PROTECTIVE SLEEVING WITH SUPPORT RIBS

摘要

An elongated sleeve (12) for protecting elongated substrates is disclosed. The sleeve has a flexible elongated backbone (14) extending lengthwise along the sleeve. A plurality of flexible, resilient ribs (28) extend transversely from the backbone. The ribs ar e biased into a concave, preferably circular shape to define a central space for receiving the substrates. The backbone may be continuous, discontinuous or split and may intersect the ribs at a point spaced from their mid point, defining asymmetrical ribs. One or more layers of material are attached to the ribs forming a covering (22) which defines a lengthwise seam (30) along the ends of the ribs providing access to the central space. The layers may be positioned on either or both inside or outside of the ribs. The layers may provide a reflective surface for thermal protection.