Patent · US Expired

Heat shrinkable closure sheets and sleeve structures and methods employing the same

US5175032A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
15References
61Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 2, 1991
Grant dateDec 29, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 2, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/2826
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A longitudinally heat shrinkable closure sheet has a hold-down adhesive portion adjacent each longitudinal end for application on the exposed end portions a heat shrinkable wrap-around sleeve applied around a pipe or other article to be covered. Heat is applied to the closure sheet in order to weld the adhesive free portion of the underside of the closure sheet to the end portions of wrap-around sleeve. The initial shrinkage of the closure sheet between the hold-down adhesive portions draws it tightly into contact with the upper side of the end portions. Shearing forces are applied between the closure sheet and the end portions firstly as the closure sheet contracts relative to the end portions, and secondly, as the sleeve shrinks, develops hoop stress and stretches the closure sheet, and a high strength fusion bond is achieved between the closure sheet and sleeve.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.