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US 10,238,854 B2Granted
Methods for forming a tube assembly utilizing a joining agent
AssigneeTeknor Apex Company
InventorKevin Cai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for joining a flexible tube to a connector having a female fitting that allows relatively facile connection and desirable retention force in a short amount of time. Tube assemblies having a tube bonded to the female fitting of the connector with a joining agent composition including an evaporable liquid hydrocarbon are disclosed.
Claims16
A method for forming a tube assembly, comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a flexible tube having an outer diameter;
- obtaining a connector having a body having at one end a female fitting having an inner surface with an inner diameter, wherein the female fitting has a seat having an aperture having a diameter less than the female fitting inner diameter, wherein the flexible tube outer diameter is 1 to 10% larger than the female fitting inner diameter, wherein the connector has a greater hardness than the flexible tube;
- applying a liquid joining agent composition comprising a hydrocarbon that consists of carbon and hydrogen atoms to one or more of i) the outer diameter of an end portion of the flexible tube and ii) at least a portion of the female fitting inner diameter;
- joining the flexible tube to the connector to form the tube assembly by inserting the end portion of the flexible tube into the female fitting.
1 more element
A method for forming a tube assembly, comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a flexible tube having an outer diameter;
- obtaining a connector having a body haying at one end a female fitting having an inner surface with an inner diameter, wherein the female fitting has a seat having an aperture having a diameter less than the female fitting inner diameter wherein the flexible tube outer diameter is 1 to 10% larger than the female fitting inner diameter, wherein the connector has a greater hardness than the flexible tube;
- applying a liquid joining agent composition to one or more of i) the outer diameter of an end portion of the flexible tube and ii) at least a portion of the female fitting inner diameter;
- joining the flexible tube to the connector to form the tube assembly by inserting the end portion of the flexible tube into the female fitting;
- wherein the joining agent composition consists of i) a hydrocarbon that consists of carbon and hydrogen atoms and ii) a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises one or more of styrenic block copolymer, polystyrene, styrene butadiene block copolymer, and hydrogenated styrene butadiene copolymer.
2 more elements
A method for forming a tube assembly, comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a flexible tube having an outer diameter;
- obtaining a connector having a body having at one end a female fitting having an inner surface with an inner diameter, wherein the female fitting has a seat having an aperture having a diameter less than the female fitting inner diameter wherein the flexible tube outer diameter is 1 to 10% larger than the female fitting inner diameter, wherein the connector has a greater hardness than the flexible tube;
- applying a liquid joining agent composition comprising one or more of i) the outer diameter of an end portion of the flexible tube and ii) at least a portion of the female fitting inner diameter;
- joining the flexible tube to the connector to form the tube assembly by inserting the end portion of the flexible tube into the female fitting;
- wherein the liquid joining agent composition comprises i) a hydrocarbon that consists of carbon and hydrogen atoms and ii) a styrenic block copolymer having three blocks with styrene or monoalkenyl arene present in each block, wherein the styrene or mono alkenyl arene in the mid-block is present in a random or controlled distribution form.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.