MODULAR PIPE FORMATION APPARATUS

1 - 36 . (canceled)

37 . A modular plastic pipe formation apparatus comprising:

a plurality of modules, wherein each module is configured as a transport container having opposite ends and has at least one component of the pipe formation apparatus located therein;

the plurality of components disposed within the modules are adjustable in position and/or angle; and

locks configured to lock adjacent modules when drawn together in close proximity with respective ends adjoining;

wherein the plurality of modules are aligned for pipe formation when the modules are locked together and the modules are adjusted in position and/or angle.

38 . A modular plastic pipe formation apparatus according to claim 37 , wherein one of the plurality of modules comprises a plastic extruder, a plastic raw material dryer and a die head.

39 . A modular plastic pipe formation apparatus according to claim 37 , wherein the plurality of modules are adapted to be coupled to each other in use, and decoupled from each other during transportation of the apparatus.

40 . A modular plastic pipe formation apparatus according to claim 37 , wherein at least one of the plurality of modules comprises:

a standardised shipping container or a standardised shipping container that has been modified for use in the apparatus; or

a container or supporting framework for use in the apparatus and having at least some of the features of a standardised shipping container to facilitate its transportation.

41 . A modular plastic pipe formation apparatus according to claim 37 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism configured to closely position the adjacent modules prior to locking them together.

42 . A modular plastic pipe formation apparatus according to claim 37 , further comprising external supports for supporting respective modules, wherein the external supports comprise adjustable jacks to adjust the position and/or angle of the supported module.

43 . A modular plastic pipe formation apparatus according to claim 42 , wherein the external supports further comprise piles for securing into underlying ground.

44 . A modular plastic pipe formation apparatus according to claim 37 , wherein the position and/or angle of a component at one module is adjustable with respect to its module.

45 . A modular plastic pipe formation apparatus according to claim 37 , further comprising a reference laser beam to aid in alignment of the at least one component and/or a module in the plurality of modules.

46 . A pipe formation system comprising a modular plastic pipe formation apparatus according to claim 37 , and further comprising a transporter for conveying the modules of the apparatus to and from a pipe production site, with the modular plastic pipe forming apparatus and transporter together providing a mobile pipe formation system.

47 . A pipe formation system according to claim 46 , further comprising a coiler for receiving and coiling pipe formed by the pipe formation apparatus.

48 . A pipe formation system according to claim 46 , further comprising pipe trailers for transporting pipe to a pipe laying site.

49 . A pipe formation system according to claim 46 , further comprising a power generation unit.

50 . A pipe formation system according to claim 46 , further comprising a chilling unit for providing a closed circuit cooling water supply to a cooling tank component of the pipe forming apparatus.

51 . A method of forming plastic pipe, using a modular plastic pipe formation apparatus that comprises a plurality of modules supporting components of the pipe formation apparatus, the method comprising:

arranging the plurality of modules in a predetermined manner at a production site, wherein each module is configured as a transport container having opposite ends;

arranging two or more respective components of the pipe formation apparatus;

supplying the plastic pipe formation apparatus with plastic raw materials;

locking the modules together with adjacent ends adjoining; and

aligning the components of the plastic formation apparatus to enable pipe formation.

52 . A method of manufacturing plastic pipe according to claim 51 , wherein the components are aligned using a laser for determining the position of the components and then, as necessary, adjusting alignment of the components.

53 . A method of establishing a mobile plastic pipe manufacturing site that is adapted to locate a modular plastic pipe formation apparatus that comprises a plurality of modules supporting components of the pipe formation apparatus, the method comprising:

transporting the modules to the site, wherein each module is configured as a transport container having opposite ends;

arranging the modules in a predetermined manner at the site;

locking the modules together with adjacent ends adjoining;

aligning the components of the plastic formation apparatus to enable pipe formation;

supplying raw materials, power and water to the plastic pipe formation apparatus; and

forming plastic pipe.

54 . A method according to claim 53 , wherein the modules and the components are initially configured in a transportable state, with the method further comprising configuring the components and modules to a production state after the step of transporting the modules to the production site.

55 . A method according to claim 53 , wherein after plastic pipe manufacturing at the production site has ceased, the modular plastic pipe formation apparatus is relocated and set up at a second production site, with the method then comprising;

unlocking the modules;

configuring the components and modules to a transportable state;

transporting the modules from the production site to the second production site;

positioning the modules in a predetermined manner;

coupling the modules together with adjacent ends adjoining;

supplying raw materials, power and water to the plastic pipe formation apparatus; and

manufacturing plastic pipe.