Fluid conduits and method of manufacturing same
US6854768B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 15, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/22
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A continuous flexible conduit is formed from like-configured components, each having a male joint member and a female joint member with a passageway extending therethrough. The female joint member is over-molded about a corresponding male joint member to form a substantially fluid-tight articulating joint. In a method of producing the flexible conduit, a single-shot molding process is used to form each like-configured component, with each newly formed component indexed within the single-shot mold so that the male joint member is within the female mold cavity for the formation of the next component. In an alternative embodiment, a continuous conduit is formed of two different sets of like configured components—one set having only female joint members and the other set having only male joint members. A two-shot molding process is described for continuous production of the flexible conduit using these two sets of components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.