Portable device to improve the connection of plastic tubing to fittings

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a portable device for heating the ends of plastic tubing to enlarge the diameter and increase the flexibility of the tubing to more easily connect with various fittings.

Claims

1. A wearable, portable device for heating plastic or polymer tubing comprising: a power source; a thermostatically-controlled heating chamber connected to the power source, wherein the heating chamber comprises an opening adequate to accommodate plastic or polymer tubing of a diameter of less than 3 inches, and wherein the heating chamber holds and heats fluid to a working temperature sufficient to reshape the plastic or polymer tubing; and a carrier to allow a human subject to carry the power source and the heating chamber.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the power source is re-chargeable.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the carrier is belt-mounted.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises a shoulder strap.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the power source and the heating chamber are secured in the carrier.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating chamber further comprises a leak-resistant cap.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the carrier is capable of free standing.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating chamber is thermally insulated.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid contained in the heating chamber has a boiling point above the working temperature, is non-toxic to humans and inhibits microbe growth.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating chamber is configured to heat tubing one inch or less in diameter.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the heating chamber is configured to heat tubing one-half inch or less in diameter.

12. A wearable, portable device for reshaping plastic or polymer tubing of a diameter of less than 3 inches comprising: a power source; a thermostatically-controlled, fuse-protected thermally insulated heating chamber comprising an opening adequate to accommodate the plastic or polymer tubing of a diameter of less than 3 inches, wherein the heating chamber is adapted to hold fluid configured to heat the plastic or polymer tubing to a desired temperature sufficient to reshape the plastic or polymer tubing; and a carrier to allow a human subject to carry the power source and the heating chamber.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) So that the manner in which the features, advantages and objects of the present invention described herein are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description may be had by reference to the embodiment illustrated in the appended Figure. It is to be noted, however, that the appended Figure illustrates only one embodiment of the invention, and therefore is not to be limiting to its scope, for the present invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments and industrial applications.

(2) FIG. 1 is an illustration showing the device of the present invention according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is an illustration of the heating chamber portion of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features and procedures well known to those skilled in the art have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the invention.

(5) The present invention relates to a portable device for heating the end portion of plastic tubing to temporarily increase the diameter and flexibility of the tubing so that the tubing more readily slides onto fittings, and then contracts as it cools to provide a tight and secure coupling. The portability particularly is desired in locations not served by electricity such as outdoor environments. The portability and wearability of the device is particularly desired when hands-free work combined with mobility is important.

(6) FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a device 100 of the present invention according to one embodiment of the present invention. Device 100 as shown comprises a belt 102, buckle 104, power source 106, a cover 108 for power source 106, attachments 110 that attach the pouch or holder 112 of fluid bottle 114 and carrier 116 (holding power source 106 and heating chamber 118 where the tubing (not shown) is inserted and heated) to belt 102, and a cap 120 for heating chamber 118. FIG. 2 is an illustration of the heating chamber portion 218 of the device, showing the leak-resistant cap 220.

(7) The tubing that may be heated by the device may be any type of plastic or polymer tubing, where heating will affect both the diameter and flexibility of the tubing sufficiently to enhance the connection process. The type of tubing used depends on the particular industry and application and is selected by its particular properties, including the amount of flexibility desired, the temperature to which it must be heated to affect connection to a fitting, and cost.

(8) The material used for the carrier housing the power supply and heating chamber in preferred embodiments is any durable material that resists wear, stands up well to the elements and provides support for the power supply and chamber, and in more preferred embodiments, the material is water-resistant or waterproof, including materials such as Kevlar®, nylon, polyurethane, or natural or synthetic fabrics that are laminated to or coated with a waterproofing material such as rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, silicone elastomer, fluoropolymers, and wax. If a belt or strap is employed, the belt or strap may be made out of any common material such as nylon or the waterproof fabrics listed above. As an alternative to a belt or strap, the power supply and heating chamber may be carried in a tote bag or backpack, although the belt and strap embodiments allow one to have the heating chamber at the ready in a “hands free” configuration.

(9) The power source used can be any power source that is portable (the lighter the better) and of sufficient power to rapidly heat and keep heated the fluid in the heating chamber for from a few to preferably several hours. Preferably the power supply is rechargeable and in some embodiments the amount of power supplied may be adjustable. Power sources of particular use include rechargeable, sealed batteries used in the collection, storage and release of solar and wind-generated electricity; e.g., sealed lead acid and lithium batteries.

(10) The heating chamber may be made of any material that is preferably highly conductive of heat and is resistant to corrosion by the fluid(s) used to heat the tubing. The heating chamber may comprise several materials and layers. For example, the fluid reservoir of the heating chamber may be made of copper with the components (heating tape, thermostat and fuse) held in place by a high-temperature silicone-based tape. The fluid reservoir is then covered with a high-temperature insulation layer such as that used to insulate copper pipe such as Armacell™. The dimensions of the heating chamber depend on the size of the tubing used. The fluid reservoir must have an opening adequate to accommodate the tubing and hold enough fluid to thoroughly and uniformly heat the tubing. Additionally, the reservoir will have a depth sufficient to accommodate the length of tubing desired to be heated (e.g., a length substantially equal to the length of the receptor portion of the fitting). Typically the tubing will have a diameter of less than three inches, less than two inches, less than one inch, and more typically will have a diameter of about a half inch or less.

(11) Fluids used for heating the tubing include any fluid that has a boiling point higher and preferably significantly higher than the temperature needed to reshape the tubing selected, and, in the context of the food or medical industries, is non-toxic and, preferably, resists microbial growth. One preferred liquid for use with the polyethylene tubing is glycerol, a naturally-occurring compound often used as a food additive. The boiling point of glycerol (290° C.) is well above the ideal connecting temperature for polyethylene tubing (approximately 80-110° C.). Glycerol leaves very little residue on the tubing after heating and has natural bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties.

(12) The preceding merely illustrates the principles of the invention. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited herein are principally intended to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Rather, the scope and spirit of present invention is embodied by the appended claims. In the claims that follow, unless the term “means” is used, none of the features or elements recited therein should be construed as means-plus-function limitations pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6.