FLEXSEAL LAUNCHES A WORLD FIRST: THE ICON INTERNAL COUPLING

New coupling achieves previously impossible pipe connections

The innovative new Icon Coupling from market-leading Flexseal securely connects pipes via their internal surfaces – and it’s now available. When installed, the Icon Coupling forms a long-lasting, watertight and airtight seal, where - until now - no good connection has been possible.

Circumstances that have previously proved a real challenge include connection of spiral reinforced pipes, those with surface damage, pipes embedded in concrete and pipes with no accessible stub or spigot. In each of these cases, contractors were unable to use a traditional coupling, as the seal relies on fitting to the external pipe wall. Flexseal has developed the new Icon internal coupling especially for these situations.

Demonstrations of the Icon Coupling will take place at the Water, Sewerage & Waste Exhibition to be held at Old Trafford on Thursday 27th March. The demonstrations are planned for 11.30 and 14.00 hours at Flexseal’s stand, no. 42.

Dave Milnes, Product Development Engineer at Flexseal and inventor of the Icon Coupling, explained, “Customers often call our Technical Department with challenging pipe connections. We are always looking to develop new, cost-effective ways to ensure a reliable seal. After developing this product, and thoroughly testing it, I’m confident that the Icon Coupling will solve these tricky situations for our customers.”

Simple sophistication

Although theoretically simple, the Icon Coupling represents a technological breakthrough for contractors and is completely unique in the market: connecting pipes via their internal surfaces. Lee Pashley, Sales Director at Flexseal commented, “The Flexseal team invest heavily in the development of new and exciting products. Flexseal has become the name that specialises in flexible couplings throughout the world and we continue to creatively address the challenges that our customers meet every day.“

The Icon Coupling provides a robust seal in a wide number of applications: the pipes to be connected just need a circular internal profile and similar inside diameters, although bushes and sleeves can be used in conjunction with the coupling, where necessary. Icon Couplings are available for pipes with internal diameters between 150 and 400mm.

The new Icon Coupling is made from high-quality materials and to the exacting standards for which Flexseal are renowned. Icon products meet the performance requirements of EN 295:4 and WIS 4-41-01 standards. The body, spacer bracket and tension assembly are all made from quality 1.4301 stainless steel. The rubber seal, made from EPDM, is manufactured according to the standard EN681:1.

Secure Installation

Installation is simple and can be achieved by hand: place the Icon Coupling into the pipe which is already laid, push the second pipe onto the coupling and tighten the tension assembly to the recommended torque. The coupling’s spacer bracket serves as an assembly aid, ensuring the coupling is installed to the correct depth. The tapered end section aids smooth pipe insertion.

Once the tension assembly is tightened, the seal gasket reaches a high surface pressure, so that a secure, flawless airtight and watertight connection is guaranteed, even with the irregular inner walls of concrete pipes.

“By understanding the problems faced in difficult repairs, we have developed a coupling that connects pipes via their internal surfaces. The Flexseal team is offering contractors a world first solution to some tricky on-site problems,” stated Lee Pashley. “I’m delighted to be part of a team that thrives on innovation and on assisting our customers to produce efficient cost-effective repairs.”

Icon Couplings will be available through builders’ merchants.

For more information, please take a look at www.flexseal.co.uk or call 01226 340222.

-ENDS-

PHOTOCAPTIONS:

Icon Coupling

Pictured here; The Icon Coupling, which connects pipes via their internal surfaces, is now available.

Icon Installation

Pictured here; The Icon Coupling achieves a secure connection between pipes with different outside diameters, or where the external pipe wall is irregular or inaccessible.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

Established in 1988 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Flexseal leads the UK market in the design, manufacture and assembly of flexible couplings for the repair of sewer and drainage pipes. Following considerable growth in the late 1990’s across domestic and international markets, the company acquired a new state of the art purpose built production facility in Wombwell, Barnsley. Acquired by the US Fernco group of companies in 2004, Flexseal is today part of a global group that supplies the most comprehensive range of flexible couplings in the world. Today, the Flexseal brand is synonymous with the highest quality products and services available throughout the industry, with all products being manufactured and tested to consistently meet UK and International approvals. Flexseal is sister company to Source One Environmental, formerly known as Fernco Environmental, a global leader providing innovative technologies for the infrastructure rehabilitation and water management markets.

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