A plumbing fastener having a retaining ring to encircle a continuous pipe is described. The plumbing fastener may have a fastener flush with the retaining ring. The plumbing fastener may have a joint with a male tab and a female slot configured to receive the male tab, including a T-joint, a joint with a tongue, or a joint with first angled walls and second angled walls. In the T-joint, a male tab includes a T-joint tab received by a female slot. In the joint with first angled walls and second angled walls, a male tab includes first angled walls configured to be received by a female slot with second angled walls. Fasteners may be an elastomer, a silicone, a rubber, a flexible plastic, or a flexible metal. Some rings may have an interior ring surface with a concave cross-section to adhere to a portion of the continuous pipe using suction.

A plumbing fastener having a retaining ring to encircle a continuous pipe is described. The plumbing fastener may have a fastener flush with the retaining ring. The plumbing fastener may have a joint with a male tab and a female slot configured to receive the male tab, including a T-joint, a joint with a tongue, or a joint with first angled walls and second angled walls. In the T-joint, a male tab includes a T-joint tab received by a female slot. In the joint with first angled walls and second angled walls, a male tab includes first angled walls configured to be received by a female slot with second angled walls. Fasteners may be an elastomer, a silicone, a rubber, a flexible plastic, or a flexible metal. Some rings may have an interior ring surface with a concave cross-section to adhere to a portion of the continuous pipe using suction.

A pipe unit coupling structure includes a first member in which a first hole is formed, a second member including a pipe unit which is coupled to the first member by being inserted into the first hole, and a third member coupled to the second member by a coupling unit. The second member has an inclined surface formed at a tip of the pipe unit. The inclined surface is configured in such a manner that, when the inclined surface is pressed against the first member when the pipe unit of the second member is inserted into the first hole of the first member in a state where the second member and the third member are coupled to each other, a force is applied from the second member to the third member at the coupling unit, in a direction opposite to a direction of separation of the second member.

A pipe unit coupling structure includes a first member in which a first hole is formed, a second member including a pipe unit which is coupled to the first member by being inserted into the first hole, and a third member coupled to the second member by a coupling unit. The second member has an inclined surface formed at a tip of the pipe unit. The inclined surface is configured in such a manner that, when the inclined surface is pressed against the first member when the pipe unit of the second member is inserted into the first hole of the first member in a state where the second member and the third member are coupled to each other, a force is applied from the second member to the third member at the coupling unit, in a direction opposite to a direction of separation of the second member.

A heat exchanger (1) includes a heat exchanging body (20) disposed within an outer box (10). A supply pipe (21) and a discharge pipe (22) in fluid communication with the heat exchanging body (20) respectively extend through first and second insertion holes (31, 32) in the outer box (10). Elastic seal members (40; 240) are respectively provided around the supply pipe (21) and the discharge pipe (22) and between a first sidewall (11) of the outer box (10) and the heat exchanging body (20). At least one biasing member (50; 250) exerts a lateral biasing force (F1; F2) on the elastic seal members (40; 240), thereby maintaining the elastic seal members (40; 240) in a state of compressive deformation and contacting the outer box (10) and the heat exchanging body (20) in an air-tight manner to block potential leakage paths (LP1; LP2) via the insertion holes (31, 32).

A heat exchanger (1) includes a heat exchanging body (20) disposed within an outer box (10). A supply pipe (21) and a discharge pipe (22) in fluid communication with the heat exchanging body (20) respectively extend through first and second insertion holes (31, 32) in the outer box (10). Elastic seal members (40; 240) are respectively provided around the supply pipe (21) and the discharge pipe (22) and between a first sidewall (11) of the outer box (10) and the heat exchanging body (20). At least one biasing member (50; 250) exerts a lateral biasing force (F1; F2) on the elastic seal members (40; 240), thereby maintaining the elastic seal members (40; 240) in a state of compressive deformation and contacting the outer box (10) and the heat exchanging body (20) in an air-tight manner to block potential leakage paths (LP1; LP2) via the insertion holes (31, 32).

Exemplary embodiments are directed to a seal apparatus for sealing an opening of a structure having a thickness at the opening. The seal apparatus includes a first section disposed at a proximal end, a second section disposed at a distal end, and an intermediate section disposed between the first and second sections. The first section defines a cone-like configuration. An opening extends through the first section, the second section, and the intermediate section.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to a seal apparatus for sealing an opening of a structure having a thickness at the opening. The seal apparatus includes a first section disposed at a proximal end, a second section disposed at a distal end, and an intermediate section disposed between the first and second sections. The first section defines a cone-like configuration. An opening extends through the first section, the second section, and the intermediate section.

An arrangement for sealing functional unit interfaces includes a functional unit, an interface, and a sealing element. The interface has a first main surface, a second main surface, and an opening. The second main surface has a clamping section enclosing the opening. The functional unit has a front face with a counter-clamping section opposite the clamping section. The sealing element has a sealing body and a support element at least partially arranged within the sealing body. The sealing body has a first section clamped between the clamping section and the counter-clamping section. The opening is closed by a second section of sealing body, which is at least partially arranged between the opening and the front face. The support element is partially arranged in the first section and partially in the second section of the sealing body. The support element and the sealing body consist of different materials.

An arrangement for sealing functional unit interfaces includes a functional unit, an interface, and a sealing element. The interface has a first main surface, a second main surface, and an opening. The second main surface has a clamping section enclosing the opening. The functional unit has a front face with a counter-clamping section opposite the clamping section. The sealing element has a sealing body and a support element at least partially arranged within the sealing body. The sealing body has a first section clamped between the clamping section and the counter-clamping section. The opening is closed by a second section of sealing body, which is at least partially arranged between the opening and the front face. The support element is partially arranged in the first section and partially in the second section of the sealing body. The support element and the sealing body consist of different materials.