Method and Apparatus for Dispensing Tubing

Abstract

There is disclosed a container for receiving coiled tubing and an aperture for controlled dispensing of the tubing. The tubing and the aperture are configured to engage one another and resist unintentional retraction and dispensing of the tubing into and from the container.

1 . A method comprising:
 (a) providing a dispenser;   (b) opening the dispenser;   (c) placing tubing in the dispenser;   (d) feeding a first end of the tubing through an aperture in the dispenser; and   (e) closing the dispenser,   (f) dispensing the tube from the dispenser in a controlled manner due to resistance being provided by an engagement between the tube and an edge of the aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further including the steps:
 (g) dispensing the tubing through the aperture to a desired length;   (h) providing the aperture with a configuration to cant the tubing into engagement with the aperture edge at two distinct positions; and   (i) cutting the tubing to the desired length.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of placing tubing in the dispenser includes placing tubing with a textured exterior in the dispenser. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of placing tubing in the dispenser includes placing polyethylene tubing in the dispenser. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing the dispenser includes providing a dispenser with at least one upstanding sidewall about an axis, and comprising further the step of extending the tubing through the aperture obliquely to the axis for dispensing. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein placing the tubing in the dispenser includes placing spooled tubing in the dispenser. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein placing the tubing in the dispenser includes placing coiled tubing in the dispenser. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  including locating the free end of the tubing in a central opening of the coiled tubing. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein opening the dispenser includes removing a lid from a container and closing the dispenser includes securing the lid on the container. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  including providing the aperture in the tubing dispenser. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein providing the aperture includes removing an aperture cover from over the aperture. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein providing the aperture includes forming the aperture in the tubing dispenser. 
     
     
         13 . A tubing dispenser comprising:
 a sealed container;   a dispensing aperture defined by an aperture edge of the sealed container;   tubing configured to be received within the container;   an outer diameter of the tubing configured to be received in and extend through the aperture; and   a friction engagement between the tubing and the edge configured to control movement of the tubing through the dispensing aperture.   
     
     
         14 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the sealed container includes a container having an upper edge; and
 a lid configured to be removably secured to the upper edge of the container.   
     
     
         15 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the friction engagement includes a textured outer surface on the tubing. 
     
     
         16 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the textured outer surface has a surface roughness of about 0.0015 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the textured outer surface is configured to provide a diffuse reflection of light. 
     
     
         18 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the textured outer surface provides a gripping surface for connecting the tubing to a connection member. 
     
     
         19 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the aperture is configured to grip the tubing and provide the friction engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         20 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the aperture includes a first portion configured to permit the tubing to travel therethrough and a second portion extending from the first portion configured to receive the tubing therein and restrict movement therethrough. 
     
     
         21 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the tubing is 0.25 inches outer diameter. 
     
     
         22 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the aperture is configured to have an aperture diameter that is about 0.0625 inches larger than an outer diameter of the tubing. 
     
     
         23 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the tubing is pre-coiled. 
     
     
         24 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 23  wherein the pre-coiled tubing includes an outer wrap configured to resist uncoiling of the pre-coiled tubing. 
     
     
         25 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 23  wherein the pre-coiled tubing is configured to self unwind and the sealed container including an inner sidewall surface configured to be engaged by and restrict the unwinding of the pre-coiled tubing. 
     
     
         26 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the tubing is spooled. 
     
     
         27 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 26  wherein the sealed container includes spaced grooves configured to receive and allow rotation of the flanges of the spooled tubing therein. 
     
     
         28 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 13  wherein an inner surface portion of the sealed container includes a friction reducing coating. 
     
     
         29 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the upper edge of the container and the outer portion of the cover define a water tight interface therebetween. 
     
     
         30 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the container is water resistant. 
     
     
         31 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the tubing comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         32 . The tubing dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the tubing consists essentially of polyethylene.