Spigot tube coupler with coupling groove

Abstract

A spigot tube coupler for fluid flow sets and devices is provided. The spigot tube coupler includes a stop surface and a spigot extending from the stop surface and configured to be inserted into a tube. The spigot includes an insertion end, a fluid port, an outer surface, and a plurality of grooves disposed about the outer surface. The plurality of grooves are configured to receive a bonding agent and provide a plurality of bonding areas between the spigot and the tube. A method for assembling the spigot tube coupler and the tube is also provided.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 17 / 482,757, entitled "SPIGOT TUBE COUPLER WITH BONDING AGENT GROOVE," filed September 23, 2021, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 112,042, entitled "SPIGOT TUBE COUPLER WITH BONDING AGENT GROOVE," filed November 10, 2020, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0002] Spigot tube couplers are used in the medical field in devices for controlling fluid flow to a patient, such as for intravenous (IV) gravity or fluid flow from a pump set. Typical spigot tube couplers do not provide sufficient tubing retention when adhesive is applied to the outside of the spigot and assembled into the tubing due to the lack of an adhesive layer bonding the tubing to the spigot surface. When the spigot is pressed into the tubing, the adhesive on the outer surface of the spigot tends to wipe off the spigot and ooze out of the spigot / tubing connection due to the friction fit between the spigot and the tubing. It would be desirable to provide a spigot tube coupler that provides a bonding layer between the tubing and the spigot surface, thus increasing the tubing retention strength of the spigot / tubing connection. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The present disclosure provides a medical spigot tube coupler with one or more grooves disposed on the outer surface of the spigot, increasing the surface area of ​​the spigot and creating more bonding agent surface area than typical spigot designs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In one or more embodiments, a spigot tube coupler is provided. The spigot tube coupler includes a housing having a first fluid port disposed at a first end of the housing and a stop surface disposed at a second end of the housing. The spigot tube coupler includes a spigot extending from the stop surface and configured to be inserted into a tube. The spigot includes an insertion end, a second fluid port disposed at the insertion end, an outer surface, and one or more grooves disposed around the outer surface. The one or more grooves are configured to receive a bonding agent to provide one or more bonding layers between the spigot and the tube.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, a sleeve member extends from the stop surface of the housing and at least partially surrounds a portion of the spigot, the sleeve member being configured to be at least partially disposed around an end portion of the tube. In one or more embodiments, the outer surface of the spigot includes an outer diameter equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the tube to provide a friction fit between the spigot and the tube. In one or more embodiments, the one or more grooves include a plurality of grooves evenly spaced around the outer surface of the spigot. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of grooves includes 16, 24, or 32 grooves. In one or more embodiments, the one or more grooves are triangular, circular, trapezoidal, or rectangular in shape. In one or more embodiments, the one or more grooves are one of axial grooves, transverse grooves, and helical grooves.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the spigot includes a conical portion disposed at the insertion end, the conical portion configured to provide a sloped surface for initial insertion into the tube. In one or more embodiments, the one or more grooves extend into the conical portion. In one or more embodiments, the stop surface of the housing includes a base member extending from the housing. In one or more embodiments, a collar is disposed at the insertion end of the spigot, the collar having a larger outer diameter than the outer surface of the spigot. In one or more embodiments, the collar includes retention walls defining ends for each of the one or more grooves, the retention walls configured to contain a bonding agent in the one or more grooves. In one or more embodiments, the spigot includes a conical portion disposed beyond the collar at the insertion end, the conical portion configured to provide a sloped surface for initial insertion of the tube.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, a spigot tube coupler is provided. The spigot tube coupler includes a stop surface and a spigot extending from the stop surface and configured to be inserted into a tube. The spigot includes an insertion end, a fluid port disposed at the center of the spigot, an outer surface, and a plurality of grooves disposed around the outer surface. The plurality of grooves are configured to receive a bonding agent and provide a plurality of bonding areas between the spigot and the tube.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the spigot includes a conical portion disposed at the insertion end, the conical portion configured to provide a sloped surface for initial insertion into the tube. In one or more embodiments, a collar is disposed adjacent the conical portion, the collar having a larger outer diameter than the outer surface of the spigot, the collar including a retaining wall defining an end for each of the plurality of grooves, the retaining wall configured to contain a bonding agent in the plurality of grooves.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, a method for assembling a spigot tube coupler and a tube is provided. The method includes applying a bonding agent to an outer surface of a spigot of the spigot tube coupler, the spigot including a plurality of grooves disposed around the outer surface. The method also includes aligning an insertion end of the spigot with an end of the tube. The method further includes slidably inserting the spigot into the tube until the end of the tube contacts a stop surface of the spigot tube coupler. The method also includes forming a plurality of bonding areas between the spigot and the tube, each bonding area being defined by the outer surface of the bonding agent in one of the grooves.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes applying a bonding agent to the outer surface of the spigot between a collar disposed at the insertion end of the spigot and a stop surface of the spigot tube coupler, the collar having an outer diameter larger than the outer surface of the spigot and including a retaining wall defining an end for each of the plurality of grooves, and generating a friction fit between the collar and the inner surface of the tube.

[0011] Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the present disclosure. The objectives and other advantages of the present disclosure will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written detailed description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the present disclosure as claimed.

[0013] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a typical assembled infusion set. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of typical infusion set components and tubing before assembly. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary spigot tube coupler and tube connection according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary spigot tube coupler according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the spigot tube coupler of FIG. 4 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a front view of the spigot tube coupler of FIG. 4 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary spigot tube coupler according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the spigot tube coupler of FIG. 7 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a front view of the spigot tube coupler of FIG. 7 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary spigot tube coupler according to some aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary spigot tube coupler according to some aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The detailed description set forth below describes various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. Accordingly, dimensions are provided as non-limiting examples with respect to particular embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology.

[0016] It should be understood that the present disclosure includes examples of the subject technology and does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Various aspects of the subject technology will now be disclosed according to specific, but non-limiting, examples. The various embodiments described in this disclosure may be implemented in different ways and variations and may be implemented according to a desired application or implementation.

[0017] 1, a typical infusion set 30 has several different components, including a drip chamber 40, a check valve 50, a roller clamp 60, and a Y-junction 70, all connected together by tubing 20. A typical infusion set 30 can include additional infusion components (e.g., pinch clamp, filter) and can be formed from any combination of components and tubing 20.

[0018] Many of the infusion set components 40, 50, 70 have male connectors or spigots that mate with end sections of the tubing 20 to form a connection between the infusion set components 40, 50, 70 and the tubing 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , a typical Y-junction 70 has inlet ports 72, 74 and an outlet port 76, where the inlet ports 72, 74 are to be connected to the inlet tubes 22, 24, respectively, and the outlet port 76 is to be connected to the outlet tube 26. Here, the inlet port 74 is a spigot, where the inlet tube 24 is to be slid over the inlet port 74 with an interference fit (e.g., a friction fit). Typically, a friction fit alone is not sufficient to ensure that the inlet tube 24 stays connected to the inlet port 74, so an adhesive or solvent is applied to the outside of the inlet port 74 and then forced into the end of the inlet tube 24. However, as the inlet tube 24 slides down the smooth surface of the inlet port 74, the interference fit of the inlet tube 24 causes the adhesive to be forced down, where it oozes out at the base of the inlet port 74. Because most or all of the adhesive is essentially scraped away from the smooth surface of the inlet port 74, there can be many areas of the outer surface of the inlet port 74 that have a very thin layer of adhesive or no adhesive at all, and therefore provide little or no additional bonding support to the friction fit.

[0019] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a spigot tube coupler is provided with one or more grooves disposed on the outer surface of the spigot. The grooves provide pockets or recesses in which a bonding agent (e.g., adhesive, solvent) can reside, which prevents all of the bonding agent applied to the spigot from being scraped off as the tube slides up and down the length of the spigot.

[0020] 3-6 illustrate a spigot tube coupler 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The spigot tube coupler 100 includes a housing 110, a spigot 130 extending from the housing 110, and a sleeve member 140 extending from the housing 110. The housing 110 has a first fluid port 112 configured to provide fluid flow into and out of the housing 110. For example, the first fluid port 112 can be a female connector that receives an end surface of a tube 20 (e.g., tube 22). The spigot 130 has a second fluid port 132 configured to provide fluid flow into and out of the spigot 130. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the spigot 130 is a male protrusion that is inserted into the tube 20 (e.g., tube 24) so ​​that fluid flows from the tube 20 into the second fluid port 132 or flows out of the second fluid port 132 and into the tube 20. As seen in FIG. 3 , the engagement portion 25 of the tube 20 is the portion of the tube that mates with the spigot 130, where the engagement portion 25 bulges due to the friction fit between the inner surface 23 of the tube 20 and the spigot 130. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the spigot 130 can be sized the same as the inner surface 23 of the tube 20 for a contact fit, where the engagement portion 25 does not bulge. The spigot 130 can also include a conical portion 131 disposed at the leading edge of the spigot 130. The conical portion 131 may provide a sloped surface that allows the spigot 130 to slide more easily into the end portion 21 of the tube 20 .

[0021] The spigot 130 includes one or more grooves 134 disposed around (e.g., disposed in) the outer surface 136 of the spigot 130. The grooves 134 can be evenly and / or randomly disposed around the outer surface 136 of the spigot 130. The grooves 134 can be in any suitable configuration (e.g., axial, transverse, helical, or any combination thereof). The grooves 134 are sized and shaped to retain a bonding agent (e.g., adhesive, solvent), thus providing a bonding layer 138 in the outer surface 136 between the tube 20 and the spigot 130. The bonding layer 138 increases the retention strength of the connection of the tube 20 to the spigot 130 beyond a friction fit alone. Additional tubing retention strength can be fine-tuned by adjusting parameters of the grooves 134 (e.g., the length of each groove 134, the number of grooves 134, and the geometry of the grooves 134). For example, some or all of the grooves 134 can have a length that essentially matches the length of the spigot 130, or some or all of the grooves 134 can have a length that extends along a portion of the length of the spigot 130 (e.g., half the length of the spigot 130). As another example, the spigot tube coupler 100 of FIGS. 4-6 has 16 grooves 134, the spigot tube coupler 300 shown in FIG. 10 has 24 grooves 334, and the spigot tube coupler 400 shown in FIG. 11 has 32 grooves 432. As yet another example, although the geometry of groove 134 shown in Figure 6 is triangular, groove 134 can have any desired geometric shape (e.g., rectangular, semicircular, trapezoidal) or any combination of different geometric shapes (e.g., some triangular and some trapezoidal). In embodiments of the present disclosure, groove 134 can extend into cone-shaped portion 131.In an embodiment of the present disclosure, groove 134 may stop before or at the beginning of cone-shaped portion 131, thus providing cone-shaped portion 131 with a smooth outer surface.

[0022] The sleeve member 140 can be configured to partially surround the end portion 21 of the tube 20. The sleeve member 140 can be configured as a single circular sleeve that surrounds the entire end portion 21 of the tube 20. The sleeve member 140 can be configured not to contact the outer surface 27 of the tube 20, as shown in FIG. 3, or the sleeve member 140 can be configured to engage the outer surface 27 of the tube 20. For example, adhesive can be applied to the inner surface 142 of the sleeve member 140 to provide another bonding layer between the inner surface 142 of the sleeve member 140 and the outer surface 27 of the tube 20, and / or the sleeve member 140 can be configured to provide an interference friction fit between the inner surface 142 of the sleeve member 140 and the outer surface 27 of the tube 20. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, grooves can be added to the inner surface 142 of the sleeve member 140 to provide bonding features similar to grooves 134. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the spigot tube coupler 100 may not have a sleeve member 140 at all.

[0023] During assembly, a bonding agent (e.g., adhesive) is applied to the outer surface 136 of the spigot 130, and the end portion 21 of the tube 20 is slid up and along the length of the spigot 130 until it contacts the stop surface 114 of the housing 110. The bonding agent collected in the groove 134 then hardens, creating a bonding layer 138 in the outer surface 136 that bonds to a corresponding portion of the inner surface 23 of the tube 20, providing additional resistance to movement of the tube 20 over the spigot 130 beyond the resistance of the friction fit between the tube 20 and the spigot 130.

[0024] 7-9 illustrate a spigot tube coupler 200 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The spigot tube coupler 200 includes a housing 210, a base member 240 extending from the housing 210, and a spigot 230 extending from the base member 240. The housing 210 has a first fluid port 212 configured to provide fluid flow into and out of the housing 210. For example, the first fluid port 212 can be a female connector that receives an end surface of a tube 20 (e.g., a tube 22). The spigot 230 has a second fluid port 232 configured to provide fluid flow into and out of the spigot 230. For example, as shown in Figures 7-9, spigot 230 is a male protrusion configured to be inserted into tube 20 (e.g., tube 24) so ​​that fluid flows from tube 20 into second fluid port 232 or flows from second fluid port 232 into tube 20.

[0025] The spigot 230 includes one or more grooves 234 (e.g., channels) disposed about the outer surface 236 of the spigot 230. The grooves 234 are sized and shaped to retain a bonding agent (e.g., adhesive, solvent), thus providing a bonding layer 238 in the outer surface 236 between the tube (e.g., tube 20) and the spigot 230. The bonding layer 238 increases the retention strength of the tube to spigot 230 connection beyond a friction fit alone. Additional tubing retention strength can be fine-tuned by adjusting the parameters of the grooves 234 (e.g., the length of each groove 234, the number of grooves 234, the geometry of the grooves 234, etc.). For example, some or all of the grooves 234 can have a length that essentially matches the length of the spigot 230, or some or all of the grooves 234 can have a length that extends along a portion of the length of the spigot 230 (e.g., 1 / 2 the length of the spigot 230). As another example, although the spigot tube coupler 200 of Figures 7-9 has six grooves 234, the spigot tube coupler 200 can have any number of grooves. As yet another example, although the geometry of the grooves 234 shown in Figure 9 is essentially trapezoidal, the grooves 234 can have any desired geometric shape (e.g., rectangular, semicircular, triangular).

[0026] The spigot 230 also includes a collar 250 disposed adjacent the second fluid port 232. The collar 250 may be sized and shaped to extend radially outward beyond the outer surface 236 of the spigot 230, thereby providing a retention wall 252. The retention wall 252 provides a retention surface to help retain a bonding agent within the groove 234 during application of the bonding agent and during assembly of the spigot tube coupler 200. The collar 250 may be configured to provide a friction fit with the tube 20 that is greater than the friction fit between the outer surface 236 of the spigot 230 and the tube 20. Furthermore, the collar 250 may function as a type of barb, thereby providing additional resistance to movement of the tube 20 when the tube 20 is mated to the spigot 230. The spigot 230 may also include a conical portion 231 disposed at a leading edge of the spigot 230. The conical portion 231 provides a sloped surface, allowing the spigot 230 to slide more easily into the end portion 21 of the tube 20. The size (e.g., outer diameter) of the collar 250 can be configured to provide a desired level of adhesive retention and barb resistance. Although not shown in FIGS. 7-9 , the spigot tube coupler 200 can also include a sleeve member as described above in connection with the spigot tube coupler 100. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the groove 234 terminates at the retention wall 252 of the collar 250 and before the start of the conical portion 231, thus providing the conical portion 231 with a smooth outer surface. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the groove 234 can extend into the conical portion 231. For example, the collar 250 can be disposed around the outer surface 236 of the spigot 230, and the groove 234 can extend below the collar 250 and into the conical portion 231.

[0027] Any or all of the above-described spigot 130, 230 elements can be utilized on any device (e.g., pump tubing connector, tubing connector of infusion set components 40, 50, 70). For example, the inlet port 74 of the Y-junction 70 shown in FIG. 2 can be provided as a spigot 130 or spigot 230, thereby providing corresponding increased retention characteristics as described. Similarly, any male protrusion (that is intended to mate with a tubing end (e.g., end portion 21)) of an infusion device (e.g., an infusion pump or infusion set component, etc.) can be configured or provided as a spigot 130 or spigot 230.

[0028] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a spigot tube coupler includes a housing including a first fluid port disposed at a first end of the housing and a stop surface disposed at a second end of the housing. The spigot also includes a spigot extending from the stop surface and configured to be inserted into a tube. The spigot includes an insertion end, a second fluid port disposed at the insertion end, an outer surface, and one or more grooves disposed about the outer surface, the one or more grooves configured to receive a bonding agent and provide one or more bonding layers between the spigot and the tube.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sleeve member extends from the stop surface of the housing and at least partially surrounds a portion of the spigot, the sleeve member being configured to be at least partially disposed around an end portion of the tube. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer surface of the spigot includes an outer diameter equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the tube to provide a friction fit between the spigot and the tube. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more grooves include a plurality of grooves evenly spaced around the outer surface of the spigot. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of grooves includes 16, 24, or 32 grooves. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more grooves are triangular in shape. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more grooves are semicircular in shape. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more grooves are one of a trapezoidal shape and a rectangular shape. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more grooves are one of an axial groove, a transverse groove, and a helical groove.

[0030] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spigot includes a conical portion disposed at the insertion end, the conical portion configured to provide a sloped surface for initial insertion into the tube. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more grooves extend into the conical portion. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stop surface of the housing includes a base member extending from the housing. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a collar is disposed at the insertion end of the spigot, the collar having a larger outer diameter than the outer surface of the spigot. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the collar includes a retaining wall defining an end for each of the one or more grooves, the retaining wall being configured to receive a bonding agent in the one or more grooves. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spigot includes a conical portion disposed beyond the collar at the insertion end, the conical portion being configured to provide a sloped surface for initial insertion of the tube.

[0031] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a spigot tube coupler includes a stop surface and a spigot extending from the stop surface and configured to be inserted into a tube. The spigot includes an insertion end, a fluid port disposed at the center of the spigot, an outer surface, and a plurality of grooves disposed about the outer surface, the plurality of grooves configured to receive a bonding agent and provide a plurality of bonding areas between the spigot and the tube.

[0032] In an aspect of the disclosure, the spigot includes a conical portion disposed at the insertion end, the conical portion configured to provide a sloped surface for initial insertion into the tube. In an aspect of the disclosure, a collar is disposed adjacent the conical portion, the collar having an outer diameter larger than the outer surface of the spigot, the collar including a retaining wall defining an end for each of the plurality of grooves, the retaining wall configured to contain a bonding agent in the plurality of grooves.

[0033] In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of assembling a spigot tube coupler and a tube includes the steps of applying a bonding agent to an outer surface of a spigot of the spigot tube coupler, the spigot including a plurality of grooves disposed around the outer surface; aligning an insertion end of the spigot with an end of the tube; slidably inserting the spigot into the tube until the end of the tube contacts a stop surface of the spigot tube coupler; and forming a plurality of bonding areas between the spigot and the tube, each bonding area being defined by the outer surface of the bonding agent in one of the grooves.

[0034] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes the steps of applying a bonding agent to the outer surface of the spigot between a collar disposed at the insertion end of the spigot and a stop surface of the spigot tube coupler, the collar having an outer diameter larger than the outer surface of the spigot and including a retaining wall portion defining an end for each of a plurality of grooves; and generating a friction fit between the collar and the inner surface of the tube.

[0035] It is understood that any particular order or hierarchy of blocks in the disclosed process methods is an illustration of an example approach. Based on design or implementation preferences, it is understood that the particular order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may be rearranged, or all of the illustrated blocks may be implemented. In some implementations, any of the blocks may be implemented simultaneously.

[0036] This disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. This disclosure provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0037] Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more." The term "some" refers to "one or more" unless specifically stated otherwise. Masculine pronouns (e.g., his) include feminine and neuter (e.g., "her" and "it"), and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used merely for convenience and do not limit the invention.

[0038] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example or illustration." Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. In one aspect, various alternative configurations and operations described herein may be considered at least equivalent.

[0039] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" preceding a list of items (with the word "or" separating any of the items) modifies the list as a whole, rather than each item in the list. The phrase "at least one of" does not require the selection of at least one item. Rather, the phrase allows for a meaning including at least one of any one of the items, and / or at least one of any combination of the items, and / or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrase "at least one of A, B, or C" can refer to A only, B only, or C only; or any combination of A, B, and C.

[0040] The use of phrases such as "aspects" does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure of an aspect may apply to all configurations, or to one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects, and vice versa. A phrase such as "embodiment" does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure of an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or to one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments, and vice versa. A phrase such as "configuration" does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure of a configuration may apply to all configurations, or to one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. Any reference to such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations, and vice versa.

[0041] In one aspect, unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, dimensions, sizes, and other specifications set forth in this specification (including the claims that follow) are approximate and not exact, and in one aspect, are intended to have a reasonable range consistent with the function to which they relate and with functions customary in the art to which they pertain.

[0042] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations, or processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based on design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations, or processes may be rearranged. Some of the steps, operations, or processes may be performed simultaneously. Some or all of the steps, operations, or processes may be performed automatically, without user intervention. The accompanying method claims, if any, present elements of the various steps, operations, or processes in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0043] All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or that later become known to those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be made available to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims. No element of a claim is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for," or, in the case of a method claim, unless the element is recited using the phrase "step for." Moreover, to the extent terms such as "include" or "having" are used, such terms are intended to be inclusive in the same manner as the term "comprise," such as "comprise" is construed when used as a transitional phrase in a claim.

[0044] The Title of the Invention, Background Art, Summary of the Invention, Brief Description of the Drawings, and Abstract of the Disclosure are hereby incorporated into this disclosure and are provided as examples for purposes of illustrating the disclosure, not as a limiting description. They are submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Additionally, in the Detailed Description, it can be understood that the description provides examples for illustrative purposes, and that various features have been grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed structure or operation. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate claimed subject matter.

[0045] The claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein, but are to be accorded full scope consistent with the language of the claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Nonetheless, none of the claims are intended to encompass subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §§ 101, 102, or 103, nor should they be so interpreted.

Claims

1. 1. A spigot tube coupler, comprising: Housing and; Spigot and Including, The housing includes: a first fluid port disposed at a first end of the housing; a stop surface disposed at the second end of the housing; and Including, The spigot extends from the stop surface and is configured to be inserted into a tube, the spigot comprising: an insertion end; a second fluid port disposed at the insertion end; an outer surface; one or more grooves disposed about the outer surface, the one or more grooves configured to receive a bonding agent and provide one or more bonding layers between the spigot and the tube; Including, the spigot includes a conical portion disposed at the insertion end, the conical portion configured to provide a sloped surface for initial insertion into the tube; The one or more grooves extend into the conical portion.

2. 2. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve member extending from the stop surface of the housing and at least partially surrounding a portion of the spigot, the sleeve member configured to be at least partially disposed around an end portion of the tube.

3. 2. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the spigot includes an outer diameter equal to or greater than an inner diameter of the tube to provide a friction fit between the spigot and the tube.

4. 2. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1, wherein the one or more grooves comprise a plurality of grooves evenly spaced around the outer surface of the spigot.

5. 5. The spigot tube coupler of claim 4, wherein the plurality of grooves comprises 16, 24, or 32 grooves.

6. 2. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1, wherein the one or more grooves are triangular in shape.

7. 2. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1, wherein the one or more grooves are semi-circular in shape.

8. 2. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1, wherein the one or more grooves are one of a trapezoidal and a rectangular shape.

9. 2. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1, wherein the one or more grooves are one of axial grooves, transverse grooves, and helical grooves.

10. 2. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1, wherein the stop surface of the housing includes a base member extending from the housing.

11. 11. The spigot tube coupler of claim 10, further comprising a collar disposed at the insertion end of the spigot, the collar having an outer diameter greater than the outer surface of the spigot.

12. 12. The spigot tube coupler of claim 11, wherein the collar includes a retaining wall defining an end for each of the one or more grooves, the retaining wall configured to contain the bonding agent within the one or more grooves.

13. 12. The spigot tube coupler of claim 11, wherein the spigot includes a conical portion disposed beyond the collar at the insertion end, the conical portion configured to provide a sloped surface onto which the tube is initially inserted.

14. 1. A spigot tube coupler, comprising: a stop surface; Spigot and Including, The spigot extends from the stop surface and is configured to be inserted into a tube, the spigot comprising: an insertion end; a fluid port disposed centrally in the spigot; an outer surface; a plurality of grooves disposed about the outer surface, the plurality of grooves configured to receive a bonding agent and provide a plurality of bonding areas between the spigot and the tube; Including, the spigot includes a conical portion disposed at the insertion end, the conical portion configured to provide a sloped surface for initial insertion into the tube; a collar disposed adjacent the conical portion, the collar having an outer diameter greater than the outer surface of the spigot, the collar including a retaining wall defining an end for each of the plurality of grooves, the retaining wall configured to contain the bonding agent within the plurality of grooves.

15. 1. A method of assembling a spigot tube coupler and a tube, the method comprising: applying a bonding agent to an outer surface of a spigot of a spigot tube coupler, the spigot including a plurality of grooves disposed around the outer surface; aligning an insertion end of the spigot with an end of the tube; slidably inserting the spigot into the tube until the end of the tube contacts a stop surface of the spigot tube coupler; forming a plurality of bonding areas between the spigot and the tube, each bonding area being defined by an outer surface of the bonding agent in one of the grooves; applying the bonding agent to the outer surface of the spigot between a collar disposed on the insertion end of the spigot and the stop surface of the spigot tube coupler, the collar having an outer diameter larger than the outer surface of the spigot and including a retaining wall defining an end for each of the plurality of grooves; creating a friction fit between the collar and an inner surface of the tube; A method comprising:

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