Connection system
AssigneeBio Optimal Limited
InventorRoy Peter Maunder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system of connecting two flexible tubes together using rolled back ends of the tubes to create abutment surfaces which when urged together form a fluid-tight seal. The rolled back ends are supported on tube supports including a spigot extending along the outside of the tube and over which the rolled ends are supported. Urging two rolled backed ends together creates a fluid tight seal. In one example, this urging may be achieved by attaching flanges to the rolled back ends and using standard clamping methods. Alternatively, other types of clamping methods can be used.
Claims18
Apparatus for forming an external sealing end from a length of a flexible tubing, the apparatus comprising
- a tubing support, the tubing support comprising an annular spigot and a tube opening having an internal diameter, the annular spigot having a smooth inner surface, an outer surface, and a lip;
- and
- a sleeve, the sleeve being annular in shape and comprising a support opening having an internal diameter, the sleeve having a smooth inner surface and a smooth outer surface and a length that is less than or equal to the length of the tubing support;
- wherein the internal diameter of the tube opening of the tubing support is sized to receive therethrough the flexible tubing;
- wherein the spigot is sized to receive an end of the flexible tubing rolled back onto the outer surface, thereby forming the external sealing end of the flexible tubing;
- wherein the lip is located on the outer surface of the spigot and extends substantially perpendicularly to the spigot, the lip providing a stop for the sleeve and the end of the flexible tubing rolled back onto the outer surface of the spigot;
- wherein the lip is provided with a channel and the sleeve is provided with one or more projections sized to mate into the channel on correct positioning of the tubing support and sleeve, connecting them together, or, wherein the lip is provided with one or more projections, and the sleeve is provided with a channel sized to mate over the projections on correcting positioning of the tubing support and sleeve, connecting them together;
- wherein the internal diameter of the support opening of the sleeve is sized to fit over the end of the flexible tubing rolled back onto the outer surface of the spigot and the tubing support;
- and
- wherein the tubing support and the sleeve are sized to be directly fixably engaged with each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.