Abstract: A device for enclosing elongate objects comprises a dimensionally-recoverable cover which can be wrapped-around the object and closed by means of closure elements located on the cover. The closure elements are preferably in the form of a row of protuberances spaced apart along the edge portions of the cover the protuberances of one edge portion being nestable within the protuberances of the other edge portion. The protuberances are preferably provided with retaining elements which lock the nested protuberances together and will accommodate relative movement between adjacent pairs of nested protuberances to allow the device to be recovered onto objects of varying dimensions.

Abstract: A method and device for organizing the bight of an optical fiber and the like at a splice or slack point is provided. The method comprises laying the bight on a sheet in such a fashion that, when the sheet is wrapped about itself (and, generally, about a cylindrical core) in a spiral fashion, the radius of any bend in the fiber is greater than the minimum bending radius; and wrapping the sheet about itself (and the core). The method is suitable for both in-line and butt splices between fiber optic cables, and a ready means of encapsulation is also provided.

Abstract: A flame coloring device makes a flame, such as a flame from a propane burner, visible even when the burner is used outdoors or in a bright environment. The device includes a carrier adapted for placement on the burner barrel and a solid colorant emitter such as sodium chloride supported by the carrier. When the carrier and colorant emitter are heated by the burner flame, the emitter emits a material that provides visible light, thereby defining the flame.

Abstract: An assembly for sealing and protection of cable splices comprising a recoverable, preferably heat-recoverable outer sleeve 5 surrounding a cable or other body 1; a thermoplastic support layer 7 surrounding the body 1 and within the sleeve 5; and a heat barrier layer, preferably foamed, between the support 7 and the sleeve 5, to prevent thermal deformation of the support 7 during heat recovery of the sleeve or during other heat treatment 5.

Abstract: A wrap-around sleeve for enclosing a cable join has opposing edge portions which can be held together to maintain the sleeve in a wrapped configuration. An adhesive coated flap lies under the edge portions to form a seal between them. When the enclosure is to be re-entered, a central part of the sleeve is cut away, and a new sleeve installed to bridge the butts of the old sleeve which are allowed to remain on the cable. In order to avoid leak paths between the edge portions of the remaining butts, adhesive from the flap is allowed to flow between the edge portions on original installation. This is achieved by providing localized separation between the original edge portions.

Abstract: A splice between at least two multi-wire electric cables is protected from ingress of water by forming a compressible reservoir about the splice, filling the reservoir with a curable liquid sealant, compressing the reservoir to force the liquid sealant to penetrate into the interstices between the individual wires of the splice bundle and into the adjacent cable core and maintaining the reservoir under compression at least for a time sufficient for the sealant to cure.

Abstract: A cable breakout article (78) which is formed of a polymeric material and which is preferably heat-recoverable comprises a body portion and at least two tubes or outlet portions (91 to 94) leading from apertures in the body portion. The length and flexibility of the tubes (91 to 94) is such that at least one of them can be bent away from the other(s) to allow operations such as heat recovery to be carried out on an end portion of one of the tubes in isolation from the others.Preferably one or more of the tubes (95) is corrugated at least near its end adjacent to the body portion (78) so as to assist bending.

Abstract: A dimensionally recoverable body, which is preferably heat-recoverable, has a body wall which is provided with a plurality of locking elements that are engageable with each other, or are engageable with corresponding elements located on a separate partition, to furcate the body into a plurality of channels.The body may be used for enclosing branch-offs in electrical cables in order to protect the enclosed branch-off from the environment.

Abstract: A thermochromic composition suitable for coating heat-recoverable materials for cable enclosures. The composition contains an organic material which melts and decomposes at a certain temperature by trapping the decomposition products in the composition.

Abstract: A closure for a telecommunications splice case is provided, which comprises a wraparound sleeve secured for example by a rail and channel closure. Re-entry is achieved by cutting of the old rails and channel and removing a central portion of the sleeve, and shrinking a new sleeve across the butts of the old sleeve. If the new sleeve is to seal properly, there must be no leak path along any gap between the remnants of the old rails. Deformations are provided on the flap of the original sleeve, or at the base of the short rail, to allow adhesive on the inside of the sleeve to fill the area between the rail.

Abstract: A transversely pleated, longitudinally heat-shrinkable tape is made from a heat-shrinkable polymeric film. One side of the tape may be adhesive-coated, and the other side may be coated with a thermochromic paint. The tape is wrapped around a substrate, and is particularly adapted, by reason of the pleats, to be wrapped around a substrate of non-uniform cross-section, e.g. a splice in a telephone cable. On heating the tape to its recovery temperature, the pleats disappear and the tape shrinks longitudinally to tightly cover the substrate. The tape may additionally comprise integral heating means.

Abstract: A clamping member for forming a branch-off seal between a recoverable sleeve and more than one substrate extending from an end of the sleeve, comprises at least two interengageable parts that define channels. The parts are assembled on the end of the sleeve such that the clamping member defines ducts for the substrates. Use of a clamping member having interengageable parts, rather than an integral member, makes fixing at the end of the sleeve easier.

Abstract: A rifle cartridge magazine loader which allows loading rimmed cartridges in end-to-end orientation directly into a rifle or similar magazine in nose up, nose down or any other orientation necessitated by the design or configuration of the magazine. The loader has a slot formed by two elongated members or strips which retain or suspend the cartridges by the rims. A portion of the slot communicates with a reservoir for bulk storage of the cartridges from which the cartridges pass through the slot except for being retained or suspended by the rims. A portion of the slot is closed on the back in order to slidably retain the cartridges in the slot for discharge at the end of the slot.

Abstract: A copper chromite catalyst having improved activity is prepared by forming a basic copper ammonium chromate complex in a known manner. The complex is decomposed by sintering at temperatures near 300.degree. C. to yield a copper chromite catalyst of improved activity. The copper chromite catalyst is especially useful in liquid phase production of furfuryl alcohol from furfural by hydrogenation. The hydrogenation reaction takes place at low pressure, e.g. under 30 atmospheres, due to the increased activity of the catalyst.

Abstract: Foundry cores and molds for casting metals are prepared by forming a binder comprising a polyol, an isocyanato urethane polymer and a urethane catalyst. The foundry cores and molds of this invention are formed by processes known in the industry as the "cold box" process and the no-bake process. The binder is especially useful for casting non-ferrous metals, for example, the casting of aluminum, magnesium and other lightweight metals. The cores and molds produced for casting aluminum and other lightweight metals exhibit excellent shakeout while retaining other desirable core and mold properties.

Abstract: Dibasic esters and blends of dibasic esters, particularly diethyl malonate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl glutarate and dimethyl succinate are used as part or all of the solvent in solvent systems for two-package resin compositions comprising a phenolic resin component and a polyisocyanate hardener package and, in three-package systems.

Abstract: A copper chromite catalyst having improved activity is prepared by forming a basic copper ammonium chromate complex in a known manner. The complex is decomposed by sintering at temperatures near 300.degree. C. to yield a copper chromite catalyst of improved activity. The copper chromite catalyst is especially useful in liquid phase production of furfuryl alcohol from furfural by hydrogenation. The hydrogenation reaction takes place at low pressure, e.g. under 30 atmospheres, due to the increased activity of the catalyst.

Abstract: Furan resin compositions containing aromatic polyester polyols exhibit improved performance as foundry hot box binders.

Abstract: Phenolic resin-polyisocyanate binder systems comprising aqueous emulsions of a phenolic resin and a liquid polyisocyanate and a tertiary amine or metal ion curing agent can be made and used free of organic solvents, thereby providing improved environmental conditions. These binders are useful as foundry core and mold binders in both cold box and no bake operations.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a portable case-like unit useful in the practice of crafts and hobbies, which unit comprises a base containing a working surface and storage compartments and a cover to enclose said working surface and storage compartments. The outside front wall of the base adjacent to the working surface and facing the user is substantially the same height as the top of the working surface, whereby the working surface is easily accessible by the craftsman or hobbyist. The cover contains means for preventing contents of the storage compartments from being displaced therefrom when the unit is carried.