Cold-shrink marker sleeve
First Claim
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1. A tubular article in an expanded state having an outer surface, the tubular article comprising:
- a mixture comprising an elastomer, a pigment, and an energy beam absorber; and
focused energy beam-induced indicia located on the outer surface, wherein the tubular article is capable of being placed in a relaxed state, and wherein the indicia is legible to an unaided eye of an individual with 20/20 vision located at least about 36 centimeters away from the indicia when the tubular article is in the expanded state and when the tubular article is in the relaxed state.
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Abstract
A tubular article that includes a compositional mixture of an elastomer, a pigment, and a energy beam absorber. The tubular article further includes indicia formed on an outer surface of the tubular article. The indicia is formed by expanding the tubular article from a relaxed state to an expanded state, marking the outer surface with a laser, and allowing the tubular article to cold shrink from the expanded state.
50 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A tubular article in an expanded state having an outer surface, the tubular article comprising:
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a mixture comprising an elastomer, a pigment, and an energy beam absorber; and
focused energy beam-induced indicia located on the outer surface, wherein the tubular article is capable of being placed in a relaxed state, and wherein the indicia is legible to an unaided eye of an individual with 20/20 vision located at least about 36 centimeters away from the indicia when the tubular article is in the expanded state and when the tubular article is in the relaxed state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A tubular article having an outer surface, the tubular article comprising:
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a compositional mixture comprising;
an elastomer;
a pigment;
an energy beam absorber;
hydrocarbon oil;
an antioxidant material; and
zinc oxide; and
focused energy beam-induced indicia located on the outer surface, wherein the tubular article is capable of being placed in a relaxed state, and wherein the indicia is legible to an unaided eye of an individual with 20/20 vision located at least about 36 centimeters away from the indicia when the tubular article is in the expanded state and when the tubular article is in the relaxed state. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of marking a tubular article having an outer surface, the method comprising:
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providing the tubular article, the tubular article comprising an elastomer, a pigment, and an energy beam absorber;
expanding the tubular article from a relaxed state to an expanded state;
forming indicia on the outer surface with a focused energy beam; and
allowing the tubular article to cold shrink from the expanded state. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification