Abstract: A conduit joint system securing ends of two conduits together includes first and second conduits having first and second flared ends and first and second liners protruding from the flared ends. The liners are joined together so that the flared ends are opposing and spaced from one another and portions of the liners are between the flared ends. An external coupler is configured to receive the flared ends and includes (i) a first flange receiving portion configured to receive the first flared end, (ii) a second flange receiving portion configured to receive the second flared end, and (iii) a body portion extending between the flange receiving portions and configured to receive the portions of the liners between the flared ends. With the liners joined together and with the external coupler receiving the flared ends, and the portions of the liners, the external coupler secures the first and second conduits together.

Abstract: A flangeless conduit coupler for joining the ends of two conduits together includes a metallic element and a polymeric element. The metallic element includes a hollow cylindrical element having a plurality of perforations established therethrough. The polymeric element is overmolded at the metallic element so that the metallic element is encapsulated by the polymeric element with the polymeric element present within the perforations of the metallic element. The coupler is disposed in flared ends of opposing conduits and is fused therein to join the conduits and seal the conduit joint. The coupler has an inside diameter that corresponds with the inside diameter of the conduits remote from the flared ends.

Abstract: A flangeless conduit coupler for joining the ends of two conduits together includes a metallic element and a polymeric element. The metallic element includes a hollow cylindrical element having a plurality of perforations established therethrough. The polymeric element is overmolded at the metallic element so that the metallic element is encapsulated by the polymeric element with the polymeric element present within the perforations of the metallic element. The coupler is disposed in flared ends of opposing conduits and is fused therein to join the conduits and seal the conduit joint. The coupler has an inside diameter that corresponds with the inside diameter of the conduits remote from the flared ends.

Abstract: A venting system includes a vent for expelling gases that accumulate between a metal pipe and a plastic liner disposed within the metal pipe. The vent includes a base portion that is configured to be disposed between the plastic liner and a wall of the metal pipe. The base portion has at least one channel extending along the base portion to a central region of the base portion. The vent includes an exhaust portion that protrudes from the central region of the base portion and is adapted to extend through the wall of the metal pipe. The exhaust portion has a central passage that interconnects with the at least one channel of the base portion, such that the vent is configured to vent gases from an interface area between the plastic liner and the wall of the metal pipe to an exterior atmosphere outside the metal pipe.

Abstract: A venting system includes a vent for expelling gases that accumulate between a metal pipe and a plastic liner disposed within the metal pipe. The vent includes a base portion that is configured to be disposed between the plastic liner and a wall of the metal pipe. The base portion has at least one channel extending along the base portion to a central region of the base portion. The vent includes an exhaust portion that protrudes from the central region of the base portion and is adapted to extend through the wall of the metal pipe. The exhaust portion has a central passage that interconnects with the at least one channel of the base portion, such that the vent is configured to vent gases from an interface area between the plastic liner and the wall of the metal pipe to an exterior atmosphere outside the metal pipe.

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.