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: There are provided improved process and apparatus for preparing a laminated heat-shrinkable strip comprising upper and lower heat-shrinkable sheets fused together with an electric conductor wire sandwiched therebetween as means for covering and protecting joints of steel pipes of oil pipelines or cables.

Abstract: A branch-off seal between a heat-recoverable sleeve, such as a tubular or wrap-around sleeve made from cross-linked polymeric material, and two or more substrates such as electrical cables is effected by using one or more clips the outer legs of which are positioned over the outer surface of the sleeve so as to form as appropriate number of conduits and applying heat to cause the sleeve to shrink about the substrates positioned within the conduits. The preferred clips are formed as a trident, the central leg of which extends into the heat-recoverable sleeve and is provided with a layer of a hot-melt adhesive or another sealant so as to enhance the seal formed at the branch-off.

Abstract: A device for enclosing at least part of an elongate object, for example a pipe line, comprises a dimensionally recoverable cover 21 one surface of which is partly or wholely coated with a closure adhesive 22 and covered by a layer of sealant.The cover is preferably in the form of a continuous sheet which may be cut to the appropriate length. The device may be wrapped around the object and the overlying sealant may then be peeled back or peeled away to expose the closure adhesive. The cover is bonded to itself or to the object to be enclosed by means of the exposed closure adhesive, and the device is then recovered by heating.

Abstract: A new and different package and method for making same for the display and handling of delicate foil art, such package having members including a backboard upon which foil art is affixed, a front mat placed thereover, a stiff plastic film disposed on top of the mat covering the foil art, and a shrink wrapping applied around the above.

Abstract: Heat-resistant pressure-sensitive adhesives are used to form the closure of a heat-shrinkable wrap-around sleeve. Suitable pressure-sensitive adhesives include silicone-based adhesives, thermosetting acrylic adhesives, and thermosetting rubber/resin adhesives. However, silicone-based adhesives are not claimed herein, but are claimed in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 944,887, filed Sept. 22, 1978, now U.S. Patent No. 4,268,559, issued on May 19, 1981.

Abstract: The high temperature strength of a heat seal which bonds irradiatively cross-linkable thermoplastic materials together to form a receptacle can be significantly improved by irradiating the receptacle after the seal has been formed. This technique is especially effective for improving the high temperature seal strength of packaging film laminates such as those having a layer of an olefin homopolymer or copolymer and a layer of hydrolyzed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Abstract: A process of marking fly fishing lines includes the steps of selecting a heat shrinkable tubing having predetermined shrinking temperature characteristics and marking the tubing with a size coding positioned to allow the marks to be cut off to indicate any of a range of fishing line sizes or weights. The tubing is then cut to form small sections with the marking thereon and may then further be cut to remove marks to indicate one size. The tubing is slipped onto a fly fishing line and immersed in a heated liquid, such as water, or water having salt added thereto, to shrink the tubing onto the fishing line without damaging the fishing line.

Abstract: An insulating unit suitable for installation in walls, doors, and the like, is manufactured by a method that includes the steps of supporting a heat-shrinkable plastic film between spaced but parallel glass panes to provide an integral unit, and then heating the unit to cause the plastic film to shrink and become taut and wrinkle-free.

Abstract: A process of treating sheet materials with an aqueous treating composition is disclosed in which surfactants are incorporated in the composition to permit it to be foamed with gas to provide a foam which is stable in the form of a thin layer long enough to be handled, but which will collapse completely when heated. This is preferably done by employing a mixture of water soluble surfactant to stabilize the foam and water insoluble defoamer to break the foam when heat is applied. This foam is applied to a surface of the sheet material to provide stable foam thereon, and heat is employed to simultaneously cause the foam to collapse and dry the composition.

Abstract: A method of producing endless drive belts of natural or synthetic rubber with thread-shaped embedded strength carriers which preferably extend in the longitudinal direction. This method relates especially to multiple V-belts and similar belts having longitudinal ribs extending continuously over the inner periphery or circumference thereof. A raw belt member is built up in upside-down sequence of layering, and is placed into an outer form or mold, in which it is formed-out and vulcanized. The belts are then turned or folded or rolled over into the use condition thereof. The raw belt member, which is produced oversize with respect to the outer form or mold, is retracted, pulled-in, or drawn-in to an outer diameter corresponding to the smallest inner diameter of the outer form, and is expanded within the outer form to, or essentially to, the original outer diameter thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of strengthening glass articles and, more specifically, hollow glass containers such as jars for containing foodstuffs. The invention is directed to a method wherein the hollow glass container is surrounded at its heel and bearing surfaces with a thin continuous frangible coating of a polymeric resin such as an epoxy resin. The resin is cured into a frangible thermoset condition to resist thermal shock breakage; however, any breakage of the container at its coated area will result in disruption of the surrounding coating evidencing such breakage. The coating is extremely thin and continuous, and readily applied, and may be used in combination with a foamed thermoplastic tubular sleeve snugly conforming to the body portion of the container. The conforming sleeve serves as a label and to provide an insulating jacket for handling the container when its contents are heated, such as in a microwave oven.

Abstract: Cross-linkable polyethylene blended with a copolymer of isobutylene and a conjugated diene is capable of being crosslinked, bonded, stretched and recovered without a significant loss of strength characteristics or seal.

Abstract: Silicon ceramic articles having a complicated shape and a high strength can be obtained in a high dimensional accuracy by fitting a silicon ceramic member having a lower firing shrinkage into another silicon ceramic member having a higher firing shrinkage, and firing the resulting assembly to bond firmly both the members into one integral body. The silicon ceramic article can be used as gas turbine parts, engine parts and the like.

Abstract: A branch-off seal between a heat-recoverable sleeve, such as a tubular or wrap-around sleeve made from cross-linked polymeric material, and two or more substrates such as electrical cables is effected by using one or more clips the outer legs of which are positioned over the outer surface of the sleeve so as to form an appropriate number of conduits and applying heat to cause the sleeve to shrink about the substrates positioned within the conduits. The preferred clips are formed as a trident, the central leg of which extends into the heat-recoverable sleeve and is provided with a layer of a hot-melt adhesive or another sealant so as to enhance the seal formed at the branch-off.

Abstract: A method of making a bond structure and a bond structure are provided that produce concurrently a peel bond and a lap bond. One end of a sheet to be joined to a second end of the same or other sheet is folded back on itself and on end of the other member inserted. The two pairs of contacting surfaces thus formed are subsequently bonded to each other. The bonding may be by any means and the clamping force across the bond during bonding need be applied from one side of the sheet only. By insuring that the peel bond fails before the material, a flat lap bond may be achieved by causing only the peel bond to fail.

Abstract: The flame resistance of a bituminized roof sheet consisting of a reinforced fleece, a metal foil and bitumen is improved substantially by applying a metal foil to one face. A rupture of the metal foil in the case of stress due to elongation is prevented by wrinkling it. The elongation reserve thus obtained is in the range of from 2 to 35%.

Abstract: A method of bracing an article, especially a junction between conduits subject to an internal pressure greater than that of their surroundings, which comprises applying thereto, in the order listed, a gas-impermeable member (this step may be omitted), a reinforcing member and a heat-recoverable member, the reinforcing member being radially inwardly deformable, at least at elevated temperatures, and heating the assembly to cause recovery of the heat recoverable member.

Abstract: The process for producing a decorative surface covering having an inlaid decoration which comprises depositing a layer of fine granules of resinous composition on the surface of a backing sheet, heating to sinter the granules into a porous mass, applying a design on the surface of the sintered layer with a mixture of a pigmented dryblend of at least two contrasting colors and a transparent or translucent plastisol and then fusing the printed, sintered sheet into a non-porous sheet by the application of heat.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable polymeric material is wrapped around a plurality of adhesive coated wire strands placed together in a transposed configuration prior to heating the strands to cause the adhesive to melt and cure. The shrink initiation temperature of the polymeric material is selected to exceed the temperature at which the adhesive melts while preceeding the temperature at which the latent catalyst initiates the cure cycle. The shrinking of the polymeric wrapping causes the transposed cable strands to become compacted and substantially increases the surface area of the strands in contact with the adhesive material.

Abstract: A braid, consisting of monofilaments, made of two different resins which are adapted, when heated, to fuse and mix and be subjected to polymerization or cross-linking. The braid is interposed between a thermo-retractible sleeve and conductors which are to be covered by the sleeve.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide the method of altering the size of tetrafluoroethylene tubing which is only available in limited combination of wall thicknesses and diameter. The method includes the steps of sliding the tetrafluoroethylene tubing (12) onto an aluminum mandrel (20) and clamping the ends of the tubing to the mandrel by means of clamps (24). The tetrafluoroethylene tubing and mandrel are then placed in a supporting coil (25). The supporting coil with the mandrel and tetrafluoroethylene tubing are then positioned in a insulated steel pipe (28). The steel pipe is normally covered with a fiber glass insulator to smooth out temperature distribution therein. The entire structure is then placed in an oven which heats the tetrafluorethylene tubing which is then shrunk by the heat to the outer dimension of the aluminum mandrel. After cooling the aluminum mandrel is removed from the newly sized tetrafluoroethylene tubing by a conventional chemical milling process.

Abstract: Heat-resistant pressure-sensitive adhesives are used to form the closure of a heat-shrinkable wrap-around sleeve. Suitable pressure-sensitive adhesives include silicone-based adhesives and thermosetting adhesives.

Abstract: A method of terminating an optical fibre cable wherein an annular deformable member is compressed inwardly onto a cable threaded through it by causing an encircing cincture exhibiting `memory` properties to try to return to a remembered shape and size. The annular member includes a plurality of portions which are held apart by spacer material to define a passageway through which the cable is threaded, the spacer material being subsequently caused to deform e.g. by heating, so that under the force exerted by the cincture said portions are urged inwardly and grip the cable.

Abstract: A pile fabric is treated overall with a solution containing a solvent for the fiber comprising the pile fabric. The solvent concentration of the solution is of a low enough level to produce little or no shrinkage by itself upon subsequent application of heat. Portions of the fabric before heating are treated with a solution to increase the solvent concentration on the pile fabric to a point where the solvent will have a shrinking effect on the fabric. The subsequently heated product then has an embossed effect.

Abstract: A method of making a composite structure comprising an elongate substrate, especially an insulated electrical cable, and a covering member which has been heat-recovered and sealed around the substrate. A heat-recoverable article of a cross-linked crystalline polymer composition which transmits 5-50% of infra-red radiation incident thereon is placed around a substrate whose exterior is composed of a polymeric composition which is at most lightly cross-linked, which absorbs infra-red radiation and which has a crystalline melting point below that of the heat-recoverable article. The assembly is exposed to infra-red radiation such that the heat-recoverable article is heated to its recovery temperature and the exterior of the substrate is heated to its crystalline melting point, preferably before it is contacted by said article as it recovers. In this way an excellent seal can be created between the substrate and the recovered article without the need for any auxiliary fusible material such as a hot melt adhesive.

Abstract: A adhesive sheet or film placed in contact with a surface network formed by the edges of the cell walls of a honeycomb core panel is reticulated and conformed to the shape of the surface network to form a bead of adhesive on the surface network and the contiguous portions of the cell walls without depositing excess adhesive onto the interior cell walls.

Abstract: A method for producing an acoustical ceiling tile or panel faced with a distortion free decorative thin plastic film is accomplished by first embossing the acoustical base to form a picture frame surrounding a recessed area, stretching the thin decorative plastic film over the picture frame portion and adhesively securing the film to the side and/or back of the acoustical base and subsequenytly heat shrinking the film to produce a distortion free decorative surface.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable polyvinyl chloride film which shrinks more than 60% in one direction or more than 75% as an area shrinkage is prepared by stretching a film comprising 5 to 25 wt. parts of a methyl methacrylate type copolymer and 100 wt. parts of polyvinyl chloride at a special high stretch ratio.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable article comprises a memory metal member to which has been imparted both thermally-recoverable and resiliently-recoverable strain. The resilient strain is retained by means of a disburdenable keeper, preferably one made from fusible or chemically degradable material, which can be removed, for example, by heating or chemical treatment, to allow resilient recovery. The article is preferably so constructed that it can be heated to obtain both thermal and resilient recovery simultaneously. One preferred form of article is a radially expanded longitudinally split tube, the keeper being positioned in the split. Such an article can be used as a connector to secure an earth lead to the sheath of a mineral-insulated cable.

Abstract: A plurality of nonflammable, heat sensitive organic fibers are intimately admixed by blending with inorganic fibrous materials such as glass wool, mineral wool and asbestos fibers. The admixture of the organic and inorganic fibers is processed by carding or garnetting to form an insulating composite body of a preselected thickness. The nonflammable, heat sensitive fibers, such as polyester fibers, may be oriented within the composite body by a needling process to interlock the inorganic fibers and compress the composite body to cohesively bind the fibers in a batting. This prevents the composite body from splitting and also serves to decrease the thickness and increase the density of the composite body. The interlocked arrangement of heat sensitive organic fibers and inorganic fibrous material is subjected to a shrinking treatment at a temperature in the range between about 212.degree. to 300.degree. F. for a preselected time interval.

Abstract: A dimensionally-recoverable article comprising a hollow resilient member which has been expanded to a dimensionally unstable configuration in which it is retained by a keeper positioned between and separating two parts of the hollow member away from the path of recovery thereof. The keeper is preferably made from a fusible or chemically degradable material so that it can be removed, for example, by heating or chemical treatment to allow the hollow member to recover towards its original configuration. One preferred form of article is a radially-expanded longitudinally split tube having the keeper positioned within the split. Such an article may be used as a connector to secure an earth lead to the sheath of a mineral-insulated cable.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a machine and method of adhering a can opening key to a container and the article formed by such method and machine. More specifically, this invention pertains to the taping of a can opening key to a can body wall by means of a continuous motion high speed machine for applying a polymeric film carrying an adhesive on a surface thereof.

Abstract: A glass-plastic composite lens combining a glass element with a high-shrinkage thermosetting plastic is provided in accordance with a direct casting process comprising a consolidation heating step, subsequent to plastic curing and shrinkage, during which a thermoplastic coating between the glass element and the cured plastic bonds the assembly into a unitary low-stress composite.

Abstract: A toy figurine capable of clinging to a support, and a process for manufacturing same. The body of the figurine is of compressible resilient material and the limbs are sufficiently rigidly connected to said body to follow deformations thereof and to open when it is nipped in the back. Body and limbs may be formed of one piece of material or may be a composite. The clinging limbs may be biased by using a film of prestressed material secured to a slab of resiliently deformable material. The prestressed material may be made of superposed strips which have been stretched to varying degrees, or of a layer of thermoretractable material. The figurine may be a hand puppet with an opening to admit the user's hand into the head while the puppet is clinging to the user's arm.

Abstract: A vessel such as a glass bottle having a narrow-necked portion is protected by coating with a stretched film of crosslinked polyolefin resin having specific characteristics. The film holds the vessel very tightly through the shrink tension of the heat-shrunk film at the narrower part and through the elastic tension of the elongated film at the wider part. The protected vessel has excellent effect for preventing scattering of glass fragments at the time of breaking as well as good display effect and cap-seal effect. The coated film has also good printability.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed to a method of providing a ceiling board with a fabric facing. The fabric facing is molded to the irregular shape of the ceiling board so that there is no wrinkling or gathering of the fabric as it is shaped to the configuration of the ceiling board. The lack of wrinkling and gathering is secured without the use of a laborious hand-cutting operation.

Abstract: A waterproof shielded cable is disclosed having a metallic shield formed with a longitudinal seam surrounding a core. A strip of material overlays the metallic shield seam with side edges located to each side of the seam. An extruded plastic jacket overlays the metallic shield and strip of material with the jacket being in intimate contact with the shield and with a principle surface of the strip of material but spaced from the strip side edges.A method is also disclosed for manufacturing a shielded cable which comprises the step of wrapping sheet metal about a cable core with the sheet metal edges overlapped to form a shield with a longitudinal seam. The shield seam is overlayed with a strip of material of a type characterized by being shrinkable when heated above a predetermined temperature, and with the strip edges straddling the shield seam. A plastic jacket is extruded onto the shielded core and strip of material at a temperature in excess of the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A device for forming a connection between a first and second group of glass fibers with each fiber of the first group being held in alignment with a given fiber of the second group characterized by an elongated carrier member having longitudinally extending grooves and a shrinkable tube telescopically received on the elongated member. In forming the connection, the glass fibers of one group are inserted individually in separate grooves from one end of the carrier member and the fibers of the second group are inserted from an opposite end until their end faces abut and engage the end faces of the respective fiber of the first group. After insertion, the tube is shrunk such as by a heat shrinking step so that the fibers are tightly and firmly held in their respective grooves by the shrinkable tube.

Abstract: An article such as a tube formed of heat-shrinkable material is bonded exteriorly or interiorly to an elastomeric member to form a laminated article. The bonding preferably takes place before heating and expanding of the heat-shrinkable tube. After expansion and cooling, the parts remain in the heat recoverable position. Subsequent heating of the parts causes them to recover radially about a substrate.

Abstract: A method of joining two sheets of a laminated thermoplastic material in a joint wherein the edge portion of a first sheet is butted against a face of a second sheet in which an edge portion of the first sheet, which consists of a central layer of porous plastic material such as a foamed polystyrene and compact facing layers of a thermoplastic material such as polystyrene or polythene, is heated by hot air which first causes the edge portion of the central layer to soften and retract followed by softening of the edge portions of the facing layers which then turn inwardly and join together thus closing off the central layer. The edge portion is then butted against and joined to a heated-up compact thermoplastic layer of the second sheet.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable sleeve having a meltable or softenable insert inside it, a thermal barrier being located between the sleeve and the insert. The barrier may be crosslinked thermoplastic netting, and the sleeve may be transparent.

Abstract: A method of welding a thermoshrinkable sheet comprises inserting between opposing faces of the sheet to be welded a piece of uncrosslinked resin tape containing peroxide, securing heat-resisting tapes on and adjacent outer faces of a welding portion of the sheet, and heating and pressing the welding portion.A device for use in the method includes a pressing plate having a heater, a receiving plate, a first link pivotally connected at one end to one end of the receiving plate and at the other end to the pressing plate, an operation lever pivoted on one end of the receiving plate, a second link pivotally connected to the free end of the operation lever and to the first link. The first and second links and the operation lever constitute a power amplifier mechanism in which the turning force of the operation lever is amplified to the pressure of the pressing plate through the second and first links.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an absorbent pad having a front surface, a fluid pervious top sheet covering at least a portion of the front surface of the pad, and a perforated film of thermoplastic material intermediate the sheet and pad. The film is heated to enlarge the perforations and fuse the film to the sheet and pad.

Abstract: Flexible hollow articles comprise an expanded elastomeric inner member and an outer restraining means. The restraining means has score lines thereon, and is made of a notch-sensitive material so that the score lines can be propagated through the material by distorting the article. The stiffness and elongation of the restraining means, and the peel strength of the bond between the inner member and the restraining means, are so chosen that at least part of the restraining means can be pulled away from the inner member by manual force. The articles are useful for covering substrates, especially splices and terminations in electrical cables.

Abstract: A laminated sealing article comprising a layer of adhesive sandwiched between a pair of cross-linked, dimensionally heat unstable wafers of polymeric material. The article is provided with a plurality of apertures adapted to receive a corresponding plurality of substrates. The gaps between the plurality of substrates are sealed by heating the article to the recovery temperature of the wafers. This heating causes the layer of adhesive to bond to the substrates and the wafers to recover around the substrates thereby forming a seal between all of the substrates and the article. The heat recoverable article of the invention is particularly well adapted for use in a method of environmentally sealing the rear of an electrical connector of the type having a plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors extending from a tubular rear portion.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a padding cloth for belts said cloth having a latent curvability property, in which a belt-like cloth having a plurality of thermal shrinkage rates in the widthwise direction is subjected to heat-treatment under a relaxed condition so as to thermally stabilize the portion of the lowest thermal shrinkage rate, while retaining the residual latent shrinkages of the portions of higher thermal shrinkage rates. An adhesive powder is applied on the cloth and is secured firmly thereto by melting. If required, a supporting cloth having an adhesive applied on its upper face is further superposed on the belt-like cloth and is secured firmly to it with the adhesive of the supporting cloth.

Abstract: A composite article is obtained by forming a body of a mixture of a fibrous material with a heat-hardening binder, by interposing between the body and a coating layer an intermediate layer having a tear-resistance and stiffness exceeding those of the coating material and impregnated with a resin which softens more slowly than a different resin with which the coating layer is impregnated, and by transforming the assembly of the body with the layers into the final article. During the transformation, the assembly is heated to a temperature at which the binder of the body hardens, and the resin of the intermediate layer softens more slowly than that of the coating layer. The intermediate layer may include asbestos fibers, or it may be a metallic foil or a soda craft paper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a floor and/or wall covering, its manufacturing process, as well as to an installation for performing this process.It specifically relates to a non-woven floor and/or wall covering having at least one layer of parallel juxtaposed textile threads and a supporting layer to which are individually fixed various textile threads.Particular applications of the invention are to all types of floor and wall coverings and to furnishing fabrics.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein improved packages, and methods of forming same, of the type wherein a container, such as for example a glass container, like a bottle or jar, is provided externally thereof with a heat shrunk, cellular thermoplastic member, circumferentially and snugly engaging a sidewall portion of the container; the improvement resides in employing as the thermoplastic member a composite structure, or laminate, of a closed cellular polymeric layer in which the polymer is a polymer of predominantly olefin moieties and, in adhered relationship to the closed cellular layer, a non-cellular polymeric layer in which the polymer is a polymer of predominantly olefin moieties with the cellular layer being in snug, heat shrunk engagement with the sidewall portion of the container and the non-cellular layer being disposed outwardly of the cellular layer.