Penetrable membrane structure and coupler incorporating the same in a fluid path

Abstract

A penetrable membrane structure for incorporation in a flow path of a coupling includes a body having a first face and an opposite second face, one of the first and second faces including at least one major portion and at least one minor portion. The major portion includes a major thickness between the first and second faces that is greater than a minor thickness of the minor portion, and the minor portion forms a channel transversely extending into one of the first or second faces, the channel of the minor portion including sidewalls each adjacent to the major portion. The sidewalls of the channel extend toward each other in a converging configuration.

1 . A penetrable membrane structure for incorporation in a flow path of a coupling, the penetrable membrane structure comprising: 
 a body having a first face and an opposite second face, one of the first and second faces including at least one major portion and at least one minor portion, the major portion including a major thickness, defined between the first and second faces, that is greater than a minor thickness of the minor portion, and the minor portion forming a channel transversely extending into one of the first or second faces, the channel of the minor portion including sidewalls each adjacent to the major portion;    wherein the sidewalls of the channel extend toward each other in a converging configuration.    
   
   
       2 . The penetrable membrane structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of major portions.  
   
   
       3 . The penetrable membrane structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of minor portions, wherein each of the minor portions extends to a central junction of the body of the penetrable membrane structure.  
   
   
       4 . The penetrable membrane structure of  claim 1 , wherein the major thickness of the major portion is 0.012±0.002 inches.  
   
   
       5 . The penetrable membrane structure of  claim 1 , wherein the minor thickness of the minor portion is 0.003±0.001 inches.  
   
   
       6 . The penetrable membrane structure of  claim 1 , wherein the minor thickness of the minor portion is defined from an end point of the converging sidewalls extending into one of the first or second face to the other one of the first and second faces.  
   
   
       7 . The penetrable membrane structure of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls of the channel are formed as converging beveled wall portions.  
   
   
       8 . The penetrable membrane structure of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls of the channel converge to a single point in a wedge shape.  
   
   
       9 . The penetrable membrane structure of  claim 8 , wherein one of the sidewalls of the wedge shape extends at a ninety degree angle with respect to another of the sidewalls.  
   
   
       10 . An insert configured to be coupled to a coupling device, the insert comprising: 
 an insert body including a first end and a second end and defining a flow passage therethrough, the first end including a fitment structure; and    a penetrable membrane coupled at an opening defined at the second end of the insert body, the penetrable membrane being configured to seal the opening and to be punctured by the coupling device to allow flow through a fluid path between the insert and the coupling device, wherein the penetrable membrane includes: 
 a body having a first face and an opposite second face, one of the first and second faces including at least one major portion and at least one minor portion, the major portion including a major thickness, defined between the first and second faces, that is greater than a minor thickness of the minor portion, and the minor portion forming a channel transversely extending into one of the first or second faces, the channel of the minor portion including sidewalls each adjacent to the major portion;  
 wherein the sidewalls extend toward each other in a converging configuration.  
   
   
   
       11 . The insert of  claim 10 , wherein the penetrable membrane structure further comprises: 
 a plurality of major portions; and    a plurality of minor portions, wherein each of the minor portions extends to a central junction of the body of the penetrable membrane structure.    
   
   
       12 . The insert of  claim 10 , wherein the major thickness of the major portion is 0.012±0.002 inches.  
   
   
       13 . The insert of  claim 10 , wherein the minor thickness of the minor portion is 0.003±0.001 inches.  
   
   
       14 . The insert of  claim 13 , wherein the sidewalls of the channel of the penetrable membrane structure converge to a single point in a wedge shape, wherein one of the sidewalls of the wedge shape extends at a ninety degree angle with respect to another of the sidewalls.  
   
   
       15 . The insert of  claim 10 , wherein the sidewalls of the channel of the penetrable membrane structure converge to a single point in a wedge shape, wherein one of the sidewalls of the wedge shape extends at a ninety degree angle with respect to another of the sidewalls.  
   
   
       16 . A method of forming a penetrable membrane structure, the method comprising: 
 providing a mold tool, the mold tool comprising a plurality of major mold sections each separated by a minor mold section, wherein each of the minor mold sections extends to a single central junction, and wherein each of the minor mold sections includes first and second surfaces converging at an angle with respect to one another; and    injecting plastic material to form the penetrable membrane structure using the mold tool.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein providing further comprises forming each of the minor mold sections of the mold tool so that a minor thickness of the penetrable membrane structure is 0.003±0.001 inches.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein providing further comprises forming each of the minor mold sections so that the first surface converges at a ninety degree angle with respect to the second surface.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein providing further comprises forming each of the minor mold sections so that the first surface converges at a ninety degree angle with respect to the second surface.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein injecting further comprises injecting a low-density polyethylene to form the penetrable membrane structure using the mold tool.