Patent Publication Number: US-8990974-B2

Title: Overmolded fitting connection with color indication

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/233,839, filed Sep. 19, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/975,505, filed Sep. 26, 2007, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to water connections and in particular to water connections including an overmold component. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Water line connections are known. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a water line connection  10  is shown. Connection  10  includes a supply line  12  for a water device, such as a faucet. An end  14  of supply line  12  is received in a receptacle  16  of a compression fitting  18 . Receptacle  16  either communicates water to supply line  12  or receives water from supply line  12 . A diameter of an inner surface  20  of receptacle  16  is generally equal to a diameter of external surface  22  of supply line  12 . An exemplary diameter of surface  22  is ⅜ of an inch. Supply line  12  is received in receptacle  16  such that end  14  abuts surface  24  of receptacle  16 . A ferrule ring  30  is then captured between compression fitting  18  and a hollow nut retainer  32  forming both a compression gasket and a retention feature for supply line  12 . Ferrule ring  30  may be made of plastic or metal. A compression gasket may be used in place of ferrule ring  30 . Surface  22  of supply line  12  acts as a sealing surface for ferrule ring  30 . Hollow nut retainer  32  includes internal threads  34  which mate with external threads  26  of compression fitting  18  to couple retainer  32  to fitting  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , another water line connection  50  is shown. A supply line  52  includes an overmold fitting  54  coupled thereto. The supply line may be made from a PEX material. A diameter of outer surface  56  of overmold fitting  54  is equal to the diameter of inner surface  20  of fitting  18 . Since outer surface  56  is defined by overmold fitting  54 , a diameter of outer surface  58  of supply line  52  is less than the diameter of inner surface  20  of fitting  18 . The diameter of surface  56  and surface  20  is ⅜ of an inch and the diameter of surface  58  is 5/16 of an inch. In  FIG. 1 , an installer could cut supply line  12  to length and then make the connection. In  FIG. 2 , an installer could not cut supply line  52  to length and then make a connection with a traditional sized ferrule ring  30  (since overmold fitting  54  has been cut off) because the diameter of surface  58  is not equal to the diameter of surface  20  of fitting  18 . 
     A gasket  60  is captured between overmold fitting  54  and fitting  18 . As in  FIG. 1 , a hollow nut retainer  32  is coupled to fitting  18  to connect supply line  52  to receptacle  16  of fitting  18 . 
     SUMMARY 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid conduit is provided with an overmold fitting which provides a visual indication of a characteristic of a fluid for use with the fluid conduit. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a supply line for coupling to a fitting having a receptacle is provided. The supply line including a fluid conduit having a first end, a second end, and a fluid passageway passing therethrough; an overmolded end ring coupled to the first end of the fluid conduit, the overmolded end ring permitting the passage of fluid into the fluid passageway of the fluid conduit; and an overmolded retention ring coupled to the fluid conduit proximate the first end and spaced apart from the overmolded end ring. In an example thereof, the supply line further including a seal received proximate the first end of the fluid conduit and a retainer received by the fluid conduit. The seal being generally positioned between the overmolded end ring and the overmolded retention ring and contacting an exterior surface of the fluid conduit. In a variation thereof, the fluid conduit is flexible. In a further variation thereof, the fluid conduit is made from a polymeric material. In yet a further variation thereof, the fluid conduit is made of a PEX material. In another example, at least one of the overmolded end ring and the overmolded retention ring includes a visual indicator to provide an indication of a characteristic of the fluid for use with the fluid conduit. In a variation thereof, a portion of the overmolded retention ring extends through an opening in the retainer in a direction away from the first end of the fluid conduit and the portion includes a visual indicator to provide an indication of a temperature of the fluid for use with the fluid conduit. In yet another example, at least one of the overmolded end ring and the overmolded retention ring includes a visual indicator to provide an indication of a temperature of the fluid for use with the fluid conduit. In still another example, the overmolded retention ring includes at least one protrusion which engages the retainer. 
     In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a supply assembly for connection to a source of hot water, a source of cold water, and a valve assembly which receives hot water through a hot water inlet, receives cold water through a cold water inlet, and provides a mixed water output for a water delivery device through a mixed water outlet is provided. The supply assembly including a hot water supply line adapted to be coupled to the source of hot water, a cold water supply line adapted to be coupled to the source of cold water, a mixed water supply line adapted to be coupled to the water delivery device; and an overmolded puck coupled to the hot water supply line, the cold water supply line, and the mixed water supply line. The hot water supply line including an overmolded fitting having a visual indicator to identify the hot water supply line. The cold water supply line including an overmolded fitting having a visual indicator to identify the cold water supply line. The overmolded puck positioning the hot water supply line, the cold water supply line, and the mixed water supply line to be in fluid communication with the hot water inlet of the valve assembly, the cold water inlet of the valve assembly, and the mixed water outlet of the valve assembly, respectively. In an example thereof, a color of the overmolded fitting of the hot water supply line is the visual indicator of the hot water supply line. The color of the overmolded fitting of the hot water supply line differing from a color of the overmolded fitting of the cold water supply line. In a variation thereof, the color of the overmolded fitting of the hot water supply line is red and the color of the overmolded fitting of the cold water supply line is blue. In another example, the overmolded fitting of the hot water supply line is a two-piece overmolded fitting having a end ring and a retention ring spaced apart from the end ring and the overmolded fitting of the cold water supply line is a two-piece overmolded fitting having a end ring and a retention ring spaced apart from the end ring. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a supply line for coupling to a fitting having a receptacle is provided. The supply line including a fluid conduit having a first end, a second end, and a fluid passageway passing therethrough; and an overmolded fitting positioned proximate the first end of the fluid conduit. The overmolded fitting providing a visual indicator to provide an indication of a temperature of the fluid for use with the fluid conduit. The overmolded fitting having a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion. In an example thereof, the fluid conduit is generally cylindrical and includes a generally cylindrical exterior surface and the first portion of the overmolded fitting has a generally cylindrical exterior surface having a diameter generally matching a diameter of the generally cylindrical exterior surface of the fluid conduit. In a variation thereof, the first portion is an end ring coupled to an axial surface of the fluid conduit at the first end. In another example thereof, the first portion is coupled to an axial surface of the first end of the fluid conduit and the second portion is coupled to an exterior surface of the fluid conduit. In a variation thereof, the second portion of the overmold fitting is spaced apart from the first portion of the overmold fitting exposing the exterior surface of the fluid conduit in a region between the first portion of the overmold fitting and the second portion of the overmold fitting. 
     In still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of coupling a supply line to a compression fitting is provided. The method comprising the step of providing a supply line having an overmolded fitting including a first end portion and a second portion spaced apart along the supply line from the first portion. The overmolded fitting corresponding to a first end of the supply line. The supply line having an outer diameter generally equal to an inner diameter of the compression fitting. The method further comprising the steps of removing a length of the supply line including the overmolded fitting; placing a sealing member over an end of the remaining supply line; inserting the remaining supply line into the compression fitting; and tightening a retainer, the sealing member sealing the connection between the supply line and the compression fitting and acting as a retention feature for the supply line. In an example thereof, the sealing member is a ferrule ring. In another example thereof, the sealing member is a gasket. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is prior art water connection including a supply stop fitting, a supply tube, a ferrule ring, and a retainer; 
         FIG. 2  is prior art water connection including a supply stop fitting, a supply tube, an overmold fitting, and a retainer; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a supply line including a connector having a overmolded fitting including a retention ring and a end ring coupled to the supply line, a seal, and a retainer; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 3  and a supply stop fitting; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a supply assembly for a faucet including a hot water supply line having a connector of  FIG. 3 , a cold water supply line having a connector of  FIG. 3 , a mixed water outlet line, and a overmolded puck coupled to the hot water supply line, the cold water supply line, and the mixed water outlet line; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the supply line and retention ring of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of another exemplary connector; and 
         FIG. 8  is a representative view of the supply assembly of  FIG. 5  and a valve assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. Although the disclosure is described in connection with water, it should be understood that additional types of fluids may be used. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a connector  100  for a supply line  102  is shown. Supply line  102  includes a fluid passageway  104  (see  FIG. 4 ) extending therethrough and has an outer surface  106  having a diameter generally equal to the diameter of inner surface  20  of receptacle  16  of fitting  18 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a portion of surface  106  is exposed proximate a first end  110  of supply line  102 . 
     In one embodiment, supply line  102  is generally flexible and made from a non-metallic material. As such, the supply line  102  is electrically non-conductive. In one embodiment, supply line  102  is a polymer. While in one illustrative embodiment, the supply line  102  is formed of a cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), it should be appreciated that other polymers may be substituted therefor. For example, the supply line  102  may be formed of any polyethylene (PE) (such as raised temperature resistant polyethylene (PE-RT)), of polypropylene (PP) (such as polypropylene random (PPR)), or of polybutylene (PB). It is further envisioned that the supply line  102  may be formed of cross-linked polyvinyl chloride (PVCX) using silane free radical initiators, of cross-linked polyurethane, or of cross-linked propylene (XLPP) using peroxide or silane free radical initiators. 
     Connector  100  includes an overmolded fitting  112 . In the illustrated embodiment, the overmolded fitting  112  includes a first overmolded portion  114  and a second, spaced apart, overmolded portion  116 . In alternative embodiments, overmold fitting  112  includes a single portion or more than two separate portions. Connector  100  further includes a sealing member  118  and a retainer  32 . Exemplary seals  118  include gaskets, o-rings, and other suitable seals. Exemplary retainers  32  include a hollow nut retainer and other suitable retainers. 
     Additional information regarding overmolded components are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,695; U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,780; U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,501; U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,907; U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,210; U.S. Pat. No. 7,766,043; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,141, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. Further, connector  100  may be used with the components disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,766,043, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,141, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     First overmold portion  114  includes an axial surface  122 , extending transversely to surface  106  of supply line  102  and which provides a stop for sealing member  118 . First overmold portion  114  further includes an angled surface  124  which generally mates with a surface  37  of retainer  32 . First overmold portion  114  is captured between retainer  32  and fitting  18  when threads  34  of retainer  32  engage threads  26  of fitting  18  to retain supply line  102  relative to fitting  18 . As such, first overmold portion  114  functions as a retaining or retention ring of connector  100 . 
     Second overmold portion  116  is coupled to an axial surface  128  of supply line  102  and has an outer diameter generally equal to the diameter of surface  106  of supply line  102 . In one embodiment, an end surface  130  of second overmold portion  116  contacts surface  24  of fitting  18  when supply line  102  is coupled to fitting  18 . In one embodiment, an end surface  130  of second overmold portion  116  is spaced apart from surface  24  of fitting  18  when supply line  102  is coupled to fitting  18 . Second overmold portion  116  is an end ring of connector  100 . 
     In one embodiment overmold fitting  112  is made of a glass filled polyethylene. Overmold fitting  112  may be made of other materials including PEX, polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon filled with glass fiber, glass beads, carbon fiber, aramid fibers, minerals (such as talc) or metallic fibers (such as stainless steel). 
     Connector  100  assembles supply line  102  to fitting  18 . In one embodiment, fitting  18  provides water to supply line  102 . In one embodiment, supply line  102  provides water to fitting  18 . Regardless, to assemble supply line  102  to fitting  18 , second overmold portion  116  of overmold fitting  112  is positioned in receptacle  16  of fitting  18  and advanced until end surface  130  of second overmold portion  116  contacts surface  24  of fitting  18  or until seal  118  or first overmold portion  114  provides adequate resistance to further advancement due to its contacting sealing surface  39  of fitting  18 . 
     In one embodiment, seal  118  is present and supply line  102  may be assembled to fitting  18  by finger tightening retainer  32 . In one embodiment, seal  118  is omitted and supply line  102  may be assembled to fitting  18  by tightening retainer  32  such that first overmold portion  114  contacts and seals against sealing surface  39  of fitting  18 . In both cases end surface  130  of overmold portion  116  should not contact surface  24  of fitting  18  until an appropriate seal has been made between one of seal  118  or first overmold portion  114  and sealing surface  39  of fitting  18 . 
     Returning to the assembly of supply line  102  to fitting  18 , threads  34  of retainer  32  are engaged with threads  26  of fitting  18  and retainer  32  is advanced generally in direction  150 . As retainer  32  is advanced in direction  150 , surface  124  of first overmold portion  114  of overmolded fitting  112  contacts surface  37  of retainer  32  thereby also advancing supply line  102  in direction  150 . The advancement in direction  150  further compresses seal  118  (or first overmold portion  114 ). In one embodiment, surface  130  provides a positive indication to stop advancement in direction  150  due to its contact with surface  24 . 
     Seal  118  seals against surface  39  of fitting  18  and against surface  106  of supply tube  102  to prevent the flow of water other than from one of fitting  18  and supply line  102  to the other of fitting  18  and supply line  102 . By sealing directly against surface  106  of supply tube  102  a leak between the overmold and the supply tube is not an issue. Such is not the case in the prior art device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Further, by using surface  106  as the sealing surface for seal  118  then supply tube  102  may be cut to a different length and a traditional sized ferrule ring  30  or seal  118  may be used therewith. This allows an installer to use overmold fitting  112  when supply line  102  is generally the correct length and to cut off overmold fitting  112  and use traditional methods when supply line  102  is too long. An exemplary method of coupling a supply line to a compression fitting includes the steps of: providing a supply line having an overmolded fitting corresponding to a first end of the supply line, the supply line having an outer diameter generally equal to an inner diameter of the compression fitting; removing a length of the supply line including the overmolded fitting; placing a sealing member over an end of the remaining supply line; inserting the remaining supply line into the compression fitting; and tightening a retainer. The sealing member sealing the connection between the supply line and the compression fitting and acting as a retention feature for the supply line. 
     By having first overmold portion  114  bounded by surface  106  on both sides, the strength of the coupling between first overmold portion  114  and supply line  102  is believed to be increased. This makes it more difficult to separate supply tubing  102  from overmold fitting  112 . Further, improved shutoff relative to the mold is believed to be achieved. 
     In one embodiment, overmolded fitting  112  includes a visual indicator which identifies the corresponding supply line  102  as a hot water supply line or a cold water supply line. In one embodiment, the visual indicator is a color of the overmolded fitting. One or both of overmold portion  114  and overmold portion  116  have a corresponding color to act as the visual indicator. As shown in  FIG. 5 , during installation first overmold portion  114  of overmold fitting  112  is generally obscured from view due to retainer  32  and seal  118 . As such, in a preferred embodiment, overmold portion  116  has a corresponding color to act as the visual indicator. Generally both overmold portion  114  and overmold portion  116  are formed such that a single material is used during the molding operation. 
     In one embodiment, illustratively shown in  FIG. 7 , a portion  127  of overmold portion  114  extends outside of retainer  32 , illustratively above retainer  32 . Portion  127  may include a visual indictor to identify the corresponding supply line  102  as a hot water supply line or a cold water supply line. In one embodiment, the visual indicator of portion  127  is a color of portion  127 . Second overmold portion  116  is shown in  FIG. 7 . In one embodiment, second overmold portion  116  may be omitted because portion  127  provides the visual indicator of the identity of supply line  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a supply assembly  200  is shown. Supply assembly  200  includes a hot water supply line  102 A, a cold water supply line  102 B, a mixed water supply line  202  and a overmolded puck  206 . Mixed water supply line  202  includes a fitting  204  and is coupled to a water delivery device, such as a faucet aerator. Puck  206  is coupled to hot water supply line  102 A, cold water supply line  102 B, and mixed water supply line  202 . As represented in  FIG. 8 , puck  206  positions the hot water supply line  102 A, the cold water supply line  102 B, and the mixed water supply line  202  to be in fluid communication with a hot water inlet  256  of a valve assembly  250 , a cold water inlet  254  of the valve assembly  250 , and a mixed water outlet  258  of the valve assembly  250 , respectively. Cold water inlet  254  and hot water inlet  256  provide cold water and hot water, respectively, to a valve  252  from which mixed water is provided to mixed water outlet  258 . Additional details regarding puck  206 , the corresponding valve assemblies used with puck  206 , and exemplary water delivery devices are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,766,043, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     Hot water supply line  102 A and cold water supply line  102 B include a respective connector  100 A and  100 B. Further, the respective second overmold portion  116 A and  116 B of supply lines  102 A and  102 B are color coded to indicate the identity of the respective supply line  102 A and  102 B. In one embodiment, the overmold portion  116 A of hot water supply line  102 A is red and the overmold portion  116 B of cold water supply line  102 B is blue. 
     In one embodiment, one or more of supply lines  102 A,  102 B and mixed water supply line  202  are flexible lines. In one embodiment, one or more of supply lines  102 A,  102 B and mixed water supply line  202  are flexible, corrugated lines. Exemplary corrugated lines include corrugated PEX lines. In one embodiment, corrugated PEX lines with overbraiding is used for one or more of supply lines  102 A,  102 B and mixed water supply line  202 . Additional details regarding corrugated PEX lines with overbraiding are disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0178957, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , overmold portion  114  includes a protrusion  125  which engages retainer  32  to retain retainer  32  on fitting  112 . In the illustrated embodiment, protrusion  125  is formed as two separate protrusions. Fewer or more separate protrusions may be used. Protrusion  125  engages with threads  34  of retainer  32  and retainer  32  is threaded onto protrusion  125 . 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.