Method and apparatus for removing protective coating from pipe section

Claim 3

The method of according to claim 1 wherein the step of enclosing includes the steps of: wrapping a flexible material about said pipe section; securing longitudinally-extending ends of said flexible material together with a zipper extending longitudinally of said pipe section to form said sleeve member; drawing each circumferentially-extending end of said sleeve member tightly against said pipe section.

Claim 4

The method according to claim 2 wherein the step of drawing includes the step of circumferentially contracting end straps, disposed at respective ends of said sleeve member, tightly against said pipe section.

Claim 5

The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of flowing includes the steps of: connecting a source of refrigerant fluid from outside said sleeve member to the interior of said sleeve member; pressurizing the refrigerant fluids; and exhausting the refrigerant fluid from inside the sleeve member to provide a continuous refrigerant fluid flow from said source through said sleeve member.

Claim 6

The method according to claim 4 wherein the step of connecting includes the step of inserting a first between said source of refrigerant fluid and a snap-on connector on said source member.

Claim 7

The method according to claim 4 wherein the step of connecting includes the step of inserting first and second hoses from respective snap-on connectors on said sleeve member to said source of refrigerant fluid via a T-connector.

Claim 8

The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of breaking includes impacting said brittle protective coating with a hammer.

Claim 11

The method according to claim 8 wherein the step of enclosing includes the steps of: wrapping a flexible material about said pipe section; securing longitudinally-extending ends of said flexible material together with a zipper extending longitudinally of said pipe section to form a sleeve member; and drawing each circumferentially-extending end of said sleeve member tightly against said pipe section.

Claim 12

The method according to claim 9 wherein the step of drawing includes the step of circumferentially contracting end straps, disposed at respective ends of said sleeve member, tightly against said pipe section.

Claim 13

The method according to claim 9 wherein the step of cooling includes the steps of: connecting a source of refrigerant fluid from outside said sleeve member to the interior of said sleeve member; pressurizing the refrigerant fluid; and exhausting the refrigerant fluid from inside said sleeve member to provide continuous refrigerant fluid flow from said source through said sleeve member.

Claim 14

The method according to claim 11 wherein the step of connecting includes the step of inserting a hose between said source of refrigerant fluid and a snap-on connection on said sleeve member.

Claim 15

The method according to claim 1 wherein said refrigerant fluid is carbon dioxide.

Claim 16

Apparatus for use in conjunction with a refrigerant fluid for cooling and rendering brittle a protective coating deposited about a section pipe, said apparatus comprising: a sheet of material which is non-porous to said refrigerant fluid, said sheet having first and second longitudinally-extending ends and third and fourth transversely-extending ends, said third and fourth ends being longer than the circumference of said pipe section; zipper means for selectively engaging said first and second ends to form a sleeve from said sheet; first and second strap closure means disposed at said third and fourth ends, respectively, for selectively tightly securing said third and fourth ends about the circumference of said pipe section; first connection means adapted to receive a mating connector means to provide flow communication through said material; exhaust port means for providing flow communication through said sleeve.

Claim 17

Apparatus for use in conjunction with a refrigerant fluid for cooling and rendering brittle a protective coating deposited about a section pipe, said apparatus comprising: a sheet of material which is non-porous to said refrigerant fluid, said sheet having first and second longitudinally-extending ends and third and fourth transversely-extending ends, said third and fourth ends being longer than the circumference of said pipe section; zipper means for selectively engaging said first and second ends to form a sleeve from said sheet; first and second strap closure means disposed at said third and fourth ends, respectively, for selectively tightly securing said third and fourth ends about the circumference of said pipe section; first connection means adapted to receive a mating connector means to provide flow communication through said material; exhaust port means for providing flow communication through said sleeve.

Claim 18

The apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising second connection means adapted to receive a further mating connector means to provide flow communication through said material.

Claim 19

The apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising: a T-connector having an inlet and first and second outlet connections; and first and second hoses, each adapted to connect between a respective outlet connection of said T-connection and said first and second connector means, respectively; wherein said inlet connection of said T-connector is adapted to be connected to a source of said refrigerant fluid.

Claim 20

The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said first connection means and said exhaust port means are longitudinally spaced such that said first connection is disposed proximate said third end, and said exhaust port means is disposed proximated said fourth end.

Claim 21

The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said exhaust port means comprises a plurality of individual exhaust ports defined through said sheet and spaced transversely along said sheet.

Claim 22

The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said first and second strap closure means are first and second draw straps made of Velcro material.