US4093683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making pipe fitting coverings
Assignee: Foster Products Corp
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Filing: 1976-05-19
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Granted: 1978-06-06
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Expires: 1996-05-19
Abstract
Abstract A preform of a resilient thermoplastic polymeric material is first fabricated then folded into a complex tubular shape corresponding to the shape of a pipe fitting, heated while in said configuration to soften said polymeric material, and then cooled while maintained in said configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred H. Harley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:24
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L59/00; F16L59/10; F16L59/103; B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; F16L59/11; B29L; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/22; B29L2023/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of forming a cover for a pipe fitting having a complex configuration in the same complex configuration as the pipe fitting to be covered, said cover including an opening extending between the ends of the cover whereby the cover may be spread apart and placed in position surrounding the pipe fitting, said method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a single piece of thermoplastic material into a preform having an intermediate non-planar configuration different from the complex configuration of the fitting to be covered, (b) folding the preform into the final complex configuration of the fitting to be covered, (c) heating the said material while retaining it in its final complex configuration, and (d) cooling the said material to set it in its final complex configuration while retaining the said material in its said final complex configuration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of forming a cover for a pipe fitting having a complex configuration in the same complex configuration as the pipe fitting to be covered, said cover including an opening extending between the ends of the cover whereby the cover may be spread apart and placed in position surrounding the pipe fitting, said method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a single piece of thermoplastic material into a preform having an intermediate non-planar configuration different from the complex configuration of the fitting to be covered, (b) folding the preform into the final complex configuration of the fitting to be covered, (c) heating the said material while retaining it in its final complex configuration, and (d) cooling the said material to set it in its final complex configuration while retaining the said material in its said final complex configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of forming a cover for a pipe fitting according to claim 1 wherein said preform is in the shape of an elongated open-ended trough having generally straight longitudinal edges, said trough having a central domed portion extended outwardly in a direction away from said longitudinal edges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said trough has ends of a semi-circular or parabolic configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the outwardly extended central domed portion has a sinusoidal profile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method for conforming a cover for a pipe fitting according to claim 1 wherein the intermediate configuration of the preform includes a central domed portion having a pair of integral flaps spaced opposite each other across the domed portion and extending outwardly from the domed portion, and said method includes the folding of the flaps toward each other and into overlapping relation opposite the domed portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (d) is carried out by using radiant heat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the preform is folded from its intermediate configuration to its final configuration about a mandrel conforming to the configuration of the fitting to be covered.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the mandrel is heated above the softening temperature of the thermoplastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of the vinyl resins polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylics, cellulose ethers and esters, and polyamides.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of making a pipe fitting cover from thermoplastic polymeric material as a single piece integral structure having a complex shape conforming to the configuration of the fitting to be covered, said pipe fitting cover including an opening extending between the ends of the pipe fitting cover whereby the pipe fitting cover may be spread apart and placed in position surrounding the pipe fitting, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sheet of thermoplastic polymeric material, (b) forming said sheet of material into a preform having an intermediate configuration different from the configuration of the fitting to be covered, (c) folding the preform from its intermediate configuration to its final configuration conforming to the configuration of the fitting to be covered, (d) heating the preform above the softening temperature of the thermoplastic material while retaining the preform in its final configuration, and (e) cooling the preform below the softening temperature of the thermoplastic material while retaining the preform in its final configuration to set it in the configuration of the fitting to be covered.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of making a pipe fitting cover from thermoplastic polymeric material as a single piece integral structure having a complex shape conforming to the configuration of the fitting to be covered, said pipe fitting cover including an opening extending between the ends of the pipe fitting cover whereby the pipe fitting cover may be spread apart and placed in position surrounding the pipe fitting, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sheet of thermoplastic polymeric material, (b) forming said sheet of material into a preform having an intermediate configuration different from the configuration of the fitting to be covered, (c) folding the preform from its intermediate configuration to its final configuration conforming to the configuration of the fitting to be covered, (d) heating the preform above the softening temperature of the thermoplastic material while retaining the preform in its final configuration, and (e) cooling the preform below the softening temperature of the thermoplastic material while retaining the preform in its final configuration to set it in the configuration of the fitting to be covered.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method of making a pipe fitting cover according to claim 10 wherein the intermediate configuration of the preform comprises a central domed portion having a pair of integral flaps spaced opposite each other across said domed portion and extending outwardly in opposite directions from the domed portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said flaps are semi-elliptical in cross-section and are substantially axially aligned.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the profile of said domed portion along a direction transverse to the axis of alignment of the flaps approximates that of the pipe fitting to be covered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the thermoplastic polymeric material is polyvinylchloride having a thickness of 15-30 mils.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein step (d) is carried out by heating the preform to a temperature of 175°-200° F.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein the preform is maintained at a temperature of 175°-200° F for at least 12-15 seconds.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein step (e) is carried out with a cooling medium to rapidly reduce the temperature below the softening temperature of the thermoplastic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein step (d) is carried out by immersing the preform into a water bath heated above the softening temperature of the thermoplastic material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the preform comprises an arcuate shaped first trough having parallel side edges, the arc of said first trough extending at least 180°, a second trough transecting said first trough at approximately its central portion, the second trough having parallel side edges adjoining and intersecting side edges of the first trough, the arc of the second trough also extending at least 180°.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 10 wherein there is provided a mandrel having the complex configuration of the fitting to be covered, and wherein the material in its intermediate non-planar configuration is positioned about the mandrel and the configuration of the material is changed from its intermediate non-planar configuration to the final complex configuration of the mandrel and the fitting to be covered and the material is retained on the mandrel during the heating and cooling steps.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-05 | 1981-12-05 | 1982-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-05 | 1985-12-05 | 1986-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-05 | 1989-12-05 | 1990-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |