Patent ID: 8157295

Claim:
A pipe coupling, comprising: a first fluid conduit member having a first end coupleable to an end of a pipe, a second end having a spherically enlarged portion, and a flared fluid passageway extending therethrough, the flared fluid passageway having a first diameter adjacent the first end and a second diameter adjacent the second end, the first diameter being smaller than the second diameter; a second fluid conduit member having a first end coupleable to an end of a pipe, a second end that receives the spherically enlarged portion at least partially therein, and a fluid passageway extending therethrough, said second end of said second fluid conduit member having an interior surface having a ledge formed therein and a rounded interior surface portion that generally corresponds to the shape of said spherically enlarged portion of said first fluid conduit; a sleeve having a central opening for receiving said first end of said first fluid conduit member therethrough, said sleeve being engageable with said second fluid conduit member to secure said spherically enlarged portion within said second end of said second fluid conduit member; a sealing compartment defined at least partially by said spherically enlarged portion and said ledge; first and second packing materials disposed within said sealing compartment, wherein said first packing material is compressed between said spherically enlarged portion and said ledge to prevent leaks between said first and second fluid conduit members; and an injector port that is in fluid communication with said sealing compartment to facilitate injection of additional packing material into said sealing compartment to prevent and repair leaks.