The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 31, 2009
Filed:
Dec. 11, 2006
William L. Taylor, Round Rock, TX (US);
William V. Dower, Austin, TX (US);
Garry L. Sjolander, Pflugerville, TX (US);
William L. Taylor, Round Rock, TX (US);
William V. Dower, Austin, TX (US);
Garry L. Sjolander, Pflugerville, TX (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
An article can include a protective core having two end portions. The article can include a number of support cores. Each support core can be positioned substantially adjacent each end portion of the protective core. The article can include a cold shrinkable material held in an expanded state over at least a portion of the protective core and at least a portion of each support core. The support cores, the protective core, and the cold shrinkable material can collectively be placed over an apparatus such that the cold shrinkable material tightens over a portion of the apparatus responsive to removing the support core from the cold shrinkable material.