Pipe sections are often connected together with a spigot end received within a bell end and a gasket provided there between. An assist may be helpful to apply at least a tension if not move the gasket towards a gap between the bell end and an exterior surface of the spigot end of the two pipe portions, and/or against the exterior surface of the spigot end so as to improve the likelihood of an adequate seal.

Pipe sections are often connected together with a spigot end received within a bell end and a gasket provided there between. An assist may be helpful to apply at least a tension if not move the gasket towards a gap between the bell end and an exterior surface of the spigot end of the two pipe portions, and/or against the exterior surface of the spigot end so as to improve the likelihood of an adequate seal.

A novel sealing member and a novel wedging element that may be part of a novel seal assembly. The seal assembly may remain effective for more connection/disconnection cycles as compared to the previously known seals. In exemplary embodiments, the wedging element may engage the sealing member or a pair of the sealing members that sandwich the wedging element. When engaged, an inclined surface of the wedging element may radially compress a radially inwardly extending sealing leg of one or both of the sealing members. A fluid pressure opposite the wedging element relative to the corresponding sealing member may radially expand a radially outwardly extending sealing leg of one or both of the sealing members.

A novel sealing member and a novel wedging element that may be part of a novel seal assembly. The seal assembly may remain effective for more connection/disconnection cycles as compared to the previously known seals. In exemplary embodiments, the wedging element may engage the sealing member or a pair of the sealing members that sandwich the wedging element. When engaged, an inclined surface of the wedging element may radially compress a radially inwardly extending sealing leg of one or both of the sealing members. A fluid pressure opposite the wedging element relative to the corresponding sealing member may radially expand a radially outwardly extending sealing leg of one or both of the sealing members.

An electrically isolating gasket is disclosed wherein a coating layer is disposed on at least one conductive surface, and in some embodiments, on all surfaces or at least all of the conductive surfaces. The electrically isolating gasket includes a core gasket component, a ring seal component, and a non-conductive inner seal component. The coating layer can be, for example, polyimide, polyamide, ceramic, and aluminum oxide.

A universal fluid system connector creates an airtight seal between a variety of smoke evacuation system receptacles and various hoses. The universal connector includes a body and a seal having a plurality of radially extending flexible fins. A plurality of fins on the seal are disposed along the length of the body with the outer edges of the fins forming a frustoconical shape. The fins also include one or more flexion zones of various stiffness and one or more flexible fin extensions. The fins deform against the inner wall of a receptacle and form an airtight friction fit between the universal connector and the receptacle, regardless of the taper angle, size, threads, or other features of the receptacle.

A universal fluid system connector creates an airtight seal between a variety of smoke evacuation system receptacles and various hoses. The universal connector includes a body and a seal having a plurality of radially extending flexible fins. A plurality of fins on the seal are disposed along the length of the body with the outer edges of the fins forming a frustoconical shape. The fins also include one or more flexion zones of various stiffness and one or more flexible fin extensions. The fins deform against the inner wall of a receptacle and form an airtight friction fit between the universal connector and the receptacle, regardless of the taper angle, size, threads, or other features of the receptacle.

A pipe sealing gasket is shown which is designed to be received within a raceway provided within the female, belled end of a section of plastic pipe which is assembled with a mating male pipe end to form a plastic pipe joint. The gasket is made up of a hard plastic band having an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, and two separated elastomer portions. A first of the separated elastomer portions forms an outer ring which circumscribes the outer circumferential surface of the hard plastic band. The second of the separated elastomer portions forms an inner lip which circumscribes the inner circumferential surface of the hard plastic band. The two separate elastomer portions are connected during the gasket molding operation by a series of spaced ribs which form a continuous body of elastomer connecting the first and second separated elastomer portions at spaced intervals.

A pipe sealing gasket is shown which is designed to be received within a raceway provided within the female, belled end of a section of plastic pipe which is assembled with a mating male pipe end to form a plastic pipe joint. The gasket is made up of a hard plastic band having an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, and two separated elastomer portions. A first of the separated elastomer portions forms an outer ring which circumscribes the outer circumferential surface of the hard plastic band. The second of the separated elastomer portions forms an inner lip which circumscribes the inner circumferential surface of the hard plastic band. The two separate elastomer portions are connected during the gasket molding operation by a series of spaced ribs which form a continuous body of elastomer connecting the first and second separated elastomer portions at spaced intervals.

A universal female connector includes a body having a first path and a second path which communicates with the first path. A movable unit is movably located within the first path and includes an elongate hollow part with a first seal received therein. Multiple heads are movably attached to the elongate hollow part. A valve unit is located in the second path of the body. A button unit is movably inserted into a hole transversely defined through the body to position the elongate hollow part in the body. When a male connector is connected to the elongate hollow part and pushes the first seal, the elongate hollow part with the beads are moved and positioned by the button unit to communicate the first and second paths. When the button unit is pushed, the movable unit moves to its initial position, and the male connector is removed from the movable body.