Tube Connection Kit

Abstract

A tube connection kit for a vacuum system, and a method of clearing the vacuum system using the kit. The kit includes a female coupler and a male coupler. The male coupler includes a forward portion that connects to a first tube or a vacuum applicator, and a rearward portion that connects to a forward portion of the female coupler. A rearward portion of the female coupler connects to a second tube or a vacuum source. Interiors of the first tube or the vacuum applicator, the male coupler, the female coupler, and the second tube or the vacuum source are fluidly connected, such that a vacuum may be provided to the vacuum applicator. The female coupler includes a clearing valve that connects an exterior of the clearing valve to the interior of the female coupler, upon application of a fluid thereto, to allow clearing of the second tube.

I claim: 
     
         1 ) A tube connection kit for a vacuum system, comprising:
 a female coupler and a male coupler, wherein the female coupler and the male coupler each comprises a forward portion with a forward aperture thereon and a rearward portion with a rearward aperture thereon;   wherein the female coupler further comprises a clearing valve that conditionally and fluidly connects an exterior of the clearing valve to an interior of the female coupler;   wherein the forward portion of the male coupler connects to a first tube or a vacuum applicator, wherein the rearward portion of the male coupler connects to the forward portion of the female coupler, wherein the rearward portion of the female coupler connects to a second tube or a vacuum source;   
       wherein a vacuum is provided to the first tube or the vacuum applicator;
 wherein the forward portion of the female coupler comprises a release button slidably engaged therewith, wherein when the release button is in an extended configuration the forward aperture is unobstructed, wherein when the release button is in a retracted configuration the forward aperture is at least partially obstructed; 
 wherein the forward portion of the female coupler comprises a release slit positioned opposite the release button that slidably accepts the release button therethrough in the retracted configuration; and 
 wherein in the extended configuration a connection between the male coupler and the female coupler is maintained, wherein in the retracted configuration the connection between the male coupler and the female coupler is disrupted and the male coupler is decoupled from the female coupler. 
 
     
     
         2 ) The tube connection kit of  claim 1 , wherein the clearing valve is a one-way valve biased toward a closed configuration, wherein a bias of the one-way valve is overcome by application of a fluid against the one-way valve, whereby the one-way valve is placed into an open configuration. 
     
     
         3 ) The tube connection kit of  claim 2 , wherein the open configuration, the exterior of the clearing valve is fluidly connected to the interior of the female coupler. 
     
     
         4 ) The tube connection kit of  claim 1 , wherein the clearing valve extends from the female coupler in a forward direction, wherein an angle between the clearing valve and the female coupler is less than ninety degrees. 
     
     
         5 ) The tube connection kit of  claim 4 , wherein the angle is about forty-five degrees. 
     
     
         6 ) The tube connection kit of  claim 1 , wherein the rearward portion of the female coupler comprises a mushroom head with the rearward aperture of the female coupler on a central portion thereof, wherein the mushroom head of the rearward portion of the female coupler slips into the second tube or the vacuum source. 
     
     
         7 ) The tube connection kit of  claim 6 , wherein the forward and rearward portions of the male coupler each comprises a mushroom head with the forward and rearward apertures on central portions thereof respectively, wherein the mushroom head of the forward portion of the male coupler slips into the first tube or the vacuum applicator, wherein the mushroom head of the rearward portion of the male coupler slips into the forward portion of the female coupler. 
     
     
         8 ) A method of clearing a vacuum system, comprising:
 connecting a forward portion of a male coupler to a first tube or a vacuum applicator;   connecting a rearward portion of the male coupler to a forward portion of a female coupler, wherein the female coupler comprises a clearing valve that conditionally and fluidly connects an exterior of the clearing valve to an interior of the female coupler;   connecting a rearward portion of the female coupler to a second tube or a vacuum source, wherein a vacuum is provided to the first tube or the vacuum applicator;   applying a fluid to the clearing valve to place the clearing valve into an open configuration such that the exterior of the clearing valve is fluidly connected to the interior of the female coupler.   
     
     
         9 ) The method of  claim 8 , wherein the applying the fluid to the clearing valve comprises:
 connecting a syringe to the clearing valve, wherein the clearing valve is a one-way valve biased toward a closed configuration;   depressing a plunger of the syringe to deliver the fluid from a barrel of the syringe to the one way valve to overcome a bias of the one-way valve to place the one-way valve into the open configuration.   
     
     
         10 ) The method of  claim 8 , wherein the clearing valve extends from the female coupler in a forward direction, wherein an angle between the clearing valve and the female coupler is less than ninety degrees. 
     
     
         11 ) The method of  claim 8 , wherein the rearward portion of the female coupler comprises a mushroom head with a rearward aperture of the female coupler on a central portion thereof, wherein the mushroom head of the rearward portion of the female coupler slips into the second tube or the vacuum source. 
     
     
         12 ) The method of  claim 8 , wherein the forward portion of the female coupler comprises a release button slidably engaged therewith, wherein the release button is in an extended configuration a forward aperture of the female coupler is unobstructed, wherein the release button is in a retracted configuration the forward aperture of the female coupler is at least partially obstructed.