Abstract:
An apparatus for welding together thermoplastic hoses comprising two clamping units which in part can be rotated and displaced relative to each other. The two clamping units each have two clamping jaws which comprise through-passages between the clamping jaws in which the hoses can be inserted continuously parallel to each other and squeezed transversely to each other. The apparatus further comprises a heatable blade for severing the hoses and melting the cut edges thereof between the clamping units. An intermediate piece is disposed between the clamping jaws of the clamping units, thereby separating the clamped hoses from each other, and at least one of the two clamping units has inner and outer clamping jaws, wherein the inner clamping jaws are held by the outer clamping jaws and can be adjusted together. In a closed position, the inner clamping jaws and the intermediate piece can be rotated with each other.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a National Stage application of International Application No. PCT/CH2010/000100, filed on Apr. 12, 2010, which claims priority of Swiss Application Serial No. 00589/09 filed on Apr. 14, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a device for welding together thermoplastic hoses with two clamping units which can be rotated and displaced in parts relative to each other and have two clamping units having clamping jaws and with through-passages between the clamping jaws in which the hoses can be inserted continuously parallel to each other and squeezed transversely to each other, and with a heatable blade for cutting through the hoses and melting their cut edges between the clamping units. 
         [0004]    Such devices are used for example in biotechnology and in medicine, when it is necessary to produce sterile hose connections between a cell culture and a nutrient medium or between a dialysis patient and a bag for the rinse solution. By squeezing the hose, fluid contained in it is prevented from coming out during the welding process and possibly contaminating the surroundings. At the end of the welding process, all the hose ends are closed. This is also called total containment under moist welding conditions. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    A prior-art apparatus is known from EP 0 778 123 in which after the hoses are cut through, one of the clamping units is turned by 180° and then the hose sections that come into alignment with each other through this turning are welded to each other. In the through-passages of the two clamping units, the hoses in this apparatus are stacked directly on top of each other and are squeezed therein directly transversely on each other. It is not apparent how a hose which after turning and being welded on both sides is joined with a container, can again come out of the clamping units. Owing to the configuration of the turning support, the known apparatus is quite voluminous. 
         [0007]    In the apparatus from EP 0 507 321, provision is also made for two clamping units that can be turned relative to each other. Into them, the hoses are inserted in two through-passages placed at a distance from each other, and then squeezed perpendicular to their common positional plane. The means for supporting the clamping units is not described. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is the task of the invention in particular to provide an apparatus of the type named initially which permits exact welding together of two liquid-filled hoses with no leakage of liquid out into the surroundings and which is designed to be compact. 
         [0009]    The problem is solved by an apparatus for welding together of thermoplastic hoses as per claim  1 , which is characterized in that between the clamping jaws of the clamping unit, separating clamped hoses from each other, an intermediate piece is placed, and at least one of the two clamping units comprises inner as well as outer clamping jaws, wherein the inner clamping jaws are held by the outer clamping jaws, are adjustable jointly with them, and can be turned in a closed setting as well as together with the intermediate piece enclosed by them in the outer clamping jaws. 
         [0010]    Due to squeezing, the diameter of the hoses diminishes in the squeezing direction and at the same time becomes larger transverse to the squeezing direction. By having the hoses in the invention-specific apparatus as with EP 0 778 123 be squeezed transversely to each other, their cross sections as squeezed together and to be welded with each other occupy less space than in EP 0 507 321, in which the squeezed-together cross sections are placed longitudinal to each other. This makes possible a more compact design of the apparatus than in EP 0 507 321. 
         [0011]    Due to the intermediate pieces provided according to the invention, the hoses in their squeezed-together state, are kept separate from each other in separate through-passages, otherwise than in EP 0 507 321, which permits a better and more exact determination of their cross sections to be welded to each other, and also ensures that adjoining hoses will not be welded in undesired fashion. 
         [0012]    Also making a considerable contribution to compact design is the division according to the invention of the clamping jaws of a clamping unit into inner and outer clamping jaws, wherein only the inner clamping jaws need to be configured to be turnable in the outer clamping jaws. By this means it is not necessary to rotate the entire clamping unit. 
         [0013]    The hoses do not need to be fully squeezed together over the entire length of the through passages, which typically can amount to between 30 mm and 70 mm. It suffices if this is the case only in relatively short squeezing zones extended in the longitudinal direction only 1 mm and 10 millimeters, for example, whereby these squeezing zones needing to adjoin the opposing sides of the two clamping devices with very small mutual intervals. The remaining length of the through-passages, in which these have a wider cross section vis-à-vis the squeezing zones, serves only for supplemental support and guidance of the hoses and in what follows is designated as the holding zone. 
         [0014]    In the squeezing zones, the through-passages preferably are provided with a rectangular cross section with the longer sides of the rectangle being directed parallel to each other, wherein the inner sides of the rectangle are defined by planar contact surfaces at webs of the intermediate pieces and the outer rectangular sides by planar contact surfaces at web-like walls of the clamping jaws or of the inner clamping jaws. The width of the rectangular cross sections should be just double the wall thickness of the hoses to be welded to each other. To better expel the liquid from the areas of the squeezing zone, the width of the rectangular cross section can correspond to 50% to 70% of the double wall thickness of the hoses to be welded to each other. 
         [0015]    In contrast, the length of the rectangular sides may be larger than necessary for the hoses to be welded to each other, and especially can be dimensioned to be sufficiently long for the thicker of the hoses to be joined to each other, if the hoses are held at the level of the turning axis of the inner clamping jaws, as by the profile of the intermediate pieces still to be described. Owing to the rectangular cross sections of the through-passages, the hose cross section in the cut plane between the clamping units is determined very precisely and additionally is rotationally symmetrical, which ensures exact fitting together of the hose cross sections after turning. 
         [0016]    The already mentioned webs of the intermediate pieces can additionally have projections above and below as a hose limitation on both contact surfaces, resulting in a dual T-shaped web profile. By this means, the rectangular through-passage is limited in its length in the area of the squeezing zone, wherein the hose cross section of the squeezed hoses can be determined with still greater precision in the cut plane between the clamping units. This ensures that the hose cross sections will fit together even more exactly after turning. The length of the rectangular through-passage in the area of the squeezing zone preferably amounts to 120-140% of the diameter of the hoses to be squeezed. 
         [0017]    In the area of the holding zones, as already mentioned, the through-passages have a cross section larger than the cross section in the squeezing zones, whereby this cross section preferably widens in a direction away from the intermediate pieces. Due to the outward widening, the rectangular cross sections come to lie advantageously close together in the squeezing zones, which has a favorable effect on the compact design of the inner clamping jaws. 
         [0018]    Additionally, due to the outward widening, in the area of the holding zones, the intermediate pieces can be provided with a dual C-shaped profile, in which the hoses can be continuously pre-secured when inserted into the through-passages. Preferably this profile is adapted to the diameter of the hoses to be welded. Additionally, as already mentioned, the profile holds the hoses at the level of the turning axis of the inner clamping jaws, due to which the length of the rectangular sides of the through-passages can be dimensioned to be larger in the squeezing zone than is necessary for the hoses to be welded to each other. If in addition the clamping jaws or the inner clamping jaws in the area of the holding zones have a flat contact zone vis-à-vis the hoses, all that is needed is to change the intermediate pieces to adjust the apparatus to hoses with a different diameter. 
         [0019]    By changing only the intermediate pieces, the invention-specific apparatus can also be adapted to hoses with differing wall thickness, wherein merely the thickness of intermediate pieces or their already-mentioned webs that determine the mutual interval needs to be suitably selected. With this, the projections of the webs can also be appropriately dimensioned to adapt the rectangular through-passages in the area of the squeezing zone to the various hose diameters. 
         [0020]    The inner clamping jaws are preferably secured against turning in the outer clamping jaws outside the closed setting, which facilitates insertion and removal of hoses as well as at least one motorized closure of the clamping units also. 
         [0021]    To further enhance the user-friendliness of the invention-specific apparatus, the intermediate pieces can be kept on a holding structure. So that the intermediate piece is turnable between the inner clamping jaws together with them, this intermediate piece must be released from its holder in the closing setting. 
         [0022]    Additionally, a simple design of the invention-specific apparatus results if one of the clamping jaws or of the outer clamping jaws of the claming unit is mounted in stationary fashion, and, for insertion or removal of the hoses from the through-passages, only the other clamping jaw and the intermediate pieces are movably mounted with their holding devices. With this, preferably a motor moves them along a linear guide device. 
         [0023]    Preferably the clamping unit with the inner and outer clamping jaws, including the intermediate piece placed in it, is configured to be rotationally symmetric relative to half turns of the inner clamping jaws and of the intermediate piece in the outer clamping jaws. By this means, after a welding process and removal of the hoses welded to each other, the invention-specific apparatus is again usable for another welding pass, without the inner clamping jaws and the intermediate piece placed between them needing first to be again turned in the outer clamping jaws back into their initial setting. 
         [0024]    For hoses filled with liquids, to ensure that after squeezing of the hoses, there is no more residual liquid in the hose sections between the two clamping units, which could come out into the surroundings when the hoses are separated, and/or could evaporate on the hot blade, the interval of the two clamping units or of the above-mentioned squeezing zones must not be too large. A suitable interval when the hoses are cut through is 3-6 mm, for example, preferably 5 mm. So that no liquid-filled hose pockets can form between the two clamping units, the hoses should additionally not be squeezed on the two clamping units simultaneously, but rather one after the other. For welding together of the hoses, the named interval can if necessary additionally be reduced by several millimeters, for example. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    In what follows, the invention will be explained in greater detail using embodiment examples in connection with the drawings. Shown are: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is an invention-specific apparatus with two clamping units in a perspective view of its front side. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is the apparatus from  FIG. 1  with inserted hoses. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is the apparatus from  FIG. 1  in a perspective rear view. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4   a  is a view of the rear of only the clamping jaws and of the intermediate piece with inserted hoses of the front-side clamping unit in an open state. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4   b  is the clamping unit from  FIG. 4   a  in its closed state. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4   c  is the clamping unit from  FIG. 4   b  with turned inner clamping jaws, intermediate piece and hoses. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  shows views corresponding to  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c  of the front side of the clamping jaws and of the intermediate piece with inserted hoses of the front clamping unit. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6   a  schematically shows two containers with hoses closed at ends in front. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6   b  is a view after connection of the hoses while using the invention-specific apparatus. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an intermediate piece with dual T-shaped web. 
           [0036]      FIG. 8   a  is a view of the back side of the clamping jaws and of the intermediate piece from  FIG. 7  with inserted hoses of the front-side clamping unit in an open state. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8   b  is the clamping unit from  FIG. 8   a  in a closed state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0038]      FIGS. 1-3  show an invention-specific apparatus for welding together of thermoplastic hoses, where, for the sake of distinguishing individual parts, not all parts of the apparatus are depicted in all the figures. In  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the apparatus is depicted without hoses and in  FIG. 2  with two continuous hoses  1  and  2  running parallel to each other. 
         [0039]    Only short sections are shown of hoses  1  and  2 . In actuality, as depicted in  FIG. 6   a , the opposite ends of hoses  1 ,  2  could be closed with containers  1 . 1  and  2 . 1  and the two others closed with  1 . 2  and  2 . 2 . Additionally, the hoses could be filled with liquid. 
         [0040]    The invention-specific apparatus comprises two clamping units  10  and  20  placed in close proximity to each other, between which a heatable blade  3  can be pivoted for cutting through and for welding hoses  1  and  2  with each other. 
         [0041]    Both clamping units  10  and  20  comprise two clamping jaws, which are designated by  11 . 1  and  11 . 2  in clamping unit  10  and by  21 . 1  and  21 . 2  in clamping unit  20 . 
         [0042]    Clamping jaws  11 . 1  and  11 . 2  are movable along horizontal linear guides  12  and  22  relative to clamping jaws  11 . 1  and  21 . 1  that are permanently locationally fixed at one end of these guides, and can be adjusted thereby from their open setting depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  into the closed setting according to  FIG. 4   b ,  4   c  or  5   b ,  5   c . For this adjustment, two motors  13  and  23  depicted in  FIG. 3  are provided, which act via toothed rods on clamping jaws  11 . 2  and  21 . 2 . 
         [0043]    For both clamping units  10  and  20 , between the clamping jaws an intermediate piece  14  and  24  is placed, with these intermediate pieces, as evident in  FIG. 2 , separating hoses  1  and  2  from each other. Intermediate pieces  14  and  24  are held on holders  15  and  25 , which, like clamping jaws  11 . 2  and  21 . 2 , are able to be shifted in linear fashion on guides  11  and  22 . 
         [0044]    Into the clamping jaws  11 . 1  and  11 . 2  of clamping unit  10 , designated hereinafter as the outer clamping jaws, inner clamping jaws  16 . 1  and  16 . 2  are inserted.  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   a  show views of this clamping unit in an opened state. In the closed setting of clamping unit  10  as per  FIG. 4   b  or  5   b , inner clamping jaws  16 . 1  and  16 . 2 , together with the intermediate piece  14  enclosed by them, form a turnable capsule in outer clamping jaws  11 . 1  and  11 . 2 .  FIGS. 4   c  and  5   c  show clamping device  10  with this capsule, turned relative to its depiction in  FIGS. 4   b  and  5   b.    
         [0045]    In the open setting of clamping unit  10 , the two inner clamping jaws  16 . 1  and  16 . 2  are secured against torsional motion in the outer clamping jaws  11 . 1  and  11 . 2 , with this for example achievable using pins, which engage from outer clamping jaws  11 . 1  and  11 . 2  into inner clamping jaws  16 . 1  and  16 . 2 , and which pins, governed for example via a connecting link guide, are retracted when they reach the closed setting from inner clamping jaws  16 . 1  and  16 . 2  The connection of the intermediate piece  14  to its holder  15  can be configured in appropriate fashion through pins  31  and be canceled upon reaching the closed setting. 
         [0046]    As relates to their contour relative to hoses  1  and  2 , inner clamping jaws  16 . 1  and  16 . 2  of clamping unit  10  and clamping jaws  21 . 1  and  21 . 2  of clamping unit  20  are configured identical to each other. Additionally, inner clamping jaws  16 . 1  and  16 . 2  of clamping unit  10  are rotationally symmetrical relative to half turns. The same holds true for intermediate pieces  14  and  24 , with intermediate piece  14  connectable to holder  15  in two turning settings displaced by 180° to each other. 
         [0047]    The inner clamping jaws  16 . 1  and  16 . 2  together with intermediate piece  14  in the closed setting of clamping unit  10  define two through-passages, separated from each other by intermediate piece  14  for hoses  1  and  2 . The same holds true for clamping unit  20 , here with clamping jaws  21 . 1  and  21 . 2  together with intermediate piece  24  defining the through-passages. In the closed settings of both clamping units  10  and  20 , their through-passages align with each other, so that hoses  1  and  2  can be fixed continuously in them. 
         [0048]    In the longitudinal direction of the hoses, the through-passages have two zones with differing cross sections, namely on one side a squeezing zone and on the other a holding zone. In the squeezing zones, this cross section is rectangular and on its longer sides is bordered by webs  41  on the intermediate pieces and by web-like walls  42  on the clamping jaws. The width of the rectangular cross section along their shorter sides exactly matches the dual wall thickness of hoses  1 ,  2 . The thickness of the web-like walls  42  and thus the longitudinal extension of the squeezing zones typically is only about 1-6 mm. On both clamping units  10  and  20 , the squeezing zones border on their opposite sizes adjoining with the smallest mutual interval. 
         [0049]    In the holding zones, the cross section of the through-passages relative to the rectangular cross section in the squeezing zones expands outward, away from intermediate pieces  14 ,  24 , with the intermediate pieces there having a dual C-shaped profile adapted to the diameter of the hoses. The contact surfaces  43  that lie opposite intermediate pieces  14 ,  24  on the clamping jaws are, in contrast, configured to be flat. 
         [0050]    With the clamping jaws open, hoses  1  and  2  can be inserted from above into clamping units  1 ,  2  and be pre-secured by being pressed into the dual C-shaped profile of intermediate pieces  14 ,  24  at the level of their turning axis, as is evident from  FIGS. 2 and 4 . When moving clamping jaws  11 . 2  and  21 . 2  with the motor [[drive]] already mentioned into the closed setting, with intermediate pieces  14  and  24  also accompanying the motion along guides  12  or  22 , the hoses, as depicted in  FIG. 4   b , are squeezed together in the squeezing zones until they are totally closed. Naturally, for this the longer sides of the through-passages in the squeezing zones must be dimensioned to be sufficiently long, and they assuredly can also be longer than necessary, since the hoses are centered by the dual-C-shaped profile of the intermediate pieces  14 ,  24  in the holding zones in the through-passages. Therefore the measure of these sides can be chosen within certain limits for differing hose diameters and does not have to be varied for adapting the apparatus to differing hose diameters. 
         [0051]    The invention-specific apparatus can especially be used to cut through hoses  1  and  2  between the two clamping units  10  and  20 , and weld their parts that arise thereby crosswise to each other, without liquid in the hoses being able to go out into the surroundings, due to the closure of the hoses achieved through squeezing together during the entire process. 
         [0052]    So that no liquid-filled pockets can form between the squeezing zones of the two clamping units  10 ,  20 , clamping units  10 ,  20  must closely adjoin, with the mutual interval being only between 3 and 5 mm, for example. In addition, for this, the two clamping units  10 ,  20  must be closed one after the other. 
         [0053]    In the closed setting of both clamping units, the hoses are cut apart by the blade  3  heated to several hundred ° C. Then, with the blade still pivoted down, the capsules already mentioned are pivoted from inner clamping jaws  16 . 1   16 . 2  and intermediate piece  14  together with the hose pieces squeezed in it in clamping unit  10  by 180°. This pivoting can in turn be executed using a motor, for which the motor designated by  50  in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is provided. Then blade  3  is pivoted outward and the hose ends, still hot and molten, newly brought into alignment with each other by the turning, are welded with each other by a slight motion toward each other of the two clamping units  10 ,  20 . The guides and the drive for this motion toward each other are not depicted in the figure. Due to the small path, for this an eccentric disk can be used. 
         [0054]    Based on an arrangement as depicted in  FIG. 6   a ,  FIG. 6   b  shows the result of this procedure. In  FIG. 6   b  the two hoses  1 ′ and  2 ′ shorted at their end pieces are joined into a continuous hose that connects the two containers  1 . 1  and  2 . 1 . On the other hand, the two end pieces are also connected with each other, and with their closed ends  1 . 2  and  2 . 2  they themselves form a closed container. 
         [0055]    After the welding carried out as described above, clamping units  10 ,  20  can be moved up and hoses  1 ,  2  can be removed from them. Due to the mentioned rotational symmetry of inner clamping jaws  16 . 1  and  16 . 2  and of intermediate piece  14 , this is possible directly, without the named pieces having to be turned additionally, such as again into their initial position. The apparatus therefore is immediately usable for welding of additional hoses. 
         [0056]    The invention-specific apparatus can be adapted to hoses with differing diameter and/or wall thickness, merely by changing intermediate pieces  14 ,  24 . Such hoses suited for welding typically have a diameter between ⅛ and 3 inches. As already mentioned, the measure of the longer sides of the through-passages in the squeezing zones can be selected uniformly for various hose diameters. In the holding zones it suffices to adapt the dual C-shaped profile of the intermediate pieces  14 ,  24  to the particular hose diameter, since the corresponding flat contact surfaces  43  on the clamping jaws are suitable for all hose diameters. For adaptation to hoses with various wall thicknesses it suffices to alter the thickness of intermediate pieces  14 ,  24 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 7  shows a version of the intermediate piece with a dual-T-shaped web.  FIG. 8  shows clamping jaws  11 . 1 ,  11 . 2 ,  16 . 1 ,  16 . 2  of clamping unit  10  with the intermediate piece from  FIG. 7  and with two inserted hoses  1 ,  2 , with  FIG. 8   a  showing the open position and  FIG. 8   b  showing the closed position. 
         [0058]    Intermediate piece  60  has a web  61 , which in the closed setting of the apparatus is placed centrally between the through-passages in the area of the squeezing zones, and represents one of the longer rectangular sides of the rectangular cross section. With the dimensioning of the clamping jaws unaltered, the width of the through-passages is defined in the area of the squeezing zones by the width of web  61 . This also holds true for the intermediate piece from  FIG. 4 . 
         [0059]    In contrast to intermediate piece  14  from  FIG. 4 , web  61  of intermediate piece  60  additionally has two projections  62  on both sides, so that a dual-T-shaped profile results. These projections  62  represent the shorter rectangular sides of the rectangular cross section of the through-passages in the area of the squeezing zones and define the length of the rectangular cross sections of the through-passages in the area of the squeezing zones. 
         [0060]    Depending on the dimensioning of web  61  and of the projections  62 , and thus of the rectangular cross section of the through-passages in the area of the squeezing zone, the apparatus can be adapted by simply replacing the intermediate pieces on hoses  1 ,  2  with different diameters and wall thicknesses. The dimensions of the various clamping jaws do not have to be altered for that. 
         [0061]    The width of web  61  is preferably chosen so that the width of the rectangular cross section of the through-passage in the area of the squeezing zone is 50-70% of the dual wall thickness of the hoses  1 , 2  to be squeezed. 
         [0062]    This can also be done with the intermediate pieces  14  described previously. The projections  62  are preferably chosen so that the length of the rectangular cross section of the through-passage in the area of the squeezing zone is 120-140% of the diameter of the hoses  1 ,  2  to be squeezed. 
         [0063]    Having described the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alterations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention limited only by the appended claims.