Isolator sleeve systems

Abstract

A cuff attachment for an isolator sleeve cuff, the cuff attachment comprising an annular band of substantially elastomeric material having an open first end and an open second end, the first end having a diameter which is wider than a diameter of the second end, the first end being adapted to be attachable to an isolator sleeve cuff, and the second end being adapted to releasably retain a plug therein. A plug for sealing the second end of the cuff attachment, the plug comprising a body sized and shaped to be releasably retained in the second end of the cuff attachment. An isolator sleeve system comprising the cuff attachment and the plug.

1 . A plug for sealing an end of a cuff portion of an isolator sleeve, the plug comprising a body having a front end and a back end, the front end having a front face which is convex, the back end having a handle extending from the back face; and an annular groove extending around the body for receiving the end of the cuff portion during retention of the plug in the end of the cuff portion of the isolator sleeve. 
     
     
         2 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a larger diameter at the back end than the front end. 
     
     
         3 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the plug has a one-piece construction. 
     
     
         4 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the back end has a back face which is concave. 
     
     
         5 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the handle has a stem portion and a grip portion, the grip portion being wider than the stem portion. 
     
     
         6 . The plug of  claim 5 , wherein an end of the grip portion has shoulders and an indent. 
     
     
         7 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the annular groove is positioned closer to the front end than the back end. 
     
     
         8 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the annular groove is positioned about midway between the front end and the back end. 
     
     
         9 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the body from the annular groove to the front end is less than a thickness of the body from the annular groove to the back end. 
     
     
         10 . The plug of  claim 1 , further comprising the cuff portion of the isolator sleeve, the cuff portion comprising an annular band of substantially elastomeric material having an open first end and an open second end, the first end being configured to be detachably attachable to the isolator sleeve and having a diameter which is wider than a diameter of the second end of the cuff portion, and the second end being adapted to releasably retain the plug therein. 
     
     
         11 . The plug of  claim 10 , wherein the second end of the cuff portion is adapted to stretch to allow the plug to pass therethrough, in use, and to form a seal around the plug when the plug is retained in the second end, in use. 
     
     
         12 . The plug of  claim 10 , wherein the diameter of the second end of the cuff portion is less than a diameter of the plug, when the second end is in a non-stretched state. 
     
     
         13 . The plug of  claim 10 , wherein the first end of the cuff portion comprises a reinforced rim portion. 
     
     
         14 . The plug of  claim 13 , wherein the reinforced rim portion comprises a thicker annular portion of the substantially elastomeric material. 
     
     
         15 . The plug of  claim 13 , wherein the reinforced rim portion is sized and shaped to be engaged in the annular groove of the plug. 
     
     
         16 . The plug of  claim 10 , wherein the cuff portion is a truncated cone shape. 
     
     
         17 . A system for sealing an end of an isolator sleeve, the system comprising:
 a cuff portion comprising an annular band of substantially elastomeric material having a first end configured to be detachably attachable to the isolator sleeve, and a second end configured to releasably retain a plug therein to seal the second end in use; and   a plug comprising a body having a front end and a back end, the front end having a front face which is convex, the back end having a handle extending from the back face; and an annular groove extending around the body for receiving the second end of the cuff portion during retention of the plug in use.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first end of the cuff portion comprises a reinforced rim portion which is sized and shaped to be engaged in the annular groove of the plug. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the annular groove of the plug is positioned closer to the front end than the back end. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the first end of the cuff portion is less than diameter of the back end of the plug.