Patent ID: 7052047

Claim:
A coupler for detachably connecting first and second material flow path sections, the coupler comprising: a male hub member connected to the first material flow path section and comprising an annular male bayonet extension; a female hub member connected to the second material flow path section and comprising an annular aperture, wherein the male bayonet extension extends within the annular aperture; and a vapor shielding flow path internally defined within the coupler and comprising an open space between the female hub member and the entirety of the male extension member that is disposed in the annular aperture, wherein no portion of the male bayonet extension contacts the female hub member within the annular aperture, and wherein the vapor shielding flow path extends along an inner wall of said bayonet extension within said annular aperture, around an end of said bayonet extension within said annular aperture in order to provide a vapor shield within the coupler to reduce heat transfer through the coupler from the atmosphere.