A vial access device, includes a body having a projecting annular skirt that is elastically deformable, for engaging a complementary shaped neck of a vial. A tubular spike extends coaxially within the annular skirt for introducing into the vial, and a tubular connector protrudes from the body on the side opposite to the annular skirt and in fluid communication with the tubular spike. The tubular spike and the annular skirt are arranged, respectively, within a first and a second part, distinct from each other, and of which the first part is permanently joined to the body and the second part is connectable to the first part through an irreversible coupling.

A method for coupling a tube to a tube fitting includes radially outwardly expanding a tubular compression collar from a constricted state to an expanded state, the compression collar having a throughway extending there through and being made of a resiliently flexible material. An end of the tube is inserted within the throughway of the expanded compression collar, the tube bounding a passageway. A tube fitting is inserted within the passageway of the tube. The compression collar is allowed to resiliently rebound back towards the constricted state so that the compression collar pushes the tube against the tube fitting.

A method of joining a first component to a second component. A membrane is provided between the first component and a fluid. Pressure of the fluid is used to apply a compression force to a first part of the first component via the membrane. The pressure of the fluid is also used to apply an insertion force to the second component which pushes projections of the second component into a second part of the first component. The method can be integrated into a conventional manufacturing method, such as a vacuum-bagging process, which employs fluid pressure and a non-permeable membrane to compress the first component. The pressure of the fluid is used not only to apply the compression force, but also to apply the insertion force to the second component.

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 composite component for a motor vehicle includes a first section; and a second section connected to the first section. The first section comprises a metallic material. The second section comprises a plastic. The first section has a first base region and projections provided on the first base region, wherein the projections provided on the first base region extend from the first base region to the second section. The projections provided on the first base region have undercuts, and the projections provided on the first base region are anchored in the second section in order to bring about the connection between the first section and the second section.

A mat unit is formed from at least two layers ultrasonically welded together. Each layer is individually formed from non-vinyl nontoxic thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. In ultrasonically joining the two layers together, there is no need to use additional materials, such as adhesive (i.e., chemical attachment) or stitched thread (i.e., mechanical attachment) to form the joint/weld point. Once formed from the two layers, the mat unit has four quadrants and a plurality of longitudinal ribs integrally formed in the first layer positioned in the first and third quadrants, and a plurality of transverse ribs integrally formed in the first layer positioned in the second and fourth quadrants. Additionally, there are a plurality of longitudinal ribs integrally formed in the second layer positioned in the second and fourth quadrants, and a plurality of transverse ribs integrally formed in the second layer positioned in the first and third quadrants.

A method for connecting a surface-structured workpiece (SSW) and a plastic workpiece using a joining tool with a sonotrode. The method includes: positioning the SSW and the plastic workpiece on an anvil such that a structured contact surface section (SCSS) of the SSW faces a contact surface of the plastic workpiece; positioning the sonotrode in contact with an outer surface of the SSW that is opposite to the SCSS; and applying pressure to the sonotrode and/or the anvil perpendicular to the contact surface to hold the workpieces fixed between the anvil and the sonotrode and applying ultrasonic vibrations to the workpieces by the sonotrode for a predetermined period of time to induce softening of the plastic workpiece and penetrate pin-like elements of the SCSS into the plastic workpiece.

The assembly consists of at least one metal insert and one reinforcing sheet. The reinforcing sheet contains reinforcing fibers longer than or equal in length to one centimeter. The metal insert comprises protrusions shaped to traverse the sheet, passing between the reinforcing fibers, and to fold by plastic deformation, enclosing the reinforcing fibers when said protrusions are subjected to a longitudinal compression force.

A shaft comprises two parts. One of these two parts is tube-shaped, and the other is pushed into the tube-shaped part along a main axis. The two parts are fixed to each other for rotation about the main axis and connected to each other in a gliding way along the main axis, by a spline provided between the two parts. One of the two parts comprises a plurality of elongated teeth which are parallel to the main axis and whose cross-sections decrease from the first part towards the second part. Intermediate spaces between neighboring teeth are at least as broad as the teeth. The other of the two parts, at its circumference facing the first part, is made of plastically deformable plastic material, and a counter-profile into which the teeth engage is pressed in the plastic material by intrusion of the teeth during assembly of the two parts.