Patent ID: 7204520

Claim:
A device for connecting components made of fusible plastic, the components including a first component comprising a fuel tank, said fuel tank having a tank opening configured as an inwardly directed annular sleeve protruding into the interior of the tank, a second component comprising an end of a plastic fuel line inserted into the inwardly protruding sleeve of the first component with an annular gap between the first and second components, and a welding sleeve disposed in the annular gap between the first and second components, said device comprising: a heating element having ends through which electrical energy can be supplied; and a holding element for engaging a holding tool, wherein the heating element and the holding element are part of the welding sleeve and the heating element is arranged on inner and outer surfaces of the welding sleeve, the ends of the heating element are disposed on the holding element and engage contacts on the holding tool when the holding tool is applied to the holding element, and the welding sleeve includes an insertion depth limit stop on the outer surface of the welding sleeve, wherein said insertion depth limit stop is a radially-outward projecting ridge formed over at least two portions of a circumference of the welding sleeve.