Patents Assigned to LMK Enterprises
  • Publication number: 20070113519
    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: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: LMK ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Kiest, Jason Bartlett, Thomas O'Sullivan, Raymond Greek, Timothy Back, Donald Betzold
  • Publication number: 20060219311
    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: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: LMK ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Larry Kiest
  • Publication number: 20060185747
    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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: LMK ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Larry Kiest
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6641687
    Abstract: A pipe repair apparatus includes an outer carrier tube, an inner bladder tube within the carrier tube, and a repair sleeve within the bladder tube. The bladder tube and the carrier tube are formed by one unitary tube which is folded back upon itself. A wick extends from the repair sleeve to the rear end of the bladder tube and permits evacuation of gases from the bladder tube when the bladder tube is flattened by a vacuum during insertion of a curable resin into the bladder tube at its forward end. The bladder tube can be inverted out of the carrier tube so as to place the repair sleeve in contact with an area to be repaired within a sewer pipe. This method may also be used to repair the damaged joint between a lateral sewer line and a main sewer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises
    Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr., Gary VanAmeyde
  • Patent number: 6482280
    Abstract: A pipe repair apparatus includes an outer carrier tube, an inner bladder tube within the carrier tube, and a repair sleeve within the bladder tube. The bladder tube and the carrier tube are formed by one unitary tube which is folded back upon itself. A wick extends from the repair sleeve to the rear end of the bladder tube and permits evacuation of gases from the bladder tube when the bladder tube is flattened by a vacuum during insertion of a curable resin into the bladder tube at its forward end. The bladder tube can be inverted out of the carrier tube so as to place the repair sleeve in contact with an area to be repaired within a sewer pipe. This method may also be used to repair the damaged joint between a lateral sewer line and a main sewer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises
    Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr., Gary VanAmeyde
  • Patent number: 6206993
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a lining material into a pipeline includes an elongated carrier device having a hollow central portion which encloses a liner-bladder assembly. The liner-bladder assembly includes an elongated inflation bladder which engages an open end of the carrier device and expands under fluid pressure out of the carrier device. The pipe liner is frangibly attached to the inflation bladder such that its attachment anchors the liner with respect to the open end of the carrier device to permit accurate placement of the liner within a pipeline proximate to a compromised section of the pipeline. The frangible connection breaks when the carrier device and inflation bladder are removed from the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr., Gary VanAmeyde
  • Patent number: 6199591
    Abstract: A pipe repair apparatus includes an outer carrier tube, an inner bladder tube within the carrier tube, and a repair sleeve within the bladder tube. The bladder tube and the carrier tube are formed by one unitary tube which is folded back upon itself. A wick extends from the repair sleeve to the rear end of the bladder tube and permits evacuation of gases from the bladder tube when the bladder tube is flattened by a vacuum during insertion of a curable resin into the bladder tube at its forward end. The bladder tube can be inverted out of the carrier tube so as to place the repair sleeve in contact with an area to be repaired within a sewer pipe. This method may also be used to repair the damaged joint between a lateral sewer line and a main sewer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises
    Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr., Gary VanAmeyde
  • Patent number: 6105619
    Abstract: A pipe repair apparatus includes an outer carrier tube, an inner bladder tube within the carrier tube, and a repair sleeve within the bladder tube. The bladder tube and the carrier tube are formed by one unitary tube which is folded back upon itself. A wick extends from the repair sleeve to the rear end of the bladder tube and permits evacuation of gases from the bladder tube when the bladder tube is flattened by a vacuum during insertion of a curable resin into the bladder tube at its forward end. The bladder tube can be inverted out of the carrier tube so as to place the repair sleeve in contact with an area to be repaired within a sewer pipe. This method may also be used to repair the damaged joint between a lateral sewer line and a main sewer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6039079
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing the junction of a sewer main line and a lateral pipe includes a generally T-shaped flexible translucent urethane inflatable bladder having a main line portion and a lateral portion. The lateral portion is inverted through the main line portion and extends out one end thereof. A liner assembly of resin absorbent material is formed, with a tubular lateral liner connected to a flat sheet main liner, at a central opening in the flat sheet liner. Each liner is coated with a polymer coating, for an airtight seal, and a polymer tape is welded to the polymer coating on the lateral liner and the junction of the lateral liner and flat sheet, to form airtight seals. The liner assembly is then installed in the bladder assembly, by threading the lateral liner into the lateral bladder until the flat sheet contacts the main line bladder. The lateral liner is then impregnated with uncured resin and the liner/bladder assembly is installed on launcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6021815
    Abstract: A pipe repair apparatus includes an outer carrier tube, an inner bladder tube within the carrier tube, and a repair sleeve within the bladder tube. The bladder tube and the carrier tube are formed by one unitary tube which is folded back upon itself. A wick extends from the repair sleeve to the rear end of the bladder tube and permits evacuation of gases from the bladder tube when the bladder tube is flattened by a vacuum during insertion of a curable resin into the bladder tube at its forward end. The bladder tube can be inverted out of the carrier tube so as to place the repair sleeve in contact with an area to be repaired within a sewer pipe. This method may also be used to repair the damaged joint between a lateral sewer line and a main sewer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises
    Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr., Gary VanAmeyde
  • Patent number: 5964249
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a pipeline includes an elongated flexible tube with one end inverted upon itself to create an outer inverted portion and an inner non-inverted portion connected at an inversion end. An elongated sleeve-shaped liner impregnated with rosin is fitted within the non-inverted portion of the tube member in contact with the interior surface thereof. A plurality of attachment strips are frangible connected at one end to the liner, and permanently affixed to the tube inner surface, such that inversion of the tube member will cause the attachment strips to invert to the exterior of the inverted portion, and thereby also invert the liner to the exterior surface of the inverted portion of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5950682
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing the junction of a sewer main line and a lateral pipe includes a generally T-shaped inflatable bladder having a main line portion and a lateral portion with resin absorbent liner wrapped around the main line portion and lateral portions of the bladder. The liner is impregnated with uncured resin, and the lateral bladder is then inverted within the main line bladder, thereby inverting the lateral liner along with the lateral bladder. The liner/bladder assembly is positioned within a main line pipe with the lateral bladder coaxially aligned with a lateral pipe, to repair the junction between the lateral pipe and the main line pipe. Fluid is then introduced within the main line and lateral bladders to extend the lateral bladder into the lateral pipe, and to radially expand both the main line and lateral bladders to force the liners into contact with the main line pipe and lateral pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5855729
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a lining material into a pipeline includes an elongated carrier device having a hollow central portion which encloses a liner-bladder assembly. The liner-bladder assembly includes an elongated inflation bladder which engages an open end of the carrier device and expands under fluid pressure out of the carrier device. The pipe liner is frangibly attached to the inflation bladder such that its attachment anchors the liner with respect to the open end of the carrier device to permit accurate placement of the liner within a pipeline proximate to a compromised section of the pipeline. The frangible connection breaks when the carrier device and inflation bladder are removed from the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises
    Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr., Gary VanAmeyde
  • Patent number: 5794663
    Abstract: A pipe repair apparatus includes an outer carrier tube, an inner bladder tube within the carrier tube, and a repair sleeve within the bladder tube. The bladder tube and the carrier tube are formed by one unitary tube which is folded back upon itself. A wick extends from the repair sleeve to the rear end of the bladder tube and permits evacuation of gases from the bladder tube when the bladder tube is flattened by a vacuum during insertion of a curable resin into the bladder tube at its forward end. The bladder tube can be inverted out of the carrier tube so as to place the repair sleeve in contact with an area to be repaired within a sewer pipe. This method may also be used to repair the damaged joint between a lateral sewer line and a main sewer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises
    Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr., Gary Van Ameyde
  • Patent number: 5501248
    Abstract: A liner for lining the interior of subterranean pipes, such as sewers is formed from a seamless, knitted fabric sleeve having a pile construction in which piles extend away from a ground portion of the sleeve, open areas being formed among the ground and piles. A synthetic resin is applied to the fabric sleeve so as to thoroughly impregnate the sleeve. The resin-coated sleeve may be installed in an underground pipe by everting same under fluid pressure. The sleeve has expansion capabilities which permits the resin-impregnated sleeve to be in contact with the interior surface of the pipe for the entire length of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.