Branch-off method
AssigneeRaychem Corporation
InventorJean-Marie E. Nolf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A branch-off seal between a heat-recoverable sleeve, such as a tubular or wrap-around sleeve made from cross-linked polymeric material, and two or more substrates such as electrical cables is effected by using one or more clips the outer legs of which are positioned over the outer surface of the sleeve so as to form an appropriate number of conduits and applying heat to cause the sleeve to shrink about the substrates positioned within the conduits. The preferred clips are formed as a trident, the central leg of which extends into the heat-recoverable sleeve and is provided with a layer of a hot-melt adhesive or another sealant so as to enhance the seal formed at the branch-off.
Claims41
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises the steps of
- (a) positioning a clip having elongate legs and formed as a trident over the heat-shrinkable sleeve at the end thereof so as to form at least two terminal conduits, wherein the central leg of the clip passes inside the heat-shrinkable sleeve;
- (b) positioning the substrates within the conduits;
- and
- (c) applying heat so as to effect shrinkage and to form the desired seal.
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises the steps of
- (a) positioning a single clip having at least two elongate legs over the heat-shrinkable sleeve at the end thereof so as to form at least three terminal conduits;
- (b) positioning the substrates within the conduits;
- and
- (c) applying heat so as to effect shrinkage and to form the desired seal.
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises the steps of
- (a) positioning a clip having elongate legs and formed as a trident over the heat-shrinkable sleeve at the end thereof so as to form at least two terminal conduits, wherein the central leg of the clip passes inside the heat-shrinkable sleeve, wherein the thickness of the central leg increases from the closed end to the open end of the clip, and wherein at least part of each side of the central leg of the clip is provided with a layer of hot-melt adhesive;
- (b) positioning the substrates within the conduits;
- and
- (c) applying heat so as to effect shrinkage and melt the hot-melt adhesive to form the desired seal.
A method of forming a branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve and at least two substrates, which comprises the steps of
- (a) positioning a clip having at least two elongate legs over the heat-shrinkable sleeve at the end thereof so as to form at least two terminal conduits, wherein part of the clip forms one of the substrates;
- (b) positioning the substrates within the conduits;
- and
- (c) applying heat so as to effect shrinkage and to form the desired seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.