Patent ID: 7163022

Claim:
A method for connecting an assembly for bioprocessing, the method comprising: providing a connector apparatus including first, second, and third ports, a valve member being disposed in the first port; coupling the first port of the connector apparatus to a media receptacle; coupling the second port of the connector apparatus to a piece of bioprocessing equipment to establish a connection between the connector apparatus and the piece of bioprocessing equipment; coupling the third port to a steam trap; allowing steam to flow through the connector apparatus between the piece of bioprocessing equipment and the steam trap to sterilize the connection between the connector apparatus and the piece of bioprocessing equipment; actuating the connector apparatus to disable flow between the piece of bioprocessing equipment and the steam trap, and to enable flow through the connector apparatus between the piece of bioprocessing equipment and the media receptacle; allowing media to flow between the piece of bioprocessing equipment and the media receptacle; actuating the connector apparatus to disable flow of the media through the connector apparatus, and to enable flow between the piece of bioprocessing equipment and the steam trap; allowing steam to flow through the connector apparatus between the piece of bioprocessing equipment and the steam trap to sterilize the connection between the connector apparatus and the piece of bioprocessing equipment; and removing the connector apparatus from the piece of bioprocessing equipment and the steam trap.