Tyco Electronics Corporation

Bryan P Williams

Ashok K Mehan

Daniel A Chandler

Rene Jairo Revueltas

Erling Hansen

Stephen P Tordoff

Paul William Martens

Edward A Cydzik

Rick Rodkey

A foamable copolymer based coupling is provided for securely affixing a light emitting glass lamp in a metal base to form a lamp assembly. The copolymer is preferably selected from ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, and combinations thereof. The foamable coupling may be placed around one end of the glass lamp or in the lamp base before the lamp and base are matingly engaged. The assembled lamp is then heated to a temperature, which causes the foamable coupling to expand and securely affix the lamp in the base.

Foamable adhesive composition

Foamable coupling for lamp assembly and methods for using the coupling

A bi-layer covering sheath has a foamable polymeric inner layer, and a non-foamable non-heat-shrinkable polymeric outer layer surrounding and in intimate contact with the inner layer; the outer layer having a melting point that is at least 60&deg; above the melting point of the inner layer, and the thickness and mechanical strength of the outer layer being such that the sheath retains substantially constant outer dimensions at a temperature sufficient to cause foaming of the inner layer. These sheaths are tubes for covering, generally, elongated substrates such as tubes, rods, wires, and cables, especially tubes, and caps for covering an end of such substrates.

Bi-layer covering sheath

Conventional foamable cavity sealing articles are susceptible to sagging when expanded in a vertical orientation with the foaming material facing downwards, because of gravitational drag on the molten material during expansion. The problem is particularly pronounced in foaming materials formulated to have high expansion ratios and low melt viscosities. A solution to the problem is presented in the form of a cavity sealing article having a planar holder and a foamable sealer, the foamable sealer circumscribing the edge of the support member. This construction creates a gripping effect which prevents sagging of the sealing member during expansion.

Cavity sealing article having improved sag resistance

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Bryan P Williams