Fluid fitting couplers and coupling system

A method of coupling containers, comprising:

• providing a first container including a first wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface, and a first opening formed in the first wall;
• providing a second container including a second wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface, and a second opening formed in the second wall;
• mounting a first coupler relative to the first container, the first coupler including a first coupler body extending through the first opening of the first container, a first gasket positioned over the first coupler body and against the inner surface of the first wall, and a second gasket positioned over the first coupler body and against the outer surface of the first wall, the first and second gaskets form a fluid tight seal between the first coupler body and the first wall while permitting pivoting of the first coupler relative to the first wall;
• mounting a second coupler relative to the second container, the second coupler including a second coupler body extending through the second opening of the second container, a third gasket positioned over the second coupler body and against the inner surface of the second wall, and a fourth gasket positioned over the second coupler body and against the outer surface of the second wall, the third and fourth gaskets form a fluid tight seal between the second coupler body and the second wall while permitting pivoting of the second coupler relative to the second wall;
• positioning the first container adjacent to the second container with the first and second couplers in a facing relationship;
• and
• pivoting at least one of the first coupler relative to the first wall or the second coupler relative to the second wall during engagement between the first coupler and the second coupler to overcome misalignment between the first coupler and the second coupler.

A female fluid coupler assembly for a support with an opening, the female fluid coupler assembly comprising:

• a female coupler body having a first end with a tapered inlet and a second end, a passage or opening extending from the first end to the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the second end of the female coupler body, and the first end adapted to receive a male fluid coupler, the second end adapted for connection to a fluid conduit;
• an outer surface of the female coupler body further comprises a radial flange extending from the first end toward the second end, the radial flange has a radial step to an intermediate section, a second section extending from the second end of the female coupler body towards the first end of the first coupler body, the intermediate section disposed between the radial flange and the second section, a fastener, and a first compressible and resilient gasket and a second compressible and resilient gasket;
• the radial flange positioned at the first end of the female coupler body has an outside diameter larger than the intermediate section of the female coupler body, the intermediate section disposed between the radial flange and the second end of the female coupler body adapted to pass through openings in the first and second gaskets and through the opening in the support;
• the fastener adapted to form a pivoting fluid seal by pre-compressing the first gasket on a first side of the support opening against the support and further compress the second gasket between a second side of the support and the radial step of the radial flange;
• and
• the first compressible and resilient gasket and the second compressible and resilient gasket are composed of compressible and resilient materials and have dimensions that enable the coupler body to reversibly pivot from an initial position with respect to an opening axis of the support to accommodate alignment and engagement with the male coupler;
• wherein after pre-compression of the first gasket and compression of the second gasket, the female coupler body is configured to be pivoted relative to the support during engagement between the first end of the female coupler body and the male fluid coupler to overcome misalignment between the first end of the female coupler body and the male fluid coupler.

A male fluid coupler assembly for a support with an opening, the male fluid coupler assembly comprising:

• a male coupler body having a first end, a second end with a tapered beveled inlet, a passage from the first end to the second end, the first end is in fluid communication with the second end through the passage, the second end adapted to engage with a female fluid coupler, the first end adapted for connection to a fluid conduit;
• an outer surface of the coupler body comprises a first section extending from a first end towards a second end, a second section extending from the second end towards the first end, an intermediate section disposed adjacent to the first section, and a radial flange section disposed between the second section and the intermediate section, wherein a diameter of the radial flange is dimensioned greater than a diameter of the intermediate section, the first section, and the second section;
• the intermediate section is adapted to pass through center opening of a first compressible and resilient gasket, pass through a center opening of a second compressible and resilient gasket, and pass through the opening in the support;
• a fastener is adapted to form a pivoting fluid seal by pre-compressing the first gasket on a first side of the support against the support and the fastener further compresses the second gasket between a second side of the support and a radial step surface of the radial flange portion;
• and
• the first compressible and resilient gasket and the second compressible resilient gasket are composed of compressible and resilient materials and have dimensions that enable the coupler body to reversibly pivot between about 1 degree to about 7 degrees, inclusive, from an initial position with respect to an opening axis of the support to accommodate alignment and engagement with the female coupler;
• wherein after pre-compression of the first gasket and compression of the second gasket, the male coupler body is configured to be pivoted relative to the support during engagement between the second end of the male coupler body and the female fluid coupler to overcome misalignment between the second end of the male coupler body and the female fluid coupler.