Patent Publication Number: US-2015079316-A1

Title: Elongated fasteners for retaining insulation wraps around elongated containers, such as pipes, subject to temperature fluctuations, and related components and methods

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/878,923 filed on Sep. 17, 2013 entitled “Elongated Fasteners for Retaining Insulation Wraps Around Elongated Containers, Such as Pipes, Subject to Temperature Fluctuations, and Related Components and Methods,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/892,614 filed on May 13, 2013 entitled “Insulation Systems Employing Expansion Features to Insulate Elongated Containers Subject to Extreme Temperature Fluctuations, and Related Components and Methods,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The field of the disclosure relates to elongated fasteners for insulators and insulation products to provide insulation, including but not limited to pipes, tanks, vessels, etc. As a non-limiting example, the insulators and fasteners may be used with pipes that transport temperature-sensitive liquids such as petroleum, ammonia, liquid carbon dioxide, and natural gas. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Benefits of elongated containers, such as pipes, include their ability to transport very large quantities of liquids from a liquid source to one or more destination points. Pipes may be the transportation method of choice when extremely large quantities of liquids are desired to be continuously moved. The liquids being transported through the pipe may be phase-sensitive, meaning that the liquids may change to a solid or vapor within a range of ambient temperatures expected for the environment where the pipe will be located. The liquids transported through the pipe may also be viscosity-sensitive, meaning that the liquids may change viscosity within the range of ambient temperatures. 
     In this regard, heaters and/or coolers may be placed within the pipe to heat or cool a temperature of the liquid to ensure that the liquid stays within an acceptable temperature range to ensure a proper phase and viscosity during transportation thorough the pipe. An amount of energy needed for operation of the heaters and coolers may be reduced by insulating an external surface of the pipe. Typical insulations contact the external surface of the pipes, tanks, vessels, etc., and serve to reduce thermal energy loss by providing insulation properties around the exterior surfaces thereof. 
     Insulation members may be attached in segments along the length of a pipe. The insulation members may thermally change dimensions as contents of the pipe and/or ambient temperature fluctuate. In this manner, unwanted openings may form between insulation members as dimensions thermally change so that portions of the pipe may be without insulation at the unwanted openings, and thus piping system malfunctions or unwanted energy expenses may occur. Furthermore, unwanted openings between the insulation members may allow excessive moisture to collect between the pipe and the insulation members, and thus the excessive moisture may damage the pipe or significantly reduce the insulating properties of the insulation members. What is needed is an efficient and reliable insulation system to be used for elongated containers, such as pipes subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments disclosed herein include an elongated fastener for retaining an insulation wrap around an elongated container. In one embodiment, the fastener includes an elongated and substantially flat fastener body having first and second parallel rails extending from each longitudinal side of the fastener body. The fastener body is configured to span an elongated seam formed by opposing sides of the insulation wrap when the joint is disposed around the elongated container. Each rail is configured to extend into a complementary longitudinal slot disposed at an edge of a respective opposing side of the insulation wrap. Each rail includes at least one protrusion for engaging with each slot, thereby retaining each rail in its respective slot and retaining the insulation wrap around the elongated container. By securing the entire length of the seam, the elongated fastener can prevent excessive stress from being applied to portions of the insulation wrap. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, an elongated fastener for retaining an insulation wrap around an elongated container is disclosed. The fastener comprises a substantially flat fastener body. The fastener body is configured to extend along at least one seam formed by first and second longitudinal sides of the insulation wrap when the insulation wrap is disposed around the elongated container. The fastener body is further configured to span the at least one seam, the fastener body having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The fastener also comprises a first rail extending from the first longitudinal edge of the fastener body. The first rail is configured to be inserted into a first longitudinal slot in the insulation wrap extending proximate to and parallel to the first longitudinal side. The first rail has at least one protrusion for engaging an interior surface of the first longitudinal slot, thereby retaining the first rail in the first longitudinal slot. The fastener also comprises a second rail extending from the second longitudinal edge of the fastener body. The second rail is configured to be inserted into a second longitudinal slot in the insulation wrap extending proximate to and parallel to the second longitudinal side. The second rail has at least one protrusion for engaging an interior surface of the second longitudinal slot, thereby retaining the second rail in the second longitudinal slot. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a method of retaining an insulation wrap around an elongated container is disclosed. The method comprises disposing an insulation wrap around an elongated container extending in a longitudinal direction such that a first longitudinal side of the insulation wrap is disposed adjacent to a second longitudinal side of the insulation wrap, thereby forming at least one seam along a longitudinal direction. The method further comprises fastening the first and second longitudinal sides of the insulation wrap via an elongated fastener. The fastener comprises a substantially flat fastener body configured to extend along the at least one seam. The fastener body has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The fastener further comprises a first rail extending from the first longitudinal edge of the fastener body. Fastening the first and second longitudinal sides includes inserting the first rail into a first longitudinal slot in the insulation wrap extending proximate to and parallel to the first longitudinal side. The first rail has at least one protrusion engaging an interior surface of the first longitudinal slot, thereby retaining the first rail in the first longitudinal slot. The fastener further comprises a second rail extending from the second longitudinal edge of the fastener body. Fastening the first and second longitudinal sides includes inserting the second rail into a second longitudinal slot in the insulation wrap extending proximate to and parallel to the second longitudinal side. The second rail has at least one protrusion engaging an interior surface of the second longitudinal slot, thereby retaining the second rail in the second longitudinal slot. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, an insulation system for an exterior of an elongated container is disclosed. The insulation system includes an insulation wrap configured to be disposed around an elongated container. The insulation wrap extends from a first longitudinal side to a second longitudinal side opposite the first longitudinal side. The insulation wrap extends from the first longitudinal side to the second longitudinal side opposite the first longitudinal side. The insulation wrap further comprises a first longitudinal slot in the insulation wrap extending proximate to and parallel to the first longitudinal side. The insulation wrap further comprises a second longitudinal slot in the insulation wrap extending proximate to and parallel to the second longitudinal side. The insulation wrap further comprises at least one seam extending from the first longitudinal side to the second longitudinal side. The system further comprises at least one longitudinal fastener configured to fasten the first longitudinal side proximate to the second longitudinal side to secure the insulation wrap in a shape or substantially the shape of a cross-sectional perimeter of the elongated container. The at least one longitudinal fastener comprises a substantially flat fastener body configured to extend along the at least one seam and further configured to span the at least one seam, the fastener body having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The fastener further comprises a first rail extending from the first longitudinal edge of the fastener body and configured to be inserted into the first longitudinal slot, the first rail having at least one protrusion for engaging an interior surface of the first longitudinal slot, thereby retaining the first rail in the first longitudinal slot. The fastener further comprises a second rail extending from the second longitudinal edge of the fastener body and configured to be inserted into the second longitudinal slot, the second rail having at least one protrusion for engaging an interior surface of the second longitudinal slot, thereby retaining the second rail in the second longitudinal slot. 
     Different materials can be used for the longitudinal fasteners and insulation products disclosed herein. Non-limiting examples of thermoplastic materials that can be used for the longitudinal fasteners and insulation products include polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, polystyrene, polyethylenes, ethylene vinyl acetates (EVAs), polyolefins, including metallocene catalyzed low density polyethylene, thermoplastic olefins (TPOs), thermoplastic polyester, thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs), chlorinated polyethylene, styrene block copolymers, ethylene methyl acrylates (EMAs), ethylene butyl acrylates (EBAs), and the like, and derivatives thereof. The density of the thermoplastic materials may be provided to any density desired to provide the desired resiliency and expansion characteristics. 
     Non-limiting examples of thermoset materials that can be used for the longitudinal fasteners and insulation products include polyurethanes, natural and synthetic rubbers, such as latex, silicones, EPDM, isoprene, chloroprene, neoprene, melamine-formaldehyde, and polyester, and derivatives thereof. The density of the thermoset material may be provided to any density desired to provide the desired resiliency and expansion characteristics. The thermoset material can be soft or firm depending on formulations and density selections. Further, if the thermoset material selected is a natural material, such as latex for example, it may be considered biodegradable. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims. 
     The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A  is a cutaway close-up side view of an exemplary first embodiment of an insulation system disposed around an elongated container, the insulation system including insulation members and an exemplary foam expansion joint disposed between the insulation members, illustrating at least one channel and inner passageway of the foam expansion joint; 
         FIG. 1B  is a cutaway close-up side view of the expansion joint of the insulation system of  FIG. 1A  under tension, wherein the insulation members thermally shrink and pull upon the expansion joint, thereby causing expansion of the expansion joint; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict a perspective view of a substantially non-expandable insulation wrap as known in the art disposed around the elongated container at a datum ambient temperature and at a reduced temperature, respectively, showing a longitudinal fastener failing at the reduced temperature; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict perspective views of an example of an expandable insulation wrap being disposed around the elongated container during installation at a datum temperature, and when the expandable insulation wrap is expanded to complete the installation, respectively; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of an example of an insulation wrap having an elongated fastener along a seam thereof, thereby retaining opposite longitudinal sides of the insulation wrap together; 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  depict perspective views of an example of a first insulation wrap disposed and fastened around an elongated container, and a second insulation wrap disposed and fastened around the first insulation wrap; 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the example of  FIG. 5C  depicting structural details of the elongated fastener; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the example of  FIG. 5C  illustrating the offset rotational arrangement of the first and second insulation wraps and associated fasteners. 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  are perspective side views of the insulation system of  FIG. 1A  installed upon a pipe, illustrating respectively, the insulation system with the expansion joint hidden, the expansion joint disposed between the insulation members, and a partial cutaway of the expansion joint; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side views depicting the insulation members and the expansion joint of  FIG. 1A  as an external surface of the elongated container reaches an ambient temperature and the operating temperature, respectively; 
         FIGS. 10A-10D  are perspective side views of the expansion joint of  FIG. 1A  being installed to be part of the insulation system, illustrating respectively, the insulation system before the expansion joint is installed, the expansion joint installed by being disposed between the insulation members, and a partial cutaway of the expansion joint after installation as part of the insulation system; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of an alternative example of an expansion joint which is partially assembled and fully assembled; 
         FIGS. 11C and 11D  are a perspective view and a side view of another embodiment of an expansion joint, comprising a first section attached to an end section with an alternative attachment member, thereby illustrating inner channels, outer channels, and inner passageways; 
         FIG. 11E  depicts a perspective view of an expansion joint that may be another example of the expansion joint of  FIG. 8B ; 
         FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of another example of an expansion joint extruded and then wound upon a spool for convenient non-factory installations, to become part of an insulation system; 
         FIGS. 12B-12D  are perspective views of process steps to install the expansion joint of  FIG. 12A  upon an elongated container; 
         FIG. 12E  is a cross-section perspective view of the expansion joint of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIGS. 13A-13C  depict a side view during installation, a side view after installation, and a partial perspective view of an expansion joint. respectively, which may be another example of the expansion joint of  FIG. 8B ; 
         FIG. 14  shows an exemplary product forming system in the prior art that may be utilized for forming the expansion member of  FIG. 13C ; 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  depict perspective views of another embodiment of an expansion joint, comprising a first insulation section with a helical shape and a second insulation section in a helical shape, to ensure the gap between the insulation members is fully insulated, illustrating different material performances wherein the second insulation section is more flexible than the first insulation section; 
         FIG. 15C  is a side view of the expansion joint of  FIG. 15A  in an uncompressed state, illustrating the helical shape of the first insulation section and the helical shape of the second insulation section; 
         FIGS. 15D and 15E  are perspective views of the expansion joint of  FIG. 15C , illustrating end surfaces of the expansion joint after cutting at two different lengths, respectively, as part of an exemplary manufacturing process, to illustrate forming a planar surface at the end surfaces which may provide a continuous surface to abut against the abutment surfaces of the insulation members of  FIG. 8B ; 
         FIGS. 16A-16C  depict an exemplary process for creating the expansion joint of  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 17  depicts a side view of the first insulation section showing a relationship between a diameter, a distance parallel to a center axis of a spiral convolution, and a pitch angle; 
         FIGS. 18A and 18B  are perspective views of two other examples of first insulation sections, illustrating the helical pitch angle will vary inversely with diameter for an identical dimension; 
         FIGS. 19A and 19B  are top perspective views of one embodiment of an expansion joint including a single foam profile, and another expansion joint including a dual profile; 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  are top perspective views of the expansion joint of  FIG. 19B  after thermal bonding, and after cutting to form end faces, respectively, illustrating the end faces comprised of a portion of the foam profile and a portion of the second foam profile; 
         FIG. 20C  is a perspective view of a expansion joint installed upon the pipe, illustrating the end faces available to abut against the insulation members of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 21A  is a perspective view of another example of an expansion joint installed around the pipe, depicting multiple foam profiles creating end faces with smooth and uniform end faces; 
         FIG. 21B  depicts a perspective view of the expansion joint of  FIG. 20C , illustrating the end faces that are different from the end faces in  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIGS. 21C-21E  are additional perspective views of the expansion joint of  FIG. 21A  including before cutting to form the end faces, after forming the end faces, and after installation on the pipe, respectively; 
         FIGS. 22A and 22B  are perspective views of another embodiment of an expansion joint before end faces are formed and after the end faces are formed, respectively, illustrating smoother end faces in the absence of the inner passageways; 
         FIGS. 23A and 23B  are side views of another example of an expansion joint which is compressed to close or substantially close the outer channels, inner channels, and inner passageways and is then annealed to hold that compressed position; 
         FIG. 23C  is a perspective view of a soda straw after being pulled to an elongated state and a soda straw compressed back to its original state, respectively, illustrating a mechanical analogy to the expansion joint of  FIGS. 23A-23B ; 
         FIGS. 24A and 24B  are perspective views of the expansion joint shown in  FIG. 13A  in an expanded and a compressed state, respectively, illustrating the expansion joint; 
         FIG. 24C  is a perspective view of a metal spring, which is a mechanical analogy to the expansion joint of  FIG. 24A ; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of expansion joints formed by annealing the expansion joint of  FIG. 20B  in a compressed state; 
         FIG. 26A  is an exemplary foam member with pinning or puncturing holes added to provide enhanced compressibility, illustrating a technique to more easily change a shape of expansion joints to fill the gap between the insulation members of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 26B  is a perspective view of exemplary expansion joints comprising the pinning or the puncturing holes of  FIG. 26A  from the external surface to a predetermined depth of the expansion joint, providing enhanced ability for the shape of expansion joints to change to thereby fill the gap between the insulation members of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIGS. 27A-27C  are a perspective view, a partial cutaway perspective view, and a full cutaway view, respectively, of an exemplary expansion joint installed upon the pipe, the expansion joint comprising a helical spring disposed within a foam expansion body; and 
         FIGS. 28A and 28B  depict exemplary processes for creating the expandable insulation wrap. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the disclosure include an elongated fastener for retaining an insulation wrap around an elongated container. The fastener includes an elongated and substantially flat fastener body having first and second parallel rails extending from each longitudinal side of the fastener body. The fastener body is configured to span an elongated seam formed by opposing sides of the insulation wrap when the joint is disposed around the elongated container. Each rail is configured to extend into a complementary longitudinal slot disposed at an edge of a respective opposing side of the insulation wrap. Each rail includes at least one protrusion for engaging with each slot, thereby retaining each rail in its respective slot and retaining the insulation wrap around the elongated container. By securing the entire length of the seam, the elongated fastener can prevent excessive stress from being applied to portions of the insulation wrap. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments are shown. Indeed, the concepts may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts. 
     It is noted that the expansion features comprise a combination of geometric and material features provided as part of the insulation system to provide a precise stiffness to allow the insulation system to respond when subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations. Geometric features may include, for example, channels (grooves), hinges, arcs, notches, cut segments, cell-size, foam density, and/or inner pathways. 
     In order to illustrate the fundamental concepts of this disclosure,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are cutaway views of an exemplary insulation system  10  disposed proximate to an external surface  14  of an elongated container  12 , wherein the insulation system  10  is subject to a datum temperature and a lower temperature, respectively. The insulation system  10  may comprise an expansion joint  18  disposed in a gap  22  between insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ). The insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) have a thermal expansion coefficient wherein they expand parallel to the external surface  14  of the elongated container  12  when subject to temperature increases, and they contract parallel to the external surface  14  when subject to decreasing temperatures. Accordingly, the gap  22  thermally changes dimensions. The elongated container  12  will be efficiently insulated when the gap  22  is fully occupied by the expansion joint  18 . 
     The expansion joint  18  has several features to enable the gap  22  to be efficiently insulated. The expansion joint  18  comprises a foam expansion body  38  made of foam, for example, thermoplastic and/or thermoset, to provide insulation performance to the elongated container  12 . The expansion joint  18  may also comprise one or more expansion features comprising at least one inner channel  44 , at least one outer channel  34 , and/or at least one inner passageway  36 , which are configured to change shape when subject to forces F T  from the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ). The changing shape of these expansion features better enables the expansion joint  18  to fill the gap  22  between the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ). 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , it is noted that the outer channels  34  and the inner channels  44  may be positioned in a staggered arrangement along the external surface  14 . The staggered arrangement in combination with the forces F T  from the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) create non-aligned internal forces Fz( 1 ), Fz( 2 ) forming at least one force moment M 1  which enables the expansion joint  18  to further change shape to fill the gap  22  between the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ). 
     Now that the insulation system concept has been described using  FIGS. 1A and 1B , various examples of an insulation system comprising a novel fastener for retaining one or more insulation wraps, which may be similar to insulation members  16 , will be discussed relative to  FIGS. 2A-7 . Then, various examples of an insulation system comprising an expansion joint that can also employ the novel fastener will be discussed relative to  FIGS. 8A-27C . 
     In this regard,  FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict a perspective view of a foam body  38 , which may be similar to the insulation members  16  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , used as an insulation wrap  40 ( 1 ) about the elongated container  12  at a datum ambient temperature. The insulation wrap  40 ( 1 ) comprises a foam body  38 , which may extend from a first longitudinal side  39 A to a second longitudinal side  39 B opposite the first longitudinal side  39 A. The foam body  38  also extends from a first latitudinal side  41 A to a second latitudinal side  41 B opposite the first latitudinal side  41 A. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the insulation wrap  40 ( 1 ) may also comprise at least one longitudinal fastener  42  configured to fasten the first longitudinal side  39 A proximate to the second longitudinal side  39 B to secure the thermoplastic profile in a shape or substantially the shape of the elongated container  12 . The longitudinal fastener  42  may comprise a rabbet  43  (as shown in FIG.  3 B) to better provide a more secure interface between the first longitudinal side  39 A proximate to the second longitudinal side  39 B. 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the insulation wrap  40 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 2A  at a reduced temperature less than the datum ambient temperature, wherein the longitudinal fastener  42  has failed. The reduced temperature may occur because the elongated container  12  became colder or the ambient temperature became colder than the datum ambient temperature. The insulation wrap  40 ( 1 ) shrinks as its temperature decreases according to its thermal expansion coefficient, thereby causing increased stress at the longitudinal fastener  42 . The increased stress may cause the longitudinal fastener  42  to fail to keep the first longitudinal side  39 A and the second longitudinal side  39 B proximate to each other. In this manner, the insulation wrap  40 ( 1 ) may fall off the elongated container  12  and/or may provide less efficient insulating properties to the elongated container  12 . 
     To improve the insulation wrap  40 ( 1 ),  FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict perspective views of another example of an insulation wrap  40 ( 2 ) disposed around the elongated container  12 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the insulation wrap  40 ( 2 ) may be placed under tension so that the longitudinal fastener  42  may keep the first longitudinal side  39 A proximate to the second longitudinal side  39 B. The insulation wrap  40 ( 2 ) is similar to the insulation wrap  40 ( 1 ), and so only differences will be discussed for clarity and conciseness. The insulation wrap  40 ( 2 ) comprises the at least one outer channel  34  and the at least one inner channel  44  extending from the first latitudinal side  41 A to the second latitudinal side  41 B. In this manner, the outer channels  34  and the inner channels  44  are configured to change shape, as shown in  FIG. 3B , to allow the foam body  38 B to better expand to relieve the stress on the longitudinal fastener  42  and thereby keep the first longitudinal side  39 A proximate to the second longitudinal side  39 B during temperature fluctuations. 
     Furthermore, each of the inner channels  44  may be staggered around the circumference of the elongated container  12  as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , with respect to a respective nearest one of the at least one outer channel  34 . In this way, the outer channels  34  and the inner channels  44  may be deeper within the foam body  38 B, and the insulation wrap  40 ( 2 ) may more easily expand along the circumferential direction of the elongated container  12  to relieve strain on the longitudinal fastener  42 . Accordingly, the longitudinal fastener  42  is less likely to fail during temperature fluctuations, and the first longitudinal side  39 A will be kept proximate to the second longitudinal side  39 B during temperature fluctuations. 
     Many of the above described embodiments include a longitudinal seam to permit a pre-formed insulation wrap to be disposed around a cylindrical container in place. The insulation wrap may be retained in place by a number of methods, such as one or more fasteners, adhesives, or an external wraps. In this regard,  FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of an example of an insulation wrap  46  having an elongated fastener  48  along a seam  50  thereof, thereby retaining opposite longitudinal sides of the insulation wrap  46  together. In this embodiment, the insulation wrap  46  extends from a first longitudinal side around to a second longitudinal side opposite the first longitudinal side at the seam  50  to form a substantially cylindrical profile. 
     The fastener  48  extends in a longitudinal direction and is configured to fasten the first longitudinal side proximate to the second longitudinal side at the seam  50 . The fastener  48  includes a substantially flat fastener body  52  configured to extend along and span the seam  50 . The fastener  48  includes first and second rails  54  that extend from either side of the fastener body  52 . The rails  54  are inserted into and engage the opposite longitudinal sides of the insulation wrap  46  proximate to the seam  50 . In another embodiment, without limitation, the fastener body  52  may be curved or angled. The rails  54  may also extend from one or more different angles from the fastener body  52  without limitation. 
     The fastener  48  thus allows the insulation wrap  46  to be retained in a shape or substantially the shape of a cross-sectional perimeter of an elongated container. Additional insulation wraps may also be disposed around insulation wrap  46  and may be retained by similar fasteners to fastener  48 . In this regard,  FIGS. 5A-5C  depict perspective views of an example of a first insulation wrap  46  disposed around the elongated container  12 , and a second insulation wrap  56  disposed around the first insulation wrap  46 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the second insulation wrap  56  has first and second longitudinal sides that meet at seam  50 . In addition,  FIG. 5A  illustrates that the first and second insulation wraps  46 ,  56  have a pair of longitudinal slots  58  on either side of slot  50 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , the slots  58  are configured to accommodate the rails  54  of fastener  48 . After fastener  48  is applied to the first insulation wrap  46 , the second insulation wrap  56  can be disposed around the first insulation wrap  46  and secured with another fastener  48 . As shown in  FIG. 5C , after the first and second insulation wraps  46 ,  56  are secured with fasteners  48 , one or more sheathings, moisture barriers or other wraps  62 ,  64  can be disposed around the second insulation wrap  56  in a conventional manner. 
     To retain the rails  54  of the fastener  48  in the slots  58  of the insulation wraps  46 ,  56 , the rails  54  can include a variety of different profiles to engage with the interior foam surfaces of slots  58 . In this regard,  FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the example of  FIG. 5C  depicting structural details of the elongated fastener  48 . In particular,  FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary profile of rails  54  extending into slots  58  of the second insulation wrap  56 . In this example, each rail  54  includes one or more pairs of linear protrusions  66  extending from each side of the rail  54 . When the rails  54  are press fit into the slots  58  of second insulation wrap  56 , each protrusion  66  is pressed into the foam or other material of the second insulation wrap  56 , thereby forming an enhanced friction fit for each rail  54  within the respective slot  58 . In this manner, each fastener  48  can securely close each seam  50 , while retaining the ability to manually remove the fastener  48 , for example for maintenance or repair of the first or second insulation wrap  46 ,  56  or elongated container  12 . 
     When using more than one insulation wrap, the seams  50  can be rotationally offset around the cylindrical container  12  to provide additional strength and redundancy to the insulation wraps  46 ,  56 . In this regard,  FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the example of  FIG. 5C  illustrating the offset rotational arrangement of the first and second insulation wraps  46 ,  56  and associated fasteners  48 . One advantage to this arrangement is that rotationally offsetting the seam  50  and fastener  48  of concentric insulation wraps  46 ,  56  helps to prevent failure of one fastener  48  from causing failure of the other fastener  48 , in part because the unintended force distribution caused by the failure of the first fastener  48  is transferred to the other insulation wrap at a point away from the seam  50 . 
     A variety of different materials may be used for the fastener  48 . For example, a plastic, such as LDPE or MDPE polyethylene or other thermoplastic, may be used. In some embodiments, the fastener  48  may be made of metal. The fastener  48  may be cut to standardized lengths, custom lengths, or may be manufactured to specific lengths when forming the fasteners  48 . In some embodiments, the fastener  48  may be formed having a length that is a multiple of a standardized length of a piece of insulation, thereby spanning multiple pieces of insulation. In some embodiments, the fastener  48  may be fastened across multiple adjacent insulation wraps  46 . 
     In some embodiments, the dimensions of the fastener  48  may be selected based on the dimensions of the insulation wrap  46  to be fastened. For example, the width of the fastener body  52  may be 10% of the circumference of the insulation wrap  46  as installed, and the depth of the rails  54  may be 33% of the thickness of the insulation wrap  46 . Thus, for an insulation wrap having a 1″ thickness and sized to enclose a container  12  having a 6.7″ external diameter (i.e., 8.7″ total diameter and 25.13″ circumference), the width of the fastener body  52  may be selected as 2.73″ and the depth of the rails  54  may be selected as 0.33″. Table 1 below illustrates a number of other width/depth combinations for different fasteners  48  and insulation wraps  46 . 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 (Dimensions in inches) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Thickness &gt;&gt; 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Diam- 
                 1 
                 1½ 
                 2 
                 2½ 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 ID 
                 eter 
                 Width 
                 Depth 
                 Width 
                 Depth 
                 Width 
                 Depth 
                 Width 
                 Depth 
               
               
                   
               
               
                  ½ 
                  0.860 
                 0.90 
                 0.33 
                 1.21 
                 0.50 
                 1.53 
                 0.66 
                 1.84 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  ¾ 
                  1.070 
                 0.96 
                 0.33 
                 1.28  
                 0.50  
                 1.59  
                 0.66  
                 1.91 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  1 
                  1.330 
                 1.05 
                 0.33 
                 1.36  
                 0.50 
                 1.67  
                 0.66  
                 1.99 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  1¼ 
                  1.680 
                 1.16 
                 0.33 
                 1.47 
                 0.50 
                 1.78 
                 0.66 
                 2.10 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  1½  
                  1.920 
                 1.23  
                 0.33 
                 1.55  
                 0.50 
                 1.86  
                 0.66 
                 2.17 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  2 
                  2.410 
                 1.39  
                 0.33  
                 1.70  
                 0.50 
                 2.01 
                 0.66 
                 2.33 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  2½  
                  2.910 
                 1.54 
                 0.33 
                 1.86 
                 0.50 
                 2.17 
                 0.66 
                 2.48 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  3 
                  3.530 
                 1.74 
                 0.33 
                 2.05  
                 0.50 
                 2.37  
                 0.66 
                 2.68 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  3½  
                  4.030 
                 1.89 
                 0.33 
                 2.21 
                 0.50 
                 2.52 
                 0.66 
                 2.84 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  4 
                  4.530 
                 2.05 
                 0.33 
                 2.37  
                 0.50 
                 2.68 
                 0.66 
                 2.99 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  4½  
                  5.030 
                 2.21 
                 0.33 
                 2.52 
                 0.50 
                 2.84 
                 0.66 
                 3.15 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  5 
                  5.640 
                 2.40 
                 0.33 
                 2.71  
                 0.50 
                 3.03 
                 0.66 
                 3.34 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  6 
                  6.700 
                 2.73 
                 0.33 
                 3.05 
                 0.50  
                 3.36  
                 0.66  
                 3.68 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  7 
                  7.700 
                 3.05 
                 0.33 
                 3.36  
                 0.50  
                 3.68  
                 0.66 
                 3.99 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  8 
                  8.700 
                 3.36  
                 0.33 
                 3.68  
                 0.50  
                 3.99  
                 0.66  
                 4.30 
                 0.83 
               
               
                  9 
                  9.700 
                 3.68  
                 0.33 
                 3.99  
                 0.50  
                 4.30  
                 0.66  
                 4.62 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 10 
                 10.830 
                 4.03 
                 0.33 
                 4.34 
                 0.50  
                 4.66 
                 0.66  
                 4.97 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 11 
                 11.830 
                 4.34  
                 0.33 
                 4.66 
                 0.50  
                 4.97  
                 0.66  
                 5.29 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 12 
                 12.840 
                 4.66  
                 0.33 
                 4.98 
                 0.50  
                 5.29  
                 0.66  
                 5.60 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 13 
                 13.840 
                 4.98  
                 0.33 
                 5.29 
                 0.50  
                 5.60  
                 0.66  
                 5.92 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 14 
                 14.090 
                 5.05  
                 0.33  
                 5.37 
                 0.50  
                 5.68  
                 0.66  
                 6.00 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 15 
                 15.090 
                 5.37  
                 0.33  
                 5.68 
                 0.50  
                 6.00  
                 0.66  
                 6.31 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 16 
                 16.090 
                 5.68  
                 0.33  
                 6.00 
                 0.50  
                 6.31  
                 0.66  
                 6.63 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 17 
                 17.090 
                 6.00  
                 0.33  
                 6.31 
                 0.50  
                 6.63  
                 0.66  
                 6.94 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 18 
                 18.090 
                 6.31  
                 0.33  
                 6.63 
                 0.50  
                 6.94  
                 0.66  
                 7.25 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 19 
                 19.090 
                 6.63  
                 0.33  
                 6.94 
                 0.50  
                 7.25  
                 0.66  
                 7.57 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 20 
                 20.090 
                 6.94  
                 0.33  
                 7.25 
                 0.50  
                 7.57  
                 0.66  
                 7.88 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 21 
                 21.090 
                 7.25  
                 0.33  
                 7.57 
                 0.50  
                 7.88  
                 0.66  
                 8.20 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 22 
                 22.090 
                 7.57  
                 0.33  
                 7.88 
                 0.50  
                 8.20  
                 0.66  
                 8.51 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 23 
                 23.090 
                 7.88  
                 0.33  
                 8.20 
                 0.50  
                 8.51  
                 0.66  
                 8.82 
                 0.83 
               
               
                 24 
                 24.090 
                 8.20  
                 0.33  
                 8.51 
                 0.50  
                 8.82  
                 0.66  
                 9.14 
                 0.83 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In the above Table 1, “ID” refers to the internal diameter of the container  12  (e.g., a pipe capacity), “Diameter” refers to the external diameter of the container  12  including wall thickness, “Thickness” refers to the wall thickness of the insulation wrap  46 , “Width” refers to the width of fastener body  52  of fastener  48 , and “Depth” refers to the depth of each rail  54  of fastener  48 . 
     Embodiments of the novel fasteners described above may also be used with an insulation system comprising an expansion joint. In this regard,  FIGS. 8A-8C  are perspective side views of a first embodiment of an insulation system  10 ( 1 ) disposed around an elongated container  12 . The elongated container  12  may be, for example, a pipe for liquid, gas, or vapor flow.  FIG. 8A  does not include all components of the insulation system  10 ( 1 ) in order to show the pipe  12 . The pipe  12  (or other “elongated container”) may be a natural gas pipeline carrying a temperature-sensitive liquid such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) through an inside passageway at less than negative one-hundred sixty-two (−162) degrees Celsius, or a refrigerant pipe carrying refrigerant to a food-processing freezer at sub-zero (0) degrees Fahrenheit, as non-limiting examples. The pipe  12  may be made of a strong pressure-resistant material, for example, metal, composite, or hardened plastic. An external surface  14  of the pipe  12  may be concentric about a center axis A 1 . The ends of the pipe are depicted as being broken to show indeterminate length parallel to the center axis A 1  in  FIGS. 8A-8C . 
     The pipe  12  may be installed in an ambient environment which may include, for example, ambient temperatures from negative fifty (−50) to forty (+40) degrees Celsius. The ambient environment may include humidity. An operating temperature T O  as used herein is a temperature of the external surface  14  of pipe  12  when contents flow through the pipe  12 . The operating temperature T O  as used herein is always different than the ambient temperature. When contents do not flow through the pipe  12 , then the temperature of the exterior of the pipe  12  may reach ambient temperature at equilibrium. 
     If the pipe  12  is not insulated, the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  may be exposed to the ambient environment, and damage and/or expense may occur. The damage and/or expense may include, for example, higher energy expense, accumulation of ice, corrosion, breakage and/or leakage of the pipe  12 . 
     The insulation system  10 ( 1 ) may include at least two insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ), an expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) ( FIG. 1B ), and second layer insulation members  28 ( 1 ),  28 ( 2 ). The insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) may be made, for example, of a polymeric material with a density or stiffness high enough to prevent deformation when supported directly or indirectly by a pipe support  68 . The insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) may each include an external surface  19 ( 1 ),  19 ( 2 ) and an internal surface  20 ( 1 ),  20 ( 2 ), respectively. The internal surface  20 ( 1 ),  20 ( 2 ) of the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) may abut against the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  and thereby may minimize convection heat transfer between the pipe  12  and atmosphere. 
     The second layer insulation members  28 ( 1 ),  28 ( 2 ) may include inward-facing surfaces  30 ( 1 ),  30 ( 2 ) abutting against the external surfaces  19 ( 1 ),  19 ( 2 ) of the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ), respectively, to prevent convection heat transfer and radiant heat transfer with the ambient environment. The second layer insulation members  28 ( 1 ),  28 ( 2 ) may be made, for example, of a polymeric material with a density high enough to prevent deformation when supported directly or indirectly by the pipe support  68 . 
     The insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) may include abutment surfaces  72 ( 1 ),  72 ( 2 ), which may become separated by a gap  22  of a distance D 1 ( 1 ) when the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) and the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  may be at the ambient temperature. The distance D 1 ( 1 ) is meant to describe the gap  22  into which an installer would insert/install the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ), and may also describe the size of the gap that may occur due to thermal contraction. As shown in  FIG. 8B , the gap  22  may be filled by the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) configured to insulate a portion  24  of the pipe  12  in the gap  22 . 
     The insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) may include a thermal expansion coefficient which may enable the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) to contract parallel to the center axis A 1  when the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  reaches the operating temperature T O .  FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side views depicting the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) and the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 8B  when the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  reaches the ambient temperature and the operating temperature T O , respectively. When the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) contract, then the gap  22  may widen to a distance of D 1 ( 2 ) when the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  reaches the operating temperature T O . The distance D 1 ( 2 ) may be longer than the distance D 1 ( 1 ) parallel to the center axis A 1 . This longer distance D 1 ( 2 ) requires the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) to expand to completely fill the gap  22 . When the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  again reaches ambient temperature as the flow may cycle between on and off, the gap  22  may return to the distance D 1 ( 1 ) and the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) may contract to fill this gap  22 . 
     With reference back to  FIG. 8B , the insulation system  10 ( 1 ) may include attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) to attach the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) to the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ), respectively. The attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) may comprise, for example, duct tape, adhesive material(s), thermal weld(s), and/or cohesive material(s). The attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) may allow the gap  22  to be fully filled by the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) as the temperature of the exterior of the pipe  12  changes and as the ambient temperature changes. The attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) may also be configured to seal the gap  22  to prevent humidity from the ambient environment from reaching the pipe  12 , where damaging ice could develop. The attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) seal the gap  22  by preventing humidity and airflow from moving between end surfaces  76 ( 1 ),  76 ( 2 ) (or “first and second latitudinal sides”) of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) and the abutment surfaces  72 ( 1 ),  72 ( 2 ) of the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ), respectively. The attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) may allow the gap  22  to be fully filled by the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) imparting a joint force F J  ( FIG. 9B ) upon the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ). The joint force F J  may be parallel to the center axis A 1 , and may be a compressive or tensile force upon the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ). 
     With reference back to  FIG. 8C , the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) may include an internal surface  78  and an external surface  80  opposite the internal surface  78 . The internal surface  78  of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) may be configured to abut against the portion  26  of the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  to better insulate the pipe  12  by minimizing convection heat transfer from the external surface  14  of the pipe  12 . 
     The expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) may extend from a first surface  82  (or “first longitudinal side”) to a second surface  84  (or “second longitudinal side”) along a perimeter of the external surface  14  of the pipe  12 . The perimeter may be in a geometric plane perpendicular to the center axis A 1  and the perimeter may be concentric to the center axis A 1 . The first surface  82  and the second surface  84  may be attached using a second attachment member  88 . The second attachment member  88  may comprise, for example, duct tape, adhesive material(s), thermal weld(s), and/or cohesive material(s). The second attachment member  88  may allow the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) to remain in abutment with the pipe  12  and prevent humidity from the ambient environment from reaching the pipe  12 . Further, the second attachment member  88  may be installed parallel to axis A 1  ( FIG. 8B ) or parallel to outer channels  34  ( FIG. 8C ) so as to not inhibit the expansion or contraction of the outer channels  34 , the inner channels  44  ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ), or inner passageway  36  ( FIG. 8C ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 8C , the external surface  80  of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) may include outer channels  34  and the internal surface  78  may include inner channels  44 . The outer channels  34  and the inner channels  44  may be formed with an extrusion process. The inner channels  44  and the outer channels  34  may be grooves including a curvilinear shape. The inner channels  44  and the outer channels  34  may extend from the first surface  82  to the second surface  84  ( FIG. 8C ). The inner channels  44  and the outer channels  34  may reduce the stiffness of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) in a direction parallel to the center axis A 1 , and may each be disposed orthogonal to the center axis A 1  to enable the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) to expand in a direction parallel to the center axis A 1  to keep the gap  22  filled and the portion  26  of the pipe  12  insulated. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 8C , the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) may further include at least one inner passageway  36  disposed between the internal surface  78  and the external surface  80  of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ). The inner passageway  36  may be formed through an extrusion process. Each of the at least one inner passageway  36  may extend from a first opening  90  in the first surface  82  to a second opening  92  in the second surface  84  ( FIG. 8B ). The inner passageway  36  may reduce the stiffness of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) in a direction parallel to the center axis A 1 , and may be disposed orthogonal to the center axis A 1  to enable the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) to expand in a direction parallel to the center axis A 1  to keep the gap  22  filled and the portion  26  of the pipe  12  insulated. 
       FIG. 8C  further depicts a second layer insulation member  28 ( 3 ) that may be disposed between the second layer insulation members  28 ( 1 ),  28 ( 2 ) to further insulate the pipe  12  from the atmosphere. The second layer insulation member  28 ( 3 ) may abut against the external surface  80  of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ). It is noted that the gap  22  may still expand and contract between the distance D 1 ( 1 ) and D 1 ( 2 ) as the temperature of the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  changes ( FIGS. 9A and 9B ). 
       FIGS. 10A-10C  depict the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) being installed to be part of the insulation system  10 ( 1 ) of  FIGS. 8A-8C . The expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) may include a distance D 2 ( 1 ) between the end surfaces  76 ( 1 ),  76 ( 2 ) when not installed in the gap  22  and at the ambient temperature. The distance D 2 ( 1 ) may be greater than the distance D 1 ( 1 ) of the gap  22  at the ambient temperature. The expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) may be compressed in order to be installed into the gap  22 . For example, if the gap  22  has the distance D 1 ( 1 ) of ten (10) inches and the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) has the distance D 2 ( 1 ) of twelve (12) inches, then the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) may be compressed to within ten (10) inches to fit within the gap  22 . Compressing the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) having a distance D 2 ( 1 ) greater than the distance D 1 ( 1 ) allows the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) to be disposed in the gap  22  with a compression force F C  ( FIG. 10D ). Attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) may be under compression by compressive force F C  or attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) may be installed after expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) is disposed in the gap  22  with compressive force F C , to provide a better seal against humidity from the ambient environment reaching the pipe  12 . Further, the compression force F C  allows the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) to better expand to fill the gap  22  when the gap  22  expands to a distance D 1 ( 2 ) as the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  reaches the operating temperature T O . 
     The expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) may be installed into the gap  22  with the first surface  82  installed before the second surface  84 , or vice versa.  FIG. 4C  depicts the first surface  82  being installed initially in the gap  22 . The outer channels  34 , inner channels  44 , and the at least one inner passageway  36  may at least partially close as the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) is installed in the gap  22 , as depicted in the differences between  FIGS. 10B and 10C . The expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) may contract to within the distance D 1 ( 1 ) as the outer channels  34  and inner channels  44 , and the at least one inner passageway  36  may at least partially close. In addition, a material of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) may contract to help the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) more easily fit within the gap  22 . 
     As is depicted in  FIG. 10D , when both the first surface  82  and the second surface  84  are installed into the gap  22 , then the second attachment member  88  may attach the first surface  82  and second surface  84 , and the attachment member  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) may attach the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) to the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ). The attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) and second attachment member  88  may be applied to the insulation system  10 ( 1 ) with, for example, a heat gun and/or adhesive applicator. 
     In another embodiment, different materials may be used to provide the insulation members and the expansion joints. The insulation members may be provided of a first material(s) to provide the desired thermal insulation characteristics and/or stiffness support characteristics. To facilitate the enhanced ability for the insulation products to counteract thermal expansion and/or contraction, a different material may be provided in expansion joints attached to insulation members. The material(s) selected for the expansion joints may have a different coefficient of thermal expansion from the insulation members, and thus provide more flexibility to counteract thermal expansion and/or contraction. In this manner, a composite insulation product is formed with insulation members of a first material(s) type, and expansion joints of a second, different material(s) type. As a non-limiting example, engineered thermoplastic insulation members having desired profiles may be employed to provide excellent insulation properties, moisture resistance, and support characteristics, but may not be able to counteract thermal expansion and contraction well. In another example, the expansion joints may be provided of a thermoset material, such as a polyurethane, to provide enhanced flexibility to allow the insulation members to counteract thermal expansion and contraction. 
     Non-limiting examples of thermoplastic materials that can be used include polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, polystyrene, polyethylenes, ethylene vinyl acetates (EVAs), polyolefins, including metallocene catalyzed low density polyethylene, thermoplastic olefins (TPOs), thermoplastic polyester, thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs), chlorinated polyethylene, styrene block copolymers, ethylene methyl acrylates (EMAs), ethylene butyl acrylates (EBAs), and the like, and derivatives thereof. 
     Non-limiting examples of thermoset materials include polyurethanes, natural and synthetic rubbers, such as latex, silicones, EPDM, isoprene, chloroprene, neoprene, melamine-formaldehyde, and polyester, and derivatives thereof. The density of the thermoset material may be provided to any density desired to provide the desired resiliency and expansion characteristics. The thermoset material can be soft or firm, depending on formulations and density selections. Further, if the thermoset material selected is a natural material, such as latex for example, it may be considered biodegradable. 
     In this regard,  FIGS. 11A-11E  depict alternative examples of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ).  FIGS. 11A-11B  depict an expansion joint  18 ( 2 ). The expansion joint  18 ( 2 ) may operate similar to the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 8B , as discussed previously. However, the expansion joint  18 ( 2 ) may comprise a first section  94 ( 1 ) and at least one end section  96 ( 1 ),  96 ( 2 ) attached by third attachment members  98 ( 1 ),  98 ( 2 ). The third attachment members  98 ( 1 ),  98 ( 2 ) may comprise, for example, duct tape, adhesive material(s), thermal weld(s), and/or cohesive material(s).  FIG. 11A  shows the end section  96 ( 1 ) may be detached from the first section  94 ( 1 ) and the third attachment member  98 ( 1 ).  FIG. 11B  depicts the expansion joint  18 ( 2 ) with the at least one end sections  96 ( 1 ),  96 ( 2 ) attached by the third attachment members  98 ( 1 ),  98 ( 2 ). The end sections  96 ( 1 ),  96 ( 2 ) may be made of a different material having more resilience than the first section  94 ( 1 ). More resiliency may allow the expansion joint  18 ( 2 ) to expand or contract more quickly to respond to dimensional changes of the gap  22 . The different material of the end sections  96 ( 1 ),  96 ( 2 ) may comprise, for example, a polyolefin or thermoset materials. 
     The first section  94 ( 1 ) may also include outer channels  34 . The outer channels  34  may reduce the stiffness of the first section  94 ( 1 ) to allow the expansion joint  18 ( 2 ) to more easily fit within the gap  22 . 
       FIGS. 11C and 11D  depict a perspective and a side view of an expansion joint  18 ( 3 ) which is another example of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ). The expansion joint  18 ( 3 ) may operate similar to the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 8B , as discussed previously. However, the expansion joint  18 ( 3 ) may comprise a first section  94 ( 2 ) attached to an end section  96 ( 3 ) with an alternative attachment member  98 ( 3 ). The alternative attachment member  98 ( 3 ) may comprise, for example, duct tape, adhesive material(s), thermal weld(s), and/or cohesive material(s). The end section  96 ( 3 ) may be made of a different material that may be more resilient than the first section  94 ( 2 ). The added resiliency may allow the expansion joint  18 ( 3 ) to expand or contract more quickly to respond to dimensional changes of the gap  22 . The different material of the end sections  96 ( 1 ),  96 ( 2 ) may comprise, for example, polyolefin or thermoset materials. 
     The first section  94 ( 2 ) may also include outer channels  34 , inner channels  44 , and at least one inner passageway  36 , which may reduce the stiffness of the first section  94 ( 2 ). The reduction of stiffness may allow the expansion joint  18 ( 3 ) to more easily fit within the gap  22 . 
     It is noted that in  FIG. 11C , a small portion of the first section  94 ( 2 ) is provided atop the expansion joint  18 ( 3 ) to illustrate the inner passageways  36 . It is also noted that in  FIG. 11C , a first section  94 ( 2 ) is provided to the left of the expansion joint  18 ( 3 ) to better illustrate the outer channels  34  and the inner channels  44 . 
       FIG. 11E  depicts a perspective view of an expansion joint  18 A( 4 ) which may be another example of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ). In  FIG. 11E , the expansion joint  18 A( 4 ) is insulating a pipe  12 . The expansion joint  18 A( 4 ) may operate similar to the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 8B , as discussed previously. The expansion joint  18 A( 4 ) may comprise a first section  94 ( 3 ) with outer channels  34  to reduce stiffness of the expansion joint  18 A( 4 ). The expansion joint  18 A( 4 ) may extend from a first surface  82  to a second surface  84  opposite the first surface  82 . The first surface  82  and the second surface  84  may be connected at a second attachment member  88  to prevent the expansion joint  18 A( 4 ) from detaching from the pipe  12 . 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 12A , an expansion joint  18 B( 4 ) may be similar to the expansion joint  18 A( 4 ) and so only the differences will be discussed for clarity and conciseness. The expansion joint  18 B( 4 ) may be extruded and then wound around a spool  60  for annealing to thermally form a radius of curvature as part of the expansion joint  18 B( 4 ) to make installation onto the pipe  12  easier. The expansion joints  18 B( 4 ) may also be paid out from the spool  60  in the field (as opposed to the factory), and cut to sufficient length in the field to fully wrap the elongated container (e.g., pipe) circumference and thus make installation of the expansion joint more convenient. 
     In this regard,  FIGS. 12A-12D  depict perspective views of process steps to install the expansion joint  18 B( 4 ) upon a pipe  12  including a center axis A 4 .  FIG. 12A  depicts the expansion joint  18 B( 4 ) may be paid out from a spool  60 . The spool  60  may allow the expansion joint  18 B( 4 ) to be conveniently stored and transported. The expansion joint  18 B( 4 ) may be spooled without (as depicted in the top left of  FIG. 12A ) or with an attachment member  74  (as shown at the bottom left of  FIG. 12A ). 
       FIGS. 12B and 12C  depict that the expansion joint  18 B( 4 ) may be compressed parallel to the center axis A 4  and disposed around the pipe  12  and between the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ). 
       FIG. 12D  depicts the expansion joint  18 B( 4 ) installed on pipe  12  and with insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) moved to abut against expansion joint  18 B( 4 ) so that the abutment surfaces  72 ( 1 ),  72 ( 2 ) of the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) are respectively in contact with the expansion joint  18 B( 4 ). The expansion joint  18 B( 4 ) may then be joined with the attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) to the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ). In this manner, the outer channels  34  of the expansion joint  18 B( 4 ), the inner channels  44  of the expansion joint  18 B( 4 ), and the inner passageways  36  of the expansion joint  18 B( 4 ), as depicted in a cross-section perspective view of  FIG. 12E , can be configured to change shape to allow expansion and contraction of the expansion joint  18 B( 4 ) to maintain contact with the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ). 
       FIGS. 13A-13C  depict a side view during installation, a side view after installation, and a partial perspective view of an expansion joint  18 ( 5 ), which may be another example of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ). The expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may operate similar to the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 8B , as discussed previously. The expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may comprise a foam profile  102 , for example, thermoplastic, including an internal surface  78  having inner channels  44  and an external surface  80  having outer channels  34 . The foam profile  102  may be wrapped helically and thermally bonded together in the helical shape. The helical shape may be cut parallel to the center axis A 5  to create the first surface  82  and the second surface  84 . The end surfaces  76 ( 1 ),  76 ( 2 ) may be created orthogonal to the center axis A 5  by slicing the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ). 
       FIG. 13A  depicts that the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may include a distance D 2 ( 1 ) between the end surfaces  76 ( 1 ),  76 ( 2 ) when not installed in the distance D 1 ( 1 ) of gap  22  and when at the ambient temperature. The distance D 2 ( 1 ) may be greater than the distance D 1 ( 1 ) of the gap  22  at the ambient temperature. The expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may be compressed in order to be installed into the gap  22 . For example, if the gap  22  has the distance D 1 ( 1 ) of ten (10) inches and the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) has a the distance D 2 ( 1 ) of twelve (12) inches, then the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may be compressed to within ten (10) inches to fit within the gap  22 . Compressing the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) having a distance D 2 ( 1 ) greater than the distance D 1 ( 1 ) allows the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) to be disposed in the gap  22  with a compression force F C  ( FIG. 13B ). The compression force F C  places the attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) also under compression to provide a better seal against humidity from the ambient environment reaching the pipe  12 . Further, the compression force F C  allows the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) to better expand to fill the gap  22  when the gap  22  expands to a distance D 1 ( 2 ) ( FIG. 13B ) as the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  reaches the operating temperature T O  so that the pipe  12  is fully insulated. 
     In this regard,  FIG. 13A  depicts the first surface  82  being installed initially in the gap  22 . The outer channels  34  and inner channels  44  may be at least partially closed as the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) is installed in the gap  22 . The expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may contract or be pre-compressed to within the distance D 1 ( 1 ) of the outer channels  34 , and inner channels  44  may at least partially close. In addition, a material of the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may also contract or be pre-compressed to help the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) more easily fit within the gap  22 . 
       FIG. 13B  shows that both the first surface  82  and the second surface  84  are installed into the gap  22 , then the second attachment member  88  may attach the first surface  82  and second surface  84 , and the attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) may attach the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) to the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ). The attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) and second attachment member  88  may be provided to the insulation system  10 ( 1 ) with, for example, a heat gun and/or adhesive applicator. 
       FIG. 13C  shows a partial perspective view of the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) comprising the foam profile  102  in a helical shape. The left side of  FIG. 13C  shows a straight elongated section of the foam profile  102  before entering the helical shape. 
       FIG. 13C  also depicts that the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may optionally include at least one second channels  104  which extend between end surfaces  76 ( 1 ),  76 ( 2 ). The second channels  104  may be applied to the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) with a hot wire cutter to partially cut material of the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ). In this manner, the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may be more easily stretched during installation to surround a circumference of the pipe  12 . 
     In another embodiment for comparison, and discussed in more detail later in relation to  FIGS. 23A and 23B , the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may be formed and factory compressed and/or annealed at an elevated temperature so that a pre-compression of the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) is provided, so that further compression during installation may be reduced or eliminated to make installation more convenient. In this example, when the exterior surface  14  of the pipe  12  reaches an operating temperature colder than ambient temperature, the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) may contract and therefore pull the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) to an expanded length to cover the increased gap between insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ). When the pipe  12  may be turned off or cycled as is common in refrigeration systems, for example, the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) may return to ambient temperature by expanding, and the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may contract to an original pre-compressed state. 
       FIG. 14  shows an exemplary product forming system  106  in the prior art for forming the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ). In this embodiment, product forming system  106  comprises an extruder  108  having a generally conventional configuration which produces the foam profile  102  in any desired configuration having side edges  110  and  112 . Puller  114  may be employed for continuously drawing the foam profile  102  from extruder  108  and feeding the foam profile  102  to a tube forming machine  116 . In employing the product forming system  106 , any polyolefin material may be used to form the foam profile  102 . However, the preferred polyolefin material comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polystyrenes, polyolefins, polyethylenes, polybutanes, polybutylenes, polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyesters, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyesters, ethylene acrylic copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene methyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene butyl acrylate copolymers, ionomers polypropylenes, and copolymers of polypropylene. 
     The tube forming machine  116  is constructed for receiving the foam profile  102  on rotating mandrel  118  in a manner which causes the foam profile  102  to be wrapped around the rotating mandrel  118  of tube forming machine  116  continuously, forming a plurality of helically-wrapped convolutions  120  in a side-to-side abutting relationship. In this way, the incoming continuous feed of the foam profile  102  may be automatically rotated about mandrel  118  in a generally spiral configuration, causing side edge  110  of the foam profile  102  to be brought into abutting contact with the side edge  112  of previously received and helically-wrapped convolution  120 . By bonding the side edges  110 ,  112  to each other at this juncture point, the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may be formed substantially cylindrical and hollow. In order to provide integral bonded engagement of side edge  110  of the foam profile  102  with the side edge  112  of the helically-wrapped convolution  120 , a bonding fusion head  122  may be employed. If desired, the bonding fusion head  122  may comprise a variety of alternate constructions in order to attain the desired secure affixed bonded inter-engagement of the side edge  110  with the side edge  112 . In the preferred embodiment, the bonding fusion head  122  employs heated air. 
     By delivering heated air to the bonding fusion head  122 , a temperature of the bonding fusion head  122  is elevated to a level that enables the side edges  110 ,  112  of the foam profile  102  and the helically-wrapped convolution  120  which contacts the bonding fusion head  122 , to be raised to their melting point and thus may be securely fused or bonded to each other. The bonding fusion head  122  may be positioned at the juncture zone at which side edge  110  of the foam profile  102  is brought into contact with the side edge  112  of the previously received and the helically-wrapped convolution  120 . By causing the bonding fusion head  122  to simultaneously contact the side edge  110  and the side edge  112  of these components of the foam profile  102 , the temperature of the surfaces is raised to the melting point thereof, thus enabling the contact of the side edge  110  of the foam profile  102  which is incoming to be brought into direct contact with side edge  112  of a first one of the helically-wrapped convolution  120  in a manner which causes the surfaces to be intimately bonded to each other. Although heated air is preferred for this bonding operation, alternate affixation means may be employed. One such alternative is the use of heated adhesives applied directly to the side edges  110 ,  112 . A cutting system  124 , including a heated wire  126 , may cut the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) at an angle, for example, perpendicular, to the center axis of the mandrel  118 . In this manner, the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may be created. 
     There are other examples of expansion joints that may be provided to ensure that the gap  22  between the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) is fully insulated.  FIGS. 15A-15D  depict views of another embodiment of an expansion joint  18 ( 6 ) which may illustrate another example of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ). The expansion joint  18 ( 6 ) may operate similarly to the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 8B , as discussed previously and so only the differences will be discussed for clarity and conciseness. The expansion joint  18 ( 6 ) may comprise a first insulation section  128  and a second insulation section  130  embedded within the first insulation section  128  in a helical shape. The helical shape enables the first insulation section  128  and the second insulation section  130  to be efficiently combined with each other in a single embodiment of the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ). In this manner, the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ) may include performance characteristics of both the first insulation section  128  and the second insulation section  130 . 
     To take advantage of a benefit of having multiple performance characteristics, the first insulation section  128  may comprise a different material than the second insulation section  130 . The first insulation section  128  may be more stiff and a higher density to provide strength to the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ). The second insulation section  130  may be made of a more resilient and less stiff material than the first insulation section to make it easier to compress the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ) during installation within the gap  22 . 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  are perspective views of the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ) in an uncompressed state having an exemplary length of D 3  of fourteen (14) inches long and in a compressed state having an exemplary length D 4  of eleven (11) inches long when subject to a compressive force F C , respectively. Most or all of the initial contraction may occur in the second insulation section  130  as shown when  FIGS. 15A and 15B  are compared.  FIG. 15C  is a side view of the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ) of  FIG. 15A  in an uncompressed state, illustrating the helical shape of the first insulation section  128  and the helical shape of the second insulation section  130 . 
       FIGS. 15D and 15E  are perspective views of the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ) illustrating end surfaces  76 ( 1 ),  76 ( 2 ) of the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ) after cutting, as part of an exemplary manufacturing process. The end surfaces  76 ( 1 ),  76 ( 2 ) may comprise a portion  132  of the first insulation section  128  and a portion  134  of the second insulation section  130 . The portion  132  and the portion  134  form a planar surface at the end surfaces  76 ( 1 ),  76 ( 2 ), which may provide a continuous surface to fully abut against the abutment surfaces  22 ( 1 ),  22 ( 2 ) of the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ), respectively. 
       FIGS. 16A-16C  depict an exemplary process for creating the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ). First, the first insulation section  128  may be cut fully through from the external surface  80  to the internal surface  34  along a helical path  136  with a cutter  138 , as shown in  FIG. 16A . The cutter  138  may be, for example, a rotary saw. A tangent to any point along the helical path  136  makes a pitch angle theta (θ) ( FIG. 17 ) with the center axis A 6  of the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ). The pitch angle theta (θ) may be calculated as the arctangent of VD. In this calculation, X may be a pitch distance X parallel to the center axis A 6  of spiral convolution, including a contribution from the first insulation section  128  and the second insulation section  130 . Further, D may be the diameter D of the first insulation section  128  as shown in  FIG. 16B  and  FIG. 17 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 16B , the second insulation section  130  is disposed within the helical path  136 .  FIG. 16C  depicts a partial perspective view of the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ) showing the second insulation section  130  in the internal surface  78 , which allows longitudinal expansion along the center axis A 6 . 
     The relationship between diameter D and helical pitch angle (θ) for a constant pitch distance X is best shown by visual examples.  FIGS. 18A and 18B  are perspective views of one example of a first insulation section  128 A and another example of a first insulation section  128 B having helical pitch angles theta (θ 1 , θ 2 ) as a function of diameters D 1 , D 2 , respectively, for helical paths  136 A,  136 B having identical values of the pitch distance X. As the pitch distance X remains constant, the pitch angle theta (θ 2 ) will be larger for  FIG. 18B  than the pitch angle theta (θ 1 ) of  FIG. 18A  because the diameter D 2  is smaller than D 1  which creates a larger ratio X/D and thereby a larger arctangent (X/D). The pitch angle theta (θ) may be preferably less than twenty (20) degrees to maximize contraction of the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ) along the center axis A 6 . Consequently, the pitch distance X of the foam profile  102  may need to be reduced to result in a small pitch angle theta (θ) less than twenty (20) degrees, for examples of the pipes  12  having relatively small dimensions of the diameter D. 
     Now that the concept of the first insulation section  128  and the second insulation section  130  have been discussed in the helical shapes that are combined to form the expansion joint  18 ( 6 ), other examples of expansion joints are possible. In this regard, expansion joints  18 ( 5 ),  18 ( 7 ) having a single profile and dual profiles, respectively, are now discussed. 
       FIG. 19A  is a view of the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) formed with the product forming system  106  of  FIG. 14 . The expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may comprise the single foam profile  102 . The single foam profile  102  may be relatively complex and engineered to give precise compression characteristics with shaped ones of the inner passageway  36 , the outer channels  34 , and the inner channels  44 .  FIG. 19B  depicts an expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) which may illustrate another example of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ). The expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) may operate similar to the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 2B , as discussed previously, and so only differences will be discussed for clarity and conciseness. 
     The expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) may comprise the single foam profile  102  shown in  FIG. 13A  and a second foam profile  102 ( 2 ). The foam profile  102  may include the outer channels  34 , the inner channels  44 , and optionally the at least one inner passageway  36 , which may reduce the stiffness of the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ). The reduction of stiffness may allow the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) to more easily fit within the gap  22  between the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) of  FIG. 2A . The second foam profile  102 ( 2 ) may be denser than the foam profile  102 ( 2 ) to provide strength to the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ). In this manner, the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) may provide the compression performance needed to provide full insulation between the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) of  FIG. 2B  during thermal cycling of the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ), and may also provide strength needed, for example, for rugged applications such as an oil pipeline operating all year long that is located, for example, north of the Arctic Circle. 
       FIGS. 20A and 20B  depict the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) after thermal bonding between the foam profile  102  and the second foam profile  102 ( 2 ) and after cutting to make end surfaces  76 A( 1 ),  76 A( 2 ) orthogonal to the center axis A 7 . The end surfaces  76 A( 1 ),  76 A( 2 ) comprise a portion  140  of the foam profile  102  and a portion  142  of the second foam profile  102 ( 2 ). The portion  140  may be non-uniform around the end surfaces  76 A( 1 ),  76 A( 2 ) because of the outer channels  34 , the inner channels  44 , and the at least one inner passageway  36 .  FIG. 20C  depicts a perspective view of the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) disposed around the pipe  12 . 
       FIG. 21A  is a perspective view of an expansion joint  18 ( 8 ) which may be another example of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ). The expansion joint  18 ( 8 ) may operate similar to the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 2B , as discussed previously, and so only differences will be discussed for clarity and conciseness. The expansion joint  18 ( 8 ) may comprise a foam profile  102 ( 3 ) and a foam profile  102 ( 4 ). Neither the foam profile  102 ( 3 ) nor the foam profile  102 ( 4 ) include outer channels  34 , inner channels  44 , or inner passageways  36 . As a result, end surfaces  76 B( 1 ),  76 B( 2 ) are smooth and uniform about the center axis A 8 . Smooth and uniform examples of the end surfaces  76 B( 1 ),  76 B( 2 ) may better insulate the gap  22  between the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) that is shown in  FIG. 8B .  FIG. 21B  depicts a perspective view of the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) of  FIG. 20C  to present the end surfaces  76 A( 1 ),  76 A( 2 ) of  FIG. 21B  for comparison, which are not smooth and have openings related to the inner channels  44 , the outer channels  34 , and the inner passageways  36 .  FIGS. 21C-21E  are additional perspective views of the expansion joint  18 ( 8 ) of  FIG. 21A , including before cutting to form the end surfaces  76 B( 1 ),  76 B( 2 ), after forming the end surfaces  76 B( 1 ),  76 B( 2 ), and after installation on the pipe  12 , respectively. In applications where the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) may need to be compressed during installation on a pipe  12 , then the reduced stiffness may be achieved with geometry and/or material selection. 
       FIGS. 22A and 22B  are perspective views of another embodiment of an expansion joint  18 ( 9 ) before end surfaces  76 C( 1 ),  76 C( 2 ) are formed, and after the end surfaces  76 C( 1 ),  76 C( 2 ) are formed, respectively. The expansion joint  18 ( 9 ) may operate similar to the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 8B , as discussed previously, and so only differences will be discussed for clarity and conciseness. The expansion joint  18 ( 9 ) may comprise a foam profile  102 ( 5 ) and a foam profile  102 ( 6 ). The foam profile  102 ( 5 ) may include outer channels  34  and inner channels  44 , but is free of the inner passageways  36 . As a result of not having inner passageways  36 , the end surfaces  76 C( 1 ),  76 C( 2 ) are relatively smooth and uniform about the center axis A 9 . Smoother and more uniform examples of the end surfaces  76 C( 1 ),  76 C( 2 ) of the expansion joint  18 ( 9 ) may be better able to uniformly abut against the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) of  FIG. 2A , compared to the less uniform examples of the end surfaces  76 A( 1 ),  76 A( 2 ) of the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ). In this regard, the expansion joint  18 ( 9 ) may be better able to fully insulate the gap  22  between the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) shown in  FIG. 8A . 
     In another example shown in  FIGS. 23A and 23B , an expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) may be formed that may be factory compressed and annealed at an elevated temperature, so that a compression of the expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) during installation around the pipe  12  may be reduced or eliminated to make installation more convenient. In this example, expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) includes foam profiles  102  and  102 ( 2 ), described above with respect to  FIG. 19A . In this example, when the exterior surface  14  of the pipe  12  reaches an operating temperature, the insulation members may pull on the expansion joint to an expanded length during expansion to cover the increased gap  22  between the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ). When operation of the pipe  12  may be turned off, the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) (see  FIG. 2A ) may expand again and the expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) may contract to an original, pre-compressed state. 
     In this regard, the factory-compression may be added to an expansion joint to reduce the requirement to compress the expansion joint during installation.  FIG. 23A-23B  are side views of an expansion joint  18 ( 10 ), which may another example of the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ). The expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) may operate similarly to the expansion joint  18 ( 1 ) of  FIG. 2B , as discussed previously, thus only the difference will be discussed for clarity and conciseness. Prior to installation onto a pipe  12 , the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) shown in  FIG. 20C  may be fully compressed parallel to the center axis A 7  to a length L A ( 10 ) so that any and all outer channels  34 , inner channels  44 , and inner passageways  36  are closed. Then the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) may be placed in an annealing oven at an elevated temperature to thermally form the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) in that position to form expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) of  FIGS. 23A and 23B . The expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) may be installed within the gap  22  without requiring compression. For example, if the gap  22  is ten (10) inches long, then the expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) which is also ten (10) inches long in length L A ( 10 ) may be installed and attached to the abutment surfaces  22 ( 1 ),  22 ( 2 ) of the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) with the attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ). When the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  reaches the operating temperature T O , then the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) may contract and the gap  22  may increase to the distance D 1 ( 2 ). However, the attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ), with the assistance of fasteners, may pull the expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) to fill the gap  22  and maintain insulation within the gap  22 .  FIG. 23B  shows the expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) pulled to an expanded length L B ( 10 ) as would be experienced in operation to fill the gap  22 . The pulling to expand the expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) may be analogous to pulling a flexible example of a soda straw  144  to an elongated position as shown in  FIG. 23C . As the pipe  12  eventually reaches ambient temperature, then the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) in  FIG. 2A  would expand and the expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) would contract to the distance D 1 ( 1 ) in  FIG. 2A . 
     Other examples of expansion joints are possible. As a comparison,  FIGS. 24A and 24B  depict perspective views of the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) shown in  FIG. 13A  in an expanded and a compressed state, respectively. The expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) may be mechanically analogized to a helical spring  146 A, which may be metal, as shown in  FIG. 18C  wherein the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) pushes against the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 1 ) even when the pipe  12  is at ambient temperature, because the expansion joint  18 ( 5 ) has a natural length D 2 ( 1 ) longer than the distance D 1 ( 1 ) of the gap  22 . 
     It is noted that prior to installation onto a pipe  12 , the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) shown in  FIG. 20B  may be partially compressed parallel to the center axis A 7  so that any and all outer channels  34 , inner channels  44 , and inner passageways  36  are partially closed. Then the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) may be placed in an annealing oven at an elevated temperature to thermally form the expansion joint  18 ( 7 ) in that position to form an expansion joint  18 ( 11 ), as shown in a perspective view of a group of the expansion joints  18 ( 11 ) in  FIG. 25 . The expansion joint  18 ( 11 ) is installed within the gap  22  with minimal compression. For example, if the gap  22  is ten (10) inches long, then the expansion joint  18 ( 11 ) of eleven (11) inches long may be installed and attached to the abutment surfaces  22 ( 1 ),  22 ( 2 ) of the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) with the attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ). When the external surface  14  of the pipe  12  reaches the operating temperature T O , then the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) may contract and the gap  22  may increase to the distance D 1 ( 2 ). However, the attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) may pull the expansion joint  18 ( 10 ) to fill the gap  22  and maintain insulation within the gap  22 . 
     Other examples of an expansion joint are possible.  FIG. 26A  shows that pinning or puncturing holes  148  may be added to a foamed polyolefin member  150  to provide enhanced compressibility. The foamed polyolefin member  150  may contain material used to make any of the earlier mentioned expansion joints. Pinning or puncturing holes  148  may be added to any one of the previous examples of expansion joints to form an elongated joint  18 ( 12 ) with enhanced compressibility by reducing stiffness or resistance to compression or tension, as shown in  FIG. 26B . The pinning or puncturing holes  148  may extend into the expansion joint  18 ( 12 ) from the external surface  80  to a predetermined depth of at least ten (10) percent of a thickness of the expansion joint  18 ( 12 ). The enhanced compressibility may enable the attachment members  74 ( 1 ),  74 ( 2 ) to more easily move the elongated joint  18 ( 12 ) to fill the gap  22 . 
     Other examples of expansion joints are possible.  FIGS. 27A-27C  are a perspective view, a partial cutaway perspective view and a full cutaway view, respectively, of an exemplary expansion joint  18 ( 13 ) installed upon the pipe  12 . The expansion joint  18 ( 13 ) comprises a foam expansion body  38  and a helical spring  146 B disposed within the foam expansion body  38 . The foam expansion body  38  may be structurally similar to the expansion joints  18 ( 1 )- 18 ( 12 ) discussed earlier, and accordingly only differences will be discussed for clarity and conciseness. As shown in  FIG. 27A , the expansion joint  18 ( 13 ) may appear similar to the expansion joints  18 ( 1 )- 18 ( 12 ) as only the foam expansion body  38  is observable from the outside. As depicted in the partial cutaway view of  FIG. 27B , the foam expansion body  38  of the expansion joint  18 ( 13 ) may comprise the outer channels  34  and the inner channels  44 . The foam expansion body  38  may also optionally include the inner passageways  36  (not shown in  FIG. 27B ). The helical spring  146 B may be disposed within the foam expansion body  38  of the expansion joint  18 ( 13 ). For example, the helical spring  146 B may be disposed within the outer channels  34 , the inner channels  44 , or within the inner passageway  36 . Accordingly as the foam expansion body  38  is placed in compression or tension parallel to the center axis A 10  by the change in the gap  22  between the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) shown in  FIG. 8A . The helical spring  146 B will also correspondingly be placed in compression or tension parallel to the center axis A 10 . In this manner, the helical spring  146 B provides resiliency to the expansion joint  18 ( 13 ) so that the end surfaces  76 ( 1 ),  76 ( 2 ) of the expansion joint  18 ( 13 ) may better push against the insulation members  16 ( 1 ),  16 ( 2 ) shown in  FIG. 8A , to ensure that the gap  22  ( FIG. 8A ) is fully insulated. 
     An exemplary process  152 ( 1 ) for creating the insulation wrap  40 ( 2 ) is depicted graphically in  FIG. 28A , similar in some ways to the exemplary process ( FIG. 14 ) to make the expansion joints  18 ( 1 )- 18 ( 13 ). The process  152 ( 1 ) comprises extruding the at least one foam profile  102  through the extruder  108 . The extruding may comprise forming the at least one outer channel  34  and the at least one inner channel  44  as part of the foam profile  102 . The process  152 ( 1 ) further comprises positioning the at least one foam profile  102  each with a helical shape  154  configured to be disposed around the elongated container  12 . The helical shape  154  may be positioned about the center axis A 11  and the internal surface  78  of the at least one foam profile  102  are disposed a common distance r 1  from the center axis A 11 . The process  152 ( 1 ) may also include thermally bonding with the bonding fusion head  122  the plurality of convolutions of the helical shape  154 , as discussed above. In this manner, the foam expansion body  38  may be formed. 
     The process  152 ( 1 ) further comprises cutting the at least one foam profile  102  at an angle gamma (γ) to the center axis A 11  with the cutting system  124  to form the first longitudinal side  39 A and the second longitudinal side  39 B of the insulation wrap  40 . The angle gamma (γ) may be, for example, ninety (90) degrees. The process  152 ( 1 ) further comprises cutting the at least one foam profile  102  to form the first latitudinal side  41 A and the second latitudinal side  41 B of the insulation wrap  40 . In this manner, the insulation wrap  40  may fit upon the elongated container  12 . 
       FIG. 28B  depicts a similar process to  FIG. 28A  for creating the insulation wrap  40 , and so only differences will be discussed for clarity and conciseness. In the process  152 ( 2 ), the helical shape  154  may be positioned about the center axis A 12 , and the internal surface  78  of the at least one foam profile  102  is disposed a common distance r 2  from the center axis A 12 . The common distance r 2  may be longer than the common distance r 1  to create the first longitudinal side  39 A and the second longitudinal side  39 B of length X 2 , which may be longer than the comparable length Y 2  in  FIG. 24A . Further, the foam profile  102  may be cut a longer length X 1  by the cutting system  124  in the process  152 ( 2 ) to be mounted on an elongated container  12 A having a larger diameter than the elongated container  12  in the process  152 ( 1 ). In this manner, the insulation wraps  40  of different sizes may be created. 
     Many modifications and other variations of the embodiments disclosed herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the description and claims are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that the embodiments cover the modifications and variations of the embodiments provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.