Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of forming a tubular fiber reinforced plastic tube in an underground flow passage comprising: (1) inserting a fluid impervious tubular lamina against the internal surfaces of said underground flow passage, (2) inserting a resin absorbent fiber reinforcing tubular lamina in said impervious tubular lamina, (3) mechanically smoothing the interior surfaces of said resin absorber fiber reinforcing tubular lamina, (4) impregnating the mechanically smoothed resin absorbent reinforcing tubular lamina with resin in a fluid state, (5) mechanically smoothing the resin impregnated portions of said fiber reinforcing tubular lamina, (6) applying fluid pressure via an impervious membrane immediately after step 5, (7) curing the resin and then (8) removing the fluid pressure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of forming a tubular fiber reinforced plastic tube in an underground flow passage comprising: (1) inserting a fluid impervious tubular lamina against the internal surfaces of said underground flow passage, (2) inserting a resin absorbent fiber reinforcing tubular lamina in said impervious tubular lamina, (3) mechanically smoothing the interior surfaces of said resin absorber fiber reinforcing tubular lamina, (4) impregnating the mechanically smoothed resin absorbent reinforcing tubular lamina with resin in a fluid state, (5) mechanically smoothing the resin impregnated portions of said fiber reinforcing tubular lamina, (6) applying fluid pressure via an impervious membrane immediately after step 5, (7) curing the resin and then (8) removing the fluid pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention defined in claim 1 whereas there is transition between steps 5 and 6 wherein both mechanical smoothing and hydraulic pressure are commonly applied to the resin impregnated felt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the step of curing said resin (step 7) includes the heating of the fluid used to apply fluid pressure (step 6).
Claim 5
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of forming a rigid tubular element in underground sewer passageways, comprising; (1) cleaning the exposed surfaces removing debris and solid matter from said underground sewer passageway, (2) inserting a flexible water proof tubular fluid impermeable plastic membrane in said sewer passageway and in contact with said walls, said plastic membrane including a tubular layer of resin absorbant material on the side thereof opposite the side in contact with said sewer passageway wall, (3) after insertion of said fluid impermeable membrane and resin absorbant layer in said sewer passageway, impregnating said resin absorbant material with a resin, (4) mechanically smoothing the resin impregnated absorbant material, (5) simultaneously as said mechanical smoothing is performed using hydraulic pressure to uniformly maintain said flexible water proof tubular layer in contact with the walls of said sewer passageway until said resin has been solidified to form said rigid tubular element.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of forming a rigid tubular element in underground sewer passageways, comprising; (1) cleaning the exposed surfaces removing debris and solid matter from said underground sewer passageway, (2) inserting a flexible water proof tubular fluid impermeable plastic membrane in said sewer passageway and in contact with said walls, said plastic membrane including a tubular layer of resin absorbant material on the side thereof opposite the side in contact with said sewer passageway wall, (3) after insertion of said fluid impermeable membrane and resin absorbant layer in said sewer passageway, impregnating said resin absorbant material with a resin, (4) mechanically smoothing the resin impregnated absorbant material, (5) simultaneously as said mechanical smoothing is performed using hydraulic pressure to uniformly maintain said flexible water proof tubular layer in contact with the walls of said sewer passageway until said resin has been solidified to form said rigid tubular element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method defined in claim 4 scanning said underground sewer passageway from end to end and making a record of the condition of the walls after the cleaning thereof and removal of debris and solid matter and wherein said resin is applied in an amount determined by said record of the condition of the walls of said underground passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the step 4 of impregnating said resin absorbant material with a resin includes forming a moveable resin applying chamber and controlling the degree of resin impregnation by said resin absorbant material by controlling the rate of movement of said moveable resin applying chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention defined in claim 6 wherein the control of the amount of resin impregnation is effected by controlling the speed of movement of said moveable resin applying chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention defined in claim 6 wherein the control of the amount of the resin impregnation is effected by control of the pressure on said resin in said resin chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention defined in claim 4 wherein said hydraulic pressure is applied by an impermeable plastic tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said impermeable plastic tube and is everted by the hydraulic pressure immediately following the mechanical smoothing specified in step 5.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for impregnating a fiberous tube with an uncured liquid impregnant and curing the impregnant in an underground passageway, comprising, a first squeegee means for smoothing the internal surfaces of said fiberous tube, second squeegee means spacedly connected to said first squeegee means and forming one or more traveling impregnant chambers therebetween, said second squeegee means smoothing the internal surfaces of said fiberous tube after impregnation thereof, means for simultaneously moving said first squeegee and said second squeegee means on the interior of said fiberous tube, from one end toward the opposite end and supplying said one or more chambers with fluid impregnant, means for applying and maintaining fluid pressure on the impregnated fiberous tube until said impregnant has been cured and then removing the fluid pressure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for impregnating a fiberous tube with an uncured liquid impregnant and curing the impregnant in an underground passageway, comprising, a first squeegee means for smoothing the internal surfaces of said fiberous tube, second squeegee means spacedly connected to said first squeegee means and forming one or more traveling impregnant chambers therebetween, said second squeegee means smoothing the internal surfaces of said fiberous tube after impregnation thereof, means for simultaneously moving said first squeegee and said second squeegee means on the interior of said fiberous tube, from one end toward the opposite end and supplying said one or more chambers with fluid impregnant, means for applying and maintaining fluid pressure on the impregnated fiberous tube until said impregnant has been cured and then removing the fluid pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said second squeegee means includes a flexible trailing sleeve forming an annulus, and said means for applying and maintaining fluid pressure on said impregnated fiberous tube is a flexible plastic tube having an everting end, said everting end being received and maintained in said annulus so as to apply said fluid pressure immediately following the passage of said second squeegee means through said fiberous tube.