flow openings (6A, 6B).

[0115] Figures 4 to 9 1 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention. It can be understood that the reciprocal connector is also as Figure 4 shown. Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 A connector assembly is shown, consisting of two Figures 4 to 6 The connectors shown in , that is, the connectors connected together and the reciprocal connectors.

[0116] The connector includes a fluid flow channel portion (17A, or reciprocally 17B) defining a fluid flow opening (26A, or reciprocally 26B). The socket portion (12A, or reciprocally 12B) is located on the fluid flow channel portion, adjacent to the fluid flow opening. The plug portion (13A, or reciprocally 13B) is located on the fluid flow channel portion, adjacent to the fluid flow opening (26A, or reciprocally 26B), and is spaced apart from the socket portion (12A, or reciprocally 12B) in a direction intersecting the fluid flow opening.

[0117] The socket portion (12A) of the connector is configured to receive the plug portion (13B) of the reversible connector therein (or vice versa), thereby connecting the socket portion of the connector to the plug portion of the reversible connector. By doing so, the fluid flow opening (26A) of the connector is aligned with the fluid flow opening (26B) of the reversible connector.

[0118] The closing portion (14A) is arranged to openably close the fluid flow opening (26A) of the connector and receive a driving force from the received plug portion (13B) of the reversible connector. The received driving force causes the closing portion (14A) to shift in a direction intersecting with the fluid flow opening (26A) of the connector, thereby exposing the fluid flow opening (26A). Due to the reversible nature of the reversible connector, the closing portion (14B) of the reversible connector is arranged to openably close the fluid flow opening (26B) of the reversible connector and receive a driving force from the received plug portion (13A) of the connector. The received driving force causes the closing portion (14B) of the reversible connector to shift in a direction intersecting with the fluid flow opening (26B) of the reversible connector, thereby exposing the fluid flow opening (26B) of the reversible connector. As described above, this is performed simultaneously with the exposure of the fluid flow opening (26A) of the connector. In this manner, the connector can thereby be connected to a reciprocal connector, wherein the corresponding fluid flow openings (26A, 26B) are aligned in a fluid communication manner, such as Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 and 9 A cross-sectional view of the fully connected connector assembly is shown.

[0119] The closure portion (14A) includes a hidden surface portion (not shown) that is configured to cover the fluid flow opening (26A) when the connector is not connected to the reciprocal connector, such as Figure 4 As shown, but when the two connectors are Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 When connected as shown, the hidden surface portion is displaced by the plug portion of the reversible connector to expose the fluid flow opening (26A).

[0120] Figure 7 It shows how the closing portion (14A) of the connector is configured to be displaced into the socket portion (12A) of the connector by a thrust / squeezing force applied thereto by an abutment surface of the plug portion (13B) of the reversible connector. At the same time, the closing portion (14B) of the reversible connector is configured to be displaced into the socket portion (12B) of the reversible connector by a thrust / squeezing force applied thereto by an abutment surface of the plug portion (13A) of the connector.

[0121] Furthermore, the plug portion (13B) of the reversible connector is configured to be inserted into the socket portion (12A) of the connector to hold the displaced closing portion (14A) of the connector in the socket portion (12A) of the connector. At the same time, the plug portion (13A) of the connector is configured to be inserted into the socket portion (12B) of the reversible connector to hold the displaced closing portion (14B) of the reversible connector in the socket portion (12B) of the reversible connector.

[0122] The recess (15A) is formed within the peripheral edge of the opening of the socket portion (12A) of the connector and is configured and dimensioned to provide a secure connection between the connector and a reciprocal connector such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 Similarly, the recess (15B) is formed within the peripheral edge of the opening of the socket portion (12B) of the reversible connector and is configured and dimensioned to receive the outer diameter of the fluid flow channel portion (11B) of the reversible connector when fully connected. Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The outer diameter of the fluid flow channel portion (11A) of the receiving connector when fully connected is shown.

[0123] The connector and the reversible connector each have a pair of parallel snap-fit ​​latch mechanisms (18A, 19A) integrally formed on the outer surface of the respective connectors for holding the connector and the reversible connector together in an attached state. Each of the snap-fit ​​mechanisms includes a resiliently flexible protruding clip portion (18A, or reversibly 18B) formed on either the connector or the reversible connector, the clip portion being configured to be pushed through a receiving flange portion (19A, or reversibly 19B) formed on either the reversible connector and the connector, thereby interlocking the components together. Each protruding clip portion (18A, 18B) of the connector or the reversible connector has a tapered barb configuration at its outer terminal, the tapered barb configuration being configured to abut against the terminal peripheral edge of the end of the receiving corresponding flange portion (19A, 19B). During the pushing operation, the tapered nature of the barb configuration is slightly bent by the reaction force exerted by the terminal peripheral edge of the receiving flange portion, and once the barb has completely passed the corresponding terminal peripheral edge, its elasticity causes it to snap fit back to the peripheral edge of the receiving terminal peripheral edge, thereby interlocking the components. Each flexible protruding clip portion (18A, 18B) is disposed on the outer surface of the corresponding connector or reciprocal connector, and its position is offset to one side of the plane containing the fluid flow opening (26A, 26B) of the corresponding connector. Similarly, each terminal peripheral edge of each flange portion (19A, 19B) is disposed on the outer surface of the corresponding connector or reciprocal connector, and its position is offset to the opposite side of the plane containing the fluid flow opening (26A, 26B) of the corresponding connector. The offset of the clip portion matches the offset of the flange portion (although in opposite directions relative to the plane), so that when the plug portion of the connector is aligned for insertion into the socket portion of the reciprocal connector (or vice versa), the clip portion of the connector is aligned with the flange portion of the reciprocal connector (or vice versa). The flange portion and the clip portion are offset in this manner and are disposed on each side (opposite sides) of the fluid flow channel portion (11A, 11B) so as to provide a snap-fit ​​latch mechanism (18A, 19A) on either side of the fluid flow channel portion. Fig. 9 As shown, this prevents lateral and rotational movement of the connector and the reciprocal connector when they are fully connected and both snap-fit ​​latch mechanisms are fully engaged.

[0124] In its transverse shape, the closure portion (14A) of the connector (and, for a reciprocal connector, 14B) is sized and shaped to substantially fill the lateral area of ​​the socket portion (12A) of the connector (or, for a reciprocal connector, 12B) and has a terminal end face that is presented outwardly at the opening of the bore of the socket portion (12A) of the connector so as to be accessible to the plug portion (13B) of the reciprocal connector. The closure portion is structurally hollow and has a bore (129A) that extends longitudinally in line with the longitudinal axis of the bore of the socket portion in which the closure portion is located. The cross-sectional shape of the bore of the closure portion is generally rectangular and is configured and sized to match the cross-sectional profile of the plug portion (13B) of the reciprocal connector (and therefore the plug portion 13A of the connector itself). The accessible terminal end of the closure has an access opening leading to the hole (129A) of the closure, and the access opening is configured and sized to receive the plug portion (13B) of the reciprocal connector in a close sliding fit, whereby the plug portion of the reciprocal connector can be inserted into the hole of the closure portion (14A) of the connector, thereby simultaneously entering the hole of the socket portion (12A) of the connector in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hole of the closure and the socket portion of the connector.

[0125] The lateral width (W1) and height (H1) of the rectangular hole of the closure portion are substantially matched (but slightly larger than) the lateral width (W2) and height (H2) of the plug portion (13A and 13B of the reciprocal connector) of the connector, respectively, so that the plug portion fits tightly into the rectangular hole but can slide along the rectangular hole. The two side walls of the hole of the closure portion, each of which has a height of H1, have formed therein a concave tapered groove (124A) of length L1, each of which starts from a slot opening of height T1, is located on the side of the hole opening of the closure portion, and ends at a groove end face (128A) which is located on the side of the inner hole wall of the hole of the closure portion. Each tapered groove can be approached from the inside of the hole of the closure portion along its entire length and is connected to the hole along the entire length of the groove. The side edge of the plug portion of the connector has a corresponding tapered wedge (20A) with a longitudinal length of L2, which tapers from a thickness T2 at a thicker base end located at the bottom of the plug portion to a thinner terminal tip of the tapered wedge, which is located closer to the tip of the plug portion (13A) and at a longitudinal distance L2 from the base end of the tapered wedge. The shape and size of each tapered wedge (20A) are configured to match the shape or size of each tapered slot (124A), so that T2 is approximately the same as (but slightly smaller than) T1; L2 is approximately the same as (but slightly larger than) L1. As a result of this size, each of the two tapered wedges (20A) can be inserted into a corresponding one of the two tapered slot structures and can slide completely along the corresponding tapered slot to abut against the terminal slot end face (128A). Thus, each tapered slot is sized to accommodate a respective one of the two tapered wedges, thereby allowing the distal end of each wedge to abut the respective terminal slot end face (128A) substantially simultaneously, and in doing so, providing a bearing surface within the closure portion (14A) against which an inserted plug portion (13B, of a reversible connector) can apply a thrust for longitudinally pushing the closure portion along the axis of the hole of the socket portion (12A) in a direction into the socket portion, thereby displacing the closure portion to expose the fluid flow opening (126A) of the connector.

[0126] See also Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The socket portion (12A) of the connector has a pair of releasable snap mechanisms (21A, 22A), one on each side of the socket portion, which are operable to move from a first state (such as a state in which the closure portion is held in a position to close the fluid flow opening) to a second state (such as a state in which the closure portion is held in a position to close the fluid flow opening). Figure 4 , 5 and 6) to a second state configured to allow the displacement of the closure portion (as in Figure 7 , 8and 9). The releasable snap mechanism is configured to be actuated from within the socket portion of the connector by a terminal tip of a corresponding one of the two wedge-shaped bodies (20A) of the plug portion (13B) of the reversible connector to change from a first state to a second state by an action of fully receiving the plug portion of the reversible connector within the socket portion of the connector.

[0127] In particular, reference Figure 5 The releasable snap mechanism comprises a snap tooth (220A) mounted on the inward surface of the distal end (22A) of a resiliently bendable arm portion (23A) formed to extend into and through a slot (21A) formed in the side wall (one on each side) of the socket portion. The arm portion extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hole of the socket portion and extends from its proximal end connected to the peripheral edge of the slot (21A) which is closest to the hole opening of the socket portion. The snap tooth (220A) protrudes laterally from the inward surface of the arm portion toward the opposite side surface of the closure portion (14A) so as to be seated in a reciprocating shaped groove (24A) formed in the side surface of the closure portion. This mechanical engagement between the snap teeth (220A) of the snap mechanism and the groove (24A) of the snap mechanism holds the closure portion (14A) in position relative to the socket portion (12A) to prevent displacement of the closure portion relative to the socket portion and to hold the closure portion in position covering / closing the fluid flow opening (26A) of the connector.

[0128] The releasable snap mechanism may include an abutment surface configured to be abutted by the plug portion of the reversible connector when received within the socket portion of the connector, and the releasable snap mechanism is operable to change from the first state to the second state in response to abutment between the releasable snap mechanism and the plug portion of the reversible connector.

[0129] The socket portion of the connector also includes an inclined abutment surface (220B) of a releasable snap mechanism. This takes the form of a ramp structure located on the inwardly presented surface of the arm portion (22A), which surface also carries the snap teeth (220A). The inclined abutment surface presents a continuous abutment surface that smoothly rises from the inwardly presented surface of the arm portion and intersects (coincides) with the peripheral edge of the top surface of the snap teeth (220A). Each releasable snap mechanism is configured so that the terminal tip of a corresponding one of the two wedge-shaped bodies (20A) of the plug portion (13B) of the reciprocal connector abuts against the inclined abutment surface (220B) (i.e., the recessed groove (124A) extending laterally through the closure portion) from within the socket portion of the connector, as the wedge-shaped tip advances toward the terminal abutment surface (128A) of the recessed groove. As this advancement proceeds, the tip of the wedge pushes on a portion of the inclined abutment surface (see force F1) that increases further along the "ramp" shape on the abutment surface, closer to the "top" of the ramp, which abuts the top surface of the snap tooth (220A). This increasingly causes the resiliently flexible arm (23A) to react to the pushing force, thereby bending in a transverse outward direction away from the advancing wedge tip (see force F1). This bending action moves the snap tooth (220A) out of the recess (24A) of the snap mechanism, thereby releasing the snap mechanism and allowing the closure (14A) to shift into the socket part (12A) when its tip abuts against the terminal abutment surface (128A) of the recessed slot containing the advancing wedge.

[0130] In this way, the snap mechanism is changed from a first state to a second state by the action of fully receiving the plug portion of the reversible connector within the closure portion of the connector. The closure portion includes a bearing surface configured to receive an urging force from the plug portion of the reversible connector when received within the socket portion of the connector, for moving the closure portion to expose the fluid flow opening of the connector. As described above, the bearing surface of the closure portion is configured so that it receives an urging force from the plug portion of the reversible connector before the releasable snap mechanism is changed from the first state to the second state.

[0131] Fig.10a , 10b and Fig.11 A view of the connector and its reciprocal connector is shown, as well as a view of the closure (14A) alone ( Fig.10b ). Please note that Fig.10a and Fig.11 In order to improve clarity, the hose connection nozzle portion (17A, 17B) of the fluid flow channel of the connector is not shown.

[0132] The transverse dimensions (i.e., width and height) of the hole of the socket portion (12A) are tapered so that the diameter of the opening of the hole of the socket portion exceeds the inner transverse dimensions (i.e., width and height) of the hole further extending along the axial direction of the hole. This means that when the closing portion advances along the hole of the socket portion, the hole surface increasingly pushes the opposite surface of the closing portion of the connector under the push of the plug portion (13B) of the reversible connector. This serves to compress the socket portion (12) laterally in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the socket portion (12A) and parallel to the long axis of the fluid flow portion (11A) of the connector. Therefore, when the plug portion (13B) of the reversible connector advances along the hole of the socket portion, the inner hole surface of the compressed closing portion similarly increasingly pushes / presses against the opposite surface of the socket portion (13A) of the reversible connector. This forces the fluid flow channel portion of the connector toward the fluid flow channel portion of the reversible connector.

[0133] Compression of the closure (14A) is facilitated by providing an elastically deformable cantilever spring arm structure in each lateral side wall of the closure. In particular, two parallel cantilever spring arms (127A) connect the upper and lower platforms (125A, 126A) of the cover. The upper and lower platforms are generally planar and parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow portion (11A). They form the upper (125A) and lower (126A) portions of the closure, wherein the outer surface of the upper platform (125A) also provides a closure surface for directly (but removably) covering the fluid flow opening (26A) of the connector. One end of the resiliently deformable cantilever spring arm structure (127A) is connected to the upper platform (125A) of the cover part at a position close to the opening of the hole of the closure part (14A), while the other end of the resiliently deformable cantilever spring arm structure (127A) is connected to the lower platform (126A) of the cover part at a position axially located on the same side within the hole of the closure part (14A). This allows the resiliently deformable cantilever spring arm structure to extend in a direction diagonally transverse to the compressive force experienced by the closure part when it is displaced into the hole of the socket part of the connector. Therefore, this diagonal direction is consistent with the operation of the resilient "spring" action of the cantilever spring arm structure.

[0134] Fig.10bA close up direct view of a separate closure is shown. The view shows a hidden surface portion (134A, 135A) of the closure, which is arranged in use to cover a fluid flow opening (26A) when the connector is not connected to a reversible connector. The elastically deformable nature of the closure allows the closure to elastically push the hidden surface against a portion of the fluid flow channel surrounding the peripheral edge of the fluid flow opening, by which the closure can be compressed in a socket portion in a direction transverse to the hidden surface portion. The hidden surface portion includes a flat circular embossed portion (134A) circumscribed by a surface undulating ramp structure (135A) that continuously connects the circular embossed portion to the surrounding portion of the hidden surface. The embossed portion is configured to protrude from the surrounding portion of the hidden surface portion (134A) in a direction entering the fluid flow opening (26A) when the connector is not connected to the reversible connector, thereby actually slightly inserting into the fluid flow channel opening through the fluid flow opening.

[0135] The displacement of the closure (14A) in a direction intersecting the fluid flow opening causes the surface undulation ramp structure (135A) to pass over the adjacent periphery of the fluid flow opening (26A), thereby displacing the hidden surface portion of the closure in a direction away from the fluid flow opening. The surface undulation ramp structure is annular, or in other examples, semicircular, and extends along the hidden surface to define a shape that reciprocates with the shape of the peripheral edge of the fluid flow opening. As described above, the compressibility of the closure allows it to be elastically compressed in a direction away from the fluid flow opening in response to the surface undulation ramp structure, which passes over the adjacent peripheral edge of the fluid flow opening when the closure is pushed into the socket portion by the advancing plug portion of the reciprocating connector. This has the beneficial effect of separating those portions of the hidden surface of the closure (14A) other than the circular relief portion (134A) from the inner bore surface of the socket portion (12A), so that these other surfaces will not be dragged over the peripheral edge of the fluid flow opening during this displacement. This means that any contaminants that may accumulate on these other surfaces will not be transferred to the peripheral edge of the fluid flow opening.

[0136] The plug portion (13A) and the socket portion (12A) are located on the fluid flow channel portion (11A), adjacent to the opposite respective sides of the fluid flow opening (26A), and separated in a direction transverse to the axis of the fluid flow channel portion. In addition, the plug portion and the socket portion are located on the fluid flow channel portion, adjacent to the opposite respective sides of the fluid flow opening, and separated in an axial direction along the axis of the fluid flow channel portion. As described above, the fluid flow openings, the socket portion and the plug portion of both the connector and the reversible connector are configured so that the connector can be connected to the reversible connector to position the longitudinal axes of their respective fluid flow channels to be coaxially aligned with each other. As described above, the plug portion of the connector is preferably configured to be inserted into the socket portion of the reversible connector to connect thereto, so that the fluid flow channel portion of the connector is pushed against the fluid flow channel portion of the reversible connector to push the respective fluid flow openings together.

[0137] Fig.11 Shows Fig.10a A closer direct view of the connector components and the reciprocal connector components are shown, but the closure of each connector component is omitted for clarity. This view shows in more detail the interior of the socket portion of each connector, which supports the Figure 5 The inclined abutment surface (220B) of the releasable snap mechanism (22A, 22B and 220A, 220B) shown in FIG.

[0138] Fig.12a and 12b A perspective view of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the above-mentioned combination Figure 4 and Fig. 9The described pair of snap-fit ​​latch mechanisms (18A, 19A) are replaced by a different pair of snap-fit ​​latch mechanisms (230A, 240A), each of which is integrally formed on the outer surface of the respective connector for retaining the connector and the reciprocal connector in an attached state. Each of the snap-fit ​​mechanisms includes a resiliently flexible protruding clip portion (240A, and the same 240B on the reciprocal connector), the protruding clip portion protruding laterally from its proximal end attached to the outer surface of the fluid flow channel in a direction extending on the plug portion (13A) and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug portion, terminating in its distal end, which carries a terminal tooth or barb structure directed toward an opposite surface of the plug portion (13A). The protruding clip portion is spaced apart from an adjacent surface of the plug portion by a certain interval, the interval being sized to tightly fit the wall of the socket portion of the reciprocal connector (12B) therein. The wall of the reversible connector includes a notch structure (230B, and 240A on the connector) that is sized to receive the terminal teeth / barb structure of the protruding clip portion in a snap-fit ​​manner when the connector and the reversible connector are fully connected together, thereby holding the connectors together. Both the connector and the reversible connector have this configuration of a resiliently flexible protruding clip portion (240A, and 240B on the reversible connector) disposed on one side (laterally and longitudinally) of the fluid flow opening of the connector, and a notch structure (230B, and 240A on the connector) disposed on the other side (laterally and longitudinally) of the fluid flow opening.

[0139] Each flexible protruding clip portion is disposed at a position offset to one side of a plane containing the fluid flow opening of the corresponding connector. Similarly, each notch structure is disposed at a position offset from the opposite side of the plane containing the fluid flow opening of the corresponding connector. The offset of the clip portion matches the offset of the notch structure (although in opposite directions relative to the plane) so that when the plug portion of the connector is aligned to be inserted into the socket portion of the reciprocal connector (and vice versa), the clip portion of the connector is aligned with the notch structure of the reciprocal connector (and vice versa). Notch structures and clip portions offset in this manner are provided on each side (opposite sides) of the fluid flow channel portion (11A, 11B) so as to provide a snap-fit ​​latch mechanism on either side of the fluid flow channel portion. As Fig.16b As shown, this prevents lateral and rotational movement of the connector and the reciprocal connector when they are fully connected and both snap-fit ​​latch mechanisms are fully engaged.

[0140] Figures 13a to 13d Shows a series of intermediate positions of the two connectors when the connector and reciprocal connector are connected together. Fig.14a and 14bAlso shown are the penultimate and final positions of the reciprocal connector when the two connectors are connected together.

[0141] In particular, the recessed structure of the connector and the reciprocal connector (230A, 230B) is a through hole that is simultaneously accessible by a tooth / barb structure of a resiliently flexible protruding clip portion (240A, and the same 240B on the reciprocal connector) formed from the outer surface of the socket portion and an internal resiliently flexible protruding clip portion (235A, and the same 235B on the reciprocal connector) formed at the terminal end of the closure portion (14A, 14B) of the connector and the reciprocal connector. Each internal resiliently flexible protruding clip portion includes a resiliently flexible protrusion that protrudes from its proximal end connected to the end of the closure portion through the end of the hole of the closure portion to its distal end / tip that is not connected to anything but is disposed within the recessed structure of the socket portion containing the closure portion. When in the undisplaced state, the closure portions of the connector and reciprocal connector are positioned so that the distal ends of the internal resiliently flexible protruding clip portions engage with corresponding notch structures to hold the closure portions in place within the apertures of the socket portions and cover the fluid flow openings of the connectors.

[0142] However, if Fig.13c As shown, when the plug portion (13A, 13B) of another such connector is inserted, the insertion is to the extent that the distal end of the inserted plug portion presses inwardly from the hole of the closure portion against the internal elastically flexible protruding clip portion (235A, and the same 235B on the reciprocal connector). In response to this squeezing or pushing force from the abutting plug portion, the abutting surface of the internal elastically flexible protruding clip portion is able to rotate about its proximal end, thereby displacing its distal end away from the recess structure (230A, 230B). This is achieved by the bending action of the closure portion at a bending area (236A, 236B) formed by a relatively thin portion of the closure portion, at which the proximal end of the internal elastically flexible protruding clip portion is connected to the adjacent portion of the closure portion. This process is as shown in FIG. Fig.15a and 15b shown.

[0143] refer to Fig.15a and 15b , Fig.16a and 16b ,as well as Fig.17a , 17b17c, more specifically showing the displacement process of the closure (14A) in the direction through the fluid flow opening. This causes the surface undulation ramp structure (135A) to pass over the adjacent periphery of the fluid flow opening (26A), thereby displacing the hidden surface portion of the closure in the direction away from the fluid flow opening. As described above, the surface undulation ramp structure is annular, or in other examples, semicircular, and extends along the hidden surface to define a shape that reciprocates with the shape of the peripheral edge of the fluid flow opening. As described above, when the closure is pushed into the socket portion by the advancing plug portion of the reciprocating connector, the compressibility of the closure allows it to be elastically compressed in the direction away from the fluid flow opening in response to the surface undulation ramp structure passing over the adjacent peripheral edge of the fluid flow opening. This has the beneficial effect of separating those portions of the hidden surface of the closure (14A) other than the circular embossed portion (134A) from the inner hole surface of the socket portion (12A), so that these other surfaces will not be dragged over the peripheral edge of the fluid flow opening during this displacement. This means that any contaminants that may accumulate on these other surfaces will not be transferred to the peripheral edges of the fluid flow openings.

[0144] Disengagement of the distal end (235A) from the notch structure (230A) allows the closure portion to move along the aperture of the socket portion, thereby exposing the previously covered fluid flow opening (26A) of the connector (and similarly for a reciprocal connector), such as Fig.16a and 17b (partially exposed fluid flow opening) and Fig.16b and 17c (fluid flow openings fully exposed and aligned).

[0145] Fig.18a and 18b Shows Fig.12a and 12b Two perspective views of a connector (or reciprocal connector). Fig.19 Shows Fig.18a and 18b A cross-sectional view of a connector in cross section containing the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow passage and the aperture of the connector socket portion. These views intentionally omit the relevant closure portion of the connector in question to aid clarity, so as to better show the concentric rings (250A) of projections surrounding the fluid flow opening of the connector, the concentric rings comprising two circular rings (251A, 251B) of equal projection height and projection thickness, and defining in the surface therebetween a groove (253A) of uniform depth and width defined between the relative circumferential edges of the two concentric rings. In a preferred embodiment, these rings play a role in the aseptic aspect of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the fluid flow portion of the connector surrounding the periphery of the fluid flow opening (26A, or reciprocally 26B) carries at least one, optionally two (such as Fig.18a and 19 ), or alternatively, carrying three or more such concentric surface protrusions, each protrusion defining a ring (e.g., circular) of raised surface material of the fluid flow portion, the raised surface material being configured to abut against an opposing surface of the closure portion of the connector when the fluid flow opening is closed and the connector is not connected to a reciprocal connector.

[0146] As described above, each ring can be considered a "bump" through which the displaced closure passes for the most part as it is displaced during connection to the reciprocal connector. During the connection process, as the displaced closure is pushed through the fluid passage opening, the physical action of "bumping" against the bump can cause it to loosen and wipe any debris (such as contaminants) from its abutment surface. Fig.18a and 19 As shown, when two or more concentric annular protrusions of this type are provided, the wiped-off debris can naturally collect in the groove formed between the two concentric rings.

[0147] Fig.20a and 20b Shows Figure 1a and Figure 1b Perspective view of the connector design variant shown ( Fig.20a ) and cross-sectional view ( Fig.20b ), wherein the longitudinal fluid flow axis of the fluid flow channel portion 100A is inclined to the axis of the hole (10A) of the socket portion. The positions of the plug portion (3A), the socket portion (2A) and the closure portion (4A) of the connector and all other parts of the connector (and reciprocally) are as described above with reference to Figure 2a and 2b described. Fig.21a and Figure 21b Shows Fig.20a and Fig.20b A perspective view of a connector connected to a reciprocal ground such a connector ( Fig.21a ) and cross-sectional view ( Figure 21b ).

[0148] Fig.22a and 22b Shows Fig.20a and Fig.20b Perspective view of the connector design variant shown ( Fig.22a ) and cross-sectional view ( Figure 22b), wherein the plug portion (3A) of the connector has a pair of parallel, elongated finger portions (301A, 302A) of equal length and width, and each finger portion is laterally spaced apart from each other in a parallel, opposed manner by a uniform spacing (306A) sized to allow each finger portion to bend elastically toward the other finger portion in response to a lateral force applied thereto. Each finger portion extends from a respective proximal end connected to a surface of the plug portion (3A) adjacent to the fluid flow portion (100A) of the connector, and terminates in a tapered distal end defined by a semi-hemispherical surface (303A, 304A) arranged to present a semi-hemispherical bearing surface radially and longitudinally outwardly.

[0149] Each finger-like portion extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the hole (10A) of the socket portion of the connector. The size of a pair of finger-like portions is jointly determined to be fully inserted through a through hole (401A) formed along the inner axial direction of the closure portion (400A). The axis of the through hole is coaxial with the axis of the hole (10A) of the socket portion containing the closure portion. The socket portion (2A) has a terminal wall including a through hole (200A), and the circumferential peripheral edge of the through hole is sized to simultaneously receive and accommodate the semi-hemispherical bearing surfaces (303A, 304A) of two adjacent ends located at the end of each finger-like portion (301A, 302A) located at the plug portion when the finger-like portion is fully inserted into the socket portion (2A) and the plug portion (3A) has fully displaced the closure portion (400A) from the fluid flow opening (26A) to fully expose the fluid flow opening.

[0150] When the connector and the reciprocal connector are in this relative position, the notch indentation (305A) formed in the radially outer surface of each finger-shaped portion of the reciprocal connector near its distal end is configured to engage with the adjacent circumferential edge of the through hole (200A) of the terminal wall of the hole of the socket part (2A) of the connector. At the same time, a reciprocating situation occurs between the finger-shaped portion of the connector and the peripheral edge of the through hole of the terminal wall of the hole of the socket part of the reciprocal connector. During the connection process, when the two connectors are pushed together, the semi-hemispherical support surfaces of the two adjacent ends at the end of each finger-shaped portion of the plug part are simultaneously supported on the circumferential edge of the through hole of the terminal end wall of the hole of the socket part of the connector. The hemispherical taper of the support surface (303A, 304A) converts the axial thrust applied to displace the closing part of the connector into a lateral bending force for bending each corresponding finger-shaped portion toward the other when the support surface "passes" a portion of the circumferential peripheral edge of the through hole (200A) of the terminal wall of the hole of the socket part. Once the notch indentation on a given finger portion is aligned with the local portion of the peripheral edge of the through hole, the notch indentation engages (receives) the local portion of the peripheral edge in a snap-fit ​​action. This defines a mechanical locking mechanism for holding the two connectors in a connected state.

[0151] All other parts of the connector (and its reciprocal version) are as above. Fig.20a and 20b described. Fig.23a , 23b and 23c shows Fig.22a and 22b A series of perspective views of a connector as it is connected to a reciprocal connector, with the connectors in progressive stages of connection ( Fig.23a and 23b ) and the fully connected final state ( Fig.23c ). Fig.24a and 24b shows when the connector and reciprocal connector are in Figure 23b The progressive stages of connection shown ( Fig.24a )and Fig.23c The fully connected final state shown ( Figure 24b ) cross-sectional view.

[0152] Fig.25a , 25b and 26 show the above reference Figures 13a to 19 Examples of alternative designs for certain aspects of the connectors described. Fig.25bAs shown, the closure (14A) has two opposite curved side walls (1270A) extending between the upper platform portion (1272A) and the lower platform portion (1271A) of the closure. The upper platform portion and the lower platform portion are usually planar and parallel to each other. The upper platform portion and the lower platform portion are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow portion (11A, 26A). These upper platform portions and lower platform portions form the upper and lower portions of the closure. The outer surface of the upper platform (1272A) provides a closed surface (e.g., a hidden surface) for directly (but movably) covering the fluid flow opening (26A) of the connector. The top of the corresponding elastically deformable curved side wall structure is connected to the upper platform of the closure, and the other end of the corresponding elastically deformable curved side wall structure is connected to the lower platform of the closure on the same side. The curved surface includes a radius of curvature in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the holes of the closure and the socket portion, and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow portion. Each side wall has an inner wall surface facing the hole of the closure and having a first radius of curvature, and an outer wall surface facing away from the hole of the closure and having a second radius of curvature, the second radius of curvature exceeding the first radius of curvature by an amount substantially constant along the arc of curvature of the corresponding side wall. This causes the corresponding side wall to have a substantially uniform thickness along the arc of curvature of the wall. The first and second radii of curvature share a common center of curvature so that the arc of the outer wall surface is substantially parallel to the arc of the inner wall surface. This allows the elastically deformable curved wall structure to bend in a direction transverse to the compressive force experienced by the closure when it is displaced into the hole of the socket portion (12A) of the connector. Therefore, this bending direction allows the wall (1270A) to bend or bend elastically in response to the compressive force in a manner consistent with the pre-existing curvature of the wall to achieve the operation of the elastic "spring" effect of the curved wall structure.

[0153] Fig.25a Shows Fig.25bA perspective view of a connector (or reciprocal connector) of the present invention, but omitting the closure (14A) to improve clarity and better show a pair of parallel ridges (254A) embossed on the surface of the connector, otherwise the pair of parallel ridges are covered by the closure (when not displaced) at a position between the fluid flow opening (26A) and the plug portion (13A) of the connector. The pair of parallel ridges (254A) include two linear parallel ridges (255A, 256A) with equal embossment height and embossment thickness, and in the surface between them, they define a groove (257A) with uniform depth and width defined between the relative linear parallel edges of the two parallel ridges. In a preferred embodiment, these parallel ridges play a role in the aseptic aspect of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, during the action of connecting the connector to the reciprocal connector, when the fluid flow opening (26B) of the reciprocal connector is pushed into alignment / alignment with the relative fluid flow port (26A) of the connector, the parallel ridges press against / scrape the surface of the periphery of the fluid flow portion surrounding the reciprocal connector. This scraping action is designed to remove contaminants from the scraped surface.

[0154] Fig. 27 A view of a portion of a connector as described above is shown, but for clarity, the closure portion (14A) is not shown, and also includes a transverse buffer member (500) connected to the connector along a step structure (258A) of the connector, the step structure being formed by the offset between adjacent surfaces of the connector, wherein the bottom of the plug portion (13A) intersects with the rest of the connector. The transverse buffer member extends along the entire length of the step structure and is positioned on a portion of the plug portion (13A) that is adjacent to the step structure surface. The height "Z" (see Fig.25a and 25b ) substantially matches the thickness "Z" of the lower platform portion (1271A) of the closure portion (14A). Similarly, the height "Z" of the transverse cushioning member (500) also substantially matches the height of the step structure and the thickness "Z" of the lower platform portion (1271A) of the closure portion. In this sense, the transverse cushioning member (500) serves as a longitudinal extension of the step structure (258A) over which the lower platform portion of the closure portion (14B) of the reciprocal connector can slide during the process of connecting the connector portion to the reciprocal connector portion.

[0155] The transverse cushioning member is formed of a compressible, flexible and / or elastically deformable material (e.g., having significant elasticity). It includes a front surface and a rear surface, a transverse gap (501A; Fig.28A-D) extends between the front surface and the rear surface, the transverse gap extending along the longitudinal axis of the transverse buffer member and extending through the relative surface portion of the plug portion (13A) where the transverse buffer member is located and exposed to the relative surface portion. The relative surface portion of the plug portion (13A) is used to cover the transverse gap. The inner edge of the transverse gap closest to the step structure is positioned to firmly abut the corner formed by the step structure, where the transverse gap meets the surface of the plug portion (13A) to hold the transverse buffer member. In contrast, the leading edge of the transverse gap farthest from the step structure is positioned and configured to slide on the surface of the plug portion (13A) in the direction toward the inner edge of the transverse gap in response to a compressive force (504) applied thereto in that direction. The result is that the transverse gap is compressed to reduce the width of the transverse buffer member in a compression direction that is perpendicular to the long axis of the buffer member and toward the fluid flow opening (26A).

[0156] The transverse buffer member serves as an interface between the step structure on a given connector portion and the lower platform portion (1271A) on the closure portion of the reciprocal connector. The front surface of the transverse buffer member includes an inclined surface portion (506), which is the portion of the front surface closest to (and inclined to) the flat surface of the adjacent lower platform portion (1271A) of the closure portion of the connector. Adjacent to the inclined surface portion is an upright front surface portion (501), which is the portion of the front surface farthest from (and perpendicular to) the flat surface of the lower platform portion (1271A) of the connector and closest to the adjacent surface of the plug portion (13A) on which the transverse buffer member is positioned. An outer groove (502) is formed in the upright front surface portion (501) and is sized to receive a tongue portion (350B) of approximately reciprocating size that protrudes from the front edge of the closure portion (14B) of the reciprocal connector; Fig.28A -D). The position of the outer groove (502) is such that when the connector and the reciprocal connector are brought together during the action of connecting them as described above, the tongue (350B) of the closure (14B; or reciprocally, 14A) of the reciprocal connector becomes aligned with the outer groove (502A) of the connector. Fig.28A -D, it is during this connection process, and due to the alignment described above, that the tongue of the reciprocal connector is able to apply a compressive force (504) to the lateral buffer member by receiving the outer groove (502) of the lateral buffer member.

[0157] The transverse cushioning member also includes a covered surface portion (507; see also Fig.29 507A and 507B), when the connector is not connected to the reciprocal connector, the surface portion is protectively covered and physically contacted by the closure portion (14A) of the connector. Fig. 27, for the sake of clarity, the closure portion (14A) of the connector is not shown to expose the covered surface portion (507). The transverse buffer member is configured so that when the leading edge of the transverse gap slides on the surface of the plug portion (13A) in a direction toward the inner edge of the transverse gap in response to a compressive force (504) applied thereto in that direction, the resulting compression of the transverse gap causes the width of the transverse buffer member to narrow, with an increasing effect at a location closer to the opposing surface portion of the plug portion (13A). The result is that the upright front surface portion (501) is inclined toward the surface of the plug portion (13A), and the inclined surface portion (506) is inclined toward the opposing surface of the closure portion (14B) of the reciprocal connector that applies the compressive force (504).

[0158] This oblique deformation of the transverse cushioning member results in the covered surface portion (507; see also Fig.29 The inclined surface portion (506) is ultimately sufficiently inclined toward the opposing surface of the closure portion (14B) of the reversible connector so that the uppermost boundary (506) of the inclined surface portion is aligned with the newly exposed covered surface portion (507; see also Fig.29 The result is that those portions of the front surface of the lateral buffer member extending between the uppermost boundary of the inclined surface portion (506) and the outer groove (502) containing the force supply tongue of the reciprocal connector are enclosed, sealed (e.g., airtightly sealed) and contained within a trapped volume defined by the abutting surfaces of the opposing portions of the front surface of the lateral buffer member and the closure portion (14B) of the reciprocal connector.

[0159] A key benefit of this operation is to close, seal and contain any contaminants that may have accumulated on the connector and reciprocal connector surfaces, which are now within the trapped volume, while at the same time exposing the clean surfaces (507; see also) that were previously beneath the protective covering surface of the closure (14A). Fig.29507A and 507B of the reciprocal connector). Of course, the same principles apply to the corresponding surface portions of the reciprocal connector. This benefit is important in clinical and other applications of the present invention where contamination mitigation is desired because the retained surface portions of the connector and the cleaned surface portions are subsequently moved in the direction of the openings (26A, 26B) of the fluid flow passages through the connector and the reciprocal connector because the two are pushed together during the connection process as described above and in more detail below. Prior to connection, the front surface portions of the lateral buffer member and the abutting surfaces of the closure (14B) are exposed to environmental contaminants. During the connection process, if these contaminants are not enclosed, sealed and contained in this manner, then these contaminants may fall from any of the contaminated surfaces into the openings (26A, 26B) of the fluid flow passages.

[0160] Fig.28A , 28B , 28C and 28D show the Fig. 27 The diagrams show the first position ( Fig.28A ), in which the connector and the reciprocal connector are aligned prior to connection. It can be seen that the front surface portions of the lateral buffer members (500A, 500B) and the exposed surfaces at and around the tongues (350A, 350B) of the closures (14A, 14B) are exposed to environmental contaminants. In the second position ( Fig.29 ), the plug portion (13A, 13B) is inserted into the closing portion (14A, 14B) of the two connectors of the connector assembly. The tongue portion (350A, 350B) of the closing portion (14A, 14B) is close to the outer groove (502) of the lateral buffer member (500A, 500B). The tongue portion (350A, 350B) of the closing portion (14A, 14B) of the reciprocal connector is aligned with the outer groove ( Fig. 27 502; see also Fig.28A and 28B 502A and 502B) are aligned. In the third position ( Fig.28C ), the tongue portion (350A, 350B) of the closing portion (14A, 14B) of the reciprocal connector and the outer groove ( Fig. 27 502; see also Fig.28A and 28B 502A and 502B) are engaged. In the fourth position ( Fig.28C ), the tongue-shaped portion (350A, 350B) of the closing portion (14A, 14B) of the reciprocal connector is pressed against the outer groove ( Fig. 27 502; see also Fig.28A and 28B502A and 502B) of the transverse cushioning members, applying a force (504) thereto to deform them as described above. This oblique deformation of the transverse cushioning members (500A, 500B) causes the covered surface portion (507) to peel away from the protective covering surface of the closure (14A, 14B) with which it is in physical contact.

[0161] Fig.29 This process is shown in greater detail in a similar cross-sectional view of the connector assembly interconnection process. Fig.29 The illustration "Phase 1" corresponds to Fig.28C The situation in the third position is shown in . Fig.29 The illustration "Phase 2" corresponds to Fig.28D The inset "Stage 3" in the figure shows the fifth and final position, where the tilt deformation of the lateral cushioning member is maximum and the part of its surface covered ( Fig. 27 507; see also Fig.29 507A and 507B) have been peeled off from the protective covering surface of the closure (14A, 14B) with which it is in physical contact. The inclined surface portion ( Fig. 27 506; see also Fig.28A -C) has been sufficiently inclined toward the opposing surfaces of the closure portions (14A, 14B) of the adjacent (connected) connectors so that the inclined surface portions ( Fig. 27 506; see also Fig.28A -C) contacts the opposing surface of the closure portion of the adjacent connector. Those portions of the front surface of the lateral buffer member that are located at the inclined surface portion ( Fig. 27 506; see also Fig.28A -C) and the outer groove (502) containing the tongue (350A, 350B) of the adjacent connector, is enclosed, sealed and contained within the trapped volume (600A, 600B). At the same time, the clean surface (600C) previously beneath the protective covering surface of the closure (14A, 14B) is exposed.

[0162] Fig. 30A , 30B , 30C and 30D show the Fig. 27 A cross-sectional view of the interconnection process of the connector assembly formed by the two connectors, as referenced above Fig.28A , 28B , 28C, 28D and 29. Fig. 30A The connection phase shown in Fig.29Here, the plug parts (13A, 13B) are inserted into the closing parts (14A, 14B) of the two connectors of the connector assembly. At the same time, the notch portion 237A formed in the closing part (14A, 14B) of a given connector (or reversible connector) engages with the snap-fit ​​portion (13D) formed in the surface of the plug part (13A, 13B) of the adjacent reversible connector (or connector), so that the latter will not be retracted from the former.

[0163] This means that the plug part (13A, 13B) can only be inserted forward into the closure part (14A, 14B). This forward insertion will change the connection process from Fig.29 The "stage 2" of the embodiment is advanced to the "stage 3", whereby the inclined deformation of the lateral buffer members (500A, 500B) ensures and causes the covered surface portion ( Fig. 27 507; see also Fig.29 507A and 507B) are peeled off from the protective covering surface of the closure (14A, 14B) with which it is in physical contact.

[0164] At this point in the connection process, the distal ends (13C) of the plug portions (13A, 13B) of the adjacent reciprocal connectors (or connectors) abut against internal resiliently flexible protruding clip portions (235A, and 235B, which are identical on reciprocal connectors) formed through the apertures of the closure portions (14A, 14B) of the connectors (and similarly for reciprocal connectors). A notch structure (230A) of the connectors (and similarly for reciprocal connectors) is formed, into which the distal free ends of the resiliently flexible protruding clip portions protrude to hold the closure portions relative to the connectors containing the closure portions. Each internal resiliently flexible protruding clip portion comprises a resiliently flexible protrusion extending from its proximal end connected to the closure portion, through the aperture of the closure portion, to its distal end / tip which is not connected to anything but is disposed within the notch structure of the socket portion containing the closure portion. When in an undisplaced state, the closure portion of the connector (or reversible connector) is positioned so that the distal free tip of the internal elastically flexible protruding clip portion engages with the corresponding recess structure to maintain the closure portion in an appropriate position within the hole of the socket portion to cover the fluid flow opening of the connector.

[0165] However, if Fig. 30BAs shown, when the plug portion (13A, 13B) of another such connector is inserted, the insertion is to the extent that the distal end of the inserted plug portion presses against the internal elastically flexible protruding clip portion (235A, and the same 235B on the reciprocal connector) from the hole of the closure portion. In response to this squeezing or pushing force from the abutting plug portion, the abutting surface of the internal elastically flexible protruding clip portion is able to rotate about its proximal end so that its distal free end is away from the recess structure (230A). This is achieved by the bending action of the closure portion at a bending area (236A, 236B) formed by a relatively thin portion of the closure portion, at which the proximal end of the internal elastically flexible protruding clip portion is connected to the adjacent portion of the closure portion. At this stage, the closure portion (14A, 14B) is free to move along the hole of the associated socket portion by being further pushed by the plug portion (13A, 13B). This is similar to the Fig.29 This is consistent with the “Phase 3” shown.

[0166] Fig. 30C and 30D The intermediate state ( FIG. 14A , FIG. 14B ) in which the plug portion ( 13A, 13B) further pushes the closing portion ( 14A, 14B) Fig. 30C ), wherein the trapped volume (600A, 600B) passes through the holes of the fluid flow channel (26A, 26B) of the connector, and the final stage ( Fig.30D ), in which stage a full connection is achieved and the trapped volumes (600A, 600B) are contained within the connector assembly isolated from the fluid flow passages (26A, 26B) of the connector. While achieving this final connection stage, the retaining clip (13E) of the reciprocal connector engages a catch on the connector, and similarly, the retaining clip (240B) of the connector engages a catch (550A) on the reciprocal connector to lock the reciprocal connector to the connector.

[0167] Fig.31A , 31B , 31C and 31D show the Fig.29 A view of the connector components used in the interconnection process of two connectors forming a connector assembly. Fig. 27, which shows a view of one of two parallel longitudinal buffer members (508), each of which is capable of simultaneously forming a side seal on the longitudinal sides of a portion of each connector surrounding its respective fluid flow opening (26A, or reciprocally 26B). The longitudinal buffer members are configured to be elastically flexible / conformable relative to the adjacent sides of the relative closure of the connector while the connector remains unconnected, and during and after the process of forming a connection between the two connectors, the abutment surface of the reciprocal longitudinal buffer member relative to the relative reciprocal connector is elastically flexible / conformable. In particular, the longitudinal buffer member is configured to collide with the longitudinal buffer member of the incoming reciprocal connector and deform relative to the longitudinal buffer member, thereby forming a peripheral seal (e.g., an airtight seal) around the base of the closure surrounding the corresponding fluid flow opening (26A, or reciprocally 26B) of the connector. This ensures that any tolerance differences in the two connectors are absorbed and a completely closed system is formed around the closure before the base of the closure moves and exposes the internal sealing / contacting surfaces surrounding the fluid flow channels as these channels are aligned and contacted to form the interconnected fluid flow channels. This contributes to the ability of the sides of the closure to prevent contaminants from entering the sealing / contacting surfaces when they are in contact.

[0168] A circular ring (510) or a plurality of rings (250A) are embossed around the fluid flow opening (26A) of the connector. In a preferred embodiment, the ring plays a role in the sterility aspect of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the fluid flow portion of the connector surrounding the periphery of the fluid flow opening (26A, or reciprocally 26B) carries at least one, optionally two (e.g. Fig.18a and 19 ), or optionally, carrying three or more such concentric surface protrusions, each protrusion defining a ring (e.g., circular) of raised surface material of the fluid flow portion, the raised surface material being configured to abut against an opposing surface of the closure portion of the connector when the fluid flow opening is closed and the connector is not connected to the reciprocal connector. As described above, when the connector is fully connected to the reciprocal connector, such a ring can be considered a bearing surface against which a corresponding ring of the reciprocal connector can be sealingly pressed. When the corresponding rings are aligned, the pressure of the ring (one or more) of one connector against the ring of the other connector improves the sealing contact interface therebetween. The longitudinal buffer member (508) and the transverse buffer member (500) together form an edge buffer assembly that extends along three consecutive edges of the components of each connector surrounding its respective fluid flow opening (26A, or reciprocally 26B).

[0169] The longitudinal buffer member (508) can be formed of the same material as the transverse buffer (500), preferably being integrally formed as one component with the transverse buffer, although the longitudinal buffer member can be a separate component formed separately from the transverse buffer, each component being a separate insert. The two longitudinal buffer members can preferably meet or engage with the transverse buffer at opposite respective ends of the transverse buffer. As shown in the example, the direction of meeting or engaging can be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the transverse buffer. At the corners of the edge buffer assembly defining the location where the outwardly presented support surfaces of the transverse buffer and the two longitudinal buffer members meet, the outer surface of the edge buffer assembly is inclined to form a ramp surface portion (509), defining a surface area of ​​the edge buffer assembly having a repose angle between the repose angle of the outer surface of the transverse buffer and the repose angle of the outer surface of the adjacent longitudinal buffer (which can be substantially perpendicular to the surface of the transverse buffer). The ramp surface portion (509) is configured to abut the reciprocal ramp surface portion of the upcoming reciprocal connector when the two connectors are brought together for the connection process. As shown Fig.34A When the edge buffer assembly of the connector slides longitudinally along and against the relative longitudinal buffer members of the reciprocal edge buffer assembly of the reciprocal connector, the abutment of the two relative ramp surfaces helps to start the mutual compression process of the elastically flexible materials of the longitudinal buffer members.

[0170] Fig.31A Two identical connectors are shown, with the corresponding socket portion (12A, or reciprocally 12B) of each connector aligned to allow the plug portion (13A, or reciprocally 13B) of the other connector to enter its corresponding closure portion (14A, or reciprocally 14B), thereby openably closing the fluid flow openings (26A, 26B) of the connector and the reciprocal connector by receiving a pushing force from the received plug portion (13A, 13B). The received pushing force causes the closure portion (14A, 14B) of the corresponding connector to shift in a direction intersecting the fluid flow opening (26A, 26B) of the connector, thereby exposing the fluid flow opening of the connector. As described above, this is performed simultaneously in both connectors.

[0171] The outer surface of the socket portion of each connector includes two groups of three continuous transverse uprights (601A, 602A, 603A; or reciprocally 601B, 602B, 603B) symmetrically arranged, each upright portion upright from an adjacent surface of the socket portion in a direction parallel to the axis of the fluid flow channel of the connector. The two groups of transverse uprights and each of the three uprights in each group are symmetrically arranged on the opposite transverse sides and opposite longitudinal sides of the location of the fluid flow channel of the connector. Each transverse upright portion defines a transverse support ridge that extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the socket portion of the connector and the plug portion of the connector, and extends in a direction parallel to the transverse axis of the socket, and the closure portion (14A, 14B) is located within the transverse axis of the socket. As described below, the tops of these transverse support ridges define a support surface that is configured to form a sliding support interface with the opposing support surface of the reciprocal connector part.

[0172] The first set of three transverse uprights includes three longitudinally separated uprights, each upright located on a first outer transverse side of the fluid flow channel of the connector. The second set of three transverse uprights includes three longitudinally separated uprights, each upright located on a second outer transverse side (opposite to the first side) of the fluid flow channel of the connector. Each of the first and second sets of three transverse uprights includes a front upright (603A; or reciprocally 603B) longitudinally located between the position of the fluid flow channel and the position of the plug portion, an intermediate upright (602A; or reciprocally 602B) longitudinally aligned with the position of the fluid flow channel, and a rear upright (601A; or reciprocally 601B) longitudinally positioned so that the position of the fluid flow channel is respectively located between the position of the plug portion (13A; or reciprocally 13B) and the position of the rear upright.

[0173] Fig.31B , Fig.31C and Fig.31DA view of a socket portion (12A; or reciprocally 12B) of a connector is shown with the closure portion (14A, 14B) omitted to aid clarity. The inner bore of the socket portion defines two opposing and mutually parallel bore side walls, each of which is located on a respective one of two opposing sides of a longitudinal axis of a fluid flow portion (26A, 26B) of the connector, the bore side walls being connected together by two opposing and mutually parallel bore main walls spaced apart by the bore side walls. The inner surface of each side wall defines a longitudinally extending support groove (520B, 520A) having a groove height in a dimension parallel to the axis of the fluid flow passage that decreases at increasing positions along the support groove away from the fluid flow opening. In this manner, the support groove tapers so as to narrow as one enters the socket portion along the groove. In particular, the surface (521A) of the hole main wall opposite to the main hole wall containing the fluid flow opening (i.e., the hole main wall without the fluid flow opening 26A) and forming the boundary of the longitudinally extending support groove is inclined relative to the plane of the surface of the opposite main hole wall containing the fluid flow opening (i.e., the hole main wall with the fluid flow opening 26A). Therefore, the portion of the longitudinally extending support groove that is longitudinally deeper in the groove is closer to the opposite main hole wall than the portion of the longitudinally extending support groove that is not as deep in the groove.

[0174] The height and position of the inclined surface of each of the two longitudinally extending support grooves (520B, 520A) in a given connector are configured to receive and slidably support a corresponding one of the two front upright portions (601A; or reciprocally 601B) of an upcoming reversible connector during the connection process. In addition, the inclined surface of each of the two longitudinally extending support grooves (520B, 520A) extends beyond the opening of the corresponding groove, thereby forming an overhanging surface portion (604A, 604B) of the main wall of the hole that does not contain a fluid flow opening (i.e., the main wall of the hole that does not have a fluid flow opening 26A). Each of these inclined support surface extensions is configured to slidably support on the supporting edges of the two middle upright portions and the rear upright portion (603A; or reciprocally 603B) of a corresponding one of the two groups of three upright portions of the upcoming reversible connector during the connection process. Therefore, as Fig.32A , 32B , 32C, 32D and 32E are a series of perspective views showing two connectors in successive positions during the interconnection process of the connector assembly, and as shown in FIG. Fig.33A , 33B , 33C, 33D and 33E are shown in a series of corresponding cross-sectional views showing the two connectors at Fig.32A , 32B , 32C, 32D and 32E, the front upright portion enters the interior of the inclined groove of the socket base and will abut against and slide along the internal ramp surface (521A, B). Fig.32A and 33A The two connectors will engage their respective beveled and upright edges. Fig.32B and 33B In the embodiment of the present invention, the two connectors are moved in a purely horizontal direction to a position in which the two front uprights (601A, 601B) of each connector engage with the inclined surface of each of the two longitudinally extending support grooves (520B, 520A) of the other connector. The forward movement of pushing the two connectors further together causes the two connectors to be squeezed together more and more in a direction parallel to the fluid flow axis of each connector, thereby pushing the longitudinal buffer member of one connector against the opposite longitudinal buffer member of the other connector to begin to form a sealing interface between them. Fig.32C and 33C , Fig.32D and 33D , the connectors are pushed forward together, and as shown Fig.32E and 33E As shown, the point at which the following two uprights (the middle upright and the rear upright) abut against and slide along the outer bevel (604A, B) of the connector. Fig.32D and 33D The abutment of the intermediate support edges (602A, 602B) is shown, which occurs simultaneously on the connector and the reciprocal connector, so that when the two are pushed together, as the intermediate support edge of one connector slidingly bears on the outer inclined support surface of the reciprocal connector, they apply a compressive force, which further compresses the longitudinal buffer member of one connector against the relative longitudinal buffer member of the other connector and also compresses the relative portions of the corresponding circular rings (510) protruding around the fluid flow openings (26A, 26B) of the two connectors together. Fig.32E and 33E The abutment of the rear bearing edges (603A, 603B) is shown, which occurs on both the connector and the reciprocal connector.

[0175] Thus, movement of the two connectors together is initially in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow axis of each connector. Fig.34B As shown, when the front uprights (601A, B) enter the reciprocal connector receptacle, they will quickly begin to rub against the inner ramp portion (521A, B), which will begin the ramp-down process at an inclination angle of about 3.0 degrees. Here, the middle uprights (602A, B) enter and rub against the outer ramp surface (604A, B), followed by the rear uprights (603A, B) to help confirm the approximately 3.0 degree ramp angle. It should be understood that the inclination angle can be between about 1.0 degrees and 5.0 degrees, or more preferably between 2.0 degrees and 4.0 degrees, such as about 3.0 degrees.

[0176] In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the connector may include an internal transverse buffer member (511A, 511B: Fig.29 , 30B-D), the internal transverse buffer member is located within a surface area of ​​the hole of the plug portion (12A, 12B) that is substantially coplanar with the surface area of ​​the connector, and the external transverse buffer member (500) is located along this surface area (or adjacent to this surface area). The internal transverse buffer member is located on a side of the fluid flow opening (26A, 26B) that is opposite to the side where the plug portion (13A, 13B) and the external transverse buffer member are located. The internal transverse buffer member is configured to elastically flexibly / conformably abut against an abutment surface of a base of a relative closure portion (14A, 14B) of the connector while the connector remains unconnected and during and after forming a connection with the reciprocal connector. In particular, the internal transverse buffer member is configured to slide against and deform the relative surface of the closure portion in response to a force from the upcoming insertion plug portion (13A, 13B) of the reciprocal connector during the process of connecting the two connectors, regardless of whether the relative closure portion is stationary or moving along the hole of the socket portion (12A, 12B). This helps to form a peripheral seal (eg, an airtight seal) about the bottom of the closure portion (14A, 14B) around the corresponding fluid flow opening (26A, or reciprocally 26B) of the connector.

[0177] The internal transverse buffer (511) can be formed of the same material as the two longitudinal buffer members (508) and can be formed as one part with the two longitudinal buffer members. Alternatively, the internal transverse buffer (511) can be a separate part formed separately from the two longitudinal buffer members (508), for example as an independent insert. The internal transverse buffer member can preferably meet or engage with the two longitudinal buffer members at the opposite respective ends of the internal transverse buffer. As shown in the example, the axial direction of the internal transverse buffer member can be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the two longitudinal buffer members.

[0178] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims or in the drawings, expressed in their specific form or as means for performing the disclosed functions or as methods or processes for obtaining the disclosed results, as the case may be, may be used alone or in any combination of these features to realize the invention in various forms.

[0179] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the above exemplary embodiments, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when this disclosure is given. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0180] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are intended to enhance the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0181] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and shall not be construed as limiting the subject matter described. Throughout the specification, including the claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include", and variations such as "comprises", "comprising", and "including" will be understood to mean including a determined integer, step, or group of integers or steps, but not excluding any other integer, step, or group of integers or steps. It must be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" used in the specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" a particular value, and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximation by using the antecedent "about", it is understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in connection with numerical values ​​is optional and may mean, for example, + / - 10%.

Claims

1. A connector adapted to form a fluid flow path therethrough by connection with a reciprocal connector, wherein: The connector and the reciprocal connector both include: a fluid flow channel portion defining a fluid flow opening; a socket portion, the socket portion being located on the fluid flow channel portion and adjacent to the fluid flow opening; a plug portion located on the fluid flow passage portion, adjacent to the fluid flow opening, and spaced apart from the socket portion in a direction intersecting the fluid flow opening, wherein the socket portion of the connector is configured to receive the plug portion of the reciprocal connector therein for connection therewith such that the fluid flow opening of the connector is aligned with the fluid flow opening of the reciprocal connector; and, a closing portion arranged to openably close the fluid flow opening of the connector and to receive a pushing force from the plug portion of the received reciprocal connector, thereby being displaced in a direction intersecting the fluid flow opening to expose the fluid flow opening, so that the connector can thereby be connected to the reciprocal connector, with the respective fluid flow openings being in fluid communication; A transverse buffer member (500A) connected to the connector, the transverse buffer member comprising: - a front surface and a rear surface, a transverse gap (501A) extending between the front surface and the rear surface, the transverse gap extending along the longitudinal axis of the transverse buffer member and extending through and exposed to the opposite surface portion of the plug part (13A) where the transverse buffer member is located, the opposite surface portion of the plug part being used to cover the transverse gap; - a covered surface portion which is protectively covered and physically contacted by a closure portion (14A) of the connector when the connector is not connected to the reciprocal connector; And the transverse buffer member (500A) is configured so that when the leading edge of the transverse gap (501A) slides on the plug portion (13A) in a direction toward the inner edge of the transverse gap in response to a compressive force applied to the front surface of the transverse buffer member in that direction, the resulting compression of the transverse gap narrows the width of the transverse buffer member and causes the covered surface portion to peel off from the protective covering surface of the closure portion with which it is in physical contact.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: An outer groove is formed in the front surface of the transverse buffer member (500A) and is sized to receive a reciprocating-sized tongue portion (350B) protruding from the front edge of the closure portion (14B) of the reciprocal connector, the outer groove being positioned so that when the connector and the reciprocal connector are brought together during the process of connecting them, the tongue portion becomes aligned with the outer groove, applying a compressive force to the transverse buffer member by receiving the outer groove of the transverse buffer member.

3. A connector according to any preceding claim, wherein: The front surface of the lateral buffer member (500A) includes an inclined surface portion (506A), which is a flat surface closest to and inclined to the closing portion (14A) of the connector, and the inclined surface portion (506A) is configured to respond to a compressive force applied to the front surface of the lateral buffer member so that the inclined surface portion contacts the closing portion (14B) of the reciprocal connector.

4. A connector according to any preceding claim, wherein: The connector and the reciprocal connector each include two longitudinal buffer members (508) configured to collide with and deform relative to the longitudinal buffer member of the reciprocal connector.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein: The longitudinal cushioning member (508) and the transverse cushioning member (500A) form an edge cushioning assembly along three consecutive edges around the fluid flow opening (26A).

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein: At the corner of the edge buffer assembly, a position where the supporting surfaces of the lateral buffer member and the two longitudinal buffer members meet is defined, and the outer surface of the edge buffer assembly is inclined to form a ramp surface portion (509), which is configured to abut the reciprocal ramp surface portion of the reciprocal connector when the connector and the reciprocal connector are connected together.

7. A connector assembly comprising a pair of connectors according to any one of the preceding claims, and wherein any one connector of the pair of connectors is the reciprocal connector of the other connector of the pair of connectors.

8. A method for forming a fluid flow path, comprising the steps of: Providing a connector assembly according to claim 7; The connector is connected to the reciprocal connector, and the respective fluid flow openings are in fluid communication.

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