Abstract: A shrinkable composite section is formed from a shrinkable composite foil composed of at least two shrinkable planar foils adhering firmly to one another. Each of the two shrinkable foils has a shrink direction proceeding at a suitable offset angle relative to the shrink direction of the other individual planar foil so that the resulting overall shrink direction occurring for the composite foil extends between the shrink directions of the two individual foils. The tendency toward tearing or, respectively, continued tearing of the shrinkable composite foil section is, thus, diminished.

Abstract: A method for producing a tight termination at an introduction region of a shrinkable cable sleeve characterized by positioning the seal element between the cables, said seal element having a material deformable by the application of heat so that upon heating of the cable sleeve, the sleeve shrinks onto the cables to extend tangentially therebetween and the seal element fills the spaces between the cables and the walls of the cable sleeve. The seal element may be secured either to the cable sleeve or to one of the cables or to both. The seal element preferably has a fixed part of metal and a sealable part which will deform with the application of heat.

Abstract: An electrical terminal (1) for connection to one or more electrical wires comprises a conventional terminal portion (2) having a lug portion (3) and a hollow shank (4), a jacket (11) of polymeric insulation that extends over the shank, and a tapering hollow connection piece (6) for example in the form of a coiled wire. The tapering connection piece has an internal and external screw thread and is arranged partly within the end of the shank. It is capable of receiving one or more electrical wires so that they can be secured within the connection piece (6), and the connection piece (6) can be secured within the shank (5) by twisting the terminal about the wires. The jacket (11) is preferably formed from a heat-shrinkable sleeve, and the terminal preferably includes a quantity of solder (9) for forming a permanent electrical connection.

Abstract: A thermomorphic covering layer is applied to a heat-shrinkable body of thermoplastic material, e.g. a heat-shrinking sleeve adapted to surround and seal a cable splice so that when the heat-shrinking temperature is reached, the thermomorphic covering melts to form a continuous protective layer on the sleeve. It contains glass fibers or an insecticide or microbicide to protect the sleeve against pest deterioration.

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 the material of the strip to differ in its properties from the material of the sheet, so that the nature of welded closure can be tailored to particular applications. It also allows manufacture of sleeves having hold-down adhesives applied on them to be conducted with greater ease and economy. The sleeve can be manufactured using continuous welding, for example by heated wedge welding.

Abstract: A transition joint for sealing an electrical coaxial cable having an oil-impregnated or fluid filled layer. The transition joint has two primary elements, an electrically insulative elastomeric tube and a heat recoverable sleeve. In connecting a paper-insulated, lead jacketed cable to an extruded dielectric cable, the elastomeric tube is placed in tight conformity around the paper layer, slightly overlapping the lead jacket and the central conductor, and further partially overlapping a connector joining the conductors of the cables. The heat recoverable sleeve is then contracted over the elastomeric tube, overlapping the lead jacket and the central conductor, and partially overlapping the connector. The heat recoverable sleeve mechanically restricts the elastomeric tube, preventing the elastomeric tube from swelling which, in turn, precludes absorption of the oil, which would otherwise cause the elastomer to degrade.

Abstract: An environmentally protected electrical socket and plug assembly retains environmental security throughout repeated connections and disconnections. The socket and plug assembly includes a socket containing an electrical conductor and adapted to insertably receive a plug, an environmental sealant at least partially filling the socket so that the sealant is at least partially displaced from the socket when the plug is inserted into the socket, and an elastomeric containment means for containing displaced sealant when the plug is inserted into the socket and for urging the sealant back into the socket when the plug is removed.

Abstract: An electrical component has a body (1) and a plurality of leads extending from the body, and is enclosed in an insulating plastics sleeve (4) that extends over the body and leads. The sleeve (4) has a number of heat-recoverable end portions (6, 7) that extend over the leads and enclose a quantity of solder (8, 9), so that the leads can be permanently connected to further terminals by heating the end portions of the sleeves to cause them to recover and the solder to fuse.

Abstract: A close-fitting box (110, 120 FIG. 3) maintains a sheet (100) of mastic in sheet form for wrapping around a cable splice (FIG. 7) to supply large volume of mastic to fill the enclosure formed by applying a heat-shrinkable sleeve (250, FIG. 11) around the mastic-wrapped splice.

Abstract: An arrangement for enclosing the termination of a screened electrical cable to an electrical conductor comprises a coupling element, e.g. an adaptor (1) that is intended to engage the connector and is formed from a metal having a conductive passivate layer thereon, and a dimensionally recoverable article (2) for enclosing the termination after recovery onto the cable. The article (2) includes an electrical screen (8) and is partially recovered into engagement with the coupling element (1) so that an end of the screen (8) is in electrical contract with a portion (5) of the coupling element. The portion (5) of the coupling element has no passivate layer thereon.It has been found that the electrical resistance of the band formed between the screen (8) and the coupling element (1) is relatively constant during storage at elevated temperature.

Abstract: A device 1 for forming an electrical connection between a plurality of electrical conductors comprises an electrically insulating sleeve (3), a metallic connecting element (4) located within the sleeve and a quantity of solder (8) for forming a permanent electrical connection between the conductors. The connecting element (4) has an external surface that is uneven so that a significant proportion of any radiation that is radially inwardly directed onto the external surface of the element will be reflected at least twice by the external surface of the element.This uneveness enables the response of the device to heating by infrared radiation to be significantly improved. The connecting element may be formed for example by coiling a wire having a polygonal, e.g. square, cross-section into a frusto-conical helix.

Abstract: A wire connector having a conductive barrel with a solder disc disposed in the barrel with wire retaining means to hold the wires in place during heating and melting of the solder disc to form a permanent connection. A shrinkable sleeve, provided with means of sealing, formed around the barrel and extending beyond the ends of the barrel is also shrunk down onto the wires to seal and insulate the connection and hold the wires.

Abstract: A device (1) for forming an electrical connection at the end of a bundle of wires (2) comprises an electrically insulating, preferably heat-shrinkable, sleeve (3), a metallic connecting element (4) located within the sleeve, and a quantity of solder (8) for forming a permanent electrical connection between the conductors. The connecting element (4) has a tapering internal surface which has a screw thread so that a temporary electrical connection can be formed by screwing the bundle of wires into the connecting element. Preferably the connecting element is formed by winding a wire, e.g. hard tempered copper wire, into a frusto-conical form. Splices in wire bundles may be made by means of a device in which the connecting element has a pair of internally threaded portions into which different cable bundles can be screwed.

Abstract: A transition joint for sealing an electrical coaxial cable having an oil-impregnated or fluid filled layer. The transition joint has two primary elements, an electrically insulative elastomeric tube and a heat recoverable sleeve. In connecting a paper-insulated, lead jacketed cable to an extruded dielectric cable, the elastomeric tube is placed in tight conformity around the paper layer, slightly overlapping the lead jacket and the central conductor, and further partially overlapping a connector joining the conductors of the cables. The heat recoverable sleeve is then contracted over the elastomeric tube, overlapping the lead jacket and the central conductor, and partially overlapping the connector. The heat recoverable sleeve mechanically restricts the elastomeric tube, preventing the elastomeric tube from swelling which, in turn, precludes absorption of the oil, which would otherwise cause the elastomer to degrade.

Abstract: A coupling of severed antenna wires is arranged to include a heat shrink tube having low temperature solder core arranged to secure respective first and second cable antenna wires together, wherein a metallic mesh connecting tube is arranged to electrically interconnect first and second cable mesh shields. An outer tubular insulative tube of flexible construction is arranged to surround the abutting end portions of the first and second antenna cables joined together.

Abstract: A wire connector having a conductive barrel with a solder mass disposed in the barrel is formed with wire retaining means to hold the wires in place during heating and melting of the solder to form a permanent connection. A shrinkable sleeve, provided with means of sealing, formed around the barrel and extending beyond the ends of the barrel is also shrunk down onto the wires to seal and insulate the connection and hold the wires.

Abstract: A covering for a joint between electric cables, an element including such covering for forming a covered joint and a joint obtained with such covering. The covering includes two radially elastic sleeves of cross-linked polymeric material, one sleeve being inside and co-axial with the other sleeve. In the unassembled state, the diameter of the bore of the outer sleeve is less than the diameter of the outer surface of the inner sleeve so that when assembled, the outer sleeve exerts radially inward pressure on the inner sleeve. Each sleeve may be formed of one or more tubular layers of polymeric material.

Abstract: Composite solder articles contain a first portion of a first solder having a first melting point, T.sub.1, and a second portion of a second solder having a second melting point, T.sub.2, which is at least (T.sub.1 +10).degree. C. Such articles are useful as the sole solder-producing inserts in heat-recoverable solder connection devices. When the device is heated, the second solder will not melt until the first solder has melted and flowed. Thus the second solder portion can indicate when the first solder has flowed, and/or can control flow of the first solder.

Abstract: An arrangement for enclosing a branch-off between a pair of cables (2,3,4) comprises a dimensionally recoverable sleeve (5) which can surround the branch-off, and one or more clips (6) which can be positioned about opposed walls of the sleeve to divide the sleeve into channels for the cables. The or each clip (6) is of unitary form and has a pair of legs (8) that are splayed outwardly to facilitate positioning of the clip over the sleeve walls. The or each clip is deformable so that the legs can be forced towards each other after the clip has been positioned on the sleeve walls but is sufficiently rigid, at least in its deformed state, it will resist opening out of the legs under the recovery forces of the sleeve.The invention provides a relatively simple and easy to install enclosure for branch-offs in harnesses for example that are intended to be used in automotive vehicles.

Abstract: A method for connecting the screen of at least one screened electrical cable to an electrical link wire includes stripping insulation from the cable and the link wire, coating at least one of the stripped parts of the cable and of the link wire to be connected with an electrically conductive adhesive, after which the parts to be connected are placed facing each other. A tape of heat-shrinkable insulating material is then wound around the parts, and heat-shrunk to form the desired connection.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of assembling a liquid applicator structure having a static mixing member with a input and an output end and a nozzle member disposed at the output end of the mixing member, comprising the steps of providing a static mixing member; providing a nozzle member; depositing a predetermined amount of an adhesive on the output end of the static mixing member; connecting the nozzle member to the output end of the static mixing member; and applying a retention structure over a predetermined segment of the mixing member and the nozzle member.

Abstract: A device for forming an electrical connection between a number of electrical wires comprises an electrically insulating sleeve and a hollow connecting element, for example in the form of a coil, which is formed from solder for forming a solder joint between the wires. The connecting element has a tapering internal surface that is provided with a screw thread, for example by means of the coil windings, arranges so that a temporary electrical connection may be formed between the conductors by twisting them into the connecting element. The device can be higher and, when installed have reduced size compared with connectors that are provided with infusible connecting elements.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable envelope is composed of at least one shrinkable planar layer on which a reinforcing component of fiber-shaped or thread-shaped reinforcing elements is arranged. These reinforcing elements are arranged in unregulated configuration, for example in the form of a fleece, felt or in an irregular fill. Advantageously, a cover layer may be applied so as to sandwich and bond the reinforcing component between the cover layer and the planar layer.

Abstract: An arrangement for enclosing a branch-off between two or more cables (11,12) comprises a dimensionally recoverable sleeve (1) which can surround the branch-off and a clip (6) having a pair of legs (8) that can be positioned about opposed walls of the sleeve to divide the sleeve into channels for the cables. The sleeve has one or more transversely extending ribs at its end and the clip has a profile, e.g. being provided with protuberances 9, such that it can be pushed onto the end of the sleeve and can be retained thereon by engagement of the rib(s).

Abstract: A method of enclosing a substrate within a heat-shrinkable sleeve, which comprises the steps of:a) attaching to the substrate a slideway;b) attaching to the slideway a clip having at least two legs;c) positioning a heat-shrinkable sleeve around the substrate;d) sliding the clip by means of the slideway and with respect to the substrate such that at least one portion of the sleeve becomes positioned between the legs of the clip, ande) causing heat-shrinkage of the sleeve.

Abstract: A device for forming a solder connection between a plurality of electrical conductors, comprises a hollow, dimensionally heat-recoverable sleeve 1 formed for example from polyvinylidine fluoride, the sleeve having one end that is open to allow the insertion of the electrical conductors therein, and another end that is closed by a substantially spherical sealing insert.

Abstract: A multiple layer wraparound sleeve having a heat shrinkable backing layer and at least one functional layer has the functional layer as a discrete sheet which is connected to one end of the backing layer, and is of at least sufficient length that, when the sleeve is wrapped around the pipe or other substrate at least twice, the functional layer sheet wraps around the substrate first with its ends overlapping and the backing layer wraps around the functional layer sheet with its ends overlapping. This allows wrappings of reduced thickness to be employed without problems of voids occurring between the functional layer and the substrate.

Abstract: An assembly capable of sealing an elongate substrate that is curved or angled along its length, which has a heat-shrinkable wraparound sleeve (1) having closure rails (3) adjacent opposing longitudinal edges thereof which can be held together by positioning a closure member thereover to maintain the sleeve in the wrapped-around configuration during heat-shrinkage and the closure member, which comprises an elongate channel (7) of sheet material substantially C-shaped in transverse cross-section having transverse first and second slits (9, 10) therein that extend substantially entirely across its width, respective first and second slits extending through each longitudinal edge, and giving the channel flexibility in two mutually perpendicular planes.

Abstract: A high voltage insulator has a polymeric core that forms a mechanical strength member and an outer covering of a heat-shrinkable polymeric tube that is electrically insulating and non-tracking and that has sheds on its outer surface.

Abstract: Heat-shrinkable two-layer tubing comprising (a) an outer layer comprising a crosslinked resin composition comprising a fluorine-containing resin containing a vinylidene fluoride unit as a base polymer and a polyfunctional monomer containing at least two unsaturated double bonds in the molecule thereof, and (b) an inner layer having provided on the inner wall of the outer layer comprising a fluorine-containing resin composition. The tubing is excellent in heat resistance and chemical resistance and exerts an excellent sealing effect on heating.

Abstract: A room-temperature shrinkable tube includes an elastic tube stretched to cover a cylindrical shell. An object to be coated by the elastic tube is inserted into the cylindrical shell, and the cylindrical shell is slid out from the elastic tube, so that the resilience of the elastic tube brings it into contact with the surface of the object.

Abstract: An electric covering for a joint between a pair of electric cables, a device including such covering in elastically expanded condition on a rigid tubular support and electric cable joints including such covering. The covering includes at least two elastic sleeves of cross-linked polymeric material, a first radially inner sleeve at least partly of insulating material and a second radially outward sleeve. To permit the covering to be elastically expanded and encircling the rigid support for a long period of time, e.g. two years, the two sleeves have different mechanical properties and in particular, the material of the second sleeve has a residual deformation, which is applied by elongation over a period of time, which is less than the residual deformation, similarly applied, to the material of the first sleeve.

Abstract: An electrical cable in-line or branch joint has hydrophobic material located around the connections of the conductors so as to act as a water block. The hydrophobic material is physically prevented from being forced away from the connections into the cables, for example by pressure of water within the cable, by a fibrous material located in and around the crutch regions where the conductors emerge from the cable joints.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a tube and a part has a polymeric tube with an axis along the longitude thereof. The part has a cross sectional shape and size to be near an inside surface of the tube when the part is at least partially therewithin. The part or tube is supported so that relative movement along the axis places the part at least partially within the tube located between the ends or in the tube near the distal or proximal end thereof. The part and/or the tube is a thermoplastic polymer made by a process that develops within the polymer a memory of the polymer prior to forming so that residual stresses remaining in the part can be relaxed by changing temperature causing expansion. A form of a relatively nonconductive material is positioned for relative movement along the axis and for placement about the tube. The form is shaped and sized to fit and contain the outside surface of the tube.

Abstract: An assembly for forming a semi-permanent electrical connection between a pair of wires (1,2) comprises a male push-fit connector (3) and a female push-fit connector (4).Each connector (3,4) has a connection part to enable it to be connected to the wire, e.g. in the form of a crimp (5,6) and a mating part for engagement to the other connector. Each of the connectors has a sealing jacket (8,10) for sealing the connection to the associated wire, and one of the connectors has a heat-recoverable skirt (11) which, when the connectors are engaged, extends over part of the sealing jacket of the other connector to seal the connection against moisture ingress. The skirt (11) is provided with a layer of adhesive for forming the seal.

Abstract: A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two spaced-apart elongate substrates, which comprises the steps of:(a) positioning the substrates within the heat-shrinkable sleeve;(b) positioning between the substrates and within the sleeve at an open end thereof a plug having a larger cross-sectional size at a first position away from said open end and a smaller cross-sectional size at a second position towards said open end;(c) positioning a heat-activatable sealing material at the first position;(d) shrinkable conduits in the sleeve by positioning one or more clips at the open end of the sleeve such that the substrates and the plug are in respective conduits; and(e) while the clip remains on the sleeve, applying heat so as to affect shrinkage of the sleeve to activate the sealant, and form the desired seal.

Abstract: A heat recoverable article comprises a tube of polymeric material and a spring. The spring has a first bent configuration in which it is bent at a specific angle and a second configuration in which it is relatively straight, the spring being held in its first configuration by the tube. When the article is heated the polymeric material of the tube softens thereby permitting the spring to recover toward its bent configuration. The spring can be selected such that it recovers with sufficient force to bent a substrate over with the tubular recoverable article is positioned.

Abstract: A reinforcing sleeve encloses a bendable electrode tip assembly for a catheter. The reinforcing sleeve is flexible enough to accommodate the bending movement desired for the electrode tip assembly. Still, the reinforcing sleeve provides added strength and resistance against wear and tear during repeated bending operations. The reinforcing sleeve also holds associated steering wires and electrical conducting wires in close intimate contact against the interior support wire of the electrode tip assembly. The intimate contact prevents kinking and chafing of the steering wires and electrical conducting wires during bending operations.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable envelope of crosslinked polymeric plastic material is composed of regions having different amounts of shrinkability which regions are disposed uniformly over the entire area of the envelope. The difference in the regions of shrinkability can be obtained by different amounts of crosslinking, by different geometric shapes for the two regions or a combination of both. The regions can be arranged in sandwich-like layers or can be arranged in alternately-arranged, parallel-extending bands. The regions having the lower shrinkability resist tearing and continued tearing of the regions with the high shrinkability and the region with the high shrinkability insure a proper shrinking of the envelope onto the article or material being surrounded thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to heat-recoverable covers which comprise embedded electrical resistance heaters, and to methods of covering an elongate object using such covers. In a preferred embodiment (FIG. 5), the cover comprises a heat-recoverable polymeric sheet (22) or fabric, provided with upstanding rails (24,25) as a first closure means. A heating element (36) is embedded in the sheet and arranged to follow a serpentine path such that each return loop portion 38 projects beyond the edges of the cover. The sheet is coated on its inner surface with a layer of adhesive and/or sealant (28,30). In use, the cover is wrapped around a substrate (32) at least once, and first and second closure means (24,25and 26,27) are engaged to hold the cover in the wrapped configuration. The cover is then heated to cause the cover to recover, and the adhesive and/or sealant to form a seal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting device (200) to equip an end of an electric cable (100), including a multilayer sleeve having an axis (202) and having an insulating intermediate layer (204) interposed between two layers suitable for ensuring the guiding of an electric field.According to the invention, only the end or ends (207) of the sleeve designed to cooperate with a cable end are in a state of radial expansion such that they present an inside diameter that is greater than the outside diameter of the corresponding cable end and which will be less than this outside diameter once retraction of the said ends of the sleeve has been brought about.The invention also relates to a process for mounting this device on the cable or cables.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable soldering device for soldering electrical conductors comprising a heat-recoverable sleeve and a quantity of solder is provided with a deformable retaining member which retains the conductors in the desired alignment when deformed.

Abstract: Central is a nonstretchable, high strength thread that extends transverse to stretching, either of individual heat recoverable strands or of an embedding layer. The thread is either placed across plural heat recoverable strands, or plural threads are individually wrapped around the strands, or there is a plurality of helices on thermoplastic strings in a heat recoverable embedment, with further transverse high strength threads being interwoven with the helices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of re-entering and reclosing a cable splice case enclosing a splice between first and second cables and comprising a wrap-around sleeve and a closure channel, the sleeve having opposing longitudinal edge portions, each bearing a rail, the edge portions having been brought together around the splice such that the rails are adjacent one another and the closure channel being positioned over the adjacent rails, which method comprises:(a) removing a portion of the sleeve from the splice, leaving an end portion of the sleeve attached to the first cable;(b) removing a portion of the channel from the rails of the remaining portion;(c) positioning over the rails of the end portion at a position where the portion of channel has been removed a hot-melt adhesive plug, the plug having a recess for receipt of the rails;(d) positioning a heat-shrinkable reclosure sleeve around the splice, the reclosure sleeve extending from the adhesive plug at the end portion; and(e) heating to cause

Abstract: A cable splice closure base (1,2) comprises a plurality of tubular cable entry ports each having an outer portion (4) which is heat shrinkable and being closed at its inner end by a frangible membrane (28). Cables may be installed through some only of the entry ports, which are then recovered about those cables while heat shields are used to insulate the other entry ports. Further cables may be installed subsequently through the other ports and/or ports which are already used may be opened and re-used.

Abstract: Device for delayed dispensing of viscous liquids in which the plastic material of the dispensing container is selected for its ability to shrink in a predictable manner upon exposure to heat, age, light, or chemical activator; and the container shape and dimensions are selected to render the proper evacuation pressure according to the volume and viscosity of the charge to be dispensed. In various embodiments of the invention the shrink induced dispenser is used to dispense lubricants, inks, additives, and medications. In heat activated embodiments the inventiuon is capable of integral temperature responsive automatic flow control.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a heat-shrinkable envelope composed of a heat-shrinkable component and a reinforcing component that is embedded in the heat-shrinkable component and has undulations or corrugations. The reinforcing component has special arrangements for stopping tears, such as the provisions of embossments or beads, the provision of holes, punctures and slots.

Abstract: A longitudinally heat shrinkable closure sheet has a hold-down adhesive portion adjacent each longitudinal end for application on the exposed end portions a heat shrinkable wrap-around sleeve applied around a pipe or other article to be covered. Heat is applied to the closure sheet in order to weld the adhesive free portion of the underside of the closure sheet to the end portions of wrap-around sleeve. The initial shrinkage of the closure sheet between the hold-down adhesive portions draws it tightly into contact with the upper side of the end portions. Shearing forces are applied between the closure sheet and the end portions firstly as the closure sheet contracts relative to the end portions, and secondly, as the sleeve shrinks, develops hoop stress and stretches the closure sheet, and a high strength fusion bond is achieved between the closure sheet and sleeve.

Abstract: A cable device for connecting electrical apparatuses with a power source or housing parts of electrical apparatuses with one another has a foldable electrical cable which has a plurality of folds with folding regions therebetween, and fixing elements which fix bending points in the folding regions against turning movements.

Abstract: A storable covering element for electric cable joints which includes a tubular support on which a multi-layer sleeve is mounted in radially stretched condition, a cable joint with such a sleeve and a sleeve for such use. The sleeve has an inner layer of cross-linked polymeric material which has a temporary residual deformation after storage for at least 24 months at room temperature which is less than such deformation of the layers outwardly thereof and preferably has a modulus of elasticity greater than the modulus of elasticity of the layers outwardly thereof. The outer layers are also made of cross-linked polymeric material, and each layer is bonded to the adjacent layer so that the inner layer will pull the outer layers radially inwardly when the sleeve is applied to a cable joint.