Patent ID: 8240718

Claim:
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; and including 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.