CN110799239B

CN110799239B - Pipe device and pipe joint

Info

Publication number: CN110799239B
Application number: CN201880042922.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 扬·伦斯约
Original assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
Current assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
Priority date: 2017-06-28
Filing date: 2018-06-21
Publication date: 2022-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-21
Also published as: WO2019002066A2; EP3645104A2; WO2019002066A3; CN110799239A

Abstract

A pipe arrangement (1) for fixing fluid interconnection pipes (9) in position relative to each other. The pipe arrangement (1) comprises at least three pipe legs (2), wherein each pipe leg (2) is designed with: a bore (4) extending through the tube leg (2) and communicating with a cut-out (5) intersecting a distal end (6) of the tube leg (2); an inner side (7) delimiting the bore (4), wherein the inner side (7) is arranged to act on a tube in said interconnected tube (9) that is received into the bore (4) through the cut-out (5) to fix the tube in position relative to the other interconnected tubes (9). The present disclosure also relates to a pipe coupling comprising a pipe arrangement and a plurality of interconnected pipes.

Description

Pipe device and pipe joint

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the art of pipes, and more particularly to pipe fittings and pipe arrangements for securing fluid interconnecting pipes in position relative to one another.

Background

Fluid systems typically include a number of different components, such as devices, containers, ports, etc., that are interconnected by fluid lines (e.g., tubes) to convey fluid therebetween. The pipes may be interconnected by connectors that hold the pipes in place in the connectors, thereby forming a pipe connection. The tubes of the tube connection are held in place in the connector by the friction between the outside of the tubes and the inside of the connector.

As fluid flows through the pipe connection, the pipes of the pipe connection experience forces from the fluid pressure. If the force from the pressure of the fluid acting on the tube is greater than the friction between the tube and the connector, the tube may be pushed out of the connector and cause a leak in the fluid system. In addition, improper coupling of the tube to the connector may reduce friction and thus create a less reliable connection.

The friction may be enhanced by selecting a suitable material for the pipe coupling. However, the connection may anyway become deteriorated and thus unreliable due to ageing, tolerances, dirt, grease and/or silicone oil in the connector material which evaporates from the connector and reduces friction.

Devices for preventing the separation of two connectors are known from US4826486a1 and US20100228231a 1. However, these devices do not prevent the tube from sliding out of the connector.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art. It is another object of the present invention to provide a tube arrangement that secures interconnected tubes in position relative to each other. It is another object of the present invention to provide a tube device that is economical to manufacture. It is a further object of the invention to provide a pipe arrangement which is easy to arrange to a connection. It is another object of the present invention to provide a tube device having a design and dimensions such that it is easily accommodated in a limited space. It is another object of the present invention to provide a pipe arrangement which can be easily adapted to connections having different numbers of interconnected pipes. It is another object of the present invention to provide a tube set that can be used to secure interconnected tubes without disassembly of the fluid path.

These objects and others are at least partly achieved by the pipe arrangements and pipe joints according to the independent claims and by the embodiments according to the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a pipe arrangement for fixing fluid interconnect pipes in position relative to each other. The tube set includes at least three tube legs, wherein each tube leg is configured with an aperture extending therethrough and communicating with a notch intersecting a distal end of the tube leg. The pipe arrangement further comprises an inner side defining said bore, wherein the inner side is arranged to act on a pipe in the interconnected pipe that is received into the bore through the cut-out to fix the pipe in position relative to the other interconnected pipes.

The pipe means prevents the interconnecting pipe from becoming disconnected. The tube device may be used in fluid systems, for example in renal therapy, as well as in already installed fluid systems to extend the service life of the fluid system and to avoid leakage. The tubing set is easy to use because it can be pushed onto the interconnecting tubing and does not require disassembly of the fluid lines of the fluid system to place the tubing set in place in the fluid system.

The tube set may also be reused and removed without disassembling the fluid path of the fluid system. The tube set can be installed by hand by an operator without tools. The production costs for manufacturing the tube device are rather low and the tube device has a low complexity. The tubing set is also not in contact with the fluid in the flow path when the tubing set is installed on the tube. The pipe arrangement can be used for example for a three-legged connection for fixing a pipe, but also for a two-legged connection for fixing a pipe.

According to some embodiments, the pipe arrangement is designed to prevent axial movement of the interconnected pipes relative to each other. Thus, the interconnected pipes are held in place relative to each other.

According to some embodiments, each tube leg comprises an inner section connected to a distal section designed with holes and cutouts.

According to some embodiments, the inner section and the distal section are arranged at 90 °. Thus, the distal section may be fixed to the tube, while the inner section extends over the tube and/or the connector.

According to some embodiments, the distal sections extend in the same direction. Thus, the tube legs can be used to secure the same connection piece that connects the fluid interconnect tubes.

According to some embodiments, at least one of the at least three tube legs is bendable. Thus, the tube legs, which are not used for fixing the tube, can be bent such that the tube arrangement becomes elongated and aligned with the tube and can easily be accommodated in the usually limited space of the fluid system.

According to some embodiments, the bendable at least one tube leg is bendable along a first notch of the tube device. Thereby facilitating bending.

According to some embodiments, the bendable at least one tube leg is bendable around the interconnected tube. Thus, the bent legs do not protrude from the tube arrangement, and the tube arrangement thereby obtains a more elongated shape in alignment with the tube.

According to some embodiments, the bendable at least one tube leg is bendable around a connector interconnecting the tubes such that the connector becomes secured between the at least one tube leg and an intermediate section connected to each of the at least three tube legs. The bent legs thus help to further secure the interconnecting tube.

According to some embodiments, the tube device comprises a middle section connected to each of the at least three tube legs.

According to some embodiments, the intermediate section has a substantially parallelepiped shape, the sides of which are adapted to the dimensions of the connector connecting the interconnection pipes, such that the intermediate section extends above the connector. Thus, any bendable leg may be easily bent around the tube and/or the connector.

According to some embodiments, the top side of the intermediate section is parallel to the top side of the inner section of each tube leg securing the tube in its bore. The intermediate section is here located in the same plane as the inner section of each tube leg securing the tube in its bore.

According to some embodiments, the bendable tube legs are bendable about the connector such that the distal section and the intermediate section are substantially parallel. Thereby, the tube and/or the tube arrangement can be held in place between the distal section and the intermediate section.

According to some embodiments, wherein at least one of the at least three tube legs is arranged to be disconnected from the tube device. The unused leg can thus be removed and the tube device can be made more slender.

According to some embodiments, the at least one tube leg is arranged to break along the second notch of the tube arrangement. By providing a notch, the tube leg can be more easily broken and thus removed from the tube device.

According to some embodiments, the pipe arrangement comprises at least one cross-section (cross-section) connecting two adjacent pipe legs of the plurality of pipe legs. Therefore, the tube device becomes more stable.

According to some embodiments, the inner side is designed with inwardly directed cutting edges for cutting into a tube received into the hole. Thus, the tube legs and the tube arrangement may be held in place against the tube in one way.

According to some embodiments, the inner side is provided with an adhesive. Thus, the tube legs and the tube arrangement may be held in place against the tube in another way.

According to some embodiments, the inner side of the at least one hole is arranged to act on the tube received in the hole by a friction fit. Thus, the tube legs and the tube arrangement may be held in place against the tube in another way.

According to some embodiments, the minimum width w _ i of the cut-out is smaller than the maximum width w _ a of the aperture.

According to some embodiments, the cut-out is adapted to the size of the tube received into the hole such that the minimum width w _ i of the cut-out is smaller than the outer diameter d of the tube. Thus, when the tube is received within the bore, the tube may be more securely held in place within the bore due to the distal leg being somewhat necked-in behind the tube.

According to some embodiments, the hole is adapted to the size of the tube received into the hole such that the maximum width w _ a of the hole is equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter d of the tube. Thus, the tube can be held firmly in place in the hole.

According to some embodiments, the at least three connected tube legs are all bendable and/or arranged to be disconnected from the tube device. Thus, a very versatile pipe arrangement is provided.

According to some embodiments, the tube device is manufactured in one piece. Therefore, the pipe device can be easily manufactured.

According to some embodiments, the tube arrangement is made of one or more metal plates.

According to some embodiments, the at least three tube legs are arranged to lock the plurality of tubes to any one of a T-connector, an L-connector or a straight connector.

According to some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of tube legs is arranged to receive tubes having a plurality of outer diameters and to secure the tubes in place. Thus, the tube arrangement can be used to accommodate tubes having different diameters without having to modify the tube arrangement.

According to some embodiments, the at least one tube leg comprises a resilient function or a deformation function in order to accommodate tubes having a variety of outer diameters. Thus, the tube device can be made to yield or deform to accommodate different tube diameters.

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a pipe joint comprising a plurality of fluidly interconnected pipes and a pipe arrangement according to any of the embodiments herein, wherein the pipe arrangement is arranged to the plurality of pipes so as to fix the plurality of pipes in position relative to each other.

According to some embodiments, the pipe joint comprises a connector interconnecting the plurality of pipes.

According to some embodiments, the connector is made of silicon.

According to some embodiments, the connector is manufactured in one piece.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a tube apparatus according to some embodiments.

Figure 2A shows a straight two-way connection.

Fig. 2B shows the tube arrangement shown in fig. 1 fitted to the two-way connection in fig. 2A.

Fig. 2C illustrates a pipe joint according to some embodiments, wherein the pipe arrangement adapted in fig. 2B is arranged to the connection of fig. 2A.

Figure 3A shows a bent two-way connector.

Fig. 3B shows the tube arrangement shown in fig. 1 adapted to the bent two-way connection in fig. 3A.

Fig. 3C illustrates a pipe coupling according to some embodiments, wherein the fitting pipe arrangement in fig. 3B is arranged to the bent two-way connection of fig. 3A.

Figure 4A shows a three-way connection.

Fig. 4B shows the tube arrangement shown in fig. 1 from a different perspective.

Fig. 4C illustrates a pipe coupling according to some embodiments, wherein the pipe arrangement of fig. 4B is arranged to the connection of fig. 4A.

Fig. 5 illustrates a tube apparatus having four tube legs according to some embodiments.

Fig. 6 illustrates a tube apparatus having three tube legs according to some embodiments.

Fig. 7A illustrates a tube device having three tube legs according to some embodiments.

Fig. 7B illustrates a pipe coupling according to some embodiments, wherein the pipe arrangement of fig. 7A is arranged to the connection of fig. 4A.

Fig. 8A illustrates a portion of a tube leg of a tube apparatus according to some embodiments.

Fig. 8B shows the portion of the tube leg of fig. 8A with a tube having a first outer diameter received into the bore of the tube leg.

Fig. 8C shows the portion of the tube leg of fig. 8A with a tube having a second outer diameter received into the bore of the tube leg.

Fig. 9A illustrates a portion of a tube leg of a tube apparatus according to some other embodiments.

Fig. 9B shows the portion of the tube leg of fig. 9A with a tube having a first outer diameter received into the bore of the tube leg.

Fig. 9C shows the portion of the tube leg of fig. 9A with a tube having a second outer diameter received into the bore of the tube leg.

Detailed Description

A number of different embodiments of pipe arrangements and pipe couplings will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each pipe arrangement is designed to act on at least two interconnected pipes in order to hold the pipes in place relative to each other. Thereby preventing the tubes from slipping out of the connector used to interconnect the tubes. By incorporating the bending feature, the tube arrangement can be adapted to different numbers of tubes. Due to its small size, easy handling and adaptability, the pipe arrangement is particularly suitable for securing already installed pipes and connectors. For example, the fluid system of the dialysis system may comprise a plurality of fittings that can be secured by using the tube arrangement.

Each tube set is defined by a body including a plurality of tube legs, wherein each tube leg is designed to have a bore extending therethrough and communicating with a cutout that intersects a distal end of the tube leg. Each tube leg is also designed to have an inner side defining a bore. The inner side is arranged to act on a tube of the interconnected tube received into the bore through the cut-out to fix the tube in position relative to the other interconnected tubes. In other words, the tube arrangement is designed to prevent axial movement of the interconnected tubes relative to each other. By fluidly interconnected pipes is here meant that the pipes are connected such that fluid can flow from any one of the pipes to another one of the pipes. Thus, each of the tubes is fluidly connected with each of the other tubes of the interconnected tubes.

The pipe arrangement may be made of a body manufactured in one piece. The pipe means may also be made of plastic or steel. For example, the tube means may be cut from one or more metal or plastic sheets. The tube device may also be referred to as a clip.

The interconnecting tubes may be connected via a connector. The connector is usually made of a body made in one piece. The connector may be made of plastic (e.g., a polymer such as silicone). Alternatively, the connector may be made from a plurality of releasably engageable components or an assembly of components. However, the purpose of the present disclosure is not to hold the releasable components of the connector together; the primary purpose is to hold the interconnected pipes in place relative to each other. As a result, however, disengagement of the releasably engaging parts of the assembled connector can be suppressed. The pipe may also be implemented as a connecting pipe, i.e. a short pipe member, attached to a device in the fluid system for conducting fluid to or from the device. The tubes may have different types of diameters, for example, between 6 and 8 mm.

Fig. 1 shows a pipe arrangement 1 defined by a body 30 comprising a middle section 3 and three pipe legs 2. Each tube leg 2 extends from the intermediate section 3. The intermediate section 3 has a generally parallelepiped shape with orthogonal sides, wherein the top and bottom sides define four lateral sides. A first tube leg 21 of the three legs 2 extends from a first lateral side and a second tube leg 22 extends from an opposite second lateral side of the intermediate section 3. Thus, the first lateral side is disposed opposite the second side. A third tube leg 23 of the three legs extends from the third lateral side. The third lateral side is perpendicular to the first and second lateral sides.

Each tube leg 2 comprises an inner section 2A and a distal section 2B. In fig. 1, each inner section 2A extends horizontally from a respective lateral side of the intermediate section 3. In other words, each inner section extends along the normal direction of the respective lateral side of the intermediate section 3. Thus, the middle section 3 is connected to each of the plurality of inner sections 2A of the three tube legs 2. Also, the inner section 2A generally has a parallelepiped shape with orthogonal sides, wherein the top and bottom sides define four lateral sides. One of the lateral sides constitutes an outer end 17 of the inner section 2A.

The distal section 2B generally has a parallelepiped shape with orthogonal sides, wherein the top and bottom sides define four lateral sides. Each distal section 2B extends perpendicularly from the outer end 17 of the respective inner section 2A. Thus, the inner section 2A and the distal section 2B of each tube leg are here arranged at approximately 90 °. Each distal section 2B extends perpendicularly (when the tube legs are not bent) in the same direction from the outer end 17 of the respective inner section 2A. Thus, the distal sections 2B extend in the same direction. Thus, the tube legs may secure two, three or more tubes, which are all fluidly connected to each other, e.g. via the same, common connection piece, which may be made in one piece, preventing them from moving apart. Thus, each tube leg prevents the received tube from moving into the bore of the tube leg. One of the most distal lateral sides constitutes the distal end 6 of the distal section 2B (and of the tube device 1).

In fig. 1, the pipe arrangement 1 defines an upper plane UP, which is represented by the plane defined by the upper side of the intermediate section 3 and the upper side of the inner section 2A. The pipe device 1 in fig. 1 generally takes on a T-shape in the upper plane UP when there is no bending of the legs 2. The distal section 2B extends perpendicularly in the same direction from the upper plane UP. The pipe arrangement 1 defines an outer length L1 in the upper plane, which length is taken between the respective outer ends 17 of the first and

second pipe legs

21, 22 of the inner section 2A, which are arranged opposite each other across. The tube arrangement 1 further defines an outer width W1 in the upper plane, wherein the outer width W1 is perpendicular to the outer length L1. The outer width W1 extends from the outer end 17 of the inner section 2A of the third leg 23 to the outer free side of the intermediate section 3. When the inner section 2A of the tube leg 2 is arranged parallel to the intermediate section 3 and thus no bending of the tube leg 2 occurs, the outer length L1 and the outer width W1 constitute the boundaries of the tube device 1 and thus define the tube device 1 of fig. 1. The middle section 3 has a width W2 parallel to the outer width W1. The middle section 3 has a length L2, which is perpendicular to the outer width W1 and parallel to the outer length L1. The pipe device 1 also has a height H1 in the opposite direction of the normal to the upper plane UP. The width W2 corresponds to the width of the inner section 2A and the distal section 2B. In some embodiments, the inner section 2A and the distal section 2B have substantially the same outer dimensions. In some embodiments, the inner section 2A, the distal section 2B and the intermediate section 3 have substantially the same outer dimensions. According to some embodiments, the intermediate section 3, the inner section 2A and the distal section 2B each have a cubic shape. For example, the dimensions L2, W2, and H1 may have the same dimensions.

In fig. 1, each of the tube legs 2 is designed in the same way and has the same dimensions as the other tube legs, and for the sake of simplicity only one of the tube legs 2, i.e. the third tube leg 23, is explained here in detail.

The distal section 2B of the tube leg 2 is designed with a hole 4 communicating with a slit 5. A bore 4 extends through the distal section 2B. The cut-out 5 intersects the distal end 6 of the tube leg 2. Each distal section 2B is also designed to have an inner side 7 defining a hole 4 and a cut-out 5.

The aperture 4 and the cut-out 5 divide the distal section 2B into two distal legs: a first distal leg 15A and a second distal leg 15B. The first distal leg 15A and the second distal leg 15B are joined at a proximal end of the distal section 2B.

The tube legs 2 are bisected by a plane 16 extending perpendicularly from the plane of the paper in fig. 1. The tube legs 2 may be mirror images of either side of the plane 16. Thus, the first distal leg 15A may be a mirror image of the second distal leg 15B. The first distal leg 15A has an inner side 7A. The inner portion 71A of the inner side 7A may be an arc or an inclined portion that enters inwardly into the first distal leg 15A. The lower portion 72A of the inner side 7A is curved outwardly of the first distal leg 7A.

The second distal leg 15B has an inner side 7B. The inner portion 71B of the inner side 7B may be an arc or an inclined portion that enters inwardly into the second distal leg 15B. The lower portion 72B of the inner side 7B is curved outwardly of the second distal leg 7B. In the exemplary embodiment, the

inner portions

71A, 71B have a circular (annular) shape and define the circular aperture 4 of the distal section 2B. The

inner portions

71A, 71B may also define one or more projections 31A, 32B (shown in fig. 9A-9C) designed to project into the bore 4, which one or more projections 31A, 32B may have sharp edges to cut into the tube 9 and hold it in place.

In fig. 1, the aperture 4 is characterized by a width w _ a, which is the maximum width of the aperture 4. This distance corresponds to the maximum width between the inner portion 71A of the inner side 7A of the first distal leg 15A and the inner portion 71B of the inner side 7B of the second distal leg 15B. Here, the width w _ a is parallel to the upper plane UP.

The cut 5 is characterized by a width w _ i, which is the minimum width of the cut 5. This distance corresponds to the minimum width between the lower portion 72A of the inner side 7A of the first distal leg 15A and the lower portion 72B of the inner side 7B of the second distal leg 15B. The width w _ a and the width w _ i are parallel.

Generally, for all embodiments herein, the bore 4 has a size that is adapted to the size of the

tubes

9A, 9B, 9C (fig. 2A, 3A, 4A) that are inserted into the bore 4, so the inner side 7 (i.e., the inner side 7A of the inner portion 71A and the inner side 7B of the inner portion 71B) is designed to act on the tubes that are received in the bore 4.

The minimum width w _ i of the cut-out 5 is here smaller than the maximum width w _ a of the hole 4. The cut-out 5 is adapted to the dimensions of a tube (not shown in fig. 1) to be received into the bore 4, such that the minimum width w _ i of the cut-out 5 is smaller than the outer diameter d of the tube. The tube is then inserted into the bore 4 by forcing the tube through the cut-out 5 until the tube has passed through the cut-out 5 (here the arcuate

lower portions

72A, 72B) and is received into the bore 4. When the tube is forced through the incision 5 (i.e., through the arcuate

lower portions

72A, 72B), the tube may be compressed so that the tube can pass through the incision 5. When the tube is received into the bore 4, the tube resumes its normal shape. Alternatively, the first and second

distal legs

15A, 15B are resilient such that they can flex outwardly to accommodate the tube and pass the tube through the slit 5. Thereafter, the

distal legs

15A, 15B flex back to their original positions. The arcuate

lower portions

72A, 72B then help to retain the tube in the bore 4.

The inner side 7 holds the tube in place in the bore 4. According to some embodiments, the inner side 7 is designed with inwardly directed cutting edges 14 for cutting into a tube received into the hole 4. Inwardly directed means directed towards the centre of the hole 4. The cutting edge is sharp so that it can cut into a tube received into the bore 4. Thus, the inner side 7A of the inner portion 71A may be provided with a first inwardly directed cutting edge 14A, and the inner side 7B of the inner portion 71B may be provided with a second inwardly directed cutting edge 14A.

According to some embodiments, the inner side 7 of the tube device 1 is provided with an adhesive. The adhesive causes the tube set 1 to adhere to the received tube with sufficient force so that the tube set does not loosen when pressure from the fluid inside the connection acts on it.

According to some embodiments, the inner side 7 of the tube arrangement 1 is arranged to act on a tube received into the bore 4 by friction fit. In this way, the hole 4 is adapted to the dimensions of the tube received into the hole 4 such that the maximum width w _ a of the hole 4 is equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter d of the tube. Thus, the inner side 7 delimiting the hole 4 will abut the tube received into the hole 4.

According to some embodiments, at least one of the at least three tube legs 2 of the tube device 1 is bendable. Thus, the pipe device 1 can be adapted to be connected with various numbers of pipes. For example, one, two or three of the plurality of tube legs 2 may be bendable. According to some embodiments, all of the at least three tube legs are bendable. The pipe arrangement 1 is further provided with at least one first recess 8. The at least one first notch 8 is arranged to facilitate bending of the at least one tube leg 2. The first notch 8 causes a weakening in the body of the pipe device 1 along the extent of the first notch 8, such that when a bending force is applied to the pipe leg 2, the pipe leg 2 adhering to the first notch 8 will be forced to bend along the first notch 8. The first notch 8 may separate or delimit the intermediate section 3 and the inner section 2A of the tube leg 2 from each other. Thus, the pipe device 1 may comprise a respective first notch 8 between each inner section 2A and the intermediate section 3 of the same pipe device 1.

The pipe device 1 in fig. 1 is shown with three recesses 8. Thus, each tube leg 2 of the tube device 1 may be bent along the respective first notch 8.

According to some embodiments, at least one of the at least three tube legs 2 is arranged to be disconnected from the tube device 1. The broken pipe leg 2 can then be removed from the pipe arrangement 1. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the at least one tube leg 2 is arranged to be disconnected from the tube device 1 along the respective first notch 8. Alternatively, the at least one tube leg 2 is arranged to break along a second notch 11 (fig. 6) of the tube device 1, wherein the second notch is different from the first notch 8.

Fig. 2A shows an exemplary straight two-way connection 18 comprising a first tube 9A and a second tube 9B interconnected by a straight connector 10. The connector 18 is manufactured for transporting fluid and is therefore fluid tight. The first tube 9A and the second tube 9B may be made of the same material. Each tube 9A, 9b is defined by a respective outer diameter d1, which may be the same or different sizes for the tubes 9A, 9 b. The connector 10 has a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening are interconnected via a passage of the connector 10, the connector 10 being defined by a maximum diameter d2 crossing the connector 10 and a length L3 in a longitudinal direction of the connector 10. The first tube 9A is inserted into a first opening of the connector 10, and the second tube 9B is inserted into a second opening of the connector 10. The first opening and the second opening are thus positioned opposite one another here.

Fig. 2B shows the same tube set 1 as in fig. 1, but wherein the third tube leg 23 has been bent to adapt the tube set 1 to the straight two-way connection 18 in fig. 2A. The third tube leg 23 has been bent over approximately 90 deg..

Fig. 2C shows the tube device 1 of fig. 2B, wherein the tube device 1 has been arranged at the straight two-way connection 18 of fig. 2A. The pipe arrangement 1 and the connecting piece 18 together form a pipe joint 19. The tube device 1 is arranged to the two

tubes

9A, 9B to fix the two

tubes

9A, 9B in position relative to each other. The

distal legs

15A, 15B of the first tube leg 21 securely hold the first tube 9A and the

distal legs

15A, 15B of the second tube leg 22 securely hold the second tube 9B.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the intermediate section 3 has a substantially parallelepiped, cuboid, square or rectangular shape. The top and bottom sides of the middle section 3 are adapted to the dimensions of the connector 10 for connecting the interconnection pipe 9 such that the middle section 3 extends over the connector 10 in the upper plane UP. Thus, the top and bottom sides have an extension W2 that is greater than the extension of diameter d2 of connector 10. It should be understood that the intermediate section 3 may have other shapes to accommodate an alternative number of tube legs 2. For example, the middle section 3 may have other polygonal shapes, such as pentagonal shapes, hexagonal shapes, heptagonal shapes, octagonal shapes, and the like. The intermediate section 3 may also have a triangular shape. Each side of the polygon may then be connected to a respective tube leg. Thus, a middle section 3 having a pentagonal shape may have up to five connected tube legs 2, a middle section 3 having a hexagonal shape may have up to six connected tube legs 2, and so on.

The intermediate section 3 is also parallel to the inner section 2A of each tube leg securing the tube in its bore 4. For example, the top side of the intermediate section 3 is parallel to the top side of the inner section 2A of each tube leg securing the tube in its bore 4. Thus, the intermediate section 3 and the inner section 2A are aligned along the same upper plane UP. Furthermore, each bendable tube leg 2 may be bent inwardly and around the connector 10 such that the distal section 2B and the intermediate section 3 are substantially parallel.

The pipe arrangement 1 in fig. 2C secures the

interconnected pipes

9A, 9B coupled by the connector 10 around the connector 10, due to the third pipe leg 23 being bent inwards and around the connector 10. Inward here means bending in the downward direction of the distal end 6 of the distal section 2B, i.e. in the direction of the normal from the face of the distal end 6. In order to bend the third tube leg 23 along the first notch 8, the third tube leg 23 is rotated along the axis of rotation defined by the first notch 8. Thus, the third tube leg 23 is bent approximately 90 ° from the upper plane UP along the first recess 3. The inner section 2A has an inner length such that it reaches above the connector 10, and therefore the inner length of the inner section 2A is greater than or equal to the diameter d2 of the connector 10. The third tube leg 23 may be bent inwardly and around the connector 10 such that the connector 10 becomes secured between the at least one tube leg and the intermediate section 3 connected to each of the at least three tube legs 2. Subsequently, when the intermediate section 3 and the distal section 2B are substantially parallel, the connector 10 becomes fixed between the lower side of the intermediate section 3 and the inner side of the distal section 2B. The distance between the inner side of the distal section 2B and the lower side of the intermediate section 3 then has the same size as the diameter d2 of the connector 10, or a size slightly smaller than this diameter, so that the connector 10 is held in place between the intermediate section 3 and the distal section 2B.

Fig. 3A shows an exemplary bent two-way connection 18 comprising a first tube 9A and a third tube 9C interconnected by a bent connector 10. The bent connector 10 may be referred to as an L-shape. The connection 18 is made for conveying fluid, so that it is fluid-tight. The first tube 9A and the third tube 9C may be made of the same material. Each of the

tubes

9A, 9C is defined by a respective outer diameter d1, which may be the same or different sizes for the

tubes

9A, 9C. The first opening and the second opening are here vertical. Connector 10 is defined by a maximum diameter d2 that intersects connector 10, connector 10 having a vertical bend that divides connector 10 into two portions, one portion having a length L3 and the other portion having a length L4. The lengths L3 and L4 may be the same size or different sizes. The connector 10 has a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening are interconnected. The first tube 9A is inserted into a first opening of the connector 10, and the second tube 9B is inserted into a second opening of the connector 10.

Fig. 3B shows the same tube set 1 as in fig. 1, but wherein the second tube leg 22 has been bent to adapt the tube set 1 to the bent two-way connection 18 in fig. 3A. The second tube leg 22 has been bent approximately 90. Instead of bending the second tube leg 22, the first tube leg 21 may be bent to adapt the tube device 1 to the bent two-way connection 18 in fig. 3A. Subsequently, the first tube leg 21 may be bent over by approximately 90 °.

Fig. 3C shows the tube device 1 of fig. 3B, wherein the tube device 1 has been arranged to the straight two-way connection 18 of fig. 3A. The pipe arrangement 1 and the connecting piece 18 together form a pipe joint 19. The tube device 1 is arranged to the two

tubes

9A, 9C to fix the two

tubes

9A, 9C in position relative to each other. The

distal legs

15A, 15B of the first tube leg 21 securely retain the first tube 9A, and the

distal legs

15A, 15B of the third tube leg 22 securely retain the third tube 9C. If, instead, the first tube leg 21 is bent, the

distal legs

15A, 15B of the third tube leg 23 will securely hold the third tube 9C and the

distal legs

15A, 15B of the second tube leg 22 will securely hold the second tube 9A.

The pipe arrangement 1 in fig. 3C will secure the

interconnected pipes

9A, 9C coupled by the connector 10 around the connector 10, as the second pipe legs 22 are bent inwards and around the connector 10. As illustrated, the first tube leg 21 may be bent instead of the second tube leg 22. By inwardly bent is meant that the distal end 6 of the distal section 2B (here of the second tube leg 22) is bent in a downward direction. In other words, the downward direction is a normal direction of the surface of the distal end 6. To bend the second tube leg 22 along the first notch 8, the second tube leg 22 is rotated along the axis of rotation defined by the first notch 8. Thus, the second tube leg 22 is bent approximately 90 ° from the upper plane UP along the first notch 8. To bend the first tube leg 21 along the first notch 8, the first tube leg 21 is rotated along the axis of rotation defined by the first notch 8. Subsequently, the first tube leg 21 should be bent approximately 90 ° from the upper plane along the first recess 8. The inner section 2A has an inner length or width such that it reaches above the connector 10, and therefore the inner length of the inner section 2A is greater than or equal to the diameter d2 of the connector 10. The second tube leg 22 may be bent inward and around the connector 10 such that the connector 10 becomes secure. Alternatively, the first tube leg 21 may be bent inwardly and around the connector 10 such that the connector 10 becomes fixed. When the intermediate section 3 and the distal section 2B are substantially parallel, the connector 10 then becomes secured between the underside of the intermediate section 3 and the inside of the distal section 2B. The distance between the inner side of the distal section 2B and the lower side of the intermediate section 3 then has the same size as the diameter d2 of the connector 10, or a size slightly smaller than this diameter, so that the connector 10 is held in place between the intermediate section 3 and the distal section 2B. The bent second tube leg 22 also provides a stop for longitudinal movement of the connector 10 along the first tube 9A. Alternatively, if the first tube leg is bent, the bent first tube leg 21 provides a stop for longitudinal movement of the connector 10 along the third tube 9C.

Fig. 4A shows an exemplary three-way connector 18 comprising a first tube 9A, a second tube 9B and a third tube 9C interconnected by a three-way connector 10. The three-way connector 10 may be referred to as a T-connector. The connector 10 has a first opening, a second opening and a third opening, wherein the openings are interconnected. A first tube 9A is inserted into a first opening of the connector 10, a second tube 9B is inserted into a second opening of the connector, and a third tube is inserted into a third opening of the connector. The first opening is opposite to the second opening, and the first opening is perpendicular to the third opening, and the second opening is perpendicular to the third opening. The three

tubes

9A, 9B, 9C are arranged in the same plane, wherein the first tube 9A is arranged perpendicular to the third tube 9C and the second tube 9B is arranged perpendicular to the third tube 9C. The connection 18 is made for conveying fluid, so that it is fluid-tight. The

tubes

9A, 9B, 9C may be made of the same material. Each of the

tubes

9A, 9B, 9C is defined by a respective outer diameter d1, which may be the same or different sizes for the

tubes

9A, 9B, 9C. The connector 10 is defined by a maximum diameter d2 that intersects the connector 10, as in the connectors of fig. 2A and 2B. The connector 10 of fig. 4A is a cross-over combination (cross-woven) of the straight connector 10 of fig. 2A and the bent connector 10 of fig. 3A. The connector 10 of fig. 4A has a protrusion for receiving the third tube 9C at its distal end and straight portions for receiving the first and

second tubes

9A, 9B at their respective distal ends. The protruding portion protrudes perpendicularly from the straight portion. The straight portion has a longitudinal length of L3 and the tab has a longitudinal length of L4.

Fig. 4B shows the same tube device 1 as in fig. 1 from a different perspective. None of the tube legs is bent. Here it is shown that the first tube leg 21 and the second tube leg 22 are positioned opposite each other along the same first axis X1. The third tube leg 23 extends along a second axis X2, wherein the first and second axes are perpendicular. The first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned with the upper plane UP.

In fig. 4C, a coupling 19 is shown, comprising the pipe arrangement 1 as shown in fig. 4B and the coupling 18 as shown in fig. 4B. The pipe arrangement 1 in fig. 4C fixes the interconnecting

pipes

9A, 9B, 9C coupled by the connector 10 relative to each other. Thus, the tube device 1 is aligned along its first axis X1 with the oppositely positioned first and

second tubes

9A, 9B of the connector 18 and along its second axis X2 with the vertically positioned third tube 9C of the connector 18. The inner section 2A and the intermediate section 3 have in common an inner length such that the tube device 1 reaches above the connector 10 along the upper plane UP. For example, when the tube device 1 is arranged to the connector 18, a distance is allowed between the end of the connector 10 and the inner side of the distal section 2B of the tube leg 2 to secure the tube 9 in the bore 4 of the same tube leg 2. Thus, the tube set 1 is caught or clipped to the tube 9 instead of the connector 10. Thus, each tube leg 2 prevents a tube received into the bore 4 of the tube leg 2 from moving from the tube leg 2.

In fig. 5 another exemplary embodiment of a tube device 1 is shown. The pipe arrangement 1 of fig. 5 has the same features as the pipe arrangement 1 of fig. 1, except that the pipe arrangement 1 in fig. 5 is provided with four pipe legs 2. Thus, the first, second and

third tube legs

21, 22, 23 are identical to the first, second and

third tube legs

21, 22, 23 of fig. 1. The fourth tube leg 24 is arranged opposite the third tube leg 23 and has the same properties here as the

other tube legs

21, 22, 23. The tube device 1 of fig. 5 is arranged to be attached to a four-way connection (not shown), wherein the four-way connection comprises a first tube 9A, a second tube 9B, a third tube 9C and a fourth tube (not shown) and a four-way connector (not shown). The tubes of the four-way connection are orthogonally arranged in the same plane UP.

In fig. 6 another exemplary embodiment of a tube device 1 is shown. This embodiment has essentially the same characteristics as the tube device 1 in fig. 1, with three tube legs 2 and a middle section 3 connecting the tube legs 3. Each tube leg 2 has an inner section 2A and a distal section 2B. However, the inner section 2A is not parallelepiped but curved in a semi-cylindrical shape. Each distal section 2B is divided into a first distal leg 15A and a second distal leg 15B. As in the previous exemplary embodiment, the inner sides 7 of the

legs

15A, 15B define the aperture 4. The inner side is arc-shaped and adapted to the outer shape of the tube 9. The cut-out 5 has a width (and thus the distance between the

legs

15A, 15B) which is smaller than the maximum width of the hole 4.

The pipe arrangement 1 is provided with a second recess 11 between the intermediate section 3 and the respective inner section 2A. The tube leg 2 is arranged to break along the second notch 11 of the tube device 1. Thus, by pushing on the tube leg 2, the tube leg 2 may be disconnected from the rest of the tube device 1 along the second notch 11 between the tube leg 2 and the intermediate section 3. Thus, from the three-legged pipe arrangement 1 shown in fig. 6, which can be arranged to a three-way connection 18 as shown for example in fig. 4A, one of the pipe legs 2 can be broken to form a two-legged pipe arrangement 1, which can better fit a straight two-way connection 18 as shown in fig. 2A or a bent two-way connection 18 as shown in fig. 3A, depending on which pipe leg 2 is broken. By disconnecting the tube legs 2, the tube device 1 can be more easily accommodated in a limited space. However, the three-leg pipe arrangement 1 also cooperates with the two-way connection 18. Instead of all tube legs 2 being arranged to be disconnected, only one or two tube legs may be arranged to be disconnected from the tube arrangement 1.

Fig. 7A shows another exemplary embodiment of a three-legged pipe arrangement 1 comprising two cross sections 12. Each intersection section 12 connects two adjacent tube legs 2 of the plurality of tube legs 2. Two adjacent tube legs 2 may be perpendicular as shown in fig. 7A, but may alternatively be separated by an intermediate angle of another dimension. One or more cross sections 12 may be arranged between adjacent tube legs 2 of any tube arrangement 1 as shown herein. The three-legged tube device 1 in fig. 7a also has substantially the same characteristics as the tube device of fig. 1, except that the

different sections

2A, 2B, 3 are thicker in shape and each distal section 2B has a fully arcuate inner side 7 defining an aperture 4 separating a first distal leg 15A from a second distal leg 15B.

Fig. 7B shows a pipe joint 19 of the pipe device 1 of fig. 7A including a three-way connection 18 provided to fig. 4A. The cross section 12 supports the tube legs 2 so that they are more stable and more resistant to forces from inside the tube 9 or from outside the tube arrangement 1. Any of the crossing sections 12 may be broken and the crossing sections 12 may be provided with notches as shown in fig. 7A to facilitate breaking. If the pipe leg 2 is disconnected from the pipe arrangement 1, the cross section 12 attached thereto may also be disconnected from the pipe arrangement 1.

Fig. 8A shows an embodiment of a portion of the inner section 2A and the distal section 2B of the tube leg 2. The tube leg 2 shown here may be any tube leg 2 of the embodiments shown herein. The distal section 2B is provided with a hole 4, a cut-out 5 and a first distal leg 15A and a second distal leg 15B separated by the hole 4 and the cut-out 5, as in the other embodiments. The first distal leg 15A is further provided with a first resilient section 13A with a plurality of resilient members 20. The second distal leg 15B is provided with a second resilient section 13B with a plurality of resilient members 20. The elastic members 20 are made of a flexible material (e.g. metal or plastic) and their shape can be adjusted after the tubes 9 are inserted into the holes 4. Thus, tubes 9 having different tube sizes can be accommodated in the bore 4.

The outer edge of the resilient member 20 of the first resilient section 13A constitutes the inner side 7A of the first distal leg 15A. The outer edge of the resilient member 20 of the second resilient section 13B constitutes the inner side 7B of the second distal leg 15B. The

inner sides

7A, 7B are arranged to act on a tube 9 received into the bore 4 through the cut-out 5. The resilient member 20 is deflected slightly inwardly. The resilient member 20 may be made of, for example, spring steel or resilient plastic.

Fig. 8B and 8C show the tube leg 2 of fig. 8a when tubes 9 having different outer diameters are arranged in the bore 4. In fig. 8B, a tube 9 having a first outer diameter d1A is shown received into bore 4. The resilient member 20 deflects inwardly to adapt to the outer shape of the tube 9 and thus to the first outer diameter d 1A. Here, the

inner sides

7A, 7B are provided with sharp edges that cut into the envelope surface of the tube 9, thereby preventing its movement.

In fig. 8C, a tube 9 having a second outer diameter d1B is shown received into bore 4, the second outer diameter d1B being greater than the first outer diameter d1A of tube 9 in fig. 8B. The resilient member 20 is deflected more inwardly than the resilient member 20 of fig. 8B to adapt to the outer shape of the tube 9 and thus to the larger second outer diameter d 1B. The sharp edges of the

inner sides

7A, 7B cut into the envelope surface of the tube 9, preventing its movement.

To insert tube 9 in aperture 4,

distal legs

15A, 15B are pressed against tube 9 to force tube 9 through slit 5 and into aperture 4. By the applied pressure, the resilient member 20 will flex inwardly to accommodate the tube 9. As can be seen from fig. 8B and 8C, the outermost elastic members 20, which do not accommodate the tubes 9 and thus do not contact the tubes 9, are substantially flexible (flex) due to the force of the elastic members 20 to return to their original positions before the tubes 9 are inserted into the tubes 9.

Fig. 9A shows a portion of the inner section 2A of the tube leg 2 and another embodiment of the distal section 2B. The tube leg 2 shown here may be any tube leg 2 of the embodiments shown here. The distal section 2B is provided with a hole 4, a cut-out 5 and a first distal leg 15A and a second distal leg 15B separated by the hole 4 and the cut-out 5, as in the other embodiments. The distal section 2b also has a deformation function, including a through hole 31. The through hole 31 is arranged between the hole 4 and the intersection between the distal section 2B and the inner section 2A. Here, the through-hole 31 has a triangular shape. The deformation function further comprises a cut 33 or a cut (cut) in the distal section 2B between the first distal leg 15A and the second distal leg 15B. The cut-outs 33 delimit the aperture 4. The cutout 33 has a triangular shape, the tip of which points in the direction of the through-hole 31. The distal section 2B further comprises two

protrusions

32A, 32B protruding into the hole 4. The

projections

32A, 32B are provided with sharp edges or tips, respectively. However, the number of projections may be less than two, or greater than two. The deforming function has the advantage that tubes 9 of different tube sizes can be accommodated in the bore 4 by forcing the cut-outs 33 and their connections to collapse into the through-holes 31 by pressing the first and second

distal legs

15A, 15B together. By "collapsed" is meant here that the cut-out 33 is forced into the through-hole 31. Thus, the distance between the first distal leg 15A and the second distal leg 15B is reduced to accommodate the smaller tube outer diameter of the tube 9. The arcuate

lower portions

72A, 72B of the

inner sides

7A, 7B help to retain the tube 9 in the bore 4. The hole 4, the through hole 31 and the cut-out 33 are all in the same plane. In the illustrated embodiment, the slit 33 is not connected to the through-hole 31, and thus the slit 33 is separated from the through-hole 31. However, in an alternative embodiment, the cut-outs 33 are connected with the through-holes 31.

Fig. 9B and 9C show the tube leg 2 of fig. 9a when tubes 9 having different outer diameters are arranged in the bore 4. In fig. 9B, a tube 9 having a third outer diameter d1C is shown received into bore 4. The first outer diameter d1C of tube 9 is approximately the same as the perpendicular distance between inner side 7A of first tube leg 15A and inner side 7B of second tube leg 15B (when the first and second tube legs are not deflected). The tube 9 is held in place in the bore 4 by the arcuate

lower portions

72A, 72B and the

projections

32A and 32B cut into the tube 9.

In fig. 9C, a tube 9 having a fourth outer diameter d1D is shown received into bore 4. The fourth outer diameter d1D is smaller than the third outer diameter d1C of the tube 9 in FIG. 9B. To be retained on the tube 9, the first tube leg 15A and the second tube leg 15B are deflected towards each other to fit tightly around the tube 9. Subsequently, the deforming function forces the slits 33 and their connections to collapse into the through-holes 31, so that the first and

second tube legs

15A, 15B remain in their deflected state and the distance between the two becomes smaller. The

inner sides

7A, 7B are provided with sharp edges that cut into the envelope surface of the tube 9, thereby preventing the tube from moving. In addition, the

projections

32A, 32B cut into the tube 9 to hold it in place. The deforming function may be actuated by placing tube 9 into bore 4 and pushing tube 9 against through-hole 31, and/or by placing tube 9 into bore 4 and pushing first tube leg 15A and second tube leg 15B together.

In the figures, the tubes 9 are mainly shown connected by a connector 10. However, the tube arrangement 1 can also be used to fix the tubes 9 in position relative to each other, wherein the tubes 9 are connected to each other by means of, for example, heating, strapping or friction.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pipe arrangement (1) for fixing fluid interconnecting pipes (9) in position relative to each other, wherein the pipe arrangement (1) comprises at least three pipe legs (2), wherein each pipe leg (2) is designed with:

-a bore (4) extending through the tube leg (2) and communicating with a cut-out (5) intersecting the distal end (6) of the tube leg (2),

-an inner side (7) delimiting the bore (4), wherein the inner side (7) is arranged to act on a tube of the fluid interconnection tube (9) received into the bore (4) through the cut-out (5) to fix the tube in position relative to other fluid interconnection tubes (9), wherein at least one of the at least three tube legs (2) is bendable and/or arranged to be disconnected from the tube arrangement (1) to adapt the tube arrangement (1) to different numbers of fluid interconnection tubes (9).

2. Pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 1, designed to prevent axial movement of the fluid interconnection pipes (9) relative to each other.

3. Tube device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each tube leg (2) comprises an inner section (2A) connected with a distal section (2B) designed with the hole (4) and the cut-out (5).

4. A tube device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the inner section (2A) and the distal section (2B) are arranged at 90 °.

5. A tube device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the distal sections (2B) extend in the same direction.

6. Pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bendable pipe legs are bendable along a first notch (8) of the pipe arrangement (1).

7. Pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bendable pipe legs are bendable around at least one fluid interconnection pipe (9).

8. Pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one bendable pipe leg is bendable around a connector (10) interconnecting the fluid interconnection pipes (9) such that the connector (10) becomes fixed between the at least one pipe leg and an intermediate section (3) connected to each of the at least three pipe legs (2).

9. A pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 3, comprising a middle section (3) connected to each of the at least three pipe legs (2).

10. Pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate section (3) has a substantially parallelepiped shape, the sides of which are adapted to the dimensions of a connector (10) for connecting the fluid interconnection pipes (9), such that the intermediate section (3) extends above the connector (10).

11. The pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 9, wherein the top side of the intermediate section (3) is parallel to the top side of the inner section (2A) of each pipe leg securing the pipe in its bore (4).

12. Tube device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the bendable tube legs are bendable around the connector (10) such that the distal section (2B) and the intermediate section (3) are substantially parallel.

13. The pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one pipe leg is arranged to break along a second notch (11) of the pipe arrangement (1).

14. The pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one cross section (12) for connecting two adjacent pipe legs of the plurality of pipe legs (2).

15. Pipe device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner side (7) of at least one hole (4) is designed with inwardly directed cutting edges (14) for cutting into a pipe received into the hole (4).

16. The tube arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner side (7) is provided with an adhesive.

17. A tube arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner side (7) of at least one hole (4) is arranged to act on a tube received in the hole (4) by friction fit.

18. Tube device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the minimum width w _ i of the cut (5) is smaller than the maximum width w _ a of the hole (4).

19. Pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 18, wherein the cut-out (5) is adapted to the dimensions of the pipe received into the bore (4) such that the minimum width w _ i of the cut-out (5) is smaller than the outer diameter d of the pipe.

20. The tube arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hole (4) is adapted to the dimensions of the tube received into the hole (4) such that the maximum width w _ a of the hole (4) is equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter d of the tube.

21. Pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein all of the at least three connected pipe legs (2) are bendable and/or arranged to be disconnected from the pipe arrangement (1).

22. The tube arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tube arrangement (1) is manufactured in one piece.

23. The tube arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tube arrangement (1) is made of one or more metal sheets.

24. A pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least three pipe legs (2) are arranged to lock a plurality of said fluid interconnect pipes (9) to any one of a T-connector, an L-connector or a straight connector.

25. The pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the at least three pipe legs (2) is arranged to receive and secure in place pipes having various outer diameters.

26. Pipe arrangement (1) according to claim 25, wherein the pipe legs (2) comprise an elastic function or a deformation function in order to accommodate pipes having various outer diameters.

27. A pipe joint (19) comprising a plurality of fluid interconnect pipes (9) and a pipe arrangement (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pipe arrangement (1) is arranged to the plurality of fluid interconnect pipes (9) in order to fix the plurality of fluid interconnect pipes (9) in position relative to each other.

28. The pipe coupling (19) according to claim 27, comprising a connector (10) interconnecting the plurality of fluid interconnection pipes (9).

29. The pipe coupling (19) according to claim 28, wherein the connector (10) is made of silicon.

30. The pipe joint (19) according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the connector (10) is manufactured in one piece.