Pipe assembly insulation and vapor barrier

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12085215-B2
Application number	US-202318107097-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 8, 2023
Priority date	Feb 28, 2019
Publication date	Sep 10, 2024
Grant date	Sep 10, 2024

Abstract

An insulating cover for assemblies including pipe elements, pipe couplings, elbows, Tees and valves also acts as a vapor barrier. Cover portions are joined along a seam which provides for a continuous seal between both the cover portions and the pipe elements which extend through channels defined in the cover. The seam includes a furrow into which sealant is forced when the cover portions are joined around the assembly. The furrow is defined by an asymmetric tongue and groove joint. Canals in the channels, in communication with the grooves, also receive the sealant to provide the continuous seal.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cover positionable surrounding an assembly joining pipe elements, said cover comprising:
a first cover portion defining a first recess for receiving said assembly, said first cover portion having a first sidewall defining a first channel and a second sidewall defining a second channel, said first and second channels being in communication with said first recess, said first and second channels for receiving said pipe elements;
a second cover portion defining a second recess for receiving said assembly, said second cover portion having a third sidewall defining a third channel and a fourth sidewall defining a fourth channel, said third and fourth channels being in communication with said second recess, said third and fourth channels for receiving said pipe elements;
a first perimeter face positioned on said first cover portion, said first perimeter face surrounding said first recess and said first and second channels;
a second perimeter face positioned on said second cover portion, said second perimeter face surrounding said second recess and said third and fourth channels, at least a first portion of said first perimeter face and at least a first portion of said second perimeter face defining a joint extending along a perimeter of said first and second perimeter faces when said first and second cover portions are joined to one another surrounding said assembly; and
a seal positionable within said joint; wherein
said at least said first portion of said first perimeter face comprises a groove extending therealong, and said at least said first portion of said second perimeter face comprises a tongue extending therefrom, wherein said tongue is received within said groove when said first and second cover portions are joined to one another surrounding said assembly.

2. The cover according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a first canal positioned in said first sidewall transversely to said first channel;
a second canal position in said second sidewall transversely to said second channel;
a third canal positioned in said third sidewall transversely to said third channel; and
a fourth canal positioned in said fourth sidewall transversely to said fourth channel.

3. The cover according to claim 2 , wherein said groove of said first portion of said first perimeter face is in fluid communication with said first and said third canals when said first and second cover portions are joined to one another.

4. The cover according to claim 3 , wherein said groove of said second portion of said second perimeter face comprises a surface oriented angularly with respect to said first perimeter face and thereby defining a furrow between said first and second cover portions.

5. The cover according to claim 2 , wherein:
at least a second portion of said first perimeter face comprises a tongue extending therefrom;
at least a second portion of said second perimeter face comprises a groove extending therealong, said tongue of said second portion of said first perimeter face being received within said groove of said second portion of said second perimeter face when said first and second cover portions are joined to one another.

6. The cover according to claim 5 , wherein said groove of said second portion of said second perimeter face is in fluid communication with said second and said fourth canals when said first and second cover portions are joined to one another.

7. The cover according to claim 5 , wherein said groove in said first portion of said first perimeter face is in fluid communication with said groove in said second portion of said second perimeter face when said first and second cover portions are joined to one another.

8. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein said groove of said first portion of said first perimeter face comprises a surface oriented angularly with respect to said second perimeter face and thereby defining a furrow between said first and second cover portions.

9. The cover according to claim 8 , wherein said seal completely surrounds said first and second recesses.

10. The cover according to claim 9 , further comprising an opening in said first and second cover portions, said opening being located along said first and second perimeter faces, a fifth canal on said first cover portion extending along said opening and a sixth canal extending along said second cover portion, said canals being in fluid communication with said furrow and receiving said seal.

11. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein said seal is selected from the group consisting essentially of a continuous gasket, an extruded caulk, a rope caulk, and combinations thereof.

12. The cover according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second cover portions comprise a foam layer.

13. The cover according to claim 12 , wherein said foam layer has an insulation value of at least R=5 per inch of thickness.

14. The cover according to claim 12 , wherein said foam layer comprises polyisocyanurate.

15. The cover according to claim 12 , further comprising a coating of polyvinyldiene chloride on said foam layer.

16. The cover according to claim 12 , further comprising an exterior coating surrounding said foam layer.

17. The cover according to claim 16 , wherein said exterior coating is selected from the group consisting essentially of polyurea, polyvinylchloride, polyvinyldiene chloride and combinations thereof.

18. A cover positionable surrounding an assembly joining pipe elements, said cover comprising:
a first cover portion defining a first recess for receiving said assembly, said first cover portion having a first sidewall defining a first channel and a second sidewall defining a second channel, said first and second channels being in communication with said first recess, said first and second channels for receiving said pipe elements;
a second cover portion defining a second recess for receiving said assembly, said second cover portion having a third sidewall defining a third channel and a fourth sidewall defining a fourth channel, said third and fourth channels being in communication with said second recess, said third and fourth channels for receiving said pipe elements;
a first perimeter face positioned on said first cover portion, said first perimeter face surrounding said first recess and said first and second channels;
a second perimeter face positioned on said second cover portion, said second perimeter face surrounding said second recess and said third and fourth channels, said second perimeter face being engageable with said first perimeter face at a joint extending along a perimeter of said first and second perimeter faces for joining said first and said second cover portions to one another surrounding said assembly; and
a seal positionable within said joint wherein:
said first perimeter face comprises first and second alignment cutouts; and
said second perimeter face comprises first and second alignment blocks, said first and second alignment cutouts having a complementary shape to said first and second alignment blocks so that said first and second alignment blocks interlock with said first and second alignment cutouts when said first and second cover portions are joined to one another.

19. The cover according to claim 18 , further comprising:
a first canal positioned in said first sidewall transversely to said first channel;
a second canal position in said second sidewall transversely to said second channel;
a third canal positioned in said third sidewall transversely to said third channel; and
a fourth canal positioned in

Assignees

• Victaulic Co Of America

Inventors

• Webster Jeffrey J
• Grey Adam M
• Marunich Jacob M
• Kuehner Ryan D

Classifications

• F16L59/02 Primary

  Shape or form of insulating materials, with or without coverings integral with the insulating materials · CPC title

• B32B2597/00

  Tubular articles, e.g. hoses, pipes · CPC title

• B32B2307/7246

  Water vapor barrier · CPC title

• B32B2307/712

  Weather resistant · CPC title

• B32B2307/3065

  Flame resistant or retardant, fire resistant or retardant · CPC title