# US 10,369,523 B2 · Thermoforming of fiber bundles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,523 B2 - Document ID: US10369523B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/303,673 - Filed: 2015-04-16 - Published: 2017-02-02 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-04-17 - Assignees: Gambro Lundia AB - Applicants: Gambro Lundia AB - Inventors: Ulrich Bauer; Karsten Villis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369523B2 ## CPC - B01D 63/021: {Manufacturing thereof} - B01D 2313/57: Tools used for removal of membranes - B23P 11/00: Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for (connecting sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles B21D39/00; riveting B21J; soldering, unsoldering, welding B23K; hand tools for connecting wire or strip B25B25/00; connecting metal parts by adhesives F16B11/00) - B23P 11/005: {by expanding or crimping} - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) ## Abstract The invention relates to processes for the production of capillary dialyzers. The processes involve thermoforming of bundles of hollow fiber membranes. The disclosure also relates to an apparatus for thermoforming bundles of hollow fiber membranes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process for the production of a capillary dialyzer comprising a bundle of hollow fiber membranes disposed within a tubular casing, the process comprising the steps of: shaping an end of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes to have a circular cross-section; and compacting and melting together the fibers on the perimeter of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes to form a contiguous annular zone on the perimeter of the end of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the contiguous annular zone has a thickness of 0.1 to less than 1 mm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the contiguous annular zone has a length of 2 to 15 mm in longitudinal direction of the bundle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the fiber bundle is reduced to from 70 to 90% of its initial value in the contiguous annular zone. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein a contiguous annular zone is formed on the perimeter of each end of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the bundle of hollow fiber membranes is transferred into a tubular casing after a contiguous annular zone on the perimeter of one end of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes has been formed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The process of claim 6, wherein the transfer is effected by a tool reaching through the tubular casing; engaging the contiguous annular zone of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes; pulling the bundle of hollow fiber membranes into the tubular casing; and continuing to pull until the end of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes inclusive of the entire contiguous annular zone protrudes from the tubular casing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The process of claim 7, wherein both ends of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes protrude from the tubular casing after the transfer; and the portions of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes protruding from the tubular casing are subsequently cut off. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The process of claim 8, wherein a contiguous annular zone is also formed on the perimeter of the second end of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes before the portions of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes protruding from the tubular casing are cut off. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The process of claim 8, wherein, simultaneously with cutting off the portions of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes protruding from the tubular casing, the ends of the fibers of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes are heat-sealed. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The process of claim 10, wherein cutting off and heat-sealing are performed with a hot blade or a hot wire. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for forming a contiguous annular zone on the perimeter of an end of a bundle of hollow fiber membranes, comprising movable individual elements which can be arranged into a configuration in which they jointly frame a cylindrical void wherein the cylindrical void is framed by three individual elements. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the individual elements feature heating elements.