A device, method and computer program product for processing thermoplastic hoses

Abstract

A device, method and computer program product for processing thermoplastic hoses using a blade (100) in accordance with blade data associated with the blade (100), the blade data being determined based on a machine readable code (102) comprised by the blade (100) and read by the device in order to ensure processing of thermoplastic hoses in accordance with characteristics of the actual blade used.

Description

[0001] A DEVICE, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PROCESSING

[0002] THERMOPLASTIC HOSES

[0003] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a device for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses. The present disclosure further relates to a method for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses. The present disclosure further relates to a computer program product, comprising computer readable instructions which, when carried out by a control unit of a device for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses, cause the device to process one or more thermoplastic hoses. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a device, method and computer program product for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses comprising cutting (severing) and / or welding of thermoplastic hoses using a hated blade. The present disclosure further relates to a blade for a device for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] Processing thermoplastic hoses, in particular by cutting (severing) and / or welding to produce sterile cuts and / or connections between two ends of one or more thermoplastic hoses is becoming more and more important and the requirements with respect to the quality of cuts and / or welds is ever increasing. Therefore, processing of thermoplastic hoses using a heated blade must follow very strict parameters, in particular thermal parameters. Furthermore, in order to meet strict hygienic standards to produce sterile cuts and / or connections between two ends of one or more thermoplastic hoses, strict specifications with respect to the use of blades used for such processing must be met. Currently known devices and methods for processing thermoplastic hoses are not sufficiently capable to satisfy the aforementioned strict requirements.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] It is an object of this disclosure to provide a system, a method respectively a computer program product for processing thermoplastic hoses, which do not have at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system, a method respectively a computer program product for processing thermoplastic hoses which are able to satisfy strict quality requirements.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, these objects are addressed by the features of the independent claims. In addition, further advantageous embodiments follow from the dependent claims and the description.

[0010] In particular, these objects are addressed by a device for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses, the device comprising a blade holder; a heater; a reading unit and a control unit. The blade holder is configured to removably receive a blade, such as by clamping, gripping, form-fitting or other suitable means to retain the blade within the holder. The heater is arranged respectively configured for heating the blade when the blade is received by the blade holder. The reading unit is arranged respectively configured to read a machine readable code comprised by the blade, in particular when the blade is received by the blade holder. The control unit is communicatively connected with the reading unit and configured to determine blade data associated with the blade using the machine readable code read by the reading unit. The control unit is further configured to control the device to process the one or more thermoplastic hoses using the blade using the blade data associated with the blade. The object of providing a method for processing thermoplastic hoses which is able to satisfy strict quality requirements is addressed by a method of operating a device for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses. In a first, preparatory step, the blade is placed into the blade holder of the device, such as by clamping, gripping, form-fitting or other suitable means to retain the blade within the holder. In a further step, upon and / or after receipt of the blade by the blade holder, the machine readable code comprised by the blade is read by the reading unit of the device. In a subsequent step, blade data associated with the blade is determined by the control unit of the device using the machine readable code. Having determined the blade data associated with the blade, in a subsequent step, the one or more thermoplastic hoses are processed using the blade in accordance with the blade data.

[0011] The object of providing a computer program product for processing thermoplastic hoses which is able to satisfy strict quality requirements is addressed by a computer program product, comprising computer readable instructions which, when carried out by a control unit of a device for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein, cause the device to carry out the method of processing according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0012] The device, method respectively computer program product of the present disclosure is advantageous as it enables adherence to strict quality standards since the processing of the thermoplastic hose(s) is performed in accordance with blade data determined based on machine readable code comprised by the blade itself, hence ensuring that the blade data used in processing is unquestionably the blade data for the particular blade received by the blade holder and used to process the thermoplastic hose(s) avoiding the risks of a mismatch between blade data and blade actually used. According to embodiments disclosed herein, determining blade data associated with the blade using the machine readable code comprises decoding the machine readable code. Alternatively, or additionally, determining blade data associated with the blade using the machine readable code comprises retrieving blade data from a data storage comprised by the device. Decoding blade data from the machine readable code itself and / or retrieving blade data from a data storage comprised by the device is advantageous in use cases whereby offline operation of the device is envisaged, i.e. without a communicative connection to a data storage.

[0013] Alternatively, or additionally, determining blade data associated with the blade using the machine readable code comprises retrieving blade data from a data storage communicatively connected to the device, such as a cloud-based data storage and / or a data storage of a remote computer communicatively connected via a communication interface of the device.

[0014] In order to cut thermoplastic hoses, according to embodiments disclosed herein, for processing the one or more thermoplastic hoses, the device is configured to heat the blade and displace the blade relative to the one or more thermoplastic hoses, thereby producing ends, in particular melted cut ends, of the one or more thermoplastic hoses. For example, the displacement of the blade relative to the one or more thermoplastic hoses may be achieved by rotation of the blade holder around a rotational axis essentially parallel to the thermoplastic hoses where the cut ends are to be produced. Alternatively, or additionally, the displacement of the blade relative to the one or more thermoplastic hoses may be achieved by linear displacement of the blade holder relative to the one or more thermoplastic hose(s). Correspondingly, embodiments of the method of processing thermoplastic hoses further comprises the step of heating the blade using the heater in accordance with the blade data and step of displacing the blade relative to the one or more thermoplastic hoses to thereby produce ends of the one or more thermoplastic hoses. According to embodiments, heating the blade using the heater in accordance with the blade data comprises heating the blade according to a temperature profile defined by the blade data.

[0015] In order to weld together thermoplastic hoses, according to embodiments disclosed herein, for processing the one or more thermoplastic hoses - the device is further configured to melt, using the blade, a first end of the one or more thermoplastic hoses and / or a second end of the one or more thermoplastic hoses and to bring into contact - after melting - the first end with the second end, thereby heat-joining the first end with the second end. The process of heat-joining ends of one or more thermoplastic hoses is described in detail in WO 2017 / 093216 A1 of Reed Electronics AG, titled Device for Welding Tubes, published on 08 June 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Correspondingly, embodiments of the method of processing thermoplastic hoses further comprises the step of melting, using the blade (previously having been heated) the first end of the one or more thermoplastic hoses and the second end of the one or more thermoplastic hoses and step of bringing into contact - after having been melted - the first end of the one or more thermoplastic hoses with the second end of the one or more thermoplastic hoses, thereby heat-joining the first end with the second end of the one or more thermoplastic hoses.

[0016] In order to weld together a first end with a second end of one or more thermoplastic hoses, the device is further configured to melt, using the blade, the first end and the second end of the thermoplastic hose. In a second step, the blade 100 is retracted from between the melted cut ends 200A and 200B by rotation of the blade holder 10 from the second to a third position (different or same as the first position). Alternatively, or additionally, the displacement of the blade relative to the one or more thermoplastic hoses may be achieved by linear displacement of the blade holder relative to the one or more thermoplastic hose(s). Thereafter, the melted first end and second end of the thermoplastic hose are brought into contact by opposite linear displacement of two holding members of the clamping device 60, thereby heat-joining the first end with the second end.

[0017] According to embodiments, the process of welding together a first end with a second end of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200 is carried out after producing the same first and second ends by the device according to the present disclosure. In particular, the process of welding together a first end with a second end of one or more thermoplastic hoses 200 is carried out after producing the first end by cutting a thermoplastic hose and producing the second end by cutting (severing) a further thermoplastic hose followed by alignment of the first end (of the thermoplastic hose) with the second end (of the further thermoplastic hose).

[0018] According to embodiments, the device further comprises a temperature detecting unit configured and arranged to determine a temperature of the blade. It is an object of embodiments disclosed herein to address one of the root causes for inconsistent results of processing thermoplastic hoses using heated blades, namely inconsistent results related to production variations / inconsistencies of the blades used in the processing, in particular variations / inconsistencies of thermal characteristics of the blades. This object is addressed in that the control unit is configured to determine a thermal characteristic of the blade based on the blade data and control the temperature detecting unit based on the thermal characteristic. Correspondingly, embodiments of the method of processing thermoplastic hoses further comprises the step of determining a thermal characteristic of the blade based on the blade data and the step of controlling the temperature detecting unit based on the thermal characteristic. According to embodiments disclosed herein, the temperature detecting unit comprises a contactless temperature sensor configured to determine the temperature of the blade by measuring a thermal radiation emitted by the blade. If not compensated for, even small variations of an emissivity of a blade may lead to an erroneous determination of a temperature of the blade when using a temperature detection unit operating on the basis of measuring a thermal radiation emitted by the blade when heated. In order to enable precise temperature measurement of the blade when heated, according to embodiments, the control unit is configured to determine an emissivity as a thermal characteristic of the blade and to calibrate the contactless temperature sensor based on the emissivity of the blade. Hence variations of an emissivity from one blade to another may be compensated for. According to embodiments, the contactless temperature sensor is configured to measure a thermal radiation of a specific area of the blade, also referred to as temperature measurement area, whereby the machine readable code is arranged on a surface of the blade other than the temperature measurement area to avoid the machine readable code itself affecting the temperature measurement.

[0019] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the reading unit is configured to read the machine readable code arranged on a surface of the blade. In particular, the reading unit is configured to read a machine readable code engraved, or etched into the surface of the blade or printed on the surface of the blade. Hence, the machine readable code is practically inseparable from the blade, thereby further reducing the risk of a mismatch between the blade data - determined based on the machine readable code - and the blade itself.

[0020] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, depending on the particular use case, the reading unit is configured to read a machine readable code comprising a one or two-dimensional code, such as a data matrix code as defined by the ISO / IEC 16022 international standard or a QR code as defined by the ISO / IEC 18004 international standard.

[0021] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, determining blade data associated with the blade using the machine readable code comprises decoding the machine readable code, such as decoding data from a one or two-dimensional code, such as a data matrix code or QR code.

[0022] Alternatively, or additionally, determining blade data associated with the blade using the machine readable code comprises retrieving blade data from a data storage comprised by or communicatively connected to the device.

[0023] It is an object of further embodiments disclosed herein to ensure that only genuine blades are used for processing thermoplastic hoses. This object is addressed, according to embodiments, in that the control unit is configured to enable or disable the processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses using the blade in dependence of verifying of the authenticity of the blade using authenticity data comprised by the blade data. Correspondingly, embodiments of the method of processing thermoplastic hoses further comprises the step of verifying of the authenticity of the blade using authenticity data comprised by the blade data and step of enabling or disabling the processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses using the blade in dependence of verifying of the authenticity of the blade.

[0024] Verifying the authenticity of the blade using authenticity data may comprise verification of a serial number, an encrypted code or similar means against a list, and / or code pattern provided by a manufacturer(s), a supplier(s) and / or a regulatory body of genuine blades. It is an object of further embodiments disclosed herein to ensure that blades are used for processing thermoplastic hoses in accordance with usage limits prescribed by a manufacturers), a supplier(s) and / or a regulatory body of genuine blades. This object is addressed, according to embodiments, in that the blade data associated with the blade comprises usage data, wherein the control unit is configured to update usage data associated with the blade in a data storage comprised by or communicatively connected to the device. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to enable, disable or restrict the processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses in dependence of the usage data. Dependent on the specifics of the particular use case, the usage data relates to a number of heating cycles of a blade, number of thermoplastic hoses processed (cut and / or welded) using a blade, expiry and / or a usage time of a blade. After one or more of these limits is reached, the control unit is configured to disable processing of further thermoplastic hoses using the respective blade. Correspondingly, embodiments of the method of processing thermoplastic hoses further comprises the step of updating usage data associated with the blade and step of enabling, disabling or restricting the processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses in dependence of the usage data.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, a thermoplastic hose 200 and a further thermoplastic hose 202 are cut and cross-welded back together. In a first step, the thermoplastic hose 200 and the further thermoplastic hose 202 are both received by the clamping device 60. In order to cut the thermoplastic hose 200 and the further thermoplastic hose 202, the device is configured to displace the blade relative to the thermoplastic hose to produce a first end 200A and second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200 respectively a further first end 202C and a further second end 202D of the further thermoplastic hose 202. Hence, the first end 200A and second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200 and the further first end 202C and further second end 202D of the further thermoplastic hose 202 are produced (quasi) simultaneously. Thereafter, the first end 200A of the thermoplastic hose 200 is aligned with the further second end 202D of the further thermoplastic hose 202 and at the same time, the second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200 is aligned with the further first end 202C of the further thermoplastic hose 202. According to an embodiment, this (re) alignment may be achieved advantageously by a 180° rotation of the first end 200A and further first end 202C around an axis R parallel and equidistant with the first and further thermoplastic hoses 200 and 202. The blade 100 is then retracted and simultaneously with the retraction of the blade 100, the melted first end is brought into contact with the (now aligned) further second end 202D and the melted second end 200B is brought into contact with the further first end 202C by opposite linear displacement of two holding members of the clamping device 60, thereby heat-joining the first end 200A with the further second end 202D and the melted second end 200B with the further first end 202C.

[0026] It is a further object to provide a blade for a device according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein, the blade being configured to enable processing of thermoplastic hoses satisfying strict quality requirements. This object is addressed by a blade comprising a machine-readable code engraved, etched into the surface of the blade and / or printed on the surface of the blade comprising a one or two-dimensional code, such as a data matrix code or QR code, wherein the machine-readable code contains blade data associated the blade comprising one or more of: data concerning a thermal characteristic of the blade; data concerning an emissivity of the blade; and authenticity data of the blade.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present disclosure will be explained in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:

[0029] Figure 1 A shows a highly schematic perspective view of a device for processing a thermoplastic hose according to the present disclosure; Figure 1 B shows a highly schematic perspective view of the device for processing a thermoplastic hose, a blade being received by a blade holder of the device;

[0030] Figure 1 C shows a highly schematic perspective view of the device for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses, the device being shown with its blade being displaced relative to the thermoplastic hose received by the device;

[0031] Figure 1 D shows a highly schematic perspective view of the device for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses, illustrating the heat-jointing of two ends of a thermoplastic hose;

[0032] Figures 2A to 2E show a sequence of steps for simultaneously cutting (severing) and cross-welding two thermoplastic hoses;

[0033] Figure 3 shows flowchart illustrating steps of a first embodiment of method of operating a device for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses;

[0034] Figure 4 shows flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method of operating a device for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses comprising producing cut ends of the one or more thermoplastic hoses;

[0035] Figure 5 shows flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method of operating a device for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses comprising welding together cut ends of the one or more thermoplastic hoses; and Figure 6 shows flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method of operating a device for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied 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. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

[0038] Figures 1A through 1 D show highly schematic perspective views of a device 1 for processing a thermoplastic hose 200 held firmly by a clamping device 60 of the device 1 . The device 1 comprising a blade holder 10 configured to removably receive a blade 100 by clamping, gripping, form-fitting or other suitable means to retain the blade 100 within the holder 10. Figure 1 A shows the blade holder 10 in an open position for facilitating insertion respectively removal of the blade 100 along an insertion direction A. Figure 1 B shows the device 1 with after the blade 100 having been inserted into the blade holder 10.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 A through 1 D, the device 1 further comprises a reading unit 30 configured to read a machine readable code 102 comprised by the blade 100. As illustrated with a set of expanding trace lines (illustrating a field of view of an optical reader), the reading unit 30 is arranged to read the machine readable code 102 comprised by the blade 100 when the blade 100 is received by the blade holder 10. Alternatively, or additionally (not shown in the figures), 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 a machine readable code 102 engraved, or etched into the surface of the blade 100 or printed on the surface of the blade 100. Hence, the machine readable code 102 is practically inseparable from the blade 100, thereby further reducing the risk of a mismatch between the blade data - determined based on the machine readable code - and the blade 100 itself. The reading unit 30 is configured to read a machine readable code 102 comprising a one or two-dimensional code, such as a data matrix code as defined by the ISO / IEC 16022 international standard or a QR code as defined by the ISO / IEC 18004 international standard.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 A through 1 D, the device 1 further comprises a control unit 40 communicatively connected with the reading unit 30. After the reading unit 30 read the machine readable code 102 from the blade 100, the control unit 40 is configured to determine blade data associated with the blade 100 using the machine readable code 102 read by the reading unit.

[0041] The control unit 40 is further configured to control the device 1 to process the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 using the blade 100 using the blade data associated with the blade 100. Determining blade data associated with the blade 100 using the machine readable code 102 comprises decoding the machine readable code 102. Alternatively, or additionally, determining blade data associated with the blade 100 using the machine readable code 102 comprises retrieving blade data from a data storage comprised by the device 1 . Decoding blade data from the machine readable code itself and / or retrieving blade data from a data storage 42 comprised by the device 1 is advantageous in use cases whereby offline operation of the device 1 is envisaged, i.e. without a communicative connection to a data storage. Alternatively, or additionally, determining blade data associated with the blade 100 using the machine readable code 102 comprises retrieving blade data from a data storage communicatively connected to the device 1 , such as a cloud-based data storage and / or a data storage of a remote computer communicatively connected via a communication interface 43 of the device 1 .

[0042] The device 1 further comprises a temperature detecting unit 50 comprising a contactless temperature sensor configured to determine the temperature of the blade 100 by measuring a thermal radiation emitted by the blade 100. In particular, the contactless temperature sensor is configured to measure a thermal radiation of a specific area of the blade 100, also referred to as temperature measurement area 103, whereby the machine readable code 102 is arranged on a surface of the blade 100 other than the temperature measurement area 103 to avoid the machine readable code 102 itself affecting the temperature measurement. In order to ensure consistent results of processing thermoplastic hoses using heated blades 100 by considering particular variations / inconsistencies of thermal characteristics of the blades 100, the control unit 40 is configured to calibrate the contactless temperature sensor based on the emissivity of the blade 100 before determining the temperature of the blade 100 by measuring its thermal radiation.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 A through 1 D, the device 1 further comprises a heater 20 arranged and configured to heat the blade 100 when the blade 100 is received by the blade holder 10. The heater 20 may be a resistive heater comprising one or more conductive windings coupled to a source of electricity and configured to dissipate thermal energy when an electric current flows there through. Having calibrated the contactless temperature sensor of the temperature detecting unit 50, the control unit 40 For processing the thermoplastic hose 200, in particular for cutting (severing) and / or welding the thermoplastic hose 200, the device 1 is configured to heat the blade 100 to a specified target temperature, set in accordance with the specific thermoplastic hose 200 and / or set in accordance with the blade data. In order to cut the thermoplastic hose 200, the device 1 is configured to displace the blade 100 relative to the thermoplastic hose 200 by rotation of the blade holder 10 from a first position as shown on figure 1 B to a second position as shown on figure 1 C as illustrated by the block arrow B. Alternatively, or additionally, the displacement of the blade 100 relative to the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 may be achieved by linear displacement of the blade holder relative to the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200 and 202. The blade 100 is displaced relative to the thermoplastic hose 200 by rotation of the blade holder 10 around a rotational axis essentially parallel to the thermoplastic hose 200.

[0044] Alternatively, or additionally, in order to weld together thermoplastic hoses 200, the device 1 is further configured to melt, using the blade 100, the first end 200A and the second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200. In a second step, the blade 100 is retracted from between the melted cut ends 200A and 200B by rotation of the blade holder 10 from the second position as shown on figure 1 C to a third position (different or same as the first position) as shown on figure 1 D as illustrated by the block arrow B’. Alternatively, or additionally, the retraction of the blade 100 may be achieved by linear displacement of the blade holder relative to the one or more thermoplastic hose(s) 200. Simultaneously with the retraction of the blade 100, the melted first end 200A and second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200 are brought into contact by opposite linear displacement of two holding members of the clamping device 60 (as illustrated by block arrows C and C’ on figure 1 D), thereby heat-joining the first end 200A with the second end 200B.

[0045] Figures 2A to 2E show an embodiment of cutting (severing) and welding of a thermoplastic hose 200 and a further thermoplastic hose 202. As shown on figure 2A, the thermoplastic hose 200 and the further thermoplastic hose 202 are both received by the clamping device 60. In order to cut the thermoplastic hose 200 and the further thermoplastic hose 202, the device 1 is configured to displace the blade 100 relative to the thermoplastic hose 200 by rotation of the blade holder 10 from a first position as shown on figure 2A into the second position as shown on figure 2B. The blade 100 is displaced relative to the thermoplastic hose 200 by rotation of the blade holder 10 around a rotational axis essentially parallel to the thermoplastic hose 200 as shown by block arrow B to produce a first end 200A and second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200 respectively a further first end 202C and a further second end 202D of the further thermoplastic hose 202.

[0046] As shown on figure 2B, the first end 200A and second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200 and the further first end 202C and further second end 202D of the further thermoplastic hose 202 are produced (quasi) simultaneously. Thereafter, as shown on Figure 2C, the first end 200A of the thermoplastic hose 200 is aligned with the further second end 202D of the further thermoplastic hose 202 and at the same time, the second end 200B of the thermoplastic hose 200 is aligned with the further first end 202C of the further thermoplastic hose 202. This (re) alignment is achieved advantageously by a 180° rotation (shown with block arrows D) of the first end 200A and further first end 202C around an axis R parallel and equidistant with the first and further thermoplastic hoses 200 and 202. The rotation of the first end 200A and further first end 202C around an axis R is continued until an end position as shown on Figure 2D is reached.

[0047] As shown on Figure 2E, the blade 100 is then retracted by rotation of the blade holder 10 from the second position as shown on figure 2D into the third position (different or same as the first position) as illustrated by the block arrow B’. Simultaneously with the retraction of the blade 100, the melted first end 200A is brought into contact with the (now aligned) further second end 202D and the melted second end 200B is brought into contact with the further first end 202C by opposite linear displacement of two holding members of the clamping device 60 (as illustrated by block arrows C and C’ on figure 2E), thereby heat-joining the first end 200A with the further second end 202D and the melted second end 200B with the further first end 202C.

[0048] Figure 3 shows flowchart illustrating steps of a first embodiment of method of operating a device 1 for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202. As illustrated on Figure 3, in a first preparatory step SOO, one or more thermoplastic hoses 200 are inserted into the device 1 , such as by clamping using a clamping device 60. Subsequently, simultaneously or preceding, in a further preparatory step S10, a blade 100 is placed into the blade holder 10 of the device 1 , such as by clamping, gripping, form-fitting or other suitable means to retain the blade within the holder. In a further step S20, upon and / or after receipt of the blade 100 by the blade holder 10, the machine readable code 102 comprised by the blade 100 is read by the reading unit 30 of the device 1 . In a subsequent step S30, blade data associated with the blade 100 is determined by the control unit 40 of the device 1 using the machine readable code 102. Having determined the blade data associated with the blade 100, in a subsequent step S40, the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 are processed using the blade 100 in accordance with the blade data.

[0049] Figure 4 shows flowchart illustrating steps of a further embodiment of a method of operating a device 1 for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 comprising producing cut ends of the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202. As illustrated, step S40 of processing the thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 in accordance with blade data, comprises the step S42 of heating the blade 100 by a heater 20 in accordance with the blade data - when the blade 100 is received by the blade holder 10. Thereafter, in a step S44, the blade 100 is displaced relative to the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 to thereby produce ends 200A, 200B of the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202. Figure 5 shows flowchart illustrating steps of an even further embodiment of a method of operating a device 1 for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 comprising welding together cut ends 200A, 200B, 202C and / or 202D of the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202. As illustrated, in a step S46, the first end 200A of the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 and the second end 200B of the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 are melted by the blade 100 (after having been heated in step S42). Thereafter, in a step S48, after having been melted - the first end 200A of the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 is brought into contact with the second end 200B of the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202, thereby heat-joining the first end 200A with the second end 200B of the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202.

[0050] Figure 6 shows flowchart illustrating steps of an even further embodiment of a method of operating a device 1 for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202, depicting further steps of determining and processing blade data associated with the blade. In order to enable precise temperature measurement of the blade 100 when heated, in step S32, an emissivity as a thermal characteristic of the blade 100 is determined based on the blade data. Thereafter, in a step S33, the temperature detecting unit 50 is controlled based on the thermal characteristic, comprising calibrating a contactless temperature sensor based on the emissivity of the blade 100. Hence variations of an emissivity from one blade to another may be compensated for.

[0051] Alternatively, or additionally to steps S32 and S33, the method of processing thermoplastic hoses further comprises the step S34 of verifying of the authenticity of the blade 100 using authenticity data comprised by the blade data and step S35 of enabling or disabling the processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 using the blade 100 in dependence of verifying of the authenticity of the blade 100. Alternatively, or additionally to steps S32 and S33 and / or steps 34 and 35, , the method of processing thermoplastic hoses further comprises the step S36 of updating usage data associated with the blade 100 and step S37 of enabling, disabling or restricting the processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses 200, 202 in dependence of the usage data.

[0052] It should be noted that, in the description, the sequence of the steps has been presented in a specific order, one skilled in the art will understand, however, that the order of at least some of the steps could be altered, without deviating from the scope of the disclosure.

[0053] REFERENCE LIST device 1 blade holder 10 heater 20 reading unit 30 control unit 40 data storage 42 communication interface 43 temperature detecting unit 50 clamping device 60 blade 100 machine readable code 102 temperature measurement area 103 thermoplastic hose(s) 200 first end (of thermoplastic hose) 200A second end (of thermoplastic hose) 200B further thermoplastic hose 202 further first end (of further thermoplastic hose) 202B further second end (of further thermoplastic hose) 202D

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A device (1 ) for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202), the device (1 ) comprising: a blade holder (10) configured to removably receive a blade (100); a heater (20) for heating the blade (100); a reading unit (30) configured to read a machine readable code (102) comprised by the blade (100); and a control unit (40) communicatively connected with the reading unit (30) and the heater (20) and configured to: determine blade data associated with the blade (100) using the machine readable code (102); control the device (1 ) using the blade data to process the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) using the blade (100).

2. The device (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein - for processing 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), thereby producing ends (200A, 200B) of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202).

3. The device (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - for processing the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) - the device (1 ) is further configured to melt, using the blade (100) a first end (200A) of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) and / or a second end (200B) of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) and bring into contact the first end (200A) with the second end (200B) , thereby heat-joining the first end (200A) with the second end (200B).

4. The device (1 ) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, further comprising a temperature detecting unit (50), wherein: the control unit (40) is configured to determine a thermal characteristic of the blade (100) based on the blade data; and the control unit (40) is configured to determine a temperature of the blade (100) using the temperature detecting unit (50) based on the thermal characteristic.

5. The device (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein: the temperature detecting unit (50) comprises a contactless temperature sensor; the control unit (40) is configured to determine an emissivity as the thermal characteristic of the blade (100); the control unit (40) is configured to calibrate the contactless 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 a thermal radiation emitted by the blade (100) using the contactless temperature sensor.

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

7. The device (1 ) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit (40) is configured to enable or disable the processing of the one or more thermoplastichoses (200, 202) using the blade (100) in dependence of verifying of the authenticity of the blade (100) using authenticity data comprised by the blade data.

8. The device (1 ) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the blade data associated with the blade (100) comprises usage data, wherein the control unit (40) is configured to: update usage data associated with the blade (100) in and / or from a data storage comprised by or communicatively connected to the device (1 ); and enable or disable the processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) in dependence of the usage data.

9. The device (1 ) according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein determining blade data associated with the blade (100) using the machine readable code (102) comprises decoding the machine readable code (102) and / or retrieving blade data from a data storage comprised by or communicatively connected to the device (1 )-10. A method of operating a device (1 ) for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202), the method comprising the steps of: placing a blade (100) by a blade holder (10) of the device (1 ); reading, by a reading unit (30) of the device (1 ), a machine readable code (102) comprised by the blade (100); determining, by a control unit (40) of the device (1 ), blade data associated with the blade (100) using the machine readable code (102);processing the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) using the blade (100) in accordance with the blade data.1 1 . The method according to claim 10, further comprising displacing the blade (100) relative to the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) to thereby producing ends (200A, 200B) of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202).

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11 , further comprising: melting, using the blade (100), a first end (200A) and / or a second end (200B) of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202); and bringing into contact and thereby heat-joining the first end (200A) with the second end (200B) of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202).

13. The method according to one of the claims 10 to 12, further comprising: determining a thermal characteristic of the blade (100) based on the blade data; controlling a temperature detecting unit (50) of the device (1 ) based on the thermal characteristic to determine a temperature of the blade (100).

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: determining, by the control unit (40), an emissivity as the thermal characteristic of the blade (100); calibrating, by the control unit (40), the contactless temperature sensor based on the emissivity of the blade (100); and determining the temperature of the blade (100) by measuring a thermal radiation emitted by the blade (100) using a contactless temperature sensor of the temperature detecting unit (50).

15. The method according to one of the claims 10 to 14, wherein reading the machine readable code (102) comprises reading the machine readable code (102) arranged on a surface of the blade (100), e.g. engraved, etched into the surface of the blade (100) and / or printed on the surface of the blade (100) comprising a one or two-dimensional code, such as a data matrix code or QR code.

16. The method according to one of the claims 10 to 15, further comprising: verifying, by the control unit (40), the authenticity of the blade (100) using authenticity data comprised by the blade data; and enabling or disabling, by the control unit (40), the processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) using the blade (100) in dependence of the verifying of the authenticity of the blade (100).

17. The method according to one of the claims 10 to 16, further comprising: updating, by the control unit (40), usage data associated with the blade (100) in and / or from a data storage comprised by or communicatively connected to the device (1 ); and enabling or disabling, by the control unit (40), the processing of the one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) in dependence of the usage data.

18. A computer program product, comprising computer readable instructions which, when carried out by a control unit (40) of a device (1 ) for processing one or more thermoplastic hoses (200, 202) according to one of the claims 1 to 9, cause the device (1 ) to carry out the method according to one of the claim 10 to 17.

19. A blade (100) for a device (1 ) according to one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the blade (100) comprises a machine-readable code engraved, etched into the surface of the blade (100) and / or printed on the surface of the blade (100) comprising a one or two-dimensional code, such as a data matrix code or QR code, wherein the machine-readable code contains blade data associated the blade (100) comprising one or more of: data concerning a thermal characteristic of the blade (100); data concerning an emissivity of the blade (100); and authenticity data of the blade (100).

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