Method of joining pipes and fittings

• US 10,422,449 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2015
• Issued: 09/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Original Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Inventors: Conrad, Wayne Ernest
• Primary Examiner(s): Salone, Bayan
• Application Number:
  US14/851,189
• Publication Number:
  US 20160076682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,474 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/18 using heated tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/0042 of the joining tool and the parts to be joined B29C66/0046 takes precedence; joining tool characterized by its composition B29C66/8122; joining tool characterized by its microstructure B29C66/8124
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1222 comprising at least a lapped joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1224 comprising at least a butt joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/52241 with two right angles, e.g. for making T-shaped pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/52292 said stop being internal
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5344 said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length, e.g. joining flanges to tube ends B29C66/5346 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7392 characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8122 characterised by the composition of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81455 being a fluid inflatable bag or bladder, a diaphragm or a vacuum bag for applying isostatic pressure inflatable element positioned between the joining tool and a backing-up part B29C66/82421
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81471 being a wrap-around tape or band
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/065 HDPE, i.e. high density polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2055/02 ABS polymers, i.e. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2069/00 Use of PC, i.e. polycarbonates or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2077/00 Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 1/08 Tubular products
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/02 Layer formed of wires, e.g. mesh
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/18 : comprising iron or steel B32B15/011, B32B15/012 and B32B15/013 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/20 : comprising aluminium or copper B32B15/016 and B32B15/017 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2260/021 : Fibrous or filamentary layer layers of natural mineral fibres or particles being impregnated in a plastic substance B32B19/02
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2260/046 : Synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/02 : Synthetic macromolecular fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0238 : Vinyl halide, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0253 : Polyolefin fibres vinyl or acrylic copolymers B32B2262/0223 or B32B2262/0246
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0269 : Aromatic polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/06 : Vegetal fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/08 : Animal fibres, e.g. hair, wool, silk
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/101 : Glass fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/106 : Carbon fibres, e.g. graphite fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/54 : Yield strength; Tensile strength
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/546 : Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2597/00 : Tubular articles, e.g. hoses, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 : next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/308 : comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 : comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/40 : comprising polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/266 : characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/022 : Non-woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/024 : Woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 13/103 : Adhesive joints for hoses F16L33/34
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/10 : the packing being sealed by the pressure of a fluid other than the fluid in or surrounding the pipe
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/03 : placed in the socket before connection F16L21/022, F16L21/025 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/08 : with additional locking means F16L17/035, F16L17/04, F16L21/04, F16L21/06 take precedence; screwed joints F16L19/08; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/0081 : Pipe joints comprising a liquid or fusible seal
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/021 : T- or cross-pieces F16L41/025, F16L41/026, F16L41/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 43/008 : made from plastic material
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 47/02 : Welded joints; Adhesive joints
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 47/03 : Welded joints with an electrical resistance incorporated in the joint
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 47/32 : Branch units, e.g. made in one piece, welded, riveted

Abstract

A method for joining a first conduit section with a second conduit section. The method includes: a) inserting a first end of the second conduit section in an open first end of the first conduit section with a gasket extending between an inner surface of the first conduit section and an outer surface of the second conduit section; b) positioning a flexible substrate having a bonding agent provided on at least a portion of an inner side of the flexible substrate to extend from an outer surface of the first conduit to an outer surface of the second conduit; c) applying pressure to the flexible substrate whereby the bonding agent is pressed against an outer surface of the first and second conduit sections; and d) heating the bonding agent whereby the bonding agent is secured to the outer surface of the first and second conduit sections.

Claims

1. A method for joining a first conduit section having an open first end and an inner surface with a second conduit section having an outer surface, the method comprising:

a) inserting a first end of the second conduit section in the open first end of the first conduit section with a gasket extending between the inner surface of the first conduit section and the outer surface of the second conduit section;

b) positioning a flexible substrate to extend from an outer surface of the first conduit to an outer surface of the second conduit using a releasable adhesive, the flexible substrate comprising a heating element, a thermally activateable bonding agent provided on at least a portion of an inner side of the flexible substrate whereby the adhesive is repositionable;

c) repositioning the flexible substrate to extend from an alternate portion of at least one of the outer surface of the first conduit and the outer surface of the second conduit; and

,

d) applying pressure and heat to the flexible substrate whereby the bonding agent is pressed against an outer surface of the first and second conduit sections while the bonding agent is heated by the heating element

whereby the bonding agent is secured to the outer surface of the first and second conduit sections.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the heating element comprises one or more of a resistive heating element, an exothermic reactive composition, an infrared source or a microwave source.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of applying pressure comprises positioning an apparatus comprising an inflatable member around an exterior surface of the flexible substrate.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the heating element comprises at least one of a resistive heating element and an exothermic reactive composition and the step of heating the bonding agent comprises activating the at least one of the resistive heating element and the exothermic reactive composition.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second conduit sections comprise a thermoplastic material that has a melting temperature and the heating step comprises heating the bonding agent to a temperature above a melting point of the bonding agent.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the melting temperature of the bonding agent is less than the melting temperature of the first conduit section and the second conduit section and the method further comprises heating the bonding agent to a temperature less that the melting temperature of the first conduit section and the second conduit section.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the activateable bonding agent is settable at room temperature and the step of activating the bonding agent comprises exposing the bonding agent to ambient conditions.

2. A method for joining a first conduit section having an open first end and an inner surface with a second conduit section having an outer surface, the method comprising:

a) inserting a first end of the second conduit section in the open first end of the first conduit section with a gasket extending between the inner surface of the first conduit section and the outer surface of the second conduit section;

b) positioning a flexible substrate on each of the first and second conduits using a releasable adhesive whereby the adhesive is repositionable wherein, when the flexible substrate is positioned on each of the first and second conduits, a thermally activateable bonding agent is positioned between an inner side of the flexible substrate and an outer surface of each of the first conduit and the second conduit, the flexible substrate also comprises a heating element;

c) applying pressure and heat to the flexible substrate whereby the bonding agent is pressed against an outer surface of the first and second conduit sections while the bonding agent is heated by the heating element, whereby the bonding agent bonds to the outer surface of the first and second conduit sections.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein at least some of the activateable bonding agent is positioned between an inner side of the flexible substrate and an outer surface of each of the first conduit and the second conduit prior to the pressure being applied.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein at least some of the activateable bonding agent is positioned between an inner side of the flexible substrate and an outer surface of each of the first conduit and the second conduit after the pressure is applied.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of positioning the flexible substrate comprises wrapping the flexible substrate around the exterior surface of the first and second conduits.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of applying pressure comprises positioning an inflatable member around an exterior surface of the flexible substrate and inflating the inflatable member.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the inflatable member comprises an inflatable annular member and the method further comprises sliding the inflatable member along one of the conduit sections and positioning the inflatable member to overlie at least a portion of the flexible substrate.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the inflatable member comprises a longitudinally extending member having a first portion that is securable to a second portion and the method further comprises wrapping the longitudinally extending member around at least one of the conduit sections and securing the first portion to the second portion such that the inflatable member overlies at least a portion of the flexible substrate.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein the flexible substrate includes an inflatable member and the step of applying pressure comprises inflating the inflatable member.

10. The method of claim 2 wherein the flexible substrate comprises a plurality of discrete members and step (b) comprises positioning each of the discrete members on an outer portion of each of the first and second conduits.

17. The method of claim 2 wherein the heating element comprises one or more of a resistive heating element, an exothermic reactive composition, an infrared source or a microwave source.

18. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of applying pressure comprises positioning an apparatus comprising an inflatable member around an exterior surface of the flexible substrate and inflating the inflatable member.

19. The method of claim 2 wherein the first and second conduit sections comprise a thermoplastic material that has a melting temperature and the heating step comprises heating the bonding agent to a temperature above a melting point of the bonding agent.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the melting temperature of the bonding agent is less than the melting temperature of the first conduit section and the second conduit section and the method further comprises heating the bonding agent to a temperature less that the melting temperature of the first conduit section and the second conduit section.

21. The method of claim 2 wherein the activateable bonding agent is settable at room temperature and the method further comprises exposing the bonding agent to ambient conditions.