Mercury Plastics, Inc.

Donald Currey

Scott Raymond Gardner

Earl Christian, Jr

William Blue

Grandin Rushlander

Earl Christian

Jay Burnett

Brock Elsea

William W Rowley

Russell Clayton

Michael Lenk

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.

Quick-connect fitting

A pipe nipple insert and dip tube for use with a water heater having a pipe nipple, the dip tube including a pipe nipple insert and a tubular body. The pipe nipple insert includes an outer wall and a plurality of annular crush rings extending radially from the outer wall. An overlapping connection is included at a bottom of the pipe nipple insert and a top of the tubular body for connecting the bottom of the pipe nipple insert to the top of the tubular body, wherein either the bottom of the pipe nipple insert overlaps the top of the tubular body or the top of the tubular body overlaps the bottom of the pipe nipple insert.

Pipe nipple insert and dip tube

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.

The disclosure described herein relates to a beverage dispensing system mixing nozzle and a process for making or repairing the same. Particular examples of the present disclosure include a manifold comprising multiple tubes where the manifold is inserted into and secured within a seat of the mixing nozzle. In some examples, multiple manifolds are inserted into and secured within a seat of the mixing nozzle. The tubes extend into the body of the manifold to form a leak proof connection.

Beverage dispensing system mixing nozzle

Examples herein relate generally to reservoirs for use in water distribution systems within an appliance. The reservoir herein allows for the combination of various components prepared by separate manufacturing processes and for reducing waste of those manufacturing components. Specifically, the reservoir herein provides a daisy-chain structure for forming a ganged reservoir system.

Ganged reservoir system

Examples herein relate generally to reservoirs for use in water distribution systems within an appliance. The reservoir herein allows for the combination of various components prepared by separate manufacturing processes and for reducing waste of those manufacturing components. Specifically, the reservoir herein provides a stopper separable from and for use with a container and a cap.

Reservoir with stopper

Examples herein relate generally to methods, and associated components, characterized by the laser welding of crosslinked polyethylene plumbing components so as to create a leak-proof connection with both mechanical and thermal fusion bonds.

Process for laser welding of crosslinked polyethylene

An apparatus and process by which a leak-proof connection with a polymeric tube is described herein. Particular embodiments of the present invention include a leak-proof connection fitting inserted into a bore of a overmolded attachment piece wherein the overmolded attachment piece is overmolded onto the polymeric tube. The leak-proof connection fitting includes multiple surfaces in various configurations. The multiple surfaces include barb(s), raised surface(s), reduced surface(s), and channel(s). O-rings may be further added to the leak-proof connection fitting. In some embodiments, the overmolded attachment piece or the tube itself is secured to the fitting by shape memory.

Leak-proof connection fitting

Embodiments of the present invention include a tube connector assembly connectable to a fitting in an installed position. The tube connector assembly includes a tube with a retainer and nut received about the tube for engaging the retainer. The present invention also includes embodiments of a tube having a retainer and embodiments of a nut having a bend relief portion.

Tube connector assembly

The invention described herein relates to reservoirs within appliances. The present invention includes a reservoir made of a length of reservoir tubing. In particular embodiments, the length of the reservoir tubing is formed in an overlapping circular portion and conforms to the available space requirements within an appliance. 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.

Reservoir and methods of forming

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.

Tank reservoir and methods of forming

A dip tube for use with a water heater having a pipe nipple, the dip tube including an upper end and a tubular body, where the upper end is located above the tubular body. The upper end has an outer wall, a top portion and bottom portion, and further includes a flange located at the top portion. The flange extends outwardly from the outer wall to retain the dip tube at the pipe nipple. The upper end also includes a reinforced connecting portion located at the bottom portion for connecting the upper end to the tubular body, where a portion of the tubular body is located within the reinforced connecting portion.

Dip tube

A nut and ferrule assembly including a nut having an internal-threaded bore along a nut axis and a nut sealing surface, the threads of the internal-threaded bore having a nut thread pitch and a nut thread minor diameter, a ferrule having an annular body forming an axial bore and a ferrule sealing surface, the ferrule sealing surface corresponding to the nut sealing surface, the ferrule further having a protrusion extending outwardly from the body around at least a portion of the body, the outside diameter of the protrusion being greater than the nut thread minor diameter, and the ferrule positioned within the internal-threaded bore.

Tube connection nut and ferrule assembly

A tube connection assembly includes a first connector along a connection axis having a first engagement surface transverse to the connection axis, and a second connector connected to a tube, the second connector having a second engagement surface transverse to the connection axis. The first connector and the second connector are engagable together joining the first and second connectors in a coupled state, the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface spaced a predetermined distance when in the coupled state. A fastener is provided positionable in a locked state and an unlocked state, the fastener in the unlocked state being slidable along the tube, and the fastener in the locked state retaining the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface. The fastener may include a pair of opposing retaining surfaces spaced at least the predetermined distance, at least one of the retaining surfaces having a lead-in.

Growing community of inventors

Chagrin Falls, OH, United States of America

Donald Currey