Abstract: An apparatus and a method for closing or sealing a flexible tubular conduit from within the conduit devised particularly for use in a slaughterhouse for sealing the anal passages of animal, and especially sheep carcasses to prevent their being soiled. The apparatus has an elongated member or barrel having a mouth at an operative end which is inserted into the conduit. Suction is applied to draw a flap of the conduit into the mouth and a stretched elastic ring which is carried on a ring support about the barrel is released by a ring releasing device to pass over the mouth and flap to contract about the flap and close or seal the conduit. The mouth is preferably annular and closable to clamp the flap while the ring is being released.

Abstract: A device for expanding elastic rings by sliding the rings along a conical mandrel. Rings in the expanded state are controllably released from the large diameter end of the mandrel. The rings are moved along the mandrel by either pneumatic or mechanical means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatically powered tool for expanding elastic rings. The expander includes four prongs which in use are passed through a ring and forced apart by a pneumatic ram to stretch the ring into a square by a reverse cam action of a pneumatic ram thereby opening two jaws which each carry one prong. The second pair of prongs are carried by two arms each linked to a jaw so as to open and close with the jaws. The arms are also directly coupled to the ram so that when it acts to open the jaws it also slides the arms longitudinally along the jaws so that the arm prongs are forced longitudinally apart from the corresponding jaw prongs.When a double acting pneumatic ram is used a tool mounted two-section two-way rocker valve directs compressed air to the appropriate side of the ram piston and allows air to be exhausted from the opposite side.