Apparatus for the Application of Heat Shrinkable Products

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for shrinking a sleeve around an object, comprising providing an object to be covered by a shrink sleeve, positioning a heat shrink sleeve over the object, providing a heater and a shell around the heat shrink sleeve, having the heater heat the shell, and having the shell heat the heat shrink sleeve.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for shrinking a sleeve around an object, comprising the steps of:
 providing an object to be covered by a shrink sleeve,   positioning a heat shrink sleeve over the object,   providing a heater and a shell around the heat shrink sleeve,   having the heater heat the shell, and   having the shell heat the heat shrink sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of using the heater to preheat the object covered by the shrink sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heat shrink sleeve is heated to between about 200 and about 400 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heat shrink sleeve is heated from a middle progressively toward each end to cause the sleeve to shrink in the middle before shrinking at the ends. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shell is openable and closable about the heat shrink sleeve, and wherein the method further comprises the step of closing the shell about the heat shrink sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heater is openable and closable about the shell, and wherein the method further comprises the step of closing the heater about the shell. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the heater and the shell are each openable and closable about the heat shrink sleeve, and wherein the method further comprises the step of simultaneously closing the shell and heater about the heat shrink sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . A system for covering an object with a cover, comprising:
 a first body and a second body coupled at a junction;   a cover positioned over the junction;   a shell positioned over the cover; and   a heater positioned over the shell;   wherein the heater is actuatable to heat the shell and the shell is heatable to provide heat to the cover;   wherein the cover when heated shrinks to conform or contact the object.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first body is a pipe. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second body is a pipe. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the cover is a heat shrinkable sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the heater is a radiant heater. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the heater is an induction coil heater. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the shell is made of steel. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the cover is positionable to have a similar cross-sectional shape and slightly larger size or diameter than the first body and second body. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the shell has a similar cross-sectional shape and slightly larger size or diameter than the cover when positioned around the first body and second body. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein a space between the shell and cover is at least partially evacuated by a pump. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the shell has a substantially uniform thickness. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the shell has a centrally located area that is thinner than a distally located area located at or near at least one of a first end and a second end.