Device for aseptic connection of a tube comprising a protective membrane

Abstract

Device (10, 10', 10'') for aseptically connecting a tube, comprising: a tubular body (30) for passing fluid; a sealing member (40) arranged inside the body and comprising a front face extending axially from one end of the body; and a protective membrane (50) for the front face of the sealing member, the protective membrane comprising a protective film (51) completely covering said front face of the sealing member, a pull tab (52) folded over the protective film and a pull handle (53, 53', 53'') fixed to one end of the tab, the handle being removably fixed to the end of the body and comprising at least one indexing element (53.2, 53.3, 53.2', 53.3', 53.2'', 53.3'') with a handle for pulling a protective membrane from another connecting device when coupling the connecting devices to connect the protective membranes in translation in a radial direction (F). FIGURE OF THE ABSTRACT: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for aseptic connection of a tube comprising a protective membrane

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of transporting liquid or gaseous fluids and more particularly to a protective membrane for an aseptic connection device intended to connect two sterile tubes.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Connection assemblies are known for connecting sterile pipes connected to circuit elements of the pharmaceutical industry, such as filters, centrifuges, pumps, flexible plastic tanks or treatment containers such as bioprocessors.

[0004] Such an assembly generally comprises two connecting devices intended to be connected together after each has been connected to a pipe end. Each device comprises a tubular body defining a channel arranged to receive the pipe end. The body has a front face on which is firmly fixed an annular sealing member intended to come into sealing contact with the sealing member of the other device. The sealing element is covered with a protective film in the form of a strip folded back on itself, one part of which adheres removably to a free lateral flank of the sealing element and another part forms a pull tab extending projecting from the first part.

[0005] After the pipe ends have been fitted into the bodies, the devices are placed coaxially opposite each other and then brought together until the protective films come into contact and the sealing members are slightly compressed before locking the relative positions of the devices. The simultaneous removal of the protective films by pulling the tabs results in the sealing members coming into sealed contact and therefore the formation of an aseptic channel for the passage of fluid between the two pipes.

[0006] However, it is possible, with such devices, to inadvertently remove the protective films one after the other, which can cause contamination of the sealing member of one of the devices by the protective film of the other of the devices.

[0007] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention therefore aims to propose a device for aseptic connection of a tube which comprises a protective membrane making it possible to at least partially overcome the aforementioned problem. Summary of the invention

[0009] To this end, the invention proposes a device for aseptic connection of a tube, comprising: • a tubular body for passing fluid; • a sealing member arranged inside the body and comprising a front face extending axially from one end of the body; and • a protective membrane for the front face of the sealing member.

[0010] The protective membrane comprises a protective film completely covering said front face of the sealing member, a pull tab folded over the protective film and a pull handle fixed to one end of the tab. The handle is fixed to the end of the body and comprises at least one indexing element with a pull handle of a protective membrane of another connecting device during coupling of the connecting devices to connect in translation the protective membranes in a radial direction.

[0011] Such indexing of the membranes makes it possible to guarantee simultaneous removal of said protective membranes and therefore to ensure an aseptic connection between the sealing elements of the connection devices.

[0012] According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the at least one indexing element comprises at least one male indexing element and one female indexing element intended to cooperate respectively with a male indexing element and a female indexing element of the other device.

[0013] According to another particular characteristic of the invention, the pull handle comprises a front face extending parallel to the end of the body and intended to cooperate with a front face of the pull handle of the protective membrane of the other connection device when coupling the connection devices.

[0014] In particular, the pull handle comprises a first lateral edge which comprises a relief, of parallelepiped shape, extending in projection from the front face of the handle and forming the male indexing element, and a second lateral edge, opposite the first lateral edge, which comprises a notch forming the female indexing element.

[0015] In particular, the pull handle comprises on one side at least one rectilinear boss extending projecting from the front face of the handle and forming the male indexing element, and on the other side at least one rectilinear groove forming the female indexing element.

[0016] In particular, the pull handle comprises on one side at least one stud extending projecting from the front face of the handle and forming the male indexing element, and on the other side at least one bore forming the female indexing element.

[0017] According to another particular characteristic of the invention, the pull handle is fixed to the end of the body by at least one hooking tab which extends axially projecting from a rear face of the handle and parallel to the pulling direction of said handle, the hooking tab cooperating with a first rectilinear flank of the body.

[0018] According to another particular characteristic of the invention, the pull handle comprises at least one rib which extends axially projecting from a rear face of the handle and cooperates with a second flank of the body to form a stop against radial movement of the handle towards a central axis of the device.

[0019] The invention also relates to a connection assembly for two tubes comprising two such connection devices. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings, among which:

[0021] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a connection device according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a view similar to [Fig.l], in which the rac device rope is devoid of the protective membrane;

[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an exploded view of the connecting device illustrated in [Fig.l]

[0024] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of the connecting device illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0025] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is an axial sectional view of the connecting device illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0026] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of the protective membrane equipping the connecting device shown in [Fig.l], in the folded state;

[0027] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is another perspective view of the protective membrane illustrated in [Fig.6];

[0028] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the protective membrane equipping the connecting device shown in [Fig.l], in the unfolded state;

[0029] [Fig.9A] [Fig.9A] is a perspective view of an aseptic connection assembly according to a particular embodiment of the invention, before connection;

[0030] [Fig.9B] [Fig.9B] is a cross-sectional view of the connection assembly illustrated in [Fig.9A];

[0031] [Fig.10A] [Fig.10A] is a view similar to [Fig.9A], after connection and before removal of the protective film;

[0032] [Fig.lOB] [Fig.lOB] is a cross-sectional view of the connection assembly illustrated in [Fig.lOA];

[0033] [Fig. 1 IA] [Fig. 1 IA] is a view similar to [Fig.9A], after connection and after removal of the protective film;

[0034] [Fig. 1 IB] [Fig. 1 IB] is a cross-sectional view of the connection assembly illustrated in [Fig. 11 A];

[0035] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a perspective view of a first variant of the connection device illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0036] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a perspective view of a second variant of the connecting device illustrated in [Fig.l]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The invention is described here in application to the connection of a first fluid transport conduit to a second fluid transport conduit.

[0038] With reference to Figures 9A to 11B, a fluid connection assembly, generally designated 1, according to a particular embodiment of the invention, comprises two connection devices 10 intended to together produce an aseptic connection between a first sterile tube 100 forming the first fluid transport conduit and a second sterile tube 200 forming the second fluid transport conduit. The two devices 10 are identical and are distinguished in the figures by the addition of the letters A, B to the reference 10.

[0039] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, each device 10 comprises a tubular tip or insert 20 and delimiting a channel 21 for the passage of fluid.

[0040] The insert 20 comprises a first end section 20.1 delimiting a first bore 22.1 forming a first portion of the channel 21. The first section 20.1 externally comprises a fir-tooth relief 23 and a collar 24 respectively forming a means for its anchoring in the tube 100, 200 and a stop for its insertion into said tube 100, 200.

[0041] The insert 20 comprises a second end section 20.2 delimiting a second bore 22.2 coaxial with the first bore 22.1 and forming a second portion of the channel 21. The second section 20.2 is provided internally with a rod 25 of cylindrical shape extending axially in overhang in the channel 21 so that a free end portion 25.1 of the rod extends in projection from the second section 20.2 of the insert 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the rod 25 is axially connected to the second bore 22.2 by a first web 26.1 and a second web 26.2 extending axially on either side of the rod 25. The diameter of the rod 25 and the thickness of the first and second webs 26.1, 26.2 are here sufficiently small to that the fluid passage section of the channel 21 is here almost identical in the first section 20.1 and the second section 20.2.

[0042] The second section 20.2 of the insert 20 is provided externally with two collars coaxial collars 27.1, 27.2 arranged at a free end of said second section 20.2, and a notching ring 28 having an external diameter slightly greater than that of the collars 27.1, 27.2. The collars 27.1, 27.2 form first means for centering a tubular body 30 mounted on the insert 20. The notching ring 28 forms a second means for centering the body 30 on the insert 20 and, as will be seen later, a means for axially locking the body 30 in position on the insert 20.

[0043] The second section 20.2 of the insert 20 is also provided externally with two diametrically opposed axial ribs 29 arranged, as will be seen later, to connect the body 30 to the insert 20 in rotation. The ribs 29 comprise lateral faces comprising recesses arranged to form stop flanks 29.1 of the body on the insert 20.

[0044] The body 30 comprises a first end section 30.1 mounted on the second section 20.2 of the insert 20, and a second end section 30.2 extending axially projecting from said second section 20.2 of the insert 20.

[0045] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the first section 30.1 comprises two axial grooves 31 opening onto a free edge of the first section 30.1 to delimit between them two diametrically opposed cylindrical portions 32. The cylindrical portions 32 each have one end secured to the remainder of the first section 30.1 and an opposite end comprising an internal relief 32.1 cooperating with a lateral flank of the notching ring 28, and an external annular groove 32.2 arranged, as will be seen later, to connect the body 30 in translation to an operating sleeve 60 mounted on said body 30. The grooves 31 delimiting the cylindrical portions 32 are arranged to receive the ribs 29 of the insert 20 so as to connect the body 30 in rotation to the insert 20 and to ensure axial movement of the body 30 on the insert 20. The cylindrical portions 32 are elastically deformable between a rest state in which the reliefs 32.1 delimit a passage section smaller than the diameter of the notching ring 28 and a first deformed state in which said reliefs 32.1 delimit a passage section greater than the diameter of said notching ring 28. It will be noted that the notching ring 28 has an outer periphery comprising a chamfer arranged so as not to hinder the mounting of the body 30 on the insert 20.

[0046] The grooves 31 delimiting the cylindrical portions 32 also comprise a section delimited by two arms 31.1 elastically deformable between a rest state in which the arms 31.1 delimit a passage section less than a width of the ribs 29 of the insert 20, and a deformed state in which said arms 31.1 delimit a passage section greater than the width of said ribs 29.

[0047] The ribs 29 comprise a front face arranged so as not to generally oppose an axial displacement of the body 30 from a projecting position, in which the reliefs 32.1 of the cylindrical portions 32 cooperate with the lateral flank of the notching ring 28 and in which the arms 31.1 are axially spaced from the ribs 29 ([Fig.9B], 10B, 11B), towards a position flush with the insert 20, in which a free end of the arms 31.1 cooperate in the rest state with the stop flanks 29.1 formed on lateral faces of the ribs 29 so as to oppose an axial movement of the body 30 from the flush position to the projecting position. It is understood that after having reached the flush position, the body 30 can no longer reach the projecting position.

[0048] The second section 30.2 of the body 30 defines with the second section 20.2 of the insert 20, opposite the end portion 25.1 of the rod 25, a housing for receiving a first sealing element 41 and a second annular sealing element 42 which are arranged between a front face 20.3 of the second section 20.2 and an internal annular step 33 of the second section 30.2 arranged at a free end of said second section 30.2. The first sealing element 41 and the second sealing element 41 are coaxial and are in sealing contact with each other to form a sealing member 40.

[0049] The first section 30.1 and the second section 30.2 of the body 30 are each provided externally with a collar 34.1, 34.2 forming means for centering the sleeve 60 on the body 30. The second section 30.2 is also provided with another collar 34.3 which extends radially in the extension of the step 33 to define with the latter a front face 35 of the body 30. The collars 34.1, 34.2, 34.3 are coaxial and the front face 35 of the body 30 is provided with four studs 35.2 each delimiting a contact surface intended to cooperate axially with a contact surface of a stud 35.2 of another device 10 to guarantee, as will be seen later, a slight clearance between the front faces 35 after the two devices 10 have been brought together. collar 34.3 comprises a flat from which an extension 34 projects radially.4 forming, as will be seen later, an appendage for hooking and indexing a protective membrane 50 removable from the second sealing element 42.

[0050] The body 30 further comprises a locking tab 36 and an assembly pin 37 which are diametrically opposed and which extend axially projecting from the front face 35 of the body 30, in the vicinity of a periphery thereof.

[0051] The locking tab 36 is elastically deformable and comprises a free end having an inner surface provided with a fir-tooth asperity 36.1 intended to ensure, as will be seen later, coupling of the device 10 with the other device 10.

[0052] The front face 35 of the body 30 comprises a slot 35.1 intended to receive a portion of the assembly pin 37 of the other device 10. The slot 35.1 is arranged in the vicinity of a periphery of the front face 35, close to the locking tab. rusting 36, the slot 35.1 and the assembly pin 37 being diametrically opposed.

[0053] The first sealing element 41 is in sealing contact with the second sealing element 42 and the front face 20.3 of the second section 20.2 of the insert 20. The first sealing element 41 is deformable from a first state in which it delimits a passage section greater than a cross section of the rod 25 of the insert 20 and a second state in which it grips the rod 25, and is arranged to be brought from its first state to its second state under the effect of axial compression. Such a sealing element is known from document EP2569665.

[0054] The second sealing element 42 is in sealed contact with the first sealing element 41 and an internal flank of the step 33 opposite said front face 20.3. The second sealing element 42 has a hardness substantially two to three times greater than that of the first sealing element 41 so as to promote and contain the deformation of the first sealing element 41 inside the body 30.

[0055] When the body 30 is moved axially from the protruding position to the flush position, the insert 20 compresses the first sealing element 41 sufficiently against the second sealing element 42 to bring it from its first state to its second state.

[0056] The second sealing element 42 comprises a front face which projects from the second section 30.2 of the body 30 and which is fully covered with a protective film 51 removably welded to the front face 35 of the body 30 and onto which a pull tab 52 is folded. The pull tab 52 has a first end connected to an edge of the protective film 51 and a second end projecting from an edge of the protective film 51 opposite the first end of the tab 52. The second end of the tab 52 is securely welded to a pull handle 53 to allow said protective film 51 to be removed without touching it by pulling on the handle 53 in a radial direction F. The protective film 51, the tab 52 and the pull handle 53 together form the removable protective membrane 50 of the front face of the second sealing element 42.The protective membrane 50 extends between the locking tab 36 and the assembly pin 37 of the body 30, the protective film 51 and the tab 52 here being made from the same strip of material, flat, not preformed to match the shape of the front face of the second sealing element 42 and to be welded to the body 30 ([Fig.8]).

[0057] The protective film 51 and the pull tab 52 are said to be flexible in that, as will be seen later, they deform when the protective membrane 50 is removed after coupling the device 10 with the other device 10. The pull handle 53 is said to be rigid in that, as will be seen later, it does not undergo any deformation when the protective membrane 50 is removed after coupling the device 10 with the other device 10.

[0058] With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the pull handle 53 comprises a front face 53.1 extending parallel to the front face 35 of the body 30, slightly set back from the contact surfaces delimited by the studs 35.2. The front face 53.1 of the handle 53 cooperates with an end portion of the tongue 52 and is intended to cooperate with the front face 53.1 of the handle 53 of the other device 10 after the two devices 10 have been brought together.

[0059] The pull handle 53 comprises a first lateral edge which includes a relief 53.2, of parallelepiped shape, extending in projection from a front face of the pull handle 53, and a second lateral edge, opposite the first lateral edge, which includes a notch 53.3 arranged to receive the relief 53.2 of the handle 53 of the other device 10. It is understood that the relief 53.2 and the notch 53.3 respectively form a male indexing element and a female indexing element intended to cooperate respectively with the female indexing element and the male indexing element of the other connection device 10 after the two devices 10 have been brought together.

[0060] The pull handle 53 also comprises two hooking tabs 53.4, elastically deformable and here of substantially parallelepipedal shape, extending axially projecting from a rear face 53.5 of the handle 53, opposite the front face. The hooking tabs 53.4 extend parallel to the direction F of pull of the handle 53 and have a free end provided externally with a fir-tooth roughness each cooperating with a first rectilinear flank 34.5 of the extension 34.4 of the collar 34.3 of the body 30 to ensure the mounting of the handle 53 directly on said body. It is understood that the hooking tabs 53.4 form means for removable fixing of the handle 53 on the body 30 and do not oppose the pulling of the handle 53 in the direction F.

[0061] The pull handle 53 also comprises two rectilinear ribs 53.6 extending axially projecting from the rear face of the handle 53, downstream of the hooking tabs. The ribs 53.6 extend orthogonally to the pull direction F of the handle 53 and each cooperate with a second rectilinear flank 34.6 of the extension 34.4 of the collar 34.3 of the body 30 to form a stop against the radial movement of the handle 53 towards a central axis of the device 10.

[0062] The pull handle 53 further comprises a lug 53.7 extending axially projecting from the rear face of the handle 53, between the two ribs 53.6. The lug 53.7 is received in a slot 34.7 formed on the extension 34.4 of the collar 34.3 of the body 30 and in a notch 65 formed at one end of the operating sleeve 60 mounted on the body 30 so as to connect said sleeve 60 in rotation with said body 30. It is understood that the lug 53.7 makes it possible to prevent any axial rotation of the sleeve 60 with respect to the body 30 when the protective membrane 50 is in position on said body 30, and to keep the protective film 51 stably and correctly oriented on the body 30.

[0063] Finally, it will be noted that the handle comprises a free end which is flared in shape and which comprises two rectilinear recesses 53.8 to facilitate gripping and pulling of the handle 53.

[0064] The sleeve 60 internally comprises an annular step 61 received in the external grooves 32.2 of the cylindrical portions 32 of the body 30 so that the body 30 is linked in translation to the sleeve 60.

[0065] The cylindrical portions 32 are elastically deformable between their rest state in which the free end of the cylindrical portions 32 delimits a passage section greater than the diameter of the step 61, and a second deformed state in which said free end delimits a passage section less than the diameter of said step 61. It will be noted that the free end of the cylindrical portions 32 has an outer periphery comprising a chamfer arranged so as not to hinder the mounting of the sleeve 60 on the body 30.

[0066] The sleeve 60 also internally comprises a helical groove 62 forming a thread arranged to receive protrusions 29.2 extending radially projecting from the ribs 29 of the insert 20 so that an axial rotation of the operating sleeve 60 from a connection position to a disconnection position causes an axial displacement of the insert 20 from the projecting position to the flush position. The angle of rotation of the sleeve 60 from the connection position to the disconnection position is here substantially equal to 180 degrees.

[0067] The sleeve 60 comprises an end provided externally with two collar portions 63, identical and diametrically opposed, on which the locking tab 36 of the body 30 of the other device 10 is intended to clip via its fir-tooth roughness 36.1 to ensure coupling of the device 10 with said other device 10 whose sleeve 60 is locked in the connection position by the lug 53.7 of the pull handle 53. The collar portions 63 are angularly spaced so as to delimit an axial release path for the locking tab 36 of the other device 10 when the sleeve 60 is in the disconnection position.

[0068] The sleeve 60 also externally comprises a plurality of reliefs 64 distributed angularly in a regular manner to form means for gripping the sleeve 60 making it easier to rotate it.

[0069] In order to avoid any deterioration of the protective film 51 and contamination of the second sealing element 42 during storage and transport of the device 10, a protective cover (not shown) is removably mounted on the end of the sleeve 60. The cover is intended to be removed just before coupling the device 10 to the other device 10.

[0070] It will be noted that the entire device 10 is sterilized in the factory in order to be free from any contamination before its packaging in a plastic bag.

[0071] The operation of the connection assembly 1 will now be detailed with reference to FIGS. 9A to 11B.

[0072] The end section 20.1 of the first device 10A is first fitted into the first tube 100 until the latter abuts against the collar 24 of said first device 10A. Similarly, the end section 20.1 of the second device 10B is fitted into the second tube 200 until the latter abuts against the collar 24 of said second device 10B, so that the first and second devices 10A, 10B are respectively anchored in the first and second tubes 100, 200.

[0073] The protective covers are then removed and the first and second devices 10A, 10B are presented coaxially facing each other, the first device 10A being rotated axially by substantially 180 degrees relative to the second device 10B so that the assembly pin 37 and the slot 35.1 of the first device 10A are respectively facing the slot 35.1 and the assembly pin 37 of the second device 10B (figures 9A and 9B).

[0074] In a first step, the first and second devices 10A, 10B are brought closer to each other until the pull tabs 52 of the first and second devices 10A, 10B are in contact. The slot 35.1 of the first device 10A then receives a portion of the assembly pin 37 of the second device 10B and the slot 35.1 of the second device 10B receives a portion of the assembly pin 37 of the first device 10A.

[0075] By continuing to bring the first and second devices 10A, 10B closer together until the pads 35.2 of the front faces 35 are in contact with each other (figures 10A and 10B), the pull handles 53 are substantially pressed against each other, which results in: • cooperation of the relief 53.2 of the handle 53 of the first device 10A with the notch 53.3 of the handle 53 of the second device 10B and cooperation of the relief 53.2 of the handle 53 of the second device 10B with the notch 53.3 of the handle 53 of the first device 10A; • a slight compression of the first end elements 41 and a withdrawal of an end portion of the second sealing elements 42 extending in projection from said front faces 35; and • a cooperation of the asperity 36.1 of the locking tab 36 of the first device 10A with one of the collar portions 63 of the second device 10B and a cooperation of the asperity 36.1 of the locking tab 36 of the second device 10B with one of the collar portions 63 of the first 10A device.

[0076] We then speak of automatic indexing of the handles 53 for pulling and coupling the first and second devices 10A, 10B. It will be noted that the slight clearance defined between the front faces 35 of the body 30 by the studs 35.2 makes it possible to avoid pinching of the protective films 51 and the tabs 52 between said front faces 35.

[0077] The protective membranes 50 are then removed by pinching the free ends of the pull handles 53 and exerting a tensile force on them in the pull direction F. The indexing of the pull handles 53 carried out via the reliefs 53.2 and the notches 53.3 makes it possible to guarantee the simultaneous removal of the protective membranes 50 from the first and second devices 10A, 10B. This simultaneous removal of the protective membranes 50 causes a decompression of the first sealing elements 41 and a sealing contact between the front faces of the second sealing elements 42 (FIGS. 11A and 11B). The first and second devices 10A, 10B thus together form a channel for the passage of a fluid between the first tube 100 and the second tube 200.

[0078] It is understood that the slight clearance between the front faces 35 makes it easier to remove the protective membranes 50 and that the sleeves 60 are now free to rotate axially from their connection position to their disconnection position in the absence of said protective membranes 50.

[0079] When it is necessary to disconnect the first device 10A from the second device 10B, a rotational driving torque is exerted, preferably simultaneously, on each of the sleeves 60 so as to bring said sleeves 60 from the connection position to the disconnection position and thus axially move the bodies 30 of the first and second devices 10A, 10B from the projecting position to the flush position. It will be noted that the passage of the sleeves 60 from the connection position to the disconnection position is made possible by the absence of the protective membranes 50, the lugs 53.7 of the handles 53 no longer blocking said sleeves 60 in the connection position.

[0080] Once the bodies 30 are in a flush position: • the arms 31.1 of the grooves 31 oppose the axial movement of the bodies 30 towards the projecting position under the effect of the forces generated by the compression of the first sealing elements 41; • the first sealing elements 41 of the first and second devices 10A, 10B are sufficiently compressed to grip the rods 25 of the inserts 20 so that the fluid can no longer circulate between the first tube 100 and the second tube 200, and more particularly between the first device 10A and the second device 10B; and • the locking tab 36 of the first device 10A is opposite the path clearance delimited by the collar portions 63 equipping the sleeve 60 of the second device 10B, and the locking tab 36 of the second device 10B is opposite the clearance path delimited by the collar portions 63 equipping the sleeve 60 of the first device 10A, so that said locking tabs 36 no longer oppose the disconnection of the first and second devices 10A, 10B.

[0081] The driving torques exerted on the sleeves 60 of the first and second devices 10A, 10B are then stopped.

[0082] An axial force is then exerted on the sleeves 60 so as to separate the first device 10A and the second device 10B from each other.

[0083] In order to protect the first sealing elements 41 in their deformed state, the protective covers are remounted on the sleeves 60.

[0084] It is thus understood that the clamping of the rods 25 by the first sealing elements 41 makes it possible to prevent the flow of the fluid remaining trapped in the tubes 100, 200 during the disconnection of the devices 10A, 10B.

[0085] It is also understood that the disconnection of the first device 10A from the second device 10B is only possible after the rotation of the sleeves causing the displacement of the bodies 30 from the projecting position to the flush position in which they are blocked by the arms 31.1 of the grooves 31, and therefore only after the gripping of the rods 25 by the first sealing elements 41, which makes it possible to avoid any risk of human error.

[0086] [Fig. 12] illustrates a connection device 10' which is none other than a first variant of the connection device 10. The device 10' differs from the device 10 in that it comprises a pull handle 53' in place of the handle 53. The handle 53' differs from the handle 53 in that it comprises, on one side, rectilinear bosses 53.2' extending in projection from the front face of the pull handle 53', and on the other side, rectilinear grooves 53.3' arranged to receive the bosses 53.2' of the handle 53' of the other device 10'. The bosses 53.2' and the grooves 53.3' respectively replace the relief 53.2 and the notch 53.3 of the device 10 and respectively form a male indexing element and a female indexing element intended to cooperate respectively with the female indexing element and the male indexing element of the other connection device 10' to ensure the simultaneous removal of the protective films 51.

[0087] [Fig. 13] illustrates a connecting device 10” which is nothing other than a second variant of the connecting device 10. The device 10” differs from the device 10 in that it comprises a pull handle 53” in place of the handle 53. The handle 53” differs from the handle 53 in that it comprises on one side a stud 53.2” extending projecting from the front face of the pull handle 53”, and on the other side a bore 53.3” arranged to receive the stud 53.2” of the handle 53” of the other device 10”. The stud 53.2” and the bore 53.3” respectively replace the relief 53.2 and the notch 53.3 of the device 10 and respectively form a male indexing element and a female indexing element intended to cooperate respectively with the female indexing element and the male indexing element of the other connection device 10” to ensure the simultaneous removal of the protective films 51.

[0088] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0089] Although the connection assembly here comprises two identical devices 10A, 10B, it may also comprise two different devices. For example, the locking tab 36 of the first device 10A may be replaced by an assembly pin and the assembly pin 37 of the second device 10B may be replaced by a locking tab so as to form a male connector and a female connector.

[0090] Although the pull handle 53 is here entirely rigid, it may comprise a free end portion arranged to be folded down onto the sleeve 60, this end portion being devoid of the indexing elements 53.2, 53.3, the ribs 53.6 and the lug 53.7.

[0091] Although the coupling of the devices 10A, 10B is here achieved by clipping, it can also be achieved by any other means such as by screwing a part of the device 10A onto the other device 10B.

[0092] Although the anchoring of the tubes 100, 200 on the devices 10A, 10B is here achieved by a fir-tooth relief, it can also be achieved by any other means such as a ring, an externally toothed washer or elastically deformable arms.

[0093] Although the locking of the body 30 in the flush position is here achieved by the use of elastically deformable arms 31.1, it can also be achieved by any other means such as by the use of pins.

[0094] Although the first sealing element 41 is symmetrical here, it may be non-symmetrical.

[0095] The rod 25 is optional, in particular when the channel delimited by the insert 20 is of small diameter. The first sealing element 41 in its deformed state then completely and alone obstructs the channel.

[0096] The steps necessary for disconnecting the devices 10A, 10B can be carried out simultaneously on each of the devices 10A, 10B or on one of the devices then the other.

[0097] The relief / notch assemblies 53.2, 53.3, bosses / grooves 53.2', 53.3' and nipple / bore 53.2”, 53.3” can be replaced by any other male / female indexing means allowing simultaneous removal of the protective membranes 50.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (10, 10', 10”) for aseptically connecting a tube, comprising: • a tubular body (30) for passing fluid; • a sealing member (40) arranged inside the body and comprising a front face extending axially from one end of the body; and • a protective membrane (50) for the front face of the sealing member, the protective membrane comprising a protective film (51) completely covering said front face of the sealing member, a pull tab (52) folded over the protective film and a pull handle (53, 53', 53”) fixed to one end of the tab, the handle being removably fixed to the end of the body and comprising at least one indexing element (53.2, 53.3, 53.2', 53.3', 53.2”, 53.3”) with a handle for pulling a protective membrane from another connecting device when coupling the connecting devices to connect the protective membranes in translation in a radial direction (F).

2. Device (10, 10', 10”) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one indexing element comprises at least one male indexing element (53.2, 53.2', 53.2”) and one female indexing element (53.3, 53.3', 53.3”) intended to cooperate respectively with a male indexing element and a female indexing element of the other device.

3. Device (10, 10', 10”) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pull handle (53, 53', 53”) comprises a front face extending parallel to the end of the body (30) and intended to cooperate with a front face of the pull handle of the protective membrane of the other connecting device when coupling the connecting devices.

4. Device (10) according to claim 3, in which the pull handle (53) comprises a first lateral edge which comprises a relief (53.2), of parallelepiped shape, extending in projection from the front face of the handle and forming the male indexing element, and a second lateral edge, opposite the first lateral edge, which comprises a notch (53.3) forming the female indexing element.

5. Device (10) according to claim 3, in which the pull handle (53') comprises on one side at least one rectilinear boss (53.2') extending projecting from the front face of the handle and forming the male indexing element, and on the other side at least one rectilinear groove (53.3') forming the female indexing element.

6. Device (10) according to claim 3, in which the pull handle (53”) comprises on one side at least one stud (53.2”) extending projecting from the front face of the handle and forming the male indexing element, and on the other side at least one bore (53.3”) forming the female indexing element.

7. Device (10, 10', 10”) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the pulling handle (53, 53', 53”) is fixed to the end of the body (30) by at least one hooking tab (53.4) which extends axially projecting from a rear face (53.5) of the handle and parallel to the pulling direction (F) of said handle, the hooking tab cooperating with a first rectilinear flank (34.5) of the body (30).

8. Device (10, 10', 10”) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the pulling handle (53, 53', 53”) comprises at least one rib (53.6) which extends axially projecting from a rear face (53.5) of the handle and cooperates with a second flank (34.6) of the body (30) to form a stop against radial movement of the handle (53) towards a central axis of the device.

9. Assembly (1) for connecting two tubes (100, 200) comprising two connecting devices (10, 10', 10”) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Assembly (1) according to claim 9, in which the two connecting devices (10, 10', 10”) are identical.

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