N.v. Raychem S.a.

Robert H Van Loo

Johannes M Cordia

Roger W Evans

Jan L Vansant

Noel K Overbergh

Firmin Ros

Recoverable fabric sleeve

The invention relates to heat-recoverable covers which comprise embedded electrical resistance heaters, and to methods of covering an elongate object using such covers. In a preferred embodiment (FIG. 5), 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 (24,25and 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.

Heat-recoverable article

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.

Heat recoverable articles

The assembly comprises a wraparound heat recoverable sleeve, and a resilient girdle provided with means for fastening opposed edge regions thereof together, thereby enabling the girdle to hold the sleeve in its wrapped configuration during recovery. The girdle is particularly suitable for use with sleeves that are wrapped around an object more than once.

Assembly for covering an object

A heat-recoverable article for bonding to an object, particularly for sealing a joint between pre-insulated pipes, consists of a layer of heat-recoverable polymeric material, a layer of a bonding material which preferably is heat-activatable, and a laminar metal heating element which has a plurality of apertures through its thickness to permit the element to be deformed in the plane thereof by a change in the shape of the apertures, and which is inbuilt either in one of or between the said layers. The recoverable material is arranged so that when it is heated by the element, it can recover and deform the element as aforesaid, in use to force the layer of bonding material against the object.

Growing community of inventors

Linden, Belgium

Robert H Van Loo