Patent · US Expired

Method of making a plastic tube with plural lumens

US4138457A · kind A · utility

59Cited by
5References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 13, 1976
Grant dateFeb 6, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 13, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29C2948/92952
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A plastic tube is provided which has a main lumen, an auxiliary lumen, and an integral connector at one end for connecting the main lumen in fluid communication with another device. The auxiliary lumen extends longitudinally within the side wall of the tube with the integral tube connector free of the auxiliary lumen. The tube can be made by extruding thermoplastic material through a die having a hollow main lumen die pin and a hollow auxiliary lumen die pin adjacent the die outlet orifice. Air under pressure is supplied to both die pins to produce tubing extrudate having main and auxiliary lumens. The pressure of the air supplied to the auxiliary lumen forming pin is reduced at programmed intervals during the extrusion of the tubing so that selected portions are free of an auxiliary lumen or have a lumen of limited size. The tubing can be severed so that it has a selected portion at one end that can serve as an end connector.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.