[0063] Disclosed herein is a retainer for connecting a pair of sanitary fittings each having a first end and a second end the second ends each having a flanged portion. The retainer includes a first member having a through center aperture the first member adapted to receive at least a portion of each of the flanged portions and a second member having a through center aperture and engageable over the first member the second member adapted to provide a compressive force to sealingly connect the flanged portions when the first and second members are in an assembled configuration.
