Applying an elastic sleeve over an elongate body

摘要

A tubular sleeve 12 is applied over an elongate body 10 which has a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve. An end portion 12a of the sleeve is engaged over an end portion of the body 10 to form a partial fluid-tight seal therewith. The opposite end portion of the sleeve is temporarily closed and fluid under pressure is introduced to the interior of the sleeve to inflate it sufficiently to enable it to be floated along the elongate body. Then the sleeve is displaced along the body. The fluid may be air introduced to the sleeve interior through a valve 14 which also temporarily closes the sleeve end.