Patent ID: 8142418

Claim:
An in-line connector for use in an enteral feeding system, said connector comprising: a first component connectable to a first feeding device of the feeding system, and a second component connectable to a second feeding device of the feeding system; a releasable coupling configured between said first and second components, wherein in a connected state said first and second components define a fluid passage between the first and second feeding devices; each of said first and second components further comprising an automatic shutoff valve configured therein such that in a disconnected state of said first and second components, said shutoff valve in said first component prevents flow out of said first component in a first direction and said shutoff valve in said second component prevents flow out of said second component in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction; said shutoff valve in said first component comprising a tapered plug member that floats within a tapered chamber, said plug member being actuated to a sealed position within said tapered chamber by fluid flow through said first component in the first direction; and said shutoff valve in said second component disposed at a location so as to remain biased to a closed position upon full secured connection of said first and second components and to open only upon fluid flow through said second component in the first direction, said shutoff valve in said second component configured to prevent fluid flow opposite the first direction.