Fibre reinforced polymeric article

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1, wherein contiguous ends of the substrates are coupled together.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 1, wherein abutting portions of the substrates are coupled together.

Claim 5

A method according to claim 3, wherein abutting ends of the substrates are coupled together in an end-to-end butt joint.

Claim 6

A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the substrates has a hollow end and the end of the other substrates is positioned within the hollow end.

Claim 7

A method according to claim 1, wherein the consolidation of the coupling means bonds it to the substrates.

Claim 8

A method according to claim 1, wherein the driver on recover recovers with a force in the range 0.2 to 60 N/cm 2 , preferably in the range 50 to 60 N/cm 2 .

Claim 9

A method according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric material of the fibre coupling means has a viscosity of at least 2500 Poise, preferably at least 3000 Poise, at the temperature at which the consolidation takes place.

Claim 10

A method according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises carbon fibre carrying an aromatic polymer preferably a polyaryletherketone.

Claim 11

A method according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises glass fibre carrying with a polyamide.

Claim 12

A method according to claim 1, wherein the driver comprises a polyaryletherketone.

Claim 13

A method according to claim 1, wherein the driver comprises cross-linked polyamide.

Claim 14

A method according to claim 1, wherein a liner of substantially impermeable material is positioned between the coupling means and the substrates.

Claim 15

A method according to claim 1, wherein a liner of substantially impermeable material is positioned between the coupling means and the substrates and the liner extends only part way along the length of the coupling means.

Claim 16

A method according to claim 1, wherein a liner of substantially impermeable material is positioned between the coupling means and the substrates and the liner comprises substantially non-crosslinked polyvinylidene fluoride.

Claim 17

A method according to claim 1, wherein a liner of substantially impermeable material is positioned between the coupling means and the substrates and the liner is coated with a layer of adhesive on the surface which faces the substrates.

Claim 18

A method according to claim 1, wherein there is provided at least one filler piece between the driver and the coupling means shaped so when positioned around a sharp-cornered or irregular substrate, the filler piece spreads the driver evenly over the surface of the substrate so as to increase the uniformity of the consolidation.

Claim 19

A method according to claim 17, wherein at least one filler piece is shaped to provide a substantially smoothly convex substantially continuous outer surface on which the recovering driver will bear.

Claim 20

A method according to claim 1, wherein the substrates comprise two pipes.

Claim 21

A method according to claim 1, wherein the substrates comprise two refrigerator pipes.

Claim 22

An assembly for forming a composite article comprising a heat recoverable driver and a braid made from fibres carrying a polymeric material, which polymeric material has a sufficiently high softening temperature and is arranged on the individual fibres so that when the assembly is heated to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver, and then on further heating the polymeric material is caused to flow and consolidate the braid to form the composite article.

Claim 23

An assembly for forming a composite article comprising a heat recoverable driver and a braid made from fibres carrying a polymeric material, which polymeric material has a sufficiently high softening temperature and is arranged on the individual fibres so that when the assembly is heated to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver, and then on further heating the polymeric material is caused to flow and consolidate the braid to form the composite article.

Claim 24

A coupling assembly for coupling elongate objects, comprising a heat recoverable tubular driver and telescoped therewith tubular coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement in the form of a braid whose fibres individually carry a polymeric material that is capable of flowing when the assembly is heated, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be heated when positioned around the elongate objects to recover the driver and to consolidate the coupling means, thereby coupling the objects together and such that the consolidated coupling means alone is capable of coupling the elongate objects after removal of the recovered driver, the flowable polymeric material being substantially solid at least at the intended operating temperature of the consolidated coupling means and having a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the coupling means.

Claim 25

A coupling assembly for coupling elongate objects, comprising a heat recoverable tubular driver and telescoped therewith tubular coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement in the form of a braid whose fibres individually carry a polymeric material that is capable of flowing when the assembly is heated, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be heated when positioned around the elongate objects to recover the driver and to consolidate the coupling means, thereby coupling the objects together and such that the consolidated coupling means alone is capable of coupling the elongate objects after removal of the recovered driver, the flowable polymeric material being substantially solid at least at the intended operating temperature of the consolidated coupling means and having a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the coupling means.

Claim 26

An assembly according to claim 22, wherein the driver on recovery recovers with a force in the range of 0.2 to 60 N/cm 2 , preferably in the range of 50 to 60 N/cm 2 .

Claim 27

An assembly according to claim 22, wherein the polymeric material of the fibre coupling means has a viscosity of at least 2500 Poise, preferably at least 3000 Poise, at the temperature at which the consolidation takes place.

Claim 28

An assembly according to claim 22, wherein the coupling means comprises carbon fibre carrying an aromatic polymer preferably a polyaryletherketone.

Claim 29

An assembly according to claim 22, wherein the coupling means comprises glass fibre carrying a polyamide.

Claim 30

An assembly according to claim 22, wherein the driver comprises a polyaryletherketone.

Claim 31

An assembly according to claim 22, wherein the driver comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cross-linked polyvinylidene fluoride and cross-linked polyamide.

Claim 32

An assembly according to claim 22 wherein a liner of substantially impermeable material is positioned between the coupling means and the substrates.

Claim 33

An assembly according to claim 22, wherein a liner of substantially impermeable material is positioned between the coupling means and the substrates and the liner extends only part way along the length of the coupling means.

Claim 34

An assembly according to claim 22, wherein a liner of substantially impermeable material is positioned between the coupling means and the substrates and the liner comprises substantially non-crosslinked polyvinylidene fluoride.

Claim 35

An assembly according to claim 22, wherein a liner of substantially impermeable material is positioned between the coupling means and the substrates and the liner is coated with a layer of adhesive on the surface which faces the substrates.

Claim 36

An assembly according to claim 22, wherein there is provided at least one filler piece between the driver and the coupling means shaped so when positioned around a sharp-cornered or irregular substrate, the filler piece spreads the driver recovery forces more evenly over the surface of the substrate so as to increase the uniformity of the consolidation.

Claim 37

An assembly according to claim 22, wherein there is provided at least one filler piece between the driver and the coupling means shaped so when positioned around a sharp-cornered or irregular substrate, the filler piece spreads the driver recovery forces more evenly over the surface of the substrate so as to increase the uniformity of the consolidation, and the filler piece is shaped to provide a substantially smoothly convex substantially continuous outer surface on which the recovering driver will bear.

Claim 38

An assembly according to claim 22 wherein said elongated objects comprise two pipes.

Claim 39

An assembly according to claim 22 wherein said elongated objects comprise two refrigerator pipes.

Claim 40

A pipe coupling assembly comprising a heat-recoverable tubular driver and telescoped therewith tubular coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement in the form of a braid whose fibres individually carry a polymeric material that is capable of flowing when the assembly is heated, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be heated when positioned around contiguous ends of the pipes to be coupled, to recover the driver and to consolidate the coupling means thereby substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement in the form of a braid whose fibres individually carry a heat-flowable polymeric material, and a liner of substantially impervious material for the coupling means, the coupling means and liner being arrangeable in use around the contiguous ends of the pipes to be coupled, and the driver being arrangeable around the coupling means so that heat can be applied to cause recovery of the driver and to cause the flowable polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver will consolidate the coupling means and thereby couple the pipes together, the polymeric material having a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the coupling means.

Claim 41

A pipe coupling assembly comprising a heat-recoverable tubular driver and telescoped therewith tubular coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement in the form of a braid whose fibres individually carry a polymeric material that is capable of flowing when the assembly is heated, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be heated when positioned around contiguous ends of the pipes to be coupled, to recover the driver and to consolidate the coupling means thereby substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement in the form of a braid whose fibres individually carry a heat-flowable polymeric material, and a liner of substantially impervious material for the coupling means, the coupling means and liner being arrangeable in use around the contiguous ends of the pipes to be coupled, and the driver being arrangeable around the coupling means so that heat can be applied to cause recovery of the driver and to cause the flowable polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver will consolidate the coupling means and thereby couple the pipes together, the polymeric material having a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the coupling means.

Claim 42

A kit of parts for pipe coupling comprising a heat-recoverable driver, coupling means comprising coupling the pipes together, the flowable polymeric material being substantially solid at least at the intended operating temperature of the consolidated coupling means and having a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the coupling means.

Claim 43

A kit of parts for pipe coupling comprising a heat-recoverable driver, coupling means comprising coupling the pipes together, the flowable polymeric material being substantially solid at least at the intended operating temperature of the consolidated coupling means and having a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the coupling means.

Claim 44

A kit according to claim 38, wherein the driver and the coupling means are in tubular form.

Claim 45

A kit according to claim 38, wherein the coupling means is pre-assembled with the driver.

Claim 46

A kit according to claim 38, wherein the liner is preassembled with the coupling means.

Claim 47

A kit according to claim 38, wherein the liner of substantially impermeable material is positioned such that it can be sandwiched in use between the coupling means and the substrate.

Claim 48

A kit according to claim 38, wherein the liner extends only part way along the length of the coupling means.

Claim 49

A kit according to claim 38, wherein the liner comprises substantially non-crosslinked polyvinylidene fluoride.

Claim 50

A kit according to claim 38, wherein the liner is coated with a layer of adhesive on the surface which will face the substrate in use.

Claim 51

A kit of parts for forming a composite article, comprising a heat-recoverable driver and a braid made from fibres carrying a polymeric material which polymeric material has a sufficiently high softening temperature and is arranged on the fibres so that when the driver is assembled around the braid and heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver, and then on further heating the polymeric material is caused to flow and consolidate with the braid to form the composite article.

Claim 52

A kit of parts for forming a composite article, comprising a heat-recoverable driver and a braid made from fibres carrying a polymeric material which polymeric material has a sufficiently high softening temperature and is arranged on the fibres so that when the driver is assembled around the braid and heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver, and then on further heating the polymeric material is caused to flow and consolidate with the braid to form the composite article.

Claim 53

A kit of parts for coupling or reinforcing elongate objects, comprising a heat recoverable driver, coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement in the form of a braid whose fibres individually carry a polymeric material capable of flowing and consolidating with the fibre reinforcement when the driver is heated to recover it around the coupling means surrounding the said object, and at least one filler piece shaped so that, when placed in use between the driver and the coupling means when positioned around a sharp-cornered or irregular elongate object, the filler piece spreads the driver recovery forces more evenly over the surface of the substrate so as to increase the uniformity of the consolidation, the polymeric material having a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the coupling means.

Claim 54

A kit of parts for coupling or reinforcing elongate objects, comprising a heat recoverable driver, coupling means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement in the form of a braid whose fibres individually carry a polymeric material capable of flowing and consolidating with the fibre reinforcement when the driver is heated to recover it around the coupling means surrounding the said object, and at least one filler piece shaped so that, when placed in use between the driver and the coupling means when positioned around a sharp-cornered or irregular elongate object, the filler piece spreads the driver recovery forces more evenly over the surface of the substrate so as to increase the uniformity of the consolidation, the polymeric material having a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the coupling means.

Claim 57

A reinforcing assembly for reinforcing a tubular load-bearing structural member over a substantial part of its length, comprising a heat recoverable tubular driver and telescoped therewith a tubular reinforcing means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement in the form of a braid whose fibres individually carry a polymeric material that is capable of flowing when the assembly is heated, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be heated when positioned around the structural member to recover the driver and to consolidate the reinforcing means, thereby reinforcing the structural member, and such that the consolidated reinforcing means alone is capable of reinforcing the structural member after removal of the recovered driver, the flowable polymeric material being substantially solid at least at the intended operating temperature of the consolidated reinforcing means and having a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the reinforcing means.

Claim 58

A reinforcing assembly for reinforcing a tubular load-bearing structural member over a substantial part of its length, comprising a heat recoverable tubular driver and telescoped therewith a tubular reinforcing means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement in the form of a braid whose fibres individually carry a polymeric material that is capable of flowing when the assembly is heated, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be heated when positioned around the structural member to recover the driver and to consolidate the reinforcing means, thereby reinforcing the structural member, and such that the consolidated reinforcing means alone is capable of reinforcing the structural member after removal of the recovered driver, the flowable polymeric material being substantially solid at least at the intended operating temperature of the consolidated reinforcing means and having a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the reinforcing means.

Claim 59

An assembly for providing a substantially fluid-impermeable outer layer over a tubular member having a fibrous covering, comprising a heat recoverable tubular driver and telescoped therewith a tubular sealing means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement in the form of a braid whose fibres individually carry a polymeric material that is capable of flowing when the the assembly is heated, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be heated when positioned around the tubular member to recover the driver and to consolidate the sealing means, thereby providing a substantially fluid-impermeable outer layer over the tubular member, and such that the consolidated sealing means alone is capable of sealing the tubular member after removal of the recovered driver, the flowable polymeric material being substantially solid at least at the intended operating temperature of the consolidated sealing means and having a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the sealing means.

Claim 60

An assembly for providing a substantially fluid-impermeable outer layer over a tubular member having a fibrous covering, comprising a heat recoverable tubular driver and telescoped therewith a tubular sealing means comprising substantially unconsolidated fibre reinforcement in the form of a braid whose fibres individually carry a polymeric material that is capable of flowing when the the assembly is heated, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be heated when positioned around the tubular member to recover the driver and to consolidate the sealing means, thereby providing a substantially fluid-impermeable outer layer over the tubular member, and such that the consolidated sealing means alone is capable of sealing the tubular member after removal of the recovered driver, the flowable polymeric material being substantially solid at least at the intended operating temperature of the consolidated sealing means and having a sufficiently high softening temperature so that when heat is applied to recover the driver, the braid is caused to change its braid angle by slippage of the braid fibres at their cross-over points to conform to the shape of the recovering driver before further heating causes the polymeric material to flow such that the recovering driver consolidates the sealing means.