Apparatus and Methods for Temporarily Sealing a Pipe

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for temporarily sealing a pipe including apparatus and methods for creating a temporary airtight seal at the open end of a pipe in a plumbing or refrigeration system. One such apparatus includes a body, grommet, washer, and a nut. Multiple airtight seals are created including a first primary seal between an exterior of the pipe and the grommet and a secondary seal between the open end of the pipe and the washer. The grommet does not require teeth and the apparatus does not require adhesive, sealant, or any other type of similar materials. Use of the apparatus and methods greatly minimizes and/or eliminates the potential for marring or otherwise distorting the open end of the pipe, thereby facilitating reuse of same.

1 . An apparatus for creating a seal on the end of an open pipe comprising:
 a body, said body including a threaded end, said threaded end surrounding a grommet cavity, said grommet cavity located external to and adjacent a recess;   a grommet, said grommet shaped substantially identical to a shape of said grommet cavity, said grommet seated in said grommet cavity;   a washer seated upon a floor of said substantially cylindrical recess; and   a nut, said nut including a cavity, said cavity inversely threaded to mate with said threaded end, said nut threaded to said threaded end.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said seal is airtight. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said recess is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said grommet and said grommet cavity include a frusto-conical first end and a substantially cylindrical second end, said substantially cylindrical second end having a diameter smaller than a smallest diameter of said frusto-conical first end, said first end connected to said second end via a substantially horizontal radial wall extending from an exterior perimeter of said second end to an inner perimeter of a smallest diameter portion of said frusto-conical first end. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein an unthreaded portion of said body is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the group consisting of said nut, said body, and combinations thereof includes at least two wrench surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said washer is an O-ring. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a material of at least one of the group consisting of said grommet, said washer, and combinations thereof is compressible. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a material of at least one of the group consisting of said nut, said body, and combinations thereof is anodized aluminum. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said grommet is toothless. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus does not require use of at least one of the group consisting of an adhesive, a sealant, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the group consisting of said body, said nut, and combinations thereof includes at least one wrench surface.