Holder for a fluid connector fitting and fluid dispenser
The present application relates to a holder for a fluid connector fitting and to a fluid dispenser including the same.
1 . A device having a fluid connector fitting ( 2 ) and holder ( 1 ) for the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ),
the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ) comprising:
a fluid port ( 3 ), a spout ( 4 ), and at least one elastic latch ( 5 ) configured to form a side releasable connection, designed to provide a releasable fluid-tight connection with a mating fluid connector fitting, and
the holder ( 1 ) comprising:
a holder body ( 6 ) including a retainer ( 7 ) formed such that the connector fitting ( 2 ) can be inserted and fixedly held in the retainer ( 7 ) by means of a releasable engagement of the at least one elastic latch ( 5 ) with a portion ( 8 ) of the retainer ( 7 ) so that the spout ( 4 ) of the fluid port ( 3 ) is freely accessible and is oriented in a defined orientation to allow dispensing of fluid from the spout ( 4 ).
2 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the retainer ( 7 ) is formed such that the releasable engagement of the at least one elastic latch ( 5 ) with the retainer ( 7 ) is made by a linear movement of the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ) relative to retainer ( 7 ) and/or by a rotational movement of the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ) relative to retainer ( 7 ).
3 . The device according to claim 2 , wherein the releasable engagement is a snap-in form-locking engagement of the at least one elastic latch ( 5 ), preferably by a linear movement along a longitudinal direction (Z) of the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ) until a holding protrusion ( 5 a ) of the at least one elastic latch ( 5 ) engages with a mating locking feature ( 8 a ) on the retainer ( 7 ) upon an elastic deformation of the at least one elastic latch ( 5 ).
4 . The device according to claim 2 , wherein the releasable engagement is a bayonet locking engagement of the at least one elastic latch ( 5 ).
5 . The device according to claim 4 , wherein the bayonet locking engagement of the at least one elastic latch ( 5 ) is by a combination of a linear movement along a longitudinal direction (Z) of the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ) and a subsequent rotation of the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ) about the longitudinal direction (Z) to bring a holding protrusion ( 5 a ) of the at least one elastic latch ( 5 ) in engagement with a mating locking feature ( 8 a ) on the retainer ( 7 ).
6 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the holder body ( 6 ) is configured such that a position of the retainer ( 7 ) in a longitudinal direction (Y) along the holder body ( 6 ) is adjustable, preferably in that the retainer ( 7 ) is formed on a slider slidable along a guide rail on the holder body ( 6 ) or in that the holder body ( 6 ) includes a portion configured to expand/contract or unfold in the longitudinal direction (Y).
7 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the retainer ( 7 ) is mounted to the holder body ( 6 ) such that an inclination of the retainer ( 7 ) relative to the holder body ( 6 ) can be changed to change the orientation of the spout ( 4 ) of the fluid port ( 3 ) of the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ).
8 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the holder body ( 6 ) has at least one hinge mechanism for changing an angular orientation about a longitudinal direction (Y) of the holder body ( 6 ) and/or about a vertical orientation.
9 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the holder body ( 6 ) further comprises a fluid shield ( 16 ) arranged so as to occupy a part of a surrounding of the spout ( 4 ) of the fluid port ( 3 ) of the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ).
10 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the holder ( 1 ) further comprises a guide and/or a fixation for a tubing section ( 11 ) connected to the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ).
11 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a cap ( 12 ) configured to be releasably engaged with the fluid port ( 3 ) of the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ) in a first orientation to fluid-tightly seal the spout ( 4 ).
12 . The device according to claim 11 , wherein the cap ( 12 ) is formed such that, when engaged with the fluid port ( 3 ) of the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ) in the first orientation, disengagement of the at least one elastic latch ( 5 ) from the retainer ( 7 ) is prevented.
13 . The device according to claim 12 , wherein a portion of the cap ( 12 ) mechanically limits an elastic deformation of the at least one elastic latch ( 5 ) in a release direction.
14 . The device according to claim 11 , wherein the cap ( 12 ) is configured to be releasably engaged with the at least one elastic latch ( 5 ) in a second orientation to retain the cap ( 12 ) on the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ) while engaged with the fluid port ( 3 ).
15 . A fluid dispenser comprising the device according to claim 1 , wherein the port ( 3 ) of the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ) is configured to communicate with one end of a flexible tubing ( 11 ).
16 . The fluid dispenser according to claim 15 , further comprising a stand ( 9 ) integrated with or connected with or adapted to be connected with the holder body ( 6 ) of the holder ( 1 ) so as to be able to maintain the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ) held in the retainer ( 7 ) of the holder ( 1 ) in a defined height position (X) above a working surface, and preferably so as to allow an adjustment of the height position (X) thereof.
17 . The fluid dispenser according to claim 16 , wherein the stand ( 9 ) is connected with or adapted to be connected with the holder body ( 6 ) of the holder ( 1 ) so that the holder ( 1 ) is able to be rotated or translated to get access to a reservoir placed beneath the spout ( 4 ).
18 . The fluid dispenser according to claim 16 , wherein the stand ( 9 ) further comprises a guide and/or a fixation ( 13 ) for a tubing ( 11 ) connected to the fluid connector fitting ( 2 ).
19 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one elastic latch ( 5 ) includes a pair of elastic latches ( 5 ).