WO2025173007A1

WO2025173007A1 - Conveyor for a pharmaceutical preparation system

Info

Publication number: WO2025173007A1
Application number: PCT/IL2025/050155
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric SHEM-TOV
Original assignee: Equashield Medical Ltd
Current assignee: Equashield Medical Ltd
Priority date: 2024-02-14
Filing date: 2025-02-13
Publication date: 2025-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-14

Abstract

A conveyer for a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in a system for a pharmaceutical preparation allows suspended conveyance of one or more fluid transfer assemblies along at least one conveyance pathway such that at least one or each fluid transfer assembly freely hangs or is suspended from a holder element of a main conveyer body during movement of each fluid transfer assembly along the conveyance pathway. The conveyor may include first and second conveyor units or bodies that together provide an open access position and a restricted access position for the fluid transfer assembly. The conveyor may further provide a plurality of holder members configured to provide directional positioning of the fluid transfer connector relative to the holder members. The conveyor may be further movable along the Z axis in addition to conventional displacement of the conveyor through at least one of the X and Y axes.

Description

CONVEYOR FOR A PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATION SYSTEM

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[001] The presently disclosed subject matter generally relates to robotic or automated pharmaceutical preparation systems and more particularly to a conveyor for a pharmaceutical preparation system.

BACKGROUND

[002] There are known automatic or semi-automatic preparation systems for preparing drugs designated for administration to patients. These systems include, inter alia, fluid transfer stations for transfer of fluid between a syringe and a vial or between a syringe and an intravenous (IV) bag. To date, the syringes are delivered to the system by a human technician or by way of a conventional conveyer.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[003] The disclosed subject matter generally relates to robotic pharmaceutical preparation systems and more particularly to fluid transfer stations within a robotic pharmaceutical preparation system. The robotic pharmaceutical preparation systems and the fluid transfer stations thereof are configured for performing the operations related to transfer of drugs between different fluid transfer apparatuses including containers, fluid transfer assemblies, connectors, conduits, pumps, syringes, vials, intravenous bags, adaptors, needles, etc. The robotic pharmaceutical preparation systems (or robotic systems) according to the disclosed subject matter include robotic stations, robotic arms, motors, control units (controllers), mechanisms to control the transfer of fluid, etc. It is to be understood herein that the examples described in this description (with reference to the drawings and otherwise) have been described with reference to only a few components of the fluid transfer apparatuses out of all which are encompassed by the scope of the present subject matter for the purposes of conciseness and clarity of the present description. Various examples analogous to those described herein with different components of the fluid transfer apparatuses and with different robotic stations, including different combinations of the components of the fluid transfer apparatuses and the robotic stations, should be considered within the scope of the present description.

[004] For instance, the container is described herein with reference to a vial and/or an intravenous bag, and it is to be understood that the container can be any other container being a component of a fluid transfer apparatus with or without an adaptor or connector for establishing fluid communication of the container with other fluid transfer components. For example, the container can constitute a container assembly having the container along with a container connector (or adaptor) for establishing the fluid communication of the container with other components of the fluid transfer apparatus. For example, the container can be a vial along with a vial adaptor, or an intravenous bag along with a spike adaptor. The container can be accessible via a container septum which can be a septum of the container lid or can be a part of the connector. In some examples, the container can be a syringe, a fluid transfer pipe, conduit, etc.

[005] Similarly, the fluid transfer assembly is described herein with reference to a syringe assembly including a syringe and a syringe connector, and it is to be understood that that the fluid transfer assembly can include analogous components for transfer of drugs. In some examples, the fluid transfer assembly can include a pumping mechanism and a fluid transfer pipe configured to be connected to the container for the transfer of drug. In some examples, the fluid transfer assembly can include a fluid transfer connector (or adaptor) for establishing fluid communication between a fluid transfer unit (a fluid transfer pipe, conduit, pump, syringe, etc.) and the container. In some examples, the fluid transfer assembly may not include the fluid transfer connector and the fluid transfer connecter can constitute a part of the robotic system operating the fluid transfer assembly. In some examples, the fluid transfer assembly can include a vial or an intravenous bag for transfer of fluid with other containers

[006] Further, in all of the examples described herein, the transfer of fluid is described being performed by a needle penetrating the container septum into the container. It is to be understood herein that in some examples the transfer of fluid can be performed without the needle penetrating through the container septum, or optionally not penetrating even though a septum of the fluid transfer connector (associated with the fluid transfer assembly). In some examples, the fluid transfer can be performed even without a needle and via a fluid transfer conduit by controlled pressure of the fluid. For instance, the fluid transfer conduit may or may not include a needle, and if the fluid transfer conduit includes a needle, the needle may penetrate both septa fully, or may penetrate one septum fully and the other one partially, or may penetrate one septum partially and not at all the other one, or may not penetrate any septum at all.

[007] The robotic system according to the presently disclosed subject matter is configured to handle and operate the containers and fluid transfer assemblies according to all of the different examples thereof as noted above to perform the transfer of fluid. For instance, although in all of the examples described herein, the robotic system is described as having a manipulator configured to manipulate the fluid transfer assembly (more specifically a syringe assembly), it is to be understood herein that the robotic system (and the manipulator) is configured to handle and manipulate either or both of the container and the fluid transfer assembly according to all of the examples thereof as noted above. Also, although in all of the examples described herein, the manipulator is described as a robotic arm, it is to be understood herein that the manipulator can be a platform, a robotic station, or the like having holders to hold the fluid transfer apparatus components and move them relatively to each other and perform the transfer of fluid.

[008] The following terms and their derivatives used throughout the application may be better understood in view of the explanations below:

[009] A robotic system may comprise an automatic or partially automatic system comprising a manipulator controlled, at least partially by a controller unit (also referred to as controller or control unit).

[0010] A manipulator may comprise a robotic arm, a platform, a robotic station, or a combination thereof configured for manipulating the container and/or the fluid transfer assembly.

[0011] A controller or a controller unit may comprise a computer controller configured to perform operations in accordance with a set of instructions stored on a memory readable by the controller, which may be executed by a central processing unit (CPU), one or more processors, processor units, microprocessors, etc. In another embodiment the controller or controller unit includes one or more control circuits. In some examples, the control unit can include one or more mechanism controllers. The controller unit may comprise any means to control elements in the robotic pharmaceutical preparation system and may comprise at least any one of a controller, a synchronizing unit and a processer.

[0012] A robotic pharmaceutical preparation system comprises the robotic system operable for performing any activity related to preparation of drugs designated for administration to patients. It is noted that the term “robotic systems” used herein may include robotic pharmaceutical preparation systems.

[0013] The pharmaceutical preparation system may comprise any one or more of a dilution station, namely a reconstitution station where any type of a dilutant is added to a drug which is in solid and/or liquid form and/or any one or more of a filling station, namely a compounding station where an at least partially or fully prepared drug is transferred into a container.

[0014] The terms “pharmaceutical” and “drug” are used interchangeably.

[0015] A needle may comprise a cannula or any other device configured for penetrating a container and transferring fluid therethrough. The needle may include a bevel at a distal tip thereof or an opening at a side surface or any other configuration.

[0016] A septum may generally refer to a membrane configured to close access to a part of a device to which it belongs. Generally, a septum on a container or container connector (also referred to as container-septum) may seal the container. A septum on a fluid transfer assembly (also referred to as fluid transfer connector septum) may prevent or resist access to a fluid transfer conduit (for instance a needle according to the examples described herein with reference to the drawings). Typically, a septum is made of a resilient pierceable material. Such material may be a polymer with elastic properties like rubber

[0017] There is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter a conveyer for a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in a system for a pharmaceutical preparation. At least one fluid transfer assembly of the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies comprises a fluid transfer unit and a fluid transfer connector. The fluid transfer connector is connectable to the fluid transfer unit and comprises a connector support element formed on an outer connector wall thereof. The conveyor comprises a main conveyor body extending in a main body plane comprising a plurality of holder members. At least one holder member of the plurality of holder members is configured to support the at least one fluid transfer assembly by suspending the fluid transfer assembly therefrom. The at least one holder member comprises a holder support element formed on an inner wall of the holder member configured to seat the connector support element for supporting the fluid transfer assembly at the fluid transfer connector.

[0018] In some embodiments, the holder support element and the connector support element comprise sloped surfacing relative to the main body plane thereby providing an obliquely angled interface therebetween. In some embodiments, the holder support element is monolithically formed with the holder member thereby providing a passive, stationary support structure for the fluid transfer connector. The term “passive” and/or “stationary” refers to there being no or few moving parts of the holder support elements, such as spring elements or electrically driven devices or any other active elements, which actuate movement in the holder support element. Accordingly, the holding members are robust and less prone to degradation. Furthermore, as the holder support elements have no (or few) moving parts, there is increased reliability in repeatedly positioning the connector support elements at the same location within the holding members, rendering the monitoring, e.g. by imaging or any other means, of the spatial position of the fluid transfer assembly within the pharmaceutical preparation systems, more reliable.

[0019] In some embodiments, the support of the fluid transfer connector within the holding member is provided entirely by the holder support elements. Alternatively, the support of the fluid transfer connector within the holding member is provided by the holder support elements and/or by additional means.

[0020] Moreover, the relatively simple monolithic structure of the holder support elements and connector support elements are made easy to clean and to handle allowing maintaining the elements free or with lesser contamination.

[0021] In some embodiments, the holder member has a central holder axis orthogonal to the main body plane and the fluid transfer assembly has a central assembly axis. The central holder and assembly axes are coaxial when the fluid transfer assembly is held by the holder member in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the main body plane extends horizontally such that the fluid transfer assembly is vertically suspended at the holder member.

[0022] In some embodiments, the holder support element is configured to releasably support the fluid transfer assembly. In some embodiments, the holder support element and the connector support element are configured to hold the fluid transfer assembly such that the fluid transfer unit is free of contact by the holder member, e.g. as by holding at the fluid transfer connector . In some embodiments, the gripper mechanism is configured to hold and grip the fluid transfer assembly such that the fluid transfer unit is free of contact by the gripper mechanism, e.g. as by gripping at the fluid transfer connector.

[0023] Holding the fluid transfer assembly by the holder member and/or gripping the fluid transfer assembly by the gripper mechanism, away or distally from the fluid transfer unit (or at least away from the barrel), such as by holding and/or gripping the fluid transfer assembly at the fluid transfer connector, facilitates accommodating any fluid transfer unit, regardless of the fluid transfer unit dimensions. Accordingly, the system is facilitated to prepare a large variety of pharmaceuticals which are typically contained in different types of fluid transfer units dimensioned with different lengths and diameters.

[0024] Additionally, holding the fluid transfer assembly by the holder member and/or gripping the fluid transfer assembly by the gripper mechanism, away or distally from the fluid transfer unit (or at least away from the barrel), such as by holding and/or gripping the fluid transfer assembly at the fluid transfer connector, prevents obstructing any image information displayed on the fluid transfer unit (e.g. on the barrel, plunger, flange), such as images, indicia (e.g. scale marks, numbers or text) or a volume level of a liquid in the fluid transfer unit or other liquid characteristic. Accordingly, the unit image information can be clearly viewed and thus image processing based on the image information may be performed thereon.

[0025] In some embodiments, the holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly at or in proximity to an upper connector end of a fluid conduit body of the fluid transfer connector. In some embodiments, the holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly only at the upper connector end or in proximity thereto while maintaining a lower connector end of the fluid transfer assembly externally accessible.

[0026] In some embodiments, the holder member comprises a first holder end, a second holder end opposite the first holder end, and a support body extending intermediate the first and second holder ends thereby defining an open mouth opposite the support body. In some embodiments, an end- to-end distance intermediate the first and second holder ends differs than a mouth-to-body distance intermediate the support body and the open mouth. In some embodiments, the end-to-end distance is greater than the mouth-to-body distance. In some embodiments, the holder member is configured for receipt of the fluid transfer connector via the open mouth and is dimensioned correspondingly to the fluid transfer connector, which comprises a relatively narrow dimension and a relatively wide dimension orthogonal to the central assembly axis. In some embodiments, the holder member is C-shaped in a transverse cross-section.

[0027] In some embodiments, the holder member comprises inner holder surfacing adjacent the holder support element, which inner holder surfacing is configured to matably engage outer connector surfacing of the fluid transfer connector for securing the connector when supported by the holder member. In some embodiments, the holder member comprises a holder thickness extending in parallel relation to the central holder axis. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the inner holder surfacing at the holder thickness is matably engageable with the at least a portion of the outer connector surfacing for securing the fluid transfer connector during conveyance thereof. In some embodiments, cooperative holder support elements, also referred to herein as cooperatively opposed holder support elements, are positioned at the first and second holder ends, which cooperative holder support elements are configured to support cooperative connector support elements extending outwardly from the fluid transfer connector towards the holder support elements.

[0028] In some embodiments, the holder member defines at least two connector-receiving pockets defined downwardly by the cooperative holder support elements, which cooperative connector support elements are receivable in the connector-receiving pockets and supported by the cooperative holder support elements. In some embodiments, the connector-receiving pockets and the connector support elements are respectively positioned opposite one another along a frontal holder plane extending through the central holder and assembly axes. In some embodiments, the connector-receiving pockets and the connector support elements are asymmetric about the frontal holder plane. In some embodiments, the connector-receiving pockets and the connector support elements are asymmetric about a connector plane for ensuring directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector relative to said holder member.

[0029] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second holder ends is connected to a conveyor arm projecting from the main conveyor body. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body is circular and rotatable about a conveyor axis of rotation. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced radiating conveyor arms for radially spacing the plurality of holder members relative to the conveyor axis of rotation and supporting the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in parallel relation thereto. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body is axially displaceable along the conveyor axis of rotation for enabling release of the fluid transfer assembly from the holder member when externally held at the lower fluid inlet end. In some embodiments, an upper connector portion of the connector support element is flush with an upper holder portion of the holder member when the fluid transfer connector is held by the holder member.

[0030] There is thus provided in accordance with another embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter a conveyer for a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in a system for a pharmaceutical preparation. In some embodiments, the conveyor comprises a main conveyor body, a plurality of holder members, and a barrier unit. The plurality of holder members project from the main conveyor body and at least one holder member of the plurality of holder members is configured to hold at least one fluid transfer assembly of the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies.

[0031] In some embodiments, the barrier unit is disposed in adjacency to the main conveyor body and comprises at least a first access port being configured to be positionable with reference to the holder member at least in the following states: a first state wherein the first access port is positioned relative to the holder member so as to allow at least one of insertion and removal of the fluid transfer assembly from the holder member along a first port axis extending through the first access port; and a second state wherein the first access port is positioned relative to the holder member so as to restrict at least one of insertion and removal of the fluid transfer assembly from the holder member along the first port axis. In some embodiments, at least one of the main conveyor body and barrier unit are movable with respect to the other for effecting the first and second states.

[0032] In some embodiments, the barrier unit comprises at least a second access port in spaced relation relative to the first access port. In some embodiments, the first access port is a machine access port and the second access port is a user access port. In some embodiments, the first access port enables machine loading and unloading of the fluid transfer assembly and the second access portion enables human loading and unloading of the fluid transfer assembly. In some embodiments, the first access port is dimensioned differently than the second access port. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body and barrier unit are circular in form such that at least one of the main conveyor body and the barrier unit are rotatable about a conveyor axis of rotation. In some embodiments, at least one access port is positioned at a circumferential periphery of the barrier unit.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first access port is symmetrical about a first access port plane extending through the first port axis and the conveyor axis of rotation. In some embodiments, the first access port comprises radiused portions opposite the first access port plane. In some embodiments, the radiused portions are concave relative to the first access port plane. In some embodiments, the second access port is asymmetrical about a second access port plane extending through the second port axis and the conveyor axis of rotation. In some embodiments, the second access port comprises a first radiused portion and a liner portion opposite the second access port plane. In some embodiments, the first radiused portion is concave relative to the second access port plane.

[0034] In some embodiments, an outer peripheral portion of the barrier unit is positionable above at least one of the first and second access ports when in the first state and above the other of the first and second access ports when in the second state. In some embodiments, the first and second access ports are mutually connected by at least a connecting portion of the outer peripheral portion configured to restrict at least one of insertion and removal of the fluid transfer assembly at a select holder member when in at least one of the first and second states. In some embodiments, a first connecting portion extending between the first radiused portion of the second access port and a radiused portion of the first access port. In some embodiments, barrier corner portions of the outer peripheral portion opposite the connecting portion at the first and second access ports bar access to at least one of the first and second access ports when in the first state and bar access to the other of the first and second access ports when in the second state.

[0035] In some embodiments, the plurality of holder members is circumferentially spaced about the main conveyor body radiating outwardly therefrom. In some embodiments, the plurality of holder members is equally circumferentially spaced about the main conveyor body such that a uniform angular relationship extends intermediate the holder member. In some embodiments, the second access port is circumferentially spaced from the first access port such that a second port axis extends in parallel relation to the first port axis. In some embodiments, an angular relationship between the first and second port planes differs from the uniform angular relationship for preventing simultaneous access to adjacent fluid transfer assemblies via the barrier unit. In some embodiments, the uniform angular relationship is greater than the angular relationship between the first and second port planes.

[0036] In some embodiments, at least one of the main conveyor body and barrier unit are movable with respect to the other along the conveyor axis of rotation for varying a spatial distance intermediate the main conveyor body and the barrier unit. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body is axially displaceable along the conveyor axis of rotation for enabling release of the fluid transfer assembly therefrom when externally held. In some embodiments, the holder member comprises a first holder end, a second holder end opposite the first holder end, and a support body extending intermediate the first and second holder ends thereby defining an open mouth opposite the support body. In some embodiments, an end-to-end distance intermediate the first and second holder ends differs than a mouth-to-body distance intermediate the support body and the open mouth. In some embodiments, the end-to-end distance is greater than the mouth-to- body distance.

[0037] In some embodiments, a fluid transfer connector of said fluid transfer assembly comprises a relatively narrow dimension and a relatively wide dimension orthogonal to the assembly axis correspondingly dimensioned for receipt at the holder member via the open mouth. In some embodiments, the fluid transfer connector comprises a relatively narrow dimension and a relatively wide dimension correspondingly dimensioned for receipt at the holder member via the open mouth.

[0038] In some embodiments, the holder member is asymmetric with respect to a holder plane extending through the holder member along a central holder axis of the holder member thereby being alignable with a connector plane for ensuring directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector relative to the holder member. In some embodiments, a user may access the user access port from above the holder member along the first port axis. In some embodiments, a manipulator apparatus accesses the fluid transfer connector from below the holder member. In some embodiments, the barrier unit comprises fewer access ports than a number of holder members projecting from the main conveyor body. In some embodiments, the barrier unit is positionable with respect to the main conveyor body such that only one access port is accessible in either of the first and second states.

[0039] There is thus provided in accordance with another embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter a conveyer for a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in a system for a pharmaceutical preparation. In some embodiments, at least one fluid transfer assembly of the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies comprises a fluid transfer unit and a fluid transfer connector connected to the fluid transfer unit. In some embodiments, the fluid transfer connector is asymmetric with respect to a connector plane extending through the fluid transfer connector along a central connector axis of the fluid transfer connector. In some embodiments, the asymmetry of the holder members with respect to the holder plane is provided by an asymmetric dimension of an inner wall of the holder member. In some embodiments, the holder member comprises at least a pair of holder support elements formed on the inner wall , the pair of holder support elements being asymmetric with respect to the holder plane. In some embodiments, each of the holder support element of the pair of holder support elements is formed with differing widths with respect to the holder plane. In some embodiments, the asymmetry of the holder members with respect to the holder plane is configured to correspond with an asymmetry of the fluid transfer connector with respect to the connector plane.

[0040] In some embodiments, the conveyor comprises a main conveyor body comprising a plurality of holder members.

[0041] In some embodiments, at least one holder member of the plurality of holder members projecting therefrom in a projection direction is configured to support the fluid transfer assembly at least during conveyance thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one holder member is asymmetric with respect to a holder plane extending through the holder member along a central holder axis of the holder member. In some embodiments, the at least one holder member is alignable with the connector plane for ensuring directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector relative to the holder member. In some embodiments, the holder member is configured to convey the fluid transfer assembly horizontally while the fluid transfer assembly is vertically suspended thereat.

[0042] In some embodiments, the holder member is configured to releasably support the fluid transfer assembly. In some embodiments, the holder member comprises a first holder end, a second holder end opposite the first holder end, and a support body extending intermediate the first and second holder ends thereby providing an open mouth opposite the support body for receiving and releasing the fluid transfer assembly. In some embodiments, the holder member is C-shaped in a transverse cross-section. In some embodiments, the holder member is monolithically formed thereby providing a passive, stationary support structure for the fluid transfer assembly. In some embodiments, the holder member is statically positioned while the fluid transfer assembly is loaded or unloaded at the holder member by auxiliary units characterized by user or machine participants.

[0043] In some embodiments, the holder member comprises a central holder axis extending orthogonally relative to a main body plane of the main conveyor body and the fluid transfer assembly comprises a central assembly axis. In some embodiments, the central holder and assembly axes are coaxial when the fluid transfer assembly is held by the holder member. In some embodiments, the main conveyer body and the holder member indexably position the fluid transfer assembly for engagement via an external machine participant. In some embodiments, the holder member is indexably movable in a direction orthogonal to the central holder axis away from the fluid transfer assembly after axial displacement of the main conveyor body to release the fluid transfer assembly from the holder member via the open mouth. In some embodiments, the central holder and assembly axes thereby become parallel to one another during a release event.

[0044] In some embodiments, an upper connector end of the fluid transfer connector comprises a non-circular transverse cross section and a lower connector end of the fluid transfer connector comprises a circular transverse cross-section. In some embodiments, the lower connector end is grippable by said external machine participant. In some embodiments, the holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly such that the fluid transfer unit is free of contact by the holder member. In some embodiments, the holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly at or in proximity to the upper connector end of the fluid transfer connector.

[0045] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second holder ends is connected to the main conveyor body via a connector arm extending in the projection direction. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body is circular and rotatable about a conveyor axis of rotation. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced radiating conveyor arms for radially spacing the plurality of holder members relative to the conveyor axis of rotation and supporting the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in parallel relation thereto. In some embodiments,

[0046] There is thus provided in accordance with another embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter a system for a pharmaceutical preparation including a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies. In some embodiments, the system for a pharmaceutical preparation comprises a conveyor comprising a main conveyor body, a first displacement mechanism, a second displacement mechanism, and a manipulator apparatus. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body comprises a plurality of holder members projecting therefrom. In some embodiments, at least one holder member of the plurality of holder members is configured to support a fluid transfer assembly of the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies during conveyance thereof in at least a first direction parallel to a main body plane of the main conveyor body.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first displacement mechanism is configured to displace the main conveyor body in a direction parallel to the main body plane. In some embodiments, the second displacement mechanism is configured to axially displace the main conveyor body in a direction transversing the main body plane. In some embodiments, the manipulator apparatus comprises a gripping mechanism configured for gripping a portion of the fluid transfer assembly upon the conveyor main body being axially displaced.

[0048] In some embodiments, the holder member is configured to convey the fluid transfer assembly horizontally while the fluid transfer assembly is vertically suspended thereat. In some embodiments, the holder member is configured to releasably support the fluid transfer assembly. In some embodiments, the holder member comprises a first holder end, a second holder end opposite the first holder end, and a support body extending intermediate the first and second holder ends thereby providing an open mouth opposite the support body for receiving and releasing the fluid transfer assembly. In some embodiments, the holder member is C-shaped in a transverse cross-section.

[0049] In some embodiments, the holder member is monolithically formed to provide a passive, stationary support structure for the fluid transfer assembly. In some embodiments, the holder member is statically positioned while the fluid transfer assembly is loaded or unloaded at the holder member by auxiliary units characterized by user or machine participants. In some embodiments, the holder member comprises a central holder axis orthogonal to the main body plane and the fluid transfer assembly comprises a central assembly axis. In some embodiments, the central holder and assembly axes are coaxial when the fluid transfer assembly is held by the holder member.

[0050] In some embodiments, the holder member indexably positions the fluid transfer assembly for engagement by an external machine participant. In some embodiments, an axial displacement of the main conveyor body corresponds to a connector length of the fluid transfer connector. In some embodiments, cooperative holder support elements are positioned at the first and second holder ends. In some embodiments, the cooperative holder support elements are configured to support opposed portions of the fluid transfer connector. In some embodiments, the holder member defines at least two connector-receiving pockets respectively formed at the first and second holder ends defined downwardly by the cooperative holder support elements and having a pocket depth. In some embodiments, the opposed portions of the fluid transfer connector are receivable in the connector-receiving pockets and supported thereby.

[0051] In some embodiments, the connector-receiving pockets and the opposed portions of the fluid transfer connector are respectively positioned opposite one another along a frontal holder plane extending through the central holder and assembly axes. In some embodiments, the connector-receiving pockets and the opposed portions are asymmetric about the frontal holder plane. In some embodiments, the connector-receiving pockets and the opposed portions are asymmetric about a connector plane for ensuring directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector relative to the holder member. In some embodiments, an axial displacement of the main conveyor body corresponds to the pocket depth of the connector-receiving pockets.

[0052] In some embodiments, the holder member is indexably movable in a direction orthogonal to the central assembly axis away from the fluid transfer assembly after axial displacement of the main conveyor body to release the fluid transfer assembly from the holder member via the open mouth. In some embodiments, the central holder and assembly axes thereby become parallel to one another during a release event. In some embodiments, an upper connector end of the fluid transfer connector comprises a non-circular transverse cross section and a lower connector end of the fluid transfer connector comprises a circular transverse cross-section. In some embodiments, the lower connector end is grippable by an external machine participant.

[0053] In some embodiments, the holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly such that the fluid transfer unit is free of contact by the holder member. In some embodiments, the holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly at or in proximity to the upper connector end of the fluid transfer connector. In some embodiments, an external machine participant holds a lower connector end of the fluid transfer connector during axial displacement of the main conveyor body and indexed movement thereof in a direction orthogonal to the frontal holder plane away from the fluid transfer assembly to release the fluid transfer assembly from the holder member via the open mouth.

[0054] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second holder ends is connected to the main conveyor body via a connector arm extending in a projection direction. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body is circular and rotatable about a conveyor axis of rotation along which the main conveyor body is axially displaceable. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced radiating conveyor arms for radially spacing the plurality of holder members relative to the conveyor axis of rotation and supporting a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in parallel relation thereto. In some embodiments, the open mouth opposite the support body is configured to enable a user to access the holder member from a direction toward the support body via the open mouth for enabling at least one of insertion into or removal of a fluid transfer assembly from the holder member. [0055] Embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter can include, are not limited to the following embodiments:

1. A conveyer for a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in a system for a pharmaceutical preparation, at least one fluid transfer assembly of the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies comprising a fluid transfer unit and a fluid transfer connector connectable to the fluid transfer unit, the fluid transfer connector comprising a connector support element formed on an outer connector wall thereof, the conveyor comprising: a main conveyor body extending in a main body plane and comprising a plurality of holder members, at least one holder member of the plurality of holder members being configured to support the at least one fluid transfer assembly by suspending said fluid transfer assembly therefrom, the at least one holder member comprising a holder support element formed on an inner wall of said holder member and being configured to seat said connector support element for supporting said fluid transfer assembly at the fluid transfer connector.

2. The conveyor according to embodiment 1 wherein said holder support element and said connector support element comprise sloped surfacing relative to the main body plane thereby providing an obliquely angled interface therebetween.

3. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding embodiments wherein the said holder support element is monolithically formed with said holder member thereby providing a passive, stationary support structure for the fluid transfer connector.

4. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding embodiments wherein said holder member has a central holder axis orthogonal to the main body plane and the fluid transfer assembly has a central assembly axis, the central holder and assembly axes being coaxial when the fluid transfer assembly is held by said holder member. 5. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding embodiments wherein the main body plane extends horizontally such that the fluid transfer assembly is vertically suspended at said holder member.

6. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding embodiments wherein said holder support element is configured to releasably support the fluid transfer assembly.

7. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding embodiments wherein said holder support element is configured to hold the fluid transfer assembly at said connector support element such that the fluid transfer unit is free of contact by any one of said holder member and said conveyer

8. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding embodiments wherein said holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly at or in proximity to an upper connector end of a fluid conduit body of the fluid transfer connector.

9. The conveyor according to embodiment 8 wherein said holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly only at the upper connector end or in proximity thereto while maintaining a lower connector end of the fluid transfer assembly externally accessible.

10. The conveyor according to embodiment 4 and any one of embodiments 5 through 9 when depending from embodiment 4 wherein said holder member comprises a first holder end, a second holder end opposite the first holder end, and a support body extending intermediate the first and second holder ends thereby defining an open mouth opposite the support body.

11. The conveyor according to embodiment 10 wherein an end-to-end distance intermediate the first and second holder ends differs than a mouth-to-body distance intermediate the support body and the open mouth.

12. The conveyor according to embodiment 11 wherein the end-to-end distance is greater than the mouth-to-body distance. 13. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 10 through 12 when dependent from embodiment 4 wherein said holder member is configured for receipt of the fluid transfer connector via the open mouth and is dimensioned correspondingly to the fluid transfer connector, which comprises a relatively narrow dimension and a relatively wide dimension.

14. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding embodiments wherein said holder member is C-shaped in a transverse cross-section.

15. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding embodiments wherein said holder member comprises inner holder surfacing adjacent said holder support element, the inner holder surfacing being configured to matably engage outer connector surfacing of the fluid transfer connector for securing said fluid transfer connector when supported by said holder member.

16. The conveyor according to embodiment 15 when depending from embodiment 4 wherein said holder member comprises a holder thickness extending in parallel relation to the central holder axis, at least a portion of the inner holder surfacing at the holder thickness being matably engageable with the at least a portion of the outer connector surfacing for securing the fluid transfer connector during conveyance thereof.

17. The conveyor according to embodiment 10 and any one of embodiments 11 through 16 when depending from embodiment 10, wherein cooperative holder support elements are positioned at the first and second holder ends, the cooperative holder support elements being configured to support cooperative connector support elements extending outwardly from the fluid transfer connector.

18. The conveyor according to embodiment 17 wherein said holder member defines at least two connector-receiving pockets defined downwardly by said cooperative holder support elements, the cooperative connector support elements being receivable in the connector-receiving pockets and supportable by said cooperative holder support elements. 19. The conveyor according to embodiment 18 wherein said connector-receiving pockets and said connector support elements are respectively positioned opposite one another along a frontal holder plane extending through the central holder and assembly axes.

20. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 18 and 19 wherein said connectorreceiving pockets and said connector support elements are asymmetric about the frontal holder plane.

21. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 19 and 20 wherein said connectorreceiving pockets and said connector support elements are asymmetric about a connector plane for ensuring directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector relative to said holder member.

22. The conveyor according to embodiment 10 and any one of embodiments 11 through 21 when depending from embodiment 10 wherein at least one of the first and second holder ends is connected to a conveyor arm projecting from the main conveyor body.

23. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding embodiments wherein the main conveyor body is circular and rotatable about a conveyor axis of rotation.

24. The conveyor according to embodiment 23 wherein the main conveyor body comprises a series of circumferentially spaced radiating conveyor arms for radially spacing the plurality of holder members relative to the conveyor axis of rotation and supporting the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in parallel relation thereto.

25. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 23 and 24 wherein the main conveyor body is axially displaceable along the conveyor axis of rotation for enabling release of the fluid transfer assembly from said holder member when externally held at a lower connector end of said fluid transfer connector. 26. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding embodiments wherein an upper holder portion of said holder member is flush with an upper connector portion of the connector support element when the fluid transfer connector is held by said holder member.

27. A conveyer for a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in a system for a pharmaceutical preparation, the conveyor comprising: a main conveyor body; a plurality of holder members projecting from the main conveyor body, at least one holder member of the plurality of holder members being configured to hold at least one fluid transfer assembly of the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies; a barrier unit disposed in adjacency to the main conveyor body and comprising at least a first access port configured to be positionable with reference to said holder member at least in the following states: a first state wherein the first access port is positioned relative to said holder member so as to allow at least one of insertion and removal of the fluid transfer assembly from said holder member along a first port axis extending through said first access port; and a second state wherein said first access port is positioned relative to said holder member so as to restrict at least one of insertion and removal of the fluid transfer assembly from said holder member along said first port axis.

28. The conveyer according to embodiment 27 wherein at least one of the main conveyor body and barrier unit are movable with respect to the other for effecting the first and second states.

29. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 27 and 28 wherein the barrier unit comprises at least a second access port in spaced relation relative to said first access port.

30. The conveyor according to embodiment 29 wherein the first access port is a machine access port and the second access port is a user access port. 31. The conveyor according to embodiment 30 wherein the first access port enables machine loading and unloading of the fluid transfer assembly and the second access port enables human loading and unloading of the fluid transfer assembly.

32. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 29 through 31 wherein the first access port is dimensioned differently than the second access port.

33. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 27 through 32 wherein the main conveyor body and barrier unit are circular in form, at least one of the main conveyor body and the barrier unit being rotatable about a conveyor axis of rotation, at least one access port being positioned at a circumferential periphery of the barrier unit.

34. The conveyor according to embodiment 33 wherein the first access port is symmetrical about a first access port plane extending through the first port axis and the conveyor axis of rotation.

35. The conveyor according to embodiment 34 wherein the first access port comprises radiused portions opposite the first access port plane.

36. The conveyor according to embodiment 35 wherein the radiused portions are concave relative to the first access port plane.

37. The conveyor according to any one of embodiment 29 and embodiments 30 through 36 when dependent from embodiment 29 wherein the second access port is asymmetrical about a second access port plane extending through a second port axis extending through the second access port and the conveyor axis of rotation.

38. The conveyor according to embodiment 37 wherein the second access port comprises a first radiused portion and a liner portion opposite the second access port plane.

39. The conveyor according to embodiment 38 wherein the first radiused portion is concave relative to the second access port plane. 40. The conveyor according to any one of embodiment 29 and embodiments 30 through 39 when dependent from embodiment 29 wherein an outer peripheral portion of the barrier unit is positionable above at least one of the first and second access ports when in the first state and above the other of the first and second access ports when in the second state.

41. The conveyor according to embodiment 40 wherein the first and second access ports are mutually connected by at least a connecting portion of the outer peripheral portion configured to restrict at least one of insertion and removal of the fluid transfer assembly at a select holder member when in at least one of the first and second states.

42. The conveyor according to embodiment 41 wherein the connecting portion comprises a first connecting portion extending between the first radiused portion of the second access port and a radiused portion of the first access port.

43. The conveyor according to embodiment 42 wherein barrier corner portions of the outer peripheral portion opposite the connecting portion at the first and second access ports bar access to at least one of the first and second access ports when in the first state and bar access to the other of the first and second access ports when in the second state.

44. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 27 through 43 wherein the plurality of holder members is circumferentially spaced about the main conveyor body radiating outwardly therefrom.

45. The conveyor according to embodiment 44 wherein the plurality of holder members is equally circumferentially spaced about the main conveyor body, a uniform angular relationship extending intermediate each holder member.

46. The conveyor according to any one of embodiment 29 and embodiments 30 through 45 when dependent from embodiment 29 wherein said second access port is circumferentially spaced from said first access port such that a second port axis extends in parallel relation to the first port axis. 47. The conveyor according to embodiment 46 wherein an angular relationship between a first access port plane and a second access port plane differs from the uniform angular relationship for preventing simultaneous access to adjacent fluid transfer assemblies via the barrier unit.

48. The conveyor according to embodiment 47 wherein the angular relationship between the first access port plane and the second access port plane is greater than the uniform angular relationship.

49. The conveyor according to embodiment 33 and any one of embodiments 34 through 48 when depending from embodiment 33 wherein at least one of the main conveyor body and barrier unit are movable with respect to the other along the conveyor axis of rotation for varying a spatial distance intermediate the main conveyor body and the barrier unit.

50. The conveyor according to embodiment 33 and any one of embodiments 34 through 49 when depending from embodiment 33 wherein the main conveyor body is axially displaceable along the conveyor axis of rotation for enabling release of said fluid transfer assembly therefrom when externally held.

51. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 27 through 50 wherein said holder member comprises a first holder end, a second holder end opposite the first holder end, and a support body extending intermediate the first and second holder ends thereby defining an open mouth opposite the support body.

52. The conveyor according to embodiment 51 wherein an end-to-end distance intermediate the first and second holder ends differs than a mouth-to-body distance intermediate the support body and the open mouth.

53. The conveyor according to embodiment 52 wherein the end-to-end distance is greater than the mouth-to-body distance. 54. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 51 through 53 wherein a fluid transfer connector of said fluid transfer assembly comprises a relatively narrow dimension and a relatively wide dimension correspondingly dimensioned for receipt at said holder member via the open mouth.

55. The conveyor according to embodiment 54 wherein said holder member is asymmetric with respect to a medial holder plane extending through said holder member along a central holder axis thereof and being alignable with a connector plane for ensuring directional alignment of said fluid transfer connector relative to said holder member.

56. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 27 through 55 wherein a user may access the user access port from above said holder member along the first port axis.

57. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 27 through 56 wherein a manipulator apparatus accesses the fluid transfer connector from below said holder member.

58. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 27 through 57 wherein the barrier unit comprises fewer access ports than a number of holder members projecting from the main conveyor body.

59. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 27 through 58 wherein the barrier unit is positionable with respect to the main conveyor body such that only one access port is accessible in either of the first and second states.

60. A conveyer for a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in a system for a pharmaceutical preparation, at least one fluid transfer assembly of the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies comprising a fluid transfer unit and a fluid transfer connector connected to the fluid transfer unit, the fluid transfer connector being asymmetric with respect to a connector plane extending through the fluid transfer connector along a central connector axis of the fluid transfer connector, the conveyor comprising: a main conveyor body comprising a plurality of holder members, at least one holder member of the plurality of holder members projecting therefrom in a projection direction and configured to support said fluid transfer assembly at least during conveyance thereof, said holder member being asymmetric with respect to a holder plane extending through the holder member along a central holder axis of the holder member, and being alignable with the connector plane for ensuring directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector relative to said holder member.

61. The conveyor according to embodiment 60 wherein the asymmetry of the holder members with respect to the holder plane is provided by an asymmetric dimension of an inner wall of the holder member.

62. The conveyor according to embodiment 61 wherein the holder member comprises at least a pair of holder support elements formed on the inner wall, the pair of holder support elements being asymmetric with respect to the holder plane.

63. The conveyor according to embodiment 62 wherein each of the holder support element of the pair of holder support elements is formed with differing widths with respect to the holder plane.

64. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 60 through 63 wherein the asymmetry of the holder members with respect to the holder plane is configured to correspond with an asymmetry of the fluid transfer connector with respect to the connector plane.

65. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 60 through 64 wherein said holder member is configured to convey the fluid transfer assembly horizontally while the fluid transfer assembly is vertically suspended thereat.

66. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 60 through 65 wherein said holder member is configured to releasably support the fluid transfer assembly. 67. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 60 through 66 wherein said holder member comprises a first holder end, a second holder end opposite the first holder end, and a support body extending intermediate the first and second holder ends thereby, providing an open mouth opposite the support body for receiving and releasing the fluid transfer assembly.

68. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 60 through 67 wherein the holder member is C-shaped in a transverse cross-section.

69. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 60 through 68 wherein said holder member is monolithically formed thereby providing a passive, stationary support structure for the fluid transfer assembly.

70. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 60 through 69 wherein said holder member comprises a central holder axis extending orthogonally relative to a main body plane of the main conveyor body and the fluid transfer assembly comprises a central assembly axis, the central holder and assembly axes being coaxial when the fluid transfer assembly is held by the holder member.

71. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 60 through 70 wherein said holder member is statically positioned while the fluid transfer assembly is loaded or unloaded at said holder member by an auxiliary unit characterized by user or machine participants.

72. The conveyor according to embodiment 71 wherein said main conveyer body and said holder member indexably position the fluid transfer assembly for engagement via the auxiliary unit.

73. The conveyor according to embodiment 72 when dependent on embodiment 67 wherein said holder member is indexably movable in a direction orthogonal to the central holder axis away from the fluid transfer assembly after axial displacement of said main conveyor body to release the fluid transfer assembly from said holder member via the open mouth, the central holder and assembly axes thereby becoming parallel to one another during a release event. 74. The conveyor according to embodiment 73 wherein an upper connector end of the fluid transfer connector comprises a non-circular transverse cross section and a lower connector end of the fluid transfer connector comprises a circular transverse cross-section, the lower connector end being grippable by said auxiliary unit.

75. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 60 through 74 wherein said holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly such that the fluid transfer unit is free of contact by said holder member.

76. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 60 through 75 wherein said holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly at or in proximity to the upper connector end of the fluid transfer connector.

77. A system for a pharmaceutical preparation including a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies, comprising: a conveyor comprising: a main conveyor body comprising a plurality of holder members projecting therefrom, at least one holder member of the plurality of holder members being configured to support a fluid transfer assembly of the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies during conveyance thereof in at least a first direction parallel to a main body plane of the main conveyor body; and a first displacement mechanism configured to displace the main conveyor body in a direction parallel to the main body plane; and a second displacement mechanism configured to axially displace the main conveyor body in a direction transversing the main body plane; and a manipulator apparatus comprising a gripping mechanism configured for gripping a portion of the fluid transfer assembly upon the conveyor main body being axially displaced.

78. The conveyor according to embodiment 77 wherein said holder member is configured to convey the fluid transfer assembly horizontally while the fluid transfer assembly is vertically suspended thereat. 79. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 77 and 78 wherein said holder member is configured to releasably support the fluid transfer assembly.

80. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 77 through 79 wherein said holder member comprises a first holder end, a second holder end opposite the first holder end, and a support body extending intermediate the first and second holder ends thereby providing an open mouth opposite the support body for receiving and releasing the fluid transfer assembly.

81. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 77 through 80 wherein the holder member is C-shaped in a transverse cross-section.

82. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 77 through 81 wherein said holder member is monolithically formed to provide a passive, stationary support structure for the fluid transfer assembly.

83. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 77 through 82 wherein said holder member is statically positioned while the fluid transfer assembly is loaded or unloaded at said holder member by auxiliary units characterized by user or machine participants.

84. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 77 through 83 wherein said holder member comprises a central holder axis orthogonal to the main body plane and the fluid transfer assembly comprises a central assembly axis, the central holder and assembly axes being coaxial when the fluid transfer assembly is held by said holder member.

85. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 77 through 84 wherein said holder member indexably positions the fluid transfer assembly for engagement by an external machine participant.

86. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 77 through 85 wherein an axial displacement of the main conveyor body corresponds to a connector length of the fluid transfer connector. 87. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 80 and embodiments 81 through 86 when depending from embodiment 80 wherein cooperative holder support elements are positioned at the first and second holder ends, the cooperative holder support elements being configured to support opposed portions of the fluid transfer connector.

88. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 77 through 87 wherein said holder member defines at least two connector-receiving pockets respectively formed at the first and second holder ends defined downwardly by said cooperative holder support elements and having a pocket depth, said opposed portions of the fluid transfer connector being receivable in the connector-receiving pockets and supported thereby.

89. The conveyor according to embodiment 88 when depending from embodiment 84 wherein said connector-receiving pockets and said opposed portions of the fluid transfer connector are respectively positioned opposite one another along a frontal holder plane extending through the central holder and assembly axes.

90. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 88 and 89 wherein said connectorreceiving pockets and said opposed portions are asymmetric about the frontal holder plane.

91. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 88 through 90 wherein said connectorreceiving pockets and said opposed portions are asymmetric about a connector plane for ensuring directional alignment of said fluid transfer connector relative to said holder member.

92. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 88 through 91 wherein an axial displacement of the main conveyor body corresponds to the pocket depth of said connectorreceiving pockets.

93. The conveyor according to embodiment 84 when dependent upon embodiment 80 wherein said holder member is indexably movable in a direction orthogonal to the central assembly axis away from the fluid transfer assembly after axial displacement of the main conveyor body to release the fluid transfer assembly from said holder member via the open mouth, the central holder and assembly axes thereby becoming parallel to one another during a release event.

94. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 77 through 93 wherein said holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly such that the fluid transfer unit is free of contact by said holder member.

95. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 77 through 94 wherein an upper connector end of the fluid transfer connector comprises a non-circular transverse cross section and a lower connector end of the fluid transfer connector comprises a circular transverse cross-section, the lower connector end being grippable by an external machine participant.

96. The conveyor according to embodiment 95 wherein said holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly at or in proximity to the upper connector end of the fluid transfer connector.

97. The conveyor according to embodiment 89 when dependent upon embodiment 80 wherein an external machine participant holds a lower connector end of the fluid transfer connector during axial displacement of the main conveyor body and indexed movement thereof in a direction orthogonal to the frontal holder plane away from the fluid transfer assembly to release the fluid transfer assembly from the holder member via the open mouth.

98. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 80 and embodiments 81 through 97 when depending from embodiment 80 wherein at least one of the first and second holder ends is connected to the main conveyor body via a connector arm extending in a projection direction.

99. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 77 through 98 wherein said main conveyor body is circular and rotatable about a conveyor axis of rotation along which said main conveyor body is axially displaceable.

100. The conveyor according to embodiment 99 wherein said main conveyor body comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced radiating conveyor arms for radially spacing the plurality of holder members relative to the conveyor axis of rotation and supporting a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in parallel relation thereto.

101. The conveyor according to any one of embodiments 80 and 81 through 100 when depending from embodiment 80 wherein the open mouth opposite the support body is configured to enable a user to access said holder member from a direction toward the support body via the open mouth for enabling at least one of insertion into or removal of a fluid transfer assembly from the holder member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0057] FIG. 1A is a first elevational side view of a fluid transfer assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter as viewed along the Y axis extending into and out of the page.

[0058] FIG. IB is a second elevational side view of a fluid transfer assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter as viewed along the X axis extending into and out of the page. [0059] FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevational view of a fluid transfer assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter showing a fluid transfer unit on the left side of the page exploded from a fluid transfer connector on the right side of the page.

[0060] FIG. 3 A is a first enlarged side elevational view of a fluid transfer connector according to the presently disclosed subject matter as viewed along the Y axis extending into and out of the page.

[0061] FIG. 3B is a second enlarged side elevational view of a fluid transfer connector according to the presently disclosed subject matter as viewed along the Y axis extending into and out of the page.

[0062] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of upper portions of a fluid transfer connector according to the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of upper portions of a fluid transfer connector according to the presently disclosed subject matter. [0064] FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of a fluid transfer connector according to the presently disclosed subject matter as viewed along the Z axis to depict a relatively wider dimension of the fluid transfer connector extending along the X axis relative to a relatively narrow dimension of the fluid transfer connector extending along the Y axis.

[0065] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a main conveyor body according to the presently disclosed subject matter depicting a plurality of holder members projecting radially outward from the main conveyor body.

[0066] FIG. 8 is an edge view of a main conveyor body according to the presently disclosed subject matter depicting a plurality of holder members projecting radially outward from the main conveyor body about a conveyor axis of rotation extending along the Z axis.

[0067] FIG. 9 is a first top plan view of a main conveyor body according to the presently disclosed subject matter depicting a plurality of holder members projecting radially outward from the main conveyor body about a conveyor axis of rotation extending along the Z axis extending into and out of the page.

[0068] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a main conveyor body according to the presently disclosed subject matter depicting a plurality of holder members projecting radially outward from the main conveyor body about a conveyor axis of rotation extending along the Z axis extending into and out of the page.

[0069] FIG. 11 is an enlarged first top perspective view of a holder member of the plurality of holder members projecting outwardly from a main conveyor body to show a first or outer holder end of the holder member with a first holder support element formed at the first holder end.

[0070] FIG. 12 is an enlarged second top perspective view of a holder member to show a second or inner holder end of the holder member with a second holder support element formed at the second holder end.

[0071] FIG. 13 is an enlarged top plan view of a holder member to show a central holder axis through which central holder axis extends along a medial holder plane and a frontal holder plane. [0072] FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a holder member as sectioned along the frontal holder plane to show sloped upper surfacing of the first and second holder support elements at the first and second holder ends relative to the main body plane of the main conveyor body. [0073] FIG. 15A is a first enlarged top plan view of a holder member juxtaposed adjacent a fluid transfer connector incorrectly aligned relative to the holder member and depicting a restricted pathway into the holder member.

[0074] FIG. 15B is a first enlarged top plan view of a holder member juxtaposed adjacent a fluid transfer connector correctly aligned relative to the holder member and depicting an open pathway into the holder member.

[0075] FIG. 16 is an enlarged top plan view of a holder member receiving and holding a fluid transfer connector as properly aligned relative to the holder member.

[0076] FIG. 17 is an enlarged top perspective view of a holder member receiving and holding a fragmentary fluid transfer connector as properly aligned relative to the holder member.

[0077] FIG. 18 is an enlarged elevational side view of a holder member receiving and holding a fragmentary fluid transfer connector as properly aligned relative to the holder member.

[0078] FIG. 19 is a first elevational side view of a holder member receiving and holding a fluid transfer connector diagrammatically depicting an external machine participant holding a lower end neck portion of the fluid transfer connector in a first dimension for preventing displacement of the fluid transfer connector in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension.

[0079] FIG. 20 is an elevational side view of a fluid transfer assembly and a manipulator apparatus being directed toward the fluid transfer assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0080] FIG. 21 is an elevational side view of a holder member of a main conveyor body holding a fluid transfer assembly and a manipulator apparatus holding a lower end neck portion of the fluid transfer connector of the fluid transfer assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0081] FIG. 22A is a first top perspective view of a holder member of a main conveyor body holding a fluid transfer assembly and a manipulator apparatus holding a lower end neck portion of the fluid transfer connector of the fluid transfer.

[0082] FIG. 22B is a second top perspective view of a holder member of a main conveyor body holding a fluid transfer assembly and a manipulator apparatus holding a lower end neck portion of the fluid transfer connector of the fluid transfer. [0083] FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a manipulator apparatus showing a gripper mechanism for engaging and gripping a fluid transfer connector according to the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0084] FIG. 24 is a first enlarged fragmentary top perspective view of a manipulator apparatus with a gripper mechanism engaging and gripping a fluid transfer connector held by a holder member of a main conveyor body at an open access port of a barrier unit according to the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0085] FIG. 25 is an elevational side view of a manipulator apparatus with a gripper mechanism gripping a fluid transfer connector of a fluid transfer assembly preventing displacement of the fluid transfer assembly along the Z axis during downward axial displacement of the main conveyor body along the Z axis parallel to a conveyor axis of rotation.

[0086] FIG. 26 is an elevational side view of a manipulator apparatus with a gripper mechanism gripping a fluid transfer connector of a fluid transfer assembly and being directed away from a main conveyor body after the main conveyor body is displaced downwardly along the Z axis in parallel relation to the conveyor axis of rotation.

[0087] FIG. 27 is a second top plan view of a main conveyor body of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter depicting a plurality of holder members projecting radially outward from the main conveyor body.

[0088] FIG. 28 is a top plan view of a barrier unit of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter depicting a first access portion and a second access port at an outer peripheral portion of the barrier unit.

[0089] FIG. 29 is a top plan view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in a first configuration for aligning a first access port of the barrier unit at a first holder member of the main conveyor body such that an outer peripheral portion of the barrier unit covers a second adjacent holder member of the main conveyor body.

[0090] FIG. 30 is a top plan view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in a second configuration for aligning a second access port of the barrier unit at a second holder member of the main conveyor body such that an outer peripheral portion of the barrier unit covers a first adjacent holder member of the main conveyor body. [0091] FIG. 31 is a top plan view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter showing a main conveyor body holding a fluid transfer assembly at a first access port of the barrier unit.

[0092] FIG. 32 is a top plan view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter showing a main conveyor body holding a fluid transfer assembly adjacent a first access port such that an outer peripheral portion of the barrier unit covers a portion of the fluid transfer assembly.

[0093] FIG. 33 is an enlarged top plan view of a first access port of the carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter showing a holder member of a main conveyor body holding a fluid transfer assembly at the first access port of the barrier unit.

[0094] FIG. 34 is an enlarged top plan view of a first access port of the carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter showing a main conveyor body holding a fluid transfer assembly adjacent a first access port such that an outer peripheral portion of the barrier unit covers a portion of the fluid transfer assembly.

[0095] FIG. 35A is an enlarged top plan view of a first access port of the carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter showing a holder member of a main conveyor body aligned at the first access port of the barrier unit.

[0096] FIG. 35B is an enlarged top plan view of a first access port of the carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter showing a main conveyor body displaced relative to a barrier unit such that an outer peripheral portion of the barrier unit covers a portion of the connector-receiving area of a holder member of the main conveyor body.

[0097] FIG. 36 is an enlarged top plan view of a first access port of a barrier unit according to the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0098] FIG. 37 is an enlarged top plan view of a second access port of a barrier unit according to the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0099] FIG. 38A is an enlarged top plan view of a second access port of the carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter showing a main conveyor body displaced relative to a barrier unit such that an outer peripheral portion of the barrier unit covers a portion of the connector-receiving area of a holder member of the main conveyor body. [00100] FIG. 38B is an enlarged top plan view of a second access port of the carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter showing a holder member of a main conveyor body aligned at the second access port of the barrier unit.

[00101] FIG. 39A is a fragmentary top view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in a first configuration for aligning the first access port of the barrier unit at a first holder member of a main conveyor body such that a second access port of the barrier unit is misaligned relative to a second holder member of the main conveyor body.

[00102] FIG. 39B is a fragmentary top view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in a second configuration for aligning the second access port of the barrier unit at a second holder member of a main conveyor body such that a first access port of the barrier unit is misaligned relative to a first holder member of the main conveyor body.

[00103] FIG. 40 is a top perspective view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in a first configuration for aligning the first access port of the barrier unit at a first holder member of a main conveyor body such that a second access port of the barrier unit is misaligned relative to a second holder member of the main conveyor body.

[00104] FIG. 41 is an enlarged fragmentary top perspective view of a portion of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in the first configuration for aligning the first access port of the barrier unit at a first holder member of a main conveyor body such that a second access port of the barrier unit is misaligned relative to a second holder member of the main conveyor body.

[00105] FIG. 42 is a second elevational side view of a holder member aligned at a first access portion of a barrier unit receiving and holding a fluid transfer connector diagrammatically depicting an external machine participant holding a lower end neck portion of the fluid transfer connector in a first dimension for preventing displacement of the fluid transfer connector in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension.

[00106] FIG. 43 is a second enlarged fragmentary top perspective view of a manipulator apparatus with a gripper mechanism engaging and gripping a fluid transfer connector held by holder member of a main conveyor body at a first access port of a barrier unit according to the presently disclosed subject matter.

[00107] FIG. 44 is a top perspective view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter wherein a holder member of the main conveyor body is holding a fluid transfer assembly in the first configuration such that the holder member is aligned at the first access portion of the barrier unit.

[00108] FIG. 45 is an elevational side view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter wherein a holder member of the main conveyor body is holding a fluid transfer assembly in the first configuration such that the holder member is aligned at the first access portion of the barrier unit.

[00109] FIG. 46 is a top perspective view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter wherein the carousel assembly is being axially displaced downwardly while a fluid transfer connector of a fluid transfer assembly is held by a manipulator apparatus so as to lift a fluid transfer connector of a fluid transfer assembly from a seated engagement with a holder member of the main conveyor body aligned at the first access portion of the barrier unit.

[00110] FIG. 47 is a side edge view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter wherein the carousel assembly is being axially displaced downwardly while a fluid transfer connector of a fluid transfer assembly is held by a manipulator apparatus so as to lift a fluid transfer connector of a fluid transfer assembly from a seated engagement with a holder member of the main conveyor body aligned at the first access portion of the barrier unit.

[00111] FIG. 48 is an enlarged top plan view of a first access port of the barrier unit aligned with a holder member of a main conveyor body while a fluid transfer connector of a fluid transfer assembly is held by a fragmentary manipulator apparatus.

[00112] FIG. 49 is a side edge view of a carousel assembly juxtaposed adjacent an upper fragmentary portion of a manipulator apparatus holding a fluid transfer connector of a fragmentary fluid transfer assembly conveying the fluid transfer connector and fragmentary fluid transfer assembly away from the carousel assembly.

[00113] FIG. 50A is an enlarged top plan view of a fluid transfer connector aligned in a first direction opposite a diagrammatic projection direction of a holder member.

[00114] FIG. 50B is an enlarged top plan view of a fluid transfer connector aligned in a first direction in the same direction as a diagrammatic projection direction of a holder member.

[00115] FIG. 51 A is a second enlarged top plan view of a holder member juxtaposed adjacent a fluid transfer connector incorrectly aligned relative to the holder member and diagrammatically depicting a restricted pathway into the holder member. [00116] FIG. 51B is a second enlarged top plan view of a holder member juxtaposed adjacent a fluid transfer connector correctly aligned relative to the holder member and diagrammatically depicting an open pathway into the holder member.

[00117] FIG. 52 is an enlarged top plan view of a holder member receiving and holding a fluid transfer connector as properly aligned relative to the holder member such that the fluid transfer connector is properly aligned along the projection direction of the holder member.

[00118] FIG. 53 is an elevational side view of a carousel tower apparatus with a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in a first axial configuration.

[00119] FIG. 54 is an elevational side view of a carousel tower apparatus with a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in a second axial configuration.

[00120] FIG. 55 is an elevational side view of a carousel tower apparatus with a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in a second axial configuration wherein the carousel assembly is holding a first fluid transfer assembly axially displaced downwardly relative to an externally held second fluid transfer assembly at a first access port of the carousel assembly.

[00121] FIG. 56 is an elevational side view of a carousel tower apparatus with a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in a first axial configuration wherein the carousel assembly is holding a first fluid transfer assembly at a first access port of the carousel assembly with a manipulator apparatus being directed toward the fluid transfer assembly.

[00122] FIG. 57 is an elevational side view of a carousel tower apparatus with a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in a first axial configuration wherein the carousel assembly is holding a first fluid transfer assembly at a first access port of the carousel assembly with a manipulator apparatus gripping a fluid transfer connector of the fluid transfer assembly.

[00123] FIG. 58 is an elevational side view of a carousel tower apparatus with a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown being directed into the second axial configuration wherein the carousel assembly is holding a first fluid transfer assembly axially displaced downwardly relative to a second fluid transfer assembly gripped and held by a manipulator apparatus at a first access port of the carousel assembly.

[00124] FIG. 59 is an elevational side view of a carousel tower apparatus with a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in the second axial configuration with a manipulator apparatus conveying a gripped and held fluid transfer assembly away from the carousel tower apparatus and carousel assembly.

[00125] FIG. 60 is an elevational side view of a carousel tower apparatus with a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter shown in the first axial configuration holding a first fluid transfer assembly at the carousel assembly with a manipulator apparatus positioned away therefrom holding a second fluid transfer assembly relative to diagrammatically depicted peripheral stations of a pharmaceutical preparation system.

[00126] FIG. 61 is a top plan view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter holding a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies such that a first fluid transfer assembly is aligned at the first access portion of the carousel assembly with a manipulator apparatus being directed toward the first fluid transfer assembly.

[00127] FIG. 62 is a top perspective view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter holding a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies such that a first fluid transfer assembly is aligned at the first access portion of the carousel assembly with a manipulator apparatus being directed toward the first fluid transfer assembly.

[00128] FIG. 63 is an elevational side view of a carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter holding a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies such that a first fluid transfer assembly is aligned at the first access portion of the carousel assembly with a manipulator apparatus being directed toward the first fluid transfer assembly.

[00129] FIG. 64 is an elevational side view of a carousel tower apparatus and carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter holding a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies such that a first fluid transfer assembly is aligned at the first access portion of the carousel assembly with a manipulator apparatus gripping the first fluid transfer assembly with the carousel tower apparatus shown in the first axial configuration.

[00130] FIG. 65 is an elevational side view of a carousel tower apparatus and carousel assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter holding a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies such that a first fluid transfer assembly, aligned at the first access portion of the carousel assembly, is lifted relative to a holder member as the carousel tower apparatus is directed into the second axial configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[00131] The presently disclosed subject matter contemplates a conveyer for a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies 10 in a system for a pharmaceutical preparation. A pharmaceutical preparation system is diagrammatically depicted and referenced at 200 in FIG. 60 and comprises at least one, but typically a plurality of peripheral stations to help support pharmaceutical preparation processing. In a conceptual aspect according to the presently disclosed subject matter the conveyor allows suspended conveyance of one or more fluid transfer assemblies 10 along at least one conveyance pathway such that at least one or each fluid transfer assembly 10 freely hangs or is suspended from a holder element 12 of a main conveyor body 11 during movement of the fluid transfer assembly 10 along the conveyance pathway. In some embodiments, the freely hanging or suspension of the fluid transfer assembly 10 from a holder element 12 or any other elements of the conveyor, includes the fluid transfer assembly 10 being free from physical contact at one or more of its fluid transfer unit 13 which includes at least flange 47 and a barrel 17 and at least being unsupported at one or more of its flange 47, barrel 17 or any other component of the fluid transfer unit 13. In some embodiments, the freely hanging or suspension of the fluid transfer assembly 10 from the holder element 12 or any other elements of the conveyor, includes the fluid transfer assembly 10 being held at a single holding portion defined as a portion on the fluid transfer assembly 10 which is held by the holding members 12, as opposed to non-suspended holding of the fluid transfer assembly 10 in which it is held at two or more holding portions.

[00132] The main conveyor body 11 is distanced from an underlying surface, such as a table 201 by a length as in 202 including at least a length extending along the carousel tower apparatus 77 , as seen in FIG. 60. In some embodiments, the length 202 is the same or greater than a length 204 of the fluid transfer assembly 10 extending along central assembly axis 100, so as to accommodate the suspension of the fluid transfer assembly 10 from the main body 11, whereupon the fluid transfer assembly 10 is in a non-extended state, such as during injection, in which the plunger 16 is inserted in the barrel 17 or in an extended state, such as during withdrawal, in which the plunger 16 is extend out of the barrel 17, as shown in FIG 21 . In some embodiments, the main body 11 is positioned at an upper end portion 210 of the conveyer, thereby allowing the fluid transfer assembly 10 to suspend from the main body 11 and hang at least partially along the length 204 [00133] In some embodiments, the conveyance pathway is circular about a conveyor axis of rotation 115 in a horizontal dimension along X and Y axes.

[00134] A single fluid transfer assembly 10 of a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies 10 according to the presently disclosed subject matter is generally depicted and referenced in FIGS. 1 A and IB. The fluid transfer assembly according to the presently disclosed subject matter comprises a fluid transfer unit 13 and a fluid transfer connector 14 connectable to the fluid transfer unit 13. The fluid transfer connector 14 comprises at least one connector support element 15 formed on an outer connector wall 23 thereof, and in some embodiments, the fluid transfer connector 14 comprises opposed connector support elements 15 formed at opposite sides of the outer connector wall 23. The fluid transfer unit 13 may be characterized by a syringe in some but not all embodiments. A syringe is basically a reciprocating pump comprising a plunger 16 and a cylindrical tube or barrel 17. The plunger 16 fits tightly within the barrel 17 and can be linearly pulled and pushed along a central unit axis 101 of the fluid transfer unit 13 within the barrel 17, allowing the barrel 17 to take in and expel liquid or fluid through a discharge orifice at an orifice end 18 of the barrel 17. It is appreciated that the connector support elements 15 may be formed at any suitable location on the fluid transfer connector 14 and may integrally formed or formed separately therefrom.

[00135] I 'he orifice end 18 of the barrel 17 may be typically outfitted with a hypodermic needle as at 19 or alternatively a nozzle or tubing to direct the flow into and out of the barrel 17. According to the presently disclosed subject matter, the fluid transfer unit 13, as exemplified by syringe, is connected to the fluid transfer connector 14 at the orifice end 18 of the barrel 17, which in some embodiments is characterized as an upper end 18 of the fluid transfer unit 13. At least one or each fluid transfer connector 14 comprises a connector body 20 having a first connector end 21 and a second connector end 22. In some embodiments, the first connector end 21 is an upper connector end 21 and the second connector 22 end is a lower connector end 22. The upper end 18 of the fluid transfer unit 13 is connected the lower connector end 22 of the fluid transfer connector 14 in some embodiments as comparatively depicted in FIGS. 1A, IB, and 2. It is noted that the fluid transfer assembly 10 may comprise any suitable fluid transfer conduit, one example thereof being a needle. The needle may be disposed within the barrel 17, as shown in FIGS. 1A, IB , or may be disposed within the fluid transfer connector 14 or may be disposed both within the barrel 17 and the fluid transfer connector 14. [00136] In some embodiments, the fluid transfer connector 14 plays a central role in the conveyor according to a conceptual aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter as it serves as an interface between the fluid transfer unit 13 and the holder member(s) 12 projecting from the main conveyor body 11. The fluid transfer connector 14 according to the presently disclosed subject matter is generally depicted and referenced at least in FIGS. 3 A through 6. The fluid transfer connector 14 comprises a central connector axis 102, which central connector axis 102 becomes coaxial with the central unit axis 101 of the fluid transfer unit 13 when connected to the upper end 18 of the fluid transfer unit 13 via the lower connector end 22 thereof. The coaxial alignment of axes 101 and 102 together provide a central assembly axis 100 of the fluid transfer assembly 10 as generally and comparatively depicted in FIGS. 1 A, IB, and 2. As stated above, the fluid transfer connector 14 comprises at least one connector support element 15, and in some embodiments, comprises opposed connector support elements 15 formed on or at the outer connector wall 23 of the connector body 20 at the upper connector end 21 in some embodiments. The connector support elements 15 are configured to cooperatively engage and be supported by internal structure of the holder members 12 of the main conveyor body 11 in some embodiments.

[00137] The main conveyor body 11 extends in a main body plane 103 as generally depicted and referenced in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body 11 comprises a plurality of holder members 12 extending or projecting from the main conveyor body 11 via a plurality of arm elements 24. In other words, at least one of a first holder end 27 and a second holder end 28 of the respective holder member 12 is connected to an arm element 24 projecting from the main conveyor body 11. As illustrated the second connector end 28 of the holder member is integrally or non- integrally formed with an arm element 24 radially projecting from a central hub 86 of the main conveyor body.

[00138] In some embodiments, the main conveyor body 11 is circular in form and rotatable in at least one rotational direction as at arrow 145 about a conveyor axis of rotation 115. As illustrated, the main conveyor body 11 is rotatable at least clockwise about the conveyor axis of rotation 115 so as to direct the holder members 12 in a direction opposite the open mouths 30 thereof as at arrow 138 in FIGS. 9 and 48. In some embodiments, this directional movement is of particular importance to allow for insertion and removal of fluid transfer assemblies 10 from the holder members 12 in a direction 135, shown in FIG. 38B, toward a support body 29 of the holder members 12 via the open mouths 30 by human operators or technicians positioned aside the conveyor. A plurality of holder members 12 radiate outwardly from the main conveyor body 11 via the arm elements 24 and may be conveyed in a circular, horizontal path about the conveyor axis of rotation 115 in some embodiments as the conveyer may comprise a rotational conveyer, such as a carousel, and/or in a non-limiting example, a belt conveyer, a chute conveyer , a roller conveyer, a vertical conveyer, and the like.

[00139] At least one holder member 12 of the plurality of holder members 12 is configured to support at least one fluid transfer assembly 10 by suspending the fluid transfer assembly 10 therefrom. At least one or each holder member 12 comprises at least one holder support element 25. In some embodiments, at least one or each of the holder member 12 comprises opposed holder support elements 25. The holder support elements 25 support the connector support elements 15 integrally or non- integrally formed at the outer connector wall 23. Arrows 121 diagrammatically depict this support function in FIG. 20, in which arrows 121 are directed upwardly in a direction opposite the downwardly directed weight of the fluid transfer assembly 10 as diagrammatically depicted and referenced at arrow 122 in FIG. 20.

[00140] In this regard, the holder members 12 comprise at least one holder support element 25 formed on an inner wall 26 thereof, and in some embodiments comprise opposed holder support elements 25 formed at the inner wall 26 corresponding to the opposed connector support elements 15. The holder support elements 25 are configured to seat and support as at arrows 121 the connector support elements 15 for supporting the fluid transfer assembly 10 at the fluid transfer connector 14. The plurality of circumferentially spaced radiating arm elements 24 radially space the plurality of holder members 12 relative to the conveyor axis of rotation 115 and may operate to support a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies 10 such that the central assembly axes 100 extend in parallel relation to the conveyor axis of rotation 115 in some embodiments.

[00141] In some embodiments, at least one or each of the holder members 12 comprise the first holder end 27, the second holder end 28 opposite the first holder end 27, and the support body 29 extending intermediate the first and second holder ends 27 and 28 thereby defining the open mouth 30 opposite the support body 29. A connector-receiving area 60 extending in the first and second dimensions or X and Y axes is defined internally at the holder member 12 by the first and second ends 27 and 28 and support body 29 as depicted and referenced in FIG. 13. In some embodiments, an upper portion of the support body 29 may comprise a depression 51 for allowing an external camera or other sensing mechanism to image/sense that location to mark or surveille upper connector end 21 of the fluid transfer connector 14 as held by the holder member 12 to ensure proper support of the fluid transfer connector 14 by the holder member 12. In some embodiments, the upper portion of the support body 29 may be formed without depression 51.

[00142] In some embodiments, the holder support elements 25 are formed at the first and second holder ends 27 and 28 of the holder member(s) 12. At least one or each holder support element 25 comprises a sloped upper surface as at 31 , which sloped upper surfaces 31 are obliquely angled relative to the main body plane 103 as at angle(s) 116 corresponding to sloped lower surfaces 32 of the connector support elements 15. In this regard, the reader is directed to FIGS. 4 and 14. Comparatively referencing FIGS. 4 and 14, the reader will there see corresponding sloped upper surfaces 31 of the holder support elements 25 and the sloped lower surfaces 32 of the connector support elements 15 provide angled support interfaces intermediate or between the holder members 12 and the fluid transfer connectors 14 in some embodiments. The holder support element 25 is thus structured to support the fluid transfer assembly 10 within the conveyer for resisting gravitational forces induced by the weight of the fluid transfer assembly , such as by the sloped upper surface 31 of the holder support element 25 supporting the corresponding sloped lower surfaces 32 of the connector support elements 15. It is envisioned that the holder elements 12 may support the fluid transfer assemblies 10 within the conveyer by any suitable means, such as by other mechanical features, e.g. protrusions and/or recesses configured to support the fluid transfer connector 14.

[00143] In some embodiments, the holder support elements 25 are monolithically or integrally or non-integrally formed with the holder member 12 and the connector support elements 15 are monolithically or integrally or non-integrally formed with the fluid transfer connectors 14. The connector support elements 15 and holder support elements 25 thereby provide passive, stationary support structures for the fluid transfer connectors 14. In other word, there are no or few moving parts of the holder support elements 25 and connector support elements 15, such as spring elements or electrically driven devices.

[00144] The relatively simple monolithic or non-monolithic structure of the holder support elements 25 and connector support elements 15 is made easy to clean and to handle, allowing maintaining the elements free or with lesser contamination.

[00145] In some embodiments, the holder members 25 are configured to hold the fluid transfer assemblies 10 at or in proximity to upper connector ends 21 of the fluid transfer connectors 14. In this regard the holder support elements 25 are formed at upper portions of the holder members 12, in some embodiments, such that upper connector portions 34 of the connector support elements 15 are held flush with upper holder portions 35 of the holder members 12 at the first and second holder ends 27 and 28 when the fluid transfer connectors 14 are held by the holder members 12, as seen in FIGS. 17 and 18.

[00146] At least one or each of the holder members 12 have a central holder axis 104 orthogonal to the main body plane 103 through which central holder axis 104 extends along a medial holder plane 105 and a frontal holder plane 106 orthogonal to one another and the main body plane 103, as shown in FIG. 13. Similarly, at least one or each of the fluid transfer connectors 14 have a central connector axis 102 through which central connector axis 102 extends along a medial connector plane 107 and a frontal connector plane 108 as shown in FIG. 6 and orthogonal to one another and the main body plane 103. When the holder members 12 hold the fluid transfer assemblies 10, the central holder and assembly axes 104 and 100 are coaxial, as shown in FIG. 32, it being recalled that when a fluid transfer connector 14 is connected to a fluid transfer assembly 13, the central unit axis 101, shown in FIG. 2 and the central connector axis 102 are coaxial to form the central assembly axis 100.

[00147] In some embodiments, the sloped upper surfaces 31 of the holder support elements 25 are configured to be spaced from the upper holder portions 35 of the holder members 12 in the direction of the central holder axis 104 thereby sloping downwards as the upper surface 31 is more proximal to the central holder axis 104. Further, the sloped lower surfaces 32 of the connector holder elements 15 are configured to be spaced from the upper connector portions 34 of the connector support elements 15 in the direction of the central connector axis 102, thereby sloping downwards as the lower surface 32 is more proximal to the central connector axis 102, as seen in Fig. 4. The spaced relationship of the upper holder portions 35 relative to the sloped upper surfaces 31 and the spaced relationship of the upper connector portions 34 relative to the sloped lower surfaces 32 are configured so as to position the upper connector portions 34 of the connector support elements 15 in flush relation with the upper holder portions 35 of the holder members 12 at the first and second holder ends 27 and 28 when the fluid transfer connectors 14 are held by the holder members 12, in some embodiments.

[00148] In some embodiments, the main body plane 103 extends horizontally such that the fluid transfer assemblies 10 are vertically suspended or freely hung at the holder members 12. In some embodiments, the holder support elements 25 are configured to releasably support the fluid transfer connectors 14 of the fluid transfer assemblies 10 at the holder members 12. In some embodiments, the holder support elements 25 and the connector support elements 15 are configured to hold the fluid transfer assemblies 10 such that the fluid transfer units 13 are free of contact by the holder members 12, generally suspended in inferior adjacency thereto via the fluid transfer connectors 14.

[00149] In some embodiments, the fluid transfer units 13 are free of contact by the conveyer. In some embodiments the fluid transfer units 13 are entirely free of contact, thereby allowing them to suspend with no contact with any auxiliary element (other then their connection with the fluid transfer connector 14), Furthermore, as will be further described, in some embodiments, the fluid transfer units 13 are free of contact by the gripper mechanism 41 of the manipulator apparatus 42 when gripped thereby.

Holding the fluid transfer assembly 10 by the holder member 25 and/or gripping the fluid transfer assembly 10 by the gripper mechanism 41, away or distally from the fluid transfer unit 13 (or at least away from the barrel 17), such as by holding and/or gripping fluid transfer assembly 10 at the fluid transfer connector 14, facilitates accommodating any fluid transfer unit 13, regardless of the fluid transfer unit dimensions. Accordingly, the system 200 is facilitated to prepare a large variety of pharmaceuticals which may be contained in different types of fluid transfer units 13 dimensioned with different lengths and diameters.

Additionally, holding the fluid transfer assembly 10 by the holder member 25 and/or gripping the fluid transfer assembly 10 by the gripper mechanism 41, away or distally from the fluid transfer unit 13 (or at least away from the barrel 17), such as by holding and/or gripping fluid transfer assembly 10 at the fluid transfer connector 14, prevents obstructing any image information displayed on the fluid transfer unit 13 (e.g. on the barrel 17, plunger 16, flange 47), such as images, indicia (e.g. scale marks, numbers or text) or a volume level of a liquid in the fluid transfer unit 13. Accordingly, the unit image information can be clearly viewed and thus image processing based on the image information may be performed thereon.

[00150] In some embodiments, the vertically suspended fluid transfer assemblies 10 are conveyed by the conveyor in at least one conveyance pathway that is horizontally oriented or orthogonal to the vertically suspended fluid transfer assemblies 10. [00151] In some embodiments, at least one or each of the holder members 12 may be said to comprise a connector-receiving, end-to-end distance 109 intermediate the first and second holder ends 27 and 28. The end-to-end distance 109 may be measured from the opposed inner holder surfaces 36 of the holder member 12 located in superior adjacency to the holder support elements 25 as positioned at the first and second holder ends 27 and 28 along or in the direction of the frontal holder plane 106 as generally depicted and referenced in FIG. 13. Further, at least one or each holder member 12 defines a mouth-to-body distance 110 extending intermediate a mouth plane 111 at the open mouth 30 and the support body 29 opposite the open mouth 30 in the direction of the medial holder plane 105. In some embodiments, the end-to-end distance 109 differs than the mouth-to-body distance 110 extending intermediate the support body 29 and the open mouth 30. In some embodiments, the end-to-end distance 109 is greater than the mouth-to-body distance 110 so as to define a somewhat oblong connector-receiving space or connector-receiving area 60 thereat.

[00152] In other words, the open, connector-receiving portions of the holder members 12 have differing dimensional characteristics in first and second dimensions generally extending in the X and Y axes, in some embodiments. The first dimension extending in the direction of the frontal holder plane 106 is greater than the second dimension extending in the direction of the medial holder plane 105. In short, the holder members 12 comprise a holder length greater than a holder width in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the holder length and holder width provide a somewhat oblong configuration with a generally C-shaped transverse cross-section or a holder member 12 that is generally C-shaped in a transvers cross-section as sectioned along the X and Y axes in the first and second dimensions.

[00153] Correspondingly, in some embodiments, the fluid transfer connectors 14 comprise a relatively narrow dimension 112 and a relatively wide dimension 113 as generally depicted and referenced in FIG. 6. The relatively narrow dimension 112 and the relatively wide dimension 113 are orthogonal to the central connector and assembly axes 102 and 100 correspondingly dimensioned for receipt at the holder members 12 via the open mouths 30. In other words, the holder member 12 is configured for receipt of the fluid transfer connector 14 via the open mouth 30 and is dimensioned correspondingly to the fluid transfer connector 14, which fluid transfer connector 14 comprises a relatively narrow dimension 112 and a relatively wide dimension 113 orthogonal to the central assembly axis 100. At least one or each of the holder members 12 further comprise an inner holder surface 37 adjacent the holder support element 25 that generally extends in a plane parallel to inner holder surfaces 36 as comparatively depicted and referenced in FIGS. 13 and 14. The inner holder surface 37 is configured to matably engage an outer connector surface 38 of the fluid transfer connector 14 for enhancing securement of the fluid transfer connector 14 when supported by the holder member 12, which outer connector surface is referenced in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Namely, the inner holder surfacing 36 and/or 37 is configured to matably engage outer connector surfacing 38 of the fluid transfer connector 14 for securing said fluid transfer connector when supported by the holder member.

[00154] At least one or each of the holder members 12 further comprise a holder thickness or depth 114 extending in parallel relation to the central holder axis 104 in a third dimension along the Z axis as referenced in FIG. 14. At least a portion of the inner holder surface 37 at the holder thickness 114 is matably engageable with the at least a portion of the outer connector surface 38 for enhancing securement of the fluid transfer connector 14 when held by the holder member 12 and during conveyance thereof.

[00155] As previously described, cooperatively opposed holder support elements 25 are positioned at the first and second holder ends 27 and 28 such that the cooperatively opposed holder support elements 25 are configured to support the connector support elements 15 extending outwardly from the fluid transfer connector 14 at the upper connector end 21 towards the holder support elements 25. In this regard, at least one or each holder member 12 defines at least two elementreceiving pockets 39 defined downwardly by the holder support elements 25 such that the cooperative connector support elements 15 are receivable in the element-receiving pockets 39 and supported by the holder support elements 25. The element-receiving pockets 39 and the connector support elements 15 are respectively positioned opposite one another along the frontal connector plane 108 extending through the central holder and assembly axes 104 and 100.

[00156] While generally C-shaped in a transverse cross-section in certain embodiments, at least one or each holder member 12 is further asymmetric about the medial holder plane 105 in some embodiments. At least one or each fluid transfer connector 14 is also asymmetric about at least one of the medial connector plane 107 and the frontal connector plane 108. More particularly, the element-receiving pockets 39 defined downwardly by the holder support elements 25 are asymmetric about the medial holder plane 105 and the connector support elements 15 are asymmetric about at least one of the medial connector plane 107 and the frontal connector plane 108. The described asymmetry ensures proper directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector 14 relative to the holder member 12 in some embodiments.

[00157] In this regard, the reader is directed to FIGS. 15 A, 15B, and 16. From a comparative inspection of FIGS. 15A and 15B, the reader will there consider an improperly aligned fluid transfer connector 14 as depicted in FIG. 15A and a properly aligned fluid transfer connector 14 as depicted in FIG. 15B. It will be seen that if a fluid transfer assembly 10 or fluid transfer connector 14 is directed toward the holder member 12 while in improper alignment, the fluid transfer assembly 10 may not be properly received by or held by the holder member 12 as at symbol 143. However, when the fluid transfer assembly 10 is rotated 180 degrees as at arrow 117 from the improper alignment otherwise depicted in FIG. 15A to the proper alignment depicted in FIG. 15B, the fluid transfer assembly 10 or fluid transfer connector 14 may be properly received and held by the holder member 12 as at arrow 144.

[00158] Referencing FIG. 16, the reader will there see the fluid transfer connector properly aligned relative to the holder member 12 and held thereby. In some embodiments, the element- receiving pockets 39 may have differing pocket depths as at 155 and 156 to help further ensure proper alignment of the fluid transfer connector 14 relative to the holder member 12 as generally depicted in FIG. 14. In this regard, the inner holder surface 36 at the first holder end 27 has a greater depth than the inner holder surface 36 at the second holder end 28 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, an axial displacement as at axial distance 149 of the main conveyor body 11 corresponds to the pocket depths 155 and 156 of the connector-receiving pockets 39. In some embodiments, the element-receiving pockets 39 may have differing pocket widths as at 157 and 158 to help further ensure proper alignment of the fluid transfer connector 14 relative to the holder member 12 as generally depicted in FIG. 13. In this regard, the inner holder surface 36 at the second holder end 28 has a larger width than the inner holder surface 36 at the first holder end 27, in some embodiments. The holder member 12 is configured to be asymmetric (e.g. with differing pocket widths 157 and 158) with respect to holder plane (medial holder plane 105 and/or frontal holder plane 106 ) extending through the holder member 12 along the central holder axis of the holder member, and being alignable with the connector plane (medial connector plane 107 and/or frontal connector plane 108) for ensuring directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector relative to the holder member 12. The asymmetric configuration of the holder member 12 is formed correspondently with the asymmetric configuration of the fluid transfer connector 14. The fluid transfer connector 14 is formed asymmetrically with respect to the connector plane (medial connector plane 107 and/or frontal connector plane 108) extending through the fluid transfer connector 14 along the central connector axis 102 of the fluid transfer connector 14. In some embodiments, the asymmetric configuration of the fluid transfer connector 14 may comprise forming the connector support elements 15 with differing widths at 159 and 160 at respective first connector end 65 and second connector end 66, as generally depicted in FIG. 6.

[00159] It is noted that the asymmetric configuration of the fluid transfer connector 14 may include any differing mechanical feature formed on the fluid transfer connector 14. For example, the asymmetry of the holder members 12 with respect to the holder plane (medial holder plane 105 and/or frontal holder plane 106) is provided by any asymmetric dimension of the inner wall 26 of the holder member 15. In some embodiments, the holder member 12 comprises at least a pair of holder support elements 25 formed on the inner wall 26 at the first holder end 27 and at the second holder end 28. The pair of holder support elements 25 are formed asymmetrically with respect to the holder plane (medial holder plane 105 and/or frontal holder plane 106 ). In some embodiments, each of the holder support element 25 of the pair of holder support elements is formed with differing widths with respect to the holder plane (medial holder plane 105 and/or frontal holder plane 106), such as shown for example at widths 157 and 158 in FIG. 13. In some embodiments, the asymmetry of the holder members 25 with respect to the holder plane (medial holder plane 105 and/or frontal holder plane 106) is configured to correspond with an asymmetry of the fluid transfer connector 14 with respect to the connector plane (medial connector plane 107 and/or frontal connector plane 108), such as shown for example at widths 159 and 160 in FIG. 6.

[00160] For some applications of the fluid transfer connector 14 the directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector relative to the holder member 12 is provided to ensure a first fluid channel is positioned at a first orientation and a second fluid channel is positioned at a second orientation and alignable with a corresponding first and/or second channel of the fluid transfer unit 13 and/or other components in the system 200. For example, the first channel may comprise an air channel 161 and the second channel may comprise a liquid channel 162 as generally depicted in FIG. 6. The liquid channel 162 is maintained in the second orientation so as to be aligned with a corresponding liquid channel of the fluid transfer unit 13.

[00161] At least some portion of the fluid transfer connector 14 is configured to allow an auxiliary unit exemplified by user or external machine participants to hold the fluid transfer connector 14 for the purpose of releasing the fluid transfer connector 14 from the holder member 12. In some embodiments, a lower portion of the fluid transfer connector 14 may be held by this external machine participant. In some embodiments, the external machine participant may be characterized by a manipulator apparatus 42 as generally depicted and referenced in FIGS. 20 through 26. In some embodiments, the fluid transfer connector 14 comprises a neck portion 40 at or adjacent the lower connector end 22, which neck portion 40 is configured to be gripped and held by the manipulator apparatus 42.

[00162] In some embodiments, the holder member 12 holds the fluid transfer assembly 10 only at the upper connector end 21 or in proximity thereto while maintaining a lower connector end 22 of the fluid transfer assembly 10 externally accessible. In some embodiments, the neck portion 40 is circular in a transverse cross-section extending in the first and second dimensions or X and Y axes. The neck portion 40 is configured in any event to allow a gripper mechanism 41 of the manipulator apparatus 42 to engage, grip and hold the fluid transfer connector 14 to prevent axial displacement of the fluid transfer connector 14 and fluid transfer assembly 10 along the central connector axis 102 and central assembly axis 100 extending in the third dimension or along the Z axis.

[00163] In some embodiments, the external machine participant as characterized by a manipulator apparatus 42 is directable toward suspended fluid transfer assemblies 10 as at arrow 123, which manipulator apparatus 42 comprises a gripper mechanism 41 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the gripper mechanism 41 is positioned at an upper end 43 of the manipulator apparatus 42 such that the fluid transfer assembly 10 extends along the central assembly axis 100 in generally parallel relation to the manipulator apparatus 42 in adjacency thereto as generally depicted in FIGS. 20 and 21. In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 23 the gripper mechanism 41 comprises opposed gripper arms 49 with inner portions of which are radiused as at 50 to correspond with outer portions of the neck portion 40 for engaging and gripping the same,. The gripper arms 49 are directable as at arrows 124 to grip the neck portion 40 in some embodiments. The manipulator apparatus 42 is configured to have an overall height that exceeds the overall length or height of the barrel 17 and extended plunger 16 of the fluid transfer unit 13 to accommodate conveyance of the fluid transfer assembly 10 away from the holder member 12 once the fluid transfer assembly 10 is released therefrom.

[00164] In some embodiments, the manipulator apparatus 42 may further comprise a holder mechanism 44, such as a plunger arm, at a lower apparatus end 45 configured to engage a lower end of the fluid transfer unit 13 so as to maintain the parallel relationship of the central assembly axis 100 relative to the manipulator apparatus 42 during conveyance of the fluid transfer assembly 10 away from the holder member 12 as at arrow 120 in FIG. 26. In some embodiments, the holder mechanism 44 may be characterized by comprising a slotted portion 46 depicted in FIG. 22B, and is configured to receive a disc-shaped lower end 47, also referred to as a flange, of the fluid transfer unit 13. The slotted portion 46 is sized and shaped to receive the disc-shaped lower end 47 with an upper channel or recess 48 to receive a portion of the plunger 16. Together the gripper mechanism 41 and the holder mechanism 44 cooperate to fix the central assembly axis 100 of a manipulator- held fluid transfer assembly 10 in parallel relation to the manipulator apparatus 42 during conveyance thereof toward 123 or away 120 from the main conveyor body 11.

[00165] To release the fluid transfer assembly 10 from the holder member 12, the fluid transfer assembly 10 may be held as diagrammatically depicted at arrow(s) 118 in FIGS. 19, 42, and 55. In some embodiments, the gripper arms 49 of the gripper mechanism 41 are directable as at arrows 124 to grip and hold the neck portion 40 to prevent axial displacement thereof along the central assembly axis 100. The holder member 12 may then be directed downwardly as at arrow 119 thereby lifting the connector support elements 15 as at arrow 154 in FIG. 25, from the elementreceiving pockets 39 and disengaging the connector support elements 15 from the holder support elements 25. In some embodiments, the holder member 12 is directed downwardly a distance that exceeds the depth of the connector support elements 15 and element- receiving pockets 39 so as to remove the connector support elements 15 from the element-receiving pockets 39. In some embodiments, the holder member 12 is directed downwardly by axial displacement of the main conveyor body 11 downwardly along the main conveyor axis or conveyor axis of rotation 115.

[00166] After being directed downwardly as at arrow 119, the holder member 12 and main conveyor body 11 are directed away from the fluid transfer assembly 10 as at arrow 138 in FIG. 48 so as to prevent obstruction of the fluid transfer assembly 10 during conveyance thereof by the manipulator apparatus 42 relative to the main conveyor body 11. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body 11 is rotated about conveyor axis of rotation 115 to a certain rotational degree so as to provide an unobstructed pathway for the fluid transfer assembly 10. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body 12 rotates about the conveyor axis of rotation 115 in an indexed manner so as to provide a more reliable automated operation of the conveyor within the system 200 for pharmaceutical preparation. [00167] Stated another way, the main conveyor body 11 is axially displaceable along the conveyor axis of rotation 115 thereby directing the holder member(s) 12 downwardly as at arrow 119 in some embodiments for enabling release of the fluid transfer assemblies 10 from the holder members 12 when externally held at the neck portion 40 of the lower connector end 22 by the gripper mechanism 41 of the manipulator apparatus 42. By preventing axial displacement of the fluid transfer assembly 10 along the central assembly axis 100, and enabling axial displacement of the main conveyor body 11 along the conveyor axis of rotation 115, the connector support elements 15 may be disengaged from the holder support elements 25 and raised and removed from the element-receiving pockets 39 as at arrows 154, whereafter the main conveyor body 11 may be rotated in a direction away as at arrow 138 from a gripper-held and released fluid transfer assembly 10 for further conveyance as at arrow 120 to peripheral stations of the pharmaceutical preparation system as generally depicted and referenced at 200 in FIG. 60.

[00168] As described hereinabove, the presently disclosed subject matter contemplates a conveyor for a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies 10 in a system 200 for a pharmaceutical preparation. In a conceptual aspect according to the presently disclosed subject matter the conveyor comprises first and second conveyor units or bodies that together provide an open access position and a restricted access position for the fluid transfer assembly 10. In this regard, the conveyor according to a conceptual aspect comprises a main conveyor body 11 and a barrier unit 52 as respectively depicted in FIGS. 28 and 29. Together the main conveyor body 11 and the barrier unit 52 provide a carousel assembly 82.

[00169] In some embodiments, the barrier unit 52 is a characterized by a ring-like body comprising an outer peripheral portion 54 connected to a central hub portion 55 by a plurality of radiating spoke elements as at 56, 58, and 59 as generally depicted and referenced in FIG. 28. The outer peripheral portion 54 comprises or defines at least one access port in some embodiments, and comprises or defines at least two access ports positioned at a circumferential periphery of the barrier unit 52 in some embodiments. A first access port is generally depicted and referenced at 53 and a second access port is generally depicted and referenced at 57.

[00170] In some embodiments, the barrier unit 52 comprises fewer access ports than a number of holder members 12 projecting from the main conveyor body 11. As illustrated, there are eight holder members 12 projecting from the main conveyor body 11 and there are two access ports formed at the outer peripheral portion 54 of the barrier unit 52. The reader will note that there is a least one accessible fluid transfer assembly 10 positioned at the first access port 53 when the carousel assembly 82 is in a first state 125 as comparatively depicted and referenced in at least FIGS. 29 and 31. Further, a fluid transfer assembly 10 is made accessible via the second access port 57 when the carousel assembly 82 is in the second state 126 comparatively depicted in at least FIGS. 30 and 32. The reader will further note, however, only a single fluid transfer assembly 10 is accessible at any given state of the first and second states 125 and 126.

[00171] In some embodiments, a first port spoke 58 extends intermediate the central hub portion 55 and the first access port 53 and a second port spoke 59 extends intermediate the central hub portion 55 and the second access port 57. In some embodiments, a port spoke arc length 128 depicted in FIG. 28 extends intermediate the first and second port spokes 58 and 59 at a given radius 132 from the central hub axis 131. The port spoke arc length 128 differs from a substantially uniform support spoke arc length 129 extending intermediate the remaining spoke elements 56 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the port spoke arc length 128 is lesser in magnitude than the substantially uniform support spoke arc length 129. In some embodiments, the port spoke arc length 128 is the same magnitude as the substantially uniform support spoke arc length 129.

[00172] A plurality of holder members 12 project from the main conveyor body 11, and at least one holder member 12 of the plurality of holder members is configured to hold at least one fluid transfer assembly 10 of the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies 10. The barrier unit 52 is disposed in adjacency to the main conveyor body 11 and comprises at least a first access port 53 configured to be positionable with reference to a select holder member 12 at least in the first state or open access position as generally depicted and referenced at 125 and the second state or restricted access position as generally depicted and referenced at 126. When the barrier unit 52 is positioned in the first state 125, the first access port 53 is positioned relative to a select holder member 12 so as to allow at least one of insertion and removal of a fluid transfer assembly 10 from the select holder member 12 along a first port axis 127 extending through the first access port 53.

[00173] When the barrier unit 52 is positioned in the second state 126, the first access port 53 is positioned relative to the select holder member 12 so as to restrict at least one of insertion and removal of the fluid transfer assembly 10 from the select holder member 12 along the first port axis 127. In other words, the central holder axis 104 of the select holder member 12 is in coaxial alignment with the first port axis 127 when in the first state 125 and shifted out of coaxial alignment with the first port axis 127 when directed into the second state 126. If a fluid transfer assembly 10 is being held by the select holder member 12 then similarly, the central assembly axis 100 is in coaxial alignment with the both the central holder axis 104 and the first port axis 127 when in the first state 125 and shifted out of coaxial alignment with the first port axis 127 when directed into the second state 126 as comparatively depicted in FIGS. 35Aand 35B.

[00174] When in the second state 126, the outer peripheral portion 54 of the barrier unit 52 prevents insertion or removal of the fluid transfer assembly 10 relative to the select holder member 12. The outer peripheral portion 54 similarly prevents insertion or removal of fluid transfer assemblies 10 in the plurality of holder members 12 radiating outwardly from the main conveyor body 11 at positions away from the first and second access ports 53 and 57. In this regard, the outer peripheral portion 54 extends above at least a portion of the connector-receiving area 60 of at leasi one or each of such holder member 12. The outer peripheral portion 54 adjacent the first and second access ports 53 and 57 comprises barrier corner portions 61 that extend over the connectorreceiving areas 60 of holder members 12 positioned at the first and second access ports 53 and 57. [00175] The outer peripheral portion 54 and barrier corner portions 61 provide barriers to essentially prevent insertion or removal of fluid transfer assemblies 10 from the holder members 12 depending on the position of the main conveyor body 11 relative to the barrier unit 52. The first and second access ports 53 and 57 essentially selectively allow or prevent insertion or removal of fluid transfer assemblies 10 from the holder members 12. In other words, the outer peripheral portion 54 of the barrier unit 52 is positionable above at least one of the first and second access ports 53 and 57 when in the first state 125 and above the other of the first and second access ports 53 and 57 when in the second state 126.

[00176] In some embodiments, the first and second access ports 53 and 57 are mutually connected by at least a connecting portion 85 of the outer peripheral portion 54 configured to restrict at least one of insertion and removal of the fluid transfer assembly 10 at a select holder member 12 when in at least one of the first and second states 125 and 126. In some embodiments, as depicted in FIGS. 36 and 37, the connecting portion 85 extends between a first radiused portion 63 of the second access port 57 and a radiused portion 62 of the first access port 53 coextensive with the connecting portion 85. In some embodiments, the barrier corner portions 61 of the outer peripheral portion 54 opposite the connecting portion 85 at the first and second access ports 53 and 57 bar access to at least one of the first and second access ports 53 and 57 when in the first state 125 and bar access to the other of the first and second access ports 53 and 57 when in the second state 126. [00177] At least one of the main conveyor body 11 and the barrier unit 52 is movable with respect to the other for effecting the first and second states 125 and 126. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body 11 and the barrier unit 52 are both circular in form such that at least one of the main conveyor body 11 and the barrier unit 52 are rotatable about the conveyor axis of rotation 115 while the other of the main conveyor body 11 and barrier unit 52 remains stationary so as to reposition the main conveyor body 11 relative to the barrier unit 52 to effect either the first state 125 or the second state 126. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body 11 rotates about the conveyor axis of rotation 115 while the barrier unit 52 remains stationary so as to position the select holder member 12 relative to either the first access port 53 or the second access port 57. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body 11 remains stationary while the barrier unit 52 rotates about the conveyor axis of rotation 115. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body 11 and the barrier unit 52 rotate about the conveyor axis of rotation 115.

[00178] In some embodiments, at least one of the main conveyor body 11 and the barrier unit 52 moves relative to the other of the main conveyor body 11 and the barrier unit 52 in an indexed manner corresponding to a reposition distance for effecting the first and second states 125 and 126. In other words, in some embodiments, at least one of the main conveyor body 11 and the barrier unit 52 rotates or otherwise moves relative to the other of the main conveyor body 11 and the barrier unit 52 from one predetermined position to another in order to carry out a sequence of operations characterized by the first and second states 125 and 126 for enabling insertion or removal of a fluid transfer assembly 10 from either the first access port 53 or second access port 57.

[00179] In some applications an external machine participant characterized by the manipulator apparatus 42 with the gripper mechanism 41 may be directed toward the select holder member 12 for removing the fluid transfer assembly 10 from the select holder member 12 when positioned or aligned at the first access port 53 as positioned at the first state 125. When in the first state 125, the first access port 53 is accessible and the second access port 57 is inaccessible in some embodiments. Conversely, when in the second state 126, the first access port 53 is inaccessible and the second access port 57 is accessible in some embodiments. It will be understood that the barrier unit 52 comprises at least the second access port 57 formed in spaced relation relative to the first access port 53 configured to allow access to a first holder member 12 when positioned in either of the first or second states 125 or 126 but simultaneously prevent access to a second holder member 12 adjacent the first holder member 12 as respectively positioned in either of the first and second states 125 and 126.

[00180] The first access port 53 may be characterized as a machine access port and the second access port 57 may be characterized as a user or technician access port in some embodiments. In this regard, the system 200 for a pharmaceutical preparation may limit technician contact with pharmaceutical preparations prepared by the system 200. The first access port 53 is configured to cooperate with at least one external machine participant as exemplified by the manipulator apparatus 42, which is directable toward 123 the main conveyor body 11 and barrier unit 52 to engage and grip a fluid transfer connector 14 of a fluid transfer assembly 10. When the fluid transfer assembly 10 is directed into the first state 125, the manipulator apparatus 42 with the gripper mechanism 41 may grip 124 the fluid transfer connector 14 as described hereinabove (e.g., via the neck portion 40 and gripper arms 49) removing the fluid transfer assembly 10 from the select holder member 12 and conveying the fluid transfer assembly 10 away from the carousel assembly 82 as at arrow 120 to peripheral stations of the system 200 for pharmaceutical preparation for further processing activities.

[00181] In some embodiments, the first access port 53 is a machine access port enabling machine loading and unloading of the fluid transfer assembly 10 and the second access port 57 is a user access port enabling human loading and unloading of the fluid transfer assembly 10. In some embodiments, a user may access the second or user access port 57 from above the holder member 12 along the second port axis 130 depicted in FIGS. 28, 30 and 32. In other words, a technician may insert a fluid transfer assembly 10 or remove a fluid transfer assembly 10 from the second or user access port 57 from above the holder member 12. When the fluid transfer assembly 10 is directed to be aligned with the first or machine access port 53, an external machine participant characterized by a manipulator apparatus 42 may grip as at arrow 124, depicted in FIG. 23, and hold as at arrow 118, depicted in FIG. 19, the fluid transfer connector 14 of the fluid transfer assembly 10 from below the holder member 12.

[00182] In some embodiments, first access port 53 is dimensioned the same or differently than the second access port 57. In this regard, the first access port 53 is symmetrical about a first access port plane 133 extending through the first port axis 127 and the conveyor axis of rotation 115 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the first access port 53 comprises radiused portions 62 opposite the first access port plane 133. In some embodiments, the radiused portions 62 are concave relative to the first access port plane 133. The symmetry about the first access port plane 133 provides both visual cues and symmetric access site for the manipulator apparatus 42 with the gripper mechanism 41 to approach the first access port 53 and depart from the first access port 53 in a reliable and automated or manual manner.

[00183] In some embodiments, the second access port 57 is asymmetrical about a second access port plane 134 extending through the second access port axis 130 and the conveyor axis of rotation 115. The second access port 57 comprises the first radiused portion 63 and a linear portion 64 opposite one another about the second access port plane 134 in some embodiments such that the first radiused portion 63 is concave relative to the second access port plane 134, depicted in FIGS. 38A and 38B. In some embodiments, the linear portion 64 is positioned toward an outer side of the system 200 for pharmaceutical preparation so as to enable the user or technician to more easily access the second access port 57 and linearly direct as at arrow 135 a fluid transfer assembly 10 into the second access port 57 as depicted and referenced at arrow 135 in FIG. 38B.

[00184] In other words, the outwardly positioned linear portion 64 eases access to the second access port 57 thereby providing a relatively wider access point for the second access port 57 as compared to the first access port 53 more particularly configured for manipulator apparatus 42 interactions. In other words, the open mouth 30 is opposite the support body 29 and is configured to enable a user to access the holder member 12 in a direction 135 toward the support body 29 via the open mouth 30 for at least one of insertion or removal of a fluid transfer assembly 10 from the holder member 12. Technicians or human operators are typically positioned at a side or front of the conveyor or the system 200 and these configurations enable the technician or human operator to more readily load or unload the fluid transfer assembly 10 via the second or user access port 57. [00185] In some embodiments, the plurality of holder members 12 is equally circumferentially spaced about the main conveyor body 11. As illustrated, there are eight arm elements 24 projecting from the main conveyor body 11 at least one or each of which terminate in a holder member 12. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiments there are 45 degrees extending between at least one or each arm element 24 and thus a uniform arc length extends intermediate adjacent central holder axes 104. An angle between adjacent arm elements 24 and respective holder members 12 or a uniform angular relationship therebetween is generally depicted and referenced in FIGS. 39Aand 39B at 136. In some embodiments, an angular relationship 137 between the first access port plane 133 and the second axis port plane 134 differs than the uniform angular relationship 136 between adjacent holder members 12. An angle between the first access port plane 133 and the second access port plane 134 or the angular relationship 137 therebetween is generally depicted and referenced in FIGS. 39A and 39B.

[00186] As illustrated, the angular relationship 137 between the first access port plane 133 and the second access port plane is 35 degrees, or of lesser degree than the angular relationship 136 between adjacent holder members 12. By generally providing a differing angular relationship 137 between the first access port plane 133 and the second access port plane 134 as compared to the angular relationship 136 between adjacent holder members 12, simultaneous access to adjacent fluid transfer assemblies 10 or holder members 12 via the barrier unit 52 is prevented. The specified angular relationships here presented are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting. More simply stated, in some embodiments, the angular relationship 137 between the first access port plane 133 and the second access port plane 134 differs from the angular relationship 136 between adjacent holder members 12 for preventing simultaneous access thereto via the barrier unit 52.

[00187] It is noted that in some embodiments the barrier unit 52 and the main body 11 may be formed in a shape other than a carousal, such as in a linear conveyor or a curvilinear conveyer. The relative movement between the barrier unit 52 and the main body 11 may assume any orientation, such as a linear displacement or a combination of rotation and linear displacement.

[00188] At least some portion of the fluid transfer connector 14 is configured to allow an external machine participant to hold the fluid transfer connector 14 for the purpose of releasing the fluid transfer connector 14 from the holder member 12. In some embodiments, the release of the fluid transfer assembly 10 from a holder member 12 occurs via the first access port 53 when in the first state 125. In these embodiments, a lower portion of the fluid transfer connector 14 may be held by this external machine participant as exemplified by the manipulator apparatus 42. In some embodiments, the fluid transfer connector 14 comprises the neck portion 40 at or adjacent the lower connector end 22. The neck portion 40 is configured to allow the gripper mechanism 41 to engage and hold the fluid transfer connector 14 to prevent axial displacement of the fluid transfer connector 14 and fluid transfer assembly 10 along the central connector axis 102 and central assembly axis 100 extending in the third dimension or along the Z axis.

[00189] In some embodiments, the external machine participant may be characterized by a manipulator apparatus 42 directable toward suspended fluid transfer assemblies 10 as at arrow 123, which manipulator apparatus 42 comprises the gripper mechanism 41. To release the fluid transfer assembly 10 from the holder member 12 when in the first state 125, the fluid transfer assembly 10 may be held as at arrows 118 to prevent axial displacement thereof along the central assembly axis 100. In some embodiments, the fluid transfer assembly 10 may more particularly be pinched or gripped as at arrows 124 via the gripper mechanism 41. The holder member 12 may then be directed downwardly as at arrow 119. The holder member 12 is directed downwardly to a distance that exceeds the depth of the connector support elements 15 and element-receiving pockets 39 so as to remove the connector support elements 15 from the element-receiving pockets 39. In some embodiments, the holder member 12 is directed downwardly by axial displacement of the main conveyor body 11 downwardly along the main conveyor axis or conveyor axis of rotation 115 at which time the fluid transfer connector 14 rises as at arrows 154 depicted in FIG. 47 through an access port as exemplified by the first access port in the first state 125.

[00190] After being directed downwardly, the holder member 12 and main conveyor body 11 are directed away from the fluid transfer assembly 10 as at arrow 138 depicted in FIG. 48 so as to prevent obstruction of the fluid transfer assembly 10 during conveyance thereof by the manipulator apparatus 42 away from the main conveyor body 11, as at arrow 120. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body 11 is rotated about conveyor axis of rotation 115 a certain rotational degree so as to provide an unobstructed pathway for the fluid transfer assembly 10. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body 12 rotates about the conveyor axis of rotation 115 as at arrow 138 in an indexed manner so as to provide a more reliable automated operation of the conveyor within the system 200 for pharmaceutical preparation.

[00191] Stated another way, the main conveyor body 11 is axially displaceable along the conveyor axis of rotation 115 thereby directing the holder member(s) 12 downwardly as at arrow 119 in some embodiments for enabling release of the fluid transfer assemblies 10 from the holder members 12 via an access port as exemplified by the first access port 53 when externally held at the neck portion 40 of the lower connector end 22 by the gripper mechanism 41 of the manipulator apparatus 42. By preventing axial displacement of the fluid transfer assembly 10 along the central assembly axis 100 via the gripper mechanism 41, and enabling axial displacement of the main conveyor body 11 along the conveyor axis of rotation 115, the fluid transfer connector 14 of a fluid transfer assembly 10 may be disengaged from the holder member 12 and directed through the first access port 53, whereafter the main conveyor body 11 may be rotated in a direction away 138 from a gripper-held and released fluid transfer assembly 10 for further conveyance as at arrow 120 to peripheral stations of the pharmaceutical preparation system 200.

[00192] The presently disclosed subject matter contemplates a conveyor for a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies 10 in a system for a pharmaceutical preparation as at 200. In a conceptual aspect according to the presently disclosed subject matter the conveyor provides a plurality of holder members 12 sized and shaped or configured to provide directional positioning of the fluid transfer connector 14 relative to the holder member(s) 12. At least one fluid transfer assembly 10 of the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies 10 comprises a fluid transfer unit 13 and a fluid transfer connector 14 connected to the fluid transfer unit 13. The fluid transfer connector 14 may be symmetric or may be asymmetric with respect to a connector plane extending through the fluid transfer connector 14 along a central connector axis 102 of the fluid transfer connector 14.

[00193] In some embodiments, the connector plane may be defined by the medial connector plane 107 and in some embodiments, the connector plane may be defined by the frontal connector plane 108. In some embodiments, the fluid transfer connector 14 is asymmetric with respect to at least one of the medial and frontal connector planes 107 and 108.

[00194] Referencing FIGS. 50A through 52, the reader will there consider various views of the fluid transfer connector 14 of the fluid transfer assembly 10. The fluid transfer connector 14 comprises a first connector end 65 and a second connector end 66. In some embodiments, the first connector end 65 is configured to directionally correspond with the second holder end 28 and the second connector end 66 is configured to directionally correspond with the first holder end 27. In other words, the first connector end 65 is configured to extend in the projection direction 140 of the holder member 12 as it projects from the main conveyor body 11. In some embodiments, the holder member 12 radially projects from the circular main conveyor body 11.

[00195] Further with reference to directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector 14 relative to the holder member 12 as described with respect to FIGS. 15A through 16, comparatively referencing FIGS. 50A and 50B, the reader will there consider the first connector end 65 and the second connector end 66. The frontal connector plane 108 extends equidistant intermediate opposed side portions 67 of the second connector end 66. In contrast, the opposed side portions 68 of the first connector end 65 are spaced differently from the frontal connector plane 108. The fluid transfer connector 14 is thus asymmetric about both the medial connector plane 107 and the frontal connector plane 108. This asymmetry ensures proper directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector 14 relative to the holder member 12 as it projects in the projection direction 140 away from the main conveyor body 11 , which is some embodiments is a radial projection direction 140 away from the circular main conveyor body 11. FIG. 50A depicts the fluid transfer connector 14 directionally positioned in a direction 141 opposite the projection direction 140. FIG. 50B depicts the fluid transfer connector 14 directionally positioned in a direction 142 that corresponds to the projection direction 140.

[00196] The fluid transfer connector 14 thus further comprises a first body side 69 and a second body side 70. The first body side 69 is configured to abut the support body 29 of the holder member 12 and the second body side 70 is configured to extend outwardly from the open mouth 30 of the holder member 12 when properly directed or aligned such that the direction 142 corresponds to the projection direction 140. When the fluid transfer connector 14 is directed or aligned in the direction 141, the fluid transfer connector 14 does not mate with or cannot be held by the holder member 12 thereby ensuring proper directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector 14 and fluid transfer assembly 10 relative to the holder member 12 as it projects from the main conveyor body 11 along the frontal holder plane 106.

[00197] Comparatively referencing FIGS. 51A and 51B, the reader will there see the holder support elements 25 of the holder member 12 comprise an outer support element 71 and an inner support element 72. The outer support element 71 is formed at the first holder end 27 and the inner support element 72 is formed at the second holder end 28. The inner support element 72 is symmetric about the frontal holder plane 106 in some embodiments. It will be recalled the holder support elements 25 define lower portions of the element-receiving pockets 39. Opposed sides 73 of the element-receiving pocket 39 at the second holder end 28 are equidistant from the frontal holder plane 106 in some embodiments, and the opposed sides 74 of the element-receiving pocket 39 at the first holder end 27 are not equidistant from the frontal holder plane 106 in some embodiments.

[00198] This asymmetry helps ensure proper directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector 14 relative to the holder member 12. FIG. 51 A depicts a misaligned fluid transfer connector 14 such that the fluid transfer connector 14 is not permitted to be received and held by the holder member 12 as at symbol 143. Conversely, FIG. 5 IB depicts a properly aligned fluid transfer connector 14 such that the fluid transfer connector 14 is permitted to be received and held by the holder member 12 as at arrow 144. FIGS. 51A and FIG. 51B are comparable to FIGS. 15A and 15B such that the descriptions in connection therewith are applicable to the subject matter illustrated in FIGS. 51Aand 51B. Comparatively referencing FIGS. 15A and 51 A, the reader will see the fluid transfer connector 14 may be rotated 180 degrees about the central connector axis 102 as at arrow 117 to realign or redirect the fluid transfer connector from the direction 141 to the direction 142 that corresponds with the projection direction 140.

[00199] The conveyor according to a conceptual aspect comprises a main conveyor body 11 comprising a plurality of holder members 12 wherein at least one holder member 12 of the plurality of holder members 12 projects from the main conveyor body 11 in the projection direction 140 and configured to support a fluid transfer assembly 10 at least during conveyance thereof. The projection direction 140 extends in a direction parallel to the frontal holder plane 106 away from the arm element 24 toward the first holder end 27. The holder support element 25 at the first holder end 27 is positioned at an outer holder end 75 and the holder support element 25 at the second holder end 28 is positioned at an inner holder end 76. The first connector end 66 is received and held at the outer holder end 75 and the second connector end 65 is received and held at the inner holder end 76 when the fluid transfer connector 14 is received and held by the holder member 12 when properly aligned so that the direction 142 corresponds to the projection direction 140 as generally and comparatively depicted in FIGS. 5 IB and 52.

[00200] As described above, the holder member 12 is asymmetric with respect to a holder plane, extending through the holder member 12 along a central holder axis 104 of the holder member 12 and is alignable with the connector plane for ensuring directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector 14 relative to the holder member 12. The holder plane may be defined by frontal holder plane 106 in some embodiments and the medial holder plane 105 in some embodiments. The connector plane may be defined by the frontal connector plane 108 and the medial connector plane 107 in some embodiments. The holder plane may thus be said to be defined by at least one of the frontal and medial holder planes 106 and 105, and the connector plane may be said to be defined by at least one of the frontal and medial connector planes 108 and 107. The described asymmetry helps ensure proper alignment of the fluid transfer connector 14 relative to the holder member 12. [00201] The presently disclosed subject matter contemplates a conveyor for a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies 10 in a system 200 for a pharmaceutical preparation. In a conceptual aspect according to the presently disclosed subject matter the conveyor is movable along the Z axis in addition to conventional displacement of the conveyor through at least one of the X and Y axes. The conveyor according to a conceptual aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter comprises a main conveyor body 11 comprising a plurality of holder members 12 projecting therefrom. At least one holder member 12 of the plurality of holder members 12 is configured to support a fluid transfer assembly 10 of the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies 10 during conveyance thereof in at least a first direction parallel to the main body plane 103 of the main conveyor body 11. In some embodiments, the first direction parallel to the main body plane is a horizontal direction in at least one of the X and Y axes.

[00202] The conveyor according to a conceptual aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter further comprises a first displacement mechanism configured to displace the main conveyor body

11 in a direction parallel to the main body plane 103 and a second displacement mechanism configured to axially displace the main conveyor body 11 in a direction transversing the main body plane 103. In some embodiments, the direction parallel to the main body plane 103 may be characterized by a horizonal direction extending in or along at least one of the X and Y axes. In some embodiments, the direction traversing the main body plane 103 may be characterized by a vertical direction extending in or along the Z axis.

[00203] An external machine participant characterized by the manipulator apparatus 42 in some embodiments may comprise the gripper mechanism 41 configured to grip a portion of the fluid transfer assembly 10 as held upon or by the conveyor main body 11 as the main conveyor body 11 is axially displaced along the Z axis, which in some embodiments may be characterized by a vertical direction. As described hereinabove, the main conveyor body 11 is generally circular in form in some embodiments and is configured to rotate as at arrow 145 about a conveyor axis of rotation 115. In some embodiments, the main conveyor body 11 rotates at least in a direction 138 opposite the open mouth 30 of the holder member 12 so that the gripper mechanism 41 can hold and release the fluid transfer connector 14 and fluid transfer assembly 10 from the holder member

12 via the open mouth 30.

[00204] The first and second displacement mechanisms according to the presently disclosed subject matter are provided by a carousel tower apparatus 77 in some embodiments. The carousel tower apparatus 77 is generally depicted and referenced in FIGS. 53 through 60, 64, and 65. First displacements of the main conveyor body 11 in at least one of the X and Y axes or horizontal dimension is provided by rotational movement of the main conveyor body 11 about the conveyor axis of rotation 115 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, this rotational movement may be provided by the carousel tower apparatus 77 with internal mechanisms (not specifically illustrated) that operate to rotate as at arrow 145 the main conveyor body 11 about the conveyor axis of rotation 115.

[00205] In some embodiments, the carousel tower apparatus 77 comprises an upper tower portion 78 and a lower tower portion 79. The main conveyor body 11 is rotatable as at arrow 145 at least with respect to one of the upper tower portion 78 and the lower tower portion 79 about the conveyor axis of rotation 115 in some embodiments. The second displacements of the main conveyor body 11 in or along the Z axis or vertical direction are also provided by the carousel tower apparatus 77 in some embodiments. Referencing FIGS. 53, 56, 57 and 60 and 64, the reader will there consider the upper tower portion 78 and the lower tower portion 79 in a first axial position as at 150. A second axial position 151 of the upper tower portion 78 and lower tower portion 79 is generally depicted in FIGS. 54, 55, 58, 59 and 65.

[00206] Referencing FIGS. 53, 56, 57, 60 and 64, the reader will there see the upper tower portion 78 and lower tower portion 79 are positioned in the first axial position 150 such that a bottom portion of the main conveyor body 11 is spaced from an upper portion 81 of the lower tower portion 78 an axial distance 148 in or along the Z axis and the upper tower portion 78 is axially spaced from the lower tower portion 79 an axial distance 149 in or along the Z axis. The axial distance 149 is in some embodiments at least as great as the depth of the element-receiving pockets 39 so as to enable release of the fluid transfer connector 14 from the holder member 12. In some embodiments, the axial displacement of the axial distance 149 of the main conveyor body 11 corresponds to a connector length of the fluid transfer connector 14 for enabling release of the fluid transfer connector 14 from seated engagement with the holder member 12.

[00207] Comparatively referencing FIGS. 54, 55, 58, 59 and 65, the reader will there consider the second axial position 151 wherein the upper tower portion 78 has been axially displaced downwardly as at arrow 119 toward the lower tower portion 79 such that a lower portion 80 of the upper carousel portion 78 abuts the upper portion 81 of the lower tower portion 79 at a limiting plane 153. In some embodiments, the upper tower portion 78 and lower tower portion 79 are telescopically operable relative to one another so as to provide axial displacement of at least one of the upper and lower tower portions 78 and 79 relative to one another to effect axial displacements of the carousel assembly 82, comprising the main conveyor body 11 and the barrier unit 52, along the conveyor axis of rotation 115 in some embodiments. When in the first axial position 150, the distance 149 defines a closable gap as at 83.

[00208] It will be recalled the manipulator apparatus 42 and gripper mechanism 41 may be directed as at arrow 123 into engagement with the fluid transfer connector 14 once a select holder member 12 is properly positioned by the main conveyor body 11 at the first access port 53 in some embodiments. The gripper mechanism 41 of the manipulator apparatus 42 grips and holds the fluid transfer connector 14 of the fluid transfer assembly 10 for the purpose of preventing axial displacements thereof along the central connector axis 102 when the main conveyor body 11 and the barrier unit 52 of the carousel assembly 82 are directed downwardly as at arrow 119. In other words, the gripper mechanism 41 of the manipulator apparatus 42 prevents downward movement of the fluid transfer connector 14 of the fluid transfer assembly 10 thereby lifting as at arrow 154, depicted in FIG. 65, the fluid transfer assembly 10 from the seated engagement with the select holder member 12 as properly positioned by the main conveyor body 11.

[00209] Referencing FIG. 55, the reader will there consider the carousel assembly 82 positioned to release a target fluid transfer assembly 10’ juxtaposed adjacent a second fluid transfer assembly 10 being held by a holder member 12 in adjacency thereto. The second fluid transfer assembly 10 depicted in FIG. 55 is axially displaced downwardly relative to the target fluid transfer assembly 10’ to a distance substantially equal to the distance 149. The fluid transfer assembly 10 in FIG. 55 is positioned in inferior adjacency to the outer peripheral portion 54 of barrier unit 52, which outer peripheral portion 54 prevents the fluid transfer assembly 10 from being lifted as at arrow 154 and removed from seated engagement with the holder member 12. The target fluid transfer assembly 10’, however, is properly positioned at the first access port 53 of the barrier unit 52 thereby enabling it to be held as at arrow 118 for preventing axial displacement thereof relative to the axial displacement of the main conveyor body 11 as at arrow 119.

[00210] Referencing FIG. 56, the reader will there consider the manipulator apparatus 42 being directed as at arrow 123 toward the main conveyor body 11 of the carousel assembly 82 so that the gripper mechanism 41 may grip and hold the fluid transfer connector 14 via the gripping arms 49 to provide the holding action as at arrow 118 otherwise depicted in FIG. 55. It will be recalled that the gripper arms 49 grip and hold the neck portion 40 at the lower connector end 22 of the fluid transfer connector 14 in some embodiments. It will be further recalled that the holder mechanism 44 at a lower apparatus end 45 of the manipulator apparatus 42 is configured to receive the disc-shaped lower end 47 of the fluid transfer unit 13 in some embodiments.

[00211] Referencing FIG. 57, the reader will there consider the gripper mechanism 41 of the manipulator apparatus 42 gripping and holding the neck portion 40 of the fluid transfer connector 14 of the fluid transfer assembly 10. The manipulator apparatus 42 grips and holds the neck portion 40 of the fluid transfer connector 14 after being directed as at arrow 123 toward the main conveyor body 11 of the carousel assembly 82 as otherwise depicted in FIG. 56. The reader will recall the disc-shaped lower end 47 of the fluid transfer unit 13 of the fluid transfer assembly 10 is optionally received in the holder mechanism 44 at the lower apparatus end 45 of the manipulator apparatus 42. The holder mechanism 44 is configured to engage the disc-shaped lower end 47 of the fluid transfer unit 13 so as to maintain the parallel relationship of the central assembly axis 100 relative to the manipulator apparatus 42 during conveyance of the fluid transfer assembly 10 away from the holder member 12 as further depicted and referenced in FIG. 59 at arrow 120.

[00212] Referencing FIG. 58, the reader will there consider the main conveyor body 11 being axially displaced downwardly as at arrow 119 thereby lifting as at arrow 154 the fluid transfer connector 14 and fluid transfer assembly 10 from seated engagement relative to the holder member 12. Comparatively referencing FIG. 57 and FIG. 58, the reader will note the closable gap 83 has been eliminated at the limiting plane 153. After the fluid transfer connector 14 and fluid transfer assembly 10 are lifted as at arrow 154 and removed from seated engagement from the holder member 12, the main conveyor body 11 is rotated as at arrow 138 to remove the fluid transfer connector 14 from the holder member 12 as generally depicted in FIG. 48, thereby freeing the connector-receiving area 60 and enabling the manipulator apparatus 42 to convey the fluid transfer assembly 10 away from the carousel tower apparatus 77 and main conveyor body 11 of the carousel assembly 82 as at arrow 120 in FIG. 59.

[00213] Stated another way, once the fluid transfer connector 14 and fluid transfer assembly 10 are lifted as at arrow 154 and removed from seated engagement with the select holder member 12, the main conveyor body 11 may be rotated as at arrow 138 to shift the central connector axis 102 out of coaxial alignment with the central holder axis 104 thereby allowing the manipulator apparatus 42 to convey the fluid transfer assembly 10 as at arrow 120 to peripheral stations of the pharmaceutical preparation system as diagrammatically depicted and referenced at 200 in FIG. 60 substantially as earlier described hereinabove. After the manipulator apparatus 42 conveys the fluid transfer assembly 10 toward the peripheral stations of the pharmaceutical preparation system 200 as at arrow 120, the main conveyor body 11 may be axially displaced as at arrow 152 to a direction opposite direction 119 to axially reposition the main conveyor body 11 at the first axial position 150 for subsequent and sequential engagement by the manipulator apparatus 42 substantially as previously described.

[00214] Further referencing FIG. 60, the reader will there consider a motor mechanism 84 cooperable with the manipulator apparatus 42 to convey the manipulator apparatus 42 toward the main conveyor body 11 as at arrow 123 and away from the main conveyor body 11 as at arrow 120. The motor mechanism 84 may be considered part of the pharmaceutical preparation system 200 in some embodiments. The pharmaceutical preparation system 200 according to the presently disclosed subject matter may, in some embodiments, comprise an intravenous bag station, a movable gripper assembly station, a Z-axis station, a shaker carousel assembly station, a biosafety cabinet assembly station, a camera module assembly station, a graphical user interface station, and other peripheral trays and support systems for enabling the technician to properly prepare pharmaceutical preparations in an automated manner without or with limited human interactions therewith.

[00215] While various inventive examples have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means, materials, or structure for performing the function, obtaining the results, or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive examples described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be for example only and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive examples described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing examples are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims, equivalents thereto, and any claims supported by the present disclosure, inventive examples may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive examples of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, composition, kit, method, and step, described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, compositions, kits, methods, and steps, if such features, systems, articles, materials, compositions, kits, methods, and steps, are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

[00216] Examples disclosed herein may also be combined with one or more features, functionality, or materials, as well as complete systems, devices or methods, to yield yet other examples and inventions. Moreover, some examples, may be distinguishable from the prior art by specifically lacking one and/or another feature disclosed in the particular prior art reference(s); i.e., claims to some examples may be distinguishable from the prior art by including one or more negative limitations.

[00217] Also, as noted, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, examples may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative examples.

[00218] Any and all references to publications or other documents, including but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, webpages, books, etc., presented anywhere in the present application, are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Moreover, all definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[00219] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[00220] The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one example, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another example, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another example, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. [00221] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[00222] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one example, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another example, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another example, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[00223] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semiclosed transitional phrases, respectively.

[00224] Although various example embodiments have been described in detail herein, however, in view of the present disclosure many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from the concepts of present disclosure. Accordingly, any such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of this disclosure. Likewise, while the disclosure herein contains many specific combinations, these specific combinations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure or of any of the appended claims, but are provided as a description pertinent to one or more specific embodiments that may fall within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims. Any described features from the various embodiments disclosed may be employed in combination with other disclosed embodiments. In addition, other embodiments of the present disclosure may also be devised which he within the scopes of the disclosure and the appended claims. [00225] This disclosure provides various examples, embodiments, and features which, unless expressly stated or which would be mutually exclusive, should be understood to be combinable with other examples, embodiments, or features described herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

2. The conveyor according to claim 1 wherein said holder support element and said connector support element comprise sloped surfacing relative to the main body plane thereby providing an obliquely angled interface therebetween.

3. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the said holder support element is monolithically formed with said holder member thereby providing a passive, stationary support structure for the fluid transfer connector.

4. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said holder member has a central holder axis orthogonal to the main body plane and the fluid transfer assembly has a central assembly axis, the central holder and assembly axes being coaxial when the fluid transfer assembly is held by said holder member.

5. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the main body plane extends horizontally such that the fluid transfer assembly is vertically suspended at said holder member.

6. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said holder support element is configured to releasably support the fluid transfer assembly.

7. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said holder support element is configured to hold the fluid transfer assembly at said connector support element such that the fluid transfer unit is free of contact by any one of said holder member and said conveyer

8. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly at or in proximity to an upper connector end of a fluid conduit body of the fluid transfer connector.

9. The conveyor according to claim 8 wherein said holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly only at the upper connector end or in proximity thereto while maintaining a lower connector end of the fluid transfer assembly externally accessible.

10. The conveyor according to claim 4 and any one of claims 5 through 9 when depending from claim 4 wherein said holder member comprises a first holder end, a second holder end opposite the first holder end, and a support body extending intermediate the first and second holder ends thereby defining an open mouth opposite the support body.

11. The conveyor according to claim 10 wherein an end-to-end distance intermediate the first and second holder ends differs than a mouth-to-body distance intermediate the support body and the open mouth.

12. The conveyor according to claim 11 wherein the end-to-end distance is greater than the mouth- to-body distance.

13. The conveyor according to any one of claims 10 through 12 when dependent from claim 4 wherein said holder member is configured for receipt of the fluid transfer connector via the open mouth and is dimensioned correspondingly to the fluid transfer connector, which comprises a relatively narrow dimension and a relatively wide dimension.

14. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said holder member is C- shaped in a transverse cross-section.

15. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said holder member comprises inner holder surfacing adjacent said holder support element, the inner holder surfacing being configured to matably engage outer connector surfacing of the fluid transfer connector for securing said fluid transfer connector when supported by said holder member.

16. The conveyor according to claim 15 when depending from claim 4 wherein said holder member comprises a holder thickness extending in parallel relation to the central holder axis, at least a portion of the inner holder surfacing at the holder thickness being matably engageable with the at least a portion of the outer connector surfacing for securing the fluid transfer connector during conveyance thereof.

17. The conveyor according to claim 10 and any one of claims 11 through 16 when depending from claim 10, wherein cooperative holder support elements are positioned at the first and second holder ends, the cooperative holder support elements being configured to support cooperative connector support elements extending outwardly from the fluid transfer connector.

18. The conveyor according to claim 17 wherein said holder member defines at least two connector-receiving pockets defined downwardly by said cooperative holder support elements, the cooperative connector support elements being receivable in the connector-receiving pockets and supportable by said cooperative holder support elements.

19. The conveyor according to claim 18 wherein said connector- receiving pockets and said connector support elements are respectively positioned opposite one another along a frontal holder plane extending through the central holder and assembly axes.

20. The conveyor according to any one of claims 18 and 19 wherein said connector-receiving pockets and said connector support elements are asymmetric about the frontal holder plane.

21. The conveyor according to any one of claims 19 and 20 wherein said connector-receiving pockets and said connector support elements are asymmetric about a connector plane for ensuring directional alignment of the fluid transfer connector relative to said holder member.

22. The conveyor according to claim 10 and any one of claims 11 through 21 when depending from claim 10 wherein at least one of the first and second holder ends is connected to a conveyor arm projecting from the main conveyor body.

23. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the main conveyor body is circular and rotatable about a conveyor axis of rotation.

24. The conveyor according to claim 23 wherein the main conveyor body comprises a series of circumferentially spaced radiating conveyor arms for radially spacing the plurality of holder members relative to the conveyor axis of rotation and supporting the plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in parallel relation thereto.

25. The conveyor according to any one of claims 23 and 24 wherein the main conveyor body is axially displaceable along the conveyor axis of rotation for enabling release of the fluid transfer assembly from said holder member when externally held at a lower connector end of said fluid transfer connector.

26. The conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an upper holder portion of said holder member is flush with an upper connector portion of the connector support element when the fluid transfer connector is held by said holder member.

28. The conveyer according to claim 27 wherein at least one of the main conveyor body and barrier unit are movable with respect to the other for effecting the first and second states.

29. The conveyor according to any one of claims 27 and 28 wherein the barrier unit comprises at least a second access port in spaced relation relative to said first access port.

30. The conveyor according to claim 29 wherein the first access port is a machine access port and the second access port is a user access port.

31. The conveyor according to claim 30 wherein the first access port enables machine loading and unloading of the fluid transfer assembly and the second access port enables human loading and unloading of the fluid transfer assembly.

32. The conveyor according to any one of claims 29 through 31 wherein the first access port is dimensioned differently than the second access port.

33. The conveyor according to any one of claims 27 through 32 wherein the main conveyor body and barrier unit are circular in form, at least one of the main conveyor body and the barrier unit being rotatable about a conveyor axis of rotation, at least one access port being positioned at a circumferential periphery of the barrier unit.

34. The conveyor according to claim 33 wherein the first access port is symmetrical about a first access port plane extending through the first port axis and the conveyor axis of rotation.

35. The conveyor according to claim 34 wherein the first access port comprises radiused portions opposite the first access port plane.

36. The conveyor according to claim 35 wherein the radiused portions are concave relative to the first access port plane.

37. The conveyor according to any one of claim 29 and claims 30 through 36 when dependent from claim 29 wherein the second access port is asymmetrical about a second access port plane extending through a second port axis extending through the second access port and the conveyor axis of rotation.

38. The conveyor according to claim 37 wherein the second access port comprises a first radiused portion and a liner portion opposite the second access port plane.

39. The conveyor according to claim 38 wherein the first radiused portion is concave relative to the second access port plane.

40. The conveyor according to any one of claim 29 and claims 30 through 39 when dependent from claim 29 wherein an outer peripheral portion of the barrier unit is positionable above at least one of the first and second access ports when in the first state and above the other of the first and second access ports when in the second state.

41. The conveyor according to claim 40 wherein the first and second access ports are mutually connected by at least a connecting portion of the outer peripheral portion configured to restrict at least one of insertion and removal of the fluid transfer assembly at a select holder member when in at least one of the first and second states.

42. The conveyor according to claim 41 wherein the connecting portion comprises a first connecting portion extending between the first radiused portion of the second access port and a radiused portion of the first access port.

43. The conveyor according to claim 42 wherein barrier corner portions of the outer peripheral portion opposite the connecting portion at the first and second access ports bar access to at least one of the first and second access ports when in the first state and bar access to the other of the first and second access ports when in the second state.

44. The conveyor according to any one of claims 27 through 43 wherein the plurality of holder members is circumferentially spaced about the main conveyor body radiating outwardly therefrom.

45. The conveyor according to claim 44 wherein the plurality of holder members is equally circumferentially spaced about the main conveyor body, a uniform angular relationship extending intermediate each holder member.

46. The conveyor according to any one of claim 29 and claims 30 through 45 when dependent from claim 29 wherein said second access port is circumferentially spaced from said first access port such that a second port axis extends in parallel relation to the first port axis.

47. The conveyor according to claim 46 wherein an angular relationship between a first access port plane and a second access port plane differs from the uniform angular relationship for preventing simultaneous access to adjacent fluid transfer assemblies via the barrier unit.

48. The conveyor according to claim 47 wherein the angular relationship between the first access port plane and the second access port plane is greater than the uniform angular relationship.

49. The conveyor according to claim 33 and any one of claims 34 through 48 when depending from claim 33 wherein at least one of the main conveyor body and barrier unit are movable with respect to the other along the conveyor axis of rotation for varying a spatial distance intermediate the main conveyor body and the barrier unit.

50. The conveyor according to claim 33 and any one of claims 34 through 49 when depending from claim 33 wherein the main conveyor body is axially displaceable along the conveyor axis of rotation for enabling release of said fluid transfer assembly therefrom when externally held.

51. The conveyor according to any one of claims 27 through 50 wherein said holder member comprises a first holder end, a second holder end opposite the first holder end, and a support body extending intermediate the first and second holder ends thereby defining an open mouth opposite the support body.

52. The conveyor according to claim 51 wherein an end-to-end distance intermediate the first and second holder ends differs than a mouth-to-body distance intermediate the support body and the open mouth.

53. The conveyor according to claim 52 wherein the end-to-end distance is greater than the mouth- to-body distance.

54. The conveyor according to any one of claims 51 through 53 wherein a fluid transfer connector of said fluid transfer assembly comprises a relatively narrow dimension and a relatively wide dimension correspondingly dimensioned for receipt at said holder member via the open mouth.

55. The conveyor according to claim 54 wherein said holder member is asymmetric with respect to a medial holder plane extending through said holder member along a central holder axis thereof and being alignable with a connector plane for ensuring directional alignment of said fluid transfer connector relative to said holder member.

56. The conveyor according to any one of claims 27 through 55 wherein a user may access the user access port from above said holder member along the first port axis.

57. The conveyor according to any one of claims 27 through 56 wherein a manipulator apparatus accesses the fluid transfer connector from below said holder member.

58. The conveyor according to any one of claims 27 through 57 wherein the barrier unit comprises fewer access ports than a number of holder members projecting from the main conveyor body.

59. The conveyor according to any one of claims 27 through 58 wherein the barrier unit is positionable with respect to the main conveyor body such that only one access port is accessible in either of the first and second states.

61. The conveyor according to claim 60 wherein the asymmetry of the holder members with respect to the holder plane is provided by an asymmetric dimension of an inner wall of the holder member.

62. The conveyor according to claim 61 wherein the holder member comprises at least a pair of holder support elements formed on the inner wall, the pair of holder support elements being asymmetric with respect to the holder plane.

63. The conveyor according to claim 62 wherein each of the holder support element of the pair of holder support elements is formed with differing widths with respect to the holder plane.

64. The conveyor according to any one of claims 60 through 63 wherein the asymmetry of the holder members with respect to the holder plane is configured to correspond with an asymmetry of the fluid transfer connector with respect to the connector plane.

65. The conveyor according to any one of claims 60 through 64 wherein said holder member is configured to convey the fluid transfer assembly horizontally while the fluid transfer assembly is vertically suspended thereat.

66. The conveyor according to any one of claims 60 through 65 wherein said holder member is configured to releasably support the fluid transfer assembly.

67. The conveyor according to any one of claims 60 through 66 wherein said holder member comprises a first holder end, a second holder end opposite the first holder end, and a support body extending intermediate the first and second holder ends thereby, providing an open mouth opposite the support body for receiving and releasing the fluid transfer assembly.

68. The conveyor according to any one of claims 60 through 67 wherein the holder member is C- shaped in a transverse cross-section.

69. The conveyor according to any one of claims 60 through 68 wherein said holder member is monolithically formed thereby providing a passive, stationary support structure for the fluid transfer assembly.

7Q. The conveyor according to any one of claims 60 through 69 wherein said holder member comprises a central holder axis extending orthogonally relative to a main body plane of the main conveyor body and the fluid transfer assembly comprises a central assembly axis, the central holder and assembly axes being coaxial when the fluid transfer assembly is held by the holder member.

71. The conveyor according to any one of claims 60 through 70 wherein said holder member is statically positioned while the fluid transfer assembly is loaded or unloaded at said holder member by an auxiliary unit characterized by user or machine participants.

72. The conveyor according to claim 71 wherein said main conveyer body and said holder member indexably position the fluid transfer assembly for engagement via the auxiliary unit.

73. The conveyor according to claim 72 when dependent on claim 67 wherein said holder member is indexably movable in a direction orthogonal to the central holder axis away from the fluid transfer assembly after axial displacement of said main conveyor body to release the fluid transfer assembly from said holder member via the open mouth, the central holder and assembly axes thereby becoming parallel to one another during a release event.

74. The conveyor according to claim 73 wherein an upper connector end of the fluid transfer connector comprises a non-circular transverse cross section and a lower connector end of the fluid transfer connector comprises a circular transverse cross-section, the lower connector end being grippable by said auxiliary unit.

75. The conveyor according to any one of claims 60 through 74 wherein said holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly such that the fluid transfer unit is free of contact by said holder member.

76. The conveyor according to any one of claims 60 through 75 wherein said holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly at or in proximity to the upper connector end of the fluid transfer connector.

78. The conveyor according to claim 77 wherein said holder member is configured to convey the fluid transfer assembly horizontally while the fluid transfer assembly is vertically suspended thereat.

79. The conveyor according to any one of claims 77 and 78 wherein said holder member is configured to releasably support the fluid transfer assembly.

80. The conveyor according to any one of claims 77 through 79 wherein said holder member comprises a first holder end, a second holder end opposite the first holder end, and a support body extending intermediate the first and second holder ends thereby providing an open mouth opposite the support body for receiving and releasing the fluid transfer assembly.

81. The conveyor according to any one of claims 77 through 80 wherein the holder member is C- shaped in a transverse cross-section.

82. The conveyor according to any one of claims 77 through 81 wherein said holder member is monolithically formed to provide a passive, stationary support structure for the fluid transfer assembly.

83. The conveyor according to any one of claims 77 through 82 wherein said holder member is statically positioned while the fluid transfer assembly is loaded or unloaded at said holder member by auxiliary units characterized by user or machine participants.

84. The conveyor according to any one of claims 77 through 83 wherein said holder member comprises a central holder axis orthogonal to the main body plane and the fluid transfer assembly comprises a central assembly axis, the central holder and assembly axes being coaxial when the fluid transfer assembly is held by said holder member.

85. The conveyor according to any one of claims 77 through 84 wherein said holder member indexably positions the fluid transfer assembly for engagement by an external machine participant.

86. The conveyor according to any one of claims 77 through 85 wherein an axial displacement of the main conveyor body corresponds to a connector length of the fluid transfer connector.

87. The conveyor according to any one of claims 80 and claims 81 through 86 when depending from claim 80 wherein cooperative holder support elements are positioned at the first and second holder ends, the cooperative holder support elements being configured to support opposed portions of the fluid transfer connector.

88. The conveyor according to any one of claims 77 through 87 wherein said holder member defines at least two connector-receiving pockets respectively formed at the first and second holder ends defined downwardly by said cooperative holder support elements and having a pocket depth, said opposed portions of the fluid transfer connector being receivable in the connector-receiving pockets and supported thereby.

89. The conveyor according to claim 88 when depending from claim 84 wherein said connectorreceiving pockets and said opposed portions of the fluid transfer connector are respectively positioned opposite one another along a frontal holder plane extending through the central holder and assembly axes.

90. The conveyor according to any one of claims 88 and 89 wherein said connector-receiving pockets and said opposed portions are asymmetric about the frontal holder plane.

91. The conveyor according to any one of claims 88 through 90 wherein said connector-receiving pockets and said opposed portions are asymmetric about a connector plane for ensuring directional alignment of said fluid transfer connector relative to said holder member.

92. The conveyor according to any one of claims 88 through 91 wherein an axial displacement of the main conveyor body corresponds to the pocket depth of said connector-receiving pockets.

93. The conveyor according to claim 84 when dependent upon claim 80 wherein said holder member is indexably movable in a direction orthogonal to the central assembly axis away from the fluid transfer assembly after axial displacement of the main conveyor body to release the fluid transfer assembly from said holder member via the open mouth, the central holder and assembly axes thereby becoming parallel to one another during a release event.

94. The conveyor according to any one of claims 77 through 93 wherein said holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly such that the fluid transfer unit is free of contact by said holder member.

95. The conveyor according to any one of claims 77 through 94 wherein an upper connector end of the fluid transfer connector comprises a non-circular transverse cross section and a lower connector end of the fluid transfer connector comprises a circular transverse cross-section, the lower connector end being grippable by an external machine participant.

96. The conveyor according to claim 95 wherein said holder member holds the fluid transfer assembly at or in proximity to the upper connector end of the fluid transfer connector.

97. The conveyor according to claim 89 when dependent upon claim 80 wherein an external machine participant holds a lower connector end of the fluid transfer connector during axial displacement of the main conveyor body and indexed movement thereof in a direction orthogonal to the frontal holder plane away from the fluid transfer assembly to release the fluid transfer assembly from the holder member via the open mouth.

98. The conveyor according to any one of claims 80 and claims 81 through 97 when depending from claim 80 wherein at least one of the first and second holder ends is connected to the main conveyor body via a connector arm extending in a projection direction.

99. The conveyor according to any one of claims 77 through 98 wherein said main conveyor body is circular and rotatable about a conveyor axis of rotation along which said main conveyor body is axially displaceable.

100. The conveyor according to claim 99 wherein said main conveyor body comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced radiating conveyor arms for radially spacing the plurality of holder members relative to the conveyor axis of rotation and supporting a plurality of fluid transfer assemblies in parallel relation thereto.

101. The conveyor according to any one of claims 80 and 81 through 100 when depending from claim 80 wherein the open mouth opposite the support body is configured to enable a user to access said holder member from a direction toward the support body via the open mouth for enabling at least one of insertion into or removal of a fluid transfer assembly from the holder member.