Patent Description:
A typical prior art connector assembly piercing member has a sharp tip in order to transfer a substance from or into an opposing device. One of the drawbacks of prior art piercing members is that users may accidentally prick themselves with an exposed piercing member present in the connector assembly. One level of concern relates to the pain and potential physical injury associated with an accidental piercing member prick.

A second and much more dangerous situation arises if the piercing member of the connector assembly has been previously used. For example, if a connector assembly has already been used and been contaminated by germs or contaminants, the germs or contaminants may thereafter be transmitted into the next opposing device pricked with the same piercing member present in the connector assembly. Often times it is very difficult to determine with certainty whether a prior art connector assembly is used or unused once out of its original packaging. As way of an example, prior art document <CIT> discloses an aseptic fluid connector having a male connector and a female connector engageable to aseptically transfer fluid therethrough.

It is an object of at least some embodiments of the present invention to overcome one or more of the above-described drawbacks and/or disadvantages of the prior art.

In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a connector comprising: a first piece; a piercing member attached to the first piece; and a second piece, the piercing member being slidingly receivable within the second piece; wherein the piercing member and the second pierce are movable relative to each other between a first position where the second pieces closes the flow port and a second position where the flow port is open; the first piece further includes a locking mechanism adapted to lockingly connect the first piece to a device when engaged therewith, thereby permanently locking the first piece to the device and preventing subsequent disconnection of first piece and the device.

In some embodiments, upon said engagement of the first piece and the device, the second piece is moved from the first position to the second position.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises an inward lip on the first piece.

In some embodiments, the inward lip is adapted to engage an outward lip on the device after the outward lip slides past the inward lip.

In some embodiments, the first piece comprises an inner surface and the second piece comprises a stop surface that makes contact with the inner surface to stop the piercing member from further axial movement relative to the device once the inward lip engages the outward lip.

In some embodiments, the connector is partially enclosed within a dispensing head.

In some embodiments, the dispensing head includes a one-way valve and a manually-engageable actuator.

In some embodiments, the dispensing head is attachable to a squeeze tube.

In some embodiments, the connector further comprises a removable seal on the second piece.

In accordance with the present invention, the locking mechanism cannot be unlocked.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention is directed to a device including a penetrable septum moveable between (i) a first position, wherein the penetrable septum is uncompressed, and (ii) a second position, wherein the penetrable septum is compressed; and a single use connector assembly including a piercing member attached to a first piece, with the piercing member slidingly receivable within a second piece, wherein at least one of the piercing member and the penetrable septum is axially moveable with respect to the other of the piercing member and the penetrable septum in an unlocked position prior to and during usage of the connector, and the at least one of the piercing member and the penetrable septum is no longer axially moveable with respect to the other of the piercing member and the penetrable septum in a locked position.

In some embodiments, the connector assembly is partially enclosed within a dispensing head.

In some embodiments, the connector assembly further comprises a removable seal on the second piece.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method comprising: inserting a piercing member of a connector assembly into a penetrable septum, the connector assembly further including a first piece attached to the piercing member, and a second piece, wherein the piercing member is slidingly received within the second piece; and the first piece further includes a locking mechanism adapted to lockingly connect the first piece to the device when engaged therewith, thereby permanently locking the first piece to the device and preventing subsequent disconnection of the first piece and the device; and permanently locking the first piece to the device with the locking mechanism, thereby locking the piercing member of the connector assembly in the penetrable septum.

In some embodiments, the locking comprises fixing relative positioning of the piercing member and the penetrable septum such that neither is axially moveable with respect to the other.

In accordance with the present invention, the locking is permanent.

Other objects, features and/or advantages will become apparent in view of the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

However, while various objects, features and/or advantages have been described in this Summary and/or will become more readily apparent in view of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, it should be understood that such objects, features and/or advantages are not required in all aspects and embodiments.

This Summary is not exhaustive of the scope of the present aspects and embodiments. Thus, while certain aspects and embodiments have been presented and/or outlined in this Summary, it should be understood that the present aspects and embodiments are not limited to the aspects and embodiments in this Summary. Indeed, other aspects and embodiments, which may be similar to and/or different from, the aspects and embodiments presented in this Summary, will be apparent from the description, illustrations and/or claims, which follow.

It should also be understood that any aspects and embodiments that are described in this Summary and do not appear in the claims that follow are preserved for later presentation in this application or in one or more continuation patent applications.

It should also be understood that any aspects and embodiments that are not described in this Summary and do not appear in the claims that follow are also preserved for later presentation or in one or more continuation patent applications.

In <FIG>, a device is indicated generally by the reference numeral <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the device <NUM> is a single use connector assembly. However, as may be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the invention may be embodied in and otherwise may be applicable to devices other than connector assemblies, such as, for example, cannula and probe assemblies.

As shown in <FIG>, the connector assembly <NUM> comprises a first piece <NUM>, a second piece <NUM>, a piercing member <NUM> centered and enclosed within the first piece <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector assembly <NUM> is used for administering a substance from or into a chamber of a container. However, as may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the connector assembly may be used for any of numerous applications currently known, or that later becomes known, such as, for example, filling a container with a substance, dispensing a substance from or into an opposing device, and any form of fluid transfer. As also may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the connector assembly is attachable to any of numerous devices, currently known or that later become known, capable of performing the function of a container as described herein.

The first piece <NUM> includes a tubular end <NUM> with a centered (or otherwise) opening <NUM> therein, a shell <NUM>, and a wide (or otherwise) opening <NUM> at the end opposite to the tubular end <NUM>. The tubular end <NUM> may be in fluid communication with a conduit or a chamber (not shown) attached thereto. As better shown in <FIG>, the first piece <NUM> further includes a piercing member <NUM>. The piercing member <NUM> includes a hollow shaft <NUM> with a tip <NUM> formed at a dispensing end of the shaft, two or more ports <NUM> displaced from the tip <NUM> of the shaft, the ports being in fluid communication with an interior of the hollow shaft <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the piercing member tip <NUM> is defined by a non-coring, conically-pointed tip; however, as may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the tip may define any of numerous other tip configurations that are currently known, or that later become known, such as, for example, a trocar tip. Additionally, the tip may be metal or plastic, such as, for example, a tip made of Graphene or Vectra. The piercing member may be metal, plastic, such as Graphene or Vectra, or may be made of a flexible polymer, such as a biocompatible polymer. In the illustrated embodiment, the two ports <NUM> are diametrically opposed relative to each other; however, as may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the piercing member may define any number of ports (i.e., one or more ports) that may define any of numerous different configurations and locations. In the illustrated embodiment, the piercing member <NUM> is integrally molded with the first piece <NUM>; however, as may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the piercing member may be fixedly attached to the first piece in any of numerous other configurations that currently known, or that later becomes known. Exemplary piercing members are disclosed in co-pending <CIT> entitled "Self Closing Connector," claiming priority to similarly-titled <CIT>, and similarly-titled <CIT>.

The second piece <NUM> includes a friction (or otherwise) fit sleeve <NUM> with a centered (or otherwise) opening <NUM> formed therein and attached to and in fluid communication with an alignment cup <NUM>, and a stop surface <NUM> configured to align with and make contact with a parallel (or otherwise) inner surface <NUM> within the wide opening <NUM> of the first piece <NUM>. The opening formed within the friction (or otherwise) fit sleeve <NUM> frictionally (or otherwise) receives a distal end of the piercing member <NUM> to align and guide the piercing member tip <NUM> and/or prevent deflection thereof. The friction fit sleeve <NUM> further operates to protect (at least a portion of) the piercing member and to close off the ports <NUM> of the piercing member prior to usage of the connector assembly. In some embodiments, the friction fit sleeve <NUM> may be formed of a relatively flexible material. At the wide opening side of the first piece <NUM>, the rim of the inner opening of the wide opening <NUM> defines an (at least partly) annular (or otherwise) snapping lip <NUM>, further described below with respect to a container (or other device) to which the connector assembly <NUM> may be attached.

<FIG> show the connector assembly <NUM> and a container (or other device) <NUM> to which the connector assembly <NUM> may be attached. In the illustrated embodiment, the container <NUM> includes a chamber <NUM> having an opening. As shown in <FIG>, the opening of the chamber <NUM> of the container comprises a penetrable septum or stopper <NUM> in fluid communication with and sealing the chamber <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal end of the penetrable septum <NUM> frictionally fits about the distal end of the opening of the chamber <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, as is shown best in <FIG>, the annular snapping lip <NUM> (which is defined by the first piece <NUM>) defines an inward lip on the piercing member tip <NUM> side of the first piece <NUM> that allows a corresponding (at least partly) annular (or otherwise) locking rim <NUM> (<FIG>) located at the opening of the chamber <NUM> of the container <NUM>, to slide therein or otherwise into the first piece <NUM> with the annular snapping lip <NUM> snapping over the annular locking rim <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) when the piercing member <NUM> slides in a direction from a distal end of a penetrable septum <NUM> toward a proximal end thereof, and thereafter preventing the piercing member <NUM> from sliding back in the opposite direction. In at least some embodiments, the (at least partly) annular (or otherwise) locking rim <NUM> defines an outward lip that engages the inward lip after the outward lip slides past the inward lip. ) Further, the stop surface <NUM> of the second piece <NUM> makes contact with the parallel inner surface <NUM> within the wide opening <NUM> of the first piece <NUM> to stop the piercing member <NUM> from further axial movement in the direction from the distal end of the septum <NUM> toward the proximal end thereof once the annular snapping lip <NUM> snaps over the annular locking rim <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). Consequently, once the annular snapping lip <NUM> snaps over the annular locking rim <NUM>, the piercing member is locked within the septum <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the septum <NUM> comprises a substantially dome-shaped portion over a cylindrical portion and is formed of a resilient and/or elastomeric material. The approximately dome-shaped portion and/or the material (resilient and/or elastomeric) allow the septum <NUM> to move between a first position, as shown in <FIG>, where the dome-shaped portion is uncompressed (before the second portion <NUM> makes contact with the septum <NUM>), and a second position, as shown in <FIG>, where the dome-shaped portion is compressed (after the second portion <NUM> makes contact with the septum <NUM>), and later pierced by the piercing member. As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the penetrable septum may be configured in any of numerous configurations currently known, or that later become known, capable of performing the function of the penetrable septum as described herein, such as, for example, a bellows configuration. Exemplary penetrable septa are disclosed in the following patents and patent applications which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference as part of the present disclosure: <CIT>, entitled "Process for Filling a Sealed Receptacle under Aseptic Conditions," <CIT>; <CIT>, entitled "Medicament Vial Having a Heat-Sealable Cap, and Apparatus and Method for Filling Vial," issued as <CIT>, which, in turn, claims priority from <CIT>, entitled "Heat-Sealable Cap for Medicament Vial;" <CIT>, entitled "Sealed Containers and Methods of Making and Filling Same," issued as <CIT>, which, in turn, claims priority from similarly titled <CIT>; and <CIT>, entitled "Medicament Vial Having a Heat-Sealable Cap, and Apparatus and Method for Filling the Vial," issued as <CIT>, which, in turn claims priority from similarly titled <CIT> and similarly titled <CIT>.

However, the configuration of the septum is not limited to the above. Moreover, in some embodiments, the septum may not move between a first position and a second position and may not have both uncompressed and compressed.

In <FIG>, another connector assembly embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral <NUM>. The connector assembly <NUM> is the same as and/or substantially similar to the connector assembly <NUM> described above, and therefore like reference numerals are preceded by the numeral "<NUM>" to indicate like elements. The primary difference of the connector assembly <NUM> in comparison to the connector assembly <NUM> is that the connector assembly <NUM> is partially enclosed within a dispensing head <NUM> and includes a removable seal <NUM>. The dispensing head <NUM> may include a valve <NUM> and an actuating pump <NUM>. Exemplary such valves and actuating pumps are disclosed in the following patents and patent applications which are: <CIT>, titled "Laterally-Actuated Dispenser with One-Way Valve for Storing and Dispensing Metered Amounts of Substances," now Patent No. <CIT>, and claiming priority to <CIT>, titled "Laterally-Actuated Dispenser with One-Way Valve for Storing and Dispensing Metered Amounts of Substances" and <CIT> titled "Laterally-Actuated Dispenser with One-Way Valve for Storing and Dispensing Metered Amounts of Substances.

In some embodiments, the valve <NUM> comprises a one-way valve (which may form an external portion of the dispensing head) and including a valve seat (which may extend axially) and a valve cover (which may be flexible and/or extend axially) seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, seam (which may extend axially) therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat, wherein the valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with an outlet aperture to allow the passage of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser.

In some embodiments, the actuating pump <NUM> comprises a manually-engageable actuator <NUM> having a manually-engageable surface <NUM> on an external side of the manually-engageable actuator <NUM> and further having an underside that defines or functions as a piston movable between first and second positions relative to a compression chamber (within the dispensing head and/or in fluid communication with the one-way valve) to pressurize substance within such compression chamber. In some embodiments, (i) during movement in the direction from the second position toward the first position, a variable-volume storage chamber is in fluid communication with the compression chamber for permitting substance to flow from the variable-volume storage chamber into the compression chamber, and (ii) during movement in the direction from the first position toward the second position (a) the compression chamber is not in fluid communication with the variable-volume storage chamber and (b) the substance within the compression chamber is pressurized above the one-way valve opening pressure and dispensed through the normally closed seam and out of the dispenser.

As shown in <FIG> with regard to an embodiment of the connector assembly <NUM>, prior to usage, a removable seal <NUM> covers and seals an open end of the alignment cup <NUM> of the second piece <NUM> of the connector assembly, sealing the opening of the second piece and the piercing member (not shown) therein. In this embodiment, the first piece is partially enclosed within and forms part of a dispensing head <NUM>. The piercing member within the second piece <NUM> is thereby maintained in a sterile state prior to use. Prior to attaching the connector assembly to the opening of a chamber of a container, the seal <NUM> is removed or peeled away from the proximal end of the alignment cup <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the seal is a foil seal. However, as may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the removable seal may take the form of any of numerous different sealing mechanisms that are currently known, or that later becomes known, such as, for example, a removable liner or a removable cap. In one embodiment, the seal <NUM> is a heat-sealed film, e.g., foil or plastic that has barrier properties, particularly for oxygen sensitive materials such as creams contained in the chamber <NUM> to prevent oxygen permeation into the material contained within the chamber. Even though not shown, the embodiment of connector assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> too may include a removable seal <NUM> covering the wide opening of the second piece <NUM>, sealing the opening of the alignment cup <NUM> and the piercing member therein. When the dispensing head is ready for use, the seal is removed from the alignment cup end of the connector assembly.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, prior to penetrating the septum <NUM>, and right after the seal covering the alignment cup <NUM> is peeled off, the friction fit sleeve <NUM> of the second piece <NUM> still seals the ports <NUM> with respect to ambient atmosphere to thereby maintain the sterility of the ports and of the interior of the piercing member. Since the ports <NUM> are not exposed to the ambient atmosphere, the ports, interior of the piercing member, and fluid flowing therethrough, are not contaminated and/or are maintained sterile as the fluid is dispensed from or into the chamber <NUM>. Thus, in at least some embodiments, the piercing member is never exposed before, during, and after substance transfer.

To initiate forming of a fluid-tight hermetic connection between the connector assembly <NUM> and an opening of the chamber <NUM>, the opening in the alignment cup <NUM> of the connector assembly is first placed facing the penetrable septum <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The alignment cup <NUM> aligns the piercing member <NUM> with the center of the penetrable septum <NUM> to facilitate center piercing of the septum by the piercing member. The connector assembly <NUM> is then depressed, as shown in <FIG>, progressively inducing the penetrable septum <NUM> from the first uncompressed position in <FIG> toward the compressed and pierced position in FIG> 2F. As shown in <FIG>, upon initial contact of the piercing member tip <NUM> with the surface of the penetrable septum <NUM>, the annular snapping lip <NUM> of the first piece <NUM> is not yet snapped past the annular locking rim <NUM> of the container opening when connector assembly is first attached. As the connector assembly is depressed, the friction fit sleeve starts sliding up the piercing member further exposing the tip <NUM> to facilitate piercing of the septum, and the resistance of the surface of the septum to puncture induces the annular snapping lip <NUM> of the first piece <NUM> to fully engage the end of the annular locking rim <NUM> of the container, wherein the annular snapping lip <NUM> of the first piece <NUM> moves from abutting the end of the annular locking rim <NUM> to snapping into the flange portion of the annular locking rim <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The piercing member tip <NUM> fully penetrates the septum <NUM> and the ports <NUM> start to emerge out of the friction fit sleeve <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. As the piercing member penetrates the septum, the contact (friction or otherwise) between the septum and the piercing member wipes (in effect) the piercing member to remove (or at least significantly reduce) any germs and other contaminants that may be present on the external surface of the piercing member, while the ports <NUM> remain unexposed until they pass through the septum. As the connector assembly is further depressed, frictional engagement between the opening of the alignment cup <NUM> and the septum <NUM>, prevents further movement of the connector assembly relative to the septum. Further penetration of the piercing member <NUM> into the septum <NUM> causes the hollow shaft <NUM> and the tip <NUM> to further move relative to the alignment cup <NUM> against the bias of the septum <NUM> to, in turn, move the ports <NUM> to be fully opened within the chamber as shown in <FIG>. In this position, the piercing member <NUM> is in fluid communication with the chamber <NUM> permitting substances to flow out of or into the chamber <NUM> through the ports <NUM>.

In at least some embodiments, the connector assembly cannot be reused once the annular locking rim <NUM> has fully snapped into position. The locking between the annular snapping lip <NUM> of the connector assembly and the annular locking rim <NUM> of the container prevents the piercing member <NUM> from moving back. Therefore, once the connector assembly <NUM> snaps into and locks into position as shown in <FIG>, it cannot be unlocked. In some embodiments, the connector assembly permits multiple intact transfers of substances out of a filled chamber <NUM> until the chamber is empty. After the chamber <NUM> is emptied, the container along with the connector assembly <NUM> is discarded. In other words, the connector assembly is configured for single use, is not re-used, and can only be disposed of along with the container to which it is attached. This prevents cross-contamination common in reusable prior art connectors.

The connector assembly may be used in various applications including cream/liquid dispensing, eyedroppers, dermatologic dispensers, and other substance transfers without the need to add preservatives therein to maintain sterility. The connector assembly may also be used to fill non-preserved liquids into intact closed containers. The connector assembly may further be used as an interface between an intact dispensing system and an intact container. In all applications, both the connector assembly and the opening of the chamber are sealed by film to protect them from contamination during shelf life. This permits the use of the above described connector assembly in harsh environments, such as hospitals and in non-sterile open environments.

<FIG> illustrate additional embodiments each of which includes one or more connector assembly. These connector assemblies are the same as and/or substantially similar to the connector assemblies <NUM> and/or <NUM> described above, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numerals "<NUM>" through "<NUM>" (i.e., irrespective of letter suffixes that may be included) are used to indicate like elements.

<FIG> are perspective cross-sectional views of two fluid and/or other substance transfer systems (and/or assemblies) 400A, 400B, respectively. The two transfer systems 400A, 400B each include a conduit 496A, 496B, respectively, having two ends. Each transfer system further includes two connector assemblies. Transfer system 400A includes connector assemblies 410A, 410A, which may be, but are not required to be, identical to one another. Each of the connector assemblies 410A, 410A is attached to a respective one of the ends of conduit 496A. Similarly, transfer system 400B includes connector assemblies 410B, 410B, which may be, but are not required to be, identical to one another, and each of the connector assemblies 410B, 410B is attached to a respective one of the ends of conduit 496B. Three of the connector assemblies are shown in a similar state. One of the connector assemblies, i.e., the connector assembly shown attached to the lower end of the conduit in <FIG>, the piercing member 422B is enclosed within the second piece 412B. This protects the tip and ports of the piercing member from contamination. The conduit allows for fluid and/or other substance transfer between two chambers (not shown) that may be spaced apart from each other. In at least some embodiments, one or both of the chambers may be the same as and/or similar to chamber <NUM> and/or any other type of chamber. Each chamber may have a penetrable septum, with the piercing member of each connecting assembly piercing the septum and forming a fluid-tight hermetic seal with a respective chamber.

<FIG> are perspective views of two fluid and/or other substance transfer systems (and/or assemblies), and <FIG> are corresponding perspective cross-sectional views of the two transfer systems. Each transfer system includes a connector assembly attached to a conduit. In <FIG>, the connector assembly 510A is attached to one end of the conduit while a self-sealing valve connector 598A is attached to its other end. Similarly, in <FIG>, the connector assembly 510B is attached to one end of the conduit while a self-closing valve 598B is attached to its other end.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a fluid and/or other substance transfer system (and/or assembly) and <FIG> is a corresponding perspective cross-sectional view of the transfer system, which includes a connector assembly 610A attached to a conduit, while <FIG> are perspective partial cross-sectional views of further fluid and/or other substance transfer systems (and/or assemblies), which include the connector assembly 610B attached to a conduit. In <FIG>, the connector assembly 610A is attached to one end of the conduit with another type of self-sealing valve connector 698A being attached to its other end. <FIG> shows the connector assembly 610B attached to one end of the conduit and a male connector 698B attached to the other end of the conduit, while <FIG> shows the connector assembly 610B attached to one end of the conduit and a female connector 698C attached to the other end of the conduit. Exemplary such connectors are disclosed in the following co-pending patent applications, <CIT>, entitled "Device for Connecting or Filling and Method", which claims the benefit of similarly to similarly-titled <CIT>, and <CIT>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a fluid and/or other substance transfer system (and/or assembly), which includes a conduit, the connector assembly <NUM> attached to an end of the conduit and another device attached to the other end of the conduit, shown along with a pouch (or other type of container) <NUM> (which may include one or more chambers <NUM> that one or more of which) the connector assembly conduit attaches to, while <FIG> is a perspective cross-sectional view of the transfer system that includes the connector assembly <NUM> and conduit shown in <FIG>. Exemplary such pouches are disclosed in the following co-pending patent application, U. Provisional Patent Application entitled "Pouch with Heat-Sealed External Fitment," filed on even date herewith, and associated with Attorney Docket No. <NUM>. The connector assembly forms a fluid-tight hermetic seal with a port <NUM> of the pouch to permit fluid flow therethrough.

<FIG> shows perspective views of an assembly, in assembled and partly disassembled states, that includes the connector assembly <NUM> (<FIG>) partially enclosed within a dispensing head <NUM> that attaches to a squeezable tube (or other type of container) <NUM> (which may include fluid and/or other substance(s) to be dispensed) to form a fluid-tight hermetic seal, while <FIG> is a perspective cross-sectional view of the embodiment of <FIG>. The dispensing head <NUM> is substantially similar to the dispensing head <NUM> explained above with respect to <FIG>. The easy attachment of the dispensing head <NUM> to the tube <NUM> without exposing the piercing member to the outside allows for safe assembly by patients in hospitals and/or other harsh (or potentially harsh) environments.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector assembly <NUM> having a sealed dispensing head <NUM> that attaches to a squeezable tube <NUM> (which may include fluid and/or other substance(s) to be dispensed), while <FIG> is a perspective view of a sealed tube <NUM>, and <FIG> is a perspective view showing a shipping kit <NUM> containing the sealed dispensing head <NUM> and the sealed tube <NUM>. The dispensing head <NUM> is substantially similar to the dispensing head <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In this embodiment, the tube <NUM> too is shown sealed by a removable seal <NUM>, the removable seal being substantially similar to the removable seal <NUM> described above with respect to <FIG>. Both the sealed dispenser head and the sealed tube may be packed together in a kit as shown in <FIG> to facilitate easy shipment. The removable seal may act as a complete barrier preventing contact with contaminants and the ambient atmosphere thereby improving shelf life.

<FIG> is a perspective view of connector assembly <NUM> with the dispensing head <NUM> shown in <FIG> with its seal <NUM> in the process of being peeled off, while <FIG> is a perspective view of the tube <NUM> of <FIG> with its seal <NUM> being peeled off, and <FIG> is a perspective view showing the dispensing head <NUM> of <FIG> attached to the tube <NUM> of <FIG>. After a user opens the kit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the user may peel of the removable seal <NUM> on the dispensing head and on the squeezable tube and connect the dispensing head to the tube to from a fluid-tight hermetic connection between the dispensing head and an opening of the tube by following the steps similar to those explained with regard to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows perspective views of other embodiments of dispensing heads that may be attached to a squeezable tube and/or other type(s) of container(s) (or other type(s) of device(s)). In some embodiments, the dispensing head 1193A is configured as a surface applicator and may connect to the tube shown in <FIG>; the dispensing head 1193B is configured for a larger application tube and may connect to the tube shown in <FIG>; and, the dispensing head 1193D is configured for spot treatment and may connect to the tube shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a fluid and/or other substance transfer system (and/or assembly), which includes a conduit, the connector assembly <NUM> attached to one end of the conduit with an alternate connector <NUM> attached to the other end of the conduit. Exemplary such alternate connectors are disclosed in the following co-pending patent applications <CIT>, entitled "Device for Connecting or Filling and Method", which claims the benefit of similarly titled <CIT>, and similarly titled <CIT>; and <CIT>, entitled "Device for Connecting or Filling and Method", which claims the benefit of similarly to similarly-titled <CIT>, and <CIT>.

<FIG> show additional perspective views of an embodiment of the dispensing head <NUM> and an embodiment of the squeezable tube that it may be used to connect to, while 14B is a perspective cross-section view of one embodiment of the squeezable tube. <FIG> shows a groove <NUM> wherein the septum <NUM> is received in at least some embodiments.

In at least some embodiments, one or more portions of one or more embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in a method, an apparatus, a connector, a coupler, a conduit, a transport, device, a dispenser, an assembly, a kit, a system and/or any combination thereof.

It should be understood that the features disclosed herein can be used in any combination or configuration, and is not limited to the particular combinations or configurations expressly specified or illustrated herein. Thus, in some embodiments, one or more of the features disclosed herein may be used without one or more other feature disclosed herein. In some embodiments, each of the features disclosed herein may be used without any one or more of the other features disclosed herein. In some embodiments, one or more of the features disclosed herein may be used in combination with one or more other features that is/are disclosed (herein) independently of said one or more of the features. In some embodiments, each of the features disclosed (herein) may be used in combination with any one or more other feature that is disclosed herein.

Unless stated otherwise, a locking mechanism is not limited to two lips that engage one another. In some embodiments, a locking mechanism may comprise any type of catch and/or other structures (cooperating or otherwise) that define an interference to prevent release and/or other relative movement.

Unless stated otherwise, terms such as, for example, "piece" and "member" may each be a single integral part or an assembly of multiple parts.

Unless stated otherwise, terms such as, for example, "comprises," "has," "includes," and all forms thereof, are considered open-ended, so as not to preclude additional elements and/or features.

Also unless stated otherwise, terms such as, for example, "a" and "one" are considered open-ended, and do not mean "only a" and "only one", respectively.

Also, unless stated otherwise, the phrase "a first" does not, by itself, require that there also be a "second.

Also, unless stated otherwise, terms such as, for example, "in response to" and "based on" mean "in response at least to" and "based at least on," respectively, so as not to preclude being responsive to and/or based on, more than one thing.

Also, unless stated otherwise, the phrase "A and/or B" means the following combinations: (i) A but not B, (ii) B but not A, and (iii) A and B. It should be recognized that the meaning of any phrase that includes the term "and/or" can be determined based on the above. For example, the phrase "A, B and/or C" means the following combinations: (i) A but not B and not C, (ii) B but not A and not C, (iii) C but not A and not B, (iv) A and B but not C, (v) A and C but not B, (vi) B and C but not A, and (vii) A and B and C. Further combinations using and/or shall be similarly construed.

Claim 1:
A connector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 410A, 410B, 510A, 510B, 610A, 610B, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a first piece (<NUM>, 414A, 414B, 514A, 514B, 614A, 614B, 714B, <NUM>);
a piercing member (<NUM>, 422A, 422B, 522A, 522B, 622B, 722B, <NUM>) attached to the first piece (<NUM>, 414A, 414B, 514A, 514B, 614A, 614B, 714B, <NUM>); and
a second piece (<NUM>, <NUM>, 412A, 412B, 512A, 512B, 612A, 612B, 712B, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the piercing member (<NUM>, 422A, 422B, 522A, 522B, 622B, 722B, <NUM>) being slidingly receivable within the second piece (<NUM>, <NUM>, 412A, 412B, 512A, 512B, 612A, 612B, 712B, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
wherein the piercing member (<NUM>, 422A, 422B, 522A, 522B, 622B, 722B, <NUM>) and the second piece (<NUM>, <NUM>, 412A, 412B, 512A, 512B, 612A, 612B, 712B, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are movable relative to each other between a first position where the second piece (<NUM>, <NUM>, 412A, 412B, 512A, 512B, 612A, 612B, 712B, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) closes a flow port (<NUM>) and a second position where the flow port (<NUM>) is open;
characterized in that
the first piece (<NUM>, 414A, 414B, 514A, 514B, 614A, 614B, 714B, <NUM>) further includes a locking mechanism adapted to lockingly connect the first piece (<NUM>, 414A, 414B, 514A, 514B, 614A, 614B, 714B, <NUM>) to a device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) when engaged therewith, thereby permanently locking the first piece (<NUM>, 414A, 414B, 514A, 514B, 614A, 614B, 714B, <NUM>) to the device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and preventing subsequent disconnection of the first piece (<NUM>, 414A, 414B, 514A, 514B, 614A, 614B, 714B, <NUM>) and the device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).