Patent ID: 7396052

Claim:
A sanitary connector apparatus comprising: a first tubular member having a first sealing component with a first end face; a second tubular member having a second sealing component with a second end face coaxially aligned with and positioned adjacent to the first end face; the first end face having a coaxially aligned annular groove; the second end face having an integrally-formed annular resilient rib aligned to be received within the annular groove; wherein the first sealing component has a first component outer surface and a first component back surface between the first component outer surface and the first tubular member; wherein the second sealing component has a second component outer surface and a second component back surface between the second component outer surface and the second tubular member; wherein the first end face further includes a second resilient rib and the second end face further has a second annular groove therein; wherein the second resilient rib is aligned to be received within the second annular groove; a clamp band including a band outer member positioned circumferentially about the first component outer surface and the second component outer surface and two extension members attached to the band outer member along respective attachment ends and having respective free ends spaced apart to receive the first sealing component and the second sealing component therebetween such that a first of the two extension members is immediately adjacent the first component back surface and the second of the two extension members is immediately adjacent the second component back surface; and wherein the clamp band is secured around the first component outer surface and the second component outer surface and applying compressive force to the first sealing component and the second sealing component sufficient to cause the resilient rib to fill the groove and to position the first end face against the second end face.