Patent ID: 7285749
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: B29C,B65B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tube sealing device comprising: a base configured to support a discrete piece of resilient thermoplastic tube in a substantially fixed position relative to the base; a heating tool coupled to the base, the base and heating tool coupled for relative movement to each other, wherein relative movement between the heating tool and the base aligns the heating tool with a portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube, the heating tool operable to contact, pinch and heat the portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube; a cooling tool coupled to the base, the base and cooling tool coupled for relative movement to each other, wherein relative movement between the cooling tool and the base aligns the cooling tool with the portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube, the cooling tool operable to contact, pinch and cool the portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube to form a seal; wherein the base supports the resilient thermoplastic tube in a substantially fixed position relative to the base as the heating tool heats the portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube until and as the cooling tool cools the portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube; a carrier movably coupled to the base, wherein the heating tool is coupled to the carrier for movement with the carrier and relative to the carrier, and wherein the cooling tool is coupled to the carrier for movement with the carrier and relative to the carrier; a carrier actuator coupled between the carrier and the base and actuable to move the carrier between a first position and a second position; wherein the heating tool is configured to be aligned with a portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube in the first position, the heating tool operable to contact and heat the portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube when the carrier is in the first position; and wherein the cooling tool is configured to be aligned with the portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube in the second position, the cooling tool operable to contact and cool the portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube when the carrier is in the second position.