Abstract: A heat shrinkable wrap-around sleeve comprises a heat shrinkable sheet with a heat stable strip welded on one end. The free end of the heat stable strip is overlapped on the outer side of the opposite end of the sheet and welded thereto by heating applied directly on the outer side. This allows a good quality welded connection to be formed without requiring the use of hold-down adhesives. The sleeve can be manufactured using induction welding or more preferably by heated wedged welding.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable covering for an article, such as a pipe, comprises a heat shrinkable material in the form of a flexible sheet which is wrapped around the article so that its ends overlap. The overlapping end portions are bonded together by means of a hold-down adhesive, preferably a shear-resistant adhesive, leaving an adhesive-free region at the interface. Heat is applied externally to the overlapping end portions so as to effect a fusion bond at the adhesive-free region of the interface, and the sheet is heat-shrunk onto the article in known manner. The covering offers the advantages and convenience of application common to conventional wrap-around sleeves, while having the intrinsic strength properties of a seamless tubular sleeve.