US 11,781,687 B2
Single-use genderless aseptic fluid couplings
Patrick T. Gerst, Oakdale, MN (US); Krista A. Vangsgard, Oakdale, MN (US); Michael J. Maleski, Coon Rapids, MN (US); and Randall S. Williams, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Assigned to Colder Products Company, Roseville, MN (US)
Filed by Colder Products Company, St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed on Jun. 8, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/895,919.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/948,607, filed on Dec. 16, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/892,491, filed on Aug. 27, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0062946 A1, Mar. 4, 2021
Int. Cl. F16L 33/035 (2006.01); A61M 39/10 (2006.01); F16L 55/105 (2006.01); F16L 37/084 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 33/035 (2013.01) [F16L 37/084 (2013.01); F16L 55/105 (2013.01); A61M 39/1011 (2013.01); F16L 2201/44 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aseptic fluid coupling comprising:
a main body defining a longitudinal axis and a bore, the main body comprising:
a front face;
a termination that is at an opposite end of the main body in comparison to the front face;
an alignment post; and
an alignment guide defining internal space configured to slidably receive an alignment post of another aseptic fluid coupling when two of the aseptic fluid couplings are mated together;
a seal member having a width along the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end of the seal member, the seal member including a portion disposed within the bore and a portion extending from the front face around the longitudinal axis; and
a flexible membrane including a portion attached to the front face around the seal member to block contaminants from entering a fluid flow path, the membrane also including a tail end portion that is at an opposite end of the membrane in comparison to the portion attached to the front face,
wherein the fluid flow path is defined through the aseptic fluid coupling,
wherein a portion of the fluid flow path is defined by the seal member along an entirety of the width of the seal member,
wherein the alignment post and the alignment guide each include attachment features whereby the alignment post latches with an engaged alignment guide and the alignment guide latches with an engaged alignment post, and
wherein the attachment features of the alignment guide includes at least one flexible latch member.