Connector, method of making connector and tubing assembly method

Abstract

A fitting or connector for use in constructing a tubing assembly is made by bonding an olefin gasket to an end face of a polypropylene fitting member. The gasket is bonded to the fitting member via a heat fusion technique that causes localized melting together of the gasket and the fitting and generates a composite fitting or connector.

1 . A method of manufacturing a fitting or connector for use in constructing a tubing assembly, comprising:
 providing a fitting member including a plurality of ends with respective openings that communicate with one another via a lumen of said fitting member, one of said ends being formed with an end face;   providing a gasket, said gasket being made of a first polymeric material and said fitting member being made of a second polymeric material different from said first polymeric material, said gasket including a fluid-impermeable diaphragm at least coextensive with a central opening of said gasket, whereby said gasket provides a seal and impediment to fluid flow;   disposing said gasket against said end face; and   bonding said gasket to said end face of said fitting member to form a fluid-tight seal between said gasket and said end face of said fitting member,   the bonding of said gasket to said end face of said fitting member including applying heat energy to both said gasket and said fitting member to cause localized melting together of said first polymeric material and said second polymeric material at said end face to heat fuse said gasket to said end face, while leaving said diaphragm fluid impermeable.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the applying of heat energy to ef said gasket and said fitting member includes applying heat energy to both said gasket and said fitting member in an amount to induce a mixing of said first polymeric material with said second polymeric material at an interface between said end face and said gasket to produce a density or concentration gradient of said first polymeric material and an oppositely directed density or concentration gradient of said second polymeric material between said gasket and said fitting member. 
     
     
         5 . The method defined in  claim 4  wherein said end face is provided with a first structural feature taken from the group consisting of a recess and a projection, said gasket including a first major surface and a second major surface opposed to one another, said first major surface including a second structural feature taken from the group consisting of a projection and a recess, the disposing of said gasket against said end face including matingly engaging said first structural feature and said second structural feature with one another. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method defined in  claim 5  wherein said diaphragm is disposed to one side of said gasket and has a surface substantially coplanar with said second major surface. 
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing a fitting or connector for use in constructing a tubing assembly, comprising:
 providing a fitting member made of a first polymeric material and including a plurality of ends with respective openings that communicate with one another via a lumen of said fitting member, one of said ends being formed with an end face;   providing a gasket made of a second polymeric material different from said first polymeric material and having a central opening;   disposing said gasket against said end face; and   heating said gasket and said fitting member to cause localized melting together of said first polymeric material and said second polymeric material and thereby bonding said gasket to said end face of said fitting member to form a fluid-tight seal between said gasket and said end face of said fitting member,   wherein said gasket includes a web member at least coextensive with said central opening of said gasket, said web member being taken from the group consisting of a screen and a perforated plate each having an array of through holes preformed prior to the heating of said gasket and said fitting member,   the bonding of said gasket to said end face of said fitting member being performed so as to retain said web member extending across said central opening.   
     
     
         9 . A fitting or connector assembly for use in constructing a tubing assembly, comprising:
 a fitting member including a plurality of ends with respective openings that communicate with one another via a lumen of said fitting member,   said fitting member being provided at one of said ends with a gasket bonded to said fitting member so as to form a fluid-tight seal between material of said gasket and material of said fitting member,   said gasket including a fluid-impermeable diaphragm at least coextensive with a central opening of said gasket, whereby said gasket provides a seal and impediment to fluid flow through an opening at said one of said ends, wherein said gasket is made of a first polymeric material and said fitting member is made of a second polymeric material different from said first polymeric material, said gasket being heat fused to said fitting member so that said first polymeric material and said second polymeric material melt into one another; and   a gauge or measurement device coupled to said fitting member at said one of said ends so that said gasket and said diaphragm isolate said gauge or measurement device from fluid flow in said fitting member.   
     
     
         10 . The fitting or connector defined in  claim 9  wherein said first polymeric material is mixed with said second polymeric material at an interface between said fitting member and said gasket to produce a density or concentration gradient of said first polymeric material and an oppositely directed density or concentration gradient of said second polymeric material between said gasket and said fitting member. 
     
     
         11 . The fitting or connector defined in  claim 9  wherein said gasket includes a major surface on a side opposite said fitting, said major surface including one of an annular rib or bead and an annular groove which is respectively receivable in one of an annular groove and an annular rib or bead in an additional fitting member. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The fitting or connector defined in  claim 9  wherein said fitting member is a T fitting having two end openings defining a flow-through pathway and a third end opening laterally of said flow-through pathway, said one of said ends exhibiting said third end opening, said gasket including a fluid-impermeable diaphragm at least coextensive with a central opening of said gasket, whereby said gasket provides a seal and impediment to fluid flow, said fitting or connector being adapted for attachment of a gauge or measurement device to a tubing assembly at said one of said ends. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of constructing a connector and tubing assembly, comprising:
 providing a fitting or connector member including a plurality of ends with respective openings that communicate with one another through a lumen of said first fitting or connector member, said fitting or connector member being provided at one of said ends with a gasket bonded to said fitting or connector member so as to form a fluid-tight seal between material of said gasket and material of said fitting or connector member, said gasket being provided with a liquid-impermeable diaphragm preventing fluid flow through said one of said ends, wherein said gasket is made of a first polymeric material and said fitting or connector member is made of a second polymeric material different from said first polymeric material, said gasket being heat fused to said fitting or connector member so that said first polymeric material is mixed with said second polymeric material at an interface between said fitting or connector member and said gasket;   providing a gauge or measurement device;   juxtaposing said fitting or connector member and said gauge or measurement device so that an access port of said gauge or measurement device is in contact with said gasket; and   coupling said fitting or connector member and said gauge or measurement device to one another to form a fluid tight seal between said access port and said gasket so that said gasket and said liquid-impermeable diaphragm isolate said gauge or measurement device from direct contact with fluid flowing in said fitting or connector member during use thereof and so that said gauge or measurement device is operative to measure a physical parameter of the fluid.   
     
     
         16 . The method defined in  claim 15  wherein said first polymeric material is mixed with said second polymeric material at said interface between said first fitting or connector member and said gasket to produce a density or concentration gradient of said first polymeric material and an oppositely directed density or concentration gradient of said second polymeric material between said gasket and said first fitting or connector member. 
     
     
         17 . The method defined in  claim 15  wherein the coupling of said first fitting or connector member and said second fitting or connector member to one another includes placing a clamp about juxtaposed ends of said first fitting or connector member and said second fitting or connector member and locking said clamping about said juxtaposed ends of said first fitting or connector member and said second fitting or connector member. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled)