Multiconductor flat cable, and method and apparatus for manufacturing it

Claim 2

A flat multi-conductor cable (2) of the type comprising a plurality of discrete insulated wires (4) in side-by-side parallel relationship and securing means holding the wires in the cable, the cable (2) being characterized in that: the securing means comprises a flexible adhesive (6) which is provided on the cable (2) between juxtaposed wires (4) at spaced-apart locations, the wires (4) in the cable being free of adhesive in the zones which are between the spaced-apart locations, the adhesive being provided on one surface (8) of the cable (2) in the form of beads (6) between juxtaposed wires (4) in the cable, each bead extending from the one surface (8) of the cable substantially to the region of closest proximity (12) of the juxtaposed wires (4) and being bonded to the opposed surfaces of the juxtaposed wires, each bead filling the space between the opposed surfaces.

Claim 3

A flat multi-conductor cable (2) as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that each bead (6) is an extrusion of adhesive which was produced by depositing adhesive on the one surface (8) of the cable and thereafter applying pressure to the adhesive causing it to flow to at least the region of closest proximity (12) of the juxtaposed wires (4).

Claim 4

A flat multi-conductor cable (2) as set forth in claim 2 characterized in that the beads (6) of adhesive are aligned between the side edges of the cable forming spaced-apart rows of beads.

Claim 5

A flat multi-conductor cable (2) as set forth in claim 3 characterized in that a layer (20) of the adhesive is provided on each row of beads (6), the layer (20) on each row extending across the cable (2) on the one surface (8) of the cable and between the side edges thereof.

Claim 6

A flat multi-conductor cable (2) as set forth in either of claims 1 or 3 characterized in that each bead (6) extends past the region of closest proximity (12) and has a substantially hour-glass shaped cross section.

Claim 7

A flat multi-conductor cable (2) as set forth in either of claims 1 or 3 characterized in that the adhesive is a hot melt thermoplastic adhesive.

Claim 8

A multi-conductor cable (2) as set forth in claim 5 characterized in that the cable contains at least one elongated polymeric sheath (32) which does not surround a metallic core.

Claim 11

Apparatus (36) for making multi-conductor cable (2) of the type comprising a plurality of conductors (4) in side-by-side parallel coplanar relationship, insulating material surrounding each of the conductors and insulating material extending between juxtaposed conductors, the apparatus being characterized in that: the apparatus comprises wire feeding means (34, 44) for feeding a plurality of discrete insulated wires (4) simultaneously along a wire and cable feed path which extends from a plurality of endless sources (34) of the discrete wires through an adhesive application zone (40) thence through and beyond an adhesive extruding zone, guide means (46, 48) on the path between the sources of discrete wires (34) and the adhesive application zone (40), the guide means being effective to guide the discrete wires (4) into side-by-side parallel coplanar relationship thereby forming a multi-conductor cable (2), the adhesive application zone (40) having an applicator (54) therein for applying a viscous adhesive to a first surface (8) of the cable (2) between juxtaposed wires (4) in the cable, the adhesive extruding zone having therein cable confining means (56) engageable with the side edges of the cable (2) being fed therepast the cable compressing means (56, 58) for compressing the cable (2), the cable confining means (56) confining the cable to a predetermined width while the cable passes through the compressing means (56, 58) whereby, after formation of the cable (2) from the discrete wires (4), the adhesive is applied for the first surface (8) of the cable, and the adhesive is thereafter extruded into the cable and between the opposed surfaces of juxtaposed wires (4), is bonded to the opposed surfaces and thereby maintains the discrete wires in the cable.

Claim 12

Apparatus (36) for making multi-conductor cable (2) of the type comprising a plurality of conductors (4) in side-by-side parallel coplanar relationship, insulating material surrounding each of the conductors and insulating material extending between juxtaposed conductors, the apparatus being characterized in that: the apparatus comprises wire feeding means (34, 44) for feeding a plurality of discrete insulated wires (4) simultaneously along a wire and cable feed path which extends from a plurality of endless sources (34) of the discrete wires through an adhesive application zone (40) thence through and beyond an adhesive extruding zone, guide means (46, 48) on the path between the sources of discrete wires (34) and the adhesive application zone (40), the guide means being effective to guide the discrete wires (4) into side-by-side parallel coplanar relationship thereby forming a multi-conductor cable (2), the adhesive application zone (40) having an applicator (54) therein for applying a viscous adhesive to a first surface (8) of the cable (2) between juxtaposed wires (4) in the cable, the adhesive extruding zone having therein cable confining means (56) engageable with the side edges of the cable (2) being fed therepast the cable compressing means (56, 58) for compressing the cable (2), the cable confining means (56) confining the cable to a predetermined width while the cable passes through the compressing means (56, 58) whereby, after formation of the cable (2) from the discrete wires (4), the adhesive is applied for the first surface (8) of the cable, and the adhesive is thereafter extruded into the cable and between the opposed surfaces of juxtaposed wires (4), is bonded to the opposed surfaces and thereby maintains the discrete wires in the cable.

Claim 13

Apparatus for making multi-conductor cable (2) as set forth in claim 9 characterized in that the applicator (54) in the adhesive applying zone (40) has a plurality of individual outlets (76) for adhesive, each outlet being proximate to the cable at a location between a pair of juxtaposed wires (4) in the cable (2) whereby the adhesive is applied as individual beads (6), each bead being deposited on a first surface (8) of the cable between a pair of juxtaposed wires (4).