Tube holder

[0001] Exemplary embodiments relate to the art of tube rollers, and more particularly, to tube holders rotated by tube rollers.

[0002] In one aspect, the disclosure provides a roller mixer system including a tube roller and a tube holder. The tube roller includes a motor and a plurality of rollers rotated by the motor. The tube holder includes a main shaft defining a shaft width and including a side, a first end defining a first width, a second end opposite the first end and defining a second width, and a clip disposed on the side and configured to receive a tube. The first width is greater than the shaft width. The second width is greater than the shaft width.

[0003] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a tube holder configured to receive a tube. The tube holder includes a main shaft defining a shaft width and including a side, a first end defining a first width, a second end opposite the first end and defining a second width, and at least one clip disposed on the side. The first width is greater than the shaft width. The second width is greater than the shaft width. The at least one clip is configured to receive the tube.

[0004] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a tube holder configured to receive a plurality of tubes. The tube holder includes a main shaft defining a shaft width and including a side, a first end defining a first width, a second end opposite the first end and defining a second width, an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end, a first clip disposed on the side between the first end and the intermediate portion, and a second clip disposed on the side between the second end and the intermediate portion. The first width is greater than the shaft width. The second width is greater than the shaft width. The intermediate portion defines an intermediate width. The intermediate width is greater than the shaft width. The first clip is configured to receive a first of the plurality of tubes. The second clip is configured to receive a second of the plurality of tubes.

[0005] Other aspects and embodiments will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0028] Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. Embodiments are capable of other configurations and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

[0029] Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limited. The use of “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0030] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of roller mixer system 10. The roller mixer system 10 includes a tube roller 14 and a tube holder 18. The tube roller 14 includes a housing 22, a motor (not shown) within the housing 22, and a plurality of rollers 26. The illustrated tube roller 14 includes six rollers 26. In some embodiments, there may be fewer or more rollers 26. Each of the rollers 26 is operatively connected to the motor. The motor rotates the rollers 26 about a roller axis (not shown). In some embodiments, the rollers 26 are rotated in the same direction. The rollers 26 may also be actuated in a linear or curved manner relative to the housing 22. Said another way, the rollers 26 may both be rotated about the roller axes and actuated relative to the housing 22 in a curved trajectory (e.g., clockwise ellipse). The illustrated roller mixer system 10 includes two tube holder 18. In other embodiments, there may be fewer or more tube holders 18.

[0031] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the tube holder 18 defines a longitudinal axis 28 and includes a main shaft 30 extending between a first end 34 and a second end 38, and an intermediate portion 40 located between the first and second ends 34, 38. The main shaft 30 includes a plurality of sides 42 and defines a shaft width 44 (FIG. 3). The illustrated tube holder 18 has five sides 42. In some embodiments, the main shaft 30 may include fewer or more sides 42. The first end 34 extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis 28 and defines a first width 46, the second end 38 extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis 28 and defines a second width 50, and the intermediate portion 40 extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis 28 and defines an intermediate width 54. The illustrated first end 34, second end 38, and intermediate portion 40 are circular or disc-shaped. In some embodiments, the first end 34, second end 38, and intermediate portion 40 may have a different shape. The illustrated first end 34, second end 38, and intermediate portion 40 are integral with the main shaft 30. In some embodiments, the first end 34, second end 38, and intermediate portion 40 may be coupled to the main shaft 30. The illustrated first, second, and intermediate widths 46, 50, 54 are identical. In some embodiments, first, second, and intermediate widths 46, 50, 54 are different. The illustrated first, second, and intermediate widths 46, 50, 54 are each greater than the shaft width 44. In some embodiments, the first, second, intermediate widths 46, 50, 54, or any combination thereof, may be equal to the shaft width 44.

[0032] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the first end 34 includes a first flange 58 and the second end 38 includes a second flange 62. The first and second flanges 58, 62 each extend away from the intermediate portion 40 in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis 28. The first and second flanges 58, 62 include grooves 66, each of which are configured to receive at least one end gasket 70 (e.g., O-rings). The illustrated first and second flanges 58, 62 each include two grooves 66 and two end gaskets 70. In some embodiments, the first and second flanges 58, 62 may include fewer or more grooves 66 and end gaskets 70. The illustrated grooves 66 in the first flange 58 each include one of the gaskets 70, and the illustrated grooves 66 in the second flange 62 do not include gaskets 70. In some embodiments, the first and second ends 34, 38 may not include flanges. The intermediate portion 40 also includes an intermediate gasket 74. The illustrated intermediate gasket 74 covers a perimeter surface (not shown) of the intermediate portion 40. In some embodiments, the intermediate portion 40 may include one or more grooves, which are each configured to receive gaskets similar to the end gaskets 70, or may not include any gasket. In some embodiments, the end gaskets 70 may envelop or surround a perimeter surface of first and second flanges 58, 62, similar to how the intermediate gasket 74 envelops the perimeter surface of the intermediate portion 40.

[0033] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the tube holder 18 includes a plurality of apertures 76. The illustrated apertures 76 have different shapes. In some embodiments, the apertures 76 may have the same shape. The illustrated apertures 76 are located on the main shaft 30, the first end 34, and the second end 38. In some embodiments, the apertures 76 may also be located on the intermediate portion 40. In other embodiments, the apertures 76 may be located on fewer portions (i.e., the main shaft 30, the first end 34, the second end 38, and the intermediate portion 40) of the tube holder 18. The apertures 76 reduce the amount of material needed for the tube holder 18.

[0034] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the tube holder 18 includes a plurality of clips 78, which are configured to receive tubes 82 (FIG. 1). The clips 78 are located on each of the sides 42. The illustrated tube holder 18 includes four clips 78 on each side 42, with two clips 78 located between the first end 34 and the intermediate portion 40 and two clips 78 located between the second end 38 and the intermediate portion 40. In some embodiments, there may be fewer or more clips 78 on each of the sides 42.

[0035] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main shaft 30 includes mounts 86 located on each side 42, which are configured to receive the clips 78. The mounts 86 include mounting apertures 90. The mounting apertures 90 include a bevel 92 on an external side of the main shaft 30. The illustrated mounts 86 include two mounting apertures 90. In some embodiments, the mounts 86 may include fewer or more mounting apertures 90. The mounting apertures 90 are circular. In some embodiments, the mounting apertures 90 may have a different shape (e.g., triangular, rectangular, etc.). The illustrated mounting apertures 90 are aligned with each other in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis 28. In some embodiments, the mounting apertures 90 may be misaligned with each other or aligned in a different direction.

[0036] With reference to FIGS. 5-7, the clips 78 include a mounting portion 94 on a first side 98 and a receiving portion 102 on a second side 106 opposite the first side 98. The mounting portion 94 includes at least one protrusion 110. The illustrated mounting portion 94 includes two protrusions 110. The protrusions 110 are conical, such that the protrusions 110 define a first diameter 114 on a portion of the protrusions 110 closest to the first side 98 and a second diameter 118 smaller than the first diameter 114 on a portion of the protrusions 110 furthest from the first side 98. In other embodiments, the protrusions 110 may be differently shaped, such that the first and second diameters 114, 118 may instead be referred to as third and fourth widths, respectively. The protrusions 110 include ridges 122, which extend in a direction parallel with a longitudinal plane 126 defined by the clips 78. The illustrated ridges 122 extend along the entire length of the protrusions 110. The ridges 122 have a greater width closest to the first side 98 and a smaller width furthest from the first side 98. The illustrated protrusions 110 include six ridges 122, with three ridges 122 on each side of the longitudinal plane 126. In other embodiments, the protrusions 110 may have fewer or more ridges 122.

[0037] With continued reference to FIGS. 5-7, the receiving portion 102 includes a plurality of claws 130. The illustrated receiving portion 102 includes three claws 130, with two claws 130 on a first side of the longitudinal plane 126 and one claw 130 on a second side of the longitudinal plane 126. In other embodiments, there may be fewer or more claws 130 in any arrangement. The claws 130 each include an end portion 134, a curved portion 138, and an intersection point 142 between the end and curved portions 134, 138. The curved portions 138 define a maximum distance 146, which is measured at an angle perpendicular to the longitudinal plane 126. The intersection points 142 define an intersection distance 150, which is measured at an angle perpendicular to the longitudinal plane 126. The maximum distance 146 is greater than the intersection distance 150. The clips 78 may be made of a partially elastic material that allows the claws 130 to flex in order to receive the tubes 82.

[0038] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate mounts 186 that may be used on the main shaft 30 of the tube holder 18 in place of the mounts 86. Each mount 186 is configured to receive a clip 178. The mounts 186 include mounting apertures 190. Each mounting aperture 190 includes a bevel 192 on an external side of the main shaft 30. The bevel 192 is on a side of each mounting aperture 190 nearest the adjacent mounting aperture 190 on the same side 42 of the tube holder 18. In some embodiments, the bevel 192 is on a side of each mounting aperture 190 furthest from the adjacent mounting aperture 190. The illustrated mounts 186 include two mounting apertures 190. In some embodiments, the mounts 186 may include fewer or more mounting apertures 190. The illustrated mounting apertures 190 include one of the apertures 76 therebetween. In some embodiments, there may be zero or more apertures 76 between adjacent mounting apertures 190. The illustrated mounting apertures 190 are rectangular. In some embodiments, the mounting apertures 190 may have a different shape (e.g., triangular, circular, etc.). The illustrated mounting apertures 190 are aligned with each other in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis 28. In some embodiments, the mounting apertures 190 may be misaligned with each other or aligned in a different direction.

[0039] With reference to FIGS. 10-15, each clip 178 includes a mounting portion 194 and a receiving portion 202 opposite the mounting portion 194. The mounting portion 194 has a generally arcuate shape and includes a first end 210 having a first prong 212, a second end 214 having a second prong 216, and a body 218 therebetween. The prongs 212, 216 extend from the mounting portion 194 toward each other. The prongs 212, 216 are configured to be received in the respective mounting apertures 190 to couple the clip 178 to the main shaft 30. The mounting portion 194 further includes abutment portions 220. The abutment portions 220 project off the body 218 in a direction away from the receiving portion 202. The abutment portions 220 extend along a length direction that intersects a longitudinal plane 226 of the clip 178. The illustrated abutment portions 220 are not in contact with the main shaft 30 (FIG. 9).

[0040] In further embodiments, the clips 178 may be composed of a partially elastic material. As such, the clips 178 may be configured to flex under stress, which causes the abutment portions 220 to contact the main shaft 30. In some embodiments, the abutment portions 220 may be in contact with the main shaft 30 when the clip 178 is not flexed. The illustrated mounting portion 194 includes three abutment portions 220. In other embodiments, the mounting portion 194 may include fewer or more abutment portions 220. The partially elastic material of the clips 178 further allows the mounting portion 194 to flex to be coupled to the tube holder 18. The illustrated clip 178 is configured to flex as the prongs 212, 216 come into contact with the respective bevels 192. As such, the mounting portion 194 may be configured to snap on to the respective mount 186.

[0041] With continued reference to FIGS. 10-15, the receiving portion 202 includes a plurality of claws 230. The illustrated receiving portion 202 includes three claws 230, with two claws 230 on a first side of the longitudinal plane 226 and one claw 230 on a second side of the longitudinal plane 226. In other embodiments, there may be fewer or more claws 230 in any arrangement. The claws 230 each include an end portion 234, a curved portion 238, and an intersection point 242 between the end and curved portions 234, 238. The curved portions 238 define a maximum distance 246, which is measured at an angle perpendicular to the longitudinal plane 226. The intersection points 242 define an intersection distance 250, which is measured at an angle perpendicular to the longitudinal plane 226. The maximum distance 246 is greater than the intersection distance 250. The receiving portion 202 is similar to the receiving portion 102. In some embodiments, the receiving portion 202 may be the same as the receiving portion 102. The partially elastic material of the clips 178 may allow the claws 230 to flex in order to receive the tubes 82.

[0042] In some embodiments, a planar sheet may be processed (e.g., bent, folded, etc.) and coupled together (e.g., by clips, glue, etc.) to form the main shaft 30. The first end 34, the second end 38, the intermediate portion 40, the clips 78, 178, or any combination thereof, may be formed in independent processes (e.g., injection molding) and then coupled to the main shaft 30. In other embodiments, the main shaft 30 may be formed by an injection molding process. The first end 34, the second end 38, the intermediate portion 40, the clips 78, 178, or any combination thereof, may be integrally formed with the main shaft 30 or coupled to the main shaft 30.

[0043] In some embodiments, the tube holder 18 is assembled by first processing (e.g., bending, folding, etc.) a planar sheet into the general shape (e.g., pentagonal, rectangular, etc.) of the main shaft 30. The planar sheet is then coupled together (e.g., by clips, glue, etc.) to form the main shaft 30. The first end 34, the second end 38, the intermediate portion 40 (if included in the tube holder 18), and the clips 78, 178 are formed by respective processes (e.g., injection molding). The first end 34, the second end 38, and the intermediate portion 40 are respectively coupled (e.g., by clips, glue, etc.) to the main shaft 30. In embodiments with the clips 78 and the mounts 86, the clips 78 are coupled to the tube holder 18 by inserting the protrusions 110 into the respective mounting apertures 90. The ridges 122 press against an inner surface of the mounting apertures 90 to removably couple the clips 78 to the respective mounts 86. In embodiments with the clips 178 and the mounts 186, the clips 178 are coupled to the tube holder 18 by inserting the first and second ends 210, 214 into the respective mounting apertures 190. As the clips 178 are inserted into the mounting apertures 190, the first and second prongs 212, 216 contact and slide along the respective bevels 192. The prongs 212, 216 are flexed in a direction away from each other as the prongs 212, 216 slide along the respective bevels 192. The prongs 212, 216 then quickly flex back to their original shape once the prongs 212, 216 extend past the bevels 192. The prongs 212, 216 contact an inner surface of the tube holder 18 and secure the clip 178. The abutment portions 220 may also abut an outer surface of the tube holder 18. Once installed, any one of the clips 78, 178 may be removed from one of the mounts 86, 186 and then reinserted in another of the mounts 86, 186. The end gaskets 70 are then inserted into the respective grooves 66, and the intermediate gasket 74 is placed around the intermediate portion 40. Then, the tubes 82 are received by the claws 130, 230. The tubes 82 have a diameter substantially similar to the maximum distance 146, 246, such that as the tubes 82 are inserted into the claws 130, 230 toward the mounting portion 102, 202, the claws 130, 230 flex in a direction away from the longitudinal plane 126, 226. The claws 130, 230 will be at a maximum flexion point when the tubes 82 are aligned with the intersection points 142, 242. Once the tubes 82 pass the intersection points 142, 242, the claws 130, 230 will return to their original position and clamp the tubes 82 in place. The tube holder 18 may then be placed on the tube roller 14.

[0044] During operation, the tube holder 18 is contacted by two rollers 26. As the rollers 26 rotate, the tube holder 18 rotates. The angular speed of the tube holder 18 directly relates to the angular speed of the rollers 26. As such, increasing the angular speed of the rollers 26 will increase the angular speed of the tube holder 18. As the tube holder 18 rotates, material (e.g., liquids, bodily fluids, chemicals, etc.) within the tubes 82 is mixed.

[0045] FIG. 16 illustrates a tube holder 318 including a main shaft 330 between a first end 334 and a second end 338. The main shaft 330 includes similar features as the main shaft 30. The main shaft 330 includes the mounts 86 (not shown), which are configured to receive the clips 78. In some embodiments, the main shaft 330 may include the mounts 186, which are configured to receive the clips 178. The tube holder 318 is modular, such that the tube holder 318 may be coupled to additional tube holders. The illustrated first end 334 has similar features as the intermediate portion 40 of the tube holder 18, and the second end 338 has similar features as the second end 38 of the tube holder 18. In some embodiments, the first end 334 may have similar features as the first end 34 of the tube holder 18.

[0046] FIG. 17 illustrates a first tube holder 318a and a second tube holder 318b, each of which include the same features as the tube holder 318. The first tube holder 318a and the second tube holder 318b are coupled together by a coupling mechanism 350. The coupling mechanism 350 may include a bayonet style-connection, a plurality of fasteners, magnets, or the like. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism 350 may include a first portion (not shown) integrally formed with the first tube holder 318a and a second portion (not shown) integrally formed with the second tube holder 318b. In other embodiments, the coupling mechanism 350 may be an independent component, which is coupled to both the first tube holder 318a and the second tube holder 318b. The illustrated coupling mechanism 350 is located between a second end 338a of the first tube holder 318a and a first end 334b of the second tube holder 318b. In some embodiments, there may be an additional tube holder coupled (e.g., by a coupling mechanism) to the first end 334a of the first tube holder 318a. In other embodiments, there may be an additional tube holder coupled (e.g., by a coupling mechanism) to the second end 338b of the second tube holder 318b. In yet other embodiments, there may be any number of tube holders coupled together (e.g., by coupling mechanisms).

[0047] FIGS. 18-22 further illustrate the tube holder 18.

[0048] Various features and advantages are set forth in the following claims.