US4105481A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Encapsulation method for electrical elements
Assignee: Raychem Corp
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Filing: 1977-06-07
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Granted: 1978-08-08
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Expires: 1997-06-07
Abstract
Abstract An improved process for encapsulating a cylindrical electrical element having lead wires emanating therefrom including the steps of enveloping said element in a heat-shrinkable polymeric tubular member whereby said lead wires extend out through the open ends of said tubular member and heating said tubular member causing it to conformingly recover around said element. The improvement comprises: (a) threading each of said outwardly extending lead wires through a separate hole in a laminated disc, said disc comprising a layer of polymeric material and a substantially coplanar contiguous layer of heat foamable adhesive, said threading being effected such that the adhesive layer is disposed towards the element; (b) inserting the said disc with the lead wires threaded therethrough within the open end of said tubular member; and (c) applying sufficient heat to cause: (i) the tubular member to conformingly recover around said element and said disc, and (ii) the foamable adhesive layer of said disc to foam and seal the interface between the periphery of said disc and the inside surface of said recovered tubular member, interface between each hole and the lead wire passing therethrough, and any remaining holes in the disc.
Inventors
- 👤 Clyde A. Lofdahl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01G; H01G2/00; H01G2/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
In a process for encapsulating a cylindrical electrical element having lead wires emanating therefrom comprising enveloping said element in a heat-shrinkable polymeric tubular member whereby said lead wires extend out through the open ends of said tubular member and heating said tubular member causing it to conformingly recover around said element, the improvement comprising: (a) threading each of said outwardly extending lead wires through a separate hole in a laminated disc, said disc comprising a layer of polymeric material and a substantially copolar contiguous layer of heat foamable adhesive, said threading being effected such that the adhesive layer is disposed towards the element; (b) inserting the said disc with the lead wires threaded therethrough within the open end of said tubular member; and (c) applying sufficient heat to cause: (i) the tubular member to conformingly recover around said element and said disc, and (ii) the foamable adhesive layer of said disc to foam and seal the interface between the periphery of said disc and the inside surface of said recovered tubular member and also the interface between each hole and the lead wire passing therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a process for encapsulating a cylindrical electrical element having lead wires emanating therefrom comprising enveloping said element in a heat-shrinkable polymeric tubular member whereby said lead wires extend out through the open ends of said tubular member and heating said tubular member causing it to conformingly recover around said element, the improvement comprising: (a) threading each of said outwardly extending lead wires through a separate hole in a laminated disc, said disc comprising a layer of polymeric material and a substantially copolar contiguous layer of heat foamable adhesive, said threading being effected such that the adhesive layer is disposed towards the element; (b) inserting the said disc with the lead wires threaded therethrough within the open end of said tubular member; and (c) applying sufficient heat to cause: (i) the tubular member to conformingly recover around said element and said disc, and (ii) the foamable adhesive layer of said disc to foam and seal the interface between the periphery of said disc and the inside surface of said recovered tubular member and also the interface between each hole and the lead wire passing therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said adhesive is a thermoplastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said polymeric layer comprises polyethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said polymeric tubular member comprises polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holes are formed by punching through said disc without removal of any significant portion of the material of the disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holes are formed by removal of a portion of the material of the disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electrical element has a single lead wire emanating axially from each of the two ends thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process in accordance with claim 7 wherein said adhesive is a thermoplastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
230 words
In a process for encapsulating a cylindrical electrical element having lead wires emanating therefrom comprising enveloping said element in a heat-shrinkable polymeric tubular member whereby said lead wires extend out through the open ends of said tubular member and heating said tubular member causing it to conformingly recover around said element, the improvement comprising: (a) threading each of said outwardly extending lead wires through a separate hole in a laminated disc, said disc comprising a layer of polymeric material and a substantially coplanar contiguous layer of heat foamable adhesive, the portion of the polymeric layer adjacent to each said hole tending to recover upon the application of heat so as to close said hole, said threading being effected such that the adhesive layer is disposed towards the element; (b) inserting the said disc with the lead wires threaded therethrough within the open end of said tubular member; and (c) applying sufficient heat to cause: (i) the tubular member to conformingly recover around said element and said disc, (ii) each of said holes to shrink in size so as to conformingly close up around the lead wire therethrough, and (iii) the foamable adhesive layer of said disc to foam and seal the interface between the periphery of said disc and the inside surface of said recovered tubular member and also the interface between each hole and the lead wire passing therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
230 words
In a process for encapsulating a cylindrical electrical element having lead wires emanating therefrom comprising enveloping said element in a heat-shrinkable polymeric tubular member whereby said lead wires extend out through the open ends of said tubular member and heating said tubular member causing it to conformingly recover around said element, the improvement comprising: (a) threading each of said outwardly extending lead wires through a separate hole in a laminated disc, said disc comprising a layer of polymeric material and a substantially coplanar contiguous layer of heat foamable adhesive, the portion of the polymeric layer adjacent to each said hole tending to recover upon the application of heat so as to close said hole, said threading being effected such that the adhesive layer is disposed towards the element; (b) inserting the said disc with the lead wires threaded therethrough within the open end of said tubular member; and (c) applying sufficient heat to cause: (i) the tubular member to conformingly recover around said element and said disc, (ii) each of said holes to shrink in size so as to conformingly close up around the lead wire therethrough, and (iii) the foamable adhesive layer of said disc to foam and seal the interface between the periphery of said disc and the inside surface of said recovered tubular member and also the interface between each hole and the lead wire passing therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process in accordance with claim 9 wherein said adhesive is a thermoplastic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process in accordance with claim 9 wherein said polymeric layer comprises polyethylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process in accordance with claim 9 wherein said polymeric tubular member comprises polyethylene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process in accordance with claim 9 wherein said holes are formed by punching through said disc without removal of any significant portion of the material of the disc.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process in accordance with claim 9 wherein said holes are formed by removal of a portion of the material of the disc.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process in accordance with claim 9 wherein said electrical element has a single lead wire emanating axially from each of the two ends thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process in accordance with claim 15 wherein said adhesive is a thermoplastic.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-08-07 | 1982-02-06 | 1982-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-07 | 1986-02-06 | 1986-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-07 | 1990-02-06 | 1990-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |