Abstract: A process for providing an overmolded waterway comprising inserting a shaft portion of a sacrificial core into an end of a tube, the shaft portion having a first opening therein, the sacrificial core having a second portion comprising a second opening and a contact surface about the second opening, the second opening in fluid communication with the first opening and the inside of the tube, in a mold cavity inserting a core pin transverse to the tube end, the sacrificial core contact surface engaging a mating surface of the core pin closing the second opening, injection overmolding over a portion of the tube end and core pin forming an overmolded waterway having an outlet portion in fluid communication with the second opening and the inside of the tube, and removing the core pin from the second opening through the outlet portion and removing the overmolded waterway from the mold cavity.

Abstract: A nut and ferrule assembly including a nut having an internal-threaded bore along a nut axis and a nut sealing surface, the threads of the internal-threaded bore having a nut thread pitch and a nut thread minor diameter, a ferrule having an annular body forming an axial bore and a ferrule sealing surface, the ferrule sealing surface corresponding to the nut sealing surface, the ferrule further having a protrusion extending outwardly from the body around at least a portion of the body, the outside diameter of the protrusion being greater than the nut thread minor diameter, and the ferrule positioned within the internal-threaded bore.

Abstract: A tube connection assembly includes a first connector along a connection axis having a first engagement surface transverse to the connection axis, and a second connector connected to a tube, the second connector having a second engagement surface transverse to the connection axis. The first connector and the second connector are engagable together joining the first and second connectors in a coupled state, the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface spaced a predetermined distance when in the coupled state. A fastener is provided positionable in a locked state and an unlocked state, the fastener in the unlocked state being slidable along the tube, and the fastener in the locked state retaining the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface. The fastener may include a pair of opposing retaining surfaces spaced at least the predetermined distance, at least one of the retaining surfaces having a lead-in.

Abstract: A method for reshaping a tube end using a reshaping tool incorporating a tool head and clamp for reshaping the cross section of a tube constructed from one or more polymer materials. The clamp holds the tube in place while the head portion of the tool, which is moveable with respect to the clamp, engages the tube for reshaping its profile cross section. The tube may be crosslinked polyethylene tube.

Abstract: A molded waterway assembly for a centerset faucet including a hot water inlet tube, a cold water inlet tube, and a central body of a coupler overmolded within hot and cold water bodies of the coupler.

Abstract: A process for making a crosslinked assembly includes steps of: selecting a desired performance parameter for a molded assembly of a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component bonded to the first polymeric component, controlling a first crosslinking percentage for the first polymeric component and a second crosslinking percentage for the second polymeric component independently to provide the desired performance parameter for the assembly, orienting the assembly at an angle between an orientation axis of the assembly and a electron beam direction, exposing the oriented assembly a predetermined number of times (N) to the electron beam operable to deliver a predetermined amount of radiation (R) in the electron beam direction providing a total radiation exposure proportional to (N×R) providing the first component crosslinking percentage and the second component crosslinking percentage, the resulting assembly having the desired performance parameter.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to capturing a covering such as a braid on a exterior profile of a plastic tube by overmolding onto a plumbing tube, wherein a circumferentially surrounding covering or braid is modified prior to the overmolding process.

Abstract: A reservoir for use in a water distribution system within a refrigeration device includes a container having a vessel portion terminating in a neck having an opening, and a cap sealingly engaging the neck. The cap has an internal surface in communication with an interior of the vessel portion, an external surface opposite the internal surface, an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture through the cap in fluid communication with the container opening, and an inlet tube in fluid communication with the inlet aperture extending from the external surface. The cap may sealingly engage the neck by only one seal. The cap may further include an outlet tube in fluid communication with the outlet aperture extending from the external surface. In certain embodiments, a dip tube may be provided in fluid communication with the outlet aperture extending from the internal surface into the vessel portion.

Abstract: A diverter assembly (12) for use with a faucet assembly (10) including a diverter valve (78) secured to an inlet end (80) of a sprayer tube (46) and removably received within a connector (62).

Abstract: A molded waterway assembly for a centerset faucet including a hot water inlet tube and a cold water inlet tube overmolded within a coupler.

Abstract: A quick-connect fitting includes a polymeric first connector in fluid communication with a first component, and a polymeric second connector in fluid communication with a second component. The first connector is either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting and female fitting is the second connector. The female fitting includes a longitudinal cylindrical cavity having therein a retaining ring retaining an o-ring, and the male fitting includes a cylindrical body and a tubular sealing element extending longitudinally therefrom positionable within the polymeric female fitting and o-ring in sealing engagement. The quick connect fitting includes a clip pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting.

Abstract: A process for providing an overmolded waterway comprising inserting a shaft portion of a sacrificial core into an end of a tube, the shaft portion having a first opening therein, the sacrificial core having a second portion comprising a second opening and a contact surface about the second opening, the second opening in fluid communication with the first opening and the inside of the tube, in a mold cavity inserting a core pin transverse to the tube end, the sacrificial core contact surface engaging a mating surface of the core pin closing the second opening, injection overmolding over a portion of the tube end and core pin forming an overmolded waterway having an outlet portion in fluid communication with the second opening and the inside of the tube, and removing the core pin from the second opening through the outlet portion and removing the overmolded waterway from the mold cavity.

Abstract: A overmold fitting is coupled to a fluid conduit. The overmold fitting may include a first portion and a spaced apart second portion proximate a first end of the fluid conduit. The first portion may be an end ring and the second portion may be a retention ring. The overmold fitting may include a visual indicator to provide an indication of the fluid to be used with the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A faucet including a molded waterway assembly having a plurality of tubes and a support plate overmolded within a valve interface member.

Abstract: A faucet including a molded waterway assembly having a plurality of tubes overmolded within a valve interface member.

Abstract: A process for making a reservoir including steps of positioning a hollow extrudate at an elevated temperature in a mold cavity, inserting a fitting into an end of the extrudate, sealing an outer surface of the fitting with an interior surface of the extrudate using latent heat within the extrudate, and forming at least a portion of the extrudate against the mold cavity forming a reservoir with the fitting sealed into the reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device includes a waterway assembly, a valve assembly, and a waterway adapter that fluidly couples the waterway assembly to the valve assembly. An illustrative waterway adapter may be constructed of a polymeric material.

Abstract: A water delivery system (10) includes a first component (52) coupled to a fluid transport member (20) and a second component (66) coupled to an aerator (34) for positioning within a faucet spout (26).

Abstract: A process for making a crosslinked assembly includes steps of: selecting a desired performance parameter for a molded assembly of a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component bonded to the first polymeric component, controlling a first crosslinking percentage for the first polymeric component and a second crosslinking percentage for the second polymeric component independently to provide the desired performance parameter for the assembly, orienting the assembly at an angle between an orientation axis of the assembly and a electron beam direction, exposing the oriented assembly a predetermined number of times (N) to the electron beam operable to deliver a predetermined amount of radiation (R) in the electron beam direction providing a total radiation exposure proportional to (N×R) providing the first component crosslinking percentage and the second component crosslinking percentage, the resulting assembly having the desired performance parameter.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to method by which a leak-proof connection may be made to a refrigeration device using shape memory characteristics of crosslinking and overmolding to affect the leak-proof connection.