Abstract: A filling piece or plug of plastic sealing material for sealing the gore spaces between the cables of a cable fitting consisting of shrinkable material is provided wherein the filling piece is specifically dimensioned relative to the diameter of the cables, has a rectangular cross-section and has a swelling and subsiding longitudinal expanse. The plastic sealing material can be surrounded by a tensile band or ring to support the sealing compound.

Abstract: A method of covering a substrate which comprises(1) overlappingly wrapping a heat-shrinkable polymeric closure member in sheet form around an elongate substrate;(2) placing a crosslinked polymeric patch member over the exposed edge and outwardly disposed adjacent portions of the sheet in the area of the overlap;(3) interposing between the closure and patch members a layer of a hot melt adhesive; (4) heating the said hot melt adhesive to its tack temperature and pressing the patch member against the closure member, thereby bonding them together; and(5) heating the closure member to cause shrinkage thereof into circumferential contact with the substrate to conform generally to the shape of the substrate causing the patch member to stretch by at least 5% in the direction of shrinkagethe method being carried out under conditions such that (a) said patch member remains bonded to said closure member throughout at at least the major portion of its length in the overlap area; and (b) at least part of said patch membe

Abstract: A method of forming a connection part for polyolefin insulated electrical wires or cables is disclosed which comprises a cross-linkable reinforcing insulation layer around said connection part, providing around said reinforcing insulation layer a heat shrinkable tube consisting of an integrated assembly of a semiconductive layer and a specific insulated portion consisting of at least two cylindrical heat shrinkable semiconductive members in combination with each other through an insulation material, and then heating said tube under pressure to effect crosslinking of said reinforcing insulation layer and cause said reinforcing layer to become integrated with said heat shrinkable tube. A heat shrinkable tube for use in this method is also described.

Abstract: A recoverable tubular article comprising an elastomeric sleeve held in an expanded or extended condition and capable of recovering to its unexpanded condition of smaller diameter upon the removal of an outer restraint, an outer restraint, essentially tubular in configuration, bonded to said elastomeric sleeve, said restraint and said bond between the sleeve and the restraint being sufficiently strong to retain the elastomeric sleeve in its expanded condition under ordinary conditions of storage and said restraint being capable of being segmented and peeled from said elastomeric sleeve to permit said sleeve to recover to its original state.

Abstract: An article comprising a heat-recoverable conduit is provided with a plug or cap within or around said conduit to prevent the ingress of contaminants. The plug or cap comprises two principal parts; the first part, which is hollow, sits inside or around the conduit and the second part, which is attached to or in engagement with the first part, blocks the conduit. The second part can be detached or disengaged before recovery so that, for example, a supply line can be passed through the conduit and the first part can then be removed, destroyed or deformed prior to or during recovery. The plug or cap may also act to prevent premature recovery of the conduit.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable tubing is described which has a texturized surface. Upon applying the heat shrinkable tubing to a complex shaped object and applying heat the tubing shrinks radially and linearly, uniformly so as to preserve the texturized friction surface, shrinking over depressions and expansions of the complex surface without wrinkling.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable article which includes an outer layer of an opaque, dimensionally stable, thermoplastically deformable material and an inner layer of a cross-linked heat-recoverable (heat-shrinkable) material having a characteristic recovery shrinkage temperature. The outer layer has the property of becoming transparent at a decrystallization temperature which is at least as high as the shrinkage temperature, and preferably a few degrees higher, whereby the condition of the inner layer becomes visible through the outer layer when the article is heated to the decrystallization temperature.

Abstract: An article comprises two areas of heat-recoverable woven fabric which are joined together along a line by means of a mechanical joining arrangement, such as stitches, staples or a stitched or stapled zip, which penetrates the fabric. The direction of crimp of the area penetrated is substantially perpendicular to the line of the join, or the two areas have substantially parallel directions of crimp.

Abstract: An electrically heat-recoverable assembly comprising a heat-recoverable article and a pair of electrodes. The electrodes supply current to the article without interferring or limiting the way in which the article can be deformed in order to render it heat recoverable. The electrodes are placed and connected to the article in light of the properties of the article, especially its volume resistivity. The assembly significantly reduces the possibilities of arching or sparking while generating sufficient heat that is generated sufficiently uniformly throughout the article.

Abstract: Heat-recoverable articles, especially heat-shrinkable tubular articles, having an open end are formed so that the section adjacent said open end has a lower recovery ratio than a section adjacent thereto, thereby substantially reducing the risk of splitting when the degree of recovery is high or in applications where a high degree of unrecovered strain remains after recovery about a substrate such as a supply line. A preferred article is a tubular cap which has an open end section having a first expansion ratio, an intermediate section having a second expansion ratio and a closed end section having a third expansion ratio, the second expansion ratio being greater than the first and third expansion ratios. Such a cap may be employed to seal a conduit against ingress of moisture and other contaminants. When a supply line is subsequently to be passed through the conduit the closed end may be removed and the article shrunk to grip the supply line.

Abstract: A bi-polar electrocautery needle comprising an inner electrode, an outer electrode and recoverable insulating-locking means for insulating the electrodes from one another and locking them into relative position to one another. And the method of making the bi-polar electrocautery needle in accordance with this invention, the steps including: expanding recoverable dielectric material over an inner electrode; inserting the combination into an outer electrode, and recovering the material between the electrodes for insulating and locking the electrodes into relative position with one another.

Abstract: A water impervious heat shrinkable rubber or plastic tube wherein a laminated metal foil layer consisting of a metal foil film having a thickness of 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm and, laminated on each surface thereof, an electrically insulating or semiconducting rubber or plastic sheet extends along the entire or partial length of the tube and over the entire periphery of the tube, the two longitudinal edges of the laminated metal foil layer overlapping in a predetermined width and the laminated metal foil layer being so arranged in the tube that the thickness of the inner tube layer inside the laminated metal foil layer is smaller than the thickness of the outer tube layer outside the laminated metal foil layer.

Abstract: A branch-off between elongate substrates, such as cables, is enclosed by a recoverable sleeve. A clip is positioned over an edge portion of the conduits for the substrates. The clip comprises a tubular body having circumferentially spaced apart slits, within which the end portions of the sleeve is received.

Abstract: Foamable hot-melt adhesives comprised of a per se known hot-melt adhesive having a foaming additive therein, for example an organic azo compound. These adhesives can function in a purely physical foaming manner but can also function as crosslinking material, i.e. as solidifying and bonding materials. The foamable hot-melt adhesives of the invention can be used, for example, in sealing cable ends, for filling any desired aperture in the construction field, for sealing windows, doors, etc. or for sealing articles of manufacture.

Abstract: An article comprising a magnetic shielding thermoplastic polymeric material containing a powdery ferrite and a heat shrinkable thermoplastic polymeric material layer. Due to its specific structure, this article is excellent in applicability over any electrical component, and may provide over the component a cover having excellent magnetic shielding and mechanical strength properties. It may also bring about a substantial increase in inductance of the component.

Abstract: Laminar heaters comprise a laminar heating element sandwiched between two laminar electrodes having substantial electrical resistance along the thickness thereof. The heater has a heating area of irregular shape, and at least one of the electrodes extends over a connection area in which heat is not generated but which provides a shorter and/or more uniform current path to the heat-generating parts of the heater.

Abstract: A room temperature shrinkable coating material is molded of a high-molecular material, and impregnated with a volatile swelling agent containing one or more of virtually unvolatile aids having a variety of properties inclusive of rustproofness. The aids remain on the surface, or in the inside, of the coating material from which the swelling agent has volatilized off, thereby affording their own properties to the coating material.

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: There is disclosed a circuit change pin and a circuit board assembly. The circuit change pin is a termination post which is held in a compliant electrically insulating base. The base is made from a heat-recoverable material which is preferably a poly(aryl ether ketone). When the circuit change pin is used in conjunction with a printed circuit board, there is then a circuit board assembly.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable article comprising (1) a heat-shrinkable layer of polymeric material, (2) a laminar heater which comprises a conductive polymer layer sandwiched between apertured metal electrodes and which is secured to the inner surface of the layer, and (3) a member which is secured to the inside of the heater and which protects a substrate from damage caused by the heater when the layer shrinks. The protective member (3) has a first shape before the layer shrinks and a second shape after the layer shrinks. The member possesses sufficient strength to resist piercing by the electrodes when the layer shrinks. Such articles are particularly useful for enclosing splices in telephone cables.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable covering in the form of a sheet which is heat shrinkable in a longitudinal direction, and a stiffening member connected at each of two longitudinally spaced transversely extending superimposable zones of the sheet. One stiffening member has holes and the other studs in the form of arm portions which are insertable through the holes to secure the stiffening members together. The arm portions can be flattened down onto the outside of the covering to retain the stiffening members together while reducing risk of the studs interfering with items such as cables adjacent the covered article. Preferably the studs have a resiliently compressible head portion which snap fits into holes formed through the sheet adjacent the holes in the stiffening member to facilitate locating the overlapped zones of the sheet relative to one another. In use, the sheet is wrapped around an article, the stiffening members are engaged together, and the sheet is then heat shrunk.

Abstract: A dimensionally heat recoverable article carrying a thermoplastic polymeric material and a heat-softenable adhesive of smaller thickness and lower softening or melting point than the polymeric material is used to encapsulate objects such as joints in cables. The heat-softenable adhesive allows low installation temperature while the polymeric material allows excellent cycling performance to be maintained. The article may be in the form of a wrap-around sleeve.

Abstract: An assembly for enclosing a telecommunication cable splice comprising a wraparound sleeve having longitudinal edges which can be brought together and secured by for example a metal channel. A seal is made between these edges by an internal sealing member which bridges the abutting edges of the sleeve and is urged into contact with the sleeve by expansive urging means between the sealing member and underlying cable splice. The urging means is preferably a foam strip.

Abstract: This invention relates to a clamp assembly for connecting the metal armor, screen or shielding of one power cable of a joint connecting two or more power cables, with a metal bridging element which spans the joint and is connected to the metal armor, screen or shielding of the other power cable or cables of the joint. The clamp assembly comprises a hollow metal cylinder, means for sealing the cylinder to the inner sheath of the power cable and first and second clamping means for securing the metal armor, screen or shielding of the cable and for securing the metal bridging element to the metal cylinder. The metal bridging element can be a part of a protective joint enclosure placed over the joint area.

Abstract: Laminar heaters comprise a laminar heating element sandwiched between two laminar electrodes having substantial electrical resistance along the thickness thereof. The heater has a heating area of irregular shape, and at least one of the electrodes extends over a connection area in which heat is not generated but which provides a shorter and/or more uniform current path to the heat-generating parts of the heater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flat length of heat recoverable material with integral latching means so that the material may be wrapped around a cable, pipe or similar structure, latched together and shrunk down onto the structure. More particularly, the wrap includes a length of heat recoverable material with a metal clasp molded or otherwise attached to one end and an integrally molded, clasp-receiving rib on the opposite end.

Abstract: Aluminum-shielded coaxial cable is repaired by using a wraparound metallic sheet, such as copper, having a contact means on the sheet, such as "dragon skin" brass strips, and a sealing means, such as a mastic. The metallic sheet provides the electrical continuity and radio frequency shielding and the sealing means provides the environmental seal to prevent moisture from entering the opening in the aluminum shield. The sheet and contact means are held in position by compression means, such as clamps, and the sheet and compression means can then be covered with a wraparound heat-recoverable closure to protect the entire assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved liner constructions, and accordingly provides a cable sleeve liner capable in use of being wrapped around a cable splice and preferably having sufficient rigidity to provide an inner support for a heat-recoverable sleeve to be shrunk thereover, the liner comprising a laminate having at least one layer of fibrous sheet material and a metal layer which is substantially impermeable to moisture vapor and has one of its major surfaces facing away from all fibrous sheet layers which may be present. Preferably the fibrous layer(s) is or are arranged between the metal layer and a microperforated first layer of flexible polymeric film material which is permeable to gases or vapors generated within the laminate during recovery of the sleeve.

Abstract: A protective packaging method of protecting the spliced portion of optical fibers, comprising the steps of providing a protective packaging assembly having a heat-shrinkable tube capable of shrinking in the radial direction thereof, an extended form of hot-melt adhesive disposed on the inner side of the heat-shrinkable tube, and an electrical resistance heating element so disposed on the inner side of the heat-shrinkable tube and extendedly in the axial direction of the heat-shrinkable tube as to be capable of heating both the heat-shrinkable tube and the extended form of hot-melt adhesive, and a space provided in the heat-shrinkable tube for allowing the passage of the optical fiber; placing the protective packaging assembly around the splice portion of the optical fiber which has been passed through the space; and supplying electric current through the electrical resistance heating element to heat-melt the hot-melt adhesive and to heat-shrink the heat-shrinkable tube for forming a reinforced unit including

Abstract: Novel curable adhesives are solid, substantially free of cross-linking and substantially tack-free at 25.degree. C.; remain substantially uncured when maintained for extended periods at 80.degree. C.; have an initial viscosity of 10.sup.3 to 10.sup.4 poise at 150.degree. C. and cure relatively slowly at 150.degree. C.; and cure rapidly at 200.degree. C. The adhesives preferably contain at least one epoxy resin, particularly an epoxy resin having a softening point of at least 50.degree. C. and an epoxy equivalent weight of at least 200 in combination with an epoxy resin which is liquid at 25.degree. C. or an elastomer or other compatible high molecular weight polymer. The adhesive preferably also contains a high temperature curing agent and preferably also a filler, which may be particulate or fibrous. The novel adhesives are particularly useful in combination with heat-recoverable devices, e.g. devices comprising components made of heat-recoverable metal.

Abstract: A connector is described for electrical connection and, preferably, the removal of an array package having a plurality of pins with a substrate having contact elements. A first board having a plurality of openings formed therethrough and a second parallel board having a plurality of complementary openings formed therethrough are interconnected by a heat-recoverable metal grid. One end of the grid is connected to the first board and the other end of the grid is connected to the second board to move the boards relative to each other to effect engagement between insertable elements, e.g. the contact elements of the substrate and the pins of an array package.

Abstract: The device for enclosing at least part of an elongation object, preferably a connection between electrical conductors, comprising a hollow dimensionally recoverable article having an aperture that communicates between the interior and the exterior of the article, and a quantity of material which seals an aperture. The material is self sealing so that it will allow penetration of a test probe through the material and will continue to seal the article after removal of the probe. Advantageously the article contains an arrangement for connecting electrical conductors, for example a solder insert or crimping connector.

Abstract: A method of making a wire reference electrode in an electrolytic cell is provided wherein the wire reference electrode comprises a lead-in wire portion, a reference wire portion, a sealing material to seal the junction of the lead-in and wire reference portions, and a heat shrinkable insulating material which is heated for a predetermined period of time to collapse the heat shrinkable insulating material about the sealing material.

Abstract: A wire reference electrode and a method of employing the wire reference in an electrolytic cell is provided wherein the wire reference electrode comprises a lead-in wire portion, a reference wire portion, a sealing material to seal the junction of the lead-in and wire reference portions, and a heat shrinkable insulating material.

Abstract: An article for forming a cable block or for enclosing a cable splice comprises a recoverable driver sleeve and a particulate heat-activatable adhesive temporarily restrained adjacent an inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A cable splice, branchout or termination has a heat recovered member (30) around one or more cable portions (33) extending out of an end of the member (30). The cable portion (33) is protected from physical damage and heat by placing around it individually a metal foil member (1), preferably aluminium of thickness 150-250 microns. The metal foil member is preferably coated with a hot melt adhesive (2) and a mastic (5) at distinct locations. A pressure sensitive adhesive (4) may also be provided to help secure the foil member (1) around the cable portion (33) before recovery of the outer member (30). Apertures (44) may be provided in the foil member (1) to allow passage therethrough of hot melt adhesive provided on the inner surface of the recoverable member (30).

Abstract: A wraparound recoverable closure, wherein a portion of the closure is not recovered against a substrate, which has a flap to seal across the gap between the abutting edge portions of the closure. Where the closure does not recover against and contact a substrate, the flap does not seal adequately for some applications. This invention provides means for supporting the flap to improve the seal. The preferred embodiment is a bag inside the closure which contains a resilient liner which supplies pressure on the flap to seal the flap across said gap.

Abstract: An anti-corrosive covering sheet for wrapping around a metal pipe such as a steel pipe comprising a heat-shrinkable plastic sheet, an adhesive layer and an anti-corrosive layer laminated in order, in whichthe adhesive layer comprises a hot-melt adhesive material having a melting temperature of not lower than 50.degree. C. and containing 30-80% by weight of an adhesive olefin copolymer; andthe anti-corrosive layer contains an anti-corrosive agent and has a thickness in the range of 1-10 micron.

Abstract: A splice assembly and method for splicing electrical cables comprises a sealing layer, a barrier and an open mesh sleeve. The sealing layer is formed of uncured insulation material, surrounds the connector coupling exposed adjacent ends of the cable conductors, and engages the insulation layers of the cables. The barrier surrounds the sealing layer for inhibiting flow of the sealing layer upon heating. The open mesh sleeve surrounds the barrier and has its opposite axial ends rigidly secured to the cables. During curing of the sealing layer, the open mesh sleeve applies substantially uniform and constant pressure in a radially inward direction on the sealing layer to avoid air voids and increase the strength of the splice assembly.

Abstract: A strip of hollow heat-recoverable articles formed side-by-side by tear welding two lengths of polymeric material together at intervals so that individual articles may be torn off. A preferred method of making the strip involves cross-linking after the tear welding, heating the strip, and inflating the hollow articles to render them heat-recoverable by introducing pressure via an interconnecting passage formed for that purpose during the tear welding.

Abstract: A longitudinally extending split sleeve of shrinkable material having a pair of reinforced, longitudinally extending edge zones and a closure system of closure elements for closing the edge zone characterized by one of the edge zones having a meandrous profile with cutouts and tabs and the other edge zone having cutouts for receiving the tabs. In one embodiment, the cutouts of the other edge zone are apertures. In another embodiment the other edge zone has a meandrous profile with both tabs and cutouts.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shield connection device for terminated cable shields. The device includes a first hollow heat-recoverable member having open ends and a second hollow deformable member having open ends with one end being within the first member. The device includes shielding between the end of the second member within the first member and the first member. The shielding includes a quantity of fusible material on that portion of the shielding outside the second member. The device is partially recovered to secure the shielding between the members but not sufficiently recovered to melt the fusible material or fully recover the first member.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable tube comprising a mixture of 100 parts by weight of fluororubber and 10 to 100 parts by weight of a crystalline polymer, said mixture being expanded into a tubular form after cross-linking. The tube has high heat resistance and oil resistance and is useful for reconnection of connectors of communication cables and electric cables a for the prevention of corrosion of steel which can be used at high temperatures.

Abstract: A multilayer, heat shrinkable composite tube covering is provided for a cable joint structure in which intimately joined layers define a semiconductive inner or conductor shield, an insulation layer, and an outer or insulation shield for the joint. Furthermore, a highly resistive semiconducting layer is provided over the joint under the innermost layer of the composite tube, forming a dual layer conductor shield for the joint. In the preferred embodiment, the entire composite tube is pressure extruded in a common operation and all three layers are simultaneously chemically cured and cooled under pressure to provide the intimately joined layers of the composite tube. Subsequently, when the tube is shrunk over the joint, the three layers shrink as a unit, so that there is no possibility of trapping impurities or gas bubbles between layers.

Abstract: A high voltage electrical component can be insulated by placing such component into a first sleeve of preformed insulative material dimensioned to receive and telescope over the component. An internal abutment in the first sleeve positions the component for reception of both the first sleeve and component by a second sleeve of preformed insulative material dimensioned to receive and telescope over the first sleeve and component within. An internal abutment in the second sleeve further secures and centers the component and the first sleeve for subsequent encapsulation by insulative materials used with injection molding to form an outer insulative jacket. Once encapsulated within the insulative jacket the telescoping sleeves form a convoluted path outwardly from the component to the exterior of the jacket thereby minimizing high volt leakage.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable tube for use in forming a connection part for shielded polyolefin insulated electrical wires or cables. The heat-shrinkable tube comprises an integrated assembly of two cylindrical heat-shrinkable semiconductive members arranged end-to-end and surrounded and joined at the adjacent ends thereof by an insulation material. The shrink ratio of a narrow region of the heat-shrinkable tube defined by the adjacent ends and joining insulation material is smaller than that of the remainder of the tube. The adjacent ends of the cylindrical members may partially overlap each other, and a portion of each adjacent end may be folded back upon itself to produce a rounded shape for avoiding concentration of the electric field.

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

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

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

Abstract: A wedging device comprises at least two bodies which are movable in relation to each other, namely a first body having two diverging surfaces and a second body which is displaceable relative to the first body along one of its diverging surfaces. A heat-shrinkable casing, made for example from a tape, sheet or film of polymeric material, is arranged around the movable bodies of the device. When the device is heated, the casing shrinks, causing relative displacement between the first and second bodies and a consequent change in the outer dimensions of the device.