Patents Assigned to LMK Enterprises
  • Patent number: 8721216
    Abstract: A method of repairing and renewing a manhole chimney utilizes a circumferentially stretchable liner sleeve which is inserted into the manhole and pressed by an inflatable bladder into engagement with the walls of the manhole chimney. The sleeve is coated with an uncured resin, which is allowed to cure as the sleeve is pressed against the chimney walls, thereby attaching the sleeve to the walls of the manhole chimney. The stretchable sleeve eliminates air spaces between the sleeve and the chimney walls, and precludes formation of undesirable folds in the sleeve. The sleeve stretches circumferentially up to 150% of its unstretched diameter, while having a substantially unstretchable length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: LMK Enterprises, Inc., O'Sullivan Trenchless Installation Services
    Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr., Jason Bartlett, Thomas M. O'Sullivan, III, Raymond L. Greek, Timothy L. Back, Donald L. Betzold
  • Patent number: 8418728
    Abstract: Methods of adhering structural elements to polyethylene and like materials are provided. A two-part modified epoxy adhesive is used in the repair of a main/lateral pipe junction, in connecting PE pipe to form a pipe line, in providing an access to the interior bore of a buried pipe, and other applications of requiring a buried structural element be adhered to a PE or like material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120204989
    Abstract: A kit, apparatus, and method for sealing a junction between a manhole and a pipe within a sewer system are provided. In a first embodiment, the end of a pipe adjacent a manhole is sealed by the use of a pipe liner and a tubular sleeve made of a hydrophilic material. In a second embodiment, a majority of the area surrounding a junction of a pipe and a manhole is sealed by the use of a tubular sleeve made of a hydrophilic material including a flange portion, a pipe liner, and a manhole liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, JR.
  • Patent number: 8240341
    Abstract: A kit, apparatus, and method for sealing a junction between a manhole and a pipe within a sewer system are provided. In a first embodiment, the end of a pipe adjacent a manhole is sealed by the use of a pipe liner and a tubular sleeve made of a hydrophilic material. The tubular sleeve is held in place by a mechanical fastener and a pipe liner is installed or otherwise placed through the tubular sleeve and against the wall of the pipe. In a second embodiment, a majority of the area surrounding a junction of a pipe and a manhole is sealed by the use of a tubular sleeve made of a hydrophilic material including a flange portion, a mechanical fastener, a pipe liner, and a manhole liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8240340
    Abstract: A kit, apparatus, and method for sealing a junction between a manhole and a pipe within a sewer system are provided. In a first embodiment, the end of a pipe adjacent a manhole is sealed by the use of a pipe liner and a tubular sleeve made of a hydrophilic material. In a second embodiment, a majority of the area surrounding a junction of a pipe and a manhole is sealed by the use of a tubular sleeve made of a hydrophilic material including a flange portion, a pipe liner, and a manhole liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8172482
    Abstract: The pipe access device is comprised of a curved plate adapted to engage an underground pipe along an arc of the outer surface of the pipe, and a boss extending upwardly from the curved plate about an aperture in the curved plate. The curved plate extends along an arc of the outer surface of the curved plate that corresponds to a central angle of the pipe less than or equal to 180°. The curved plate includes a concave surface with a radius of curvature less than a radius of curvature of the outer surface of the pipe so as to bias the curved plate against the outer surface of the pipe when the curved plate is flexed to engage the pipe. The pipe access device is for use in providing access to the buried pipe that requires minimal excavation and disruption of the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8118063
    Abstract: A new apparatus for repairing a damaged portion of a pipe includes a liner having a tubular sleeve of resin absorbent material that is capable of being stretched circumferentially and a plastic film laminated to an exterior surface of the sleeve. The plastic film contains resinous material in the liner until the liner is stretched circumferentially to thereby breech the integrity of the plastic film and expose the resinous material to a damaged section of pipe in need of repair. A method of lining a damaged section of pipe using the liner is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7987873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new liner for repairing a damaged portion of a pipe. A lining tube formed from a non-resin absorbent material has an exterior surface adapted to receive a curable resin and contact an interior wall of the pipe. The present invention also includes a main/lateral liner assembly for repairing the junction between main and lateral pipes using a non-resin absorbent liner for at least a portion of the lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7975726
    Abstract: A liner tube is provided for repairing either a single pipe line or a main pipe line having a lateral pipe line connected thereto. The liner tube assembly includes a liner tube impregnated with a liquid material capable of curing and hardening. The liner tube includes a gasket or band positioned about the juncture of the pipe lines. The gasket or bands form a tight seal between the liner tube and the pipe line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7896032
    Abstract: The present invention is a new liner assembly for use in pipes constructed from a flexible liner formed from a resin absorbent material. A compressible material, such as stitch-bond or foam, is attached to one or more sides of the liner for forming a taper along the compressible material when the liner is cured in place in the pipe using a curable resin and an expandable bladder to shape the liner to match the inside shape of the pipe. A taper is formed along the compressible material from the inside of the liner down to the inside of the pipe in which the liner is placed. As a result, a taper prevents accumulation of solid materials at the location of the pipe repair and thus prevents future clogging of the pipe at the repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7845372
    Abstract: A lining apparatus and method is provided that obviates the need for a bladder to press the liner against the host pipe. The lining apparatus may include an extension tube sealed to the liner at one of its ends with an inversion mechanism attached to the other end of the liner for inverting the liner to its desired position within the pipe to be repaired. The lining apparatus can also avoid the use of an extension tube by temporarily closing the liner during the inversion process so that the liner can be inflated when pressurized by a fluid and then sealing an open end of the liner after it has been inverted into the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7753081
    Abstract: A method of inserting a cured in-place pipe from a cleanout includes positioning a lining along a portion of a length of a bladder, wherein the lining is frangibly connected to the bladder, inserting the bladder through the cleanout, to a position wherein the lining is within the pipe and does not block the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7670086
    Abstract: A method of repairing and renewing a manhole chimney utilizes a circumferentially stretchable liner sleeve which is inserted into the manhole and pressed by an inflatable bladder into engagement with the walls of the manhole chimney. The sleeve is coated with an uncured resin, which is allowed to cure as the sleeve is pressed against the chimney walls, thereby attaching the sleeve to the walls of the manhole chimney. The stretchable sleeve eliminates air spaces between the sleeve and the chimney walls, and precludes formation of undesirable folds in the sleeve. The sleeve stretches circumferentially up to 150% of its unstretched diameter, while having a substantially unstretchable length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignees: LMK Enterprises, Inc., O'Sullivan Trenchless Installation Services
    Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr., Jason Bartlett, Thomas M. O'Sullivan, III, Raymond L. Greek, Timothy L. Back, Donald L. Betzold
  • Patent number: 7588055
    Abstract: A method of inserting a cured in-place pipe from a cleanout includes positioning a lining along a portion of a length of a bladder, wherein the lining is frangible connected to the bladder, inserting the bladder through the cleanout, to a position wherein the lining is within the pipe and does not block the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7588054
    Abstract: The method for identifying lateral pipes includes printing identifying indicia on the interior surface of a liner assembly positioned adjacent the lateral pipe. The apparatus includes the liner assembly in place with the identifying indicia visible from the interior of the pipe line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7448413
    Abstract: A method of inserting a cured in-place pipe from a cleanout includes positioning a lining along a portion of a length of a bladder, wherein the lining is frangibly connected to the bladder, inserting the bladder through the cleanout, to a position wherein the lining is within the pipe and does not block the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7426941
    Abstract: The method for identifying lateral pipes includes printing identifying indicia on the interior surface of a liner assembly positioned adjacent the lateral pipe. The apparatus includes the liner assembly in place with the identifying indicia visible from the interior of the pipe line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7343937
    Abstract: A method of inserting a cured in-place pipe from a cleanout includes positioning a lining along a portion of a length of a bladder, wherein the lining is frangibly connected to the bladder, inserting the bladder through the cleanout, to a position wherein the lining is within the pipe and does not block the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7306011
    Abstract: The method for identifying lateral pipes includes printing identifying indicia on the interior surface of a liner assembly positioned adjacent the lateral pipe. The apparatus includes the liner assembly in place with the identifying indicia visible from the interior of the main pipe line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6837486
    Abstract: A frame assembly includes a shoe frame and a roller frame. The shoe frame includes an inflatable bladder thereon and the roller frame includes at least one roller that is rotatably mounted thereto. The method of the present invention comprises placing the shoe within a pipe and inflating the bladder so as to secure the shoe frame within the pipe. A flexible cable is then trained around the roller and into the flexible pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr., Victor F. Schuh, Eric G. Vanderlans, Stephen L. Thomas, Rick A. Fast