Apparatus for Creating a Rolled Back End

Abstract

Apparatus for rolling back the end of a flexible tube, the apparatus comprising a flexible tube support, a plunger assembly having a flared conical end, a cover around the outside of the plunger assembly and actuator means for moving the plunger assembly into the flexible tube, and moving the cover over the rolled back end. In use a flexible tube is placed into the tube support, and its end is placed over the conical end. While the tube is held in position, plunger assembly advanced into the tube, flaring the end of the tube. The cover then continues to advance urging the flared end back on forming the rolled back end. The apparatus can fit a sleeve over the rolled back end, holding it is place, and can connect the sleeve to a tubing support.

Claims

1. Apparatus for rolling back the end of a flexible tube, the apparatus comprising means for retaining a flexible tube; and means for rolling back the end of the flexible tube, the means being aligned with the means for retaining the flexible tube, comprising a plunger having a conical end, a tip of the conical end being at the distal end of the plunger and flaring to a diameter that is the same or larger than that of the internal diameter of the flexible tube, a cover expending over the plunger and movable with and separately to the plunger; and means for advancing the plunger and cover towards the tube.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, where prior to use, the cover is positioned level with or slightly behind a proximal end of the conical end.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for advancing the plunger and cover towards the tube is adapted to initially move both components together, and then to move the cover while retaining the position of the plunger with respect to the tube.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover is provided with an indent on its inner surface, sized to attach a sleeve, the sleeve being sized to fit over a rolled back end of the flexible tube, securing the same.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means for clamping the flexible tube, and the means for rolling back the end of the tube are fixed onto a base.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for advancing the conical end, plunger and cover is manually operated.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for advancing the conical end, plunger and sleeve is automated.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conical end of the plunger assembly and the cover are replaceable by alternatives of different sizes.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conical end flares outwardly with increasing flare from its tip to its widest point where it meets a stem of the plunger.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover is an open cylinder.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the length of the roll back formed is 80-120% of the external diameter of the flexible tube

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distal end of the cover is adapted for holding a sleeve, the sleeve being advanced by movement of the cover; and wherein the means for advancing the plunger and the cover also advances the sleeve towards the tube.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the retaining means is a clamp capable of holding and securing the flexible tube, while not damaging it.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the conical end of the plunger assembly and/or the cover are replaceable by alternatives of different sizes.

15. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein in an initial position a distal end of the cover is level with a proximal end of the conical end of the plunger, or slightly set back therefrom, but movable to a position extending beyond the distal end of the conical end.

16. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the conical end has an increasing flare from its tip to a widest point at a proximal end where it meets a stem portion.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the flare is based on an ellipse or an oval shape.

18-19. (canceled)

20. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the length of the roll back formed is example 80-120% of the external diameter of the flexible tube

21. A kit comprising the apparatus of any one of claim 12, together with a plurality of sleeves, sized for an interference fit with a length of rolled back end.

22-34. (canceled)

35. A method of providing a rolled back end of a flexible tube and supporting the rolled back end with a sleeve using the apparatus of claim 12, the method comprising the steps of supporting a length of the flexible tube, inserting a conical portion into the end of the tube, until the tube extends beyond the conical portion, creating a flared end, and pushing the flared end back on itself using the sleeve held by a cover extending over the flared conical portion, resulting in a rolled back end of a flexible tube supported by the sleeve.

36-41. (canceled)

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0072] To help understanding of the invention, specific embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0073] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention, with the lid of the means for supporting the flexible tube open;

[0074] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, which the lid of the means for supporting the flexible tube closed;

[0075] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, holding a flexible tube with tubing support, and a sleeve;

[0076] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 4, with the plunger advanced into the tube, the end of the tube flared, but not rolled back; and

[0077] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 in which the tube has been rolled back over the tubing support, and held with the sleeve, before removal from the apparatus.

EXAMPLE

[0078] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3 the apparatus 1 thereshown is designed to roll back an end E of a flexible tube T and to fit a tubing support TS and sleeve S, which support the rolled back end.

[0079] The apparatus comprises a base 2 to ensure that the elements are maintained at predetermined distances. This also enables transport of the apparatus.

[0080] Adjacent one end 4 of the base 2 is provided a flexible tubing retaining or clamping means, or tube holder 10. This is designed to hold a flexible tube T so that its end E can be rolled back. The tube holder 10 includes a channel 12 into which the tube can be placed, and an openable lid 14, which allows placement of the tube T, and which can be closed to hold the tube in position. The lid 14 is provided with a catch 16, which clips over a projection 18 on the channel 12. The tubing securing means is fixed onto the base 2 of the apparatus.

[0081] The channel 12 and lid 14 are provided with a series of lobes or projections 15, which once a tube T is placed into the channel 12 and the lid 14 is closed, press into the tube T deforming it, and preventing backwards or forwards movement of the tube in the tube holder 10.

[0082] The base 2 also holds the means 30 for rolling back the end E of the tube T, which includes a plunger assembly 32, including a plunger 34 having a flared conical portion 36 at its distal end. The conical portion 36 comprises the wider end of a cone only, the very tip of the cone not being present. Although in another embodiment, the tip may be present. The conical portion 36 is flared compared to a standard cone shape. The diameter of the plunger 34 is slightly larger than that of the outer diameter of the flexible tube T, with the conical portion 36 flaring to this diameter. The means 30 for rolling back the end of the tube T is aligned with the tube holder 10, such that forward movement of the plunger 34 is centred on the tube T.

[0083] The term “flaring” indicates that the increase in diameter of the cone is not linear, but more than linear.

[0084] Around the plunger is provided a cover 40 designed to have a sliding fit over the plunger 34. The sleeve 40 is provided with a cut-away portion or indent, 42 inside its proximal end 44, designed such that a sleeve S can be placed substantially within the indent. Before actuation, the end 44 of the cover is very slightly set back from the flared end of the conical portion 36. This enables the conical portion 36 to enter the tube T free from encumbrance by the cover 40.

[0085] The plunger assembly is generally made of a hard material such as a metal, for example aluminium. Alternatively, this could be made of a hard plastic material.

[0086] The plunger assembly is held on the base 2 by a plunger assembly housing 50, into which the plunger assembly has a sliding fit.

[0087] At the other end 6 of the base 2, and connected to the plunger assembly 34, is an actuator mechanism 60 for advancing the plunger assembly. As shown this mechanism 60 is a manually operated mechanism, although the movement of the plunger assembly could be automated using mechanisms and means well known in the art. As shown the mechanism comprises a cam surface 62 for advancing the plunger 32 and a separate cam surface 64 for advancing the cover 40. Advancing means 66 for rotation of the cam surfaces 62 and 64 is also provided, enabling one movement to advance both the plunger and the cover.

[0088] The cam surfaces 62 and 64 have identical starting surface portions 70. However, the cam surface 62 engages with the plunger 34 for movement of the conical portion 36, but cam surface 64 does not engage with the end 46 of the cover 40. Thus initially on movement of the handle 66 both cam surfaces move such that cam surface 62 moves the plunger 34, but movement of cam surface 64 does not move the cover 40. The cam surface 62 that moves the plunger then includes a portion 72 that essentially maintains the plunger in a fixed position, i.e. it simply follows the arc of a circle. The cam surface 64 that moves the cover 40 includes an equivalent portion 74 that initially engages with the end 46 of the cover 40, urging the cover 40 to move forwards. Both cam surfaces 62, 64 then include a stop portion 76, which is in effect the initial portion of the cam surface. These surfaces abut a stop portion 78 on the base, namely part of the actuation mechanism. Movement of the cam surfaces 62 and 64 is activated by movement of a handle 66 (not shown), which moves both surfaces simultaneously.

[0089] Movement of the cam surfaces 62, 64 is controlled by positioning a handle (not shown) on pin 66. Rotation of the handle rotates the pin 66, moving the cam surfaces against the end of the plunger 34 and sleeve.

[0090] In use, a user places a sleeve S into the cut-away portion 42 at the distal end 44 of the cover 40. The user then places a tubing support TS over the end of a flexible tube T, set back from the end E of the tube, by the distance of the roll-back desired, which will also be approximately the distance from the end of the spigot to the lip of the tubing support TS. The tube T is then placed in the tube holder 10, positioning it such that the tubing support TS and end of the flexible tube T extends from the flexible tubing securing means 10 in the direction of the plunger assembly 20. The lip of the tubing support TS will abut the end of the flexible tubing securing means 10, and it size prevents it from entering the flexible tubing securing means 10. It is also important to ensure that the end of the tube E is placed over the conical portion 36.

[0091] Once the tube T is in position, the lid 14 is closed, and fastened with the catch 16. This is shown in FIG. 1-3.

[0092] To actuate the rolling back of the end, the user will start to move the handle 66 of the actuator mechanism 60 which moves the cam surfaces 62, 64 against the end of the plunger and cover assembly moving them forward towards the flexible tube T. This is shown in FIG. 4. Initially the conical portion 36 is forced into the flexible tube T, which flares the tube as it curves along the path of the conical portion 36. At this stage the cover 40 has moved the same distance as the plunger 34 and so it still positioned at the end of or slightly behind the conical portion 36. At the end of the forward movement of the plunger assembly the conical portion 36 has been urged almost fully into the flexible tube T such that the flexible tube has flared along the curvature of the conical portion and slightly over the end of the conical portion 36, and almost perpendicular to the length of the tube T. The flared portion of the flexible tube T extends from its end E to the edge of the tubing support TS. The edge of the tubing support TS prevents any further forward movement of the plunger and conical portion 36. In addition, the cam surface 62 is shaped such that the position of the plunger remains constant while the handle is further rotated.

[0093] Referring now to FIG. 5, as the user continues to move the handle 66 the cam surface 62 ceases forward movement of the plunger, but cam surface 64 ensures continued forward movement of the collar 40, which is holding the sleeve S. The forward movement of the cover 40 pushes the flared end E of the tube T back on itself, creating the rolled back end R. The continued forward movement of the collar 40 urges the rolled back section of the tube T flat against the tubing support TS and urges the sleeve S over the rolled back end R. The sleeve S is urged over the rolled back end until it abuts the lip of the tubing support TS, and so that engagement between a projection and indentation in the sleeve S and tubing support TS, where provided, is achieved.

[0094] The handle is then returned to its rest position, retracting the collar 40 and plunger 34 from the flexible tube T. The retraction of the cover 40 leaves the sleeve S in position around the rolled back end E of the tube T.

[0095] Once the plunger assembly 30 has been retracted, the lid 14 of the tube holder 10 can be opened, and the tube T removed.

[0096] The tube will now be provided with a rolled back end which is supported by a tubing support TS and sleeve S and can be used to create a seal.

[0097] The tube holder 10 and its channel 12 will be provided at a size that is appropriate for the diameter of the flexible tube, as will the plunger assembly, plunger, conical portion and sleeve.

[0098] In some embodiments, not shown, the conical end 36 and the cover 40 may be removable. This can allow alternative conical end and cover combinations to be inserted of a suitable size for the tube whose end is to be rolled back. The conical end 36 can be removed at joint 82 and replaced by another conical end of the appropriate size. Equally the cover can be removed at joint 84 and replaced by one of an appropriate size. Where removable covers are provided, they may be provided with an end flange (not shown) to assist then being removed from the plunger assembly.

[0099] The apparatus, appropriately sized, can be used for rolling back the end of any diameter of flexible tube. However, typically a suitable tube will have a diameter of ⅛″ (3.175 mm) to 1″ (25.4 mm) diameter. Such tubes generally have a wall thickness of ⅛″ (3.175 mm) but may have a thickness between 1/16″ (1.5875) and 3/16″ (4.7625).

[0100] The length of the roll back will typically be ⅛″ (3.175 mm) - ¾″ (19.05 mm), more typically 3/16″ (4.7625 mm)— ½″ (12.7 mm), and most typically ¼″ (6.35 mm)— ⅜″ (9.525 mm). Again, other lengths can be rolled back depending on the requirements of the user, and the tubing support TS and sleeve S if provided.