US 12,304,135 B2
Construction of tubular assemblies
Arthur Derrick Bray Graham, North Fremantle (AU); and Neil Deryck Bray Graham, Coogee (AU)
Assigned to LONG PIPES USA, INC., Yangebup (AU)
Appl. No. 16/618,247
Filed by LONG PIPES USA, INC., Yangebup (AU)
PCT Filed Jun. 1, 2017, PCT No. PCT/AU2017/050529
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 29, 2019,
PCT Pub. No. WO2017/205927, PCT Pub. Date Dec. 7, 2017.
Claims priority of application No. 2016902118 (AU), filed on Jun. 1, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2020/0147860 A1, May 14, 2020
Int. Cl. B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B29C 31/08 (2006.01); B29C 33/50 (2006.01); B29C 53/04 (2006.01); B29C 53/48 (2006.01); B29C 53/54 (2006.01); B29C 63/00 (2006.01); B29C 63/06 (2006.01); B29C 65/52 (2006.01); B29C 65/78 (2006.01); B29C 70/44 (2006.01); B29C 70/54 (2006.01); B29D 23/00 (2006.01); B29K 105/08 (2006.01); B29L 23/00 (2006.01); B31F 1/00 (2006.01); B32B 1/08 (2006.01); B32B 3/26 (2006.01); B32B 5/02 (2006.01); B32B 7/06 (2019.01); B32B 7/14 (2006.01); B32B 13/12 (2006.01); B32B 13/14 (2006.01); B32B 27/04 (2006.01); B32B 27/12 (2006.01); B32B 27/30 (2006.01); B32B 27/32 (2006.01); B32B 27/40 (2006.01); F16L 1/024 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 63/065 (2013.01) [B29C 31/08 (2013.01); B29C 33/505 (2013.01); B29C 53/04 (2013.01); B29C 53/48 (2013.01); B29C 53/54 (2013.01); B29C 63/0021 (2013.01); B29C 63/0065 (2013.01); B29C 65/52 (2013.01); B29C 65/7832 (2013.01); B29C 65/7888 (2013.01); B29C 65/7894 (2013.01); B29C 66/1122 (2013.01); B29C 66/4322 (2013.01); B29C 70/443 (2013.01); B29C 70/542 (2013.01); B29C 70/543 (2013.01); B29C 70/546 (2013.01); B29C 70/548 (2013.01); B29D 23/001 (2013.01); B31F 1/0019 (2013.01); B32B 1/08 (2013.01); B32B 3/266 (2013.01); B32B 5/024 (2013.01); B32B 7/06 (2013.01); B32B 7/14 (2013.01); B32B 13/12 (2013.01); B32B 13/14 (2013.01); B32B 27/04 (2013.01); B32B 27/12 (2013.01); B32B 27/304 (2013.01); B32B 27/32 (2013.01); B32B 27/40 (2013.01); F16L 1/024 (2013.01); B29K 2105/0845 (2013.01); B29L 2023/22 (2013.01); B32B 2260/021 (2013.01); B32B 2260/046 (2013.01); B32B 2262/101 (2013.01); B32B 2307/51 (2013.01); B32B 2307/746 (2013.01); B32B 2307/748 (2013.01); B32B 2597/00 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Apparatus for constructing a tubular assembly comprising an inflatable tubular inner portion having a hollow cavity and a further portion surrounding the inflatable tubular inner portion, the further portion being formed from a strip of material comprising two opposed longitudinal marginal side portions; the apparatus comprising:
an assembly station comprising a wall defining a wall surface; a space through which the inflatable tubular inner portion passes along a first path extending past the wall; means for advancing the strip along a second path and causing the strip to encircle the wall and thereby wrap about and surround the inflatable tubular inner portion, with the two longitudinal marginal side portions disposed in an overlapping relation adjacent the wall surface on the side of the wall opposed to the first path; and means for affixing the two longitudinal marginal side portions together in overlapping relation to assemble the strip into a tubular configuration about the inflatable tubular inner portion to form an inflatable tubular assembly for inflation; and
further comprising an alignment system for aligning the two longitudinal marginal side portions in overlapping relation prior to and/or while being affixed together;
wherein the alignment system comprises two guide paths adjacent the wall surface along which the two longitudinal marginal side portions are passed, each guide path being adapted to receive a respective one of the two longitudinal marginal side portions;
wherein a guidance system is provided for guiding the strip for maintaining the two longitudinal marginal side portions in correct alignment with the guide paths; wherein said guidance system comprises at least one steering device for interaction with the strip adjacent each longitudinal marginal side portion; and
wherein a monitoring system is provided for monitoring travel of the two longitudinal marginal side portions in approaching or assuming the overlapping condition and controlling operation of said at least one steering device.