Method of molding a connector and tubing assembly
AssigneeSaint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation
InventorsStephen Ronald Warburton-Pitt, Rick Alan Steele
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector and tubing assembly including a multi-lumen molded connector having at least three flexible tubes also molded into the connector. The connector may be “Y” shaped and include three flexible tubes. A process of making the connector and tubing assembly involves forming a first part of the connector with two tubes molded therein and then removing an internal mold member prior to molding the final connector portion and third tube in place.
Claims21
A method of molding a connector and tubing assembly comprising:
- a) molding a first portion of a connector around respective ends of first and second tubes while maintaining fluid passages through the first portion and in communication with respective internal fluid bores of each of the first and second tubes;
- and,
- b) molding a second portion of the connector around an end of a third tube having an internal fluid bore and connected with the first portion while maintaining a fluid passage between the internal fluid bore of the third tube and the fluid passages in the first portion.
A method of molding a connector and tubing assembly comprising:
- a) connecting the internal fluid bores of respective ends of first and second tubes to first and second rod members;
- b) placing the rod members and the ends of the first and second tubes into a first mold cavity;
- c) filling the first mold cavity with curable material to form a first connector portion around the ends of the first and second tubes and the first and second rod members such that the first and second rod members form fluid passages through the connector;
- d) withdrawing the first and second rod members;
- e) inserting a third rod member into the internal fluid bore in an end of a third tube;
- f) placing the end of the third tube into a second mold cavity and in engagement with at least one of the fluid passages;
- g) filling the second mold cavity with additional curable material to form a second connector portion;
- and
- h) removing the third rod member.
A method of joining at least three flexible, silicone tubes each having an interior surface and a free end, the method comprising:
- supporting the at least three free tube ends in a cavity defined by a mold;
- disposing at least a portion of at least one rod assembly into contact with at least a portion of the interior surface of the free tube ends;
- disposing liquid silicone in the cavity into contact with the free tube ends and exposed portions of the rod assembly;
- curing the liquid silicone to provide a connection between the tubes;
- and
- removing the rod assembly to provide smooth flow path within the connection between the tubes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.