MXPA99006618A - Cable closure injection sealed with low surface energy adhesive - Google Patents

Abstract

A cable splice closure includes a closure body having mating surfaces sealed together. An end seal (18) in the closure has an opening for receiving a cable. The end seal is sealed to the closure body by an adhesive bond. An adhesive injection port (40) in the end seal. The port is provided to communicate an adhesive injected into the end seal (18) to bond surfaces of the end seal and the cable to be received, into a sealed unit. The adhesive is a low surface energy adhesive based on acrylic monomers with organoborane amine complexes.

Description

SEALING CABLES SEALED BY INJECTION WITH LOW SURFACE ENERGY ADHESIVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to the sealing of a cable splice closure with a low surface energy adhesive, and more particularly, to the injection of adhesive into end seals used with these enclosures. There are several methods for joining or splicing ends of communication cables in a joint manner. In doing so, there are many important considerations such as the use of compatible materials, how many cables are going to be spliced, is the spliced cable going to be buried in the ground, is it going to be submerged in water? or hang or suspend in the air? What source of heat is required to make the union ?, that is, flammable gases, will the joint need to be reopened and reworked without interruption of the work circuits? Will the union have enough mechanical strength and is it feasible in cost? The communication cables are typically constructed of a bundle of conductors, surrounded by Refd 30717 by a resistance and interference metal liner and an outer protective coating, typically of a low surface energy material such as polyethylene. When these cables are joined again, the resistance and integrity of the assembled cable is critical. A confinement or enclosure body is used to seal the joint in a sealed manner. The enclosure body is also typically formed of a low surface energy material. A persistent problem with the use of splice closures involves the need for a complete seal around the splice or enclosure. Many prior art splice closures achieve sealing by providing a complex array of nuts and bolts, clamps, gaskets and heat shrink tubing, as well as gels and seeding resins, in various combinations. In addition to the fact that these closure methods require a significant assembly time, the enclosures frequently suffer from leaks or breaks, particularly along their seals. This problem is even more acute in the end seal where the enclosure is sealed to the cable sheath, and where even the smallest defect can result in the migration of moisture along the enclosure or the inner surface of the enclosure. A lack of a complex (hermetic) seal can also be detrimental particularly to pressurized enclosures. Occasionally, these enclosures must be re-introduced and re-spliced. However, typically, re-entry into a confinement requires disturbance of the end seal that is sealed to the cable and to the enclosure. Therefore, re-sealing after re-entry becomes an acute problem. Although these seals can be reinforced by the use of adhesives, the adhesive bonds formed are normally weak due to the low surface energy of the enclosure material, and the end seals and cables, typically polyethylene. End seals with a fusion bond and hot melt can be used as an alternative bonding material. The hot melt is placed between the resistance wires, and the wires are heated to form a junction between the cables and the surfaces of the end seals. The hot melt bond can be used with different end seal materials such as foams, elastomers, and thermoplastics, but the bond strength is weaker than a fusion bond seal. Adhesive bonding or achievement of adhesion of coatings to polymeric materials of low surface energy has been a technical problem since the beginning of the use of these materials in the industry. There are many descriptions of the problems with adhesive bonding of low energy surfaces. The difficulty with adhesive bonding of these materials results, in part, from the fact that these materials are estimated to be "van der Waals" solids. This is, the main force for the cohesion that is available between the polymer chains is that due to van der aals forces or "dispersion". Low surface energy materials derive their resistance from molecular entanglements, crosslinking, crystallization or some combination of these. The surface energy of a polymer is a reflection of the forces that hold the chains together and therefore is low for these materials. Examples of low surface energy polymers are polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, etc.

One criterion for bonding by adhesive is that the adhesive must be in intimate contact with the substrate. That is, the adhesive must completely "wet" the substrate. Low surface energy polymers are very difficult to wet by polar liquids because polar liquids have a surface energy that is greater than that of the substrate. Most high strength adhesives are polar materials and therefore their surface energy is too high to wet the surface of most polymers. If the surface is incompletely wetted by an adhesive, there is a greater opportunity for interfacial voids to form and therefore a weaker bond. Another criterion for bonding by adhesive is that the surface must be free of weak boundary layers. Commercial plastics usually contain a substantial amount of additives such as stabilizers and flow control agents. Also, with materials polymerized by free radicals, there is also a substantial fraction of polymer of low molecular weight in addition to the high molecular weight portion. In general, these low molecular weight fractions exude to the surface and form weak boundary layers. These layers must be removed - before the plastic can be joined or coated effectively. There is a substantial science and technology developed about the surface preparation of low surface energy plastics for bonding by adhesive or coating. The methods that have been developed include flame treatment, corona discharge treatment, plasma treatment, oxidation by ozone, oxidation by oxidizing acids, etching by sputtering as well as coating with high surface energy materials. The latter method is also known as "priming" and may have to be preceded by one of the physical methods (eg corona discharge treatment) in order to make the primer adhere well to the surface. In general, the surface preparation methods described above act to increase the surface energy of the polymer and / or remove weak boundary layers and may also increase surface roughness. The surface energy of these plastics is usually increased by the introduction of oxidized species on the surface. The elimination of weak boundary layers can take place by cross-linking and / or ablation of the species or exudates. There is usually an exchange between the oxidation process and the removal process of the weak boundary layers since the over oxidized materials can form a weak boundary layer by themselves. Very few of the methods described in the literature are useful for a wide range of plastics. In general, the treatment method or the sizing medium is usually completely specific for the type of plastic used. This is a severe feed for the general user of adhesive bonding since many of the physical methods of surface treatment require a substantial investment of capital. Thus, there is a need for a simple, easy-to-use adhesive bonding method that is capable of adhering, without sizing, to a broad, range of plastics including those classified as "low surface energy" plastics. An efficient, effective means for adhesive bonding of low surface energy plastic substrates such as polyethylene and polypropylene has long been sought for the assembly and preparation of cable splice closures. Typically, this repair assembly is performed in the field. As a result, there has been a considerable and long-sought need for a simple, easy-to-use adhesive that can easily and effectively join the mating surfaces of the cable splice closures, in a joint manner as well as the connection of cable ties. communication to the end seals and the union of the end seals to the confinement. While an adhesive that can join low-energy surface plastics is advantageous, the commercial utility of this adhesive will be improved if the adhesive components are combined in a convenient mixing ratio and can be easily carried out to a work site and easily applied using conventional adhesive dispensers without the need for laborious premixing of the adhesives. various components of the adhesive. In this way, there is not only a need for an adhesive that can bind low surface energy plastics, but also a need for an adhesive that is pre-mixed and can be easily transported and applied quickly without a reduction of the material in the stability in storage or performance. Unfortunately, a suitable solution to the problems associated with ease of installation, seal integrity or strength has not been satisfactorily addressed by the prior art. Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus and method for sealing cable splice closures with a low surface energy adhesive. It is also highly desirable to inject an adhesive for the attachment of the closure to the end seals and for the attachment of the end seals to the cable, and additionally provide an apparatus for achieving this so that re-entry into the enclosure does not disturb the integrity of the cable seal, the end seal and the closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus and method for sealing cable splice closures with a low surface energy adhesive when injecting adhesive into end seals. For this purpose an end seal for a cable splice enclosure includes a seal having an opening for receiving a cable and having an adhesive injection hole. The hole is provided to communicate an adhesive injected into the hole to join the surfaces of the end seal and the cable to be received, in a sealed unit. A main advantage of the present invention is that the closure system of the end seal allows the sealing of cables of various diameters for new and existing construction applications. This system also allows reinsertion of the enclosure without disturbing the end seals. The bond strength of the adhesive in the area of the end seal hole is improved to where the strength of the joint is substantially the same as the strength of the original material. This is in contrast to the prior art devices that required extra type to allow attention, bending and vibration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a type of wrapper for use in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional terminal view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a wrap end seal enclosed around a cable in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of a wrapper end seal enclosed around a cable in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a cable splice closure for use with a wrap end seal according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a sectional view, isometric, illustrating one embodiment of a cable splice having the cable ends extending through the sheath-type end seals according to the present invention.

Figure 7 is an isometric sectional view partially illustrating an embodiment of a cable splice enclosure according to the present invention.

Figure 8 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a cable splice enclosure according to the present invention.

Figure 9 is a cable separation view partially illustrating one embodiment of a cable splice closure housing and the end seal according to the present invention.

Figure 10 is a part separation view illustrating one embodiment of an end seal body according to the present invention.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of an end seal according to the present invention.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a confinement tab according to the present invention.

Figure 13 is also a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a lockout tab according to the present invention.

Figure 14 is a partial sectional view, illustrating an embodiment of a cable splice enclosure housing an end seal according to the present invention.

Figure 15 is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of an end seal according to the present invention.

Figure 16 is a part separation view illustrating an embodiment of an end seal body according to the present invention.

Figure 17 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of an end seal body according to the present invention.

Figure 18 is a partial isometric view illustrating one embodiment of an enclosure and end seal according to the present invention.

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of an end seal according to the present invention.

Figure 20 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of an end seal that is formed to include cut-out washers.

Figure 21 is a view taken along line 21-21 of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a cable splice enclosure that includes resistance wires for curing the adhesive.

Figure 23 is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a cable splice enclosure illustrating spring clips mounted on the tabs.

Figure 24 is a cross-sectional terminal view illustrating the use of a tool to remove the spring clips.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY With reference to Figure 1, an isometric view of an end seal designated in general 15 formed of a polyolefin elastomer material comprising a body 18 including a core portion 20 and an end portion 22 is illustrated. of core 20 is formed in a circular shape and has a plurality of openings 24 required by arcuate walls 25 extending between a pair of opposite ends 26. Part walls 25 determine on an outer peripheral surface 30 of core portion 20 to form slit-like openings communicating with openings 24 to allow core portion 20 to receive wires or wires without ends. An inner surface 32 of the end portion 22 extends from one of the openings 24 generally tangential to the wall 25 and from a position in the slotted opening. The end portion 22 has a generally uniform thickness and a generally uniform cross section along its length to near a free end 36 where its thickness begins to decrease or taper to a free edge to form a smooth transition towards a outer surface 34 of itself after the inner surface 32 is wrapped around the peripheral surface 30 of the core portion 20 and the exposed portion, if any, of a wire or cable placed in each of the openings 24. A new injection orifice 40 is provided in the core portion 20. The end portion 22, Figure 2, includes an adhesive groove 32a formed in an interior surface 32 extending the length thereof. Also, the outer portion 22 includes an adhesive groove 34a formed in and extending along the outer surface 34 thereof. Also formed on the outer surface 34 are a pair of cable tie slots 34b and 34c formed therein and extending therethrough. The cable tie grooves 34b and 34c extend respectively substantially parallel to and on opposite sides of the adhesive groove 34a. The end seal 15, Figure 3, includes a cable 42 extending through one of the openings 24. The openings 24 do not need to extend a cable through them, that is, when there are fewer cables than the openings, they can be plugged as is also known, they can not be made with a plug 27 therein so that the plug can be removed to expose the opening 24 when required for the passage of the cable. The end seal 15 is wound around the cable 42 by winding the end portion 22 about the portion of the core 20. An injection hole 40, Figures 3 and 4, is provided to communicate an adhesive 44, injected into the body 18 , to the adhesive groove 32a for attaching the mating surface of an end seal 15 and an outer surface 42a of the cable 42 in a sealed unit. In this way, when the end portion 22 is wound around the core portion 20 after the cable insertion 42, the inner surface 32 of the end portion 22 engages the surface 30 of the core portion 20, and as the end portion 22 continues to be wound, the interior surface 32 engages the outer surface 34 of the end portion 22. Also, the adhesive groove 32a is aligned with and overlaps the adhesive groove 34a so that the adhesive communicated to the groove 32a is communicated to the groove 34a, where the grooves 34a, 32a overlap. However, in the outermost shell of the end portion 22, the groove 34a is not superimposed by the groove 32a and thus the outermost groove 34a does not receive adhesive in this manner. The injection of adhesive 44 from the orifice 40 can be achieved by a conventional applicator 46 containing a premix of the components comprising the adhesive 44. The adhesive 44, as described herein, quickly binds with low surface energy plastics and is an acrylic monomer that includes organoborane-amine complexes. The cable packages, shown, can be attached around the cable tie slots 34b, 34c to keep the end portion 22 wound around the core portion 20 while the adhesive 44 is cured. cable splice, elongate, tubular, Figure 5, is formed of a polyethylene material and includes an elongated slit 50 extending from a first end 48a to a second end 48b. A channel 52 extends substantially along the length of an outer surface 54 of the housing 48, and includes a pair of right-angled extensions 52a, 52b. The channel 52 includes an open surface 56, disclosed in the sectional view of Figure 7, along an interior surface 58 of the housing 48, and also includes a pair of injection holes 60 communicating with the channel 52 and with the channel extensions 52a, 52b, not shown in Figure 7. The housing 48 is diametrally adjustable when radially comprised. As a result, a portion of the outer surface 54 engages a portion of the inner surface 58 adjacent the slot 50, so that the open surface 56 of the channel 52 abuts the outer surface 54 of the housing 48. A splice of cables 62 formed in the cable 42, Figure 6, includes a pair of separate end seals 15, as described above. The slots 34a are exposed on the outer surface 34 of the end portion 22. The enclosure housing 48 is mounted on the cable splice 62, Figure 8, such that the ends 48a and 48b of the enclosure 48 engage the seals of the enclosure. end 15. The adhesive 44 injected by the applicator 46 into the channel 52 via one of the holes 60, contacts the surface 54 to the extensions 52a, 52b that are provided to communicate the adhesive 44 in the groove 34a. A pair of ties 64 can be tied around the body 48 of the enclosure to keep the closure body 48 engaged with the end seals 15 while the adhesive 44 is cured. A cable splice enclosure, Figure 9, includes a body 66 of enclosure having an upper surface 68 and a lower portion 70, each one being formed symmetrically. The upper portion 68 includes a generally rectangular housing portion 72 having a continuous flange 74. A semi-circular opening 76 formed from the opposite ends of the housing portion 72, but only shown at the end 72a, includes a portion 74a similar to something of the continuous flange 74. Similarly, the lower portion 70 is generally rectangular but only partially shown. The lower portion 70 includes a generally rectangular housing portion 78 having a continuous flange 80. A semicircular opening 82 formed at opposite ends of the housing portion 78, but only shown at the end 78a, includes a portion 80a such as an arc, of the continuous flange 80. Each flange, 74, 80, includes a continuous groove 74b, 80b, respectively. The flanges 74, 80 are provided for the butt joint, so that the slots 74b, 80b are correctly engaged when the upper portion 68 is assembled together with the lower portion 70, to form the body 66 of the enclosure. In this way, a substantially circular opening is formed by the alignment of the arc portions 74a, 80a when the ends 72a, 78a, come together. Also, as noted above, a similar opening (not shown) is formed at an opposite end of the body 66. Also, it should be understood that each opposite end may include a plurality of openings. An end seal body 84, Figures 9 and 10, is partially assembled in the upper portion 68 and is partially assembled in the lower portion 70 and includes an upper collar 86 and a lower collar 88. Each collar 86, 88 is substantially semicircular and includes a respective tab 86a, 88a. The top collar 86 also includes an injection hole 90. When the collars 86, 88 are joined together, Figures 10, 11, form a cylinder 91 having a circular outer surface 92 and a circular inner surface 94 defining a chamber 96 having annular, opposite openings 98, 100. Each annular opening 98, 100 includes a cut-out sealing washer 102 mounted thereon for enclosing the chamber 96. The washer 102 includes a plurality of selectively removable concentric rings for accommodating cables of various diameters for spread through it. The cable 42 can extend through the washers 102, which are separated and set in the body 84 of the end seal. The chamber 96 can be filled with adhesive 44 by means of an applicator 46 via the hole 90. The upper portion 68 and the lower portion 70, Figure 9, can be taught together by a seal seated in the mating slots 74b, 80b. The adhesive 44 bonds the end seal collars 86, 88, the washers 102 and the cable 42 in a sealed unit. Also, the adhesive 44 joins the end seal body 84 within the opening formed by the arc portions 74a, 80a because the adhesive slot 75 allows the adhesive 44 to flow from the chamber 96. This is because the adhesive 44 quickly bonds with the low surface energy plastics forming the body 66 of the cable closure, the end seal body 84, the washers 102 and the outer surface 42a of the cable 42. Alternatively, the upper portion 68 and the inner portion 70 can be sealed together by a multi-seal closure, Figures 12 and 13. In this embodiment, the flanges 74, 80 can include a dual channel adhesive slot to allow re-entry into a body. confinement. This is achieved by applying the adhesive 44 in a first or outer groove 104 for joining the flanges 74, 80 together. When re-entry is needed, the tabs 74, 80 can be cut into the notches 106, thereby removing the attached portion of the tabs 74, 80. When the work is completed, the enclosure 44 is applied in a second slot or interior 108 on the flanges 74, 80 are joined together again. Other cable splice closure, Figures 14 and 15, includes a lock body 110 having an upper portion (not shown) and a lower portion 112. In the embodiment of Figure 14, an opening or openings for the cable end seals is formed only in the portion bottom 112. Otherwise, the upper and lower portions of the enclosing body 110 are substantially symmetrical. The lower portion 112 is generally rectangular, but only partially shown. The lower portion 112 includes a generally rectangular housing portion 114 having a continuous flange 116. A pair of semicircular openings 118 are formed at opposite ends of the housing portion 114, but are only shown at the end 114a and each not it includes a portion 120 of the type of arch that terminates in the flange 116 and that includes a pair of parallel bosses 122, spaced apart. An orifice block 124 includes a semicircular arc-like portion 124a and a pair of parallel protrusions 126, spaced apart. Also, a flat surface 128 of the block of holes 124 is provided, so that the block of holes 124 sits in the opening 118 and the shoulders 126 engage a shoulder 122, the flat surface 128 sits flush with a surface 116a of the flange 116. The combination of the orifice block 124 seated in the opening 118 forms an end seal body 125 that includes the cylindrical chamber 130, Figure 15, having annular open ends 132. A pair of washers 134, cut-outs, separated , as previously described, are mounted on the open, annular ends 132 to enclose the chamber 130. The cable 42 can extend through the washers 134 that separate and settle on the body 125 of the end seal. The chamber 130 can be filled with adhesive 44 by means of an applicator 136 via an adhesive injection hole 138 formed in the orifice block 124. The closure body 110 can be sealed closed either together or by adhesive 44 as shown in FIG. mentioned above. The adhesive 44 joins the orifice block 124 in the opening 118 together with the washers 134 and the cable 42 in a sealed unit. This is due to the adhesive 44 which quickly attaches to the low surface energy plastics forming the body 110 of the cable enclosure, the body 125 of the seal end, the washers 134 and the outer surface 42a of the cable 42. Other end seal, Figure 16, to be used with a lower portion 140 of a cable closure body is mounted in a semicircular aperture 142 such as a bow, includes an adhesive slot 143, adjacent to a flange 144. In this embodiment, a body 146 of the end seal includes an upper portion 148 and a lower portion 150. The portion 148 includes an adhesive slot 149 that communicates the adhesive to the slot 143. A flat surface 152 of the upper portion 148 is provided by So that when the body 146 of the end seal sits in the semicircular opening 142, Figure 17, the flat surface 152 sits flush with a surface 144a of the flange 144.

The combination of the body 146 of the end seal having seated in the semicircular opening 142 forms a cylindrical chamber 154, Figure 16, having annular open ends 156. A pair of cut-out washers 158, separated, as previously described, are mounted on the open, annular ends 156 for enclosing the chamber 154. The cable 42 can extend through the washers 158 that separate and settle in the end seal body 146. The chamber 154 can be filled with adhesive 44 via an adhesive injection port 160 formed in the upper portion 148. An upper portion (not shown) of the cable closure body can be closed sealed with the lower portion 140 by either joints or by adhesive 44 as mentioned above. The adhesive 44 attaches the upper portion 148 and the lower portion 150 of an end seal body 146 in the semicircular opening 142 together with the washers 158 and the cable 42 in a sealed unit. This is because the adhesive 44 easily attaches to the low surface energy plastics which form the portion 140 of the closure body of the cable enclosure, the body 146 of the end seal, the washers 158 and the outer surface 42a of the cable 42. An additional end seal, Figure 18, to be used with a lower portion 162 of a cable closure body includes the body 164 of the cylindrical end seal formed with an end 162a of the lower portion 162. Also, a similar end seal body, not shown, is formed at an opposite end of the lower portion 162. The cylindrical body 164 of the stamp of end forms a cylindrical chamber 166, Figure 19, having annular open ends 168. A pair of separate, cut-out washers 170, as previously described, are mounted on the annular, open ends 168 to enclose the chamber 166. The cable 42 it can extend through the washers 170 that separate and sit on the end seal body 164. The chamber 166 can be filled with adhesive 44 via an adhesive injection hole 172 formed in the cylindrical body 164 by means of an applicator 174. An upper portion (not shown) of the cable closure body can be closed in a closed manner with the lower portion 162 by either together or by adhesive 44 as mentioned above. The injector adhesive of the hole 172 connects the washers 170 and the cable 42 in a sealed unit, this is because the adhesive 44 quickly bonds with low surface energy plastics forming the body portion 162 of the cable closure, the washers 170 and the outer surface 42a of the cable 42. Another end seal body 180, Figure 20, combines a cut-out washer 182 and an adhesive injection hole 184. The washer 182 includes an outer body housing 186, which is cylindrical. A plurality of concentric, cut-out washer rings 182a, 182b and 182c extend to a core 188 and can be selectively removed to receive the cable 42 therethrough. A selected washer ring is removed to match the diameter of the cable to be received. The injection port 184 extends from an outer body housing 186, and through each of the rings 182a, 182b and 182c extending from the core 188. As can be seen in Figure 21, a pair of washers 190, separated from a size sufficient to engage the outer surface 42a of the cable 42 and also engage an inner diameter 192 of the ring 182c. In this way, the adhesive 44 inserted from the orifice 184 flows into a chamber 194 defined by the cable 42, the washers 190 and the inner diameter 192 of the ring 182c. The adhesive introduced in this manner joins the end seal body 180, the cable 42 and the washers 190 in a sealed unit. This is because the adhesive 44 quickly bonds with the low surface energy plastics forming the end seal body 180, the washer 190 and the outer surface 42a of the cable 42. An end seal body such as that designated 180 could be sealed, for example, with the adhesive 44 in a cylindrical chamber similar to the chamber designated 166 in Figure 19. The use of adhesives in the communications utility products industries has not been widely accepted, mainly due to the slow cure of adhesives at cold temperatures. To effectively address this problem, the concept of a resistive heating element 200, FIG. 22, in conjunction with the adhesive 44 has been developed. This concept comprises the use of a resistive heating element 200, driven by a portable energy source to assist in the curing of an adhesive edge 44 positioned on a mating surface 202 of a mating flange 204 of a half portion of a body 206 of the cable splice closure, the other half body portion 206 of confinement is not shown. This is similar to the configuration shown in Figures 12 and 13. The adhesive 44, Figure 22, and the heating element 200 can extend along the semicircular portions 208 of the flange 204 to seal cables therein. In this way, when both portions of the body 206 are coupled and sealed together in the flange 204, the cables can also be sealed in the portions 208 of the closure body 206. In theory, any form of resistive heating element 200 can be used to assist in the curing of adhesive 44 by embedding element 200 in flange 204, surface 202 of flange 204 or edge 44 of adhesive. The use of a direct current power supply (not shown) and the heating element 200 based on nichrome, the cure of the adhesive 44 can be improved. As mentioned previously, joints are often used to seal a joint between the halves of the body of confinement. This is achieved by inserting a joint between the coupling flanges of this enclosure. Sealing is critical since enclosures are frequently used in hostile environments subject to moisture and other contamination. In this way, an air tight and watertight seal is critical. Joint seals are common for easy re-entry splice closures. This re-entry is proposed so as not to disturb existing cables. These enclosures are often sealed with one-piece or chest perimeter joints. Fasteners that pass through the eyelashes are often used. Frequently, special tools or keys are required for re-entry. According to Figures 23 and 24, resilient spring clips 220 can be used as quick release fasteners for cable closures. A closure body 222 includes an upper portion 222a and the lower portion 222b, coupled in a sealed manner in the engagement flanges 224, 226. A seal 228, FIG. 24, is compressed between the flanges 224, 226. The grippers of FIG. spring 220 includes an arcuate portion 220a that determines the ends 220b that are clamped on the flanges 224, 226 and push the tabs together to compress the seal 228 in sealed form therebetween. When the removal of the clips 220 is required, a plurality of openings 230 in the clips 220 provide a simple tool 232 such as a screwdriver, to be inserted therein and coupled with the flanges 224, 226. A rotation of the tool 232, Figure 24, in a direction indicated by an arrow designated R, pushes the clip 220 out of engagement with the tabs 224, 226. The tabs 220 are also useful for aligning the excessive pressure during the instant test, which is a process for determining whether there is a leak created during the assembly of the encierro. The selection of material for end seals and cable closures of the present invention requires good bonding capabilities to provide an appropriate seal as well as providing resistance to contamination, moisture and pressure. The bonding surfaces to be sealed comprise the bonding of the adhesive 44 to polyethylene cable sheaths and to end seal bodies, cable enclosures and cut-out washers that can be used. As such, polyolefin elastomers are suitable materials for the washers, end seal bodies and cable enclosures, and of that group, and flexible ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer sold under the name ENGAGE by Dow Chemical of Midland. , Michigan is preferred. The selection of the material for the adhesive 44 uses polymerizable acrylic compositions incorporating polymerization initiator systems based on organoborane-amine complexes. The compositions are particularly useful as sealants and / or encapsulants for use with splice closures and the like, especially those that are manufactured from low surface energy materials (eg polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, etc.) or that are used with cables lined with these materials. Broadly, the polymerizable compositions comprise a polymerization initiator system and at least one acrylic monomer capable of free radical polymerization. The polymerization initiator systems comprise organoborane-amine complexes and a material that is reactive with the amine to release the organoborane. The organoborane component of the complex initiates the free radical polymerization of the acrylic monomer to form an acrylic polymer which can be useful as a sealant or encapsulator. To stabilize the organoborane against premature oxidation, it becomes complex with amine. The organoborane is released from the complex by reacting the amine portion of the complex with the amine reactive material. Useful organoborane-amine complexes can be easily prepared using known techniques, and preferably have the following general structure: where R 1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and groups containing phenyl. More preferably, R1, R2 and R2 are alkyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, and pentyl. The most preferred are complexes in which R1, R2 and R3 are each ethyl groups.

The value of v is selected to provide an effective ratio of nitrogens atoms of the primary amine to boron atoms in the complex. The ratio of nitrogen atoms to the primary amine to boron atoms in the complex is broadly about 1: 1 to 4: 1. However, preferably, the ratio is about 1: 1 to 2: 1, more preferably about 1: 1 to 1.5: 1, and more preferably about 1: 1. A ratio of primary amine nitrogen atom to boron atom of at least 1: 1 could leave free organoborane, a material that tends to be pyrophoric. At ratios of nitrogen atom from primary amine to boron atom in excess of 2.1, the practical utility of the complex decreases as the amount of the complex to be used becomes greater. "Am" represents the amine portion of the complex that can be provided by a wide variety of materials having at least one amine group, including mixtures of different amines. More preferably "Am" is a polyamine (a material having two or more amine groups). While polyamines having two to four amine groups are essentially preferred, polyamines with two amine groups (ie, diamines) are more preferred. "Am" can be a primary or secondary monoamine, such as those represented by the structure: I wherein R4 and R5 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl groups having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and alkylaryl groups in which the amino group does not bind directly to the aryl structure. Particular examples of these amines include ammonia, ethylamine, butylamine, hexylamine, octylamine, and benzylamine. The amine can also be a polyamine such as that described by the structure H2N-R6-NH2 in which R6 is an organic, divalent radical comprised of an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group. Preferred among these materials are the alkane diamines which may be branched or linear, having the general structure: H¿N- (HH) - JJH, in which x is an integer greater than or equal to 1, more preferably approximately 2 to 12, and R7 is hydrogen or an alkyl group, preferably methyl. Particularly preferred examples of alkane diamines include 1,2-ethanediamine, 1,3-propanediamine, 1,5-pentanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, 1,12-dodecanediamine, 2-methyl-1, 5-pentanediamine, 3 -methyl-1,5-pentanediamine, and isomers of these materials. While the alkane diamines are preferred, other alkyl polyamines such as triethylamine and diethylene triamine can be used. Useful polyamines can also be provided by a polyoxyalkylene polyamine. The polyoxyalkylenepolyamines suitable in the preparation of complexes can be selected from the following structures: H2NR8 (r90) w- (10O) x ~ (R9O) y-R8 H2 (e s of c i r, po l i l i i l l l l the amine); or [H2NR8- (r90) jz- Rl 1 R8, R9 and RIO are alkylene groups having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and may be the same or may be different. Preferably, R8 is an alkyl group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl or iso-butyl. Preferably, R9 and RIO are alkyl groups having from 2 to 3 carbon atoms such as ethyl, n-propyl or iso-propyl. Rll is the residue of a polyol used to prepare the polyoxyalkylene polyamine (i.e., the organic structure that remains if the hydroxyl groups are removed). Rll can be branched or linear, and be substituted or unsubstituted (although substituents should not interfere with oxyalkylation reactions). The value of w is 3 1, more preferably about 1 to 150, and more preferably about 1 to 20. The structures in which w is 2, 3 or 4 are also useful. The value of x and y are both 3 0. The value of z is <; 2, preferably 3 or 4 (to provide, respectively, polyoxyalkylene triamines and tetraamines). For the polyoxyalkylene, molecular weights of at least about 5,000 may be used, although molecular weights of about 1,000 or less are more preferred, and molecular weights of about 250 to 1,000 are more preferred.

Examples of particularly preferred polyoxyalkylenepolyamines include polyethyleneoxy amine, polypropyleneoxyamine, polypropylene oxidetriamine, diethylene glycol propylene glycol amine, triethylene glycol propylene diamine, polytetramethyldioxy diamine, polyethylene oxide-co-polypropylene oxide diamine, and polyethylene oxide-co-polypropylene oxidetriamine. Examples of commercially available polyoxyalkylene polyamines, suitable include various JEFFAMINES from Huntsman Chemical Company such as the D, ED, and EDR series of diamines (e.g., D-400, D-2000, D-5000, ED-600, ED- 900, ED-2001 and EDR-148), and the T series of triamines (e.g., T-403), as well as DCA-221 from Dixie Chemical Company. The polyamine may also comprise the condensation reaction product of primary amine-terminated material (ie, the two terminal groups are primary amine) and one or more materials that contain at least two primary amine-reactive groups (referred to herein) sometimes as "reactive material with difunsional primary amine"). These materials are preferably substantially linear to have the following general structure E- (LE) uLE in which each E is the residue of the finished material in the diprimary amine and each L is a linking group which is the residue of the reactive material with primary amine, difunctional. (By "residue" it is required to say those portions of the finished material in diprimary amine and the reactive material with difunctional primary amine which remains after the reaction to form the polyamine adduct). The groups E and L are selected independently. The majority (more than 50%) of the terminal groups in the polyamine should be primary amine. Accordingly, the value of u can be greater than or equal to zero, although a value of about 0 to 5 is more preferred, and a value of 0 or 1 is much more preferred. The diprimary amine-terminated material may be diprimary alkyl amine, aryl diprimary amine, diprimary alkylaryl amine, a polyoxyalkylene diamine (such as those described above) or mixtures thereof. Useful dipyrimary alkyl amines include those having the structure NH2-R12-NH2 wherein R12 is a linear or branched alkyl group having about 1 to 12 carbon atoms such as 1,3-propanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, and 1, 12-dodecanediamine. Other useful alkyl dipyrimary amines include triethylene tetraa and diethylene triamine. Examples of useful diprimary amines of aryl include 1,3- and 1,4-phenylenediamine as well as the various isomers of diaminonaphthalene. An example of a useful alkylaryl diprimary amine is m-tetramethylxylene di amine. If there are reactive materials with primary amine, difunctional materials used to prepare the polyamine contain at least two groups reactive with the primary amine. The reactive groups may be different, but it is preferred that they be the same. Materials reactive with the primary, difunctional amine having a functionality of 2 (ie, two groups reactive with the primary amine) are preferred. The primary, di functional, useful amine reactive materials can be represented generally by the formula Y-R13-Z wherein R13 is a divalent organic radical such as alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group or combinations thereof, and Y and Z are groups reactive with the primary amine and which may be two or may be different. Examples of useful Y and Z groups reactive with primary amine include carboxylic acid (-COOH), carboxylic acid halide (-COX, wherein X is a halogen, for example, chloro), ester (-COOR), aldehyde (- COH), epoxide.

Amine alcohol (-NHCH20H), acrylic. Suitable materials with carboxylic acid functional groups are those which are preferably useful in the formation of polyamides, for example, cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and dicarboxylic acids having the structure HOOC-R14-COOH in which R14 is a linear alkyl group having approximately 2 to 21 carbon atoms. The aromatic dicarboxylic acids (for example, terephthalic and isophthalic acids) can be used as alkylaryl dicarboxylic acids, especially in combination with alkyl dicarboxylic acids. Functional carboxylic acid halide functional materials, and materials with ester functional groups having those that are obtained by derivatizing the materials with carboxylic acid functional groups described above. Suitable materials with aldehyde functional groups include alkyl-, aryl, and alkylaryl-dialdehydes such as oxaldehyde-propanedialdehyde, succinaldehyde, adipaldehyde, 2-hydroxyhexanodial, phthalaldehyde, 1,4-benzenediacetaldehyde, 4,4 (ethylenedioxy) -dibenzaldehyde, and 2, 6-naphthalene-dicarbaldehyde. More preferred with glutaraldehyde and adipaldehyde. Materials with suitable epoxide functional groups include aliphatic glycidyl ether, and cycloaliphatic diepoxides. More preferred are the epoxides based on bisphenol-A and bisphenol-F. Materials with useful acrylic functional groups are preferably diacrylates and a wide variety of these materials can be used successfully. The organoborane-amine complex is employed in an effective amount, which is a large enough amount to allow the polymerization of the acrylic monomer to occur easily to obtain an acrylic polymer of a sufficiently high molecular weight for the desired end use, but without the polymerization proceeds too rapidly to allow effective mixing and use of the resulting composition. Within these parameters, an effective amount of the organoborane-amine complex is an amount that preferably provides about 0.03 to 1.5% by weight of boron, more preferably about 0.08 to 0.5% by weight of boron, more preferably about 0.1. at 0.3% by weight. The% by weight of boron in a composition is based on the total weight of the composition, minus fillers, non-reactive diluents, and other non-reactive materials. As noted above, the organoborane-amine complexes of the invention are especially useful for initiating the polymerization of the acrylic monomers. The polymerization initiator system comprises an effective amount of the organoborane-amine complex and an effective amount of a compound that is reactive with the amine to release organoborane to initiate the polymerization. A wide variety of materials can be used to provide an amine-reactive compound. Desirable amine-reactive compounds are those materials that can readily form reaction products with amines at or below (and most preferably at) room temperature (about 20 ° to 22 ° C) to provide a composition that can be used easily and cure under environmental conscience. General classes of amine-reactive compounds useful include acids, anhydrides and aldehydes. Isocyanate, acid chloride, sulfonyl chloride, and the like such as isophorone diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, and methacryloyl chloride may also be used but are less preferred because they require careful drying of the mixture of monomers containing these ingredients to avoid undesirable premature reaction with moisture. Acids are an amine reactive compound, preferred. Any acid that can release the organoborane when salting out the amine group can be used. Useful acids include Lewis acids (e.g., SnC14, TIC14 and the like) and Bronsted acids such as those having the general formula R18-C00H, wherein R18 is hydrogen, an alkenyl group of 1 to 8 and preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an aryl group of 6 to 10, preferably 6 to 8 carbon atoms. The alkenyl groups may comprise a straight chain or may be branched. They can be saturated or unsaturated. The aryl groups may contain substituents such as alkyl portions, alkoxy or halogen. Illustrative acids of this type include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ic acid, benzoic acid, and p-methoxybenzoic acid. Other useful Bronsted acids include Ccl, S2S04, H3P04, phosphoric acid, phosphinic acid, silicic acid, and the like. Also preferred as the amine-reactive compound are materials having at least one anhydride group, such materials preferably having one of the following structures: R19 and R20 are organic radicals that are independently aliphatic, including straight and branched chain arrays that may be saturated or unsaturated, cycloaliphatic or aromatic. Preferred aliphatic groups include from 1 to 17 carbon atoms, more preferably from 2 to 9 carbon atoms. Preferred aromatic groups include benzene which may be substituted with aliphatic groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms. R21 is a divalent organic radical that complements a cyclic structure with the anhydride group to form, for example, a 5- or 6-membered ring. R21 may be substituted with aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic groups, preferably aliphatic groups containing from 1 to 12, more preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms .. R21 may also contain heteroatoms such as oxygen or nitrogen with the condition that any heteroatom is not adjacent to the anhydride functionality. R21 may also be part of a ring structure fused to aromatic cycloaliphatic, any of which may be optionally substituted with aliphatic groups. The presence of a polymerizable group with free radicals in the amine-reactive compound with anhydride functional groups may allow the same to polymerize with the acrylic monomers. The aldehydes useful as the amine-reactive compound have the formula R22- (CHO) x wherein R22 is an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 4, or an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 8, and x is 1 to 2, preferably 1. In this formula, the alkyl groups may be straight or branched chain, and may contain substituents such as halogen, hydroxy and alkoxy. The aryl groups may contain substituents such as halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl and nitro. The preferred R22 group is aryl. Illustrative examples of compounds of these types include benzaldehyde, o-, m- and p-nitrobenzaldehyde, 2,4-dichlorobenzaldehyde, p-tolyl aldehyde and 3-methoxy-4-hiroxybenzaldehyde. Blocked aldehydes such as acetals may also be used. The amine-reactive compound is used in an effective amount; that is, an effective amount to promote polymerization by releasing the organoborane from the complex, but without adversely affecting the properties of the final polymerized composition (e.g., adhesion to low energy surfaces). Within these parameters, the amine-reactive compound can be provided an amount wherein the number of amine groups in the organoborane-amine complex. However, it is much more preferred that the number of equivalents of the amine-reactive groups be stoichiometric with the number of amine groups in the organoborane-amine complex. As noted above, organoborane-amine complex initiator systems are used to polymerize acrylic monomers. By "acrylic monomer" is meant polymerizable monomers having one or more substituted or acrylic acrylic moieties, chemical groups or functionality; that is, groups that have the general formula: RO H2C = C-C-0-R ', wherein R is hydrogen or an organic radical and R' is an organic radical. Where R and R 'are organic radicals, they may be the same or they may be different. Mixtures of acrylic monomers can also be used. The polymerizable acrylic monomer can be monofunctional, polyfunctional or a combination thereof. The most useful monomers are monofunctional acrylate and methacrylate esters and substituted derivatives thereof such as hydroxy, amide, cyano, chlorine, xylan derivative as well as monofunctional, substituted and unsubstituted mixtures of acrylate and methacrylate esters. Particularly preferred monomers include low molecular weight methacrylate esters such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methoxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof. Both acrylate esters and higher molecular weight methacrylate esters are less preferred for use alone, but modifying monomers with predominant amounts of lower molecular weight methacrylate esters can be used especially useful, for example, to improve smoothness or flexibility of the final composition. Examples of these higher molecular weight acrylate esters and methacrylate esters include methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-methacrylate, et i lhexi lo, decyl methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate, tert-butyl methacrylate, acrylamide, N-methyl-acrylamide, diacetone-acrylamide, N-tert-butyl-acrylamide, N-tert-octyl-acrylamide, N- butoxy acrylamide, gamma-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 2-cyanoethyl acrylate, 3-cyanopropyl acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl chloroacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, and the like. Another class of polymerizable monomers that are especially useful as modifiers correspond to the general formula: R23 can be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl and O I -CH2-0-C-C-CH2. I R24 R24 can be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chlorine, methyl and ethyl. R25 can be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, and 0 I -0-C-C-CH2. I R24 The value of a is an integer greater than or equal to 1, more preferably from 1 to approximately 8 and more preferably from 1 to 4. The integral value of b is greater than or equal to 1, more preferably from 1 to about 20. The value of c is 0 or 1. Other acrylic monomers useful as modifying monomers include ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diglycerol diacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triacrylate. of pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane t-eetracrylate, as well as other polyethers of diacrylates and dimethacrylates. Also useful are bis (ethylene glycol) adipate dimethacrylate, bis (ethylene glycol) maleate dimethacrylate, bis (ethylene glycol) phthalate dimethacrylate, bis (tetraethylene glycol) dimethacrylate, phthalate, bis (tetraethylene glycol) sebacate dimethacrylate, bis (tetraethate) dimethacrylates. ilenglycol) maleate, and the diacrylates and chloroacrylates corresponding to the dimethacrylates, and the like. Other useful acrylic monomers include the reaction product of mono- or polyisocyanates, for example, toluene diisocyanate, with an acrylate ester containing a hydroxy or amino groups in the non-acrylate portion thereof, for example hydroxyethyl methacrylate. . The compositions may further comprise a variety of optional additives such as thickeners, elastomeric materials (e.g., graft copolymer resins), acrylic crosslinking agents, individual peroxides such as hydroquinone, non-reactive dyes, fillers (e.g. carbon black), etc. The various optional additives are employed in an amount that does not adversely affect and the polymerization process to the desired properties of the compositions made therewith. The organoborane-amine complex can be provided by (for example, dissolving in or diluted by) and the material with aziridine functional groups or a mixture of two or more different materials with aziridine functional groups. The material with aziridine functional groups should not be reactive towards, coordinate or complex with the amine portion of the complex and function as an extender for the complex. The aziridine functional group material can also function as a reactive lighter if the composition includes an ingredient that undergoes a ring opening reaction with the aziridine functionality to allow the material with aziridine functional groups to react with it or to polymerize with other constituents of the product. system. Advantageously, the amine-reactive compound can also react with the material with aziridine functional groups to produce a reactive system at 100%.

A "material with aziridine functional groups" refers to an organic compound having at least one aziridine ring or group, -4 the carbon atom (s) of which optionally short chain alkyl groups may be substituted, for example, groups having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and preferably methyl, ethyl, or propyl, to form, for example, methyl, ethyl or propyl portions, aziridine. Mono-functional aziridines in which an individual aziridino group is a substituent on an alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, acyl, or aryl radical (which may be optionally substituted with other portions that do not react with the organoborane-amine complex or the functionality of aziridine such as the amino and hydroxyl groups) can be used. Particular examples of suitable monofunctional aziridines include N-ethyl-aziridine, N- (2-cyanoethyl) aziridine, N-butyl-aziridine, iso-butyl-aziridine, 2-aziridinyl-ethanol, 1-aziridinyl-ethanol, 1-iso -butyryl-aziridine, and 1-butyryl-aziridine. While monofunctional azirines are useful, polyfunctional aziridines (sometimes referred to herein as "polyaziridines"); that is, having more than one aziridine group) are more preferred since they can promote the in situ generation of a crosslinking agent. Of the various polyaziridines, those that are trifunctional are especially useful. Tris-aziridines and tris-methylaziridines of trimethoxy-propane-triacri lato and tris-aziridine and tris-methylaziridine of pentaerythritol triacylate are particularly preferred. Examples of commercially available, useful polyaziridines include CX-100 (from Zeneca Resins), XAMA-7 (from EIT, Inc.), and MAPO (tris [1- (2-methyl) aziridinyl] phosphine oxide (from Aceto Corp). The polymerizable compositions can be easily used as two-part compositions. The acrylic monomers6 are mixed as would normally be done when working with these materials. The amine-reactive compound is included only in this mixture to separate it from the organoborane-amine complex, thereby providing a part of the composition of its parts. The organoborane-amine complex provides the second part of the composition. Advantageously, the two parts of the polymerizable composition are capable of being combined in a common, whole number mixing ratio, such as 10: 1 or less, preferably 1: 4, 1: 3, 1: 2 or 1: 1 The first and second part are combined shortly before if desired to use the composition. The use of the low surface energy adhesive in the applications discussed herein offers many advantages. Easy re-entry to the splice closure housings is an important feature and is performed by the clamp device described herein. Also, in any enclosure that is joint sealed for re-entry, the low surface energy end seal descriptions herein allow re-entry without disturbing the cable end seals. The end seal enclosures described herein allow the sealing of several cable diameters for a new and existing construction using the same components. The sealing surfaces of smooth and uniform joint are provided. The bond strength of the adhesive in the area of the end seal hole avoids the need for extra physical equipment to add resistance to tension, bending and vibration. This reduces the cost of assembly equipment. No flashlight or heat is required for assembly, so that the enclosing devices can be used in gaps, valves and ditches. Although the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the above discussion and in some cases, some characteristics of the present invention may be employed without corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be considered broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the present invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property:

Claims (40)

1. An end seal for a cable splice closure, characterized in that it comprises: an end seal body formed of a low surface energy plastic material and comprising a core portion with a flexible end portion extending therefrom; the core portion having an opening for receiving a cable to be extended through it; and an adhesive injection hole positioned in the end seal body, the injection orifice being adapted to communicate an adhesive dictated therein to the opening.

2. The end seal according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive quickly bonds with the low surface energy plastics.

3. The end seal according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an adhesive injected into the injection orifice, the adhesive comprising an acrylic monomer and an organoborane-amine complex.

4. The end seal according to claim 1, characterized in that the core portion has an outer peripheral surface and spaced ends, the peripheral surface including a plurality of cylindrical openings through the core portion extending between the separated ends. , wherein each opening has an edge that communicates with the outer peripheral surface of the core portion to define an entry slot to each opening, and wherein the end portion is flexible and has opposite ends, a first of the opposite ends of the limb portion that is integral with, and extending tangentially from, the outer peripheral surface of the core portion that has sufficient length to wrap around the peripheral surface of the core portion abutting with it to cover the entrance slot of each opening and a cable that is going to be placed on it.

5. The end seal according to claim 4, characterized in that a second free end of the end portion tapers to a reduced thickness.

6. The end seal according to claim 4, characterized in that the end portion includes opposite surfaces, each of the surfaces having a marked groove formed therein which is between the opposite end ends.

7. The end seal according to claim 6, characterized in that a first of the grooves is a surface of the end which abuts the peripheral surface of the portion of a core when the end is wound around it, and a second of the grooves is on the opposite surface of the extremity.

8. The end seal according to claim 7, characterized in that the injection orifice is adapted to communicate the adhesive to the first of the slots.

9. The end seal according to claim 7, characterized in that the second groove is on an outer peripheral surface of the end seal when the end is wound completely around the core portion.

10. The end seal according to claim 9, characterized in that the end seal body is mounted on one end of the elongated tubular enclosure housing, the housing having a slit along the entire length thereof so that the Enclosure has an adjustable diameter.

11. The end seal according to claim 10, characterized in that the enclosure includes a channel of elongated adhesive that is obtained substantially along the length thereof, the recess that is adjacent to the recess having adhesive injection holes formed in this.

12. The end seal according to claim 11, characterized in that the channel is adapted to communicate adhesive to the second of the slots.

13. The end seal according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening comprises a plurality of selectively removable concentric washer rings to receive a cable through it such that the cable has a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the ring of concentric washer to be removed, and where the injection hole extends through each of the washer rings.

14. A cable splice, characterized in that it comprises: a closure body formed of a plastic material of low surface energy and having coupling surfaces to be sealed together, an end seal body comprising a core portion with a flexible limb portion extending therefrom, the core portion having an opening for receiving a cable to be extended therethrough, and an adhesive injection hole placed in the end seal body, the injection hole that adapts to communicate an adhesive injected into it to the opening.

15. The enclosure according to claim 14, characterized in that the adhesive is an acrylic monomer comprising an organoborane-amine complex.

16. The enclosure according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the enclosing body has a first and a second portion, each portion including one of the coupling surfaces.

17. The enclosure according to claim 16, characterized in that the end seal body is formed in one of the first and second enclosure body portions.

18. The enclosure according to claim 17, characterized in that the end seal body includes an orifice core mounted thereon.

19. The enclosure according to claim 18, characterized in that the end seal body includes a chamber between these and an annular opening at each opposite end of the chamber.

20. The enclosure according to claim 19, characterized in that each annular opening includes a cut-out sealing washer and mounted thereon to enclose the opposite ends of the chamber, the washers that can be trimmed to fit cables of various sizes to be extended through the body of the end seal.

21. The enclosure according to claim 20, characterized in that the block of holes includes an adhesive injection hole formed therein, the hole connected to communicate adhesive to fill the chamber to seal a cable and the block of holes inside the seal body of end.

22. The enclosure according to claim 19, characterized in that the end seal body defines a chamber an annular opening at each opposite end of the chamber.

23. The enclosure according to claim 22, characterized in that each annular opening includes a cut-out seal washer mounted thereon to enclose the opposite ends of the chamber, the washers that are trimmed to fit the cables of various sizes to be extended to through the body of the end stamp.

24. The enclosure according to claim 23, characterized in that the end seal body includes an adhesive injection hole formed therein, the hole connected to connect adhesive to fill the chamber for sealing a cable inside the end seal body.

25. The enclosure according to claim 18, characterized in that the end seal body is partially formed in the first portion of the enclosure body and is partially formed in the second enclosure body portion.

26. The enclosure according to claim 25, characterized in that the end seal body includes a cylindrical collar shown therein.

27. The enclosure according to claim 26, characterized in that the cylindrical collar defines a chamber therein and an annular opening at each opposite end of the chamber.

28. The enclosure according to claim 27, characterized in that the annular opening includes a cut-out sealing washer mounted thereon to enclose the opposite ends of the chamber, the washers that are cut to fit cables of various sizes to be spread across of the end seal body.

29. The enclosure according to claim 28, characterized in that the collar includes an injection hole of the seal formed therein, the hole connected to fill chamber to seal the cable and the collar inside the end seal body.

30. The enclosure according to claim 19, characterized in that the end seal body is formed in one of the first and second enclosure body portions.

31. The enclosure according to claim 30, characterized in that the end seal body includes a two piece collar mounted thereon.

32. The enclosure according to claim 31, characterized in that the two-piece collar defines a chamber therein and an annular opening at each opposite end of the chamber.

33. The enclosure according to claim 32, characterized in that each annular opening includes a sealing washer mounted thereon to enclose opposite ends of the chamber, the washer being trimmed to fit cables of various sizes to be extended through the body of end stamp.

34. The enclosure according to claim 33, characterized in that the two piece collar includes an adhesive injection hole formed therein, the hole is adapted to communicate the adhesive to fill the chamber to seal a cable and the two piece collar inside the body of the end seal.

35. The enclosure according to claim 16, characterized in that the coupling surfaces define multiple slots of seal between them, one of the slots that is used to initially seal the surfaces together, the slot that can be cut to allow the entry into the enclosure, whereby a remaining slot is used to seal the surfaces together.

36. The enclosure according to claim 14, characterized in that the edge of adhesive is applied between the coupling surfaces and a resistance wire is applied between the coupling surfaces adjacent to the adhesive to improve the curing of the adhesive.

37. The enclosure according to claim 14, characterized in that a seal is mounted between the coupling surfaces and a plurality of spring clips are connected to the enclosure to push one of the coupling surfaces into engagement with the other coupling surface to compress the joint between them.

38. The enclosure according to claim 37, characterized in that the spring clips include a plurality of openings formed therein provided for inserting a tool to pry the clamps from the enclosure.

39. A method for sealing a cable splice in an end seal, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing an end seal body formed of a low surface energy plastic material and comprising a core portion with an end portion flexible extending from this end seal portion having an adhesive injection hole and a cable opening, extending a cable through the opening, winding the end portion around the core portion of the seal body of the cable seal. end, and inject a low surface energy adhesive into the hole so that the adhesive communicates in the body to join the surfaces of the end seal and the cable in a sealed unit.

40. A method for sealing an enclosing cable splice, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing a closure body formed of material of low surface density and having coupling surfaces to be sealed together, providing an end seal body , which comprises a portion of 5 core and a flexible limb portion extending therefrom, the end seal having an adhesive injection hole and a cable opening, 10 - extending a cable through the opening, winding the end portion around the core portion of the end seal body, 15 - mounting the end seal body in the enclosure body, and injecting a low surface energy adhesive into the injection hole such that the adhesive binds the surfaces 20 of the end seal and the cable in a sealed unit.