Patent Publication Number: US-2011056579-A1

Title: Temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a pipe sealing device, and more particularly to a temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction, wherein the temporary sealer is adapted for not only temporarily restricting a flow of water flowing into the pipe during pipe repair and construction, but also allowing water flow passing the pipe after the pipe repair or construction is finished without removing the temporary sealer. 
     2. Description of Related Arts 
     Due to serious rainfall and water diversity uneven problems, water pipes are often to be repaired. It includes not only the new water pipe construction for new water supply, but also includes broken or out of date water pipe replacement or remolding. 
     For repairing a broken water pipe, the workman must switch off the water source for stopping the water flowing to the broken water pipe before the broken water pipe is removed. In order to better repair the water pipe, the workman usually needs to remove the water within the pipe and swipe out the residual water through the water absorption material such as cotton, a wiper, and so on. And then, the broken section of the water pipe is generally cut off from the water pipeline, otherwise people can try to find appropriate adhesive layer sealing on the broken section of the water pipe. 
     However, even though the workman already shuts off the water source to disconnect the supply of the water, the residual water within the water is still running out. The water spurted from the water pipe and streamed on to the floor. It not only wastes a lot of water, but also leads to a much unsafe working environment to the workmen. 
     Moreover, the workman needs to constantly wipe out the water within and on the surface the pipe through absorbing material in order to keep the water pipe dry. If the absorbing material used in wiping out the water carries some unnecessarily dust or germ, dust and germ can deposit onto water pipe very easily. Once the water pipe is done with the repair, the water comes with the dust and germ will threaten the health of body. It is believed that water after pipe construction is not clean anymore. In addition, since the residual water within the water pipe is keep running, the inner and outer surface of the water pipe is always wet. The pipe may not be easily to be cut and repair such that the workman needs to replace the entire section of the water pipe. In other words, the water pipe is not dry enough and hard for people to make a securely replacement. It dramatically increases the material cost of the water pipe. Therefore, an improved apparatus for temporary blocking the water pipe when the water pipe is broken should be developed to meet the demands of the water pipe repair and construction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A main object of the present invention is to provide a temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction, wherein the temporary sealer is adapted for not only temporarily restricting a flow of water flowing into the pipe during pipe repair and construction, but also allowing water flow passing the pipe after the pipe repair or construction is finished without removing the temporary sealer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide comprises a breakable film forms a water barrier for temporarily restricting a flow of water flowing into the pipe during pipe repair and construction. Once the water pipe is fixed, the breakable film can be broken by the water pressure for immediately allowing water flow passing the pipe. In other words, the temporary sealer not only provides a way to efficiently block the water flow when the water pipe needs construction, but also provides an apparatus involving the flow system when the water pipe system is finished with construction. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction, wherein the breakable film has an uneven thickness to define a strengthen portion and a weakness portion such that the weakness portion of the breakable film is capable of torn apart in responsive to the water pressure to activate the water flowing when the water pipe is finished repairing. Therefore, a temporary sealer is naturally breakthrough for allowing the water flowing into the water pipe so as to simplify the steps when the water pipe repair and construction is finished. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction, wherein the sealing head has a ring shape and defines a reinforcing rim at the sealing face such that the breakable film is more secure when the sealing head is slid along the pipe. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction, wherein the breakable film forms a water barrier for temporarily restricting a flow of water passing through the sealing head not only eliminates the steps to always keep swiping out the water through absorbing material flowing within the water pipe, but also reduces the chance of the unnecessary contact between the absorbing material and the water pipe to avoid unintentional pollution. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction, wherein the temporary sealer comprises a retention ring having a size and shape corresponding to the inner diameter of a pipe, and an extension frame extended between the sealing head and the retention ring such that the orientation of the temporary sealer is capable of always keep upright towards the pipe. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction, wherein a plurality of extension arms spacedly extended from the sealing head to the retention ring to define a water passage such that no matter how strong or how uneven the compound force the water applied to the temporary sealer, the water is still able to passing through the water passage when the breakable film is torn apart. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction which is convenient to be installed on the water pipe and is capable of achieve the goal of water and water pipe material saving. 
     Accordingly, in order to accomplish above objects, the present invention provides a temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction, comprising a sealing head, and a breakable film. 
     The sealing head comprises a tubular shape and defines a sealing face, which has a size and shape corresponding to an inner diameter of a pipe. The breakable film is formed at the sealing face of the sealing head, wherein the breakable film forms a water barrier for temporarily restricting a flow of water passing through the sealing head within the pipe when the sealing head is slid into the pipe. Accordingly, the breakable film is inevitably torn apart in responsive to a predetermined water pressure for enabling the water flow passing through the sealing head within the pipe. Therefore, the breakable film forms a water barrier not only for temporarily restricting a flow of water flowing into the pipe during pipe repair and construction, but also for allowing water flow passing the pipe when the pipe repair or construction is finished. 
     These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the temporary sealer being slid in the water pipe. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction according to the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the breakable film being torn apart. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a temporary sealer for pipe repair and construction according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the alternative mode of the extension frame and the breakable film. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, a temporary sealer for repair and construction according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which the temporary sealer comprises a sealing head  10 , a breakable film  30 . 
     The sealing head  10  is adapted to slide within a pipe  40 , such as a water pipe, to coaxially seal therein. The sealing head  10  comprises a tubular shape and defines a sealing face  11  thereat, wherein the sealing head  10  has a size and shape corresponding to an inner diameter of the pipe  40 . 
     The breakable film  30  is formed at the sealing face  11  of the sealing head  10 , wherein the breakable film  30  forms a water barrier for temporarily restricting a flow of water passing through the sealing head  10  within the pipe  40  when the sealing head  10  is slid into the pipe  40 . 
     Accordingly, the breakable film  30  is inevitably torn apart in responsive to a predetermined water pressure for enabling the water flow passing through the sealing head  10  within the pipe  40 . Therefore, the breakable film  30  forms a water barrier not only for temporarily restricting a flow of water flowing into the pipe  40  during pipe repair and construction, but also for allowing water flow passing the pipe  40  when the pipe repair or construction is finished. In other words, the temporary sealer not only provides a way to efficiently block the water flow when the water pipe  40  needs construction, but also provides an apparatus involving the flow system when the water pipe system is finished with construction. 
     When the breakable film  30  temporary restricts a flow of water passing through the sealing head  10 , a much more dry and stable working environment is available to the workman to get repair and construct with the water pipe. Moreover, because the flow way of the water pipe  40  is blocked by the temporary sealer, the workman doesn&#39;t need to constantly wipe out the water within and on the surface the pipe  40  through absorbing material in order to keep the water pipe dry. Finally, it reduces the chance of the unnecessary contact between the absorbing material and the water pipe to avoid unintentional pollution. Moreover, because the water flow is block, there is no extra water waste during the pipe repair and construction. It is much easier for people to cut or repair the broken or the fracture portion of the pipe such that the workman doesn&#39;t needs to replace the entire section of the water pipe. In other words, the water pipe is dry enough for repair and easy for people to make a secure replacement so as to achieve the goal of water and water pipe material saving. 
     Accordingly, the sealing head  10  has a ring shape and defines a reinforcing rim  16  at the sealing face  11  that the breakable film  30  is sealed and mounted at the reinforcing rim  16  for preventing the breakable film  30  being unintentionally torn apart when the sealing head  10  is slid along the pipe. In particularly, the circumferential edge of the breakable film  30  is attached to the inner surface of the sealing head  10  within the reinforcing rim  16  to retain the breakable film  30  in position. 
     Therefore, the breakable film  30  is more secure because the reinforcing rim  16  strengthens the connection between the breakable film  30  and the sealing head  10  keep the breakable film  30  away falling off from the sealing head  10 . In addition, when the sealing head  10  is slid within the pipe  40 , a pushing rod is preferably used to push the sealing head  10  into the pipe  40 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pusher end of the pushing rod is engaged with the reinforcing rim  16  of the sealing head  10  for preventing the breakable film  30  from being torn apart accidentally when the sealing head  10  is slid within the pipe  40 . 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the breakable film  30  is made of a thin plastic material adapted to resist a predetermined water pressure so as to block the water passing from one side to another side. However, the breakable film  30  can be torn apart when the water pressure is increased. 
     It is worth to mention that when water pressure applied onto the surface of the breakable film  30 , different thickness of the breakable film  30  can bear different level water pressure. Once the water pressure applied on the breakable film  30  is over the maximum the breakable film can stand, the breakable film  30  will break down or torn apart very easy. In other words, when the water source is switched back on to enable the water flowing along the pipe  40 , the water pressure will be substantially increased at the breakable film  30  until the breakable film  30  is torn apart. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the breakable film  30  has an uneven thickness to define a strengthening portion and a weakening portion thinner than the strengthening portion, in such a manner that the weakening portion of the breakable film  30  is started to be torn apart in responsive to the water pressure, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In other words, a temporary sealer is naturally breakthrough for allowing the water flowing into the water pipe  40  so as to simplify the steps when the water pipe repair and construction is finished. 
     According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weakening portion of the breakable film  30  has a plurality of sector areas  31  evenly formed at the breakable film  30 . Referring to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, the breakable film  30  is divided into four sector areas  31 . The numbers of the sector areas are flexible. Alternatively, six sector areas can be made within the sealing head  10  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The strengthening portion of the breakable film  30  has a plurality of strengthening points  32  evenly formed at an outer circumferential portion of the breakable film  30  and formed at a center thereof, and a plurality of strengthening lines  33  evenly formed at a diameter line of the breakable film  30  at a position that each of the strengthening lines  33  passes through the center of the breakable film  30  to meet two corresponding strengthening points  32 . Each of the strengthen lines  33  and the strengthen points  32  strengthens the structure of the breakable film  30  enabling the breakable film duration much longer. 
     According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the temporary sealer further comprises a retention frame  20  extended from the sealing head  10  at a direction opposite to the sealing face  11  thereof, wherein the retention frame  20  comprises a retention ring  21  having a size and shape corresponding to the inner diameter of the pipe  40 , and an extension frame  22  extended between the sealing head  10  and the retention ring  21 , in such a manner that when the sealing head  10  is slid within the pipe, the retention ring  21  is adapted to retain an orientation of the breakable film  30  squaring to the pipe  40 . In other words, the orientation of the temporary sealer is capable of always keep its position to coaxial with the pipe  40 . 
     The extension frame  22  comprises a plurality of extension arms  23  spacedly extended from the sealing head  10  to the retention ring  21  to define a water passage  24  between every two neighboring extension arms  23  for enabling the water passing through the water passages  24  when the breakable film  30  is torn apart. It is worth to mention that after the water pressure break through the breakable film  30 , the temporary sealer has became one parts of water pipe  40  to transport the water. When the temporary sealer is pushed by the water pressure to torn apart the breakable film  30 , the body of the temporary sealer may force to move. No matter what kind of the water pipe structure is, such as the T-shaped three way water pipe, the temporary sealer is capable of keep its orientation to the water pipe  40  and the water is capable of smoothly flowing through the temporary sealer without being stuck within the pipe  40 . In other words, no matter how strong or how uneven the compound force the water applied to the temporary sealer, the water is still able to pass through the water passage  24  when the breakable film  30  is torn apart. To sum up, the temporary sealer is applicable to in any kind of the water pipe  40 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sealing head  10  further comprises a sealing ring  25  encirclingly coupled at an outer circumferential surface of the sealing head  10  for biasing against an inner wall of the pipe  40  so as to provide a water sealing effect when the sealing head  10  is slid within the pipe  40 . For providing a better sealing effect, an addition sealing ring  26  is encirclingly coupled at an outer circumferential surface of the retention ring  21 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a temporary sealer of a second embodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the temporary sealer of the second embodiment has the same structural configuration of the first embodiment, except the breakable film  30 ′ and the extension frame  22 ′. In other words,  FIG. 4  illustrates the alternative mode of the breakable film  30 ′ and the extension frame  22 ′ of the first embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the breakable film  30 ′ also has an uneven thickness to define a strengthening portion and a weakening portion thinner than the strengthening portion, in such a manner that the weakening portion of the breakable film  30 ′ is started to be torn apart in responsive to the water pressure. 
     According to the second embodiment, the weakening portion of the breakable film  30 ′ has a plurality of sector areas  31 ′ evenly formed at the breakable film  30 ′. Referring to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, the breakable film  30 ′ is divided into six sector areas  31 ′. 
     The strengthening portion of the breakable film  30 ′ has a plurality of strengthening points  32 ′ evenly formed at an outer circumferential portion of the breakable film  30 ′ and formed at a center thereof, and a plurality of strengthening lines  33 ′ evenly formed at a diameter line of the breakable film  30 ′ at a position that each of the strengthening lines  33 ′ passes through the center of the breakable film  30 ′ to meet two corresponding strengthening points  32 ′. Each of the strengthen lines  33 ′ and the strengthen points  32 ′ strengthens the structure of the breakable film  30 ′ enabling the breakable film duration much longer. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the extension frame  22 ′ comprises a spiral shaped compression spring  22 ′ having two ends coupling with the sealing head  10  and the retention ring  21  respectively to define a water passage  24 ′ between every two spiral portions of the compression spring  22 ′ for enabling the water passing through the water passages  24 ′ when the breakable film  30 ′ is torn apart. It is worth to mention the when the user feels the spring force is exerted at the sealing head  10  at the same when the sealing head  10  is slid within the pipe  40 , the user will know the sealing head  10  is stopped within the pipe  40  and will stop pushing the sealing head  10  further within the pipe  40 . 
     One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.