Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for colouring polymer-insulated wire comprising: applying colourant comprising a solvent and a colouring agent dissolved in the solvent to a polymer-insulated wire; and passing the coloured wire first through air heated sufficiently to evaporate a portion of the solvent and then through air cooled sufficiently to harden an outer surface of the colourant before the coloured wire contacts any surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for colouring polymer-insulated wire comprising: applying colourant comprising a solvent and a colouring agent dissolved in the solvent to a polymer-insulated wire; and passing the coloured wire first through air heated sufficiently to evaporate a portion of the solvent and then through air cooled sufficiently to harden an outer surface of the colourant before the coloured wire contacts any surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as defined in claim 1, comprising: passing the coloured wire through the heated air within a duct means to evaporate said portion of the solvent and entrain it into the heated air; and passing the partially dried wire through the cooled air while in the duct means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 2, comprising passing the coloured wire through the duct means in a substantially vertical direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of applying colourant to the wire comprises: passing polymer-insulated wire through a reservoir containing colourant to coat the wire with colourant; and passing the coated wire through wiping means to wipe excess colourant from the wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of applying colourant to the wire comprises: passing polymer-insulated wire through a space while spraying colourant into the space and onto the wire.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the colourant is sprayed intermittently so as to apply bads of colourant to the wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising cleaning and preparing the surface of thepolymer-insulated wire before applying colourant to it, by: passing the wire through a reservoir containing solvent to etch the surface of the polymer insulation and dissolve surface contaminants; passing the wire between opposed wiping surfaces to wipe off dissolved surface contaminants; and passing the wiped wire through heated air to evaporate solvent remaining on its surface.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for colouring polymer-insulated wire, comprising: etching the surface of the polymer insulation and dissolving surface contaminants by passing the wire through a reservoir containing an insulation etching and contaminant dissolving solvent; removing the dissolved surface contaminants and solvent from the etched insulation surface; and applying colourant comprising a solvent and a colouring agent dissolved in the solvent to a polymer-insulated wire; and passing the coloured wire first through air heated sufficiently to evaporate a portion of the solvent and then through air cooled sufficiently to harden an outer surface of the colourant before the wire contacts any surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for colouring polymer-insulated wire, comprising: etching the surface of the polymer insulation and dissolving surface contaminants by passing the wire through a reservoir containing an insulation etching and contaminant dissolving solvent; removing the dissolved surface contaminants and solvent from the etched insulation surface; and applying colourant comprising a solvent and a colouring agent dissolved in the solvent to a polymer-insulated wire; and passing the coloured wire first through air heated sufficiently to evaporate a portion of the solvent and then through air cooled sufficiently to harden an outer surface of the colourant before the wire contacts any surface.