Connector apparatus and system including connector apparatus

Abstract

A connector apparatus is provided which is configured to replace a separation module in a system for dispensing a fluid. When it is desired to purge the system of a dispensed fluid, the connector apparatus, having the same configuration of an inlet and an outlet as the separation module, replaces the separation module and a purging fluid is passed through the system.

1 . A system for purging a dispensed fluid within a fluid dispensing system which comprises:
 a pump means for use in a fluid dispensing system;   a connector apparatus positioned within said fluid dispensing system;   said pump means and said connector apparatus being in fluid communication;   said connector apparatus having a configuration of inlet means and outlet means on its outer surface that is the same as a configuration of inlet means and outlet means on the outer surface of a separation module resulting in the connector apparatus being interchangeable in said fluid dispensing system with the separation module having a filter, the connector apparatus including at least three connectors including the inlet means and outlet means; and   said connector apparatus being free of a filter.   
     
     
         2 . A system for purging a dispensed fluid within a fluid dispensing system which comprises:
 a dispenser pump for dispensing fluid from a fluid dispensing system;   a feed pump for introducing fluid into said fluid dispensing system;   a connector apparatus positioned between said feed pump and said dispenser pump;   said feed pump, dispenser pump and connector apparatus being in fluid communication;   means for introducing fluid into said feed pump;   means for removing fluid from said dispenser pump;   said connector apparatus having a configuration of inlet means and outlet means on its outer surface that is the same as a configuration of inlet means and outlet means on the outer surface of a separation module used in the fluid dispensing system, resulting in the connector apparatus being interchangeable in said fluid dispensing system with the separation module having a separation element, and the connector apparatus including at least three connectors including the inlet means and outlet means; and   said connector apparatus being free of a separation element.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said three connectors effect fluid communication among said feed pump, said dispenser and said connector apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . A process for purging a fluid dispensing system of a fluid within said system, said system including pump for pumping said fluid and a separation module including a separation element, said separation module comprising an outer surface having a configuration comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet for delivering fluid into said separation module and removing fluid from said separation module, the configuration allowing the separation module to connect to a fluid connector member of said fluid dispensing system, the process comprising:
 substituting a connector apparatus for said separation module, the connector apparatus comprising an outer surface comprising a configuration of at least one inlet and at least one outlet that is the same as the configuration of the outer surface of said separation module;   said connector apparatus including a filter free fluid pathway connecting the at least one inlet and at least one outlet;   and activating said pump to pass a fluid throughout said system to purge said system.   
     
     
         5 . A process for purging a fluid dispensing system of a fluid within said system, said system including a dispenser pump for dispensing fluid from said system, a feed pump for introducing said fluid into said system and for delivering said fluid to said dispenser pump and a separation module including a separation element interposed between said dispenser pump and said feed pump for separating fluid delivered by said feed pump to said dispenser pump, said separation module comprising an outer surface comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet for delivering fluid into said separation module and removing fluid from said separation module, the configuration allowing the separation module to connect to a fluid connector member of said fluid dispensing system, the process comprising:
 substituting a connector apparatus for said separation module, the connector apparatus comprising an outer surface comprising a-configuration of at least one inlet and at least one outlet that is the same-as the configuration of the outer surface of said separation module;   said connector apparatus including a filter free fluid pathway connecting the at least one inlet and at least one outlet;   and activating said feed pump and said dispenser pump to pass a fluid throughout said system to purge said system.   
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 4  wherein the connector apparatus comprises a flange that is configured to be received in a slot of the dispensing system. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the connector apparatus comprises a flange that is configured to be received in a slot of the dispensing system. 
     
     
         8 . A process for purging a fluid dispensing system of a fluid within said system, said system including a dispenser pump for dispensing fluid from said system, a feed pump for introducing said fluid into said system and for delivering said fluid to said dispenser pump and a separation module including a filter interposed between said dispenser pump and said feed pump for separating fluid delivered by said feed pump to said dispenser pump, said separation module having a configuration of connectors for delivering fluid into said separation module and removing fluid from said separation module on the outer surface of said separation module, the process comprising:
 disconnecting said separation module from a location in the fluid dispensing system;   connecting a connector apparatus to the fluid dispensing system at the location previously occupied by said separation module, the connector apparatus having a configuration on its outer surface of connectors substantially similar to the configuration of connectors on the outer surface of said removed separation module, said connector apparatus including a filter free fluid pathway connecting the connectors on its outer surface; and   activating said feed pump and said dispenser pump to pass a fluid throughout said system, including through said connector apparatus, to purge said system.   
     
     
         9 . A process for purging a fluid dispensing system of a fluid within said system, comprising:
 providing a connector apparatus that includes a body defining an internal volume that is substantially filter-free, an outer surface of the body having at least one inlet connector and at least one outlet connector that are in fluid communication through the substantially filter-free internal volume;   engaging the at least one inlet connector and the at least one outlet connector with a receiving member of the fluid dispensing system; and   passing a purging fluid throughout the system including the connector apparatus, resulting in the fluid dispensing system being purged in a manner free of a separation module.   
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the fluid for purging the fluid dispensing system is the same as or different from a fluid dispensed from the system. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the fluid for purging the fluid dispensing system is the same as or different from a fluid dispensed from the system. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 8  wherein the fluid for purging the fluid dispensing system is the same as or different from a fluid dispensed from the system. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 9  wherein the fluid for purging the fluid dispensing system is the same as or different from a fluid dispensed from the system. 
     
     
         14 . A process for purging a fluid dispensing system of a fluid within said system, comprising:
 providing a fluid dispensing system including a dispenser pump for dispensing fluid from the system, a feed pump for introducing a fluid into the system and for delivering the fluid to the dispenser pump, and a separation module including a separation means interposed between the dispenser pump and the feed pump for separating fluid delivered by the feed pump to the dispenser pump, the separation module having a configuration of inlet means and outlet means for delivering fluid into the separation module and removing fluid from the separation module on the outer surface of the separation module;   substituting a connector apparatus for the separation module, the connector apparatus having the same configuration on its outer surface of inlet means and outlet means as the configuration of inlet means and outlet means on the outer surface of the separation module;   said connector apparatus including a filter free fluid pathway connecting the inlet means and outlet means on its outer surface;   and activating the feed pump and the dispenser pump to pass a fluid throughout said system to purge said system.