Wafer for use in selective connecting and disconnecting of plastic tubes

The present invention relates on plates or wafers, which are used for the selective Connecting and disconnecting plastic tubes, which uses example are in total containment welding equipment, which have been described in various patents. The plate is used in such systems, as the component for heating the plastic tubes either as part of a process, the individual a Hose separates and two hose sections for subsequent welding at least one of the tube sections to a length of tubing of a different Hose forms. When it is used in the connection process, sets the plate heat to separate hose ends to what causes the tube ends to melt, so that the melted ends can be pressed together and form a unitary tube.

Frequently is selectively connecting and disconnecting plastic tubes in performed connection with medical techniques. is Under certain circumstances it is necessary that the plate is a disposable plate or a plate is to be used only once. The Food and Drug Administration the United States has, for example, under certain conditions Requirements provided that the multiple use of facilities such as prohibit or prevent, for example, plates or wafers.

The US Pat. No. 5,525,186 shows a particularly advantageous way of ensuring that a plate can only be used once. As described in the patent is, the wafer with an opening provided, in a Abfühlmaterial is arranged. While the connection / disconnection process moves the plate to a Sensor past. If the sensor detects the presence of the material in the opening, drives the Process continues. However, if a material in the aperture of available is the absence of the material is sensed and the process is held to by deactivating the device. The special Abfühlmaterial, in the '186 is shown patent, is a material that melts when heated. When a wafer is thus used for the first time, is the Abfühlmaterial initially in the opening and is detected by the sensor. Subsequently, when the wafer is heated will, melts the Abfühlmaterial and there are now no more material in the opening. If an attempt is made is to use the same plate again, the sensor would the absence detect the material or the open hole or opening.

EP-A-0890427 shows the provision of a Abfühl- or melt or fuse the material in the opening, the Abfühlmaterial a set of light transmission characteristics prior to heating and different light transmission characteristics after the plate was heated comprises, according to the preamble of claim 1. Thus, would a sensor, the proper light transmission characteristics for a of sensing plate not heated was and would the different light transmission characteristics of sensing, arising after the plate was heated. This is different opposite the '186 Patent in that in the '186 Patent after the wafer is heated the material melts and, the opening completely open is. In EP-A-0890427 but remains after the wafer is heated material still in the opening, but it has more different light transmission characteristics as before heating. The Abfühlmaterial EP-A-0890427 is a two layers exhibiting laminate includes a clear or transparent base material such as Mylar^® With a coating of a material having limited light transmission characteristics, such as aluminum. The material is in the hole, or the aperture of the copper wafer and the plate placed. If the Plate is heated, melts the material is permitted thereby, that light through the fuse hole passes. While the Fuse material according to EP-A-0890427 represents a certain advance in the art, there are some Disadvantages which may impair its efficiency. for example, if the aluminum layer will heavily scratched, such as by coating or Aufwickelwerkzeugen, cutting or Stanzwuerkzeugen, causes scratching large Differences in the optical density. Additionally, it is due to the two-layer nature of the laminate necessary the documents relating to the properly align sensors.

The invention

It is an object of this invention, provide a wafer or a plate having a safety structure, which overcomes the disadvantages of the two-layer laminate, shown in EP-A-0,890,427th

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of such a plate in which the securing material the fusible layer protects.

It is yet another object of this Invention to provide such a panel, in which the securing material a laminate structure has, avoided in the alignment problems will. These objects are dissolved by a plate according to claim 1 öst wherein the fuse or the fuse material from a three-layer Laminate is constructed. The laminate comprises a base layer or Supporting layer on either side of the fusible layer. Preferably is the same material, such as Mylar^® for each of the outer layers used. In this manner, the intermediate layer is full<?page 3?>constantly against the opportunity of scratching shielded. Similarly, due to the symmetrical structure of the three layers, an alignment of the Layers within the panel opening not critical.

Short description tHE dRAWINGS

<figref idrefs="S11">1</figref> is a side elevational view of a plate constructed according to this invention is;

<figref idrefs="S11">2</figref> is a perspective view showing the layers which fuse the form, in accordance with the plate <figref idrefs="S11">1</figref> is used;

<figref idrefs="S11">3</figref> is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in <figref idrefs="S11">1</figref>;

<figref idrefs="S11">4</figref> is a partial side elevational view showing the disk according <figref idrefs="S11">1</figref> before heating shows; and

<figref idrefs="S11">5</figref> and <figref idrefs="S11">6</figref> are similar views to <figref idrefs="S11">4</figref>Which the backup or melting material after applying different voltage levels shows.

Detailed description

The present invention aims in particular, the provision of variations of wafers or disks, shown in the US-A-5,525,186 and EP-A-0,890,427th In general The invention comprises the use of which as a Abfühlmaterials Securing to either serves the operation of the apparatus, which the plate is used as part of a connection / disconnection process for plastic tubes, to allow or prevent.

As in <figref idrefs="S11">1</figref> illustrated is, has the plate or wafer <figref>10</figref> the form of a flat plate, which is bent back on itself and thereby a pair of opposing sides <figref>12</figref>. <figref>12</figref> has, the heat-conducting of a Material, such as copper, are constructed. The plate<figref>10</figref> includes also a cut or a notch <figref>14</figref> for one Engagement by a pawl in the rest or initial position of the Plate, as described in US Pat. No. 5,279,685. The plate<figref>10</figref> also includes a wing <figref>16</figref> on each side <figref>12</figref> and a spoon or skimmer <figref>18</figref> on each side and that, in general, in line with the wing <figref>16</figref>, The wings <figref>16</figref> and Scrapers are attached to the plate at a position, which the molten hoses would contact.

As in <figref idrefs="S11">1</figref> is shown, the plate <figref>10</figref> in a holder <figref>20</figref> mounted, whose purpose is the Plate in a carriage during to install the initial movement of the plate, as in the US Patent No. 5,279,685 is described. In operation, in the holder<figref>20</figref> Inappropriate plate <figref>10</figref> downstream emotional. The plate is later from the holder <figref>20</figref> he taken out. After the implementation of its Heating process, the plate is removed from the device. While their movement is the plate <figref>10</figref> by a sensing station <figref>22</figref> therethrough, in the <figref idrefs="S11">3</figref> illustrated is. The sensing station<figref>22</figref> includes a sensor <figref>24</figref>That in the path of movement of the opening <figref>26</figref> of the plate <figref>10</figref> is attached. The sensor<figref>24</figref> would the Light level or light transmission sensing through the wafer and in particular through the opening <figref>26</figref>, Such sensing could eg take place with respect to a voltage reading, which of itself the voltage reading of the main plate material <figref>12</figref> differs and would from the voltage reading of a fully open hole or aperture <figref>26</figref> differ. When the sensor <figref>24</figref> no proper voltage detected which a representation of the proper amount of light is represented by the opening <figref>26</figref> transmitted through is, then would the device disabled. This would mean that either the plate <figref>10</figref> has been used and no Abfühlmaterial with proper light transmission characteristics longer possesses, or that there is a manufacturing defect and the Abfühlmaterial not or in the opening <figref>26</figref> appropriate is.

As in the <figref idrefs="S11">2</figref> to <figref idrefs="S11">3</figref> illustrated is, has the Abfühlmaterial a laminate or composite <figref>28</figref> on the clear from a or transparent base material <figref>30</figref>, like for example Mylar^® (PET), is prepared. The laminate<figref>28</figref> also comprises a further outer layer <figref>34</figref>. which is preferably identical to the outer layer <figref>30</figref> is. An intermediate layer <figref>32</figref> completes the laminate structure <figref>28</figref>, The layer or layer <figref>32</figref> could have a coating one of the base layers <figref>30</figref> or <figref>34</figref> be, and is of shrinkable material having limited light transmission characteristics, such as aluminum.

The '612 patent discloses that the melting mounted and protective materials in such a way is that the part of the opening in which the melt material is placed, a larger dimension on one side than on the other possesses. Such attachment techniques could also for the composite <figref>28</figref> be used. The<figref idrefs="S11">3</figref> to <figref idrefs="S11">4</figref> illustrate At a brin supply structure and a variety of approaches rods <figref>36</figref> on a page <figref>12</figref> comprises, for holding the laminate in a mounted State within the aperture or opening <figref>26</figref>, The rods<figref>36</figref> can to each side of the laminate or, preferably, provided only on one side be.

As shown in the preferred embodiment is, the rods are provided only on one side, by use of the wafer structure is made, the running so is that it is folded back on itself to two adjacent opposite sides <figref>12</figref>. <figref>12</figref> to build. Thus could the laminate <figref>26</figref> into opening <figref>26A</figref> in one of the sides of the sheet <figref>12</figref> be placed, such as right position according to <figref idrefs="S11">3</figref>, The board could then bent back on itself , so that the second side <figref>12</figref> an opening <figref>26B</figref> has, which is smaller than the Publ&lt;?page 4?&gt;Regulation <figref>26A</figref> and thus circumferentially by inside respect the outer edges the composite <figref>28</figref> extends as much in <figref idrefs="S11">3</figref> is shown. The rods or approaches <figref>36</figref> hold the composite <figref>28</figref> in the opening and on the side of the larger opening <figref>26A</figref>,

Since the intermediate shrinkable material <figref>32</figref> on both sides by the outer layers <figref>30</figref> and <figref>34</figref> is protected, is also the problem of scratching the layer over an acceptable level eliminated. Thus, Scratches that may otherwise occur by coating winding, cutting or punching tools are avoided. Where the outer layers<figref>30</figref>. <figref>34</figref> identical are formed to each other, there is no problem of alignment the composite <figref>28</figref> in the plate.

The present invention avoids characterized in any problems that would otherwise arise a two-layer laminate because the shrinkable layer is no longer free and thus no variability has with respect to the optical density. The present invention avoids the necessity of a high degree of inspection, the used would be, for a Two-ply laminate, including inspection using an optical test equipment to ensure that each wafer securing any excessive scratches comprising indicating falsely used a plate. Another problem that arises with the two-layer security is that such a backup or such a laminate the trend has completely in a bead to melt does not adhere to the plate, in particular when The aluminum-coated side to the copper has. In the three-layer laminate <figref>28</figref> of this invention, the above problems are overcome. First the aluminum layer <figref>32</figref> no scratching exposed. Second, the Mylar should^® melt or PET, and adhere to the copper without falling out. eliminated Third the double-sided Mylar^® the need for alignment the aluminum side of the fuse away from the plate. The laminate<figref>28</figref> is preferably a 2.8 mil aluminum coated PET substrate an optical density of 1.7 ± 0.1 cover, with a 2.8 mil clear PET film is laminated.

<figref idrefs="S11">5</figref> illustrated the fuse material after the application of 3.67 volts. The Mylar^® Layers or documents <figref>30</figref>. <figref>34</figref> are oriented Mylar^® as a result of 2-way stretch or -Streckvorgangs. When heat is applied, such as at a temperature of 300 ° C the alignment is achieved and the Mylar^® documents begin to decline, so that the aluminum layer mitschrumpft or is -getragen. There is a tendency that the Mylar^® documents adhere to certain parts of the copper plate, and of other Share shrink away. <figref idrefs="S11">5</figref> shows for example, the irregular shape, which through the laminate <figref>28</figref> is taken after a certain shrinkage was, and an open melt shrink area <figref>38</figref> leaves. <figref idrefs="S11">6</figref> shows the laminate <figref>28</figref> after the application of 4.8 volts. The laminate layers are shrunk to a greater extent, whereby a greater melt shrink area <figref>38</figref> remains.

The melting-shrinking area <figref>38</figref> looks Thus a path in front, by the light directly through the opening <figref>26</figref> pass can. Accordingly, results the passage of light in the detection of a change the light transmission characteristics, thereby indicating that the plate previously heated, or used has been.

Upon cooling, the laminate tends <figref>28</figref> to, to adhere to the copper plate and thus can be thrown away, when the plate is discarded. This avoids any problems, that would otherwise occur, when the fuse material falls out of the opening in the machine.

Although the plate <figref>10</figref> illustrated and has been described in two specific sites <figref>12</figref>. <figref>12</figref>, Which arising from the fact that the plate is bent back on itself was able The sides also opposed be sides of a single-layer disc.