Abstract: An aqueous slurry composition containing microcapsules dispersed in an aqueous medium. The microcapsules contain an ionic acrylate copolymer shell encapsulating an oily medium. Upon drying, the microcapsules release the oily medium. The slurry is useful in delivering a variety of water-insoluble substances via an aqueous medium including cosmetic or agricultural agents.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hot water storage tank support system and a water heater pan. In one implementation, the hot water tank support system comprises a water heat pan having a bottom wall, an outer wall extending upwardly from and substantially surrounding the bottom wall, and at least one elevated support feature, and at least one substantially rigid supplemental support component. The at least one elevated support feature is configured to support the hot water storage tank, and the at least one elevated support feature includes at least one supplemental support cavity configured to receive the at least one supplemental support component. In some implementations, the supplemental support component(s) may be insertable and removable from the water heater pan.

Abstract: A pipe fitting includes a socket that receives an end of a pipe section therein such that a gap exists between an outer surface of the pipe section and an inner surface of the socket. A pair of ports extend through the socket and are in fluid communication with the gap. A clamp secures the pipe section within the socket as a bonding agent is extruded into the gap via a port. The clamp includes a pair of arcuate segments, each having an inner circumferential wall, first and second end portions, and an elongated sealing member. Each arcuate segment includes a plurality of spring-loaded devices, each having a distal end portion extending through the inner circumferential wall that is urged into contact with the pipe section outer surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides valve assembly for use in a floor drain. In various embodiments, the valve assembly comprises a substantially cylindrical seal frame, the seal frame defining a seal frame wall and at least one support wall extending in the longitudinal direction of the seal frame, a flexible sealing member located proximate a distal end of the seal frame, and an attachment tab configured to secure the flexible sealing member to the seal frame, wherein the seal frame and the support wall are further configured to create a resting deflection of the flexible sealing member, such that fluid may flow through the valve assembly in one direction, and the flow of gasses through the valve assembly is prevented in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Provided herein are adhesive compositions comprising a polyurea-poly(meth)acrylate interpenetrating polymer network. Further provided are two-part curable adhesive compositions comprising a Part A initiator composition and a Part B activator composition. The Part A initiator composition comprises an organoborane-amine complex and the Part B activator composition comprises an isocyanate that is reactive with the amine portion of the organoborane-amine complex to liberate organoborane from the organoborane-amine complex. Further provided are methods of using an adhesive composition comprising a polyurea-poly(meth)acrylate interpenetrating polymer network, such as, for example, in joining and/or bonding together polyolefin materials (e.g., polypropylene random copolymer (PP-R) pipes).

Abstract: An overflow assembly including an overflow cap and a locking ring is described that allows liquid (e.g., water) being received or collected in a plumbing fixture (e.g., a bathtub) to flow into an overflow pipe in an effective, aesthetically pleasing manner using components that are easier to install than some conventional solutions. The locking ring has a threaded inner surface that is designed to be threaded onto an externally threaded end of the overflow pipe that is extended through a wall of the plumbing fixture to secure the overflow pipe with respect to the wall. The overflow cap may then be pressed onto the externally threaded end of the overflow pipe, such that it engages the externally threaded end via engagement tabs. The overflow cap can be removed from the end of the overflow pipe by rotating the cap to unthread it from the threaded end of the overflow pipe.

Abstract: A pipe fitting includes a tubular member comprising a socket and a centering device within the socket. The socket is configured to receive an end of a pipe section therein such that a gap exists between an outer surface of the pipe section and an inner surface of the socket. An annular pipe stop extends from the inner surface of the socket and is configured to matingly engage with the end of the pipe section. A pair of ports extend through the tubular member in circumferentially spaced-apart relationship and are in fluid communication with the gap. The centering device is configured to maintain a coaxial relationship between the pipe section and the socket and such that the gap is substantially circumferentially uniform. A removable and reusable clamp secures the pipe section within the socket as a bonding agent is extruded into the gap via one of the ports.

Abstract: The present invention provides valve assembly for use in a floor drain. In various embodiments, the valve assembly comprises a substantially cylindrical seal frame, the seal frame defining a seal frame wall and at least one support wall extending in the longitudinal direction of the seal frame, a flexible sealing member located proximate a distal end of the seal frame, and an attachment tab configured to secure the flexible sealing member to the seal frame, wherein the seal frame and the support wall are further configured to create a resting deflection of the flexible sealing member, such that fluid may flow through the valve assembly in one direction, and the flow of gasses through the valve assembly is prevented in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Provided is an exhaust vent for venting air including a base member configured to be secured to a structure. The base member may define an opening in fluid communication with an exhaust conduit of the structure and a raised flange disposed around the opening. The exhaust vent may also include a removable vent adapter, wherein the adapter is configured to connect to the raised flange and maintain fluid communication between the opening and the exhaust conduit. A substantially hollow housing may be attached to the base member and configured to cover the opening of the base member and maintain fluid communication between the opening and an exterior of the housing. A pivoting damper may also be disposed within the substantially hollow housing configured to rest atop the opening of the base member when in a closed position.

Abstract: A tubular strainer having a wall defining interior and exterior surfaces, and a first flange on the upper end of the wall, a tubular insert having a cylindrical wall sized for reception by the tubular strainer, and a second flange carried by the insert wall, an elastomeric seal having a tubular body fittingly sealingly carried by the insert cylindrical wall, the seal body configured for progressive compressive radial sealing engagement with the strainer wall interior surface when endwise inserted by the insert within said tubular strainer.

Abstract: An air admittance valve which when subjected to a negative pressure condition vents a pipe system to an ambient environment. Generally, the air admittance valve includes a housing, a cartridge, and a sealing member. The housing includes one or more vents disposed in its wall and may be engaged with the pipe system at one end. The cartridge may have one or more inlets defining one or more inlet openings, where the one or more inlets are connected to a central chamber that has an opening with a sealing structure. The sealing member interacts with the sealing structure of the cartridge to allow one-way airflow from the central chamber to the pipe system. The cartridge and sealing member may be inserted into the housing such that the one or more inlet openings substantially align with the one or more vents in the housing.

Abstract: A pneumatic test plug and inflation assembly for the same are provided. The pneumatic test plug may include an inflatable bladder formed by a bladder wall that is elastically deformable, the bladder wall having at least one open end. A housing may be disposed in the open end of the bladder wall, the housing having a mounting surface. An inflation valve may be mounted to the mounting surface, with the inflation valve having an interior end in fluid communication with an interior area of the bladder. The inflation valve may define a main air passageway through which air is introduced into the interior area. The mounting surface may be recessed into the interior area of the bladder relative to the open end in the bladder wall such that the housing defines a cavity within the inflatable bladder.

Abstract: An air admittance valve which when subjected to a negative pressure condition vents a pipe system to an ambient environment. Generally, the air admittance valve includes a housing, a cartridge, and a sealing member. The housing includes one or more vents disposed in its wall and may be engaged with the pipe system at one end. The cartridge may have one or more inlets defining one or more inlet openings, where the one or more inlets are connected to a central chamber that has an opening with a sealing structure. The sealing member interacts with the sealing structure of the cartridge to allow one-way airflow from the central chamber to the pipe system. The cartridge and sealing member may be inserted into the housing such that the one or more inlet openings substantially align with the one or more vents in the housing.

Abstract: Plumbing outlet boxes, such as for connecting washing machines, ice makers, and other plumbed appliances to plumbing systems, are provided that can be attached to each other without the use of separate connectors or mounting brackets. In particular, plumbing outlet boxes are described that include receiving features and mounting tabs extending outwardly from the side walls. The receiving features and mounting tabs are arranged such that the plumbing outlet box has rotational symmetry. In this way, receiving features may be engaged with mounting tabs of an adjacent plumbing outlet box regardless of the relative orientation of the mating plumbing outlet boxes.

Abstract: Plumbing outlet boxes, such as for connecting washing machines, ice makers, and other plumbed appliances to plumbing systems, are provided that can be attached to each other without the use of separate connectors or mounting brackets. In particular, plumbing outlet boxes are described that include receiving features and mounting tabs extending outwardly from the side walls. The receiving features and mounting tabs are arranged such that the plumbing outlet box has rotational symmetry. In this way, receiving features may be engaged with mounting tabs of an adjacent plumbing outlet box regardless of the relative orientation of the mating plumbing outlet boxes.

Abstract: Plumbing outlet boxes, such as for connecting washing machines, ice makers, and other plumbed appliances to plumbing systems, are provided that can be attached to each other in an assembly via a bracket. The plumbing outlet boxes may include one or more connectors. The assembly may further include a bracket having a plurality of engaging portions for engaging the connectors of the plumbing outlet boxes. The bracket may engage the plumbing outlet boxes to each other and/or to a stud within a wall.

Abstract: A coupler is described that precludes fluid communication between the first and second pipes attached on either side of the coupler. The coupler may be used in installations where a line branches off from a sewer main for future connection to a home or other building. The coupler includes a barrier wall located between first and second portions of the coupler, and the barrier wall precludes fluid communication between the first and second ends of the coupler. Moreover, the second portion defines an area of weakness that is designed to fail (e.g., flex or crack) when a failure force is applied near the second end, such as when an exposed (above-ground) portion of piping connected to the coupler is struck. In this way, the barrier wall and the first portion of the main wall can remain intact and continue to protect against entry of fluids into the sewer system.

Abstract: Adhesive composition for bonding and filling large assemblies, including a mixture of about 5 percent to about 75 percent by weight of a thermoplastic polymer, about 0.5 percent to about 35 percent by weight of a polyester resin or vinyl ester resin, and about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate monomer.