Abstract: A hot-melt adhesive composition based on ethylene/vinyl actetate copolymer comprising not more than 35% (preferably not more than 30%, more preferably not more than 25%) by weight, based on the whole composition, of halogen-free char-forming flame-retardant additive(s) in an amount at least sufficient to prevent flaming drips generated on burning of the adhesive from igniting the underlying absorbent cotton according to the 20 mm Vertical Burn Test of Underwriters Laboratories Test Method UL-94 (1993), V-1, preferably V-0. Preferred halogen-free flame-retardant additives include ammonium phosphates, melamine cyanurate, zinc borate, and especially red phosphorus.

Abstract: A side entry heat recoverable article (2) pre-formed to enable a wire bundle (4) to be easily positioned and maintained within the article prior to recovery of the article. The wire bundle snaps into an enlarged section (6) between tab portions (10, 12). An adhesive (24) is disposed on the interior surface of the article for securing the tab portions together and for sealing the wire bundle. Upon recovery of the article, the wire bundle is thereby sealed within the heat recoverable article. A heat recoverable tube (2'), including adhesive, undergoes a post processing step to form the slit sleeve (2) that can be easily handled and installed.

Abstract: The present description pertains to a duct seal, or splice case seal, or other sealing member which is an inflatable envelope having an opening directly through a wall of the envelope or between walls thereof through which a probe is inserted to introduce a pressurizing medium. A means is provided for sealing of the sealing member upon withdrawal of the probe. Preferably the pressurizing medium is air. Preferably the walls of the envelope are substantially non-stretchable. An internal flap may be provided across the opening through which the probe is inserted, where the internal flap seals in response to pressure from within the sealing member. The flap preferably comprises a flexible polymeric sheet fixed to a wall of the sealing member such that the probe can pass through the hole and displace the flap, with the probe preferably passing between the flap and the wall substantially in the plane of the wall and at an angle of less than about 45.degree. to the plane of the wall.

Abstract: A side entry heat recoverable article. The heat recoverable article comprises a longitudinal body member composed of a cross-linked polymer and having a generally C-shaped cross section. The body member preferably includes circumferential ribs. A layer of adhesive adjacent to the interior surface of the body member may be co-extruded with the body member or provided separately. The heat recoverable article is preferably used for repairing damaged wire.

Abstract: A self supporting sealing member (2) having a layer of sealant (4) positioned longitudinally between two constraining layers (6, 8). The lateral dimensions of the sealing member are designed to fit within a hollow member. A perforation (12) is formed or cut in the sealing member to define a removable section of sealant (14). A substrate or wire (S) can be inserted and withdrawn an unlimited number of times, without tearing or otherwise damaging the sealing material. Once the substrate or wire is inserted, force is applied to seal the device. The sealing member of the present invention also provides for contact serviceability and insertion forces lower than in prior art devices.

Abstract: A modular connector includes a set of pairs of modular inserts configured to mate with each other to convey electrical signals or power in a structure such as a vehicle. Each pair of modular inserts are coupled to their respective wiring lines and supported by their respective structures. One of each pair of modular inserts is supported by a receptacle shell, while the other is supported by a plug shell. The modular inserts are characterized with removable characterized buttons for cooperation respectively with characterizations slots provided in the receptacle shell and plug shell. The characterization scheme ensures that incorrect modular inserts are not loaded onto the wrong position of the receptacle shell and plug shell. The shields of the wiring lines are grounded to grounding contacts provided in the corresponding modular inserts. The receptacle shell is coupled to a grounding shell supported by the vehicle with the corresponding grounding contacts contacting the grounding shell for grounding.

Abstract: A flexible hollow sealing member that can be inflated to seal a gap between first and second articles and that has: a hole directly through a wall or between walls thereof through which hole a probe can be inserted to introduce pressurizing medium into the member, and by which the hole is automatically sealed on withdrawal of the probe.

Abstract: An electrical interconnection device including an electrical element and a sealing member sealed within a body. The body is constructed of a first section and a second section bonded together to form an enclosure for retaining the electrical element and sealing member. Sealed passageways extend from the sealing member to the electrical element. Substrates are inserted through the sealing member into the passageways for connection to the electrical element.

Abstract: An arrangement for holding elongate substrates in a desired array having a plurality of passageways divided into compartments separated by pairs of spaced apart parallel flexible arms. The arms allow only two substrates to be inserted into each compartment, providing separation of additional substrates and the cannonballing effect is thereby eliminated.

Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting substrates having contacts disposed at their distal ends into a connection device and a method of use. The tool of the present invention is useful with any size substrate and contact, but is particularly useful for wires or fiber optic cable having small diameters with insufficient rigidity to withstand the connection force required to insert the contact into the connection device. The tool includes a pusher arm which engages the contact and forces the contact into the connection device. As the contact is inserted, the pusher arm is also inserted into the connection device and is subsequently removed from the connection device.

Abstract: One aspect of this invention comprises an improved conveyance system comprises an endless flexible belt which circulates through at least two arcs, at least one gripping member attached to the belt, the gripping member having a free end and an anchoring end, and a biasing means which biases the anchoring end of the gripping member toward the surface of the conveyor belt, wherein the gripping member is open as it traverses an arced path and is closed as it traverses a straight path. A workpiece is loaded as the gripping member traverses the first arc, and offloaded as the gripping member traverses the second arc. Preferably, the first arc has a greater radius than the second arc. The inventive also comprises a heater utilizing the conveyance system.

Abstract: A marker sleeve assembly having a length of marker sleeves and a carrier configured such that the length of marker sleeves is oriented parallel to the carrier. The length of marker sleeves is held in a fixed, straight line adjoining the carrier, thereby reducing movement during the printing operation. Additionally, markings may be applied to both the length of marker sleeves and the carrier in a single printing operation.

Abstract: A heat recoverable article for sealing splices having substrates of disparate size. The heat recoverable article includes a first heat shrinkable sleeve having an adhesive which extends over at least part of its interior surface and a second heat shrinkable sleeve which overlaps an end of the first sleeve. The second sleeve begins to recover before the first sleeve and holds the first sleeve in place as recovery continues, eliminating milk off.

Abstract: Method and articles for holding fluid conduits at a desired lateral distance from each other for connection to spaced-apart connection points, for example vehicle fuel line connections or domestic appliance flexible hoses. Preferred holding articles are described having heat-shrinkable rings connected by an integral connecting portion, or having a sheet with heat-shrinkable end portions (30) which can be wrapped around conduits (70) and a spacer (50) to hold the conduits at the required separation.

Abstract: An arrangement for delivering an elastic sleeve on to an electric cable comprises an elastic sleeve (20) expanded radially on to a hollow rigid tubular support tube (18) with a tubular mesh (22) of plastics material interposed therebetween. The mesh (22) extends beyond one end of the support tube (18) and is then fed back through its hollow center. The one end of the tube (18) is disposed adjacent the end of the cable, and the mesh (22) within the tube (18) is progressively pulled so as to invert the sleeve (20) on to the cable end.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for expanding polymeric tubing including a bubble of trapped gas within the polymeric tubing. The tubing is expanded by creating a pressure differential between the inside and outside of the tubing such that the pressure inside the tubing is greater than the pressure outside the tubing, thereby causing the tubing to expand. It is possible with the present invention to compensate for loss of gas pressure, thereby increasing the amount of tubing which can be expanded without ceasing production and restarting the process.

Abstract: A method of making an object wherein known sheets having a curable prim receiving coating (epoxy and polyamide particles) on one surface and pressure-sensitive adhesive on the other surface (normally used for attaching the printed and cured sheet to a wall or other surface) are wrapped around the object to be marked and the overlapping ends of the sheet are temporarily secured by an overlap bond between the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the curable coating. Subsequent curing of the coating fixes the indicia printed thereon and cures the bond to fix the sheet in position. Preferably, the pressure-sensitive adhesive (e.g. acrylic polymer will interact with the curable coating on curing.

Abstract: A resiliently flexible ring of dimensionally heat-recoverable polymeric material whose tubular length is less than its notional circular diameter, formed so that it inherently maintains a non-circular open configuration enabling it to grip resiliently an object around which it is placed in use prior to heat-recovery, the maximum transverse dimension of the said object being at least 2.5% less, preferably at least 5% less, than the notional circular diameter of the ring. The ring preferably has at least three "corners" of relatively small radius of curvature, preferably evenly spaced around its circumference. Use of the rings is described for damping the noise of chain-drive sprocket wheels and for connecting flexible hoses to supply outlets.

Abstract: Polymer (preferably polyimide) sheets with laser ablated through-holes plated with metal are used for making electrical connections to specified microcircuits, especially unbumped microchips and Tape Automated Bonding (TAB) articles. Bonding with different melting-point materials at opposite ends of the plated holes is disclosed. Preferred polyimides are those derived from polymerisation of 4-4'-biphenyldianhydride and (4,4'-diaminobiphenyl, or 4,4'-diaminobiphenylether, or phenylenediamine, preferably p-phenylenediamine).

Abstract: A power source for induction heating of articles containing ferromagnetic particles. An arrangement including the article is exposed to an electromagnetic field at a first power level for a first predetermined period of time and, subsequently to an electromagnetic field at a second power level for a second predetermined period of time. In comparison to conventional power sources, the article may be exposed to an electromagnetic field for a longer period of time without damage.