TUBING AND CONNECTOR AND METHOD MAKING THE SAME
The present invention is a device for fluid movement and method of making the same. The device has a core element comprised of a preformed barbed fitting having two or more barbed extensions. Each extension has a central bore connected to the central bores of the other extensions so as to provide fluid communications between them. A tube having a central bore is fitted over the barb of each extension. A molded housing is formed over the fitting and tubes to form the device
1 ) A method of making an integrated connector with two or more tubings extending from the connector comprising the steps of forming a barbed fitting having two or more barbed extensions, each extension having a hollow bore therethrough and connecting to the bores of each of the other extensions, sliding a tubing having a hollow bore over each barbed extension and overmolding a housing entrapping the barbed fitting and a portion of each tubing on the barbed extensions.
2 ) The method of claim 1 wherein overmolding is conducted using a molten thermoplastic.
3 ) The method of claim 1 wherein overmolding is conducted using a liquid thermoset.
4 ) The method of claim 1 wherein the overmolding is a thermoplastic.
5 ) The method of claim 1 wherein the overmolding is polypropylene.
6 ) The method of claim 1 wherein the overmolding is polyethylene.
7 ) The method of claim 1 wherein the overmolding is a thermoset selected from the group consisting of epoxy, polyurethane and silicone.
8 ) The method of claim 1 wherein the overmolding is silicone.
9 ) The method of claim 1 wherein the barbed fitting is selected from the group consisting of metal, thermoplastic and thermoset materials.
10 ) The method of claim 1 wherein the barbed fitting and the overmolding are of the same materials.
11 ) A tubular filling for fluid comprising a barbed filling having two or more barbed extensions, each extension having a hollow bore therethrough and connecting to the bores of each of the other extensions, a plurality of tubing, each tubing having a hollow bore and each tubing mounted over the barb of each barbed extension and an overmolded housing entrapping the barbed fitting and a portion of each tubing on the barbed extensions.
12 ) The fitting of claim 11 wherein the barbed fitting has three or more barbed extensions.
13 ) The fitting of claim 11 wherein the barbed fitting has extensions are at an angle equal to each other.
14 ) The fitting of claim 11 wherein the barbed fitting is selected from the group consisting of metal, thermoplastic and thermoset materials.
15 ) The fitting of claim 11 wherein the overmolded housing is a thermoset selected from the group consisting of epoxy, polyurethane and silicone.
16 ) The fitting of claim 11 wherein the overmolded housing is a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyarylsulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride, PTFE, polyether ether ketone.
17 ) The fitting of claim 11 wherein the material of the tubing and the overmolded housing are compatible.
18 ) The fitting of claim 11 wherein the material of the tubing and the overmolded housing are the same.
19 ) The fitting of claim 11 wherein the material of the fitting, tubing and the overmolded housing are the same.