JP5255269B2 - hose - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hose used for, for example, a pull-out faucet attached to a wash basin, a sink or the like, and more particularly to a hose that can prevent water leakage and has excellent productivity.

  Conventionally, as a pull-out faucet attached to a cabinet such as a wash basin or a sink, a hose having an inner tube and a reinforcing tube is connected to a water discharge head, and the hose can be pulled out and stored together with the water discharge head. It has been. This type of faucet is widely used because it is possible to easily draw out and store the water discharge head and the hose, and to discharge water at an arbitrary position by holding the water discharge head. In general, a metal bellows tube is used as the reinforcing tube, and a resin or rubber tube is used as the inner tube. However, this type of faucet has a structure in which the reinforcing pipe is formed by processing a metal plate into a bellows shape, so there is a gap for water to enter the pipe, and the infiltrated water flows between the inner tube and the reinforcing pipe. However, there is a problem that water leaks from the middle of the reinforcing tube or from the gap between the ends of the hose, and water enters the inside of the cabinet. Therefore, a water receiving tank is installed inside the cabinet to accommodate the water leaked from the hose, but the maintenance and maintenance of the water collecting tank cost and space, and the accumulated water must be discarded regularly. From this point, improvement is desired.

For such problems, various proposals have been made to prevent water leakage by eliminating the gap between the reinforcing tube of the hose and the inner tube so that water does not flow down. For example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 describe that a resin foam, a hair-like or lip-like sealing material is formed between the reinforcing tube and the inner tube to prevent water from flowing down. Yes. Patent Document 1 describes that the inner tube is expanded in diameter in the radial direction by the pressure when water is passed, and the outer surface of the inner tube is brought into contact with the inner surface of the reinforcing tube to prevent the water from flowing down. Yes.
Japanese Patent No. 3936732 Japanese Patent No. 3149482

  In manufacturing the hose, the reinforcing tube and the inner tube are produced in separate steps, and then the inner tube is inserted into the reinforcing tube. In the case where the sealing material is formed as described above, the outer diameter of the inner tube including the sealing material needs to be the same as or larger than the inner diameter of the reinforcing tube in order to prevent water leakage. For this reason, the work of inserting the inner tube is extremely difficult, and if the work is not performed carefully, the inner tube may be stretched or the sealing material may be damaged. In addition, when the sealing material is injected in a subsequent process, the process becomes very difficult and the productivity is inferior.

  In addition, when the inner tube is expanded and expanded in the radial direction by the pressure during water flow, the water flow not only occurs during water flow, but also drops of water adhering to the water discharge head flow down after water flow. Sometimes. In order to completely prevent the flow down, it is necessary to use a soft or thin inner tube in order to maintain the diameter expansion at the time of passing water, which limits the material and structure of the inner tube. Become. Therefore, the mechanical strength required for the inner tube cannot be obtained, or an expensive material is required to obtain the required mechanical strength, and it is difficult to obtain a practically useful hose.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hose that can prevent water leakage and is excellent in productivity.

In order to achieve the above object, a hose according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a reinforcing tube in which a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion are repeatedly configured, and an inner tube disposed on the inner periphery of the reinforcing tube. In the hose, the inner tube is composed of multiple layers, and includes at least an inner layer made of a crosslinked material and an outermost layer made of a thermoplastic material. The crosslinked material is made of a polyolefin-based resin, and the thermoplastic material is , A mixture composition of styrene elastomer and polyethylene, a mixture composition of polypropylene and propylene-ethylene copolymer, and a fully hydrogenated styrene elastomer, and heating the thermoplastic material at 120 ° C. at 200 ± 5 MPa deformation rate was 90% from 30%, the inner tube is composed of a large diameter portion and the small diameter portion of the reinforcing tube gap And it is characterized in that it is fixed to part invade.
The hose of claim 2, said inner tube, in which 200 ± 5 MPa of heat deformation rate at 120 ° C. of the crosslinked material is equal to or less than 30%.
The hose according to claim 3 is characterized in that the cross-linking is performed by electron beam irradiation.
A hose according to claim 4 is characterized in that the reinforcing pipe is made of metal.

  About the hose by this invention, in order to provide the hose which can prevent the water leak from between an inner tube and a reinforcement pipe | tube, and is excellent also in productivity, heating an inner tube is performed. This is because the inner tube is heat-softened to make it easier to expand the diameter, and the diameter-reduced inner tube is encouraged to expand. In the hose according to the present invention, in such a state, the inner tube is composed of multiple layers and has an inner layer made of at least a cross-linked material. Therefore, even when heated, the inner tube retains the shape of the inner tube without melting and flowing. be able to. In addition, since there is an outermost layer made of a thermoplastic material, the outermost layer is softened by heating, so that the inner tube and the reinforcing tube are more closely in contact with each other, and a gap formed between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion of the reinforcing tube Partly enters and is fixed. Therefore, water does not flow through the gap between the inner tube and the reinforcing tube as a flow path, and water leakage does not occur. Further, if an inner tube including at least an inner layer made of a crosslinked material is used, the diameter expansion can be easily controlled even when combined with a layer made of another material because of the shape memory effect due to crosslinking. Furthermore, after inserting the inner tube into the reinforcing tube and performing joint processing necessary for both ends, heating can provide a watertight effect, so there is no need to adjust the length and productivity. Will improve.

  The inner layer of the inner tube in the present invention may be appropriately selected from various resin materials and rubber materials, but it is necessary to use a crosslinked material. Examples include polyolefin resins, nylon resins, urethane resins, polyester resins, styrene elastomers, olefin elastomers, polyurethane elastomers, polyester elastomers, polyamide elastomers, nylon elastomers, styrene elastomers, and the like. Among these, it is preferable to form a composition containing a polyolefin-based resin having excellent chlorine resistance into a tubular shape to form an inner layer of the inner tube. Among compositions containing polyolefin resin, if it is a mixture of polyethylene and a flexible material, the inner tube will have a high flexibility and the flexibility as a hose will be improved. It will be even better.

Conventionally, various polyethylenes are known, but in the present invention, those having a density of 0.942 g / cm ³ or less are preferably selected or combined appropriately. When the density of polyethylene exceeds 0.942 g / cm ³ , the flexibility of the inner tube is lowered, the flexibility as a hose is lowered and it becomes difficult to bend, and the handleability of the hose obtained by the present invention is reduced. And workability tends to be poor. More preferably, those having a density of 0.930 g / cm ³ or less are appropriately selected or combined. When the density is 0.930 g / cm ³ or less, the flexibility of the inner tube is further increased, so that the handleability and workability of the hose are further improved.

  Examples of the material having flexibility include an olefin copolymer, a styrene copolymer, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and an olefin copolymer suitable for crosslinking is preferable. Furthermore, an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer obtained by copolymerizing ethylene and an α-olefin is particularly preferable. Here, examples of the α-olefin include propylene, butene-1, pentene-1, 4-methylpentene-1, heptene-1, hexene-1, octene-1, decene-1, dodecene-1, and the like. It is done. In addition, since various ethylene-α-olefin copolymers are commercially available, they may be appropriately selected and used.

It is also possible to add other compounding materials to the above mixture to obtain desired characteristics. For example, the chlorine resistance may be further improved by appropriately adding an antiaging agent or the like.

  In the present invention, the above composition is formed into a tubular shape by a known forming means such as extrusion, and then crosslinked. The reason why the crosslinking is performed is to easily control the diameter expansion even when combined with a layer made of another material due to the memory effect of the crosslinking. In addition, the polyolefin-based resin as described above is deformed at the melting point and softening point and does not return to its original state. Examples of the crosslinking means include peroxide crosslinking, silane crosslinking, electron beam irradiation crosslinking, and the like. In the present invention, it is preferable to employ electron beam irradiation crosslinking among these. This is because it is not necessary to add other materials such as a crosslinking agent like peroxide crosslinking or silane crosslinking, and a material with a high degree of freedom can be selected. Furthermore, the electron beam irradiation crosslinking can be easily crosslinked even with a flexible material. It is difficult to obtain a flexible material by peroxide crosslinking or silane crosslinking. In addition, electron beam irradiation crosslinking has a higher processing speed and superior productivity than peroxide crosslinking and silane crosslinking.

  The inner tube in the present invention has a multi-layer structure, for example, with the above described inner layer as an inner layer and an outermost layer formed into a two-layer structure. Of course, other layers may be appropriately formed in addition to the inner layer and the outermost layer. The material used for the outermost layer may be a thermoplastic material. For example, polyolefin resin, nylon resin, urethane resin, polyester resin, olefin copolymer, styrene elastomer, olefin elastomer, polyurethane A series elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a nylon elastomer, a styrene elastomer, etc. may be appropriately selected. Among these, olefin copolymers, styrene elastomers, olefin elastomers, polyurethane elastomers, polyester elastomers, polyamide elastomers, nylon elastomers, and styrene elastomers are preferable because of their excellent flexibility. Furthermore, a mixture of the resin and the elastomer and copolymer is particularly preferable because the heat deformation rate can be easily controlled.

  The inner tube has a heat deformation rate of 200 ± 5 MPa of the crosslinked material used for the inner layer of 30% or less and a heat deformation rate of 200 ± 5 MPa of the thermoplastic material used for the outermost layer. It is preferable to select materials for the inner layer and the outermost layer so that the temperature is 30% to 90%. When expanding the diameter of the inner tube by heating, if the 200 ± 5 MPa heat deformation rate of the crosslinked material used for the inner layer is 30% or less at the heating temperature, the basic shape of the inner tube is maintained. Can do. Also, if the 200 ± 5 MPa heat deformation rate of the thermoplastic material used for the outermost layer is 30% to 90%, the outermost surface of the inner tube softens or melts and bites into the small diameter portion of the reinforcing tube, so The seal between the tube and the reinforcing tube can be made stronger. If the heat distortion rate of 200 ± 5 MPa of the thermoplastic material used for the outermost layer is smaller than 30%, the bite into the small diameter portion of the reinforcing tube is sweet and it is difficult to obtain watertightness. If it is larger than 90%, the outermost layer is deformed. Too much uneven thickness.

  Further, as the material used for the outermost layer, an unfoamed material that is foamed by heating can be selected. This unfoamed body is expanded in diameter by being foamed by heating after being put into the reinforcing tube.

  Here, the total thickness of the inner tube is preferably in the range of 0.6 mm to 3 mm. If the total thickness is less than 0.6 mm, it may be difficult to obtain sufficient kink resistance and pressure resistance that can withstand actual use. On the other hand, if the total thickness exceeds 3 mm, the flexibility of the inner tube is lowered, the flexibility as a hose is lowered and it becomes difficult to bend, or the inner diameter becomes small and it becomes difficult to obtain a required flow rate. Further, the thickness of the inner layer is preferably 0.1 mm to 2 mm in order to obtain flexibility and durability. If the thickness of the inner layer is less than 0.1 mm, it may be difficult to obtain sufficient heat resistance and chlorine resistance that can withstand actual use. On the other hand, if the thickness of the inner layer exceeds 2 mm, the flexibility of the inner tube is lowered, the flexibility as a hose is lowered, and bending becomes difficult. Further, the thickness of the outermost layer is preferably 0.2 mm or more in order to surely enter the gap formed by the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion of the reinforcing pipe when the diameter is expanded. If the thickness of the outermost layer is less than 0.2 mm, there is a possibility that it does not surely enter the gap formed by the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion of the reinforcing tube when the diameter is increased by heating.

  As the reinforcing tube, pipes having various names such as a bellows tube, a spiral tube, a spiral tube, a bellows tube, an interlock tube, a metal tube, and a conduit tube can be used. As materials, there are various metal and resinous materials, which may be appropriately selected according to the application. Specifically, for example, a bellows tube formed from a resin material in a bellows shape by a known extrusion molding may be used, or a bent portion is formed in the metal strip, and a plurality of metal strips are connected at the bent portion. A so-called interlock pipe may be used. In particular, in the use of a storage faucet, a metal bellows tube of a type called an interlock tube is preferably used.

  By using the inner tube and the reinforcing tube as described above, the hose of the present invention is manufactured as follows. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIGS.

  First, a predetermined material such as a polyolefin resin is formed into a tubular shape by a known molding method such as extrusion, and is crosslinked to form an inner layer 1a. A predetermined thermoplastic material is extruded to the outer periphery of the inner layer 1a. The outermost layer 1b is formed by a forming method, and the multilayer inner tube 1 is produced. At this time, a plurality of layers may be provided inside and outside the inner layer 1a as necessary. Next, the inner tube 1 having a reduced diameter is inserted into a separately prepared reinforcing tube 2. Here, in order to obtain the “reduced diameter state”, for example, the inner tube 1 is stretched by appropriate heating and then stretched in the length direction after being extruded, and then cooled to maintain a state in which the diameter has been reduced. Examples thereof include a method of applying heat or tension at the time of extrusion molding or cross-linking of the inner tube 1 and then maintaining a state in which the diameter has been reduced by being cooled by cooling. These are so-called stretching techniques.

  In this way, after the inner tube 1 in a reduced diameter state is inserted into the reinforcing tube 2, the inner tube 1 attempts to return to its original shape by performing appropriate heating according to the material of the inner tube 1. Therefore, it expands to the diameter before diameter reduction. Therefore, if the outer diameter of the inner tube 1 before the diameter reduction is made the same diameter as or larger than that of the small diameter portion 2a of the reinforcing tube 2, the outer surface of the inner tube 1 and a part of the inner surface of the reinforcing tube 2 are directly connected. The hose 10 in which the space between the inner tube 1 and the reinforcing tube 2 is sealed can be obtained. In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the inner tube 1 is partially inserted and fixed in the gap formed by the large diameter portion 2 b and the small diameter portion 2 a of the reinforcing tube 2. If the inner tube 1 is fixed in this way, it is possible to more reliably prevent water from flowing down and causing water leakage using the gap between the inner tube 1 and the reinforcing tube 2 as a flow path. 1 and 2, (A) shows a state in which the inner tube 1 has a reduced diameter, and (B) shows a state in which the inner tube 1 has expanded.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the hose 10 thus obtained has a water discharge head 11 attached to one end and the other end attached to a main plug 13 via a connecting pipe 12 to be used as a pull-out water faucet. Can do. In addition, the lower part of the chain line shown with the code | symbol 14 is in a cabinet.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

Example 1
A composition obtained by mixing polyethylene and ethylene-α-olefin copolymer at 60:40 was extruded into a tube having a thickness of 0.65 mm and an inner diameter of 8.45 mm, and then irradiated with an electron beam with a dose of 150 kGy for crosslinking. The inner layer 1a of the inner tube 1 was formed. A composition in which a styrene-based elastomer and polyethylene were mixed at a predetermined ratio on the outer periphery of the inner layer 1a was extruded at a thickness of 0.65 mm to form the outermost layer 1b. During extrusion of the inner layer 1a, crosslinking of the inner layer 1a, and extrusion of the outermost layer 1b, tension and heat higher than usual were applied to the inner tube. As a result, the inner tube 1 was reduced in diameter to have an inner diameter of 7.50 mm and an outer diameter of 10.00 mm, which was an outer diameter smaller than the small diameter portion 2 a of the reinforcing tube 2. Separately from the tube, a reinforcing tube 2 having a small diameter portion 2a having an inner diameter of about 11.0 mm was produced. The reinforcing tube 2 was produced by forming a bent portion in a metal strip made of stainless steel and connecting a plurality of metal strips at the bent portion. It is a metal bellows tube of a type called a so-called interlock tube. The inner tube 1 was inserted into the reinforcing tube 2 and the whole was heated at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to expand the diameter of the inner tube 1 to obtain a hose 10. The heating deformation rate of the inner layer 1a at 120 ° C. was 13%, and the heating deformation rate of the outermost layer 1b was 70%.

Example 2
A composition obtained by mixing polyethylene and ethylene-α-olefin copolymer at 60:40 was extruded into a tube having a thickness of 0.65 mm and an inner diameter of 8.45 mm, and then irradiated with an electron beam with a dose of 150 kGy for crosslinking. The inner layer 1a of the inner tube 1 was formed. A composition in which polypropylene and a propylene-ethylene copolymer were mixed at a predetermined ratio on the outer periphery of the inner layer 1a was extruded at a thickness of 0.65 mm to form an outermost layer 1b, thereby forming an inner tube 1. During extrusion of the inner layer 1a, crosslinking of the inner layer 1a, and extrusion of the outermost layer 1b, tension and heat higher than usual were applied to the inner tube. As a result, the inner tube 1 was reduced in diameter to have an inner diameter of 7.50 mm and an outer diameter of 10.00 mm, which was an outer diameter smaller than the small diameter portion 2 a of the reinforcing tube 2. Separately from the tube, a reinforcing tube 2 having a small diameter portion 2a having an inner diameter of about 11.0 mm was produced. The reinforcing tube 2 was produced by forming a bent portion in a metal strip made of stainless steel and connecting a plurality of metal strips at the bent portion. It is a metal bellows tube of a type called a so-called interlock tube. The inner tube 1 was inserted into the reinforcing tube 2 and the whole was heated at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to expand the diameter of the inner tube 1 to obtain a hose 10. The heat deformation rate of the inner layer 1a at 120 ° C. was 13%, and the heat deformation rate of the outermost layer 1b was 30%.

Example 3
A composition obtained by mixing polyethylene and ethylene-α-olefin copolymer at 60:40 was extruded into a tube having a thickness of 0.65 mm and an inner diameter of 8.45 mm, and then irradiated with an electron beam with a dose of 150 kGy for crosslinking. The inner layer 1a of the inner tube 1 was formed. On the outer periphery of the inner layer 1a, a fully hydrogenated styrene-based elastomer was extruded with a thickness of 0.65 mm to form the outermost layer 1b. During extrusion of the inner layer 1a, crosslinking of the inner layer 1a, and extrusion of the outermost layer 1b, tension and heat higher than usual were applied to the inner tube. As a result, the inner tube 1 was reduced in diameter to have an inner diameter of 7.50 mm and an outer diameter of 10.00 mm, which was an outer diameter smaller than the small diameter portion 2 a of the reinforcing tube 2. Separately from the tube, a reinforcing tube 2 having a small diameter portion 2a having an inner diameter of about 11.0 mm was produced. The reinforcing tube 2 was produced by forming a bent portion in a metal strip made of stainless steel and connecting a plurality of metal strips at the bent portion. It is a metal bellows tube of a type called a so-called interlock tube. The inner tube 1 was inserted into the reinforcing tube 2 and the whole was heated at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to expand the diameter of the inner tube 1 to obtain a hose 10. The heat deformation rate of the inner layer 1a at 120 ° C. was 13%, and the heat deformation rate of the outermost layer 1b was 90%.

Example 4
A composition obtained by mixing polyethylene and ethylene-α-olefin copolymer at 60:40 was extruded into a tube having a thickness of 0.65 mm and an inner diameter of 8.45 mm, and then irradiated with an electron beam with a dose of 150 kGy for crosslinking. The inner layer 1a of the inner tube 1 was formed. On the outer periphery of the inner layer 1a, a styrene-based elastomer was extruded with a thickness of 0.65 mm to form the outermost layer 1b. During extrusion of the inner layer 1a, crosslinking of the inner layer 1a, and extrusion of the outermost layer 1b, tension and heat higher than usual were applied to the inner tube. As a result, the inner tube 1 was reduced in diameter to have an inner diameter of 7.50 mm and an outer diameter of 10.00 mm, which was an outer diameter smaller than the small diameter portion 2 a of the reinforcing tube 2. Separately from the tube, a reinforcing tube 2 having a small diameter portion 2a having an inner diameter of about 11.0 mm was produced. The reinforcing tube 2 was produced by forming a bent portion in a metal strip made of stainless steel and connecting a plurality of metal strips at the bent portion. It is a metal bellows tube of a type called a so-called interlock tube. The inner tube 1 was inserted into the reinforcing tube 2 and the whole was heated at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to expand the diameter of the inner tube 1 to obtain a hose 10. The heating deformation rate of the inner layer 1a at 120 ° C. was 13%, and the heating deformation rate of the outermost layer 1b was 18%.

Example 5
A composition obtained by mixing polyethylene and ethylene-α-olefin copolymer at 60:40 was extruded into a tube having a thickness of 0.65 mm and an inner diameter of 8.45 mm, and then irradiated with an electron beam with a dose of 150 kGy for crosslinking. The inner layer 1a of the inner tube 1 was formed. On the outer periphery of the inner layer 1a, polyethylene was extruded with a thickness of 0.65 mm to form the outermost layer 1b, and the inner tube 1 was obtained. During extrusion of the inner layer 1a, crosslinking of the inner layer 1a, and extrusion of the outermost layer 1b, tension and heat higher than usual were applied to the inner tube. As a result, the inner tube 1 was reduced in diameter to have an inner diameter of 7.50 mm and an outer diameter of 10.00 mm, which was an outer diameter smaller than the small diameter portion 2a of the reinforcing tube 2. Separately from the tube, a reinforcing tube 2 having a small diameter portion 2a having an inner diameter of about 11.0 mm was produced. The reinforcing tube 2 was produced by forming a bent portion in a metal strip made of stainless steel and connecting a plurality of metal strips at the bent portion. It is a metal bellows tube of a type called a so-called interlock tube. The inner tube 1 was inserted into the reinforcing tube 2 and the whole was heated at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to expand the diameter of the inner tube 1 to obtain a hose 10. The heat deformation rate of the inner layer 1a at 120 ° C. was 13%, and the heat deformation rate of the outermost layer 1b was 94%.

Comparative Example 1
A composition in which polyethylene and an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer were mixed at 60:40 was extruded into a tubular shape having a wall thickness of 0.65 mm and an inner diameter of 8.45 mm to form an inner layer 1 a of the inner tube 1. On the outer periphery of the inner layer 1a, a composition in which a styrene elastomer and polyethylene were mixed at a predetermined ratio was extruded at a thickness of 0.65 mm to form the outermost layer 1b, and the inner tube 1 was obtained. During the extrusion molding of the inner layer 1a to the extrusion molding of the outermost layer 1b, higher tension and heat than usual were applied to the inner tube. As a result, the inner tube 1 was reduced in diameter to have an inner diameter of 7.50 mm and an outer diameter of 10.00 mm, which was an outer diameter smaller than the small diameter portion 2 a of the reinforcing tube 2. Separately from the tube, a reinforcing tube 2 having a small diameter portion 2a having an inner diameter of about 11.0 mm was produced. The reinforcing tube 2 was produced by forming a bent portion in a metal strip made of stainless steel and connecting a plurality of metal strips at the bent portion. It is a metal bellows tube of a type called a so-called interlock tube. The inner tube 1 was inserted into the reinforcing tube 2 and the whole was heated at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to expand the diameter of the inner tube 1 to obtain a hose 10. The heat deformation rate of the inner layer 1a at 120 ° C. was 94%, and the heat deformation rate of the outermost layer 1b was 70%.

Comparative Example 2
A composition in which polyethylene and an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer were mixed at 60:40 was extruded into a tubular shape having a wall thickness of 0.65 mm and an inner diameter of 8.45 mm to form an inner layer 1 a of the inner tube 1. A composition obtained by mixing polyethylene and ethylene-α-olefin copolymer in a ratio of 50:50 on the outer periphery of the inner layer 1a was extruded to a thickness of 0.65 mm to obtain an outermost layer 1b of the inner tube 1. Thereafter, the inner layer 1a and the outer layer 1b were crosslinked by irradiating an electron beam with a dose of 150 kGy. During extrusion molding of the outermost layer 1b and crosslinking of the inner layer 1a and the outer layer 1b, higher tension and heat than usual were applied to the inner tube. As a result, the inner tube 1 was reduced in diameter to have an inner diameter of 7.50 mm and an outer diameter of 10.00 mm, which was an outer diameter smaller than the small diameter portion 2 a of the reinforcing tube 2. Separately from the tube, a reinforcing tube 2 having a small diameter portion 2a having an inner diameter of about 11.0 mm was produced. The reinforcing tube 2 was produced by forming a bent portion in a metal strip made of stainless steel and connecting a plurality of metal strips at the bent portion. It is a metal bellows tube of a type called a so-called interlock tube. The inner tube 1 was inserted into the reinforcing tube 2 and the whole was heated at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to expand the diameter of the inner tube 1 to obtain a hose 10. The heat deformation rate of the inner layer 1a at 120 ° C. was 13%, and the heat deformation rate of the outermost layer 1b was 19 %.

Comparative Example 3
Polyvinyl chloride was extruded into a tubular shape having a wall thickness of 1.00 mm and an inner diameter of 9.30 mm to form an inner tube 1. After the extrusion molding, tension and heat were applied to the inner tube. As a result, the inner tube 1 was reduced in diameter to an inner diameter of 8.00 mm and an outer diameter of 10.00 mm, which were smaller than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 2 a of the reinforcing tube 2. Separately from the tube, a reinforcing tube 2 having a small diameter portion 2a having an inner diameter of about 11.0 mm was produced. The reinforcing tube 2 was produced by forming a bent portion in a metal strip made of stainless steel and connecting a plurality of metal strips at the bent portion. It is a metal bellows tube of a type called a so-called interlock tube. The inner tube 1 was inserted into the reinforcing tube 2 and the whole was heated at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to expand the diameter of the inner tube 1 to obtain a hose 10. In addition, the heat deformation rate of the inner tube at 120 ° C. was 23%.

  The measurement method of the heat deformation is as follows: the tube material is 200 ± 5 MPa, for example, with a 1.5 kN weight having a cylindrical shape with a tip of 3.09 mm, and the pressure is applied to within a specified temperature ± 1 ° C. Allow to stand for 1 hour, and then cool rapidly with water at room temperature within 1 minute. The thickness of the pressed part of the material is measured before and after the above test, and the value calculated by the formula {(thickness before test−thickness after test) ÷ thickness before test} × 100 is heated and deformed. Rate%.

  Each hose thus obtained was used as a sample to test the basic shape retention of the inner tube and the water tightness of the hose. The test results are shown in Table 1.

First, eight types of hoses obtained in Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were used as samples, and the degree of deformation of the inner tube was confirmed by heating as confirmation of the basic shape retention of the inner tube. With respect to the roundness of the inner tube and the uneven thickness of each layer, no change was evaluated as ◎, almost no change was evaluated as ○, and there was a significant change as ×.

According to Table 1, the hose of the present embodiment, which was cross-linked using a composition in which polyethylene and ethylene- α-olefin copolymer were mixed as the inner layer 1a, had a basic shape retention of the inner tube of ◎ or ○. It shows excellent shape retention and no harmful deformation in use. On the other hand, in the hose of Comparative Example 1 using polyethylene in which the inner layer 1a is not cross-linked, the inner layer 1a is melted by heating, the basic shape retention of the inner tube is x, and the performance as a hose It could not be held.

Next, 8 types of hoses obtained by Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were used as samples, and watertightness was confirmed. Check whether water flows between the inner tube 1 and the reinforcing tube 2 over 10 minutes from the outside of the reinforcing tube 2 for 10 minutes. Check that there is no flow. It evaluated as x.

According to Table 1, the hose of this example in which the inner layer 1a was cross-linked using a composition in which polyethylene and an ethylene- α-olefin copolymer were mixed, The outer surface and the small-diameter portion 2a of the reinforcing tube 2 are in direct contact with each other, whereby the space between the inner tube 1 and the reinforcing tube 2 is sealed, and water flows down between the inner tube 1 and the reinforcing tube 2. None, and watertightness was ◎ or ○. On the other hand, in the hose of Comparative Example 1 using polyethylene whose inner layer is not crosslinked, the inner layer 1a of the inner tube 1 is melted by heating, so that the inner tube 1 does not expand, and the outer surface of the inner tube 1 And the small-diameter portion 2a of the reinforcing pipe 2 are not in direct contact with each other, so that it is confirmed that water does not flow between the inner tube 1 and the reinforcing pipe 2 because the space between the inner tube 1 and the reinforcing pipe 2 is not sealed. The water tightness was x. Further, in the hose of Comparative Example 2 in which the outermost layer 1b of the inner tube 1 has a heat deformation rate of 19 %, the outermost layer 1b is not deformed by heating, and the outer surface of the inner tube 1 does not bite into the small diameter portion 2a of the reinforcing tube 2. Therefore, the sealing property between the inner tube 1 and the reinforcing tube 2 was weak, and it was confirmed that water flowed down between the inner tube 1 and the reinforcing tube 2, and the water tightness was x. Further, the hose of Comparative Example 3 in which the inner tube is made of a single-layer uncrosslinked vinyl chloride resin is not sufficiently expanded in diameter by heating, and the space between the inner tube 1 and the reinforcing tube 2 is not sealed. It was confirmed that water flowed down between the tube 1 and the reinforcing tube 2, and the water tightness was x.

  The eight types of hoses obtained in Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were sheared in parallel with the length direction and the cross sections thereof were observed. It was confirmed that a part of the gap was formed between the large-diameter portion 2b and the small-diameter portion 2a. As for the penetration degree, Examples 1, 2, and 3 were moderate, Example 4 was less, and Example 5 was more.

  As described above, the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 2a of the reinforcing tube 2 is about 11.0 mm, and the outer diameter of the inner tube 1 when the inner tube 1 is reduced is 10.0 mm. The work at the time of insertion was also easy.

  Moreover, the inner tube 1 of the present embodiment has a thickness of 1.3 mm, which is sufficient to ensure the necessary mechanical strength and heat resistance.

  The inner tube 1 of this example was reduced in diameter (inner diameter 7.50 mm, outer diameter 10.00 mm, length 750 mm) and heated at 120 ° C. for 1 hour without being inserted into the reinforcing tube 2. As a result, the inner tube 1 was expanded in diameter, and the outer diameter was 11 mm or more. For this reason, in the above embodiment, the outer surface of the inner tube 1 and the small-diameter portion 2a of the reinforcing tube 2 are in direct contact, and the inner tube 1 is connected to the large-diameter portion 2b and the small-diameter portion 2a of the reinforcing tube 2. It can be seen that a part of the gap was formed.

  As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a hose used for a pull-out faucet attached to a washstand, a sink, etc., which can prevent water leakage and is excellent in productivity, and a method for producing the same. it can. Such a hose can be used not only in the above-described washstand and sink, but also in, for example, a bathroom and a water tank. Moreover, it can be applied not only for water flow but also for a ventilation pipe and a suction pipe.

It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention, and is sectional drawing which notches and shows the structure of a hose. (A) shows the shrinkage of the inner tube, and (b) shows the diameter expansion. It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention, and is a perspective view which exaggerates and shows the state of diameter reduction and diameter expansion of an inner tube. (A) is when the inner tube is reduced in diameter, and (b) is when the diameter is increased. It is a figure which shows the state which used the hose by this invention as a pull-out type faucet.

Explanation of symbols

1 Inner tube 1a Inner layer 1b Outermost layer 2 Reinforcing tube 10 Hose

Claims (4)

In a hose comprising a reinforcing tube having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion repeated, and an inner tube disposed on the inner periphery of the reinforcing tube, the inner tube is composed of multiple layers and at least a cross-linked material The cross-linked material is made of a polyolefin resin, and the thermoplastic material is a mixed composition of styrene elastomer and polyethylene, polypropylene and propylene-ethylene copolymer. It consists of either a polymer mixed composition or a fully hydrogenated styrene elastomer, and the thermoplastic material has a heat deformation rate of 200 ± 5 MPa at 120 ° C. of 30% to 90%, and the inner tube has the above structure A hose characterized in that a part of the hose is fixed by entering a gap formed by a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion of the reinforcing pipe. The inner tube, hose of claim 1 wherein 200 ± 5 MPa of heat deformation rate at 120 ° C. of the crosslinked material is equal to or less than 30%. The hose according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the crosslinking is performed by electron beam irradiation. The hose according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforcing pipe is made of metal.

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