A fluidic connector to connect two ducts of a system such as an air conditioning system. The connector includes at least one elastic material, and includes a duct surrounded by an adjustable clamping collar which, when tightened, serves to deform it to reduce the internal space of the duct. The clamping of the collar makes it possible to easily and quickly regulate the rate of flow in the ducts.

A pipe restraining system has first and second pipes. Each pipe has an axis and a groove adjacent an axial end thereof. A bushing bridges and hydraulically seals with the first and second pipes. First and second clamp rings removably attach the bushing to a respective one of the first and second pipes. When the pipe restraining system is assembled, axial tensile loads passing through the first pipe are transmitted through the first clamp ring, the bushing, and the second clamp ring to the second pipe. An axial distance between the first and second pipes remains substantially constant.

A pipe system for transporting liquid. The pipe system connects adjacent pipes and includes a pipe having a coupler cup formed in an end thereof. The coupler cup is configured for receiving and end of a second pipe therein. The pipe system includes a coupler cap adapted to snap onto the coupler cup. The coupler cap also has an opening for receiving the second pipe therethrough to couple the first pipe and the second pipe. A seal is disposed between the coupler cap and the coupler cup to provide a sealed pipe system.

A pipe restraining system has first and second pipes. Each pipe has an axis and a groove adjacent an axial end thereof. A bushing bridges and hydraulically seals with the first and second pipes. First and second clamp rings are removably attach the bushing to a respective one of the first and second pipes. When the pipe restraining system is assembled, axial tensile loads passing through the first pipe are transmitted through the first clamp ring, the bushing and the second clamp ring to the second pipe. An axial distance between the first and second pipes remains substantially constant.

A duct connector includes an internal sleeve extending from a first end to a second end and includes a first interior wall and a first exterior wall, the first interior wall defining a first interior volume. An external sleeve extends from a first end to a second end, and includes a second interior wall and a second exterior wall, the second interior wall defining a second interior volume. A portion of the internal sleeve is located within the second interior volume. A portion of a duct is located within the first interior volume. Each of the first end and the second end of the external sleeve is moved between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, a force secures the internal sleeve to the portion of the duct. When in the second position, the duct is movable with respect to the internal sleeve.

An apparatus (1) for preparing foodstuffs accommodated in a vessel, the apparatus includes a steam-generating unit for generating steam, a steam-feeding unit connected to the steam-generating unit in a steam-conducting manner via a steam-supply line and having a steam probe containing at least one steam-discharging opening, and further includes a drive unit for adjusting the steam-feeding unit in translatory fashion, relative to a rinsing device (2) arranged beneath the steam-feeding unit and having a rinsing tray (3) and a rinse-water-application unit or spray nozzle (18), for rinsing the steam probe following foodstuff-preparation, wherein the rinsing tray (3) is connected to an outflow-line portion (13) for discharging dirty rinse water, wherein, on the rinsing tray (3), a drain funnel (10), which can be released from the rinsing tray (3) without any tools, for cleaning and/or changeover purposes and is sealed in relation to the rinsing tray (3), is secured to the outflow-line portion (13).

A pipe coupling comprising an elastomeric sleeve, a support sleeve and adjustable clamping bands is provided. Each band has adjustment means comprising a bolt allowing the bands to provide a secure fit on the ends of the pipes to be coupled. The support sleeve comprises contact sections at either end and a compensation section therebetween. The first contact section of the support sleeve is for fitting around a larger pipe than the second contact section. The second contact portion and the compensation section are comprised of fingers of sheet material defined by axial slots therebetween. The elastomeric sleeve comprises a substantially tubular body and end sections provided at each end of the body. The end sections can be folded back over the outer surface of the body to provide circumferential flaps. Each flap defines a partially enclosed channel within which the contact sections of the support sleeve are provided.

A flow path member coupled to a pipe including a first-flow path includes a coupling member including a coupling surface provided with a recessed portion that the pipe is inserted and a second-flow path communicating with the first-flow path and an opening provided in a bottom surface of the recessed portion, and an elastic member that is inserted into the recessed portion and is provided with a through hole that the pipe is inserted. The elastic member includes a first-seal portion being in contact with the pipe and a second-seal portion being provided apart from the bottom surface and being in contact with the coupling member. Between the second-seal portion and the bottom surface, a gap is provided between an outer circumferential surface of the elastic member and an inner circumferential surface of the recessed portion, and the gap communicates with the second-flow path.

A method for preparing a factory assembled pipe coupling includes positioning a flexible, resilient ring within a first channel in the first segment of the coupling, the ring having a ring outer surface engaging the first segment, and engaging a second channel in a second segment of the coupling with the ring outer surface so as to align each connection member on the first segment with a connection member on the second segment. Further steps include attaching the first end of the first segment to the first end of the second segment, and attaching the second end of the first segment to the second end of the second segment and supporting the first and second segments in spaced apart relation from one another on the ring at a distance at least sufficient to permit insertion of the pipe elements into the central space without disassembling the segments.

A pipe coupling capsulation assembly includes a band having an inner annular seal element wrappable around a pipe, opposing clamp members that extend from the band, at least one tightening element for clamping together the clamp members, and a plurality of retaining elements extending from the band. Each retaining element overlies a portion of an adjacent one of the retaining elements.