Tubing and connector assembly and method of moldimg

Abstract

A connector and tubing assembly including a multi-lumen molded connector having at least three flexible tubes also molded into the connector. The connector may be “Y” shaped and include three flexible tubes. A process of making the connector and tubing assembly involves forming a first part of the connector with two tubes molded therein and then removing an internal mold member prior to molding the final connector portion and third tube in place.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of molding a connector and tubing assembly comprising: 
 a) molding a first portion of a connector around respective ends of first and second tubes while maintaining fluid passages through the first portion and in communication with respective internal fluid bores of each of the first and second tubes; and,    b) molding a second portion of the connector around an end of a third tube having an internal fluid bore and connected with the first portion while maintaining a fluid passage between the internal fluid bore of the third tube and the fluid passages in the first portion.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein first and second rod members are placed in the bores of the respective ends of the first and second tubes prior to molding the first portion.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein a third rod member is placed in the bore of the end of the third tube prior to molding the second portion.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the first and second rod members are part of a “Y” shaped member.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein each molding step is performed in a single mold having first and second cavities corresponding to the first and second portions of the connector and wherein the second cavity is blocked off while the first portion is molded.  
     
     
         6 . A method of molding a connector and tubing assembly comprising: 
 a) connecting the internal fluid bores of respective ends of first and second tubes to first and second rod members;    b) placing the rod members and the ends of the first and second tubes into a first mold cavity;    c) filling the first mold cavity with curable material to form a first connector portion around the ends of the first and second tubes and the first and second rod members such that the first and second rod members form fluid passages through the connector;    d) withdrawing the first and second rod members;    e) inserting a third rod member into the internal fluid bore in an end of a third tube;    f) placing the end of the third tube into a second mold cavity and in engagement with at least one of the fluid passages;    g) filling the second mold cavity with additional curable material to form a second connector portion; and    h) removing the third rod member.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the first and second mold cavities communicate with one another in the same mold.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein a mold insert is placed within the second mold cavity prior to filling the first mold cavity with the curable material to prevent the curable material from filling the second mold cavity.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the mold insert includes a central hole and the first and second rod members are part of an integral multi-leg member, and step (b) further includes placing a third leg of the multi-leg member within the central hole of the insert and placing the insert within the second mold cavity.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein step (c) further comprises forming a recess in the first connector portion which is in communication with the fluid passages and, prior to step (g), inserting the end of the third tube in the recess.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the first and second rod members are connected to each other.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first and second rod members are part of a “Y” shaped member.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the connector is molded in a “Y” shape.