Abstract: Each platform mounted mold assembly for plastic tubing includes a circuit board containing parameters defining elements of the forming, molding, tipping or welding operation to be undertaken on the tubing. A control unit includes an RF generator for providing the RF energy to effect the forming, molding, tipping or welding process, a source of air under pressure to operate the mechanical elements attendant each mold assembly, various sensors and a multiplex unit. In operation, the control unit serially addresses each of the mold assemblies, senses the parameters attendant the mold and applies the appropriate power level of RF energy for a specific duration and temperature while activating the mechanical aspects of the mold assembly. The mold assemblies may be serially activated through a multiplex unit or in a particular sequence that may be operator controlled.

Abstract: Each platform mounted mold assembly for plastic tubing includes a circuit board containing parameters defining elements of the forming, molding, tipping or welding operation to be undertaken on the tubing. A control unit includes an RF generator for providing the RF energy to effect the forming, molding, tipping or welding process, a source of air under pressure to operate the mechanical elements attendant each mold assembly, various sensors and a multiplex unit. In operation, the control unit serially addresses each of the mold assemblies, senses the parameters attendant the mold and applies the appropriate power level of RF energy for a specific duration and temperature while activating the mechanical aspects of the mold assembly. The mold assemblies may be serially activated through a multiplex unit or in a particular sequence that may be operator controlled.

Abstract: Each platform mounted mold assembly for plastic tubing includes a circuit board containing parameters defining elements of the forming, molding, tipping or welding operation to be undertaken on the tubing. A control unit includes an RF generator for providing the RF energy to effect the forming, molding, tipping or welding process, a source of air under pressure to operate the mechanical elements attendant each mold assembly, various sensors and a multiplex unit. In operation, the control unit serially addresses each of the mold assemblies, senses the parameters attendant the mold and applies the appropriate power level of RF energy for a specific duration and temperature while activating the mechanical aspects of the mold assembly. The mold assemblies may be serially activated through a multiplex unit or in a particular sequence that may be operator controlled.

Abstract: A radially compressible heating element is located about concentric overlapped heat fusible elements temporarily mounted upon a mandrel to form an annular seal between the heat fusible elements upon energization of the heating element.

Abstract: A weight monitor includes a first part for attachment to a pedestal or other support member and a second part for suspending a blood collection bag to be filled by a flow of blood from a donor. A trough shaped spring interconnects the first and second parts and retains the second part in fixed positional relationship to the first part until the bending force imposed upon the spring by the filling blood collection bag exceeds a predetermined value at which point the spring flexes abruptly and the second part becomes positionally reoriented with respect to the first part. A clamp, associated with the fill tube of the blood collection bag, is actuated by the reorientation of the second part to terminate further flow of blood through the fill tube into the blood collection bag.

Abstract: A solenoid operated moveable jaw cooperates with a fixed jaw protruding from a blood tubing sealing unit and formed as part of a relatively massive heat sink to effect seals on liquid filled plastic tubing upon transmission of RF energy timed to coincide with a degree of initial mechanical compression of the tubing by the jaws after the movement of the moveable jaw has been triggered by the tubing intercepting and reflecting a beam of light. Dissipation of heat from the exposed part of the fixed jaw is by convection. Dissipation of heat from the enclosed part of the fixed and moveable jaws and that produced by the circuitry generating the RF energy internal to the sealer unit is effected by channeling the heat by conduction from all internal heat sources to the bottom and rear plates of the unit and dissipating the heat from the bottom and rear plates to the atmosphere by convection.

Abstract: A pair of jaws moveable with respect to one another whether mounted in a hand held sealer or desk mounted sealer, compresses, heats, elongates, spreads and welds liquid filled tubing placed therebetween. Variants of the pair of jaws provide means for serially or simultaneously segmenting the tubing into a plurality of sealed compartments. The pair of jaws are electrically connected to a source of RF energy as the plates of a variable capacitor in an RF resonant circuit. The flow of RF energy across the pair of jaws, which energy heats the tubing and, in conjunction with mechanical pressure, makes the weld, is a function of timing and of the spacing between the jaws which spacing affects the degree of resonance of the RF resonant circuit.

Abstract: A solenoid operated moveable jaw cooperates with a fixed jaw protruding from a blood tubing sealing unit and formed as part of a relatively massive heat sink to effect seals on liquid filled plastic tubing upon transmission of RF energy timed to coincide with a degree of initial mechanical compression of the tubing by the jaws after the movement of the moveable jaw has been triggered by the tubing intercepting and reflecting a beam of light. Dissipation of heat from the exposed part of the fixed jaw is by convection. Dissipation of heat from the enclosed part of the fixed and moveable jaws and that produced by the circuitry generating the RF energy internal to the sealer unit is effected by channeling the heat by conduction from all internal heat sources to the bottom and rear plates of the unit and dissipating the heat from the bottom and rear plates to the atmosphere by convection.

Abstract: A pair of jaws moveable with respect to one another whether mounted in a hand held sealer or desk mounted sealer, compresses, heats, elongates, spreads and welds liquid filled tubing placed therebetween. Variants of the pair of jaws provide means for serially or simultaneously segmenting the tubing into a plurality of sealed compartments. The pair of jaws are electrically connected to a source of RF energy as the plates of a variable capacitor in an RF resonant circuit. The flow of RF energy across the pair of jaws, which energy heats the tubing and, in conjunction with mechanical pressure, makes the weld, is a function of timing and of the spacing between the jaws which spacing affects the degree of resonance of the RF resonant circuit.