Inflatable plug with flange

An inflatable plug insertable into a conduit and inflatable therein to restrict fluid flow, the inflatable plug comprising:

• a bladder having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
• at least one fabric layer covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the bladder;
• a first plate positioned inside the bladder and adjacent to the interior surface of the bladder;
• a second plate positioned outside the bladder and adjacent to the at least one fabric layer, the second plate coupled to the first plate, such that the first plate and the second plate clamp a portion of the at least one fabric layer and a portion of the bladder therebetween;
• and
• at least one fluid port extending through the first plate and the second plate to facilitate inflation and deflation of the bladder,
• wherein the at least one fluid port includes an air port to facilitate movement of air into and out of the bladder, and a water port to facilitate movement of water into and out of the bladder, the air port and the water port at least partially defined by at least one hole in the second plate.

A method of assembling an inflatable plug, the assembled plug insertable into a conduit and inflatable therein to restrict fluid flow, the method comprising:

• positioning a bladder material having an outer surface on top of a first plate;
• covering the outer surface of the bladder material with at least one fabric layer;
• positioning a second plate on top of the at least one fabric layer;
• coupling the first plate to the second plate with at least one fastener;
• forming a closed bladder using at least the bladder material;
• and
• inserting a fluid port through the first plate and the second plate to facilitate inflation and deflation of the closed bladder wherein the fluid port is spaced from the at least one fastener.