Sealing appliance

• US RE41,169 E1
• Filed: 05/25/1999
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MERCK CHEMICALS AND LIFE SCIENCE AB, fka Millipore AB
• Original Assignee: Millipore AB (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Arthun, Nils
• Primary Examiner(s): KOCH, GEORGE R
• Application Number:
  US11/305,813
• Time in Patent Office: 3,962 Days
• Field of Search: 156/515, 156/530, 156/579, 156/580, 156/581, 100/94, 100/98.R, 723/07, 723/25, 723/701.2, 724/091, 724/095, 724/09, 72/19, 724/61, 727/02
• US Class Current: 156/515
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/146 by cutting and welding
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0838 Capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/505 flexible containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 21/006 and sealing, crushing or chamfering the tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 7/20 Pliers for sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 57/10 Closing
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/562 using extra joining elements, i.e. which are not integral with the parts to be joined using plastic snap elements B29C65/58; using plastic rivets B29C65/601
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/64 Joining a non-plastics element to a plastics element, e.g. by force B29C65/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/743 using the same tool for both joining and severing, said tool being monobloc or formed by several parts mounted together and forming a monobloc B29C65/2046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4312 for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5344 said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length, e.g. joining flanges to tube ends B29C66/5346 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81417 being V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81431 comprising a single cavity, e.g. a groove
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81435 comprising several parallel ridges, e.g. for crimping comprising a single ridge B29C66/81427
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8221 Scissor or lever mechanisms, i.e. involving a pivot point
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8242 Pneumatic or hydraulic drives using fluid pressure directly acting on the parts to be joined B29C66/8266
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8322 Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/857 : Medical tube welding machines
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8614 : Tongs, pincers or scissors
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2009/00 : Layered products
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/007 : Medical tubes other than catheters catheters B29L2031/7542
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/18 : with provision for splitting samples into portions G01N1/12, G01N1/14 take precedence; fraction-collection apparatus for chromatography B01D15/08
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1005 : by inward collapsing of portion of hollow body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 : with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1313 : Cutting element simultaneously bonds [e.g., cut seaming]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1378 : Cutter actuated by or secured to bonding element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/18 : Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with handle or handgrip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49925 : Inward deformation of aperture or hollow body wall
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53657 : to apply or remove a resilient article [e.g., tube, sleeve, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0596 : Cutting wall of hollow work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8821 : With simple rectilinear reciprocating motion only

Abstract

An appliance for sealing elastic hoses with a sleeve, which is plastically deformable and slipped onto the hose, has two jaws which are movable towards and away from each other. One jaw has two straight bars which project towards the other jaw and extend transversely of the sleeve to make two transverse indentations in the sleeve and the hose when the jaws are moving towards each other. The same jaw has a cutting edge which projects towards the other jaw and is directed transversely of the sleeve, the cutting edge making a substantially transverse cutting indication in the sleeve and the hose when the jaws are moving towards each other.

Claims

1. An appliance for mechanical sealing of hollow hoses (2) of elastic material with a sealing means (3) which is made of plastically deformable material and which is applied to the hose, said appliance (1) having two jaws (8, 9), at least one of the jaws is movable towards and away from the other jaw and the jaws crimp the sealing means (3) against the hose (2) to seal the same, characterised in that the sealing means (3) has the form of a sleeve (4) which is slipped on to the hose (2), that at least one of the jaws (8 or 9) has at least one straight bar (11) having a projecting end which projects towards the other jaw (9 or 8) and which, when at least one the jaws is moving towards the other jaw, makes an indentation (12) in the sleeve (4) and the hose (2) to reinforce the sealing thereof as well as the fixing of the sleeve on the hose, that at least one of the jaws (8 or 9) has a cutting means (13), which projects towards the other jaw (9 or 8) and which when at least one of the jaws (8, 9) is moving towards the other jaw, makes a cutting indication (14) in the sleeve (4) and the hose (2) to allow a sealing cutting of the hose (2), and that the cutting means (13) has the form of a substantially straight cutting edge (15) which projects to a greater extent than the projecting end of said at least one bar (11).

2. An appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that there are at least two straight bars (11) having projecting ends which are arranged substantially in parallel at a distance from each other and extend substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of the sleeve (4) to make a corresponding number of substantially transverse indentations (12) in the sleeve (4) and the hose (2), and that the cutting means (13) extends substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of the sleeve (4) and makes a substantially transverse cutting indication (14) in the sleeve (4) and the hose (2).

3. An appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that the cutting means (13) has the form of a substantially straight cutting edge (15), which projects to a greater extent than the projecting ends of the at least two straight bars (11).

4. An appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that

the cutting edge (15) cooperates with an opposite recess (16) in the other jaw (9 or 8) and is situated substantially halfway between two adjacent bars (11);

at least one of the jaws (8 or 9) has a fixture (17) to position the sleeve (4) and the hose (2) between the jaws (8, 9);

the bars (11) and the cutting edge (15) are situated on one jaw (8) and that the fixture (17) is situated on the other jaw (9), the bars, the cutting edge and the fixture being mounted on or being make in one piece with the associated jaw,

the jaw (8) provided with the bars (11) an the cutting edge (15) has the form of a die, which is fixedly mounted in the appliance (1) and the jaw (9) provided with the fixture (17) has the form of a punch, which is movably arranged in the appliance (1) and actuatable by a driving means (10); and

the appliance has the form of a pair of tongs (5) which is hand operated and has one fixed and one movable leg (6, 7), the movable leg (7) actuating the jaw (9) forming the punch by means of a gear drive.

5. An appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that

the cutting edge (15) cooperates with an opposite recess (16) in the other jaw (8 or 9);

the cutting edge (15) is situated on one side of the bars (11);

at least one of the jaws (8 or 9) has a fixture (17) to position the sleeve (4) and the hose (2) between the jaws (8, 9);

the bars (11) and the cutting edge (15) are situated on one jaw (8) and the fixture (17) is situated on the other jaw (9), the bars, the cutting edge and the fixture being mounted on or being made in one piece with the associated jaw;

the jaw (8) provided with the bars (11) and the cutting edge (15) has the form of a die, which is fixedly mounted in the appliance (1) and the jaw (9) provided with the fixture (17) has the form of a punch, which is movably arranged in the appliance (1) and actuatable by driving means (10); and

the appliance has the form of a pair of tongs (5) which is hand operated and has one fixed and one movable leg (6, 7), the movable leg (7) actuating the jaw (9) forming the punch by means of a gear device.

6. An appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the jaws (8 or 9) has a fixture (17) to position the sleeve (4) and the hose (2) between the jaws (8, 9).

7. An appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least two bars (11) and the cutting edge (15) are situated on one jaw (8), and that the fixture (17) is situated on the other jaw (9), at the least one bar, the cutting edge and the fixture being mounted on or being make in one piece with the associated jaw.

8. An appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting edge (15) co-operates with an opposite recess (16) in the other jaw (9 or 8).

9. An appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that the cutting edge (15) is situated substantially half-way between two adjacent bars (11).

10. An appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that the cutting edge (15) is situated on one side of the at least one bar (11).

11. An appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the jaws (8 or 9) has a fixture (17) to position the sleeve (4) and the hose (2) between the jaws (8, 9).

12. An appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting edge (15) is situated substantially half-way between two adjacent bars (11).

13. An appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting edge (15) is situated on one side of the at least one bar (11).

14. An appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the jaws (8 or 9) has a fixture (17) to position the sleeve (4) and the hose (2) between the jaws (8, 9).

15. An appliance according to claim 14, characterized in that the at least one bar (11) and the cutting edge (15) are situated on one jaw (8), and that the fixture (17) is situated on the other jaw (9), the at least one bar, the cutting edge and the fixture being mounted on or being made in one piece with the associated jaw.

16. An appliance according to claim 15, characterized in that the jaw (8) provided with the at least one bar (11) and the cutting edge (15) has the form of a die, which is fixedly mounted in the appliance (1), and that the jaw (9) provided with the fixture (17) has the form of a punch, which is movably arranged in the appliance (1) and actuatable by a driving means (10).

17. An appliance according to claim 16, characterized in that it has the form of a pair of tongs (5) which is hand-operated and has one fixed and one movable leg (6, 7), the movable leg (7) actuating the jaw (9) forming the punch by means of a gear device, preferably an eccentric mechanism or the like, forming the driving means (10).

19. The appliance of claim 1, wherein said hose is attached to a container.

20. The appliance of claim 19, wherein said end of said hose is attached to said container having a deformable wall.

21. The appliance of claim 19, wherein said hose is attached to said container having a flexible wall.

22. The appliance of claim 19, wherein said container is a collection container.

23. The appliance of claim 19, wherein said container is a process container.

24. The appliance of claim 19, wherein said hose is in fluid communication with said container.

25. The appliance of claim 19, wherein an end of said hose is attached to a container.

26. The appliance of claim 25, wherein said end of said hose is attached to said container having a deformable wall.

27. The appliance of claim 25, wherein said end of said hose is attached to said container having a flexible wall.

28. The appliance of claim 25, wherein said container is a collection container.

29. The appliance of claim 25, wherein said container is a process container.

30. The appliance of claim 25, wherein said hose is in fluid communication with said container.

18. An appliance for mechanical sealing of hollow hoses (2) of elastic material with a sealing means (3) which is made of plastically deformable material and which is applied to the hose, said appliance (1) having two jaws (8, 9), both of the jaws are movable towards and away from each other and which, when moving towards each other, crimp the sealing means (3) against the hose (2) to seal the same, characterised in that the sealing means (3) has the form of a sleeve (4) which is slipped on to the hose (2), that at least one of the jaws (8 or 9) has at least one straight bar (11) having a projecting end which projects towards the other jaw (9 or 8) and which, when the jaws (8, 9) are moving towards each other, makes an indentation (12) in the sleeve (4) and the hose (2) to reinforce the sealing thereof as well as the fixing of the sleeve on the hose, that at least one of the jaws (8 or 9) and which, when the jaws (8, 9) are moving towards each other, makes a cutting indication (14) in the sleeve (4) and the hose (2) to allow a sealing cutting of the hose (2), and that the cutting means (13) has the form of a substantially straight cutting edge (15), which projects to a greater extent than the projecting end of said at least one bar (11).

31. An appliance for mechanical sealing of hollow hoses (2) of elastic material with a sealing means (3) which is made of plastically deformable material and which is applied to the hose, said appliance (1) having two jaws (8, 9), at least one of the jaws is movable towards and away from the other jaw and the jaws crimp the sealing means (3) against the hose (2) to seal the same, characterised in that the sealing means (3) is slipped on to the hose (2), that at least one of the jaws (8 or 9) has at least one straight bar (11) having a projecting end which projects towards the other jaw (9 or 8) and which, when at least one the jaws is moving towards the other jaw, makes an indentation (12) in the sealing means (3) and the hose (2) to reinforce the sealing thereof as well as the fixing of the sealing means on the hose, that at least one of the jaws (8 or 9) has a cutting means (13), which projects towards the other jaw (9 or 8) and which when at least one of the jaws (8, 9) is moving towards the other jaw, makes a cutting indication (14) in the sealing means (3) and the hose (2) to allow a sealing cutting of the hose (2), and that the cutting means (13) has the form of a substantially straight cutting edge (15) which projects to a greater extent than the projecting end of said at least one bar (11).