US4446084A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plastic tube coupling and apparatus for forming
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-01-11
•
Granted: 1984-05-01
•
Expires: 2002-01-11
Abstract
Abstract Plastic tubing of extruded polybutylene and the like has an end reformed into a structural bulb sealing surface which includes a stop flange permitting the tube to be drawn into sealing engagement with a mating part. The tube end is reformed in a press or jig which includes two molds, with the tube end projecting through one mold and toward the other. The other mold is normally chilled or cooled but includes an I.D. mandrel or pin projecting therefrom. The pin is insulated from the other mold. The pin may be heated and/or cooled during the reforming cycle of the process to enable uniform heating of the projecting tube end from both the inside (I.D.) and outside (O.D.) of the tube end. The process and apparatus of the invention provides a more uniform and integral reformed tube end. The cycle time of the process may also be reduced resulting in greater productivity with less energy consumption.
Inventors
- 👤 William W. Rowley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:38
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L47/00; F16L47/20; F16L47/24; F16L47/04; B; B29; B29L; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of reforming the end of a plastic tube between a pair of mating dies comprising the steps of controllng the temperature of a pin adapted to fit closely within the I.D. of an end of such tube independently of the temperature of the dies, placing a tube end on such pin, and then forming the tube end between the pair of mating dies to reform the tube end while maintaining the I.D. of the tube end.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of reforming the end of a plastic tube between a pair of mating dies comprising the steps of controllng the temperature of a pin adapted to fit closely within the I.D. of an end of such tube independently of the temperature of the dies, placing a tube end on such pin, and then forming the tube end between the pair of mating dies to reform the tube end while maintaining the I.D. of the tube end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of also heating the O.D. of the tube end before the step of forming.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of cooling the pin after forming.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of cooling at least one of the dies after forming.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pin is heated externally.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pin is heated internally.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pin is heated by fluid circulation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pin is heated electrically.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pin and the tube end are heated concurrently.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of forming is obtained by telescoping dies, such pin projecting from one of said dies while the tube end projects through the other, such pin being heat insulated from the die from which it projects.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of heating the pin and maintaining the dies at a temperature lower than the temperature of the pin while placing the tube end on such pin.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of reforming the end of a plastic tube between a pair of mating dies comprising the steps of heating a projecting tube end from the I.D. radially outwardly on a pin while controlling the temperatures of the pin and dies independently, and then reforming the tube end while maintaining the I.D. of the tube.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of reforming the end of a plastic tube between a pair of mating dies comprising the steps of heating a projecting tube end from the I.D. radially outwardly on a pin while controlling the temperatures of the pin and dies independently, and then reforming the tube end while maintaining the I.D. of the tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 12 including the step of thermally insulating the pin from the dies.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as set forth in claim 13 including the steps of heating the pin and cooling at least one of the dies to maintain the pin and the one die at different temperatures.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 14 including the step of cooling the tube end after reforming.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 15 including the step of cooling the reformed tube end both from the inside and outside.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 16 including the step of maintaining the I.D. of the tube end by placing the tube end on an I.D. pin.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 17 including the step of selectively heating or cooling the I.D. pin.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as set forth in claim 18 including the step of reforming the tube end by telescoping molds with the I.D. pin projecting from one of such molds.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 19 including the step of insulating the pin from the mold from which it projects.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the pin is heated electrically.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the pin is heated convectively.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the pin is heated by fluid circulation therethrough.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the pin is heated and cooled by fluid circulation therethrough.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as set forth in claim 24 including means operative to select heated or cooled fluid for such circulation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 25 including pin position control means to select heated or cooled fluid for such circulation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3843300A
Cited
US4140739A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-05-01 | 1987-10-31 | 1988-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-01 | 1991-10-31 | 1992-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-01 | 1995-10-31 | 1996-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |