Abstract: A manhole liner and a method of using the same are provided. The manhole liner is sized substantially equally to the largest diameter of the manhole, so that the liner does not have to stretch to be pressed against the manhole wall. Additionally, the liner is impregnated with a resinous material capable of curing and hardening. A bladder, preferably stretchable circumferentially and having a diameter less than the smallest diameter of the manhole, is inserted into the liner. The bladder is expanded to press the liner against the wall of the manhole to dispense resinous material from the liner, while the liner is able to fold over itself in areas having a diameter less than the original diameter of the liner. Because the bladder stretches to produce a smooth outside surface, the resinous material will migrate to areas in the folds and will cure with a smooth interior surface.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method and assembly for repairing a pipe or the junction of two pipes, such as sewer pipes. The assembly includes a launcher device having a launcher device body, a launcher device opening disposed on the launcher device body, and a main bladder substantially surrounding the launcher device body. The main bladder includes an opening that substantially aligns with the launcher device opening. The assembly further includes an absorbent liner and a lateral bladder having a tubular lateral bladder body portion and a flange portion. The flange portion of the lateral bladder is attached to the exterior of the launcher device body. A method of using the assembly includes impregnating the liner with resinous material; inserting at least a portion of the liner into the lateral bladder; inflating the bladders; pressing the liner against the pipe; and allowing the resinous material to cure and harden.

Abstract: The method for rehabilitating a damaged section of a pipe without a need for a resin absorbent liner is provided. The method includes pumping a low viscosity material towards a damaged section of pipe and changing the viscosity prior to dispensing of the material. For example, the material may be partially cured prior to dispensing. The partially cured or higher viscosity material is compressed between an inflating bladder and interior wall of the pipe, and the material that is allowed to fully cure. The bladder either can then be removed from the pipe or could be allowed to maintain in the pipe providing a new interior surface for the repaired pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for lining a pipe line having a first pipe section in communication with a second pipe section where the first pipe section has an inside diameter greater than an inside diameter of the second pipe section. A transition tube having an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the second pipe section and a length substantially equal to or greater than the length of the first pipe section is inverted into the pipe line along with a liner. A resinous material applied to the liner cures and hardens the liner after inversion. The transition tube creates a surface against which the liner can be compressed to help prevent the liner from being overstretched in the wider first pipe section.

Abstract: A liner assembly and method for lining a damaged pipe junction between a main and lateral pipe is provided. The liner assembly includes a main liner member and a lateral liner tube. A collar disposed near the juncture between the main liner member and lateral liner tube is impregnated with a liquid hydrophobic or hydrophilic material capable of curing in a flexible or rigid state with the material expanding in the presence of water. The hydrophobic or hydrophilic material can also be applied without the use of the collar. When the liner assembly is pressed against the main and lateral pipes, a portion of the hydrophilic or hydrophobic material is forced into the damaged pipe junction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for structurally renewing and sealing a wall of a manhole. The apparatus includes a tubular sleeve impregnated with a hydrophilic or hydrophobic material capable of expanding when in contact with water, and a liner impregnated with a resinous material capable of curing and hardening. The apparatus is positioned in a manhole and inflated, which forces the tubular sleeve and the liner into contact with the wall of the manhole. The hydrophilic or hydrophobic material is forced into defects of the wall, thus sealing the wall, while the liner is allowed to cure and harden, thus structurally renewing the wall of the manhole.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method and assembly for repairing a pipe or the junction of two pipes, such as sewer pipes. The assembly includes a launcher device having a launcher device body, a launcher device opening disposed on the launcher device body, and a main bladder substantially surrounding the launcher device body. The main bladder includes an opening that substantially aligns with the launcher device opening. The assembly further includes an absorbent liner and a lateral bladder having a tubular lateral bladder body portion and a flange portion. The flange portion of the lateral bladder is attached to the exterior of the launcher device body. A method of using the assembly includes impregnating the liner with resinous material; inserting at least a portion of the liner into the lateral bladder; inflating the bladders; pressing the liner against the pipe; and allowing the resinous material to cure and harden.

Abstract: An assembly and method of sealing a junction of a pipe and a second structure are provided. The assembly includes a pipe liner having a tubular portion and a brim portion, and a mechanical anchor adapted to secure the brim portion of the pipe liner to the second structure. The assembly may further include a compression gasket for placement between the pipe liner and the pipe or second structure. The compression gasket may comprise a hydrophilic material, a hydrophobic material, or a compressible material. The methods of using the assembly include, but are not limited to, the use of a cured-in-place pipe liner.

Abstract: A method and means for repairing the junction of a main and lateral pipe are provided. A repair assembly includes a launcher device, a bladder assembly surrounding the launcher device, and a liner assembly surrounding the bladder assembly. The bladder assembly is frangibly connected to the launcher device to maintain the position of the bladder assembly relative to the launcher device during transport and positioning of the assembly. Likewise, the liner assembly, which includes main and lateral liner members, is frangibly connected to the bladder assembly. The frangible connections allow the position of the repair assembly to be maintained. The frangible connections can be broken, such as by inflation and/or tearing or pulling apart of the components of the repair assembly. Thus, the invention provides a way to mitigate the movement of components of the repair assembly during transport and positioning of the repair assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for structurally renewing and sealing a wall of a manhole. The apparatus includes a tubular sleeve impregnated with a hydrophilic or hydrophobic material capable of expanding when in contact with water, and a liner impregnated with a resinous material capable of curing and hardening. The apparatus is positioned in a manhole and inflated, which forces the tubular sleeve and the liner into contact with the wall of the manhole. The hydrophilic or hydrophobic material is forced into defects of the wall, thus sealing the wall, while the liner is allowed to cure and harden, thus structurally renewing the wall of the manhole.

Abstract: A liner assembly and method for lining a damaged pipe junction between a main and lateral pipe is provided. The liner assembly includes a main liner member and a lateral liner tube. A collar disposed near the juncture between the main liner member and lateral liner tube is impregnated with a liquid hydrophobic or hydrophilic material capable of curing in a flexible or rigid state with the material expanding in the presence of water. The hydrophobic or hydrophilic material can also be applied without the use of the collar. When the liner assembly is pressed against the main and lateral pipes, a portion of the hydrophilic or hydrophobic material is forced into the damaged pipe junction.

Abstract: The invention utilizes temperature sensing to measure the internal temperature of an underground structure, such as a pipe, for the purpose of determining a proper cure interval and/or mix ratio of a resin system during a lining operation. A temperature sensor is placed within a pipe or other underground structure to be rehabilitated and at least one temperature measurement is taken within the structure prior to or simultaneously with the installation of a liner. Once the temperature of an internal aspect of the structure is taken, a cure schedule is utilized to determine the appropriate curing time based on test data obtained from baseline tests performed under simulated conditions in a soil cell apparatus. A computer program may be utilized such that upon entering the type of resin, the lowest recorded temperature of the structure, and the initial resin temperature, a cure schedule is supplied.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming a lining in a pipe is disclosed. A pumpable material capable of curing is dispensed about an interior wall of a damaged section of pipe between an inflatable bladder and the pipe. The pumpable material is compressed between the bladder and the pipe and allowed to cure. An assembly for forming the lining in the pipe includes a feeding pump, a static mixer, a dispensing unit and a bladder. The pumpable material is preferably dispensed rearward of an inverting face of the bladder and the dispensing unit and the bladder move substantially in sync along the interior of the pipe.

Abstract: An assembly and method of sealing a junction of a pipe and a second structure are provided. The assembly includes a pipe liner having a tubular portion and a brim portion, and a mechanical anchor adapted to secure the brim portion of the pipe liner to the second structure. The assembly may further include a compression gasket for placement between the pipe liner and the pipe or second structure. The compression gasket may comprise a hydrophilic material, a hydrophobic material, or a compressible material. The methods of using the assembly include, but are not limited to, the use of a cured-in-place pipe liner.

Abstract: A method of repairing a manhole is provided. A mastic material capable of curing and hardening as applied to a lower portion of the manhole, including the barrel, bench, and into at least one pipe line extending from the manhole. A resin saturated liner may also be included into a portion of the pipe extending from the manhole. A manhole liner saturated with a resinous material is then positioned in the manhole, and the manhole liner, pipe liner, and mastic material are configured to cure at approximately the same time to form a homogenous, repaired interior of the manhole, including a portion extending into the pipe. The pipe or pipes can then be repaired in a manner such as inverting a liner or bladder into the pipe. In the addition of an end seal at the juncture between the pipe and manhole is also contemplated for further sealing the juncture.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a junction between a main sewer pipe and a lateral sewer pipe comprises a tubular portion having opposite first and second ends. A collar extends outwardly from one of the first and second ends of the tubular portion. The tubular portion and the collar are formed of a curable, waterproof putty, such as an epoxy or silicate putty. The putty may also be a resin, such as a thermoset or other curable resin. The apparatus is positioned at the pipe juncture to prevent the migration of water through a damaged section of the pipe.

Abstract: A method and system for dispensing a material through a delivery apparatus is provided. The material initially comprises or is manipulated to comprise a low viscosity. The material either can comprise a curable material or can comprise initiators, which can be activated to raise the viscosity at a later time and position. The low viscosity material is moved through the delivery apparatus for a relatively long distance using low energy. Upon nearing an end use application, the material and/or initiators can be activated by a curing agent, such as a light or heat source, such that the viscosity of the material be raised prior to the end use application thereof. Therefore, the present invention provides a method and system for moving a material normally having a higher viscosity a long distance requiring lower energy and pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for repairing pipes or pipe junctions. The methods include providing a launcher device having a bladder and a liner impregnated with a material capable of curing and hardening. The bladder includes a first end, a closed second end, and an opening proximal the closed second end. A portion of the bladder is positioned within the launcher device, a rope or a line is connected to the liner, and the rope or line is threaded through the opening in the bladder. The rope or the line is pulled until the liner is at least partially within the bladder, and the rope or line is removed. The pipe is repaired by positioning the liner against the wall of a pipe, and allowing a material capable of curing and hardening to cure and harden. The methods allow for the rapid reuse of the bladder.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming a lining in a pipe is disclosed. A pumpable material capable of curing is dispensed about an interior wall of a damaged section of pipe between an inflatable bladder and the pipe. The pumpable material is compressed between the bladder and the pipe and allowed to cure. An assembly for forming the lining in the pipe includes a feeding pump, a static mixer, a dispensing unit and a bladder. The pumpable material is preferably dispensed rearward of an inverting face of the bladder and the dispensing unit and the bladder move substantially in sync along the interior of the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a junction between a main sewer pipe and a lateral sewer pipe comprises a tubular portion having opposite first and second ends. A collar extends outwardly from one of the first and second ends of the tubular portion. The tubular portion and the collar are formed of a curable, waterproof putty, such as an epoxy or silicate putty. The putty may also be a resin, such as a thermoset or other curable resin. The apparatus is positioned at the pipe juncture to prevent the migration of water through a damaged section of the pipe.