US4239064A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Insulation tubes and process of making same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-01-15
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Granted: 1980-12-16
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Expires: 1999-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A discrete tube is provided which can be readily torn into a length of coiled insulation wrapping. The tube comprises at least two plies of a firm, foamed thermoplastic polymer web which has been set into a coiled configuration. The plies are welded together on their radially facing adjoining surfaces to form the tube, but the plies are offset and the axially facing edges of each ply are not welded together, such that the non-welded edges form a junction line along a central portion of the radially facing edge of the adjacent ply. The tube is preferably formed by heat sealing the two plies together, while simultaneously heat setting each ply into the coiled configuration. The laminated coil resiliently maintains the desired configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Gilman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:58
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C53/00; B29C53/56; B29C53/58; B29C53/60; F; F16; F16L; F16L59/00; F16L59/02; F16L59/027; B29C53/607; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1352; Y10T428/1376; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249922
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An insulation tube comprising at least two welded coiled plies, each ply being formed of a web of foamed thermoplastic polymer set into a coiled configuration, a radially facing surface of each web is welded to a radially facing surface of an adjoining web, but the axially facing edges on each coiled web are not welded together, adjacent plies being arranged such that the coils of one ply are offset from the coils of an adjacent ply, and a line defining the junction between the unwelded axial edges of each ply extends along the radially facing surface of an immediately adjacent ply, at least one ply being formed of a tearable material, such that applying a sharp axial tensile stress to the tube causes a tearing of one ply along the junction line defined by an adjacent ply so as to form a free, multi-ply coil suitable for wrapping about a pipe and the like.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
An insulation tube comprising at least two welded coiled plies, each ply being formed of a web of foamed thermoplastic polymer set into a coiled configuration, a radially facing surface of each web is welded to a radially facing surface of an adjoining web, but the axially facing edges on each coiled web are not welded together, adjacent plies being arranged such that the coils of one ply are offset from the coils of an adjacent ply, and a line defining the junction between the unwelded axial edges of each ply extends along the radially facing surface of an immediately adjacent ply, at least one ply being formed of a tearable material, such that applying a sharp axial tensile stress to the tube causes a tearing of one ply along the junction line defined by an adjacent ply so as to form a free, multi-ply coil suitable for wrapping about a pipe and the like.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
9 words
The tube of claim 1 comprising only two plies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tube of claim 2 wherein the inner ply is to be torn along the spiral junction line of the outer ply.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tube of claim 2 wherein the major surfaces are welded by heating at least to the heat sealing temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tube of claim 3 wherein the axial edges are in contact.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The tube of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is polyolefin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tube of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a ionomer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tube of claim 1, wherein each radially facing surface is formed of a skin portion having a density substantially greater than the average density of the foam ply.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tube of claim 1, wherein each ply has a thickness in the range of from about 2.5 millimeters to about 25 millimeters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tube of claim 1, wherein each web ply is formed of a structurally oriented material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tube of claim 1, wherein the web is formed of a mixture of polymers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tube of claim 1, wherein the plies are of different thicknesses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tube of claim 12, wherein the inner ply is of substantially lesser thickness than the outer ply.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
121 words
Process for forming a unitary tube capable of being readily torn into a free helical coil, the process comprising: (1) heating, to above the heat sealing temperature, a surface of a first web and a second web each formed of a foamed thermoplastic polymer, wherein one of the webs is formed of tearable material; (2) coiling the two webs in an overlapping, offset relationship to form a multi-ply tube, each web forming one ply, and welding the adjacent surfaces of the two webs together but leaving free the transverse edges of each coiled web, such that the unwelded junction between adjacent edges of each ply define a spiral line along the radially facing surface of the adjacent ply in the tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
121 words
Process for forming a unitary tube capable of being readily torn into a free helical coil, the process comprising: (1) heating, to above the heat sealing temperature, a surface of a first web and a second web each formed of a foamed thermoplastic polymer, wherein one of the webs is formed of tearable material; (2) coiling the two webs in an overlapping, offset relationship to form a multi-ply tube, each web forming one ply, and welding the adjacent surfaces of the two webs together but leaving free the transverse edges of each coiled web, such that the unwelded junction between adjacent edges of each ply define a spiral line along the radially facing surface of the adjacent ply in the tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the plies are heat-welded together by preheating the surface of each web to above the heat sealing temperature prior to coiling together.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the polymer is a polyolefin.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the polymer is an ionomer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 17 wherein each web has a skinned surface that is pre-heated to above the heat sealing temperature at a rate to preclude the heating of the foam interior to above the softening temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the two foam web plies are each heated to at least the heat setting temperature prior to coiling the plies together.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the webs are closely coiled such that the adjacent transverse edges are in contact.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 14 wherein the two webs are coiled about a tubular form.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-16 | 1984-06-16 | 1984-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-16 | 1988-06-16 | 1988-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-16 | 1992-06-16 | 1992-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |