Globalmed, Inc.

Schauenburg Hose Technology Gmbh

Schouenburg Hose Technology Gmbh

Schaunburg Hose Technology Gmbh

Ralf Jourdan

Carl J Garrett

Martin E Forrester

A method of continuously forming an axially extensible and retractable hose comprising: continuously forming an axially extending helix with axially spaced reinforcing coils from extruded thermoplastic material having a uniform cross-section along its length; and continuously bridging between an adjacent pair of the reinforcing coils with a continuous web of extruded thermoplastic material of substantially uniform width and relatively thin cross-section to form a continuous, helically extending sidewall, with the web having one of two opposite edge regions bonded continuously to a relatively flat outer bonding surface of a radially outwardly located portion of one of the adjacent pair of reinforcing coils, with the web having the other of the edge regions bonded continuously to a relatively flat inner bonding surface of a radially inwardly located portion of the other of the pair of reinforcing coils, and with the edge regions continuously radially separated from each other by the helix.

Stretch hose and hose production method

A method of continuously forming an axially extensible and retractable hose comprising the steps of continuously forming an axially extending helix with axially spaced reinforcing coils from extruded thermoplastic material having a uniform cross-section along its length; and continuously bridging between an adjacent pair of the reinforcing coils with a continuous web of extruded thermoplastic material of substantially uniform width and relatively thin cross-section to form a continuous, helically extending sidewall, with the web having one of two opposite edge regions bonded continuously to a relatively flat outer bonding surface of a radially outwardly located portion of one of the adjacent pair of reinforcing coils, with the web having the other of the edge regions bonded continuously to a relatively flat inner bonding surface of a radially inwardly located portion of the other of the pair of reinforcing coils, and with the edge regions continuously radially separated from each other by the helix.

An extruded bead of thermoplastics material and an extruded tape-like web of thermoplastics material are wrapped in a coordinated manner around a rotating mandrel to continuously form a corrugated, helically reinforced, uniquely constructed 'stretch hose' having a thread-like exterior appearance dominated by the web extending in an inclined spiral as it bridges from an outer diameter of each reinforcing coil to an inner diameter of the next-formed reinforcing coil. When the hose is axially compressed, the thin web-defined wall that connects each adjacent pair of reinforcing coils advantageously has one portion that bends or folds radially outwardly, and another portion that bends or folds radially inwardly. Discrete lengths of the hose are treated to minimize stress, to reset memory, and to greatly enhance hose flexibility.

A flexible, stretchable, crush resistant hose particularly well suited for supplying breathing gases to patients in medical applications and the like is formed by providing a helix of coils of thermoplastic material that are bonded to a web of thermoplastic material, preferably along inner diameter surface portions of the coils. The web extends radially outwardly from between adjacent coils to define a helical reverse-direction crease at a maximum outer diameter of the hose when the hose is in a normal minimal-length condition wherein the coils are situated side-by-side sandwiching portions of the web therebetween. The thermoplastic material of hose is stress relieved by an annealing process performed while the hose is axially compressed after the hose is formed.

Method of hose manufacture

A flexible, stretchable, crush resistant hose particularly well suited for supplying breathing gases to patients in medical applications and the like has a helix defined by coils of thermoplastic material, and a web of thermoplastic material bonded or welded to adjacent ones of the coils, preferably along inner diameter portions of the surfaces of the coils. The web extends radially outwardly from between the adjacent coils to define a helical reverse-direction crease at a maximum outer diameter of the hose when the hose is in a normal minimal-length condition wherein the coils are situated side-by-side sandwiching portions of the web therebetween. The thermoplastic material of hose is stress relieved by an annealing process after the hose is formed, to enhance the flexibility of the hose and the ease with which the hose can be extended.

Growing community of inventors

Moerfelden-Walldorf, Germany

Ralf Jourdan