GB1578692A

GB1578692A - Pipe for underground drainage

Info

Publication number: GB1578692A
Application number: GB1097978A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1978-03-20
Filing date: 1978-03-20
Publication date: 1980-11-05

Description

(54) PIPE FOR UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE (71) We, MITSUI PETRO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD., a Japanese Company of 2-5, Kasumigaseki 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to a pipe for underground drainage.

Since prior art pipes for underground drainage have through holes on the pipe wall and nothing else, various filter materials such as rubble, gravel, chaff and the like are disposed aroung the pipe for the purpose of preventing choking of the through-holes and enhancing the watercollecting capacity. However, it is very difficult to prevent clogging completely and further the working and laying of such pipes is complicated and requires many hands.

The present invention provides a pipe for underground drainage which comprises: (1) a liquid-collecting pipe; (2) a plurality of discontinuous protrusions on the outer surface of the liquid-collecting pipe; (3) a filter layer capable of passing liquids but substantially no solids, the filter layer being disposed around the liquid-collecting pipe and contacting the top portions of the protrusions; and (4) a liquid-conducting space extending both in the longitudinal direction of, and peripherally around the liquid collecting pipe and defined between the protrusions, the outer surface of the liquid-collecting pipe and the inner surface of the filter layer.

By means of the present invention it is possible to provide a pipe for drainage having a filter member substantially free from clogging, which is simple to arrange and lay and does not require a great deal of labour.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is an oblique view of an embodiment of the present invention Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is an oblique view of a further embodiment of the present invention Fig. 5 is an oblique view of still another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is an oblique view of a still further embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is an oblique view of still another embodiment of the present invention Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are oblique views of still further embodiments of the present invention;; Figs. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D show connecting portions of pipes for underground drainage in accordance with the present invention, Figs. 10A and 10B are side views of joint members, and Figs. 10C and 10D are cross-sectional views thereof; Fig. 11 is a side view, partially in section, of liquid collecting pipes connected with each other; and Fig. 12 is an oblique view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

In the following the present invention is explained referring to the attached drawings.

A pipe for underground drainage 1 is composed of a liquid-collecting pipe 2, discontinuous protrusion portions 3, 3...

and a filter layer 4 as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 (the filter layer is not shown in Fig. 1).

A liquid-conducting way 5 is defined by the outer surface of the liquid-collecting pipe and the filter layer 4.

In Fig. 1, protrusions 3, 3... are regularly disposed in staggered formation and partly overlap in the peripheral direction.

However, the protrusions may be disposed irregularly since they are used for forming a certain space between filter layer 4 and the outer surface of liquid-collecting pipe 2.

The shape of protrusion 3 in Fig. I and Fig. 2 is a semicircular rod, but the shape may be a circular rod, a semicircular hollow rod or a rod having any other optional cross section. The protrusions 3 may be integrally formed with liquid-collecting pipe 2 or may be removably formed on liquid-collecting pipe 2.

In Fig. I and Fig. 2, the cross sectional shape of liquid-collecting pipe 2 is circular, but may be elliptical, triangular, or rectangular. And the protrusions 3 may be distributed all over the surface of the liquidcollecting pipe or disposed only at some particular areas of said surface. Such design factors may be optionally selected depending upon the purpose of constructing the drainage system. The reference numeral 6 denotes a liquid way where a liquid such as water collected in the liquid-collecting pipe flows, in Figs. 1--11.

It is possible to shape the protrusions 3 as illustrated in Fig. 3 in such a way that the wall thickness is uniform. When the protrusions are so shaped, a high strength of the pipe is obtained with a small amount of plastics. The protrusions may be any form provided a space can be formed between the outer surface of liquid-collecting pipe 2 and filter layer 4, and may be selected as desired for producing particular results.

In Fig. 4, button-like protrusions 3, 3...

are regularly disposed in staggered formation on the outer surface of liquidcollecting pipe 2, but may be irregularly disposed and the shape of protrusions may be frustoconical.

In Fig. 5, rectangular protrusions 3, 3...

are disposed in staggered formation, and the space volume between the outer surface of the liquid-collecting pipe 2 and a filter layer 4 (not shown) is not reduced by soil pressure because the size of the protruded portion is very large.

When the protrusioris are in strip form, they may be disposed on the surface of liquid-collecting pipe 2 longitudinally (Fig. 1 and Fig. 5), spirally and obliquely (Fig. 6) or peripherally (Fig. 7). This disposition may be selected optionally depending upon the purpose of construction and the tensile and the compression strengths.

Collection of liquid into a liquidcollecting pipe 2 can be accelerated by providing small through-holes at the pipe wall of a liquid-collecting pipe 2 which can communicate a liquid-conducting way with a liquid way 6.

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show small through-hole 7, 7... provided on the pipe wall of a liquidcollecting pipe 2. The water passing through the filter layer (not shown) flows in the liquid-conducting way and flows into the liquid-collecting pipe 2 through the small through-holes 7, 7..., and the small through-holes are provided among protrusions. However, small through-holes may be provided at the protrusions.

Further, small through-holes may be provided on the liquid-collecting pipes in the other embodiments in the drawing.

Conventional drainage pipes having such small through-holes on the pipe wall suffer from clogging of the through-holes while the drainage pipes according to the present invention are free from such drawbacks as clogging caused by sand and soil because a liquid-conducting way 5 formed by a filter layer and protrusions is present.

Instead of the small through-holes 7, water can be led into the liquid-collecting pipe 2 at the joint portion, and if desired, small through-holes may be provided also.

According to the present invention, the drainage pipes may be long or short, and when they are short, if desired, they may be connected to one another as shown in Fig.

10 and Fig. 11.

Fig. 10A shows butt joint of drainage pipes 1 by using a joint 10. In this case, liquid-conducting ways 5 of both pipes are directly connected and therefore, small through-holes 7 (e.g. in Fig. 8) are necessary to introduce water into a liquid way 6 in the liquid-collecting pipe 2.

Fig. 10C is a cross section of the joint portion of Fig. 10A. Fig. 10B shows an .embodiment of introducing water into the liquid-collecting pipe 5 through the end portions of drainage pipes. A concentric pipe type joint 10' had discontinuous protrusions 11 inside, and in this case, water can be led into a liquid way 6 from a liquidconducting way 5, but it is preferable to provide the small through-holes as well.

Fig. 10D is a cross section of the joint portion of Fig. 10B.

When the joint 10 has a concentric continuous protrusion inside (not shown), small through-holes are necessary to communicate the liquid-conducting way with the liquid way, but even in such case, the small through-holes are dispensable if the cross sectional shape in the longitudinal direction has a curved line 12 in Fig. 10B (assuming that the protrusion 11 is continuous through the protrusions 11 in Fig. 10B are discontinuous ones) and thereby the communication between the liquid-conducting way and the liquid way is not disturbed by the joint.

Instead of the joint members 10 or 10' Figs. 10A and 10B, there may be used a pipe type joint having both reduced ends or both enlarged ends for connection.

It is also possible to connect the drainage pipes without employing any particular joint member. For example, in Fig. 11, a liquidcollecting pipe 2 has an enlarged end portion 7, and the left end of an drainage pipe at the right hand is fitted into the enlarged end portion 7 and thereby a liquidconducting way 5 is communicated with a liquid way in the liquid-collecting pipe 2 at the left hand. Thus, a liquid such as water passes through a filter layer 4 and flows in a liquid-conducting 5 defined by the filter layer 4, the outer surface of the liquid collecting pipe and protrusions 3 and then flows into a liquid way 6 at the enlarged portion 7.

A further example of connecting the drainage pipes of the present invention is that one drainage pipe having no filter layer at the end portion is fitted into a cylindrical filter layer extended from one end of the other drainage pipe.

As mentioned above, the liquidconducting way is communicated with the liquid way inside of the liquid-collecting pipe at the end portion and/or through small through-holes at the pipe wall of the liquidcollecting pipe, and the liquid-collecting efficiency is enhanced.

Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of the present invention which has protrusions 2 disposed in a peripheral direction and having discontinuities 4, and the discontinuities 4 are not uniformly distributed along the periphery, but are present at two particular portions. This type of distribution is convenient for manufacturing the pipe by plastic molding, i.e. for removing separated molds after molding. In other words, a liquid-collecting pipe is firstly shaped and then put between metal molds having discontinuous protrusions on the inside surface while the shaped pipe is still hot and thereby a discontinuous protrusion pattern is formed on the surface of the pipe.In the above procedure, a two-part separable metal mold is usually used and it is preferable to position the discontinuities at two portions to which directions from the axis of the pipe the two metal molds are separated for easy removal. In a similar way, if a mold having three or more separable parts is used, the discontinuities are produced at the portions on the periphery to which directions from the axis of the pipe the separated molds are removed.

The filter layer 4 which captures solid particles such as soil and sands flowing together with underground water and surface water and allows substantially liquid only to pass through, used in the present invention may be a synthetic resin net, a net made of synthetic or natural fibers, a woven cloth, non-woven cloth, a sheet-like material having through-holes produced by a mechanical means, a foamed sheet, or a foamed sheet having small through-holes produced by rupturing foams during the foam shaping, or combination thereof, diameter of the small hole is usually 0.1-5 mm., preferred with 1--2 mm. when produced by rupturing gas bubbles in a foamed sheet.

The filter layer 4 may be disposed around the liquid-collecting pipe having protrusions by simply covering the liquid-collecting pipe or fixed to the top portions of the protrusions. Where both the protrusions and the filter layer are composed of synthetic resins, they can be thermally adhered with each other so that the production, construction and maintenance are easy and sure.

As mentioned above, the liquid-collecting way 5 of the drainage pipe according to the present invention communicates longitudinally as well as peripherally on the outer surface of the liquid-collecting pipe 2 so that the liquid can freely flow to various directions and the flow state is very good.

The protrusions 3 function as ribs for the liquid-collecting pipe so that mechanical strength of the liquid-collecting pipe 2 is enhanced. Where the liquid-collecting pipe 2 and the filter layer 4 are made of synthetic resins, they are light, durable and corrosion resistant. In particular, where they are made of polyolefin, clogging hardly occurs.

The underground drainage pipes according to the present invention can be easily used to construct a secure drainage system without using conventional filter materials such as chaffs, rubbles, and gravels, but if desired, such conventional filter materials may be used together with the drainage pipes of the present invention.

The underground drainage pipe of the present invention may be buried in the ground for facilitating drainage of agricultural fields, lands for housing, damp grounds, playing fields, and tennis courts.

Playing fields and tennis courts can be used in a short time after rain.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A pipe for underground drainage which comprises: (I) a liquid-collecting pipe; (2) a plurality of discontinuous protrusions on the outer surface of the liquid-collecting pipe; (3) a filter layer capable of passic liquids but substantially no solids, the filter layer being disposed around the liquid-collecting pipe and contacting the top portions of the protrusions; and (4) a liquid-conducting space extending both in the longitudinal direction of, and peripherally around the liquid collecting pipe and defined between the protrusions, the outer surface of the liquid-collecting pipe and the inner surface of the filter layer.

2. A pipe according to claim I in which the liquid collecting pipe has small through

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

pipe at the right hand is fitted into the enlarged end portion 7 and thereby a liquidconducting way 5 is communicated with a liquid way in the liquid-collecting pipe 2 at the left hand. Thus, a liquid such as water passes through a filter layer 4 and flows in a liquid-conducting 5 defined by the filter layer 4, the outer surface of the liquid collecting pipe and protrusions 3 and then flows into a liquid way 6 at the enlarged portion 7.

A further example of connecting the drainage pipes of the present invention is that one drainage pipe having no filter layer at the end portion is fitted into a cylindrical filter layer extended from one end of the other drainage pipe.

As mentioned above, the liquidconducting way is communicated with the liquid way inside of the liquid-collecting pipe at the end portion and/or through small through-holes at the pipe wall of the liquidcollecting pipe, and the liquid-collecting efficiency is enhanced.

Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of the present invention which has protrusions 2 disposed in a peripheral direction and having discontinuities 4, and the discontinuities 4 are not uniformly distributed along the periphery, but are present at two particular portions. This type of distribution is convenient for manufacturing the pipe by plastic molding, i.e. for removing separated molds after molding. In other words, a liquid-collecting pipe is firstly shaped and then put between metal molds having discontinuous protrusions on the inside surface while the shaped pipe is still hot and thereby a discontinuous protrusion pattern is formed on the surface of the pipe.In the above procedure, a two-part separable metal mold is usually used and it is preferable to position the discontinuities at two portions to which directions from the axis of the pipe the two metal molds are separated for easy removal. In a similar way, if a mold having three or more separable parts is used, the discontinuities are produced at the portions on the periphery to which directions from the axis of the pipe the separated molds are removed.

The filter layer 4 which captures solid particles such as soil and sands flowing together with underground water and surface water and allows substantially liquid only to pass through, used in the present invention may be a synthetic resin net, a net made of synthetic or natural fibers, a woven cloth, non-woven cloth, a sheet-like material having through-holes produced by a mechanical means, a foamed sheet, or a foamed sheet having small through-holes produced by rupturing foams during the foam shaping, or combination thereof, diameter of the small hole is usually 0.1-5 mm., preferred with 1--2 mm. when produced by rupturing gas bubbles in a foamed sheet.

The filter layer 4 may be disposed around the liquid-collecting pipe having protrusions by simply covering the liquid-collecting pipe or fixed to the top portions of the protrusions. Where both the protrusions and the filter layer are composed of synthetic resins, they can be thermally adhered with each other so that the production, construction and maintenance are easy and sure.

As mentioned above, the liquid-collecting way 5 of the drainage pipe according to the present invention communicates longitudinally as well as peripherally on the outer surface of the liquid-collecting pipe 2 so that the liquid can freely flow to various directions and the flow state is very good.

The protrusions 3 function as ribs for the liquid-collecting pipe so that mechanical strength of the liquid-collecting pipe 2 is enhanced. Where the liquid-collecting pipe

2 and the filter layer 4 are made of synthetic resins, they are light, durable and corrosion resistant. In particular, where they are made of polyolefin, clogging hardly occurs.

The underground drainage pipes according to the present invention can be easily used to construct a secure drainage system without using conventional filter materials such as chaffs, rubbles, and gravels, but if desired, such conventional filter materials may be used together with the drainage pipes of the present invention.

The underground drainage pipe of the present invention may be buried in the ground for facilitating drainage of agricultural fields, lands for housing, damp grounds, playing fields, and tennis courts.

Playing fields and tennis courts can be used in a short time after rain.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A pipe for underground drainage which comprises: (I) a liquid-collecting pipe; (2) a plurality of discontinuous protrusions on the outer surface of the liquid-collecting pipe; (3) a filter layer capable of passic liquids but substantially no solids, the filter layer being disposed around the liquid-collecting pipe and contacting the top portions of the protrusions; and (4) a liquid-conducting space extending both in the longitudinal direction of, and peripherally around the liquid collecting pipe and defined between the protrusions, the outer surface of the liquid-collecting pipe and the inner surface of the filter layer.
2. A pipe according to claim I in which the liquid collecting pipe has small through

holes in its wall whereby the inside of the pipe communicates with the said liquidconducting space.
3. A pipe according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the protrusions are button-like.
4. A pipe according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the protrusions extend discontinuously in the longitudinal direction of the liquid-collecting pipe.
5. A pipe according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the protrusions extend discontinuously in the circumferential direction of the liquid-collecting pipe.
6. A pipe according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the protrusions are discontinuous helical ribs.
7. A pipe according to any preceding claim in which the protrusions are hollow.
8. A pipe according to any preceding claim in which the filter layer is composed of a foamed sheet having gas bubbles therein ruptured to form passages therethrough.
9. A pipe according to any preceding claim wherein the protrusions are integral with the liquid collecting pipe.
10. A pipe for underground drainage substantially as herein described with reference to, or as illustrated in, Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9 or Fig. 12 of the accompanying drawings.