US008872027B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 8,872,027 B2
`(10) Patent N0.:
`Proud
`
`(45) Date of Patent: Oct. 28, 2014
`
`(54) FILLER ASSEMBLY FOR CABLE GLAND
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Samuel Liam Proud, Tyne & Wear
`(GB)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ......... 222/92, 94, 95, 103, 107, 145.1,145.5,
`222/145.6, 1; 439/2717277, 586, 589, 604
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(73) Assignee: CMP Products Limited, Cramlington
`(GB)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`13/391,539
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Jun. 14, 2010
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/GB2010/050989
`
`§ 371 (0X1),
`(2), (4) Date: May 2, 2012
`
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: W02011/021016
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Feb. 24, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`(30)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2012/0205023 A1
`
`Aug. 16,2012
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Aug. 21, 2009
`Aug. 21, 2009
`Mar. 15,2010
`Jun. 7, 2010
`
`(EP) ..................................... 09168429
`(EP) ..................................... 09168430
`(GB) .....
`10042166
`
`(GB) ................................... 10094506
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H02G 3/02
`H02G 15/04
`H02G 15/013
`H02G 3/06
`(52) US. Cl.
`CPC ........... H02G 15/013 (2013.01); H02G 3/069]
`(2013.01); H02G 15/046 (2013.01); H02G
`3/0675 (2013.01)
`USPC ............ 174/76; 174/667; 174/77 R; 174/653;
`222/1; 222/92; 222/145.1
`
`................... 174/18
`2,530,381 A * 11/1950 Donohue, Jr.
`2,590,160 A *
`3/1952 Dixon ............................. 174/76
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CA
`CA
`
`1279707 C
`1333192 C
`
`1/1991
`11/1994
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report and Written Opinion under date of Sep.
`16, 2010 in connection with PCT/GB2010/050989.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner 7 Paul R Durand
`Assistant Examiner 7 Randall Gruby
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm 7 Quarles & Brady LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A dispenser apparatus (2) for a curable liquid material is
`disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flexible bag (8) defining
`a first compartment (10) for accommodating a first compo-
`nent of a curable liquid material, and a second compartment
`(12) for accommodating a second component of the curable
`liquid material and adapted to communicate with the first
`chamber to enable mixing of the first and second components
`to initiate curing of the curable liquid material. A first clamp
`(14) temporarily prevents mixing ofthe first and second com-
`ponents, and an elongate nozzle (16) communicates with the
`second compartment to dispense the mixed curable liquid
`material therefrom. A second clamp (18) temporarily pre-
`vents passage of the curable liquid material from the second
`compartment to the nozzle.
`
`19 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Cooper Ex. 1001
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`Cooper Ex. 1001
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`

`

`US 8,872,027 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`US. pATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,913,260 A >x< 11/1959 Givens ....................... 285/151.l
`
`.. 174/23R
`2,957,038 A * 10/1960 Greenidge etal
`................... 174/51
`3,567,843 A *
`3/1971 Collins et 31.
`3,617,614 A >x< “/1971 Henry .........................
`l74/77R
`4,015,329 A *
`4/1977 Hutchison
`29/858
`
`6/1982 Dienes ........
`4,332,975 A *
`174/76
`4/1983 Perrault et a1.
`. 174/653
`4,379,204 A *
`
`. 439/271
`4,493,522 A *
`1/1985 Law .........
`.
`4,549,037 A * 10/1985 Bawaetal.
`. 174/667
`4,608,454 A *
`8/1986 Lackinger
`. 174/653
`
`4,692,563 A *
`9/1987 Lackinger
`. 174/654
`6/1988 Eaton .............................. 174/87
`4,751,350 A *
`...................... 174/87
`5,113,037 A *
`5/1992 King etal.
`5,208,427 A *
`5/1993 Couto et a1.
`. 174/653
`
`5,310,963 A *
`5/1994 Kennelly
`. 174/667
`
`.
`5,321,205 A *
`6/1994 Bawa etal.
`. 174/655
`2/1997 McCabe .....
`. 174/653
`5,600,094 A *
`
`4/1997 Norris etal.
`. 174/653
`5,621,191 A *
`
`5,691,505 A * 11/1997 Norris ......
`174/51
`174/77R
`6,242,700 B1*
`6/2001 Smith ..
`
`.. 174/74R
`6,259,029 B1*
`7/2001 Hand
`6,812,406 B2* 11/2004 Hand .......
`. 174/667
`7,507,105 131*
`3/2009 Peters 6? 31.
`~ 439/374
`
`7,736,165 B2 *
`6/2010 Bukovn1k et a1.
`. 439/276
`8,170,390 B2*
`5/2012 Hand ............................ 385/134
`8,288,667 B2 * 10/2012 Chiou ........................... 174/652
`8,367,944 B2*
`2/2013 Chiou ..
`. 174/520
`8,490,513 B2 *
`7/2013 Chiou ..
`74/5024
`
`8,581,120 B2 * 11/2013 Winship ........................ 174/667
`2002/0066518 A1
`6/2002 Bukovnik et 3L
`2003/0226680 A1* 12/2003 Jackson .................... 174/65 ss
`2004/0069522 A1*
`4/2004 Jackson .................... 174/65 SS
`2008/0262408 A1
`10/2008 Krauss et al.
`2010/0003001 A1*
`1/2010 Hand ............................ 385/138
`,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 123/198 D
`2010/0108020 A1*
`5/2010 Miretti
`
`2011/0033165 A1*
`2/2011 Guest
`385/138
`2012/0097445 A1*
`4/2012 Gadda ......................... 174/84 R
`
`................... 439/272
`6/2012 Duvalet a1.
`2012/0142207 A1*
`2012/0292100 A1* 11/2012 Thomas ..........
`174/652
`
`2013/0059469 A1*
`3/2013 Kawakita et a1.
`439/589
`............... 174/77R
`2013/0112475 A1*
`5/2013 Magno et a1.
`2013/0118803 A1*
`5/2013 Magn0,Jr.
`..................
`l74/77R
`2013/0129289 A1*
`5/2013 Roland ~~~~~~~~
`385/102
`
`2014/0030903 A1*
`1/2014 Magno et a1.
`439/279
`2/2014 Schlachter et al.
`.........
`2014/0041939 A1*
`l74/77R
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`DE
`EP
`EP
`GB
`GB
`GB
`KR
`wo
`wo
`wo
`W0
`
`20 2005 000854 U1
`20 2005 004135 u1
`0434105 A1
`1958608 A1
`765082 A
`1335047
`2074 395 A
`20010109284 A
`0204843 A2
`2004047248 A1
`2007073526 A2
`WO 2008029165 A2 *
`
`6/2005
`6/2005
`6/1991
`8/2008
`1/1957
`10/1973
`10/1981
`12/2001
`1/2002
`6/2004
`6/2007
`3/2008
`
`............. H02G 15/04
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`European Patent Office; European Search Report; Appln. No. EP
`09168429.0; dated Jan. 28, 2010.
`.
`.
`European Patent Office, European Search Report, Appln. No. EP
`09168430~8;dated Feb~9a2010~
`United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office; Examination Report;
`Appln. No. GB1202969.0; dated May 8, 2013.
`CMP Products, Catalog p. 59, Sep. 2007, Newcastle Upon Tyne,
`England.
`.
`F'
`1.
`f U .1
`.
`1 G
`.
`EGS E1
`1tt1ngs
`ea 1ng
`or met
`nstructlon
`roup,
`ectr1ca
`Approved For Use With. Appleton KWlk0® A And Crouse-Hinds
`CthO®A Seallng Cement, dated Jul. 1, 2009, 4 pages.
`
`S
`
`I
`
`* Cited by examiner
`
`Cooper EX. 1001
`
`Cooper Ex. 1001
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 28, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of2
`
`US 8,872,027 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Cooper EX. 1001
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`Cooper Ex. 1001
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 28, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 of2
`
`US 8,872,027 B2
`
`
`
`30
`
`FIG.
`
`3
`
`Cooper EX. 1001
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`Cooper Ex. 1001
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`

`

`1
`FILLER ASSEMBLY FOR CABLE GLAND
`
`2
`communicate with at least one said first chamber to enable
`
`US 8,872,027 B2
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims priority to PCT International
`Application No. PCT/GB2010/050989 filed on Jun. 14,2010,
`which claims priority to European Patent Application No.
`091684308 filed on Aug. 21, 2009, European Patent Appli-
`cation No. 091684290 filed on Aug. 21, 2009, Great Britain
`Patent Application 10042166 filed on Mar. 15, 2010 and
`Great Britain Patent Application 10094506 filed on Jun. 7,
`2010, all of which are fully incorporated by reference herein.
`The present invention relates to a filler assembly for cable
`glands and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to such a
`filler assembly for filling cable glands for use in hazardous
`areas.
`
`Many cable glands for use in connecting a cable to an
`enclosure in hazardous areas need to be filled with a com-
`
`pound which provides a barrier against the effects ofan explo-
`sion occurring within the enclosure to which the cable gland
`is attached. The barrier is typically formed from a two-part
`clay-filled epoxy compound. The two component parts of the
`compound need to be thoroughly mixed with each other prior
`to fitting into the gland, and the resulting putty like material
`needs to be packed between the individual conductors in the
`cable. Such an arrangement is disclosed in GB 2258350.
`This known arrangement suffers from a number of draw-
`backs. Firstly, the cure time of the putty like material is
`chosen to be relatively long, in order to enable it to be manipu-
`lated into the spaces between the individual conductors
`before curing becomes advanced. As a result, the filled cable
`assembly must be left undisturbed for a significant period,
`usually several hours, especially if mixed at low tempera-
`tures. Also, the components of the filler material sometimes
`contain hazardous materials which become harmless when
`
`the filler material is mixed. Persons mixing the components of
`the putty like filler material may come into contact with these
`hazardous materials during mixing, and air can become
`trapped within the cable gland by the filler material which
`may cause the barrier formed by the filler material to fail in the
`event of an explosion. Filling of the cable gland is also rela-
`tively difficult, especially in the case of small cable glands.
`GB 765082 discloses an arrangement for insulating a
`splice between two stranded connectors in which resinous
`material is introduced from a capsule having an elongate tip.
`However, this arrangement suffers from the drawback that it
`is not suitable for filling cable glands, since the introduction
`of a material which is sufficiently fluid to penetrate between
`the individual conductors of a cable would cause material to
`
`flow along the conductors along the interior of the cable,
`which would prevent the cable gland from being sufficiently
`filled to expel all of the air from the cable gland to avoid air
`voids.
`
`Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to
`overcome one or more ofthe above disadvantages ofthe prior
`art.
`
`According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
`provided a filler assembly for filling a cable gland, having a
`plurality ofcores ofat least one cable extending therethrough,
`with curable liquid material, the assembly comprising:
`(a) a dispenser apparatus for a curable liquid material, the
`apparatus comprising:
`a body adapted to define at least one first chamber for
`accommodating a first component of a curable liquid material
`and at least one second chamber for accommodating a second
`component of said curable liquid material and adapted to
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`45
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`50
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`65
`
`mixing of said first and second components to initiate curing
`of said curable liquid material;
`first barrier means for temporarily preventing mixing of
`said first and second components;
`elongate dispenser means adapted to communicate with at
`least one said second chamber and to dispense said mixed
`curable liquid material therefrom between a plurality of cores
`of at least one cable; and
`second barrier means for temporarily preventing passage
`of said curable liquid material from the or each said second
`chamber to said dispenser means; and
`(b) at least one barrier member for restricting the extent of
`penetration of said curable liquid material along said cores.
`By providing elongate dispenser means to dispense mixed
`curable liquid material and second barrier means for tempo-
`rarily preventing passage ofthe curable liquid material to said
`dispenser means, this provides the advantage that the first and
`second components of the curable liquid material can be
`mixed in a sealed container comprising the first and second
`compartments, thus enabling the user to avoid coming into
`contact with harmful components of the curable liquid mate-
`rial. As a result of the provision of elongate dispenser means,
`dispensing of the curable liquid can be more carefully con-
`trolled, as a result of which less viscous and faster curing
`liquid material can be used than in the prior art. This therefore
`provides the advantage of enabling more rapid formation of a
`filled cable gland incorporating the material, while also
`allowing the liquid material to be introduced into the cable
`gland in such a way that the air is expelled from the cable
`gland to avoid air voids, which could lead to failure of the
`cable gland in the event of an explosion. In addition, with the
`present invention, the curable material can be dispensed into
`the assembled gland, i.e. the cable gland can be filled with the
`conductors of the cable in a connected state, as a result of
`which the electrical integrity of the joint can be ensured,
`whereas the putty like compound of the known arrangement
`must be moulded around the conductors of the cable with the
`
`gland disassembled, as a result of which the cable cores can
`not be electrically connected. The provision of at least one
`barrier member for restricting the extent ofpenetration of said
`curable liquid material along the cable cores provides the
`advantage ofenabling highly flowable curable liquid material
`to be used, while also enabling filling of the cable gland.
`The body may be flexible.
`This provides the advantage ofmaking the apparatus easier
`and less expensive to manufacture.
`The first and/or second barrier means may comprise at least
`one releasable clamp.
`The assembly may further comprise a first component of a
`curable liquid material in at least one said first chamber, and
`a second component of said curable liquid material in at least
`one said second chamber.
`
`The curable liquid material may be adapted to change
`colour as a result of curing thereof.
`This provides the advantage ofproviding a visual indicator
`to the user when the cable gland filling process is complete.
`The assembly may further comprise a cover member for
`covering an external screw thread of a cable gland to prevent
`said curable liquid material coming into contact with said
`screw thread.
`
`The cover member may be adapted to prevent curable
`liquid material from penetrating an end face of the cable
`gland.
`At least one said barrier member may comprise a respec-
`tive flexible member having at least one aperture there-
`through for engaging at least one core of at least one cable.
`
`Cooper Ex. 1001
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`Cooper Ex. 1001
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`

`US 8,872,027 B2
`
`3
`At least one said barrier member may have a respective
`tapering portion.
`According to another aspect of the present invention, there
`is provided a method of filling a cable gland with curable
`liquid material by means of an assembly according to any one
`of the preceding claims, the method comprising:
`locating at least one saidbarrier member in the cable gland;
`and
`
`locating an outlet of said dispenser means in said cable
`gland and dispensing curable liquid material therefrom so as
`to expel air from the cable gland.
`The step of locating at least one said barrier member in the
`cable gland may comprise locating at least one said barrier
`member around at least one said core ofat least one said cable.
`
`A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be
`described, by way of example only and not in any limitative
`sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in
`which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing apparatus
`embodying the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a partially cut away perspective view of a cable
`gland having a filler formed using the apparatus of FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the filled cable gland of
`FIG. 2 with a thread protector in place.
`Referring to FIG. 1, a dispenser apparatus 2 embodying the
`present invention and for use in filling a cable gland 4 (FIG. 2)
`with curable liquid material 6 comprises a body of suitable
`transparent flexible plastics material defining a flexible bag 8
`having a first compartment 10 for accommodating a first
`component of a liquid curable material 6, and a second com-
`partment 12 for accommodating a second component of the
`material 6. A first clamp 14 temporarily separates the first
`compartment 10 and second compartment 12 to thereby pre-
`vent mixing of the first and second components of the mate-
`rial 6. The first and second components are coloured differ-
`ently (for example blue and yellow) so that thorough mixing
`of the first and second components produces a green liquid,
`thereby providing a visual indication when thorough mixing
`of the first and second components has occurred. Mixing of
`the first and second components together causes gelling ofthe
`material and initiates curing of the curable liquid material 6.
`The dispenser apparatus 2 is also provided with an elongate
`hollow nozzle 16 extending from the second compartment 12
`such that dispensing of the mixed curable liquid material can
`be carefully controlled. In particular, the nozzle 16 can be
`inserted a considerable distance into the cable gland 4 and
`between individual core conductors 20 of the core of a cable
`
`22 attached to the cable gland 4 (FIG. 2) so that the liquid
`material 6 can be highly flowable and fast-curing, as a result
`ofwhich the cable gland 4 can be rapidly filled and air entrap-
`ment by the liquid material 6 minimised. A second clamp 18
`temporarily prevents material flowing from the second com-
`partment 12 into the nozzle 16, so that dispensing of the
`material 6 can be prevented until thorough mixing together of
`the first and second components has occurred.
`The flexible bag 8 is formed from two sheets of material
`welded together along all but one of their edges to form a bag
`having an open mouth, which is then mounted to the nozzle
`16. The second clamp 18 is then mounted to the bag adjacent
`to the nozzle 16, and the second component of the material 6
`is dispensed into the second compartment 12. The first clamp
`14 is then mounted to the bag to seal the second component in
`the second compartment 12, and the first component is then
`dispensed into the first compartment 10. The open edge ofthe
`bag is then sealed to seal the first component in the first
`compartment 10.
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
`
`65
`
`4
`
`Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cable gland 4 to be filled by
`means of the dispenser apparatus 2 of FIG. 1 comprises a
`threaded outer connector 24 for threaded connection to an
`
`enclosure (not shown) and a compound tube 26 rotatably
`mounted within the outer connector 24. A cable connector 28
`is mounted to the end of the cable 22 and is connected to the
`
`outer connector 24 by means of cooperating screw threads
`(not shown).
`A ring 30 abuts the cable connector 28 and a flexible seal 32
`is located around the core conductors 20 of the cable 22 and
`
`compressed between the compound tube 26 and ring 30 for
`limiting the extent ofpenetration ofcurable material 6 into the
`cable gland 4 before curing of the curable material 6. The
`flexible seal 32 comprises a generally frusto-conical body of
`elastomeric material having an aperture (not shown) there-
`through for engaging the core conductors 20 of the cable 22.
`The aperture in the seal 32 is sized such that it stretches to pass
`around the core conductors 20 to tightly engage the core
`conductors 20 to form a reasonably effective barrier to pas-
`sage of the material 6 along the space defined between the
`core conductors 20 and the compound tube 26.
`Referring to FIG. 3, a thread protector 34 formed of elas-
`tomeric material such as rubber is located over the external
`
`screw thread of the outer connector 24 of the cable gland 4
`prior to filling of the cable gland with curable material 6. The
`thread protector 34 has a hollow rim 36 for catching excess
`curable material 6 which may flow out of end 40 of the cable
`gland 4 during the filling procedure, and an inner circular rim
`38 which prevents penetration of curable material 6 into the
`gap between the outer connector 24 and the compound tube
`26. This ensures that the compound tube 26 complete with
`cable connectors 20 can be removed from the outer connector
`
`24 after curing of the material 6.
`The process of filling the cable gland 4 of FIGS. 2 and 3 by
`means of the dispenser apparatus 2 of FIG. 1 will now be
`described.
`
`In order to fill the core of the cable gland 4 with curable
`material, the flexible seal 32 initially placed over the core
`conductors 20 of the cable 22 so that the seal 32 tightly grips
`the core conductors 20. The outer connector 24 with com-
`
`pound tube 26 are then mounted to the ring 30 and cable
`connector 28 to compress the seal 32 between the ring 30 and
`compound tube 26. As a result, the flexible seal 32 acts as a
`barrier to penetration of the curable liquid material 6 into the
`interior of the cable gland 4.
`The first clamp 14 is then removed from the dispenser
`apparatus 2 and the second clamp 18 left in place, to enable
`thorough mixing of the first and second components of the
`curable liquid material 6. The first and second components
`are coloured blue and yellow respectively, a result of which
`the curable liquid material 6 is bright green when it is thor-
`oughly mixed. The second clamp 18 is then removed, and the
`outlet of the nozzle 16 is placed at a location near the seal 32.
`The liquid material 6 is then dispensed through the nozzle 16
`into the space between the core conductors 20 of the cable 22
`and into the space around the core conductors 20 inside the
`compound tube 26 of the cable gland 4, where its movement
`along the axis of the cable gland 4 is restricted by the flexible
`seal 32. The location of the outlet of the nozzle 16 near the
`
`seal 32 causes air to be expelled from the cable gland when the
`curable liquid material 6 is dispensed from the nozzle 16. The
`seal 32 provides a sufficient barrier to penetration of the
`material 6 to hold back the curable material until it begins to
`gel and support itself. At the same time, the thread protector
`34 protects the external thread ofthe outer connector 24 from
`excess curable material and prevents penetration ofthe liquid
`curable material between the outer connector 24 and the
`
`Cooper Ex. 1001
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`Cooper Ex. 1001
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`

`US 8,872,027 B2
`
`5
`compound tube 26. The material 6 is arranged to change
`colour to dark green when it is cured, so that a Visual indica-
`tion is provided when the curing process is completed.
`It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the
`above embodiment has been described by way of example
`only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alter-
`ations and modifications are possible without departure from
`the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
`
`The invention claimed is:
`
`1. A filler assembly for filling with curable liquid material
`a cable gland, the cable gland having a plurality of cores of at
`least one cable extending therethrough, the assembly com-
`prising:
`(a) a dispenser apparatus for a curable liquid material, the
`apparatus comprising:
`a body adapted to define at least one first chamber for
`accommodating a first component of a curable liquid
`material, and at least one second chamber for accom-
`modating a second component of said curable liquid
`material and adapted to communicate with at least one
`said first chamber to enable mixing of said first and
`second components to initiate curing of said curable
`liquid material;
`at least one first barrier apparatus for temporarily pre-
`venting mixing of said first and second components;
`at least one elongate dispenser apparatus adapted to
`communicate with at least one said second chamber
`
`and to dispense said mixed curable liquid material
`therefrom between a plurality of cores of at least one
`cable; and
`at least one second barrier apparatus for temporarily
`preventing passage of said curable liquid material
`from the or each said second chamber to at least one
`
`said dispenser apparatus; and
`(b) at least one flexible barrier member having at least one
`respective aperture therethrough adapted to stretch to
`engage a plurality of cores of a cable to provide a barrier
`to passage of said curable liquid material along said
`cores.
`
`2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said body is
`flexible.
`
`3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one
`said first barrier apparatus comprises at least one releasable
`clamp.
`4. An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a
`first component of a curable liquidmaterial in at least one said
`first chamber, and a second component of said curable liquid
`material in at least one said second chamber.
`
`5. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the curable
`liquid material is adapted to change color as a result of curing
`thereof.
`
`6. An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a
`cover member for covering an external screw thread ofa cable
`gland to prevent said curable liquid material coming into
`contact with said screw thread.
`
`7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the cover
`member is adapted to prevent curable liquid material from
`penetrating an end face of the cable gland.
`8. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one
`said barrier member has a respective tapering portion.
`9. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one
`said second barrier apparatus comprises at least one releas-
`able clamp.
`10.An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the aperture
`is in a planar portion of the flexible barrier member.
`
`6
`11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the planar
`portion extends inwardly from an outer portion of the flexible
`barrier member that is sealed to the gland.
`12. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible
`barrier member is elastomeric and has a central membrane
`
`portion through which the aperture extends.
`13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the edges
`of the aperture are the thickness of the membrane portion.
`14. A method of filling a cable gland with curable liquid
`material, the method comprising:
`using a filler assembly that includes:
`(a) a dispenser apparatus for a curable liquid material, the
`apparatus comprising:7
`a body adapted to define at least one first chamber for
`accommodating a first component of a curable liquid
`material, and at least one second chamber for accom-
`modating a second component of said curable liquid
`material and adapted to communicate with at least one
`said first chamber to enable mixing of said first and
`second components to initiate curing of said curable
`liquid material;
`at least one first barrier apparatus for temporarily pre-
`venting mixing of said first and second components;
`at least one elongate dispenser apparatus adapted to
`communicate with at least one said second chamber
`
`and to dispense said mixed curable liquid material
`therefrom between a plurality of cores of at least one
`cable; and
`at least one second barrier apparatus for temporarily
`preventing passage of said curable liquid material
`from the or each said second chamber to at least one
`
`said dispenser apparatus; and
`(b) at least one flexible barrier member for having at least
`one respective aperture therethrough adapted to stretch
`to engage a plurality of cores of a cable to provide a
`bather to passage of said curable liquid material along
`said cores;
`locating at least one said barrier member in the cable gland;
`and
`
`locating an outlet of at least one said dispenser apparatus in
`said cable gland and dispensing curable liquid material
`therefrom so as to expel air from the cable gland.
`15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of
`locating at least one said barrier member in the cable gland
`comprises locating at least one said bather member around a
`plurality of said cores of at least one said cable.
`16. In a cable gland through which a bundle of cores of a
`cable extend and that is filled with a curable material so as to
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`block the passage through the gland of gases from an explo-
`sion, the improvement wherein the gland defines a resin well
`at the bottom of which resides a flexible barrier member
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`having an elastomeric membrane in a central portion thereof,
`the flexible barrier member sealing the bottom of the resin
`well except for an aperture through the membrane through
`which the cores extend, the aperture being smaller than the
`bundle of cores so that the cores stretch the aperture to fit
`tightly around the bundle, and wherein prior to curing the
`curable material is a liquid when it is placed in the well that
`flows in between the cores and around the bundle of cores.
`
`17. A kit for making an explosion proof cable passage
`comprising a gland as claimed in claim 16 and a package of
`uncured curable material that is placed in the resin well.
`18. The kit ofclaim 17, wherein the package includes a stiff
`tubular nozzle that can be inserted into the well along the
`cores next to the bottom of the well to dispense the curable
`material in proximity to the flexible barrier member at the
`bottom of the well so as to fill the well from the bottom.
`
`Cooper Ex. 1001
`
`Cooper Ex. 1001
`
`

`

`US 8,872,027 B2
`
`7
`19. The kit of claim 18, wherein the package contains the
`curable material in two separate parts and the package can be
`manipulated to mix the two parts in the package and dispense
`the mixed material through the nozzle.
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
`
`8
`
`Cooper EX. 1001
`
`Cooper Ex. 1001
`
`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENT NO.
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`: 8,872,027 B2
`: 13/391539
`
`DATED
`
`: October 28, 2014
`
`INVENTOR(S)
`
`: Samuel Liam Proud
`
`Page 1 of 1
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`In the Claims
`
`Col. 6, Line 36, Claim 14 “bather” should be --barrier--
`
`Col. 6, Line 45, Claim 15 “bather” should be --barrier--
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Fourteenth Day of April, 2015
`
`WMXKAL.
`
`Michelle K. Lee
`
`Director ofthe United States Patent and Trademark Oflice
`
`Cooper EX. 1001
`
`Cooper Ex. 1001
`
`