To The Lining Of Hollow Body Patents (Class 156/287)
  • Patent number: 5395472
    Abstract: A method for installing plastic liners in pipes includes the steps of providing a plurality of cylindrical tubular liners of plastic material of predetermined diameters. Ribs extend radially between the liners. The liners are deformed or collapsed to reduced overall diameters. The liners are introduced into the pipe. The cylindrical shapes of the liners in the pipe are then restored with the ribs spacing the liners one from the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Ivan C. Mandich
  • Patent number: 5393481
    Abstract: The lining of a lateral pipe which leads into a main pipe is achieved by everting a resin impregnated tubular lining through an elbow in the main pipe, eversion being accomplished by a fluid under pressure supplied through a pressure pipe, the elbow being held in position by an inflatable bag which is inflated by said fluid, the bag sealing the lateral/main pipe junction, and the bag being such that at least one additional pressure pipe may extend past the seal arrangement so that at the same time that the first mentioned lateral lining is curing a second lateral may be similarly lined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) BV
    Inventor: Eric Wood
  • Patent number: 5384086
    Abstract: The method provides that a pipeline (10) or passageway (10) wall is coated using a backstop means, a body of resinous material (6) and an everting tube (5). These items are located inside the passageway to be lined and moved there along with the backstop (1) providing support for the bulk of resin material and also applying pressure via the resin material onto the everting face (16). When the everting tube is a resin absorbent material, the presence of the bulk of the fluent material prevents air from becoming entrained in the everting face and prevents voids in final lining. The resin may be introduced via a tee piece (12) through the lag thereof while the everting tube is introduced along the arms of the tee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) BV
    Inventor: Edward P. Smith
  • Patent number: 5374174
    Abstract: An improved apparatus particularly well adapted for installing a liner within a service pipe having an access end and a terminal end, the liner having a part which is everted and then inflated by the insertion of a fluid thereinto, the fluid being thus inserted by way of a conduit movable into the everted liner part by sliding through the eversion apparatus, the apparatus being further provided with appropriately located winches for controlling the movement of that part into and out of the service pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.
    Inventor: Charles A. Long, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5368809
    Abstract: A thin, flexible tubular membrane provides a heat containment tube for inserting into and inflation within an underground conduit to be repaired. Folded rigid thermoplastic pipe is inserted into the tube while not and flexible. The tubular membrane is pressurized to exclude unwanted fluids from within the existing conduit. Hot steam is injected into the tube to heat the pipe full-length externally and internally until flexible. The pipe is then rounded and expanded against the walls of the conduit with the tube therebetween. The rounding and expanding of the pipe is carried out progressively by moving a plug through the pipe and by injecting hot steam under pressure behind the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: NuPipe, Inc.
    Inventor: Campbell H. Steketee, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5356502
    Abstract: A method for lining a branch pipe comprising the steps of: preparing a tubular liner bag by sewing a rectangular nonwoven resin-absorbent fabric into a tubular shape with one end closed; attaching an impermeable plastic film over the external surface of this tubular liner bag; soaking the nonwoven resin-absorbent fabric with a hardenable fluid resin; everting the liner bag into the branch pipe until the eversion head of the liner bag is stopped by the inner wall of the main pipe; forcing the eversion head of the liner bag to turn downstream in the main pipe, thus allowing the the liner bag to evert entirely; hardening the hardenable fluid resin while inflating the liner bag; and removing that portion of the liner bag which protrudes into the main pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignees: Shonan Gosei-jushi Seisakusyo K.K., Yokoshima & Company
    Inventors: Takao Kamiyama, Yasuhiro Yokoshima
  • Patent number: 5354586
    Abstract: A tubular liner for lining the inner wall of a pipe such as sewer pipe made up of a flexible tubular resin-absorbent fabric to be impregnated with a thermosetting liquid resin and a tubular plastic film welded on the external surface of the tubular resin-absorbent fabric; also disclosed are the methods for making such tubular liner and for impregnating such tubular liner with the thermosetting liquid resin, and in particular the impregnation method is characterized by using a plurality of vacuum suction hoses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignees: Shonan Gosei-Jushi Seisakusho K.K., Yokoshima & Company, OAR Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yokoshima, Hiroyuki Aoki
  • Patent number: 5348764
    Abstract: An improved method for impregnating a tubular lining material with a hardenable liquid resin employed in a pipe repair operation by lining the pipe internally with the lining material; the method comprises (a) supplying about the same amounts of the same hardenable liquid resin to two mixing baths, (b) mixing the hardenable liquid resin with an agent to retard hardening and another agent selected from catalyst to facilitate hardening and hardener in one of the mixing baths, and, at the same time, mixing the hardenable liquid resin with a hardening accelerator in another one of the mixing baths, (c) supplying predetermined amounts of these mixtures to a static mixer from the respective mixing baths, (d) mixing these mixtures together in the static mixer to obtain a final mixture of hardenable resin, (e) supplying the final mixture to the tubular lining material, and (f) impregnating the tubular lining material with the final mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignees: Yasuhiro Yokoshima, Minoru Kamiyama
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Yokoshima
  • Patent number: 5346658
    Abstract: A method for installing a pipe liner in a pipe includes the steps of reducing the diameter of the liner, so that it can be positioned within the pipe, installing the liner in the pipe, enlarging an upstream end of the liner, disposing a liner expander within the upstream end of the liner, pressurizing the upstream end of the liner with a heated fluid, the temperature of the heated fluid being sufficient to soften the liner, and the pressure of the heated fluid being sufficient to propel the liner expander from the upstream end of the liner to a downstream end, allowing a portion of the heated fluid to bypass the liner expander for heating and softening the liner ahead of the expander, and reducing the temperature of the pressurizing fluid to cool the liner below the softening temperature, to allow it to stiffen and form a liner within the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: American Pipe & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Gargiulo
  • Patent number: 5345971
    Abstract: A method is provided for replacing a length of a branch gas main 1 joined to a spine main 2 with a length of replacement main 7 having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the branch main. In the method access is gained to the bore of the branch main and one end of the replacement main 7 is fed along the branch main 1 via the access point and towards the spine main 2 until the branch main 1 has been replaced. During and after the feeding step gas is prevented from entering any clearance 20 between the mains 1 and 7 by means of a head 9 attached to the leading end of the main 7. After the feeding step a sealant 25 is injected into the branch main 1 to form a seal within the clearance 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: British Gas PLC
    Inventors: Anthony D. Elgar, Brian T. Sales, Adrian S. Parkes
  • Patent number: 5342570
    Abstract: A method producing deformed pipe liners from continuously extruded thermoplastic material by collapsing and bending deformable portions of the tube toward a back-up portion thereof and without elongation to maintain diameter and wall thickness, and apparatus to carry out said method and characterized by at least one back-up roller and at least one shaping roller folding the deformable portion along a line of symmetry and juxtaposing a fold of the tube to the back-up portion, all at raised temperature followed by reduced temperature on a rail conforming to the deformed tube configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Pipe Liners, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Ledoux, Luc R. Fourgaut
  • Patent number: 5338383
    Abstract: A ceramic fiber fabric such as an alumino-boro-silicate fabric is impregnated with a silicone elastomer to form a composite material. The fabric may be reinforced with hoops or rings to provide a free-standing insulation. The insulation is attached to the wall of a tank. The tank may be subjected to cryogenic temperatures such as during a cryostretch tank formation procedure, without cracking or spalling the insulation. The insulated tank can withstand exposure of elevated temperatures such as about 2000.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Aerojet General Corporation
    Inventor: John Polackowyj
  • Patent number: 5329063
    Abstract: A lining assembly for lining the inner wall of a branch pipe connected to a main pipe having a flexible tubular resin-impregnated liner that has one end externally reversed to form a collar to fit the inner wall of the main pipe. A first hermetic film covers the internal wall of the tubular liner and a second hermetic film covers the external wall of the tubular liner. An annular resin-absorbent flat felt backs the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Get, Inc.
    Inventor: Shigeru Endoh
  • Patent number: 5306449
    Abstract: A method for lining a high pressure pipeline with a tubular plastic liner. After depressurizing, purging and cleaning the pipeline is broken into discrete sections each of which is to receive a liner segment. The sections are reamed to remove obstructions which might damage the liner and a close-fitting liner segment is drawn into each section. Each liner segment is fixed at opposed ends of respective pipeline sections to prevent longitudinal movement of the segments. Bleeder holes are provided through the pipeline walls at opposed ends of each pipeline section. After the pipeline sections are reconnected to reform the pipeline, a relatively warm, pressurized fluid is pumped through the pipeline to radially expand each liner segment against the inner walls of the pipeline, thus evacuating the spaces between liner segments and pipeline sections by forcing air, water and other impurities through the bleeder holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventors: Perry N. Brittain, John D. Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 5271433
    Abstract: A hose for lining pressure pipe lines is described comprising a web being made up of warp and woof threads, which are made of plastic, as well as a coating of thermoplastic material, which coating is impermeable to the medium to be transported in the pipe lines and is applied onto one side of the web. Due to the pressure of a fluid, the hose is introduced into a pipe line and turned up therewith, in which case a cement in the interior of the hose prior to turning-up will come between the outside of the hose and the inside wall of the pipe line. In order to, on the one hand, obtain high strength in the longitudinal direction and to, on the other hand, facilitate introduction of the hose into the pipe line, the stretching ability of the web, in the transverse direction of the hose, is greater by at least one third as compared to that in its longitudinal direction and, preferably, is at least twice as great.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Inventors: Siegfried Schwert, Franz-Xaver Huemer
  • Patent number: 5265981
    Abstract: A liner assembly for a manhole comprises a multiple ply generally cylindrical tube. The outermost ply is adapted for being impregnated with material for rigidifying and bonding the outermost ply to a manhole. The innermost ply is adapted for being impregnated with a material for rigidifying the innermost ply so that the manhole becomes structurally reinforced. An impermeable ply is disposed between the innermost and outermost plies. The outermost, innermost, and impermeable plies are secured together so that the plies are maintained facially oriented. Each of the plies is cut along a first end of the tube for providing a fluid flow path when the assembly is installed in the manhole and an opposite end of the tube is fully opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Ronald A. McNeil
  • Patent number: 5261764
    Abstract: A method for in situ conversion of an original single walled tank 10 into a resultant double walled tank 24 for storing a material 14 is disclosed. The resultant double walled tank 24 has an outer wall 22 and an inner wall 26. Each wall 22 & 26 of the double walled tank 24 has an interior surface 28 & 30. The first step of the preferred method is to provide the original single walled tank 10 for in situ conversion into the resultant double walled tank 24. The original single walled tank 10 forms the outer wall 22 of the resultant double walled tank 24. The second step of the preferred method is to install a sensor 32 to monitor failure of either wall 22 & 26 of the resultant double walled tank 24. The third step is to install at least one plastic coating 34 over the interior surface 28 of the outer wall 22 to form the inner wall 26 of the resultant double walled tank 24, the plastic coating 34 being such that at least some of hydrogen atoms in the coating 34 can be replaced with other ions upon reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Inventor: Wilhelm E. Walles
  • Patent number: 5262117
    Abstract: A process for preparing thermoinsulating and structural formal articles in which(a) a thermoplastic polymer sheet is heated at a temperature above its softening point;(b) the heated thermoplastic polymer sheet is thermoformed on a thermoinsulating foamed preform made of substantially the same polymeric material; and in which(c) prior to the thermoforming in step (b), the thermoinsulating foamed preform is cooled to prevent excessive collapse of the surface of the thermoinsulating foamed preform resulting from contact with the heated sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Centro Sviluppo Settori Impiego S.r.l.
    Inventors: Antonio Addeo, Lucio Pinetti, Annibale Vezzoli, Francesco Mascia
  • Patent number: 5259912
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for continuous in-line labeling of flexible walled bottles of predetermined height, having a pair of substantially continuous lower and upper conveyor members substantially longitudinally aligned to provide an inlet end and an outlet end. The upper conveyor member includes a substantially endless chain supporting a plurality of downwardly depending compression wedges spaced therealong, whereby successive bottles to be labeled are received at the inlet end in partially compressed relationship between the top surface of the lower conveyor and the compression wedge. The apparatus can be selectively adjusted such that the vertical spacing between the top surface of the lower conveyor and the wedges of the upper conveyor appropriately compressively accommodate bottles of various heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Spear, Incorporated
    Inventor: Carl L. Cline
  • Patent number: 5256367
    Abstract: This invention relates to liners containing contaminants, such as styrene, and to methods for lining pipes, such as sewer pipes with liners containing contaminants, such as styrene. In one embodiment, this invention provides a liner and lining method that reduces contamination of the ambient with contaminants from the liner and/or the lining process, such as styrene. In the case of sewers, the carrier pipes lined may be, for example, PVC, clay or concrete, but pipes of metal or other materials, such as asbestos, may also be lined with the liner and lining method of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Superliners USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Cornell D. M. J. Cornish, Robert J. Follini, Eugene J. Camali
  • Patent number: 5253956
    Abstract: A liner for a closed carrier such as a sewer is pulled into place in a branch line by a cable which extends through the branch line into a main line and along the main line to an access point remote from the connection between branch and main. The branch-to-main connection is inaccessible to workers because of the small diameter of the carriers. The liner is pulled up to this connection by the cable and then cured in place thereafter the cable is removed and the liner trimmed as required. A robotic device having a cornering device mounted on it may be positioned in the main at the connection to facilitate movement of the cable around the corner from the lateral into the main.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: American Pipeline Supply, Corp.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Fisco, Hanz Tidhult
  • Patent number: 5244624
    Abstract: A thin, flexible tubular membrane provides a heat containment tube for inserting into and inflation within an underground conduit to be repaired. Folded rigid thermoplastic pipe is inserted into the tube while hot and flexible. The tubular membrane is pressurized to exclude unwanted fluids from within the existing conduit. Hot steam is injected into the tube to heat the pipe full-length externally and internally until flexible. The pipe is then rounded and expanded against the walls of the conduit with the tube therebetween. The rounding and expanding of the pipe is carried out progressively by moving a plug through the pipe and by injecting hot steam under pressure behind the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: NuPipe, Inc.
    Inventor: Campbell H. Steketee, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5225121
    Abstract: A method for repairing a pipe comprising the steps of:(a) coating a resin-absorbable tubular liner, at least one side thereof which becomes the inner side eventually, with a hermetic film;(b) inserting the resin-absorbable tubular liner into the pipe to be repaired;(c) impregnating the thermosetting resin into the resin-absorbable tubular liner;(d) closing one end of the tubular liner and passing a sprinkler means in the tubular liner to extend from the closed end to the open end of the tubular liner;(e) sending pressurized air into the tubular liner from the open end thereof to thereby inflate the tubular liner to fit closely in the pipe;(f) sending in the sprinkler means a hot liquid of a temperature sufficiently high to cause the thermosetting resin impregnated in the tubular liner to harden, to thereby sprinkle the hot liquid onto the tubular liner to thereby harden the thermosetting resin impregnated therein; and(g) cutting off the ends of the tubular liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Yokoshima
  • Patent number: 5223204
    Abstract: An apparatus for reversing a tubular bag for internally lining a utility pipe installed underground, which includes a container for defining a closed space and containing a liquid body, constructed such that an amount of a liquid body therein has first and second level surfaces, the first partially defining the closed space and the second being exposed to atmospheric air; a compressor to supply compressed air to the closed space; and the tubular bag to be reversed. The tubular bag is primarily arranged in a manner such that it penetrates through the liquid body passing the first and second level surfaces and also penetrates through the closed space, with one end portion of the bag placed in atmospheric air and the other end portion thereof reversed and fixed, and some of the reversed portion partially defining the closed space so that when the pressure in the closed space is increased that portion of the tubular bag which is defining the closed space is forced to inflate and be reversed further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Get, Inc.
    Inventor: Shigeru Endoh
  • Patent number: 5213727
    Abstract: A process for installing a liner in a generally horizontal pipe section includes the steps of: providing a hollow generally cylindrical folded pipe liner; pulling the folded liner through the pipe section leaving end sections of the liner extending from the upstream end and the downstream end of the pipe; pulling an air hose and a steam hose through the folded liner from the downstream end to the upstream end; providing a floating plug assembly including at least two disk shaped expanders; attaching the steam hose to the floating plug assembly downstream of the disk shaped expanders; attaching the air hose to the floating plug assembly upstream of the disk shaped expanders; inserting the floating plug assembly into the liner at the upstream end; and providing steam to the steam hose and cooling air to the air hose, while pulling the floating plug assembly through the liner to progressively heat the liner to a softening point downstream of the disk shaped expanders, and expand the liner to fill the pipe and co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: American Pipe & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Gargiulo
  • Patent number: 5209890
    Abstract: This invention relates to liners containing contaminants, such as styrene, and to methods for lining pipes, such as sewer pipes with liners containing contaminants, such as styrene. In one embodiment, this invention provides a liner and lining method that reduces contamination of the ambient with contaminants from the liner and/or the lining process, such as styrene. In the case of sewers, the carrier pipes lined may be, for example, PVC, clay or concrete, but pipes of metal or other materials, such as asbestos, may also be lined with the liner and lining method of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Superliners USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Follini, Eugene J. Camali
  • Patent number: 5205893
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a cover (C) to a roller (R) or other device to be covered. A tube (15), cylindrical section, or other shape of cover material is inserted in a fixture (3) and each end of the tube is sealed to the fixture. A wall (21) of the fixture and a wall (23) of the tube form a chamber (19) which is evacuated so the tube expands against the wall of the fixture. A roller or other device to be covered is inserted into the fixture. The vacuum is then removed. The tube wall falls away from the side of the fixture and collapses around the outer surface of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Beltservice Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. New, Amos J. Lewman
  • Patent number: 5205886
    Abstract: An improved method of inserting a liner into a metallic pipeline is disclosed. The liner is formed from a plurality of concentric tubes that are enveloped in a flexible, expansible, tear resistant material. When the concentric tubes are pulled into the pipeline, the tear resistant material provides protection against tearing of the tubes by burrs, snags or other imperfections on the inside of the metallic pipeline. The tear resistant material may be a fabric, woven material or mesh. Materials having a structure that permits escape of fluid entrapped during subsequent expansion of the concentric tubes on formation of the liner are preferred. The method permits the lining of pipeline sections that have bends, loops or the like, while protecting the liner from tearing during insertion into the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Du Pont Canada Inc.
    Inventor: George White
  • Patent number: 5203377
    Abstract: A method of repairing a pipeline and apparatus for use in such a method is disclosed where a sheet like repair material is set in position within the pipeline with the use of a settable substance, the repair material being carried into the pipeline on a core member (4) that carries an inflatable member, the inflatable member (1) extending axially along the core member (4) and at least partially around the core member (4) to define an annular or part annular enclosed space (9, 10) extending along the core member (4), means (8, 11) being provided to inflate or deflate the inflatable member when in position in the pipeline, the inflatable member further having an outer flexible surface portion fixed only at one axial end to the core member, the inflatable member (1) acting when inflated to press the repair material against the pipeline wall to be repaired with the inflatable member (1) being thereafter deflated with the apparatus being withdrawn from the pipeline in a direction whereby the outer wall portion of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Barry Bros. Specialised Services Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: David R. Harrington
  • Patent number: 5199463
    Abstract: A conduit is lined by pressing a liner into contact with the conduit and making it self-supporting. It is transported to the working site (at which its two ends are not at manholes or excavations entering the conduit) on a core with an inflator bag. The core can be made flexible to assist entry to the conduit and rigid to provide transport along the conduit. The bag is inflated at the site to press the liner into contact with the conduit. The liner is made self-supporting by curing an impregnating resin or by sticking it to the conduit. The bag is deflated and the core is removed. The bag may have a limited response to inflation pressure so it does not balloon into voids in the conduit wall. It may have a progressive response to inflation pressure so that it expands from its mid-point towards its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Subterra Limited
    Inventor: Raymond Lippiatt
  • Patent number: 5200011
    Abstract: An engineering method of providing a lining onto the internal face of conduits for gas, city water, etc. that are buried underground. This lining work shall entirely be done from the portions exposed above ground. The distance of the supply pipe to the service tee is measured. The lining tube is set to a length that is slightly longer than this distance. The lining tube is turned inside out inside the supply pipe. As a result, a slightly longer length of non-reverse portion is left inside the supply pipe by the service tee. This non-reverse portion is helpful when cutting the rewinding tape that is tied to the lining tube after the insertion of a cutter. Next the heating tube shall be reversed similarly, and a hot water hose is inserted for circulating hot water in the heating tube. The aforesaid lining tube coated with the thermosetting adhesive is bonded onto the internal face of supply pipe. Next the heating tube is pulled out and the rewinding tape of the lining tube is cut and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Imamura, Hiroaki Kobayashi, Shigeru Toyoda, Seiichi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5194212
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced structure having a hollow blow-molded core and a method for manufacturing the same. Bulk fibrous material is dispensed between two die pieces of a mold. A blow-moldable plastic parison is extruded within the fibrous material. The mold is closed, pinching the parison closed and detaching the bulk fibrous material from the structure. The parison is inflated thus forcing the fibrous material against the interior mold walls. Liquid resin is injected into mold and impregnates the fibrous material. After curing, the finished reinforced structure is removed from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Roy E. Bonnett
  • Patent number: 5186987
    Abstract: A lining material for pipe lines, especially those buried in the ground and a process for providing pipe lines therewith are disclosed, which includes a flexible tubular film, a sheet covering the outer surface of the tubular film and a film capable of being split off covering the outer surface of the sheet, characterized in that the sheet includes a fabric and a mat of fibers of high tenacity impregnated with a thickened liquid thermohardenable resin to form a fabric-fiber-reinforced composite molding sheet having a sufficient length and a width greater than the inner circumferential length of a pipe line to be treated, and that both lateral end portions of the sheet are slidably overlapped with each other to form a tube around the tubular film, the outer circumferential length of the tube being shorter than the inner circumferential length of the pipe line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Imoto, Masahiro Seshimo, Futoshi Makimoto, Eiji Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 5180458
    Abstract: A method of lining of metallic pipe is disclosed. The method comprises forming a plurality of concentric flexible tubes of a thermoplastic polymer, such tubes being capable of being bonded together under the influence of heat and pressure. The plurality of concentric tubes is inserted into a section of metallic pipe that is to be lined. The tubes are then heated, especially under pressure e.g. using steam, to cause the tubes to bond together to form a single tube lining the pipe. Adhesives may be used to facilitate bonding. The method is particularly useful in the lining of metallic pipe that has bends, loops or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Du Pont Canada, Inc.
    Inventor: George White
  • Patent number: 5169470
    Abstract: The vessel portion of a gas-tight container suitable for packaging fresh foods is produced as a composite of paperboard and polymer film. A pair of folded paperboard blanks, pre-cut and pre-formed, are inserted into the opposite halves of split mold elements to a blow molding machine. Vacuum orifices in each mold half unit temporarily secure the position of a respective paperboard blank. The paperboard lined mold halves are closed upon a hot, extruded parison of malleable polymer leaving an end portion of the parison tube projecting from the closed mold unit. A fluid conducting needle penetrates this projected end portion to inflate the parison with an apppropriate blowing gas. Such inflation expands the malleable polymer, seamlessly and creaselessly, into the internal corners and crevices of the folded paperboard blanks. Following chilling, the mold unit is opened and the pair of paperboard blanks are ejected as a singular unit, joined by a molded flange of the continuous polymer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Barry A. Goldberg
  • Patent number: 5167901
    Abstract: In a tube eversion apparatus a first chamber in which the eversion pressure is developed is controllably sealed by a sphincter-type valve, the valve being in turn actuated by pressure developed in a preferably separately controllable and adjustable second chamber, another chamber preferably being provided above the sphincter-type valve for containing a supply of liquid and limiting turbulence from any escape of fluid past the sphincter-type valve, the other chamber also providing apparatus for supplying heated fluid to a lay-flat hose adapted to be pulled through the sphincter-type valve by the tube being exerted. Use of the improved apparatus involves appropriate modifications of the usual eversion process involving applying and controlling the everting pressure and the pressure exerted against the sphincter-type valve by the fluid in the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Inventors: F. Thomas Driver, Joseph A. Alexander, Lloyd G. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 5145282
    Abstract: Mobile continuous tubular structure forming and placing apparatus includes a support portion, a row material supplying portion, a matrix forming portion, a tubular structure forming portion and a control portion. The raw material supplying portion includes a plurality of reservoirs connected independently with the matrix forming portion through conduits. The tubular structure forming portion includes a frame section and an arcuate blanket support associated with the frame section. A blanket transport is disposed adjacent the arcuate blanket support and aligned therewith, the blanket transport being movable from one end of the arcuate blanket support to an opposite end thereof. A plurality of spaced movable finger members are disposed along each longitudinal edge of the arcuate blanket support with interconnectors joining adjacent finger members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Inventor: LeRoy Payne
  • Patent number: 5143573
    Abstract: A device and method for applying a flexible layer to rollers, as used in graphics machines, such as printing presses or coating machines, whose roller bodies consist of a carrying tube (3). A tubular, flexible body (14) is provided which is pushed over a support tube (1) that is axially connected to a transition piece (2) and a carrying tube (3). In the area of the transition piece (2), compressed air is admitted and is discharged at a discharge force, to generate an air cushion (15) between the tubular, flexible body (14) and the carrying tube (3), over which the tubular, flexible body (14) is pushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Wifag
    Inventors: Ernst Ammon, Robert Langsch
  • Patent number: 5137071
    Abstract: An apparatus used to form a three-dimensional composite structure is disclosed having an initially rigid heat-softenable layer of ABS plastic wherein uncured portions of the composite structure are first assembled between the layer of ABS plastic and a hard mold surface. Prior to curing of the composite structure, pressure and heat are applied to the ABS layer to soften the layer and thereafter compact the uncured portions of the structure against the hard mold surface. The ability to pre-shape the ABS layer allows stiffening beams to be incorporated into the structure so as to yield a lightweight, strong composite structure that can be used as a pressure vessel in an aerospace vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Chemicals & Materials Enterprise Assoc.
    Inventors: Larry Ashton, Todd H. Ashton
  • Patent number: 5114523
    Abstract: A method and device for adhesive rolls for a roll-reversing mechanism of web-processing machines, particularly w-fed [rotary] printing presses. A flexible tube-shaped piece (14) consisting of a soft elastic material is shifted onto a support tube (1), which is axially joined with a transition piece (2) and a tube support (3). In the region of transition piece (2), compressed air, which has been introduced, flows out, to creates an air cushion (15) between the flexible tube-shaped piece (14) and the tube support (3) onto which the flexible tube-shaped piece (14) is shifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: WIFAG
    Inventors: Ernst Ammon, Robert Langsch
  • Patent number: 5114767
    Abstract: A method for twin sheet forming layers high heat distortion temperature thermoplastic materials. The process employs a low heat distortion temperature thermoplastic material layer disposed between the layers of high heat distortion temperature material layer to permit adhesion therebetween at moderate temperatures to reduce thermal degradation. The structures made therefrom are useful as aircraft ducting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Evan M. Berns, Angelika H. Clark
  • Patent number: 5114522
    Abstract: A method for producing a high shock-absorbing automobile bumper with a smooth outer surface. The method includes the steps of loading a preformed surface skin member into a blow mold, and then blowing a parison in the mold so that the blown parison is bonded to the surface skin member. The result is a hollow cushioning body firmly bonded to the surface skin member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventors: Yutaka Takado, Masayuki Yamazaki, Takashi Mikami, Tetsuo Tomiyama
  • Patent number: 5108228
    Abstract: A method of forming a rigid or semirigid plastics tube lining over the inner surface of a branch pipe portion as joined at its one end to an underground main pipe through the other end thereof substantially open to the surface of the ground as a work opening, the method being characterized by inserting a rigid or semirigid plastics tube into the branch pipe portion from the work opening with the forward end of the tube substantially closed, and subsequently supplying a fluid into the tube to inflate the tube radially of the branch pipe by applying heat and pressure to the tube with the fluid from inside directly or indirectly and thereby line the branch pipe portion with the rigid plastics tube. The pipe portion can be lined from the ground surface efficiently without necessitating labor for excavation of the ground, cutting off the branch pipe portion and restoring the piping to the original state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Osaka Bousui Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Miyazaki, Akira Kamide, Shigeki Watari
  • Patent number: 5108533
    Abstract: An apparatus for installing a liner within a service pipe having an access end and a terminal end wherein the terminal end is transversely connected to a main pipe for allowing fluid to flow therebetween. The apparatus includes a flexible tubular member having a leading end and a trailing end. The leading end includes a flexible retainer secured thereto for being positioned within the main pipe proximate the service pipe terminal end. The flexible tubular member is impregnated with a thermosetting resin which cures after the flexible tubular member is positioned within the service pipe. Guiding and forcing members are provided for positioning the flexible tubular member within the service pipe such that the flexible retainer is seated within the main pipe proximate the service pipe terminal end and the trailing end is positioned proximate the service pipe access end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Long Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Long, Jr., Frank A. Scudder, Richard P. Baxter
  • Patent number: 5106440
    Abstract: Cavities, such as manholes of differing sizes and shapes are repaired by an apparaatus that includes an inflatable bladder enveloped by a carrier formed of a resin-impregnated fiberglass fabric. A hoist lowers the bladder and fabric into the manhole and an air blower inflates the bladder until the fabric tightly overlies the inner walls of the manhole. The resin then cures in situ. The liner so created forms a monolithic whole that is impervious to water and silt and prevents further crumbling and deterioration of the inner surfaces of the manhole. The bladder is deflated and retracted after the resin in the fabric has cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Inventor: Andrew F. Tangeman
  • Patent number: 5091137
    Abstract: A method is provided for lining a pipe wherein a thermoplastic liner is initially formed in a cylindrical shape with a diameter slightly larger than the internal diameter of the pipe. The liner is temporarily deformed at an elevated temperature to a different cross-section, preferably U-shaped, to reduce its overall cross-sectional dimension to facilitate insertion into the pipe to be lined. The deformation occurs with substantially comparable elongation of the pipe lining along its opposite sides thereby precluding variations in wall thickness and stress in the pipe. Once inserted, the liner is pressurized and reheated first to a temperature below its crystallization temperature to round the lining in the pipe and subsequently, further pressurized and reheated to a second temperature higher than the crystallization temperature to cause the liner to retain its original round shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Pipe Liners, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick R. Ledoux
  • Patent number: 5089201
    Abstract: A method for preparing an elastic roller having a layer of elastic material disposed about and integrally molded to a shaft-shaped core metal member, includes the steps of disposing a cylindrical molding device for holding the elastic material, coating the core metal member with an adhesive, and mounting first and second lid members at opposite ends of the molding device. Each lid member holds a respective end of the core metal member so that the core metal member is disposed concentrically within said molding device. A sealing rubber is disposed between each lid member and the core metal member to prevent elastic material from entering a bearing portion of the core metal member, and the elastic material is injected into the molding device. The elastic material is cured, and the lid members are removed such that an extending portion of each lid member removes burrs formed at peripheral end portions of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5071616
    Abstract: In inserting a rigid plastic tube through a pipe while paying out the tube from a drum having the tube wound thereon in a flat form, a heating fluid is supplied into the plastic tube to pass the fluid from its one end toward the other end thereof and thereby heat and soften the plastic tube over the entire inner peripheral surface of the tube. The plastic tube as wound on the drum can be heated and softened uniformly at every portion over the entire length thereof and can further be held so softened also during the insertion of the tube through the pipe. The tube can be easily passed through an intermediate bent pipe portion, if any, and efficiently inserted through the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Osaka Bosui Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Miyazaki, Akira Kamide, Yoshiaki Saito
  • Patent number: 5044824
    Abstract: A remotely controlled locator material dispensing apparatus for use within a conduit having an axis to mark specific conduit locations for later identification. The apparatus includes a control device located outside of the conduit for generating a plurality of control signals for controlling the operation of the locator material dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus includes a first structural unit having a source of locator material to be dispensed onto an interior surface of the conduit. The first structural unit is connected to the control device for receiving the control signals therefrom, and for dispensing the locator material from the first structural unit onto the interior surface of the conduit in accordance with the received control signals. A monitor is positioned within the conduit for locating the specific conduit locations and monitoring the dispensing of the locator material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Long Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Long, Jr., Todd W. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 5043130
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a labeled container of synthetic resin having a label affixed to its outer periphery. A heat-stretchable tubular label is inserted into a forming die, and a thermoplastic resin sheet which has been heated and softened is positioned within a space defined by the label. When the resin sheet is expanded radially of the tubular label, the resin sheet is expanded radially under heat simultaneously with the resin sheet, so that both the resin and the label are formed into a shape conforming to the internal surface configuration of the forming die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Fuji Seal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Fujio