US4288471A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cable end sealing method
Assignee: Southwire Co LLC
•
Filing: 1980-05-05
•
Granted: 1981-09-08
•
Expires: 2000-05-05
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method of sealing the ends of electrical cable to prevent ingress of contaminants such as moisture.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry W. Lanier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
The method of sealing the ends of an insulated electrical conductor against penetration by moisture and other contaminants comprising the steps of passing solid thermoplastic adhesive from a remote reservoir to a means for melting said adhesive and applying molten thermoplastic adhesive to the open ends of an insulated electrical conductor in a manner whereby said adhesive bonds to the insulated surface of said insulated conductor and seals the open ends of said conductor against penetration by moisture and other contaminants, wherein said thermoplastic adhesive comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate polymer characterized by: a melt temperature range of from about 300° F. to about 375° F.; a viscosity of about 1800 cps at 375° F.; and a specific gravity of about 0.95 to about 0.99 at 75° F.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
The method of sealing the ends of an insulated electrical conductor against penetration by moisture and other contaminants comprising the steps of passing solid thermoplastic adhesive from a remote reservoir to a means for melting said adhesive and applying molten thermoplastic adhesive to the open ends of an insulated electrical conductor in a manner whereby said adhesive bonds to the insulated surface of said insulated conductor and seals the open ends of said conductor against penetration by moisture and other contaminants, wherein said thermoplastic adhesive comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate polymer characterized by: a melt temperature range of from about 300° F. to about 375° F.; a viscosity of about 1800 cps at 375° F.; and a specific gravity of about 0.95 to about 0.99 at 75° F.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic adhesive is applied to not readily accessible ends of constrained cable stored on a spool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said application of thermoplastic adhesive further comprises: removal of contaminants from said cable ends; application of a coating of said adhesive no less than 0.05 inch thick; and overlapping of said coating onto the outer jacket of said cable no less than 0.5 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising separately sealing each individual conductor of a multi-conductor cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solid thermoplastic adhesive is in granulated form.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
88 words
The method of sealing the ends of an insulated electrical conductor against penetration by moisture and other contaminants comprising the steps of passing solid ethylene vinyl acetate polymer thermoplastic adhesive from a remote reservoir to means for melting said adhesive and applying molten ethylene vinyl acetate polymer thermoplastic adhesive to the open ends of an insulated electrical conductor in a manner whereby said adhesive bonds to the insulated surface of said insulated conductor and seals the open ends of said conductor against penetration by moisture and other contaminants.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
88 words
The method of sealing the ends of an insulated electrical conductor against penetration by moisture and other contaminants comprising the steps of passing solid ethylene vinyl acetate polymer thermoplastic adhesive from a remote reservoir to means for melting said adhesive and applying molten ethylene vinyl acetate polymer thermoplastic adhesive to the open ends of an insulated electrical conductor in a manner whereby said adhesive bonds to the insulated surface of said insulated conductor and seals the open ends of said conductor against penetration by moisture and other contaminants.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said ethylene vinyl acetate polymer thermoplastic adhesive is characterized by a melt temperature range of from about 300° F. to about 375° F.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said ethylene vinyl acetate polymer thermoplastic adhesive is characterized by a viscosity of about 1800 cps at 375° F.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said ethylene vinyl acetate polymer thermoplastic adhesive is characterized by a specific gravity of about 0.95 to about 0.99 at 75° F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said ethylene vinyl acetate polymer thermoplastic adhesive is applied to not readily accessible ends of constrained cable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said application of ethylene vinyl acetate polymer thermoplastic adhesive further comprises: removal of contaminants from said cable ends; application of a coating of said adhesive no less than 0.05 inch thick; and overlapping of said coating onto said outer jacket of said cable no less than 0.5 inch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising separately sealing each individual conductor of a multi-conductor cable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said solid ethylene vinyl acetate polymer thermoplastic adhesive is in granulated form.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1984-09-07 | 1985-03-09 | 1985-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-07 | 1989-03-09 | 1989-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-07 | 1993-03-09 | 1993-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |