EP0152213A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Enclosing articles
Assignee: Raychem Ltd
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Filing: 1985-01-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-01-25
Abstract
Abstract Enclosures for articles such as electrical cable splices or pipelines have curable filling of sufficient thickness and/or layers of different materials to provide a layered cured structure. A relatively flexible intermediate layer in a cured cable splice enclosure provides advantages in installation and service, while a heat-flowable intermediate layer improves performance in pipe protection applications.
Inventors
- 👤 George Michael John Gansbuehlar
- 👤 Frank Heidenhain
- 👤 Lawrence David Schwartz
- 👤 Hans Maria Cordia
- 👤 David John Barker
- 👤 Noman Hutt
- 👤 Laurence Myers Welsh
- 👤 Eugene F. Lopez
- 👤 Jhy-Dou R. Lo
- 👤 David T. Taft
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:25
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0616; H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/1806; B29C61/10; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An enclosure comprising substantially solid heat-flowable polymeric material at least partly enclosing at least part of an article which polymeric material comprises curable material and has sufficient thickness and/or layers of different materials to provide, at least temporarily after curing of the curable material, a layered cured structure, provided that, when the heat-flowable polymeric material comprises a layer of thermoplastic polymeric material overlying a substantially solid layer of the curable material enclosing the article, the curable material comprises (a) an epoxy compound or (b) a mixture of a free-radical-curable material, a polymer and a free-radical generator or an activator catalyst for such a generator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An enclosure comprising substantially solid heat-flowable polymeric material at least partly enclosing at least part of an article which polymeric material comprises curable material and has sufficient thickness and/or layers of different materials to provide, at least temporarily after curing of the curable material, a layered cured structure, provided that, when the heat-flowable polymeric material comprises a layer of thermoplastic polymeric material overlying a substantially solid layer of the curable material enclosing the article, the curable material comprises (a) an epoxy compound or (b) a mixture of a free-radical-curable material, a polymer and a free-radical generator or an activator catalyst for such a generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An enclosure according to claim 1, including a cover which encloses at least part of the heat-flowable polymeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An enclosure according to claim 2, wherein the cover comprises dimensionally heat-recoverable polymeric material and the heat-flowable polymeric material is heat-flowable at temperatures which it will encounter during heat-recovery of the cover about the said article.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of enclosing an article comprising (1) making an enclosure according to claim 1, by placing the heat-flowable polymeric material so as at least partly to enclose at least part of the article, and (2) curing the curable material to produce the layered cured structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the heat-flowable material is heated to a flowable state before or during curing and is physically constrained to remain around the enclosed article.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the physical constraint is provided by a cover which encloses at least part of the heat-flowable polymeric material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein the cover comprises dimensionally heat-recoverable polymeric material and the heat-flowable polymeric material is rendered flowable during heating to recover the cover about the enclosed part of the article.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An enclosure or method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the heat-flowable polymeric material is curable throughout and comprises substantially only one material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An enclosure or method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heat-flowable polymeric material is curable throughout and comprises at least two layers of materials having different chemical compositions or different molecular weights.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An enclosure or method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heat-flowable polymeric material comprises at least one layer of curable material and at least one layer of thermoplastic or elastomeric polymeric material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
An enclosure or method according to claim 10. wherein the layer of curable material is between the thermoplastic or elastomeric layer and the article.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An enclosure or method according to claim 11. comprising a second layer of curable material with the thermoplastic or elastomeric layer between the two curable layers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An enclosure or method according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the thermoplastic or elastomeric layer comprises a polyamide hot melt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An enclosure or method according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the thermoplastic or elastomeric layer comprises a chlorosulphonated polyethylene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An enclosure or method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided for initiating curing outwards from the enclosed article.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An enclosure or method according to claim 15, wherein the initiating means comprises an activator catalyst carried by the enclosed article.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
An enclosure or method according to claim 16, wherein the catalyst is incorporated in a layer of at least partly cured polymeric material adhering to a surface of the enclosed article.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
An enclosure or method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the curable material is cured.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
An enclosure or method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the layered cured structure comprises at least one layer which is significantly more flexible than at least one other layer thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
An enclosure or method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the heat-flowable polymeric material is more than 3 millimetres, preferably more than 10 millimetres, more preferably more than 25 millimetres thick, at least in places, in a sense normal to the surface of the enclosed article.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
An article for use in an enclosure or method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a self-supporting body of the heat-flowable polymeric composition shaped to be positioned without significant bending next to the relevant part of an article to be enclosed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
An article for use in an enclosure or method according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 20, comprising a self-supporting wrappable tape or sheet of the heat-flowable polymeric material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
A kit of parts for use in forming an enclosure or practising a method according to any of claims 1 to 20, comprising at least one article according to claim 21 or 22, and a cover capable of constraining the heat-flowable material to remain around the enclosed article when heated to a flowable state.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
A kit according to claim 22, wherein the cover is dimensionally heat-recoverable.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
99 words
An article for enclosing at least part of an object which comprises a dimensionally recoverable cover that is adapted to be recovered about the object and has, extending over at least part of a surface of the cover which will face the object in use, a substantially solid layer of a curable adhesive comprising (a) an epoxy compound or (b) a mixture of a free-radical-curable material, a polymer and a free-radical generator or an activator catalyst for such a generator, the article being provided with an intermediate layer comprising heat-softenable polymeric material located between the cover and the adhesive.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
99 words
An article for enclosing at least part of an object which comprises a dimensionally recoverable cover that is adapted to be recovered about the object and has, extending over at least part of a surface of the cover which will face the object in use, a substantially solid layer of a curable adhesive comprising (a) an epoxy compound or (b) a mixture of a free-radical-curable material, a polymer and a free-radical generator or an activator catalyst for such a generator, the article being provided with an intermediate layer comprising heat-softenable polymeric material located between the cover and the adhesive.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
An article for enclosing at least part of an object which comprises an outer layer of a dimensionally recoverable cover that is adapted to be recovered about the object and has an intermediate layer comprising a chlorosulfonated polyethylene, and an innermost layer of curable adhesive.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
45 words
An article for enclosing at least part of an object which comprises an outer layer of a dimensionally recoverable cover that is adapted to be recovered about the object and has an intermediate layer comprising a chlorosulfonated polyethylene, and an innermost layer of curable adhesive.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article according to claim 26, wherein the intermediate layer has a drapability temperature above that of the adhesive layer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
An article, enclosure or method according to any : of the preceding claims, using a cover in the form of a sheet which is initially fully recoverable to an extent within the range from 10 to 50 percent.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article or enclosure according to any of claims 1 to 3, 8 to 22 and 25 to 28 wherein the curable material has been cured.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article, enclosure or method for enclosing at least part of a substrate substantially as described in any one of the foregoing Examples 1 to 62.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article, enclosure or method for enclosing at least part of a substrate substantially as described in any one of the foregoing Examples 1 to 62.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of enclosing at least part of an object which comprises: (a) installing around the object a substantially solid layer of a curable adhesive comprising an epoxy compound or mixture of a free-radical-curable material, a polymer and a free-radical generatoror an activator catalyst for such a generator; (b) installing over the curable adhesive an intermediate layer comprising heat-softenable polymeric material; (c) installing over the intermediate layer a dimensionally recoverable cover; and (d) causing recovery of the cover, and curing of the curable adhesive.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of enclosing at least part of an object which comprises: (a) installing around the object a substantially solid layer of a curable adhesive comprising an epoxy compound or mixture of a free-radical-curable material, a polymer and a free-radical generatoror an activator catalyst for such a generator; (b) installing over the curable adhesive an intermediate layer comprising heat-softenable polymeric material; (c) installing over the intermediate layer a dimensionally recoverable cover; and (d) causing recovery of the cover, and curing of the curable adhesive.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 31, comprising the preliminary step of installing on the object an activator layer comprising an activator catalyst which will activate the free-radical generator when contacted with the curable adhesive.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
An object enclosed by an article, method or enclosure according to any of claims 1 to 22 and 25 to 32 wherein the object enclosed is a substantial heat sink.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
An object according to claim 33 wherein the object is a metal pipeline.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
An object according to claim 33, wherein the object is an electrical power cable splice or termination.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
79 words
A kit-of-parts for enclosing at least part of an object which comprises: (a) an article comprising a dimensionally recoverable cover; (b) a curable adhesive which can be wrapped around the object and comprises an epoxy compound or a substantially solid curable mixture of a free-radical-curable material, a polymer and a free-radical generator or an activator catalyst for such a generator; and (c) heat-softenable polymeric material which can be installed around the object between the cover and the curable adhesive.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
79 words
A kit-of-parts for enclosing at least part of an object which comprises: (a) an article comprising a dimensionally recoverable cover; (b) a curable adhesive which can be wrapped around the object and comprises an epoxy compound or a substantially solid curable mixture of a free-radical-curable material, a polymer and a free-radical generator or an activator catalyst for such a generator; and (c) heat-softenable polymeric material which can be installed around the object between the cover and the curable adhesive.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
A kit-of-parts according to claim 36 additionally comprising an activator catalyst for the free-radical generator in a form suitable for application to the object prior to application of the curable adhesive thereto containing the free-radical generator.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
A kit-of-parts according to claim 36 or 37 wherein the heat-softenable polymeric material incorporates an activator catalyst for the free-radical generator.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of manufacturing an article carrying a substantially solid curable mixture of a free-radical-curable material, a polymer and a free-radical generator comprising mixing the polymer and generator with a liquid free-radical-curable material capable of swelling or dissolving the polymer thereby forming a flowable mixture, applying the flowable mixture to the article, and allowing the viscosity of the mixture to increase so as to render the applied mixture substantially solid.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of manufacturing an article carrying a substantially solid curable mixture of a free-radical-curable material, a polymer and a free-radical generator comprising mixing the polymer and generator with a liquid free-radical-curable material capable of swelling or dissolving the polymer thereby forming a flowable mixture, applying the flowable mixture to the article, and allowing the viscosity of the mixture to increase so as to render the applied mixture substantially solid.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
44 words
A protective covering for an object comprising a primary layer of at least partly cured polymeric material adhering to a surface of the object and a secondary cover of polymeric material applied as a pre-existing self-supporting article to the primary layer on the object.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
44 words
A protective covering for an object comprising a primary layer of at least partly cured polymeric material adhering to a surface of the object and a secondary cover of polymeric material applied as a pre-existing self-supporting article to the primary layer on the object.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of applying a protective covering to an object comprising applying a primary layer of curable polymeric material to the object; at least partly curing the polymeric material of the primary layer; and applying to the primary layer a secondary cover of pre-existing self-supporting polymeric material.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of applying a protective covering to an object comprising applying a primary layer of curable polymeric material to the object; at least partly curing the polymeric material of the primary layer; and applying to the primary layer a secondary cover of pre-existing self-supporting polymeric material.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
34 words
A covering or method according to claim 40 or 41, wherein the primary layer is at least partly cured, preferably to a substantially tack-free state, on the object before application of the secondary cover.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
44 words
A covering or method according to claim 40, 41 or 42 wherein the secondary cover is adhered to the primary layer by a cured adhesive and the primary layer contains a catalyst which catalyses curing of the adhesive on contact with the primary layer.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
A covering according to claim 40 when used in an enclosure, article or method according to any of claims 1 to 39.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
68 words
A kit of parts for protectively covering an object, comprising (a) material(s) applicable to the object to produce thereon an adherent primary layer of at least partly cured polymeric material as specified in any of claims 40 to 44; and (b) a secondary cover of pre-existing self-supporting polymeric material which is as specified in any of claims 40 to 44 and which is applicable to the primary layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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