Tube Roller Clamp Assembly for Clean One-Way Fluid Evacuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stripper clamps for flexible tubing require machining of metal parts, cannot be left in place without user support, and are not suitable for plastic injection molding, leading to potential fluid loss or contamination during pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A tube roller clamp design featuring reversible sections with rollers constrained by spacing clips, allowing assembly without threading through the device, suitable for plastic molding, and capable of being left in place to clamp tubing without user support, facilitating unidirectional fluid evacuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing stripper clamp designs are used, then fluid evacuation function is achieved, but the device cannot be left in place without user support due to weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice stability when left in placeVSAvoidclamp weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional metal construction with flexible polymer material that forms a thin-film structure. This flexible shell design maintains the functional integrity of the stripper clamp while dramatically reducing weight, allowing the device to be left in place without user support. The flexible material conforms to the tubing while providing sufficient mechanical strength for fluid evacuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If metal parts are machined for assembly, then device functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple previously separate metal components into a single molded polymer part. The housing, rollers, and structural elements are combined into one monolithic component manufactured via injection molding, eliminating the need for machining multiple parts and assembling them. This merging of functions dramatically simplifies manufacturing while reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical machining processes with plastic injection molding. Instead of cutting and shaping metal parts through complex machining operations, the device is formed by injecting molten polymer into a mold cavity, allowing for rapid, precise, and cost-effective manufacturing of complex geometries without post-processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If tubing is threaded through the device, then fluid evacuation is achieved, but risk of fluid loss or contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid containment integrityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional threading operation by having the device open on one side to receive the tubing, rather than requiring the tubing to be threaded through closed openings. The flexible housing allows the tubing to be inserted from the open side and then secured, eliminating the risk of fluid loss or contamination that would occur during threading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If traditional stripper clamp design is used, then fluid evacuation function is achieved, but the device requires threading through openings which complicates setup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates pre-formed flexible tabs with engagement features that allow the device to be quickly attached to the tubing without threading. The tabs are preliminarily shaped during molding to engage with corresponding features on the tubing or housing, enabling rapid installation by simply snapping the device into place rather than performing time-consuming threading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The tube roller clamp effectively evacuates residual fluid from flexible tubing without contamination or fluid loss, reducing hold-up volume and simplifying the process by eliminating the need for threading and user-supported assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a roller with a longitudinal axis and a roller body that surrounds the longitudinal axis partially and contacts the flexible tubing; such that the roller is constrained from movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis but is able to rotate around the longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRoller rotation: Roller

Data Source

PatentUS20260061714A1Tube Roller Clamp

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 CAROLINA COMPONENTS GRP INC

AI summary

A first section and a second section for forming a tube roller clamp for evacuating fluid from flexible tubing in a single flow direction. The sections each having: a roller for contact with the flexible tubing; and a pair of spacing clips for holding the roller (300) in a fixed position relative to a housing portion. The roller is constrained by the spacing clips from movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roller but is able to rotate around the longitudinal axis (190). Also disclosed are methods for using the tube roller clamp and methods for making a family of tube roller clamps adapted for different types of flexible tubing.