초록 ▼

A quick-connect sanitary fluid connector system provides for connection of a sanitary fluid system to an industry standard, flanged sanitary fitting. The standard fitting is placed in abutting relation to a sanitary gasket and to a first fitting of the quick connector, and at least two eccentric cam

A quick-connect sanitary fluid connector system provides for connection of a sanitary fluid system to an industry standard, flanged sanitary fitting. The standard fitting is placed in abutting relation to a sanitary gasket and to a first fitting of the quick connector, and at least two eccentric cams operated by cam levers press against the back surface of the standard connector flange, thereby applying pressure to the juncture and forming an abutted sanitary seal which avoids fluid entrapment within the connector. The joining pressure can adjustable by threaded rotation of the first fitting within a connector body. The cam levers can include locking holes and pins for locking the levers in their locking positions. Insertion of the standard fitting can automatically open the cams, and springs can automatically return the cam levers to their locking positions. Spring retracted telescoping cam levers can be automatically latched in their locking positions.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A quick-connect sanitary fluid connector for coupling a first sanitary fluid fitting to a second sanitary fluid fitting, the second sanitary fluid fitting including a tubular section of substantially uniform diameter and wall thickness terminating in a flange having an outer diameter greater than

1. A quick-connect sanitary fluid connector for coupling a first sanitary fluid fitting to a second sanitary fluid fitting, the second sanitary fluid fitting including a tubular section of substantially uniform diameter and wall thickness terminating in a flange having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the tubular section, the flange terminating in a coupling face that is configured to receive a sanitary fluid connector gasket, the quick connect sanitary fluid connector comprising: a first sanitary fluid fitting having a mating end and a fluid system end, the fluid system end being attachable to a sanitary fluid system, the mating end terminating in a first coupling face, the first coupling face being able to receive the sanitary fluid connector gasket;a connector body having an axially extending interior passage, the first sanitary fluid fitting being secured therein, the interior passage being able to receive therein the flange of the second sanitary fluid fitting, the first and second sanitary fluid fittings when abutted with the sanitary fluid connector gasket sandwiched there between providing an interior fluid passage that is substantially uniform in diameter and featureless, a gap between the two fittings being bridged by an inner surface of the sanitary fluid connector gasket;a cam locking mechanism including at least two eccentric cams distributed around the connector body and pivotally mounted thereto, the eccentric cams being configured for rotation through respective openings into and out of the interior passage of the connector body, the cams having shapes that enable them to make an over center cam surface contact with a rear surface of the flange of the second sanitary fluid fitting and to apply a pressing force thereto that presses the flange of the second sanitary fluid fitting against the sanitary fluid connector gasket and the coupling face of the first sanitary fluid fitting, thereby forming a sanitary fluid connection seal; andincluding a cam operating lever attached to each of the eccentric cams, each of the cam operating levers including a proximal element attached to the respective cam and a distal element telescopically combined with the proximal element and joined to the proximal element by a spring, the proximal and distal elements being nested one within the other, the distal element including a catch configured for engagement with a corresponding receptacle attached to the connector housing when the cam operating lever is moved to a locking position and the distal and proximal elements are telescopically retracted by the spring, telescopic extension of the cam lever in opposition to extension of the spring being required to disengage the catch from the receptacle and move the cam operating lever from the locking position to an open position. 2. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the mating end of the first sanitary fluid fitting is surrounded by external screw threads, and the interior passage of the connector body is configured with internal screw threads sized for engagement with the external screw threads of the first sanitary fluid fitting, the first sanitary fluid fitting being thereby adjustably securable within the interior passage of the connector body by adjustment of the relative rotational orientations of the connector body and the first sanitary fluid fitting. 3. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 2, further comprising a rotation locking mechanism configured to inhibit adjustment of the relative rotational orientations of the connector body and the first sanitary fluid fitting. 4. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 3, wherein the rotation locking mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism which permits adjustment of the relative rotational orientations of the connector body and the first sanitary fluid fitting in one direction, but inhibits adjustment of the relative rotational orientations of the connector body and the first sanitary fluid fitting in the other direction. 5. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 1, wherein said first sanitary fluid fitting is fabricated of stainless steel. 6. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 1, a fabrication thereof comprising at least one of stainless steel, ceramic, and plastic. 7. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 1, further comprising said sanitary fluid connector gasket. 8. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 1, said first coupling face of said first sanitary fluid fitting comprising a semi-circular recess for receiving a raised, semicircular rib on one face of said sanitary fluid connector gasket. 9. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of cam locking holes provided in the distal and proximal elements of at least one of the cam operating levers, the cam locking holes being aligned when the cam operating lever is in its locking position; andat least one locking clip, the locking clip being attached to the cam operating lever by insertion of the locking clip through a retaining hole provided in the cam operating lever, the locking clip being insertable through the cam locking holes by rotation of the locking clip through the retaining hole without detaching the locking clip from the cam operating lever, thereby preventing telescopic extension of the cam operating lever and preventing movement of the cam operating lever from its locking position to its open position. 10. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 1, wherein the sanitary fluid connector is configured for operation at up to 150 psi fluid pressure, and testing at up to 450 psi. 11. A quick-connect sanitary fluid connector for coupling a sanitary fluid system to a sanitary fluid fitting, the sanitary fluid fitting including a tubular section of substantially uniform diameter and wall thickness terminating in a flange having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the tubular section, the flange terminating in a first coupling face that is configured to receive a sanitary fluid connector gasket, the quick connect sanitary fluid connector comprising: a connector body having an axial interior passage extending from a mating end to a second coupling face recessed within the interior passage, the second coupling face being adapted to receive the sanitary fluid connector gasket, the interior passage being sized for insertion therein of the flange of the sanitary fluid fitting, the sanitary fluid fitting and the connector body when the coupling faces are abutted with the sanitary fluid connector gasket sandwiched there between providing an interior fluid passage that is substantially uniform in diameter and featureless, gap between the first and second coupling faces being bridged by an inner surface of the fluid connector gasket;a cam locking mechanism including at least two eccentric cams distributed around the connector body and pivotally mounted thereto, the eccentric cams being configured for rotation through respective openings into and out of the interior passage of the connector body, the cams having shapes that enable them to make an over center cam surface contact with a rear surface of the flange of the sanitary fluid fitting and apply a pressing force thereto that presses the flange of the sanitary fluid fitting against the sanitary fluid connector gasket and the second coupling face of the connector body thereby forming a sanitary fluid connection seal; andincluding a cam operating lever attached to each of the eccentric cams, each of the cam operating levers including a proximal element attached to the respective cam and a distal element telescopically combined with the proximal element and joined to the proximal element by a spring, the proximal and distal elements being nested one within the other, the distal element including a catch configured for engagement with a corresponding receptacle attached to the connector housing when the cam operating lever is moved to a locking position and the distal and proximal elements are telescopically retracted by the spring, telescopic extension of the cam lever in opposition to extension of the spring being required to disengage the catch from the receptacle and move the cam operating lever from the locking position to an open position. 12. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 11, a fabrication thereof comprising at least one of stainless steel, ceramic, and plastic. 13. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 11, further comprising said sanitary fluid connector gasket. 14. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 11, said second coupling face comprising a semi-circular recess for receiving a raised, semicircular rib on one face of said sanitary fluid connector gasket. 15. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 11, further comprising: a plurality of cam locking holes provided in the distal and proximal elements of at least one of the cam operating levers, the cam locking holes being aligned when the cam operating lever is in its locking position; andat least one locking clip, the locking clip being attached to the cam operating lever by insertion of the locking clip through a retaining hole provided in the cam operating lever, the locking clip being insertable through the cam locking holes by rotation of the locking clip through the retaining hole without detaching the locking clip from the cam operating lever, thereby preventing telescopic extension of the cam operating lever and preventing movement of the cam operating lever from its locking position to its open position. 16. The sanitary fluid connector of claim 11, wherein the sanitary fluid connector is configured for operation at up to 150 psi fluid pressure, and testing at up to 450 psi.