Flexible tubular liner coating system
View Patent ↗Flexible tubular liner coating systems are described herein. A method for coating and forming the flexible tubular inner liner may comprise, in one example, coating at least a first surface of a flexible elongate strip having a first and a second edge and then bringing the first and second edges of the flexible elongate strip into proximity of one another. Once the edges are brought towards one another, they may be joined such that a flexible tubular liner is formed having the coated first surface formed as an inner surface of the flexible tubular liner. Flexible tubular liner coating systems are described herein. A method for coating and forming the flexible tubular inner liner may comprise, in one example, coating at least a first surface of a flexible elongate strip having a first and a second edge and then bringing the first and second edges of the flexible elongate strip into proximity of one another. Once the edges are brought towards one another, they may be joined such that a flexible tubular liner is formed having the coated first surface formed as an inner surface of the flexible tubular liner.
1. An apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by a process comprising the steps of:
coating at least a first surface of a flexible elongate strip having first and second edges;
bringing the first and second edges of the flexible elongate strip into proximity of one another;
joining the first and second edges such that a flexible tubular liner is formed having the coated first surface formed as an inner surface of the flexible tubular liner;
joining said flexible tubular liner with a generally tubular outer sheath to form a liner assembly; and
installing the liner assembly onto an elongate body having a tubular shape defining an internal lumen, wherein the tubular liner extends within the internal lumen and the outer sheath extends over an external surface of the elongate body.
2. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 1 , wherein coating further comprises coating a second surface of the flexible elongate strip.
3. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 1 , wherein coating comprises applying a hydrophilic material upon at least the first surface.
4. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 3 , wherein applying comprises spraying or dip-coating the hydrophilic material upon at least the first surface.
5. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 1 , further comprising irradiating the flexible elongate strip prior to bringing the first and second edges.
6. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 5 , wherein irradiating comprising irradiating the flexible elongate strip with ultraviolet light.
7. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 1 , further comprising heating the flexible elongate strip prior to joining the first and second edges.
8. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 1 , wherein bringing the first and second edges comprises drawing the first and second edges over a mandrel such that the flexible elongate strip transitions into a tubular form.
9. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 8 , further comprising applying a vacuum to the flexible elongate strip to stabilize the first and second edges relative to the mandrel.
10. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 1 , wherein joining comprises fusing the first and second edges in a lap or butt joint.
11. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 1 , wherein joining comprises applying an adhesive film to the first and second edges.
12. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 1 , wherein joining comprises fusing a portion of the first and second edges to one another by applying heat to the portion.
13. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 1 , further comprising cutting the formed flexible tubular liner to length.
14. An apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by a process comprising the steps of:
coating at least a first surface of a flexible elongate strip having first and second edges with a hydrophilic material;
irradiating the flexible elongate strip; drying the flexible elongate strip;
bringing the first and second edges of the flexible elongate strip into proximity of one another;
joining the first and second edges such that a flexible tubular liner is formed having the coated first surface formed as an inner surface of the flexible tubular liner; and
joining said flexible tubular liner with a generally tubular outer sheath to form a liner assembly; and
installing the liner assembly onto an elongate body having a tubular shape defining an internal lumen, wherein the tubular liner extends within the internal lumen and the outer sheath extends over an external surface of the elongate body.
15. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 14 , wherein coating further comprises coating a second surface of the flexible elongate strip.
16. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 14 , wherein coating comprises spraying or dip-coating the hydrophilic material upon at least the first surface.
17. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 14 , wherein irradiating comprises irradiating the flexible elongate strip with ultraviolet light.
18. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 14 , wherein drying comprises passing the flexible elongate strip through an oven.
19. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 14 , wherein bringing the first and second edges comprises drawing the first and second edges over a mandrel such that the flexible elongate strip transitions into a tubular form.
20. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 19 , further comprising applying a vacuum to the flexible elongate strip to stabilize the first and second edges relative to the mandrel.
21. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 14 , wherein joining comprises fusing the first and second edges in a lap or butt joint.
22. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 14 , wherein joining comprises applying an adhesive film to the first and second edges.
23. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 14 , wherein joining comprises fusing a portion of the first and second edges to one another by applying heat to the portion.
24. The apparatus having a liner assembly prepared by the process comprising the steps of claim 14 , further comprising cutting the formed flexible tubular liner to length.