Abstract: A composite envelope composed of a heat-shrinkable foil with a reinforcing layer containing tear-resistant fibers. The reinforcing layer is formed of a material which will melt below or at the temperature to which the heat-shrinkable foil is heated to stretch the foil and cause it to shrink back to its original condition so that the tear-resistant fibers are free to move in the melted material. Preferably, the composite is formed by providing carrier elements either having the fibers wrapped thereon or contained therein and assembling them with the shrinkable foil, heating to a stretching temperature to cause a melting of the carrier elements and stretching the foil at that temperature to create the memory and then holding the stretching forces until the foil has cooled to solidify the material of the carrier elements to form the reinforcing layer.

Abstract: A sleeve for clamping and connecting items to be clamped or connected includes a plurality of windings of heat shrinkable material bound into a sleeve which is placed over the item to be clamped or items to be connected. The heat shrinkable material in the sleeve is secured in such a way that upon application of heat to the sleeve, the heat shrinkable windings will shrink and exert inward compressive pressure about the inner surface of the sleeve and thereby about the item to be clamped or the items to be connected. When desired for clamping a tubular item, the clamp can be incorporated as part of the tubualr item by incorporating the windings of heat shrinkable material into the end of the tubular item. The method of clamping of the invention includes the steps of positioning a tubular item over the item to which it is to be clamped and then placing a pluraltiy of windings of a heat shrinkable material about the tubular item where it surrounds the item to which it is to be clamped.

Abstract: A thermoplastic fluoropolymer adhesive composition containing a thermoplastic fluoropolymer, an elastomeric fluoropolymer, a thermoplastic ethylene copolymer and a tackifier, in which the combined amount of ethylene copolymer and tackifier is less than about 30% by weight (based on the weight of the four components) and the ratio of ethylene copolymer is less than about 2:1, has improved sealing performance and flame resistance than similar compositions containing greater amounts of ethylene copolymer and tackifier. The composition is particularly useful for sealing surfaces of uncrosslinked ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sealed solder wire connector assembly and method of use operable to connect to an electrical wire member. The sealed solder wire connector assembly includes 1) an electrical terminal member having a solder connector end section on one end of a main terminal body; and 2) a protective sleeve asesmbly mounted about the electrical terminal member and constructed of a heat shrink material with an adhesive coating on an inner surface thereof. The solder connector end section is of a semi-circular shape with a low temperature melt solder coating to receive the wire member thereagainst. Application of heat to the sealed solder connector assembly results in 1) melting of the solder coating into the wire member; 2) melting of the adhesive coating; 3) shrinking of the protective sleeve assembly about the wire member and the electrical terminal member; and 4) removing the heat to achieve an air tight fluid sealed solder wire connector assembly.

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: An electric unit with a plurality of electric circuit elements is manufactured to connect terminals of the electric circuit elements directly using flexible conductors and the entire electric unit is covered by a deformable and contractile tube. Entrance and exit of conductors for connecting the electric unit and an external electric circuit are sealed with waterproof synthetic resin in a watertight manner. At least a portion of the electric circuit unit is capable of being bent. The electric unit can be applied to electric appliances having various shapes and further be easily mounted in a space, for example, such as a corner of the electric appliance even if the available space is curved.

Abstract: A conformable electromagnetic radiation suppression cover comprising one or more absorbing material(s) and a sealant. The cover conforms to the shape of a reflecting structure due to forces internal to the absorbing material(s) when the cover is subjected to an agent external to the cover. The absorber comprises dissipative particles bound in a conformable polymeric binder. The sealant is positioned to seal the conformable cover to the reflecting structure, and provides environmental protection to the structure and preferably better adhesion between the cover and the structure. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the cover is varied before shrinkage to produce a cover thickness in the direction of incident radiation, as measured after shrinkage, which produces a preselected resonant frequency for the cover. The cover may include a conductive surface, such as a metallic foil. Impedance matching materials are preferred but not required.

Abstract: A relatively flat, rectangular multipin connector has a terminal end to each pin adapted to receive the stripped end of a wire to be soldered thereto. Both surfaces of the pin may be arcuate in cross-section, one surface being concave and adapted to receive a wire to be soldered thereto. The convex surface has a covering of a thin layer of ferromagnetic material having an effective Curie temperature above the fusion temperature of the solder to be employed. A sleeve of heat shrinkable material has an interior ring of solder and is positioned over the region of contact between the wire and terminal end of the pin and has fusible plastic at each end. Each wire is placed on an individual pin and successively clamped in place, each between a different pair of jaws.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable tubular article e.g. for screening an electrical connector, is provided over a surface thereof with an electrically conductive continuous coating of substantially pure indium. Upon recovery of the article, the indium coating remains continuous and adhered to the surface of the article.

Abstract: A method for covering a substrate comprising the steps of:positioning over the substrate an assembly including a recoverable elastomeric sleeve and a mandrel upon which the sleeve is mounted under tension in an expanded condition such that upon release of the tension the sleeve tends to assume a smaller cross-sectional dimension and thereupon cover the substrate; the mandrel having a generally tubular configuration and defining a series of spaced apart, substantially longitudinal projections extending radially outwardly, the sleeve being in substantial contact with the longitundinal projections; and,withdrawing the mandrel from the sleeve by sliding the mandrel longitudinally away from the sleeve while maintaining its position over the workpiece, the sleeve thereby progressively assuming a smaller cross-sectional dimension to cover the substrate as the mandrel is progressively withdrawn.

Abstract: A stretched, elastic sleeve for enclosing a joint between a pair of interconnected electric cables, or an end of such a cable, is mounted on a tubular supporting body formed by a helically wound tape with contiguous turns. The tape has transversely extending notches to improve the bendability of the tape. After the assembly of the sleeve and the body is disposed around the joint or cable end, the tape is pulled out of the sleeve permitting the sleeve to contract and engage the cable.

Abstract: An electroconductive composite tube assembly is provided. The assembly includes a metal end member having at least one cylindrical wall. A tube main body of PTFE and having an outer circumferential surface is further provided. The outer circumferential surface of the tube main body is disposed in engagement with an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall of the metal end member. An electroconductive tube formed from a heat-shrinkable resin is disposed over the cylindrical wall of the metal end member and over the outer circumferential surface of the tube main body. The electroconductive tube is heat-shrunk into laminated engagement with both the cylindrical wall of the metal end member and with the outer circumferential surface of the tube main body to enable efficient grounding of the electrostatic charges developed in the composite tube.

Abstract: Compositions and a process for manufacturing an elastomeric, low modulus pre-stretched tubular article supported by a removable core. The article has a low Shore A hardness value and a low modulus which allows a large expansion ratio and an increased wall thickness.

Abstract: Heat recoverable soldering devices comprising a heat recoverable tubular article having at least one open end, and containing a solder insert, is provided with a curable adhesive insert between the solder insert and the open end. The curable adhesive melts, flows and cures when heat is applied to recover the article. The adhesive cures such that its viscosity increases to a value of at least 1.5 its initial viscosity during recovery of the article. Curing of the adhesive inhibits flow of the adhesive through the open end of the article and/or into the solder connection formed between two (or more) elongate bodies inserted into the article.

Abstract: Heat shrinkable tubing is disclosed which provides cushioning and vibration damping particularly useful for hand held power driven equipment. The tubing is extruded with internal ridges running along its entire length, which when heat shrunk on a substrate provides air pockets for cushioning and vibration damping. Embodiments disclosed include multiple layers of such material and multiple layers with smooth and texturized layers extruded concentrically on the primary vibration damping layers.

Abstract: An insert part for sealing a cable junction having a flange of heat-conductive material and a block of heat-fusable material connected to the flange also has a support member, preferably of heat-conductive material, projecting from the block. The support member has a part within the block shaped to provide a pair of opposed concave surfaces, positioned so that the concave surfaces open in opposite directions. The block may comprise a relatively thick central part and webs extending outwardly from the corners of that central part. Preferably, two flanges are provided, one on each side of the support member.

Abstract: A method of joining, repairing or reinforcing substrates, particularly polymeric pipes for transporting fluids, e.g. natural gas and water. The method makes use of an article, preferably a heat-recoverable article, which comprises a conductive polymer composition and which is heated to its recovery temperature by passing electrical current through the conductive polymer. Preferably the article is a heat-shrinkable coupler. The coupler may make direct contact with and fuse to the pipes, or there may be an insert between the coupler and the pipes. The article preferably comprises carbon blank dispersed in either a sintered polymer, particularly ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or a very high molecular weight polymer, particularly polyethylene having a molecular weight greater than 150,000.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable, wrap around sleeve is formed of a cross-linked corrugated layer of polyolefin extending between two cross-linked layers of homogeneous plastic material with an elongation at least equal to that of the corrugated polyolefin layer. Preferably, the corrugations extend at an angle, which is preferably a right angle, to the longitudinal edges of the sleeve and in the direction of stretching of the sleeve prior to it being heat-shrunk onto the joint.

Abstract: A solder-enclosing heat-shrinkable tube comprising:a heat-shrinkable tube comprising a first fluororesin;a ring-shaped fusible solder inserted in the tube; andring-shaped thermoplastic resin inserts placed in the tube on either side of the ring-shaped fusible solder;wherein the ring-shaped thermoplastic resin inserts comprising a blend of(A) a second fluororesin analogues to the first fluororesin, and(B) an-ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer compatible with the second fluororesin.

Abstract: A tubular heat recoverable article comprises electrically conductive polymeric material and can be recovered by passing an electric current therethrough. The article comprises two or more elongate electrodes extending at least part way along the article. One or more of the electrodes are interrupted so that separate lengths of the article can be connected to an electrical power source and heated and or recovered independently.

Abstract: Polymeric electrically conductive apparatus such as electric connectors are disclosed. These connectors employ a polymeric conductive material such as a conductive epoxy having conductive particles dispersed therein sufficient to establish electrical conductivity. These conductive materials are at least initially deformable such that electrical conductors may be inserted within an envelope containing the conductive material and electrical continuity for a prescribed circuit can be verified before structurally affixing the conductors to the envelope. Embodiments having radially collapsible envelopes for forming splice connectors and multicontact configurations employing rigid dielectric housings are disclosed.

Abstract: A heat recoverable article comprising a conductive polymeric material with particular electrical properties. Preferably, when expanded from X% to Y% to render it recoverable the resistivity of the composition decreases on expansion in at least part of the X-Y expansion range. Preferably the composition exhibits a pseudo PTC ratio (peak resistivity/resistivity at 25.degree. C.) in the range 11/2-10. Preferably the composition has a resistivity which increases on recovery as measured in the direction of current flow, throughout the temperature range 20.degree. C. to T.sub.e (extrapolated end temperature). The article is preferably tubular, and the electrtical behaviour allows it to be conveniently electroded with elongate electrodes, while avoiding overheating during recovery.

Abstract: A recoverable article comprises a recoverable fabric, means for rendering the fabric impervious, and a shaped liner. The assembly can be used to form a pressure resistant splice case for telecommunications cables.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming longitudinally watertight sealed portions in a cable bundle comprising a plurality of cable strands which employs a composite adhesive strip having at least two layers, a first layer consisting of a mass having good adhesive properties at ambient temperature, and a second layer consisting of a melt adhesive. At the location of the portion to be sealed, the layer of the composite adhesive strip having good adhesive properties at ambient temperature is adhesively secured to the spread-out cable strands of the cable bundle to be sealed. After winding the cable strand layer provided with the composite adhesive strip upon itself or folding it together, an outer heat-shrinkable material (hose or sheet material) is applied about the portion to be sealed.

Abstract: A plurality of terminals already disposed in a housing of an electrical connector, include solder tails extending rearwardly from the housing each of which has a thin foil-like substrate having a layer of magnetic material bonded intimately onto an outer surface thereof, so that respective wire ends may be placed therealong with solder preforms within lengths of heat recoverable tubing may be placed therearound and a high frequency current induced in the magnetic layer of the substrate which then generates thermal energy sufficient to melt the solder and shrink the tubing forming terminations between the wires and the terminals and simultanously sealing the terminations. The magnetic material of the substrate may be nickel-iron alloy, which may comprise the foil or which may be clad to a brass layer of the foil, which is then soldered to a brass solder tail layer.

Abstract: An electrical connector utilizing a crimpable ferrule with an electrical insulation sleeve thereover, and a transparent outer sleeve surrounding the ferrule and insulation sleeve, with the transparent outer sleeve formed of coextruded, multi-layer material with at least one layer being oriented and heat-shrinkable, and with the inner layer being a heat-activable adhesive. A portion of the outer sleeve is preshrunk to aid in the use thereof. The electrical connector in accordance with this invention is produced by placing a crimpable ferrule having an insulation sleeve thereon upon a first support, with the outer sleeve upon a second support, with both vertically oriented and coaxially arranged, and with the support for the outer sleeve at a lower elevation than the other support. The arrangement is passed through a heating zone to partially shrink a portion of the outer sleeve about the insulating sleeve, and to activate an inner adhesive layer on said outer sleeve into adhesion with the insulating sleeve.

Abstract: A tubular article comprises an electrically conductive polymeric material. The article increases in wall thickness on recovery. It can be used for example as a duct seal or as an internal coupler or seal for hollow conduits such as pipes. The article may have plain or convoluted walls.

Abstract: A tubular heat recoverable article comprises conductive polymeric material and is heated to effect recovery by the passage of electrical current therethrough. Elongate electrodes are attached on the surface or embedded in longitudinal flanges extending along the article. The flanges also comprise conductive polymeric material but are not heat recoverable, and therefore remain substantially undeformed on recovery other than bending to accommodate transitions. This means that the contact resistance between the electrode and the conductive material of the flange does not increase significantly on recovery.

Abstract: A toroidal core is mounted on an alignment disc having uniformly distributed circumferential notches or holes therein. Wire is then wound about the toroidal core in a uniform pattern defined by the notches or holes. Prior to winding, the wire may be placed within shrink tubing. The shrink tubing is then wound about the alignment disc and core and then heat-shrunk to positively retain the wire in the uniform position on the toroidal core.

Abstract: A pipe liner for insertion into a pipe to be relined which includes an elastomeric tube encompassed by a lattice of fibre material which radially contracts upon elongation and which is impregnated with a resin that is partially polymerized when the lattice is in its elongated and radially contracted condition to maintain the combination in that condition until has been inserted into a pipe at which the time the liner is softened upon additional polymerization to permit expansion of the liner into contact with the damaged pipe to be lined.

Abstract: An arrangement for forming a block in a cable against transmission of fluid along the cable comprises a generally flat blocking array (1) that is formed from a fusible polymeric sealant, e.g. a hot-melt adhesive or a thermosetting adhesive, which has a number of passage ways (2) extending from one end of the array to the other end for receiving wires (4) of the cable. The assembly includes a heat-shrinkable covering that can be positioned around the blocking array (1) in its flat configuration and recovered about the array by application of heat, and the sealant is capable of melting during recovery of the covering and being forced from a generally flat configuration to a generally cylindrical one by recovery of the covering. The invention also includes arrays per se which may be formed from hot-melt adhesives or thermosetting adhesives.

Abstract: A wrap-around sleeve for environmental sealing of cables etc. comprises a first web of shrinkable material, preferably electrically-heatable and having closure rails at opposing edge portions which can be held together to maintain the sleeve in a wrapped configuration. A second web extends from one of the rails within the sleeve, it has a length less than the length of the sleeve, and it can act as a localized cable build-up, or help to seal between branching cables.

Abstract: A telecommunications splice case comprises a flexible sheet that can be wrapped around the splice and optionally further surrounded by a rigid casing. The sheet has a heat-activatable sealing material at its edge and an electrical heater for activation.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable sleeve consisting of at least one heat-shrinkable component and a mechanical reinforcing component secured thereto, characterized by the reinforcing component being permanently secured to the heat-shrinkable component after completion of the heat-shrinking process. The mechanical reinforcing component, preferably, consists of a carrier foil on which mechanical reinforcing elements are arranged and the reinforcing elements are preferably arranged to extend in two directions so that tearing of the sleeve is extremely limited.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable envelope that is composed of a shrinkable component and a reinforcing component having a metallic matrix. The strength is increased on the basis of the metallic matrix and the ability to tear or, respectively, to continue to tear is considerably reduced. In addition, the metallic matrix forms an electrical and/or magnetic shield for components wrapped in the envelope.

Abstract: A cable is sealed at a conduit such as an outlet from a housing and preferably also terminated and blocked by shrinking over it a conductive polymer article having at least three portions. An end portion is shrunk to engage cable jacket, an intermediate portion is heat-shrunk to drive an adhesive into interstices between the conductors of the cable, and an opposite end portion is shrunk to engage the conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat-recoverable covers which comprises embedded electrical resistance heaters, and to methods of covering an elongate object using such covers.In a preferred embodiment, 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 (24,25 and 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: A recoverable article comprising a recoverable fabric, optionally with a matrix material, is provided with a closure whereby it can be retained in the wrapped around configuration. The article is suitable for environmentally protecting cables and pipes and joins therein.

Abstract: A device for connecting two bodies such as wires, and for sealing the connection between them, comprising a heat-shrinkable sleeve, a solder insert and an annular composite adhesive insert which comprises two layers of heat-activatable adhesive material. The viscosity of the radially inner layer is less than that of the outer layer. The device is heated to cause the sleeve to shrink and to cause the solder to fuse to form a connection between the bodies. Flow of the inner, less viscous layer of the adhesive insert is restricted by the outer viscous layer, to minimize contamination of the solder by the material of the inner layer.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable sleeve which has a shrinkable component and comprises a cross-linked polymer in the form of an open grid, said shrinkable component being embedded into a non-shrinkable component. The individual elements forming the open grid create a plurality of grid cells and are undetachably connected to one another at the point of intersection of the elements.

Abstract: The method of reinforcing a panel of sheet metal, a shaped plastic body or the like is performed by means of a one- or multi-layer stiffening member of essentially flat shape which comprises a layer at least partially consisting of a thermosetting resin. Thereby, the stiffening member is subjected to a first heat treatment until at least one of the surfaces of the stiffening member is sticky. Thereafter, the stiffening member is applied to the surface of an element to be reinforced. Finally, the stiffening member is subjected to a second, final heat treatment until all layers comprising a thermosetting resin material are cured. Thus, it is not necessary to manually prepare the stiffening member by removing a protection foil from its sticky surface prior to applying it to the element to be reinforced and a fully automated handling is possible.

Abstract: A butt cable splice is environmentally sealed by a closure that may be integrally blow-moulded, but which can be cut for re-entry and then resealed by partially telescoping together the resulting parts.

Abstract: To seal a cable junction, an insert is placed between two branch cables of the junction, which is then enclosed by a heat shrinkable envelope. The insert has at least one insert part having a block of heat fusible material attached by one or more flanges of heat conductive material to the branch cables. The block lies between the branch cables at least partially inside the envelope. Then, when the envelope is heated to cause it to shrink, the block fuses, thus forming a seal. For most sizes of branch cables, two insert parts may be used, but three or more may be used for large branch cables. The flange preferably has a tongue extending into the block to assist heat conduction.

Abstract: A heat deformable tube having a melt liner of noncross-liquid, thermoplastic material, such that upon heating to a temperature high enough to cause the tube to return to its original shape; the melt liner melts and encapsulates the substrate.

Abstract: A cable splice is environmentally sealed by positioning around it a stretched sheet of a curable elastomeric composition, allowing the sheet to relax into engagement, and then curing the composition. The composition may comprise a polychloroprene elastomer and a polyepoxide and optionally a curing agent, the polyepoxide present in sufficient quantity that it can act as a plasticizer.

Abstract: Curable compositions which are useful for encapsulating electrical connections and for joining metals to metals, and which comprise a mixture of high and low molecular weight fluorocarbon elastomers. Preferred compositions comprise a mixture of three fluorocarbon elastomers, the first having a Mooney viscosity at 121.degree. C. of at least 120, the second a Mooney viscosity at 121.degree. C. of 80 to 110, and the third a Brookfield viscosity at 100.degree. C. of 1,000 to 4,000 centipoises, in amounts 5 to 50%, 25 to 70% and 5 to 50% respectively, based on the weight of the polymeric component. The compositions can be easily molded under heat and pressure, and after they have been cured, they have remarkable resistance to degradation by hot liquids, even under pressure. Consequently, the compositions are very useful in the manufacture of self-regulating heaters for use in heating the production tubes of oil wells.

Abstract: An insulating tubular connector is formed of layers of heat shrinkable plastic with the inner layer having a plurality of inwardly extending retention tabs for physically engaging wires or the like over which the tube is fitted to mechanically retain said tube on the wires until permanent bonding can be effected by heat shrinkage of the tube of the connector.

Abstract: The assembly comprises a wraparound heat recoverable sleeve, and a resilient girdle provided with means for fastening opposed edge regions thereof together, thereby enabling the girdle to hold the sleeve in its wrapped configuration during recovery.The girdle is particularly suitable for use with sleeves that are wrapped around an object more than once.

Abstract: According to the present invention an elastomeric grommet includes an axial extending central tubular portion of diameter less than the diameter of the compartment wall opening. A flange portion is integral with the central tubular portion and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the compartment wall opening to limit the extent of insertion of the tubular portion into the compartment wall opening. A retention means, such as a flexible annular lip, is integral with the central tubular portion in axial spaced relation from the flange portion and has a free state dimension which is greater than the diameter of the central tubular portion. The integral retention device is yieldable to permit its insertion and the insertion of the tubular central portion through the compartment wall opening and then returns to its free state condition to retain the grommet in loose fitting relation with the compartment wall.

Abstract: An electrical connector utilizing a crimpable ferrule with an electrical insulation sleeve thereover, and a transparent outer sleeve surrounding the ferrule and insulation sleeve, with the transparent outer sleeve formed of coextruded, multi-layer material with at least one layer being oriented and heat-shrinkable, and with the inner layer being a heat-activatable adhesive. A portion of the outer sleeve is preshrunk to aid in the use thereof. The electrical connector in accordance with this invention is produced by placing a crimpable ferrule having an insulation sleeve thereon upon a first support, with the outer sleeve upon a second support, with both vertically oriented and coaxially arranged, and with the support for the outer sleeve at a lower elevation than the outer support. The arrangement is passed through a heating zone to partially shrink a portion of the outer sleeve about the insulating sleeve, and to activate an inner adhesive layer on said outer sleeve into adhesion with the insulating sleeve.