Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to a quick-connect fitting that provides a leak-proof connection between two components of a waterway. The quick-connect fitting of the present disclosure is releasable and reusable for disconnecting and reconnecting the waterway connection. Moreover, the quick-connect fitting further comprises an audible identifier which identifies the quick-connect fitting has secured the waterway components to be connected.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to a quick-connect fitting that provides a leak-proof connection between two components of a waterway. The quick-connect fitting of the present disclosure is releasable and reusable for disconnecting and reconnecting the waterway connection. Moreover, the quick-connect fitting further comprises an audible identifier which identifies the quick-connect fitting has secured the waterway components to be connected.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to reservoirs within appliances. The present invention includes a reservoir having one or more tanks having adaptors and tubing which may be thermally welded, crosslinked, and/or overmolded. Particular embodiments of the present invention include reservoirs, reservoir systems including a reservoir, processes for forming a reservoir, and processes for forming the aforementioned reservoir systems.

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 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 hollow conduit and process for manufacturing therefore which includes steps of extruding a first polymer conduit; cutting said conduit to a pre-determined length; inserting said length into a split mold having a cavity defined therein; inserting at least one flexible position retaining means into said mold; injection molding at least one overmolded polymer onto said plastic conduit and at least partially onto said position retaining means to form a position retaining tube, wherein a portion of the length of said position retaining means is completely embedded within said overmolded polymer and a portion of the length is not embedded within said overmolded polymer; and opening said mold and removing said position retaining tube.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a method by which a reservoir having desired end connection profiles may be made using shape memory characteristics of crosslinking to compressively seal the connection profiles into the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a method by which a reservoir having desired end connection profiles may be made using shape memory characteristics of crosslinking to compressively seal the connection profiles into the reservoir.

Abstract: A hollow conduit and process for manufacturing therefor which includes steps of extruding a first polymer conduit; cutting said conduit to a pre-determined length; inserting said length into a split mold having a cavity defined therein; inserting at least one flexible position retaining means into said mold; injection molding at least one overmolded polymer onto said plastic conduit and at least partially onto said position retaining means to form a position retaining tube, wherein a portion of the length of said position retaining means is completely embedded within said overmolded polymer and a portion of the length is not embedded within said overmolded polymer; and opening said mold and removing said position retaining tube.

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 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.