AU2008202859B2

AU2008202859B2 - Bamboo pipe for use as conduits for water/wastewater delivery

Info

Publication number: AU2008202859B2
Application number: AU2008202859A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Boulton
Original assignee: 19 Dean Street Pty Ltd
Current assignee: 19 Dean Street Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-29
Filing date: 2008-06-30
Publication date: 2011-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-30
Also published as: AU2008202859A1

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 - Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title Bamboo pipe for use as conduits for water/wastewater delivery The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: P/00/Ol 5102 IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PIPE ASSEMBLIES Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates generally to pipe assemblies and components for use in such assemblies. One particular application of the present invention concerns the provision of pipe assemblies for use in irrigation systems. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this particular application however it is to be understood 10 that this is not be taken as a limitation on the scope of the invention. Background to the Invention 15 Drought and changing climatic conditions has led to an increased awareness of the importance of water conservation. For example, it is currently the practice where irrigation systems are required to provide open irrigation channels for delivering water to irrigation sites. A problem with such open channels is the substantial loss of water which occurs through evaporation and infiltration. The use of piping to deliver water in irrigation 20 systems has been considered but is generally too expensive. It is an object according to one aspect of the invention to provide a pipe assembly suitable for use in irrigation systems which seeks to alleviate the aforementioned problem. It is another object according to another aspect of the present invention to provide improved 25 components for use in pipe assemblies.

C \NRPorbl\DCC\LGL\3514376_1 DOC.7A3/2011 -2 Summary of the Invention In accordance with the invention, there is provided a pipe assembly including a generally elongate pipe body continuously tapering from a first end to a second end, a first collar located at the first end and a second collar located at the second end, the cross sectional 5 inner dimension of the first and second collars being substantially the same as the cross sectional dimension of the first and second end respectively; the arrangement being such that a first one said pipe assembly is able to connect to a second one said pipe assembly by the second collar of the second pipe assembly being received by the first collar of the first pipe assembly. 10 In one form, the inner cross sectional dimension of the first collar has a diameter greater than a diameter of the outer cross-sectional dimension of the second collar substantially as a result of the tapering of the pipe body. 15 In one form, the first and second collars are formed of a plastics material and are adhered to the first and second ends of the pipe body respectively, thereby fixing the collars to the pipe body. In one form, to couple like pipe bodies together, the second end of the first pipe assembly 20 is inserted into the first end of the second of the pipe assembly such that the second collar the first one of the pipe assembly is received by the first collar of the second one of the pipe assembly, the collars being fixed to one another by adhesive. In one form, the first and second collars have a generally cylindrical in cross-section. 25 In one form, one or more strengthening rings are provided which are adapted to be disposed internally of the pipe body. In one form, the or each ring includes an adjustment device by which the diameter of the or 30 each ring can be adjusted.

C WRPorlbI\DCC\LGL\3514376_1 DOC.76312011 -3 In one form, one or more external strengthening rings are provided which when installed, extend around the outer surface of the pipe body. In one form, the or each external ring includes an adjustment device by which the diameter 5 of the or each ring can be adjusted. In one form, the external ring is arranged to overlie an internal ring when installed. In one form, the pipe body is formed by wrapping bamboo mesh material around a tapered 10 mandrel. In one form, the pipe body is formed from a plurality of staves each having opposed side edge portions, the adjacent side edge portions of adjacent staves being adapted to be joined together to form the pipe body. 15 In one form, each stave is multi-layered with adjacent layers secured together by adhesive. In one form, the pipe body is multi-layered with the staves of one layer overlying the junction of the staves of an adjacent layer. 20 In one form, the staves are formed from bamboo. Brief Description of the Drawings P:\WPDOC5.NMSped4f09946 Campkedo-30AW00 -4 In order to enable a clearer understanding of the invention, drawings illustrating an example of the embodiments are attached and in those drawings: 5 Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of pipe assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the pipe body shown in figure 1; 10 Figure 3 is a partial sectional view of the pipe body shown in figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of a pipe body according to another embodiment of the present invention' 15 Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of a pipe body according to a further embodiment the present invention; Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a pipe coupling according to one aspect of the present invention; 20 Figure 7 is a partial sectional view of the coupling shown in figure 6; Figure 8 is a schematic illustration illustrating the arrangement of pipe assemblies within an irrigation channel; 25 Figure 9 is an isometric view of a pipe assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a similar view to that of Figure 2; 30 Figure 11 is a side elevation view in section of one end of a pipe assembly, being a smaller end of a tapered pipe assembly; Figure 12 is a side elevation view in section of one end of another pipe assembly, being a larger end of another tapered pipe assembly; and 5 Figure 13 is another arrangement of pipe assemblies, showing a coupling arrangement in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. 10 Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Figures 1, 6 and 7 depict one embodiment of pipe assembly and coupling means, and Figures 9 - 13 depict a second, preferred embodiment of pipe assembly and coupling assembly, 15 Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a pipe assembly generally indicated at 10 comprising a pipe body 12 which includes a plurality of staves 14, the adjacent staves being inter connected so that they form a generally tubular shaped body of generally circular or cylindrical cross-section. Each stave has opposed side faces 15 and 16 which are adapted 20 to be secured together with an adhesive for example. The adhesive may for example be an epoxy type adhesive which is heat activated and which secures the faces 15 and 16 of adjacent staves together. As best seen in figure 3 the staves 14 are arcuate in shape when viewed in cross-section the adjacent end faces being configured to abut one another when assembled. As shown in figure 3 the side edges may comprise a cooperating tongue and 25 groove assembly 17 and 18 which assists in holding the staves 14 together. The thickness and width of the staves will vary depending on the size of the pipe required. Figure 4 illustrates a pipe body in which the staves 14 are multi-layered with inner and outer layers 11 and 13, being secured together by adhesive or the like. 30 As shown in figure 1 the pipe apparatus 10 includes external and internal strengthening -6 rings 28 and 29 which extend around the inner and outer surfaces of the pipe body 12. Preferably the rings 28 and 29 overlie one another however in figure 1 they have been illustrated separately for enabling a better understanding. Adjustment devices (not shown) are provided for each ring so that they tightly abut the inner and outer surfaces of the pipe 5 body. Figure 5 illustrates an arrangement in which the pipe body comprises inner and outer layers of staves 28 and 29. The staves 33 in the outer layer 29 overlie the junction 36 between adjoining staves 34 in the inner layer 28. 10 Figures 6 and 7 are schematic illustrations of a pipe coupling 20 adjoining pipes I A and I OB together. The coupling 20 includes a collar-like body 22 having end portions 23 and 24 and an inner surface 25 A stop flange 26 extends from the inner surface. A groove 27 is provided in the inner surface for receiving a sealing ring therein. 15 Figure 8 is an illustration of a typical arrangement of pipes disposed within an open illustration channel. The pipes 10 are arranged side by side within the channel 40 and anchored to the channel banks. 20 To form one embodiment of pipe, bamboo mesh or sheet is formed over a generally cylindrical or slightly tapered mandrel, resin, epoxy adhesive or other adhesive is impregnated (before or after the forming), and the mandrel is then heated in order to activate or otherwise cure the epoxy adhesive. 25 To join a preferred embodiment of tapered pipe to another, as shown in Figures 9 - 13, collars are attached to each end. The collars are sized so that they fit snugly around each end. The smaller end becomes a spigot, and the larger end becomes a socket for receiving the spigot to join the pipes together. There may be a recess on the smaller end so that the outer surface of the collar is flush with the outer diameter of the smaller end of the pipe. 30 Similarly, there may be a recess on the larger end. The outer surface of the spigot collar is approximately the same diameter as the inner surface of the socket collar.

-7 The collars are generally constructed from UPVC. The pipe is coated inside and out with bitumen or epoxy coat or similar. 5 During joining, the outer surface of the spigot end collar and the inner surface of the spigot end collar are coated with solvent. The spigot end and collar of one pipe is inserted into the socket until either one abuts the end of the other pipe. Then the solvent welds the UPVC collars together to fix the pipe ends together. 10 The pipe assembly includes nylon bolts to hold the adjustable external strap to the pipe staves. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or 15 admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires 20 otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. Finally, it is to be understood that the inventive concept in any of its aspects can be 25 incorporated in many different constructions so that the generality of the preceding description is not to be superseded by the particularity of the attached drawings. Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims

2. The pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner cross sectional dimension of the first collar has a diameter greater than a diameter of the outer cross-sectional dimension of the second collar substantially as a result of the tapering of the pipe 15 body.
3. The pipe assembly of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first and second collars are formed of a plastics material and are adhered to the first and second ends of the pipe body respectively, thereby fixing the collars to the pipe body. 20
4. The pipe assembly in accordance with any one of claims I to 3, wherein to couple like pipe bodies together, the second end of the first pipe assembly is inserted into the first end of the second of the pipe assembly such that the second collar the first one of the pipe assembly is received by the first collar of the second one of the pipe 25 assembly, the collars being fixed to one another by adhesive.
5. The pipe assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the first and second collars have a generally cylindrical cross-section. 30 6. The pipe assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein one or more strengthening rings are provided which are adapted to be disposed C \NRPrbl\DCC\AZC\2982994_1 DOC-2M)1/20I1 -9 internally of the pipe body.
7. The pipe assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein the or each ring includes an adjustment device by which the diameter of the or each ring can be adjusted. 5
8. The pipe assembly in accordance with claims 6 or 7, wherein one or more external strengthening rings are provided which when installed, extend around the outer surface of the pipe body. 10 9. The pipe assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein the or each external ring includes an adjustment device by which the diameter of the or each ring can be adjusted.
10. The pipe assembly in accordance with claims 8 or 9, wherein the external ring is 15 arranged to overlie an internal ring when installed.
11. The pipe assembly in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the pipe body is formed by wrapping bamboo mesh material around a tapered mandrel. 20 12. The pipe assembly in accordance with any one of claims I to 10, wherein the pipe body is formed from a plurality of staves each having opposed side edge portions, the adjacent side edge portions of adjacent staves being adapted to be joined together to form the pipe body. 25 13. The pipe assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein each stave is multi layered with adjacent layers secured together by adhesive.
14. The pipe assembly in accordance with claim 13, wherein the pipe body is multi layered with the staves of one layer overlying the junction of the staves of an 30 adjacent layer. C VWRPonbI\DCC.GL\.514176-1 DOC-7/01/201 I - 9a 15. The pipe assembly in accordance with any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the staves are formed from bamboo. 5
16. A pipe assembly substantially as hereinbefore described in accordance with the attached drawings.