Heat shrinkable covering and method of applying same.

摘要

A heat shrinkable covering for an article 12, such as a pipe, comprises a heat shrinkable material in the form of a flexible sheet 20 which is wrapped around the article 12 so that its ends overlap. The overlapping end portions are bonded together by means of a hold-down adhesive 21, preferably a shear-resistant adhesive, leaving an adhesive-free region 23 at the interface. Heat is applied externally to the overlapping end portions so as to effect a fusion bond at the adhesive-free region 23 of the interface, and the sheet is heat-shrunk onto the article in known manner. The covering offers the advantages and convenience of application common to conventional wrap-around sleeves, while having the intrinsic strength properties of a seamless tubular sleeve.