Method of forming internal strictures in a tubular member and a bonding connection with an inserted tube
First Claim
1. A method of making a connection between the ends of first and second generally tubular members, the method comprising:
- forming at least one continuous annular stricture in the lumen of the first tubular member by inserting a mandril, having at least one circumferential annular groove, into the end of the lumen of the first tubular member;
heating the portion of the first tubular member surrounding the mandril to form an annular projection in the groove in the mandril; and
removing the mandril from the lumen leaving an annular stricture in the lumen of the first tubular member;
inserting the end of the second tubular member into the end of the first tubular member, beyond the stricture, andbonding the first and second tubular members together.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A leak-resistant connection between two generally tubular members in which second tubular member is telescopically received in a first generally tubular member. There is at least one integral continuous annular stricture formed in the lumen of the first tubular member for engaging and sealing with the second tubular member. A second, integral stricture of larger profile may be provided as a stop to abut the end of the second tubular member. A method of making the connection is also disclosed. The method includes the step of forming the strictures in the tubular member by inserting a grooved mandril into the lumen of the tubular member and heating and applying pressure to the tubular member to form the strictures in the grooves in the mandril. The tubular member can be conveniently heated with RF energy applied through the mandril.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of making a connection between the ends of first and second generally tubular members, the method comprising:
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forming at least one continuous annular stricture in the lumen of the first tubular member by inserting a mandril, having at least one circumferential annular groove, into the end of the lumen of the first tubular member;
heating the portion of the first tubular member surrounding the mandril to form an annular projection in the groove in the mandril; and
removing the mandril from the lumen leaving an annular stricture in the lumen of the first tubular member;inserting the end of the second tubular member into the end of the first tubular member, beyond the stricture, and bonding the first and second tubular members together. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of making a connection between the ends of first and second generally tubular members, the method comprising:
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forming a first continuous annular stricture in the lumen of the first tubular member, and a second annular stricture in the lumen of the first tubular member, spaced further from the end of the first tubular member than the first stricture, and having a higher profile than the first stricture to abut the end of the second tubular member inserted into the lumen by inserting a mandril, having at least two axially spaced circumferential annular grooves therein, into the end of the lumen of the first tubular member;
heating the portion of the first tubular member surrounding the mandril to form an annular projection in each groove in the mandril; and
removing the mandril from the lumen leaving two annular strictures in the lumen of the first tubular member;inserting the end of the second tubular member into the end of the first tubular member, beyond the first stricture, until the end of the second tubular member abuts the second stricture, and bonding the first and second tubular members together. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of making an improved tubular member for facilitating leak-resistant connections with other tubular members, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a mandril having an annular groove into the end of the lumen of the tubular member; heating the portion of the tubular member surrounding the mandril to form an annular projection in the grove in the mandril, and removing the mandril from the lumen to leave a continuous annular stricture in the lumen of the tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification