Patent ID: 7040598

Claim:
A self-sealing male connector for connection with a female connector having an opening for fluid flow in a tubular body, the tubular body having a proximal rim with a first engagement device disposed adjacent the opening, the male connector comprising: a body comprising: a proximal end having a proximal opening for fluid flow; an elongated post extending in a distal direction having a distal tip forming the distal end of the body and having a distal opening at the distal tip for fluid flow, the post having an outside surface; a fluid flow passage extending through the body from the proximal opening to the distal opening, the post having an outer diameter at the distal tip that is small enough to fit within the fluid flow opening of the female connector; a resilient boot mounted to the body and extending in covering relationship over the outside surface of the post to seal the distal opening of the post, the boot having a longitudinal axis and a distal end flared radially outwardly to form an enlarged, hollow distal flange, the flange having a generally planar shape and comprising a distal facing closure wall having an opening and providing a sealing surface for the female connector rim, the flange further comprising a proximal surface connected with an annular side wall to the closure wall adapted to provide stability to the closure wall and to maintain the generally planar shape of the flange when the resilient boot is compressed; wherein the configuration of the distal flange enables the distal flange and the closure wall to remain substantially planar and perpendicular to the boot's longitudinal axis further enabling the boot to be compressed substantially axially and uniformly while a flat sealing surface continues to be presented to the female connector; and a second engagement device mounted to the body, the second engagement device adapted to interact with the first engagement device of the female connector to secure the female and male connectors together in an engaged configuration, wherein the second engagement device comprises a thread hub mounted to the body, the thread hub having internal threads for engaging threads on the exterior of the female connector.