Abstract: A muffler includes an elongated muffler shell body with a first muffler end cap mounted on the first end of the muffler shell body in a manner defining a first muffler joint and a second muffler end cap mounted on the second end of the muffler shell body in a manner defining a second muffler joint. A louver and baffle assembly is mounted within an interior of the muffler shell body. The first end of the muffler shell body includes a first shell bead/ridge and the second end of the muffler shell body includes a second shell bead/ridge, and each of the circumferential edges of the first muffler end cap and the second muffler end cap are formed to define cap bead/ridges shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the first shell bead/ridge of the first end of the muffler shell body and the second shell bead/ridge of the second end of the muffler shell body.

Abstract: A muffler includes an elongated muffler shell body with a first muffler end cap mounted on the first end of the muffler shell body in a manner defining a first muffler joint and a second muffler end cap mounted on the second end of the muffler shell body in a manner defining a second muffler joint. A louver and baffle assembly is mounted within an interior of the muffler shell body. The first end of the muffler shell body includes a first shell bead/ridge and the second end of the muffler shell body includes a second shell bead/ridge, and each of the circumferential edges of the first muffler end cap and the second muffler end cap are formed to define cap bead/ridges shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the first shell bead/ridge of the first end of the muffler shell body and the second shell bead/ridge of the second end of the muffler shell body.

Abstract: A tube loading assembly for use in loading a tube on a flexible mandrel of a tube bending machine; said assembly comprising mandrel receiving means for receiving said mandrel; mandrel alignment means for aligning said received mandrel to be co-axial with said tube; and means for feeding said tube on said co-axially aligned mandrel. The assembly is of use with tubes to be bent for use in automotive exhaust systems, heat exchangers and aircraft hydraulic systems, and provides for improved automatic loading speeds.