Method and apparatus for coating pipes

A method of coating a pipe (2;

• 30) or a pipe section with a layer of at least one polymer, comprising the steps of
• providing a pipe (2;
• 30) or a pipe section having an outer surface defining the periphery of the pipe or pipe section;
• applying on the outer surface of the pipe or pipe section a layer of at least one polymer material in melt stage using a nozzle (3), which is mounted on a carriage (1, 15a, 15b;
• 36) capable of travelling along the periphery of the pipe (2) or pipe section;
• and
• moving the carriage (1, 15a, 15b;
• 36) along at least a part of the periphery during the application of the polymer material to form a layer on the surface of the pipe (2;
• 30) or pipe section.

An apparatus for coating of a pipe (2;

• 30) or pipe section having an outer surface defining the periphery of the pipe or pipe section, comprising
• a movable carriage (1, 15a, 15b;
• 36), which is capable of travelling around the periphery of the pipe (2;
• 30) or pipe section;
• a die (3) connected to a source (4;
• 32) of a polymer melt for forming a polymer film, said die being mounted on the movable carriage (1, 15a, 15b;
• 36);
• and
• a levelling means (5;
• 38) capable of levelling and smoothening the polymer film against the outer surface of the pipe (2;
• 30) or pipe section.