US Patent 8002139 Method of joining a plastic tube to another tube

A method of joining a thermoplastic tube to another tube includes orienting a thermoplastic tube within an outer tube, positioning a malleable band within the thermoplastic tube, and expanding the malleable band radially until a seal is formed between the thermoplastic tube and the outer tube. The invention may also be considered an apparatus including a first tube a second tube and a malleable band. The first tube contains a portion of the second tube. The malleable band is expanded radially, forming a seal between the first and second tube.