Apparatus for installing a packing material in a muffler assembly; and methods thereof

A process for installing a packing material in a tubular assembly;

• the process comprising:
• (a) orienting a mat of packing material over a perforated tubular wall;
• (b) orienting the perforated tubular wall over a mandrel;
• (c) removing at least a portion of air from a region between the mat and the mandrel by:
• (i) forming a seal between the perforated tubular wall and the mandrel by inflating a sealing tube between the mandrel and the tubular wall;
• and
• (ii) drawing a partial vacuum through the perforated tubular wall after the perforated tubular wall is oriented over the mandrel;
• (d) after said step of removing at least a portion of air, orienting a shell over the mat;
• and
• (e) breaking the seal between the tubular wall and the mandrel by deflating the sealing tube.

A process for installing a packing material in a tubular assembly;

• the process comprising:
• (a) compressing a mat of packing material by removing at least a portion of air by:
• (i) orienting a tubular wall over a mandrel;
• (ii) forming a seal between the tubular wall and the mandrel by inflating a sealing tube between the mandrel and the tubular wall;
• (iii) drawing a partial vacuum after the seal is formed;
• (iv) orienting the mat of packing material against the tubular wall;
• (b) after said step of compressing the mat, orienting a shell over and against the mat;
• (c) breaking the seal between the tubular wall and the mandrel by deflating the sealing tube;
• and
• (d) removing an assembly comprising the tubular wall, mat, and shell from the mandrel.