Silicone tie tape

Abstract

A bundling tie includes a silicone rubber tape and at least one flat polyester string embedded therein. The silicone rubber tape may meet or be similar to Federal Specifications AA-59163 and the flat polyester string may meet or be similar to Federal Specifications AA-52081. The bundling tie is resistant to a wide range of temperature extremes, cracking, hardening, aging, and a variety of chemicals, solvents, fuels and oils. The bundling tie is easy to install/remove and is suitable for use in aerospace and other applications.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A bundling tie comprising: 
 at least one silicone rubber tape; and    at least one string in contact with said silicone rubber tape.    
     
     
         2 . The bundling tie of  claim 1 , wherein said string comprises a polyester.  
     
     
         3 . The bundling tie of  claim 1 , wherein said string comprises a monofilament.  
     
     
         4 . The bundling tie of  claim 1 , wherein said silicone rubber tape has a width between about 0.25 inches and about 4.0 inches.  
     
     
         5 . The bundling tie of  claim 1 , wherein said string has a width between about 0.035 inches and about 0.375 inches.  
     
     
         6 . The bundling tie of  claim 1 , wherein one said string is in contact with each of two said silicone rubber tapes.  
     
     
         7 . The bundling tie of  claim 1 , wherein each of two said strings are in contact with one said silicone rubber tape.  
     
     
         8 . The bundling tie of  claim 1 , wherein said silicone rubber tape is colored silicone rubber tape.  
     
     
         9 . The bundling tie of  claim 1 , wherein said string comprises a nylon.  
     
     
         10 . The bundling tie of  claim 1 , wherein said string is embedded within said silicone rubber tape.  
     
     
         11 . A tie for bundling a plurality of wire members comprising: 
 a poly(organosiloxane) based polymer sheet; and    a polymer fiber embedded in said poly(organosiloxane) based polymer sheet.    
     
     
         12 . The tie of  claim 11 , wherein said poly(organosiloxane) based polymer sheet comprises a poly(dimethylsiloxane) based polymer sheet.  
     
     
         13 . The tie of  claim 11 , wherein said poly(organosiloxane) based polymer sheet has a width between about 0.375 inches and about 1.0 inch.  
     
     
         14 . The tie of  claim 11 , wherein said polymer fiber comprises a flat polyester tape.  
     
     
         15 . The tie of  claim 11 , wherein said tie is a colored tie.  
     
     
         16 . The tie of  claim 11 , wherein said tie has thickness between about 5 mil and about 40 mil.  
     
     
         17 . The tie of  claim 11 , wherein said polymer fiber has a width between about 0.07 inches and about 0.10 inches.  
     
     
         18 . A bundling tie comprising: 
 a silicone rubber tape; and    at least one flat polyester string in contact with said silicone rubber tape.    
     
     
         19 . The bundling tie of  claim 18 , wherein said silicone rubber tape is a silicone rubber tape meeting Federal Specifications AA-59163.  
     
     
         20 . The bundling tie of  claim 18 , wherein said flat polyester string is a flat polyester string meeting Federal Specifications AA-52081.  
     
     
         21 . The bundling tie of  claim 18 , wherein said silicone rubber tape is a silicone rubber tape meeting Federal Specifications AA-59163, and wherein said flat polyester string is a flat polyester string meeting Federal Specifications AA-52081.  
     
     
         22 . The bundling tie of  claim 18 , comprising at least two said flat polyester strings.  
     
     
         23 . The bundling tie of  claim 18 , wherein said bundling tie is a colored bundling tie.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for bundling comprising: 
 a silicone rubber tape, wherein said silicone rubber tape meets Federal Specifications AA-59163, wherein said silicone rubber tape is a colored silicone rubber tape, and wherein said silicone rubber tape has a width between about 0.25 inches and about 4.0 inches; and    a flat polyester string embedded in said silicone rubber tape, wherein said flat polyester string meets Federal Specifications AA-52081, and wherein said flat polyester string has a width between about 0.035 inches and about 0.375 inches.    
     
     
         25 . A method for producing a silicone tie tape comprising the steps of: 
 providing at least one silicone rubber tape; and    incorporating at least one polyester string into said silicone rubber tape, wherein said polyester string extends longitudinally through said silicone rubber tape.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said step of incorporating comprises extrusion processing.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said step of incorporating comprises positioning said polyester string between two said silicone rubber tapes and self-bonding said two silicone rubber tapes.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said step of incorporating comprises applying an adhesive to a surface of said silicone rubber tape, and positioning said polyester string in contact with said adhesive.  
     
     
         29 . A method for bundling a plurality of wires comprising the steps of: 
 providing a silicone tie tape in contact with said wires, said silicone tie tape has a front surface and a back surface;    wrapping said silicone tie tape around said wires;    securing said silicone tie tape, such that a wire bundle is produced.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said securing comprises positioning said front surface of said silicone tie tape in contact with said back surface of said silicone tie tape.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said securing comprises positioning a portion of said back surface of said silicone tie tape in contact with a second portion of said back surface of said silicone tie tape.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said securing comprises positioning said back surface of one end of said silicone tie tape in contact with said back surface of a second end of said silicone tie tape, whereby a flap is produced, and positioning said flap in contact with said front surface of said silicone tie tape.