US Patent 7343931 Quick-disconnect coupler

A quick-dis/connect coupler including two coupler modules, male and female. Each includes a housing. At least one includes a stopcock valve. The housing bodies are configured such that, as they are engaged/disengaged, each automatically opens/closes the other's stopcock valve. The complete coupler may include seven or fewer components, with five or fewer skus among them. The coupler provides a straight-through, laminar fluid flow path with no dead zones and essentially zero occlusion, and has no springs or other such components inside the fluid flow. The coupler uses inexpensive injection molding and snap-fit components which are dual-latched. The valve-closing springs also provide positive eject force upon disengagement of the coupler.