Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/084,665, filed Nov. 26, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to sleeves for protecting elongate members, and more particularly to nonwoven acoustic protection sleeves for receiving elongate members therein and to their method of construction. 
     2. Related Art 
     It is known that wires and wire harnesses carried in tubular sleeves in vehicles, such as in automobiles, aircraft or aerospace craft, can produce undesirable noise while the vehicle is in use. The noise typically stems from the wires or harness vibrating against adjacent components, wherein the vibration results from vibrating components in the vehicle, and in the case of automotive vehicles, movement of the vehicle over a ground surface. As such, it is customary to spirally wrap wires and wire harnesses with sound masking tape to reduce the potential for noise generation. Unfortunately, applying tape is labor intensive, and thus, costly. In addition, the appearance of the tape can be unsightly, particularly over time as the tape wears. Further, in service, tape can provide difficulties in readily accessing the wound wires. 
     Other than applying tape, it is also known to provide tubular acoustic protection in the form of woven, braided or knitted fabric sleeves about the wires. Although these fabric sleeves generally prove useful, they can be relatively costly due to manufacturing processes and yarn materials used to construct the sleeves. 
     It is further known to provide tubular acoustic protection in the form of a tubular assembly including solid extruded PVC tubing that is subsequently wrapped with polyurethane foam after disposing the wires through the PVC tubing. The PVC tubing provides the structural support to the assembly and the polyurethane foam provides the acoustic dampening to the assembly. Although this type of assembly can prove useful in routing wires and suppressing noise generation, it is a costly solution from both a material content and installation standpoint. Further, installation can be troublesome, if not impossible, as a result of not being able to route the rigid PVC of the tubular assembly about tight corners. Further, although the outer polyurethane foam is provided to suppress noise, the hard inner surface of the PVC tubing can result in the generation of noise, thereby countering the ability of the tubular assembly to optimally suppress noise. 
     An acoustic sleeve manufactured according to the present invention overcomes or greatly minimizes any limitations of the prior art described above, and also provides enhanced potential to suppress noise generation by elongate members carried in the sleeves. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the invention provides a flexible, resilient, non-woven acoustic sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members and suppressing noise generation from resulting due to vibration or other types of movement of the elongate members. The sleeve has an elongate nonwoven layer with opposite sides that are bonded to one along a lengthwise extending bonded seam, thereby forming a circumferentially enclosed inner cavity sized for receipt of an elongate member therethrough. To facilitate disposing the elongate member through the cavity without snagging or otherwise catching a portion of the elongate member on fibrous material of the nonwoven layer, the sleeve further includes a generally smooth inner scrim layer bonded to an inner surface of the nonwoven layer, wherein the smooth inner scrim layer forms a circumferentially continuous, smooth inner surface bounding the cavity. 
     The material forming the nonwoven layer of the sleeve is an engineered plastics material, preferably formed from polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene (PP), for example. The nonwoven layer is constructed having a suitable thickness of mechanically intertwined fibers that act both as an acoustic dampener, while also acting to provide structural support to maintain the nonwoven layer with a generally circular cross-sectional shape, thereby aiding in inserting an elongate member through the cavity of the sleeve. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the bonded seam is formed at least in part with fused material of the nonwoven layer. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the fibrous material in the nonwoven layer contains heat-bonded material to maintain the cavity having a generally circular cross-sectional configuration, thereby facilitating installation of the elongate member through the cavity. 
     Further aiding in installation of the elongate member through the cavity of the sleeve is the presence of the inner scrim layer. The inner scrim layer forms a relatively smooth, circumferentially continuous inner surface that is directly exposed to the cavity, wherein relatively smooth surface is as compared to the surface of nonwoven layer to which the inner scrim layer is attached. With the surface of the inner scrim layer being relatively smooth, the elongate member is prevented from getting hung up or otherwise snagged against the inner surface of the inner scrim layer while installing the elongate member through the cavity. 
     The inner scrim layer is provided at least in part as a polymeric fibrous material, such as polyethylene, by way of example. The inner scrim layer can be provided as a flat bonded or spun bonded scrim, for example, wherein the nonwoven structure of the inner scrim layer, aside from forming a relatively snag free, smooth inner surface, aids in noise suppression by providing a relatively soft, cushioning inner surface that may contact the elongate member during movement of the elongate member within the cavity. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the bonded seam is formed at least in part with fused material of the inner scrim layer, thereby enhancing the bond strength of the bonded seam. 
     Another aspect of the invention includes a method of constructing a resilient, non-woven acoustic sleeve for routing and protecting an elongate member and suppressing noise generation from resulting due to vibration or other types of movement of the elongate member within the sleeve. The method includes forming a circumferentially continuous tubular wall having a nonwoven outer layer and an inner scrim layer bounding an inner cavity of the tubular wall. The method includes bonding regions of the nonwoven layer and the inner scrim layer to one another to form a bonded seam extending lengthwise between opposite ends of the sleeve. Then, upon forming the circumferentially continuous wall, the method further includes heat-setting the nonwoven layer by melting at least some fibrous material within the nonwoven layer, thereby providing the tubular wall with a resilient structure and forming the inner cavity through which the elongate member is disposed with a generally circular shape in cross-section. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method of construction further includes forming the bonded seam immediately adjacent opposite lengthwise extending edges of the nonwoven layer and inner scrim layer and trimming off the opposite lengthwise extending edges of the nonwoven layer and inner scrim layer to form the tubular wall having a generally cylindrical shape. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method of construction further includes forming the bonded seam at least in part by fusing material of the nonwoven layer with itself. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method of construction further includes forming the bonded seam at least in part by fusing material of the scrim layer with itself. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method can include constructing the sleeve in a continuous, in-line process, and cutting individual lengths of the finished sleeve upon forming the bonded seam. 
     Accordingly, non-woven sleeves produced in accordance with the invention act as an acoustic barrier for elongate members contained within the sleeves, and thus, act to prevent the transmission of undesirable sound waves. The sleeves can be constructed to accommodate virtually any package size by adjusting sizes of the non-woven fabric and inner scrim layer from which the sleeves are formed. Further, sleeves manufactured in accordance with the invention are flexible in 3-D without affecting their protective strength or their acoustic barrier effectiveness, thereby allowing the sleeves to be routed as needed throughout relatively tight spaces. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects, features and advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a flexible, resilient acoustic nonwoven sleeve constructed according to one presently preferred embodiment of the invention carrying elongate members therein; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of  FIG. 1  taken generally along line  2 - 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an end view of the sleeve of  FIG. 1  shown in an intermediate stage of construction; and 
         FIG. 4  is a process flow diagram illustrating one method of constructing a sleeve in accordance with the one aspect of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring in more detail to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a non-woven sleeve  10  constructed in accordance with one presently preferred embodiment of the invention. The sleeve  10  has a circumferentially continuous wall  12  constructed from a lamination of an outer non-woven layer  14  and an inner scrim layer  16 , wherein the laminated wall  12  is formed to define a circumferentially enclosed inner cavity  18  extending along a central longitudinal axis  20  between opposite ends  22 ,  24  of the sleeve  10 . The cavity  18  is maintained or substantially maintained having a generally circular shape in cross-section taken transversely to the axis  20  as a result of the outer nonwoven layer  14  being heat-set via exposure to a suitable heat source (H,  FIG. 4 ) during construction, and thus, an elongate member  26 , such as a tube, wires or a wire harness  26 , for example, can be readily disposed through the generally circular cavity  18 . To further facilitate disposing the elongate member  26  through the cavity  18  without snagging or otherwise catching a portion of the elongate member  26 , such as an electrical connector, for example, on fibrous material of the outer nonwoven wall  14 , the cavity  18  is directly bounded by a relatively smooth, in comparison to that of the surface finish of the nonwoven wall  14 , circumferentially continuous inner surface  28  of the inner scrim layer  16 . 
     The outer non-woven material forming the nonwoven layer  14  is an abrasion resistant, flexible, acoustic dampening polyester material, and the inner scrim layer  16  is likewise flexible, and acoustic dampening polyester material. However, the scrim layer  16  is formed with material presenting an inner surface  28  that is smooth in relative comparison to the fibrous material and surface  30  of the outer nonwoven layer  14  to which the scrim layer  16  is attached, and as such, the elongate member  26  is able to slide freely along the inner surface  28  of the scrim layer  16  without getting snagged or otherwise caught on the inner surface  28 . Accordingly, not only is the sleeve  10  well suited to protect the elongate members  19  within the cavity  16  against abrasion and damage, but it also inhibits the elongate members  19  from rattling and squeaking, or otherwise producing unwanted noise within the cavity  18 , while also being able to assure the elongate member  26 , including any electrical connectors thereon, is free from being damage or otherwise compromised, such as by getting snagged, while being installed through the cavity  18 . 
     The sleeve  10  can be constructed having any desired length and various finished thicknesses of the wall  12 , as well as varying densities, as desired for the intended application. Further, the cavity  18  can be formed having any suitable diameter to best accommodate the size and configuration of the elongate member  26  disposed therein. 
     The outer nonwoven layer  14  of the sleeve  10  in  FIG. 1 , by way of example and without limitation, can be constructed from about 80% standard polyester fibers having about a 3.3 dtex and about 20% low-melt polyester fibers having about a 4.4 dtex, such as bicomponent fibers having a core/sheath construction, wherein the core is a heat-settable polyester, capable of taking on a heat-set configuration, and the sheath is a low melt polyester, capable of being melted and bonded with surrounding material. It should be recognized that one skilled in the art may deviate from these approximate percentages, as needed, to attain the desire physical properties of the sleeve  10 . Upon forming a web of the fibers used to form the outer nonwoven layer  14 , the web is preferably needlefelted to compact and intertwine the fibers with one another. An outer nonwoven layer  14  constructed in accordance with one embodiment was formed having a weight of about 270 gsm, by way of example and without limitation. Then, upon forming the outer nonwoven layer  14 , the scrim layer  16  was bonded thereto. It should be recognized that the scrim layer  16  could be bonded in an in-line, single stage continuous process along with the formation of the nonwoven layer  14 , if desired. 
     The inner scrim layer  16 , by way of example and without limitation, can also be constructed including a heat-bondable polymeric material, such as a polyester fibrous material, by way of example and without limitation. The scrim layer  16  can be formed as a flat bond scrim layer or a spun bond scrim layer having basis weight of about 35 gsm, by way of example and without limitation. 
     The outer nonwoven layer  14  and inner scrim layer  16  are laminated to one another to form the material of the wall  12  via any suitable bonding mechanism, including use of hot melt adhesives or any other suitable adhesive capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, such as those encountered in exhaust pipe applications, by way of example and without limitation. Upon laminating the nonwoven layer  14  to the scrim layer  16 , the resulting wall  12  has opposite sides  32 ,  34  extending lengthwise in generally parallel relation with the longitudinal axis  20 , and upon cutting the desired length of the finished sleeve, the wall  12  is provided with opposite ends  22 ,  24 . It should be recognized that the sleeve  10  can first be formed into its generally cylindrical configuration, with the bonded seam  36  having been formed, prior to cutting the sleeve to its finished length. Otherwise, the wall  12  can be first cut to the finished length of the sleeve  10 , then wrapped, bonded and trimmed and heat-treated, as desired. 
     Then, upon forming the desire width of the laminated material, wherein the width is the linear dimension extending between the opposite sides  32 ,  34 , the opposite sides are wrapped about a mandrel to bring the opposite sides  32 ,  34  into abutment with one another, such as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , by way of example and without limitation. It should be recognized that the opposite sides  32 ,  34  could be brought into a butt joint with one another; however, it has been found more efficient to bring the sides  32 ,  24  into the abutted position as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , wherein the inner scrim layer  16  is brought into abutment with itself, with the opposite sides  32 ,  34  extending radially outwardly, thereby forming a radially outwardly extending protrusion. Then, with the sides  32 ,  34  sandwiched together, the sides  32 ,  34  are simultaneously trimmed off, generally at  35 , and welded to form a bonded seam  36  extending along the length of the wall  12  in parallel relation with the longitudinal axis  20 , such as via an ultrasonic welding process, by way of example and without limitation. During the process of forming the bonded seam  36 , the materials of both the outer nonwoven layer  14  and the inner scrim layer  16  are fused, coalesced, and welded together, thereby forming a relatively narrow, semi-rigid, bonded plastic material along the bonded spine or seam  36 . It should be recognized that during the welding process, the material of the nonwoven layer  14 , other than that within the bonded seam  36 , remains unmelted. As such, with the material of the nonwoven layer  14  remaining as initially formed and unmelted, upon forming the bonded seam  36 , the wall  12  is generally able to collapse radially on itself under its own weight, and accordingly, the wall  12  lacks sufficient strength to remain cylindrical. As mentioned above, at this time, the wall  12  can be cut to its finished length, or other remain as an extension from an upstream, uncurled portion of the wall, if desired. 
     To provide the wall  12  with the desired resiliency and cylindrical or substantially cylindrical structural form, the circumferentially continuous, bonded wall  12  is disposed over a mandrel of a predetermined size, whether a cylindrical or non-cylindrical mandrel, to bring it into its desired finished configuration, and then the wall  12  is heat-treated at a suitable temperature heat source H for a suitable length of time to at least partially melt the low melt and/or heat-set polyester fibers within the nonwoven layer  14 , and then the melted and/or heat-set material is allowed to cool and solidify. Upon heat-treating the wall  12 , the wall  12  attains a structural resiliency and rigidity to maintain the cavity  18  having a generally tubular shape, including cylindrical or non-cylindrical, as desired, such that the wall  12  no longer collapses radially on itself, thereby greatly simplifying the installation of the elongate member  26  through the generally cylindrical cavity  18 . At this time, if not already performed, the wall  12  could be cut to its finished length. Although maintaining its generally tubular shape, the wall  12  also retains a resiliency that allows the wall  12  to be radially compressed under a radially applied force and then automatically spring back to its generally tubular cylindrical or non-cylindrical form upon releasing the radially applied force, while at the same time remaining sufficiently flexible to allow the wall  12  to be freely routed around corners and over meandering paths. 
     It is to be understood that other embodiments of the invention which accomplish the same function are incorporated herein within the scope of any ultimately allowed patent claims.

Technology Category: b