Holder for clamping bioprocess pipe connection devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a holder 1, 1' for a clamp 13, 13' of a bioprocess pipe connection device 101. The clamp 13 clamps the pipe connection device 101 around a pipe connection connecting two pipes. The holder 1 comprises a clamp support 3 for supporting the clamp in a supported position, a connection part 5 for mounting on one of the two pipes connected by the pipe connection device 101, and a distance part 7 for connecting the clamp support 3 and the connection part 5 and for providing the clamp support 3 at a specific distance from the pipe to which the connection part is mounted. The distance is adapted so that the clamp 13 is supported by the clamp support 3 and the clamp 13 can be closed to clamp the pipe connection device directly from the supported position in the clamp support 3. Furthermore, a set of such holders, a system comprising such holders and a method for connecting two bioprocess pipes are provided.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a holder for a clamp of a bioprocess pipe connection device, a set of such holders and a system with at least one fluid port, comprising at least one such holder.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for connecting two pipes. [Background technology]

[0002] Pipe connection devices are often used when two bioprocessing pipes are to be connected. Pipe connections may be desired when assembling various bioprocessing systems, such as chromatography systems, bioreactor systems, fluid mixing systems, filtration systems (e.g., tangential flow filters (TFF)), fill and finish systems (or combinations or subcombinations thereof). Such pipe connection devices often comprise a clamp configured to encircle and clamp the pipe connection device around the connection of two pipes. One example of such a pipe connection device is a tri-clamp fitting. A tri-clamp fitting comprises two flange parts on the two pipes to be connected, a gasket between the two flange parts, and a clamp for encircling and clamping the two flanges around the gasket. The clamp is tightened around the pipe connection. These various parts need to be held in precise alignment while the clamp is installed and tightened. This can be tricky and may require two or more hands and / or other tools, clamps, clips, etc. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the connection of pipes to fluid ports of a bioprocessing system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] This object is achieved by a holder, a set of holders and a system according to the independent claims.

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a holder for a clamp of a pipe connection device, the clamp being configured to surround and clamp the pipe connection device around a pipe connection for connecting two pipes. The holder comprises: a clamp support configured to support the clamp at a supported position; - a connection part configured to be attached to a first of two pipes that are to be connected by the pipe connection device; - a separation section connecting the clamp support section and the connection section, the separation section being configured to provide the clamp support section at a specific distance from the first pipe to which the connection section is attached when the connection section is attached to the first pipe, the specific distance being a distance at which a clamp of the bioprocess pipe connection device can be supported by the clamp support section, thereby allowing the clamp to be closed to clamp the pipe connection device directly from a supported position on the clamp support section; Equipped with.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a set of holders as defined above, said set of holders comprising at least two different types of holders which are visually distinguishable.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising at least one fluid port, said system comprising at least one holder as defined above.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for connecting two pipes by using a pipe connecting device comprising a clamp and by using a holder as defined above, said method comprising the following steps: - connecting a holder to one of two pipes connected by a pipe connecting device; - supporting a clamp of a pipe connection device in a supported position in a holder; - placing the other of the two pipes to be connected in position for connection and placing the remaining part of the pipe connection device in position for connection; - closing a clamp directly around the junction of the two pipes from a supported position in the holder, thereby closing and sealing the pipe connection. Includes.

[0009] This allows the clamp to be supported by the holder while the other parts of the pipe connection device and the two pipes to be connected are in the correct position for connection. The clamp can then be closed and tightened around the pipe connection directly from the supported position. This makes pipe connection easier as the person connecting the pipes has to hold fewer parts. The holder includes a connection portion that connects to one of the pipes to be connected, which in some examples is a fluid port of the system. This makes it easier to connect directly to the pipe or fluid port of the system. The standoff portion of the holder provides the clamp support at an appropriate distance from the pipe or fluid port so that the clamp is held at an appropriate distance during connection of the pipe connection device.

[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, the pipe connection device is a tri-clamp fitting or an I-line fitting, such that in this embodiment the holder is designed and sized for the clamp used with such fittings.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the connection is configured to be connected to a fluid port of a system, and a pipe connection device will be used at this fluid port to connect a pipe to the system, whereby said first pipe becomes the fluid port, allowing one or more holders according to the invention to be easily provided at the fluid port of the system to facilitate connection of pipes and tubes to the system.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the clamp support comprises a curved support bar capable of holding a clamp, whereby the curved support bar has a width F that is slightly larger than the width G of the clamp.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, a rim is provided along one longitudinal edge which is provided to prevent a clamp positioned within the clamp support from slipping off the curved support bar.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the clamp support is provided with a drain, so that any fluid that may leak can be efficiently removed.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the connection comprises two opposing resilient arms configured to snap into one of the two pipes to be connected, allowing easy connection of the holder to one of the pipes, e.g. a fluid port of the system.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the connection comprises a locking feature that enables the holder to be locked in a fixed position when the holder is attached to one of the two pipes to be connected.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the holder is sized and configured for use with a standard tri-clamp fitting or a mini tri-clamp fitting.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the clamp support comprises at least a portion of a clamp.

[0019] In one embodiment of the system of the invention, said connection is permanently attached to said at least one fluid port of the system.

[0020] In one embodiment of the system of the invention, said system is a bioprocessing equipment or part of a bioprocessing equipment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1a] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pipe connection device suitable for use with the holder. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder as shown in FIG. 1 connected to a fluid port of a system. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view of two holders as shown in FIG 1, each connected to a fluid port of a system, where a clamp of a pipe connection device is further provided on the fluid port of the system. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of two holders as shown in FIG. 1 and a clamp of a pipe connection device provided on a fluid port of the system. [Diagram 5] 2 is a front partial cross-sectional view of a holder as shown in FIG. 1 and a clamp of a pipe connection device as provided on a fluid port of the system. [Figure 6a] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating five alternative examples of connecting parts of a holder according to various embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 6b] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating five alternative examples of connecting parts of a holder according to various embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 6c] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating five alternative examples of connecting parts of a holder according to various embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 6d]1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating five alternative examples of connecting parts of a holder according to various embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 6e] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating five alternative examples of connecting parts of a holder according to various embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 7a] 11A-11C are schematic diagrams of two different holders according to other embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 7b] 11A-11C are schematic diagrams of the other of two different holders according to other embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The present invention relates to a holder for clamping a pipe connection device. Such a clamp is configured to surround and clamp a pipe connection device around a pipe connection, i.e. around the connection of two pipes or tubes or the connection of a pipe or tube to a fluid port of a system, e.g. in a bioprocessing device. When referring to a pipe and a connection of two pipes in the present disclosure and claims, the term pipe includes both pipes and tubes. An example of a pipe connection device suitable for use with a holder according to the present invention is a pipe connection device called a Tri-Clamp Fitting (also called Tri-Clover or TC connector). Another example is an I-line fitting. Figure 1a is a perspective view of a holder 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1b shows a schematic of a pipe connection device 101, e.g. a Tri-Clamp Fitting, suitable for use with a holder 1 according to the present invention. The holder 1 according to the present invention is configured to be mounted on one of two pipes connected by the pipe connection device, which can also be a fluid port 11 of a system 10. The pipe connection device 101 typically comprises two ferrules or flanges, referred to herein as a first flange part 103a and a second flange part 103b, which are connected to one of the two respective pipes to be connected (in FIG. 1b, one of the connected pipes is a fluid port). In the example as shown in FIG. 1b, the first flange part 103a is mounted to a fluid port 11 to which a holder 1 is configured to be mounted, and the second flange part 103b is connected to a pipe that is connected to a fluid port (not shown). The pipe connection device 101 further comprises a gasket 105 and a clamp 13 for mechanically holding the connection together.In some examples, the clamp consists of two halves with conical inner surfaces which, when the two halves of the clamp are clamped against each other, urge the first 103a and second 103b flange parts towards each other and compress the gasket 105. The holder 1 according to the invention is configured to support such a clamp 13, e.g. a tri-clamp type clamp 13, before and during the connection of two pipes by using the pipe connection device 101.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder 1 as shown in FIG. 1 connected to a fluid port 11, such as an inlet or an outlet, of a system 10. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two holders 1 as shown in FIG. 1 connected to fluid ports 11 of the system 10. In FIG. 3, a clamp 13 of a pipe connection device 101 is provided on the fluid port 11 of the system 10. The system 10 can be, for example, a bioprocessing device or a part of a bioprocessing device. In FIG. 4, two fluid ports 11 of the system 10 provided with the clamp 13 and the holder 1 are shown in cross section. In FIG. 4, some specific dimensions are shown, but of course, these are shown by way of example only. These dimensions can be changed within the scope of the invention, and also different sizes of tri-clamp fittings can be used. However, these dimensions shown by way of example in FIG. 4 are shown in relation to a standard size tri-clamp fitting, also called TC or Tri Clover.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional front view of a holder 1 as shown in FIG. 1 and a clamp 13 of a pipe connection device 101 as provided on the fluid port 11 of the system.

[0025] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to all these figures. The holder 1 as shown in figures 1 to 5 is only one embodiment of a holder according to the invention. There are many details which can be modified within the scope of the invention, and these details will be explained in more detail hereinafter, for example with reference to figures 6a to 6e.

[0026] The holder 1 comprises a clamp support 3 configured to support and hold the clamp in the supported position. In some embodiments of the invention, such as in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-5 and 7a, a clamp 13 may be provided in and held by the clamp support 3 before the pipes are connected. In another embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 7b, the clamp support 3' of the holder 1' may alternatively comprise a clamp 13', whereby the clamp 13' may be integrally formed in the clamp support 3'. The holder 1, 1' further comprises a coupling part 5, which is configured to be mounted on a first pipe of two pipes to be connected by the pipe connection device 101. In the embodiment as shown in Figs. 1-5, the first pipe is a fluid port 11, whereby the coupling part 5 is configured to be mounted on the fluid port 11 of the system 10. To connect the pipes to the system 10, the pipe connection device 101 will be used. The holder 1 further comprises a separation part connecting said clamp support 3 and said coupling part 5. The separation portion 7 is configured such that, when the coupling portion 5 is mounted to a first pipe, the clamp support 3 is provided at a specific distance from the first pipe to which the coupling portion 5 is mounted, i.e., from the fluid port 11 in Figures 2 to 5. The specific distance is such that the clamp 13 of the pipe connection device 101 can be provided in the clamp support 3 (if the clamp is separate and not integrally formed in the holder as shown in Figure 7b) and is held by the clamp support 3 in the vicinity of the pipe / fluid port 11, such that the clamp 13 can be closed to clamp the pipe connection device 101 directly from its supported position in the clamp support 3.

[0027] The use of the holder 1 according to the invention for connecting a pipe or tube to a fluid port 11 of a system 10 will now be described. However, the situation of use can also be the case of connecting two pipes or two tubes as described above. This fluid port 11 is provided with a first flange part 103a which is part of a pipe connection device 101. A holder 1 according to the invention is connected to the fluid port 11. The distance between the outer periphery 104 of the first flange part 103a and the clamp support 3 of the holder 1 must be large enough to allow the clamp 13 of the pipe connection device 101 to be inserted into position in the holder 1, and small enough to prevent accidental slipping out of the clamp 13 and to allow the clamp 13 to be closed around the pipe connection directly from its held position in the holder 1, i.e. without lifting it out of the holder. This distance between the outer periphery 104 of the first flange part 103a and the clamp support 3 can be for example in the range of 5 to 15 mm. Suitably, the clamp support 3 comprises a curved support bar 3a bent to partially surround the fluid port 11 to which the holder 1 is attached, such that the distance between the outer periphery 104 of the first flange part 103a and the curved support bar 3a is substantially the same at any position on the curved support bar 3a, suitably in the range of 5-15 mm. Alternatively, if a distance range is given for the distance between the centre of the fluid port 11 and the support 3, this can for example be in the range 1.2*R-2.5*R, where R is the radius of the first flange part 103a.

[0028] Suitably, the clamp 13 needs to be twisted in order to be inserted into the holder 1 so that its inner wall 13a (see FIG. 3) is located behind the first flange part 103a of the pipe connection device 101. Behind in this case means closer to the system 10, i.e. between the first flange part 103a and the system 10. This allows the clamp 13 to be screwed into position and it cannot be removed from this position without unscrewing the clamp 13. In this way, it is not possible for the clamp 13 to fall out accidentally.

[0029] In Fig. 4 the thickness B of the clamp 13 is shown. The measurement of 9 mm is by way of example only and can vary from clamp 13 to clamp. Another distance shown is the distance H between the inner surface of the curved support bar 3a of the support part 3 of the holder 1 and the clamp 13 when the clamp is closed around the pipe connection. This distance is shown here measured as being 9.4 mm, but this is by way of example only. Suitably this distance can substantially correspond to the thickness B of the clamp 13, for example BH = ± 2 mm.

[0030] Suitably, the clamp support 3 comprises a curved support bar 3a capable of holding a clamp, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1a. The curved support bar 3a is suitable to be a support for a clamp 13, which may comprise two curved parts that together surround the pipe connection when the clamp is closed. The bending radius D of the curved support bar 3a can be substantially identical to the bending radius E of the clamp 13 shown in FIG. 5. The bending radius D of the curved support bar 3a and the bending radius E of the part of the clamp 13 provided on the holder 1 are here identical. In this example, the bending radius is 31 mm, which is shown by way of example only. The same is essentially true, for example, for D / E being within the range of about 1.05 to 0.9.

[0031] Suitably, the curved support bar 3a has a width F slightly larger than the width G of the clamp 13 (see Figures 1, 3 and 4). Slightly larger can be, for example, 1-10% larger, or 0.5-3 mm larger, etc., corresponding to at least a compression of the gasket 105 of the pipe connection device 101. The width F of the support bar 3a is adapted to allow the clamp 13 to move axially and radially without friction relative to the flange part 103a of the pipe connection device 101 when the gasket 105 is applied and the pipe connection device 101 is mated. The curved support bar 3a can have substantially the same bending radius as the clamp 13, as described above. However, the clamp 13 of a tri-clamp fitting is often not completely circular, but consists of two halves which are interconnected by a hinge at one end and can be locked together at the other end, for example by a clamping screw, after the tri-clamp fitting is connected. These two halves of the clamp each have a curved middle section with a certain radius. Outside this middle section, the ends are flattened towards the connection points (hinges and clamping screws). In some embodiments of the invention, the support bar 3a can have a shape corresponding to the shape of one half of the clamp 13 with a curved middle section 4a and flat ends 4b located on both sides of this middle section 4a (see FIG. 5). The middle section 4a can have a curved section with a radius that substantially corresponds to the bending radius of the middle section of one of these halves of the clamp 13. Substantially corresponding can mean, for example, 5% or less larger than the radius E of the middle section of the clamp 13 and 10% or more smaller than the radius E of the middle section of the clamp 13.

[0032] In Figure 5 it can be seen that the flat end 4b of the support bar 3a needs to be properly positioned so that the angle A between the direction of the flat end 4b at this location near the junction between the two halves of the clamp 13 and a tangent along the clamp 13 is greater than 0° to provide space for inserting the clamp 13 into the holder 1. In this example the angle is 2.6°, but this is shown by way of example only.

[0033] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5, the curved support bar 3a is attached to the standoff 7 along one of its longitudinal edges 33a and is provided with a rim 3b along the opposite longitudinal edge 33b (see Figure 1a). This rim 3b extends in the same direction as the standoff 7 extends towards the connecting part 5 and is provided to prevent the clamp 13 positioned in the clamp support 3 from slipping off the curved support bar 3a. In some embodiments of the invention, the rim 3b may be smaller towards the outer edge 4c of the support bar 3a to facilitate positioning of the clamp 13 in the holder 1.

[0034] In the embodiment as shown in Figures 1-5, the clamp support 3 comprises a drain 8. This drain 8 can be an opening positioned in the middle part 4a of the curved support bar 3a as shown in Figure 1a. In practice, the holder 1 can be provided with a fluid port 11 or a pipe / tube facing in any direction, but when the holder 1 is provided in a position that hangs down from the fluid port 11 as shown in Figures 2-4, the drain opening 8 can suitably be provided in the middle part 4a to drain any leakage. Alternatively, the drain can be another type of drain device, such as a capillary device capable of transporting liquid by capillary action.

[0035] In the embodiment as shown in Figs. 1-5, the connection part 5 of the holder 1 comprises two opposing resilient arms 5a, 5b configured to snap-fit ​​against the fluid port 11 (which can be one of two pipes or tubes to be connected). The two opposing resilient arms 5a, 5b are provided partially around the fluid port 11 and are held in place by the resilience of the resilient arms 5a, 5b and possibly by locking features 5c that may be provided on the resilient arms 5a, 5b. The locking features 5c allow the holder 1 to be locked in a fixed position when the holder is attached to the fluid port 11. The locking features 5c are for example protrusions 5c as shown in Fig. 1a, which are configured to fit into recesses provided on the fluid port 11 to prevent the holder from rotating around the fluid port 11 when attached. However, such locking features 5c are not necessary in all embodiments, see for example Fig. 6a. In some embodiments, the pipe or fluid port 11, adapted to receive such a holder 1, is provided with a recess and / or a designed surface configured to receive the connection 5 so that it is locked in a suitable manner to prevent rotation of the connection 5. In the embodiment as shown in Figures 2-4, such a designed surface 41 is provided on the fluid port 11 (see Figure 3) with a flanking straight portion 43 and recesses 45, whereby the locking features 5c of the resilient arms 5a, 5b of the connection 5 can be designed to snap into these recesses 45. Other alternatives for realizing the rotation lock are possible, such as protrusions of the connection 5 received in slots provided in the fluid port 11, as shown in Figures 6d and 6e and described in more detail below.

[0036] In Fig. 6a-6e alternative connections 5 are shown. In Fig. 6a a connection 105a similar to the connection 5 shown in Fig. 1a is shown, but differs in that it does not comprise a locking feature 5c. The fluid port 11 can be cylindrical as shown in Figs. 1-5. However, other shapes are also possible, for example a square fluid port 11. In Figs. 6b and 6c two connections 105b, 105c are shown, which are configured to be mounted on a square shaped fluid port 11. It is shown that the connections 105b and 105c are identical, but the shape of the pipe from the square shaped fluid port 11 can be both cylindrical or square. It is still possible to use the same type of pipe connection device 101 and the holder 1 according to the invention can still be used for all these alternatives, which only differ in the type of connections 5, 105a-105e as shown in Figs. 6a-6e. The fluid port 11 can also have other shapes, such as rectangular, oval, or any other shape, with a corresponding coupling part 5 of the holder 1. In Fig. 6d, the locking feature 5c is shown in the form of a protrusion that is received in a slot provided in the fluid port 11 as discussed above. Instead of a snap connection for connecting the holder to the fluid port, the coupling part 5 can comprise two separate parts 55a, 55b that are fixed relative to each other around the fluid port 11 in another embodiment as shown in Fig. 6e.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present invention, holder 1 is sized and configured for use with a standard tri-clamp fitting or a mini tri-clamp fitting.

[0038] In some embodiments, the holder 1 according to the invention can be integrated for example in the first flange part 103a of a pipe connection device 101. In figure 7a such an example is shown diagrammatically.

[0039] In figure 7b a holder 1' according to another embodiment of the invention is shown diagrammatically. In this embodiment the clamp support 3' of the holder 1' comprises a clamp 13'. This allows the clamp 13' to be assembled into the holder 1'. In other embodiments only a part of the clamp is assembled into the holder 1' (not shown).

[0040] In some embodiments, the holder 1 according to the present invention may be configured for use in a bioprocessing system or bioprocessing equipment, such that the holder 1 may be configured and adapted to be used to support a clamp of a pipe connection device for use in a bioprocessing equipment.

[0041] The holder 1 according to the invention may be made from a material suitable for use in bioprocessing equipment, e.g. a material suitable for sterilization and resistant to chemicals. One suitable material can be polypropylene (PP), possibly with the addition of reinforcing components, e.g. lime or glass. Other possible materials for use in the holder are polyamide (PA) and polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0042] Also according to the invention, a set of holders 1 as described above is provided, said set of holders comprising at least two different types of visually distinguishable holders 1. By way of example, at least two different colors or two different shapes can be used for these holders 1, e.g. to be able to distinguish between the inlets and the outlets of the fluid ports 11 of the system 10.

[0043] Further according to the invention there is provided a system 10 comprising at least one fluid port 11, said system comprising at least one holder 1 according to the invention. In some embodiments of the invention said connection 5 is permanently attached to said at least one fluid port 11. In one embodiment of the invention said system is a bioprocessing device or part of a bioprocessing device. This holder 1 can be integrally formed in said system, for example by 3D printing.

[0044] According to the invention there is further provided a method for connecting two pipes, said pipe connection being realised by use of a pipe connecting device 101 comprising a clamp and by use of a holder 1, 1' according to the invention. The method comprises the following steps: - connecting the holder 1, 1' to one of the two pipes connected by the pipe connecting device 101. - supporting the clamps 13, 13' of the pipe connecting device 101 in supported positions in a holder. - placing the other of the two pipes to be connected in position for connection and placing the remaining part of the pipe connection device 101 in position for connection. - closing the clamps 13, 13' from their supported positions in the holders 1, 1' directly around the junction of the two pipes, thereby closing and sealing the pipe connection.

[0045] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various embodiments of the present invention are provided that allow for a sterile connection between two pipes to be made using one-handed operation and in close proximity to a bioprocessing system (e.g., using one-handed manual operation). This is particularly advantageous for connecting such pipes in a bioprocessing system, as it allows the operator to keep one hand free for use in, for example, picking up other components, installing a flow kit, accessing instructions, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Holder 1' Holder 3 Clamp support 3' Clamp support 3a Curved support bar 3b Rim 4a Curved middle section 4b flat end 4c Outer Edge 5 Connecting part 5a Elastic arm 5c Locking Features 5c protrusion 7 Separation part 8 Drain, drain opening 10. System 11 Fluid Port 13 Clamp 13' Clamp 13a Inner wall 33a Long edge 33b Long side edge 41 Surface 43 Straight section 45 Recess 55a Parts 55b Parts 101 Pipe Connection Device 103a First flange part 103b Second flange part 104 Outer periphery 105 Gasket 105a Connection part 105b Connection part 105c connection part 105d Connecting part 105e Connection part

Claims

1. A holder (1, 1') for a clamp (13, 13') of a bioprocess pipe connection device (101), said clamp (13, 13') being configured to surround and clamp said bioprocess pipe connection device (101) around a pipe connection for connecting two pipes, The holder (1) is a clamp support (3, 3') configured to support the clamp at a supported position; a connection (5) adapted to be attached to a first of the two pipes connected by the bioprocess pipe connection device (101); a separation portion (7) connecting the clamp support portion (3, 3') and the connecting portion (5); Equipped with the spacing portion (7) is configured to provide the clamp support portion (3, 3') at a specific distance from the first pipe to which the connecting portion (5) is attached when the connecting portion (5) is attached to the first pipe; The specific distance is a distance at which the clamps (13, 13') of the bioprocess pipe connection device (101) can be supported by the clamp support (3, 3') and thereby the clamps (13, 13') can be closed to clamp the bioprocess pipe connection device directly from the supported position on the clamp support (3). Holder (1, 1').

2. The holder (1, 1') according to claim 1, wherein the bioprocess pipe connection device is a tri-clamp fitting or an I-line fitting.

3. The connection (5) is configured to be connected to a fluid port (11) of a system (10); 3. The holder (1, 1') according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a bioprocess pipe connection device (101) is used to connect a pipe to the fluid port (11) of the system (10), whereby the first pipe becomes the fluid port (11).

4. A holder (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the clamp support (3) comprises a curved support bar (3a) capable of holding the clamp, whereby the curved support bar (3a) has a width (F) slightly greater than a width (G) of the clamp (13).

5. 5. A holder (1, 1') as claimed in claim 4, wherein the curved support bar (3a) has a rim (3b) along one longitudinal side edge (33b), the rim (3b) being provided to prevent a clamp (13) positioned on the clamp support (3) from slipping off the curved support bar (3a).

6. The holder (1, 1') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp support (3) is provided with a drain (8).

7. A holder (1, 1') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting part (5) comprises two opposing elastic arms (5a, 5b) configured to be snap-fitted onto one of the two pipes to be connected.

8. A holder (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connecting part (5) is provided with a locking feature (5c) which enables the holder to be locked in a fixed position when the holder is mounted on one of the two pipes to be connected.

9. A holder (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 8, sized and configured for use with a standard Tri-clamp fitting or a mini Tri-clamp fitting.

10. 9. The holder (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1, 3, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the clamp support (3') comprises at least a part of the clamp (13').

11. A holder (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least a part (3, 3', 5, 7) of the holder (1, 1') comprises a polymer material and / or a reinforced polymer material, polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) and / or polyoxymethylene (POM) and / or is sterilized.

12. The holder (1,1') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder (1,1') is configured to be operated using one hand.

13. A set of holders (1,1') according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising at least two different types of holders which are visually distinguishable.

14. A bioprocessing system (10) comprising at least one fluid port (11), comprising at least one holder (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or a set of holders according to claim 13.

15. 15. The bioprocessing system (10) according to claim 14, wherein the connection (5) is permanently attached to at least one of the fluid ports (11).

16. The bioprocessing system (10) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the bioprocessing system (10) is a bioprocessing apparatus or part of a bioprocessing apparatus.

17. A method for connecting two pipes by using a bioprocess pipe connecting device (101) with a clamp and by using a holder (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: connecting said holder (1, 1') to one of the two pipes connected by said bioprocess pipe connection device (101); supporting the clamps (13, 13') of the bioprocess pipe connection device (101) in a supported position in the holder; placing the other of the two pipes to be connected in position for connection and placing the remaining part of the bioprocess pipe connection device (101) in position for connection; closing a clamp (13) directly from said supported position in said holder (1) around the junction of the two pipes, thereby closing and sealing said pipe connection. A method comprising:

18. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein all of the steps are performed using a one-handed operation.

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