US4915990A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of, and elastomeric composition for, protecting a substrate
Assignee: Raychem Corp
•
Filing: 1988-02-25
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Granted: 1990-04-10
•
Expires: 2008-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A cable splice is environmentally sealed by positioning around it a stretched sheet of a curable elastomeric composition, allowing the sheet to relax into engagement, and then curing the composition. The composition may comprise a polychloroprene elastomer and a polyepoxide and optionally a curing agent, the polyepoxide present in sufficient quantity that it can act as a plasticizer.
Inventors
- 👤 Rong J. Chang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:07
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L47/00; F16L47/20; F16L47/22; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/065; B29C63/00; B29C63/18; B29C63/185; B29C67/00; B29C67/0014; F16L5/00; F16L5/02; F16L58/00; F16L58/18; H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/70; H01R43/00; H01R43/005; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/013; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/08; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1328
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An article for environmentally protecting a substrate, which comprises an elastomeric tubular article and a hold-out member by means of which said elastomeric article is maintained in a stretched configuration, said elastomeric article: (a) having when relaxed an elongation at break of at least 5%, (b) having a tear strength of at least 3 Kg per linear cm, (c) having a modulus of M 100 of 1.4-17.6 Kg per sq. cm, and (d) comprising a curable elastomeric composition which has been partially cured and which comprises an elastomeric composition and a curable component dispersed therein, the article being capable of being positioned around the substrate while maintained in a stretched configuration, such that while maintained in a stretched configuration, such that when released from the hold-out member the elastomeric article engages the substrate, the elastomeric article after further curing of the composition: (a) having a tear strength of at least 5 Kg per linear cm, and (b) having a modulus, M 100 of at least 3.5 Kg per sq. cm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
An article for environmentally protecting a substrate, which comprises an elastomeric tubular article and a hold-out member by means of which said elastomeric article is maintained in a stretched configuration, said elastomeric article: (a) having when relaxed an elongation at break of at least 5%, (b) having a tear strength of at least 3 Kg per linear cm, (c) having a modulus of M 100 of 1.4-17.6 Kg per sq. cm, and (d) comprising a curable elastomeric composition which has been partially cured and which comprises an elastomeric composition and a curable component dispersed therein, the article being capable of being positioned around the substrate while maintained in a stretched configuration, such that while maintained in a stretched configuration, such that when released from the hold-out member the elastomeric article engages the substrate, the elastomeric article after further curing of the composition: (a) having a tear strength of at least 5 Kg per linear cm, and (b) having a modulus, M 100 of at least 3.5 Kg per sq. cm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the composition comprises an elastomer plasticized with a curable plasticizer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An article according to claim 2, in which the elastomer and the plasticizer are co-curable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the composition comprises a polychloroprene rubber and an epoxy resin, the epoxy resin being present in sufficient quantity that it acts as a plasticizer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An article according to claim 1, in which said hold-out member; (a) has a tubular configuration; and (b) is positioned within the tubular elastomeric article thereby maintaining the stretched configuration of the article.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article according to claim 5, in which the hold-out member has a line of weakness such that it can be deformed and peeled away from the elastomeric article.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
An article for environmentally protecting a substrate, which comprises a double-walled tube that can be revolved along the substrate by relative sliding motion between the two walls of the double wall, substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the substrate and the substrate, at least part of the double-wall: (a) having when relaxed an elongation at break of at least 5%, (b) having a tear strength of at least 3 Kg per linear cm, (c) having a modulus of M 100 of 1.4-17.6 Kg per sq. cm, and (d) comprising a curable elastomeric composition which has been at least partially cured and which comprises an elastomeric composition and a curable component dispersed therein, said at least part of said double wall, after further curing of the composition: (a) having a tear strength of at least 5 Kg per linear cm, and (b) having a modulus, M 100 of at least 3.5 Kg per sq. cm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
157 words
An article for environmentally protecting a substrate, which comprises a double-walled tube that can be revolved along the substrate by relative sliding motion between the two walls of the double wall, substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the substrate and the substrate, at least part of the double-wall: (a) having when relaxed an elongation at break of at least 5%, (b) having a tear strength of at least 3 Kg per linear cm, (c) having a modulus of M 100 of 1.4-17.6 Kg per sq. cm, and (d) comprising a curable elastomeric composition which has been at least partially cured and which comprises an elastomeric composition and a curable component dispersed therein, said at least part of said double wall, after further curing of the composition: (a) having a tear strength of at least 5 Kg per linear cm, and (b) having a modulus, M 100 of at least 3.5 Kg per sq. cm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An article according to claim 7, in which the composition comprises an elastomer plasticized with a curable plasticizer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An article according to claim 8, in which the elastomer and the plasticizer are co-curable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An article according to claim 7, in which the composition comprises a polychloroprene rubber and an epoxy resin, the epoxy resin being present in sufficient quantity that it acts as a plasticizer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article according to claim 7, in which a friction-reducing means is provided between the walls of the double wall.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of environmentally protecting a substrate, which comprises: (i) providing an article comprising a sheet, the sheet (a) having when relaxed an elongation at break of at least 5%, (b) having a tear strength of at least 3 Kg per linear cm, and (c) having a modulus of M 100 of 1.4-17.6 Kg per sq. cm, (d) comprising a curable elastomeric composition which has been partially cured and which comprises an elastomeric component and a curable component dispersed therein; (ii) stretching the sheet by applying a force thereto; (iii) positioning the article such that is surrounds the substrate; (iv) removing the force applied to the sheet in step (ii), thereby causing or allowing the sheet to relax, and thus to engage the substrate; and (v) causing the composition to cure after step (iv), such that the sheet then has (a) a tear strength of at least 5 Kg per linear cm, and (b) a modulus M 100 of at least 3.5 Kg per sq. cm.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of environmentally protecting a substrate, which comprises: (i) providing an article comprising a sheet, the sheet (a) having when relaxed an elongation at break of at least 5%, (b) having a tear strength of at least 3 Kg per linear cm, and (c) having a modulus of M 100 of 1.4-17.6 Kg per sq. cm, (d) comprising a curable elastomeric composition which has been partially cured and which comprises an elastomeric component and a curable component dispersed therein; (ii) stretching the sheet by applying a force thereto; (iii) positioning the article such that is surrounds the substrate; (iv) removing the force applied to the sheet in step (ii), thereby causing or allowing the sheet to relax, and thus to engage the substrate; and (v) causing the composition to cure after step (iv), such that the sheet then has (a) a tear strength of at least 5 Kg per linear cm, and (b) a modulus M 100 of at least 3.5 Kg per sq. cm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 12, in which the composition comprises an elastomer plasticized with a curable plasticizer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 12, in which the sheet has the configuration of a tape; steps (ii) and (iii) comprising wrapping the tape around the substrate, stretching it as it is wrapped, and then securing the tape in a wrapped configuration around the substrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 12, in which the step (v) results at least in part from the application of a chemical curing agent to a surface of the sheet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 15, in which the curing agent is applied to a surface of the sheet that engages the substrate, the curing agent rendering the surface tacky such that step (iv) results in a bond between the substrate and the sheet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 12, in which step (v) results at least in part from the application of a chemical curing agent to a surface of the substrate and from contact between thus applied curing agent and the sheet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 12, in which the substrate comprises a cable.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of environmentally protecting a substrate, which comprises: (i) providing an article comprising an elastomeric tubular article and a hold-out member by means of which said elastomeric article is maintained in a stretched configuration, said elastomeric article: (a) having when relaxed an elongation at break of at least 5%, (b) having a tear strength of at least 3 Kg per linear cm, and (c) having a modulus of M 100 of 1.4-17.6 Kg per sq. cm, (d) comprising a curable elastomeric composition which has been at least partially cured and which comprises an elastomeric component and a curable component dispersed therein; (ii) positioning said article around the substrate to be protected; (iii) releasing the elastomeric tubular article from said hold-out member thereby causing or allowing the elastomeric article to relax, and thus to engage the substrate; and (iv) causing the composition to cure after step (iii), such that the sheet then has (a) a tear strength of at least 5 Kg per linear cm, and (b) a modulus M 100 of at least 3.5 Kg per sq. cm.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of environmentally protecting a substrate, which comprises: (i) providing an article comprising an elastomeric tubular article and a hold-out member by means of which said elastomeric article is maintained in a stretched configuration, said elastomeric article: (a) having when relaxed an elongation at break of at least 5%, (b) having a tear strength of at least 3 Kg per linear cm, and (c) having a modulus of M 100 of 1.4-17.6 Kg per sq. cm, (d) comprising a curable elastomeric composition which has been at least partially cured and which comprises an elastomeric component and a curable component dispersed therein; (ii) positioning said article around the substrate to be protected; (iii) releasing the elastomeric tubular article from said hold-out member thereby causing or allowing the elastomeric article to relax, and thus to engage the substrate; and (iv) causing the composition to cure after step (iii), such that the sheet then has (a) a tear strength of at least 5 Kg per linear cm, and (b) a modulus M 100 of at least 3.5 Kg per sq. cm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 19, in which the composition comprises an elastomer plasticized with a curable plasticizer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 19, in which said hold-out member; (a) has a tubular configuration; and (b) is positioned within the elastomeric tubular article thereby maintaining the stretched configuration of said article; and step (iv) comprises removing the hold-out member from within the elastomeric article.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 21, in which step (iv) is carried out by deforming the hold-out member and peeling it away from the elastomeric article.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 19, in which said hold-out member has a tubular configuration, the tubular elastomeric article being bonded to an internal surface of the hold-out member and thereby being maintained in the stretched configuration.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 19, in which step (v) results at least in part from the application of a chemical curing agent to a surface of the article.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 24, in which the curing agent is applied to a surface of the article that engages the substrate, the curing agent rendering the surface tacky such that step (iv) results in a bond between the substrate and the article.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 19, in which step (v) results at least in part from the application of a chemical curing agent to a surface of the substrate and from contact between thus applied curing agent and the article.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 19, in which the substrate comprises a cable.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of environmentally protecting a substrate, which comprises: (i) providing an article comprising a double-wall tube that can be revolved along the substrate by relative sliding motion between the two walls of the double wall, substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the substrate and the substrate, at least part of the double-wall: (a) having when relaxed an elongation at break of at least 5%, (b) having a tear strength of at least 3 Kg per linear cm, (c) having a modulus of M 100 of 1.4-17.6 Kg per sq. cm, (d) comprising a curable elastomeric composition which has been at least partially cured and which comprises an elastomeric component and a curable component dispersed therein; (ii) applying the article over the substrate; (iii) revolving the article onto the substrate; (iv) allowing the article to relax; and (v) causing the composition to cure after step (iv), such that the said part of the double wall then has (a) a tear strength of at least 5 Kg per linear cm, and (b) a modulus M 100 of at least 3.5 Kg per sq. cm.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of environmentally protecting a substrate, which comprises: (i) providing an article comprising a double-wall tube that can be revolved along the substrate by relative sliding motion between the two walls of the double wall, substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the substrate and the substrate, at least part of the double-wall: (a) having when relaxed an elongation at break of at least 5%, (b) having a tear strength of at least 3 Kg per linear cm, (c) having a modulus of M 100 of 1.4-17.6 Kg per sq. cm, (d) comprising a curable elastomeric composition which has been at least partially cured and which comprises an elastomeric component and a curable component dispersed therein; (ii) applying the article over the substrate; (iii) revolving the article onto the substrate; (iv) allowing the article to relax; and (v) causing the composition to cure after step (iv), such that the said part of the double wall then has (a) a tear strength of at least 5 Kg per linear cm, and (b) a modulus M 100 of at least 3.5 Kg per sq. cm.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 28, in which the composition comprises an elastomer plasticized with a curable plasticizer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 28, which additionally comprises cutting circumferentially an outer wall portion of the double wall and revolving a resulting separated outer wall portion along the substrate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 28, in which step (v) results at least in part from application of a chemical curing agent to an outer wall portion of the double wall, after which application the double-walled tube is revolved such that said portion becomes an inner wall portion and engages the substrate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 28, in which the substrate comprises a cable.
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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) | 1993-04-09 | 1993-10-09 | 1994-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-09 | 1997-10-09 | 1998-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-09 | 2001-10-09 | 2002-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |