MXPA00000394A - An improved cup or disc for use as a part of a pipeline pig - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved cup (14, 16) for use as a part of a pipeline pig is in the form of an elastomeric cup member having an outer circumferential pipe engaging portion defined by a plurality of at least three closely spaced apart integral circumferential lip portions (66), the lip portions being separately flexible with respect to each other and each of the lip portions having a length that is at least twice its thickness. The multiple-lip cup may be removably attached to a pipeline pig body or be made integral with an elastomeric pipe pig body.

Description

DESCRIPTION D gs, INVENTION This application claims the benefit and incorporates by reference the previously filed Provisional Application No. 60 / 052,602 filed on July 15, 1997, entitled "Multi-lip Cup or Disc for Use On a Pipeline Pie". This request is not referenced in any microfiche appendix. I. Field of the invention. This invention relates to conduit scrapers for use in filling or emptying conduits, for efficient cleaning of the interior of the conduits, for the control of internal corrosion and for the separation of fluid and joint. Particularly, the invention relates to a type of rubber brush cup for use as part of a conduit scraper. II. Description of the Prior Art. The use of the apparatus that is moved through the fluid flow in the interior is well known and is often referred to as a "Conduit Scraper". The terms "Duct scraper" or simply "Scraper" are commonly used in industries. The scrapers are used during the construction of ducts as well as during the operational life of the ducts. Some operators run the scrapers through their ducts on a scheduled basis. Conduit scrapers are essential for effectively filling or emptying a conduit, for efficiently cleaning the inner wall of a conduit, for internal corrosion control, for fluid separation and for pooling fluids within the conduits. For general information such as the application and use of conduit scrapers, reference can be made to the articles entitled "Fundamentáis of Pipeline Pigging", authored by Burt Vernooy, which appears in Pippeline Industry, September / Octube 1980, published by Gulf Publishing Company of Houston, Texas. For background information regarding conduit scrapers of the type to which the present invention relates, reference may be made to the following issued United States Patents: A & amp; & amp; & amp; amp; j £ '¿% < is *. The invention relates to a multi-edged cup, which may also be referred to as a squeegee-type cup for use as part of a duct scraper. A typical conduit scraper includes, in one embodiment, a longitudinal body of external diameter substantially smaller than the internal diameter of the conduit where it is intended to be used. The longitudinal body, which is commonly made of metal, has an anterior and a posterior end. A first wall coupling structure The interior of the duct is connected to the body adjacent to the front end and a second, lower duct wall coupling structure is fixed to the body adjacent the rear end. By "Interior wall coupling structure of conduit" is meant a device that makes contact with the lower wall of the conduit and centrally supports the scraper body inside the conduit. At least one of the wall coupling structures must be of a type that seals or at least substantially seals against the inner wall of the conduit so that the flow of fluids, whether liquid or gas, will move the scraper to **, * - ^ through the interior of the conduit, ie, the conduit scraper of the type to which the present invention refers moves only by the force of the liquid or gas force through the conduit. At least one of the wall coupling structures of a conduit scraper of this invention is in the form of a rubber brush cup, ie, an elastomeric member having an inner portion through which it is sanded to a longitudinal body and a circumferential conduit wall coupling portion, which is defined by a plurality of integral circumferential flange portions. The integral flange portions include at least three separate integral circumferential flanges that are separately flexible with respect to each other, each of the flange portions have a radial length that is at least twice its thickness. Another embodiment of the invention is a conduit scraper having a body portion and conduit inner wall coupling structures that are integrally formed of elastomeric materials. In this integral elastomeric design, the outer circumferential portions of at least one wall engaging portion, either in the form of a cup or a disc, have a plurality of integral wall-to-wall circumferential conduit flanges. The essence of this invention is a duct scraper, cup or disk formed of an elastomeric material such as plastic, the plastic urethane type being preferred, having a highly flexible circumferential part closely spaced from the rims which function as circumferential rubber rubbers against the wall of the duct through which the scraper passes. The ridges have sufficient flexibility to flex when an object extending into the conduit is found. Circumferential or longitudinal welded beads, encrustation areas and teeth are common types of objects found in a conduit. A more complete understanding of the invention will be obtained from the following description of the preferred embodiments and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an isometric view of a duct scraping using the rubber brush cups of the invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an external portion of an elastomeric cup of typical type for use herein, the cup being supported to a conduit scraper body (not A fragmentary portion of a side wall shows a weld bead This view illustrates the relationship between a cup of a type of the present dimension as passing through a circumferential weld bead Figure 2 is representative of the prior art Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of a circumferential weld. A conduit wall having a longitudinal weld seam. Shown in cross section is finds the outer circumferential portion of an elastomeric cup that is part of a conduit scraper as in Figure 2. The deflection of the cup sealing surface by the longitudinal weld bead is illustrated. Figure 3 is representative of the prior art. Figure 4 is a side elevational view, shown partially cut away from a squeegee type cup illustrating the principles of this invention. Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view enlarges the rubber brush cup of Figure 4. Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the cross section of a wall of a conduit having a circumferential weld bead, as shown in Figure 2, and showing the squeegee cup of this invention as previously illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 6 shows that the squeegee cup of this invention maintains improved seal contact with the pipe side wall when a circumferential weld is passed through. Figure 7 shows a fragmentary section of a conduit in a transverse view taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conduit and shows a longitudinal weld bead as illustrated in Figure 3. This figure shows in cross-section one of the plurality of circumferential flanges of the squeegee cup of this invention, the circumferential rim having a high degree of flexibility, illustrating that the leakage path caused by the longitudinal weld is substantially reduced by the use of the squeegee cup. Figure 8 is an elevation view, partially shown in cross section, of a disc formed of elastomeric material, the disc having a plurality of circumferential ridges that perform the function of a rubber brush when the disc is used in a conduit scraper . Figure 9 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of a section of the squeegee-type disc of Figure 8; Figure 10 is an external elevation view of a different embodiment of a duct scraper; & , - includes the principles of this invention. While Figure 1 illustrates a duct scraper having a central longitudinal body, typically made of metal such as steel, Figure 10 is an illustration of a mode of a scraper wherein the scraper body and the cups are integrally formed of a scraper body. elastomeric material. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is an external view in elevation as 10 Fig. 10 but showing a conduit scraper made of an elastomeric material in accordance with Figs. where the discs are integrally formed with the scraping body, each of the discs having on its outer circumferential surface a plurality of ridges. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Figure 12. A multi-flange cup or disc is provided for use in a device (Duct Scraper), which is passed through of a conduit, the conduit having a cylindrical internal wall. The multi-flange cup or disc maintains an effective seal as the device passes through the conduit due to its numerous flexible sealing flanges. The multi-flange cup or disc seals more effectively against the inner wall of a conduit than existing conventional cups and discs. During the process of filling or emptying a conduit when converting a conduit from one fluid product to another, when two different fluid products separate as they travel through a conduit, when a conduit dries it is important to use a scraper of conduit that has effective sealing capabilities. Conventional cups or discs (see Figures 2 and 3) sometimes do not seal effectively and particularly when there is a protrusion in the duct hole. The multi-flange cups or discs of this description (Figures 1 and 4 through 9) employ numerous flexible sealing flanges and more effectively maintains a seal in both a soft inner tubing, as in the area of projections in the holes of the pipe (see Figures 6 and 7). In manufacturing a cup employing the principles of this invention, it is important that a plurality of separate, circumferential ridges be employed. The width or thickness of the circumferential flanges can be approximately 0.476 cm (3/16") and the width of the grooves typically can be approximately 0.476 cm (3/16"), with the depth of the grooves and, therefore, , the radial length of the circumferential and integral flanges being several times the width of the flanges. As an example, • u, "" -fe - * - * when the ridges have a width of approximately 0.476 cm. (3/16"), the depth of the grooves and, therefore, the radial height of the integral flanges can be approximately 1.58 cm (5/8"). The number of slots, and therefore the number of circumferential ridges may vary from few, such as three or four, to a much larger number, such as 10, 12 or more, depending on the length of the cup or disc as customized. that the length is measured in a plane of the longitudinal axis of the conduit scraper where the cup is joined. The depth of the grooves should be sufficient to create a high degree of flexibility of the circumferential ridges but not so great that it strips the ridges of sufficient elasticity to securely engage the inner circumferential surface of the conduit where the cup is used. Although the drawings illustrate cups and disc of multiple flanges wherein the grooves and thus the integral circumferential flanges extend radially of the circumferential axis of the cup, the concept of this invention is not limited. That is, the grooves that form the circumferential ridges can be at an angle greater or less than 90 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cup or disc. ^^^ *? ~ l & The invention relates to elastomeric cups used in pipe scrapers. By "elastomeric" is meant a material that have elasticity for deflection. The materials used in the manufacture of 5 discs or multiple flange cups of the type described herein are urethane or plastic materials with similar properties. Figure 1 shows a typical type of duct scraper that is equipped with cups employing the 10 principles of this invention, the typical duct scraper includes a longitudinal body 10 that can be of various shapes and configurations, the body has structures and supports through which they are kept inside a conduit. The support structures ideally maintain the longitudinal axis 12 of the body 10 substantially coincident with the cylindrical axis of the conduit where the scraper travels. The structures that support the scraper body 10 concentrically within the conduit may include scrapers, rollers or the like, however, in the embodiment as illustrated in Figure 1, the front and rear structures 14 and 16 are in the form of elastomeric cups. The cups forming the anterior and posterior structures 14 and 16 of Figure 1 are cups of the squeegee type, ie cups with multiple ridges that The present invention incorporates the principles of this invention and will be described in detail below. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a conduit wall 18 having an inner circumferential surface 20. The conduit 18 is of the most common type used in conduit construction, where the longitudinal conduit sections 18 and 18a are welded butt, ie, where adjacent sections are joined end-to-end through circumferential welds 22. To ensure complete duct strength, the welds 22 typically include an inner circumferential bead 24 that regularly exits toward the interior cylindrical surface. of the conduit. In Figure 2, a conventional elastomeric cup 26 is illustrated in cross section. The conventional cup 26 typically has an internal portion 28 that extends radially, i.e., is geometrically configured to be emulated to the body of a scraper, such as a body 10 of Figure 1. Extending from the inner portion 20 is a portion frustoconical cup 30, and beyond there is a conical cup portion 30, an outer portion 32 that provides a circumferential surface of pipe wall coupling 34. In Figure 2, the surface 34 is shown as being slightly displaced from the interior pipe wall 28 by the weld bead 24, showing that a recess 36 can be temporarily created when a standard design cup encounters an internal circumferential weld bead in a conduit. Figure 3 is a cross section of a conduit of the type in which a section of pipe is formed by folding a longitudinal sheet 38 of steel so that the edges or posts 40a or 40b are adjacent to each other. The opposite edges are welded together with a longitudinal weld seam 42 to form a section of pipes. The weld seam inevitably provides a longitudinal interior bead 44. The outer portion 46 of an elastomeric cup has a circumferential surface 48 that is flexed inwardly at 50 through the bead 44 producing leak passages 52. FIGS. 3 are not intended to be literally accurate as they have been made from actual measurements of cups in a conduit but diagrammatically illustrate the characteristics of the typical elastomeric cup in current use, when the cups contact the pearls of internal longitudinal circumferential welds. That is, Figures 2 and 3 are illustrative of the problems that may exist with the use of an elastomeric cup typically available in a conduit having welded seams. ÍS The improved cup of this invention is best illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 where it will now be referred to. The basic structural configuration of the cup of Figures 4 and 5 is substantially the same as the prior art cup shown in Figure 2. The cup is integrally formed of elastomeric material, such as urethane, and includes a radially extending portion. central 54 which typically has a large diameter opening 56 therein to facilitate mounting the cup to a conduit scraper body. Integrally extending from the radial portion 54 is a frusto-conical portion 58 and an external working portion of the cup indicated with the number 60. Shaped on the outer circumferential tubing wall engagement surface of the outer portion 60 is a plurality of separate circumferential flanges. In the illustrated arrangement, there is an anterior flange 62, a rear flange 64 and several intermediate flanges 66. Between the adjacent flanges are circumferential spaces 68. In the preferred arrangement, the width of the intermediate flanges 66 and the width of the flanges 68 It is approximately the same although this relationship can vary. For example, in Figure 5, the width of the flanges 66 is slightly greater than the width of the spaces 68.

The essence of the invention is a "squeegee" type cup, that is, a cup of elastomeric material having on its outer peripheral working surface a plurality of flexible, closely spaced circumferential flanges, spaced apart through spaces circumferential By "plurality" is meant a minimum of at least three closely spaced integral flanges with a minimum of two circumferential spaces separating the three flanges. However, in the preferred embodiment, more than three ridges are employed. To achieve the intended results of this invention, the integral circumferential flanges must be of relatively narrow width, the measurement being measured parallel to a cylindrical shaft 70, as seen in Figure 4. The width of the circumferential flanges is preferably is at least about 0.3175 cm (1/8") and not more than 0.635 cm (1/4"), however, if the cup is of a very large diameter, such as 0.9144-1.2192 m (3 -4 feet) or greater, the height of the integral flanges and the width of the flanges can be increased. The height of the flanges is measured from the bottom of the grooves 68 towards the outer pipe contact edge of the flanges, the height being indicated by the number 72 in Figure 5. The height 72 of the flanges is a multiple of the width of the flanges. For example, if a flange is a width or thickness of 0.3175 cm (1/8"), the height 72 of the flange should be at least 0.635 cm (1/4") but, preferably, a multiple of at least less three to four times the width of the flanges. In this way, a flange with a width of 0.3175 cm (1/8") must have a height of at least approximately 0.9525 (3/8") or 1.27 cm (1/2"). The squeegee cup described in Figures 4 and 5 are shown in Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 shows the action of the squeegee cup compared to that of the prior art cup of Figure 2. As seen in Figure 6, all the circumferential flanges are in contact with the cylindrical pipe wall 20 except for one of the circumferential intermediate flanges 66, which is bent by the bead 24. This shows that even when an internal circumferential bead passes , regular, the squeegee cup can continue to maintain a full seal of the periphery of the cup with the cylindrical pipe wall 20. That is, when the squeegee cup passes an object over the inside of the pipe wall , such as an incrustation, indentation , etc., that is, of a longitudinal dimension smaller than the full width of the cup then not all circumferential ridges are flexed at the same time so that unless the obstruction or indentation is of a longitudinal length greater than the width of the entire cup contact surface a better seal is maintained between the cup on the wall of pipe. Figure 7 shows a squeegee cup of Figures 4 and 5 running along a longitudinal weld. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view formed through an external cup portion 60 and through a circumferential space 68 and shows the rear part of a circumferential rim 66. The bottom of a space is indicated by the circumferential line 74, while the outer circumferential edge of a circumferential rim 66 is indicated by the line 76. The outer edge 76 is slightly bent inwardly through the inner bead 44, the deflection inward being indicated by the number 78 to cause leakage paths small 80. The leak paths 80 are in principle equal to the leak paths 52 of Figure 3, except that due to the much greater flexibility of the circumferential ridges, the inward deflection caused by the longitudinal weld bead 44 produces trajectories significantly reduced or no leakage 80 depending on the actual contour of the longitudinal bead compared to the commonly used elastomeric cup coming out of the much larger leakage paths 52 as seen in Figure 3. In this way, although the squeegee cup necessarily can not completely seal the inside of a conduit against longitudinal defects, however, the highly increased flexibility of the circumferential flanges serves to reduce or eliminate the leak paths. Figure 1 is an illustration of a duct scraper in which two of the cups as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 are used to complete the scraper. Metal plates 82 of diameter essentially equal to the diameter of the radial cup portion 54 are used to mount the cups to the conduit scraper body. Pearls 84 are spread through the plates 82 and through the openings 86 in the cups as seen in Figure 5 to join the cups to the duct scraper body. The specific form of joining the cup is not part of this invention, since the construction of the pipe scraper is well known in the art. In reality, the cups can be an integral part of the scraper body where the body and cups are in one piece and made of an elastomeric material. Figures 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment of the invention in the form of a disc instead of a cup. A disc, generally indicated with the number 88, is a unitary member formed of elastomeric material such as US. rubber or plastic, specifically including urethane, and includes a radial front surface 90 and a rear surface 92. The pipe scraper discs typically have a central opening 94 providing means through which they are supported to a scraper body, and the pins they are received through the openings 96, however, the central opening 94 and the bolt opening 96 can vary considerably and other geometric arrangements can be employed through which a disc 88 supported to a scraping body structure. The distinctive aspect of the disc 88 of Figures 8 and 9 is the plurality of flexible, closely spaced integral circumferential ridges, including the anterior flange 98, rear flange 100 and intermediate flange 102, the embodiment illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 showing four of these intermediate flanges 102. The flanges are closely spaced from one another by spaces 104, the spaces having a bottom edge 106 and the flanges having a uniform top surface 108. The flanges 98, 100 and 102 of the disk elastomeric member as employed in a Conduit scraper have the same purposes, functions and advantages as described for the squeegee cup illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. The circumferential ridges are of a sufficient length to be highly flexible and are multiple, ie the «" ^ A-r.rTsai ». 2? disc of Figures 8 and 9, to achieve the purpose of this invention, should be a number of 3 (and preferably more). The ridges are spaced apart through circumferential spaces 104 with the height of the ridges being a multiple of the thickness of the ridges, all as described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. A disc of Figs. 8 and 9 substantially operates from the Same manner as the cup of FIGS. 4 and 5 to provide a squeegee type member, which closely adheres to the inner circumferential wall of a conduit to obtain an improved effectiveness of the sealing contact between the disc and the wall. internal conduit. The term "cups" is used in this description and is inclusive of a disc so that the term "cups" means any elastomeric member configured to be used on or as part of a duct scraper having an outer circumferential surface formed through a plurality of highly flexible, closely spaced integral circumferential ridges. Referring to Figures 10 and 11, an alternative embodiment of the invention was illustrated. While Figure 1 illustrates a duct scraper having an anterior and a posterior cup and a longitudinal body typically made of metal, such as steel, to which the cups are removably attached, Figures 10 and 11 show the S & ^ - ^ ^ OS? Hr embodiment wherein the cups and the scraper body are integrally formed of elastomeric material. The elastomeric body is indicated number 110. Extending integral from the body 110 are the separate cups 112, 114 and 116. Each of the cups is inclined rearwardly relative to the scraper body 110, the front end of the scraper body being indicated with the number 118 and the back end with the number 120. Each of the cups 112, 114 and 116 have on their outer circumferential surface a plurality of separate flexible integral rims, generally indicated with the number 122. The rims are configured using the general principles illustrated and described in detail with respect to Figures 4 to 7. The body of integral scraper 10 has at the front end 118 an integral edge portion 124 having a side opening 126 therethrough, a common practice with integral elastomeric scrapers. In addition, the scraper body 110 has a central depression 129, the main function of which is to reduce the weight of the elastomeric scraper and the amount of elastomeric material required for its construction. The elastomeric scraper of Figures 10 and 11 work in the same manner to produce the same results as the scraper shown in Figure 1 that \ B it uses cups as illustrated and is described in Figures 4 to 7, the only important difference being that in the embodiment of Figure 1, the cups are removably attached to a scraper body, while in Figures 10 and 11 the cups they are integral with an elastomeric scraper body. Figures 12 and 13 show a further alternative embodiment of the invention, similar to Figures 10 and 11, except that in Figures 12 and 13, the scraper has radially extended, integral discs. Specifically, Figures 12 and 13 show an elastomeric scraper body 130 having three radially extended integral disk portions 132, 134 and 136, each of the disk portions having on its outer circumferential surface a plurality of separate circumferential flange functions, flexible, integral indicated with the number 138, the flange portions being the same as those illustrated and described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. The difference between the discs as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 and the integral scraper of the Figures 12 and 13 is that the integral scraper does not use removable or replaceable discs, however, the function of the discs is the same. The conduit scraper of Figures 12 and 13 has an edge function 140 and a central depression 142 2 substantially the same as Figures 10 and 11 and these have the same purposes. In this way, Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13 show that the invention can be practiced with cups or 5 integral discs or with removable cups or discs. Since in the illustration of Figure 1 two cups are used and in Figures 10 to 13 three cups or discs are used indicating that the number of cups or discs used in a scraper is not a material of the invention. Specifically, in any As an embodiment of an integral or separable scraper body, the number of cups is not material since at least one cup has an outer circumferential peripheral surface formed of a plurality of individually flexible integral circumferential flange portions, closely separated. The claims and the specification describe the presented invention and the terms that are employed in the claims present their meaning from the use of such terms in the specification. The same Terms used in the prior art may be more varied in meaning than what is specifically employed herein. Any question between the broader definition of such terms used in the prior art and the more specific use of the terms herein, means a more specific description.

-OR**""? .yes? 1 *.

Although the invention has been described with some degree of particularity, it is manifested that many changes can be made in the details and construction and arrangement of the components without departing from the spirit and scope of this description. It is understood that the invention is limited to the modalities set forth herein for purposes of illustration, but can only be limited by the scope of the appended claims, including the full scale of equivalence to which each element is entitled.

SK ^ H

Claims (23)

1. CLAIMS 1. An improved cup for use as part of a conduit scraper providing a squeegee action in a conduit, characterized in that it comprises an elastomeric member having an outer circumferential conduit wall coupling portion having a plurality of at least three portions of integral circumferential flanges closely spaced each having a flange thickness, the integral flange portions being separately flexible with respect to each other, each flange portion. having a radial length which is at least twice its thickness and the flange portions each having a substantially uniform thickness across its radial length and ending at the circumferential cylindrical edge of external conduit coupling of width substantially equal to the thickness substantially uniform.
2. 2. The improved cup for use as part of a conduit scraper according to claim 1, characterized in that the ridges are spaced at a distance of approximately the thickness of the flange.
3. 3. The improved cup for use as part of a conduit scraper according to claim 1, characterized in that the cup is cylindrical and has a cylindrical shaft and wherein the ridges extend substantially radially of the cylindrical shaft.
4. 4. The improved cup for use as part of a conduit scraper according to claim 1, characterized in that a conduit scraper, for which the cup can be used, has a direction of travel in a conduit and each portion of The circumferential shoulder flexes in a direction opposite to the direction of the pipe scraper of the path in a pipe.
5. The improved cup for use as part of a conduit scraper according to claim 1, characterized in that the cup has a central portion and an integral intermediate portion of generally frusto-conical configuration integral with the outer circumferential conduit wall coupling portion. .
6. 6. The improved cup for use as part of a conduit scraper according to claim 1, characterized in that the cup is in the form of a disk having a central portion, an integral intermediate portion extending radially of the central portion and the outer circumferential duct wall coupling portion having the plurality of closely spaced integral circumferential flange portions.
7. f. "7.
8. The improved cup for use as part of a conduit scraper according to claim 6, characterized in that the central portion, the intermediate portion and the external portion are all substantially of equal length.
9. The improved cup according to claim 1, characterized in that the duct scraper includes a duct scraper body and wherein the cup is configured to be removably attached to the duct scraper body. with claim 5, characterized in that the duct scraper includes a duct scraper body and wherein the central cup portion is configured for removable attachment to the duct scraper body 10.
10. The improved cup according to claim 6 , characterized in that the duct scraper includes a duct scraper body and wherein the central portion is configured for the oar joint Vible to the conduit scraper body.
11. The improved cup according to claim 1, characterized in that the duct scraper includes a duct scraper body wherein the cup is integrally formed with the duct scraper body.
12. 12. The improved cup according to claim 5, wherein the duct scraper includes a duct scraper body and wherein the central portion is integrally formed as part of the duct scraper body.
13. 13. The improved cup according to claim 6, characterized in that the duct scraper includes a duct scraper body and wherein the central portion is integrally formed as part of the duct scraper body.
14. 14. An improved scraper that provides a squeegee action for use and that has a direction of travel within a duct characterized in that it comprises: a longitudinal body having a front end and a rear end; a first inner wall coupling structure of conduit adjacent to the front end of the body; a second inner wall coupling structure of conduit adjacent to the rear end of the body, such first and second wall coupling structures serving at least in part to support the body within a conduit, at least one of the coupling structures of wall being an elastomeric cup member of an elastomeric cup having a circumferential conduit wall coupling portion having a plurality of at least three portions of integral circumferential flanges, closely spaced, each having a flange thickness, the portions of integral flanges being separately flexible with respect to each other, each flange portion having a radial length that is at least twice its thickness, and the flange portions each having a substantially uniform thickness across its radial length and ending in a cylindrical circumferential edge of coupling _ of outer duct of width substantially equal to substantially uniform thickness.
15. 15. The improved scraper according to claim 14, characterized in that the internal flange portions are spaced a distance of approximately the thickness of the flange.
16. 16. The improved scraper according to claim 14, characterized in that the longitudinal body has a longitudinal axis and wherein the flange portions of the elastomeric cup member portions extend substantially radially of the longitudinal axis.
17. 17. The improved scraper according to claim 14, characterized in that each flange portion is bent in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the scraper of the conduit.
18. 18. The improved scraper according to claim 14, characterized in that the elastomeric cup has a central portion configured for the removable attachment of the longitudinal body.
19. The improved scraper according to claim 14, characterized in that the elastomeric cup is at least substantially in the form of a disk having a central portion, an integral intermediate portion extending radially of the central portion and an outer portion. integral circumferential having a plurality of integral, closely spaced circumferential flange portions.
20. 20. The improved scraper according to claim 19, characterized in that the central portion, the intermediate portion and the external portion all have a substantially equal length.
21. 21. The improved scraper according to claim 14, characterized in that the elastomeric cup member is removably attached to the longitudinal body.
22. 22. The improved scraper according to claim 19, characterized in that the central portion of

    1 ** elastomeric cup is configured for the removable connection to the longitudinal body.
23. 23. The improved scraper according to claim 14, wherein the cup is integrally formed with the longitudinal body.