SENSOR FASTENING FOR SINGLE-USE CONTAINERS

Abstract

A device for detachably fastening a sensor for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium to a single-use container, wherein there is a connection between the device and a wall of the single-use container, comprises a fastening unit for detachably fastening the sensor to the single-use container. Disclosed also is a single-use container having a device according to the invention.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A device for detachably fastening a sensor for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium to a single-use container, wherein there is a connection between the device and a wall of the single-use container, the device comprising: a fastening unit for detachably fastening the sensor to the single-use container.

16. The device according to claim 15, further comprising: a connection unit for producing the connection of the device to the wall of the single-use container.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the connection unit serves to ensure, in a contact region of the wall of the single-use container, an integral connection.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the connection unit has a contact surface for producing the connection to the wall of the single-use container.

19. The device according to one of claim 16, wherein the connection unit has means for producing an adhesive bond, or vulcanization.

20. The device according to claim 15, wherein at least one component of the device can be integrally produced together with the single-use container.

21. The device according to claim 15, wherein the fastening unit serves to produce a frictional and/or form-fitting connection between the sensor and the device.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the fastening unit has means for producing a click, latch, screw or bayonet connection, at least one guide rail or a snap hook.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the fastening unit has at least two fastening components.

24. The device according to claim 16, wherein the connection unit comprises a flat base element, wherein a surface contour of a first surface of the base element is designed to correspond to the wall of the single-use container.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein the connection between the device and the single-use container is at least partially produced in the region of the first surface of the base element and/or wherein the fastening unit is arranged in the region of a second surface of the base element.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the base element is designed in the form of a flat plate.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein the base element has a through-opening in which the sensor is arranged when the sensor is fastened to the device.

28. A single-use container having a device, the device including: a fastening unit for detachably fastening a sensor to the single-use container, wherein the sensor is for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in the single-use container, wherein there is a connection between the device and a wall of the single-use container.

Description

[0027] The invention and its advantageous embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the following figures: The following is shown:

[0028] FIG. 1 various views of a device according to the invention with a fastening unit having means for producing a latching connection, and a connection unit with a rectangular base element,

[0029] FIG. 2 a second embodiment of a device according to the invention similar to FIG. 1, wherein the base element has a through-opening, and

[0030] FIG. 3 various views of a device according to the invention with a fastening unit having means for producing a bayonet connection, and a connection unit with a circular base element.

[0031] In the figures, identical elements are provided with the same reference signs.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows three perspective views of a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 comprises a connection unit 2 for producing a connection between the device 1 and the single-use container 8, which connection unit 2 is designed in the embodiment shown a base element 3 in the form of a rectangular flat plate with rounded edges. However, numerous other geometries are also conceivable for the base element 3, which also fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, a surface of the base element 3 can be designed to be planar or at least partially curved, the geometry and size of the selected cross-sectional area is variable and the rounded edges are also only optional and are in no way absolutely necessary.

[0033] The connection to the single-use container 8 is made in the region of a first surface O1 of the base element 3, and can be achieved here by means of an adhesive bond. Alternatively, vulcanization can also take place, for example. The first surface O1 thus forms a contact surface of the connection unit 2.

[0034] The fastening unit 4 of the device 1 comprises two fastening components 4a and 4b. The first fastening component 4a is associated with the device 1 and is fixedly arranged on the second surface O2 of the base element. The second fastening component 4b is associated with a housing 6 of the sensor 5, which sensor 5 also has an electrical contact 7 in the form of a connecting cable. Other sensors 5 can also be designed without connecting cables 7. For the variant shown, the first fastening component 4a comprises a holder with two guide rails which have recesses for engaging latching hooks, which latching hooks in turn are part of the second fastening component 4b. However, numerous further variants for fastening the sensor 5 to the device 1 are conceivable, all of which fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0035] In contrast to FIG. 1, the base element 3 has a through-opening 3a for the embodiment of the device 1 according to FIG. 2. The base element 3 thus has the function of a frame for this embodiment. The sensor unit of the sensor 5 is thus directly in contact with the wall of the single-use container 8.

[0036] The illustration shown enables the device 1 and the sensor 5 to be arranged in a particularly flat manner on a single-use container 8, i.e. the device 1 and the sensor 5 together have a comparatively low height.

[0037] In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the base element 3 is circular. As in the case of the previously shown embodiments, the fastening unit 4 comprises two fastening components 4a and 4b. In contrast to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the fastening unit 4 here comprises means for producing a bayonet connection. This allows precise axial arrangement of the sensor 5 relative to the device 1 and to the single-use container 8. The first fastening component 4a also has a holder. Two slots are introduced into the holder, and buttons of the second fastening component 4b latch into said slots when the second fastening component is connected to the first fastening component 4a, and which is configured in the form of a union nut.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0038] 1 Device

[0039] 2 Connection unit

[0040] O1, O2 First, second surface of the connection element

[0041] 3 Base element

[0042] 3a Through-opening of the base element

[0043] 4 Fastening unit

[0044] 4a, 4b First, second fastening component

[0045] 5 Sensor

[0046] 6 Housing

[0047] 7 Connecting cable

[0048] 8 Single-use container