# US 9,435,479 B2 · Device and method for repairing pipe > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,479 B2 - Document ID: US9435479B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/256,522 - Filed: 2014-04-18 - Published: 2014-08-14 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2007-10-15 - Assignees: LMK Technologies, LLC - Applicants: LMK Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435479B2 ## CPC - F16L 55/1651: {the flexible liner being everted} - F16L 55/165: a pipe {or flexible liner} being inserted in the damaged section - F16L 55/1654: {and being inflated} - F16L 55/179: specially adapted for bends, branch units, branching pipes or the like - F16L 55/265: {specially adapted for work at or near a junction between a main and a lateral pipe} - Y10T 137/0402: Cleaning, repairing, or assembling - Y10T 137/0447: Including joint or coupling - Y10T 137/598: With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The invention relates towards a bladder tube having an open and a closed end. The closed end of the bladder tube is formed by folding a surplus portion of the bladder tube, inserting a grommet through the folded portion of the bladder tube, banding at least a portion of the surplus portion of the bladder tube, and passing at least a portion of the banding through the grommet. The banding may comprise a rope or other material that can be tied. An exhaust port may also be punched through the layers of the folded portion of the bladder tube to exhaust steam or other fluids. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for closing an end of a bladder tube to be used with a resin impregnated liner for the repair of an interior wall of a pipe, the method comprising: folding a surplus portion of the bladder tube; inserting a grommet through the folded portion of the bladder tube; banding at least a portion of the surplus portion of the bladder tube; and passing at least a portion of the banding through the grommet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of folding a surplus portion of the bladder tube comprises folding a portion of the bladder tube extending beyond an end of the liner. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of folding a surplus portion of the bladder tube comprises fan-folding the bladder tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising creating an exhaust port in the bladder tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein the step of creating an exhaust port comprises punching a hole through the bladder tube prior to folding the surplus portion of the bladder tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein the step of creating an exhaust port comprises inserting a second grommet through a portion of the folded bladder tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising taping the end of the bladder. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of banding at least a portion of the surplus portion of the bladder tube comprises wrapping at least a portion of the folded bladder tube with one double hitch and three or four half hitch knots of the banding. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the banding is a rope. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the grommet is inserted approximately one inch from the end of the bladder tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the grommet is a three inch grommet. ### Claim 12 A method of closing an end of a bladder tube with a liner tube positioned at least partially therein and spaced a distance from the end of the bladder tube, the method comprising: fan-folding a surplus portion of the bladder tube; inserting a grommet through the fan-folded portion of the bladder tube; and tying the folded portion of the bladder tube with a rope to close the tube. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising creating an exhaust port in the bladder tube. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the step of creating an exhaust port comprises punching a hole through the bladder tube prior to folding the surplus portion of the bladder tube. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising applying an adhesive around the exhaust port to keep the holes aligned. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the step of tying the folded portion of the bladder tube with a rope to close the tube comprises wrapping at least a portion of the folded bladder tube with one double hitch and three or four half hitch knots. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising taping the end of the bladder. ### Claim 18 A bladder tube, comprising: a bladder tube body having first and second ends, with one of the first and second ends open and the other closed; the closed end of the bladder tube body comprising a fan-folded portion, a grommet positioned through at least a portion of the fan-folded portion, and a rope tied around at least a portion of the fan-folded portion to close the end. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The bladder tube of claim 18 wherein the closed end further comprises an exhaust port extending through the entire fan-folded portion of the end. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The bladder tube of claim 18 wherein the closed end further comprises tape wrapped around at least a portion of the fan-folded portion of the end.