A clamping system for connecting a first tube and a second tube, the clamping system including a collar which includes a belt able to be clamped around clamping surfaces of the first and second tubes, the belt has a first and a second flank between which an internal recess able to receive the clamping surfaces is delimited. The collar carries at least one retaining loop disposed outside the belt. The loop has a first end fastened to the collar and a second end which is free and which is located on the outer side of the first flank. The loop is able to adopt a position of active retaining configuration in which its second end protrudes towards the axis of the collar relative to the edge of the first flank, and to be deformed relative to this active configuration so that the second end is moved radially outwardly.

A clamping system for connecting a first tube and a second tube, the clamping system including a collar which includes a belt able to be clamped around clamping surfaces of the first and second tubes, the belt has a first and a second flank between which an internal recess able to receive the clamping surfaces is delimited. The collar carries at least one retaining loop disposed outside the belt. The loop has a first end fastened to the collar and a second end which is free and which is located on the outer side of the first flank. The loop is able to adopt a position of active retaining configuration in which its second end protrudes towards the axis of the collar relative to the edge of the first flank, and to be deformed relative to this active configuration so that the second end is moved radially outwardly.

A coupling for use with comestible products having a first body with a first flow path extending therethrough and a second body with a second flow path extending therethrough. The first and second bodies are configured for coupling together such that the first and second flow paths form a continuous flow path through the coupling. The coupling further comprises a first valve member actuable between an open position, wherein product can pass through the first flow path, and a closed position, wherein the passage of product through the first flow path is prevented, and a first biasing member for biasing the first valve member into the closed position. The coupling is configured such that, if the first and second bodies become decoupled from one another, the first valve member is moved into the closed position. The first biasing member is isolated from the flow path passing through the coupling.

A connecting system for connecting components in a vehicle includes a first elongate element with a first connecting face at a first end, and a second elongate element with a second connecting face at a second end. The first and second elements each comprise holding devices distributed along an annular connecting line. The connecting faces are congruent. The connecting faces and holding devices are configured to be brought into a flush superficial contact when the orientations of the elongate elements coincide, and the mutually opposing holding devices then connect with one another. One of the elements has a length adjustment component configured to change a position of the respective connecting face in a longitudinal direction of the respective element. The connecting faces comprise at least one pair of connectable interfaces which correlate with one another in pairs for transfer of a fluid, electrical or optical signals or electrical current.

A fitting assembly includes a pipe fitting defining a fastener opening and a retaining groove; and an indicator assembly configurable in a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration, the indicator assembly comprising: a fastener defining a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion, the second fastener portion extending through the fastener opening; and a positive installation indicator oriented within the retaining groove between the fastener opening and the first fastener portion; wherein, in the tightened configuration, the positive installation indicator is compressed between the pipe fitting and the first fastener portion and extrudes at least partially out of the retaining groove, and in the loosened configuration, the positive installation indicator is substantially hidden within the retaining groove by the first fastener portion.

A fitting assembly includes a pipe fitting defining a fastener opening and a retaining groove; and an indicator assembly configurable in a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration, the indicator assembly comprising: a fastener defining a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion, the second fastener portion extending through the fastener opening; and a positive installation indicator oriented within the retaining groove between the fastener opening and the first fastener portion; wherein, in the tightened configuration, the positive installation indicator is compressed between the pipe fitting and the first fastener portion and extrudes at least partially out of the retaining groove, and in the loosened configuration, the positive installation indicator is substantially hidden within the retaining groove by the first fastener portion.

A block fitting assembly comprises a first block having a first fastener aperture formed therethrough, a second block having a second fastener aperture formed therethrough in axial alignment with the first fastener aperture, and a fastener extending through the first fastener aperture and the second fastener aperture to couple the first block to the second block. The block fitting assembly includes a thermal expansion compliancy feature in the form of at least one of an inner surface of the second block defining the second fastener aperture including an axially extending non-threaded portion adjacent a threaded portion thereof or the fastener including a necked portion having a smaller outer diameter than a minor thread diameter of a threaded portion of the fastener.

A block fitting assembly comprises a first block having a first fastener aperture formed therethrough, a second block having a second fastener aperture formed therethrough in axial alignment with the first fastener aperture, and a fastener extending through the first fastener aperture and the second fastener aperture to couple the first block to the second block. The block fitting assembly includes a thermal expansion compliancy feature in the form of at least one of an inner surface of the second block defining the second fastener aperture including an axially extending non-threaded portion adjacent a threaded portion thereof or the fastener including a necked portion having a smaller outer diameter than a minor thread diameter of a threaded portion of the fastener.

A pipe coupling arrangement includes two end members, each having a pipe attachment end and a sealing end that engages the other's sealing end. Each sealing end includes radially inner and outer collars, which are radially separated by a pocket. When the sealing ends engage one another the pockets form a chamber. At least one seal member is positioned in the chamber. An alignment ring fits in the chamber, aligning the end members. A coupling pushes the end members towards each other, compressing the at least one seal member sufficiently to seal against fluid leakage. The inner collars engage one another while the outer collars of the end members are axially spaced apart by a gap selected to reduce to zero upon application of a selected clamping force on the end members, thereby limiting deformation of the outer collars.

A clamp with two segments and a process for applying a first clamp segment to a pair of flanges for adjacent fluid flow elements so that the first clamp segment is retained by the pair of flanges after application. Steps including 1) aligning a first flange with a second flange to form the pair of flanges; and 2) elastically deforming the first clamp segment to capture into the first clamp segment an arc of more than 180 degrees of the pair of flanges with the arc being sufficiently more than 180 degrees that after capture of the pair of flanges that the first clamp segment cannot be disengaged from the pair of flanges without application of sufficient force to elastically deform the first clamp segment to expand sufficiently to allow removal of the pair of flanges. Otherwise the first clamp segment is retained.