A tool for use in fusing an outlet fitting in the side wall of a plastic pipe has a base with three perpendicular guide rods. A movable plate is reciprocated on the guide rods in response to manual operation of a rack-and-pinion. The movable plate has a hole oriented to align a drill adapter and an outlet fitting adapter which are interchangeably inserted into the hole on an axis extending through a predetermined point on the longitudinal axis of the pipe. A retractable ratchet strap tightly girts the pipe to secure the tool against the pipe. The ratchet strap assures that the tool always maintains its original orientation on the pipe and the hole assures that interchanged drill and outlet fitting adapters are always returned to their original orientation in the tool. Therefore, the outlet fitting is always fused in its proper orientation in the pipe.

A method and apparatus for attaching a branch polymeric fitting to a host polymeric pipe in which a flexible heating blanket is inserted between and used to heat the respective branch and host pipe surfaces. When the parts reach the appropriate temperature, the pipes are separated a small distance and the heating blanket is removed. The branch fitting and host pipe are then fused by placing the heated pipe ends in contact and applying pressure.

A snap fitting for use in plumbing is provided. The snap fitting includes a main body formed of plastic and shaped to extend partially around a cylindrical pipe to snap over the pipe and an inset for extending from an interior side of the main body into a hole in the cylindrical pipe.

Installation fittings for use with induction weldable pipe connectors for assembling multi-layer pipe fluid distribution systems. Induction welding pipe connectors including a major central pipe connector section and a minor lateral pipe connector section pair having reduced thickness relative to the major central pipe connector section. Induction welding pipe connectors with integral solder flow barrier for assembling fluid distribution systems. Electromagnetic induction coil reverse action pliers for use with induction weldable pipe connectors for assembling fluid distribution systems.

A pipe processing apparatus, for forming branches on pipes made of thermoplastic material, including a base adapted to be fastened to the outer wall of a pipe and a supporting structure which extends from the base; a support member is slidingly associated with the supporting structure and is adapted to receive an interchangeable processing/handling means configured to interact with the pipe; the apparatus also includes a movement means which engages the support member in order to move it on command along a processing axis. The supporting structure includes a single elongated structural element.

A snap fitting for use in plumbing is provided. The snap fitting includes a main body formed of plastic and shaped to extend partially around a cylindrical pipe to snap over the pipe and an inset for extending from an interior side of the main body into a hole in the cylindrical pipe.

A coupling may be configured to receive and secure an insertion end of a conduit. An outer surface of the insertion end of the conduit may be smooth and free of grooves, flanges and beads. A first member of the coupling may define a first passageway. A second member of the coupling may define a second passageway. The first member may be in engagement with the second member. A gripping ring having an inner edge defining a series of teeth may be disposed within the second member. A support ring and O-ring may also be disposed within the second member.

An electroweldable branch fitting for high diameter pipes comprises at least a first collar (20, 20′) provided with a predetermined radius of curvature (R), wherein the collar (20, 20′) identifies on opposite sides a concave surface (21) and a convex surface (22), further comprising at least one first electrical wire winding (23) associated with the concave surface (21) of the collar (20, 20′) and carrying one first pair of electrical terminals (24), arranged on the convex surface (22) of the collar (20, 20′) for applying an electric current adapted to cause the electrofusion of the collar (20, 20′), wherein the concave surface (21) of the collar (20, 20′) is continuous, i.e. not perforated, and wherein the first electrical wire winding (23) is uniformly distributed on the concave surface (21) at least in the central part thereof, the collar (20, 20′) being provided with a branch sleeve (30), centrally on the convex surface (22), for the connection to a branch pipe, the branch sleeve identifying a blind hole (32) having a bottom wall (32) consisting of the wall of the collar (20, 20′).

A snap fitting for use in plumbing is provided. The snap fitting includes a main body formed of plastic and shaped to extend partially around a cylindrical pipe to snap over the pipe and an inset for extending from an interior side of the main body into a hole in the cylindrical pipe.

A multi-lumen article includes at least two profiles including at least two lumen, wherein the at least two profiles include a first profile and a second profile, the first profile including a first end and a first lumen, wherein the first lumen provides a fluid flow in a first path; and the second profile including a second end and a second lumen, wherein the second lumen provides a fluid flow in a distinct path different than the first path, wherein at least one profile comprises a polymeric material, wherein the first end and the second end are coincidently bonded without a bonding material at an interface at the first end and the second end.