INJECTION-MOLDED HOSE

Abstract

Disclosed and described is a hose for attachment to a dispensing cartridge for placement in a peristaltic pump, for stretching over a rotor of the peristaltic pump, and for conveying a medium by external mechanical deformation of the hose. The hose has a length of preferably 20 mm to 200 mm, an internal cross-sectional area of 0.07 to 7.07 mm.sup.2, and a wall thickness of 0.3 mm to 2.2 mm. Thickenings are formed at both ends of the hose and the distance between the thickenings is 40 mm to 100 mm. According to the invention, it is provided that the hose is manufactured by an injection molding process, the inner cross-sectional area has a tolerance of at most ±33%, and the hose is suitable for closing completely when stretched over the rotor with a tension force of 1 to 10 N.

Claims

1. A hose (11) for attachment to a dispensing cartridge (33) for placement in a peristaltic pump and for stretching over a rotor of the peristaltic pump and conveying a medium by external mechanical deformation of the hose, said hose (11) having a length of preferably from 20 mm to 200 mm, an internal cross-sectional area of from 0.07 to 7.07 mm.sup.2 and a wall thickness of from 0.3 mm to 2.2 mm, preferably from 0.3 to 1.5 mm, and thickenings (13) formed at both ends of the hose (11), whereby the distance between the thickenings is between 40 mm and 100 mm, characterized in that the hose (11) is produced by an injection molding process, the internal cross-sectional area has a tolerance of not more than ±33% and the hose (11) is suitable for closing completely when stretched over the rotor with a tension force of 1 to 10 N.

2. Hose (11) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the inner cross-sectional area of the hose (11) has a tolerance of at most ±13.3%, in particular at most ±6.7%.

3. Hose (11) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the hose (11) has an inner cross-sectional area of 0.502 to 2.6 mm.sup.2, in particular of 0.502 to 1.767 mm.sup.2, and the inner cross-sectional area has a tolerance of at most ±12.5%.

4. Hose (11) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the material of the hose has a Shore hardness of from 20 to 80 Shore-A, preferably from 35 to 65 Shore-A, more preferably from 45 to 55 Shore-A.

5. Hose (11) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the material of the hose comprises a plastic selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chlorides (PVC).

6. Hose (11) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the material of the hose comprises silicone.

7. Hose (11) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the thickenings (13) are each configured to form a positive connection with the dispensing cartridge (33).

8. Hose (11) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the hose (11) has a wall thickness of 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm.

9. Hose (11) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the hose (11) has a length of 20 mm to 70 mm.

10. Hose connection (37) comprising a first hose (11) in accordance with claim 1 and a second hose (39).

11. Hose connection (37) in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that the first hose (11) has a material connection with the second hose (39).

12. The hose connection (37) in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that the first hose (11) is overmolded onto the second hose (39).

13. A hose connection (37) in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that a connecting piece (41) is arranged between the first hose (11) and the second hose (39) and the connecting piece (41) has a positive connection to the first hose (11) and to the second hose (39).

14. A method of manufacturing a hose (11) for attachment to a dispensing cartridge (33) for placement in a peristaltic pump and for conveying a medium by external mechanical deformation of the hose, which hose is adapted to close completely when stretched over the rotor with a tension force of 1 N to 10 N, whereby the hose (11) has a length of preferably 20 mm to 100 mm, an internal cross-sectional area of 0.07 to 7.07 mm.sup.2, and a wall thickness of 0.3 mm to 2.2 mm, characterized in that the hose (11) is produced by an injection molding process.

15. Use of a hose in accordance with claim 1 for mounting in a dispensing cartridge for placement in a peristaltic pump, wherein the dosing of the liquid is effected by the rotation of a rotor of the peristaltic pump and the hose is stretched over the rotor with tension force sufficient for the hose to open and close solely by the rotation of the rotor, characterized in that the rotor for dosing does not press the hose against a wall.

16. Use of a plurality of hoses in accordance with claim 1 in a dispensing cartridge for placement in a peristaltic pump, whereby the hoses (11) are arranged parallel to each other and stretched over a rotor of the peristaltic pump.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0037] Example embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example with reference to the figures. The figures show schematic representations, not to scale, as follows:

[0038] FIG. 1: a three-dimensional view of a hose with two thickenings;

[0039] FIG. 2: a three-dimensional view of a hose with a smaller diameter than that shown in FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 3: a view of an arrangement for a dispensing cartridge with three cartridges in accordance with the present state of the art;

[0041] FIG. 4: a view of a tension element in a dispensing cartridge with hoses in accordance with the present state of the art;

[0042] FIG. 5: an exploded view of a hose connection;

[0043] FIG. 6: a table showing the distribution of the internal diameters of hoses in accordance with the invention;

[0044] FIG. 7: cross-section of a hose in the open and closed states.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0045] In the following, identical reference numbers stand for identical or functionally identical elements (in different figures). An additional apostrophe may be used to distinguish similar or functionally identical or functionally similar elements in a further embodiment.

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a hose 11 suitable for mounting in a dispensing cartridge. The task of the hose is to convey the medium it contains by means of its own mechanical deformation. The required flexibility of the hose is ideally ensured by using silicone as its material. The hose has a length between 20 and 200 mm and an outer diameter between 2.15 mm and 3.05 mm. The tolerance of the outer diameter is ±0.02 mm.

[0047] A cuboidal thickening 13 is provided at both ends of the hose, said thickening not extending to the respective end 15 of the hose, but rather extending to a point a short distance 17 away from the end of the hose. This distance is approximately equal to the width of the cuboid 13 which forms the thickening. The parallelepiped 13 has two opposing square sides 19 and four rectangular sides 21 of equal size, the rectangular sides 21 being larger than the square sides 19. The longitudinal edges 23 of the rectangular sides are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hose and are also rounded.

[0048] The hose has a wall thickness from 0.5 mm to 0.9 mm. The inner diameter is between 1.15 and 1.25. The tolerance of the inner diameter is ±0.01 mm.

[0049] A recess 25 is provided on one rectangular side 21 of the parallelepiped 13. This extends from a short edge of the rectangular side to approximately the middle thereof, where it has a semicircular edge 27. The recess 25 has two steps in its depth.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a hose 11 which has a smaller diameter than that shown in FIG. 1. Both the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the 11 in FIG. 2 are smaller than those of the hose of FIG. 1. At the same length, the inner diameter of the hose in FIG. 2 is reduced to 0.85 mm to 0.95 mm. The tolerance of the inner diameter is also ±0.01 mm in this embodiment. The outer diameter is between 1.65 mm and 2.15 and has a tolerance of ±0.02 mm.

[0051] However, the thickenings 13 of the hose in FIG. 2 are approximately the same size as those of the hose in FIG. 1. There is therefore a different ratio between the cross-sections of the hose 11 and the thickening 13 for the two embodiments of the hose. Furthermore, the hoses 11 in FIGS. 1 and 2 have approximately the same length. This also results in a different length-to-diameter ratio between the two hoses.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a dispensing cartridge 33 comprising three cartridges 35. The cartridges 35 have a two-part construction with a housing and a cover, whereby in FIG. 3 only the housings of the cartridges 35 are shown. Recesses are provided in the second and third cartridges 35″, 35″′ for receiving the hoses. In addition to these recesses at the inlet and outlet of the cartridge, both cartridges 35″, 35″ also have a tension element 29, 29′ for each hose 11. In FIG. 3, only one hose 11 is shown, although in practice the number of hoses can be up to 16. The hoses 11 are all arranged side by side and parallel to one other. One end of the hose 11 is arranged in the first cartridge 35′. In the first cartridge 35′, the hose transfers its contents to a dispensing tip which delivers the transported medium to the outside.

[0053] In the prior art, hose 11 for use in a dispensing cartridge is manufactured using an extrusion process. These have a broader distribution of diameters than the hoses 11 in accordance with the invention. The result of this wide variation in the diameter of the hoses 11 is the need to adjust the tension force applied to the hose in the dispensing cartridge individually for each hose. For this purpose, tension elements 29, each with a set screw 31, are provided in currently available dispenser cartridges, which are shown in FIG. 4. The tension force and, at the same time, the length and diameter of each hose 11 can be adjusted by means of a set screw 31 provided for this purpose, so that all the hoses 11 have the same flow rate. Due to their manufacturing process, hoses 11 in accordance with the invention have such a narrow distribution of diameters that the same tension force can be applied to all hoses 11 in order to achieve a flow rate constant between hoses 11. This makes it possible to omit the tension elements 29 and set screws 31 in the dispensing cartridge when using hoses 11 in accordance with the invention.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a hose connection 37 comprising a first hose 11 in accordance with the invention and a second hose 39. A connector 41 is arranged between the first hose 11 and the second hose 39. This comprises a short hose section, the outer walls of which are conical at both ends. The connector 41 is intended to be inserted with both ends into one of the hoses 11, 37 to be connected. Drawing the hose over the connecting piece 41 establishes a frictional connection due to the conical shape of the outer wall of the connecting piece and the elasticity of the hose. A nozzle 43 may be attached to the other end of the first hose 11. Like the connector 41, this also has a conical outer wall so that it can also be inserted into the hose 11. At the end of the nozzle 43 opposite from the hose 11, there is provided a constriction of both the outer diameter and the inner diameter. This reduces the cross-sectional area, which inhibits dripping of the liquid during dispensing.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a table showing the distribution of internal diameters of various hoses in accordance with the invention. As expected, the distribution of inner diameters shows a normal distribution with the mean inner diameter of 0.573 mm. The normal distribution allows a statement to be made about the definition of the tolerance. In a measurement series with a normal distribution, the tolerance represents the range of values in which 95% of the measured values are contained. In this case, 95% of the measured inside diameters are within a range of 0.573 ±0.0172 mm, which determines the tolerance of the diameter as ±0.0172 mm. The diameter of 0.573 mm chosen here is only one of many possible inner diameters of the hose in the range between 0.3 mm and 3.0 mm. Regardless of the choice of target diameter, the distribution of the diameters of a plurality of hoses results in a Gaussian normal distribution around the chosen target diameter.

[0056] To measure the internal cross-sectional area, the shape of the cross-sectional area must be determined. If the hose has a circular inner cross-section, the inner diameter can be used to infer the inner cross-sectional area. If the cross-section is rectangular or square, the side lengths must be measured to calculate the internal cross-sectional area. Since most hoses have a circular cross-section, the measuring method for determining the internal cross-sectional area is described below using a round hose cross-section.

[0057] Two methods are known for determining the internal cross-sectional area. Both methods have such a high measurement accuracy that the distribution of the measured values can be used to draw conclusions about the manufacturing tolerance.

[0058] The first method involves measuring the internal diameter of a hose using computer tomography. The measuring accuracy of the computer tomography is about 30 μm. To determine the tolerance of the internal cross-sectional area, the internal diameters must be measured. The internal cross-sectional areas can then be inferred from these measurements. The expected distribution is a Gaussian or normal distribution. This assumes that the distribution of the measured internal diameters around the nominal value extends symmetrically in both directions. The limit values, which cover the range in which 95% of the measured inside diameters lie, define the tolerance values of the inside diameter. The measurement is made at a minimum of two points on the hose. Preferably, these points are not close to one other. The most suitable procedure is to choose a first measuring point close to one end of the hose and to choose the second measuring point close to the other end of the hose.

[0059] A second method for determining the inner diameter is the measurement by allowing a fluid to flow through the hoses with identical, known boundary conditions. The volume flow can be inferred from the boundary conditions. This allows the resulting volume flow to be compared with the setpoint volume flow. The difference between these volume flows is due to the difference in internal cross-sectional area. The flow rate through a hose is proportional to its internal cross-sectional area. This measuring method requires that either a hose with known dimensional accuracy is used as a reference variable, or a volume flow to be achieved is used as a reference variable. The reference hose defines the target volume flow. The deviation of the measured volume flow rates of the remaining hoses from the target volume flow rate is due to the different internal cross-sectional area of the remaining hoses compared to the reference hose. Since, as mentioned above, the volume flow is proportional to the internal cross-sectional area, the difference in volume flow can be directly inferred from the difference in internal cross-sectional area. If only one reference variable is known, each measured volume flow must be compared with the reference variable. The deviation from the reference value determines the deviation of the internal cross-sectional area from the nominal internal cross-sectional area. The discrepancy in the volume flow is proportional to that in the internal cross-sectional area.

[0060] The volume flow here need not be described as a volume as a function of a unit of time, but can also use units of measurement other than those of time. These units of measurement can also be time-independent, such as the rotor revolution of a peristaltic pump. Thus, the volume flow can be specified as volume per rotor revolution of the peristaltic pump both as a comparative quantity and as a measured quantity. To determine whether a hose is within the tolerance range or not, a greater quantity of hoses of the same design must be measured. If at least 95% of all hoses measured show a value within the tolerance range, the hose is considered to be within the tolerance range. It is not possible to make a statement on the basis of a single measurement of a hose as to whether this hose is generally within a tolerance range or not.

[0061] FIG. 7 shows a sequence of two illustrations showing the closing of a hose 11. The hose is arranged on a bar 45 of a rotor. The force F acting on the hose 11 is a result of the pretensioning force with which the hose 11 is stretched in the dispensing cartridge and the counterforce of the bar 45, which varies as the rotor moves. While the pretensioning force remains constant, the counterforce of the bar varies depending on its position. A cyclic opening and closing movement of the hose 11 therefore occurs as a result of the rotation of the rotor.

[0062] The amplitude of the opposing force exerted by the bar 45 cannot be changed. On the other hand, the pretensioning force with which the hose 11 is stretched on the dispensing cartridge can be set as desired. The pretensioning force can be used to influence the service life of the hose 11. The greater the pretensioning force, the shorter the service life of the hose 11.

[0063] The selection of the pretensioning force further depends on the geometry of the hose 11, in particular on its cross-sectional area. The larger the cross-sectional area of the hose 11, the greater the pretensioning force must be to ensure that the hose closes completely.

[0064] Another effect to be taken into account when dimensioning the hose 11 is the inertia and pressure of the fluid contained in the hose 11. When the force F exerted on the hose 11 by the pretensioning falls below a certain value, the hose 11 no longer closes completely because the internal pressure in the hose 11 exerts a greater force.

[0065] The hose 11 must have at least a certain diameter in order to ensure complete closure. If the pressure falls below this value, the force of the liquid in the hose alone will cause the hose to remain partially open at all times.

[0066] Taking into account these behaviors and rules, a range for the cross-sectional area is obtained within which the closure of the hose is guaranteed and the maximum service life of the hose 11 is ensured.

[0067] Tests and measurements have shown that at a pretensioning force of 1 to 10 N, the optimum service life for a hose with an inside diameter of about 0.9 mm is achieved by a wall thickness of about 0.5 mm. The greater the wall thickness, the greater the pretensioning force must be. Since the maximum service life is achieved with the smallest pretensioning force, the smallest possible wall thickness should be selected for the maximum service life. In order to achieve a maximum service life with a hose inner diameter of 0.15 mm to 1.5 mm, therefore, an ideal wall thickness of 0.3 to 2.2 mm, in particular of 0.3 to 1.2 mm, further preferably of 0.3 to 0.7 mm, is obtained.

[0068] A smaller inner diameter also requires a smaller wall thickness. Therefore, for a hose which closes when stretched over a rotor with a tensile force of 1 to 10 N, the ratio between its inside and outside diameter is specified. Ideally, the ratio between the inner and outer diameters of the hose is 0.3 to 0.6, preferably 0.4 to 0.55.

[0069] Using a Hose in Accordance with the Invention

[0070] A hose in accordance with the invention is provided to be attached to a dispensing cartridge via its thickenings. Preferably, several hoses are arranged in parallel within the dispensing cartridge. The production of the hoses by means of the injection molding process leads to very small tolerances for the inner diameter. Due to the small tolerance, the individual hoses do not need to be adjusted individually. At the same time, this also makes it possible to replace a single hose by another without having to make any changes to the dispensing cartridge. The hose in accordance with the invention is dimensioned and attached to the dispensing cartridge in such a way that the hose can close completely when operating in a peristaltic pump with only one rotor and without a hose bed. The hose is stretched over the rotor during operation in the peristaltic pump. The rotation of the rotor is responsible for the peristalsis. In this case, a hose in accordance with the invention is completely closed without having to rely on a counterforce in the form of a hose bed. The complete closure of the hose is made possible solely by the force compressing the hose. This is determined by the tension force of the hose over the rotor, the rotor geometry, and the dimensions of the hose. The hose must have a wall thickness sufficient for the mass of the wall to provide sufficient force to clamp the hose, thereby ensuring complete closure. As already described above, too great a tension force or too thin a wall thickness of the hose will lead to a reduction in the service life of the hose.

[0071] While the invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is apparent that changes, modifications, variations, and combinations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS:

[0072] 11 Hose [0073] 13, 13′ Thickening on the hose [0074] 15, 15′ End of the hose [0075] 17 Distance from the thickening to the end of the hose [0076] 19 Square side of a parallelepipedal thickening [0077] 21 Rectangular side of a parallelepipedal thickening [0078] 23 Longitudinal edges of the thickening [0079] 25 Recess at the thickening [0080] 27 Semicircular edge of the thickening [0081] 29 Tension elements [0082] 31 Adjusting screw [0083] 33 Dispensing cartridge [0084] 35, 35′, 35″, 35′″ Cartridge [0085] 37 Hose connection [0086] 39 Second hose [0087] 41 Connector [0088] 43 Nozzle [0089] 45 Bar of the rotor