Abstract: A valve assembly includes a stem and a body having a passageway for receiving the stem. The diameter of at least an upper portion of the passageway is greater than a diameter of the stem assembly to form a stem space. A packing element is received around the stem assembly in the stem space, and a packing gland is configured to attach to the body and to engage the packing element. The packing gland is attached to the body and applies a compressive force at the packing element, causing the packing element to radially expand and thus substantially seal the packing element and the stem element at the stem space. The packing gland flexes when secured to the body and is biased toward its initial unflexed state to provide a substantially consistent compressive force at the packing element as the packing element deteriorates over time.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a part includes the steps of molding a thermoplastic material into a generally planar sheet form having a textured surface on at least one side. The textured surface is defined by a plurality of protuberances with at least one side wall extending outwardly from the sheet. The thermoplastic material is molded with a predetermined pressure between a die and within a perforated insert. The molded thermoplastic material sheet and perforated insert are removed from the die after molding. The molded thermoplastic material sheet is sintered at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time. The molded, sintered, thermoplastic material sheet is stripped from the perforated insert. The sheet can be masked for etching if desired. The sheet can be inserted into a molding die, where a dissimilar material is introduced into the die under pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining at least one longitudinal end of a pipe to a member having a longitudinally extending aperture therethrough includes a unitary, one-piece, elongated body with structure responsive to a crimping operation for lockingly and sealingly engaging with an inner surface of the pipe. The lockingly and sealingly engaging structure can include a reduced diameter portion engagable within the longitudinal end of the pipe and having at least two radially outwardly extending annular ridges or teeth formed on the reduced diameter portion. For lined pipe, the engaging structure can also include a ribbed or barbed portion extending longitudinally outwardly from the reduced diameter portion for sealingly engaging the lining between the ribbed portion and the inner surface of the pipe in response to the crimping operation.