text:
Content Marketing Overload?
For the past few years, we marketers have been told repeatedly that content marketing is the new marketing paradigm – that to win the hearts of buyers early in their buying processes, we have to lure them in with authentic content designed purely to help the buyer, not to sell our products. What's more, we need a plethora of content to help drive our SEO.
While that is all still true, it's also out of date. We've reached the point of content overload with email newsletters, blogs, free white papers and e-books, podcasts and corporate how-to videos. People have started to tune out.
To keep our content from going straight to the trash, we now need to take a radically different approach to content marketing. See what we mean in this week's ZUZA Marketer's Blog post.
Not another free white paper!
I don't know about you, but as a marketer, I must see email subject lines like all of the following at least once a day, often from multiple vendors:
- Why your landing page sucks and what to do about it
- Content marketing dos and don'ts
- How to use LinkedIn for business
- How to improve landing page conversion rates
- How to improve email open rates
- Google's new algorithms
- How to use online video to market your business
- How to move prospects through the marketing and sales funnel
- How to make marketing automation work for you
- Etc., etc., etc.
I'm saturated at this point. While once I was excited to sign up for all of these email lists to get daily free advice, white papers and e-books with valuable content, now I tune them all out. I'm not seeing anything new – just repackaging of the same "fresh advice from the experts."
It's the same with Twitter. I'm following scores of companies' tweets to receive links to helpful articles. But I keep seeing the same types of content regurgitated over and over.
My suspicion is that this is happening across industries. As companies have bought en masse into content marketing as the must-have campaign tool for the twenty-first century, everyone is rushing to pump out a gusher of "original" content that in fact is simply regurgitating stale information.
This may help drive some SEO, but it is boring the heck out of us consumers who once may have appreciated this free content but are now seeking something more original and substantial.
Zappos to the rescue.
You've heard of Zappos, right? They're the highly successful online shoe and apparel retailer. Maybe you've bought shoes from them.
I haven't.
I'd heard of them, but never shopped with them. But one day, I was doing heavy research on corporate culture as part of my work (which served as inspiration for some other ZUZA Marketer's Blog posts on defining company culture and linking your company culture to your branding).
I had heard that Zappos was one of those unique companies with an amazing corporate culture that has been the source of happiness for its employees and customers and a key to Zappos' business success. So I went to the Zappos website.
There I discovered a video tour of the Zappos facility in Las Vegas, showing just how fun, inspiring and empowering their culture is:
Intrigued, I did some further digging and discovered that every year, Zappos publishes a book of quotes submitted by Zappos employees about their perception of the Zappos culture and what it's like to work at Zappos. These quotes are unedited, meaning, employees can freely call it as they see it, and the quotes will be published in the book. What's more, Zappos offers a hard-bound copy of their culture book to anyone who wants it, free. Of course I signed up immediately.
Within just a few days, this beautiful book arrived in my postal mail box. I couldn't believe Zappos just sent me this book for free.
Then I started to read the forward by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh. In the very first sentence, he pointed me to even more great content: "In my book "Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose," I write about how a company's culture and a company's brand are really just two sides of the same coin. The brand is simply a lagging indicator of the culture."
What's this? A book on culture by the CEO who, well, literally wrote the book on culture? I immediately went to amazon.com to buy the book. Yes, I actually paid to get more content from Zappos.
I read the book. More accurately, I devoured it. It is one of the best business books I have ever read, period. I highly recommend it.
"But did you buy any shoes from Zappos???"
I know this question is foremost on your mind. And the honest answer is, "Not yet." So, is this wasted content? Hardly! I recently gave a talk on content marketing in a panel discussion at a local marketing event. There were a hundred people in the room. I told my Zappos story. That's one hundred people who got exposed or re-exposed to the Zappos brand in a very positive way.
Now you're reading this blog post and getting exposed to the Zappos brand in a very positive way.
Everyone who hears my story has the potential to share it with someone else. And everyone who gets the free Zappos culture book will likely share it with at least one other person.
And, when I do need new shoes, I will visit Zappos for sure.
To me, this is sheer content marketing genius.
Key Takeaway
Zappos has created some breakthrough content that has nothing to do with me buying shoes from them. And yet, ultimately, it has everything to do with me buying shoes from them. Zappos has very successfully broken through the clutter of all the other companies and their emails, white papers and e-books to get me to love Zappos.
Even if I wasn't researching culture or working in marketing, and was just an ordinary consumer, accessing these books would make me feel better about Zappos. I would get the sense that Zappos is an amazing place to work, full of people who love satisfying customers like me. It would make me more interested in experiencing Zappos, its culture and its customer service.
Now it's your turn.
Think beyond the email, e-book and white paper. Don't join the masses. Think about your target market and how you can deliver really creative, unique content that will delight, inform and help your target consumers. Package it in a beautiful way. And stand out from all the clutter. The sky's the limit. Get creative. Really creative.
Here's to the Marketing Champion in all of us. See you in the next post.


text: Anyone else do it? I do it as a matter of course when I brush my teeth, except I'm starting to notice that as I get older, my gag reflex is getting way more sensitive.... Does anyone know if brushing your tongue really makes that much of a difference for mouth hygiene? And any suggestions for toughening my gag reflex back up? I don't know if it's mental or physical!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Recent Posts
Category Archives: Prewrath
Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending
Old hymns tell us what they believed about different theological truths back in their day. Some of them blatantly contradict the pre-trib rapture. Here is what I discovered in our hymnal. Then I will explain the history. The hymn is … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Eschatology, Pre-Wrath, Pretribulationalism, Prewrath, Prophecy Tagged Coming of Christ, Hymns, Lo He Comes with Clouds Descending 3 Comments
Antichrist Before the Day of the Lord
Antichrist Before the Day of the Lord What Every Christian Needs to Know about the Return of Christ Alan Kurschner Antichrist before the day of the Lord- that has a nice ring to it. But I didn't come up with … Continue reading
Pre-Wrath versus Pastor Steven Anderson
Since the term Pre-Wrath was coined several years ago, there has been a growing movement of people believing in a Pre-Wrath Rapture. In 1990 Marv Rosenthal published his book, The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church, and shortly after that in … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Eschatology, Pre-Wrath, Prewrath, Prophecy Tagged Pastor Steven Anderson, Pre-Wrath, Pre-Wrath Rapture, Prewrath, Prewrath Rapture, Rapture 19 Comments
Birth Pains/Seals Parallel ~ NOT!
I can remember reading Marv Rosenthal's book, The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church, for the first time. I was fascinated by this presentation of end time events which I hadn't read anywhere else. I "devoured" it reading some portions several … Continue reading
Natural Progression of God's Wrath
Alan Kurschner has written a book from a Pre-Wrath perspective. I haven't bought it yet (I know I'm slacking), but on his website he posted an easy to follow table which is featured in his book. This little table makes … Continue reading
The First Resurrection ~ Timing Often Misunderstood
Revelation 20:4-6 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word … Continue reading
The Mystery of Iniquity in II Thessalonians 2:7
II Thessalonians 2:1-12 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, … Continue reading
Posted in Eschatology, Fulfilled Prophecy, Pre-Millennialism, Pre-Wrath, Prewrath, Prophecy Tagged antichrist, eschatology, mystery, Prophecy 4 Comments
The final birth pains versus the beginning of the birth pains
For some time, I have seen how the end of Isaiah 26 supports the framework of the PreWrath Rapture. In verses 19-21 we see that the resurrection of the righteous occurs as the LORD comes forth to pour out His … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Eschatology, Pre-Wrath, Prewrath, Prophecy Tagged eschatology, Pre-Wrath, Prewrath 7 Comments
Mountains not found?
I'm still here. For those of you who are wondering, I'll get to the rest of Matthew's gospel (LORD willing) and how Matthew quotes each prophet. I've been a little bit busy with work, and with starting a kid's club … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Eschatology, Pre-Millennialism, Pre-Wrath, Prewrath, Prophecy Leave a comment
Are Pre-Wrathers chronologically indifferent to Revelation 16:15?
Post-Tribbers have loved Revelation 16:15 for quite some time. To them, this is positive proof in the chronological narrative that Jesus has not yet returned by the sixth bowl. Chronology in the book of Revelation can sometimes be difficult. It … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Eschatology, Posttribulationalism, Pre-Wrath, Prewrath Tagged Pre-Wrath 2 Comments


text:
The Mother's Day range has come out once again at LUSH, and since Luxembourg celebrates Mother's Day next Sunday, I thought I'd write a little post about these truly lovely products/gifts just before it's Mother's Day over here.
Not all of the pictured items are from the Mother's Day collection, because I also picked up a few other bits – like the Rehab shampoo on the top left (it's got another name in French), and the Thanks Dad soap, for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law who just became parents (so they deserved a little treat). I also bought the new Smuggler's Soul scrub for my boyfriend.
Here are some products from the Mother's Day range which I can't wait to try out:
- Ladybird bubble bar – minty and fresh, and can last for several baths.
- Rose Bombshell bath bomb – this is my favourite. The smell of roses in this is absolutely heavenly. I need to keep this one for a special bath on a very tough day.
- Yummy Mummy shower gel – a repeat from last year's range, and a very sweet-smelling shower gel with the best colour.
- Flowering Tea bubble bar (bath dunk) – oh my. This one is special. It's a giant tea-bag-shaped bubble bar, which allegedly spews flowers once it melts down enough. Very much looking forward to this one.
Hope you love the purple-and-Mother's-Day themed products at LUSH right now. You don't need me to tell you this, but they make great presents, particularly when the person is a little stressed out at the moment. Hint hint. Nudge nudge. Buy me LUSH stuff. <3


text:
Carver Women, United States
Hi! My name is Yulia. I am 25 y.o. and have many different interests in life. I want to find my soul mate here in the net.
Yulia, 36 years old, United States
I am full of life, sencer, tender woman who is looking for a kind, carring, man. I want to find a man who will be my best friend and partner for life. Write me and I will tell you more about myself, thank you Nataly
Nataly, 35 years old, United States


text:
Category: Sport
Nobody's Team
It's the worst gig in BASEBALL: No stadium, no fans, no home field. Who would sign up for This? The guys who need it mostREAD MORE +
Ian Walsh
In a new documentary, Hawaii native IAN WALSH does what he does best — surf the biggest swells in the world...READ MORE +
Dan Reardon
Professional Supercross and Motocross CDR Yamaha athlete, Dan Reardon, gets geared up to defend his national titleREAD MORE +
Touch The Sky
From its humble origins to hosting the paragliding World Cup, renowned Bir-Billing marks the full turn of the wheel for the sport in India. Maxim flies high to find out what the ...READ MORE +
Race To The Top
Mountain climber Kílian Jornet is on a mission to scale the world's highest peaks faster than any man alive. There's just one problem: So is Karl EgloffREAD MORE +
It's messy, it's dangerous, and it's the fastest-growing sport on two wheels. Can you survive cyclocross?READ MORE +
Blood Sport
Once a year, the men of Florence, Italy, engage in one of the most violent athletic contests ever devisedREAD MORE +
Crossfit Founder
CrossFit founder Greg Glassman became filthy rich, then became something else entirely: a spiritual leader with a flock of millionsREAD MORE +
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos santos Aveiro wakes up every day in a compound of a home in Madrid. A Mercedes, a Bentley, a Lamborghini and a Rolls Royce are parked outside. A closet of ...READ MORE +
Dana White
The ufc president talks about his last day on earthREAD MORE +
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 5
- Next Page »


text:
Esks release two
Show Comments
Edmonton EskimosESKS.com Staff (Edmonton) – The Edmonton Eskimo Football Club announces the release of import defensive back Rod Williams and import defensive end Lee Robinson. Williams was first acquired as a free agent in June 2010. In three seasons, he recorded 111 tackles and 11 interceptions. Robinson was first acquired as a free agent in September 2011. In two seasons, he recorded six recorded defensive tackles, three special teams tackles and two quarterback sacks.


text:
About deporting illegals. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sent 30 agents and a helicopter to arrest two persons employing illegal aliens at a farm in Michigan.
"The only people that were taken from the scene were Johanas VaHaar and Antonia VarHaar," said Krebs. "Other employees were questioned by the ICE agents, but no one was taken away from the farm but those two."
But as typical with ICE, no illegals were arrested. The illegals were free to remain in the U.S. Undoubtedly more evidence that the Obama Regime is not serious about removing potential Demoncrat voters.
"Employees of the farm were questioned and information (from those employees) was gathered by ICE agents. No other arrests were made," said Michigan State Police Det./Sgt. Mark Krebs, who assisted ICE agents at the farm Wednesday morning.
So much for any "record" about deporting illegal aliens.


text:
Sari LiebermanSeattle/Bellevue, Washington, US
Sari began her passion for music and theatre at a very early age and she began her career in entertainment at the age of 18. She travelled throughout the eastern seaboard, New York, the Caribbean and Canada as a vocalist in many different venues. She's dabbled in many avenues of the arts, studied acting, performed on radio, played a little guitar and piano and even did a bit of stand-up improv!!
Then, she went into veterinary medicine, (another passion), but she never strayed too far from the creative aspect of the business. She wrote and presented material for a technical school and acted in instructional video presentations.
Sari brings her experience, passion and energetic style to her craft.
She is available for:
Instructional Videos,
Video Games,
E Books,
Answering Systems, etc.
English (North American), English
Irish, North American, US New York (New Jersey, Bronx, Brooklyn)
Middle Aged, Senior, Teen, Young Adult
Special Skills
Audiobooks, Business, Cartoons, Documentaries, Educational, Internet, Movie Trailers, Podcasting, Radio, Telephone, Television, Videogames
Various instructional videos and a few radio spots. Stage performances and live presentations.
V/O coaching by Bill Sleeper V/O coaching by Joleene Dirks
Vocal Instruction, Jim Carson
Acting Lessons; Philadelphia Repertory Theatre
Recording and Software Instruction
Audio Technica 4040
Computer & Software
Windows 10 using A Scarlet 2i2 and Abelton Live software.
Special Equipment
Various third party dynamic plugins
Delivery Methods
WAV, Mp3 files via web, Dropbox
Turnaround Time
24 hours
Payment Terms
Hire Sari as a voice actor. Payment is made through Voices.com SurePay, an escrow service that guarantees your work is done to your satisfaction. Send payment securely by Visa, Mastercard or PayPal through Voices.com then download your files from the website.
Watch a video to see how to make a payment
Next Steps
To contact Sari Lieberman about your project, request a quote today. We'll walk you through the process step-by-step. It's fast and easy.
Hire Sari Lieberman as a voice actor. Working with Sari Lieberman is fast and easy. We'll walk you through the process step-by-step.
Request a quote for your project today.


text:
The Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell
1899 · New York
by LOWELL, James Russell
New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co, 1899. Very Good. Reprint. Very good. Book shows light fading on spine cloth, all edges gilt. Please Note: This book has been transferred to Between the Covers from another database and might not be described to our usual standards. Please inquire for more detailed condition information. (Inventory #: 135457)


text:
A Custom ROM for Nexus 5X surfaced with Google Pixel feature is now available, follow the detailed guide to see the complete instructions on, how to download and install Google Pixel ROM on Nexus 5X. The Pixel ROM for Nexus 5X is named as PixelMod, as the name represents, the ROM got multiple latest features from Google's new Pixel devices with Android 7.1.1 Nougat NPC10C firmware. Currently the ROM has limited features like, Google Assistant, Pixel launcher, Pixel launcher icon, Pixel Wallpapers picker and Pixel Setup Wizard but the Developer has promised to release more of them soon.
Also see: Download Google Pixel apps for Android devices
The PixelMod ROM for Nexus 5X is pretty stable and can be used as daily driver, the purpose of the ROM is to give you a feel of Google Pixel device in your hand. All you need is a Nexus 5X device with TWRP recovery installed on it or you can follow the guide below to see the TWRP recovery installation method. Just go ahead and flash the Pixel ROM on your Nexus 5X.
How to install Google Pixel ported ROM on Nexus 5X
Disclaimer: This guide includes flashing custom ROM on your device, it is not an official firmware but will flash the custom firmware. The writer is not responsible for any damage happens to your device during the whole operation neither we are forcing you to perform such operation.
Before you begin:
TWRP must be installed on your device or Follow our custom recoveries section to install TWRP recovery on your Nexus 5X.
Keep your battery charged or at least your device should contain at least 80% charge before the flashing operation.
Android USB drivers for your device should be installed on your PC, or you can download latest USB drivers for Nexus
Enable USB debugging in your device go to Setting >> Developer options >> USB debugging.
Create a Backup of your complete Android device or see how to create a Nandroid backup/restore of your Android device.
Once you done with the above preparations now it's time to flash Google Pixel ROM ported ROM on your Nexus 5X.
Process to install Google Pixel ROM on your Nexus 5X
Download the Google Pixel ROM (the link is given on the end) on PC, Now connect your device to PC and move the downloaded files on the internal storage of your device. [If you downloaded it via phone then skip this step]
Its time to reboot your device into recovery Mode, to do so you can search for it or use hardware buttons combination. (If your device is rooted then its super easy, just visit Google Play and download any third party reboot app for this purpose)
Once your device successfully boots into recovery mode, select the downloaded Google Pixel ROM file and confirm it by swiping the slider for (TWRP) or yes for (CWM).
Wait for the process to complete.
Once successfully done with the installation procedure simply reboot your device, please note the first boot up may take 5 to 7 minutes so be patient as things needs to be settled up for boot.
Download Google Pixel ported ROM for Nexus 5X: Download Here
Give us your feed back if you have successfully installed Google Pixel ported ROM on your Nexus 5X.


text:
Hi I am looking to take my 23 year daughter 'foodie' and friend out to dinner.. I will be meeting them at the Bart.
Looking for a nice place with inventive food,, not dastardly expensive.. Have done the Hong Kong Flower.. probably not looking for Asian. Californian cuisine.. Hmm?
I like Il Forniao's ambiance.. but a small place that is bustling would be fun too.. Probably.. me being the older one.. will not want to wait,would rather have reservations.. thank you
ps.. I wrote a thread ages ago.. when we were moving up here possibly to Portola Valley, so many of your responded!! Well we ended up in Redwood City very close to Woodside..
We have started our dive into the restaurants slowly(its only been three weeks) thanks!!


text:
Date | January 2014
Location | Cottonwood Heights
Hair/MUA | Miss Monet
Dress | Gateway Bridal & Prom
Model | Valeria Crandall Glenn
Flower Crown | Junebug Floral
Woodsy Bridal Photography | Morgan Leigh Photography
At the end of 2013 I was contacted by a MUA friend of mine. She asked if I would like to be involved with a few shoots she was dreaming up. I said yes and when Rachel sent over her inspiration boards I knew this would be one of the funnest projects I would work on. What started as a couple of shoots has turned into a personal project. There is no theme and no cohesion. It's more about shooting for fun and stretching my skills as a photographer.
I will be sharing these shoots throughout the year but today I am sharing the first. The idea was to shoot a bride in a beautiful winteresque landscape. We weren't looking for 6+ feet of snow and ice. Showcasing the beauty in barren trees, shrubs, and fields was the perfect juxtaposition for a beautiful, young bride.
My personal goal was to give hope to all the winter brides. Winter weddings can beautiful with or without snow.


text:
We will help you find a local mandarin tutor in Stoke-on-Trent and across the UK. Home mandarin tuition is an excellent way to bolster confidence while improving grades and doesn't have to be dull! Please use our service to find Stoke-on-Trent mandarin tutors and select which best fits your requirements.
First Tutors is the best place to find the top Stoke-on-Trent mandarin tutors for your needs, enabling you to find a home Stoke-on-Trent mandarin teacher for any subject including GCSE English, A-Level Maths or even university Biology. We also help with language tuition, so if you want to learn German, take a Arabic course or prepare yourself for German life, we can help - and all in Stoke-on-Trent! We order mandarin Stoke-on-Trent tutors in your area according to their mandarin tuition charges and distance from you.
If you are a Stoke-on-Trent mandarin teacher wishing to offer your private mandarin tuition services in Stoke-on-Trent or anywhere else across the UK, please register with First Tutors or find out more about us here. Private mandarin tuition is a great way to re-affirm your mandarin knowledge while helping someone else, all in your local Stoke-on-Trent area!


text:
High Capacity Electric Stapler
Jam-free stapling with Optima premium staples. Perfect for an individual desk or as a shared facility in a busy, small to medium sized office. Robust metal mechanism, strong silver plastic casing and comfortable rubber grip on handle and base.
• Flat clinch mechanism for neater stacks of paper.
• Illuminated staple placement guide lights the area to be stapled on your paper
• LED low staple indicator alerts you to refill before running out of staples
• Staple storage drawer to keep extra strips handy
• Box of 500 Rexel Optima HD70 staples included
• Use with Optima HD70 staples


text:
Discussion in 'Introductions and Welcomes' started by Avalon, Jul 20, 2014.
Just saying hi!
Sent using BrownCafe App
And welcome, to the Brown Cafe!
Howdy y'all.
What kind of car do you drive
Please do not pay attention to most posts (except mine) and you will be fine!
I love Lionel Richie
What up player? What's on your mind. I'm about to drift of into the dark. You ever realized when you close your eyes and are unconscious things are at there best?
And I am saying bye
Sent using BrownCafe App
"....I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello.....hello hello...."
Separate names with a comma.


text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Apr 3, 1990
|Filing date
|Feb 17, 1989
|Priority date
|Sep 22, 1987
|Fee status
|Publication number
|John B. Shaposka, Dudley Spencer
|Original Assignee
|Denco, Inc.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (3), Referenced by (52), Classifications (36), Legal Events (10)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 195,772 filed May 19, 1988 which, in turn is a division of application Ser. No. 99,714, filed Sept. 22, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,735, issued Sept. 13, 1988.
This invention relates to improvements in the welding of thermoplastic tubes. Various techniques are known for such welding operations. Copending application Ser. No. 51,390, filed May 18, 1987, the details of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto, discusses prior techniques as well as the particular techniques which are the subject of that invention. A common use of such techniques is in dialysis when it is necessary to provide a patient with a fresh supply of liquid dialysate. Under such circumstances the tube containing the old dialysate which leads from the patient to the supply is severed. The same apparatus severs a tube leading from the new supply. The conventional techniques involve realigning the cut tubes so that the tube section from the new supply becomes aligned with the tube section from the patient. These aligned tube sections are then welded together to provide the patient with fresh dialysate.
The main emphasis in the techniques used heretofore have been concerned with the welding of fluid-filled tubes. With such techniques means had to be provided to flatten or seal each tube at two spaced locations so that a cutting device, usually a heated wafer, may cut through the tube between the two spaced locations.
The conventional approaches taken heretofore have also been generally confined to cutting through parallel tubes and then realigning the tube so as to form a single welded tube. Under certain circumstances, however, it would be desirable if the techniques could be utilized for welding a branch tube to a main tube.
It would also be desirable if techniques could be provided which are capable of welding fluid filled tubes wherein the cutting and welding steps take place in a portion of the tubes where there is no fluid.
An object of this invention is to provide a method of welding thermoplastic tubes which are severed and welded while in their dry undistorted condition.
A further object of this invention is to provide a device and method of welding a branch tube to a main tube.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a device and method for welding round tubes containing fluid wherein the severing and welding steps take place at a location having an air pocket.
In accordance with one aspect of this invention a pair of dry round tubes are mounted in a holding device and are maintained in their dry round condition while the welding step takes place. In one embodiment of this invention, the tubes are mounted in a parallel relation during the severing step and then realigned for the welding step. In an alternative embodiment the tubes are pre-cut and then aligned to eliminate the need for a shifting or realignment step.
A further aspect of this invention involves the welding of a branch tube to a main tube. This is accomplished in a device wherein two tubes are mounted in non-parallel relation with a cutting device, preferably a heated wafer, moving relative to the tubes so as to completely cut through one tube and form two sections and to cut a notch from the other tube. The wafer is preferably non-linear so that non-linear cuts result of complementary shape. The cut tubes are shifted to align one tube section with the complementary shaped notched other tube and these aligned tubes are welded together so that the tube section forms a branch of the other tube.
In yet another practice of this invention the tubes are mounted in a holding device wherein at least one of the holding devices includes two spaced pairs of clamping jaws with a gap therebetween for sealing the tube at two spaced locations. One of the pairs of clamping jaws includes a false floor for pressing against an area of the tube in a compression zone between the spaced locations and forming a partial vacuum in the compression zone. The movement of the false floor away from the tube creates an air pocket at the gap so that a cutting device may cut through the tube at the air pocket.
FIGS. 1-7 are plan views schematically illustrating the sequence of steps in accordance with one practice of this invention;
FIGS. 8-11 are plan views schematically illustrating the sequence of steps in accordance with a further practice of this invention;
FIGS. 12 is a plan view schematically illustrating the first in a sequence of steps in accordance with yet another practice of this invention;
FIG. 13 is a side elevation view showing a further step in accordance with the practice of FIG. 12;
FIGS. 14-15 are plan views of yet further steps in accordance with the practice of FIGS. 12-13;
FIG. 16 is an elevation view partly in section illustrating the correction of a branch tube to a main tube which results from the practice of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 12-15;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the device used in the practice of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1215; and
FIGS. 18-21 are elevation views schematically illustrating the sequence of steps in yet still another practice of this invention.
FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a practice of this invention which is remarkably simpler than the conventional practice dealing with the welding of fluid filled tubes since the practice of FIGS. 1-7 is directed to dry tubes. As previously indicated the prior art has concentrated its efforts on the welding of fluid filled thermoplastic tubes such as used in dialysis. There are, however, many circumstances ignored by the prior art where it is desirable to weld thermoplastic tubes which do not contain fluid, but rather are in a dry condition. Such circumstances could include laboratory or test work as well as hospital pharmacy routines or methods wherein fluid is supplied only periodically. FIGS. 1-7 schematically illustrate the principles upon which this aspect of the invention is based. It is to be understood that once given the teachings of this invention those skilled in the art could use any suitable equipment for carrying out the invention. Copending application Ser. No. 51,390 filed May 18, 1987 for example describes suitable equipment which could be modified to eliminate the clamping steps and otherwise be used in the practice of this invention. Accordingly, the details of that application are incorporated herein by reference thereto, rather than describing those details except as is necessary herein for an understanding of this invention.
As shown in FIG. 1 a pair of tubes 10, 12 made of thermoplastic material such as conventionally known in the prior art is mounted in parallel relation in a holding device 14 which includes a first clamp unit 16 and a second clamp unit 18 spaced from each other to form a gap 20. Although units 16 and 18 are referred to as clamp units, the only clamping that is necessary is to hold the tubes in place without flattening the tubes which differs from the prior art approach. During this loading step wafers 22, 24 are heated to their intended temperatures. Wafer 22 is a cutting wafer and is heated for example to 350° F. Wafer 22 is preferably provided with a non-stick surface. Wafer 24 is made for example of nichrome and is heated to a temperature between 500°-1200° F. since it functions in the welding step. Such wafers are known in the art.
FIG. 2 illustrates the severing step in which there is relative movement between the holding device 14 and wafer 22 so that warm wafer 22 passes into gap 20 to cut through tubes 10, 12.
FIG. 3 shows the sequence of operation wherein clamping unit 16 is moved away from clamping unit 18.
FIG. 4 illustrates the realigning step wherein clamping unit 16 is shifted as indicated so that a tube section from tube 10 in clamping unit 16 becomes aligned with a tube section from clamping unit 18. In this step warm wafer 22 is no longer between the cut tubes; rather hot wafer 24 is located between the aligned tube sections.
FIG. 5 illustrates the step wherein there is a pause to allow radiant heat from hot wafer 24 to melt and simultaneously sterilize the aligned tube ends.
FIG. 6 illustrates the step wherein hot wafer 24 is moved away from the aligned tube ends.
FIG. 7 illustrates the final sequence wherein clamping unit 18 is shifted to push the heated aligned tube ends together and effect the weld.
The advantages of the method of FIGS. 1-7 is that it provides a simplified technique for joining round dry tubes.
FIGS. 8-11 show a variation of the method of FIGS. 1-7. As indicated therein tube 26 and tube 28 are pre-cut so that their tube ends are reasonably squared. FIG. 8 illustrates the initial step where the pre-cut tubes 26, 28 are mounted in a pair of clamping units 30, 32 similar to units 16, 18 except that units 30, 32 need accommodate only one tube rather than a pair of tubes. As shown in FIG. 8 tube ends 26, 28 are pressed against a cold wafer 34.
FIG. 9 illustrates the next step of operation wherein the wafer 34 is turned on or heated and the tube ends 26, 28 are pressed into contact with wafer 34 by the shifting of clamping units 30, 32. During this step the surface of the tube ends is flattened to assure proper contact during the later welding step. The presence of the non-heated tubes holds down the wafer temperature. The wafer itself could be provided with a built-in temperature control.
FIG. 10 illustrates the next step wherein clamping units 30, 32 are moved away from each other to pull the tubes out of contact with and away from wafer 34. This allows the wafer temperature to rise and radiantly melt the exposed tube ends.
FIG. 11 shows the next step wherein wafer 34 is moved away from the tube ends. Clamping units 30, 32 are then moved toward each other to press the tubes together and make the weld.
The practice of FIGS. 8-11 thus includes all of the advantages of the practice of FIGS. 1-7 but is even more simplified because it eliminates the shifting step.
FIGS. 12-17 relate to the practice of this invention wherein a branch tube is connected to a main tube. The device for practicing this embodiment of the invention is best illustrated in FIG. 17. It is noted that this practice may be used with fluid filled tubes.
As shown in FIG. 17 branch welding device 36 includes a holding device which comprises a first clamping unit 38 and a second clamping unit 40. Clamping unit 38 clamps a first tube 42 in a particular orientation while clamping unit 40 clamps a second tube 44 in a non-parallel orientation. For example, as illustrated one of the tubes 42 is horizontal while the other tube 44 is vertical or perpendicular thereto. It is to be understood however that any suitable non-parallel relationship may be used within the practice of this invention. Each clamping unit comprises two sets of clamping jaws. Clamping unit 38 includes for example a set of clamping jaws 46, 48 and a second set of spaced clamping jaws 50, 52 so as to press against and clamp tube 42. Clamping unit 40 includes a pair of clamping jaws 54, 56 which cooperate with clamping jaws 50, 52 to clamp tube 44. The various clamping jaws are spaced from each other to provide gaps which jointly form an unobstructed path 58 into which the tubes 42 and 44 extend.
In the preferred practice of this invention the cutting and heating is accomplished by a wafer 60 which is bent so as to be non-linear. Wafer 60 is positioned for relative movement in path 58 by either maintaining the wafer stationery and moving holding device 36 or, as illustrated, by mounting wafer 60 on any suitable support 62 which would be appropriately positioned so that it could move wafer 60 through path 58 without support 62 contacting the tubes.
FIG. 12 shows the step wherein tubes 42, 44 are mounted in the clamping units 36, 40 and flattened by moving clamping jaws 46, 48 and jaws 54, 56 toward stationary jaws or anvils 50, 52 as indicated by the arrows.
After the flattening step of FIG. 12 the severing step of FIG. 13 takes place. As illustrated wafer 60 cuts completely through tube 42 to form a pair of tube sections 42a, 42b. Because wafer 60 is non-linear the tube sections likewise have non-linear ends. As wafer 60 continues to move through path 58 wafer 60 cuts a notch from tube 44 with the notch having a shape complementary to the non-linear end of tube end 42b such as a V-shape. The severed material 44a (FIGS. 14-15) would have a shape complementary to tube end 42a. As illustrated, path 58 has a shape conforming to the shape of wafer 60.
FIG. 14 illustrate the next step of operation wherein wafer 60 is removed from path 58 and the clamping jaws are moved toward the realigning position that is illustrated in FIG. 15. In this realigning position tube end 42b fits into the notch in tube 44. Tube end 42 comprises a stub end which is sealed because of its flattened condition. Severed material 44a will later be discarded. The aligned tube end 42b and tube 44 are then pressed together as shown in FIG. 15 to effect the welding operation in the known manner.
FIG. 16 illustrates the resulting tube structure wherein tube 44 comprises a main tube and tube end 42b is the branch tube.
The embodiment of FIGS. 12-17 has a number of advantages. For example, the tubes 42, 44 need not be of the same diameter to be joined together. Additionally, the branch tube could be connected to the main tube at any angle and need not be perpendicular thereto.
FIGS. 18-21 illustrate yet a further practice. The device 64 is utilized for forming an air pocket in the tube being cut so that the wafer may cut through the air pocket in the otherwise fluid filled tube. FIGS. 18-21 illustrate the practice of this invention involving the cutting of a single tube. The invention may be practiced wherein the same concept of air pocket cutting may be used for both tubes to be welded together or wherein an air pocket is formed in only one of the pair of tubes.
As shown in FIG. 18 tube 66 is loaded or installed in spaced holding devices 68, 69 having a gap therebetween. Each holding device comprises a set of clamping jaws. One set of clamping jaws includes a lower jaw 70 having a clamping edge 72. Jaw 70 is associated with upper jaw 74 having a clamping edge 76. The second set of clamping jaws includes a lower jaw 78 having a clamping edge 80. The central portion of clamping jaw 78 includes a passageway which is plugged by a false floor 82 in the form of a slidable block having its upper surface generally coplanar with the upper surface of jaw 78 as illustrated. Upper clamping jaw 84 has a flat lower surface 86 along the major part of its length so that a corner of clamping jaw 84 is located in line with clamping edge 80. A trigger 88 or movable stop is located below false floor 82 to maintain false floor 82 in the position shown in FIG. 18.
When upper clamping jaws 74 and 84 are moved downwardly toward the lower clamping jaws tube 66 is sealed or flattened at two spaced locations 90, 92. An area of tube 66 is also compressed where clamping jaw 84 presses the tube 66 against false floor 82. This area is referred to as a compression zone 94. The portions of tube 66 outwardly of sealed points 90, 92 are under normal pressure. In the condition shown in FIG. 19 tube 66 is filled with fluid throughout the region between sealed points 90, 92.
FIG. 20 shows the next step of operation wherein trigger 88 is shifted out of contact with false floor 82. As a result floor 82 drops in the passageway of clamping jaw 78 so that tube 66 is no longer under compression in the compression zone. As a result tube 66 tends to expand toward its original diameter which creates a partial vacuum in compression zone 94. At the same time the wafer holder is beginning to move wafer 96 into the gap 98 between the clamping units 64, 68.
Hot wafer 96 is then moved through gap 98 to cut through tube 66. The severing of tube 66 by the hot wafer 96 creates an air pocket 100 to be formed caused by air being sucked into the tube 66 as indicated by the arrows 102. The fluid remains in tube 66 without flowing into the air pocket 100 because for example of surface tension with a miniscus being formed at each of the cut ends of tube 66.
The practice of this invention is particularly intended to be used with small diameter tubes such as 3/8" or less so that the air pocket 100 will be maintained without fluid flowing into the air pocket. It is also to be understood that although FIG. 21 illustrates the cutting operation to take place by using a vertically moving wafer 96, the invention may be practiced with a horizontally moving wafer.
The embodiment of FIGS. 18-21 is particularly advantageous because it utilizes the partial vacuum effect to cause fluid to jump away from the initial cut tube and permit an air pocket to result. Although the cut tube is essentially filled with fluid the presence of the air pocket and the negative pressure protects the operator from the contents of the fluid. This practice is also advantageous because it is a simple operation which is transparent to the operator.
After a pair of tubes have been cut, using the concepts of FIGS. 18-21 for at least one tube, the cut tubes are shifted into realignment and welded as previously described.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Jun 4, 1981
|Jan 25, 1983
|E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
|Sterile docking process, apparatus and system
|Jul 6, 1982
|May 14, 1985
|Spencer Dudley W C
|Sterile docking process, apparatus and system
|Mar 12, 1985
|Oct 28, 1986
|E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company
|Sterile, cold cut connection process, apparatus and system
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Oct 29, 1990
|Oct 27, 1992
|Denco, Inc.
|Total containment welding or plastic tubes
|May 22, 1992
|Mar 30, 1993
|Sm Engineering Ag
|Method and device for ultrasonic welding or printing ribbons
|May 26, 1992
|Sep 28, 1993
|Denco Inc.
|Sterile entry/exit total containment process for closed systems using plastic tubes
|Dec 2, 1994
|Aug 8, 1995
|Brickenstein; Wolf-Jurgen
|Process for welding profiles, in particular plastic profiles
|Mar 6, 1995
|Oct 7, 1997
|Denco, Inc.
|Total containment welding of plastic tubes
|Dec 4, 1996
|Sep 8, 1998
|Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
|Tube connecting apparatus
|Mar 31, 1995
|Sep 22, 1998
|Pall Corporation
|Fluid delivery systems and methods and assemblies for making connections
|Sep 17, 1997
|Jan 5, 1999
|Denco, Inc.
|Sterile containment welding device for plastic tubes
|Feb 28, 1996
|Feb 9, 1999
|Pall Corporation
|Connector assembly
|May 28, 1998
|Jan 29, 2002
|Pall Corporation
|Fluid delivery systems and methods and assemblies for making connections
|Jan 4, 2002
|Mar 25, 2003
|Pall Corporation
|Fluid delivery systems and methods and assemblies for making connections
|May 8, 1998
|Dec 2, 2003
|Pall Corporation
|Connector assemblies, fluid systems, and methods for making a connection
|Jan 31, 2002
|Jul 5, 2005
|Baxter International Inc.
|Apparatus and method for connecting and disconnecting flexible tubing
|Mar 15, 2000
|Sep 20, 2005
|Pall Corporation
|Biological fluid filter and system
|Sep 20, 2002
|Jun 5, 2007
|Baxter International Inc.
|Laser weldable flexible medical tubings, films and assemblies thereof
|Sep 20, 2002
|Oct 2, 2007
|Baxter International Inc.
|Coupler member for joining dissimilar materials
|Jun 14, 2005
|Apr 22, 2008
|Pall Corporation
|Biological fluid filter and system
|Jul 31, 2006
|Jul 15, 2008
|Denco Inc.
|Device for welding plastic tubes
|Apr 5, 2005
|Dec 2, 2008
|Baxter International Inc.
|Apparatus and method for connecting and disconnecting flexible tubing
|Mar 29, 2004
|May 25, 2010
|Baxter International Inc.
|Method for sterile connection of tubing
|Jul 11, 2007
|Jun 8, 2010
|Denco, Inc.
|Ozone infection control device
|Jun 22, 2009
|Nov 29, 2011
|Genesis Bps, Llc
|Clamp locking mechanism in device for welding plastic tubes
|Oct 23, 2008
|Apr 3, 2012
|Baxter International Inc.
|Apparatus and method for connecting and disconnecting flexible tubing
|May 24, 2010
|Apr 24, 2012
|Baxter International
|Apparatus for sterile connection of tubing
|Feb 16, 2011
|May 28, 2013
|Fenwal, Inc.
|Sterile docking device, medical fluid flow system with sterile docking device and method of using same
|Sep 13, 2010
|Jun 4, 2013
|Pall Corporation
|Connector assemblies, fluid systems including connector assemblies, and procedures for making fluid connections
|Jun 10, 2009
|Apr 29, 2014
|Genesis Bps, Llc
|Device for welding plastic tubes
|Dec 12, 2012
|Dec 1, 2015
|Fenwal, Inc.
|Fluid flow conduits and apparatus and methods for making and joining fluid conduits
|Apr 29, 2014
|Dec 8, 2015
|Genesis Bps, Llc
|Device for welding plastic tubes
|Jun 6, 2013
|Apr 12, 2016
|Fenwal, Inc.
|Bonding apparatus and method
|Jun 19, 2014
|Sep 13, 2016
|Fenwal, Inc.
|Sterile connection device for making multiple connections
|Jan 31, 2002
|Jul 31, 2003
|Landherr Frank J.
|Apparatus and method for connecting and disconnecting flexible tubing
|Sep 20, 2002
|Jul 31, 2003
|Sherwin Shang
|Laser weldable flexible medical tubings, films and assemblies thereof
|Sep 20, 2002
|Jul 31, 2003
|Tahua Yang
|Laser weldable flexible medical tubings, films and assemblies thereof
|Mar 29, 2004
|Sep 29, 2005
|Baxter International, Inc.
|Method for sterile connection of tubing
|Jun 14, 2005
|Nov 10, 2005
|Pall Corporation
|Biological fluid filter and system
|Jul 31, 2006
|Jan 31, 2008
|Ivansons Ivars V
|Device for welding plastic tubes
|Jul 11, 2007
|Jan 15, 2009
|Ivansons Ivars V
|Ozone infection control device
|Oct 23, 2008
|Feb 26, 2009
|Baxter International Inc.
|Apparatus and method for connecting and disconnecting flexible tubing
|May 24, 2010
|Sep 9, 2010
|Baxter International Inc.
|Apparatus for sterile connection of tubing
|Jun 10, 2009
|Dec 16, 2010
|Ivansons Ivars V
|Device for welding plastic tubes
|Jun 22, 2009
|Dec 23, 2010
|Ivansons Ivars V
|Clamp locking mechanism in device for welding plastic tubes
|Feb 20, 2002
|Aug 18, 2010
|Pall Corporation
|Container for biological fluid
|Mar 28, 2012
|Oct 24, 2012
|Pall Corporation
|Detection of bacteria in biological fluids
|Nov 30, 2012
|Jun 12, 2013
|Pall Corporation
|Leukocyte purification
|Apr 24, 2013
|Dec 11, 2013
|Pall Corporation
|Filter device
|Apr 24, 2013
|Dec 11, 2013
|Pall Corporation
|Cell harvesting device and system
|Jul 17, 2007
|Sep 10, 2014
|Genesis Bps, Llc
|Device for welding plastic tubes
|Aug 12, 2014
|May 6, 2015
|Pall Corporation
|Multi-chamber freezing bag
|Jul 29, 1999
|Feb 17, 2000
|Pall Corporation
|Biological fluid processing system
|Sep 29, 1999
|Apr 13, 2000
|Pall Corporation
|Biological fluid filter and system
|Jul 17, 2007
|Feb 7, 2008
|Denco, Inc.
|Device for welding plastic tubes
|U.S. Classification
|156/158, 156/322, 156/507, 156/304.6, 156/499, 156/304.2, 604/905, 156/503
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Nov 2, 1993
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Feb 24, 1994
|Surcharge for late payment
|Feb 24, 1994
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Feb 13, 1998
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Mar 17, 1998
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8
|Mar 17, 1998
|Surcharge for late payment
|Oct 23, 2001
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Apr 3, 2002
|Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
|May 28, 2002
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20020403
|Dec 17, 2010
Owner name: GENESIS BPS, LLC, NEW JERSEY
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DENCO, INC.;REEL/FRAME:025517/0820
Effective date: 20101015