Method of joining pipes and apparatus for facilitating the same
OwnerRobert J. Morrowinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for joining pipes includes a plate for melting mating surfaces of the pipes to be joined. Additionally, the apparatus utilizes a vacuum in order to push the first and second pipes together in lieu of hand or mechanical pressure which may be inconsistent. Additionally, the vacuum allows the pipes to be joined to settle on each other in order to create a pressure about a periphery of the end of the pipe being joined to the other pipe. The consistent pressure creates a very strong joint between the first and second pipes.
Claims15
A method of forming a liquid tight seal between a distal end of a first pipe and a second pipe, the first and second pipes fabricated from polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene material which defines a selected material, the method comprising the steps of:
- heating the distal end of the first pipe and the second pipe with a heater, the distal end of the first pipe defining an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, the heater being applied to the distal end of the first pipe and the second pipe until an entire surface of the distal end between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the first pipe and the second pipe have reached a softening temperature of the selected material;
- after the heating step, removing the heater from the first and second pipes;
- after the heating and removing steps, directly contacting the distal end of the first pipe to the second pipe;
- creating a negative pressure within a cavity of the first pipe after the contacting step so that the distal end of the first pipe is pushed into the second pipe;
- applying even pressure about the circumference of the distal end of the first pipe into the second pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.