MXPA98001432A - Member sella - Google Patents

Abstract

A sealing member (1) that can spirally wrap around an elongate article (e.g., a cable) comprises a strip of sealing material (3) (e.g., a gel-sealing material), and at least a series of dyeing elements. fastening (5) located adjacent to the strip of sealing material (3), and extending along a longitudinal edge (7) the sealing material (3). In use, the fastening elements (5) cause the sealing member (1) to hold an elongated article around which it spirally wraps. The sealing member (1) can also include a support strip (9) to which the strip of sealing material (3) and each series of fastening elements (

Description

SEALING MEMBER The present invention relates to a sealing member that can spirally wrap around an elongated article (eg, a telecommunication or electrical cable, or a tube), for example, to form a seal between the elongate article and a surrounding article. (for example, an enclosure housing cable splices or a conduit). The invention also relates to a set of parts for forming a cable splice enclosure, which includes one or more of these sealing members. German Patent Number 4135570 Cl discloses a sealing band for wrapping around a cable passing through a conduit, to create a seal between the cable and the conduit, wherein at least the inside of the belt turned towards the cable has a rough surface, preferably formed of projecting friction elements. The friction elements can be corundum or fixed grain grinding wheels, or they can be made of metal or plastic, and they are anchored in the material of the sealing band. International Patent Application Number WO 94/05935 (Raychem) discloses a sealing member comprising: (a) a sealing material having a cone penetration of between 80 and 400 (10 mm), and a final elongation of when less 100 percent, and (b) an elastomeric retention member for the sealant material. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sealing member that can be spirally wrapped around an elongate article, which comprises: (a) a strip of sealing material; and (b) a series of fastening elements located adjacent the strip of sealing material, and extending along a longitudinal edge of the strip; wherein, in use, the fasteners cause the sealing member to hold an elongate article around which it is spirally wrapped. The sealing member according to the invention has the advantage that, because it has a series of fastening elements located adjacent the strip of sealing material, and extending along a longitudinal edge of the strip of sealing material, instead of being embedded or anchored in the sealing material (as is the case with the sealing tape of German Patent Number DE 4135570 Cl), normally the sealing effectiveness of the sealing material is not impaired by the fasteners. The sealing member preferably further comprises a second series of fastening elements located adjacent to the strip of sealing material, and extending along a longitudinal edge thereof, opposite the edge beside which the series of elements extends. of subject This has the advantage of making it possible for the sealing member to hold an elongate article, around which it is spirally wrapped, on both axial sides of the spirally wrapped strip of sealing material, which can assist in retaining the sealing material in place around it. of the elongated article. In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention, the sealing member further comprises a support strip to which the strip of sealing material and / or each series of fastening elements are joined. Conveniently, the support strip may comprise a single piece of polymeric material, preferably elastomeric, for example natural or synthetic rubber. In a further or alternative manner, the support strip may comprise a plurality of fibers, strands, wires, or the like, particularly in the form of a spun or non-spun fabric, for example formed of polyamide, polyolefin, polyester, glass, and / or metal. The convenient support strip can be elastically stretchable. This may have the advantage of making it possible for a compression force to be applied to the sealing material by the support strip once it has been stretched (ie, in such a manner that it exerts an opposing retraction force).

The support strip (and preferably also the sealing material together with the support strip) can conveniently be pre-stretched in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction. Preferably, this pre-stretching causes an opposite retraction force (and consequently compression) to be applied to the sealing material. In use, a previously stretched sealant member will normally try to contract, thereby applying compression to the sealant material. This is often convenient, as some sealing materials, notably gels and mastics, usually work best when placed under compression. It is particularly preferred that the sealing member be pre-stretched in the longitudinal direction, causing the sealing member to try to untangle during use. Any intended contraction (for example, when unraveling) of the sealing member, is preferably substantially prevented by its containment in an enclosure, conduit, or the like. "Previously stretched" means stretched when, or before, the sealing member is wrapped around an elongate article. In some embodiments of the invention, the support strip may even be pre-stretched before the sealing material is attached to the support strip. Each fastening element of the series of fastening elements is preferably attached in an independent manner to the support strip (where present). In a further or alternative manner, each fastening element is preferably joined to the support strip by a mechanical interacide with it, for example, by means of one or more projections or other parts on the fastening elements or the support strip that is interaseguren with one or more holes or recesses in the support strip or in the fasteners. A particularly preferred design has one or more series of holes or recesses extending along the support strip, with which the securing elements interlock. Another particularly preferred design has each clamping element carried on (eg, clamped on) one or more strands, fibers, or wires of the support strip, for example, by simple mechanical interlocking. Preferably, each fastening element is profiled in such a way that, when the sealing member is spirally wrapped around an elongated article in the spindle, the fastening elements of the successive casings are interlocked with each other, thereby substantially preventing the accidental displacement of the envelopes with respect to one another axially along the elongate article. In an additional or alternative way, the fastening elements can be sufficiently separated along the sealing member, in such a way that, when the sealing member is wrapped, the fastening elements of the successive turns are adjusted among others. The clamping elements are preferably provided with teeth or other clamping protuberances. Each fastening element can be conveniently formed of a rigid plastic material or a metal, for example. According to the particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the sealing member further comprises a retaining element which, in use, at least contributes to retaining the sealing material on the sealing member in the axial direction with respect to an elongate article around the which spirally wraps the sealing member. The retaining element may comprise, or may be part of, the fastening elements. Preferably, however, the retaining element comprises one or more additional portions of the sealing member. Preferably, the retention element is attached to, or is an integral part of, the support strip (where present). Conveniently, the retaining element may comprise a first retaining strip which extends next to a longitudinal edge of the strip of sealing material. Preferably, the retaining element further comprises a second retaining strip that extends next to a longitudinal edge of the strip of sealing material, opposite to the edge immediately following which the first retaining strip extends. More preferably, the first and / or the second retaining strip are each located between the strip of sealing material and the series of fastening elements. Each retaining element is preferably elastically compressible, for example, when formed of a foamed and / or elastomeric polymer material. This has the particular advantage that, when the sealing member is wrapped around an elongated article, and subjected to a compressive force (for example, when a cable splice enclosure or a sealing device is closed around it), the retaining element is preferably compressed, and due to its elasticity, it preferably exerts an opposite compressive force on the sealing material (which itself is preferably substantially incompressible). Some sealing materials (notably gels, for example as described in detail below) work best when placed under pressure. However, these sealant materials may be subject to entrainment or relaxation for a period of time, and / or may change in volume due to fluctuations in temperature, for example. The advantage that the retaining element is elastically compressible is that, if in use, such drag, relaxation, or increase or decrease in the volume of the sealing material occurs, the retaining element, which has been compressed, in response, it will expand automatically due to its elasticity, or it will shrink additionally due to its compressibility (depending on the circumstances), thereby substantially maintaining the pressure on the sealing material. The retaining element is preferably formed of a polymeric foam material (eg, silicone, polyolefin, polyurethane), and / or of an elastomeric material (for example, natural or synthetic rubber). The material of the retaining element preferably has a compression setting (determined in accordance with ASTM D395 at 70 ° C) not greater than 15 percent, more preferably not greater than 10 percent, especially not more than 5 percent. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, that is, comprising a strip of sealing material, a series of fastening elements, a retaining element for the sealing material, and a support strip, have the advantage that they combine the following four features, that is: sealing, clamping, retention of the sealing material, and storage of potential energy (for example, by means of an elastically compressible retention element when compressed, or by an elastically stretchable support strip when stretched), which can maintain the pressurization of the sealing material. The fact that the preferred embodiments of the invention combine all of these features in an article (the sealing member) means that additional components that have conventionally been used to provide such features are normally not needed, thereby simplifying the design and installation of the cable splice enclosure, conduit seal, or whatever. The sealing material of the sealing member can generally comprise any suitable sealing material. A preferred form of sealant material comprises a mastic, more preferably having a high setting by compression and minimal trapping properties. The mastic preferably comprises one or more substantially non-crystalline materials, for example bituminous materials, elastomeric materials, and / or thermoplastic polymers. The mastic may contain one or more fillers or other additives. Examples of mastics that can be used in general as the sealant material of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,243,211; 3,297,819; 3,396,460, and 4,206,786. All disclosure of each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. A convenient property of the mastic is that, during the formation of a seal, it is usually deformable, and in general it can flow easily, but after some time, it is usually stable, and may have a high mechanical strength. Preferably, the mastic has a softening point (measured according to ASTM E28) of about 130 ° C, and when subjected to a rotating drum separation test at 23 ° C (according to the QAPK 027 test) of Preference has a resistance to separation of approximately 130N / 25mm. A preferred mastic has a tear strength (when tested in accordance with ISO04587) of more than 160N, preferably more than 250N. Preferred mastics for this invention have a high setting by compression, generally 100 percent. It is particularly preferred that the sealant material may additionally or alternatively comprise a gel. The gel may comprise, for example, silicone gel, urea gel, urethane gel, thermoplastic gel, or any gel or suitable geloid sealant material. Preferred gels comprise a polymer composition spread with oil. Preferably, the gel has a hardness at room temperature, determined using a Stevens-Volland Texture Analyzer greater than 45 grams, particularly greater than 50 grams, especially greater than 55 grams, for example between 55 grams and 60 grams. Preferably it has a stress relaxation of less than 12 percent, particularly less than 10 percent, and especially less than 8 percent. The final elongation, also at room temperature, is preferably greater than 100 percent, more preferably greater than 600 percent, especially greater than 1000 percent, particularly greater than 1400 percent, determined in accordance with ASTM D638. The tensile module with a tension of 100 percent preferably is at least 1.8 MPa, more preferably at least 2.2 MPa. In general, compression setting (measured in accordance with ASTM D395 at 70 ° C) is preferably less than 35 percent, more preferably less than 25 percent, especially less than 15 percent. Preferably, the gel has a cone penetration measured by ASTM D217 of at least 50 (10 mm), more preferably at least 100 (10 mm), still more preferably at least 200 (10 mm), and preferably not greater than 400 (10 mm), especially not more than 350 (10 mm). The polymeric composition of the gel, for example, may comprise an elastomer, or a block copolymer having relatively hard blocks and relatively elastomeric blocks. Examples of these copolymers include styrene-diene block copolymers, for example diblock or triblock copolymers of styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene, for example, as disclosed in International Patent Publication Number WO 88 / 00603. However, preferably, the polymer composition comprises one or more styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymers, for example as sold under the Registered Trade Mark "Septon" by Kuraray of Japan. The extender liquids employed in the gel preferably comprise oils. The oils may be hydrocarbon oils, for example, paraffinic or naphthenic oils, synthetic oils, for example polybutene or polypropene oils, and mixtures thereof. The preferred oils are mixtures of non-aromatic paraffins and naphthenic hydrocarbon oils. The gel may contain additives, for example such as moisture scavengers (e.g., benzoyl fluoride), antioxidants, pigments, and fungicides. Gels are preferred because they are often excellent sealing materials, partly because of their ability to wet surfaces with which they come in contact, and partly because of their other physical and chemical properties. However, some or all of the preferred physical properties of the gels may be present in the sealing materials other than gels. One of the preferred properties of the sealant material is that it has a Stevens-Volland hardness of 45 grams to 130 grams, more preferably 50 grams to 70 grams. Another preferred property of the sealant material is that it has a cone penetration measured by ASTM D217 of at least 50 (10 mm), more preferably at least 100 ((10 mm), still more preferably at least 200 (10 mm), and preferably not greater than 400 (10 mm), especially not more than 350 (10 1 mm) Other sealing materials that can be used include polymeric foam materials (eg, silicone), elastomeric materials, eg natural or synthetic rubber, adhesives , especially pressure sensitive adhesives, curable / reactive sealants or grease, for example silicone grease It was previously mentioned that, in addition to a sealing member, the invention also relates to a set of parts to form a splice enclosure According to the above, a third aspect of the invention provides a set of parts to form a cable splice enclosure, which comprises: (a) one om more sealing members according to the invention; (b) an enclosure for enclosing the cable splice, and preferably also each sealing element when spirally wrapped around one or more of the spliced cables. Preferably, in use, each sealing member is wrapped around one or more cables, and / or placed between two or more cables (the latter being to form an outward branching, for example), and the enclosure is closed around of cables and sealing members. In a convenient manner, closing the enclosure and / or one or more part of the set, for example, one or more sealing devices, can compress the sealant material and / or the retention element (where present), and / or it can make the clamping elements (where they are present) hold the cables.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows, in perspective, a preferred form of the sealing member according to the invention. Figure 2 shows the sealing member of Figure 1 in cross section. Figure 3 shows, schematically, and in cross section, part of a cable splice enclosure, assembled from a kit according to the invention, which is installed around a cable splice. Figure 4 shows, in perspective, a support strip of another preferred form of a sealing member according to the invention. Figure 5 shows, in perspective, a complete sealing member of which the support strip shown in Figure 4 is part. Figures 1 and 2 show a sealing member 1 according to the invention, comprising a strip of sealing material 3 (for example, gel), and two sets of fastening elements 5, each located adjacent to the strip of sealing material 3, and extending adjacent to the opposite longitudinal edges 7 thereof. Both the sealing material strip 3 and the fastening elements 5 are joined to a support strip 9, which comprises a single strip of elastomeric material (eg rubber). Between the sealing material strip 3 and each series of fastening elements 5, there is a retaining element in the form of a retaining strip 11 which, in use, retains the sealing material 3 in the transverse direction with respect to the strip (ie, the axial direction with respect to a cable or other elongated article around which the strip can be wrapped). Each holding strip 11 is an integral part of the support strip 9, but this need not always be the case. Each retaining strip 11 is elastically compressible, and as it is drawn, it also has an additional elastically compressible layer 21, for example formed of rubber or a polymeric foam material. Extending longitudinally along the support strip 9, near each transverse edge of the strip, there are a series of holes 13, inside each of which, or in some of which, part of an element is inserted. respective clamping 5, in such a way that the clamping element is mechanically interlocked with the support strip 9. Each clamping element has teeth or other clamping protuberances 15, to help hold a cable or other elongated article. Each fastening element is also profiled on the opposite faces 17, 19 thereof, such that, when the sealing member is spirally wrapped around an elongated article in the spindle, the fastening elements 15 of the successive turns are interlocked about with others, thereby substantially preventing accidental displacement of the turns relative to one another axially along the elongate article. Figure 3 shows, schematically and in cross section, part of a cable splice enclosure 23 that is installed around a cable 25 having the sealing member 1 of Figures 1 and 2 wrapped around it. For clarity, only one turn of the sealing member 1 is illustrated, but ordinarily the sealing member would be wrapped two or more times around the cable. The arrow illustrates that the enclosure 23 is closing around the cable 25 and the sealing member 1, which will cause the sealing material strip 3 of the sealing member to be put under compression. The retaining strips 11 of the sealing member will be compressed by some axial expansion of the sealing material 3 caused by its radial compression, but nevertheless, they will substantially retain the sealing material in the axial directions. As explained above, because the retaining strips 11 are elastic, any expansion or contraction of the sealing material 3 will normally be balanced by a corresponding contraction or expansion of the retaining strips. Closing the enclosure 23 will also force the fastening elements 5 to a clamping contact with the cable 25., securing the sealing member 1 to the cable, and because the enclosure is profiled to interlock with the sealing member, the cable is indirectly secured to the enclosure. Figure 4 shows, in perspective, a support strip of another form of sealing member according to the invention. This support strip comprises a loose weave of elastomeric fibers 27, with interwoven longitudinal reinforcing members 29. The elastomeric fibers are preferably formed of polybutadiene, and the reinforcing members 29 preferably comprise polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, or fibers. of glass, or metal wires (for example, aluminum or copper). Figure 5 shows, in perspective, a complete sealing member of which the support strip shown in Figure 4 is a part. The sealing member comprises a strip of sealing material 3 (eg, gel) carried by some of the elastomeric fibers 27 of the support strip. The sealant material 3 can conveniently be extruded onto the elastomeric fibers 27. Next to any longitudinal edge of the sealing material strip 3, there is a retaining strip 31, preferably formed of polymeric foam (eg, polyethylene). Each retaining strip 31 is carried by some of the elastomeric fibers 27. Next to each retaining strip 31, on the opposite side of the retaining strip from the sealing material 3, a series of fastening elements 33 extends. fastening elements 33 are carried by (for example, fastened on) the reinforcing members 29. For an extra latch, a portion 35 of each fastening element also extends into a groove 37, to its respective retaining strip 31 .

Claims (21)

1. A sealing member that can be spirally wrapped around an elongate article, which comprises: (a) a strip of sealing material; and (b) a series of fastening elements located adjacent the strip of sealing material, and extending along a longitudinal edge of the strip; wherein, in use, the fasteners cause the sealing member to hold an elongate article around which it is spirally wrapped.

2. A sealing member according to claim 1, which further comprises a second series of fastening elements located adjacent to the strip of sealing material, and extending along a longitudinal edge thereof, opposite the edge next to the seal. which extends the series of fastening elements. A sealing member according to claim 1 or claim 2, which further comprises a support strip to which the strip of sealing material and / or each series of fastening elements are joined. 4. A sealing member according to claim 3, wherein the support strip can be stretched elastically. A sealing member according to claim 4, wherein the support strip has been previously stretched in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction. 6. A sealing member according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the support strip comprises a single piece of polymeric material, preferably elastomeric. A sealing member according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the support strip comprises a spun or non-spun fabric. A sealing member according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein each fastening element of the series is attached independently to the support strip. 9. A sealing member according to any of claims 3 to 8, wherein each fastening element of the series is attached to the support strip by its mechanical interacure with it. A sealing member according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein each fastener of the series is profiled in such a way that, when the sealing member is spirally wrapped around an elongated article in the spindle, the elements The clamping of the successive casings are interlocked with each other, thus substantially preventing the accidental displacement of the casings relative to one another axially along the elongate article. 11. A sealing member according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein each fastening element is formed of a rigid plastic or metal material. A sealing member according to any of the preceding claims, which further comprises a retaining element which, in use, at least contributes to retaining the sealing material on the sealing member in the axial direction with respect to a stretched article. around which the sealing member is spirally wrapped. A sealing member according to claim 12, wherein the retaining element comprises a first retaining strip that extends next to a longitudinal edge of the strip of sealing material. A sealing member according to claim 13, wherein the retaining element further comprises a second retaining strip that extends next to a longitudinal edge of the strip of sealing material, opposite the edge immediately after which the first retaining strip extends. 15. A sealing member according to claim 13, or according to claim 14 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the first and / or the second retaining strip are each located between the strip of sealing material and the sealing strip. series of fasteners. 16. A sealing member according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the retaining element is elastically compressible. 17. A sealing member according to claim 16, wherein the retaining element comprises a foamed and / or elastomeric polymeric material. 18. A sealing member according to any of claims 12 to 17 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the retaining element comprises an integral part of the support strip. 19. A sealing member according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing material comprises gel, mastic, and / or an adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive. 20. A sealing member according to the preceding claims, wherein the sealing material has a Stevens-Volland hardness of 45 grams to 130 grams. 21. A set of parts for forming a cable splice enclosure, which comprises: (a) one or more sealing members according to any of the preceding claims; and (b) an enclosure to enclose the cable splice.