Patent Application
20130075283
This disclosure relates to the application of agents to the surfaces of pipe structures which aid in joining two pipe structures.
In high-temperature metal pipe structure joining processes such as welding, brazing and soldering, flux is often applied to the intended contact surfaces of the pipe structures to prevent oxidation of the metal. Also, flux allows solder to flow easily on the pipe structure contact surfaces rather than forming beads as it would otherwise.
When joining other types of pipe structures, other agents may be applied to the pipes to facilitate the joining process. For example, when joining PVC pipe structures, a primer and PVC cement or adhesive may be applied to the intended pipe contact surfaces to join two pipe structures.
When applying agents such as flux, primer and adhesive to pipe structure surfaces, it is important that the correct amount of agent be applied, as well as applying the agent to a sufficient extent of the pipe structure surfaces.
A system is described for applying pipe joining agents to pipe structure surfaces to help ensure that the correct amount of agent is applied as well as helping to ensure that the agent is applied to a sufficient amount of the pipe structure surfaces. As used herein, a pipe joining agent can be any material that one applies to the surfaces of pipe structures using a brush which is used to aid in joining one pipe structure to another pipe structure. A pipe joining agent can be a material that prepares the pipe structures to be joined but does not actually join the pipe structures. In addition, a pipe joining agent can be a material that actually joins the pipe structures. Examples of pipe joining agents include, but are not limited to, flux used to aid in the joining of metal pipe structures, and primer and adhesive used to join PVC pipe structures.
A pipe structure as used herein is any structure through which a fluid is conveyed. Examples of pipe structures include, but are not limited to, lengths of pipe, fittings, and valves. Thus, the pipe joining agent can aid in joining any combination of pipe structures to one another, for example, joining a length of pipe to a fitting, joining one fitting to another fitting, joining two lengths of pipe to each other, joining a length of pipe to a valve, etc. A fitting is any device designed to control or guide the flow of a fluid (liquid or gas) into a fixture; or are parts of a pipeline other than straight pipe or valves; or are used to connect two pieces of pipe together, or to change direction, or to reduce or increase the size of a pipeline.
The system employs a specially designed male brush that cooperates with a female brush that is removably mounted on a container than contains the agent to be applied. The male brush can be inserted through the female brush and into the container to pick up the agent. As the male brush is withdrawn from the container, the female brush wipes excess agent from the male brush so that the female brush picks up agent thereon. However, it is contemplated that the male brush could be used by itself without the female brush described herein, the female brush could be used by itself without the male brush described herein, and the female brush could be used separately from the container described herein.
The male brush can then be inserted into the end of a pipe structure to apply the agent to the interior surface of the pipe structure. The size of the male brush is preferably correlated to the size of the pipe structure it is intended to be used with. For example, the male brush can have a diameter that is approximately 25% greater than the nominal exterior diameter of the pipe structure, and an axial length that is approximately equal to the nominal exterior diameter. This ensures that the agent is applied to the entire interior surface of the pipe structure and to the desired axial extent of the interior surface upon a single insertion of the male brush into the pipe structure end.
Since the female brush is removably mounted on the container, the female brush can be removed from the container and then inserted over the end of a pipe structure to apply the agent to the exterior surface of a pipe structure. Likewise, the size of the female brush is preferably correlated to the size of the pipe structure it is intended to be used with. For example, the female brush can have an inside diameter through which the male brush is inserted that is approximately equal to the nominal exterior diameter of the pipe structure it is intended to be used with. The axial length of the female brush can be around 25% greater than the nominal exterior diameter of the pipe structure it is intended to be used with, although the axial length could be greater than or less than the 25% value. This ensures that the agent is applied to the entire exterior surface of the pipe structure and to the desired axial extent of the exterior surface upon a single insertion of the female brush over the pipe structure end.
In one embodiment, a pipe joining agent container system includes a container having a bottom wall and a side wall connected to the bottom wall and extending upwardly from the bottom wall to an edge defining an open top of the container, where the bottom wall and the side wall define an interior space. A pipe joining agent is disposed within the interior space of the container. A female pipe joining agent applicator brush is removably associated with the container and is configured for applying pipe joining agent to an exterior surface of a first cylindrical pipe structure that has a nominal exterior diameter. The female pipe joining agent applicator brush includes a support structure, with a first handle, that is configured for removable mounting on the cylindrical container. A cylindrical female brush is connected to the support structure, and includes a first axial end, a second axial end, and an arrangement of bristles. The bristles extend generally radially inward toward one another between the first axial end and the second axial end, and the bristles include outer radial ends connected to the support structure and inner radial ends that define a passage through the cylindrical female brush that extends from the first axial end to the second axial end. The passage has a diameter that is approximately equal to the nominal exterior diameter of the first cylindrical pipe structure. The system also includes a male pipe joining agent applicator brush that is configured for applying pipe joining agent to an interior surface of a second cylindrical pipe structure that has a nominal exterior diameter and that fits over the exterior diameter of the first cylindrical pipe structure. The male pipe joining agent applicator brush includes a second handle having an outer surface, and a cylindrical male brush connected to the second handle and that extends circumferentially around the outer surface thereof. The male brush includes a first axial end, a second axial end, and an arrangement of second bristles. The second bristles extend generally radially outward from the outer surface of the second handle between the first axial end and the second axial end of the male brush, and the second bristles include inner radial ends adjacent to the outer surface and outer radial ends. The cylindrical male brush has an outer diameter defined by the outer radial ends of the second bristles that is approximately 25% greater than the nominal exterior diameter of the second cylindrical pipe structure. In addition, the cylindrical male brush has a length measured between the first axial end and the second axial end thereof that is approximately equal to the nominal exterior diameter of the second cylindrical pipe structure. Also, the outer diameter of the cylindrical male brush is approximately 25% greater than the diameter of the passage of the cylindrical female brush.
In another embodiment, a female pipe joining agent applicator brush is configured for applying pipe joining agent to an exterior surface of a cylindrical pipe structure that has a nominal exterior diameter. The female applicator brush includes a support structure, with a handle, that is configured for removable mounting on a container that holds pipe joining agent. A cylindrical female brush is connected to the support structure, and includes a first axial end, a second axial end, and an arrangement of bristles. The bristles extend generally radially inward toward one another between the first axial end and the second axial end, and the bristles include outer radial ends connected to the support structure and inner radial ends that define a passage through the cylindrical female brush that extends from the first axial end to the second axial end. The passage has a diameter that is approximately equal to the nominal exterior diameter of the cylindrical pipe structure.
In another embodiment, a male pipe joining agent applicator brush is configured for applying pipe joining agent to an interior surface of a cylindrical pipe structure that has a nominal exterior diameter. The male applicator brush includes a handle having an outer surface, and a cylindrical male brush that is connected to the handle and that extends circumferentially around the outer surface thereof. The male brush includes a first axial end, a second axial end, and an arrangement of bristles. The bristles extend generally radially outward from the outer surface of the handle between the first axial end and the second axial end of the male brush, and the bristles include inner radial ends adjacent to the outer surface and outer radial ends. The cylindrical male brush has an outer diameter defined by the outer radial ends of the bristles, and the outer diameter is approximately 25% greater than the nominal exterior diameter of the cylindrical pipe structure. In addition, the cylindrical male brush has a length measured between the first axial end and the second axial end that is approximately equal to the nominal exterior diameter of the cylindrical pipe structure.
With reference to
As shown in
A pipe structure is any structure through which a fluid is conveyed. Examples of pipe structures include, but are not limited to, lengths of pipe, fittings, and valves. Thus, the pipe joining agent can aid in joining any combination of pipe structures to one another, for example, joining a length of pipe to a fitting, joining one fitting to another fitting, joining two lengths of pipe to each other, joining a length of pipe to a valve, etc. A fitting is any device designed to control or guide the flow of fluid (liquid or gas) into a fixture; or are parts of a pipeline other than straight pipe or valves; or are used to connect two pieces of pipe together, or to change direction, or to reduce or increase the size of a pipeline.
The container 12 is preferably substantially cylindrical, although the container can have other shapes such as rectangular or square. The container 12 can be formed from conventional materials used to form containers for pipe joining agents, such as plastic or metal.
Returning to
The lid 30 includes a handle 34 connected thereto that allows a user to more easily grip the lid 30 when it is removed. In the embodiment illustrated in
The female applicator brush 14 is mounted at a suitable location on the lid 30, for example generally in the center as illustrated in
The brush 14 is configured to apply the pipe joining agent 28 to an exterior surface of a cylindrical pipe structure that has an actual exterior diameter and a nominal exterior diameter. With reference to
The bristles 46 can be formed from any materials suitable for performing the intended functions of the brush 40. Examples of materials that would work include, but are not limited to, animal hair (e.g. horse hair), nylon, plastic, etc. The material must be able to spread the pipe joining agent onto the pipe structure surfaces in the desired amounts known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, the bristles are soft enough to bend when being used during wiping of the male brush and when applying pipe joining agent, but have enough elasticity to substantially return back to their original shape or position.
To help ensure that the agent is applied to the entire exterior surface of the pipe structure, the passage 50 has a diameter D1 that is approximately equal to the nominal exterior diameter of the cylindrical pipe structure with which the female brush 40 will be used. This means that the diameter D1 used will vary depending upon the nominal pipe size as discussed further below. To help ensure that the agent is applied to the desired axial extent of the exterior surface upon a single insertion of the female brush over the pipe structure end, the axial length L1 of the brush 40 measured from the first axial end 42 to the second axial end 44 can be around 25% greater than the nominal exterior diameter of the pipe structure it is intended to be used with. However, the axial length L1 can be greater or less than this amount if desired. The axial length can vary based on various factors including the viscosity of the pipe joining agent being applied.
To close off the passage 50 and prevent contaminants and other unwanted materials from falling into the container 12, a cap 52 is pivotally connected to the lid 30 by a pivot or hinge 54 and is moveable between a first, closed position (not shown) that covers the passage 50 and a second, open position (shown in
The male applicator brush 16 is best seen in
The male brush 66 has a first axial end 68, a second axial end 70, and an arrangement of bristles. The bristles extend generally radially outward from the outer surface between the first axial 68 end and the second axial end 70, and the bristles include inner radial ends that are adjacent to and extend from the outer surface of the mounting portion 64, and outer radial ends 72.
The brush 66 has an outer diameter D2 defined by the outer radial ends 72 of the bristles. In one example, the outer diameter D2 is approximately 25% greater than the nominal exterior diameter of the cylindrical pipe structure with which it will be used. This helps to ensure that the agent is applied to the entire interior surface of the pipe structure. In addition, the brush 66 has a length L2 measured between the first axial end 68 and the second axial end 70 thereof that is approximately equal to the nominal exterior diameter of the cylindrical pipe structure with which it will be used. This helps to ensure that the agent is applied to the desired axial extent of the interior surface of the pipe structure upon a single insertion of the male brush 66 into the pipe structure end.
Moreover, the outer diameter D2 of the cylindrical male brush 66 is approximately 25% greater than the diameter D1 of the passage 50 of the cylindrical female brush 40. This helps to ensure that the female brush 40 wipes excess pipe joining agent 28 from the male brush 66 when the male brush is being withdrawn from the passage 50 after being inserted to pick up the pipe joining agent from inside the container.
The bristles of the male brush 66 can be formed from the same or similar materials as the bristles of the female brush 40.
The following table shows exemplary nominal pipe sizes and corresponding actual outside diameters for copper pipe, types K, L & M with which the female and male brushes described herein can be used. These sizes are exemplary only, it being realized that the female and male brushes can be used with larger and smaller copper pipe structures, as well as with pipe structures made of other metals or from plastic such as PVC.
In addition, the male brush 66 can optionally include pipe joining agent stirring bristles 74 adjacent to the second axial end 70. The stirring bristles 74 have a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the bristles of the male brush, and an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter D2 defined by the outer radial ends 72. The stirring bristles 74 can be used to stir the pipe joining agent 28 when the male brush 66 is inserted into the pipe joining agent and manually rotated. Instead of stirring bristles 74, any other suitable stirring structure associated with the male brush 66 that results in stirring of the pipe joining agent when the male brush is rotated can be used.
In the system 100, the container 102 is generally similar to the container 12 including a bottom wall and a side defining an interior space containing the pipe joining agent. The container 102 also includes a lid 106 that is secured to the edge of the side wall to close the open top of the container in a manner similar to the lid 30.
However, in this embodiment, the brush 104 is not incorporated into the lid 106. Instead, the lid 106 is substantially solid. The brush 104 is removably associated with the container 102 via a removable support structure 108 that is separate from the lid 106 and which is supported on and removable from the container 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure 108 is a lightweight framework formed from plastic or other lightweight material, provided with openings 110 to reduce weight and provide access to the interior space.
The support structure 108 is removably supported at the open end of the container 102, with one edge of the support structure including a support tab 112 that rests on the upper edge of the side wall or within a slot formed in the side wall. The opposite side of the support structure 108 includes a handle 114 connected thereto used for gripping the support structure. The edge of the side wall includes a notch 116 at the open top of the container, and the handle 114 is configured to fit into the notch 116 as shown in
A cylindrical female brush 118 is mounted on the support structure, for example adjacent the center thereof. The brush 118 is configured identically to the female brush 40.
In this embodiment, the support structure 108 acts as the carrier for the female brush 118, with the structure 108 being gripped via the handle 114 to manipulate the brush 118 over the pipe structure end. The support structure 108 is removable from the container, with the lightweight design of the support structure facilitating handling. Because the handle 114 and the support tab 112 are recessed in the side wall, the lid 106 can be secured to the top of the container 102 over the support structure 108 to close off the container when not in use.
In use, the brush 152 can be removably supported on the lid 30 in
With reference now to
With reference to
With reference to
The pipe structure 200 is illustrated in
With reference to
In
The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not imitative. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
