UNIT FOR A MECHANICAL CONNECTING DEVICE FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES, PARTICULARLY FOR PERITONEAL DIALYSIS

Abstract

The invention relates to a unit (1), particularly for use with an apparatus (2) configured to connect a tubular fitting (24) to a connector (14) and to disconnect the tubular fitting (24) from the connector (14), the unit (1) comprising: a body (16) having a first receptacle (18) and a connector holder (26) configured to hold the connector (14), a second receptacle (20), wherein each of said receptacles (18, 20) is configured for holding an end cap (22) of the tubular fitting (24), and wherein the unit (1) further comprises a capsule (290) that is configured to be connected to said body (16) in a releasable fashion, wherein said second receptacle (20) is formed by the capsule (290). Furthermore, the invention relates to a capsule (290) and to an apparatus (2).

Claims

1. A unit (1), particularly for use with an apparatus (2) configured to connect a tubular fitting (24) to a connector (14) and to disconnect the tubular fitting (24) from the connector (14), the unit (1) comprising: a body (16) having a first receptacle (18) and a connector holder (26) configured to hold the connector (14), a second receptacle (20), wherein each of said receptacles (18, 20) is configured for holding an end cap (22) of the tubular fitting (24), wherein the unit (1) further comprises a capsule (290) that is configured to be connected to said body (16) in a releasable fashion, wherein said second receptacle (20) is formed by the capsule (290).

2. The unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (16) comprises a recess (20b) for receiving the capsule (290), particularly in a form fitting manner.

3. The unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess (20b) of the body (16) for receiving the capsule (290) comprises a lateral wall (20c) for enclosing the capsule (290) at least partially when the capsule (290) is arranged in said recess (20b).

4. The unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the capsule (290) comprises a lateral wall (291) surrounding an internal space (I) of the capsule (290) in a peripheral direction (C) of the capsule (290), and wherein the capsule (290) comprises a bottom wall (295) connected to the lateral wall (291), wherein the lateral wall (291) extends from the bottom wall (295) in an axial direction (A′) of the capsule (290) towards a face side (20a) of the lateral wall (291), wherein the face side (20a) faces away from an outside (295a) of the bottom wall (295).

5.-30. (canceled)

31. The unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the capsule (290) comprises a closure (23) configured to close said internal space (I) of the capsule (290), particularly hermetically, wherein the closure (23) is or comprises a peel-off seal (23, 23a), and wherein the closure (23, 23a) is attached to the face side (20a) of the lateral wall (291) of the capsule (290).

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. The unit according to claim 31, characterized in that the closure comprises (23) a through-opening (23f), wherein the through-opening (230 is formed in an edge region (23d) of the closure (23), wherein particularly said edge region (23d) is a free edge region, and wherein particularly the edge region (23d) protrudes from the lateral wall (291) of the capsule (290) perpendicular to the axial direction (A′) of the capsule (290).

35.-38. (canceled)

39. The unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the unit (1) comprises a pivotable fastening lever (500) for fastening the capsule (290) to the body (16) when the capsule (290) is received in said recess (20b) of the body (16) of the unit (1), wherein the fastening lever (500) is mounted to the body (16) of the unit (1).

40. The unit according to claim 39, characterized in that the fastening lever (500) is pivotable between a first and a second position, wherein when the fastening lever (500) is in the first position, the fastening lever (500) releases the capsule (290), and wherein when the fastening lever (500) is in the second position, the fastening lever (500) fastens the capsule (290) to the body (16) when the capsule (290) is received in the recess (20b) of the body (16), wherein particularly in the second position of the fastening lever (500) a portion of the capsule (290) is arranged between the fastening lever (500) and the body (16) to fasten the capsule (290) to the body (16), wherein particularly said fastening lever (500) comprises a curved portion (507) comprising a concave inner surface (508) configured to engage said lateral wall (291) of the capsule (290) in the second position.

41.-82. (canceled)

83. An apparatus (2) configured to connect a tubular fitting (24) to a connector (14) and to disconnect the tubular fitting (24) from the connector (14), wherein the apparatus (2) comprises a unit (1) according to claim 1, and a holder assembly (28) configured to hold the tubular fitting (24), wherein the unit (1) is connected or connectable to a movable carrier (12a) of the apparatus (2), and wherein the carrier (12a) is movable with respect to the holder assembly (28).

84.-88. (canceled)

89. The apparatus according to claim 83, characterized in that the apparatus (2) comprises a hook element (23g) configured to engage with the through-opening (23f) of the closure (23) for removing the closure (23) from the capsule (290) when the carrier (12a) is in the second position (P′) and moved away from the holder assembly (28) in the second direction (D′), and wherein particularly the apparatus (2) comprises a further hook element (23g) configured to engage with the further through-opening (230 of the closure (23) for removing the closure (23) from the capsule (290) when the carrier (12a) is in the second position (P′) and moved away from the holder assembly (28) in the second direction (D′).

90.-112. (canceled)

113. A capsule (290), particularly for use with a unit (1) of an apparatus (2) that is configured to connect a tubular fitting (24) to a connector (14) and to disconnect the tubular fitting (24) from the connector (14), wherein the capsule (290) comprises an internal space (I) and an end cap (22) arranged in said internal space (I), wherein particularly the capsule (290) is configured to be connected to a body (16) of the unit (1) in a releasable fashion.

114. The capsule according to claim 113, characterized in that the capsule (290) comprises a lateral wall (291) surrounding said internal space (I) of the capsule (290) in a peripheral direction (C) of the capsule (290), wherein the lateral wall (291) of the capsule (290) comprises an outside (291a) facing away from the internal space (I), and wherein the capsule (290) comprises a bottom wall (295) connected to the lateral wall (291), wherein the lateral wall (291) extends from the bottom wall (295) in an axial direction (A′) of the capsule (290) towards a face side (20a) of the lateral wall (291), and wherein particularly the face side (20a) faces away from an outside (295a) of the bottom wall (295).

115. (canceled)

116. The capsule according to claim 114, characterized in that the capsule (290) comprises an axial protrusion (296) protruding in the axial direction (A′) of the capsule (290) from the bottom wall (295) of the capsule (290) on the outside (295a) of the bottom wall (295), wherein particularly the axial protrusion (296) is configured to engage with a portion (21) of a recess (20b) of the body (16) of the unit (1), particularly in a form fitting manner, wherein the axial protrusion (296) is configured to engage with said portion (21) of the recess (20b) of the body (16) so that a self-positioning of the capsule (290) occurs when the axial protrusion (296) engages with said portion (21) of the recess (20b) of the body (16) of the unit (1)

117.-122. (canceled)

123. The capsule according to claim 114, characterized in that the capsule (290) comprises a lateral protrusion (297) protruding from the lateral wall (291) of the capsule (290) on an outside (291a) of the lateral wall (291), wherein the lateral protrusion (297) extends in the peripheral direction (C) of the capsule (290).

124.-127. (canceled)

128. The capsule according to claim 123, characterized in that the lateral protrusion (297) is a circumferential lateral protrusion, wherein the lateral protrusion (297) comprises at least one gap (297a)

129. (canceled)

130. The capsule according to claim 123, characterized in that the lateral protrusion (297) comprises a first gap (297a), a second gap (297b) and a third gap (297c), wherein particularly said third gap (297c) branches off said first gap (297a) in the peripheral direction (C) of the capsule (290).

131. (canceled)

132. The capsule according to claim 130, characterized in that the lateral protrusion (297) comprises a first radial projection (297d) adjacent to said first gap (297a), and a second radial projection (297e) adjacent to said first gap (297a), wherein particularly said second radial projection (297e) is arranged adjacent said third gap (297c), wherein particularly said second radial projection (297e) forms a hook and/or is shaped as an arrow pointing away from the capsule (290)

133. (canceled)

134. The capsule according to claim 114, characterized in that the capsule (290) comprises a further lateral protrusion (298) protruding from the lateral wall (291) on the outside (291a) of the lateral wall (291) of the capsule (290), wherein the further lateral protrusion (298) extends in the peripheral direction (C) of the capsule (290).

135.-137. (canceled)

138. The capsule according to claim 113, characterized in that said internal space (I) of the capsule (290) is closed, particularly hermetically closed, by a closure (23) attached to the circumferential face side (20a) of the lateral wall (291) of the capsule (290), wherein the closure (23) is or comprises a peel-off seal (23a; 23), and wherein the closure (23) is attached to the face side (20a) of the lateral wall (291) of the capsule (290).

139. (canceled)

140. (canceled)

141. The capsule according to claim 138, characterized in that the closure (23) comprises a through-opening (23f), wherein the through-opening (230 is formed in an edge region (23d) of the closure (23), wherein particularly said edge region (23d) is a free edge region, and wherein particularly the edge region (23d) protrudes from the lateral wall (291) of the capsule (290) perpendicular to the axial direction (A′) of the capsule (290), and wherein the closure (23) comprises a further through-opening (23f), wherein the further through-opening (230 is formed in said edge region (23d) of the closure (23).

142. (canceled)

143. Capsule according to claim 141, characterized in that said edge region (23d) comprises a section (23e) of an edge of the closure (23), which section (23e) preferably extends linearly, wherein the through-opening (23f) is arranged adjacent said section (23e) of the edge of the closure (23), and wherein particularly said further through-opening (23f) is arranged adjacent said section (23e) of the edge, and wherein said closure (23) comprises a first slot (297f) adjacent to said through-opening (23f) and a second slot (297g) adjacent to said further through-opening (23f), wherein said through-opening (23f) and said further through-opening (23f) are arranged between said first slot (297f) and said second slot (297g) in the peripheral direction (C), and wherein particularly said first slot (297f) and said second slot (297g) extend perpendicular to said section (23e) of said edge of said closure (23).

144. (canceled)

145. (canceled)

146. The capsule according to claim 113, characterized in that the capsule (290) comprises an indicator (292a) that is configured to indicate whether the capsule (290) is unused.

147.-152. (canceled)

Description

[0282] The foregoing and other aspects and features of the disclosure will become apparent to those of reasonable skill in the art from the following detailed description, as considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0283] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an (e.g. removable) unit according to the invention having a disposable capsule for holding an end cap,

[0284] FIG. 2 shows a plan view onto a unit according to the invention,

[0285] FIG. 3 shows a lateral view onto a unit according to the invention,

[0286] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view onto the unit of FIG. 1 wherein the second receptacle is closed with a peel-off seal,

[0287] FIG. 5A to 5F show an end cap that can be stored in the second receptacle of the (disposable) capsule,

[0288] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the removable unit of FIG. 4,

[0289] FIGS. 7 to 9 show a tubular fitting according to the invention comprising a removable clamp,

[0290] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for connecting/disconnecting a tubular fitting and a connector that is equipped with a removable unit according to the present invention,

[0291] FIG. 11A to 11C show a further connector which comprises only a single conduit (e.g. for APD),

[0292] FIG. 12 shows a view of the back side wall of a removable unit according to the present invention with holding means comprising pivotable clamping arms,

[0293] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the unit shown in FIG. 12,

[0294] FIGS. 14 to 17 show views of a further embodiment of the unit and capsule according to the present invention, wherein the capsule comprises an axial protrusion that tapers,

[0295] FIGS. 18 to 21 show views of a further embodiment of the unit and capsule according to the present invention,

[0296] FIG. 22 shows a capsule having an axial protrusion with a closure for enclosing the end cap in the capsule,

[0297] FIGS. 23 to 24 show a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 to 21, wherein here the closure is configured to be automatically removed by the apparatus,

[0298] FIG. 25 shows a top view onto an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the movable carrier is removed from the slider to show the pivotable stopper,

[0299] FIGS. 26 to 31 show illustrations of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention (as shown in FIG. 24), wherein the unit is removed from the movable carrier. Further, the movable carrier is shown in an opened configuration to reveal the spring and stopper below the movable carrier,

[0300] FIGS. 32 to 33 show tops views of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 25 to 31, wherein here a first (upper) bottom wall of the apparatus is removed to show the actuating element (elongated lever) for moving the slider/movable carrier,

[0301] FIGS. 34 to 37 show perspective, side and back views, respectively, of a further embodiment of the capsule according to the invention,

[0302] FIGS. 38 to 40 show perspective and side views of a further embodiment of a unit for an apparatus for connecting and disconnecting a tubular fitting to a connector according to the invention, into which a capsule according to FIGS. 34 to 37 can be inserted,

[0303] FIG. 41 shows a back view of the unit depicted in FIGS. 38 to 40 to illustrate a further embodiment of a holding means according to the invention for holding and clamping conduits,

[0304] FIG. 42 shows a perspective view of the unit for an apparatus for connecting and disconnecting a tubular fitting to a connector according to the invention with the fastening lever in the first position.

[0305] FIG. 1 shows together with FIGS. 2 to 6 an e.g. removable unit 1 for an apparatus 2 for connecting and disconnecting a tubular fitting 24 to a connector 14. An example of such an apparatus 2 in shown in FIG. 10, where the unit 1 is connected to a moveable carrier 12a of the apparatus 2. Also FIGS. 25 to 33 show an apparatus 2 according to the present invention.

[0306] According to FIGS. 1 to 3, the preferably disposable unit 1, which can be configured to be discarded after e.g. a single or a finite number of uses comprises a body 16 having a first receptacle 18. Further, the unit 1 also comprises a second receptacle 20, wherein each of said receptacles 18, 20 is configured for receiving or holding an end cap 22 of the tubular fitting 24. Further, the body 16 comprises a connector holder 26 being e.g. disposed between said first and second receptacles 18, 20 or between said first receptacle 18 and the recess 20b/capsule 290 (see below). The connector holder 26 is configured for accommodating insertion of the connector 14.

[0307] An embodiment of such an end cap 22 is shown in FIGS. 5A to 5F. Particularly, the end cap 22 comprises a protrusion 22a having a broadened head 22b (cf. FIGS. 5E and 5F), i.e. the diameter W of the head 22b is larger than the diameter W′ of a basis 22d of the protrusion 22a, which basis 22d connects said head 22b to the remaining portion of the end cap 22. Particularly, the head 22b is configured to engage behind an edge 18a of the first receptacle 18 so that the end cap 22 is received in the first receptacle 18 and so that the tubular fitting 24 can be pulled off an end cap 22 when the latter has its head 22b engaged with said edge 18a of the first receptacle 18. Further, particularly, in an embodiment, the end cap 22 comprises an inner protrusion 22c for receiving the protrusion 610 of the tubular fitting 24 (cf. FIGS. 7 to 9 and description below).

[0308] Further, FIGS. 7 to 9 show a typical tubular fitting 24 that is used with the unit 1/apparatus 2.

[0309] Particularly, in order to remove the unit 1 from the carrier 12a and a surrounding housing 40 comprising a bottom 42b to which the carrier 12a is mounted and an (e.g. transparent) cover 42 in an easy manner, said body 16 of the removable unit 1 (which may also be denoted as a consumable in the framework of the present invention) is configured to be connected to said apparatus 2 in a releasable fashion, e.g. by means of a latching connection that can be manually established or released.

[0310] As already indicated above, the unit 1 is particularly designed for a finite number of uses, each use comprising unfastening an end cap 22 from the tubular fitting 24, connecting the connector 14 inserted into the connector holder 26 of the removable unit 1 to the tubular fitting 24, disconnecting the connector 14 from the tubular fitting 24, and fastening an end cap 22 received in an internal space I of the capsule 290 to the tubular fitting 24. These basic steps will be described in more detail below (see also above).

[0311] As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 6, the unit 1 comprises an end cap 22 for closing the tubular fitting 14 after use, which end cap 22 replaces an old end cap 22 that has been unfastened from the tubular fitting 24 before. According to FIGS. 1 and 6, the fresh and particularly sterile end cap 22 for replacement is arranged in the second receptacle 20 that is formed by a disposable capsule 290 that can be releasably fastened to the body 16 of the unit 1, wherein said end cap 22 is completely arranged in said second receptacle 20/capsule 290.

[0312] Particularly, the body 16 comprises a recess 20b for receiving the capsule 290 in a form fitting manner, wherein the capsule 290 and/or the body 16 are configured to fasten the capsule 290 to the body 16 (e.g. by a latching connection when the capsule 290 is arranged in said recess 20b). Particularly, the recess 20b for receiving the capsule 290 comprises a lateral wall 20c for enclosing the capsule 290 at least partially when the capsule 290 is arranged in said recess 20b. As indicated in FIG. 1, the lateral wall 20c can comprise a discontinuity 20d arranged between two opposing edges 20e of the lateral wall 20c on the top side 16a of the body 16 of the unit 1.

[0313] In an embodiment, a recess 294 may formed in each edge 20e, which recesses 294 face each other. These recesses 294 allow for a more easy removal of the capsule 290 from the recess 20b since they particularly increase flexibility of the edges 20e that retain the inserted capsule 290.

[0314] Alternatively, an actuating member 294 may be arranged at each edge 20e for unlocking the latching connection between the capsule 290 and the recess 20b/lateral wall 20c when the capsule 290 is received in said recess 20b.

[0315] Furthermore, the capsule 290 comprises a lateral wall 291 surrounding an internal space I of the capsule in which the end cap 22 resides. The capsule 290 further comprises a bottom wall 295 connected (e.g. integrally) to the lateral wall 291 of the capsule 290. Particularly, the lateral wall 291 of the capsule 290 comprises at least one latching nose 292 that is configured to engage with an associated latching recess 293 formed in said lateral wall 20c of said recess 20b of the body for receiving the capsule 290. Alternatively, the lateral wall 20c of said recess 20b for receiving the capsule 290 comprises at least one latching nose 293 that is configured to engage with an associated latching recess 292 formed in said lateral wall 291 of the capsule 290. Said latching noses/recesses may form part of the latching connection/mechanism for fastening the capsule 290 in its recess 20b.

[0316] Furthermore, as indicated in FIG. 1 for example, the capsule 290 may comprise an indicator 292a that is configured to indicate whether the capsule 290 is unused (e.g. comprises a fresh end cap 22, see also above). Particularly, said indicator 292a is arranged on the lateral wall 291 of the capsule 290 and can be a window or an indicator 292a that undergoes a visually perceivable change when the capsule 290 has been used.

[0317] Furthermore, in order to protect the end cap 22 in said capsule 290, the capsule 290 is closed, particularly hermetically closed, by a closure 23 that is shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 6, and 10 (alternative embodiments of the closure 23 are shown in FIGS. 19 and 22 to 24 and will be described further below). Particularly, the closure 23 comprises a peel-off seal (e.g. foil) 23a, which peel-off seal 23a is attached to a circumferential face side 20a of the capsule 290/lateral wall 291 of the capsule 290 (cf. FIG. 1). Further, said closure 23 comprises a flexible strip 23b connected to the peel-off seal 23a, which strip 23b comprises a free end section 23c which may be configured to be arranged between the bottom 42b and the cover 42 of the housing 40 of said apparatus 2 such that the free end section 23c of the strip 23b protrudes out of the housing 40 and thus forms a handle (having e.g. a flat circular shape) by means of which the peel-off seal 23a can be peeled off the capsule 290 from outside said housing 40 by simply pulling on the free end section 23c (e.g. with two fingers).

[0318] For further protection of the end cap 22, the unit 1 can comprise a flexible carrier member 25, particularly a sponge 25, that carries an anti-bacterial agent or fluid, and is in contact with said end cap 22 and also arranged in the second receptacle 20 (together with the end cap 22). Particularly, the flexible carrier member 25 can be inserted into the end cap 22 as shown in FIG. 5A, particularly into said inner cylindrical protrusion 22c of the end cap 22.

[0319] As already indicated above, the body 16 of the unit 1 is configured to be connected to said movable carrier 12a of said apparatus 2 (cf. FIG. 10) in a releasable fashion, wherein particularly said carrier 12a is movable with respect to the bottom 42b of the housing 40 of the apparatus 2 so that the removable unit 1 can be moved together with said carrier 12a inside said housing 40 in the different positions P, P′, and P″ that will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 10 as well as FIGS. 24 to 32

[0320] Further, the body 16 comprises a top side 16a, wherein two (e.g. circular) through-holes 16b are formed in the body 16 on the top side 16a which are each configured to receive an associated pin 120 that protrudes from said carrier 12a (cf. FIG. 10) when the body 16 is connected to the carrier 12a, wherein particularly a face side of the respective pin 120 is flush with the top side 16a when the removable unit 1 is connected properly to the carrier 12a of the apparatus 2.

[0321] Furthermore, in order to have the connector 14 inserted correctly, the top side 16a comprises a through-hole 168a (e.g. having a contour in the form of a frangible inline seal) which indicates the position of a frangible inline seal 168 of a first conduit 14a of the connector 14.

[0322] Particularly, for establishing said releasable connection between the body 16 and the carrier 12a, the body 16 comprises two opposing internal surfaces 160 (cf. schematic detail of FIG. 1 in dashed circle) wherein said internal surfaces face each other, and

[0323] wherein a latching means 161, particularly a latching nose, is provided on each internal surface for engaging with a complementary latching means, particularly a recess 161a, of the carrier 12a.

[0324] Further, the body 16 comprises a front side wall 16c which faces a tubular fitting 24 that shall be connected to the connector 24 or disconnected from the connector 14 and an opposing back side wall 16d (cf. e.g. FIG. 1) via which the conduits 14a, 14b of the connector 14 exit the apparatus 2.

[0325] Furthermore, the connector holder 26 comprises a recess 260 (cf. e.g. FIG. 2) for receiving the connector 14 as shown in FIG. 10, which recess 260 is arranged on the top side 16a of the body 16 and extends from the front side wall 16c to the back side wall 16d of the body 16.

[0326] Particularly, said recess 260 for receiving the connector 14 comprises an end region 261 extending from the front side wall 16c in the direction of the back side wall 16d, which end region 261 then branches out into a first and a second region 262, 263 of the recess 260 that extend from said end region 261 to the back side wall 16d, respectively.

[0327] As can be seen in FIG. 1, at least a portion of the end region 261 of the recess 260 is surrounded by a slight (rounded) protrusion 266 on the top side 16 a on either side of said portion of the end region 261. This protrusion 266 helps the user to place/insert the connector 14 correctly into the recess 260.

[0328] Particularly, the Y-shape of the recess 260 allows insertion of a Y-shaped connector 14 (cf. FIG. 10) into the single regions 261, 262, 263 of the recess 260, which connector 14 comprises a first conduit 14a and a second conduit 14b, wherein the two conduits 14a, 14b branch off from an end section 14c of the connector 14, via which end section 14c the connector 14 is configured to be connected to said tubular fitting 24, wherein the end region 261 is configured to receive said end section 14c of the connector 14, and wherein the first region 262 is configured to receive the first conduit 14a, and wherein the second region 263 is configured to receive the second conduit 14b.

[0329] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 110, (e.g. in case of APD), the connector comprises only a single conduit 14aa connected to the end section 14c of the connector 14, which single conduit 14aa is configured to be arranged in the second region 263.

[0330] For properly holding the connector 14 in the recess 260, the connector holder/recess 260 comprises a plurality of holding means, which will be described in more detail in the following.

[0331] Particularly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the removable unit 1 comprises an e.g. U-shaped protrusion 162 protruding from the front side wall 16c and extending along the end region 261 of the recess 260 on the front side wall 16c, wherein said protrusion 162 is configured to an inclination of the end section 14c of the connector 14 with respect to an axial direction A of the end section 14c when said end section 14c is inserted in said end region 261 of the recess 260, particularly said protrusion 162 comprises two opposing parallel sections 162a that are integrally connected by a lower curved section 162b which parallel sections 162a and curved section 162b are configured to butt against said end section 14c in a form fitting manner to prevent said inclination.

[0332] Further, according to an embodiment, the end region 261 of the recess 260 may comprise an (e.g. rectangular) cross sectional contour 260c in a plane perpendicular to said axial direction A, wherein the end section 14c of the connector 14 comprises a shape in the region of said contour 260c so that the connector 14 cannot be rotated about the axial direction A when it is inserted into the recess 260. Particularly said shape of the connector 14 may be formed by four wings 144 that protrude from the end section 14c and engage with said contour 260c of the recess 260.

[0333] Further, the body 16 comprises two holding means or parts 163 arranged on the top side 16a of the body 16, wherein the two holding means 163 are arranged on opposing side walls 261a, 261b of the end region 261 of the recess 260 for holding the end section 14c of the connector 14 in place in the end region 261 of the recess 260 when said end section 14c is arranged in said end region 261 of the recess 260.

[0334] Particularly, each of said two holding means 163 comprises a free end, wherein the respective free end protrudes past the associated side wall 261a, 261b of the end region 261 of the recess 260, which two side walls 261a, 261b of said end region 261 of the recess 260 face each other. Thus, the fee ends of the holding means 162 can engage over an end section 14c of the connector 14 that is inserted into the end region 261 of the recess 260 to hold the end section 14c in place in the recess 260.

[0335] Furthermore, particularly, the body 16 comprises two holding means or parts 164, wherein each of said holding means 164 forms a tooth structure 164, and wherein the respective tooth structure protrudes from an associated sidewall 261a, 261b of the end region 261 of the recess 260, wherein said two sidewalls 261a, 261b, and tooth structures 164 face each other. Thus, the tooth structures 164 can clamp the end section 14c of the connector from both sides and are thus configured to prevent a movement of the end section 14c of the connector 14 in an axial direction A when said end section 14c of the connector 14 is arranged in said end region 261 of the recess 260 and a force pulls said end section 14 in said axial direction A and into the teeth of the tooth structures 164. Other abrasive structures may also be used.

[0336] Furthermore, the body 16 comprises a holding means or part 165 arranged in the first region 262 of the recess 262, which holding means 165 is configured to clamp the first conduit 14a of the connector 14 when said first conduit 14a is arranged in the first region 262 of the recess 260 to hold the first conduit 14a in place, particularly without hindering fluid flow through the first conduit 14a. Particularly said holding means 165 comprises a curved edge for tightly encompassing the first conduit 14a.

[0337] In the same manner, the body 16 particularly comprises another holding means or part 165 arranged in the second region 263 of the recess 260, which holding means 165 is in turn configured to clamp the second conduit 14b of the connector 14 (or said single conduit 14aa, cf. FIGS. 11A to 11C) when said second conduit 14b is arranged in the second region 263 of the recess 260 to hold the second conduit 14a in place, particularly without hindering fluid flow through the first conduit 14a. Particularly, also here, said holding means 165 comprises a curved edge for tightly encompassing the second conduit 14b.

[0338] Furthermore, particularly, the body 16 comprises a holding means or part 166 arranged in the first region 262 of the recess 260 at the back side wall 16d, which holding means 166 is configured to clamp the first conduit 14a of the connector 14 when said first conduit 14a is arranged in the first region 262 of the recess 260, wherein particularly said holding means 166 is configured to encompass said first conduit, e.g. by means of a curved edge for tightly encompassing the first conduit 14a. Further, said holding means 166 comprises a slot 166a extending from said edge into which slot 166a the first conduit 14a can be pushed so that the first conduit 14a is blocked for the passage of fluid through the first conduit 14a.

[0339] Likewise, the body 16 further comprises such a holding means or part 166 arranged in the second region 263 of the recess 260 at the back side wall 16d, which holding means 166 is in turn configured to clamp the second conduit 14b of the connector 14 when said second conduit 14b is arranged in the second region 263 of the recess 260, particularly by means of a curved edge for tightly encompassing the second conduit 14b. Also here said holding means 166 of the second region 263 comprises a slot 166b extending from said edge, into which slot the second conduit 14b can be pushed so that the second conduit 14b is blocked for the passage of fluid through the second conduit 14b.

[0340] The actuating members 200, 300, 400 (cf. FIG. 10) by means of which the frangible seal 168 can be broken and the conduits 14a, 14b can be blocked will be described in detail below.

[0341] FIGS. 12 and 13 show alternative holding means 166 which may be used instead of the holding means 166 comprising said slots 166a and 166b.

[0342] Particularly, here, the holding means 166 of the first region 262 of the recess 260 comprises a clamping surface 166c and a pivotable clamping arm 166d, wherein the clamping arm 166d can be pivoted towards the particularly inclined clamping surface 166c into a clamping position so that the first conduit 14a (cf. FIG. 10) is blocked when it is clamped between said clamping surface 166c and the clamping arm 166d. Analogously, the holding means 166 arranged in the second region 263 of the recess 260 at the back side wall 16d, can comprises a clamping surface 166e and a pivotable clamping arm 166f, too, wherein the clamping arm 166f is in turn configured to be pivoted towards the clamping surface 166e into a clamping position so that the second conduit 14b or said at least one conduit 14aa is blocked when it is clamped between said clamping surface 166e and said clamping arm 166f.

[0343] Further, the clamping arm 166d of the holding means 166 of the first region 262 of the recess 260 can be configured to be pivoted towards the associated clamping surface 166c by means of the second actuating member 300 of the apparatus (see also below and FIG. 10). Likewise, the clamping arm 166f of the holding means 166 of the second region 263 of the recess 260 can be configured to be pivoted towards the associated clamping surface 166e by means of the third actuating member 400 of the apparatus 2 (see also below and FIG. 10).

[0344] Furthermore, the respective holding means 166 may comprise a hook 166g, 166h for engaging with the respective clamping arm 166d, 166f so as to hold the respective clamping arm 166d, 166f in its clamping position. When the respective arm 166d, 166f is engaged with the respective hook 166g, 166g, the respective conduit 14a, 14b, 14aa is clamped between the associated clamping surface 166c, 166e and the associated clamping arm 166d, 166f and is therefore blocked.

[0345] Furthermore, each holding means 166 may comprise a guiding arm 166i, 166j for guiding a movement of the respective second or third actuating member 300, 400 upon pivoting the respective clamping arm 166d, 166f towards the associated clamping surface 166c, 166e.

[0346] Particularly, in FIG. 13, the capsule 290 may also form an integral part of the body 16 of the unit 1 that cannot be removed from the body 16 (see also above).

[0347] Furthermore, the body 16 comprises a first and a second latching nose 167a, 167b at the first region 262 of the recess 260, wherein the respective latching nose 167a, 167b is configured to engage an associated (first and second) actuating member 200, 300 of the apparatus 2 so as to hold the respective actuating member 200, 300 in a pressed position. Particularly the first latching nose 167a is configured to engage with a first actuating member 200 of the apparatus 2 that is configured to break said frangible inline seal 168 of the first conduit 14a and to keep the first conduit 14a open for the passage of fluid, and wherein particularly the second latching nose 167b is configured to engage with a second actuating member 300 of the apparatus 2 that is configured to press the first conduit 14a in said slot 166a.

[0348] Furthermore, the body 16 comprises a third latching nose 167c at the second region 263 of the recess 260, wherein said third latching nose 167c is configured to engage an associated third actuating member 400 of the apparatus 2 so as to hold said third actuating member 400 in a pressed position. Particularly, the third latching nose 167c is configured to engage with said third actuating member 400 of the apparatus 2 that is configured to press the second conduit 14b in said slot 166b.

[0349] Furthermore, in order to protect the apparatus from spilled fluid from the fluid lines that are connected or disconnected by means of the apparatus 2, the removable unit comprises a drip pan 360 that protrudes from the front side wall 16c of said body 16 and is arranged below the end region 261 of the recess 260 as well as below the first receptacle 18 to receive said leakage fluid. Preferably, said drip pan 360 comprises a plurality of dents 363 for receiving said spilled fluid. Which plurality of dents 363 allows to hold and calm the leakage fluid.

[0350] Furthermore, the body 16 may comprise a centering means 361 for guiding a movement of the removable unit 1 in the axial direction A, which centering means 361 is arranged (at least in sections) on the drip pan 360. Particularly, said centering means 361 is formed as a recess 361 of the drip pan 360 for receiving a guiding means, particularly a guiding pin 361a of the apparatus 2, which guiding pin 361a is schematically indicated in FIG. 1).

[0351] The drip pan 360 preferably comprises a recess 362 that extends parallel to the recess 361 and allows to arrange the removable unit 1 on the carrier 12a in the first position P (this recess 362 then receives the guiding pin 361a).

[0352] Furthermore, in the following, further embodiments of the unit 1 and capsule 290 are described in detail with respect to FIGS. 14 to 33. Particularly, the respective unit 1, particularly the body 16 can also comprise the features described above in relation with the unit 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 13. Particularly, the end cap 22 can be formed as described in conjunction with the FIGS. 5A to 5F.

[0353] Particularly, the FIGS. 14 to 17 show embodiments of the unit 1 and the capsule 290. Here, only the front part of the body 16 is shown. However, the body 16 shown in FIGS. 14 to 17 can further comprise the features described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 13.

[0354] As shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the capsule 290 comprises a lateral wall 291 surrounding an internal space I of the capsule 290 in a peripheral direction C of the capsule 290, wherein particularly the lateral wall 291 can be cylindrical or can comprise a cylindrical portion. Further, the lateral wall 291 comprises an outside 291a facing away from the internal space I, and particularly an inside facing the end cap 22 residing in the internal space I of the capsule 290. In FIG. 17, the capsule 290 is shown in an opened state (with the closure 23 and end cap 22 removed), but for connecting a fresh end cap 22 to the tubular fitting 24 the capsule 290 enclosed an end cap 22 as described herein (e.g. according to FIGS. 5A to 5F).

[0355] The capsule 290 further comprises a bottom wall 295 connected to the lateral wall 291 wherein the lateral wall 291 extends from the bottom wall 295 in an axial direction A′ of the capsule 290 towards a face side 20a of the lateral wall 291, wherein the face side 20a faces away from an outside 295a of the bottom wall 295, which can be circular.

[0356] Particularly, the capsule 290 comprises an axial protrusion 296 protruding in the axial direction A′ from the bottom wall 295 on the outside 295a of the bottom wall 295. As can be seen from FIG. 17, the axial protrusion 296 tapers, particularly in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction A′. Particularly, the axial protrusion 296 comprises a planar first surface 296a and a planar second surface 296b, the first surface 296a facing away from the second surface 296b, wherein particularly the first and the second surface 296a, 296b extend perpendicular to an outside 295a of the bottom wall 295 of the capsule 290. The two surfaces 296a, 296b are arranged obliquely with respect to one another causing the axial protrusion 296 to taper as described above.

[0357] Furthermore, as can e.g. be seen in FIGS. 15 to 17 the capsule 290 can comprises a lateral protrusion 297 protruding in a radial direction R of the capsule 290 from the lateral wall 291 of the capsule 290 on an outside 291a of the lateral wall 291, wherein the lateral protrusion 297 extends in the peripheral direction C of the capsule 290 and is a circumferential (i.e. annular) lateral protrusion 297. The respective radial direction R extends perpendicular to the axial direction A′.

[0358] Particularly, the lateral protrusion 297 is spaced apart from the face side 20a as well as from the bottom wall 295 of the lateral wall 291 in the axial direction A′.

[0359] Furthermore, the capsule 290 can comprises a further lateral protrusion 298 protruding from the lateral wall 291 on the outside 291a of the lateral wall 291 in the radial direction R of the capsule 290, wherein also the further lateral protrusion 298 extends in the peripheral direction (C) of the capsule (290) and can be a circumferential (i.e. annular) further lateral protrusion 298. Furthermore, the further lateral protrusion 298 is spaced apart from said lateral protrusion 297 in the axial direction A′, and particularly faces said lateral protrusion 297 in the axial direction A′.

[0360] Particularly, the further lateral protrusion 298 is arranged adjacent the face side 20a of the lateral wall 295 and is particularly flush with face side 20a of lateral wall 291. As indicated in FIG. 17, the face side 20a delimits an opening 299 of the capsule 290 via which the internal space I of the capsule 290 is accessible, so that the end cap 22 can be removed from the internal space I of the capsule 290. The opening 299 can be closed by means of a closure 23 which will be described in more detail below. Further, also the closure 23, 23a described above can be used with the capsule 290 of FIGS. 14 to 17.

[0361] Furthermore, as shown e.g. in FIGS. 16 and 17, also here the unit 1 comprises a body 16 having a recess 20b (e.g. on the front side wall 16c of the body) for receiving the capsule 290. The recess 20b is delimited by a lateral wall 20c for enclosing the capsule 290 at least partially when the capsule 290 is arranged in said recess 20b.

[0362] Particularly, said lateral wall 20c of the recess 20b of the body 16 is configured to support the lateral wall 291 of the capsule 290 when the capsule 290 is arranged in the recess 20b of the body 16 and rests on the lateral wall 20c of the recess 20b of the body 16.

[0363] As further shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the recess 20b of the body 16 of the unit 1 comprises a portion 21 that is adapted to the shape of the axial protrusion 296, i.e. the portion 21 is formed as a slot 21 that tapers so that the axial protrusion 296 can be received in the portion 21 of the recess 20b in a form fitting manner. This also fixes an orientation of the capsule 290 in the circumferential direction C of the capsule. Therefore, when the capsule 290 is arranged in the recess 20b a self-positioning of the capsule 290 can be achieved due to the positive fit between the tapered axial protrusion 296 and the tapered slot 21.

[0364] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the lateral wall 20c of the recess 20b of the body 16 comprises a groove 20j, wherein said lateral protrusion 297 of the capsule is configured to engage with said groove 20j when the capsule 290 is received in the recess 20b. Particularly, this allows to fix the capsule in the axial direction A′ with respect to the recess 20b/lateral wall 20c.

[0365] Furthermore, in order to fasten the capsule to the body 16, the unit 1 can comprise a fastening lever 500 as e.g. shown in FIGS. 14 to 17.

[0366] Particularly, the fastening lever 500 is pivotably mounted to the body 16 and is pivotable between a first and a second position, wherein when the fastening lever 500 is in the first position (as e.g. shown in FIG. 17), the fastening lever 500 releases the capsule 290, so that the latter can be removed from the recess 20b of the body 16.

[0367] Further, when the fastening lever 500 is in the second position, the fastening lever 500 fastens the capsule 290 to the body 16 in case the capsule 290 is received in the recess 20b of the body 16. In this second or closed position of the fastening lever 500, a portion of the capsule 290 is arranged between the fastening lever 500 and the body 16 (particularly between the fastening lever 500 and the lateral wall 20c of the recess 20b of the body 16) to fasten the capsule 290 to the body 16.

[0368] Particularly, when the fastening lever 500 is in the second position, the lateral protrusion 297 of the capsule 290 can engage with said end portion 501 of the fastening lever 500. Further, as can be inferred from FIGS. 16 and 17, when the fastening lever 500 is in the second position with the capsule 290 arranged in the recess 20b (this is achieved in FIGS. 16 and 17 by arranging the capsule 290 in the recess 20b and pivoting the lever 500 downwards) the fastening lever 500 (e.g. said end portion 501) locks the axial protrusion 296 of the capsule 290 that is arranged in said portion 21 of the recess 20b of the body 16 by covering an open side 21a of said portion 21 of the recess 20b (tapers slot 21) of the body 16.

[0369] At the same time, when the fastening lever 500 is in the second position it also extends over the recess 260 of the connector holder 26 to secure the connector 14 arranged in the recess 260 of the connector holder 26. Particularly, the fastening lever 500 comprises a recess 502 for receiving the connector 14 when the lever 500 is pivoted to the second position.

[0370] Furthermore, FIGS. 18 to 21 show further embodiments of the unit 1 and capsule 290.

[0371] Here, in contrast to FIGS. 14 to 17 the axial protrusion 296 comprises a cylindrical shape (cf. e.g. FIG. 18), wherein said portion 21 of the recess 20b of the body 16 forms a slot 21 for receiving this cylindrical axial protrusion 296, wherein the slot 21 comprises a round end 21b particularly adapted to the curvature of the axial protrusion 296 in the peripheral direction of the protrusion 296.

[0372] Also here, the capsule 290 comprises a lateral protrusion 297, as shown e.g. in FIG. 18, that protrudes (e.g. in the radial direction R of the capsule 290) from the lateral wall 291 of the capsule 290. Particularly, the lateral protrusion 296 extends along the peripheral direction C of the capsule and comprises a gap 297a. Consequently, to the vicinity of gap 297a, the lateral wall 291 comprises no protrusion. Further, the lateral protrusion 296 can be formed adjacent the bottom wall 295 of the capsule 290, particularly such that the lateral protrusion 297 is flush with the outside 295a of the bottom wall 295.

[0373] Particularly, the gap 297a of the lateral protrusion can interact in the following way with the recess 20b of the body 16 as shown in FIG. 18.

[0374] Particularly, the lateral wall 20c of the recess 20b of the body 16 comprises two sections 20h separated by a gap 20g, wherein a portion 20i of each section 20h of the lateral wall 20c is configured to engage with the gap 297a of the lateral protrusion 297 of the capsule 290 when the capsule 290 is arranged in the recess 20b. At the same time, the lateral protrusion 297 is received in a groove 20j of each section 20h of the lateral wall 20c. Thus, when the capsule 290 is arranged in the recess 20b of the body 16 of the unit its position with respect to the peripheral direction C of the capsule is fixed since the portions 20i of the lateral wall 20c engage with the gap 297a. Further, since the lateral protrusion 297 is also arranged in said grooves 20j, the capsule is also fixed in the recess 20c with respect to the axial direction A′ of the capsule 290.

[0375] As e.g. shown in FIG. 18, the capsule 290 can comprise a further lateral protrusion 298 that can be circumferential (i.e. annular), wherein the further lateral protrusion 298 is particularly formed adjacent the face side 20a of the lateral wall 291 of the capsule 290 and protrudes from the lateral wall 291 in the radial direction R of the capsule 290 while extending annularly in the peripheral direction C of the capsule 290. Consequently, the further lateral protrusion 298 is spaced apart from said lateral protrusion 297 in the axial direction A′ of the capsule 290 and particularly faces said lateral protrusion 297 in the axial direction A′.

[0376] Also, according to FIGS. 18 to 21, the body 16 of the unit 1 can comprise a pivotable fastening lever 500 for fastening the capsule 290 to the body 16 when the capsule 290 is arranged in said recess 20b of the body 16, wherein the fastening lever 500 is mounted to the body 16, such that the fastening lever 500 is pivotable between a first and a second position, wherein when the fastening lever 500 is in the first position, the fastening lever 500 releases the capsule 290 (e.g. FIG. 18), and wherein when the fastening lever 500 is in the second position (e.g. FIG. 23), the fastening lever 500 fastens the capsule 290 to the body 16 when the capsule 290 is received in the recess 20b of the body 16. As can be seen from FIG. 23, in the second position of the fastening lever 500, a portion of the capsule 290 is arranged between the fastening lever 500 and the body 16 (particularly between the fastening lever 500 and the lateral wall 20c of the recess 20b of the body 16) to fasten the capsule 290 to the body 16. Further, particularly, the when the fastening lever 500 is in the second position, the lateral protrusion 297 of the capsule 290 engages with the fastening lever 500, particularly with the end portion 501 of the fastening lever 500.

[0377] Furthermore, the end portion 21 of the lever 500 can be configured to engage with the portion 21 (e.g. slot 21) of the recess 20b of the body 16 perpendicular to said axial direction A′ of the axial protrusion 296, so that the axial protrusion is locked in the slot 21 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction A′.

[0378] Further, while the lever 500 of FIGS. 14 to 17 is configured to be pivoted in a plane that extends perpendicular to the axial direction A′ of the capsule 290 when the capsule 290 is arranged in the recess 20b of the body 16 of the unit 1, the lever 500 according to FIGS. 18 to 21 is configured to be pivoted in a plane that extends parallel to the axial direction A′ when the capsule 290 is arranged in the recess 20b of the body 16 of the unit 1.

[0379] Furthermore, particularly, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 14 to 21, the axial protrusion 296 of the respective capsule 290 surrounds a portion 20f of the internal space I of the capsule 290 (cf. e.g. FIG. 14), wherein said protrusion 22a of the end cap 22 is arranged in said portion 20f of the internal space I so that particularly the end cap 22 residing in the internal space I comprises a stable position in the internal space I of the capsule 290.

[0380] As already described above, the capsules 290 according to the present invention described herein are preferably closed by means of a closure 23 that can comprise a peel-off seal or can be formed as a peel-off seal. It is to be noted that each closure 23 described herein can be combined or used with each of the capsules 290 or units 1.

[0381] In the following, closures 23 are described in particular that can be removed automatically. However, such a closure 23 as shown e.g. in FIGS. 23 and 24 can also be replaced by a closure 23 that is removed manually, as shown for instance in FIGS. 19 and 22, although the closure 23 shown in FIG. 19 may optionally comprise a through-opening 23f for interacting with a hook element 23g as will be described further below. The closure 23 shown in FIG. 22 essentially corresponds to the closure 23 described in conjunction with FIGS. 1, 4 and 6 and comprises a flexible strip 32b that forms a free end section 23c that can be used as a handle (e.g. as described above).

[0382] For removing the preferably flexible closure 23 automatically, the closure 23 that is preferably attached to the face side 20a of the lateral wall 291 of the respective capsule 290 can comprise at least one through-opening 23f, as e.g. shown in FIGS. 19, 23, and 24.

[0383] Particularly, the at least one through-opening 23f is formed in an edge region 23d of the closure 23, wherein particularly said edge region 23d is a free edge region that protrudes from the lateral wall 291 of the capsule 290 (e.g. perpendicular to the axial direction A′).

[0384] Particularly, the closure 23 can comprise a further through-opening 23f as shown e.g. in FIGS. 23 and 24, wherein the further through-opening 23f can be formed in said edge region 23d of the closure 23, too.

[0385] Particularly, said edge region 23d of the closure 23 comprises a section 23e of an edge of the closure 23, which section 23e extends linearly, wherein the at least one through-opening 23f (and particularly also the further through-opening 23f) is arranged adjacent said section 23e of the edge of the closure 23.

[0386] Particularly, the two through-openings 23f can be spaced apart from each other in a direction extending parallel to said section 23e of the edge of the closure 23.

[0387] Furthermore, particularly, the two through-openings 23f can be equidistantly spaced apart from said section 23e of the edge in a direction perpendicular to said section 23e of the edge of the closure 23.

[0388] In order to remove the closure 23 automatically, the apparatus 2 can comprise a hook element 23g (or two such hook-elements 23g in case there are two through-openings 23f provided in the closure 23).

[0389] Particularly, the respective hook-element 23g is arranged such that the edge region 23d can move over the respective hook element 23g when the body 16 of the unit 1 is moved towards a holder assembly 28 of the apparatus 2, which holder assembly is configured to hold the tubular fitting 24 (cf. e.g. lower left portion of FIG. 24) and such that the respective hook element 23g engages with an associated through-opening 23f when the body 16 of the unit 1 is moved away from the holder assembly 28 (cf. e.g. lower right portion of FIG. 24), so that the respective hook-element 23g peels the closure 23 off the face side 20a of the lateral wall 291 of the respective capsule 290. The holder assembly 28 is shown e.g. in FIG. 10 and will be described in more detail below.

[0390] Furthermore, FIGS. 7 to 9 show an embodiment of a tubular fitting 24 for use with a removable unit 1/apparatus 2 according to the invention, wherein the tubular fitting 24 is configured to be received by an opening 46 of a body 44 of the holder assembly 28 of said apparatus 2 as indicated e.g. in FIG. 10.

[0391] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the tubular fitting 24 comprises a first portion 24a and an adjacent second portion 24b comprising an opening 24c. Particularly, the second portion 24b is configured such that an end cap 22 according to the present invention can be fastened to the second portion 24b by plugging the end cap 22 into said opening 24c of said second portion 24b, and wherein the second portion 24b is configured such that an end cap 22 can be unfastened from the second portion 24b by pulling the end cap 22 out of said opening 24c. Please note that an end cap 22 is not shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, but can replace the connector 14 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 when the connector is removed from the tubular fitting 24.

[0392] Further, particularly, the second portion 24b is configured such that the connector 14 can be connected to the second portion 24b by plugging the connector 14 into said opening 24c of said second portion 24b, and wherein the second portion 24b is configured such that a connector 14 can be disconnected from the second portion 24b by pulling the connector 14 out of said opening 24c.

[0393] Furthermore, the tubular fitting 24 comprises a removable clamp 800 (cf. e.g. FIGS. 7 and 8) for arresting the connector 14 with respect to the second portion 24b when the connector 14 is connected to the second portion 24b, wherein particularly the clamp 800 is configured to be connected to the second portion 14b, particularly by means of a clip-on connection, wherein particularly the clamp 800 encompasses the second portion 24b when it is connected to the second portion 24b.

[0394] For this, the clamp 800 preferably comprises curved arms 801 (cf. also FIGS. 11A to 110) extending from a base 802 of the clamp 800 in a peripheral direction of the second portion 24b for tightly encompassing the second portion 24b which establishes the clip-on connection.

[0395] Furthermore, the clipped-on clamp 800 covers a portion of the shroud 607/opening 24c and of said opening 24c when the clamp 800 is connected to the second portion 24b, wherein the clamp 800 is configured to engage behind a portion of the connector 14 when the connector 14 is connected to the second portion 24b so that the connector 14 cannot be disconnected from the second portion 24b.

[0396] Furthermore, for defining a location of the clamp 800 on the second portion 24b, the clamp 800 comprises a protrusion 804 for insertion into a circumferential groove 805 of the second portion 24b when the clamp 800 is connected to the second portion 24b.

[0397] Further, the clamp 800, comprises a through-hole 803 in a region where the arms 801 project from the base 802, such that a flap 806 is formed that is hinged to the base 802 in a flexible manner (e.g. via integral hinges 807 on either side of the hole 803). This allows to remove the clamp 800 manually from the tubular fitting 24 by lifting the flap 806 away from the fitting 24.

[0398] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 the second portion 24b is formed as an adapter (or the tubular fitting 24 is formed as an adapter when the first portion 24a is not considered as a component of the tubular fitting/adapter 24, but as a part of a catheter etc.), which comprises a first recess 600 at a first end of the adapter 24b, which first recess 600 comprises an internal thread 602 configured to be rotationally fastened to an external thread 603 of the first portion 24a, and wherein the adapter 24b comprises a shroud 607 at an opposite second end of the adapter 24b, which shroud 607 surrounds a second recess 609 of the adapter 24b into which a protrusion 610 of the adapter 24b protrudes, which protrusion 610 comprises said opening 24c of the adapter 24b such that the shroud 607 surrounds said protrusion 610 and said opening 24c of the adapter 24b, wherein the shroud 607 is coaxially arranged with respect to said protrusion 610.

[0399] Alternatively, the first and second portion 24a, 24b may be integrally connected to one another.

[0400] FIG. 10 shows the unit 1 when installed into the apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 10 in conjunction with FIGS. 25 to 33 the apparatus 2 comprises a means, particularly an actuating element 702, for operating the movable carrier 12.

[0401] Particularly, said actuating element 702 comprise a handle 703 that is accessible from outside said housing 40 of the apparatus 2 so that the movable carrier 12a is movable (e.g. relative to said holder assembly 28) along a first direction D from a first position P to a second position P′, and from the second position P′ to a third position P″, and particularly from the third position P″ back to the first position P. Particularly, the carrier 12a is reciprocable along said first direction D (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2). These positions P, P′, P″ with respect to the tubular fitting 24 that is inserted into the holder assembly 28 are e.g. indicated in FIG. 2 with arrows.

[0402] Particularly, as shown in FIG. 25, the housing 40 can comprise a lateral wall 422 that is connected to the bottom 42b of the housing 40, wherein the cover 42 can be pivotably mounted to said lateral wall 422 such that the cover 42 is pivotable to open or close the housing 40. When the housing 40 is closed, the cover covers the unit 1 and capsule 290. When the housing 40 is open, the unit 1 and/or capsule 290, the tubular fitting 24, and the connector 14 can be removed from the apparatus (particularly from the carrier 12a).

[0403] Instead of said actuating element 702 also a drive such as one or several (e.g. electrical) motors may be used for moving the carrier 12a (and particularly slider 12b).

[0404] Particularly, the moveable carrier 12a is mounted to a slider 12b (cf. e.g. FIG. 25) so that the carrier 12a is movable along the first direction D with respect to the slider 12a in the respective position P, P′, P″, and wherein the slider 12b is movable (e.g. back and forth) along a second direction D′ which runs perpendicular to the first direction D. Thus, the slider 12b can be moved towards and away from the holder assembly 28.

[0405] Further, said holder assembly 28 can comprise a body 44 having an opening 46 for receiving the tubular fitting 24. The tubular fitting 24 may comprise recesses for engaging with the body 44 in the region of said opening 46 of the body 44. Further, particularly when the holder assembly 28 is non-moving, the tubular fitting 24 can be allowed to slide back and forth in the opening 46 in the axial direction A. However, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 25 to 33, the tubular fitting 24 cannot move in the axial direction A with respect to the holder assembly 28.

[0406] Further, as already mentioned above (cf. e.g. FIG. 2 and FIGS. 25 to 33) the carrier 12a/unit 1 is configured to be movable in each of said positions P, P′, P″ towards and away from the holder assembly 28 by means of the slider 12b (see above), wherein this movement can be generated in particular by pivoting said actuating element 702 manually using handle 703 which will be described in more detail below. Other ways of actuating the slider 12b are also conceivable.

[0407] Particularly, when the movable carrier 12a/unit 1 is in the first position P, as indicated in FIG. 2 (cf. also FIGS. 26 and 27), the carrier 12a is movable away from the holder assembly 28 (cf. FIGS. 10 and 25) by means of the actuating element 702, so as to unfasten an end cap 22 received in the first receptacle or port 18 (end cap 22 is fastened to the tubular fitting 24) from said tubular fitting 24, which in turn is inserted into the holder assembly 28, namely in the corresponding opening 46 (cf. FIG. 10).

[0408] From there, the movable carrier 12a/unit 1 is moveable into the second position P′ as well as towards the holder assembly 28 by means of the actuating element 702 so as to connect a connector 14 inserted into the connector holder 26/recess 260 to the tubular fitting 24 so that a flow connection can be established between the tubular fitting 24 and the connector 14. When the fluid delivery procedure (which will be described below) is over, the carrier 12a/removable unit 1 is moveable away from the holder assembly 28 by means of the actuating element 702 as indicated by the arrow D′ shown in FIG. 2, so as to disconnect the connector 14 from the tubular fitting 24.

[0409] As further shown in FIGS. 10 and 25, the apparatus 2 comprises an openable or removable cover 42 of the housing 40. The cover 42 is preferably at least partially or completely transparent, particularly so as to be able to observe the fastening/unfastening of the end caps 22 and the connecting of the tubular fitting 24 to the connector 14 as well as the disconnecting of the tubular fitting 24 from the connector 14.

[0410] Further, the holder assembly 28 may optionally be configured to let the tubular fitting 24 move or slide with the slider 12b/removable unit 1 when the carrier 12a is in the second position P′, such that a member 240 of the tubular fitting 24 protrudes at least partially out of the housing 40 (this member 240 is e.g. shown in FIGS. 8 to 10), e.g. through a through hole 41 formed in the housing 40. Thus, the member 240 is accessible from outside the housing 40 when the tubular fitting 24 is connected to the connector 14 so that the tubular fitting 24 can be opened (e.g. by rotating member 240) and fluid can pass the tubular fitting 24. However, here, particularly, the tubular fitting 24 is non-moving in the axial direction A and said member 240 protrudes out of the housing 40 regardless of the position/movement of the removable unit 1.

[0411] Further, as indicated in FIG. 2, when the carrier 12a/unit 1 is in the second position P′ and is moved away from the holder assembly 28, the tubular fitting 24 may optionally also move with the cradle assembly 12 in the beginning so that said member 240 is again positioned inside a compartment defined by the housing 40 and cannot be rotated from outside the housing 40 to ensure that the tubular fitting 24 that has been closed by means of member 240 before disconnecting the tubular fitting 24 from the connector 14 cannot be opened again so that fluid can be lost.

[0412] Further, from the second position shown in FIG. 2, the carrier 12a/unit 1 is movable into the third position P″ and towards the holder assembly 28 so that a new end cap 22 that is arranged in the capsule 290 can be fastened to the tubular fitting 24. In this position, the member 240 protrudes again or still out of the housing 40 through opening 41.

[0413] Before the new end cap 22 can be fastened to the tubular fitting 24, the closure 23 or peel-off seal 23a described above is removed from the capsule 290 that has been inserted into the recess 20b in beforehand, so that the end cap 22 is accessible for a connection with the tubular fitting 24 (see also above).

[0414] Particularly, using the at least one hook element 23g described above, the closure 23 can be automatically removed when the carrier 12a is e.g. in the second position P′ and moved away from the holder assembly 28 to move it in the third position P″ (cf. FIGS. 23 and 24).

[0415] Furthermore, for operating the connector 14, the apparatus 2 comprises said recess 260 formed on the top side 16a of the body 16 of the removable unit 12.

[0416] When the tubular fitting 24 has been connected to the connector 14 as intended (e.g. FIG. 10), the first actuating member 200 is pressed via a button 201 so that said frangible inline seal 168 is broken.

[0417] This allows flushing of the conduits 14a, 14b while the tubular member 24 is still closed. Thus fluid (e.g. from a fluid bag) enters the first conduit 14a, is passed into the second conduit 14b and ends up e.g. in a fluid waste bag connected to the second conduit 14b.

[0418] When the conduits 14a, 14b have been flushed, a third actuating member 400 is pressed via a button 401 so as to interrupt the passage of fluid through the second conduit 14b arranged in the second region 262 of the recess 260 of the removable unit 1. To accomplish this, the third actuating member 400 is configured to press the second conduit 14b into the associated slot 166b so that the second conduit 14b is compressed and thereby sealed in the slot 166b. Now, the member 240 is actuated and fluid passes from the first conduit 14a via the tubular fitting 24 to a catheter of the patient.

[0419] Finally, to end fluid delivery, the member 240 is actuated to close the tubular fitting 24 and a second actuating member 300 (cf. FIG. 10) is pressed via a button 301 so as to interrupt the passage of fluid through the first conduit 14a being arranged in the first region 262 of the recess 260. Again, to accomplish this, the second actuating member 300 is configured to press the first conduit 14a into the associated slot 166a so that the first conduit 14a is compressed and thereby sealed in the slot 166a.

[0420] Now, the connector 14 can be disconnected from the tubular fitting 24 and a new end cap 22 received in the second receptacle 20 can be fastened to the tubular fitting 24 as described above.

[0421] Alternatively, as already indicated above, instead of the slots 166a, 166b, the holding means 166 comprising said clamping surfaces 166c, 166e and clamping arms 166d, 166f may be used to block/seal the first, second or at least one conduit 14, 14b, 14aa by actuating the corresponding (second or third) actuating member 300, 400. Here, as already described above, the clamping arm 166d can be pivoted downwards/towards its clamping surface 166c by means of the second actuating member 300 (i.e. by pushing button 301) for sealing the first conduit 14a. Further, the clamping arm 166f can be pivoted downwards/towards its associate clamping surface 166e by means of the third actuating member 400 (i.e. by pushing button 401) for sealing the second conduit 14b or the at least one conduit 14aa.

[0422] It is to be noted, that the actuating members 200, 300, 400 are preferably mounted such to the housing 40 or with respect to the recess 260 of the unit 1 that the carrier 12a can move relative to the actuating members 200, 300, 400, but the latter are able to engage with the respective conduit 14a, 14b as described above, when the carrier 12a resides in the second position P′ and has been moved towards the holder assembly 28 so that the connector 14 is properly connected to the tubular fitting 24.

[0423] Preferably, the buttons 201, 301, 401 are labeled by means of a pictogram, respectively, so as to describe their specific function to a user. This allows a description of the function of the buttons 201, 301, 401 that is independent of any language and universally understandable. The buttons may also be labeled by means of numbers that indicate the order of operation of the buttons.

[0424] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the apparatus 2, the slider 12b is configured to be moved back and forth along the second direction D′ by means of an actuating element 702 in the form of an elongated lever 702.

[0425] Particularly, the slider 12b is mounted to the bottom 42b of the apparatus 2 such that it is movable with respect to the bottom 42b back and forth along the second direction D′.

[0426] Particularly, as can be seen from FIGS. 25, 32 to 33, the bottom 42b of the apparatus is a double bottom and comprises a first (e.g. upper) bottom wall 42c and a second (e.g. lower) bottom wall 42d, wherein the bottom 42b comprises an interspace 42e arranged between the first bottom wall 42c and the second bottom wall 42d, and wherein the first bottom wall 42c comprises a top side 42f facing away from the second bottom wall 42d (or from the interspace 42e).

[0427] Furthermore, the slider 12b can comprise a first portion 12c arranged on the top side 42f of the first bottom wall 42c, and a second portion 12d connected to the first portion 12c of the slider 12b. Particularly, the carrier 12a is mounted to the first portion 12c of the slider 12b. Further, particularly, the second portion 12d of the slider 12b extends through a slot 42g formed in the first bottom wall 42c into the interspace 42e.

[0428] Further, the second portion 12d of the slider 12b (and therewith the slider 12b) is guided by a guide rail 420 along the second direction D′, wherein the guide rail 420 is arranged in the interspace 42e and/or connected to the second bottom wall 42d of the bottom 42b. Particularly, the second portion 12d of the slider 12b can comprise a first part 12e connected (e.g. integrally) to the first portion 12c of the slider 12b. Further, the second portion 12d of the slider 12b can comprise a second part 12f that is connected to the first part 12e (e.g. by screws) and that is guided by the guide rail 420. The second part 12f can be seen in FIG. 33 in which the first bottom wall 42c is removed to allow inspection of the interspace 42e, and wherein the first portion 12c of the slider 12b together with the first part 12e is disconnected from the second part 12f and turned upside down to show the actuating element 702.

[0429] As shown in FIG. 33, the actuating element 702 is formed as an elongated lever 702 having a first end section 701 and an opposing second end section 703, wherein the first end section 701 of the actuating element 702 is arranged in the interspace 42e of the bottom 42b and is pivotably mounted to the bottom 42b, particularly to the second bottom wall 42d and/or to the first bottom wall 42c of the apparatus 2. Furthermore, the second end section 703 of the actuating element 702 forms the handle 703 for pivoting the actuating element 702 manually. Particularly, the second end section 703 or handle 703 protrudes out of the housing 40 of the apparatus 2.

[0430] Furthermore, the actuating element 702 comprises a connecting section 704 that connects the first end section 701 to the second end section 703 of the actuating element 702. Particularly, the connecting section 704 is coupled to the second portion 12d of the slider 12b such that the slider 12b is movable (e.g. back and forth) along the second direction D′ by pivoting the actuating element 702. Further, for coupling the actuating element 702 to the second portion 12d of the slider 12b, the actuating element 702 comprises an oblong hole 705 in the connecting section 704, wherein the second portion 12d of the slider 12b may comprise an element 706 (e.g. formed by said first part 12e or a portion thereof) that engages with the oblong hole 705 and thus moves the slider 12b along the second direction D′ when the actuating element 702 is pivoted using the handle 703.

[0431] Particularly, as shown in FIG. 25, the actuating element 702 is configured to be pivoted back and forth between a first position Q and a second position Q′, wherein when the actuating element is pivoted (e.g. from the second position Q′) towards the first position Q, the slider 12b moves towards the holder assembly 28 and when the actuating element is pivoted (e.g. from the first position Q) towards the second position Q′, the slider 12b moves away from the holder assembly 28.

[0432] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 33, the actuating element 702 comprises two latching arms 707 protruding from the connecting section 704, wherein the apparatus 2 can further comprise a member 708 arranged in the interspace 42e (member 708 can be connected to the first and/or second bottom wall 42c, 42d), wherein said member 708 forms a stop for the actuating element 702 (e.g. when the actuating element 702 resides in the first position Q), and wherein particularly said member 708 is configured to engage with the latching arms 707 (e.g. to arrest the actuating element 702) when the actuating element 702 is arranged in the first position Q.

[0433] Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the actuating element 702 is also configured to move the movable carrier 12a along the first direction D with the help of a spring 650, which is shown in FIGS. 25 to 31.

[0434] As can be seen from FIG. 26 the spring 650 connects the carrier 12a which is slidably arranged on the slider 12b, particularly on the first portion 12c of the slider 12b, to the slider 12b, namely to said first portion 12c of the slider 12b.

[0435] When the spring 650 is fully unwound, the carrier 12a is pretensioned in the first direction D and will move with respect to the slider 12b in the first direction D from the first position P′ shown in FIGS. 26 to 28 to the second position P′ shown in FIG. 29 and thereafter into the third position P″ shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 due to a force exerted by the spring 650.

[0436] Particularly, in FIG. 26, a front of the carrier 12a (the carrier 12a carries the disposable unit 1) is removed so that one can see the spring 650. The spring 650 can be tensioned by moving the carrier 12a manually into the first position P shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, wherein in FIG. 27 the spring 650 has been removed in order to show the pivotable stopper 651 that is also shown in FIG. 25.

[0437] As shown in FIG. 25, the stopper 651 is pivotably mounted to the first portion 12c of the slider 12b and is connected via a spring element 655 to the first portion 12c of the slider 12b, wherein the spring element 655 is configured to exert a restoring force on the stopper 651 for pivoting the stopper 651 back into a stopping position in which the stopper 651 stops the carrier 12a (e.g. in the first and second position P, P′).

[0438] Furthermore, the stopper 651 comprises an end portion 653 that extends through a curved slot 654 formed in the first portion 12c of the slider 12b. Particularly, the end portion 653 of the stopper 651 is configured to contact the pin 652 when the slider 12 is moved along the second direction D′. When the slider 12b is moved away from the holder assembly 28 the stopper 651 can be pivoted such that it releases the carrier 12a.

[0439] Returning now to FIG. 27, one can see that the pivotable stopper 651 stops the carrier 12a in the first position P by blocking a first projection 651a of the carrier 12a.

[0440] Particularly, the stopper 651 comprises a recess 651c for receiving the projection 651a which is formed such that the first projection 651a is released when the slider 12b is moved away from the holder assembly 28 in the second direction D′ which is shown in FIG. 28. The spring 651 then moves the carrier 12a into the second position P′, where a second projection 651b of the carrier 12a falls into the recess 651c of the stopper 651 so that the carrier 12b is stopped again. This is shown in FIG. 29.

[0441] Moving the slider 12b away from the holder assembly 28 again by means of the actuating element 702 releases the second projection 651b and there is a third hard stop in form of the wall 651d of the carrier 12a that stops the carrier 12a in the third position P″ shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. Now, the spring 650 is completely wound up. Moving the carrier 12a (e.g. manually) back into the first position P along the first direction tensions the spring 650 again.

[0442] Furthermore, as shown e.g. in FIG. 25, the apparatus 2 can comprise a locking mechanism 660 configured to prevent movement of the slider 12b when a protective cap (not shown) closing the connector 14 has not been connected to a movable locking bar 661 (for this the protective cap can comprise a loop that can be put over the locking bar 661) of the mechanism 660. Particularly, the locking mechanism 660 can be released to allow moving the slider 12b when the locking bar 661 of the apparatus 2 is moved from a first position of the locking bar 661 (shown in FIG. 25) to a second position of the locking bar 661. Particularly, the locking bar 661 is pretensioned towards the first position and is configured to be held in the second position by laying said loop of the protective cap around the locking bar 661. In this way, when the carrier member 12a is moved away from the holder assembly 28 in the first position P of the carrier 12a, the protective cap can also be pulled off the connector 14 by means of the locking bar 661.

[0443] Most preferably, in the framework of the present invention as described herein, the connecting and/or disconnecting of connector 14 and tubular fitting 24 (as well as recapping) is performed by one of: a patient using the apparatus at home (e.g. a home dialysis patient), by a caregiver using the apparatus at the patient's home or within a health care facility, or by a healthcare professional using the apparatus at the patient's home or in a health care facility.

[0444] A further embodiment of the capsule 290 according to the invention and the corresponding unit 1 for an apparatus 2 for connecting and disconnecting a tubular fitting 24 to a connector 14, in which the capsule 290 can be inserted, is described hereafter with reference to FIGS. 34 to 40 and FIG. 42.

[0445] FIG. 34 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the capsule 290, which is particularly manufactured from a single piece of a thin sheet like material, facilitating the manufacturing process. A side view of the same embodiment is depicted in FIG. 35, and FIG. 36 shows a back view of the capsule 290 viewed from the bottom wall 295.

[0446] The capsule 290 comprises an essentially cylindrical portion with a central cylinder axis A′. A circular bottom wall 295 of the capsule 290 extends perpendicular to the axis A′ on an end face of the cylindrical portion. The bottom wall 295 comprises an axial protrusion 296 protruding in the axial direction A′ from the bottom wall 295 on an outside 295a of the bottom wall, wherein the axial protrusion 296 is arranged in the center of the bottom wall 295. Furthermore, the capsule 290 comprises a lateral wall 291 extending in the axial direction from the bottom wall 295 towards a face side 20a of the capsule 290 along the axis A′.

[0447] At the face side 20a, the capsule 290 comprises an opening 299 into an internal space I enclosed by the bottom wall 295 and the lateral wall 291. The capsule 290 is configured to receive in the internal space I an end cap 22 of a tubular fitting 24 as shown, for instance, in FIG. 5A to 5F, and optionally also a flexible carrier member 25, such as a sponge, carrying an antibacterial agent or fluid. The axial protrusion 296 defines a portion 20f of the internal space I. When an end cap 22 of a tubular fitting 24 is arranged in the internal space I of the capsule 290, the axial protrusion 296 is configured to surround a protrusion 22a of the end cap 22 (see FIGS. 5a to 5f).

[0448] The capsule 290 further comprises a lateral protrusion 297 extending from the face side 20a in the peripheral direction C and in a radial direction R perpendicular to the axial direction A′. The lateral protrusion 297 comprises a first gap 297a and a second gap 297b arranged around the periphery of the lateral protrusion 297. A third gap 297c extending essentially along the peripheral direction C branches off from the first gap 297a or is adjacent to the first gap 297a. On opposite sides of the first gap 297a along the peripheral direction C, the lateral protrusion 297 forms a first radial projection 297d and a second radial projection 297e. The second radial projection 297e is arranged adjacent to the third gap 297c and forms a hook and/or is shaped as an arrow pointing in the radial direction R essentially perpendicular to the extension of the third gap 297c. Adjacent to the second radial projection 297e, the lateral protrusion 297 comprises a first flap 297h, and adjacent to the second gap 297b, the lateral protrusion 297 forms a second flap 297i (delimited on the inside, respectively, by the first slot 297f and the second slot 297g described below).

[0449] Furthermore, the capsule 290 comprises a closure 23, comprising a peal-off seal 23a, which is particularly configured to hermetically seal the opening 299 leading into the interior space I of the capsule 290, in particular to keep a sterile environment prior to use of the end cap 22 contained in the capsule 290. The closure 23 covers the entire opening 299, as well as at least a part of the exterior surface of the lateral protrusion 297. In particular, the closure 23 covers an edge region 23d of the lateral protrusion 297 with an edge 23e extending in the peripheral direction C at the bottom of the capsule 290.

[0450] The edge region 23d comprises through-openings 23f extending in the axial direction A′, as well as a first slot 297f between the respective through-opening 23f and the first flap 297h, and a second slot 297g between the respective through-opening 23f and the second flap 297i, wherein the first slot 297f and the second slot 297g both extend perpendicular to the axial direction. The through-openings 23f are arranged between the slots 297g along the peripheral direction C.

[0451] FIG. 37 illustrates how the closure 23 can be automatically peeled off from the capsule 290 using a movable part of the apparatus 2 (see e.g. FIG. 10) comprising hooks 23g. The movable part is moved, particularly below the capsule 290, along the axial direction A′ in the direction from the bottom wall 295 of the capsule 290 towards the face side 20a, such that the two hooks 23g engage into the through-holes 23f and pull the closure 23 from the capsule 290, thereby opening the internal space I. Such an automatic peel-off mechanism avoids accidental contamination of the internal space I, which may occur during manual handling.

[0452] The edge region 23d of the capsule 290 may be formed entirely by the closure 23 (particularly the peel-off seal 23a) or the edge region 23d may comprise an inner layer formed by a part of the lateral protrusion 297 of the capsule 290 and an outer layer formed by the closure 23 (particularly the peel-off seal). In the latter case, the through-openings 23f extend through both the inner layer and the outer layer, and the inner layer (the lateral protrusion 297) may comprise a cut 23g extending parallel to the edge 23e between the opening 299 and the through-openings 23f (see FIG. 36). By means of such a cut 23g, a portion of the inner layer can be removed from the capsule 290 along with the closure 23 when the closure 23 is automatically peeled off by the hooks 23g of the apparatus 2. The closure 23 may consist of any suitable material, which may be particularly transparent or opaque. In particular, the closure 23 shown in FIG. 34 may be from a transparent material.

[0453] FIGS. 38 to 42 show different views of a unit 1 comprising a capsule 290 according to FIG. 34 to FIG. 37. Other aspects of the unit 1 except those described below may be identical or similar to those of the unit 1 described above and depicted in particular in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18. FIGS. 38 and 39 are perspective views of the unit 1 and FIG. 40 shows a side view of the unit 1.

[0454] The unit 1 comprises a body 16 comprising a first receptacle 18 as described above and a recess 20b, in which the capsule 290 is positioned, particularly in a form-fitting manner. The recess 20b comprises a lateral wall 20c contacting and engaging the lateral wall 291 of the capsule 290. Therein, a portion 20i of the lateral wall 20c engages into the first gap 297a of the lateral protrusion 297 of the capsule 290 and engages the first radial projection 297d (see FIG. 34). Furthermore, as best seen in FIG. 40, the second radial projection 297e points towards the front opening of the recess 260 of the unit 1 in a direction perpendicular to the axis A′.

[0455] As illustrated in the side view of FIG. 39, the first flap 297h and the second flap 297i of the lateral protrusion 297 of the capsule 290 engage into respective grooves 20j of the lateral wall 20c, which tightly fixes the capsule 290 in the axial direction along the axis A′. This maintains the correct positioning of the capsule 290 also when strong forces are applied in the axial direction, such as e.g. during automatic removal of the closure 23 (see FIG. 37). As best seen in FIGS. 34 and 36, the first flap 297h and the second flap 297i taper towards the respective first slot 297f and second slot 297g, which improves positioning, such that the capsule 290 can easily engage into the grooves 20j.

[0456] As best seen in FIG. 38-40 and FIG. 42, the unit 1 further comprises a fastening lever 500 which is pivotably coupled to the body 16 at a pivoting axis 505 which is parallel to the axis A′ of the capsule 290 when the capsule 290 is inserted into the recess 20b. The fastening lever 500 can be pivoted between a first position (shown in FIG. 42) and a second position (FIGS. 38 to 41), where the capsule 290 is engaged by an end portion 501 of the fastening lever 500. The end portion 501 comprises an extension 503 extending in the axial direction of the capsule 290. The extension 503 comprises a connecting means 506, such as a slit for inserting a portion of the lateral protrusion 297 of the capsule 290 to connect the capsule 290 to the lever. In addition, the extension 503 comprises a curved inner surface configured to engage into the second gap 297b of the lateral protrusion 297 of the capsule 290, particularly in a form-fitting manner, thereby tightly fixing the capsule 290 between the lateral wall 20c, the portion 20i and the extension 503. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 42, the end portion 501 of the fastening lever 500 comprises a curved portion 507 with a concave inner surface 580 which is configured to engage the lateral wall 291 of the capsule 290 (see FIG. 34) in the second position. The fastening lever 500 further comprises a recess 504 which is adjacent to the first receptacle 18 in the second position of the fastening lever 500, such that the first receptacle 18 is accessible for insertion of a protrusion 22a of an end cap 22. For manually moving the lever 500 between the first position and the second position, a handle 509 is arranged at the lever 500, particularly at the end portion 501.

[0457] In particular, to insert the capsule 290 into the recess 20b of the unit 1, the capsule 290 may be mechanically connected to the end portion 501 of the fastening lever 500, particularly to the extension 503, and inserted into the recess 20b by moving the fastening lever 500 downwards from the first position (FIG. 42) to the second position (see FIGS. 38 and 40). Fixing of the capsule 290 to the end portion 501 of the fastening lever 500 may for example be achieved by inserting a portion of the lateral protrusion 297 into a connecting means 506 arranged on the end portion 501, particularly on the extension 503. In the example shown in FIG. 38 and FIG. 42, the connecting means 506 is formed as a slit extending in the peripheral direction C in respect of the axis A′ (see FIG. 34), wherein the slit is configured to receive a part of the lateral protrusion 297, particularly between the first gap 297a and the second gap 297b.

[0458] During the downward movement of the fastening lever 500 along with the connected capsule 290, the portion 20i of the lateral wall 20c of the unit 1 engages the first radial projection 297d, resulting in particular in a counter clockwise rotation (when viewed from the opening 299, see FIG. 34) of the capsule 290 around the axis A′ in respect of the body 16 of the unit 1. Upon this rotation, the first flap 297i and the second flap 297h engage into the respective grooves 20j (see FIGS. 38 and 39), thereby tightly positioning and fixing the capsule 290 in the axial direction A′. Of course, a similar rotational movement can be achieved by manual insertion of the capsule 290 into the recess 20b.

[0459] In particular, to remove the capsule 290 from the unit 1, the fastening lever 500 can be moved upwards from the second position back to the first position along with the connected capsule 290, wherein particularly the capsule 290 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the opening 299. Consequently, the capsule 290 is moved upwards in respect of the body 16 of the unit 1, such that the portion 20i of the lateral wall 20c engages into the third gap 297c, removing the capsule 290 from the fastening lever 500.

[0460] It should be noted that the configuration shown in FIG. 42, where the fastening lever 500 is in the first position and the capsule 290 is arranged in the recess 20b of the body 16, usually does not occur during normal operation as described above, since the capsule 290 is normally attached to the fastening lever 500 in the first position.

[0461] As shown in FIG. 40, the lateral wall 20c comprises a gap at the bottom adjacent to the edge region 23d of the capsule, such that a tool comprising hooks 23g may be moved along the bottom of the capsule 290, such that the hooks 23g engage into the through-openings 23f to automatically remove the closure 23, particularly peel-off seal 23a, from the capsule 290.

[0462] FIG. 41 illustrates a further embodiment of the holding means 166 arranged on or adjacent to the back side wall 16d of the body 16. Of course, this embodiment cannot only be applied to the unit 1 shown in FIGS. 37 to 40, but also to other embodiments of the unit 1, particularly the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0463] Similarly to the holding means 166 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 and described above, the holding means 166 shown in FIG. 41 comprises pivotable clamping arms 166d, 166f, wherein a first conduit 14a provided in the first region 262 of the recess 260 and a second conduit 14b provided in the second region 263 of the recess 260, can be clamped between the respective clamping arm 166d, 166f and corresponding clamping surfaces 166c, 166e. The holding means 166 further comprises guiding arms 166i, 166j for guiding the actuating members 300, 400 of the apparatus 2, respectively, as described above.

[0464] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 41, the hooks 166g, 166h for engaging and holding the clamping arms 166d, 166f in the clamping position are coupled to a release mechanism 166k, for example a pressable button. When the release mechanism 166k is activated, the hooks 166g, 166h are displaced, particularly along the axial direction A′ (compare FIG. 40) such that they no longer engage the clamping arms 166d, 166f, and the clamping arms 166d, 166f pivot upwards from the clamping position, thereby releasing the first conduit 14a and the second conduit 14b. Of course, the unit 1 may be adapted such that each clamping arm 166d, 166f is coupled to a separate release mechanism 166k, such that the conduits 14a, 14b can be released individually.