Connector and tubing assembly and method of molding connector and tubing assembly
Inventors
DuPont, JR., Paul Robert • McKiernan, Kevin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10675820-B2
Publication Date
2020-06-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
An overmolding method for forming joints in a fluid-flow apparatus utilizes a connector or fitting as a component for mold forming. The connector or fitting is not removed after the overmolding and thus forms part of the joint assembly.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of molding a connector and tubing assembly in which a connector member having a plurality of ends with respective openings that communicate via a lumen is used together with tubes. At least one connector end is inserted into a terminal portion of a respective tube, and a layer of thermoplastic or polymeric material is molded about at least a portion of the connector member and about the terminal portion. During molding, at least a portion of each of one or more projections extending outwardly from the connector member outer surface is melted into the thermoplastic or polymeric material to enhance bonding.
In additional embodiments, the method uses a projecting structure extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the connector member and a tube terminal portion having a profiled inner surface with a recess configured to receive or seat the projecting structure. The projecting structure is received or seated in the recess during insertion of the connector end into the tube terminal portion, and subsequently a layer of thermoplastic or polymeric material is molded about at least a portion of the connector member and about the terminal portion so that the thermoplastic or polymeric material is bonded to the connector member and the terminal portion.
The invention further encompasses forming junctions by placing one end of each of a plurality of connector members in juxtaposition with an end of another connector member so that the connector members communicate and are in direct or indirect contact or engagement at the juxtaposed ends. A thermoplastic or polymeric layer is subsequently molded about at least a portion of each connector member including the juxtaposed ends and projecting structures, where the thermoplastic or polymeric material is bonded to the connector members and fixes the connector members to one another, while maintaining the juxtaposed ends in direct or indirect contact during molding.
Claims Coverage
The partial document includes three independent claims. Each independent claim is directed to a method of molding a connector and tubing assembly using over-molding of a thermoplastic or polymeric layer, with claim-specific structural interaction at connector projections and recesses or between juxtaposed connector ends.
Melted connector projections into thermoplastic for enhanced bonding
A method in which connector ends are inserted into tube terminal portions and a layer of thermoplastic or polymeric material is molded about the connector member and the terminal portion, and during molding at least a portion of one or more projections extending outwardly from the connector outer surface is melted into the thermoplastic or polymeric material to enhance bonding.
Projecting structure received in a recessed profiled inner surface and bonded by molding
A method in which a projecting structure extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of a connector member is received or seated in a recess of a tube terminal portion having a profiled inner surface, the connector end is inserted into the tube terminal portion so the projecting structure is received or seated in the recess, and subsequently a layer of thermoplastic or polymeric material is molded about at least a portion of the connector member and about the terminal portion so the thermoplastic or polymeric material is bonded to the connector member and the terminal portion.
Molding a bonded thermoplastic layer that fixes juxtaposed connector members
A method in which ends of a plurality of connector members are placed in juxtaposition so connector members communicate and are in direct or indirect contact or engagement at the juxtaposed ends, a layer of thermoplastic or polymeric material is molded about at least a portion of each connector member including the juxtaposed ends and projecting structures so the thermoplastic or polymeric material is bonded to the connector members and fixes the connector members to one another, and the juxtaposed ends are maintained in direct or indirect contact during molding.
Across the independent claims, the inventive approach is to mold a thermoplastic or polymeric layer around connector ends and tube terminal portions, with projection melting or projection seating in a recess, and for junctions to mold around juxtaposed connector ends so the molded layer bonds and fixes the connectors together while maintaining contact during molding.
Stated Advantages
Enhances bonding of the connector member to the thermoplastic or polymeric material by melting connector projections into the molded layer.
Bonds the thermoplastic or polymeric material to the connector member and the terminal portion at regions about the juxtaposed ends for fixation of connector members to one another.
Enables fluid-tight sealing at coupling regions by using projecting structures and recess geometries as described in the document summary.
Avoids prior art using removable inserts/inner molding pieces to reduce risk of contamination and wall damage, as stated in the document summary.
Documented Applications
Manufacturing fluid-flow tubing systems using overmolding of connectors and tubing, including embodiments with inline filter element(s) within a connector/fitting as described in the document summary.
Forming linear connector/tube assemblies and junctions such as T-joints and couplings, including multi-connector junctions formed by overmolding adjacent connector ends, as described in the document summary.
Creating internal flow paths that are tortuous/nonlinear, including circuits where tube ends are inaccessible during joint formation (no removable internal mold inserts), as described in the document summary.
Forming spaced over-molded sleeves/joint knuckles by applying thermoplastic material in separate aliquots at terminal portions, as described in the document summary.
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