An external thermal heat-stake arrangement includes a polymeric base member having a collared heat-stake having an inner diameter and a second member disposed within the inner diameter of the collared heat-stake. The collared heat-stake is operatively configured to be deformed by a heated element to retain at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the second member to the polymeric base member.

A method for joining composite rods with tubular shape without expensive, machined connectors and without compromising the structural integrity of the composite rod includes internal and external collars applied to the ends of the composite rod and deformed via unidirectional compressive load applied by a clamp in the radial direction of the composite rod cross-section. The resulting plastic deformation of the metal collars and composite rod interlock those components to support both compressive and tensile loads. The deformed metal collars are easily joinable to other components via off-the-shelf hardware.

A bottom heater for use in assembling a container bottom and a sleeve includes a body having a peripheral wall and a heated air passage terminating in an outlet in the peripheral wall. A shape of at least a portion of the peripheral wall defining the outlet is such that heated air exiting the outlet is fluidly attached to an adjacent portion of the peripheral wall after exit because of the Coanda effect.

A method for attaching a split ring electrode to a catheter tip section includes providing a tubing with a lumen and an opening in the tubing side wall, passing an electrode lead wire through the opening, and wrapping the lead wire around the tubing. A split ring electrode is mounted on the tubing over the wrapped lead wire and opening, with electrically-conductive thermoplastic elastomeric adhesive applied between the ring electrode and the outer surface of the tubing, and reheated to reflow.

A pipeline system is enclosed including unlined or plastic lined pipes. A mechanical metal to metal connection is employed that can provide a fluid tight seal. A pipe coupling may be employed to span the connection. Plastic lined pipes can have their plastic liners connected to form a fluid tight bladder. Electro fusion may be employed.

A profile body of a not liquefiable material is used as a connecting element between a first object and a second object. The profile body may especially be metallic and/or may be bendable. The profile body, in contrast to a conventional wire, however, has a shape defining a first and a second undercut. The method includes embedding the profile body in the second object so that the second undercut is within material of the second object, and embedding the profile body within material of the first object so that the first undercut is within the first object, and wherein at least embedding of the profile body in the first object is caused by mechanical energy impinging on the first object and/or on the second object while the first object and the second object are pressed against each other.

A sonotrode for reshaping a connecting element to form a closing head of a rivet including a cavity at least partially having the negative shape of the closing head to be formed, wherein the cavity provides a contact surface designed to come in contact with the connecting element during reshaping, wherein the sonotrode defines a longitudinal axis (l), and wherein the contact surface in a cross section in at least one first plane parallel to the longitudinal axis (l) includes a first contour with a convex shaped outer section, so that a line connecting two points within the convex shaped outer section extends through the sonotrode and not through the cavity. A system including a sonotrode and a connecting element and to a method of reshaping a connecting element.

A method of bonding together a first object and a second object having a flat part and an opening defining a contour is provided. The second object has a fastening portion having a coupling structure defining an undercut and running around a periphery of the opening. The method includes positioning the first object relative to the second object in the opening, and providing a thermoplastic material along the contour, causing a relative force between the second and first objects and impinging the assembly of the first and second object with mechanical vibration until at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows into the coupling structure, and causing the thermoplastic material to re-solidify.

A pipe adapter includes a first tubular element having a first portion, a second portion axially adjacent the first portion, and a securing portion adjacent an end of the second portion opposite the first portion, the second portion defining a socket; a second tubular element having a first portion and a second portion axially adjacent the first portion, the first portion defining a distal end sized for insertion into the socket and having a radially extending stop; an annular sealing member. The securing portion is formed integrally with the second portion of the first tubular element and has a flange portion contacting the stop to secure the second tubular element axially relative to the first tubular element while also allowing the second tubular element to rotate relative to the first tubular element.

A punch rivet for the attachment of individual components to one another of which at least one component is formed by a workpiece of composite material, the punch rivet having a flange of larger diameter, a rivet section of smaller diameter and a ring-like component contact surface at the side of the flange adjacent to the rivet section and surrounding the rivet section, wherein the rivet section has a ring surface at its free end for the piercing of the two workpieces, with the punch rivet having a central passage which extends over the full length of the punch rivet and wherein the punch rivet has an inwardly directed projection in the region of the rivet section 14.