Methods for forming a tube assembly utilizing a joining agent

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016265698-A1
Application number	US-201514645885-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 12, 2015
Priority date	Mar 12, 2015
Publication date	Sep 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method for joining a flexible tube to a connector having a female fitting that allows relatively facile connection and desirable retention force in a short amount of time. Tube assemblies having a tube bonded to the female fitting of the connector with a joining agent composition including an evaporable liquid hydrocarbon are disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for forming a tube assembly, comprising the steps of:
obtaining a tube having an outer diameter; obtaining a connector having a female fitting with an inner diameter that is less than the tube outer diameter; applying a liquid joining agent composition comprising a hydrocarbon to one or more of i) the outer diameter of an end portion of the tube and ii) at least a portion of the female fitting inner diameter; joining the tube to the connector to form the tube assembly by inserting the end portion of the tube into the female fitting.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter is generally 1 to 10% larger than the female fitting inner diameter.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter is generally 2 to 8% larger than the female fitting inner diameter.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter is generally 3 to 5% larger than the female fitting inner diameter.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon comprises one or more of hexane, heptane, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, and p-xylene.

6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the hydrocarbon composition comprises one or more of heptane, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, and p-xylene.

7 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the joining agent composition further includes one or more of a polymer and thermoplastic elastomer.

8 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the polymer or thermoplastic elastomer comprises one or more of polystyrene, styrene butadiene block copolymer, hydrogenated styrene butadiene copolymer, and polyurethane.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the polymer or thermoplastic elastomer comprises styrene or mono alkenyl arene in a mid-block, in a random or controlled distribution form.

10 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the tube comprises a thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a styrenic block copolymer and a polyolefin, and wherein the connector comprises one or more of ABS, polycarbonate, and an acrylic resin.

11 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the tube has a wall thickness generally between about 5-40% of the tubing outer diameter.

12 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the tube has a hardness of about 50 Shore A to about 40 Shore D.

13 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tube assembly has a bond strength of at least 35.6 N (8 Lbf), wherein the tube has an outer diameter from 1% to 10% larger than the female fitting inner diameter, and wherein the tube has a hardness from about 65 Shore A to 92 Shore A.

14 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the hydrocarbon composition has a boiling point between 50° C. and 200° C.

15 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein total concentration of the one or more of the polymer and thermoplastic elastomer is from 1 to 20% by weight based on 100 total parts by weight of the joining agent composition.

16 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tube assembly has a bond strength of at least 42.7 N (9.6 Lbf) at 0.12 hour after the joining step, wherein the tube has a 78 Shore A hardness, wherein a polycarbonate connector is utilized, wherein the tube has an outer diameter from about 1% to about 10% larger than the female fitting inner diameter.

17 . A tube assembly, comprising:
a tube having and end having an outer diameter, the end inserted in an secured to a female fitting of a connector, wherein prior to insertion the tube outer diameter is greater than an inner diameter of the female fitting, wherein the tube and connector are secured using a joining agent including a hydrocarbon composition.

Assignees

• Teknor Apex Co

Inventors

• Cai Kevin

Classifications

• F16L21/08 Primary

  with additional locking means (F16L21/06 takes precedence; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00) · CPC title

• F16L13/103

  Adhesive joints · CPC title

• A61M39/12

  for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment · CPC title

• A61M39/10 Primary

  Tube connectors; Tube couplings {(A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014)} · CPC title

• A61M39/08

  Tubes; Storage means specially adapted therefor · CPC title