US5322422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Volumetric pump tube reshaper and method
Assignee: Hospira Inc
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Filing: 1993-02-01
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Granted: 1994-06-21
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Expires: 2013-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A volumetric pump and method for displacing a predetermined quantity of fluid at a predefined cracking pressure, independent of supply and output pressures. The volumetric pump (30) includes an inlet cracking valve (46), an outlet cracking valve (52), and a plunger (48)for displacing fluid from a pumping portion (34b) of flexible tubing (34) that extends through the volumetric pump. The pumping portion of the flexible tube fills with liquid when the inlet cracking valve is fully opened and is urged to expand by jaws (236) on pivotally-mounted arms (234). The arms are forced to pivot, as tubing reshaper rollers (160), disposed on the plunger, roll along the inner surface (232) of each arm. During a pumpback-pressurization segment of the pumping cycle, the inlet cracking valve applies a cracking force to the flexible tubing, while the plunger compresses the pumping portion of the flexible tubing sufficiently to develop a cracking pressure that displaces excess fluid back through the inlet cracking valve toward a container (32). After the excess fluid has been forced from the pumping portion of the flexible tubing, a pumping segment of the cycle begins, wherein the inlet cracking valve closes fully and the outlet cracking valve applies a cracking force to compress the flexible tubing. Fluid is then forced by the plunger from the pumping portion of the flexible tubing into a distal portion (34c). The volumetric pump compensates for variations in elasticity of the flexible tubing that would otherwise cause variations in the cracking pressure, using balance blocks (42 and 58).
Inventors
- 👤 Vernon R. Natwick
- 👤 Michael W. Lawless
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/142; A61M5/14212; A61M5/14228; F; F04; F04B; F04B43/00; F04B43/08; F04B43/082; F04B43/12; F04B43/123; F04B9/00; F04B9/02; F04B9/04; F04B9/042; F16; F16H; F16H25/00; F16H25/08; F16H53/00; F16H53/06; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/12; A61M2205/128; A61M2205/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056; Y10T74/18288; Y10T74/18296; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2101; Y10T74/2102; Y10T74/2104; Y10T74/2107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for compressing and shaping a flexible tube, comprising: a. single plunger means, mounted to move bidirectionally along a reciprocation axis, for periodically alternately compressing a segment of the flexible tube to displace a fluid from an interior passage disposed within the flexible tube, and then allowing the flexible tube to expand to at least a partially uncompressed condition; b. drive means, for periodically driving the plunger means to move along the reciprocation axis; and c. tube reshaper means, actuated by the motion of the plunger means, for applying a reshaping force transversely against substantially the same segment of the flexible tube that was compressed, the reshaping force tending to expand the interior passage to a maximum desired volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for compressing and shaping a flexible tube, comprising: a. single plunger means, mounted to move bidirectionally along a reciprocation axis, for periodically alternately compressing a segment of the flexible tube to displace a fluid from an interior passage disposed within the flexible tube, and then allowing the flexible tube to expand to at least a partially uncompressed condition; b. drive means, for periodically driving the plunger means to move along the reciprocation axis; and c. tube reshaper means, actuated by the motion of the plunger means, for applying a reshaping force transversely against substantially the same segment of the flexible tube that was compressed, the reshaping force tending to expand the interior passage to a maximum desired volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tube reshaper means comprise; a. a pair of arms, pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the plunger means; b. jaws disposed on the arms at each side of a segment of the flexible tube that is compressed by the plunger means; and c. a pair of rollers disposed on opposite sides of the plunger means, said rollers transmitting the reshaping force from the plunger means to the pivotally-mounted arms, so that the interior passage is expanded by the jaws in synchronization, as the plunger means retract from a position of maximum compression of the flexible tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pair of rollers are mounted on the plunger means and roll along facing surfaces of the pair of arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive means comprise a cam rotatably driven by a motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plunger means comprise a plunger that is spring biased into contact with the cam, said plunger having a longitudinally extending surface that contacts the flexible tube along a segment thereof, while compressing it, said longitudinally extending surface being substantially parallel to the segment of the flexible tube that it contacts.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of compressing and reshaping a flexible tube to repeatedly displace a desired volume of fluid from an interior passage disposed within the flexible tube, comprising the steps of: a. forcing a longitudinally extending surface of a single plunger, which is mounted to move bidirectionally along a reciprocation axis, against a segment of the tube to compress the segment of the tube, the longitudinally extending surface being substantially parallel to the segment of the tube being compressed; b. retracting the plunger away from the tube to remove the compressive force on the tube along the reciprocation axis; and c. reshaping the flexible tube by forcing at least one reshaper jaw against at least one side of the tube in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reciprocation axis along substantially the same segment of the tube to which the compressive force was applied, such that the interior passage of the tube expands.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of compressing and reshaping a flexible tube to repeatedly displace a desired volume of fluid from an interior passage disposed within the flexible tube, comprising the steps of: a. forcing a longitudinally extending surface of a single plunger, which is mounted to move bidirectionally along a reciprocation axis, against a segment of the tube to compress the segment of the tube, the longitudinally extending surface being substantially parallel to the segment of the tube being compressed; b. retracting the plunger away from the tube to remove the compressive force on the tube along the reciprocation axis; and c. reshaping the flexible tube by forcing at least one reshaper jaw against at least one side of the tube in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reciprocation axis along substantially the same segment of the tube to which the compressive force was applied, such that the interior passage of the tube expands.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the step of reshaping is accomplished with a pair of reshaper jaws mounted on opposite sides of the plunger such that the jaws move together to place opposing forces against opposite sides of the tube in response to the plunger being retracted away from the tube.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus for repeatedly compressing and shaping a flexible tube having an interior passage, comprising: a. a frame for holding a portion of the flexible tube; b. a single plunger coupled to the frame so as to be disposed opposite at least one side of a segment of the flexible tube; c. plunger drive means coupled to the plunger for repeatedly moving the plunger into and out of compression against a segment of the flexible tube; d. at least one jaw member disposed along substantially the same segment of the flexible tube as the plunger, the at least one jaw member being positioned to apply a compressive force to at least one side of the flexible tube in a direction generally transverse to the direction of plunger movement; and e. jaw member drive means coupled to the at least one jaw member for repeatedly moving the at least one jaw member into and out of compression against at least one side of the same segment of the flexible tube, the at least one jaw member expanding the interior passage when in a position of compression with the tube.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus for repeatedly compressing and shaping a flexible tube having an interior passage, comprising: a. a frame for holding a portion of the flexible tube; b. a single plunger coupled to the frame so as to be disposed opposite at least one side of a segment of the flexible tube; c. plunger drive means coupled to the plunger for repeatedly moving the plunger into and out of compression against a segment of the flexible tube; d. at least one jaw member disposed along substantially the same segment of the flexible tube as the plunger, the at least one jaw member being positioned to apply a compressive force to at least one side of the flexible tube in a direction generally transverse to the direction of plunger movement; and e. jaw member drive means coupled to the at least one jaw member for repeatedly moving the at least one jaw member into and out of compression against at least one side of the same segment of the flexible tube, the at least one jaw member expanding the interior passage when in a position of compression with the tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the jaw member drive means is actuated by the motion of the plunger so that the at least one jaw member is caused to push against the tube when the plunger is moved out of compression with the tube, and so that the at least one jaw member is caused to move away from the tube when the plunger is moved into compression with the tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one jaw member comprises a pair of jaws disposed on each side of a segment of the flexible tube that is compressed by the plunger, and wherein the jaw member drive means comprise: a. a pair of arms, pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the plunger; and b. a pair of rollers disposed on opposite sides of the plunger, said rollers transmitting the compressive force from the plunger to the pivotally-mounted arms, so that the interior passage is expanded by the jaws in synchronization, as the plunger retracts from a position of maximum compression of the flexible tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pair of rollers are mounted on the plunger and roll along facing surfaces of the pair of arms.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pair of rollers are mounted on the pair of arms and roll along facing surfaces of the plunger.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plunger drive means comprise a cam rotatably driven by a motor, and wherein the plunger is spring biased into contact with the cam, said plunger having a longitudinally-extending surface that contacts the flexible tube along a segment thereof, while compressing it.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
203 words
A single-plunger fluid pump for repeatably compressing and shaping a flexible tube having an interior passage, comprising: a. a frame for holding a portion of the flexible tube; b. a single plunger coupled to the frame so as to be disposed opposite at least one side of a segment of the flexible tube, said plunger having a longitudinal surface; c. plunger drive means coupled to the plunger for repeatably moving the longitudinal surface of the plunger into and out of compression against a segment of the flexible tube; d. at least one jaw member disposed along substantially the same segment of the flexible tube as the longitudinal surface of the plunger, said at least one jaw member being positioned to apply a compressive force to at least one side of the flexible tube in a direction generally transverse to the direction of plunger movement; and e. jaw member drive means coupled to said at least one jaw member for repeatedly moving said at least one jaw member into and out of compression against at least one side of the same segment of the flexible tube, said at least one jaw member expanding the interior passage when in a position to compress the tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
203 words
A single-plunger fluid pump for repeatably compressing and shaping a flexible tube having an interior passage, comprising: a. a frame for holding a portion of the flexible tube; b. a single plunger coupled to the frame so as to be disposed opposite at least one side of a segment of the flexible tube, said plunger having a longitudinal surface; c. plunger drive means coupled to the plunger for repeatably moving the longitudinal surface of the plunger into and out of compression against a segment of the flexible tube; d. at least one jaw member disposed along substantially the same segment of the flexible tube as the longitudinal surface of the plunger, said at least one jaw member being positioned to apply a compressive force to at least one side of the flexible tube in a direction generally transverse to the direction of plunger movement; and e. jaw member drive means coupled to said at least one jaw member for repeatedly moving said at least one jaw member into and out of compression against at least one side of the same segment of the flexible tube, said at least one jaw member expanding the interior passage when in a position to compress the tube.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The single-plunger fluid pump of claim 14, further comprising means to adjust the range of movement of said at least one jaw member for proper expansion of the interior passage of the tube.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-06-20 | 1997-12-20 | 1998-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-20 | 2001-12-20 | 2002-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-20 | 2005-12-20 | 2006-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |