Encapsulating compound and closure

• US 3,879,575 A
• Filed: 02/21/1974
• Issued: 04/22/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles Anthony Fritsch, Donald Patrick Dobbin, Raffaele Antonio Sabia
• Original Assignee: Charles Anthony Fritsch, Donald Patrick Dobbin, Raffaele Antonio Sabia
• Inventors: Dobbin, Donald Patrick, Fritsch, Charles Anthony, Sabia, Raffaele Antonio
• Primary Examiner(s): Clay, Darrell L.
• Application Number:
  US05/444,344
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 174/76,87,88,92,93,23R,23C 252/316,63 117/161
• US Class Current: 174/92
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4447 with divided shells G02B6/4448 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/117 for multiconductor cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/18 protected by sleeves, e.g. for communication cable two-part covers H02G15/10 ; preforms having internal stresses B29C61/00

Abstract

Articles, and particular telephone splices, are protectively encased in a material consisting of a low viscosity oil gelled by a block copolymer such as styrene-iosprene-styrene. Addition of polyethylene to the blend reduces the yield shear stress in the gelled compound and also advantageously supplies a desirable high temperature property of nonslump. Component ranges are described. Stratifying the compound within the closure so that the portion contacting splices is soft and plastic while the remainder is stiff and hard, meets a stringent encasement requirement while minimizing oil separation at high operating temperatures.

Claims

1. In combination:

a plurality of insulated conductor splice points enveloped in a waterproof encapsulating agent comprising from 84.5 to 92.5 parts by weight of mineral oil, from 0.5 to 3.0 parts by weight styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, and from 6.0 to 13.0 parts by weight of polyethylene having a weight average molecular weight above 2000.

2. A closure receiving and encapsulating therein a plurality of spliced insulated conductors, comprising:

a lower shell and an upper shell mating along extended flat edge portions and each shell having a recess, a plurality of spliced electrical conductors disposed between said shells the recess of each said shell containing an encapsulating agent enveloping said splicid electrical conductors, and comprising a blend of from 84.5 to 92.5 parts by weight of mineral oil, from 0.5 to 3.0 parts by weight of styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, and from 6.0 to 13.25 parts by weight of a polyolefin.

3. A closure pursuant to claim 2, further comprising elongated clip means fastening said upper and said lower shells together along their respective extended edge portions.

4. A closure pursuant to claim 3, wherein the parts by weight of said mineral oil are in the range of 84.5 to 87.0, the parts by weight of said styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer are in the range 1.5 to 3.0, and the parts by weight of said polyolefIn are in the range 10.0 to 13.25.

5. A closure pursuant to claim 4 wherein said agent condained in each said mating shell is stratified into a first layer contacting said electrical splices, and a second layer filling the remainder of said shell, said first layer adapted to be rendered relatively soft by subjecting the some to shearing motion and said second layer being relatively rigid providing stiff support and protection for said first layer.