Apparatus, method and computer program product for processing thermoplastic hoses

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and computer program product for machining thermoplastic hoses using a blade (100) based on blade data associated with the blade (100), the blade data being determined based on machine-readable code (102) included in the blade (100) and read by the apparatus, in order to ensure that the thermoplastic hose is machined according to the characteristics of the actual blade used.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an apparatus for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses. This disclosure also relates to a method for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses. This disclosure further relates to a computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a control unit of the apparatus for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses, cause the apparatus to process one or more thermoplastic hoses. In particular, this disclosure relates to apparatus, methods, and computer program products for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses, including cutting (severing) and / or welding the thermoplastic hose using a heated blade. This disclosure also relates to a blade used in the apparatus for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses. Background Technology

[0002] The processing of thermoplastic hoses, particularly through cutting (severing) and / or welding to create sterile cuts and / or connections between the two ends of one or more thermoplastic hoses, is becoming increasingly important, and the requirements for the quality of cuts and / or welds are constantly increasing. Therefore, the processing of thermoplastic hoses using heated blades must adhere to very stringent parameters, especially thermal parameters. Furthermore, to meet stringent hygiene standards for creating sterile cuts and / or connections between the two ends of one or more thermoplastic hoses, strict specifications regarding the use of blades for such processing must be met.

[0003] The currently known equipment and methods for processing thermoplastic hoses cannot adequately meet the above stringent requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a system, method, or computer program product for processing thermoplastic hoses that does not have at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a system, method, or computer program product for processing thermoplastic hoses that can meet stringent quality requirements.

[0005] According to this disclosure, these objectives are achieved through the features of the independent claims. Furthermore, additional advantageous embodiments can be derived from the dependent claims and the description.

[0006] Specifically, these objectives are achieved by an apparatus for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses, the apparatus comprising: a blade holder; a heater; a reading unit; and a control unit. The blade holder is configured to removably receive the blade, such as by clamping, holding, form fitting, or other suitable means of securing the blade within the holder. The heater is arranged or configured to heat the blade when it is received by the blade holder. The reading unit is arranged or configured to read machine-readable code included with the blade, particularly when the blade is received by the blade holder. The control unit is communicatively connected to the reading unit and configured to use the machine-readable code read by the reading unit to determine blade data associated with the blade. The control unit is also configured to use the blade data associated with the blade to control the apparatus to process one or more thermoplastic hoses using the blade.

[0007] The objective of providing a method for processing thermoplastic hoses that meet stringent quality requirements is achieved by operating an apparatus for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses. In a first preparation step, a blade is placed into a blade holder of the apparatus, secured within the holder by means such as clamping, holding, form fitting, or other suitable methods. In a further step, while and / or after the blade is received by the blade holder, a machine-readable code included with the blade is read by a reading unit of the apparatus. In a subsequent step, a control unit of the apparatus uses the machine-readable code to determine blade data associated with the blade. Having determined the blade data associated with the blade, in a subsequent step, one or more thermoplastic hoses are processed using the blade according to the blade data.

[0008] The objective of providing a computer program product for processing thermoplastic hoses that can meet stringent quality requirements is achieved by a computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a control unit of an apparatus for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein, cause the apparatus to perform a processing method according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0009] The apparatus, method, or computer program product disclosed herein is advantageous because it is able to comply with stringent quality standards. Since the machining of (multiple) thermoplastic hoses is performed based on blade data determined by machine-readable code included in the blade itself, it ensures that the blade data used in machining is undoubtedly the blade data of the specific blade received by the blade holder and used to machine (multiple) thermoplastic hoses, thereby avoiding the risk of mismatch between blade data and the actual blade used.

[0010] According to the embodiments disclosed herein, determining blade data associated with a blade using machine-readable code includes decoding the machine-readable code. Alternatively or additionally, determining blade data associated with a blade using machine-readable code includes retrieving the blade data from a data store included by the device. Decoding the blade data from the machine-readable code itself and / or retrieving the blade data from a data store included by the device is advantageous in use cases where offline operation of the device is envisioned (i.e., no communication connection to the data store).

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, using machine-readable code to determine blade data associated with the blade includes retrieving blade data from data storage communicatively connected to the device (such as cloud-based data storage and / or data storage of remote computers communicatively connected via the device's communication interface).

[0012] To cut thermoplastic hoses, according to embodiments disclosed herein, equipment for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses is configured to heat a blade and displace the blade relative to one or more thermoplastic hoses, thereby producing one or more ends of the thermoplastic hoses, particularly molten, cut ends. For example, the displacement of the blade relative to one or more thermoplastic hoses can be achieved by rotating a blade holder about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the thermoplastic hose from which the cut ends are to be produced. Alternatively or additionally, the displacement of the blade relative to one or more thermoplastic hoses can be achieved by linear displacement of the blade holder relative to one or more thermoplastic hoses. Correspondingly, embodiments of the method for processing thermoplastic hoses further include the steps of heating the blade using a heater according to blade data and displacing the blade relative to one or more thermoplastic hoses to produce one or more ends of the thermoplastic hoses. According to embodiments, heating the blade using a heater according to blade data includes heating the blade according to a temperature distribution defined by the blade data.

[0013] To weld thermoplastic hoses together, according to the embodiments disclosed herein, the equipment for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses is further configured to melt a first end and / or a second end of one or more thermoplastic hoses using a blade, and after melting, to bring the first end into contact with the second end, thereby thermally connecting the first end and the second end. The process of thermally connecting the ends of one or more thermoplastic hoses is described in detail in WO 2017 / 093216 A1, entitled "Device for Welding Tubes," published by Reed Electronics AG on June 8, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Correspondingly, embodiments of the method for processing thermoplastic hoses further include the steps of melting the first end and the second end of one or more thermoplastic hoses using a blade (previously heated), and the step of contacting the first end of one or more thermoplastic hoses with the second end of one or more thermoplastic hoses after melting, thereby thermally connecting the first end and the second end of one or more thermoplastic hoses.

[0014] To weld the first and second ends of one or more thermoplastic hoses together, the device is also configured to melt the first and second ends of the thermoplastic hoses using a blade. In a second step, the blade 100 is retracted between the molten, cut ends 200A and 200B by rotating the blade holder 10 from a second position to a third position (different from or the same as the first position). Alternatively or additionally, the displacement of the blade relative to one or more thermoplastic hoses can be achieved by linear displacement of the blade holder relative to one or more thermoplastic hoses. Subsequently, the molten first and second ends of the thermoplastic hoses are brought into contact by opposite linear displacement of the two holding members of the clamping device 60, thereby thermally connecting the first and second ends.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the process of welding the first end and the second end of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200 together is performed after the same first end and second end are produced by the apparatus according to the present disclosure. In particular, the process of welding the first end and the second end of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200 together is performed after the first end is produced by cutting the thermoplastic hose and the second end is produced by cutting (severing) another thermoplastic hose, and then the first end (of the thermoplastic hose) is aligned with the second end (of the other thermoplastic hose).

[0016] According to an embodiment, the device further includes a temperature detection unit configured and arranged to determine the temperature of the blade. The purpose of the embodiments disclosed herein is to address one of the fundamental problems of inconsistent results in machining thermoplastic hoses using heated blades (i.e., inconsistent results related to variations / inconsistencies in the production of the blades used in machining, particularly variations / inconsistencies in the thermal properties of the blades). This objective is achieved because the control unit is configured to determine the thermal properties of the blade based on blade data and to control the temperature detection unit based on these thermal properties. Correspondingly, embodiments of the method for machining thermoplastic hoses further include the steps of determining the thermal properties of the blade based on blade data and controlling the temperature detection unit based on these thermal properties.

[0017] According to the embodiments disclosed herein, the temperature detection unit includes a non-contact temperature sensor configured to determine the temperature of the blade by measuring the thermal radiation emitted by the blade. Without compensation, even small variations in the blade's emissivity can lead to inaccurate temperature determination when using a temperature detection unit that operates based on measuring the thermal radiation emitted by the blade when heated. To enable accurate temperature measurement of the blade when heated, according to an embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine the emissivity as a thermal characteristic of the blade and calibrate the non-contact temperature sensor based on the blade's emissivity. Therefore, variations in emissivity from one blade to another can be compensated for. According to an embodiment, the non-contact temperature sensor is configured to measure the thermal radiation of a specific area of ​​the blade (also referred to as the temperature measurement area), wherein machine-readable code is arranged on the surface of the blade other than the temperature measurement area to prevent the machine-readable code itself from affecting the temperature measurement.

[0018] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the reading unit is configured to read machine-readable code disposed on the surface of the blade. Specifically, the reading unit is configured to read machine-readable code engraved or etched into or printed on the surface of the blade. Therefore, the machine-readable code is practically inseparable from the blade, thereby further reducing the risk of mismatch between blade data determined based on the machine-readable code and the blade itself.

[0019] According to embodiments of this disclosure, depending on the specific use case, the reading unit is configured to read machine-readable code including one-dimensional or two-dimensional codes, such as data matrix codes defined by the ISO / IEC 16022 international standard or QR codes defined by the ISO / IEC 18004 international standard.

[0020] According to embodiments of this disclosure, determining blade data associated with a blade using machine-readable code includes decoding machine-readable code, such as decoding data from one-dimensional or two-dimensional code (such as data matrix code or QR code).

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, using machine-readable code to determine blade data associated with the blade includes retrieving blade data from data storage included in or communicatively connected to the device.

[0022] The purpose of other embodiments disclosed herein is to ensure that only genuine blades are used to process thermoplastic hoses. According to the embodiments, this purpose is achieved because the control unit is configured to enable or disable the processing of one or more thermoplastic hoses using the blade based on verification of the blade's authenticity using authenticity data included in the blade data. Correspondingly, embodiments of the method for processing thermoplastic hoses further include the step of verifying the authenticity of the blade using authenticity data included in the blade data, and the step of enabling or disabling the processing of one or more thermoplastic hoses using the blade based on the verification of the blade's authenticity.

[0023] Verifying the authenticity of a blade using authenticity data may include: verifying serial numbers, encryption codes, or similar means by comparing them to lists and / or code patterns provided by multiple manufacturers, multiple suppliers, and / or regulatory agencies of genuine blades.

[0024] The purpose of other embodiments disclosed herein is to ensure that blades used for machining thermoplastic hoses are used in accordance with usage restrictions imposed by the manufacturers(s) of genuine blades, suppliers(s), and / or regulatory agencies. According to embodiments, this purpose is achieved because blade data associated with the blade includes usage data, wherein the control unit is configured to update the usage data associated with the blade in a data store included in or communicatively connected to the device. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to enable, disable, or restrict the machining of one or more thermoplastic hoses based on the usage data. Depending on the specific use case, the usage data relates to the number of heating cycles of the blade, the number of thermoplastic hoses machined (cutting and / or welding) using the blade, the blade's expiration time, and / or usage time. Upon reaching one or more of these restrictions, the control unit is configured to disable the machining of additional thermoplastic hoses using the corresponding blade. Correspondingly, embodiments of the method for machining thermoplastic hoses also include the steps of updating the usage data associated with the blade and enabling, disabling, or restricting the machining of one or more thermoplastic hoses based on the usage data.

[0025] According to another embodiment, thermoplastic hose 200 and another thermoplastic hose 202 are cut and re-cross-welded together. In a first step, both thermoplastic hose 200 and the other thermoplastic hose 202 are received by clamping device 60. To cut thermoplastic hose 200 and the other thermoplastic hose 202, the device is configured to displace a blade relative to the thermoplastic hose to produce a first end 200A and a second end 200B of thermoplastic hose 200 or another first end 202C and another second end 202D of the other thermoplastic hose 202. Thus, the first end 200A and the second end 200B of thermoplastic hose 200 and the other first end 202C and the other second end 202D of the other thermoplastic hose 202 are produced (almost) simultaneously. Subsequently, the first end 200A of the thermoplastic hose 200 is aligned with the second end 202D of the other thermoplastic hose 202, and simultaneously, the second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200 is aligned with the first end 202C of the other thermoplastic hose 202. According to an embodiment, this (re)alignment can advantageously be achieved by rotating the first end 200A and the second end 202C about an axis R parallel and equidistant from the first thermoplastic hose 200 and the other thermoplastic hose 202 by 180°. Then the blade 100 retracts, and as the blade 100 retracts, the molten first end contacts the (now aligned) second end 202D and the molten second end 200B contacts the second end 202C by opposite linear displacement of the two holding members of the clamping device 60, thereby thermally connecting the first end 200A to the second end 202D and the molten second end 200B to the first end 202C.

[0026] Another objective is to provide a blade for a device according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein, the blade being configured to enable the processing of thermoplastic hoses that meet stringent quality requirements. This objective is achieved by a blade comprising machine-readable code engraved, etched into and / or printed on the surface of the blade, the machine-readable code including one-dimensional or two-dimensional code, such as data matrix code or QR code, wherein the machine-readable code contains blade data associated with the blade, the blade data including one or more of the following: data regarding the thermal properties of the blade; data regarding the emissivity of the blade; and blade authenticity data. Attached Figure Description

[0027] This disclosure will be explained in more detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1A A highly schematic perspective view of an apparatus for processing thermoplastic hoses according to this disclosure is shown; Figure 1B A highly schematic perspective view of an apparatus for processing thermoplastic hoses is shown, with the blade received by the apparatus's blade holder; Figure 1C A highly schematic perspective view of an apparatus for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses is shown, with the apparatus shown to have its blades displaced relative to the thermoplastic hoses received by the apparatus. Figure 1D A highly schematic perspective view of an apparatus for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses is shown, illustrating the thermal connection at both ends of the thermoplastic hose; Figures 2A to 2E A series of steps for simultaneously cutting (severing) and cross-welding two thermoplastic hoses are shown; Figure 3 A flowchart is shown illustrating the steps of a first embodiment of a method for operating an apparatus for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses; Figure 4 A flowchart is shown illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method for operating an apparatus for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses, the method including producing cut ends of one or more thermoplastic hoses. Figure 5 A flowchart is shown illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method for operating an apparatus for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses, the method including welding the cut ends of one or more thermoplastic hoses together; and Figure 6 A flowchart is shown illustrating the steps of an embodiment of a method for operating an apparatus for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which show some, but not all, of the features. In fact, the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Wherever possible, similar reference numerals will be used to refer to similar parts or components.

[0029] Figures 1A to 1D A highly schematic perspective view of an apparatus 1 for processing a thermoplastic hose 200 securely held by a clamping device 60 is shown. The apparatus 1 includes a blade holder 10 configured to removably receive a blade 100 by clamping, holding, form fitting, or other suitable means to hold the blade 100 within the holder 10. Figure 1A The blade holder 10 is shown in the open position to facilitate the insertion or removal of the blade 100 along the insertion direction A. Figure 1BThe device 1 is shown after the blade 100 has been inserted into the blade holder 10.

[0030] like Figures 1A to 1D As shown, device 1 also includes a reading unit 30 configured to read machine-readable code 102 included by the blade 100. As illustrated by a set of extended trajectory lines (illustrated as the field of view of an optical reader), the reading unit 30 is arranged to read the machine-readable code 102 included by the blade 100 when the blade 100 is received by the blade holder 10. Alternatively or additionally (not shown), the reading unit 30 may be arranged to read the machine-readable code 102 before the blade 100 is inserted into the blade holder 10, for example by means of a handheld reading unit. The reading unit 30 is configured to read the machine-readable code 102 engraved or etched into the surface of the blade 100 or printed on the surface of the blade 100. Therefore, the machine-readable code 102 is practically inseparable from the blade 100, thereby further reducing the risk of mismatch between blade data determined based on the machine-readable code and the blade 100 itself. The reading unit 30 is configured to read machine-readable code 102, which includes one-dimensional or two-dimensional code, such as data matrix code defined by the ISO / IEC 16022 international standard or QR code defined by the ISO / IEC 18004 international standard.

[0031] like Figures 1A to 1D As shown, device 1 also includes a control unit 40 communicatively connected to the reading unit 30. After the reading unit 30 reads machine-readable code 102 from the blade 100, the control unit 40 is configured to use the machine-readable code 102 read by the reading unit to determine blade data associated with the blade 100.

[0032] The control unit 40 is also configured to use blade data associated with the blade 100 to control the device 1 to process one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 using the blade 100. Determining the blade data associated with the blade 100 using machine-readable code 102 includes decoding the machine-readable code 102. Alternatively or additionally, determining the blade data associated with the blade 100 using machine-readable code 102 includes retrieving the blade data from a data store included by the device 1. Decoding the blade data from the machine-readable code itself and / or retrieving the blade data from the data store 42 included by the device 1 is advantageous in use cases where offline operation of the device 1 is envisioned (i.e., no communication connection to the data store). Alternatively or additionally, determining the blade data associated with the blade 100 using machine-readable code 102 includes retrieving the blade data from a data store communicatively connected to the device 1 (such as a cloud-based data store and / or a data store of a remote computer communicatively connected via the communication interface 43 of the device 1).

[0033] The device 1 also includes a temperature detection unit 50, which includes a non-contact temperature sensor configured to determine the temperature of the blade 100 by measuring the thermal radiation emitted by the blade 100. Specifically, the non-contact temperature sensor is configured to measure the thermal radiation of a specific area of ​​the blade 100 (also referred to as the temperature measurement area 103), wherein a machine-readable code 102 is arranged on the surface of the blade 100 other than the temperature measurement area 103 to avoid the machine-readable code 102 itself affecting the temperature measurement. To ensure consistent results when machining thermoplastic hoses with a heated blade 100 by taking into account specific variations / inconsistencies in the thermal properties of the blade 100, the control unit 40 is configured to calibrate the non-contact temperature sensor based on the emissivity of the blade 100 before determining the temperature of the blade 100 by measuring its thermal radiation.

[0034] like Figures 1A to 1D As shown, device 1 also includes a heater 20 arranged and configured to heat the blade 100 when it is received by the blade holder 10. The heater 20 may be a resistance heater, comprising one or more conductive windings connected to a power source and configured to dissipate heat when current flows through it. With a non-contact temperature sensor of temperature detection unit 50 calibrated, and a control unit 40 for processing the thermoplastic hose 200, particularly for cutting (severing) and / or welding the thermoplastic hose 200, device 1 is configured to heat the blade 100 to a specified target temperature set according to the specific thermoplastic hose 200 and / or according to blade data.

[0035] To cut the thermoplastic hose 200, the device 1 is configured to cut the blade holder 10 from the... Figure 1B The first position shown above is rotated to the position shown above. Figure 1C The second position shown above (as illustrated by block arrow B) causes the blade 100 to be displaced relative to the thermoplastic hose 200. Alternatively or additionally, the displacement of the blade 100 relative to one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 can be achieved by linear displacement of the blade holder relative to one or more thermoplastic hoses 200 and 202. The blade 100 is displaced relative to the thermoplastic hose 200 by rotating the blade holder 10 about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the thermoplastic hose 200.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, in order to weld the thermoplastic hoses 200 together, the apparatus 1 is also configured to melt the first end 200A and the second end 200B of the thermoplastic hoses 200 using a blade 100. In a second step, by removing the blade holder 10 from... Figure 1C The second position shown above is rotated to, as Figure 1DIn the third position shown above (different from or the same as the first position), the blade 100 is retracted from between the molten, cut ends 200A and 200B, as illustrated by the block arrow B'. Alternatively or additionally, the retraction of the blade 100 can be achieved by linear displacement of the blade holder relative to one or more thermoplastic hoses 200. Simultaneously with the retraction of the blade 100, the molten first end 200A and second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200 are brought into contact by opposite linear displacement of the two holding members of the clamping device 60 (as illustrated by...). Figure 1D (as illustrated by the blocky arrows C and C' on the diagram), thereby thermally connecting the first end 200A to the second end 200B.

[0037] Figures 2A to 2E Examples of cutting (splitting) and welding of thermoplastic hose 200 and another thermoplastic hose 202 are shown. Figure 2A As shown above, thermoplastic hose 200 and another thermoplastic hose 202 are both received by clamping device 60. For cutting thermoplastic hose 200 and another thermoplastic hose 202, device 1 is configured to cut by moving the blade holder 10 from... Figure 2A The first position shown above is rotated to the position shown above. Figure 2B The blade 100 is displaced relative to the thermoplastic hose 200 by the second position shown above. By rotating the blade holder 10 about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the thermoplastic hose 200, as indicated by block arrow B, the blade 100 is displaced relative to the thermoplastic hose 200 to produce a first end 200A and a second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200, or an additional first end 202C and an additional second end 202D of another thermoplastic hose 202.

[0038] like Figure 2B As shown above, the first end 200A and the second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200, as well as the other first end 202C and the other second end 202D of the thermoplastic hose 202, are produced (almost) simultaneously. Thereafter, as... Figure 2C As shown above, the first end 200A of the thermoplastic hose 200 is aligned with the second end 202D of the other thermoplastic hose 202, and simultaneously, the second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200 is aligned with the first end 202C of the other thermoplastic hose 202. This (re)alignment is advantageously achieved by rotating the first end 200A and the second end 202C about an axis R parallel and equidistant from the first thermoplastic hose 200 and the other thermoplastic hose 202 by 180° (shown by block arrow D). The rotation of the first end 200A and the second end 202C about the axis R continues until a position is reached as shown in the figure. Figure 2D The ending position is shown above.

[0039] like Figure 2E As shown above, then by causing the blade holder 10 to move from, as Figure 2D The blade 100 retracts from the second position shown above to the third position (different from or the same as the first position), as illustrated by the block arrow B'. Simultaneously with the retraction of the blade 100, the two retaining members of the clamping device 60 undergo opposite linear displacements (as indicated by...) Figure 2E (As illustrated by the blocky arrows C and C' on the diagram), the molten first end 200A is brought into contact with the (now aligned) additional second end 202D, and the molten second end 200B is brought into contact with the additional first end 202C, thereby thermally connecting the first end 200A to the additional second end 202D, and thermally connecting the molten second end 200B to the additional first end 202C.

[0040] Figure 3 A flowchart is shown illustrating the steps of a first embodiment of a method for operating an apparatus 1 for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202. Figure 3 As illustrated above, in the first preparation step S00, one or more thermoplastic hoses 200 are inserted into the device 1, for example, by clamping with a clamping device 60. Subsequently, simultaneously with or prior to the further preparation step S10, the blade 100 is placed into the blade holder 10 of the device 1, such as by clamping, holding, form fitting, or other suitable means to retain the blade within the holder. In the further step S20, when and / or after the blade 100 is received by the blade holder 10, the reading unit 30 of the device 1 reads the machine-readable code 102 included in the blade 100. In the subsequent step S30, the control unit 40 of the device 1 uses the machine-readable code 102 to determine the blade data associated with the blade 100. With the blade data associated with the blade 100 determined, in the subsequent step S40, one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 are machined using the blade 100 according to the blade data.

[0041] Figure 4 A flowchart is shown illustrating steps of another embodiment of a method for operating an apparatus 1 for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202, the method including producing cut ends of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202. As illustrated, step S40 of processing the thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 according to blade data includes step S42 of heating the blade 100 by the heater 20 according to the blade data when the blade 100 is received by the blade holder 10. Subsequently, in step S44, the blade 100 is displaced relative to one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202, thereby producing ends 200A, 200B of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202.

[0042] Figure 5 A flowchart is shown illustrating steps of another embodiment of a method for operating an apparatus 1 for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202, the method comprising welding together the cut ends 200A, 200B, 202C and / or 202D of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202. As illustrated, in step S46, the first end 200A and the second end 200B of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 are melted by a blade 100 (which has been heated in step S42). Subsequently, in step S48, after melting, the first end 200A of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 is brought into contact with the second end 200B of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202, thereby thermally connecting the first end 200A and the second end 200B of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202.

[0043] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating the steps of another embodiment of a method for operating apparatus 1 for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 is shown, depicting further steps for determining and processing blade data associated with the blade. To enable accurate temperature measurement of the blade 100 when heated, in step S32, the emissivity, a thermal characteristic of the blade 100, is determined based on the blade data. Subsequently, in step S33, a temperature detection unit 50, including a non-contact temperature sensor calibrated based on the emissivity of the blade 100, is controlled based on the thermal characteristics. Therefore, variations in emissivity from one blade to another can be compensated for.

[0044] Alternatively, in addition to steps S32 and S33, the method of processing thermoplastic hoses may further include step S34 of verifying the authenticity of the blade 100 using authenticity data included in the blade data, and step S35 of enabling or disabling the processing of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 using the blade 100 based on the verification of the authenticity of the blade 100.

[0045] Alternatively, or in addition to steps S32 and S33 and / or steps 34 and 35, the method of processing thermoplastic hoses may further include step S36 of updating usage data associated with blade 100 and step S37 of enabling, disabling or restricting the processing of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 based on the usage data.

[0046] It should be noted that the order of the steps has been presented in a specific order in the description; however, those skilled in the art will understand that the order of at least some of the steps may be changed without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0047] List of Attachments Equipment 1 Blade Holder 10 Heater 20 Reading unit 30 Control Unit 40 Data storage 42 Communication interface 43 Temperature detection unit 50 Clamping device 60 Blade 100 Machine-readable code 102 Temperature measurement area 103 (Multiple) thermoplastic hoses 200 (Thermoplastic hose) First end 200A (Thermoplastic hose) Second end 200B Other thermoplastic hoses 202 (Another thermoplastic hose) additional first end 202B (Another second end 202D of the other thermoplastic hose)

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202), said apparatus (1) comprising: - Blade holder (10), the blade holder (10) being configured to removably receive the blade (100); - A heater (20) for heating the blade (100); - A reading unit (30) configured to read machine-readable code (102) included by the blade (100); and - A control unit (40), which is communicatively connected to the reading unit (30) and the heater (20) and configured to: - Use the machine-readable code (102) to determine the blade data associated with the blade (100); - Use the blade data to control the device (1) to process the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) using the blade (100).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, In order to process the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202), the device (1) is configured to heat the blade (100) using the heater (20) and displace the blade (100) relative to the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) to produce the ends (200A, 200B) of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In order to process the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202), the device (1) is further configured to use the blade (100) to melt the first end (200A) and / or the second end (200B) of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202), and to bring the first end (200A) into contact with the second end (200B), thereby thermally connecting the first end (200A) and the second end (200B).

4. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further includes a temperature detection unit (50), wherein: - The control unit (40) is configured to determine the thermal characteristics of the blade (100) based on the blade data; and - The control unit (40) is configured to use the temperature detection unit (50) to determine the temperature of the blade (100) based on the thermal characteristics.

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein: - The temperature detection unit (50) includes a non-contact temperature sensor; - The control unit (40) is configured to determine the emissivity as a thermal characteristic of the blade (100); - The control unit (40) is configured to calibrate the non-contact temperature sensor based on the emissivity of the blade (100); and - The control unit (40) is configured to determine the temperature of the blade (100) by measuring the thermal radiation emitted by the blade (100) using the non-contact temperature sensor.

6. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The reading unit (30) is configured to read machine-readable code (102) disposed on the surface of the blade (100), for example engraved, etched into the surface of the blade (100) and / or printed on the surface of the blade (100), the machine-readable code including one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code, such as data matrix code or QR code.

7. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The control unit (40) is configured to enable or disable the processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) using the blade (100) based on the authenticity of the blade (100) using authenticity data included in the blade data.

8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The blade data associated with the blade (100) includes usage data, wherein the control unit (40) is configured to: - Updating usage data associated with the blade (100) in and / or from the data storage included in or communicatively connected to the device (1); and - Enable or disable the processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) based on the usage data.

9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, Determining blade data associated with the blade (100) using the machine-readable code (102) includes decoding the machine-readable code (102) and / or retrieving the blade data from data storage included by or communicatively connected to the device (1).

10. A method of operating an apparatus (1) for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202), the method comprising the steps of: - The blade (100) is placed through the blade holder (10) of the device (1); - The machine-readable code (102) included in the blade (100) is read by the reading unit (30) of the device (1); - The control unit (40) of the device (1) uses the machine-readable code (102) to determine the blade data associated with the blade (100); - Use the blade (100) to process the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) according to the blade data.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising displacing the blade (100) relative to the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) to generate ends (200A, 200B) of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202).

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising: - Using the blade (100), melt the first end (200A) and / or the second end (200B) of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202); and - To bring the first end (200A) of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) into contact with the second end (200B) and thereby thermally connect them.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising: - Determine the thermal properties of the blade (100) based on the blade data; - Based on the thermal characteristics, the temperature detection unit (50) of the device (1) is controlled to determine the temperature of the blade (100).

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: - The emissivity, which is the thermal characteristic of the blade (100), is determined by the control unit (40); - The non-contact temperature sensor is calibrated by the control unit (40) based on the emissivity of the blade (100); as well as - The temperature of the blade (100) is determined by measuring the thermal radiation emitted by the blade (100) using the non-contact temperature sensor of the temperature detection unit (50).

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein, Reading the machine-readable code (102) includes reading the machine-readable code (102) disposed on the surface of the blade (100), for example engraved, etched into the surface of the blade (100) and / or printed on the surface of the blade (100), the machine-readable code including one-dimensional or two-dimensional code, such as data matrix code or QR code.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, further comprising: - The control unit (40) verifies the authenticity of the blade (100) using the authenticity data included in the blade data; as well as - The control unit (40) enables or disables the processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) using the blade (100) based on the verification of the authenticity of the blade (100).

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, further comprising: - The control unit (40) updates usage data associated with the blade (100) in and / or from a data storage included in or communicatively connected to the device (1); and - The processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) is enabled or disabled by the control unit (40) based on the usage data.

18. A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a control unit (40) of an apparatus (1) for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, cause the apparatus (1) to perform the method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

19. A blade (100) for use in the device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The blade (100) includes machine-readable code engraved, etched into and / or printed on the surface of the blade (100), the machine-readable code including one-dimensional or two-dimensional code, such as data matrix code or QR code, wherein the machine-readable code contains blade data associated with the blade (100), the blade data including one or more of the following: - Data regarding the thermal properties of the blade (100); - Data regarding the emissivity of the blade (100); and - Authentic data of the blade (100).

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