Modular pipe formation apparatus

Abstract

A modular plastic pipe formation apparatus, wherein at least two components of the pipe formation apparatus are disposed with respect to at least one or more respective modules.

1 .- 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A modular plastic pipe formation apparatus comprising a plurality of modules wherein each module comprises at least one component of the pipe formation apparatus located therein, wherein the plurality of modules are aligned in a predetermined manner during formation of plastic pipe. 
     
     
         38 . The modular plastic pipe formation apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein one of the modules comprises a plastic extruder and the apparatus further comprises one or more modules comprising one or more of the following components: a plastic raw material dryer; a die head; a pipe corrugator; a corrugator module; a cooling tank; a haul off caterpillar; a cutter; a pipe sliding table; a tipping table; and a coiler. 
     
     
         38 . The modular plastic pipe formation apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein at least one of the plurality of modules is adapted to be transportable. 
     
     
         39 . The modular plastic pipe formation apparatus of  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 . The modular plastic pipe formation apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein at least one of the plurality of modules comprises: a standardised shipping container optionally 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 . The modular plastic pipe formation apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the adjacent modules are adapted for being locked together during pipe formation. 
     
     
         42 . The modular plastic pipe formation apparatus according to  claim 41 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism for closely positioning adjacent modules prior to locking them together. 
     
     
         43 . The modular plastic pipe formation apparatus of  claim 37 , further comprising external supports for supporting respective modules, wherein the external supports comprise adjustable jacks to adjust the position or angle of the supported module. 
     
     
         44 . The modular plastic pipe formation apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of components disposed within the modules are adjustable in position or angle, enabling the plurality of components to be aligned for pipe formation. 
     
     
         45 . The modular plastic pipe formation apparatus according to  claim 44 , further comprising a reference laser beam to aid in alignment of the components and/or the modules. 
     
     
         46 . A pipe formation system comprising: a plurality of modules, with each module comprising at least one component of the pipe formation system; and an alignment mechanism for aligning a component in one module with a component in another module. 
     
     
         47 . The pipe formation system of  claim 46 , wherein the modules are configurable as transportable containers, the pipe fotmation system further comprising a transporter for conveying the modules to and from a pipe production site, with the transportable containers and transporter together providing a mobile pipe formation system. 
     
     
         48 . 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; arranging two or more respective components of the pipe formation apparatus; supplying the plastic pipe formation apparatus with plastic raw materials; coupling the modules together; and aligning the components of the plastic formation apparatus to enable pipe formation. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the coupling of the modules and arranging of the components comprises locking the modules together. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the components are aligned using a laser for determining the position of the components and then, as necessary, adjusting alignment of the components.