Aseptic tube connection device comprising a protective membrane

Abstract

Aseptic tube connection device (10, 10', 10'') comprising: a tubular fluid passage body (30); a sealing element (40) disposed 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 element, the protective membrane comprising a protective film (51) covering completely said front face of the sealing element, 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 pull handle of a protective membrane of another connecting device during coupling of the connecting devices to link the protective membranes in translation along a radial direction (F). ABBREVIATED FIGURE: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Aseptic tube connection device comprising a protective membrane

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of transport of 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 linked to circuit elements in the pharmaceutical industry, such as filters, centrifuges, pumps, flexible plastic tanks or processing containers such as bioprocessors.

[0004] Such an assembly generally comprises two connecting devices intended to be connected to each other 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 to which an annular sealing element is firmly fixed, designed to make a watertight contact with the sealing element of the other device. The sealing element is covered with a protective film in the form of a folded strip, one part of which adheres removably to a free lateral side of the sealing element, and another part forms a pull tab extending beyond the first part.

[0005] After the pipe ends have been inserted into the bodies, the devices are placed coaxially opposite each other and then brought closer together until the protective films are in contact and the sealing elements are slightly compressed before locking the relative positions of the devices. Simultaneous removal of the protective films by pulling the tabs results in a watertight contact between the sealing elements and thus the formation of an aseptic channel for fluid flow between the two pipes.

[0006] However, with such devices, it is possible to inadvertently remove the protective films one after the other, which can lead to contamination of the sealing element 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 provide an aseptic tube connection device which includes a protective membrane allowing at least part of the aforementioned problem to be overcome. Summary of the invention

[0009] To this end, the invention proposes an aseptic tube connection device, comprising: • a tubular body for fluid passage; • a sealing element disposed 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 element.

[0010] The protective membrane comprises a protective film completely covering the front face of the sealing element, a pull tab folded over the protective film, and a pull handle attached to one end of the tab. The handle is fixed to the end of the body and includes at least one indexing element with a pull handle for attaching a protective membrane to another connection device when coupling the connection devices to link the protective membranes in translation along a radial direction.

[0011] Such indexing of the membranes makes it possible to guarantee a 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 feature 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 feature 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 connecting device when coupling the connecting devices.

[0014] In particular, the pull handle includes a first lateral edge which has a parallelepiped-shaped relief extending outward from the front face of the handle and forming the male indexing element, and a second lateral edge, opposite the first lateral edge, which has a notch forming the female indexing element.

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

[0016] In particular, the pull handle comprises on one side at least one stud extending outward 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 feature of the invention, the pull handle is fixed to the end of the body by at least one hooking lug which extends axially projecting from a rear face of the handle and parallel to the direction of pull of said handle, the hooking lug cooperating with a first straight side of the body.

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

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

[0020] The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, among which:

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

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a view analogous to [Fig.1], in which the rac device rope is devoid of the protective membrane;

[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an exploded view of the connection device illustrated in [Fig.1]

[0024] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of the connection device illustrated in [Fig.1];

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

[0026] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of the protective membrane equipping the connection device illustrated in [Fig.1], 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 connection device illustrated in [Fig.1], 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 connecting assembly illustrated in [Fig.9A];

[0031] [Fig.1OA] [Fig.1OA] is a view analogous to [Fig.9A], after connection and before removal of the protective film;

[0032] [Fig.1OB] [Fig.1OB] is a cross-sectional view of the connecting assembly illustrated in [Fig.1OA];

[0033] [Fig. 1 IA] [Fig. 1 IA] is a view analogous 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 connecting 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. 1];

[0036] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a perspective view of a second variant of the connection device illustrated in [Fig. 1]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The invention is described herein 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 as 1, according to a particular embodiment of the invention, comprises two connection devices 10 intended to together establish 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 numeral 10.

[0039] As illustrated in figures 1 to 5, each device 10 includes a tubular nozzle or insert 20 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 includes externally a fir-tooth relief 23 and a collar 24 forming respectively a means of its anchoring in the tube 100, 200 and a stop to its insertion into said tube 100, 200.

[0041] The insert 20 comprises a second end section 20.2 defining 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 cylindrical rod 25 extending axially in a cantilevered fashion within the channel 21 such that a free end portion 25.1 of the rod projects from the second section 20.2 of the insert 20. As illustrated in Figures 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 sufficiently small here so that the cross-section fluid passage of 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 externally provided with two collars coaxial flanges 27.1, 27.2 arranged at a free end of said second section 20.2, and a serrated ring 28 having an outside diameter slightly larger than that of the flanges 27.1, 27.2. The flanges 27.1, 27.2 form first means for centering a tubular body 30 mounted on the insert 20. The serrated 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 externally provided with two diametrically opposed axial ribs 29 arranged, as will be seen later, to link the body 30 to the insert 20 in rotation. The ribs 29 have 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 in projection from said second section 20.2 of the insert 20.

[0045] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the first section 30.1 has 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 integral with the rest 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 link 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 link the body 30 in rotation to the insert 20 and to ensure axial displacement 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 notched ring 28 and a first deformed state in which said reliefs 32.1 delimit a passage section larger than the diameter of said notched ring 28. It should be noted that the notched ring 28 has an outer perimeter having a chamfer arranged so as not to interfere with the mounting of the body 30 on the insert 20. .

[0046] The grooves 31 delimiting the cylindrical portions 32 also include a section delimited by two elastically deformable arms 31.1 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 have a front face arranged so as not to globally oppose an axial displacement of the body 30 from a protruding position, in which the reliefs 32.1 of the cylindrical portions 32 cooperate with the lateral flank of The notched ring 28, in which the arms 31.1 are axially displaced 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 the lateral faces of the ribs 29 so as to prevent axial displacement of the body 30 from the flush position to the protruding position. It is understood that after reaching the flush position, the body 30 can no longer return to the protruding 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 receiving housing for 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 hermetic 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 externally provided with a flange 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 flange 34.3 which extends radially in line with the step 33 to define, together with the latter, a front face 35 of the body 30. The flanges 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 ensure, as will be seen later, a slight clearance between the front faces 35 after the two devices 10 are brought together. The flange 34.3 includes a flat from which radially projecting extension 34.4 forming, as will be seen later, a hooking and indexing appendage of a removable protective membrane 50 of the second sealing element 42. .

[0050] The body 30 further includes a locking lug 36 and an assembly pin 37 which are diametrically opposed and which extend axially in projection 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 includes a free end having an inner surface provided with a fir-tooth asperity 36.1 intended to ensure, as will be seen later, a coupling of the device 10 with the other device 10.

[0052] The front face 35 of the body 30 includes a slot 35.1 for receiving a portion of the assembly pin 37 of the other device 10. The slot 35.1 is arranged near a periphery of the front face 35, close to the worm gear lug. rusting 36, the slot 35.1 and the assembly pin 37 being diametrically opposed.

[0053] The first sealing element 41 is in tight 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 defines a passage section larger than a cross-section of the rod 25 of the insert 20 and a second state in which it clamps 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 tight 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 sufficiently compresses the first sealing element 41 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 that projects from the second section 30.2 of the body 30 and is entirely 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 the 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 being here made from the same flat, unpreformed strip of material to fit 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 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 recessed 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 tab 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 are brought together.

[0059] The pull handle 53 comprises a first lateral edge which has a parallelepiped-shaped relief 53.2 extending outward from a front face of the pull handle 53, and a second lateral edge, opposite the first lateral edge, which has 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 form respectively 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 connecting device 10 after the two devices 10 have been brought together.

[0060] The pull handle 53 also includes two elastically deformable, and here substantially parallelepiped-shaped, hooking tabs 53.4, extending axially from a rear face 53.5 of the handle 53, opposite the front face. The hooking tabs 53.4 extend parallel to the pull direction F of the handle 53 and have a free end externally provided with a fir-tree tooth-shaped asperity, each cooperating with a first straight flank 34.5 of the extension 34.4 of the collar 34.3 of the body 30 to ensure the handle 53 is mounted directly onto said body. It is understood that the hooking tabs 53.4 form removable fastening means for the handle 53 on the body 30 and do not impede the pulling of the handle 53 along the direction F.

[0061] The pull handle 53 also includes two straight ribs 53.6 extending axially projecting from the rear face of the handle 53, downstream of the hooking lugs. The ribs 53.6 extend orthogonally to the pull direction F of the handle 53 and each cooperate with a second straight 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 includes a lug 53.7 extending axially 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 rotationally link said sleeve 60 with said body 30. It is understood that the lug 53.7 prevents any axial rotation of the sleeve 60 relative to the body 30 when the protective membrane 50 is in position on said body 30, and to maintain the protective film 51 on the body 30 in a stable and correctly oriented manner.

[0063] Finally, it should be noted that the handle includes a free end which is flared in shape and which includes two straight 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 defines a passage section greater than the diameter of the step 61, and a second deformed state in which said free end defines a passage section less than the diameter of said step 61. It should be noted that the free end of the cylindrical portions 32 has an outer circumference having a chamfer arranged so as not to hinder the mounting of the sleeve 60 on the body 30.

[0066] The sleeve 60 also includes internally a helical groove 62 forming a thread arranged to receive radially projecting protrusions 29.2 extending from the ribs 29 of the insert 20 such that an axial rotation of the operating sleeve 60 from a connection position to a disconnection position results in an axial displacement of the insert 20 from the protruding 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 externally provided with two identical and diametrically opposed collar portions 63, onto which the locking tab 36 of the body 30 of the other device 10 is designed to clip via its fir-tree tooth asperity 36.1 to ensure coupling of the device 10 with said other device 10, the sleeve 60 of which 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 define an axial clearance path for the locking tab 36 of the other device 10 when the sleeve 60 is in the disconnected position.

[0068] The sleeve 60 also includes externally a plurality of reliefs 64 distributed angularly in a regular manner to form gripping means for the sleeve 60 to facilitate its rotation.

[0069] In order to prevent any deterioration of the protective film 51 and contamination of the second sealing element 42 during the 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 should be noted that the entire device 10 is sterilized at the factory to ensure it is free from any contamination before being packaged in a plastic bag.

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

[0072] The end section 20.1 of the first device 10A is first inserted into the first tube 100 until the latter butts against the collar 24 of said first device 10A. Similarly, the end section 20.1 of the second device 10B is inserted into the second tube 200 until the latter butts 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 opposite each other, the first device 10A being rotated axially by approximately 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 opposite the slot 35.1 and the assembly pin 37 of the second device 10B (figures 9A and 9B).

[0074] Initially, the first and second devices 10A, 10B are brought together 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 studs 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: • a 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 a 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 retraction of a portion of the end of the second sealing elements 42 extending outward from said front faces 35; and • a cooperation of the asperity 36.1 of the locking lug 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 lug 36 of the second device 10B with one of the collar portions 63 of the first device 10A.

[0076] This refers to the automatic indexing of the pull handles 53 and the coupling of the first and second devices 10A, 10B. It should be noted that the slight play defined between the front faces 35 of the body 30 by the studs 35.2 prevents the protective films 51 and the tabs 52 from being pinched between said front faces 35.

[0077] The protective membranes 50 are then removed by pinching the free ends of the pull handles 53 and applying a pulling force to them in the direction F of the pull. The indexing of the pull handles 53, achieved via the ridges 53.2 and the notches 53.3, ensures 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 watertight contact between the front faces of the second sealing elements 42 (Figures 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 play 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 applied, preferably simultaneously, to each of the sleeves 60 so as to move said sleeves 60 from the connection position to the disconnection position and thus axially displace the bodies 30 of the first and second devices 10A, 10B from the protruding position to the flush position. It should be noted that the movement 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 locking 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 displacement of the bodies 30 towards the protruding 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 flow 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 10A device 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 which remained trapped in the tubes 100, 200 when the devices 10A, 10B were disconnected.

[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 movement of the bodies 30 from the protruding position to the flush position in which they are blocked by the arms 31.1 of the grooves 31, and therefore after the clamping 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 connecting device 10' which is simply a first variant of the connecting device 10. The device 10' differs from the device 10 in that it includes a pull handle 53' instead of the handle 53. The handle 53' differs from the handle 53 in that it includes, on one side, straight bosses 53.2' extending outward from the front face of the pull handle 53', and on the other side, straight grooves 53.3' arranged to receive the bosses 53.2' of the handle 53' of the other device 10'. The bosses 53.2' and 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 connecting device 10' to ensure the simultaneous removal of the protective films 51.

[0087] Figure 13 illustrates a 10” connecting device which is simply a second variant of the 10 connecting device. The 10” device differs from the 10 device in that it includes a 53” pull handle instead of the 53 handle. The 53” handle differs from the 53 handle in that it includes, on one side, a 53.2” stud extending outward from the front face of the 53” pull handle, and on the other side a bore 53.3” arranged to receive the nipple 53.2” of the handle 53” of the other device 10”. The nipple 53.2” and the bore 53.3” replace respectively the relief 53.2 and the notch 53.3 of the device 10 and form respectively 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 connecting 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 can also comprise two different devices. For example, the locking tab 36 of the first device 10A can be replaced by an assembly pin and the assembly pin 37 of the second device 10B can 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 include 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 devices 10A, 10B is here achieved by clipping, it can also be achieved by any other means such as by screwing one part of 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 relief in the shape of a fir tree tooth, it can also be achieved by any other means such as a rod, 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, particularly when the channel delimited by the insert 20 is of small diameter. The first sealing element 41, in its deformed state, then completely and by itself obstructs the channel.

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

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

Claims

Demands

1. A device (10, 10', 10") for aseptic connection of a tube, comprising: • a tubular body (30) for fluid passage; • a sealing member (40) disposed 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) covering completely 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 pull handle of a protective membrane of another connecting device when coupling the connecting devices to link the protective membranes in translation along 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, wherein the pull handle (53) comprises a first lateral edge which has a parallelepiped-shaped relief (53.2) extending outward from the front face of the handle and forming the male indexing element, and a second lateral edge, opposite the first lateral edge, which has a notch (53.3) forming the female indexing element.

5. Device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the pull handle (53') comprises on one side at least one straight 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 straight groove (53.3') forming the female indexing element.

6. Device (10) according to claim 3, wherein 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, wherein the pull handle (53, 53', 53") is fixed to the end of the body (30) by at least one hooking lug (53.4) which extends axially out of a rear face (53.5) of the handle and parallel to the pull direction (F) of said handle, the hooking lug cooperating with a first straight flank (34.5) of the body (30).

8. Device (10, 10', 10") according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pull handle (53, 53', 53") comprises at least one rib (53.6) which extends axially in projection 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 to a radial displacement 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, wherein the two connecting devices (10, 10', 10") are identical.

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