Shape-recovering material suitable for application of an attachment, and its use

Abstract

A structure includes a hollow tubular first body made of a shape-recovering polymeric material having a first region in the recovered state, and a second region in the expanded state. A second body including an element of a fastener, such as a hook-and-loop fastener, is affixed to the first region of the first body with an adhesive joint. The first body is desirably in the form of a hollow tube that encloses a wire bundle or other enclosed body. The structure may also include a support, and a second element of the hook-and-loop fastener affixed to the support. The first element of the hook-and-loop fastener is engaged to the second element of the hook-and-loop fastener.

1 . A method for forming a structure, comprising the steps of:
 providing a first body made of a shape-recovering polymeric material having materials properties described by a recovered state and an expanded state which contracts toward the recovered state upon heating, the first body having
 a first region in the recovered state, and 
 a second region in the expanded state; thereafter 
   affixing a second body comprising a first element of a fastener to the first region of the first body;   providing a support;   affixing a second element of the fastener to the support; and thereafter   engaging the first element of the fastener and the second element of the fastener.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing the second body includes the step of providing the second body which comprises at least a first element of a hook-and-loop fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the first body includes the step of providing the first body made of a material selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, polyvinylidene fluoride, polychloroprene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, silicone rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , including an additional step, performed after the step of affixing the second body, of heating the first body so that the second region contracts toward its recovered state. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the first body includes the step of providing the first body as a hollow tube. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the first body includes the step of
 providing the first body as a hollow tube, and   including additional steps, after the step of affixing, of   positioning the hollow tube overlying an enclosed body, and   heating the first body so that the second region contracts toward its recovered state.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of positioning includes the step of providing the enclosed body comprising at least one wire. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing the second body includes the step of providing the second body as a first element of a hook-and-loop fastener, and wherein the method further includes the step of
 adhesively affixing the second element of the fastener to the support, wherein the second element of the fastener is a second element of the hook-and-loop fastener.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the first body includes the step of providing the first body as a hollow tube,
 wherein the step of affixing the second body includes the step of   providing the second body as a first element of a hook-and-loop fastener, and including additional steps, after the step of affixing the second body, of   positioning the hollow tube overlying an enclosed body, and   heating the first body so that the second region contracts toward its recovered state.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the first body includes the step of providing the first body wherein the shape-recovering polymeric material has a contraction ratio of at least about 2:1.