EP0042285A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Thermochromic composition and articles
Assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
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Filing: 1981-06-15
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A thermochromic composition suitable for coating heat-recoverable materials for cable enclosures. The composition contains an organic material which melts and decomposes at a certain temperature by trapping the decomposition products in the composition.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis J.A.M.C. De Blauwe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/12; G01K11/16; C; C09; C09D; C09D5/00; C09D5/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A heat recoverable article having on a surface thereof a thermochromic composition comprising at least one organic binder and at least one organic material responsible for a visible colour transformation when the article is heated to at least its recovery temperature, wherein the binder interacts with the transformed organic material to inhibit leaching thereof from the composition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
A heat recoverable article having on a surface thereof a thermochromic composition comprising at least one organic binder and at least one organic material responsible for a visible colour transformation when the article is heated to at least its recovery temperature, wherein the binder interacts with the transformed organic material to inhibit leaching thereof from the composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
An article having on one surface thereof a meltable sealant, and on another surface thereof a thermochromic composition comprising at least one organic binder and at least one organic material responsible for a visible colour transformation when the sealant is heated to at least its melting or softening temperature, wherein the binder interacts with the transformed organic material to inhibit leaching thereof from the composition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
An article having on one surface thereof a meltable sealant, and on another surface thereof a thermochromic composition comprising at least one organic binder and at least one organic material responsible for a visible colour transformation when the sealant is heated to at least its melting or softening temperature, wherein the binder interacts with the transformed organic material to inhibit leaching thereof from the composition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An article according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the organic material melts and decomposes and the binder reacts with at least one decomposition product of the organic material to fix the decomposition product in the composition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An article according to Claim 1,2 or 3, capable of forming an enclosure about a body, having a meltable sealant on the surface which will face the interior of the enclosure, and the thermochromic composition on the surface which will be visible when the article is enclosing the body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the binder has acid functionality.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article according to Claim 5, wherein the acid polymer includes reactive acrylic or methacrylic acid units.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article according to Claim 6, wherein the acidic polymer is an ethylene/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid terpolymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the said organic material produces an organic base upon decomposition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An article according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the said organic material contains at least one amide group or linkage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the said organic material comprises allantoin, ascorbic acid, or alanine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the thermochromic composition comprises a mixture of decomposable organic materials which melt and decompose at temperatures sufficiently different from one another that the colour change of the composition is gradual.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the thermochromic composition includes a pigment or dyestuff in addition to the organic material which interacts with the binder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article according to Claim 12, wherein the contribution of the pigment or dyestuff to the colour of the composition is altered by decomposition of the organic material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article according to any preceding claim, in which the thermochromic composition additionally comprises a thickening agent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article according to any preceding claim, in which the thermochromic composition additionally comprises a stabiliser.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
An article according to Claim 12, wherein the binder fixes the pigment or dyestuff to the article in addition to fixing the decomposition product.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article according to Claim 3, wherein the organic material reflects or scatters light, and the decomposition product absorbs light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
An article according to Claim 12, wherein the organic material reflects or scatters light of the colour of the pigment or dyestuff, and the decomposition product absorbs light of that colour.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article according to any preceding claim, which has been subjected to a temperature such that the thermochromic composition has undergone the visible colour change.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method of enclosing a body, comprising positioning around the body a heat-recoverable article according to Claim 4, and heating the article so as to recover it about the said body or so as to cause said sealant to melt or to soften, and to cause the thermochromic composition to undergo the visible colour change.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A kit of parts for use in providing a sleeve enclosure around an elongate body, the kit including an article according to any of Claims 1 to 18.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
A thermochromic composition as defined in any of Claims 1 to 18.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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