Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.

Zurn Industries, Inc.

Zurn Pex, Inc.

United States Brass Corporation

Qest

Gary Lee Runyan

Robert G Russell

Bryan Robert Chapman

David B Dunaway

Robert S Stachowiak

Rodney Mize

Bruce Alan Harrington

Gerd Arthur Allermann

Patrick A Bancroft

Bruce A Harrinton

Gerd Arthur Allenmann

James T Brown

Disclosed are systems and methods for manufacturing compression collars for reinforcing sealed connections between a length of piping and a plumbing fitting. Specifically, compression collars and related methods of making include extruding a hollow tube having one or more ridges which are then partially removed or trimmed to provide positioning tabs on one end of the compression collar. The compression collars can be cut to the desired length from the extruded hollow tube. In this way, compression collars with features for enhancing the strength and reliability of an interference fit, as well as their ease of use, can be manufactured rapidly with little material waste through modifications to the extrusion process.

Extruded cold-expansion compression collar

A compression collar is manufactured for reinforcing an interference fit between an end of a pipe and a fitting. A precursor form is injection molded using a cold-expansion material. The precursor form has a tubular body with an initially closed axial end and a bore initially blind formed in the other axial end. Material is removed from the initially closed axial end to form an opening that connects to the bore thereby forming the compression collar. The opening has an inner periphery with a profile in axial cross section that is different than any profile in axial cross section of an inner periphery of the bore. The collar formed lacks knitlines and includes tabs which help to position the collar on a pipe.

Injection molded cold-expansion compression collar

A method for producing a high strength, flexible crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) material is provided wherein the base polymer is intermixed with a polymer modifier which affects the amorphous region of the polymer, leaving the crystalline portion of the base polymer virtually unaffected. Consequently, the amorphous region's density is lowered, resulting in a more flexible final product, while the crosslinked molecular structure and/or crystalline portion of the polymer, which controls the strength of the base polymer, remains strong. The polymer modifier can comprise a hydrocarbon fluid such as PAO, Group III basestocks, or a gas-to-liquid hydrocarbon. The plastic material has particular utility in the production of tubing, piping, and conduits for transporting gases, liquids, and the like, as well as wire and cable coatings such as jacketing and insulation.

Crosslinked polyethylene process

A high strength, flexible crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) material is provided wherein the base polymer is intermixed with a polymer modifier which affects the amorphous region of the polymer, leaving the crystalline portion of the base polymer virtually unaffected. Consequently, the amorphous region's density is lowered, resulting in a more flexible final product, while the crosslinked molecular structure and/or crystalline portion of the polymer, which controls the strength of the base polymer, remains strong. The polymer modifier can comprise a hydrocarbon fluid such as PAO, Group III basestocks, or a gas-to-liquid hydrocarbon. A method for producing the plastic material is also provided. The plastic material has particular utility in the production of tubing, piping, and conduits for transporting gases, liquids, and the like, as well as wire and cable coatings such as jacketing and insulation.

Crosslinked polyethylene articles and processes to produce same

A tubing/fitting connection provides secure sealing attachment of a tubing to a fitting. In a described embodiment, a flexible tubing is connected to a non-rigid fitting using a retainer which grips both the tubing and the fitting. The retainer also internally supports the tubing, and may sealingly engage both the tubing and the fitting.

Flexible tubing/fitting connection

A method of producing crosslinked reformed products provides such products which are, in one embodiment, produced by the monosil process and suitable for use in potable water applications. In a described embodiment, a method includes the steps of introducing a reduced level of silane in a feed throat of an extruder, extruding a product, reforming the extruded product, and then curing the reformed product for an extended period of time.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Gary Lee Runyan