Abstract: A heating apparatus for thermally shrinkable tubes and the like has a heating density gradient such that a higher temperature is imparted initially to a central portion of the heated tube, spreading gradually to the ends of the tube, to purge air bubbles to the outside of the tube while employing only one heating element.

Abstract: This relates to the removal of indentations in the sealing surfaces of plastic bottles, particularly blow molded bottles. The neck finish of each bottle, as it moves along a discharge conveyor from a blow molding machine, is heated to a temperature approaching the glass transition temperature of the plastic material, at which temperature the memory of the plastic material begins to induce slight flow and wherein the indentations are eliminated by the flow of the plastic material of the sealing surface.

Abstract: An adhesive composition comprises(a) a thermoplastic polyamide having reactive amine groups;(b) a thermoplastic copolymer of an alkene with an ethylenically unsaturated ester of an alkanol and a carboxylic acid, e.g. vinyl acetate or ethyl acrylate, and optionally one or more acidic copolymers; and(c) a thermoplastic epoxy resin.The components (a) and (b) are present in a ratio of from 35:65 to 75:25 by weight and component (c) is present in an amount of from about 8 to 79 parts per hundred parts of components (a) and (b) by weight, components (a), (b) and (c) existing separately in the form of particles that are mixed together.

Abstract: A single-piece plastic shotshell casing and method of making same comprising softening one end portion only of a tube of uniformly biaxially oriented high density polyethylene sufficiently for forming and until a dollup is formed, then telescoping only a portion of the dollup into the rigid sidewalls of the tube, and then forming the dollup into a substantially thickened integral transverse base section constituting a head with a longitudinally extending primer opening therein, the base section being substantially biaxially oriented and the rigid sidewalls terminating a substantial distance inwardly from the outer end of the base section.

Abstract: A novel closure-making process and apparatus are disclosed for formation of plastic closures. The closures include a plastic closure cap which is compression molded to provide a closure having the requisite strength. The process includes steps for formation of a sealing liner within the closure cap if desired, with formation of a novel liner-retaining arrangement provided for secure retention of the liner within the cap. The process also includes steps for formation of a tamper-indicating pilfer band integrally with the plastic cap of the closure for formation of closures requiring a suitable tamper-indicating device.

Abstract: A method of repairing damage to the sheath of a communications cable in which a heat shrinkable material is wrapped around the communications cable to bridge across the damaged area of the sheath. A flexible strip heater having a base with a heating element in a portion of its width and a parallel insulating layer overlying only a portion of the base is wrapped in a spiral around the heat shrinkable material with the portion having the insulating layer wrapped on the portion of the previous turn not having the insulating layer. The insulating layer substantially abuts itself in adjacent turns of the heater to position the portions of the base containing the heating element adjacent each other along the heat shrinkable material. The heating element is activated to cause the heat shrinkable tape to shrink tightly onto the communications cable to cover the damaged portion of the sheath and, the flexible strip heater is then removed.

Abstract: First and second bodies of heat recoverable polymeric material are fusion bonded together with their directions of recovery at an angle to each other, the bond preferably being cross-linked after bonding to enable the resulting article better to withstand the recovery forces encountered in use. The invention is especially useful for making wraparound tubular enclosures for "T"'s and bends which enclosures in use will recover radially about two tubular axes.

Abstract: There is provided a method of continuously producing a highly oriented heat shrinkable single layer of amorphous styrene foam or a composite of a thermoplastic film and an amorphous polystyrene foam to form a heat shrinkable two-layer sheet that is easily stored without substantial shrinkage at ambient temperature, the outstanding single-layer sheet or two-layer sheet being adapted for heat shrinking rapidly to form a label around a container or a cup.

Abstract: A method of making insulated pipe joints in the field. The method includes the steps of providing a rigid shroud which is larger than the fitting from fitting end to fitting end, welding a first pipe length to a first end of the fitting, moving the shroud over the fitting to project the second end of the fitting beyond the second end of the shroud, welding the second pipe length to the second end of the fitting, centering the shroud on the fitting, enclosing the gaps between the fitting shroud and the shrouds of the pipe lengths by mold members, pouring a foamable insulation into the space between the fitting and fitting shroud and into the gaps, setting the insulation, removing the molds to expose the gap areas, and thereafter applying a protective coating to the gaps which coating overlaps the fitting shroud and the pipe length shrouds.

Abstract: A rigid, one-piece, thin-walled shaped body of stretched plastic whose edge is not in one plane and which has a surface approximating the mathematical minimal surface is disclosed which can be produced with increased dimensional accuracy. A plane plate made of a biaxially stretched plastic at least 1 mm thick is caused to assume a shape which is not in one plane, for example, the shape of a semicylindrical surface, and the edge of the plate is fixed or held in that position. On being heated to a temperature in the thermoelastic range, the surface partially shrinks back and results in a shape approximating the minimal surface, while backshrinkage of the edge is prevented by its being held in a fixed position. Opposite portions of the fixed edge, between which the plastic plate extends rectilinearly, before backshrinkage of the plastic plate sets in, are spaced farther apart after heating and then fixed anew prior to cooling.

Abstract: A method of installing the diffusers and impellers on a shaft of a centrifugal pump uses a latent locking member. The locking member is positioned within a counterbore of each impeller when the impellers are placed on the shaft between each diffuser. After positioning, the locking member is activated to bond the impellers to the shaft. Preferably, the locking member is a heat activated material that requires heat for the material to become fluid. On cooling, the adhesive forms a rigid bond with the shaft.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing post-molding shrinkage of a hollow oriented polyethylene terephthalate container; the method including the steps of:(1) bringing a polyethylene terephthalate parison to orientation temperature,(2) blow molding the parison to provide a biaxially oriented container with larger dimensions than desired in the final container,(3) heating the blow molded container for a time and temperature sufficient to shrink the container to the desired size whereby substantially all the time-temperature dependent shrinkage is accomplished.

Abstract: A method of strengthening the neck portion of a hollow blow-molded bottle-shaped container of a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate resin, which has the steps of heating the neck portion from 140.degree. to 170.degree. C., inserting a die pin of a predetermined shape into the opening of the neck portion, blowing cooling air to the neck portion, thereby shrinking and whitening the neck portion. Thus, the method prevents improper shrinkage deformation of the neck portion due to the thermal influence of the bottle-shaped container.

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 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.

Abstract: Arrow fletchings (42,102) disclosed have curved vanes (50,114) inclined inwardly in a rearward direction to provide pockets (54,118) for restricting air flow while allowing vane flexing in a manner that moderates drag in response to wind changes. One fletching embodiment (42) is preferably made by plastic extrusion and a subsequent heat forming process and includes a vane (50) whose inner portion projects radially from its foot (44) and whose outer portion define its curved pocket (54). Another fletching embodiment (102) made from sheet plastic includes a vane (114) that projects tangentially from the arrow shaft on which its foot (104) is mounted and is curved to define the pocket (118) that restricts air flow. A fixture (68) for heat forming the pocket of the one fletching embodiment (42) and a method for making the other fletching embodiment (102) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dimensionally recoverable polymeric article for enclosing at least part of an elongate object such as a cable or connector has a surface at least part of which has an electrically conductive layer, preferably a metal layer, adhering thereto to provide a screen against electromagnetic interference. The surface of the article carrying the layer is profiled in the form of a number of grooves that extend substantially perpendicularly to the direction of recovery of the article to allow the article to recover with substantially no change in dimension of the surface in the direction of recovery.

Abstract: A shrink-fit article is made by extruding a silane-grafted polymer which foams, at least at its surface, and cross-links. Upon completion of foaming and cross-linking, the article is expanded while (still) warm and cooled in the expanded state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing fiber reinforced plastic composite articles which have a length and where the shape of and volume of material in the composite across its length is not necessarily uniform. The apparatus receives filament containing reinforcing material, as for example, strands of filament reinforcing material impregnated with a hardenable binder such as a curable resin. The apparatus also includes a device for forming cores or plugs from a bulk-molding compound, roughly in the form of the desired shape of a portion of the article to be produced. Thereafter, the resin impregnated fiber containing reinforcing strands are disposed about each of the plugs which are draped over a continuous string to from a chain of the plugs on the string. The impregnated strands preferably enclose the plugs to form a composite therewith.

Abstract: A heat exchange assembly for raising a process fluid, such as ultra-pure, de-ionized water, to an elevated temperature without adversely affecting the quality thereof includes coaxially-arranged inner and outer pipes, the annular space therebetween defining a flow passage for the fluid to be heated. The inner pipe is formed of high-strength metal of good thermal conductivity and encloses a heat source, such as steam, circulating heated fluid or an electric heater. The inner pipe is ensheathed by an extruded heat-shrinkable plastic tube of non-reactive material, such as PTFE or polypropylene not exceeding 7 mils in thickness, which is shrunk-fit thereon to form one wall of the flow passage. The opposing wall of the passage is formed by the interior surface of the outer pipe which is also constituted by non-reactive plastic material such as PTFE or polypropylene.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a heat-shrinkable tube has a base for supporting the heat-shrinkable tube and a plurality of heating units provided on the base. The heating units are independently operable and are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the heat-shrinkable tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a dampening roll cover useful in a flat-bed printing process, comprised of hygro-thermally shrinkable fibers which do not shrink due to exposure to ambient mositure during storage. Such dampening roll covers are prepared by preliminarily shrinking a cylinder of a fibrous fleece comprised of hygro-thermally shrinkable fibers to the extent of about 3% to about 50% in length to compact the fibrous structure of the cylinder.

Abstract: Labelling equipment is provided for applying heat shrinkable wrap-around labels to contoured surfaces of containers. The equipment includes a label carrier having a wheel rotatable about its axis, a vacuum system coupled to the wheel to retain labels on the wheel, a feeder for directing containers individually to the wheel adjacent the periphery of the wheel to receive a label, and a drive system for receiving containers from the bottle feeder and for rolling the containers upon receiving the label from the label carrier.The container is supported on a platten having a diameter corresponding to the greatest diameter of the container so that the label depends in a skirt from the container. The container is subsequently transferred to a smaller platten and passed over a heated plenum to shrink the skirt to the contours of the container.

Abstract: Long lengths of a heat-shrinkable sleeve for use in splicing electrical cables and the like are made in a continuous process. The sleeve is formed around a permeable core, and the core and sleeve are advanced together in an axial direction, the leading end of the advancing sleeve being hermetically sealed. The core and sleeve pass through a heating station, thereby heating a portion of at least the sleeve, and a fluid is introduced under pressure into the core, thereby internally pressurizing the sleeve to effect a radial expansion of the heated portion thereof. The core and sleeve then pass through a cooling station, thereby cooling the expanded sleeve to stabilize it. A stress graded compound also for use in splicing electrical cables and the like is made by heating a dimethyl silicone liquid to remove entrapped gas and mixing the liquid with a silicone carbide powder having a particle size capable of passing through a 400 mesh screen.

Abstract: Shaped articles, particularly tubular shaped articles, are formed by a process comprising molding a crosslinkable synthetic plastic material into a first molded shape, crosslinking the plastic material at a temperature in excess of the crystalline melting point of the material, subjecting the crosslinked first shape to a working operation to form a second configuration shape and subjecting specific areas of the second shape to a heat treatment thereby forming a deformation in the specific area. Extruded tubular materials subjected to a stretching operation tend to seek their original shape upon heat treatment thereby making the degree of deformation possible nearly equal to the degree of stretching.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a weld connection with plastic pipe comprises two molded parts and two heating mats. Each part has an internal surface corresponding to a peripheral portion of the pipe being welded such that a cavity for receiving the pipe is defined by the internal surfaces. The parts are separated by longitudinally extending clearances. Each heating mat comprises a plastic coated resistance wire, is associated with one of the molded parts and has one of its end portions in one of the clearances. The mats completely cover the internal surfaces and the pipe periphery being welded.

Abstract: A method for making decorated battery casings wherein a thin walled heat shrinkable plastic tubing is cut to size, placed on a support member such as a mandrel, heat shrunk, decorated with decorative materials and protective coatings thereon and crimped at one end. The casing is then removed from the mandrel, placed upon a cell or battery and crimped at the other end to complete the battery or cell encasing procedure. The procedure is particularly efficacious in providing metallic decorated plastic battery casings.

Abstract: A solid extruded light conductive ribbon of generally rectangular cross section is provided with a tubular ferrule by the steps of placing a section of heat shrink tubing over the end of the ribbon, heating the tubing and ribbon until the shrinking of the tubing deforms the ribbon end into a generally cylindrical form and then applying a cylindrical ferrule over the end of the ribbon and crimping the ferrule in place. The heat shrink tubing thus serves to protect the conductive ribbon during the crimping operation and serves to form the ribbon end into cylindrical form as well.

Abstract: Method for making a molded resin-impregnated fibrous article having relatively dense surface layers separated by a less dense region. The article is made by disposing curable resin-impregnated compressible fibrous layers in a mold cavity the layers being separated by a medium which is collapsible by heat before impregnating resin cures in fiber regions adjacent said medium. Upon heating, the collapsible medium shrinks or is absorbed and the adjacent fibrous material expands to fill the space left by the collapsing medium.

Abstract: A device for shaping a film of heat-retractable plastics material in the zone of the lateral spaces of a pallet-less multi-layer load having a layer of reduced width, said spaces for gripping purposes being defined by right-angled dihedrons, comprises mobile shaping elements intended to be applied against the film of plastics material which is still soft covering the faces of each dihedron defining a space for gripping.Each shaping element is constituted by a bar and means are provided to displace each shaper bar in the direction of the edge of the dihedron, to engage said bar in the angle of the dihedron between the layer of reduced width and the normal layer of the load located beneath this reduced layer.Each shaper bar is fast with one or more elements accelerating cooling of the plastics material.

Abstract: A fleece is employed for the distribution of casting resin over a component surface to be sealed. Prior to the introduction of the casting resin, pressure is applied on the fleece with a heated stamp in order to smoothen the fleece. Through increased temperature of the stamp, or through a solvent, the fleece can be readily cemented together with the component surface. It is thus ensured that the fleece rests uniformly on the entire component surface to promote a favorable distribution of the casting resin.

Abstract: A process for the production of a marker sleeve assembly which comprises deforming a substantially non-cross-linked web of polymeric material at a temperature below the crystalline melting point or softening point of the material to render the web heat-recoverable, fusing together parts of the web or parts of the web and at least one other polymeric web to define a plurality of radially inwardly heat-recoverable marker sleeves, disposed in side-by-side relationship and preferably separable and subsequently cross-linking the resulting assembly.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a dimensionally recoverable article comprises forming a plurality of separate component parts thereof, joining the component parts together to form the article, cross-linking the polymeric material from which the parts are formed after they have been joined together, and then expanding the article.The process enables dimensionally recoverable articles of complex shape to be manufactured by high speed moulding processes or extrusion processes without the need for curing of the article during formation thereof.

Abstract: Articles which are heat-recoverable, or which can be rendered heat-recoverable or which have been heat-recovered, comprise a member composed of a conductive polymer and, attached to said member, at least two electrodes, at least one of which is an electrode comprising a plurality of pliable conductive elements, e.g., a braided tube. By connecting the electrodes to a source of electrical power, current is caused to pass through and heat the conductive polymer member. The heat generated can be used to provide all or part of the heat necessary to cause recovery of the heat-recoverable article. The conductive polymer preferably exhibits PTC behavior, thereby regulating the maximum temperature to which the article can be heated.

Abstract: A sealing method and article of manufacture is disclosed wherein a heat-shrinkable sleeve having a partial transmittance to radiation is shrunk and fused to a plastic substrate by the application of radiant heat.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating a substrate, especially a splice in a telephone cable, comprises (1) preparing an assembly comprising the substrate; an enclosure, preferably a heat-shrinkable enclosure, around the substrate; sealing material within the enclosure; and a heater within the enclosure; and (2) using said heater to change the viscosity of the sealing material. Preferably the heater is a PTC heater, especially one which is attached to thermoplastic sealing material in the form of a sheet or tape. In this way a desired distribution of heat through the assembly can be obtained so that extended heating times can be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing or relining an underground pipeline without having to excavate the pipe is enabled by attaching an expandable sealing unit to the end of a predetermined length of flexible tubing and feeding it through the pipeline. The flexible tubing is fed through the existing pipeline from a point beyond where the existing pipeline exits the earth, usually within the basement of a building. Once positioned in the desired location, the expandable sealing unit is expanded to form a tight seal at the desired location within the pipe by means of heating the expandable sealing unit by a heating unit connected to the source of energy through electrical conductors which pass through the flexible tubing.

Abstract: A dimensionally-recoverable article which is particularly suitable for the manufacture or repair of cable harnesses has a dimensionally-recoverable portion formed from a material comprising a crosslinked segmented polyether-ester block copolymer and an adhesive portion comprising a polyether-ester random copolymer which portions are bonded together to form a single integral structure.

Abstract: A coil having a slot portion intended to be arranged in slots in a stator or a rotor of an electrical machine is manufactured by forming a coil part including a bundle of electrically insulated conductors and insulation surrounding the bundle, arranging a portion of the coil part in a mould including at least two mould parts, surrounding the mould with a heat-shrinkable material which is penetrable by an impregnating resin, subjecting the thus composed product to pressing and heating in a tool which together with the mould gives the slot portion its final shape, the mould parts being spaced from each other to provide longitudinal gaps between their confronting longitudinal edges, and the heating of the product causing the heat-shrinkable material to shrink and retain the slot portion in its final shape after removal of the composite product from the tool, thereafter impregnating the insulation with an impregnating resin and transforming the insulation into a solid state.

Abstract: When a pair of plastics sheathed glass optical fibres (1, 2) is joined by a fusion splice there is a length of bare fibre between where the original sheathing of one fibre terminates and where that of the other begins. This gap is filled with reinstatement sheathing (5, 5b) which is fused to the original sheathing using a length (4) of heat-shrink tubing as a mould. The heat-shrink tubing is then removed to leave a smooth profile for the spliced fibre.

Abstract: A tire, particularly for aircraft, has a crown reinforcement formed of plies of circumferential cables having a relative extensibility upon rupture of at least 8%, preferably between 10% and 26%, when the vulcanized tire is mounted on its service rim but not yet inflated, and a relative contraction under the effect of the heat at the temperature of vulcanization of at least 1.25%, preferably between 2% and 8%.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing or relining an underground pipeline without having to excavate the pipe is enabled by attaching an expandable sealing unit to the end of a predetermined length of flexible tubing and feeding it through the pipeline. The flexible tubing is fed through the existing pipeline from a point beyond where the existing pipeline exits the earth, usually within the basement of a building. Once positioned in the desired location, the expandable sealing unit is expanded to form a tight seal at the desired location within the pipe by means of heating the expandable sealing unit by a heating unit connected to the source of energy through electrical conductors which pass through the flexible tubing.

Abstract: A catheter is provided with an improved hub assembly. The catheter defines an end which, in turn, defines a relatively enlarged transverse dimension for the catheter wall and a thickened annular lip, when compared with an adjacent portion of the catheter. A catheter hub defines a bore portion, the bore portion in turn defining a relatively constricted portion and a relatively enlarged portion. The enlarged catheter end is positioned within the relatively enlarged portion of the bore, while the adjacent portion of the catheter is positioned within the relatively constricted portion of the hub. A rigid tubular funnel fits within the bore of the catheter. As a result of this the collapse and subsequent passage of the enlarged catheter end through the relatively constricted portion of the hub is prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating assembling a length of flexible tubing on a component part which avoids the use of sealing solvents yet affords a secure placement of the tubing thereon. The apparatus and method assures a secure fitment by stretching the tubing to a predetermined dimension which is larger than the outside dimension of the portion on which the tubing is to be placed on the component part, and while in such a position the tubing is temporarily frozen by means of a coolant. An important feature in stretching the tubing to the enlarged dimension is in assuring that it is done in a uniform manner and that the stretched walls are substantially parallel to each other. This is effected by utilizing a parallel motion of jaw members which are placed within the tubing to stretch it to its expanded state.

Abstract: A method of making a one-piece container of heat shrinkable thermoplastic foam from sheet stock in which a longitudinally seamed cylindrical sleeve made from such material is placed on a forming mandrel providing the essential shape of the container. An end portion of the sleeve extends cantilever fashion beyond the mandrel. The sleeve is heated to soften it and shrink partially to conformity of the mandrel and shrink to a small elongate tube a fraction of the sleeve's original diameter. The heat softened sleeve is pressed against the bottom end of the mandrel to form a container bottom, and at the same time the other opposite end of the sleeve is upset to form a bead for the container opposite the bottom end.

Abstract: Film of a wholly aromatic polyamide, at least 85% of the repeating units of which are meta-phenylene isophthalamide units, which is undrawn and noncrystalline and which has improved impact strength. Such film is made by heat-treating film of the polyamide which is undrawn and noncrystalline at 400.degree. to 300.degree. C. for from 2 seconds to 2 minutes while maintaining the film at constant length and width permitting it to shrink by at most 20% in each of the length and width.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a rigid, one-piece, shaped body, made of a biaxially stretched synthetic resin in the form of a sheet at least 1 mm thick, the edge of which does not lie in a single plane, and the surface of which is smaller than a flat initial surface enclosed by the edge and preferably approximates the mathematically minimum surface enclosed by the edge, is suitable according to the invention as a lightweight building element having high resistance to buckling. The new shaped bodies are made by shaping a flat sheet of biaxially stretched synthetic resin at least 1 mm thick, while in the thermoelastic state, so that the edge of the sheet is brought into a configuration which does not lie in one plane, and the surface enclosed by the edge is allowed to shrink back partially while in the thermoelastic state, whereby a shrinkage of the edge of the sheet is prevented by clamping the edge, and the resulting shaped body is cooled below the softening temperature before the edge clamping is loosened.

Abstract: Silane is grafted upon polymer molecules and the material is shaped (e.g., extruded or injection-molded) and caused to cross-link. Both steps must be completed before expanding (following reheating, if necessary) and cooling the object at the expanded state. Cap- and sleeve-making is disclosed, including internal as well as external exposure to water for cross-linking, possibly combined with the requisite preheating for the expansion.

Abstract: A process for the production of a heat-recoverable wraparound closure having a closure means along at least one of a pair of opposed edge regions thereof which includes the steps of fusing together substantially non-cross-linked parts of a polymeric material which is or may be rendered heat-recoverable, or a substantially non-cross-linked part or parts of said material and at least one other substantially non-cross-linked polymeric material to produce the configuration of said closure means and subsequently cross-linking the substantially non-cross-linked polymeric material.

Abstract: A method for forming a filter of electrically charged electret fiber material, consisting of a high molecular weight, nonpolar polymeric substance, comprising drawing, charging, and fibrillating a foil of said high molecular weight substance. The fibrillated foil is wound and then crimping is effected.