Microprocessor controlled tube apparatus having reduced radio frequency emanations
First Claim
1. A tube apparatus adapted to detect successful or failed tube operations, said tube apparatus comprising:
- jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another between (1) a first position spaced from one another and (2) a second position selected to perform a successful tube operation;
a sensor positioned to detect when said jaws have moved into said second position;
a controller electrically coupled to the sensor and configured to stop movement of the jaws when the sensor senses that the jaws have moved into the second position; and
a timer electrically coupled to said sensor for determining the time delay before the jaws have moved into said second position, wherein a time delay up to a predetermined time limit indicates a successful tube operation and a time delay exceeding the predetermined limit indicates a failed tube operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tube apparatus is provided to detect successful or failed tube operations. The tube apparatus includes jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another between (1) a first position spaced from one another and (2) a second position selected to perform a successful tube operation. A sensor is positioned to detect when the jaws have moved into the second position, and a timer is electrically coupled to the sensor for determining the time delay before the jaws have moved into the second position, wherein a time delay up to a predetermined time limit indicates a successful tube operation and a time delay exceeding the predetermined limit indicates a failed tube operation.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A tube apparatus adapted to detect successful or failed tube operations, said tube apparatus comprising:
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jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another between (1) a first position spaced from one another and (2) a second position selected to perform a successful tube operation; a sensor positioned to detect when said jaws have moved into said second position; a controller electrically coupled to the sensor and configured to stop movement of the jaws when the sensor senses that the jaws have moved into the second position; and a timer electrically coupled to said sensor for determining the time delay before the jaws have moved into said second position, wherein a time delay up to a predetermined time limit indicates a successful tube operation and a time delay exceeding the predetermined limit indicates a failed tube operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A tube apparatus comprising:
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at least one component moveable to a position indicative of a successful tube operation; a sensor positioned to detect when said component has moved into said position; a timer electrically coupled to said sensor for determining the time delay before the component has moved into said position, wherein a time delay up to a predetermined time limit indicates a successful tube operation and a time delay exceeding the predetermined limit indicates a failed tube operation; a controller electrically coupled to the sensor and configured to stop movement of the jaws when the sensor senses that the jaws have moved into the second position; and a memory coupled to said sensor and configured to store the quantity of successful or failed tube operations. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. In connection with a dielectric tube sealer having an energy generator configured to generate energy for a time period and jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another, one of the jaws being coupled to the energy generator, a method for controlling the area of a seal formed in a tube, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) selecting a tube for sealing; (b) programming a microprocessor with a plurality of time periods during which the energy is generated, each time period corresponding to a size or an area of a seal to be formed in the tube; and (c) selecting a time period from the plurality of time periods during which the energy is generated, thereby controlling the size or the area of a seal formed in the tube.
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18. In a tube sealer apparatus configured to perform a tube sealing operation, the improvement comprising:
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a sensor coupled to said tube sealer apparatus for detecting the performance of tube sealing operations by said tube sealer apparatus; a timer electrically coupled to the sensor for determining whether the tube sealing operation is performed within a predetermined time period; a controller electrically coupled to the sensor and the timer to stop the tube sealing operation if the tube sealing operation is performed within the predetermined time period; and a memory configured for connection to said sensor and for storing the quantity of said tube operations performed by said tube sealer apparatus, wherein said memory is configured for storing the quantity of successful or failed tube operations performed by said tube sealer apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. In a tube apparatus configured to perform a tube operation, the improvement comprising:
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a sensor coupled to said tube apparatus for detecting successful or failed tube operations, a controller electrically coupled to the sensor to stop the tube operation when the sensor senses that the tube operation is successfully performed; and a memory configured for coupling to said sensor, wherein said memory is configured for storing the quantity of successful or failed tube operations performed by said tube apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A tube sealing apparatus for substantially precluding fluid flow communication from one portion of a tube to another portion of the tube, the tube sealing apparatus being adapted to detect successful or failed tube sealing operations, said tube sealing apparatus comprising:
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jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another between (1) a first position spaced from one another and (2) a second position selected to form a successful tube sealing operation wherein the tube is compressed to preclude fluid flow communication from one portion of the tube to another portion of the tube; a sensor positioned to detect when said jaws have moved into said second position; and a controller electrically coupled to the sensor and configured to stop movement of the jaws when the sensor senses that the jaws have moved into the second position. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. In connection with a dielectric tube sealer having a radio frequency generator configured to generate radio frequency for a time period and jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another, one of the jaws being coupled to the radio frequency generator, a method for controlling the area of a seal formed in a tube, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) selecting one of several predetermined settings each corresponding to an area of a seal; and (b) performing a tube sealing operation to form seal having an area corresponding to the selected setting.
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33. A method of forming a tube seal in a tube sealing apparatus having first and second jaws operable between a first position spaced from one another and a second position selected to perform a successful tube operation, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) moving the jaws from the first position toward the second position; (b) measuring a time delay when the jaws have moved toward the second position; (c) comparing the time delay to a predetermined time limit; and (d) transmitting a signal that stops movement of the jaws under one of the following conditions; i. if the time delay measured when the jaws have moved to the second position corresponds to a value up to the predetermined time limit;
orii. if the time delay measured before the jaws have moved to the second position corresponds to a value exceeding the predetermined time limit. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A tube apparatus comprising:
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jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another between (1) a first position spaced from one another and (2) a second position selected to perform a successful tube operation; a first sensor; a second sensor positioned to detect when said jaws have moved into said second position; a controller electrically coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor and configured to start movement of the jaws upon receipt of a signal from the first sensor and to stop movement of the jaws upon receipt of a signal from the second sensor; and a timer electrically coupled to said second sensor for determining the time delay before the jaws have moved into said second position, wherein a time delay up to a predetermined time limit indicates a successful tube operation and a time delay exceeding the predetermined limit indicates a failed tube operation.
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40. A tube apparatus adapted to detect successful or failed tube operations, said tube apparatus comprising:
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jaws mounted for movement with respect to one another between (1) a first position spaced from one another and (2) a second position selected to perform a successful tube operation; a sensor positioned to detect when said jaws have moved into said second position; and a controller electrically coupled to the sensor and configured to stop movement of the jaws when the sensor senses that the jaws have moved into the second position.
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Specification