Abstract: A process is described which uses overmolding to create an all plastic waterway within a faucet leading up to an inlet port for a spout.

Abstract: A hollow conduit, being primarily round, or having n sides wherein n is greater than or equal to three, and process for making the conduit is described herein. The hollow conduit is comprised of a polymer inner conduit having a pair of opposed ends and an interior and exterior surface. An overmolded corrugated polymer is bonded between at least a portion of the ends and at least a portion of the exterior surface of the inner conduit. The overmolded polymer has at least one flexible position retaining means at least partially embedded within. The flexible position retaining means within the overmolded polymer may be a metallic wire. The inner conduit may be a thermoset, and the overmolded corrugated plastic may be a thermoplastic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a water reservoir with an inlet and an outlet which are compressively sealingly engaged with the water reservoir tank by utilizing the latent heat of extrusion of the extrudate to bond with the exterior surfaces of the inlet and outlet profiles.

Abstract: A faucet including a waterway assembly fluidly coupled to a valve assembly.

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

Abstract: A fluid carrying system is disclosed including a fluid transport component and an overmold component.

Abstract: A connecting fastener is provided. The fastener includes a cylindrical base that includes a first end and a second end and a wall. A central bore is defined in the base and an aperture is defined in the wall. At least one projection extends from an inner surface of the wall into the central bore proximate the first end of the base. A cylindrical collar has a first end disposed proximate the second end of the base, defines a central bore and includes a wall that defines a gap in the wall and a central bore. A shoulder is connected to and extends between the second end of the base and the first end of the collar along at least a portion of the respective circumferences of the base and the collar. A method of connecting tubing is also provided.

Abstract: A bag is made with a combination of mesh and film on both the front and back sides. For use with automatic filling machines, one side of the bag has a wicket strip with wicket holes to receive the wickets from the filling machines. If pneumatic or vacuum systems are used for bag opening, a fluid impervious assisting strip is bonded to the mesh wall at the bag mouth. A method of making such a bag includes the use of a continuous film web with adjacent continuous mesh webs. A linear seal joins the film web with the mesh webs after which the web is folded so that the free edges overlie each other. A transverse seal followed by a transverse cut results in a finished bag.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a solderless metallic-encased, polymeric-lined connector system.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a solderless metallic-encased, polymeric-lined connector system.

Abstract: An assembly (110) for joining at least two tubes (12, 14) is provided by a connector (112), a plurality of linear inserts (20) and a plurality of ring members (30). Each of the tubes (12, 14) has a tube end (16) and an internal conduit (18). The connector (112) has a central portion (115) with an internal conduit (118) having a permanently formed feature (119) therein, and a plurality of arms (117). Each arm (117) extends from the central portion (115) and terminates in an arm end (116), such that there is one arm (117) and one arm end (116) paired with each tube end (16). The internal conduit (118) of the connector (112) extends through the arms (117) to the respective arm ends (116). There is one linear insert (20) for each arm end/tube end pair.

Abstract: The process of this invention will involve overmolding a thermoplastic or rubbery polymer composition over a thermoplastic hollow tube and a core insert to form a hollow overmolded coupler after the removal of the core insert, the tube entering the coupler at an angle which is less than 90.degree. so as to minimize any freezing of transported water which may reside in the coupler. The combination of the above polymers must satisfy at least two simultaneous conditions. First, the inserted plastic tube must not soften and begin melt flow to the point where it looses structural integrity during the molding processing and second, the overmolded polymer must be capable of forming an essentially leak-proof interface between the coupler and the plastic tube, preferably through either a chemical and/or physical bond between the plastic tube and the overmolded plastic.

Abstract: The invention encompasses an overmolding process which includes the steps of inserting a flexible one-way valve into a plastic conduit, inserting the conduit with the valve at least partially onto a mold core, radially expanding at least a portion of the mold core from a first radial position to a second extended radial position, molding a polymer over at least a portion of the mold core and the plastic conduit, and radially contracting at least a portion of the mold core from the second extended radial position to essentially the first radial position. The radial expansion and contraction is in response to axial movement of a tapered shaft from a first axial position to a second expanded axial position, the shaft having a first diameter and a second diameter at a terminal end of the shaft, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter. The axial shaft movement is in response to a controllable supply of a compressible gas which overcomes the biasing force of a spring to move the piston shaft.

Abstract: A modular display apparatus for receiving and displaying sign panels, in which panel support elements co-operate with elevated ridges and frame overlay members to form sign panel regions in which the sign panels may be deployed. Panel insert slots are formed at one end of the panel sign region where no elevated ridge is positioned, through the overlay of a frame strut; the insert slot serving as an insertion aperture for the facilitated receipt and/or removal of the sign panel. A back cover plate member is integrated into the support panel and insert locking devices are provided to maintain the sign panel in place, within the sign display region, by precluding inadvertent removal through the insert slot. A "stepped" or staggered configuration of a number of such sign panels as well as a back-lit light transmitting embodiment are further described.