# US 11,028,955 B2 · Means and method for lining a pipe > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,955 B2 - Document ID: US11028955B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/696,291 - Filed: 2019-11-26 - Published: 2020-04-02 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2012-10-16 - Assignees: LMK Technologies, LLC - Applicants: LMK Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028955B2 ## CPC - F16L 55/163: a ring, a band or a sleeve being pressed against the inner surface of the pipe - F16L 55/1651: {the flexible liner being everted} - F16L 55/179: specially adapted for bends, branch units, branching pipes or the like - F16L 55/18: Appliances for use in repairing pipes (F16L55/10 takes precedence) - F16L 55/265: {specially adapted for work at or near a junction between a main and a lateral pipe} - F16L 2101/18: Lining other than coating - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A method and means for repairing the junction of a main and lateral pipe are provided. A repair assembly includes a launcher device, a bladder assembly surrounding the launcher device, and a liner assembly surrounding the bladder assembly. The bladder assembly is frangibly connected to the launcher device to maintain the position of the bladder assembly relative to the launcher device during transport and positioning of the assembly. Likewise, the liner assembly, which includes main and lateral liner members, is frangibly connected to the bladder assembly. The frangible connections allow the position of the repair assembly to be maintained. The frangible connections can be broken, such as by inflation and/or tearing or pulling apart of the components of the repair assembly. Thus, the invention provides a way to mitigate the movement of components of the repair assembly during transport and positioning of the repair assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A repair assembly for repairing a main pipe and a lateral pipe, comprising: a launcher device; a bladder assembly having a main bladder tube at least partially surrounding the launcher device and a lateral bladder tube extending from a main bladder tube opening; a liner assembly comprising a main liner member at least partially surrounding the main bladder tube and a lateral liner tube extending from a main liner member opening to form a liner juncture; and a gasket positioned at the liner juncture, wherein the gasket is frangibly connected to the liner assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The repair assembly of claim 1 wherein the main liner member is frangibly connected to the bladder assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The repair assembly of claim 1 wherein the lateral liner tube is frangibly connected to the bladder assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The repair assembly of claim 1 wherein the gasket comprises a compressible hydrophilic material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The repair assembly of claim 1 wherein the frangible connection is between the gasket and the main liner member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The repair assembly of claim 1 wherein a portion of the bladder assembly is frangibly connected to a portion of the launcher device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The repair assembly of claim 1 wherein the main bladder tube comprises an elastic material and is configured to be expanded from a diameter substantially equal to the launcher device to a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the main pipe. ### Claim 8 A repair assembly for repairing a main pipe and a lateral pipe, comprising: a launcher device; a bladder assembly having a main bladder tube at least partially surrounding the launcher device and a lateral bladder tube extending from a main bladder tube opening; a liner assembly comprising a main liner member at least partially surrounding the main bladder tube and a lateral liner tube extending from a main liner member opening to form a liner juncture; and wherein a portion of the bladder assembly is frangibly connected to a portion of the liner assembly to aid in maintaining the position of the bladder assembly and the liner assembly during transport and inflation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The repair assembly of claim 8 wherein a portion of the bladder assembly is frangibly connected to a portion of the launcher device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The repair assembly of claim 8 further comprising a gasket positioned at the liner juncture. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The repair assembly of claim 10 wherein the gasket is frangibly attached to the liner assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The repair assembly of claim 10 wherein the gasket comprises a compressible hydrophilic material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The repair assembly of claim 8 wherein the frangible connection is between the main liner member and the main bladder tube. ### Claim 14 A repair assembly for repairing a main pipe and a lateral pipe, comprising: a launcher device; a bladder assembly frangibly connected to the launcher device to aid in maintaining the position of the bladder assembly during transport and inflation, the bladder assembly having a main bladder tube with a main bladder tube opening and a lateral bladder tube extending from the main bladder tube opening; a liner assembly having a main liner member at least partially surrounding the main bladder tube and a lateral liner tube extending from a main liner member opening to form a liner juncture. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The repair assembly of claim 14 wherein the liner assembly is frangibly connected to the bladder assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The repair assembly of claim 15 further comprising a gasket positioned at the juncture of the main and lateral liners. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The repair assembly of claim 16 wherein the gasket is frangibly connected to the liner assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The repair assembly of claim 14 wherein the gasket comprises a compressible hydrophilic material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The repair assembly of claim 14 wherein the frangible connection is between the main bladder tube and the launcher device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The repair assembly of claim 14 wherein the frangible connection is between the lateral bladder tube and the launcher device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The repair assembly of claim 14 wherein the main bladder tube comprises an elastic material and is configured to be expanded from a diameter substantially equal to the launcher device to a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the main pipe.