Pipe joint infill and protective sleeve

An apparatus for protecting a pipe joint of a pipeline between a plurality of coated pipe sections, comprising:

• a pliable synthetic resin cover sheet overlapping the coated pipe sections and enveloping the pipe joint, forming an annular space about the pipe joint between the coated pipe sections;
• the pliable synthetic resin cover sheet having a plurality of ridges extending inwardly from the cover sheet into the annular space about the pipe joint and forming a plurality of chambers between the ridges;
• the chambers being in flow communication with the annular space;
• the annular space containing a joint filling material of a high density, open cell polyurethane foam formed by polyurethane chemicals extending circumferentially around and enclosing the pipe joint;
• the chambers containing a joint filling material extending outwardly to the cover sleeve from the joint filling material in the annular space;
• and
• the joint filling material interlocking with the ridges in the cover sheet to improve the bond between the joint filling material and the cover sheet protecting the pipe joint.