NL2036843B1

NL2036843B1 - Cover cap for a tube end

Info

Publication number: NL2036843B1
Application number: NL2036843A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Pieter Van Der Horst Jazz
Original assignee: Druppeltje B V
Priority date: 2024-01-19
Filing date: 2024-01-19
Publication date: 2025-07-28

Abstract

Title: Cover cap for a tube end Abstract A cover cap (100) for covering an opening (202) of a tube (204) at a tube end (206), the cover cap comprising: - a base (102); - an inner skirt (104) protruding away from the base, wherein the inner skirt is arranged to be inserted through the opening; and - an outer skirt (106) protruding away from the base, whereby the outer skirt surrounds the inner skirt at least partially, and wherein the outer skirt is arranged to surround the tube at the tube end.

Description

P136307NL00

Title: Cover cap for a tube end

TECHNICAL FIELD

The aspects and embodiments thereof relate to field of covering ends of tubing, in particular tubing used for plumbing.

BACKGROUND

At constructions sites, parts of plumbing tubes may be installed prior to casting the tubes into concrete. To prevent concrete, debris, or other matter from accidentally entering the tubes, openings into the tubes are covered. If the openings are not covered, the matter entering the tubes may clog the tubes.

In a known method of casting a tube in concrete, a cover cap with a single skirt protruding from a base is placed with the skirt into the tube through the opening in the tube. As such, the base can prevent foreign matter such as concrete from entering the tube through the opening.

SUMMARY

It has been observed that the known cover cap may be difficult to remove after the concrete has been cast. Further, it has been observed that when the level of the cast concrete exceeds specification, the tube with the cap can be entirely covered in concrete. This makes it extremely difficult to find the location of the tube, and it requires hardened concrete to be removed to allow access to the opening of the tube again. Furthermore, it has been observed that an impact force onto the known cover cap can be transferred to the tube in which it is positioned, in particular when the concrete in which the tube is cast has not yet fully set.

The present disclosure aims to provide for devices and methods for covering openings into ends of tubes, in particular at a construction site,

further in particular at a construction site where the tubes are casted into concrete, which alleviate one or more problems with the known cover cap.

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a cover cap for covering an opening of a tube at a tube end. The cover cap comprises a base, an inner skirt protruding away from the base, and an outer skirt protruding away from the base. In use, the inner skirt may be inserted through the opening and the inner skirt is as such arranged to inserted through the opening of the tube. Preferably, the outer skirt surrounds the inner skirt at least partially. It will be appreciated that the inner skirt and the outer skirt preferably protrude from a same side of the base, which side in use typically faces towards the tube, in particular towards the opening.

In the present disclosure, to cover the opening of the tube may imply that it may be essentially prevented that debris, dust, dirt, and/or liquid concrete can enter the tube through the opening.

The outer skirt is arranged to surround the tube at the tube end.

As such, in use, preferably an annular space is formed between the tube and the outer skirt. A volume of air may in use be trapped in at least part of the annular space, and the volume of air can prevent liquid concrete from reaching at least part of the part of the tube surrounded by the outer skirt.

A skirt may be generally defined as a thin-walled hollow cylindrically shaped element. Thin-walled may imply that the wall thickness is significantly smaller than a radius of the skirt, for example at least 2 times, 5 times, or even 10 times smaller.

In the context of the present disclosure, a tube may be formed by one or more tube sections. The tube sections may be interconnected to form a

Liquid-tight and/or air-tight tube, through which for example water such as waste water may be transported. A tube and/or tube section may be at least partially straight and/or at least partially curved. For example, a tube may comprise an essentially vertical section with the tube end, an essentially horizontal section, and a curved section interconnecting the vertical section and the horizontal section. Any essentially horizontal section may be at a small angle relative to horizontal, for example at most 5 degrees or at most 2 degrees, to allow for a flow of liquid by virtue of gravity.

The opening of the tube is preferably but not necessarily formed in an essentially vertical tube section, and is oriented essentially horizontally and/or perpendicular to a centreline of the tube. The cover cap may be used to prevent contaminants, such as dirt, construction materials, and/or concrete, from entering the tube through the opening, when the inner skirt of the cover cap is inserted through the opening.

The tube end is defined as the outer end of tube surrounding the opening. The tube end may comprise an end face.

When the outer wall of the inner skirt is at least partially tapered towards a centreline of the cover cap, the inner skirt may be inserted into the tube more conveniently. In a cross-sectional view, the outer wall of the inner skirt may resemble a trapezoid shape.

Preferably, the inner skirt surrounds a hollow pocket. This may allow the inner skirt to deform, elastically and/or plastically, inwards — i.e. towards a centreline of the inner skirt.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the inner skirt protrudes further away from the base than the outer skirt. This allows the inner skirt to be at least partially inserted into the tube, while for example a majority of the outer skirt is positioned above the tube end. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the inner skirt may determine at what distance the base or any other optional part of the cover cap, such as a handle, may protrude furthest from the opening. An increase in the furthest distance between part of the cover cap and the opening in the tube may allow for a higher level of concrete to be poured around the tube, without risking to completely submerge the cover cap in concrete. A part of the cover cap positioned above the level of concrete may be used to quickly visually identify the location of the cover cap — and thus the location of the tube end below the concrete level.

For example, the inner skirt may protrude at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 75% or even more than 100% further away from the base than the outer skirt. For any cover cap, a distal end of the inner skirt may protrude between 20 mm and 80 mm, in particular between 30 mm and 60 mm, more in particular between 35 mm and 50 mm from the base. Additionally, or alternatively, for any cover cap, in any combination with the mentioned dimensions for the inner skirt, a distal end of the outer skirt may protrude between 25 mm and 150 mm, in particular between 50 mm and 100 mm, further in particular between 70 mm and 80 mm from the base. Additionally, or alternatively, for any cover cap, in any combination with the mentioned dimensions for the inner skirt and/or outer skirt, the base may have an outer diameter between 50 mm and 150 mm, between 60 mm and 100 mm, or even between 70 mm and 80 mm. Additionally or alternatively, for any cover cap, in any combination with the mentioned dimensions for the inner skirt and/or outer skirt and/or base part, an outer diameter of the inner skirt may be between 20 mm and 60 mm, in particular between 30 mm and 50 mm, more in particular between 35 mm and 45 mm or between 40 mm and 50 mm.

Any inner skirt and/or outer skirt may be essentially rotationally symmetrical, in particular about a centreline of the cover cap. This allows the cover cap to be positioned in the tube at multiple orientations.

Any cover cap may comprise a handle protruding from the base at opposite side of the base than the inner skirt. Additionally or alternatively, it is envisioned that any cover cap further comprises a handle connected to the base and protruding in a direction essentially away from the inner skirt.

The handle may be used for convenient handling of the cover cap, for example when removing the cover cap from the tube after concrete has been poured and set around the tube. When the cover cap comprises a handle, a distal part of the handle may be positioned at at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, at least 15 mm, or at least 20 mm from the base.

For any cover cap comprising an outer skirt, an outer wall of the outer skirt is at least partially towards a centreline of the cover cap. This may allow for a convenient removal of the cover cap from set concrete when at least part of the outer wall of the outer skirt contacts the set concrete.

Any cover cap may be integrally formed. Any cover cap may be formed from one or more plastics. Any cover cap may be injection moulded.

The plastics are preferably thermoplastics, for example polypropylene (PP).

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a tube assembly, 5 comprising a tube having an opening into the tube at a tube end, and a cover cap according to the first aspect. When the inner skirt of the cover cap is at least partially inserted into the tube the cover cap can cover the opening into the tube. Preferably, the outer skirt at least partially surrounds the tube at the tube end.

Any tube or tube section disclosed herein may comprise or consist of PVC. Any tube or tube section disclosed herein may for example have an outer diameter of 32 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 110 mm, or 125 mm.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the base of the cover cap is positioned at a distance from the tube end. This distance may for example be at least 10 mm, at least 20 mm, at least 30 mm, at least 40 mm, or even 50 mm or more. The distance may for example depend on the length of the inner skirt.

It is envisioned that any cover cap can be slidably connected to the tube, such that the cover cap can be slid relative to the tube to decrease the distance between the base of the cover cap and the tube end. In other words, the cover cap is inserted further into the tube when the distance between the base of the cover cap and the tube end is decreased, for example up to a point where the base abuts the tube end.

In use, the cover cap can be impacted with an impact force generally directed towards the tube. The impact force may for example originate from an object falling onto the cover cap, a person stepping onto the cover cap, concrete being poured on top of the cover cap, and/or any other force. When the cover cap is slidably connected to the tube, the impact force may result in a movement of the cover cap towards the tube, preferably without significant movement of the tube itself.

For example to prevent gravity from sliding the cover cap further into the tube, it 1s envisioned the cover cap can be sld relative to the tube only when subjected to a force above a force threshold, which force threshold is higher than a weight of the cover cap. The force threshold may for example be achieved by static friction between the cover cap and the tube, in particular between an outer wall of the inner skirt and an inner wall of the tube.

For any tube, it is envisioned that the tube comprises a stop inside the tube, at a distance from the tube end, for example at a distance of less than 100 mm from the tube end. In any tube assembly where the tube comprises a stop, the cover cap, in particular the inner skirt, can abut or partly press through the stop when the inner skirt is at least partially inserted into the tube. The stop is preferably but not necessarily embodied as an elastic sealing ring positioned inside the tube. Any stop in any tube assembly may be positioned between the tube end and a distal end of the cover cap, in particular a distal end of the inner skirt.

The stop may be formed by one or more flanges, shoulders and/or radial protrusions, oriented generally towards a centreline of the tube. The stop may be integrally formed with the tube, or may be a separate element or elements connected to the tube, in particular to an inner wall of the tube.

Such an element can be present, for example, in the form of a ring, such as an elastic sealing ring.

Alternatively, the stop may be formed by the tube itself. Part of the tube may have an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of at least part of the inner skirt of the cover cap. As such, an interference fit may be achieved between the cover cap and the tube. After the interference fit has been achieved, a further force is required to slide the cover cap further into the tube, which may require elastic and/or plastic deformation of the inner skirt and/or the tube. The further force preferably exceeds the weight of the cover cap.

A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of assembling a tube assembly, in particular a tube assembly according to the second aspect. The method comprises steps of providing a tube with an opening in a tube end of the tube, and inserting a cover cap according to the first aspect into the tube through the opening. As such, the inner skirt of the cover cap is at least partially inserted into the tube, and preferably the outer skirt of the cover cap at least partially surrounds the tube at the tube end, and the cover cap covers the opening into the tube. It will be appreciated that any assembly according to the second aspect may be formed using a method according to the third aspect.

When the tube comprises a stop, in a first insertion step, the cover cap may be inserted into the tube until the cover cap abuts the stop or until a distal end of the inner skirt has passed the stop and/or until the inner skirt is in contact with a stop comprised by the tube. After the first insertion step, the base of the cover cap may be at a distance from the tube end.

In an optional second insertion step after the first insertion step, the cover cap may be inserted further into the tube at least until the stop is positioned between a distal end of the cover cap, in particular a distal end of the inner skirt, and the tube end. The second insertion step may be performed by an impact force onto the cover cap, which may be an accidental impact force. Preferably, during the second insertion step, the tube essentially remains in place.

For any cover cap, it will be appreciated that it is envisioned that the cover cap 1s temporarily inserted into the tube — i.e. the cover cap is removed to allow access to the opening into the tube again, for example after the concrete cast has set.

In a further optional insertion step, the cover cap may be inserted further into the tube until the base abuts the tube end.

As a result of any insertion step, at least part of the outer skirt of the cover cap may surrounds the tube at the tube end.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of casting a tube in concrete, for example at a construction site. The method comprises steps of assembling a tube assembly according to the third aspect,

casting at least part of a distal end portion of the tube in concrete, the distal end portion of the tube comprising the tube end, and removing the cover cap from the tube.

Preferably, for example to allow the location of the tube end to be conveniently visually identified, prior to removing the cover cap from the tube, part of the cover cap extends above a level of the concrete.

Typically, but not necessarily, the level of the concrete is positioned above the opening into the tube. After removal of the cover cap, a further tube section may be connected to the tube end of the tube which has been cast in the concrete.

Prior to the removing of the cover cap from the tube, part of the cover cap may extend above a level of the concrete. Additionally or alternatively, the level of the concrete may be positioned above the opening into the tube.

In any method according to the fourth aspect, the base of the cover cap may be positioned at a distance above the tube end during at least part of the casting of the concrete. Additionally or alternatively, at least part of the outer skirt may be positioned below the tube end during at least part of the casting of the concrete.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the figures,

Figs. 1A-1D show an example of a cover cap, respectively in a top view, a section view, a side view, and an isometric view.

Figs. 2A-2B show a partially sectioned side view of a tube assembly, respectively in a first state and in a second state; and

Figs. 3A-3B show a schematic section view of a tube assembly cast 1n concrete.

It will be understood that the figures are schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale. Any of the optional and preferred features disclosed herein may be readily used to modify the cover cap and tube assembly depicted in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figs. 1A-1D show an example of a cover cap 100, respectively in a top view, a section view, a side view, and an isometric view. The cover cap 100 is preferably, but not necessarily, formed as a single monolithic body, for example by injection moulding or additive manufacturing.

The cover cap 100 comprises a base 102, an inner skirt 104 protruding away from the base 102, and an outer skirt 106 protruding away from the base 102, whereby the outer skirt surrounds the inner skirt at least partially. In particular, an inner wall 105 of the outer skirt 106 faces towards an outer wall 107 of the inner skirt 104. The outer skirt 106 and the inner skirt 104 protrude from an inward facing side 103 of the base 102. A centreline 113 may be defined, which centreline 113 is surrounded by the inner skirt 104 and the outer skirt 106. Optionally, the base 102 is an essentially flat base.

Any base 102 of any cover cap may be a flat base as depicted in

Figs. 1A-1D. However, an at least partially curved base 102 is envisioned as well. Any base 102 of any cover cap may be generally cylindrically shaped, although any other shape can be used as well. The base 102 and the inner skirt 104 and/or outer skirt 106 may be formed by a single body.

In general, it is preferred that the inner skirt 104 protrudes further away from the base 102 than the outer skirt 106. For example, for any cover cap 100 disclosed herein, the inner skirt 104 protrudes at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 100%, or even at least 125% further from the base 102 than the outer skirt 106.

As an option, a handle 108 protrudes from the base 102, in particular from an outward facing side 109 of the base 102 — i.e. preferably from an opposite side of the base 102 as the side from which the inner skirt

104 protrudes. Additionally or alternatively, the handle 108 protrudes away from the base 102 in a direction generally away from the inner skirt 104.

As a further option, additionally or alternatively, a distal end of the inner skirt 104 is tapered to facilitate insertion of the inner skirt 104 into a tube.

Optionally apart from the optional handle 108, the cap 100 and/or the inner skirt 104 and/or the outer skirt 106 may be essentially rotationally symmetric around a centreline 113 of the cap 100.

In general, it 1s envisioned that an outer wall 115 of the outer skirt 106, or at least one or more parts thereof, and/or the inner wall 105 of the outer skirt 106, or at least one or more parts thereof, may be oriented essentially parallel to the centreline 113 and/or perpendicular to the base 102.

Additionally or alternatively, it is envisioned that the outer wall 107 of the inner skirt 104, or at least one or more parts thereof, and/or an inner wall 117 of the inner skirt 104, or at least one or more parts thereof, may be oriented essentially parallel to the centreline 113 and/or perpendicular to the base 102.

Preferably, for any cover cap 100 of the present disclosure, for any aspect, the outer wall 107 of the inner skirt 104, or at least part thereof, is tapered towards the centreline 113. As such, a wall thickness of the inner skirt 104 may be larger at or near the base 102 than at a distance from the base 102, for example at or near a distal end of the inner skirt 104. An at least partially tapered inner skirt 104 may allow for part of the inner skirt 104 to be inserted into a tube with an essentially constant inner diameter before an interference fit is achieved.

Optionally or alternatively, it will be appreciated that at least part of the outer wall 107 of the inner skirt 104 is also envisioned as a straight outer wall with an essentially constant diameter.

Further preferably, for any cover cap 100 of the present disclosure, for any aspect, the outer wall 115 of the outer skirt 106, or at least part thereof, is tapered towards the centreline 113. As such, an outer diameter of the outer skirt 115 may be larger at or near the base 102 than at a distance from the base 102, for example at or near a distal end of the outer skirt 106.

Any feature disclosed in conjunction with the cover cap 100 of Figs. 1A-1D may be readily applied to any cover cap and any aspect of the present disclosure.

Figs. 2A-2B show an example of a tube assembly 200, comprising a tube 204. Of the tube 204, an end section 203 is depicted in Figs. 2A-2B. The end section 203 comprises a vertical tube section 241, an essentially horizontal tube section 242 which may be slanted to allow a flow of Liquid through the horizontal section by virtue of gravity, and a curved tube section 243 connected between the vertical tube section 241 and the horizontal tube section 242. In the schematic figures 2A-2B, only the vertical tube section 241 is depicted in a section view. The opening 202 into the tube 204 is formed in the vertical tube section 241, which vertical tube section 241 forms the tube end 206.

The tube assembly 200 further comprises a cover cap 100, which may be any cover cap 100 disclosed herein, for example but not necessarily in conjunction with Figs. 1A-1D. The cover cap 100 is with its inner skirt 104 inserted into the tube 204 through the opening 202.

As an option depicted in Fig. 2A, the tube comprises a stop 230 inside the tube 204, at a distance from the opening 202. The cover cap 100 abuts the stop 230, such that the base 102 is positioned at a distance d from the tube end 206. In use, the cover cap 100 may for example be inserted with the inner skirt 104 into the tube 204 by a user, which user is provided with haptic feedback when the stop is reached, indicating to the user that a predetermined insertion depth has been achieved. Considering the subjective perception of said haptic feedback, which differs from user to user, it is also envisioned that part of the inner skirt is pressed through the stop 230. In such cases, the cover cap 100 may be held in temporary static position until subjected to a force greater than the force threshold, which force threshold may be at least in part determined by the static friction between the inner skirt and the stop 230.

Between the situations depicted in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, the cover cap 100 has been impacted with an impact force generally directed towards the tube 204. By virtue of the impact force, the inner skirt 104 has been driven further into the tube 204, in particular with a distal end 114 of the inner skirt 104 having moved beyond the stop 230. The distance d between the base 102 and the tube end 206 has been decreased compared to the situation of Fig. 2A, for example to essentially zero. Because movement of the cover cap 100 relative to the tube 204 has been allowed, it may be prevented that the tube 204 is significantly moved due to the impact force on the cover cap 100.

As an alternative for the stop 230 depicted in Fig. 2A, the inner skirt 104 and the tube 204 may be shaped such that an interference fit is achieved acting as a stop. By virtue of the interference fit, a force above a particular threshold — which threshold preferably 1s higher than the weight of the cover cap 100 - is required to insert the cover cap 100 further into the tube 204.

Figs. 3A-3B shows subsequent steps in a method of casting a tube 204 in concrete. Of the tube 204, a vertical tube section 241 forming the tube end section 2031s depicted, which comprises the tube end 206 and the opening 202.

In the situation depicted in Fig. 3A, a cover cap 100 has been inserted into the tube 204 to form a tube assembly 200. In particular, the inner skirt 104 is partially inserted into the tube 204, through the opening 202. In Fig. 3A, liquid concrete 300 has been poured around the tube 204, up to a concrete level. As depicted in Fig. 3A, preferably, part of the cover cap 100 extends above the level of concrete 300, although part of the cover 100 is also surrounded by concrete 300.

In the situation of Fig. 3B, the concrete 300 has set and the cover cap 100 has been removed from the tube 204. As such, the opening 202 into the tube 202 is exposed and accessible. Preferably, the opening 202 is positioned below the level of concrete 300.

As indicated in Fig. 3A, an annular space 215 is formed between the inner skirt 204 and the outer skirt 106. The annular space 215 is typically filled with air. It has been observed that liquid concrete cannot fill the annular space 215, in particular when the inner skirt 104 of the cover cap 100 is inserted into the tube 204. As depicted in Fig. 3B, a pocket 302 has been formed in the concrete 300 where the cover cap 100 was present.

Claims

Conclusions

1. A cover cap (100) for covering an opening (202) of a tube (204) at a tube end (206), the cover cap comprising: - a base (102); - an inner skirt (104) extending from the base, the inner skirt adapted to be inserted through the opening; and - an outer skirt (106) extending from the base, the outer skirt at least partially surrounding the inner skirt.

The cover cap of claim 1, wherein an outer wall (107) of the inner skirt at least partially tapers toward a centerline (113) of the cover cap.

3. The cover cap of any preceding claim, wherein the inner skirt extends further from the base than the outer skirt.

4. The cover cap of claim 3, wherein the inner skirt extends at least 50% further from the base than the outer skirt.

5. The cover cap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an outer wall of the inner skirt is rotationally symmetrical.

6. The cover cap of any preceding claim, further comprising a handle (108) connected to the base and extending in a direction substantially away from the inner skirt.

7. The cover cap of any preceding claim, wherein an outer wall of the outer skirt at least partially tapers toward a centerline (113) of the cover cap.

8. The cover cap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a radial distance between the inner skirt and the outer skirt is between 10 mm and 30 mm.

9. A tube assembly (200) comprising: - a tube having an opening in the tube at a tube end; and - a cover cap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the inner skirt of the cover cap is at least partially inserted into the tube; - preferably, the outer skirt of the cover cap at least partially surrounds the tube at the tube end; and - the cover cap covers the opening in the bushing.

10. A bus assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the base of the cover cap is positioned at a distance (d) from the tube end.

11. A tube assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cover cap is slidably connected to the tube such that the cover cap is slidable relative to the tube to reduce the distance (d) between the base of the cover cap and the tube end.

12. A tube assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cover cap can be displaced relative to the tube only when subjected to a force above a force threshold, which force threshold is greater than a weight of the cover cap.

A tube assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the tube comprises a stop (230) positioned at a distance from the tube end, and the cover cap contacts the stop.

14. Tube assembly according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the tube comprises a stop positioned at a distance from the tube end, and wherein the stop is positioned between the tube end and a distal end of the cover cap, in particular a distal end of the inner skirt.

15. A method of assembling a tube assembly, the method comprising: - providing a tube with an opening in the tube at a tube end of the tube; and - inserting a cover cap according to any one of claims 1 to 8 into the tube through the opening, such that: - the inner skirt of the cover cap is at least partially inserted into the tube; and - the cover cap covers the opening in the tube.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the cover cap is inserted into the tube until the cover cap contacts a stop enclosed by the tube.

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein the cover cap is subsequently further inserted into the tube at least until the stop is positioned between a distal end of the cover cap, in particular a distal end of the inner skirt, and the tube end.

18. A method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the cover cap is then further inserted into the tube until the base touches the tube end.

A method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein at least part of the outer skirt of the cap surrounds the tube at the tube end.

20. A method of casting a pipe in concrete, the method comprising the steps of:

- assembling a tube assembly according to any of claims 15 to 19; - casting at least a distal end portion of the tube in concrete, the distal end portion of the tube comprising the tube end; and - removing the cover cap from the tube.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein prior to removing the cover cap from the pipe, part of the cover cap protrudes above a level of the concrete.

22. A method as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the level of the concrete is positioned above the opening in the tube.

23. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the base of the cover cap is positioned at a distance above the pipe end during at least part of the pouring of the concrete.

24. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein at least part of the outer skirt is positioned beneath the pipe end during at least part of the pouring of the concrete.

25. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein at least part of the distal end portion of the tube is oriented substantially vertically

IS.