A heat shrink component includes a heat shrink layer and a heating unit in thermal contact with at least a part of the heat shrink layer and heating the heat shrink layer to a heat shrink temperature. The heat shrink component has a first dimension in an expanded state and a second dimension in a shrunk state after heating, the first dimension is larger than the second dimension. The heating unit includes an electrically conductive lead heated by an electrical current flowing through the electrically conductive lead and a heat spreading layer arranged in thermal contact with the electrically conductive lead and distributing a heat generated by the electrically conductive lead.

A heat shrink component includes a heat shrink layer and a heating unit in thermal contact with at least a part of the heat shrink layer and heating the heat shrink layer to a heat shrink temperature. The heat shrink component has a first dimension in an expanded state and a second dimension in a shrunk state after heating, the first dimension is larger than the second dimension. The heating unit includes an electrically conductive lead heated by an electrical current flowing through the electrically conductive lead and a heat spreading layer arranged in thermal contact with the electrically conductive lead and distributing a heat generated by the electrically conductive lead.

The disclosed technology includes a catheter or sheath assembly and a method for manufacturing same. The manufacturing process includes obtaining a catheter or sheath having a distal end and a proximal end, and obtaining a hub pre-formed separately from the catheter or sheath. The hub can include a pre-formed receptacle portion configured to receive a portion of the catheter or sheath. A portion of the catheter or sheath can be inserted into the pre-formed receptacle portion of the hub. The receptacle portion can be melted to a semi-fluid state and can be compressed against the portion of the catheter or sheath in the hub.

The disclosed technology includes a catheter or sheath assembly and a method for manufacturing same. The manufacturing process includes obtaining a catheter or sheath having a distal end and a proximal end, and obtaining a hub pre-formed separately from the catheter or sheath. The hub can include a pre-formed receptacle portion configured to receive a portion of the catheter or sheath. A portion of the catheter or sheath can be inserted into the pre-formed receptacle portion of the hub. The receptacle portion can be melted to a semi-fluid state and can be compressed against the portion of the catheter or sheath in the hub.

A method of welding a sleeve (10) to a tube (20) includes putting onto end portions (11) of the sleeve (10) respective protective elements (40), of a material that cannot be fused with the materials of the sleeve (10) and of the outer coating (24) of the tube (20); applying on each end portion (11) of the sleeve (10) covered by a protective element (40) a respective heat-shrink element (30); supplying each heat-shrink element (30) with a quantity of heat (Q) which by heating it causes it to shrink and compress the respective end portion (11) of the sleeve (10) against the tube (20), where this quantity of heat (Q) is transmitted to the end portion (11) of the sleeve (10) to obtain a welding of the sleeve (10) to the tube (20) and produce a device (1) comprising the tube (20) with the sleeve (10).

A pipe connection comprises a connecting piece, a pipe and a clamping ring. The pipe and the clamping ring are made of a material having memory properties. An end of the pipe and the clamping ring have been reversibly expanded co-jointly and firmly and sealingly shrunk to the connecting piece by back shrinkage. Preferably the clamping ring is made from a cross-linked polyolefin by injection molding.

A pipe connection comprises a connecting piece, a pipe and a clamping ring. The pipe and the clamping ring are made of a material having memory properties. An end of the pipe and the clamping ring have been reversibly expanded co-jointly and firmly and sealingly shrunk to the connecting piece by back shrinkage. Preferably the clamping ring is made from a cross-linked polyolefin by injection molding.

A heat-shrinkable tube heating apparatus of the present invention comprises a pair of heat source boxes that are configured to be plane-symmetrical to each other. A blower pipe and a pair of heating tubes are disposed parallel to each other inside each of the pair of heat source boxes wherein air jet holes are formed side by side on the blower pipe. The pair of heating tubes, each including a heating wire emitting infrared rays, are arranged across an open area on one side of each heat source box, the blower pipe is disposed between the pair of heating tubes to be positioned more inside than the pair of heating tubes from the open area, and the blower pipe is installed so that a pressurized air flowing thereinto is blown out through the air jet holes toward one of both sides of heat-shrinkable tubes placed for being heated.

A heat-shrinkable tube heating apparatus of the present invention comprises a pair of heat source boxes that are configured to be plane-symmetrical to each other. A blower pipe and a pair of heating tubes are disposed parallel to each other inside each of the pair of heat source boxes wherein air jet holes are formed side by side on the blower pipe. The pair of heating tubes, each including a heating wire emitting infrared rays, are arranged across an open area on one side of each heat source box, the blower pipe is disposed between the pair of heating tubes to be positioned more inside than the pair of heating tubes from the open area, and the blower pipe is installed so that a pressurized air flowing thereinto is blown out through the air jet holes toward one of both sides of heat-shrinkable tubes placed for being heated.

A method for splicing two bundles (1, 2) of multifilament textile fibers comprises: inserting an end portion of a first bundle (1) into a first end of a heat-shrinkable sheath (10) and an end portion of a second bundle (2) into a second end of the sheath, axially opposite the first end, until the ends of the end portions of the two bundles are facing each other; inserting a curable organic material inside the sheath (10) in a space separating the end portions of the bundles (1, 2); heating a portion of the heat-shrinkable sheath (10) surrounding a joining portion (9) to a predetermined temperature; curing the curable organic material; and removing the sheath (10).