A sterile connection device includes first and second carriages. The first carriage defines a first portion of a proximal slot and a first portion of a distal slot, while the second carriage defines second portions of the proximal and distal slots. A controller executes a sterile connection procedure in which a solid cutting blade is heated, followed by the heated blade being moved to a cutting position to cut sealed proximal and distal tubes received by the slots. The second carriage moves proximally or distally with respect to the first carriage so as to align the cut ends of the tubes. The heated blade then moves out of the cutting position, followed by the first carriage moving toward the second carriage so as to press the cut ends of the tubes into contact with each other so as to sterilely connect the cut ends and define a joined tube.

Described herein are gasketed pipe joints. In some embodiments, a joined pipe assembly is provided that includes: a first pipe having a first end portion with a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter; a second pipe having a second end portion with a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter, wherein the second end portion nests within the first end portion; wherein the first end portion includes a circumferential recess, and wherein an inner surface of the recess is located radially outward of the first inner diameter to form a pocket; and an adhesive gasket positioned in the pocket and adhered to the inner surface of the recess and the second outer diameter.

A resin joint 20 includes an outer cylinder 21 molded by a resin material capable of transmitting laser light and an inner cylinder 22 disposed facing the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 21. An annular protrusion 22b that protrudes in the radial direction and extends in the circumferential direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 21 or the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 22. The axial end of the resin tube 10 is inserted into an annular space 30 and is deformed in the radial direction following the annular protrusion 22b, and a region deformed in the radial direction has a surface that is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 21. The inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 10 are laser-welded.

A resin joint 20 includes an outer cylinder 21 molded by a resin material capable of transmitting laser light and an inner cylinder 22 disposed facing the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 21. An annular protrusion 22b that protrudes in the radial direction and extends in the circumferential direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 21 or the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 22. The axial end of the resin tube 10 is inserted into an annular space 30 and is deformed in the radial direction following the annular protrusion 22b, and a region deformed in the radial direction has a surface that is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 21. The inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 10 are laser-welded.

An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.

An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.

Modular carriage for varying spacing between ends of polymer pipe during fusion. The modular carriage includes a fixed jaw; an inner movable jaw; an outer moveable jaw and a plurality of guide rods. The fixed jaw being adapted for tool free engagement with the terminal ends of the plurality of guide rods. A carriage cylinder is associated with at least two of the guide rods and mounted for reciprocal travel along the length of its associated guide rod. The movable jaws being adapted for tool free engagement with at least two carriage cylinders for reciprocal travel therewith. A combined hydraulic cylinder/guide rod includes a guide rod with an integral guide rod piston, a cylindrical tube, and a guide rod gland on each end of the cylinder tube.

Modular carriage for varying spacing between ends of polymer pipe during fusion. The modular carriage includes a fixed jaw; an inner movable jaw; an outer moveable jaw and a plurality of guide rods. The fixed jaw being adapted for tool free engagement with the terminal ends of the plurality of guide rods. A carriage cylinder is associated with at least two of the guide rods and mounted for reciprocal travel along the length of its associated guide rod. The movable jaws being adapted for tool free engagement with at least two carriage cylinders for reciprocal travel therewith. A combined hydraulic cylinder/guide rod includes a guide rod with an integral guide rod piston, a cylindrical tube, and a guide rod gland on each end of the cylinder tube.

Flange connection for connecting two pipeline ends made of plastics material and method for assembly, containing two mutually opposing pipe ends (2) made of plastics material, wherein the pipe ends each have a prewelding neck, two loose type flanges, wherein a loose type flange is arranged at each pipe end, wherein the loose type flanges have holes for mutual clamping, clamping means, wherein the clamping means are arranged in the holes and serve to mutually pull together the loose type flanges and the pipeline ends, and a sealing element, wherein the sealing element comprises a conductive plastics material and exclusively one material.

Installation fittings for use with induction weldable pipe connectors for assembling multi-layer pipe fluid distribution systems. Induction welding pipe connectors including a major central pipe connector section and a minor lateral pipe connector section pair having reduced thickness relative to the major central pipe connector section. Induction welding pipe connectors with integral solder flow barrier for assembling fluid distribution systems. Electromagnetic induction coil reverse action pliers for use with induction weldable pipe connectors for assembling fluid distribution systems.