Patent ID: 7708321

Claim:
A pipe assembly comprising a pipe connector connecting adjoining pre-insulated pipe conduits of plastic material, wherein the pre-insulated pipe conduits each comprise an inner wall and an outer wall, each wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the outer wall and the outer surface of the inner wall define therebetween an insulating space filled with an insulating material and the inner surfaces of the inner walls define a conduit for the flow of a media, the outer walls have outer surfaces, wherein the adjoining pre-insulated pipe conduits have outer wall terminal ends and inner wall terminal ends, the respective outer wall terminal ends and inner wall terminal ends of the adjoining pre-insulated pipe conduits are both substantially in a respective single plane, the pipe connector comprises a molded plastic part connected to the inner surfaces of the inner walls of the adjoining pipe conduits, the pipe connector includes a web having a width, wherein a portion of the terminal ends of the inner wall of each of the adjoining pre-insulated pipe conduits abut the web and the outer wall of each adjoining pre-insulated pipe conduits are separated from each other by the web axial width, an air gap free of any solid material between the outer walls and insulating material of the adjoining pipe conduits, wherein the gap has an axial width and the web has an axial width which is substantially equal to the gap axial width, and a tube fitted on the outer surfaces of the outer wall of the adjoining pipe conduits; wherein the gap is present between the insulating material of the adjoining pre-insulated pipe conduits for inspecting for pressure tightness.