WO2023250049A1

WO2023250049A1 - Fluid line connector arrangements for hand-held beverage dispensers and related methods for use

Info

Publication number: WO2023250049A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/025909
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ricardo Abugarade RODRIGUEZ; Anthony Joseph BEHE, Jr.; John Prakash DSOUZA; Paul V. WATKINS, Jr.
Original assignee: Lancer Corporation
Priority date: 2022-06-21
Filing date: 2023-06-21
Publication date: 2023-12-28

Abstract

A fluid line connector arrangement includes a first connector assembly of the fluid line connector arrangement, as particularly configured to efficiently connect and secure fluid line fittings to a hand-held beverage dispenser, and a second connector assembly of the fluid line connector arrangement, as particularly configured to efficiently connect and secure a fluid line fittings to a beverage fluid source.

Description

FLUID LINE CONNECTOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR

HAND-HELD BEVERAGE DISPENSERS AND RELATED METHODS FOR USE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to post-mix drink dispensing, and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to features and accessories for hand-held beverage dispensers, including arrangements for removal or attachment of post-mix type drink dispenser assemblies from or to hand-held beverage dispensers; and connector assemblies for connecting flow control assemblies to hand-held beverage dispensers.

2. Description of the Related Art

Post-mix type hand-held beverage dispensers, such as are often referred to as bar guns or soda guns are well known conveniences in the food and bar service industries, enabling beverages to be prepared as they are dispensed by mixing together a beverage product, such as, for example, a syrup or like concentrate, and a diluent, such as, for example, plain water or carbonated water. Beverage product and diluent sources connect with a flow control assembly utilized to provide ON-OFF flow control and regulated flow of the beverage products and diluents to a hand-held beverage dispenser. A fluid line connector arrangement couples the flow control assembly with the hand-held beverage dispenser to deliver the beverage products and diluents from the flow control assembly to the hand-held beverage dispenser while allowing portability of the hand-held beverage dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fluid line connector arrangement may include a connector assembly at the proximal end of the fluid line assembly, in addition to the connector assembly provided at the distal end. Like the connector assembly provided at the distal end, which implements a header assembly about a header plate of the header assembly, the connector assembly at the proximal end of the fluid line assembly implements a header assembly about a header bar. Like the header plate of the first connector assembly, the header bar of the second connector assembly comprises specially formed tapered connector holes, which are utilized to receive and retain the barbed quick connect fittings and the proximal ends of the individual fluid lines in the same manner as does the header plate receive and retain the barbed quick connect fittings at the distal ends of the individual fluid lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an exploded top isometric view illustrating various aspects of a fluid line connector arrangement according to a preferred embodiment, together with an exemplary handheld beverage dispenser and an exemplary beverage fluid source as are representative of such hand-held beverage dispensers and beverage fluid sources suitable for use in connection with the fluid line connector arrangement.

Figure 2 is an exploded bottom isometric view illustrating vanous aspects of the fluid line connector arrangement.

Figure 3 is a top rear end isometric view illustrating a first connector assembly of the fluid line connector arrangement as deployed in use to efficiently connect and secure a plurality of fluid line fittings to the exemplary suitable hand-held beverage dispenser.

Figure 4 is a bottom rear end isometric view illustrating a second connector assembly of the fluid line connector arrangement as deployed in use to efficiently connect and secure a plurality of fluid line fittings to the exemplary suitable beverage fluid source.

Figure 5 is a top front end isometric view illustrating integration of a header subassembly of the first connector assembly with and at a first end of a suitable sheathed fluid line assembly of the fluid line connector arrangement.

Figures 6-10 illustrate a header plate of the header subassembly of the first connector assembly, where: Figure 6 is a top rear end isometric view;

Figure 7 is a top front end isometric view;

Figure 8 is a rear end elevational view;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along lines 9-9 of Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along lines 10-10 of Figure 8.

Figures 11-13 illustrate an exemplary barbed quick connect fitting of the header subassembly of the first connector assembly, where:

Figure 11 is an exploded top rear end isometric view;

Figure 12 is a top front end isometric view; and

Figure 13 is a right side elevational view.

Figures 14A-14B and Figures 15A-15B comparatively illustrate various aspects of a generally cylindrical body of the exemplary barbed quick connect fitting for the first connector assembly and an alternatively adapted cylindrical body, respectively, where:

Figure 14A is a top plan view;

Figure 14B is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along lines 14B-14B of

Figure 14 A;

Figure 15A is a top plan view; and

Figure 15B is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along lines 15B-15B of

Figure 15 A.

Figures 16A-16B illustrate a first stage in the assembly, and concurrent integration with the first end of the sheathed fluid line assembly, of the header subassembly of the first connector assembly, where:

Figure 16A is a partially exploded top rear end isometric view; and

Figure 16B is a partially exploded bottom front end isometric view. Figures 17A-17B illustrate a second stage in the assembly, and concurrent integration with the first end of the sheathed fluid line assembly, of the header subassembly of the first connector assembly, where:

Figure 17A is a bottom front end isometric view; and

Figure 17B is a right side elevational view.

Figures 18A-18B illustrate a third stage in the assembly, and concurrent integration with the first end of the sheathed fluid line assembly, of the header subassembly of the first connector assembly, where:

Figure 18A is a partially exploded bottom front end isometric view; and

Figure 18B is a partially exploded right side elevational view.

Figures 19A-19B illustrate a fourth stage in the assembly, and concurrent integration with the first end of the sheathed fluid line assembly, of the header subassembly of the first connector assembly, where:

Figure 19A is a bottom front end isometnc view; and

Figure 19B is a right side elevational view.

Figures 20A-20B illustrate a fifth stage in the assembly, and concurrent integration with the first end of the sheathed fluid line assembly, of the header subassembly of the first connector assembly, where:

Figure 20A is a bottom front end isometric view; and

Figure 20B is a right side elevational view.

Figure 21 is a partially exploded rear end isometric view illustrating connection of the header subassembly of the first connector assembly in operable position with the exemplary suitable hand-held beverage dispenser.

Figures 22-23 illustrate the header subassembly of the first connector assembly as operably connected with the exemplary suitable hand-held beverage dispenser, where: Figure 22 is a rear end isometric view; and

Figure 23 is a right side elevational view.

Figure 24 is a demonstrative partially exploded rear end isometric view illustrating operable positioning of an enclosure subassembly of the first connector assembly with the header subassembly of the first connector assembly, as the header subassembly is operably connected with the exemplary suitable hand-held beverage dispenser.

Figures 25A-25B illustrate a first housing member of the enclosure subassembly of the first connector assembly, where:

Figure 25 A is a right side elevational view; and

Figure 25B is a bottom plan view.

Figures 26A-26B illustrate a second housing member of the enclosure subassembly of the first connector assembly, where:

Figure 26A is a right side elevational view; and

Figure 26B is a top plan view.

Figures 27A-27C are exploded views illustrating various aspects of the first and second housing members of the enclosure subassembly of the first connector assembly, where:

Figure 27A is a top front end isometric view;

Figure 27B is a bottom front end isometric view; and

Figure 27C is a front end elevational view.

Figures 28A-28E illustrate various aspects of the first and second housing members as connected one to the other in formation of the enclosure subassembly of the first connector assembly, where:

Figure 28A is a top front end isometric view;

Figure 28B is a bottom front end isometric view;

Figure 28C is a front end elevational view; Figure 28D is a top rear end isometric view; and

Figure 28E is a rear end elevational view.

Figures 29A-29C illustrate interconnection of the of the first and second housing members of the enclosure subassembly of the first connector assembly, where:

Figure 29A is an exploded cross-sectional elevational view corresponding to the view of Figure 29C, and showing an initial stage of interconnection;

Figure 29B is a partially exploded cross-sectional elevational view corresponding to the view of Figure 29C, and showing an intermediate stage of interconnection; and

Figure 29C is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along lines 29C-29C of

Figure 28E, and showing a final stage of interconnection.

Figure 30 is a demonstrative partial cross-sectional elevational view taken along lines 30-30 of Figure 24 illustrating vanous details of the operable positioning of the enclosure subassembly of the first connector assembly with the header subassembly thereof, as the header subassembly is operably connected with the exemplary suitable hand-held beverage dispenser.

Figures 31A-31D illustrate application of the enclosure subassembly of the first connector assembly about the first end of the suitable sheathed fluid line assembly and into operable position with the header subassembly, as the header subassembly is operably connected with the exemplary suitable hand-held beverage dispenser, where the first end of the suitable sheathed fluid line assembly and the exemplary suitable hand-held beverage dispenser are for clarity shown in phantom lines and:

Figure 31 A is an exploded cross-sectional elevational view corresponding to the view of Figure 29A, and showing an initial stage of application; Figure 31B is a partially exploded cross-sectional elevational view corresponding to the view of Figure 29B, and showing a first intermediate stage of application;

Figure 31C is a cross-sectional elevational view corresponding to the view of Figure 29C, and showing a second intermediate stage of application; and

Figure 3 ID is a cross-sectional elevational view corresponding to the view of Figure 29C, and showing a final stage of application.

Figure 32 is a partially exploded top rear end isometric view illustrating securement of the first connector assembly operably in place for use of the fluid line connector arrangement.

Figures 33A-33B illustrate integration of a header subassembly of the second connector assembly with and at a second end of the suitable sheathed fluid line assembly of the fluid line connector arrangement, where:

Figure 33 A is a top front end isometric view; and

Figure 33B is a botom front end isometric view.

Figures 34-39 illustrate a header bar of the header subassembly of the second connector assembly, where:

Figure 34 is a top front end isometric view;

Figure 35 is a botom front end isometric view;

Figure 36 is a front end elevational view;

Figure 37 is a right side elevational view;

Figure 38 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along lines 38-38 of Figure 36; and

Figure 39 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along lines 39-39 of Figure 36.

Figures 40-42 illustrate an exemplary barbed quick connect fitting of the header subassembly of the second connector assembly, where: Figure 40 is an exploded top front end isometric view;

Figure 41 is atop rear end isometric view; and

Figure 42 is a right side elevational view.

Figures 43-44 illustrate a generally cylindrical body of the exemplary barbed quick connect fitting for the second connector assembly, where:

Figure 43 is a top plan view; and

Figure 44 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along lines 44-44 of Figure 43.

Figures 45A-45B illustrate a first stage in the assembly, and concurrent integration with the second end of the sheathed fluid line assembly, of the header subassembly of the second connector assembly, where:

Figure 45 A is a partially exploded top front end isometric view; and

Figure 45B is a partially exploded bottom rear end isometric view.

Figures 46A-46B illustrate a second stage in the assembly, and concurrent integration with the second end of the sheathed fluid line assembly, of the header subassembly of the second connector assembly, where:

Figure 46A is a top front end isometric view; and

Figure 46B is a top plan view.

Figures 47A-47B illustrate a third stage in the assembly, and concurrent integration with the second end of the sheathed fluid line assembly, of the header subassembly of the second connector assembly, where:

Figure 47A is a partially exploded top front end isometric view; and

Figure 47B is a partially exploded top plan view. Figures 48A-48B illustrate a fourth stage in the assembly, and concurrent integration with the second end of the sheathed fluid line assembly, of the header subassembly of the second connector assembly, where:

Figure 48A is a top front end isometric view; and

Figure 48B is a top plan view.

Figures 49A-49B illustrate a fifth stage in the assembly, and concurrent integration with the second end of the sheathed fluid line assembly, of the header subassembly of the second connector assembly, where:

Figure 49A is a top front end isometric view; and

Figure 49B is a top plan view.

Figure 50 is a top plan view illustrating the header subassembly of the second connector assembly, as fully integrated with and at the second end of the suitable sheathed fluid line assembly of the fluid line connector arrangement.

Figure 51 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along lines 51-51 of Figure 50.

Figure 52 is a partially exploded top front end isometric view illustrating the header subassembly of the second connector assembly with a first housing member and second housing member of an enclosure subassembly of the second connector assembly.

Figures 53A-53B illustrate various aspects of the internal features of the enclosure subassembly of the second connector assembly, as embodied in the first housing member of the enclosure subassembly, and where:

Figure 53 A is a top front end isometric view; and

Figure 53B is a top plan view.

Figures 54A-54B illustrate various aspects of the internal features of the enclosure subassembly of the second connector assembly, as embodied in the second housing member of the enclosure subassembly, and where: Figure 54A is a bottom rear end isometric view; and

Figure 54B is a bottom plan view.

Figures 55A-55D illustrate various aspects of the cooperative adaptation of the first housing member and the second housing member of the enclosure subassembly of the second connector assembly, where:

Figure 55A is a front end elevational view;

Figure 55B is a rear end elevational view;

Figure 55C is a top plan view; and

Figure 55D is a right side elevational view.

Figures 56A-56B illustrate various aspects of the cooperative adaptation of the first housing member and the second housing member of the enclosure subassembly of the second connector assembly, where:

Figure 56A is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along lines 56A-56A of

Figure 55C; and

Figure 56B is a bottom front end isometric view of the cross-sectional elevational view of Figure 56A.

Figure 57 is a top plan view illustrating a first stage in implementation of the second connector assembly wherein the header subassembly of the second connector assembly is positioned in place with the first housing member of the enclosure subassembly of the second connector assembly.

Figures 58A-58B illustrate various aspects of the integration of the header subassembly and the enclosure subassembly of the second connector assembly, where:

Figure 58A is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along lines 58A-58A of

Figure 57, and Figure 58B is a top front end isometric view of the cross-sectional elevational view of Figure 58A.

Figure 59 is a detail view taken from Figure 57 illustrating various aspects of the integration of the header subassembly and the enclosure subassembly of the second connector assembly.

Figure 60 is a partially exploded top front end isometric view illustrating a second stage in implementation of the second connector assembly wherein the second housing member of the enclosure subassembly of the second connector assembly is mated with the first housing member of the enclosure subassembly about the header subassembly of the second connector assembly.

Figure 61 is a top plan view illustrating the assembled second connector assembly of the fluid line connector arrangement.

Figures 62A-62B illustrate various aspects of the assembled second connector assembly, where:

Figure 62A is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along lines 62A-62A of

Figure 61; and

Figure 62B is a top front end isometric view of the cross-sectional elevational view of Figure 62A.

Figures 63-64 illustrate various aspects of a first stage in deployment of the second connector assembly for use with the exemplary suitable beverage fluid source, where:

Figure 63 is an isometric view depicting the front end of the second connector assembly as arranged with the exemplary suitable beverage fluid source; and

Figure 64 is an isometric view depicting the rear end of the second connector assembly as arranged with the exemplary suitable beverage fluid source. Figures 65A-65B illustrate various aspects of the adaptation of the exemplary' suitable beverage fluid source for use with the fluid line connector arrangement, where:

Figure 65 A is a front end isometric view; and

Figure 65B is a front elevational view.

Figure 66 is an isometric view illustrating various aspects of a second stage in deployment of the second connector assembly for use with the exemplary suitable beverage fluid source.

Figure 67 is a partially exploded top front end isometric view illustrating the header subassembly of the connector assembly with a first housing member and second housing member of an alternative enclosure subassembly of an alternative second connector assembly.

Figure 68 is a partially exploded bottom rear end isometric view illustrating various aspects of a first stage in deployment of the alternative second connector assembly for use with an alternative exemplary suitable beverage fluid source.

Figure 69 is a bottom rear end isometric view illustrating various aspects of a second stage in deployment of the second connector assembly for use with the alternative exemplary suitable beverage fluid source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components or steps.

As will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary' skill in the relevant arts, the depicted hand-held beverage dispenser is of the well-know class of dispensers often referred to as bar guns or soda guns. In any case, and like the dispensers of its class, the hand-held beverage dispenser of the present invention is intended for use in dispensing - on demand - a variety of post-mix beverages.

Flow control assemblies suitable for supplying flow regulated pressurized fluids to hand-held beverage dispensers are readily commercially available. The widely available flow control assemblies supply flow regulated pressurized fluids for hand-held beverage dispensers through individual fluid lines - one fluid line for each beverage product, diluent, or any other fluid to be supplied to the hand-held beverage dispensers. In particular, individual fluid lines from a flow control assembly are typically collected within an elongate tubular sheath, which conducts the fluid lines to the point of use of the hand-held beverage dispenser. At the distal end of the sheath, at the point of use of the hand-held beverage dispenser, each fluid line from the flow control assembly is terminated with a connector sized, shaped and otherwise adapted to provide a fluid-tight interface between each fluid line and a corresponding one of the fluid inlets disposed at the rear end of the handle body of the hand-held beverage dispenser. As generally implemented, however, a separate provision must be made for fixing the individual connectors in place within each respective corresponding inlet.

As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts, hand-held beverage dispensers are capable of receiving fluids from a multiplicity of fluid lines. Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will also appreciate that the rear end of the handle body of the hand-held beverage dispenser affords limited space for arranging the provided fluid inlets. To be sure, limiting the size of the hand-held beverage dispenser remains an important objective notwithstanding the desire to implement additional functionality. In any case, making the required connections under the current state of the art is often tedious. What is more, however, in service installation where, due to unusual routing or shortage of spare fluid line assemblies, or any other reason, the hand-held beverage dispenser must be replaced independently of an otherwise previously attached the fluid line assembly, this tedious task must be repeated any time a different hand-held beverage dispenser is to be used at the service station, as may well be required during use for beverage service, for example in the event of a malfunctioning hand-held beverage dispenser, in addition to routine removal for deep cleaning or other maintenance.

A novel and inventive connector assembly for efficiently connecting a plurality of fluid line fittings to a hand-held beverage dispenser is shown and described. As shown in the figures the connector assembly generally comprises a specially formed header plate and cooperatively adapted clamshell housing assembly constructed or otherwise formed of an upper housing member and a lower housing member, as will be better understood further herein. As also will be better understood further herein, the connector assembly is adapted to simultaneously secure a multiplicity of individual fluid lines from a flow control assembly in fluid communication with the fluid inlets of a hand-held beverage dispenser. The invention of the connector assembly contemplates a simple “plug-in” type connection of an otherwise typical fluid hne assembly to an otherwise typical hand-held beverage dispenser. In particular, the connector assembly provides substantially simultaneous “plug-in” type connection of each of a multiplicity of barbed quick connect fittings , or similarly capable fittings or like connectors, to a multiplicity of fluid inlets conventionally located at the rear end of the handle body of the hand-held beverage dispenser, thereby substantially simultaneously placing each of a corresponding multiplicity of individual fluid lines running through the fluid line assembly in fluid communication with the fluid inlets of the hand-held beverage dispenser. Additionally, however, the invention of the connector assembly contemplates a simple securement through which each of the individual barbed quick connect fittings or like connectors, is substantially simultaneously fixed securely in place within each respective corresponding inlet fluid of the hand-held beverage dispenser. To this end, as will be better understood further herein, the connector assembly further inventively includes a clamshell housing assembly. A typical barbed quick connect fitting as is well know n by those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts for conventional use in terminating and connecting such fluid lines is particularly shown in the figures. The typically used barbed quick connect fitting comprises a generally cylindrical body having a male barbed connector at a first end thereof. As will be better understood further herein, each male barbed connector is sized for connection with the distal ends of the individual fluid lines from the flow control assembly. The typical barbed quick connect fitting also has a male quick connector at a second end thereof. Additionally, however, a provision is made for, and the male quick connector also includes, one or more circumferential seals, such as O-rings or like seals. As will also be better understood further herein, each male quick connector is sized for insertion within fluid inlet ports about the fluid inlets at the rear end of the handle body of a hand-held beverage dispenser, as represented by the exemplary hand-held beverage dispenser, as particularly shown in Figure and otherwise herein previously described in detail. In any case, an open flow path is longitudinally provided from the first end to the second end through the cylindrical body.

Referring again to Figures -, the specially formed header plate comprises a preferably generally planar rear face, which in use of the connector assembly faces away from the rear end of the handle body, and a preferably generally planar front face facing the rear end of the handle body, which in use of the connector assembly faces the rear end of the handle body. A multiplicity of specialty formed tapered connector holes are formed or otherwise provided through the header plate, each of which comprises a first circular opening at the rear face of the header plate and a second circular opening at the front face of the header plate. The first circular opening and the second circular opening are concentrically formed about the longitudinal axis through the connector hole, and the first circular opening has a diameter operably less than the diameter of the second circular opening, as will be better understood further herein. Additionally, the header plate comprises a plurality of clearance holes corresponding to a plurality of tapped or otherwise threaded holes provided at the rear end of the handle body of a hand-held beverage dispenser. As will be better understood further herein, each of the clearance holes through the header plate is sized for free passage of the major threads of machine screws or the equivalent part of implemented mounting hardware.

As previously generally described in the previously presented detailed description of the exemplary hand-held beverage dispenser, a multiplicity of individual fluid lines conduct various beverage fluids from a flow control assembly to the hand-held beverage dispenser for mixing and dispensing as desired. The multiplicity of fluid lines is conventionally contained within an elongate tubular sheath to form a sheathed fluid line assembly. The distal end from the flow control assembly of each individual fluid line protrudes a short distance from the distal end of the elongate tubular sheath. In use of the present invention, the male barbed connector of a barbed quick connect fitting must be connected in fluid communication to the accessible distal end of each individual fluid line. In implementation of the connector assembly of the present invention the previously described header plate is interposed between the distal end of the of the sheath of the fluid line assembly and the distal end of each individual fluid line as the barbed quick connect fittings are connected to the fluid lines.

To begin connection of the barbed quick connect fittings to the distal ends of the individual fluid lines , the header plate is first oriented with the rear face of the header plate facing the individual fluid lines protruding from the distal end of the sheath , as shown in Figure . The distal end of a selected one of the individual fluid lines is then inserted through the first circular opening to a tapered connector hole at the rear face of the header plate, and through the tapered connector hole to project from the second circular opening the tapered connector hole at the front face of the header plate. The male barbed connector of a barbed quick connect fitting is then inserted into the distal end of the selected one of the individual fluid lines, leaving substantially only the male quick connector of the connected barbed quick connect fitting to project form the distal end of the selected one of the individual fluid lines. The male barbed connector of connected barbed quick connect fitting is then forced through the second circular opening into the tapered connector hole, allowing the individual fluid line to retreat as necessary. As previously noted, each tapered connector hole operatively decreases in diameter from the front face to the rear face of the header plate, such that the distal end of the selected one of the individual fluid lines is securely clamped about the male barbed connector, and each are frictionally secured within the tapered connector hole. This process, which may be conducted in parallel, is applied for each of the individual fluid lines.

With the header plate affixed to the distal ends of the individual fluid lines, the male barbed connector of each of the multiplicity of dependently supported and arranged barbed quick connect fittings is simultaneously inserted into a corresponding one of the previously described fluid inlet ports at the rear end of the handle body of the hand-held beverage dispenser. At this juncture, all of the individual fluid lines are in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the fluid inlets to the handle body, but are not secured in place. To this end, the connector assembly of the present invention comprises the previously noted clamshell housing assembly, which is cooperatively adapted with the header plate to simultaneously affix each inserted male quick connector securely in place within the corresponding fluid inlet port.

Mating together of the upper housing member and the lower housing member of the clamshell housing assembly cooperatively forms a rear wall implementing a generally cylindrical fluid line retainer. As will be better understood further herein, a first clamping member formed at the rear end of the upper housing member implements part of the cylindrical fluid line retainer, and a second clamping member formed at the rear end of the lower housing member implements the remaining part the cylindrical fluid line retainer. As implemented in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical fluid line retainer is sized, shaped and otherwise adapted to clamp about the circumference of the distal end of the sheath of the fluid line assembly.

To this end, the first clamping member formed in the rear end of the upper housing member has a sufficient wall thickness and is otherwise adapted to produce a first clamping face for engaging a first fraction of the circumference about the distal end of the sheath of the fluid line assembly. Likewise, the second clamping member formed in the rear end of the lower housing member has a sufficient wall thickness and is otherwise adapted to produce a second clamping face for engaging a remaining second fraction of the circumference about the distal end of the sheath of the fluid line assembly. As will in light of this exemplary description be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts, the vertical location of the of the fluid line assembly through the cooperatively formed rear wall of clamshell housing assembly , with respect to the junction of the mated together upper housing member and lower housing member , will determine what part of the fluid line assembly retainer is formed in the upper housing member and what remaining part of the fluid line assembly retainer is formed in the lower housing member .

In addition to implementing the fluid line assembly retainer , as heretofore described, the cooperatively formed clamshell housing assembly also implements means for securing the header plate , and thus each male quick connector , operably in place adjacent the rear end of the handle body of the hand-held beverage dispenser . Specifically, a plurality of upper header plate retention members is formed or otherwise provided partially along a respective one of the interior comers of the upper housing member. As shown in the figures, each upper header plate retention member may be formed as an elongate driver body extending from the interior side of the rear wall of clamshell housing assembly to a planar face formed at the front end of the upper header plate retention member. As will be better understood further herein, the planar face of each upper header plate retention member is most preferably located at a single established distance from the rear wall of the clamshell housing assembly, and is otherwise adapted to operably engage the rear face of the specially formed header plate in use of the connector assembly. Each upper header plate retention member comprises a clearance hole running longitudinally through the driver body from the rear face of the cooperatively formed rear wall of the clamshell housing assembly and through the planar face at the front end of the upper header plate retention member. Like the clearance holes through the specially formed header plate as heretofore described, each clearance hole provided through the upper header plate retention members is sized for free passage of the major threads of the machine screws or the equivalent part of the implemented mounting hardware.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A fluid line connector arrangement comprising: a first connector assembly at the proximal end of a fluid line assembly; a second connector assembly provided at the distal end of said fluid line assembly; and wherein each connector assembly comprises a header assembly.