A strengthened polyethylene tubular member, where the polyethylene tubular member has an outer surface, a circumference, a wall thickness, an area to be strengthened, and the outer surface of the polyethylene tubular member contains polyethylene. The strengthened polyethylene tubular member contains a fabric layer wrapped around the circumference of the tubular member at least two full rotations and covering the area to be strengthened. The fabric layer contains a plurality of interwoven tape elements with a base layer of a strain oriented olefin polymer disposed between covering layers of a heat fusible olefin polymer. The tape elements within the fabric layer are bonded together and the tape elements adjacent the tubular member are bonded to the tubular member.

A continuous fabric for use in forming a repair liner for reinforcing a pipe. The fabric includes a top layer and one or more bottom layers. The width of the top layer is less than the width of the continuous fabric and the density of the top layer is less than the density of at least one of the at least one or more bottom layers. The top layer may serve as a guide for winding the fabric in an overlapping pattern about a mandrel so that the essentially only the top layer is visible in the fabric winding.

A continuous fabric for use in forming a repair liner for reinforcing a pipe. The fabric includes a top layer and one or more bottom layers. The width of the top layer is less than the width of the continuous fabric and the density of the top layer is less than the density of at least one of the at least one or more bottom layers. The top layer may serve as a guide for winding the fabric in an overlapping pattern about a mandrel so that the essentially only the top layer is visible in the fabric winding.

A method of manufacturing a reinforced pipe (7) comprising: wrapping a pipe (1) in reinforcing tape (2) to form a wrapped pipe having an outer circumference consisting of a first circumferential portion (4) and a second circumferential portion (6); and passing the first circumferential portion (4) over one or more heating elements (3) to fuse the reinforcing tape (2) of said first circumferential portion (4); wherein: the first circumferential portion (4) is between 1% and 50% of the outer circumference; and the second circumferential portion (6) is not passed over a heating element (3) and is not fused. The method is advantageous in that it can provide reinforced pipes (7) in a simpler and cheaper way because it is not essential that the entirety of the outer circumference of the reinforced pipe (7) is fused. A reinforced pipe (7) produced according to the method of the present invention is also provided.

A method of manufacturing a reinforced pipe (7) comprising: wrapping a pipe (1) in reinforcing tape (2) to form a wrapped pipe having an outer circumference consisting of a first circumferential portion (4) and a second circumferential portion (6); and passing the first circumferential portion (4) over one or more heating elements (3) to fuse the reinforcing tape (2) of said first circumferential portion (4); wherein: the first circumferential portion (4) is between 1% and 50% of the outer circumference; and the second circumferential portion (6) is not passed over a heating element (3) and is not fused. The method is advantageous in that it can provide reinforced pipes (7) in a simpler and cheaper way because it is not essential that the entirety of the outer circumference of the reinforced pipe (7) is fused. A reinforced pipe (7) produced according to the method of the present invention is also provided.

A core metal includes, on an outer circumference thereof, a plurality of attachment surfaces to which a plurality of strings are attached, and a plurality of guided portions are formed along an axial direction of the core metal and disposed between two of the attachment surfaces. A string supply device includes a string supply unit that supplies the strings to the outer circumference of the core metal, an attaching unit that arranges and attaches the strings on the attachment surfaces of the core metal in a circumferential direction of the core metal, and a plurality of guiding units, in contact with the guided portions of the core metal, which guides the core metal.

A strengthened polyethylene tubular member, where the polyethylene tubular member has an outer surface, a circumference, a wall thickness, an area to be strengthened, and the outer surface of the polyethylene tubular member contains polyethylene. The strengthened polyethylene tubular member contains a fabric layer wrapped around the circumference of the tubular member at least two full rotations and covering the area to be strengthened. The fabric layer contains a plurality of interwoven tape elements with a base layer of a strain oriented olefin polymer disposed between covering layers of a heat fusible olefin polymer. The tape elements within the fabric layer are bonded together and the tape elements adjacent the tubular member are bonded to the tubular member.

A method is shown for installing a heat tube on a section of pre-insulated piping. A metal carrier pipe is covered with a first layer of foam insulation. Next, a routing device is used to cut a longitudinal slot along the length of the pipe so that the pipe exterior surface is exposed from the insulation. A heat tube is then installed within the longitudinal slot, whereby the heat tube contacts the exterior surface of the metal carrier pipe. A second layer of foam insulation is then sprayed onto the exterior of the metal carrier pipe, covering the previously formed longitudinal slot and installed heat tube. A polyolefin coating is then applied over the insulation to form a protective outer jacket for the insulated pipe.

A method is shown for installing a heat tube on a section of pre-insulated piping. A metal carrier pipe is covered with a first layer of foam insulation. Next, a routing device is used to cut a longitudinal slot along the length of the pipe so that the pipe exterior surface is exposed from the insulation. A heat tube is then installed within the longitudinal slot, whereby the heat tube contacts the exterior surface of the metal carrier pipe. A second layer of foam insulation is then sprayed onto the exterior of the metal carrier pipe, covering the previously formed longitudinal slot and installed heat tube. A polyolefin coating is then applied over the insulation to form a protective outer jacket for the insulated pipe.

A method is shown for installing a heat tube on a section of pre-insulated piping. A metal carrier pipe is covered with a first layer of foam insulation. Next, a wire brush is used to cut a longitudinal slot along the length of the pipe so that the pipe exterior surface is exposed from the insulation. A heat tube is then installed within the longitudinal slot, whereby the heat tube contacts the exterior surface of the metal carrier pipe. A second layer of foam insulation is then sprayed onto the exterior of the metal carrier pipe, covering the previously formed longitudinal slot and installed heat tube. A polyolefin coating is then applied over the insulation to form a protective outer jacket for the insulated pipe.