The composite tube may include a body having a longitudinal centerline axis and at least one end portion. The at least one end portion may include a plurality of segments that are angled relative to the longitudinal centerline axis and are circumferentially separated from each other by a plurality of slits. The composite tube may be implemented in a joint assembly that includes a support wedge. The support wedge may at least partially engage at least one of a radially inward surface of the at least one end portion and a radially outward surface of the at least one end portion.

A method of making a flexible medical article or tube, for example, a sheath for a vascular access device, is provided. The method can include extruding a polymer, for example, a polycarbonate-urethane copolymer, to form a tube and annealing the extruded polymer. The method can further include cutting the extruded tube to a desired length before or after annealing, flaring one end of the annealed tube and over-molding the flared portion onto a hub, and forming the other end of the tube into a tip. A sheath formed by such a method is also provided.

A unit for belling PVC-O thermoplastic pipe includes: a forming pad for deforming into bell shape an end of the pipe, the pad having a longitudinal central axis of symmetry and a region for housing an annular gasket to be coupled, internally, to the pipe; an annular contact element fitted slidably on said pad to move along the direction of the axis, between an advanced position contacting the gasket, and a withdrawn position. A first heating device heats the contact element to a predetermined temperature by contacting an inner surface of the end portion of the pipe fitted on the annular contact element. A second heating device externally heats the pipe fitted on the pad, in a predetermined zone of the pad at the end of the pipe.

A carbon fiber tubular pole and method of construction thereof. The pole includes a left in place lightweight mandrel, preferably formed of tubular polyvinylchloride or cardboard, which substantially reduces cost of manufacture. A socket is formed in the carbon fiber tubular pole for receiving an adjacent carbon fiber tubular pole.

A polymer pipe has a length between a first end and a second end. The length and the first end have a first diameter and the second end is a belled end having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. An insert device is received within the second end and has an annular body and a spline groove formed in the annular body and facing radially inward. The insert device is pre-installed in the belled end during the belling process.

Described is a method for chamfering the end of a pipe (2) made from thermoplastic material, comprising the following steps: localized and circumferential heating of an axial portion (3) of the pipe (2) at a predetermined temperature; plastic deformation of the heated axial portion (3) using a tool (4) for forming a chamfer on the axial portion (3).

Described is a method for chamfering the end of a pipe (2) made from thermoplastic material, comprising the following steps: localized and circumferential heating of an axial portion (3) of the pipe (2) at a predetermined temperature; plastic deformation of the heated axial portion (3) using a tool (4) for forming a chamfer on the axial portion (3).

A method for coaxially connecting a first plastic tube (10, 110) to a second plastic tube (20, 120), said plastic tubes (10, 20) in particular being provided as part of a medical catheter (102), the two plastic tubes (10, 20) being connected by way of a tubular connecting piece (50), characterized in that the first plastic tube (10) and/or the second plastic tube (20) are integrally molded from the outside onto the tubular connecting piece (50) using a forming process such that an adhesive and/or positive connection is produced.

A method for manufacturing a plastic pipe including covering the teeth of a plurality of restraining segments circumferentially arranged and embedded within an annular gasket with a covering and placing the annular gasket on a mandrel with the covering arranged between the restraining segments and mandrel. The annular gasket and mandrel and are inserted into an end of a heated plastic pipe for forming a socket in the end of the plastic pipe, the socket including an annular cavity formed by the annular gasket. Upon removal of the mandrel from the socket, the covering functions to prevent acutely pointed teeth of the restraining segments from impinging upon the mandrel thereby allowing removal of the mandrel from the socket without removal of the annular gasket from the annular cavity.

An apparatus and method is disclosed for making a carbon fiber tubular component by sliding a carbon fiber sleeve and a fiber sleeve over a tubular mandrel. The sleeves overlying the tubular mandrel are saturated with a curable resin and inserted into a mold cavity of a compression mold. The cured carbon fiber tubular component is removed from the compression mold after the curing of the resin.