A NIPPLE INTENDED TO COOPERATE WITH MULTIPLE COUPLING COMPONENTS

Abstract: Nipples (6) for use in coupling various secondary coupling components including so-called Hansen couplings are disclosed in which the nipple (6) includes a longitudinally extending cylinder (11) which includes an outer recess (7) on its outer surface which is adapted for engagement with a Hansen-type secondary coupling component (15) including a locking element (16) for engaging the outer recess (7), and in which the nipple (6) includes threads (16) located between the outer recess (7) and the outer end of the longitudinally extending cylinder (10), which are adapted for engagement with a secondary coupling component (15) including corresponding threads (14') thereon. The disclosed nipples (6) are intended to be used in order to couple dialyzer (1) or similar diffusion and/or filtration devices to different tube systems which can include coupling components which are intended for throw-away use and/or for multiple usage.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a nipple, and in particular, a nipple which is intended to form part of a so-called Hansen coupling. More particularly, the present invention relates to nipples intended for use with Hansen couplings in which one coupling component comprises the nipple which includes at least one recess on its outer peripheral surface while the other coupling component has a sleeve-like portion, which is capable of being telescopically pushed over the nipple, and which includes a locking means, such as balls, which are engaged in the recess on the outer surface of the nipple. More particularly, the present invention relates to nipples which are intended to form part of a dialyzer or similar diffusion and/or filtration device. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to such nipples which are intended for use in such apparatus so as to render it possible to couple same to different tube systems, which can include coupling components intended either for throw-away use or which are intended for multiple utilization. Alternatively, the present invention is also directed to such nipples which can form part of a tube coupling for the coupling together of two tubular components. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are a number of different examples of Hansen couplings, such as those shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,518,542; 3,351,362 and 4,198,080 (& DE-A-2913302). As is evident from the sheer number of these patents, this type of coupling has been in use for a rather long period of time. These Hansen-type couplings consist, on the one side, of a nipple, and on the other side of a sleeve-like portion which is capable of being telescopically pushed over the nipple. The sleeve-like portion of the coupling exists in various forms including both simple and somewhat more complicated variants. They each have the common disadvantage, however, that they are too expensive to be used simply for throw-away use. The other coupling component, i e the nipples themselves, may, for example, form a part of a dialyzer, and thus be coupled normally by means of conventional Hansen couplings to tubes originating from a conventional diaysis monitor. If it is desired to use this same housing provided with such nipples in connection with hemofiltration, for example, the nipples must then be coupled to a tube set which is intended for throw-away use. Because of the concomitant high cost, such an arrangement can not comprise conventional Hansen couplings, but must instead make use of simpler couplings, such as simple threaded plastic components and the like. SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a nipple which, while being adapted to cooperate with so-called Hansen-type couplings, can also be used with other coupling components, such as simple threaded plastic components and the like. In accordance with the present invention, these and other objects have now been realized by the invention of a nipple which can be used for coupling to a plurality of secondary coupling components, the nipple comprising a longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member having an outer surface, an inner surface, an inner end, and an outer end, said outer end being intended to face anyone of said secondary coupling components, with the outer surface of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member including an outer recess adapted for engagement with a Hansen-type secondary coupling component, including locking means for engaging the outer recess. The nipple according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes thread means located between the outer recess and the outer end of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member, the thread means being adapted for engagement with a threaded secondary coupling component including corresponding threads thereon. The nipple in accordance with this invention is thus adapted so that it can form part of a so-called Hansen coupling, and thus includes a nipple with one or more recesses on its outer peripheral surface so that it can couple with a secondary coupling component having a sleeve-like part capable of being telescopically pushed over the nipple and which is provided on its inside with locking means such as balls which can engage in the recess or recesses of the nipple, and which is further characterized by a thread arranged either on the inside or the outside of the nipple and situated between the outer end of the nipple and the recess or recesses, and which is suitable for coupling together with other coupling components provided with a matching thread therefor. In order that the nipple of the present invention can adapt to be fit with a majority of standard Hansen-type couplings, the recess on the outer surface of the nipple preferably constitutes a circular groove around the entire periphery of the nipple, the groove being separated from the outer end of the nipple by a raised cylindrical portion. This groove, however, can be replaced by one or more recesses of different shapes and sizes. In accordance with one embodiment of the nipple of the present invention, the thread means are located on the outer surface of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. In accordance with another embodiment of the nipple of the present invention, the thread means are located on the inner surface of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. In a preferred embodiment in which the thread means are located on the outer surface of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member, that member also includes a raised cylindrical portion located between the annular groove and the outer end of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. In a preferred embodiment, the raised cylindrical portion is adapted to serve as a sealing surface with respect to at least one of the plurality of secondary coupling components. Preferably, the nipple includes a chamfered surface located between the raised cylindrical portion and the outer end of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member, the chamfered surface being adapted to act as a seal with respect to at least one of the plurality of secondary coupling components. In accordance with this invention, in order to achieve a relatively good seal, either the raised cylindrical portion itself can be adapted to serve as a sealing surface upon coupling, or it can be finished off on the outside by an inwardly chamfered sealing surface which is adapted to either seal against the other coupling component or against a packing or other seal provided therein. In accordance with another embodiment of the nipple of the present invention, the raised cylindrical portion has a first diameter, and the outer end of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member includes an end cylindrical portion having a second diameter, with the second diameter being less than the first diameter. In accordance with one embodiment of the nipple of the present invention in which the thread means are located on the outer surface of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member, the thread means are preferably dimensioned such that the threads are not engageable with the locking means of the Hansen-type secondary coupling component. This is, the nipple is preferably designed such that the locking means in the Hansen-type secondary coupling component to which it is to be coupled cannot fall down in locking position into the thread, but can only do so with the recess or recesses specifically adapted therefor. In this manner, the advantages of the design set forth in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 4,198,080 can be obtained with its ridges extending axially to the nipple, i.e., so that a reduced build-up of material in the otherwise thickened portion of the nipple can be utilized without any risk of an incorrect locking position being created. In accordance with another embodiment of the nipple of the present invention, the thread means has a predetermined depth so as to provide an internal thread diameter for the thread means, and the second diameter of the end cylindrical portion is less than that internal thread diameter. In another embodiment, a particularly good seal is obtained if the nipple includes the aforementioned end cylindrical portion which is narrower than the raised cylindrical portion, and these two portions are further separated by a chamfered surface whose original height is preferably slightly higher than the depth of the threads. In accordance with one embodiment of the nipple of the present invention in which the thread means are located on the inner surface of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member, the thread means comprise a plurality of axially extending bead components which are adapted to interact with an internal valve in the Hansen-type secondary coupling component. Preferably, this plurality of bead components comprise three such bead components evenly distributed about the inner surface of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. In this embodiment, the threads are thus arranged in a number of axially extending ridges or beads which are inwardly directed and which, in connection with a standard Hansen coupling, are intended to open an inner valve in that other coupling component. An acceptable thread can be achieved if these ridges or grooves are three in number and are evenly distributed about the periphery of the inner, otherwise cylindrical surface of the nipple. In accordance with one embodiment of the nipple of the present invention, the end cylindrical portion having a reduced diameter is adapted to sealingly cooperate with a sealing bead directed inwardly from the second coupling component. Alternatively, however, the nipple can itself be provided with a sealing bead, which is adapted to seal against a smooth cylindrical sealing surface facing inwardly from the other coupling component, The seal can be further improved if the threads are adapted to extend in towards the recess or recesses but without reaching same. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, these thread means are separated from the outer recess on the outer surface of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for diffusion or filtration is provided with at least one nipple extending outwardly from a cylindrical housing, the nipple being adapted for use in coupling the apparatus to a plurality of secondary coupling components, and the nipple including a longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member having an inner surface, an outer surface, an inner end and an outer end, said outer end being intended to face anyone of said secondary components, and the outer surface of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member including an outer recess adapted for engagement with a Hansen-type secondary coupling component including locking means for engaging said outer recess. The apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that said nipple includes thread means located between the recess and the outer end of the longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member and being adapted for engagement with a threaded secondary coupling component including corresponding threads thereon. In this manner, the present invention relates to application of such a nipple in a manner such that the nipple can be used to couple a dialyzer or similar diffusion and/or filtration device to different tube systems which can include coupling components intended either for throw-away use or of the type which are intended for multiple use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following detailed description of the invention can be more fully appreciated with reference to the following Figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a side, elevational view of a dialyzer or other such diffusion and/or filtration device modified with two nipples according to the present invention; FIG. 1a is a side, elevational, partial, enlarged view of one of the nipples shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2A is a side, elevational, sectional view of a Hansen-type coupling component for coupling to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2B is a side, elevational, sectional view of another secondary coupling component for coupling to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2C is a side, elevational, sectional view of another secondary coupling component for coupling to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2D is a side, elevational, sectional view of another secondary coupling component for coupling to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3A is a side, elevational, partially sectional view of the coupling component of FIG. 2A coupled to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3B is a side, elevational, partially sectional view of the coupling component of FIG. 2B coupled to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3C is a side, elevational, partially sectional view of the coupling component of FIG. 2C coupled to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3D is a side, elevational, sectional view of the coupling component of FIG. 2D coupled to a nipple in accordance with the present invention, with a portion of same shown in enlarged view; FIG. 4 is a side, elevational view of a dialyzer or other diffusion and/or filtration device modified with two nipples in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention including an internal thread; FIG. 4A is a side, elevational, partial, enlarged view of one of the nipples shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 5A is a side, elevational, sectional view of a Hansen-type coupling component for coupling to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 5B is a side, elevational, partial, sectional view of another secondary coupling component for coupling to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 5C is a side, elevational, partially sectional view of another secondary coupling component for coupling to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 5D is a side, elevational, partially sectional view of another coupling component for coupling to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 6A is a side, elevational, partially sectional view of the coupling component of FIG. 5A coupled to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 6B is a side, elevational, partially sectional view of the coupling component of FIG. 5B coupled to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 6C is a side, elevational, partially sectional view of the coupling component of FIG. 5C coupled to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 6D is a side, elevational, partially sectional view of the coupling component of FIG. 5D coupled to a nipple in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of another embodiment of a nipple in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the Figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like portions thereof, it is first noted that the specific designs shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 will be referred to, for purposes of clarity, simply as dialyzers. FIG. 1 shows a dialyzer 1 consisting of a casing 2 having two end closure parts 3, and with an inlet 4 and an outlet 5 for the dialyzed fluid. If the design shown in FIG. 1 is used solely for dialysis, dialysis fluid is supplied and withdrawn through two nipples 6. Nipple 6 is shown on a larger scale in FIG. 1a. Nipple 6 is provided about its periphery with a recess 7 having chamfered walls 8 and 9. The outer end of the nipple is designated by reference numeral 10. Between the groove 7 and the outer end 10 there is a raised cylindrical portion 11, as is customary on nipples which are used for conventional Hansen couplings. This is finished off towards the outer end 10 thereof by a chamfered surface 12, which is separated from the outer end 10 by a lowered or reduced diameter cylindrical portion 13. The nipple 6 is provided with a thread 14 on the raised cylindrical portion 11. In FIG. 2A there is shown a coupling component 15, which is standard for a conventional Hansen coupling, and is adapted to be coupled to the nipple 6 shown in FIG. 1A. The coupling component 15 is provided with locking means 16 acting inwardly, in this case being balls which are intended to engage in the groove 7 in the nipple 6 upon coupling. The balls 16 are controlled in a conventional manner, by means of guide ring 17 arranged between a spring 18 and a lock ring 19. The coupling component shown also comprises a packing 20. In FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D, thee are shown three further coupling components 15b, 15c and 15d, respectively, each of which is provided with an internal thread 14' matching thread 14. The coupling components according to FIGS. 2B and 2C are also provided with a packing, 20b and 20c, respectively. As is evident from FIGS. 3A through 3D, each of the coupling components in accordance with FIGS. 2A through 2D fit the nipple 6, and can be sealingly coupled thereto. The specific seal in accordance with the design according to FIG. 3D is brought about by means of a sealing bead 23, which is specifically shown in the enlarged circular section thereof shown in this Figure. The designs according to FIGS. 4 through 6D correspond in principle to those according to FIGS. 1 through 3D. Corresponding parts, therefore, have been given the same reference numerals. The difference in these cases lie in the fact that the external thread 14 in FIG. 1A, for example, has been replaced by an internal thread, which is designated by reference numeral 21 in FIG. 4A. In the same manner, the internal thread 14' in FIGS. 2B though 2D is replaced by an external thread 21' in FIGS. 5B through 5D. The internal thread 21 may be continuous, as shown schematically in FIG. 4A. Preferably, however, it is broken up, and presented by a number of axially extending ridges 22, as shown in FIG. 7. As is also clearly evident from FIGS. 6A through 6D, each of the coupling components according to FIGS. 5A through 5D fit the nipple 6, as shown in FIG. 4A. A further detailed description of FIGS. 4 through 7 is therefore not required. The present invention is not limited solely to the examples of embodiments described above, but can be varied within the framework of the following claims. For example, the groove 7 in the nipple 6 may be given many different designs, either as one recess or as a number of recesses.

Claims: A nipple (6) for use in coupling to a plurality of secondary coupling components (15,15b,15c,15d), said nipple (6) comprising a longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member having an inner surface, an outer surface, an inner end and an outer end, said outer end being intended to face anyone of said secondary coupling components (15,15b,15c,15d), said outer surface of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member including an outer recess (7) adapted for engagement with a Hansen-type secondary coupling component (15) including locking means (16) for engaging said outer recess (7), characterized in that said nipple (6) includes thread means (14,21) located between said outer recess (7) and said outer end of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member, said thread means (14,21) being adapted for engagement with a threaded secondary coupling component (15b,15c,15d) including corresponding threads (14',21') thereon. The nipple of claim 1 wherein said thread means (14) are located on said outer surface of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. The nipple of claim 1 wherein said thread means (21) are located on said inner surface of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. The nipple of claim 1 wehrein said outer recess (7) comprises an annular groove extending about the entire outer periphery of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. The nipple of claim 4 wherein said thread means (14) are located on said outer surface of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member, and wherein said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member includes a raised cylindrical portion (11) located between said annular groove or recess (7) and said outer end of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. The nipple of claim 5 wherein said raised cylindrical portion (11) is adapted to serve as a sealing surface with respect to at least one of said plurality of secondary coupling components (15, 15b,15c,15d). The nipple of claim 5, including a chamfered surface (12) located between said raised cylindrical portion (11) and said outer end of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member, said chamfered surface (12) being adapted to act as a seal with respect to at least one (15,15c) of said plurality of secondary coupling components. The nipple of claim 7 wherein said raised cylindrical portion (11) has a first diameter, and wherein said outer end of said longitudinally extending cylindrical member includes an end cylindrical portion (13) having a second diameter, said second diameter being less than said first diameter. The nipple of claim 2 wherein said thread means (14) is dimensioned such that said thread means (14) are not engageable with said locking means (16) of said Hansen-type secondary coupling component (15). The nipple of claim 8 wherein said thread means (14) has a predetermined depth so as to provide an internal thread diameter for said thread means (14), and wherein said second diameter is less than said internal thread diameter. The nipple of claim 3 wherein said thread means (21) comprises a plurality of axially extending bead components (22), said bead components (22) being adapted to interact with an internal valve in said Hansen-type secondary coupling component (15). The nipple of claim 11 wherein said plurality of bead components comprise three such bead components (22) evenly distributed about said inner surface of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. The nipple of claim 1 wherein said thread means (14) is separated from said outer recess (7) on said outer surface of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. Apparatus for diffusion or filtration including at least one nipple (6) extending outwardly from a cylindrical housing, said nipple (6) being adapted for use in coupling said apparatus to a plurality of secondary coupling components (15,15b,15c,15d), said nipple (6) including a longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member having an inner surface, an outer surface, an inner end and an outer end, said outer end being intended to face anyone of said secondary coupling components (15,15b,15c,15d), and said outer surface of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrcial member including an outer recess (7) adapted for engagement with a Hansen-type secondary coupling component (15) including locking means (16) for engaging said outer recess (7), characterized in that said nipple (6) includes thread means (14,21) located between said recess (7) and said outer end of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member and being adapted for engagement with a threaded secondary coupling component (15b,15c,15d) including corresponding threads (14',21'). The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said thread means (14) are located on said outer surface of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said thread means (21) are located on said inner surface of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said outer recess (7) comprises an annular groove extending about the entire outer periphery of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said thread means (14) are located on said outer surface of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member, and wherein said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member includes a raised cylindrical portion (11) located between said annular groove or recess (7) and said outer end of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said thread means (21) comprises a plurality of axially extending bead components (22) said bead components (22) being adapted to interact with an internal valve in said Hansen-type secondary coupling component (15). The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said plurality of bead components (22) comprise three such bead components evenly distributed about said inner surface of said longitudinally extending hollow cylindrical member.

Inventors: MAYER, GEORG
Applicants: GAMBRO DIALYSATOREN GMBH & CO. KG
Application year: 1991
Main classification: F16L37
IPC codes: A61M39, F16L25, B01D63, F16L37, F16L41