US4521470A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dimensionally heat recoverable article
Assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
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Filing: 1983-07-27
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Granted: 1985-06-04
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Expires: 2003-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A dimensionally heat recoverable article carrying a thermoplastic polymeric material and a heat-softenable adhesive of smaller thickness and lower softening or melting point than the polymeric material is used to encapsulate objects such as joints in cables. The heat-softenable adhesive allows low installation temperature while the polymeric material allows excellent cycling performance to be maintained. The article may be in the form of a wrap-around sleeve.
Inventors
- 👤 Noel M. M. Overbergh
- 👤 Jos Doucet
- 👤 Jan Vansant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:46
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0616; B29C61/10; H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/1806; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/08; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1328; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24942
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An article for enclosing at least part of an object, comprising: a dimensionally heat-recoverable cover adapted to be recovered about the object; a layer of a heat-softenable adhesive adapted to contact the object; an intermediate layer of a thermoplastic polymeric material located between the cover and the heat-softenable adhesive, the polymeric material bonding to both the cover and adhesive during recovery of the cover, which material has a melting or softening point that is higher than that of the heat-softenable adhesive and has a thickness that is greater than that of the heat-softenable adhesive.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An article for enclosing at least part of an object, comprising: a dimensionally heat-recoverable cover adapted to be recovered about the object; a layer of a heat-softenable adhesive adapted to contact the object; an intermediate layer of a thermoplastic polymeric material located between the cover and the heat-softenable adhesive, the polymeric material bonding to both the cover and adhesive during recovery of the cover, which material has a melting or softening point that is higher than that of the heat-softenable adhesive and has a thickness that is greater than that of the heat-softenable adhesive.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer has a thickness of at least 70% of the total thickness of the intermediate layer and layer of heat-softenable adhesive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the total thickness of the intermediate layer and the layer of heat-softenable material is in the range of 0.3 to 3 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat-softenable material is a hot-melt adhesive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An article as claimed in claim 4, wherein the heat-softenable adhesive has a melting point, as hereinbefore defined, of not more than 110° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An article as claimed in claim 4, wherein the heat-softenable adhesive has a melting point, as hereinbefore defined, of at least 60° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An article as claimed in claim 1 wherein the intermediate layer has a T o as hereinbefore defined in the range of from 30° C. below the recovery temperature of the cover to 10° C. above the recovery temperature of the cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material has a melting point, as hereinbefore defined, of at least 10° C. above the melting point of the heat-softenable adhesive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article as claimed in claim 8, wherein the thermoplastic material has a melting point of at least 20° C. above the melting point of the heat-softenable adhesive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
An article as claimed in claim 1, in the form of a wrap-around device wherein the cover includes a flap portion extending along one edge portion that is, in use, intended to be underneath an opposite edge portion, the flap portion being coated with only one of the thermoplastic material and the heat-softenable adhesive.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article as claimed in claim 10, wherein the flap portion is coated with the heat-softenable adhesive.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An object, at least part of which has been enclosed by means of an article as claimed in claim 1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An object according to claim 12, being a cable or a pipe, or a joint in a cable or a pipe.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymeric material contacts confronting surfaces of the adhesive and the cover.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of enclosing at least part of an object, comprising the steps of: (a) installing around the object a layer of a heat-softenable adhesive; (b) installing over the heat-softenable adhesive a layer of a thermoplastic polymeric material having a thickness greater and a melting or softening point higher than those of the heat-softenable adhesive; (c) installing over the thermoplastic material a dimensionally heat-recoverable cover; and (d) causing recovery of the cover, and softening of the heat-softenable adhesive and of the thermoplastic polymeric material such that the polymeric material bonds with the cover and the adhesive.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of enclosing at least part of an object, comprising the steps of: (a) installing around the object a layer of a heat-softenable adhesive; (b) installing over the heat-softenable adhesive a layer of a thermoplastic polymeric material having a thickness greater and a melting or softening point higher than those of the heat-softenable adhesive; (c) installing over the thermoplastic material a dimensionally heat-recoverable cover; and (d) causing recovery of the cover, and softening of the heat-softenable adhesive and of the thermoplastic polymeric material such that the polymeric material bonds with the cover and the adhesive.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 15, in which steps (a), (b) and (c) are carried out by installing around the object a dimensionally-recoverable cover carrying the thermoplastic polymeric material and the heat-softenable adhesive.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 15, which includes installing around the object a heat-softenable adhesive, and installing a cover carrying the thermoplastic polymeric material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 15, in which the object is a cable or a pipe, or a joint in a cable or a pipe.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 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 heat-softenable adhesive which can be wrapped around the object; and (c) a thermoplastic polymeric material which can be installed around the object between the cover and the heat-softenable adhesive; the thermoplastic polymeric material when installed having a thickness greater and a melting or softening point higher than the heat-softenable adhesive and being bonded to both the adhesive and the cover.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
82 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 heat-softenable adhesive which can be wrapped around the object; and (c) a thermoplastic polymeric material which can be installed around the object between the cover and the heat-softenable adhesive; the thermoplastic polymeric material when installed having a thickness greater and a melting or softening point higher than the heat-softenable adhesive and being bonded to both the adhesive and the cover.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 15, which includes forming the polymeric material essentially from an adhesive.
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) | 1988-06-03 | 1988-12-03 | 1989-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-06-03 | 1992-12-03 | 1993-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-06-03 | 1996-12-03 | 1997-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |