Patent Publication Number: US-2023151907-A1

Title: Tube Management Assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 17/861,352 filed Jul. 11, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. nonprovisional patent application No. 15/703,625 filed on Sep. 13, 2017, now granted as U.S. Pat. No. 11,384,865, which claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/461,475 filed on Feb. 21, 2017, the entirety of which applications are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a tube management assembly. More particularly, this invention relates to a tube management assembly Including at least one tube management clamp and a mounting clip for the clamp. More particularly, this invention relates to a tube management assembly for use in the high purity drug and pharmaceutical and related industries. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Drug manufacturers are utilizing single use systems to manufacture liquid drug products. These systems are typically constructed of temporary tubing flow paths and plastic components. They are installed prior to processing and then disposed of after a process is complete. These temporary systems create a challenge of organizing and effectively managing the tubing and fluid paths that are created in a drug production work area. 
     It is an object of the present invention to mechanically secure single use fittings and tubing in place for single use systems to manufacture liquid drug products. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a mounting clip for a clamp that provides a secure locking arrangement for the clamp. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a tube management assembly that can be easily assembled to control a fluid path in a drug production area and dis-assembled after use. 
     Briefly, the invention provides a tube management assembly that employs a track that can be mounted on a horizontal surface or vertical surface, at least one mounting clip that is slidably mounted in the track and a clamp releasably mounted in the clip for holding the components of a tubing flow path assembly in place. 
     The tube management assembly may also employ at least one mounting block that is slidably mounted in the track and that includes a recess for receiving a tube of a tubing flow path assembly transversely of the track. 
     The track is constructed with a flat base, a pair of parallel walls extending from the base and a pair of flanges extending from the walls towards each other to define a trackway. The track may be of any determinative length to accommodate several mounting blocks for establishing a tubing flow path assembly and may be provided with pre-formed holes for passage of screws or the like into a support surface. 
     The mounting clip is made of plastic and is constructed to hold a secondary plastic or elastomer device, such as the clamp, which is used for fluid transfer, by means of a mating geometry and mechanical forces. 
     In one embodiment, the mounting clip has a flat base that is slidably mounted in the trackway of the track, a mounting block on the base, a pair of resiliently flexible walls extending in parallel on opposite sides of the mounting block from the base and a pair of lips, each of which extends from a respective wall towards the other wall for engaging and securing the clamp in the clip. 
     The clamp is made of plastic and has a pair of arcuate jaws for receiving a tube in clamped relation. In addition, at least one of the jaws is seated on the mounting block and has an arcuate groove on each side receiving a respective lip of the mounting clip. 
     The clamp may be formed of a pair of jaws that are disposed in hinged relation to each other for opening and closing relative to each other or may be formed of a pair of semi-circular jaws that can be snap-fitted together to receive a tube. 
     In accordance with the invention, the mounting clip is constructed to allow a user to easily secure the clamp with complementary geometry into place by means of pressing the two parts together. A gradual geometry on the clip will guide the clamp onto a receiving portion area on the clip, and then secure the two parts together for the purpose of keeping the assembly in a designated location. 
     Mounting of the mounting clip in a slidable manner in the track allows several mounting clips to be employed at variable locations in the track to accommodate different lengths of tubular modular elements of a tubing flow path assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of a mounting clip in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a top view of the clip of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a bottom view of the clip of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-sectional view of the clip of  FIG.  1    taken on line  4 - 4  of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a cross-sectional view of the clip of  FIG.  1    taken on line  5 - 5  of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a side view of the clip of  FIG.  1    with a clamp mounted in place thereon; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a view taken on line  7 - 7  of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a side view of a tubing flow path assembly employing the clips and clamps of the invention; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a perspective view of the tubing flow path assembly of  FIG.  8   . Referring to  FIG.  1   , the mounting clip  10  is of one piece construction and is made of a suitable plastic; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a perspective view of a mounting clip and clamp in a track in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a perspective view of a track with a mounting clip for receiving a clamp and a mounting clip for receiving a tube in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a perspective view of a track with a mounting clip and a modified clamp in accordance with the invention; and 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a perspective view of a track with a mounting clip receiving a tube in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the mounting clip  10  of the tube management assembly has a flat base  11  of rectangular shape with an aperture  12  at each of two ends for receiving a mounting element, for example, a screw (not shown) to secure the clip  10  to a mounting surface. 
     In addition, the mounting clip  10  has a mounting block  13  centrally located on a longitudinal axis  14  of the clip  10  and between the two ends of the base  11 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1 ,  3  and  4   , the mounting block  13  is of hollow construction and is raised from the base  11  with an arcuate upper seating surface  15  extending longitudinally of the block  13 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1 ,  2  and  5   , the mounting clip  10  has a pair of upstanding walls  16  disposed in parallel to the mounting block  13  and extending upwardly, as viewed, from the base  11 . Each wall  16  has an outwardly extending tab  17  at an upper end which provides a surface for engagement, for example, by a thumb (not shown) of a person in order to apply a force on the wall  16  for flexing of the walls  16  away from each other. In this regard, the walls  16  are connected integrally with the base  11  in a skeletal manner as indicated in  FIGS.  2  and  5   . 
     Each wall  16  also has an inwardly extending lip  18  opposite the tab  17  for purposes as described below. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , each wall  16  has a curvilinear top surface  19  for purposes as described below and each lip  18  is of a corresponding curvilinear shape for purposes as described below. Each lip  18  is also provided with a gap  20  at an intermediate central point for purposes as described below. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8    wherein like reference characters indicate like parts as above, the mounting clip  10  is sized and shaped to seat a clamp  21  in place thereon. 
     As illustrated, the clamp  21  is made of plastic and includes a pair of arcuate jaws  22 ,  23  that are hinged together via a pivot pin  24  at one end in order to open and close relative to each other. Each jaw  22 ,  23  includes an arcuate groove  25  (see  FIG.  7   ) on an inner periphery for purposes as described below. 
     A locking nut assembly  26  is provided to secure the jaws  22 ,  23  together when closed on each other. This locking nut assembly  26  is similar to the locking nut assembly described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/155,306, filed Jan. 14, 2014 and has a threaded pin  27  (see  FIG.  8   ) pivotally mounted on an end of the lower jaw  22  opposite the end with the pivot pin  24  and is releasably disposed in a bifurcation (not shown) of the upper jaw  23  when the jaws  22 ,  23  are closed on each other. The locking nut assembly  26  also has a nut  28  threaded on the threaded pin  27  that is to be seated within a recessed seat in the upper jaw  23   
     Each jaw  22 ,  23  has a circular outer periphery flanked by a pair of upstanding flanges  29  as indicated in  FIG.  7   . In addition, each side of each jaw  22 ,  23  has an arcuate groove  30  interrupted by a wall  31  located at an intermediate central point of the respective groove  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8  and  9    wherein like reference characters indicate like parts as above, a plurality of clamps  21  and mounting clips  10  are employed to mount a tubing flow path assembly  32  on a suitable flat support surface (not shown). 
     As indicated, the tubing flow path assembly  32  includes a plurality of tubular modular elements  33  that are connected via the clamps  21  and supported on the clips  10 . These modular elements  33  may be of identical construction or of distinct construction. In either case, each modular element  33  includes an upstanding circular collar  34  (see  FIG.  7   ) at one or both ends with a tubular central section, for example, for conveying a liquid for the preparation of a pharmaceutical. 
     In order to assemble the tubing flow path assembly  32 , a pair of modular elements  33  are butted together and an opened clamp  21  is fitted about the butted collars  34  such that the collars  34  fit into the arcuate grooves  25  on the inner periphery of the jaws  22 ,  23  (see  FIG.  7   ). 
     The jaws  22 ,  23  of the clamp  21  are then closed on each other and the locking nut assembly  26  is moved into a locking position. 
     In order to mount a clamp  21  on a mounting clip  10 , the clip  10  is secured in place on the flat support surface. Next, a clamp  21  is snap-fitted into the clip  10 . In this regard, the walls  31  of the clamp  21  are aligned with the gaps  20  in the lips  18  of the clip  10  and the clamp  21  is pressed against the lips  18  and into the clip  10 . 
     During this time, the lips  18  of the clip  10  spread apart and the walls  16  on which the lips  18  are disposed flex outwardly of each other allowing the lips  18  to snap into the arcuate grooves  30  on the sides of the clamp  21 . At the same time, the circular outer periphery of the lower jaw  22  of the clamp  21  seats on the an arcuate seating surface  16  of the mounting block  14  of the clip  11  with each upstanding flange  29  of the lower jaw  22  disposed between the mounting block  14  and a wall  16 . (See  FIG.  7   ) 
     The sequence of assembling the tubing flow path assembly  32  may vary. For example, the clamps  21  may be fitted into a plurality of mounting clips  10  that are located at fixed points before the modular elements  33  are mounted in the clamps  21 . In order to dis-assemble a clamp  21  from a mounting clip  10 , the tabs  17  of the clip  1  are pressed downwardly, for example, by a thumb (not shown) of a person in order to apply a force on the walls  16  for flexing of the walls  16  away from each other thereby releasing the clamp  21  from engagement in the clip  10 . The clamp  21  may then be removed from the clip  10  manually. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the mounting block  14  extends longitudinally outwardly of the walls  16  and may be sized to be of greater or less height relative to the base  11  in dependence on the size of the clamp  21  that is to be mounted thereon. 
     Of note, the walls  31  of the clamp  21  that are aligned with the gaps  20  in the lips  18  of the clip  10  facilitate orientation of the clamp  21  such that the locking nut assembly  26  is disposed with the threaded pin  27  in a vertical plane when in the locking position (as indicated in  FIGS.  8  and  9   ) and, thus, for ease of access to a user. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , wherein like references indicate like parts as above, the tube management assembly may employ a track  35  that can be mounted on a vertical surface, a horizontal surface or an inclined surface. To this end, his track  35  has one or more apertures  36  for receiving screws or other securing elements (not shown). 
     The track  35  also has a flat base  37 , a pair of parallel walls  38  that extend from the base  37  and a pair of flanges  39 , each of which extends from one wall  38  toward the other wall to define a trackway in order to slidably receive the mounting clip  10 . As illustrated, the trackway is in the form of an inverted T-shaped slotted trackway in order to retain the mounting clip  10  therein. In this case, the base  11  of the mounting clip  10  is free of the apertures  12  of  FIG.  1   . 
     The base  11  of the mounting clip  10  is also provided with projections (not shown) on the bottom for fitting into positioning holes  40  disposed in alignment longitudinally of the base  37  of the track  35 . Preferably, the track  35  and mounting clip  10  are made of plastic so that the clip  10  can be readily moved manually along the length of the track  35  to a proper position (and held by the mating of the projections and positioning holes  40 ) for positioning the clamp  21  holding the tubular modular elements  33  (see  FIG.  8   ). 
     The track  35  may also have a stop  41  at one end of the base  37  to prevent the clip  10  from sliding out of the track  35  at that end. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , wherein like references indicate like parts as above, the track  35  may be used to mount different mounting clips  10 ,  42 . 
     In one case, the mounting clip  10  is constructed as above described. 
     In the other case, the mounting clip  42  has a flat base  43  slidably mounted in the trackway of the track  35  and a mounting block  44  extending from the base  43  and including a recess  45  for receiving a tube  46  (see  FIG.  13   ) transversely of the track  35 . As indicated, the recess  45  is U-shaped to receive a tube and may have small inwardly directed projections (not shown) on opposite sides to retain the tube in place. 
     In each case, the mounting clip  10 ,  42  is provided with projections (not shown) on the bottom for fitting into the positioning holes  40  disposed in the track  35 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  12   , wherein like references indicate like parts as above, the tube management assembly may employ a clamp  47  formed of a pair of semi-circular jaws  48  that can be snap-fitted together to receive a tube. 
     As illustrated, the jaws  48  are of similar construction. Each jaw  48  includes a semi-circular base  49  and a pair of parallel walls  50  that extend internally from the base  49  and inside of the edges of the base  49  to form a recess to receive the lip  18  of the mounting clip  10 . 
     The base  49  of the lower jaw  48 , as viewed, is sized to seat on the seating surface  15  (not shown) of the mounting clip  10   
     Each jaw  48  has a rectangular shaped tab  51  projecting from one end and a sleeve-like member  52  sized to receive the tab  51  of the other jaw  48 . 
     When fitted together, the jaws  48  firmly secure a tube (not shown) in place. 
     The invention thus provides a temporary tube management assembly for organizing and effectively managing the tubing and fluid paths that are created in a drug production work area. 
     The invention mechanically secures single use fittings and tubing in place for single use systems to manufacture liquid drug products. In particular, the invention provides a mounting clip that provides a secure locking arrangement for a clamp as well as a tube management assembly that can be easily assembled to control a fluid path in a drug production area and dis-assembled after use.