Apparatus and method for forming a sealing portion on duct members

An apparatus for forming a sealing end portion on a duct member comprising,

• a work station including a clamping assembly to clamp a first duct member and a forming assembly to form at least one outwardly extending bead in the first duct member in a spaced position adjacent at least one open end of the duct member a predetermined distance from the at least one open end of the duct member, where the at least one sealing bead has an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inside diameter of the end of a second duct member at a position adjacent the open end of the second duct member to frictionally engage the inside diameter when connected for use, to substantially seal the connection between the first and second duct members from the egress of air.

A method of sealing the connection between first and second duct members comprising:

• a) providing a first duct member having a cylindrical configuration and providing at least one sealing bead extending from the side of the first duct member in a position adjacent at least a first end of the first duct member a spaced distance from the at least first end of the first duct member,
• b) providing a second duct member having a cylindrical configuration and an end configured to be connected to the first end of the first duct member,
• c) connecting the end of the second duct member to the first end of the first duct member until the at least one sealing bead frictionally engages the second duct member, to substantially seal the connection between the first and second duct members from the egress of air.