US4944987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat recoverable articles
Assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
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Filing: 1989-02-22
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Granted: 1990-07-31
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Expires: 2009-02-22
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a heat-recoverable covers which comprises embedded electrical resistance heaters, and to methods of covering an elongate object using such covers. In a preferred embodiment, the cover comprises a heat-recoverable polymeric sheet (22) or fabric, provided with upstanding rails (24,25) as a first closure means. A heating element (36) is embedded in the sheet, and arranged to follow a serpentine path such that each return loop portion 38 projects beyond the edges of the cover. The sheet is coated on its inner surface with a layer of adhesive and/or sealant (28,30). In use, the cover is wrapped around a substrate (32) at least once, and first and second closure means (24,25 and 26,27) are engaged to hold the cover in the wrapped configuration. The cover is then heated to cause the cover to recover, and the adhesive and/or sealant to form a seal.
Inventors
- 👤 Johannes M. Cordia
- 👤 Roger W. Evans
- 👤 Robert H. Van Loo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:06
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0625; B29C61/10; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/34; B29C65/3404; B29C65/342; B29C65/3428; B29C65/3472; B29C65/3476; B29C65/348; B29C65/66; B29C65/68; B29C66/114; B29C66/1142; B29C66/13; B29C66/131; B29C66/1312; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/53; B29C66/532; B29C66/5326; B29C66/70; B29C66/72; B29C66/729; B29C66/90; B29C66/91; B29C66/912; B29C66/9121; B29C66/91221; B29C66/914; B29C66/9141; B29C66/91411; B29C66/91431; B29C66/9161; B29C66/91641; B29C66/91651; B29C66/91655; H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/1806; H02G15/1813; B29C65/3444; B29C65/3452; B29C65/3468; B29C66/20; B29C66/24; B29C66/242; B29C66/2422; B29C66/24221; B29C66/71; B29C66/7294; B29C66/96; B29C66/961; B29L; B29L2009/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/08; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1328; Y10T428/1331; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24777; Y10T428/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A heat-recoverable cover comprising a sheet of polymeric material and an elongate electrical resistance heating element which is in thermal contact with the cover and which is arranged to pass back and forth in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the cover in a serpentine path, the cover having a first closure means positioned toward one end of the sheet and a second closure means spaced apart from the first closure means to define a first cover portion between them, which first cover portion can be wrapped once around an object to be covered and secured in the wrapped configuration by the first and second closure means, the second closure means being spaced from the end of the cover opposite the first closure means to define a second cover portion that can be wrapped at least once around the object inwardly of the first cover portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A heat-recoverable cover comprising a sheet of polymeric material and an elongate electrical resistance heating element which is in thermal contact with the cover and which is arranged to pass back and forth in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the cover in a serpentine path, the cover having a first closure means positioned toward one end of the sheet and a second closure means spaced apart from the first closure means to define a first cover portion between them, which first cover portion can be wrapped once around an object to be covered and secured in the wrapped configuration by the first and second closure means, the second closure means being spaced from the end of the cover opposite the first closure means to define a second cover portion that can be wrapped at least once around the object inwardly of the first cover portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cover according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is bonded to the polymeric material of the cover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cover according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is embedded in the polymeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
168 words
A heat-recoverable cover comprising a sheet of fabric which has recoverable cross-linked fibers arranged in its warp or its weft so that it is recoverable in substantially one direction, and an elongate electrical resistance heating element which is in thermal contact with the cover and which is arranged to pass back and forth in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the cover in a serpentine path, the cover having a first closure means positioned toward one end of the sheet and a second closure means spaced apart from the first closure means to define a first cover portion between them, which first cover portion can be wrapped once around an object to be covered and secured in the wrapped configuration by the first and second closure means, the second closure means being spaced from the end of the cover opposite the first closure means to define a second cover portion that can be wrapped at least once around the object inwardly of the first cover portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
168 words
A heat-recoverable cover comprising a sheet of fabric which has recoverable cross-linked fibers arranged in its warp or its weft so that it is recoverable in substantially one direction, and an elongate electrical resistance heating element which is in thermal contact with the cover and which is arranged to pass back and forth in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the cover in a serpentine path, the cover having a first closure means positioned toward one end of the sheet and a second closure means spaced apart from the first closure means to define a first cover portion between them, which first cover portion can be wrapped once around an object to be covered and secured in the wrapped configuration by the first and second closure means, the second closure means being spaced from the end of the cover opposite the first closure means to define a second cover portion that can be wrapped at least once around the object inwardly of the first cover portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A cover according to claim 1 or claim 4, wherein at least one return loop portion formed by the heating element projects beyond an edge of the cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cover according to claim 5, wherein at least the or each projecting return loop portion of the heating element is provided with a temperature resistant coating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cover according to claim 1 or claim 4, wherein the cover is arranged to recover with a recovery ratio of at least 2:1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cover according to claim 4, wherein the heating element is bonded to the fabric of the cover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A cover according to claim 5, wherein the connecting return loop portion between any two adjacent lengths of the heating element, projects beyond the edge of the cover a distance which is at least one quarter of the distance of the spacing between the said two lengths of the heating element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cover according to claim 9, wherein the heating element passes back and forth substantially perpendicular to the said single direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cover according to claim 5, wherein all the return loop portions project beyond the edges of the cover.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cover according to claim 1 or claim 4, wherein the cover is recoverable in substantially a single direction, and wherein the heating element passes back and forth across the said single direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A cover according to claim 1 or claim 4, wherein electrically conductive closure members are provided which can be secured together to maintain the cover in a wraparound configuration, and through which the heating element can be powered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cover as claimed in claim 1 or claim 4, wherein the heating element is arranged as at least two heater modules which are arranged to be powered in turn by means of a switching device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cover according to claim 4, wherein the heating element is interlaced between the fibers of the fabric.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A cover according to claim 4, wherein the recovery of the fabric is highest in the direction of recovery of the recoverable fibers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cover according to claim 1 or claim 4, coated on a major surface thereof with an adhesive or sealant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cover according to claim 1 or claim 4, wherein the heating element is a metal wire.
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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) | 1993-07-30 | 1994-01-29 | 1994-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-30 | 1998-01-29 | 1998-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-30 | 2002-01-29 | 2002-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |