DE102020118755A1 - Plastic hose, in particular shower hose - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a plastic hose (1) for a pipe carrying drinking water, in particular having a sanitary hose, for example a shower hose
- either an inner layer (11) and a first colored intermediate layer (12) or a colored inner layer (11),
- a second, transparent intermediate layer (13),
- at least one metal-colored strip (14) on the outside at least, which is wound helically around the second, transparent intermediate layer (13) on the outside or is extruded into the second, transparent intermediate layer (13) and
- at least one transparent outer layer (15) with which the second, transparent intermediate layer (13) and the metal-colored band (14) are coated,
- whereby the metal-colored strip (14) on the outside is wound helically on the second, transparent intermediate layer (13) or in the second, transparent intermediate layer (13) in such a way that there are distances between the individual windings, whereby the first, colored intermediate layer (12 ) or the colored inner layer (11) is visible.

Description

The present invention relates to a plastic hose for a pipe carrying drinking water, in particular a sanitary hose, for example a shower hose. Furthermore, the invention relates to a plastic hose arrangement.

Plastic hoses are known from the prior art, which are used, for example, as shower hoses. In the past, metal hoses were mostly used for flexible shower hoses.

The flexible metal hoses used in the past were constructed in such a way that there was a helically surrounding metal band, in which each turn was provided with an outwardly protruding rib, with the hose being able to be pushed together in the longitudinal direction and the individual windings of the metal band overlapping and interlocking was. The hose was flexible in this way, but had a ribbed, non-planar outer surface that was difficult to clean.

Compared to the conventional metal hose, the plastic hose has the advantage of being inexpensive to manufacture. Furthermore, a plastic hose is superior to a metal hose due to its smooth and therefore easy-care outer layer.

Although for some time these metal hoses have been replaced by plastic hoses, efforts are still being made to make such a plastic hose resemble a metal hose in appearance. In the case of shower hoses, in particular, a plastic hose that looks like a metal hose is desired. The plastic hoses replacing this metal hose have been developed with an inner layer around which a metal-colored tape is helically wound, with a colorless outer layer being applied to this arrangement. A disadvantage of this type of production is a consistently metallic appearance of the plastic hose, which is only remotely reminiscent of the appearance of a metal hose with its three-dimensional metal band.

In addition to the aesthetic aspect of the metal look, it is necessary for the plastic hose to meet the requirements for the materials used for pipes carrying drinking water. Special requirements are placed on the materials that come into contact with the drinking water on the inside of the plastic hoses. For example, it is not permitted to use any type of plastic, in particular the use of PVC on the inside of the plastic hoses is no longer possible.

This is where the invention comes in.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose a plastic hose which, thanks to its smooth outer layer, is easy to clean, but whose structure also produces the three-dimensional effect of earlier metal hoses. A plastic hose is also proposed, which has a material on its inside that can come into contact with drinking water.

• - entweder eine Innenschicht und eine erste, farbige Zwischenschicht oder eine farbige Innenschicht,
• - eine zweite, transparente Zwischenschicht,
• - wenigstens ein zumindest außenseitig metallfarbiges Band, das wendelförmig außen um die zweite, transparente Zwischenschicht herumgewickelt ist oder in die zweite, transparente Zwischenschicht einextrudiert ist und
• - wenigstens eine transparente Außenschicht, mit der die zweite, transparente Zwischenschicht und das metallfarbige Band überzogen sind,

wobei das metallfarbene Band wendelförmig so auf die zweite, transparente Zwischenschicht oder in der zweiten, transparenten Zwischenschicht gewickelt ist, dass zwischen den einzelnen Wicklungen jeweils Abstände bestehen, wodurch die erste, farbige Zwischenschicht oder die farbige Innenschicht sichtbar ist.The object is achieved according to the invention in that a plastic hose for a pipe carrying drinking water, in particular a sanitary hose, for example a shower hose, is proposed, pointing from the inside to the outside

• - either an inner layer and a first colored intermediate layer or a colored inner layer,
• - a second, transparent intermediate layer,
• - at least one metal-colored strip, at least on the outside, which is wound helically around the second, transparent intermediate layer on the outside or is extruded into the second, transparent intermediate layer and
• - at least one transparent outer layer covering the second, transparent intermediate layer and the metallic colored band,

wherein the metal-colored ribbon is wound helically on the second, transparent intermediate layer or in the second, transparent intermediate layer such that there are gaps between the individual windings, whereby the first, colored intermediate layer or the colored inner layer is visible.

The second, transparent intermediate layer radially spaces the first, colored intermediate layer and the metal-colored band from one another. Looking at the plastic hose from the outside, this radial distance between the first, colored intermediate layer, which is visible through the spirally wound tape, and the tape itself creates a slight three-dimensional effect. This three-dimensional effect is supported by the fact that when light falls on the plastic tube, the metal-colored band casts a slight shadow on the first, colored intermediate layer. This can be seen particularly clearly if the color of the first intermediate layer or the colored inner layer is not too dark. Light colors are therefore particularly suitable tones, for example white tones, gray tones or other light shades.

The respective radial distances of the metal-colored band and the first, colored intermediate layer or the colored inner layer from the imaginary central axis of the tube can be chosen to be of different sizes, with the distance being variable in that the second, transparent intermediate layer has a different thickness.

In the context of the present invention, the metal-colored tape to be wound helically can be wound to the left or to the right, ie clockwise or counterclockwise around the central axis of the hose.

The transparent outer layer creates a smooth surface that is easy to clean while protecting the layers underneath and the metallic colored band. Compared to the conventional metal hose, the plastic hose according to the invention has the advantage that, for example, it does not scratch the surfaces in a bathtub due to mechanical action.

It can be provided that the plastic hose has a reinforcement, the reinforcement having internal or overlying longitudinal threads or an internal or overlying cross fabric. The stability of the plastic hose is changed by the reinforcement. There is the possibility that the longitudinal threads or the cross fabric of the reinforcement consist of a polyester fiber material, for example PET. A desired reinforcement can be set by varying the thickness of the longitudinal threads or the cross weave. This then also affects the strength or flexibility of the plastic hose. The reinforcement can be selected in such a way that the longitudinal threads or the cross weave are not visible or only slightly visible through the outer layer of the plastic tube.

Provision can be made for the metal-colored band to be glued onto the second, transparent intermediate layer. The second, transparent intermediate layer serves as a spacer in the radial direction of the plastic hose between the first, colored intermediate layer or colored inner layer and the metal-colored band. The metal-colored band can be designed differently depending on the desired visual impression, for example, a rectangular cross-section is possible. It is also conceivable to use a slightly curved band in order to achieve a slightly different visual impression.

It can be provided that the band has a width of 1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 3 mm. Different widths of the metal-colored band can create different overall impressions of the appearance of the hose.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the distances between the windings of the tape wound helically onto the second, transparent intermediate layer are 0.3 mm to 3.3 mm, preferably 1.8 mm. By varying the distance between the windings, a different amount of the first, colored intermediate layer or the colored inner layer is visible, as a result of which a different optical effect can be achieved.

It can be provided that the inner layer is a layer made of a thermoplastic elastomer or TPSiV or contains PEX or PE, in particular LLDPE, or these materials. The first, colored intermediate layer can contain or consist of a thermoplastic elastomer, TPSiV or PVC. The second, transparent intermediate layer can contain or consist of thermoplastic elastomer, TPSiV or PVC.

Finally, the outer layer can contain or consist of PVC. There is the possibility that the thermoplastic elastomer is a TPO or a synthetic product from a silicone rubber and a technical thermoplastic, in particular a TPSiV or a PEX or a PE, in particular PE-LLD.

Provision can be made for the first colored intermediate layer or the colored inner layer to be colored, in particular with colored pigments, or painted or coated with a layer of powder or with a hot stamping foil. The first colored intermediate layer or the colored inner layer is preferably colored silver, gray or white in order to support the desired optical 3D effect of a metal hose. According to the invention, other colorings are also possible if other optical effects are desired.

It can be provided that the inner layer 15% to 20% and the first, colored intermediate layer 5% to 20% or the colored inner layer 15% to 40%, the second, transparent intermediate layer including the metal-colored band 30% to 60% and the Outer layer is 15% to 35% of the wall thickness of the plastic hose. With a plastic hose according to the invention, there is the possibility that the inner layer has a layer thickness of 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably 0.5 mm, and the first, colored intermediate layer has a layer thickness of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm preferably 0.3mm or the colored inner layer a layer thickness of 0.3mm to 1.5mm, preferably 0.5mm, the second, transparent intermediate layer including metal-colored band a layer thickness of 1mm to 1.6mm, preferably 1.3mm and the outer layer one Layer thickness of 0.5mm to 0.9mm, preferably 0.7mm. The outer diameter of the plastic hose can be between 12mm and 15mm.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a plastic hose arrangement for a pipe carrying drinking water, having at least one plastic hose according to the invention, a connection piece at one end of the plastic hose, which can be attached to a water-dispensing device, for example a sanitary fitting, and a connection piece at a second end of the plastic hose, which can be attached to a water-dispensing device, such as a shower head can be attached.

• 1 einen Querschnitt durch einen erfindungsgemäßen Kunststoffsch lauch

Further features and advantages of the present invention become clear from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying figure. It shows:

• 1 a cross section through a plastic hose according to the invention

The exemplary plastic hose 1 according to the invention has four layers 11 , 12 , 13 , 15 and a metal-colored band 14 on the outside. The hose also has a reinforcement 16 .

The inner layer 11 of the plastic tube 1 is made of TPE. The first colored intermediate layer 12 adjoining the inner layer 11 on the outside is made of PVC. For the extrusion of the intermediate layer, a transparent PVC granulate is used as the base material, to which a white, gray or silver-colored PVC granulate, preferably colored with pigments, is added. This gives the intermediate layer 12 a selected color.

The reinforcement 16 adjoins the colored intermediate layer 12, the reinforcement 16 having internal or overlying longitudinal threads or an internal or overlying cross fabric. It is easily possible for the reinforcement 16 to be arranged between the inner layer 11 and the first colored intermediate layer 12 . It is also conceivable, without any inventive step, for the reinforcement 16 to be arranged between other layers.

A second, transparent inner layer 13 is then applied in a further extrusion step. The metal-colored band 14 is wound helically around the second, transparent intermediate layer 13 on the outside. The metallic colored band 14 preferably has a width of 3mm. The helical winding is designed in such a way that distances of preferably 1.8 mm are created between the windings. Due to the spacing of the windings of the metal-colored tape 14, the colored intermediate layer 12 becomes visible.

The second, transparent intermediate layer 13 has a layer thickness that is at least twice as thick, preferably 4 times as thick as the first, colored intermediate layer 12. Due to the large layer thickness of the second, transparent intermediate layer 13, the metal-colored band is at a distance from the translucent first, colored intermediate layer 12. Furthermore, it is prevented that the first, colored intermediate layer between the individual windings of the metal-colored tape 14 emerges. This arrangement creates a three-dimensional effect with shadows.

In a further extrusion step, a transparent PVC outer layer 14 is then applied, which protects the second, transparent intermediate layer 13 and the metal-colored tape 14.

• - der Innenschicht 11 von 0,5mm,
• - der ersten, farbigen Zwischenschicht 12 von 0,3mm,
• - der zweiten, transparenten Zwischenschicht 13 einschließlich metallfarbenen Band 14 von 1,3mm und
• - der Außenschicht 15 von 0,7mm auf.

the inside 1 Plastic tube 1 according to the invention shown has a layer thickness

• - the inner layer 11 of 0.5mm,
• - the first, colored intermediate layer 12 of 0.3mm,
• - the second, transparent intermediate layer 13 including metal-colored band 14 of 1.3 mm and
• - the outer layer 15 of 0.7mm.

The inside diameter of the plastic tubing is 1 in 1 is 8.2mm and the outer diameter is 13.8mm.

Claims (12)

Plastic hose (1) for a pipe carrying drinking water, in particular a sanitary hose, for example a shower hose, having - either an inner layer (11) and a first, colored intermediate layer (12) or a colored inner layer (11), - a second, transparent intermediate layer (13 ), - at least one metal-colored strip (14) on the outside at least, which is wound helically around the second, transparent intermediate layer (13) on the outside or is extruded into the second, transparent intermediate layer and - at least one transparent outer layer (15), with which the second, transparent intermediate layer (13) and the metallic-colored band (14) are coated, - the externally metallic-colored band (14) being helically positioned on the second, transparent intermediate layer (13) or in the second, transparent intermediate layer (13) is wound, that there are gaps between the individual windings, whereby the first, colored intermediate layer (12) or the colored inner layer (11) is visible. Plastic hose (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the plastic hose (1) has a reinforcement (16), the reinforcement (16) having internal or overlying longitudinal threads or an internal or overlying cross fabric. Plastic hose (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 2 , characterized in that the longitudinal threads or the cross weave of the reinforcement (16) consist of a polyester fibre, for example PET. Plastic hose (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the metal-colored band (14) is glued to the second, transparent intermediate layer (13). Plastic hose (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the band (14) has a width of 1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 3 mm. Plastic hose (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the distances between the windings of the strip (14) wound helically onto the second, transparent intermediate layer (13) are 0.3 mm to 3.3 mm, preferably 1.8 mm. Plastic hose (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that - the inner layer (11) is a thermoplastic elastomer or TPSiV or a PEX or PE, in particular PE-LLD and/or - the first, colored intermediate layer (12) is a thermoplastic elastomer, TPSiV or PVC and/or - the second, transparent intermediate layer (13) contains a thermoplastic elastomer, TPSiV or PVC and/or - the outer layer (15) contains PVC or consists of these substances. Plastic hose (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the thermoplastic elastomer is a TPO or a synthetic product from a silicone rubber and an engineering thermoplastic, in particular a TPSiV or a PEX or PE, in particular LLDPE. Plastic hose (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the first, colored intermediate layer (12) or the colored inner layer (11) is colored, in particular with color pigments, or painted or coated with a layer of powder or with a hot stamping foil. Plastic hose (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that - the inner layer (11) 15% to 20% and - the first, colored intermediate layer (12) 5% to 20% or - the colored inner layer (11) 15% to 40%, - the second, transparent Intermediate layer (13) including the metal-colored band (14) is 30% to 60% and - the outer layer (15) is 15% to 35% of the wall thickness of the plastic hose (1). Plastic hose (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that - the inner layer (11) has a layer thickness of 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably 0.5 mm and - the first colored intermediate layer (12) has a layer thickness of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably 0. 3 mm or - the colored inner layer (11) a layer thickness of 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.5 mm, - the second, transparent intermediate layer (13) including the metal-colored band (14) a layer thickness of 1 mm to 1.6 mm, preferably 1.3 mm, - the outer layer (15) has a layer thickness of 0.5 mm to 0.9 mm, preferably 0.7 mm. Plastic hose arrangement for a drinking water line, having at least - a plastic hose (1) according to claims 1 until 11 - a connecting piece at one end of the plastic hose, which can be fastened to a water-dispensing device, for example a sanitary fitting, and - a connecting piece at a second end of the plastic hose, which can be fastened to a water-dispensing device, for example a shower head.

Images