US4680065A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Branch-off technique
Assignee: Raychem Corp
•
Filing: 1986-08-25
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Granted: 1987-07-14
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Expires: 2006-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A branch-off region at an end of a sleeve (2), enclosing for example a branch in a telecommunications cable, is sealed by a method which includes positioning at the end of the sleeve (2) some means for example a clip (1) or a filling piece that forms terminal conduits (3), positioning a heat-activatable adhesive (5) in the end, and activating the adhesive by a heating means such as an electrical heater.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan Vansant
- 👤 Noel Overbergh
- 👤 Valere Buekers
- 👤 Amandus L. E. Pieck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:56
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/1806; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0625; B29C61/0641; B29C61/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/08; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1328
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a sleeve and at least two substrates which comprises: (a) positioning at an end portion of the sleeve means for forming in the sleeve at least two terminal conduits said means for forming including a heating means; (b) positioning the substrates in respective conduits; (c) positioning a heat-activatable material within the sleeve at or adjacent the end portion; and (d) activating the heat-activatable material by the heating means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a sleeve and at least two substrates which comprises: (a) positioning at an end portion of the sleeve means for forming in the sleeve at least two terminal conduits said means for forming including a heating means; (b) positioning the substrates in respective conduits; (c) positioning a heat-activatable material within the sleeve at or adjacent the end portion; and (d) activating the heat-activatable material by the heating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1, in which the sleeve is recoverable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 2, in which the sleeve is heat-shrinkable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, in which the heating means is powerable by electrical power.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, in which the means for forming comprises a branch-off clip which holds towards one another circumferentially spaced portions of the sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, in which the means for forming comprises filling means for at least partially converting the cross-sectional shape of said at least two substrates to a cross-section shape compatible with that of the sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 6, in which the means for filling comprises the heat-activatable material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 5, in which the clip carries the heat-activatable material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 6, in which the filling means expands and/or increases in viscosity on heating or on cooling after heating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, in which the heat-activatable material decreases in viscosity and/or increases in tackiness on heating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, in which at least one of the substrates comprises a telecommunications or a power cable.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises the steps of: (a) positioning a clip having at least two outer legs over the outer surface of the sleeve at and end thereof with the outer legs outside the sleeve so as to form at least two terminal conduits; (b) positioning the substrates within the conduits; (c) positioning a heat-activatable sealing material within the sleeve at a branch-off region of the substrates; (d) positioning a heating means within the sleeve at a branch-off region of the substrate; (e) causing the heating means to activate the sealing material to form the desired seal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises the steps of: (a) positioning a clip having at least two outer legs over the outer surface of the sleeve at and end thereof with the outer legs outside the sleeve so as to form at least two terminal conduits; (b) positioning the substrates within the conduits; (c) positioning a heat-activatable sealing material within the sleeve at a branch-off region of the substrates; (d) positioning a heating means within the sleeve at a branch-off region of the substrate; (e) causing the heating means to activate the sealing material to form the desired seal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 12, in which steps (a), (c) and (d) are carried out substantially simultaneously.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 13, in which the clip comprises said two outer legs, and the heating means as an inner leg.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 14, in which the clip comprises said two outer legs, the heating means and a heat-activatable sealing material in thermal contact with the heating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 12, in which step (c) is carried out after step (a).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 12, in which step (d) is carried out after step (a).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 12, in which steps (c) and (d) are carried out substantially simaltaneously.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 12, in which the sleeve is recoverable, and the method additionally comprises causing recovery of the sleeve.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 19, in which the sleeve includes a heating means powerable by electrical power, and the method additionally comprises connecting the sleeve to a source of electrical power.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 12, in which the heating means that is positioned within the sleeve is powerable by electrical power, and the method additionally comprises connecting that heating means to a source of electrical power.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to either claim 20 or claim 21, in which the two heating means referred to are connected in parallel to the source of electrical power, and each heating means is self-regulating with respect to temperature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
A kit-of-parts which comprises a sealing member and a sleeve, wherein the sealing member is positionable within an end portion of the sleeve, and which comprises an elongate member having self contained heating means and an outer surface comprising a heat-activatable sealing material in thermal contact with the heating means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
50 words
A kit-of-parts which comprises a sealing member and a sleeve, wherein the sealing member is positionable within an end portion of the sleeve, and which comprises an elongate member having self contained heating means and an outer surface comprising a heat-activatable sealing material in thermal contact with the heating means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
A kit-of-parts which comprises a sealing member and a clip hving at least two legs, wherein the sealing member is positionable within an end portion of the sleeve, and which comprises an elongate member having self contained heating means and an outer surface comprising a heat-activatable sealing material in thermal contact with the heating means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
A kit-of-parts which comprises a sealing member and a clip hving at least two legs, wherein the sealing member is positionable within an end portion of the sleeve, and which comprises an elongate member having self contained heating means and an outer surface comprising a heat-activatable sealing material in thermal contact with the heating means.
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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) | 1990-07-13 | 1991-01-12 | 1991-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-13 | 1995-01-12 | 1995-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-13 | 1999-01-12 | 1999-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |