Multilayer pipe joint

Apparatus for forming a pipe system, comprising:

• first and second lengths of pipe each having an outer casing and an inner plastic pipe,
• said outer casing and said inner plastic pipe defining an annular aperture at an end section at each end of said first and second lengths of said pipe, and
• a ring-shaped joining member for joining said first and second lengths of pipe, including
• (a) a metallic outer band positioned within said annular aperture between said casing and said plastic pipe,
• (b) an inner plastic band connected to and positioned radially inwardly of said metallic band and positioned at least partially within said annular aperture, and
• (c) sealing means adjacent said plastic band and in engagement with said plastic pipe for sealing fluid within said pipe.

A method of forming a pipe system, comprising:

• forming first and second lengths of pipe each having an outer casing and an inner plastic pipe,
• forming an annular aperture between said outer casing and said inner plastic pipe at an end section of each of said first and second lengths of pipe for receiving a portion of a ring-like joining member,
• fitting a metal portion of said ring-like joining member within said annular aperture at adjacent ends of both said first and second lengths of pipe,
• sealingly engaging a plastic portion of said ring-like joining member with said inner plastic pipe at said adjacent end sections of both said first and second lengths of pipe, and
• interconnecting said outer casing of said first length of pipe with said outer casing of said second length of pipe.

A method of forming a multilayer pipe system, comprising:

• forming a first and second length of multilayer pipe each having at least three distinct layers including an outer metal casing, an inner plastic pipe, and a filler material generally filling the annulus between said outer metal casing and said inner plastic pipe,
• forming an end section at each end of said first and second lengths of said multilayer pipe including said outer metal casing and said inner plastic pipe defining an annular aperture for receiving a portion of a ring-like joining member,
• fitting a metal portion of said ring-like member within said annular aperture of said first length of said pipe,
• sealingly engaging a first plastic portion of said ring-like member with said plastic pipe portion on said end section of said first length of said pipe,
• bringing said second length of pipe axially aligned with both said first length of said pipe and said ring-like member into fitting engagement with said ring-like member,
• sealingly engaging a second plastic portion of said ring-like member with said plastic pipe portion on an end section of said second length of pipe, and
• interconnecting said metal casing of said first length of said pipe with said metal casing of said second length of said pipe.