摘要 |
An apparatus and method primarily intended for repairing pipes and conduits, particularly high-pressure pipes and conduits, such as a watermain. To prevent the creation of a gap between a repair sleeve and the inside of a host pipe, when an epoxy or other curable sealant is used, due to the slight rebound that occurs during the locking of the edges of the sleeve, a bubble gasket or a quantity of loose bubbles is used. During such rebound and locking of the edges of the repair sleeve, the bubbles maintain a force against the sealant as the sealant cures. Although conduit repair is an intended specific application of the invention, the apparatus and method of the invention has broader applicability and are contemplated to encompass the securing of a curable sealant to a surface and the general bonding of two surfaces together.
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