US3876355A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipe insulating system and apparatus therefor
Assignee: B and B Insulation Inc
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Filing: 1972-11-20
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1992-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed for insulating pipe with a foamed material, such as polyurethane, which includes an apparatus for forming a mold about the pipe into which the foam may be injected, apparatus for propelling the pipe through the mold, and support rollers for supporting the pipe before the foam sets without damaging or permanently deforming the foamed insulation. The molding apparatus may be a novel traveling mold in which mold forming members travel about and along the pipe at substantially the rate of movement of the pipe and a liner may be provided about the mold such as by a plastic film folding device. In the latter case, to aid in distribution of the foam about the pipe when injected, a barrier or dam means may be provided which is urged against the plastic film adjacent the area where foam is injected.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth E Baughmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:53
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/20; B29C44/32; B29C44/322; B29C44/324
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A pipe insulating and handling system for insulating pipe with a foamed insulation comprising, in combination: molding apparatus adapted to form an annulus about a pipe to be insulated into which foam can be injected; means for moving a pipe to be insulated through the molding apparatus; means for injecting a foaming material into said annulus; and support means adjacent the molding apparatus and adapted to support insulated pipe emerging from the molding apparatus, said support means including at least one roller formed off a soft flexible material and adapted to cradle at least about 20% of the circumference of the insulated pipe and support it without substantial deformation of the insulating foam layer prior to setting of the foam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A pipe insulating and handling system for insulating pipe with a foamed insulation comprising, in combination: molding apparatus adapted to form an annulus about a pipe to be insulated into which foam can be injected; means for moving a pipe to be insulated through the molding apparatus; means for injecting a foaming material into said annulus; and support means adjacent the molding apparatus and adapted to support insulated pipe emerging from the molding apparatus, said support means including at least one roller formed off a soft flexible material and adapted to cradle at least about 20% of the circumference of the insulated pipe and support it without substantial deformation of the insulating foam layer prior to setting of the foam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said support means includes at least one roller formed by a relatively low pressure pneumatic tire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said support means includes at least one roller formed by a layer of flexible foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said molding apparatus includes a traveling mold having a plurality of molding sections adapted to form a rigid mold about a pipe to be insulated, and further including means for moving said molding sections along the pipe as it passes through said molding apparatus at substantially the same rate of movement as the pipe is moving through the molding apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
The system of claim 4, wherein each of said molding sections has a flat surface and a curved surface and are mounted on one of four endless members located at about 90.degree. positions about said molding apparatus and along the length of said apparatus so that each of said molding sections moves along its respective endless member from a position where its curved surface is facing away from a pipe about which foam is to be molded, to a position along the pipe where its curved surface is facing such a pipe, so that adjacent such molding sections form a circular moving mold about the pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 5 further including means for driving each of said endless members in unison.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said molding apparatus includes film folding apparatus for providing a flexible liner encircling the pipe to be insulated to provide a jacket about the pipe being insulated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 7 further including a second film folding apparatus for refolding the flexible liner formed as it emerges from the molding apparatus whereby an endless mold liner may be provided.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further including barrier means urged against the lower portion of said liner adjacent a point below where the foam agents are injected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein about 33% of the circumference of the foaming material about the pipe is in substantial contact with said roller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said pneumatic tire is formed of a flexible elastomer having a durometer of about 40-50.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said flexible foam is polyurethane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said polyurethane has a density less than about 6 pounds per cubic foot, but is of sufficient density to be effectively flexible.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
116 words
A pipe insulating and handling system for insulating pipe with a foamed insulation comprising, in combination: molding apparatus adapted to form an annulus about a pipe to be insulated into which foam can be injected; means for moving a pipe to be insulated through the molding apparatus; means for injecting a foaming material into said annulus; said support means adjacent the molding apparatus and adapted to support insulated pipe emerging from the molding apparatus, said support means adapted to cradle the insulated pipe and support it without substantial deformation of the insulating foam layer prior to setting of the foam, said support means including at least one roller formed by a layer of flexible polyurethane foam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
116 words
A pipe insulating and handling system for insulating pipe with a foamed insulation comprising, in combination: molding apparatus adapted to form an annulus about a pipe to be insulated into which foam can be injected; means for moving a pipe to be insulated through the molding apparatus; means for injecting a foaming material into said annulus; said support means adjacent the molding apparatus and adapted to support insulated pipe emerging from the molding apparatus, said support means adapted to cradle the insulated pipe and support it without substantial deformation of the insulating foam layer prior to setting of the foam, said support means including at least one roller formed by a layer of flexible polyurethane foam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said polyurethane foam has a density of not greater than substantially 6 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said roller is adapted to contact at least about 20% of the circumferential surface area of said insulated pipe.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 16 including a plurality of such rollers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
122 words
A pipe insulating and handling system for insulating pipe with a foamed insulation comprising, in combination: molding apparatus adapted to form an annulus about a pipe to be insulated into which foam can be injected; means for moving a pipe to be insulated through the molding apparatus; means for injecting a foaming material into said annulus; and support means adjacent the molding apparatus and adapted to support insulated pipe emerging from the molding apparatus, said support means adapted to cradle the insulated pipe and support it without substantial deformation of the insulating foam layer prior to setting of the foam, said support means including at least one roller formed by a relatively low pressure pneumatic tire made of a relatively soft elastomer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
122 words
A pipe insulating and handling system for insulating pipe with a foamed insulation comprising, in combination: molding apparatus adapted to form an annulus about a pipe to be insulated into which foam can be injected; means for moving a pipe to be insulated through the molding apparatus; means for injecting a foaming material into said annulus; and support means adjacent the molding apparatus and adapted to support insulated pipe emerging from the molding apparatus, said support means adapted to cradle the insulated pipe and support it without substantial deformation of the insulating foam layer prior to setting of the foam, said support means including at least one roller formed by a relatively low pressure pneumatic tire made of a relatively soft elastomer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said roller is adapted to contact at least about 20% of the circumferential surface area of said insulated pipe.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 16 including a plurality of said rollers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |