Flexible Technologies, Inc.

Roy Herron

Stephen Mountford

Thomas Dove

James Smouse

Meredith Kaye Torgerson

Gregory Moulton

A hose assembly is formed with a flexible helical hose body, a termination ring secured to an end, and over-molded plastic. The termination ring includes a main ring, a secondary ring, and connector members, each configured to span between and be integrally connected with the main and secondary rings. The main ring has an inside surface formed to threadably couple to a corresponding helical portion of the hose body, and be positioned at least two to three turns away from the hose end. The length of the connector members positions the secondary ring at least two turns closer to the hose end. Each connector member has outwardly protruding ridges. Plastic is over-molded to encapsulate the first end of the hose body, to encapsulate the secondary ring and each connector member, and to encapsulate a portion of the main ring, while extending beyond the hose end to form a soft cuff.

Flexible hose with improved over-molded cuffs and methods of making same

A flexible hose is adapted to maintain its inner wall temperature above the dew point of air transported between a CPAP machine's humidifier and mask, preventing condensation. An electrically energizable heating element forms a helical reinforcement member. The hose's first end has a standard CPAP soft end cuff. The second end comprises a special end fitting including: a support ring, electrical jack, and a specially shaped over-molded plastic cuff. The support ring has a ring portion threadably secured onto the helical reinforcing member, and a receptacle extending therefrom. A coaxial electrical jack is received within the receptacle, with the energizable heating element of the helix being wired to the prongs of the jack. A soft plastic cuff is molded over much of the ring portion and receptacle, to provide further integrity of the end fitting, while the remaining portion of the cuff conforms to the standard CPAP end cuff configuration.

Heated CPAP hose and fitting

An improved flexible hose for carrying fluids is disclosed. The hose has a first end and a second end, and is typically in a retracted position when no tensile force placed on an end of the hose and in an extended condition when a tensile force of a pulling nature is placed on an end of the hose. The hose has a thermoplastic cover on its outer surface. The thermoplastic cover has an interior surface and an exterior surface. On the interior surface there is a helical member adhered thereto this helical member being comprised of a material capable of carrying a current of electricity. The hose of the present invention stretches at least 100 percent over its at rest position when a pulling force is placed on one end of the hose.

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Starr, SC, United States of America

Roy Herron