EP3645104A2

EP3645104A2 - A tube device and a tube coupling

Info

Publication number: EP3645104A2
Application number: EP18737501.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jan LUNSJÖ
Original assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
Current assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
Priority date: 2017-06-28
Filing date: 2018-06-21
Publication date: 2020-05-06
Also published as: CN110799239B; WO2019002066A2; WO2019002066A3; CN110799239A

Abstract

A tube device (1) for securing fluidly interconnected tubes (9) in position in relation to each other. The tube device (1) comprises at least three tube legs (2) of which each tube leg (2) is designed with an aperture (4) extending through the tube leg (2) and being in communication with an incision (5) intersecting a distal end (6) of the tube leg (2), and an interior side (7) delimiting the aperture (4), wherein the interior side (7) is arranged to act upon a tube, of the interconnected tubes (9), received into the aperture (4) through the incision (5) to secure the tube in position with respect to the other interconnected tubes (9). The disclosure also relates to a tube coupling comprising a tube device and a plurality of interconnected tubes.

Description

A tube device and a tube coupling Technical field

The present disclosure relates to technology for tubes, and in particularly to a tube device and a tube coupling for securing fluidly interconnected tubes in position in

relation to each other.

Background

Fluid systems often comprise a plurality of different parts, e.g. devices, containers, ports etc. that are interconnected by fluid lines, e.g. tubes, in order to transport fluid between them. The tubes may be interconnected by connectors holding the tubes in place in the connector thereby forming tube connections. The tubes of a tube connection are held in place in the connector by friction acting between the outer sides of the tubes and the inner side of the connector.

When fluid is passed through a tube connection, the tubes of the tube connection are exposed to force from the pressure of the fluid. If the force from the pressure of the fluid on a tube is greater than the friction force between the tube and the connector, the tube might be pushed out of the connector, and cause a leakage in the fluid system. Also, incorrect coupling of the tubes to the connector may

decrease the friction force and thus give rise to a more unreliable connection.

The friction force may be enhanced by choosing suitable materials of the tube connection. However, because of ageing, tolerances, dirt, grease, and/or silicon oil in the connector material that evaporates from the connector and decreases the friction, the connection may anyway become degraded and thus unreliable.

From US4826486A1 and US20100228231A1 arrangements are known to prevent two connectors from separating. However, these arrangements do not prevent the tubes from slipping out of the connectors .

Summary

It is an object of the disclosure to alleviate at least some of the drawbacks with the prior art. It is a further object to provide a tube device that secures interconnected tubes in position with respect to each other. It is a further object to provide a tube device that is cheap to

manufacture. It is a further object to provide a tube device that is easy to arrange to a connection. It is a further object to provide a tube device that has a design and size such that it is easy to accommodate in a confined space. It is a further object to provide a tube device that can be easily adapted to connections with different numbers of interconnected tubes. It is a further object to provide a tube device that can be used to secure interconnected tubes without having to dismount the fluid path. These objects and others are at least partly achieved by the tube device and tube coupling according to the independent claims, and by the embodiments according to the dependent claims . According to a first aspect, the disclosure relates to a tube device for securing fluidly interconnected tubes in position in relation to each other. The tube device comprises at least three tube legs of which each tube leg is designed with an aperture extending through the tube leg and being in communication with an incision intersecting a distal end of the tube leg. The tube device further

comprises an interior side delimiting the aperture, wherein the interior side is arranged to act upon a tube, of the interconnected tubes, received into the aperture through the incision to secure the tube in position with respect to the other interconnected tubes.

The tube device prevents that the interconnected tubes becomes disconnected. The tube device may be used in fluid systems e.g. in renal treatment, and in already installed fluid systems to prolong the life-time of the fluid system and avoid leakage. The tube device is easy to use as it can be pushed over the interconnected tubes, and there is no need for dismounting the fluid line of the fluid system to put the tube device in place in the fluid system. The tube device may further be reused, and removed without dismounting the fluid path of the fluid system. The tube device may be mounted without tools by hand of an operator. The production cost for making the tube device is rather low, and the tube device has a low complexity. The tube device further has no contact with the fluid in the flow path when mounted to the tubes. The tube device can be used for example for securing a three-legged connection of tubes, but also for securing a two-legged connection of tubes. According to some embodiments, the tube device is designed to block axial movement of the interconnected tubes with respect to each other. Thereby the interconnected tubes are maintained in place with respect to each other.

According to some embodiments, each tube leg comprises an inner section in connection with a distal section designed with the aperture and the incision.

According to some embodiments, the inner section and the distal section are disposed at 90°. Thereby the distal section can be secured to a tube, while the inner section extends over the tube and/or the connector.

According to some embodiments, the distal sections extend in the same direction. Thereby the tube legs may be used to secure the same connection connecting the fluidly

interconnecting tubes.

According to some embodiments, at least one tube leg of the at least three tube legs is bendable . Thereby, a tube leg that is not used for securing a tube may be bent away, such that the shape of the tube device becomes slim and aligned with the tubes, and can easily be accommodated in the often limited space of a fluid system.

According to some embodiments, the bendable at least one tube leg is bendable along a first indentation of the tube device. Thereby the bending is facilitated.

According to some embodiments, the bendable at least one tube leg is bendable around the interconnected tubes.

Thereby the bent leg does not stick out from the tube device, and the tube device thereby gets a more slim shape aligned with the tubes.

According to some embodiments, the bendable at least one tube leg is bendable around a connector interconnecting the tubes such that the connector becomes fixated between the at least one tube leg and a middle section connected to each of the at least three tube legs . Thereby the bent leg helps to further fix the interconnected tubes.

According to some embodiments, the tube device comprises a middle section connected to each of the at least three tube legs . According to some embodiments, the middle section has an essentially parallelepiped shape which sides are adapted to the size of a connector connecting the interconnected tubes such that the middle section extends over the connector. Thereby any bendable leg can be easily bent around the tube and/or connector.

According to some embodiments, a top side of the middle section is parallel with a top side of the inner section of each tube leg that secures a tube in its aperture. Herein, the middle section lies in the same plane as the inner section of each tube leg that secures a tube in its

aperture .

According to some embodiments, the bendable tube leg is bendable around said connector such that the distal section and the middle section are essentially parallel. Thereby tube and/or tube device can be held in place between the distal section and the middle section.

According to some embodiments, wherein at least one tube leg of the at least three tube legs is arranged to be broken off the tube device. Thereby a leg that is not used can be removed, and the tube device can be even slimmer.

According to some embodiments, the at least one tube leg is arranged to be broken off along a second indentation of the tube device. By providing an indentation, the tube leg can be more easily broken off, and thus removed from the tube device . According to some embodiments, the tube device comprises at least one cross-section connecting two adjacent tube legs of the plurality of tube legs. Thereby the tube device becomes more stable. According to some embodiments, the interior side is designed with an inwardly directed cutting edge for cutting into a tube received into the aperture. Thereby the tube leg, and the tube device, can be held in place against the tube in one way.

According to some embodiments, the interior side is provided with an adhesive. Thereby the tube leg, and the tube device, can be held in place against the tube in a further way. According to some embodiments, the interior side of at least one aperture is arranged to act upon a tube received into the aperture by a friction fit. Thereby the tube leg, and the tube device, can be held in place against the tube in a still further way.

According to some embodiments, a smallest width w_i of the incision is smaller than a greatest width w_a of the

aperture .

According to some embodiments, the incision is adapted to the size of the tube received into the aperture, such that the smallest width w_i of the incision is smaller than an outer diameter d of the tube. Thereby the tube may be more securely held in place within the aperture, as the legs of the distal side to some extent close up after the tube, when the tube is received within the aperture.

According to some embodiments, the aperture is adapted to the size of the tube received into the aperture, such that a greatest width w_a of the aperture is equal to or slightly smaller than an outer diameter d of the tube. Thereby the tube can be securely held in place in the aperture.

According to some embodiments, all the at least three connected tube legs are bendable and/or are arranged to be broken off the tube device. Thereby a very versatile tube device is provided.

According to some embodiments, the tube device is made in one piece. Thereby the tube device may be easily made. According to some embodiments, the tube device is made from one or a plurality of metal sheets. According to some embodiments, the at least three tube legs are arranged to lock the plurality of tubes to any of a T- shaped connector, an L-shaped connector or a straight connector .

According to some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of tube legs is arranged to accommodate tubes with multiple outer diameters and to secure the tubes in position. Thus, the tube device may be used to accommodate tubes with different diameters, without having to modify the tube device .

According to some embodiments, the at least one tube leg comprises a resilient function or deforming function in order to accommodate tubes with multiple outer diameters.

Thus, the tube device may be caused to give way or to deform in order to accommodate different tube diameters.

According to a second aspect, the disclosure relates to a tube coupling comprising a plurality of fluidly

interconnected tubes and a tube device according to any of the embodiments herein, where the tube device is arranged to the plurality of tubes in order to secure the plurality of tubes in position with respect to each other.

According to some embodiments, the tube coupling comprises a connector interconnecting the plurality of tubes.

According to some embodiments, the connector is made of silicon. According to some embodiments, the connector is made in one piece .

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a tube device according to some

embodiments .

Fig. 2A illustrates a straight two-way connection.

Fig. 2B illustrates the tube device illustrated in Fig. 1 adapted to the two-way connection in Fig. 2A.

Fig. 2C illustrates a tube coupling according to some embodiments, where the adapted tube device in Fig. 2B is arranged to the connection of Fig. 2A.

Fig. 3A illustrates a bent two-way connection.

Fig. 3B illustrates the tube device illustrated in Fig. 1 adapted to the bent two-way connection in Fig. 3A.

Fig. 3C illustrates a tube coupling according to some embodiments, where the adapted tube device in Fig. 3B is arranged to the bent two-way connection in Fig. 3A.

Fig. 4A illustrates a three-way connection.

Fig. 4B illustrates the tube device illustrated in Fig. 1 from a different view.

Fig. 4C illustrates a tube coupling according to some embodiments, where the tube device in Fig. 4B is arranged to the connection of Fig. 4A.

Fig. 5 illustrates a tube device with four tube legs according to some embodiments.

Fig. 6 illustrates a tube device with three tube legs according to some embodiments.

Fig. 7A illustrates a tube device with three tube legs according to some embodiments. Fig. 7B illustrates a tube coupling according to some embodiments, where the tube device in Fig. 7A is arranged to the connection of Fig. 4A.

Fig. 8A illustrates a part of a tube leg of a tube device according to some embodiments.

Fig. 8B illustrates the part of the tube leg in Fig. 8A, where a tube with a first outer diameter is received into the aperture of the tube leg.

Fig. 8C illustrates the part of the tube leg in Fig. 8A, where a tube with a second outer diameter is received into the aperture of the tube leg.

Fig. 9A illustrates a part of a tube leg of a tube device according to some other embodiments.

Fig. 9B illustrates the part of the tube leg in Fig. 9A, where a tube with a first outer diameter is received into the aperture of the tube leg.

Fig. 9C illustrates the part of the tube leg in Fig. 9A, where a tube with a second outer diameter is received into the aperture of the tube leg.

Detailed description

In the following a plurality of different embodiments of the tube device and the tube coupling will be described with reference to the figures. Each tube device is designed to act on at least two interconnected tubes, in order to hold the tubes in place with respect to each other. Thereby the tubes are prevented from slipping out of the connector that interconnects the tubes. By incorporating a bending feature, the tube device can be adapted to different numbers of tubes. The tube device is especially suitable for securing already installed tubes and connectors, due to its small size, easy handling and adaptability. For example, a fluid system of a dialysis system may comprise several couplings that can be secured by using the described tube devices.

Each tube device is defined by a body comprising a plurality of tube legs of which each tube leg is designed with an aperture extending through the tube leg and being in

communication with an incision intersecting a distal end of the tube leg. Each tube leg is also designed with an

interior side delimiting the aperture. The interior side is arranged to act upon a tube, of the interconnected tubes, received into the aperture through the incision to secure the tube in position with respect to the other

interconnected tubes. In other words, the tube device is designed to block axial movement of the interconnected tubes with respect to each other. With fluidly interconnected tubes here means that the tubes are connected such that fluid can be passed from any one of the tubes to the other of the tube(s) . Thus, each and every one of the tubes is fluidly connected to each and every one of the other tubes of the interconnected tubes.

The tube device may be made of a body made in one piece. The tube device may further be made of plastic or steel. For example, the tube device may be cut from one or a plurality of metal sheets or plastic sheets. The tube device may also be referred to as a clip.

The interconnected tubes may be connected via a connector. A connector is typically made of a body made in one piece. The connector may be made by plastic, for example a polymer such as silicone. Alternatively, the connector may be made of a plurality of releasable engaged parts or an assemblage of parts. However, it is not an object of the disclosure to hold the releasable parts of the connector together; the main object is to hold the interconnected tubes in position in relation to each other. As a consequence however, the releasable engaged parts of an assembled connector may be refrained from disengaging. A tube may also be embodied as a connecting tube, i.e. a short tube part that is attached to a device in a fluid system for conducting fluid to or from the device. The tubes may have different kinds of diameters, for example between 6-8 mm.

Fig. 1 illustrates a tube device 1 defined by a body 30 comprising three tube legs 2 and a middle section 3. Each tube leg 2 extends from the middle section 3. The middle section 3 generally has a parallelepiped shape with orthogonal sides, of which a top side and a bottom side delimit four lateral sides. A first tube leg 21 of the three legs 2 extends from a first lateral side, and a second tube leg 22 extends from an opposite second lateral side of the middle section 3. The first lateral side is thus located opposite to the second lateral side. A third tube leg 23 of the three legs extends from a third lateral side. The third lateral side is perpendicular to the first and second lateral sides. Each of the tube legs 2 includes an inner section 2A and a distal section 2B. In Fig. 1, each inner section 2A extends horizontally from the respective lateral side of the middle section 3. In other words, each inner section extends along a direction of a normal of a respective lateral side of the middle section 3. Thus, the middle section 3 is connected to each of the plurality of inner sections 2A of the three tube legs 2. Also the inner section 2A generally has a parallelepiped shape with orthogonal sides, of which a top side and a bottom side delimit four lateral sides. One of the lateral sides constitutes an outer end 17 of the inner section 2A.

The distal section 2B generally has a parallelepiped shape with orthogonal sides, of which a top side and a bottom side delimit four lateral sides. Each distal section 2B extends perpendicularly from the outer end 17 of a respective inner section 2A. Thus, the inner section 2A and the distal section 2B of each tube leg are here disposed at

approximately 90°. Each distal section 2B extends

perpendicularly from the outer end 17 of a respective inner section 2A, in the same direction (when the tube legs are not bent) . Thus, the distal sections 2B extend in the same direction. Thereby the tube legs can secure two, three or more tubes that all are fluidly connected with each other, for example via a same, common connection that may be made in one piece, from moving apart. Each tube leg thus prevents movement of a received tube into the aperture of the tube leg. The most distal one of the lateral sides constitutes a distal end 6 of the distal section 2B, and of the tube device 1. In Fig. 1, the tube device 1 defines an upper plane UP represented by the plane defined by the upper side of the middle section 3, and the upper sides of the inner sections 2A. The tube device 1 in Fig. 1 generally exhibits a T-shape in the upper plane UP, when none of the legs 2 are being bent. The distal sections 2B extend perpendicularly in the same direction from the upper plane UP. The tube device 1 defines an outer length Ll in the upper plane, taken between the respective outer ends 17 of the inner sections 2A across the opposite each other located first tube leg 21 and second tube leg 22. The tube device 1 further defines an outer width Wl in the upper plane, where the outer width Wl is perpendicular to the outer length Ll . The outer width Wl extends from the outer end 17 of the inner section 2A of the third leg 23 to the outer free side of the middle section 3. The outer length Ll and the outer width Wl constitute the boundary of the tube device 1 and thus delimit the tube device 1 of Fig. 1, when the inner sections 2A of the tube legs 2 are arranged parallel to the middle section 3, thus, none of the tube legs 2 are bent. The middle section 3 has a width W2 being parallel with the outer width Wl . The middle section 3 has a length L2 that is perpendicular to the outer width Wl, and parallel with the outer length Ll . The tube device 1 further has a height Hi in the opposite direction of normal of the upper plane UP. The height Hi corresponds to the length of the distal sections 2B. The width W2 corresponds to the width of the inner sections 2A and the distal sections 2B. In some embodiments, the inner sections 2A and the distal sections 2B have essentially the same outer dimensions. In some embodiments, the inner sections 2A, the distal sections 2B and the middle section 3 have essentially the same outer dimensions. According to some embodiments, the middle section 3, the inner sections 2A and the distal sections 2B each has a cuboid shape. For example, the dimensions L2, W2 and Hi may be of the same size.

In Fig. 1, each of tube legs 2 is designed in the same way, and has the same dimensions, as the other tube legs, and for simplicity only one of the tube legs 2 is here explained in detail, i.e. the third tube leg 23. The distal section 2B of a tube leg 2 is designed with an aperture 4 in communication with an incision 5. The aperture 4 extends through the distal section 2B. The incision 5 intersects the distal end 6 of the tube leg 2. Each distal section 2B is also designed with an interior side 7 delimiting the aperture 4 and the incision 5.

The aperture 4 and the incision 5 separates the distal section 2B into two distal legs, a first distal leg 15A and a second distal leg 15B. The first distal leg 15A and the second distal leg 15B are united at a proximal part of the distal section 2B.

The tube leg 2 is bisected by a plane 16 that extends perpendicularly from the paper in Fig. 1. The tube leg 2 may be a mirror image of either side of the plane 16. Thus, the first distal leg 15A may be a mirror image of the second distal leg 15B. The first distal leg 15A has an interior side 7A. An inner portion 71A of the interior side 7A may be arcuate, or oblique, inwards into the first distal leg 15A. A lower portion 72A of the interior side 7A is arcuate outwards of the first distal leg 7A.

The second distal leg 15B has an interior side 7B. An inner portion 71B of the interior side 7B may be arcuate, or oblique, inwards into the second distal leg 15B. A lower portion 72B of the interior side 7B is arcuate outwards of the second distal leg 7B. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner portions 71A, 71B have a circular shape and define a circular aperture 4 of the distal section 2B. The inner portions 71A, 71B may further define one or several projections 31A, 32B (shown in Fig. 9A-9C) designed to project into the aperture 4. The one or several projections 31A, 32B may be provided with sharp edges to cut into the tube 9 and hold it on place.

In Fig. 1, the aperture 4 is characterized by a width w_a that is the greatest width of the aperture 4. This distance corresponds to the largest width between the inner portion 71A of the interior side 7A of the first distal leg 15A, and the inner portion 71B of the interior side 7B of the second distal leg 15B. The width w_a is here parallel with the upper plane UP.

The incision 5 is characterized by a width w_i that is the smallest width of the incision 5. This distance corresponds to the smallest width between the lower portion 72A of the interior side 7A of the first distal leg 15A, and the lower portion 72B of the interior side 7B of the second distal leg 15B. The width w_a and the width w_i are parallel.

Generally, for all embodiments herein, the aperture 4 has a size adapted to the size of a tube 9A, 9B, 9C (Figs. 2A, 3A, 4A) to be inserted into the aperture 4. The interior side 7, thus the interior side 7A of the inner portion 71A and the interior side 7B of the inner portion 71B, is designed to act upon a tube received into the aperture 4.

The smallest width w_i of the incision 5 is here smaller than the greatest width w_a of the aperture 4. The incision 5 is adapted to the size of a tube (not shown in Fig. 1) received into the aperture 4, such that the smallest width w_i of the incision 5 is smaller than an outer diameter d of the tube. The tube is then inserted into the aperture 4 by forcing the tube through the incision 5 until the tube has passed the incision 5, here the arcuate lower portions 72A, 72B, and is received into the aperture 4. When the tube is forced pass through the incision 5 pass the arcuate lower portions 72A, 72B, the tube may be compressed such that it can pass the incision 5. The tube regains its normal shape when it is received into the aperture 4. Alternatively, the first distal leg 15A and the second distal leg 15B are resilient such that they may flex outwards to accommodate the tube and let the tube pass the incision 5. Thereafter, the distal legs 15A, 15B flex back to their original position. The arcuate lower portions 72A, 72B then helps retaining the tube in the aperture 4.

The interior side 7 secures the tube in place in the

aperture 4. According to some embodiments, the interior side 7 is designed with an inwardly directed cutting edge 14 for cutting into a tube received into the aperture 4. With inwardly directed is meant directed to a center of the aperture 4. The cutting edge has a sharpness such that it can cut into a tube received into the aperture 4. Thus, the interior side 7A of the inner portion 71A may be provided with a first inwardly directed cutting edge 14A, and the interior side 7B of the inner portion 71B may be provided with a second inwardly directed cutting edge 14A.

According to some embodiments, the interior side 7 of the tube device 1 is provided with an adhesive. The adhesive is such that the tube device 1 sticks to the received tube with a sufficient force such that it does not come loose when a pressure force from a fluid inside the connection acts upon it . According to some embodiments, the interior side 7 of the tube device 1 is arranged to act upon a tube received into the aperture 4 by a friction fit. Then, the aperture 4 is adapted to the size of the tube received into the aperture 4, such that the greatest width w_a of the aperture 4 is equal to or slightly smaller than an outer diameter d of the tube. The interior side 7 delimiting the aperture 4 will thus abut against the tube received into the aperture 4. According to some embodiments, at least one of the at least three tube legs 2 of the tube device 1 is bendable . Thereby the tube device 1 may be adapted to connections with various numbers of tubes. For example may one, two or three of the plurality of tube legs 2 be bendable. According to some embodiments, all of the at least three tube legs are

bendable. The tube device 1 is further provided with at least one first indentation 8. The at least one first indentation 8 is provided to facilitate bending of the at least one tube leg 2. A first indentation 8 gives rise to a weakening in the body of the tube device 1 along the extent of the first indentation 8, such that the tube leg 2

adhering to the first indentation 8 will be forced to bend along the first indentation 8 when a bending force is applied to the tube leg 2. A first indentation 8 may

separate or delimit the middle section 3 and the inner section 2A of a tube leg 2 from each other. Thus, the tube device 1 may comprise a respective first indentation 8 between each inner section 2A and the middle section 3 of the same tube device 1.

The tube device 1 in Fig. 1 is illustrated with three indentations 8. Thus, each of the tube legs 2 of the tube device 1 may be bendable along a respective

indentation 8.

According to some embodiments, the at least one tube leg of the at least three tube legs 2 is arranged to be broken off the tube device 1. The broken off tube leg 2 can then be removed from the tube device 1. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the at least one tube leg 2 is arranged to be broken off the tube device 1 along the respective first indentation 8. Alternatively, the at least one tube leg 2 is arranged to be broken off along a second indentation 11 (Fig. 6) of the tube device 1, where the second indentation is different from the first indentation 8. Fig. 2A illustrates an exemplary straight two-way connection 18 comprising a first tube 9A and a second tube 9B interconnected by a straight connector 10. The connection 18 is made for transportation of fluid, thus, it is fluid-tight. The first tube 9A and the second tube 9B may be made of the same material. Each of the tubes 9A, 9b is defined by a respective outer diameter dl that may be of the same or different size for the tubes 9A, 9b. The connector 10 has a first opening and a second opening, where the first opening and the second opening are interconnected via a channel of the connector 10. The connector 10 is defined by a largest diameter d2 crosswise the connector 10, and a length L3 lengthwise the connector 10. The first tube 9A is inserted into the first opening of the connector 10, and the second tube 9B is inserted into the second opening of the connector 10. The first opening and the second opening are here located opposite each other. Fig. 2B illustrates the same tube device 1 as in Fig. 1, but where the third tube leg 23 has been bent in order to adapt the tube device 1 to the straight two-way connection 18 in Fig. 2A. The third tube leg 23 has been bent approximately 90° .

Fig. 2C is illustrating the tube device 1 of Fig. 2B where the tube device 1 has been arranged to the straight two-way connection 18 of Fig. 2A. The tube device 1 and the

connection 18 together form a tube coupling 19. The tube device 1 is arranged to the two tubes 9A, 9B in order to secure the two tubes 9A, 9B in position with respect to each other. The distal legs 15A, 15B of the first tube leg 21 securely retains the first tube 9A, and the distal legs 15A, 15B of the second tube leg 22 securely retains the second tube 9B.

In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the middle section 3 has an essentially parallelepiped, cuboid, square or rectangular shape. The top side and bottom side of the middle section 3 are adapted to the size of the connector 10 connecting the interconnected tubes 9 such that the middle section 3 extends over the connector 10, in the upper plane UP. The top side and bottom side thus have a greater

extension W2 than the extension of the diameter d2 of the connector 10. It should be appreciated that the middle section 3 may have another shape to accommodate for

alternative numbers of tube legs 2. For example, the middle section 3 may have another polygon shape such as pentagon shape, a hexagon shape, a heptagon shape, an octagon shape etc. The middle section 3 may also have a triangular shape. Each side of the polygon may then be connected to a respective tube leg. Thus, a middle section 3 with a pentagon shape may have up to five connected tube legs 2, a middle section 3 with a hexagon shape may have up to six connected tube legs 2, etc.

The middle section 3 is further parallel with the inner section 2A of each tube leg that secures a tube in its aperture 4. For example, the top side of the middle section 3 is parallel with a top side of the inner section 2A of each tube leg that secures a tube in its aperture 4. Thus, the middle section 3 and the inner section 2A are aligned along the same upper plane UP. Also, each bendable tube leg 2 may be bendable inwards and around the connector 10 such that the distal section 2B and the middle section 3 are essentially parallel.

The tube device 1 in Fig. 2C secures the interconnected tubes 9A, 9B coupled by the connector 10, around the connector 10, as the third tube leg 23 is bent inwards and around the connector 10. With inwards is here meant to bend in the downward direction of the distal end 6 of the distal section 2B, that is, in a direction of a normal from the face of the distal end 6. In order to bend the third tube leg 23 along the first indentation 8, the third tube leg 23 is rotated along a rotation axis defined by the first indentation 8. The third tube leg 23 is thus bent

approximately 90° along the first indentation 3, from the upper plane UP. The inner section 2A has an inner length such that is reaches over the connector 10, thus, the inner length of the inner section 2A is greater or equal to the diameter d2 of the connector 10. The third tube leg 23 may be bendable inwards and around the connector 10 such that the connector 10 becomes fixated between the at least one tube leg and a middle section 3 connected to each of the at least three of tube legs 2. The connector 10 then becomes fixated between the lower side of the middle section 3 and the inner side of the distal section 2B, when the middle section 3 and the distal section 2B are essentially

parallel. The distance between the inner side of the distal section 2B and the lower side of the middle section 3 then has the same size as, or is slightly smaller than, the diameter d2 of the connector 10 such that the connector 10 is held in place between the middle section 3 and the distal section 2B.

Fig. 3A illustrates an exemplary bent two-way connection 18 comprising a first tube 9A and a third tube 9C interconnected by a bent connector 10. The bent connector 10 may be referred to as L-shaped. The connection 18 is made for transport of fluid, thus, it is fluid-tight. The first tube 9A and the third tube 9C may be made of the same material. Each of the tubes 9A, 9C is defined by a respective outer diameter dl that may be of the same or different size for the tubes 9A, 9C. The first opening and the second opening are here perpendicular. The connector 10 is defined by a largest diameter d2 crosswise the connector 10. The connector 10 has a perpendicular bending partitioning the connector 10 in two parts, of which one part has a length L3 and the other part has the length L4. The lengths L3 and L4 may be of the same size, or have different sizes. The connector 10 has a first opening and second opening, where the first opening and the second opening are interconnected. The first tube 9A is inserted into the first opening of the connector 10, and the second tube 9B is inserted into the second opening of the connector 10. Fig. 3B illustrates the same tube device 1 as in Fig. 1, but where the second tube leg 22 has been bent in order to adapt the tube device 1 to the bent two-way connection 18 in Fig. 3A. The second tube leg 22 has been bent approximately 90°. Instead of bending the second tube leg 22, the first tube leg 21 may be bent in order to adapt the tube device 1 to the bent two-way connection 18 in Fig. 3A. The first tube leg 21 may then be bent approximately 90°. Fig. 3C illustrates the tube device 1 of Fig. 3B where the tube device 1 has been arranged to the straight two-way connection 18 of Fig. 3A. The tube device 1 and the

connection 18 together form a tube coupling 19. The tube device 1 is arranged to the two tubes 9A, 9C in order to secure the two tubes 9A, 9C in position with respect to each other. The distal legs 15A, 15B of the first tube leg 21 securely retains the first tube 9A, and the distal legs 15A, 15B of the third tube leg 22 securely retains the third tube 9C. If instead the first tube leg 21 was bent, the distal legs 15A, 15B of the third tube leg 23 would securely retains the third tube 9C, and the distal legs 15A, 15B of the second tube leg 22 would securely retains the second tube 9A. The tube device 1 in Fig. 3C secures the interconnected tubes 9A, 9C coupled by the connector 10, around the

connector 10, as the second tube leg 22 is bent inwards and around the connector 10. As explained, instead of the second tube leg 22, the first tube leg 21 may be bent. With bending inwards is meant bending in the downward direction of the distal end 6 of the distal section 2B, here of the second tube leg 22. In other words, the downward direction is a direction of a normal from the face of the distal end 6. In order to bend the second tube leg 22 along the first

indentation 8, the second tube leg 22 is rotated along a rotation axis defined by the first indentation 8. The second tube leg 22 is thus bent approximately 90° along the first indentation 8, from the upper plane UP. In order to bend the first tube leg 21 along the first indentation 8, the first tube leg 21 is rotated along a rotation axis defined by the first indentation 8. The first tube leg 21 should then be bent approximately 90° along the first indentation 8, from the upper plane. The inner section 2A has an inner length or width such that it reaches over the connector 10, thus, the inner length of the inner section 2A is greater or equal to the diameter d2 of the connector 10. The second tube leg 22 may be bendable inwards and around the connector 10 such that the connector 10 becomes fixated. Alternatively, the first tube leg 21 may be bendable inwards and around the connector 10 such that the connector 10 becomes fixated. The connector 10 then becomes fixated between the lower side of the middle section 3 and the inner side of the distal section 2B, when the middle section 3 and the distal section 2B are essentially parallel. The distance between the inner side of the distal section 2B and the lower side of the middle section 3 then has the same size as, or is slightly smaller than, the diameter d2 of the connector 10 such that the connector 10 is held in place between the middle section 3 and the distal section 2B. The bent second tube leg 22 also provides a stop for movements of the connector 10 lengthwise the first tube 9A. Alternatively, if the first tube leg is bent, the bent first tube leg 21 provides a stop for movements of the connector 10 lengthwise the third tube 9C. Fig. 4A illustrates an exemplary three-way connection 18 comprising a first tube 9A, a second tube 9B and a third tube 9C interconnected by a three-way connector 10. The three-way connector 10 may be referred to as a T-shaped connector. The connector 10 has a first opening, a second opening and a third opening, where the openings are interconnected. The first tube 9A is inserted into the first opening, the second tube 9B is inserted into the second opening, and the third tube is inserted into the third opening of the connector 10. The first opening and the second opening are opposite, while the first opening is perpendicular with the third opening, as well as the second opening being perpendicular with the third opening. The three tubes 9A, 9B, 9C are arranged in the same plane where the first tube 9A is arranged perpendicular to the third tube 9C, and the second tube 9B is arranged perpendicular to the third tube 9C. The connection 18 is made for transport of fluid, thus, it is fluid-tight. The tubes 9A, 9B, 9C may be made of the same material. Each of the tubes 9A, 9B, 9C is defined by a respective outer diameter dl that may be of the same or different size for the tubes 9A, 9B, 9C. The connector 10 is defined by a largest diameter d2 crosswise the connector 10, as the connectors in Figs. 2A and 2B. The connector 10 of Fig. 4A is a cross-breed of the straight connector 10 of Fig. 2A and the bent connector 10 of Fig. 3A. The connector 10 of Fig. 4A has a protruding part for receiving the third tube 9C at its distal end, and a straight part for receiving the first and second tubes 9A, 9B at their respective distal ends. The protruding part protrudes perpendicularly from the straight part. The straight part has a lengthwise length L3, and the protruding part has a lengthwise length L4. Fig. 4B illustrates the same tube device 1 as in Fig. 1, but from a different view. None of the tube legs is bent.

It is here illustrated that the first tube leg 21 and the second tube leg 22 are located opposite each other along the same first axis XI. The third tube leg 23 extends along a second axis X2, where the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular. The first axis XI and the second axis X2 are aligned with the upper plane UP . In Fig. 4C a coupling 19 is shown, comprising a tube device 1 as shown in Fig. 4B and a connection 18 shown in Fig. 4B. The tube device 1 in Fig. 4C secures the interconnected tubes 9A, 9B, 9C coupled by the connector 10 in relation to each other. The tube device 1 is thus aligned along the first axis XI thereof with the opposite located first and second tubes 9A, 9B of the connection 18, and aligned along the second axis X2 thereof with the perpendicular located third tube 9C of the connection 18. The inner sections 2A and the middle section 3 together have inner lengths such that the tube device 1 reaches over the connector 10 along the upper plane UP. For example, when the tube device 1 is arranged to the connection 18, it is allowed to have a distance between an end of the connector 10 and the inner side of the distal section 2B of the tube leg 2 securing the tube 9 in the aperture 4 of the same tube leg 2. The tube device 1 thus grabs or clamps onto the tube 9, and not the connector 10. Each tube leg 2 thus prevents movement, of the tube received into the aperture 4 of the tube leg 2, from the tube leg 2.

In Fig. 5 another exemplary embodiment of the tube device 1 is illustrated. The tube device 1 of Fig. 5 has the same features as the tube device 1 of Fig. 1, except that the tube device 1 in Fig. 5 is arranged with four tube legs 2. Thus, the first tube 21, the second tube leg 22 and the third tube leg 23 are the same as the first tube 21, the second tube leg 22 and the third tube leg 23 of Fig. 1. The fourth tube leg 24 is arranged opposite the third tube leg 23, and here has the same characteristics as the other tube legs 21, 22, 23. The tube device 1 of Fig. 5 is arranged to be attached to a four-way connection (not shown) , where the four-way connection comprises a first tube 9A, a second tube 9B, a third tube 9C and a fourth tube (not shown) , and a four-way connector (not shown) . The tubes of the four-way connection are arranged orthogonally in the same plane UP. In Fig. 6 another exemplary embodiment of the tube device 1 is illustrated. This embodiment has essentially the same characteristics as the tube device 1 in Fig. 1, with three tube legs 2 and a middle section 3 connecting the tube legs 3. Each tube leg 2 has an inner section 2A and a distal section 2B. However, instead of being parallelepiped, the inner sections 2A are curved in half cylinder shapes. Each distal section 2B is divided into a first distal leg 15A and a second distal leg 15B. The interior side 7 of the legs 15A, 15B delimits an aperture 4, just as in the previous exemplary embodiments. The interior side is arcuate, and adapted to the outer shape of a tube 9. The incision 5 has a smaller width (thus distance between the legs 15A, 15B) than the greatest width of the aperture 4. The tube device 1 is provided with a second indentation 11 between the middle section 3 and respective inner section 2A. The tube legs 2 are arranged to be broken off along the second indentations 11 of the tube device 1. Thus, by pushing on a tube leg 2, the tube leg 2 can be broken off the remaining parts of the tube device 1 along the second indentation 11 between the same tube leg 2 and the middle section 3. Thus, from a three-legged tube device 1 as illustrated in Fig. 6, that can be arranged e.g. to the three-way connection 18 illustrated in Fig. 4A, one of the tube legs 2 may be broken off to create a two-legged tube device 1 that can better fit a straight two-way connection 18 as illustrated in Fig. 2A or a bent two-way connection 18 as illustrated in Fig. 3A, depending on which tube leg 2 that is broken off. By breaking off a tube leg 2, the tube device 1 may be easier accommodated in limited space.

However, also a three-legged tube device 1 fit a two-way connection 18. Instead of that all tube legs 2 are arranged for being broken off, only one or two may be arranged to be broken off the tube device 1.

Fig. 7A illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the three-legged tube device 1, comprising two cross-sections

12. Each of the cross-sections 12 connects two adjacent tube legs 2 of the plurality of tube legs 2. The two adjacent tube legs 2 may be perpendicular as in Fig. 7A, but may instead be separated by another size of intermediate angle. One or several cross-sections 12 may be arranged between adjacent tube legs 2 of any of the tube devices 1 as

illustrated herein. The three-legged tube device 1 in Fig. 7a further has essentially the same characteristics as the tube device of Fig. 1, except in that the different sections 2A, 2B, 3 are thicker in shape, and in that each distal section 2B has a wholly arcuate interior side 7 delimiting the aperture 4 separating the first distal leg 15A from the second distal leg 15B.

Fig. 7B illustrates a tube coupling 19 comprising the tube device 1 of Fig. 7A arranged to the three-way connection 18 of Fig. 4A. The cross-sections 12 supports the tube legs 2 to make them more stable and resistant against forces, from inside the tubes 9 or from outside the tube device 1. Any of the cross-sections 12 may be broken off, and the cross- sections 12 may be provided with indentations as shown in the Fig. 7A to facilitate break-off. If a tube leg 2 is broken off the tube device 1, also the thereto attached cross-section 12 may be broken off from the tube device 1. Fig. 8A illustrates an embodiment of a distal section 2B and a part of an inner section 2A of a tube leg 2. The tube leg 2 illustrated here may be any of the tube legs 2 of the herein illustrated embodiments. The distal section 2B is provided with an aperture 4, an incision 5 and a first distal leg 15A and second distal leg 15B separated by the aperture 4 and the incision 5, as in the other embodiments. The first distal leg 15A is further provided with a first resilient section 13A with a plurality of resilient members 20. The second distal leg 15B is provided with a second resilient section 13B with a plurality of resilient members 20. The resilient members 20 are made of a flexible

material, e.g. metal or plastic, and may adapt their shapes after a tube 9 inserted into the aperture 4. Thereby tubes 9 with different tube sizes can be accommodated in the

aperture 4. The outer edges of the resilient members 20 of the first resilient section 13A constitute the interior side 7A of the first distal leg 15A. The outer edges of the resilient members 20 of the second resilient section 13B constitute the interior side 7B of the second distal leg 15B. The interior sides 7A, 7B are arranged to act against a tube 9 received into the aperture 4 through the incision 5. The resilient members 20 are deflected slightly inwards. The resilient members 20 may be made of e.g. spring steel or resilient plastic.

Figs. 8B and 8C illustrate the tube leg 2 of Fig. 8a when tubes 9 with different outer diameters are arranged in the aperture 4. In Fig. 8B a tube 9 with a first outer diameter dlA is illustrated received into the aperture 4. The

resilient members 20 are deflected inwards to adapt to the outer shape of the tube 9, and thus to the first outer diameter dlA. The interior sides 7A, 7B are here provided with sharp edges that cut into the envelope surface of the tube 9, and thereby prevent it from being moved.

In Fig. 8C a tube 9 with a second outer diameter dlB is illustrated received into the aperture 4. The second outer diameter dlB is greater than the first outer diameter dlA of the tube 9 in Fig. 8B. The resilient members 20 deflect inwards even more than the resilient members 20 of Fig. 8B, to adapt to the outer shape of the tube 9, and thus to the larger second outer diameter dlB. The sharp edges of the interior sides 7A, 7B cut into the envelope surface of the tube 9, and thereby prevent it from being moved. To insert the tube 9 in the aperture 4, the distal legs 15A, 15B are pressed over the tube 9 such that the tube 9 is forced through the incision 5 and into the aperture 4. By the exerted pressure, the resilient members 20 will bend inwards to accommodate the tube 9. As can be seen from the Figs. 8B and 8C, the outermost resilient members 20 that are not accommodating the tube 9, thus, do not touch the tube 9, are flexed back, because of the force of the resilient members 20, to essentially the original position they had before the tube 9 was inserted into the tube 9.

Fig. 9A illustrates another embodiment of a distal section 2B, and a part of an inner section 2A of a tube leg 2. The tube leg 2 illustrated here may be any of the tube legs 2 of the herein illustrated embodiments. The distal section 2B is provided with an aperture 4, an incision 5 and a first distal leg 15A and second distal leg 15B separated by the aperture 4 and the incision 5, as in the other embodiments. The distal section 2b is further provided with a deforming function, comprising a through hole 31. The through hole 31 is arranged between the aperture 4 and the intersection between the distal section 2B and the inner section 2A. The through hole 31 here has a triangular shape. The deforming function further comprises an incision 33, or cut, in the distal section 2B between the first distal leg 15A and the second distal leg 15B. The incision 33 defines a border of the aperture 4. The incision 33 has a triangular shape, where a tip of the triangle points in the direction of the through hole 31. The distal section 2B further comprises two projecting parts 32A, 32B that projects into the aperture 4. The projecting parts 32A, 32B are each provided with a sharp edge or point. However, the number of projecting parts may be less than two, or more than two. The deforming function has the benefit that tubes 9 with different tube sizes can be accommodated in the aperture 4, by forcing the incision 33 and its connecting parts to collapse into the through hole 31 by pressing the first distal leg 15A and the second distal leg 15B together, "to collapse" here means that the incision 33 is forced into the through hole 31. Thereby the distance between the first distal leg 15A and the second distal leg 15B is decreased to accommodate for a smaller outer tube diameter of the tube 9. The arcuate lower portions 72A, 72B of the inner sides 7A, 7B helps retaining the tube 9 in the aperture 4. The aperture 4, the through hole 31 and the incision 33 are all in the same plane. In the embodiment shown, the incision 33 is not in connection with the through hole 31, thus the incision 33 is separated from the through hole 31. However, is an alternative embodiment, the incision 33 is in connection with the through hole 31. Figs. 9B and 9C illustrate the tube leg 2 of Fig. 9a when tubes 9 with different outer diameters are arranged in the aperture 4. In Fig. 9B a tube 9 with a third outer diameter dlC is illustrated received into the aperture 4. The first outer diameter dlC of the tube 9 is approximately the same as the perpendicular distance between the inner side 7A of the first tube leg 15A and the inner side 7B of the second tube leg 15B, when they are not deflected. The tube 9 is held in place in the aperture 4 by the arcuate lower portions 72A, 72B, and the projections 32A and 32B that cut into the tube 9. In Fig. 9C a tube 9 with a fourth outer diameter dlD is illustrated received into the aperture 4. The fourth outer diameter dlD is smaller than the third outer diameter dlC of the tube 9 in Fig. 9B. In order to hold on to the tube 9, the first tube leg 15A and the second tube leg 15B are deflected against each other to fit tightly around the tube 9. The deforming function then forces the incision 33 and its connecting parts to collapse into the through hole 31, such that the first tube leg 15A and the second tube leg 15B are maintained in their deflected state and the distance between them becomes smaller. The interior sides 7A, 7B are provided with sharp edges that cut into the envelope surface of the tube 9, and thereby prevent it from being moved.

Also, the projecting parts 32A, 32B cuts in to the tube 9 to hold it in place. The deforming function may be actuated by putting the tube 9 into the aperture 4 and pushing on the tube 9 against the through hole 31, and/or by putting the tube 9 into the aperture 4 and pushing the first tube leg 15A and the second tube leg 15B together.

In the figures, the tubes 9 are mainly illustrated as being connected by a connector 10. However, the tube device 1 may also be used for securing tubes 9 in position with respect to each other, where the tubes 9 are connected to each other by means of e.g. heating, strapping or friction.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

aims

A tube device (1) for securing fluidly

interconnected tubes (9) in position in relation to each other, wherein the tube device (1) comprises at least three tube legs (2) of which each tube leg (2) is designed with

- an aperture (4) extending through the tube leg (2) and being in communication with an incision (5) intersecting a distal end (6) of the tube leg (2),

- an interior side (7) delimiting the aperture (4), wherein the interior side (7) is arranged to act upon a tube, of the interconnected tubes (9), received into the aperture (4) through the incision (5) to secure the tube in position with respect to the other interconnected tubes (9) .

The tube device (1) according to claim 1, designed to block axial movement of the interconnected tubes (9) with respect to each other.

The tube device (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein each tube leg (2) comprises an inner section (2A) in connection with a distal section (2B) designed with the aperture (4) and the incision (5) .

The tube device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the inner section (2A) and the distal section (2B) are disposed at 90°.

The tube device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the distal sections (2B) extend in the same direction .

The tube device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one tube leg of the at least three tube legs (2) is bendable .

7. The tube device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the bendable at least one tube leg is bendable along a first indentation (8) of the tube device (1) .

8. The tube device (1) according to claim 6 or 7,

wherein the bendable at least one tube leg is bendable around at least one of the interconnected tubes (9) .

9. The tube device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the bendable at least one tube leg is bendable around a connector (10) interconnecting the tubes (9) such that the connector (10) becomes fixated between the at least one tube leg and a middle section (3) connected to each of the at least three tube legs (2) .

10. The tube device (1) according to any of the

preceding claims, comprising a middle section (3)

connected to each of the at least three tube legs (2) .

11. The tube device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the middle section (3) has an essentially parallelepiped shape which sides are adapted to the size of a connector (10) connecting the interconnected tubes (9) such that the middle section (3) extends over the connector (10) .

12. The tube device (1) according to claims 3 and 10, wherein a top side of the middle section (3) is parallel with a top side of the inner section (2A) of each tube leg that secures a tube in its aperture (4) .

13. The tube device (1) according to claims 3, 7 and

10, wherein the bendable tube leg is bendable around said connector (10) such that the distal section (2B) and the middle section (3) are essentially parallel.

14. The tube device (1) according to any of the

preceding claims, wherein at least one tube leg of the at least three tube legs (2) is arranged to be broken off the tube device (1) .

15. The tube device (1) according to claim 14, wherein the at least one tube leg is arranged to be broken off along a second indentation (11) of the tube device (1) .

16. The tube device (1) according to any of the

preceding claims, comprising at least one cross-section

(12) connecting two adjacent tube legs of the plurality of tube legs (2 ) .

17. The tube device (1) according to any of the

preceding claims, wherein the interior side (7) is

designed with an inwardly directed cutting edge (14) for cutting into a tube received into the aperture (4) .

18. The tube device (1) according to any of the

previous claims, wherein the interior side (7) is provided with an adhesive.

19. The tube device (1) according to any of the

previous claims, wherein the interior side (7) of at least one aperture (4) is arranged to act upon a tube received into the aperture (4) by a friction fit.

20. The tube device (1) according to any of the

preceding claims, wherein a smallest width w_i of the incision (5) is smaller than a greatest width w_a of the aperture ( 4 ) .

21. The tube device (1) according to claim 19, wherein the incision (5) is adapted to the size of the tube received into the aperture (4), such that the smallest width w_i of the incision (5) is smaller than an outer diameter d of the tube.

22. The tube device (1) according to any of the

preceding claims, wherein the aperture (4) is adapted to the size of the tube received into the aperture (4), such that a greatest width w_a of the aperture (4) is equal to or slightly smaller than an outer diameter d of the tube.

23. The tube device (1) according to any of the

preceding claims, wherein all the at least three connected tube legs (2) are bendable and/or are arranged to be broken off the tube device (1) .

24. The tube device (1) according to any of the

preceding claims, wherein the tube device (1) is made in one piece.

25. The tube device (1) according to any of the

preceding claims, wherein tube device (1) is made from one or a plurality of metal sheets.

26. The tube device (1) according to any of the

preceding claims, wherein the at least three tube legs (2) are arranged to lock the plurality of tubes (9) to any of a T-shaped connector (10) , an L-shaped connector (10) or a straight connector (10) .

27. The tube device (1) according to any of the

preceding claims, wherein at least one of the at least three tube legs (2) is arranged to accommodate tubes with multiple outer diameters and to secure the tubes in position.

28. The tube device (1) according to claim 27, wherein the tube leg (2) comprises a resilient or deforming function in order to accommodate tubes with multiple outer diameters .

29. A tube coupling (19) comprising a plurality of

fluidly interconnected tubes (9) and a tube device (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the tube device (1) is arranged to the plurality of tubes (9) in order to secure the plurality of tubes (9) in position with respect to each other.

30. The tube coupling (19) according to claim 29, comprising a connector (10) interconnecting the plurality of tubes (9) .

31. The tube coupling (19) according to claim 29,

wherein the connector (10) is made of silicon.

32. The tube coupling (19) according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the connector (10) is made in one piece.