Patent US4209352A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4209352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for sealing closure members to substrates
Assignee: Raychem Corp
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Filing: 1978-08-21
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Granted: 1980-06-24
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Expires: 1998-08-21
Abstract
Abstract Novel methods for sealing a closure member to a substrate make use of pressure generated in a chamber to create and/or maintain a seal between a closure member and a substrate. The chamber has a flexible wall which is urged towards the substrate by the pressure. Where the substrate has a hollow interior which is maintained at superatmospheric pressure, e.g. a pressurized telephone cable, a fluid passage is preferably provided between the interior and the closed chamber after the seal has been formed, thus taking the closure member out of peel with the substrate. A preferred closure member is an inflatable bag which has sealing material on selected portions of one surface thereof, so that it can be wrapped around the substrate to form a hollow enclosure around the substrate. After placing a restraining means around the wrapped closure member, the closure member is inflated, thus improving the seal around the enclosure.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen H. Diaz
- 👤 David A. Horsma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:36
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/1806; H02G15/1813; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1028; Y10T156/103; Y10T156/1051
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for enclosing a splice comprising at least two cables and a joint therebetween, comprising the steps of: (a) wrapping an inflatable closure member having sealing material pre-coated on selected portions thereof around the splice so that parts of the closure member overlap, the parts of the closure member adjacent the cables being flexible, the closure member being so constructed and wrapped that there is sealing material between the closure member and the cables and between overlapping parts of the closure member which are adjacent the cables; (b) placing restraining means around the inflatable closure member; and (c) inflating the inflatable closure member so that it is pressed against the cables with sealing material therebetween, thereby creating a continuous seal between the cables and the closure member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for enclosing a splice comprising at least two cables and a joint therebetween, comprising the steps of: (a) wrapping an inflatable closure member having sealing material pre-coated on selected portions thereof around the splice so that parts of the closure member overlap, the parts of the closure member adjacent the cables being flexible, the closure member being so constructed and wrapped that there is sealing material between the closure member and the cables and between overlapping parts of the closure member which are adjacent the cables; (b) placing restraining means around the inflatable closure member; and (c) inflating the inflatable closure member so that it is pressed against the cables with sealing material therebetween, thereby creating a continuous seal between the cables and the closure member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the parts of the closure member which form a continuous seal around the cables are corrugated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said restraining means is separable from said closure member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the closure member is in the form of a closed bag having a port therein through which gas can be passed to inflate the bag, and the bag is inflated by passing gas through said port.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein there is sealing material between the cables and marginal portions of the bag which run transverse to the splice and between overlapping marginal portions of the bag which run transverse of the splice; wherein an area between said transverse marginal portions is free from sealing material; and wherein the overlapping marginal portions of the bag which run lengthwise of the splice are sealed to each other; thereby creating a hollow sealed enclosure around a part of the splice.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said lengthwise overlapping marginal portions of the bag are sealed to each other by means of sealing material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein at least part of the sealing material is pre-coated onto said transverse and lengthwise portions of the bag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said transverse portions of the bag are corrugated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein each of the cables comprises at least one electrical conductor, and the joint is between an electrical conductor from one cable and an electrical conductor from another cable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said substrate comprises at least two cables, each of which cables comprises at least one signal-carrying conduit, and at least one joint between a signal-carrying conduit from one cable and a signal-carrying conduit from another cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said cables are telephone cables and there are a plurality of said joints.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein inflation of the closed bag closure member causes a permanent reduction in the volume occupied by said plurality of joints.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said telephone cables are pressurised telephone cables.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said assembly includes a conduit which permits gas trapped within said hollow sealed enclosure to escape therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein the closed bag is inflated to a pressure which is at least 2 psi greater than the pressure within said hollow sealed enclosure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein, after said continuous seal has been created, said conduit is connected to said port in said bag, whereby the pressures within said bag and said hollow sealed enclosure are maintained equal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said closed bag closure member is constructed of flexible organic polymeric transparent material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said restraining means is separable from said closed bag.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said restraining means is composed of a woven cloth.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the closed bag is inflated to a pressure greater than the pressure within the hollow sealed enclosure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 20 wherein the closed bag is inflated to a pressure at least 2 psi greater than the pressure within the hollow sealed enclosure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for enclosing a hollow substrate whose interior is maintained at, or may be subject to, superatmospheric pressure, comprising: (a) an inflated, flexible closure member forming a hollow enclosure sealed around at least a portion of the exterior of the substrate, the interior of the enclosure defining a closed chamber, the enclosure having a flexible interior wall proximate to the substrate; and (b) a fluid passageway between the interior of the substrate and the closed chamber; wherein the pressure in the chamber is transmitted to the seal between the closure member and the substrate and urges the closure member towards the substrate in the area of the seal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for enclosing a hollow substrate whose interior is maintained at, or may be subject to, superatmospheric pressure, comprising: (a) an inflated, flexible closure member forming a hollow enclosure sealed around at least a portion of the exterior of the substrate, the interior of the enclosure defining a closed chamber, the enclosure having a flexible interior wall proximate to the substrate; and (b) a fluid passageway between the interior of the substrate and the closed chamber; wherein the pressure in the chamber is transmitted to the seal between the closure member and the substrate and urges the closure member towards the substrate in the area of the seal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said substrate comprises a telephone cable.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein said substrate comprises a splice between two or more telephone cables.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
136 words
An inflatable closure member which comprises (a) wall members which are at least in part flexible and which define an inflatable enclosure; and (b) sealing material pre-coated on selected flexible portions of said wall members; the closure member being so constructed and arranged that it can be wrapped around a splice comprising at least two cables and a joint therebetween so that parts of the member overlap and so that there is sealing material between the closure member and the cables and between overlapping parts of the closure member, whereby after surrounding the wrapped closure member with a restraining means, inflation of the closure member causes it to be pressed against the restraining means and against the cables with sealing material therebetween and thus to create a continuous seal between the cables and the closure member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
136 words
An inflatable closure member which comprises (a) wall members which are at least in part flexible and which define an inflatable enclosure; and (b) sealing material pre-coated on selected flexible portions of said wall members; the closure member being so constructed and arranged that it can be wrapped around a splice comprising at least two cables and a joint therebetween so that parts of the member overlap and so that there is sealing material between the closure member and the cables and between overlapping parts of the closure member, whereby after surrounding the wrapped closure member with a restraining means, inflation of the closure member causes it to be pressed against the restraining means and against the cables with sealing material therebetween and thus to create a continuous seal between the cables and the closure member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
A closure member according to claim 25 which comprises at least two sheets of flexible organic polymeric material which are joined together to form a closed bag comprising a generally planar wall member, whose marginal portions have a coating thereon of a sealing material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A closure member according to claim 26 which comprises a port through which gas can be passed to inflate the bag.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
A closure member according to claim 27 wherein said marginal portions are at least partly corrugated.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A closure member according to claim 30 wherein said sealing material will flow under pressure at room temperature.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
146 words
A closure system which comprises (1) an inflatable closure member which comprises (a) wall members which are at least in part flexible and which define an inflatable enclosure; and (b) sealing material pre-coated on selected flexible portions of said wall members; and (2) restraining means the closure member being so constructed and arranged that it can be wrapped around a splice comprising at least two cables and a joint therebetween so that parts of the member overlap and so that there is sealing material between the closure member and the cables and between overlapping parts of the closure member, whereby after surrounding the wrapped closure member with a restraining means, inflation of the closure member causes it to be pressed against the restraining means and against the cables with sealing material therebetween and thus to create a continuous seal between the cables and the closure member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
146 words
A closure system which comprises (1) an inflatable closure member which comprises (a) wall members which are at least in part flexible and which define an inflatable enclosure; and (b) sealing material pre-coated on selected flexible portions of said wall members; and (2) restraining means the closure member being so constructed and arranged that it can be wrapped around a splice comprising at least two cables and a joint therebetween so that parts of the member overlap and so that there is sealing material between the closure member and the cables and between overlapping parts of the closure member, whereby after surrounding the wrapped closure member with a restraining means, inflation of the closure member causes it to be pressed against the restraining means and against the cables with sealing material therebetween and thus to create a continuous seal between the cables and the closure member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
47 words
A closure system according to claim 30 wherein said closure member comprises at least two sheets of flexible organic polymeric material which are joined together to form a closed bag comprising a generally planar wall member whose marginal portions have a coating thereon of a sealing material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
A closure system according to claim 31 wherein said closure member comprises a port through which gas can be passed to inflate the bag.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
A closure system according to claim 32 wherein said marginal portions are at least partly corrugated.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
A closure system according to claim 32 wherein said sealing material will flow under pressure at room temperature.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
53 words
A closure system according to claim 34 wherein said restraining means comprises a piece of woven cloth which can be wrapped around the wrapped closure member, and longitudinal securing means and marginal diameter reduction means such that the wrapped restraining means can adopt a generally sausage-shaped configuration substantially surrounding the inflatable closure member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
107 words
An assembly comprising (a) a splice comprising at least two cables and a joint therebetween; (b) an inflated, at least partially flexible, enclosure around the splice, the enclosure comprising an inner wall and outer wall; (c) sealing material coated on selected flexible portions of said inner wall member; and (d) restraining means for the enclosure; whereby parts of the enclosure overlap and there is sealing material between the enclosure and the cables and between overlapping parts of the enclosure, the inflation of the enclosure causing it to be pressed against the cables with sealing material therebetween resulting in a continuous seal between the cables and the enclosure.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
107 words
An assembly comprising (a) a splice comprising at least two cables and a joint therebetween; (b) an inflated, at least partially flexible, enclosure around the splice, the enclosure comprising an inner wall and outer wall; (c) sealing material coated on selected flexible portions of said inner wall member; and (d) restraining means for the enclosure; whereby parts of the enclosure overlap and there is sealing material between the enclosure and the cables and between overlapping parts of the enclosure, the inflation of the enclosure causing it to be pressed against the cables with sealing material therebetween resulting in a continuous seal between the cables and the enclosure.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
45 words
An assembly according to claim 36 wherein the enclosure comprises at least two sheets of flexible organic polymeric material which are joined together to form a closed bag comprising a generally planar wall member, whose marginal portions have a coating thereon of a sealing material.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly according to claim 37 including a port through which gas can be passed to inflate the bag.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly according to claim 37 wherein said marginal portions are at least partly corrugated.
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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) | 1983-06-24 | 1983-12-24 | 1984-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-24 | 1987-12-24 | 1988-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-24 | 1991-12-24 | 1992-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |