A JACKET OF HEAT-SHRINKABLE MATERIAL, AN ARTICLE COVERED IN SUCH A JACKET, AND A CORRESPONDING DEVICE

The invention relates to a jacket of heat-shrinkable material .

The invention also relates to an article on which such a jacket has been heat-shrunk.

The invention also relates to a device for shrinking such a jacket onto an article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of dedicated articles is required in

numerous sports, such as racket sports, or indeed ball sports, such as cricket or baseball, which require the use of bats.

Sponsors thus take advantage of such articles for promoting their products and companies by requiring trademarks or logos to be marked on the articles. Such trademarks or logos are thus printed directly on the articles when they are fabricated in a factory.

Unfortunately, such sports articles are used in a demanding environment. For example, bats are subjected to repeated impacts which, furthermore, are of large

intensity and at various angles. Thus, the inscriptions printed on bats tend to become damaged very quickly and become unreadable.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention seeks to provide a solution for effectively protecting inscriptions present on an article such as a sports article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve this object, the invention provides a jacket for shrinking onto an article that is held in service by a person, said jacket being formed by a multilayer film of heat-shrinkable material on which at least one inscription is printed, the film comprising at least two layers, a first layer of the film comprising at least one resin based on styrene, and a second layer of the film comprising at least one resin based on

polyester .

Thus, even if the article is used under difficult conditions, the inscription is very well protected by being carried by the jacket of multilayer heat-shrinkable material that covers at least a portion of the article in question. Specifically, the fact that the jacket is made of multilayer heat-shrinkable material makes it possible to have a jacket that is particularly good at

withstanding the impacts to which it is subjected, bad weather, ... . In addition, associating a layer based on styrene with a layer based on polyester reinforces this ability to withstand impacts.

That enhances protection of the inscription. This is particularly true when the article is made of wood.

As a result, it is possible to personalize an article in long-lasting manner.

Furthermore, it should be observed that the

invention makes it possible to personalize the article in simple and effective manner. In particular, the

invention allows the article to be personalized on any portion of that article. Because of the invention, it is thus possible to personalize over 360° and over the full height of an article. This is particularly advantageous when the article is complex in shape, such as for example a concave or convex portion on which there presently does not exist any technique for printing inscription directly on such a portion.

Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to avoid modifying the dimensions of said article

excessively.

In addition, the jacket serves to cover the article well since it becomes adapted to the shape of the portion it covers. This enhances very good shaping of the article as a whole, thereby making it less sensitive to external stresses, such as impacts.

In general manner, the jacket also provides

protection to the covered article (against impacts, against bad weather, ... ) .

In addition, the jacket remains secured to the article in long-lasting manner, in contrast for example to protection that has been adhesively bonded on the article .

The term "article" in the meaning of the present invention covers an article that is to be used in regular manner by a person in order to perform an action against another object, the article having a lifetime of at least several months and possibly several years. The jacket thus needs to be capable of carrying inscriptions durably over time and of withstanding the impacts suffered, in particular as a result of the article interacting with the other object. A flask, a bottle, or a container thus does not constitute an article in the meaning of the present invention.

Optionally, the jacket is shaped to match the shape of the portion it covers.

Optionally, the film includes at least three layers.

Optionally, the central layer of the film is the first layer.

Optionally, the resin of the first layer is based on a styrene homopolymer.

Optionally, the resin of the first layer is based on a styrene-butadiene copolymer.

Optionally, the resin of the first layer is based on a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer.

Optionally, the first layer has thickness lying in the range 30% to 60% of the total thickness of the film.

Optionally, the resin of the second layer is based on ethylene.

Optionally, the resin of the second layer is based on polyethylene terephthalate . Optionally, the film has thickness lying in the range 70 micrometers (pm) to 95 pm.

Optionally, the inscription is formed by a film of ink based on polyurethane and/or based on propionate.

Optionally, the inscription is arranged on an inside face of the jacket.

Optionally, the film is covered at least on a portion of at least one face of the film by a slippery varnish and/or a varnish based on polyurethane and/or based on propionate.

Optionally, the jacket includes at least one tear line for tearing the jacket.

The invention also provides an article that is held in service by a person, a jacket as specified above being shrunk onto at least a portion of the article.

Optionally, the article includes a protective sheath covering one end of the jacket shrunk onto the article.

Optionally, the article is a sports article.

The portion may equally well be the portion of the sports article whereby a player interacts with an object, or the portion whereby a person holds the article, which portion is thus subjected to mechanical and chemical stresses, such as sweat, imposed by the player on said portion .

Optionally, the article is a household article, or a handyman article, or a gardening article.

The portion may equally well be the portion of the article whereby a user interacts with an object, or the portion whereby a person holds the article, which portion is thus subjected to mechanical and chemical stresses, such as sweat, imposed by the user on said portion.

The invention also provides a device for shrinking the jacket as specified above, the device comprising at least one adapter for connecting to a steam generator and including at least two ejection nozzles for ejecting steam simultaneously via the two ejection nozzles. Optionally, the adapter has a row of ejection nozzles, said row extending in curved or rectangular manner .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood in the light of the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article having a portion covered by a jacket in a first

embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the jacket prior to being shrunk onto the article shown in Figure 1;

- Figures 3a and 3b show two variant closures of the jacket at the distal end of the article shown in

Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the article shown in Figure 1 prior to positioning a

protective covering on the handle;

- Figure 5 is a view identical to the view of

Figure 4, with the protective covering properly in place on the handle;

- Figure 6 shows an article having a portion covered in a jacket in a second embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 7 shows an article having a portion covered in a jacket in a third embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 8 shows an article having a portion covered in a jacket in a fourth embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 9 shows a device for shrinking a jacket in any of the embodiments of the invention onto an article; and

- Figures 10a and 10b show variants of an adapter of the device shown in Figure 9.

DE TAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the jacket 5 in a first embodiment of the invention is shrunk onto a sports article, which in this example is a cricket bat 1 that extends longitudinally along a first axis X.

Said bat 1 conventionally comprises a blade 2, which is the portion of the bat 1 with which a player strikes a ball, which blade 2 is extended by a transition zone 3 followed by a handle 4 whereby the player holds the bat 1. The transition zone 3 is thus shaped in such a manner as to form a shoulder between the blade 2 and the handle 4.

The jacket 5 is fabricated from a multilayer film.

This makes it possible to have a jacket 5 that is better at withstanding the impacts to which it is subj ected .

STRUCTURE OF THE FILM

The film comprises at least two layers. The film preferably comprises at least three layers.

The film may have a structure that is symmetrical or a structure that is asymmetrical.

In this example, the film is made up of three layers .

In this example, the film comprises a central layer and two outer layers, each covering a respective one of the faces of the central layer.

In this example, the two outer layers are mutually identical. In this example, the central layer is

different from the outer layer.

Thus, the central layer is made from a single first composition B and the outer layers are made from a single second composition A that is identical for the outer layers and different from the first composition B.

A multilayer film is thus obtained having the following layers stacked on one another:

- an outer layer A;

- a central layer B; and - an outer layer A.

In another variant, it is possible to have a film comprising five layers:

- a central layer;

- two intermediate layers covering respective ones of the faces of the central layer; and

- two outer layers covering respective ones of the free faces of the intermediate layers.

In this example, the outer layers are mutually identical. In this example, the intermediate layers are mutually identical. The central layer is different from the outer layers .

Thus, the central layer is formed from a single first composition E, the intermediate layers are formed from a single third composition D that is identical for both intermediate layers, and the outer layers are formed from a single second composition C that is identical for the outer layers and different from the first composition E.

A multilayer film is thus obtained having the following layers stacked on one another:

- an outer layer C;

- an intermediate layer D;

- a central layer E;

- an intermediate layer D; and

- an outer layer C.

In another variant, it is possible to have a film comprising seven layers:

- a central layer;

- two first intermediate layers that cover

respective ones of the faces of the central layer;

- two second intermediate layers that cover

respective ones of the free faces of the first

intermediate layers; and

- two outer layers that cover respective ones of the free faces of the two second intermediate layers. In this example, the outer layers are mutually identical. In this example, the first intermediate layers are mutually identical. In this example, the second intermediate layers are mutually identical. The central layer is different from the outer layers.

Thus, the central layer is formed from a single first composition I, the first intermediate layers from a single third composition H that is identical for both first intermediate layers, the second intermediate layers are formed from a single fourth composition G that is identical for both second intermediate layers, and the outer layers are formed from a single second composition F that is identical for the outer layers and different from the first composition I.

A multilayer film is thus obtained comprising the following layers stacked on one another:

- an outer layer F;

- a second intermediate layer G;

- a first intermediate layer H;

- a central layer I;

- a first intermediate layer H;

- a second intermediate layer G; and

- an outer layer F.

In a variant, the film is made up of a number of layers other than 3, 5, or 7. It is thus possible to have a film made up of two layers. Thus, by way of example, it is possible to have a film made up of the layers A and B or of the layers C and E or of the layers I and F (i.e. a central layer B, E, or I that is to come into contact with the article, and an outer layer A, C, or F) . By way of example, it is thus possible to have a three-layer or four-layer film made up of the layers C,

D, and E or of the layers F, G, and/or H, I (i.e. a central layer that is to come into contact with the article, an outer layer, and one or two intermediate layers) . It is thus possible to have a film that is asymmetrical . Preferably, the film comprises an odd number of layers. Furthermore, and preferably, the layers

surrounding the central layer are identical in pairs, thereby providing the film with symmetry.

COMPOSI TION OF THE LAYER B , OR E , OR I

The first composition comprises one or more resins based on styrene. At least one and preferably all of these resins are thermoplastic resins.

At least one and preferably all of the resins are a styrene homopolymer resin or a styrene-butadiene

copolymer resin.

Preferably, for one hundred parts by weight of the first composition, the first composition has at least 50% by weight of styrene-butadiene copolymer, and preferably at least 70% by weight of styrene-butadiene copolymer.

For a resin based on a styrene-butadiene copolymer, said copolymer may be a block copolymer, a star

copolymer, a statistical copolymer, or indeed a

combination of these various copolymer architectures.

Preferably, the resin is based on a styrene- butadiene-styrene block copolymer.

In particular manner, the first composition is made of a single resin comprising a single styrene-butadiene- styrene (SBS) block copolymer.

COMPOSI TION OF THE LAYER F , OR C , OR A

The second composition comprises one or more resins based on polyester. At least one, and preferably all, of these resins are thermoplastic resins.

At least one, and preferably all, of these resins of the second composition are based on copolyester.

Preferably, at least one, and preferably all, of the resins of the second composition are based on a copolymer of the glycol-modified copolyester type.

Among the various resins, the ester bonds are typically formed from a dicarboxylic acid component (derived from one or more dicarboxylic acids) and from a dihydroxy component (derived from one or more dihydroxy compounds) .

The dicarboxylic acids may be selected from the following list:

- aromatic dicarboxylic acid such as terephthalic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid,

2-methyl-terephthalic acid, diphenyl

ether-4 , 4 ' -dicarboxylic acid, naphthalin-1 , 4-dicarboxylic acid, naphthalin-2 , 6-dicarboxylic acid, ...; and

- aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, such as oxalic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, decane dicarboxylic acid, undecane dicarboxylic acid,

The hydroxy compounds may be selected from the following list:

- aliphatic glycol such as ethylene glycol,

trimethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1 , 4-butanediol , neopentyl glycol, hexamethylene glycol, dodecamethylene glycol ... ;

- cycloalphatic glycol such as cyclohexanediol , cyclohexanedimethanol ... ; and

- aromatic hydroxy compound such as bisphenol

(bisphenol AF, bisphenol F, bisphenol S, ...),

hydroquinone, 1, 3-bis ( 2-hydroxyethoxy) benzene,

1, 4-bis (2-hydroxyethoxy) benzene,

2 , 2-bis ( 4- -hydroxyethoxyphenyl ) propane,

bis ( 4- -hydroxyethoxyphenyl ) sulfone, ... .

For example, the second composition may be made of a resin itself made up of a thermoplastic copolyester formed from a terephthalic acid, as a dicarboxylic acid, and an ethylene glycol and/or a neopentyl glycol and/or a cyclohexanedimethanol, as a hydroxy compound

(specifically a modified glycol) .

For example, at least one of the resins of the second composition is based on ethylene, such as being based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for example. In particular manner, the second composition may be made of a single resin comprising a single PET.

By way of example, the PET selected may be PETg (for glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate ) .

It should be observed that in preferred manner, the central layer is based on styrene-butadiene copolymer and the outer layers are based on PET.

This makes it possible to obtain a film that is particularly good at withstanding impacts.

COMPOSI TION OF THE LAYER D , OR G , OR H

The third composition and/or the fourth composition in this example are provided to make it possible to form intermediate layers that enhance cohesion between the central layer and the outer layer.

The third composition and/or the fourth composition may be identical with the first composition (B, or E, or I) or they may be identical with the second composition (A, or C, or F) or they may comprise the first

composition (B, or E, or I) with one or more other resins or they may comprise the second composition (A, or C, or F) with one or more other resins, or they may comprise a mixture of the first composition (B, or E, or I) with the second composition (A, or C, or F) , or they may comprise a mixture of the first composition (B, or E, or I) with the second composition (A, or C, or F) and with one or more other resins.

The third composition and/or the fourth composition may thus also comprise (as a replacement for or in addition to the statements in the above paragraph) one or more adhesive resins for improving the cohesion of the film.

For example, at least one resin is a modified resin from one (or more) base resins of olefin type and/or of styrene type.

The olefin type base resin is formed from one more homopolymers and/or one or more copolymers of ethylene, of propylene, of alpha-olefin (having 2 to 8 carbon atoms ) , ... .

The styrene type base resin is formed from one or more homopolymers of styrene and/or one or more

copolymers of styrene, e.g. with butadiene.

The modified resin is derived from modifying one or more base resins, e.g. by a carboxylic acid that is grafted on the base resin.

By way of example, the grafted carboxylic acid is a- ethylene or b-ethylene unsaturated. The grafted

carboyxlic acid may be an acrylic acid, a maleic acid, a fumaric acid, an itaconic acid, a hymic acid, ... and/or an anhydride of any one of these acids.

Preferably, the selected grafted carboxylic acid is a maleic anhydride acid.

The modified acid may be diluted in the third composition and/or the fourth composition in the non- modified resin like an olefin type and/or a styrene type base resin, as mentioned above.

THICKNESS OF THE FILM

The thickness of the film lies in the range 10 pm to 120 pm and preferably in the range 35 pm to 94 pm, and more preferably still in the range 40 pm to 90 pm.

This makes it possible to have a jacket 5 that is better specifically at withstanding the impacts to which it is subjected.

Typically, the film has a thickness of at least 70 pm and preferably of at least 75 pm.

In this example, the film is selected to have a thickness of about 85 pm.

THICKNESS OF THE LAYERS

In particular manner, the central layer (B, or E, or I) presents thickness lying in the range 20% to 80%, and preferably in the range 30% to 60%, of the total

thickness of the film. In particular manner, the outer layers (A, or C, or F) individually present thickness lying in the range 5% to 40% and preferably in the range 10% to 30%, and more preferably in the range 20% to 30% of the total thickness of the film.

This distribution of thicknesses makes it possible to have a film, and thus a jacket 5, that is particularly good in particular at withstanding the impacts to which it is subjected.

If the film presents intermediate layers, they preferably present smaller thickness than the thickness of the other layers. In particular manner, the

intermediate layers (D, or G, or H) in a given film together present a thickness lying in the range 1% to 30%, and preferably in the range 5% to 20% of the total thickness of the film.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FILM

The film is preferably stretched in a single

direction .

For example, the film may present a transverse shrinkage ratio that is greater than a longitudinal shrinkage ratio. Typically, the film presents a

transverse shrinkage ratio greater than 70% and a

longitudinal shrinkage ratio substantially closer to 0% (with a tolerance of ±5%, the longitudinal shrinkage ratio nevertheless preferably lying in the range 0 to 5%) .

This enables the jacket 5 to shrink well onto the bat 1. This encourages fine shrinking, with the bat 1 being very well sheathed by the jacket 5, thus making it possible for the assembly to be stronger, and in

particular better at withstanding the impacts to which it is subjected.

The film has very good impact resistance (at the level of the inscriptions or somewhere else than at the level of the inscriptions) . The film presents impact resistance (at the level of the inscriptions or somewhere else than at the level of the inscriptions) of at least 1300 grams (g) (using a so-called "Dart" test

corresponding to the standard ASTM D 1709), or indeed of at least 2.5 joules (J) in accordance with a Charpy test) .

Such a film presents (at the level of the

inscriptions or somewhere else than at the level of the inscriptions) static and dynamic coefficients of friction that are low. Preferable, such a film presents (at the level of the inscriptions or somewhere else than at the level of the inscriptions) static and/or dynamic

coefficients of friction inferior to 0.45 and preferably inferior to 0.35 (relatively for example to a wood article and/or a cricket ball) .

By way of example, such a film presents (at the level of the inscriptions or somewhere else than at the level of the inscriptions) static and/or dynamic

coefficients of friction lying in the range 0.25 to 0.45, and preferably in the range 0.25 to 0.35 (relatively for example to a wood article and/or a cricket ball) .

By way of example, it is possible to measure such coefficients using a test in compliance with the standard ASTM D 1894.

The film could naturally present such static and/or dynamic coefficients of friction. For example, one or several layers could comprise a compound improving the film's sliding (like slippery resin, resin based on polyurethane and/or based on propionate ...)

Alternatively or additionally, the film is covered by a varnish that allows the film to reach such static and/or dynamic coefficients of friction. Such a varnish is for example slippery varnish and/or a varnish based on polyurethane and/or based on propionate...

The varnish could be applied on both faces of the film, in full or in part, or could be applied on one face of the film, in full or in part ... The varnish is for example applied on the zones of the film uncovered by an inscription .

The adhesion between the various layers of the film is preferably greater than 8 newtons (N) , and more preferably greater than 10 N.

FABRICATION OF THE JACKE T

The jacket 5 is fabricated from said film as

follows .

The described film is initially shaped into a tubular sheath, which is stored flat in the form of a reel .

The sheath is then unwound progressively from the reel and passes via a shaper that opens said sheath followed by a cutter member that cuts off a segment of the sheath that has been opened in this way. Said segment forms the jacket 5.

The jacket 5 presents particularly good impact resistance .

As can be seen in Figure 2, prior to shrinking, the jacket is in the form of a segment that is open at both of its longitudinal ends.

Furthermore, the sheath, and thus the jacket 5, includes a line of bonding 6 (visible in Figure 4 and 5) corresponding to the zone where the film was rolled into a tube. By way of example, this bonding is provided by ultrasound bonding, by heat-sealing, by means of an adhesive, ... .

The line of bonding 6 of the jacket 5 in this example extends longitudinally along the first axis X over the full height of the jacket 5.

Preferably, the jacket 5 is arranged on the bat 1 in such a manner that the line of bonding 6 lies on the main face that is remote from the main face with which the ball is usually struck. In a variant, the jacket 5 may be arranged in such a manner that the line of bonding 6 lies on one of the lateral faces of the bat 1 connecting together its two main faces, said lateral spaces being of smaller dimensions and presenting smaller risk of coming into contact with the ball.

This avoids excessively stressing the line of bonding 6 and thus reinforces the strength of the jacket 5.

In particular manner, the jacket 5 is transparent.

The jacket 5 includes at least one inscription 7. Typically, said inscription 7 is printed on the jacket 5.

Preferably, the inscription 7 is printed on the inside face of the jacket 5 (i.e. the face that is in contact with the bat 1) .

This enables the inscription 7 to be better

protected, in particular against the impacts to which it is subjected.

Like stated above, the film of the jacket 5 has low static and/or dynamic coefficients of friction even at the level of the inscriptions.

One or several inks forming the inscription 7 could then naturally present aforementioned static and/or dynamic coefficients of friction.

Preferably, the inscription 7 is made using one or several inks based on polyurethane and/or based on propionate .

This makes it possible to have an inscription 7 that is made by a film of ink that is more flexible, thereby reinforcing the strength of the inscription 7.

Alternatively, or in addition, the film of ink forming the inscription 7 is covered in a slippery varnish that allows the film to reach such static and/or dynamic coefficients of friction.

This thus ensures flexibility for the inscription 7, making it less sensitive to the impacts to which it is subj ected .

Once more this serves to protect the inscription 7 better . Such a varnish is for example slippery varnish and/or a varnish based on polyurethane and/or based on propionate... The varnish could be same than the one applied to the film or a different varnish. It is for example possible to print the film and then to cover at once all the surface of the film (at the level of the inscription and somewhere else than at the level of the inscription) with the same varnish.

The jacket 5 is preferably shrunk so as to extend from the distal end of the blade 2 to the distal end of the handle 4. The jacket 5 is thus shrunk onto an elongate portion that is formed in this example by the blade 2, the transition zone 3, and a portion of the handle 4.

At the distal face of the blade 2, various closures can be envisaged for closing the jacket 5 on the blade 2.

With reference to Figure 3a, and in a first variant, the jacket 5 is shaped in such a manner that the edges of its distal end 8 come into contact with each other and/or overlap. Thus, the entire distal face of the blade 2 is covered by the jacket 5 that presents a closed distal end 8 on the article.

This protects the bat 1 very well.

With reference to Figure 2, when the jacket 5 is flat, its distal end 8 preferably forms a convex rounded shape .

As a result, prior to shrinking, the jacket 5 presents two projections from the distal face of the blade 2, which projections facilitate sealing them together when the jacket 5 is shrunk onto the bat 1.

It is optionally possible to improve the closure at the distal end 8 of the jacket 5 on the blade 2 by performing a sealing operation, e.g. such as ultrasound bonding, heat-sealing, using an adhesive, ... . With reference to Figure 3b, in a second variant, the jacket 5 is shaped not to cover the entire distal face of the blade 2. For example, a central zone of the distal face of the blade 2 is not covered by the jacket

5.

This makes it easier to shrink the jacket 5 onto the bat 1.

Preferably, the bat 1 then includes a protector 9 arranged to cover at least the portion of the distal face of the blade 2 that is not covered by the jacket 5. By way of example, the protector 9 may be made of

elastically deformable material in order to absorb impacts better. The protector 9 is typically based on natural or synthetic rubber.

The protector 9 is preferably held in place on the distal face of the blade 2 by the jacket 5, which is shrunk in part onto said protector 9, thereby securing the protector 9 to the bat 1.

This provides a simple manner for providing the bat 1 with good protection. In addition, the user has no need to secure the protector 9 with adhesive, which might contain corrosive substances.

As can be seen in Figure 2, when the jacket 5 is flat, its proximal end 10 presents two setbacks 11 extended by a terminal portion 12 that is narrower than the remainder of the jacket 5 in order to facilitate shrinking the jacket 5 along the transition zone 3 and the portion 4 of the handle. The proximal end 10 of the jacket 5 is then tightened. This permits to shape the proximal end 10 to the shape of the portion of the bat 1 that is to be covered.

This provides a jacket 5 shaped to match the shape of the portion of the bat 1 that is to be covered. On comparing Figures 1 and 2, it can thus be seen that the jacket 5 when not yet shrunk has substantially the same shape as the portion of the bat 1 that is to be covered. This ensures that the jacket 5 is shrunk very finely onto the bat 1. This makes it possible to make the jacket 5 stronger and also makes it possible to arrange the jacket 5 and thus the inscriptions it bears, even on zones that are complex in shape.

Preferably, the bat 1 includes a cover 13 protecting the handle 4, serving to both protect the handle 4 and to cover the end of the jacket 5 shrunk onto the handle 4 in order to protect it from external attack (sweat, impact from the ball, forces exerted by the user on the handle,

The cover 13 extends to cover not only the handle 4 but also at least a portion of the transition zone 3.

By way of example, the cover 13 may be made of textile material, of rubber (which may be natural or synthetic) ... .

The cover 13 may equally well be sold already shaped, so that the player only has to put the cover 13 onto the handle 4, or else it may be sold in the form of a strip that the player winds around the handle 4 in order to give the final shape to the cover 13 (also known as "straps " ) .

Furthermore, the cover 13 may equally well be closed at one of its longitudinal ends, so as to cover the proximal end of the handle 4, or open at both ends.

Optionally, the bat 1 includes a fastening 14 for fastening the cover 13 to the bat 1. The fastening 14 typically comprises a strip of adhesive material placed over both the distal end of the cover 13 and also the corresponding portion of the bat 1.

Preferably, in order to facilitate removal of the jacket 5, said jacket 5 includes at least one first tear line 15. Said tear line 15 extends longitudinally along the first axis X over the full length of the jacket 5.

In particular manner, the jacket 5 includes a second tear line 16 parallel to the first tear line 15 and likewise extending over the full length of the jacket 5. Said tear lines 15 and 16 may for example be

provided in the form of microperforations in the jacket

5.

In this example, the tear lines 15 and 16 lie on either side of the line of bonding 6, each tear line 15, 16 being spaced apart from the line of bonding 6 by the same distance.

Advantage is thus taken of the more fragile line of bonding 6 to facilitate removal of the jacket 5.

Preferably, the jacket 5 includes a grip tab 17 associated with the tear lines 15, 16. Said grip tab 17 in this example is arranged between the two tear lines 15, 16 so as to project from the proximal end 10 of the jacket 5. By way of example, the grip tab 17 is

adhesively bonded on the jacket 5.

The player can thus very easily take hold of the grip tab 17 and pull it towards the end of the bat in order to tear the jacket 5 along its tear line.

As shown in Figure 5, and in advantageous manner, the cover 13 masks the grip tab 17, thus avoiding

involuntarily tearing from the tab while the bat 1 is in use .

This provides a bat 1 that is well protected, and in addition, it is not only possible to change the jacket 5, it can also be changed quickly and easily.

This makes it possible in particular to change the jacket 5 once it becomes damaged or when it is desired to change the inscriptions marked on the jacket 5.

In addition, this makes it easy to recycle the bat 1 by enabling the jacket 5 to be removed from the bat 1 at the end of the bat's lifetime.

Although the presently-described sports article is a cricket bat 1, the invention naturally relates to any type of sports article.

In a second embodiment shown in Figure 6, the sports article is a baseball bat 101, and the jacket 105 is made of heat-shrinkable material that is shrunk onto the distal portion of the bat 101 used by a player to strike the ball.

In a variant, the jacket 105 is shrunk onto the proximal portion of the bat 101 that is held by the player .

In yet another variant, the jacket 105 is shrunk both onto the distal portion and onto the proximal portion of the bat 101 in such a manner as to cover the proximal portion in full or in part and/or in such a manner as to cover the distal portion in full or in part.

In a third embodiment shown in Figure 7, the sports article is a racket 201 for tennis, table tennis,

badminton, ..., the jacket of heat-shrinkable material 205 being shrunk onto the handle of the racket 201.

It should be observed that it is naturally equally possible to shrink a jacket onto the handle of a sports article that is not involved in racket sports, such as the handle of a bat, a hockey stick, ... .

The invention can thus be transposed to numerous sporting applications regardless of whether the jacket is shrunk onto the portion that is to interact with an element, with water, with snow, the ground, ..., and/or on the portion that is to be held by the player. The invention can thus be used on the blades of oars, sculls, paddles, ..., on bats, on rackets, on hockey sticks, on ski sticks, on curling brooms, ... .

Furthermore, although the articles described are sports articles, the invention naturally applies to other articles .

Thus, the invention can be transposed to household articles (brooms, squeegees, ...), or indeed handyman articles (hammers, screwdrivers, ...), gardening articles (rakes, spades, ...) or more generally any "do-it- yourself" (DIY) article.

In a fourth embodiment shown in Figure 8, the article is a broom 601, the jacket 605 of heat-shrinkable material being shrunk onto the distal portion of the broom 601 with which a person engages the ground. In addition or instead, the jacket 605 may be shrunk onto the handle of the broom 601.

Once more, the invention can thus be transposed to numerous everyday applications regardless of whether the jacket is shrunk onto a portion that is to interact with an element, with water, snow, the ground, ..., and/or on the portion that is to be held by a person. Furthermore, the invention can be used on any type of material. The invention is particularly advantageous on articles made of wood.

In particular manner, the jacket is shrunk onto the article by the user in person and not in a factory.

For this purpose, there follows a description with reference to Figure 9 of a shrinker device 300 for shrinking the jacket.

In this example, the device 300 comprises a steam generator 301. By way of example, the steam generator 301 is a portable steam generator or indeed an individual steam cleaner of the kind usually commercially available. By way of example, mention may be made of steam cleaners sold under the trademark Karcher or indeed the trademark Tristar .

The device 300 preferably comprises a steam

generator 301 delivering steam at a pressure of at least 3 bars .

In this example, the steam generator 301 is also selected so that it delivers steam at a rate of at least 35 grams per minute (g/min) , and preferably at a rate lying in the range 35 g/min to 40 g/min.

The steam generator 301 typically has a tank of at least 0.2 liters (L) .

In this example, the steam generator 301 has power of at least 1000 watts (W) .

The steam generator 301 delivers steam via a gun of the device (not shown) , which is connected to the steam generator 301 via a hose 302 of the device 300. In a variant, instead of the gun, the device 300 has an adapter 303 that makes it easier for a user to perform the step of shrinking the jacket onto the article. In particular, the adapter 303 is such that a user need only slide it along the portion that is to be covered in a single go stroke or in a single go-and-return stroke to ensure that the jacket is properly shrunk onto the article .

The adapter 303 thus includes at least one segment of a circular ring that is to face the article.

In particular manner, the adapter 303 comprises a closed ring 304 connected to the steam delivery hose 302, the ring 304 having ejection nozzles 305 all around its circumference (only some of which are referenced herein) that are distributed in regular manner over all of said circumference apart from at the connection with the hose 302. Typically, the ejection nozzles 305 are holes formed in the inside surface of the ring 304 so that they all face towards the inside of the ring 304. The ring 304 thus has a circular row of ejection nozzles 305.

The ring 304 is entirely circular, or substantially circular (given its connection with the hose 302, which might flatten the ring 304 locally) .

By way of example, the ring 304 is made of plastics material or indeed of a metal material.

In operation, the user arranges the jacket around the portion that is to be covered.

The user starts the steam generator 301 and then causes the ring 304 to slide along said portion in such a manner as to cause the jacket to shrink onto said portion as a result of the action of the steam ejected over

360 degrees by the ring 304.

This enables shrinking to be performed simply, quickly, and effectively, even when using a domestic steam generator 301. In particular, it is possible to shrink a jacket onto an article in only a few minutes (about three minutes, including the time for the steam generator to heat up) .

In addition, shrinking is performed in a manner that is safe for the user.

Naturally, the adapter 303 may have some other shape .

A first variant is shown in Figure 10a. In this variant, instead of an entire ring, the adapter 403 comprises a circular half-ring 404.

The half-ring 404 includes ejection nozzles 405

(only some of which are referenced) over its entire circumference, being distributed in regular manner over all of said circumference. Typically, the ejection nozzles 405 are holes formed in the inside surface of the half-ring 404 so that they all face towards the inside of the half-ring 404. The ring 404 thus has a circular row of ejection nozzles 405.

By way of example, the half-ring 404 is made out of plastics material, or indeed out of a metal material.

It is thus possible to shrink the jacket, e.g. in two stages, beginning by shrinking it over a first side of the portion of the article followed by shrinking it over a second side of the portion of the article, as a result of steam being ejected over 180 degrees by the half-ring 404.

A second variant is shown in Figure 10b. In this variant, the adapter 503 likewise comprises an entire ring 504.

Nevertheless, it also includes an internal arc 506 that is concentric with the ring 504 but that is not closed. Said arc 506 forms half of a circular arc, for example .

The ejection nozzles 505 are then arranged in the arc 506 only. The ejection nozzles 505 are distributed in regular manner over its entire circumference.

Typically, the ejection nozzles 505 are holes formed in the inside surface of the arc 506 so that they all face towards the inside of the arc 506. The ring 504 thus has a circular row of ejection nozzles 505.

The arc 506 and/or the ring 504 may for example be made of plastics material, or indeed out of a metal material .

As a result, the adapter 503 makes it possible to eject steam over only 180 degrees, while limiting any risk of projecting steam over 360 degrees by means of its ring 504.

Advantageously, the various adapters are

interchangeable with one another and with the gun, and can thus all be used with the same steam generator 301 and the same hose 302.

Thus, as a result of the ease with which the jacket can be shrunk onto the portion that is to be protected, in a particular aspect of the invention, a trader may sell separately the shrinker device 300, articles, and jackets having a variety of inscriptions.

A user can thus select which jacket is to be

arranged on a particular article. In addition, the user can easily change jacket by removing a preceding jacket and shrinking a new jacket onto the same article.

In particular manner, the user selects the

inscription ( s ) for marking on a blank jacket prior to shrinking it onto the intended article.

The invention thus provides the owner of an article with a wide choice for personalizing that article, with it also being possible for that personalization to be changed over time.

The personalization may also take place over

360 degrees and over the entire length of the portion in question (and thus in the example of a cricket bat, over the entire length of its blade) .

The invention also makes it possible to provide personalization that is long-lasting and consistent with the lifetime of the article. The invention is thus a dynamic and long-lasting communications tool.

The invention is not limited to the above

description, but on the contrary covers any variant coming into the ambit defined by the claims.

In particular, the film from which the jacket is made may have a composition other than that specified.

For example, the outer layers may be made of a material other than PET, and for example they may be based on polycarboxylate superplasticizer (also known as

tresylated polyethylene glycol (T-PEG) ) . The

intermediate layers could have a composition other than that specified.

The film forming the jacket may equally well be stretched in the transverse direction (the film is then referred to in the art as having a transverse direction orientation (TDO) film) or in the machine direction orientation (MDO) .

The film could be made by extrusion (potentially by co-extrusion) , by rolling (potentially controlled

accumulative rolling) ...

The jacket may be shaped differently from that which is stated above, in particular concerning the shape of the portion that is to be covered. The jacket can thus be shaped to match the shape of the portion that is to be covered. The jacket may have a profile that is dedicated to the portion that is to be covered. The jacket may be closed at one of its ends even before it is shrunk onto the portion that is to be covered. Preferably, the jacket presents a closed end (either before and after shrinking, or only after shrinking) , having the shape of a corresponding end of a portion of the covered article.

The inscriptions may be printed on the outside face of the jacket, opposite from its inside face in contact with the article, in addition to or instead of the inscriptions printed on the inside face of the jacket. The jacket may include tracers to cause the article to become a connected article. The jacket may thus include a chip or an RFID tag, for example.

Although the jacket is described as being

transparent (apart from its potential inscriptions), the jacket could be opaque over its entire surface or over a portion only of its surface, with the inscriptions then being of contrasting color (s) . For example, the jacket could be bulk colored and/or covered on its inner and/or outer face in an opaque layer, with the inscriptions then being in contrasting color (s) .

The jacket may have a number of tear lines that is different from that stated, and possibly it could have no tear lines. The jacket need not include the grip tongue or it could present a larger number of grip tongues.

The jacket may be shrunk onto portions other than those stated. The portion concerned may be elongate in shape, either rectangular or curved.

Although the shrinker device includes a steam generator, the shrinker device could have any other generator of heat suitable for performing shrinking, such as a dryer operating with hot air. In general manner, the jacket may be shrunk onto the article in a manner other than that described, and for example this shrinking may be performed industrially in ovens, in steam tunnels, using hot air, ... , as is well known to the person skilled in the art.

The adapter could have a shape other than the shape described, such as for example the shape of a hollowed- out racket through which the user passes the portion onto which the jacket is to be shrunk ... . The adapter may have a row for carrying the ejection nozzles that is plane (and not curved as described above) .

Nevertheless, it is preferable for the jacket to be shrunk in a manner that is as uniform as possible in order to avoid the heat-shrunk jacket including zones that present different quantities of material on the article, which would weaken the jacket.