A coupling component (60,30) having a first end (61,71) and a second end (66,76), the component having a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, the first end of the component comprising a first tubular portion (62,71) having a first internal diameter adapted to form a sliding fit with a first pipe section, and a first seal adapted such that the first end can be sealed in use to the first pipe section; the second end having a second diameter or cross-sectional area which is larger than the first diameter and wherein the second end incorporates a flange (67,77), wherein at least part of the face of said flange is in a plane substantially non-perpendicular to, or offset from, the longitudinal axis of the component.

Microfluidic devices are provided for conducting fluid assays, for example biological assays, that have the ability to move fluids through multiple channels and pathways in a compact, efficient, and low cost manner. Discrete flow detection elements, preferably extremely short hollow flow elements, with length preferably less than 700 micron, preferably less than 500 micron, and internal diameter preferably of between about 50+/25 micron, are provided with capture agent, and are inserted into microfluidic channels by tweezer or vacuum pick-and-place motions at fixed positions in which they are efficiently exposed to fluids for conducting assays. Close-field electrostatic attraction is employed to define the position of the elements and enable ready withdrawal of the placing instruments. The microfluidic devices feature flow elements, channels, valves, and on-board pumps that are low cost to fabricate accurately, are minimally invasive to the fluid path and when implemented for the purpose, can produce multiplex assays on a single portable assay cartridge (chip) that have low coefficients of variation. Novel methods of construction, assembly and use of these features are presented, including co-valent bonding of selected regions of faces of surface-activatable bondable materials, such as PDMS to PDMS and PDMS to glass, while contiguous portions of one flexible sheet completes and seals flow channels, fixes the position of inserted analyte-detection elements in the channels, especially short hollow flow elements through which sample and reagent flow, and other portions form flexible valve membranes and diaphragms of pumps. A repeated make-and-break-contact manufacturing protocol prevents such bonding to interfere with moving the integral valve diaphragm portions from their valve seats defined by the opposed sheet member, which the flexible sheet material engages. Preparation of two subassemblies, each having a backing of relatively rigid material, followed by their assembly face-to-face in a permanent bond is shown. Hollow detection flow elements are shown fixed in channels, that provide by-pass flow paths of at least 50% of the flow capacity through the elements; in preferred implementations, as much as 100% or more. Metallized polyester film is shown to have numerous configurations and advantages in non-permanently bonded constructions. A method of preparing detection elements for an assay comprises batch coating detection elements, or hollow flow elements by mixing and picking and placing the elements in flow channels of a microfluidic device, capturing the flow elements by bonding two opposed layers while sealing the flow channels.

A hot water storage device having a vessel includes a first section formed from a molded material and a second section formed from a molded material. An open end of the first section is sealingly engaged with an opposing open end of the second section to form the vessel. The first and second sections each have a generally cylindrical body portion and a closed end, comprising a head portion. The vessel includes a water inlet aperture molded into the first or second section and a water outlet aperture molded into the first or second section and wherein the inlet and outlet apertures are located on the body portion proximal to a tangent line between the body portion and the head portion.

Electric welding coupler for the welding of pipes made of thermoplastic material or other weldable plastics comprising a cylindrical body made of thermoplastic material or other weldable plastics, containing at least one welding element, wherein the welding element is arranged close to the inner diameter of the cylindrical body, wherein the welding element forms at least two welding zones, a contact for feeding the electric current and at least one cavity, wherein the cavity is arranged in the cylindrical body, wherein a reinforcing ring is arranged around the outer circumference respectively outer diameter of the cylindrical body.

A tubing including an overmold is connected to a fitting by welding the overmold to the fitting. Methods for doing the same are also provided. Also provided are methods for forming an overmold on a tubing or on a tubing and fitting assembly.

A microcatheter comprising an elongate flexible tubular body, a tip body and a coupling is disclosed. The elongate flexible tubular body has a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending axially therethrough. The tip body has a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending axially therethrough. The coupling covers a portion of both the tubular body and tip body and is made from a first material and a second material, where the first material is different from the second material. The first material is compatible with an outermost layer of the tubular body and an outermost layer of the tip body, and the second material is configured to form a detachable bond with at least one of the tubular body and the tip body.

A method for producing an induction connection sleeve includes laying up a first induction heating element in a first injection-mold half; laying up a second induction heating element in a second injection-mold half; mutually compressing the first and second injection-mold halves; injecting a thermoplastic plastics material into first and second molding cavities; opening the first and the second injection-mold halves; ejecting an internal part of a sleeve body having induction heating elements from one of the injection-mold halves; laying up the internal part of the sleeve body having the induction heating elements in a third injection-mold half; closing a third molding cavity; injecting a thermoplastic plastics material into the third molding cavity; opening the third molding cavity; and ejecting the finished induction connection sleeve.

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.

The present invention relates to a device for installation into a hose and/or plastic pipe system and mounting of flow measurement sensors which comprises a plastic flow part as a hollow body with a centrally arranged and deformable region with a rectangular cross section. The present invention further relates to the use of the abovementioned device as well as to a method of flow measurement using the device.

Pipe joint, which comprises at least one first pipe section (2), and a sleeve part 5, into which the butt end part of the pipe section (2) is disposed in such a way that the sleeve part (5) extends a distance on top of the pipe section (2) from the butt end of the pipe section that is inside the sleeve, and heating means (7), such as resistance wires. For forming the joint, a joint component (3) is arranged between the outer surface (16) of at least one pipe section (2) and the inside surface (15) of the sleeve part (5), which joint component is configured to form a joint with the sleeve part (5) when the joint area is warmed with the heating means (7), and that a collar (6) is arranged on the pipe section (2), which collar comprises a detent surface (10) for the joint component (3). The invention also relates to a method for forming a pipe joint.