# US 2019/0316679 A1 · Seal apparatus and method of using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0316679 A1 - Document ID: US20190316679A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/382,572 - Filed: 2019-04-12 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-14 - Assignees: John A. Morin - Inventors: Thomas L. Warren - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190316679A1 ## CPC - F16L 5/027: {by means of a joint of the quick-acting type} - H02G 3/22: Installations of cables or lines through walls, floors or ceilings, e.g. into buildings - A61M 39/12: for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment - F16J 15/022: {characterised by structure or material} - F16L 5/10: by using sealing rings or sleeves only - F16J 15/061: {with positioning means (F16J15/0831 takes precedence)} - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS ## Abstract Exemplary embodiments are directed to a seal apparatus for sealing an opening of a structure having a thickness at the opening. The seal apparatus includes a first section disposed at a proximal end, a second section disposed at a distal end, and an intermediate section disposed between the first and second sections. The first section defines a cone-like configuration. An opening extends through the first section, the second section, and the intermediate section. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A seal apparatus for sealing an opening of a structure having a thickness at the opening, the seal apparatus comprising: a first section disposed at a proximal end, the first section defining a cone-like configuration; a second section disposed at a distal end; an intermediate section disposed between the first and second sections; and an opening extending through the first section, the second section, and the intermediate section. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening extending through the first section, the second section, and the intermediate section is configured to receive therethrough a conduit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The seal apparatus of claim 1, comprising a plurality of relief areas formed in the first section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The seal apparatus of claim 3, wherein the relief areas extend a partial distance into a thickness of the first section and enable the first section to compress or collapse under pressure during passage of the first portion through the opening of the structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The seal apparatus of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the first section is dimensioned greater than a diameter of the opening of the structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The seal apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first section is configured to be temporarily compressed during passage through the opening of the structure, and configured to expand to an original expanded configuration after passage through the opening of the structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The seal apparatus of claim 6, wherein an inner wall of the first section forms a seal between the first section and the structure after expansion of the first section to the original expanded configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The seal apparatus of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the intermediate section is dimensioned greater than a diameter of the opening of the structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The seal apparatus of claim 8, wherein during assembly of the seal apparatus with the structure, the intermediate section is compressed within the opening of the structure to create a seal between the intermediate section and the opening of the structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The seal apparatus of claim 1, wherein a length of the intermediate section is dimensioned smaller than the thickness of the structure at the opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The seal apparatus of claim 10, wherein during assembly of the seal apparatus with the structure, inner walls of the first and second sections are configured to be compressed against opposing surfaces of the structure due to the dimensional difference between the length of the intermediate section and the thickness of the structure at the opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The seal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal apparatus is configured to form a first seal between an inner wall of the first section and one wall of the structure, form a second seal between an inner wall of the second section and an opposing wall of the structure, and form a third seal between the intermediate section and an inner surface of the opening of the structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The seal apparatus of claim 1, comprising a relief groove formed in an inner wall of the second section. ### Claim 14 A system for sealing an opening of a structure having a thickness at the opening, the system comprising: a first seal apparatus, comprising: a first section disposed at a proximal end, the first section defining a cone-like configuration; a second section disposed at a distal end; an intermediate section disposed between the first and second sections; and an opening extending through the first section, the second section, and the intermediate section; and a conduit disposed within and extending through the opening of the first seal apparatus. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the first seal apparatus is bonded to or capable of being bonded to the conduit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein a position of the first seal apparatus along the conduit is maintained via a friction fit. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein a connection between the first seal apparatus and the conduit forms a fluid-tight seal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, comprising a second seal apparatus connected to the conduit and facing an opposing direction from the first seal apparatus. ### Claim 19 A method of sealing an opening of a structure having a thickness at the opening, the method comprising: positioning a first section of a seal apparatus adjacent to the opening of the structure, the seal apparatus including (i) the first section disposed at a proximal end and defining a cone-like configuration, (ii) a second section disposed at a distal end, and (iii) an intermediate section disposed between the first and second sections, an opening extending through the first section, the second section, and the intermediate section; compressing the first section during passage of the first section through the opening of the structure; and expanding the first section into an expanded configuration after passage of the first section through the opening of the structure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein after passage of the first section through the opening of the structure, a first seal is formed between an inner wall of the first section and one wall of the structure, a second seal is formed between an inner wall of the second section and an opposing wall of the structure, and a third seal is formed between the intermediate section and an inner surface of the opening of the structure.