Pipe line pig

Claim 2

A pipeline pig adapted to be inserted in a pipe to be propelled therethrough by a pressure gradient, comprising: a generally cylindrically shaped body formed of resilient material; a covering for said body formed of material which is of harder and more durable material than said body and having radially disposed openings therein into which the material of said body extends in the uncompressed state before said pig is inserted in said pipeline to form with said covering a continuous cylindrical surface extending substantially from end to end thereof positioned for engagement with the surrounding wall of the pipe.

Claim 3

The pipe line pig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said body is formed of foamed plastic material.

Claim 4

The pipe line pig as claimed in claim 1 wherein the openings in said covering are shaped to provide a strip-like portion of the covering positioned spirally about the body.

Claim 5

The pipe line pig as claimed in claim 1 wherein the openings in said covering are shaped to provide strip-like portions of the covering disposed in a criss-cross pattern about the body.

Claim 6

The pipe line pig as claimed in claim 1 wherein the openings in the covering are shaped to provide strip-like portions of the covering, one of which extends spirally in one direction about the body and another of which extends spirally in the other direction about the body.

Claim 7

The pipe line pig as claimed in claim 1 wherein said covering includes a portion covering one end of the body and positioned for sealing engagement with the surrounding wall of the pipe to prevent the flow of fluid in the pipe past said body.

Claim 8

The pipe line pig as claimed in claim 2 wherein said body is formed with a concave rear end face and said covering includes a portion covering said face and extending annularly about the body adjacent said face in position for sealing engagement with the surrounding wall of the pipe.

Claim 9

A pipeline pig adapted to be passed through a pipeline for clearing same of an accumulation of debris and other matter, which comprises an elongate cylindrical body having a cross section contacting the inner wall of the pipeline, said cylindrical body having a leading edge which includes the point of contact of the pig against the pipeline, and a ring member in said body at the point of contact against the pipeline, said ring member being of increased hardness when compared to that of the body of the pig for sustaining the bulk of the wear of the pig as it traverses the pipeline and spiral members extending about the cylindrical body of said pig and being of a harder material than that of said body, said spiral members adapted to bear against the pipeline to impart a twist or rotation to the pig as it traverses the pipeline.

Claim 10

A pipeline pig adapted to be passed through a pipeline for clearing same of an accumulation of debris and other matter, which comprises an elongate cylindrical body having a cross section contacting the inner wall of the pipeline, said cylindrical body having a leading edge which includes the point of contact of the pig against the pipeline, and a ring member in said body at the point of contact against the pipeline, said ring member being of increased hardness when compared to that of the body of the pig for sustaining the bulk of the wear of the pig as it traverses the pipeline and spiral members extending about the cylindrical body of said pig and being of a harder material than that of said body, said spiral members adapted to bear against the pipeline to impart a twist or rotation to the pig as it traverses the pipeline.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 8 including a second ring member mounted flush with the cylindrical body portion of said pig and being located at the rearward line of contact of the cylindrical body against the pipeline.

Claim 12

A pipeline pig adapted to be passed through a pipeline for clearing same of an accumulation of debris and other matter, which comprises an elongate cylindrical body having a cross section contacting the inner wall of the pipeline, said cylindrical body having a leading edge which includes the point of contact of the pig against the pipeline, and a ring member in said Body at the point of contact against the pipeline, said ring member being of increased hardness when compared to that of the body of the pig for sustaining the bulk of the wear of the pig as it traverses the pipeline, and a second spaced ring member along the cylindrical body of said pig, there being a spiral member between said ring members for imparting a twist to said pig as it traverses the pipeline.

Claim 13

A pipeline pig adapted to be passed through a pipeline for clearing same of an accumulation of debris and other matter, which comprises an elongate cylindrical body having a cross section contacting the inner wall of the pipeline, said cylindrical body having a leading edge which includes the point of contact of the pig against the pipeline, and a ring member in said Body at the point of contact against the pipeline, said ring member being of increased hardness when compared to that of the body of the pig for sustaining the bulk of the wear of the pig as it traverses the pipeline, and a second spaced ring member along the cylindrical body of said pig, there being a spiral member between said ring members for imparting a twist to said pig as it traverses the pipeline.

Claim 14

A pipeline pig adapted to be passed through a pipeline for cleaning same of an accumulation of debris and other matter, which comprises: an elongate cylindrical body having a diameter sufficient to resiliently contact the inner wall of the pipeline, said body having a leading edge which includes the point of contact of the pig against the pipeline; an annular member mounted flush with the external surface of said body at the point of contact against the pipeline, said annular member being of increased hardness as compared to that of the body of the pig for sustaining the bulk of the wear of the pig during movement thereof through the pipeline; and a spiral member extending about and being flush with the body of said pig and being of a harder material than that of said body, said spiral member being adapted to bear against the pipeline to impart rotation to the pig during movement thereof through the pipeline.

Claim 15

A pipeline pig adapted to be passed through a pipeline for cleaning same of an accumulation of debris and other matter, which comprises: an elongate cylindrical body having a diameter sufficient to resiliently contact the inner wall of the pipeline, said body having a leading edge which includes the point of contact of the pig against the pipeline; an annular member mounted flush with the external surface of said body at the point of contact against the pipeline, said annular member being of increased hardness as compared to that of the body of the pig for sustaining the bulk of the wear of the pig during movement thereof through the pipeline; and a spiral member extending about and being flush with the body of said pig and being of a harder material than that of said body, said spiral member being adapted to bear against the pipeline to impart rotation to the pig during movement thereof through the pipeline.

Claim 16

An improved pipe-cleaning resilient plug which comprises: an elastomeric tubular casing with a nosepiece across one end thereof and a solid wall across the second end thereof; an elastomeric foam filler positioned within said casing and at least one opening located in a wall of said casing other than in the solid wall across the second end thereof; and wherein the said elastomeric foam filler extends into the openings at least to the exterior surface of the wall of the casing in its uncompressed state whereby a pipe of the same interior diameter as the exterior diameter of the plug is contacted by the said filler.

Claim 17

An improved pipe-cleaning resilient plug which comprises: an elastomeric tubular casing with a nosepiece across one end thereof and a solid wall across the second end thereof; an elastomeric foam filler positioned within said casing and at least one opening located in a wall of said casing other than in the solid wall across the second end thereof; and wherein the said elastomeric foam filler extends into the openings at least to the exterior surface of the wall of the casing in its uncompressed state whereby a pipe of the same interior diameter as the exterior diameter of the plug is contacted by the said filler.

Claim 18

A structure as specified in claim 12 in which: the elastomeric material is polyurethane.

Claim 19

A structure as specified in claim 12 in which: the nosepiece is rounded in a parabolic curve.

Claim 20

A structure as specified in claim 12 in which: an opening is positioned in the front end of said nosepiece.

Claim 21

A structure as specified in claim 12 in which: the casing is a molded unitary piece.

Claim 22

A structure as specified in claim 12 in which: there are a plurality of openings; and in which the foam filler is porous.

Claim 23

An improved pipe-cleaning resilient plug which comprises: an elastomeric tubular casing with a nosepiece across one end thereof and a solid wall across the second end thereof; an elastomeric foam filler positioned within said casing; and at least one opening located in a wall of said casing other than in the solid wall across the second end thereof; and wherein the central area of the said foam filler and solid wall is recessed to provide an annular flange positioned around the periphery of the said second end of said casing.

Claim 24

An improved pipe-cleaning resilient plug which comprises: an elastomeric tubular casing with a nosepiece across one end thereof and a solid wall across the second end thereof; an elastomeric foam filler positioned within said casing; and at least one opening located in a wall of said casing other than in the solid wall across the second end thereof; and wherein the central area of the said foam filler and solid wall is recessed to provide an annular flange positioned around the periphery of the said second end of said casing.

Claim 25

An improved pipe-cleaning resilient plug which comprises; an elastomeric tubular casing with an essentially cylindrical outer wall, a nosepiece across one end thereof and a solid wall across the second end thereof; an elastomeric foam filler positioned within said casing; and at least one opening located in the wall of said casing; and at least one opening in said nosepiece to add to the flexibility and maneuverability of the plug.

Claim 26

An improved pipe-cleaning resilient plug which comprises; an elastomeric tubular casing with an essentially cylindrical outer wall, a nosepiece across one end thereof and a solid wall across the second end thereof; an elastomeric foam filler positioned within said casing; and at least one opening located in the wall of said casing; and at least one opening in said nosepiece to add to the flexibility and maneuverability of the plug.

Claim 27

An improved pipe-cleaning resilient plug which comprises; an elastomeric tubular casing with a rounded nosepiece across one end thereof said nosepiece having at least one opening therein and a solid wall across the second end thereof; an elastomeric foam filler positioned within said casing; and at least one opening located in a wall of said casing other than in the solid wall across the second end thereof.

Claim 28

An improved pipe-cleaning resilient plug which comprises; an elastomeric tubular casing with a rounded nosepiece across one end thereof said nosepiece having at least one opening therein and a solid wall across the second end thereof; an elastomeric foam filler positioned within said casing; and at least one opening located in a wall of said casing other than in the solid wall across the second end thereof.