AU2001240339C1

AU2001240339C1 - A pipe connector

Info

Publication number: AU2001240339C1
Application number: AU2001240339A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shane John Wormall
Original assignee: BLUEPORT NOMINEES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: BLUEPORT NOMINEES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2000-03-09
Filing date: 2001-03-09
Publication date: 2017-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-09
Also published as: AU4033901A; AU2001240339B2

Description

WO 01/66863 PCT/AU01/00256 1

A PIPE CONNECTOR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pipe connector for connecting together pipes. In particular, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a pipe connector in the form of a sewer maintenance shaft.

Background of the Invention

Present sewer maintenance shafts are in the form of a joining chamber having at least an inlet port, an outlet port and a riser extending upwardly from the joining chamber. The sewer maintenance shafts are generally moulded of plastics in a predefined shape. In particular, the angle between the inlet port and the outlet port is fixed. Therefore, a different shape of maintenance shaft is required for different angles between the inlet and outlet pipes. To simplify the number of maintenance shafts that are moulded, they are cast with preset angles, such as 180°, 90° and 135°.

Often, however, the angle between the pipes does not correspond with the prefabricated angles. This results in the need for angled and elbow pipes in order to change the direction of the pipe to suit the sewer maintenance shaft. This is expensive and time consuming.

The present invention seeks to provide a pipe connector that overcomes the above mentioned problem.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a pipe connector including a joining portion having a port for connection of a first pipe thereto, the joining portion also having a wall for connection of a second pipe thereto, the second pipe being able to be connected to the wall by boring a hole through the wall and bonding the second pipe thereto, the wall having a shape such that the pipe may be bonded to the wall at a plurality of angles with respect to the port, whereby, in use, the pipe connector can connect the first pipe to the second pipe at a plurality of angles with respect to each other. -2-

Preferably, the wall defines a cavity in the joining portion, the cavity in fluid communication with the first and second pipes.

Preferably, the joining portion is of a symmetrical shape. In one embodiment the joining portion is a hemisphere.

Preferably, the pipe connector is in the form of a maintenance shaft having a riser extending vertically from the joining portion.

Preferably, a third pipe may be connected to the wall by boring a second hole through the wall and bonding the third pipe thereto, whereby the third pipe may be connected to the first and second pipes at a plurality of angles relative to one another.

According to the present invention there is provided a pipe connector suitable for use underground, said pipe connector including a joining portion having a port comprising an outlet coupling for connection of a first pipe thereto, the joining portion also having a wall for connection of a second pipe thereto, the second pipe being able to be connected to the wall by boring a hole through the wall and bonding the second pipe thereto, the wall having at least a substantially part spherical shape such that the second pipe may be bonded to the wall at one of a plurality of angles with respect to the outlet coupling, wherein the plurality of angles fall in a continuous range of angles, whereby, in use, the pipe connector can connect the first pipe to the second pipe at a plurality of angles with respect to each other; wherein the outlet coupling extends from a substantially lowermost point of the joining portion so as to allow, in use, liquid to flow in a substantially horizontal direction from the joining portion through the outlet coupling under gravity.

In an embodiment the wall has a substantially hemispherical shape.

In an embodiment the wall has a spherical shape. -2A- ln an embodiment the wall defines a cavity in the joining portion, such that when the first and second pipes are connected by the pipe connector, the cavity is in communication with the first and second pipes such that liquid may flow from one pipe to the other.

In an embodiment the second pipe is able to be connected to the joining portion at a desired one of the plurality of angles relative to the first pipe such that the desired angle matches an angle between the first pipe and another pipe that is to be connected end to end with the second pipe.

In an embodiment the wall is shaped to provide a plurality of positions at which the second pipe may be connected, so that the selection of the position determines which one of the plurality of angles the second pipe will be at in relation to the first pipe when the first pipe is connected to the port and the second pipe is connected to the joining portion at the selected position.

In an embodiment the wall is shaped such that when the second pipe is disposed so as to be connectable to the wall at each of the plurality of positions a curved end surface of the second pipe is able to fit flush with the wall.

In an embodiment the wall is shaped such that it has a radius of curvature substantially the same as a radius of curvature of the curved end surface of the second pipe.

In an embodiment the joining portion is of a complementary shape to the end surface of the second pipe.

In an embodiment the pipe connector is in the form of a maintenance shaft having a riser extending vertically from the joining portion.

In an embodiment the port and the riser define the only apertures in the chamber before the hole is bored in the wall. -213-

In an embodiment a third pipe may be connected to the wall by boring a second hole through the wall and bonding the third pipe thereto, whereby the third pipe may be connected to the first and second pipes at one of a plurality of angles relative to one another.

In an embodiment the wall is shaped so that selection of another of the positions determines which of the plurality of angles the third pipe will be at in relation to the first pipe when the first pipe is connected to the port and the third pipe is connected to the joining portion at the other position.

In an embodiment the plurality of positions at which the second pipe may be connected to the wall are such that the second pipe will not be parallel to the first pipe other than in only one of those positions.

In an embodiment a plurality of second different angles are provided where each respective second different angle is between the outlet coupling and a normal of an exterior surface of the wall at each respective one of the positions.

In an embodiment, the wall is adapted for boring the hole therethrough at each of the positions for connecting the third pipe to the joining portion.

In an embodiment the third pipe is bonded to the joining portion by welding a bonding material around the hole.

In an embodiment the wall is curved in shape such that the second pipe may be bonded to the wall at any one of the range of continuous angles with respect to the outlet coupling according to a selection of one of a continuous range of positions on the wall for making the bond between the second pipe and the wall.

In an embodiment the outlet coupling extends substantially tangentially from the curved wall of the joining portion.

02 Mar 2012 2:24PM

Rohan Uallace Patent & TM + 618 6311 7284 page 17 2001240339 02 Mar 2012 - 2C -

In an embodiment the outlet coupling extends from the joining portion so that a line along an external surface of the outlet coupling is substantially tangential to a curved external surface of the wall at a substantially lowermost point of the external surface. 5

In an embodiment wherein a lowermost line along the inside surface of the outlet coupling is substantially tangential to the curve on the inside of the wall at a substantially lowermost point of the inside of the joining portion, 10 In an embodiment the outlet coupling extends from the wall so that a central axis of the outlet coupling forms a chord to a vertical substantially circular cross section of the wall, the chord being shorter than the diameter of the joining portion.

In an embodiment the outlet coupling is arranged to connect the first pipe in a 15 substantially horizontal orientation when installed for use.

In an embodiment the entire upwardly facing inside surface of the wall is sloped so as to direct liquid into the port under gravity in use. 20 In an embodiment the wall is shaped to allow connection of the second pipe thereto at any one of a plurality of horizontal angles relative to the first pipe and the wall is shaped so that the position at which the second pipe is connected to the joining portion determines the horizontal angle between the second pipe and the first pipe, wherein the horizontal angle is an angle between a horizontal plane which coincides with an 25 axial length of the first pipe and an axial length of the second pipe, when the first pipe is connected to the port and the second pipe Is connected to the joining portion at the selected position. in an embodiment the wall is shaped to connect the second pipe thereto at a height B0 differential relative to the first pipe.

In an embodiment the wall is shaped such that the cross sectional area that is enclosed by the wall and is transverse to the direction of travel of the first pipe when connected to the outlet coupling varies with distance from the port. 1' COMS ID No: ARCS-359155

Received by IP Australia: Time (H:m) 17:37 Date (Y-M-d) 2012-03-02 -2D-ln an embodiment the wall is a formed of a single piece of moulded plastics.

In an embodiment the wall is shaped to allow connection of the second pipe thereto at any one of a plurality of vertical angles relative to the first pipe and the wall is shaped so that the position at which the second pipe is connected to the joining portion determines the vertical angle between the second pipe and the first pipe, wherein the vertical angle is an angle between a vertical plane which coincides with an axial length of the first pipe and an axial length of the second pipe, when the first pipe is connected to the port and the second pipe is connected to the joining portion at the selected position.

In an embodiment the at least a substantially part spherical shape of the wall comprises a radius of curvature through only one plane. In an embodiment the radius of curvature is within a cylinder shape. In an embodiment the radius of curvature is within a conical shape. In an embodiment the at least a substantially part spherical shape of the wall comprises a radius of curvature through two perpendicular planes. In an embodiment the radii of curvature are within a part of a sphere. In an embodiment the radii of curvature are within a hemisphere.

Also according to the present invention there is a pipe connector system comprising the pipe connector as defined above, and the second pipe where the second pipe is a connector to another pipe and the second pipe has an end surface of curved shape which is able to fit flush with the wall at any one of a plurality of positions on the wall.

Also according to the present invention there is a pipe connection comprising the pipe connector as defined above, and the second pipe bonded to the wall, where the second pipe is a connector to another pipe and the second pipe has an end surface of curved shape that fits snug with the wall at a selected position on the wall to dispose the second pipe at a desired one of the plurality of angles relative to the first pipe when the first pipe is connected to the port.

In an embodiment the curved end surface of the second pipe has the same radius as the wall.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a method comprising: providing a pipe connector as defined above; connecting the first pipe to the port so as to allow liquid to drain from the vessel through the outlet coupling into the first pipe under gravity; selecting one of the positions on the wall so as to allow the second pipe to be disposed in relation to the first pipe at a desired one of the angles determined by a desired

02 Mar 2012 2:25PM

Rohan Uallace Patent 8. TM +G18 6311 7284 page 18 2001240339 02 Mar 2012 -2E- positioning of the second pipe relative to the first pipe when connected together by the pipe connector; boring a hole in the wall at the selected position; and bonding the 5 second pipe to the wall about the hole.

In an embodiment the method further comprises selecting another one of the positrons on the wall so as to allow a third pipe to be disposed in relation to the first pipe at a second desired one of the angles determined 10 by a desired positioning of the third pipe relative to the first pipe when connected together by the pipe connector; boring a hole in the wall at the selected an other position; and bonding the third pipe to the wall about the hole. 15 Also according to the present invention there is an underground system for transporting waste water, said system comprising: a first pipe; a second pipe; a pipe connector as defined above; and a hole in the wall at one of the positions, selected according to a desired angle between the first pipe and the second pipe; wherein the first pipe is connected to the port so as to allow liquid to flow from the 20 vessel through the outlet coupling into the first pipe under gravity, wherein the second pipe is bonded to the wall about the hole such that the interior of the second pipe is in communication with the interior of the vessel.

In an embodiment the second pipe has a mouth shaped to coincide with the shape of 25 the inside of the wall so that the second pipe does not protrude into the interior of the vessel.

In an embodiment the second pipe includes a coupling. 30 In an embodiment wherein the coupling has a mouth shaped to coincide with the shape of the inside of the wall so that the coupling does not protrude into the interior of the vessel.

In an embodiment the system further comprises: COMS ID No: ARCS-359155 Received by IP Australia: Time (H:m) 17:37 Date (Y-M-d) 2012-03-02 2001240339 02 Mar 2012

02 Mar 2012 2:25PM

Rohan Uallace Patent 8, TM +G18 6311 7284 page 20 -2F- a third pipe; and another hole in the wall at another position selected according to a desired angle 5 between the first pipe and the third pipe; wherein the third pipe is bonded to the wall about the other hole such that the interior of the third pipe is in communication with the Interior of the vessel.

Also according to the present invention there is a method of connecting a first pipe to a 10 second pipe, the method comprising: providing a pipe connector as defined above; determining an orientation of the first pipe from the axis of the port so that liquid will flow from the port into the first pipe under gravity in use; determining an orientation of the second pipe that will connect to the joining 15 portion so that liquid will flow through the second pipe under gravity into the joining portion in use; determining a position on the joining portion for the second pipe to be connected such that the second pipe will be at a desired angle to the first pipe in use, wherein the desired angle is one of the plurality of possible angles allowed for by the 20 shape of the joining portion: boring a hole in the wall of the joining portion at the position; bonding the second pipe to the wall about the hole so that a curved end surface of the second pipe fits flush with the wall and so that when the second pipe and first pipe are installed underground liquid will flow through the second pipe into the 25 joining portion under gravity and the second pipe is at the desired angle to the first pipe.

In an embodiment the method further comprises connecting the first pipe to the outlet coupling to so when liquid flows into the joining portion from the second pipe the liquid 30 will then flow into the first pipe under gravity.

In the statement of invention and description of the invention which follow, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, ie. COMS ID No: ARCS-359155 Received by IP Australia: Time (H:m) 17:37 Date (Y-M-d) 2012-03-02 2001240339 02 Mar 2012

02 Mar 2012 2:25PM

Rohan Uallace Patent & TM +G18 6311 7284 page 21 -2G- to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 5

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

In order to provide a better understanding, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will not be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 10 Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a pipe connector in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the pipe connector of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan end view of the pipe connector of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the pipe connector of Figure 1; 15

Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the bonding of a pipe to a joining portion of the pipe connector of Figure 1;

Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of an alternative bonding of a pipe to a joining portion of the pipe connector of Figure 8; 20 Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of an alternative pipe connector according to the present invention; COMS ID No: ARCS-359155 Received by IP Australia: Time (H:m) 17:37 Date (Y-M-d) 2012-03-02 PCT/AU01/00256 WO 01/66863 3

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the pipe connector of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is an upper perspective view of another alternative pipe connector according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a pipe connector in the form of a sewer maintenance shaft 10, which includes an inverted hemispherical joining portion 12. A port 14 horizontally extends substantially from the base of the hemispherical joining portion 12. The port 14 includes a large diameter section 20 that extends from the joining portion 12, which then is reduced to a smaller diameter section 22. The smaller diameter section 22 is of a diameter suitable for connection to a first pipe. Generally, the first pipe will be an outlet pipe with the direction of flow through the maintenance shaft 10 indicated by the arrow A in Figures 2 and 5. A large diameter pipe may be connected to the large diameter section 20. In this case the small diameter section 22 will be removed.

The joining portion 12 includes a wall 24 defining a cavity 15. The port 14 is in fluid communication with the cavity 15.

Extending upwardly from the cavity is a riser 18. The riser 18 is of a diameter suitable for connection to an inspection shaft. Connecting the riser 18 to the joining portion 12 is a frustoconically shaped portion 16. The portion 16 includes strengthening ribs 26 in Figures 2-4. At the interface between the portion 16 and the joining section 12 is a ledge 25 suitable for assisting in lifting and moving the pipe connector 10.

Referring to Figure 5A, there is shown a second pipe 28 which has been connected to the joining portion 12. The wall 24 of the joining portion 12 has been bored through to produce a hole having a diameter equal to the diameter of the pipe 28. The pipe 28 is then inserted into the bored hole and bonded by a bonding material 30, such as welded plastic. The pipe 28 is flush with the inside of the wall 24. The pipe 28 is then in fluid communication with the cavity 15. The bonding 30 sealingly connects the pipe 28 with the joining portion 15. The pipe 28 is shown connected to a standard connector 32 which is, in turn, connected to another pipe 34. The pipe 28 generally is an inlet pipe. PCT/AU01/00256 WO 01/66863 4

Figure 5B shows a similar arrangement to Figure 5A. The main difference is that the connector 32 fits inside the pipe 28 rather than over the outside of the pipe 28, as is the case in Figure 5A. 5 Referring to Figure 6, an alternative form of pipe connector 10' is shown. The main difference with this pipe connector is that the interface between the joining section 12 and the portion 16 does not include a ledge 25 and the portion 16 is rounded. The pipe connector 10' is moulded from a single piece of plastics material. In Figure 7, a base section 30 is shown to assist the pipe connector to stand on a flat surface. 10

Figure 8 shows yet another preferred embodiment of a pipe connector 10". In this instance the joining portion 12 is substantially spherical with the riser 18 connecting directly to the joining portion 12. The spherical joining portion 12 allows a second pipe to be connected to the joining portion 12 at a plurality of angles relative to a horizontal plane. 15

The method of use and operation of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The angle between an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe (which the pipe connector connects 2 0 together) is measured. This angle is then used to determine the position of the bored hole so that the pipe 28 and the smaller diameter section 22 of the port are arranged to be at the same angle as the angle measured between the pipes. The hole is then bored in the wall 24 of the joining portion 12 and the pipe 28 bonded to the joining portion. The sewer maintenance shaft 10 may then be bonded to the outlet pipe. The inspection shaft may be 2 5 bonded to the riser 18.

It will be clear to the skilled addressee that the present invention has at least the following advantages: a) The pipe connector is suitable for connecting pipes having a range of 3 0 angles therebetween; and b) Only one type of pipe connector need be produced for each diameter of pipe rather than a series of pipe connectors each having a particular angle between the inlet

02 Mar 2012 2:2GPM

Rohan Uallace Patent & TM + 618 6311 7284 page 22 2001240339 02 Mar 2012 5 and outlet port.

It will also be clear to the skilled addressee that modifications and variations can be 5 made to the present invention without departing from the basic inventive concept. Examples of such modifications are: the joining portion need not be hemispherical or spherical in shape, a vertically extending cylinder with a partly spherical symmetrical shape may be suitable; thereby allowing a plurality of angles between the inlet and outlet pipes. 10

Such modifications and variations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description. COMS ID No: ARCS-359155

Received by IP Australia: Time (H:m) 17:37 Date (Y-M-d) 2012-03-02

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A pipe connector suitable for use underground, said pipe connector including a joining portion having a port comprising an outlet coupling for connection of a first pipe thereto, the joining portion also having a wall for connection of a second pipe thereto, the second pipe being able to be connected to the wall by boring a hole through the wall and bonding the second pipe thereto, the wall having at least a substantially part spherical shape such that the second pipe may be bonded to the wall at one of a plurality of angles with respect to the outlet coupling, wherein the plurality of angles fall in a continuous range of angles, whereby, in use, the pipe connector can connect the first pipe to the second pipe at a plurality of angles with respect to each other; wherein the outlet coupling extends from a substantially lowermost point of the joining portion so as to allow, in use, liquid to flow in a substantially horizontal direction from the joining portion through the outlet coupling under gravity.
2. A pipe connector according to claim 1, wherein the wall has a substantially hemispherical shape.
3. A pipe connector according to claim 1, wherein the wall has a spherical shape.
4. A pipe connector according to claim 1, wherein the wall defines a cavity in the joining portion, such that when the first and second pipes are connected by the pipe connector, the cavity is in communication with the first and second pipes such that liquid may flow from one pipe to the other.
5. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second pipe is able to be connected to the joining portion at a desired one of the plurality of angles relative to the first pipe such that the desired angle matches an angle between the first pipe and another pipe that is to be connected end to end with the second pipe.
6. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wall is shaped to provide a plurality of positions at which the second pipe may be connected, so that the selection of the position determines which one of the plurality of angles the second pipe will be at in relation to the first pipe when the first pipe is connected to the port and the second pipe is connected to the joining portion at the selected position.
7. A pipe connector according to claim 6, wherein the wall is shaped such that when the second pipe is disposed so as to be connectable to the wall at each of the plurality of positions a curved end surface of the second pipe is able to fit flush with the wall.
8. A pipe connector according to claim 7, wherein the wall is shaped such that it has a radius of curvature substantially the same as a radius of curvature of the curved end surface of the second pipe.
9. A pipe connector according to claim 8, wherein the joining portion is of a complementary shape to the end surface of the second pipe.
10. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pipe connector is in the form of a maintenance shaft having a riser extending vertically from the joining portion.
11. A pipe connector according to claim 10, wherein the port and the riser define the only apertures in the chamber before the hole is bored in the wall.
12. A pipe connector according to claim 6 , wherein a third pipe may be connected to the wall by boring a second hole through the wall and bonding the third pipe thereto, whereby the third pipe may be connected to the first and second pipes at one of a plurality of angles relative to one another.
13. A pipe connector according to claim 12, wherein the wall is shaped so that selection of another of the positions determines which of the plurality of angles the third pipe will be at in relation to the first pipe when the first pipe is connected to the port and the third pipe is connected to the joining portion at the other position.
14. A pipe connector according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of positions at which the second pipe may be connected to the wall are such that the second pipe will not be parallel to the first pipe other than in only one of those positions.
15. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a plurality of second different angles are provided where each respective second different angle is between the outlet coupling and a normal of an exterior surface of the wall at each respective one of the positions.
16. A pipe connector according to claim 13, wherein the wall is adapted for boring the hole therethrough at each of the positions for connecting the third pipe to the joining portion.
17. A pipe connector according to claim 16, wherein the third pipe is bonded to the joining portion by welding a bonding material around the hole.
18. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the wall is curved in shape such that the second pipe may be bonded to the wall at anyone of the range of continuous angles with respect to the outlet coupling according to a selection of one of a continuous range of positions on the wall for making the bond between the second pipe and the wall.
19. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the outlet coupling extends substantially tangentially from the curved wall of the joining portion.
20. A pipe connector according to claim 19, wherein the outlet coupling extends from the joining portion so that a line along an external surface of the outlet coupling is substantially tangential to a curved external surface of the wall at a substantially lowermost point of the external surface.
21. A pipe connector according to claim 20, wherein a lowermost line along the inside surface of the outlet coupling is substantially tangential to the curve on the inside of the wall at a substantially lowermost point of the inside of the joining portion.
22. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the outlet coupling extends from the wall so that a central axis of the outlet coupling forms a chord to a vertical substantially circular cross section of the wall, the chord being shorter than the diameter of the joining portion.
23. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the outlet coupling is arranged to connect the first pipe in a substantially horizontal orientation when installed for use.
24. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the entire upwardly facing inside surface of the wall is sloped so as to direct liquid into the port under gravity in use.
25. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 6 to 9, 12 to 14, wherein the wall is shaped to allow connection of the second pipe thereto at any one of a plurality of horizontal angles relative to the first pipe and the wall is shaped so that the position at which the second pipe is connected to the joining portion determines the horizontal angle between the second pipe and the first pipe, wherein the horizontal angle is an angle between a horizontal plane which coincides with an axial length of the first pipe and an axial length of the second pipe, when the first pipe is connected to the port and the second pipe is connected to the joining portion at the selected position.
26. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the wall is shaped to connect the second pipe thereto at a height differential relative to the first pipe.
27. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the wall is shaped such that the cross sectional area that is enclosed by the wall and is transverse to the direction of travel of the first pipe when connected to the outlet coupling varies with distance from the port.
28. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the wall is a formed of a single piece of moulded plastics.
29. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 6 to 9, 12 to 14, wherein the wall is shaped to allow connection of the second pipe thereto at any one of a plurality of vertical angles relative to the first pipe and the wall is shaped so that the position at which the second pipe is connected to the joining portion determines the vertical angle between the second pipe and the first pipe, wherein the vertical angle is an angle between a vertical plane which coincides with an axial length of the first pipe and an axial length of the second pipe, when the first pipe is connected to the port and the second pipe is connected to the joining portion at the selected position.
30. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the at least a substantially part spherical shape of the wall comprises a radius of curvature through only one plane.
31. A pipe connector according to claim 30, wherein the radius of curvature is within a cylinder shape.
32. A pipe connector according to claim 30, wherein the radius of curvature is within a conical shape.
33. A pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the at least a substantially part spherical shape of the wall comprises a radius of curvature through two perpendicular planes.
34. A pipe connector according to claim 33, wherein the radii of curvature are within a part of a sphere.
35. A pipe connector according to claim 33, wherein the radii of curvature are within a hemisphere.
36. A pipe connector system comprising the pipe connector of any one of claims 1 to 35, and the second pipe where the second pipe is a connector to another pipe and the second pipe has an end surface of curved shape which is able to fit flush with the wall at any one of a plurality of positions on the wall.
37. A pipe connection comprising the pipe connector of any one of claims 1 to 35, and the second pipe bonded to the wall, where the second pipe is a connector to another pipe and the second pipe has an end surface of curved shape that fits snug with the wall at a selected position on the wall to dispose the second pipe at a desired one of the plurality of angles relative to the first pipe when the first pipe is connected to the port.
38. A connector system according to claim 36 or a pipe connection according to claim 37, wherein the curved end surface of the second pipe has the same radius as the wall.
39. A method of connecting a first pipe to a second pipe, the method comprising: providing a pipe connector according to anyone of claims 6, 9, 12 to 14, 25, 29 or claims 10, 11 or 15, 26 to 28 or 30 to 35 when dependent on claim 6; connecting the first pipe to the port so as to allow liquid to drain from the vessel through the outlet coupling into the first pipe under gravity; selecting one of the positions on the wall so as to allow the second pipe to be disposed in relation to the first pipe at a desired one of the angles determined by a desired positioning of the second pipe relative to the first pipe when connected together by the pipe connector; boring a hole in the wall at the selected position; and bonding the second pipe to the wall about the hole.
40. A method according to claim 39, wherein the method further comprises selecting another one of the positions on the wall so as to allow a third pipe to be disposed in relation to the first pipe at a second desired one of the angles determined by a desired positioning of the third pipe relative to the first pipe when connected together by the pipe connector; boring a hole in the wall at the selected an other position; and bonding the third pipe to the wall about the hole.
41. An underground system for transporting waste water, said system comprising: a first pipe; a second pipe; a pipe connector according to anyone of claims 6, 9, 12 to 14, 25, 29 or claims 10, 11,26 to 28 or 30 to 35 when dependent on claim 6; and a hole in the wall at one of the positions, selected according to a desired angle between the first pipe and the second pipe; wherein the first pipe is connected to the port so as to allow liquid to flow from the vessel through the outlet coupling into the first pipe under gravity, wherein the second pipe is bonded to the wall about the hole such that the interior of the second pipe is in communication with the interior of the vessel.
42. A system according to claim 41, wherein the second pipe has a mouth shaped to coincide with the shape of the inside of the wall so that the second pipe does not protrude into the interior of the vessel.
43. A system according to claim 41, wherein the second pipe includes a coupling.
44. A system according to claim 43, wherein the coupling has a mouth shaped to coincide with the shape of the inside of the wall so that the coupling does not protrude into the interior of the vessel.
45. A system according to anyone of claims 41 to 44, further comprising: a third pipe; and another hole in the wall at another position selected according to a desired angle between the first pipe and the third pipe; wherein the third pipe is bonded to the wall about the other hole such that the interior of the third pipe is in communication with the interior of the vessel.
46. A method of connecting a first pipe to a second pipe, the method comprising: providing a pipe connector according to any one of claims 1 to 35; determining an orientation of the first pipe from the axis of the port so that liquid will flow from the port into the first pipe under gravity in use; determining an orientation of the second pipe that will connect to the joining portion so that liquid will flow through the second pipe under gravity into the joining portion in use; determining a position on the joining portion for the second pipe to be connected such that the second pipe will be at a desired angle to the first pipe in use, wherein the desired angle is one of the plurality of possible angles allowed for by the shape of the joining portion: boring a hole in the wall of the joining portion at the position; bonding the second pipe to the wall about the hole so that a curved end surface of the second pipe fits flush with the wall and so that when the second pipe and first pipe are installed underground liquid will flowthrough the second pipe into the joining portion under gravity and the second pipe is at the desired angle to the first pipe.
47. A method according to claim 46, further comprising connecting the first pipe to the outlet coupling to so when liquid flows into the joining portion from the second pipe the liquid will then flow into the first pipe under gravity.
48. A method of using the pipe connector of claim 39 or 46 substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
49. A pipe connector substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.