US20140034177A1 - Bio-pharmaceutical hose - Google Patents
Bio-pharmaceutical hose Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140034177A1 US20140034177A1 US13/890,439 US201313890439A US2014034177A1 US 20140034177 A1 US20140034177 A1 US 20140034177A1 US 201313890439 A US201313890439 A US 201313890439A US 2014034177 A1 US2014034177 A1 US 2014034177A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- layer
- silicone
- hose
- tubular member
- composite tube
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 229960000074 biopharmaceutical Drugs 0.000 title abstract description 18
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 104
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 229920002313 fluoropolymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000004811 fluoropolymer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002033 PVDF binder Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920009441 perflouroethylene propylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002493 poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000005023 polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) polymer Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004810 polytetrafluoroethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002981 polyvinylidene fluoride Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-O Ammonium Chemical compound [NH4+] QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 claims description 2
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000840 ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920011301 perfluoro alkoxyl alkane Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 abstract description 26
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 abstract description 7
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 104
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 25
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 6
- -1 for example Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 4
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 3
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004604 Blowing Agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004812 Fluorinated ethylene propylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002318 adhesion promoter Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009954 braiding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007795 chemical reaction product Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000002978 peroxides Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004945 silicone rubber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000013020 steam cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 1
- JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl urethane Chemical compound CCOC(N)=O JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920000106 Liquid crystal polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004977 Liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001774 Perfluoroether Polymers 0.000 description 1
- BLRPTPMANUNPDV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silane Chemical compound [SiH4] BLRPTPMANUNPDV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004760 aramid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006231 aramid fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920003235 aromatic polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000006229 carbon black Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003575 carbonaceous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001010 compromised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003851 corona treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007822 coupling agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004132 cross linking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000593 degrading effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- HQQADJVZYDDRJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethene;prop-1-ene Chemical group C=C.CC=C HQQADJVZYDDRJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009940 knitting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013532 laser treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002045 lasting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005923 long-lasting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- FPYJFEHAWHCUMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N maleic anhydride Chemical compound O=C1OC(=O)C=C1 FPYJFEHAWHCUMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229940044600 maleic anhydride Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002071 nanotube Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002667 nucleating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012466 permeate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000825 pharmaceutical preparation Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940127557 pharmaceutical product Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003252 repetitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910000077 silane Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 description 1
- BFKJFAAPBSQJPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N tetrafluoroethene Chemical group FC(F)=C(F)F BFKJFAAPBSQJPD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C44/00—Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles
- B29C44/20—Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles for articles of indefinite length
- B29C44/22—Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles for articles of indefinite length consisting of at least two parts of chemically or physically different materials, e.g. having different densities
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L11/00—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes
- F16L11/04—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rubber or flexible plastics
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/09—Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/15—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. extrusion moulding around inserts
- B29C48/151—Coating hollow articles
- B29C48/152—Coating hollow articles the inner surfaces thereof
- B29C48/153—Coating both inner and outer surfaces
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C2791/00—Shaping characteristics in general
- B29C2791/004—Shaping under special conditions
- B29C2791/009—Using laser
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C59/00—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor
- B29C59/10—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor by electric discharge treatment
- B29C59/103—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor by electric discharge treatment of profiled articles, e.g. hollow or tubular articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C59/00—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor
- B29C59/14—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor by plasma treatment
- B29C59/142—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor by plasma treatment of profiled articles, e.g. hollow or tubular articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C59/00—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor
- B29C59/16—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. infrared heating
- B29C59/165—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. infrared heating of profiled articles, e.g. hollow or tubular articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2083/00—Use of polymers having silicon, with or without sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon only, in the main chain, as moulding material
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/13—Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
- Y10T428/1352—Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
- Y10T428/139—Open-ended, self-supporting conduit, cylinder, or tube-type article
- Y10T428/1393—Multilayer [continuous layer]
Definitions
- the invention relates in general to a hose and in particular to a hose for use in bio-pharmaceutical applications.
- hoses to transfer bio-pharmaceutical materials at various locations within the process of manufacturing pharmaceutical products.
- bio-pharmaceutical materials may include laboratory and food products as well as various chemicals.
- a requirement for such hoses is for the inside surface of the innermost layer of the hose (i.e., the surface in contact with the bio-pharmaceutical materials) to be smooth throughout and of a high degree of purity, and thus free from becoming contaminated and/or breaking down (i.e., chemically inert) or degrading relatively quickly over time.
- the innermost surface of such hoses is required to be sterilized and cleaned relatively frequently, for example, by passing pressurized superheated steam through the hose and/or by an autoclave process.
- bio-pharmaceutical hoses include, for example, resistance from permanent kinking, a relatively high degree of flexibility, sufficient hoop strength and tensile strength, relative ease of handling and attachment to mechanical couplings, and a relatively high degree of vacuum resistance (i.e., the resistance to being constricted when negative pressure or suction is applied to the hose).
- Prior art hoses for use in the bio-pharmaceutical industry typically comprise a single layer of silicone material or a multi-layered hose having a silicone material for the innermost tubular member. While the silicone material tends to provide moderate levels of flexibility and kink resistance (and, thus, relative ease in handling), the innermost surface of the silicone material nevertheless tends to become contaminated and/or degraded relatively quickly over time, particularly by the repeated steam cleaning process, This results in the replacement of the silicone material hose more frequently than desired.
- Other prior art bio-pharmaceutical hoses have comprised a layer of a relatively heavy or thick wall of fluoropolymer material where the layer has a relatively smooth innermost surface and a convoluted or spiral-grooved outer surface.
- bio-pharmaceutical hose having a relatively long-lasting purity of the innermost surface through which the bio-pharmaceutical materials are transferred, while providing a relatively large amount of flexibility and resistance to kinking and steam permeation and also providing relatively high tensile and hoop strength and vacuum resistance, and also being easy to handle and readily attached to mechanical couplings.
- a hose for use in bio-pharmaceutical applications includes an innermost tubular layer that comprises, for example, a fluoropolymer material.
- the tubular layer has an inner, relatively smooth and pure surface that defines an opening for transfer of various media.
- the innermost tubular layer may be made electrically-conductive by the addition of, e.g., carbon material, within the fluoropolymer material.
- a layer of silicone is disposed next to an outer surface of the innermost tubular layer through use of, for example, an extrusion method.
- the outer surface of the tubular layer may first be modified by various treatments or chemicals to facilitate the adhesion of the silicone layer thereto.
- the silicone material comprising the layer may be solid or foamed, and its outer surface may be smooth or convoluted or corrugated.
- a reinforcement layer may be disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the silicone layer.
- the reinforcement layer may comprise a yarn textile or wire braid having gaps or interstices.
- an outer jacket layer of silicone may be attached to the reinforcement layer, again through use of an extrusion method.
- a plurality of hoses as described above may be arranged in a hose assembly where an outer layer of silicone encloses the plurality of hoses.
- Another aspect of the invention involves a method for making a hose which includes the provision of an inner tubular member made from, e.g., a fluoropolymer material, having a smooth innermost surface.
- a silicone layer is formed over. an outer surface of the inner tubular member preferably by a cross-head extrusion process that utilizes liquid silicone in two separate forms, a first form of liquid silicone including a liquid platinum or peroxide catalyzer; and a second form of silicone comprising a base silicone material having an adhesion promoter.
- the two separate liquid silicone elements are extruded onto the outer surface of the inner tubular member through pumping and metering of the silicone elements in a certain ratio, and mixing together of the elements to form a liquid silicone mixture.
- the mixture is extruded onto the inner tubular member through use of a cross-head die, and then the silicone is cured thereby forming a composite tubular hose where the silicone is strongly bonded to the inner tubular member.
- the silicone may also be foamed or aerated to form voids in the resulting silicone layer.
- the silicone layer may alternatively have its outer surface convoluted or corrugated.
- Optional subsequent steps may include attaching a reinforcement layer comprising a wire braid to the outer surface of the inner silicone layer, where the wire braid has gaps or interstices formed therein.
- An outer jacket of silicone may be formed over the reinforcement layer.
- the outer jacket may be formed initially from liquid silicone using similar process steps to those described above for forming the inner silicone layer.
- the liquid silicone of the outer jacket penetrates the gaps in the reinforcement layer during extrusion of the silicone onto the reinforcement layer such that the liquid silicone bonds to the outer surface of the inner silicone layer.
- the liquid silicone comprising the outer jacket is subsequently cured to form the multi-layered hose end product.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a first embodiment of a bio-pharmaceutical hose of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of an alternative embodiment of the hose of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of an alternative embodiment of the hose of FIG. 1 having additional layers;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of an alternative embodiment of a bio-pharmaceutical hose of the present invention having optional layers;
- FIG. 5 is an end view of a plurality of the hoses of FIGS. 1 and 3 enclosed by an outer layer.
- the hose 10 includes an inner tubular member or liner 12 that may comprise a commercially-available fluoropolymer material such as, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”), fluorinated ethylene propylene (“FEP”), perfluoroalkoxy (“PFA”), ethelyne tetrafluoroethylene (“ETFE”), polyvinylidene fluoride (“PVDF”), or polychlorotrifluoroethylene (“PCTFE”).
- PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
- FEP fluorinated ethylene propylene
- PFA perfluoroalkoxy
- ETFE ethelyne tetrafluoroethylene
- PVDF polyvinylidene fluoride
- PCTFE polychlorotrifluoroethylene
- the inner liner 12 may comprise a plastic such as nylon, or another material such as a liquid crystal polymer.
- the inner tubular member 12 which itself may be commercially-available, may be formed by extrusion as a thin-walled “skin” with a preferred, exemplary thickness in the range of from 0 . 001 inches to 0 . 040 inches.
- the diameter of the resulting opening 14 in the member 12 i.e., the “inner diameter” may range, for example, from 0.125 inches to 3.0 inches.
- the size of the inner diameter of the opening 14 of the tubular member 12 determines the thickness of each layer in the hose 10 , including that of the tubular member 12 .
- the fluoropolymer material comprising the tubular member 12 may be made electrically conductive by the addition of carbon in the form of, for example, finely divided carbon black particles or other graphite nanotube additives. Making the tubular member 12 electrically-conductive allows the member 12 to dissipate any undesired electrostatic charge that may tend to build up in the hose 10 , particularly in the inner tubular member 12 , by the media passing through the opening 14 in the inner tubular member 12 .
- the fluoropolymer materials utilized for the member 12 are, in general, FDA-approved materials that also conform to the U.S. Pharmacopia (“USP”) Class 6 purity standard.
- the inner tubular member or liner 12 thus forms a relatively pure, smooth, chemical- and temperature-resistant conduit and barrier for the medium which is conveyed therethrough.
- the fluoropolymer member 12 prevents the superheated steam used in the aforementioned steam cleaning process from permeating into the material comprising the inner tubular member 12 and causing degradation to such material.
- An outer surface 16 of the inner tubular member 12 may be modified by exposure to various treatments and/or chemicals, including plasma discharge, corona discharge, or laser treatment, and/or sodium napthalate, ammonium napthalate, or ammonia.
- the resulting modified outer surface 16 has a relatively reduced amount of surface energy, which allows for better adhesion (i.e., reduced slippage) of the outer surface 16 to an inner surface of the next layer 18 that comprises the hose 10 , discussed hereinbelow.
- a tubular layer 18 Disposed next to the outer surface 16 of the inner tubular member 12 as part of the hose 10 is a tubular layer 18 that comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a cross-linked silicone rubber material.
- the silicone material may be wrapped around the outer surface 16 of the inner member 12 , or may be over-molded to the outer surface 16 of the tubular member 12 by injection molding or cross-head extrusion methods.
- the silicone material comprising the layer 18 is initially in liquid form and is cured to a solid state during the bonding process to the outer surface 16 of the tubular member 12 . As a result, the silicone layer 18 forms a permanent bond to the inner tubular member 12 .
- the silicone material comprising the layer 18 may initially include a liquid platinum or peroxide catalyzer and a separate liquid base silicone without the catalyzer but containing an adhesion promoter to promote adhesion to the outer surface 16 of the inner tubular member 12 .
- the base silicone may be pigmented or clear. Both of these separate silicone elements are commercially available from, e.g., Specialty Silicones, Inc. of Ballston Spa, NY.
- the two separate silicone elements may be extruded onto the outer surface 16 of the inner tubular member 12 using a displacement pump system that includes two separate servo-controlled gear pumps for separately and simultaneously pumping and accurately metering the liquid silicone elements.
- the speed of the gear pumps is used to achieve relatively accurate metering of the silicone elements.
- the gear pumps typically pump the separate silicone elements from their containers through tubes or lines into a static mixing vessel or tube where the silicone elements are mixed together repeatedly to form a resulting liquid silicone mixture.
- the mixing vessel it is generally not necessary to adjust the balance of the silicone elements.
- the two separate silicone elements are mixed in a certain ratio, preferably a one-to-one ratio.
- the silicone mixture then passes to a cross-head die where the mixture is extruded at room temperature around the outer surface 16 of the inner tubular member 12 in a particular profile (e.g., round or circular, as illustrated in FIG. 1 ).
- the cross-head die typically contains a negative (i.e., vacuum) pressure to remove any residual air.
- the inner tubular member 12 with the silicone mixture extruded thereon may then be passed to an infrared heating system that cross-links or cures the silicone to a hardened state.
- the resulting composite tube 20 comprising the inner tubular member 12 and the silicone layer 18 may then be quenched or cooled, thereby forming the composite tube 20 end product.
- the inner tubular member 12 may be pressurized throughout to prevent the member 12 from collapsing.
- the thickness of the silicone layer 18 may be, for example, in the range of from 0.080 inches to 0.250 inches. However, the resulting thickness of the layer 18 depends on the desired inner diameter of the opening 14 in the tubular member 12 , and, as such, the resulting layer thickness should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings herein.
- the composite tube 20 can be physically manipulated and kinked without causing any lasting defect.
- the layer 18 may comprise a foamed layer where the silicone material comprising the layer 18 may have air or some other gas (e.g., Argon/Nitrogen) introduced into it during the cross-head extrusion technique described hereinabove (or within some other technique for forming the silicone layer 18 ) to form a closed cell foamed or aerated construction of the layer 18 , or may have a blowing or nucleating agent added to it as is known in the art to form voids in the silicone layer 18 when viewing an outer surface 22 of the silicone layer 18 .
- air or some other gas e.g., Argon/Nitrogen
- the silicone layer 18 may be of solid silicone construction.
- the bond between the inner tubular member 12 and the silicone layer 18 that form the composite tube 20 is generally strong enough to provide the inner tubular member 12 with a relatively large amount of kink resistance and flexibility, along with excellent recovery from crushing and kinking without any undesired separation of the member 12 and the layer 18 . That is, the structural integrity of the composite tube 20 is maintained throughout typical usage of the hose 10 in various bio-pharmaceutical applications.
- the bond between the member 12 and the layer 18 can withstand the typical sterilization temperatures utilized in repetitive steam and/or autoclave procedures.
- the layer 18 provides the composite tube 20 with sufficient body and strength to be subsequently additionally reinforced, if desired, by braiding, as discussed hereinbelow.
- the silicone material comprising the layer 18 can stretch on the outside of the bend and compress on the inside.
- the silicone material may also provide an anchor for additional outer layers of the hose 10 to be adhered to, as discussed hereinbelow, with respect to alternative embodiments of the hose 10 .
- an alternative embodiment of the hose 10 of FIG. 1 has the outer surface 22 of the inner silicone layer 18 of a corrugated or convoluted structure.
- the outer surface 22 may have a single spiral groove formed therein, or multiple grooves formed in parallel therein. This provides the hose 10 with various beneficial features, including increased flexibility and resistance to kinking, and also relatively high tensile and hoop strength and ease of handling.
- an alternative embodiment of a hose 30 of the present invention includes the hose 10 (i.e., the composite tube 20 ) of FIG. 1 having a reinforcement layer 24 attached or disposed adjacent to the outer surface 22 of the inner silicone layer 18 .
- the inner silicone layer 18 is illustrated in FIG. 3 as being of solid silicone construction, instead of the foamed construction of FIG. 1 or the convoluted outer surface 22 of FIG. 2 .
- the reinforcement layer 24 may comprise a tubular wire braid construction and can be applied to the outer surface 22 of the silicone layer 18 , for example, by known wrapping, knitting or braiding techniques.
- the reinforcement layer 24 may comprise a metal wire or a non-metallic (e.g., yam) textile material such as cotton, polyester or aramid fiber.
- using stainless steel wire with an open pitch provides relatively large gaps or interstices between the wires, as illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- This allows an outer jacket 26 of the hose 30 , discussed hereinbelow, which may initially comprise uncured liquid silicone during the extrusion process discussed herein, to penetrate through the gaps in the wire braid and abut the outer surface 22 of the inner layer 18 .
- the silicone comprising the outer jacket 26 provides relatively excellent adhesion to the outer surface 22 of the inner silicone layer 18 .
- the reinforcement layer 24 is provided with a wire braid with gaps or interstices between the wires to allow the outer jacket 26 to come in contact with the outer surface 22 of the inner silicone layer 18 .
- the angle of the braid preferably, 54 degrees
- the tension at which the wire is applied in the reinforcement layer 24 provides the hose 30 with relatively good kink resistance when bent or flexed. It also provides the hose 30 with excellent vacuum resistance (i.e., the resistance to collapsing of the tubular member 12 as well as the inner silicone layer 18 when negative pressure or suction is applied to the hose).
- the tensile properties of the wire comprising the reinforcement layer 24 provides the hose 30 with the additional desired properties of flexural memory, suppleness and small bend radius capability. Also, the hoop strength and tensile strength of the hose 30 are increased through use of the reinforcement layer 24 , which allows for the relatively simple and easy attachment of the hose 30 to various types of mechanical coupling devices.
- the hose 30 may omit the reinforcement layer 24 .
- the silicone layer 18 may instead contain relatively short fibers (e.g., aramid) to achieve the desired properties discussed above.
- the fibers may be introduced into the silicone material comprising the layer 18 during the formation of the silicone layer 18 , as discussed hereinabove in the particular example of a cross-head extrusion process.
- the outer jacket 26 of the hose 30 preferably comprises another layer of silicone that may be applied onto the reinforcement layer 24 as a wrapped layer, or may be injection molded or cross-head extruded, similar to cross-head extrusion process discussed hereinabove with respect to the formation of the inner silicone layer 18 .
- the outer jacket 26 provides external serviceability for cleaning and protecting the inner layers 12 , 18 , 24 of the hose 30 from external damage.
- the silicone (initially in liquid form) comprising the outer jacket 26 penetrates the interstices of the wire braid to form intimate contact with the outer surface 22 of the inner silicone layer 18 .
- the liquid silicone material provides additional hoop strength to the composite tube 20 comprising the inner tubular member 12 and the inner silicone layer 18 .
- the silicone material comprising the outer jacket 26 may be of solid construction or may be foamed by the addition of gas or a blowing agent, resulting in a closed cell structure.
- the outer surface of the outer jacket 26 preferably is of smooth construction, rather than being convoluted.
- a thermoplastic elastomer material may be utilized as the material of the outer jacket 26 instead of silicone.
- the thermoplastic elastomer material may have an adhesion system formulated into it.
- a hose 40 in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, includes the inner tubular member 12 of the hoses 10 , 30 of FIGS. 1-3 .
- the inner layer 18 of silicone material is replaced by two separate layers 42 , 44 .
- a first layer 42 may comprise a relatively thin layer of modified polypropylene.
- the modifying or coupling agent may be a silane or a maleic-anhydride material. This material, which forms a permanent strong bond to the outer surface 16 of the inner tubular member 12 , may be either injection molded or cross-head extruded over the outer surface 16 of the inner tubular member 12 , using known techniques.
- the second layer 44 may be a thermoplastic elastomer from the olefinic family, or may be a urethane. This material can either be injection molded or cross-head extruded over an outer surface of the modified polypropylene layer 42 , using known techniques. In general, thermoplastic elastomer materials are less expensive than silicone, do not need to be sterilized as often, and may require less processing steps (i.e., omission of the cross-linking step). Next the reinforcement layer 24 and the outer jacket 26 may be formed over the layer 44 , similar to their methods of formation over the inner silicone layer 18 as described hereinabove with respect to the embodiment of the hose 30 illustrated in FIG. 3 .
- the hose assembly 50 of FIG. 5 may comprise any combination of the aforementioned hoses 10 , 30 , 40 .
- the two hoses 10 , 30 are disposed adjacent one another in a non-abutting physical relationship, and a single outer sleeve 52 is formed around the hoses 10 , 30 .
- the outer sleeve 52 may comprise a silicone rubber material, similar to that of the inner layer 18 and/or the outer jacket 26 .
- the outer sleeve 52 may be formed using a similar cross-head extrusion technique described hereinabove with respect to the formation of the inner silicone layer 18 , or by some other methods known to one or ordinary skill in the art.
- the resulting exemplary thickness of the entirety of the hose 10 , 30 , 40 is approximately 0.250 inches.
- the thickness of the hose 10 , 30 , 40 can vary depending not only on the desired inner diameter of the opening 14 but on the number and thickness of the various layers utilized in the construction of the hose 10 , 30 , 40 .
- the hose 10 , 30 , 40 of the present invention has been described for use in bio-pharmaceutical applications. However, the hose is not limited as such. Instead, the hose 10 , 30 , 40 of the present invention may find use in various non-bio-pharmaceutical applications where is may be desired to utilize a hose having the physical characteristics and resulting benefits of that described herein.
Abstract
A hose for use in bio-pharmaceutical applications includes an innermost tubular layer made from a fluoropolymer material. The tubular layer has an inner, relatively smooth and pure surface that defines an opening for transfer of various media. A layer of silicone is disposed next to an outer surface of the innermost tubular layer through use of, for example, an extrusion method. The outer surface of the tubular layer may first be modified by various treatments or chemicals to facilitate the adhesion of the silicone layer thereto. The silicone material may be solid or foamed. A reinforcement layer may be disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the silicone layer. The reinforcement layer may be formed of a wire braid having gaps. An outer jacket of silicone may be attached to the reinforcement layer and to the inner silicone layer through the gaps in the reinforcement layer.
Description
- The invention relates in general to a hose and in particular to a hose for use in bio-pharmaceutical applications.
- Pharmaceutical companies typically use hoses to transfer bio-pharmaceutical materials at various locations within the process of manufacturing pharmaceutical products. These bio-pharmaceutical materials may include laboratory and food products as well as various chemicals. A requirement for such hoses is for the inside surface of the innermost layer of the hose (i.e., the surface in contact with the bio-pharmaceutical materials) to be smooth throughout and of a high degree of purity, and thus free from becoming contaminated and/or breaking down (i.e., chemically inert) or degrading relatively quickly over time. Typically the innermost surface of such hoses is required to be sterilized and cleaned relatively frequently, for example, by passing pressurized superheated steam through the hose and/or by an autoclave process. However, such cleaning processes tend to degrade the innermost surface of some prior art hoses over time. Other typical requirements for bio-pharmaceutical hoses include, for example, resistance from permanent kinking, a relatively high degree of flexibility, sufficient hoop strength and tensile strength, relative ease of handling and attachment to mechanical couplings, and a relatively high degree of vacuum resistance (i.e., the resistance to being constricted when negative pressure or suction is applied to the hose).
- Prior art hoses for use in the bio-pharmaceutical industry typically comprise a single layer of silicone material or a multi-layered hose having a silicone material for the innermost tubular member. While the silicone material tends to provide moderate levels of flexibility and kink resistance (and, thus, relative ease in handling), the innermost surface of the silicone material nevertheless tends to become contaminated and/or degraded relatively quickly over time, particularly by the repeated steam cleaning process, This results in the replacement of the silicone material hose more frequently than desired. Other prior art bio-pharmaceutical hoses have comprised a layer of a relatively heavy or thick wall of fluoropolymer material where the layer has a relatively smooth innermost surface and a convoluted or spiral-grooved outer surface. However, oftentimes the required smooth finish of the innermost surface of such a hose becomes undesirably compromised over time (e.g., rippled or otherwise deformed), particularly when the hose is flexed. Also, other smoothbore fluoropolymer hoses without a convoluted external outer surface typically lack flexibility and are relatively heavy and thus difficult to handle when the inner diameter of the hose exceeds one inch.
- Still other prior art hoses achieve the required level of vacuum resistance through use of a reinforcement layer made of relatively heavy helix wire. However, such a metallic layer tends to be relatively stiff, thereby requiring a large amount of force to flex or bend the hose. Further, when bent, the innermost surface of such a hose tends to lose its smoothness at the point of bending. In other known hoses, the superheated steam vapor used during the steam. cleaning process permeates or enters the matrix of the inner wall material. This tends to accelerate the breakdown of the innermost surface of the hose.
- What is needed is a bio-pharmaceutical hose having a relatively long-lasting purity of the innermost surface through which the bio-pharmaceutical materials are transferred, while providing a relatively large amount of flexibility and resistance to kinking and steam permeation and also providing relatively high tensile and hoop strength and vacuum resistance, and also being easy to handle and readily attached to mechanical couplings.
- According to an aspect of the invention, a hose for use in bio-pharmaceutical applications includes an innermost tubular layer that comprises, for example, a fluoropolymer material. The tubular layer has an inner, relatively smooth and pure surface that defines an opening for transfer of various media. The innermost tubular layer may be made electrically-conductive by the addition of, e.g., carbon material, within the fluoropolymer material. A layer of silicone is disposed next to an outer surface of the innermost tubular layer through use of, for example, an extrusion method. The outer surface of the tubular layer may first be modified by various treatments or chemicals to facilitate the adhesion of the silicone layer thereto. The silicone material comprising the layer may be solid or foamed, and its outer surface may be smooth or convoluted or corrugated.
- According to a further aspect of the invention, a reinforcement layer may be disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the silicone layer. The reinforcement layer may comprise a yarn textile or wire braid having gaps or interstices. Next, an outer jacket layer of silicone may be attached to the reinforcement layer, again through use of an extrusion method. By utilizing a liquid silicone and subsequently curing the liquid silicone to a solid state, the liquid silicone can penetrate the gaps of the reinforcement layer and, upon curing, can adhere relatively strongly to the outer surface of the inner silicone layer.
- According to yet another aspect of the invention, a plurality of hoses as described above may be arranged in a hose assembly where an outer layer of silicone encloses the plurality of hoses.
- Another aspect of the invention involves a method for making a hose which includes the provision of an inner tubular member made from, e.g., a fluoropolymer material, having a smooth innermost surface. Next, a silicone layer is formed over. an outer surface of the inner tubular member preferably by a cross-head extrusion process that utilizes liquid silicone in two separate forms, a first form of liquid silicone including a liquid platinum or peroxide catalyzer; and a second form of silicone comprising a base silicone material having an adhesion promoter. The two separate liquid silicone elements are extruded onto the outer surface of the inner tubular member through pumping and metering of the silicone elements in a certain ratio, and mixing together of the elements to form a liquid silicone mixture. The mixture is extruded onto the inner tubular member through use of a cross-head die, and then the silicone is cured thereby forming a composite tubular hose where the silicone is strongly bonded to the inner tubular member. The silicone may also be foamed or aerated to form voids in the resulting silicone layer. The silicone layer may alternatively have its outer surface convoluted or corrugated. Optional subsequent steps may include attaching a reinforcement layer comprising a wire braid to the outer surface of the inner silicone layer, where the wire braid has gaps or interstices formed therein. An outer jacket of silicone may be formed over the reinforcement layer. The outer jacket may be formed initially from liquid silicone using similar process steps to those described above for forming the inner silicone layer. The liquid silicone of the outer jacket penetrates the gaps in the reinforcement layer during extrusion of the silicone onto the reinforcement layer such that the liquid silicone bonds to the outer surface of the inner silicone layer. The liquid silicone comprising the outer jacket is subsequently cured to form the multi-layered hose end product.
- These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a first embodiment of a bio-pharmaceutical hose of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of an alternative embodiment of the hose ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of an alternative embodiment of the hose ofFIG. 1 having additional layers; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of an alternative embodiment of a bio-pharmaceutical hose of the present invention having optional layers; and -
FIG. 5 is an end view of a plurality of the hoses ofFIGS. 1 and 3 enclosed by an outer layer. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , there illustrated is a preferred embodiment of ahose 10 in accordance with the present invention. Thehose 10 includes an inner tubular member orliner 12 that may comprise a commercially-available fluoropolymer material such as, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”), fluorinated ethylene propylene (“FEP”), perfluoroalkoxy (“PFA”), ethelyne tetrafluoroethylene (“ETFE”), polyvinylidene fluoride (“PVDF”), or polychlorotrifluoroethylene (“PCTFE”). Alternatively, theinner liner 12 may comprise a plastic such as nylon, or another material such as a liquid crystal polymer. The innertubular member 12, which itself may be commercially-available, may be formed by extrusion as a thin-walled “skin” with a preferred, exemplary thickness in the range of from 0.001 inches to 0.040 inches. The diameter of the resultingopening 14 in the member 12 (i.e., the “inner diameter”) may range, for example, from 0.125 inches to 3.0 inches. As generally known to one of ordinary skill in the art, the size of the inner diameter of theopening 14 of thetubular member 12 determines the thickness of each layer in thehose 10, including that of thetubular member 12. - If desired, the fluoropolymer material comprising the
tubular member 12 may be made electrically conductive by the addition of carbon in the form of, for example, finely divided carbon black particles or other graphite nanotube additives. Making thetubular member 12 electrically-conductive allows themember 12 to dissipate any undesired electrostatic charge that may tend to build up in thehose 10, particularly in the innertubular member 12, by the media passing through the opening 14 in the innertubular member 12. For use in bio-pharmaceutical applications, the fluoropolymer materials utilized for themember 12 are, in general, FDA-approved materials that also conform to the U.S. Pharmacopia (“USP”) Class 6 purity standard. The inner tubular member orliner 12 thus forms a relatively pure, smooth, chemical- and temperature-resistant conduit and barrier for the medium which is conveyed therethrough. In particular, thefluoropolymer member 12 prevents the superheated steam used in the aforementioned steam cleaning process from permeating into the material comprising the innertubular member 12 and causing degradation to such material. - An
outer surface 16 of the innertubular member 12 may be modified by exposure to various treatments and/or chemicals, including plasma discharge, corona discharge, or laser treatment, and/or sodium napthalate, ammonium napthalate, or ammonia. The resulting modifiedouter surface 16 has a relatively reduced amount of surface energy, which allows for better adhesion (i.e., reduced slippage) of theouter surface 16 to an inner surface of thenext layer 18 that comprises thehose 10, discussed hereinbelow. - Disposed next to the
outer surface 16 of theinner tubular member 12 as part of thehose 10 is atubular layer 18 that comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a cross-linked silicone rubber material. To form thelayer 18 next to or over theinner tubular layer 12, the silicone material may be wrapped around theouter surface 16 of theinner member 12, or may be over-molded to theouter surface 16 of thetubular member 12 by injection molding or cross-head extrusion methods. Preferably, the silicone material comprising thelayer 18 is initially in liquid form and is cured to a solid state during the bonding process to theouter surface 16 of thetubular member 12. As a result, thesilicone layer 18 forms a permanent bond to theinner tubular member 12. - More specifically, in a preferred embodiment of a method aspect of the invention using a cross-head extrusion technique, the silicone material comprising the
layer 18 may initially include a liquid platinum or peroxide catalyzer and a separate liquid base silicone without the catalyzer but containing an adhesion promoter to promote adhesion to theouter surface 16 of theinner tubular member 12. The base silicone may be pigmented or clear. Both of these separate silicone elements are commercially available from, e.g., Specialty Silicones, Inc. of Ballston Spa, NY. The two separate silicone elements may be extruded onto theouter surface 16 of theinner tubular member 12 using a displacement pump system that includes two separate servo-controlled gear pumps for separately and simultaneously pumping and accurately metering the liquid silicone elements. The speed of the gear pumps is used to achieve relatively accurate metering of the silicone elements. The gear pumps typically pump the separate silicone elements from their containers through tubes or lines into a static mixing vessel or tube where the silicone elements are mixed together repeatedly to form a resulting liquid silicone mixture. In the mixing vessel it is generally not necessary to adjust the balance of the silicone elements. Preferably, the two separate silicone elements are mixed in a certain ratio, preferably a one-to-one ratio. - The silicone mixture then passes to a cross-head die where the mixture is extruded at room temperature around the
outer surface 16 of theinner tubular member 12 in a particular profile (e.g., round or circular, as illustrated inFIG. 1 ). The cross-head die typically contains a negative (i.e., vacuum) pressure to remove any residual air. Theinner tubular member 12 with the silicone mixture extruded thereon may then be passed to an infrared heating system that cross-links or cures the silicone to a hardened state. The resultingcomposite tube 20 comprising theinner tubular member 12 and thesilicone layer 18 may then be quenched or cooled, thereby forming thecomposite tube 20 end product. During the extrusion process described above, theinner tubular member 12 may be pressurized throughout to prevent themember 12 from collapsing. - The thickness of the
silicone layer 18 may be, for example, in the range of from 0.080 inches to 0.250 inches. However, the resulting thickness of thelayer 18 depends on the desired inner diameter of theopening 14 in thetubular member 12, and, as such, the resulting layer thickness should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings herein. After adhesion of thesilicone layer 18 to theouter surface 16 of thetubular member 12 as described hereinabove, thecomposite tube 20 can be physically manipulated and kinked without causing any lasting defect. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , thelayer 18 may comprise a foamed layer where the silicone material comprising thelayer 18 may have air or some other gas (e.g., Argon/Nitrogen) introduced into it during the cross-head extrusion technique described hereinabove (or within some other technique for forming the silicone layer 18) to form a closed cell foamed or aerated construction of thelayer 18, or may have a blowing or nucleating agent added to it as is known in the art to form voids in thesilicone layer 18 when viewing anouter surface 22 of thesilicone layer 18. Such a foamed construction gives . thesilicone layer 18 various known beneficial mechanical properties, including lighter weight and/or material savings. In the alternative, thelayer 18 may be of solid silicone construction. - Advantageously, the bond between the
inner tubular member 12 and thesilicone layer 18 that form thecomposite tube 20 is generally strong enough to provide theinner tubular member 12 with a relatively large amount of kink resistance and flexibility, along with excellent recovery from crushing and kinking without any undesired separation of themember 12 and thelayer 18. That is, the structural integrity of thecomposite tube 20 is maintained throughout typical usage of thehose 10 in various bio-pharmaceutical applications. In addition, the bond between themember 12 and thelayer 18 can withstand the typical sterilization temperatures utilized in repetitive steam and/or autoclave procedures. Thus, thelayer 18 provides thecomposite tube 20 with sufficient body and strength to be subsequently additionally reinforced, if desired, by braiding, as discussed hereinbelow. When flexed or bent into relatively tight bend radii, the silicone material comprising thelayer 18 can stretch on the outside of the bend and compress on the inside. The silicone material may also provide an anchor for additional outer layers of thehose 10 to be adhered to, as discussed hereinbelow, with respect to alternative embodiments of thehose 10. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , an alternative embodiment of thehose 10 ofFIG. 1 has theouter surface 22 of theinner silicone layer 18 of a corrugated or convoluted structure. For example, theouter surface 22 may have a single spiral groove formed therein, or multiple grooves formed in parallel therein. This provides thehose 10 with various beneficial features, including increased flexibility and resistance to kinking, and also relatively high tensile and hoop strength and ease of handling. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , an alternative embodiment of ahose 30 of the present invention includes the hose 10 (i.e., the composite tube 20) ofFIG. 1 having areinforcement layer 24 attached or disposed adjacent to theouter surface 22 of theinner silicone layer 18. Theinner silicone layer 18 is illustrated inFIG. 3 as being of solid silicone construction, instead of the foamed construction ofFIG. 1 or the convolutedouter surface 22 ofFIG. 2 . Thereinforcement layer 24 may comprise a tubular wire braid construction and can be applied to theouter surface 22 of thesilicone layer 18, for example, by known wrapping, knitting or braiding techniques. Thereinforcement layer 24 may comprise a metal wire or a non-metallic (e.g., yam) textile material such as cotton, polyester or aramid fiber. For example, using stainless steel wire with an open pitch provides relatively large gaps or interstices between the wires, as illustrated inFIG. 1 . This allows anouter jacket 26 of thehose 30, discussed hereinbelow, which may initially comprise uncured liquid silicone during the extrusion process discussed herein, to penetrate through the gaps in the wire braid and abut theouter surface 22 of theinner layer 18. When cured, the silicone comprising theouter jacket 26 provides relatively excellent adhesion to theouter surface 22 of theinner silicone layer 18. - However, it is not required for the broadest scope of the present invention that the
reinforcement layer 24 is provided with a wire braid with gaps or interstices between the wires to allow theouter jacket 26 to come in contact with theouter surface 22 of theinner silicone layer 18. The angle of the braid (preferably, 54 degrees) and the tension at which the wire is applied in thereinforcement layer 24 provides thehose 30 with relatively good kink resistance when bent or flexed. It also provides thehose 30 with excellent vacuum resistance (i.e., the resistance to collapsing of thetubular member 12 as well as theinner silicone layer 18 when negative pressure or suction is applied to the hose). Further, the tensile properties of the wire comprising thereinforcement layer 24 provides thehose 30 with the additional desired properties of flexural memory, suppleness and small bend radius capability. Also, the hoop strength and tensile strength of thehose 30 are increased through use of thereinforcement layer 24, which allows for the relatively simple and easy attachment of thehose 30 to various types of mechanical coupling devices. - As an alternative to the
hose 30 comprising aseparate reinforcement layer 24, thehose 30 may omit thereinforcement layer 24. Thesilicone layer 18 may instead contain relatively short fibers (e.g., aramid) to achieve the desired properties discussed above. The fibers may be introduced into the silicone material comprising thelayer 18 during the formation of thesilicone layer 18, as discussed hereinabove in the particular example of a cross-head extrusion process. - The
outer jacket 26 of thehose 30 preferably comprises another layer of silicone that may be applied onto thereinforcement layer 24 as a wrapped layer, or may be injection molded or cross-head extruded, similar to cross-head extrusion process discussed hereinabove with respect to the formation of theinner silicone layer 18. Theouter jacket 26 provides external serviceability for cleaning and protecting theinner layers hose 30 from external damage. When extruded onto thereinforcement layer 24, the silicone (initially in liquid form) comprising theouter jacket 26 penetrates the interstices of the wire braid to form intimate contact with theouter surface 22 of theinner silicone layer 18. When cured, the liquid silicone material provides additional hoop strength to thecomposite tube 20 comprising theinner tubular member 12 and theinner silicone layer 18. Similar to theinner silicone layer 18, the silicone material comprising theouter jacket 26 may be of solid construction or may be foamed by the addition of gas or a blowing agent, resulting in a closed cell structure. Further, in general when thehose 30 includes thereinforcement layer 26, the outer surface of theouter jacket 26 preferably is of smooth construction, rather than being convoluted. In addition, a thermoplastic elastomer material may be utilized as the material of theouter jacket 26 instead of silicone. The thermoplastic elastomer material may have an adhesion system formulated into it. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, ahose 40 includes theinner tubular member 12 of thehoses FIGS. 1-3 . In thehose 40, theinner layer 18 of silicone material is replaced by twoseparate layers first layer 42 may comprise a relatively thin layer of modified polypropylene. The modifying or coupling agent may be a silane or a maleic-anhydride material. This material, which forms a permanent strong bond to theouter surface 16 of theinner tubular member 12, may be either injection molded or cross-head extruded over theouter surface 16 of theinner tubular member 12, using known techniques. Thesecond layer 44 may be a thermoplastic elastomer from the olefinic family, or may be a urethane. This material can either be injection molded or cross-head extruded over an outer surface of the modifiedpolypropylene layer 42, using known techniques. In general, thermoplastic elastomer materials are less expensive than silicone, do not need to be sterilized as often, and may require less processing steps (i.e., omission of the cross-linking step). Next thereinforcement layer 24 and theouter jacket 26 may be formed over thelayer 44, similar to their methods of formation over theinner silicone layer 18 as described hereinabove with respect to the embodiment of thehose 30 illustrated inFIG. 3 . - Referring to
FIG. 5 , there illustrated is anassembly 50 of a plurality hoses, specifically,hose 10 ofFIG. 1 and thehose 30 ofFIG. 3 . However, thehose assembly 50 ofFIG. 5 may comprise any combination of theaforementioned hoses FIG. 3 , the twohoses outer sleeve 52 is formed around thehoses outer sleeve 52 may comprise a silicone rubber material, similar to that of theinner layer 18 and/or theouter jacket 26. Theouter sleeve 52 may be formed using a similar cross-head extrusion technique described hereinabove with respect to the formation of theinner silicone layer 18, or by some other methods known to one or ordinary skill in the art. - With respect to the overall thickness of the
hose hose hose opening 14 but on the number and thickness of the various layers utilized in the construction of thehose - The
hose hose - Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to several preferred embodiments thereof, various changes, omissions and additions to the form and detail thereof, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (7)
1-20. (canceled)
21. A composite tube comprising:
a tubular member through which media can pass, said tubular member comprising a wall having inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface and said outer surface comprising a fluoropolymer base material,
said outer surface comprising a modified outer surface of said base material wherein said modified outer surface has a different surface energy compared with an unmodified outer surface of said base material,
a layer of silicone adjacent to and bonded to said modified outer surface.
22. The composite tube of claim 21 wherein said tubular member is a liner in a hose, said inner surface contacting media conveyed through said hose.
23. The composite tube of claim 21 wherein said fluoropolymer is selected from the group comprising PTFE, FEP, PFA, ETFE, PVDF. PCTFE.
24. The composite tube of claim 21 wherein said layer of silicone comprises an extrusion of mixed catalyst and liquid base silicone.
25. The composite tube of claim 21 wherein said modified outer surface comprises a surface that was exposed to at least one of the following: plasma discharge, corona discharge, laser, sodium napthalate, ammonium napthalate, ammonia.
26. The composite tube of claim 21 wherein said modified outer surface has a surface energy that promotes adhesion with silicone.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/890,439 US20140034177A1 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2013-05-09 | Bio-pharmaceutical hose |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/503,868 US8048351B2 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2006-08-14 | Bio-pharmaceutical hose |
US13/237,063 US8448670B2 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2011-09-20 | Bio-pharmaceutical hose |
US13/890,439 US20140034177A1 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2013-05-09 | Bio-pharmaceutical hose |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/237,063 Continuation US8448670B2 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2011-09-20 | Bio-pharmaceutical hose |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140034177A1 true US20140034177A1 (en) | 2014-02-06 |
Family
ID=39049422
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/503,868 Active 2029-08-21 US8048351B2 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2006-08-14 | Bio-pharmaceutical hose |
US13/237,063 Active 2026-10-26 US8448670B2 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2011-09-20 | Bio-pharmaceutical hose |
US13/890,439 Abandoned US20140034177A1 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2013-05-09 | Bio-pharmaceutical hose |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/503,868 Active 2029-08-21 US8048351B2 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2006-08-14 | Bio-pharmaceutical hose |
US13/237,063 Active 2026-10-26 US8448670B2 (en) | 2006-08-14 | 2011-09-20 | Bio-pharmaceutical hose |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US8048351B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11366107B2 (en) | 2018-05-14 | 2022-06-21 | Diatron MI PLC | Immunoassay for whole blood samples |
Families Citing this family (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2126358A2 (en) * | 2007-03-07 | 2009-12-02 | Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation | Multi-layer tubes |
JP4991881B2 (en) * | 2007-03-07 | 2012-08-01 | サン−ゴバン パフォーマンス プラスティックス コーポレイション | Articles containing silicone compositions and methods for their production |
JP5274575B2 (en) * | 2007-12-28 | 2013-08-28 | サン−ゴバン パフォーマンス プラスティックス コーポレイション | Reinforced tube |
AU2012216317B2 (en) * | 2007-12-28 | 2014-02-13 | Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation | Reinforced tube |
NZ598018A (en) | 2009-08-21 | 2014-04-30 | Titeflex Corp | Energy dissipative tubes, sealing devices, and methods of fabricating and installing the same |
WO2011123818A1 (en) * | 2010-04-02 | 2011-10-06 | C.R. Bard, Inc. | Reinforced multi-lumen catheter and methods for making same |
US9492957B2 (en) * | 2011-04-27 | 2016-11-15 | Basf Se | Extruded plastics profiles comprising continuously introduced insulation elements |
GB201121876D0 (en) * | 2011-12-20 | 2012-02-01 | Wellstream Int Ltd | Flexible pipe body and method of producing same |
US10228081B2 (en) * | 2012-11-16 | 2019-03-12 | Kongsberg Actuation Systems Ii, Inc. | Method of forming a hose assembly |
CN104149355B (en) * | 2014-08-18 | 2015-05-20 | 唐山兴邦管道工程设备有限公司 | One-step forming process of insulating pipe |
US9664310B2 (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2017-05-30 | Highland Industries, Inc. | Anisotropic pipe liner |
EP3234431B1 (en) * | 2014-12-17 | 2020-05-27 | Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation | Composite tubing and method for making and using same |
JP6341129B2 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2018-06-13 | 信越化学工業株式会社 | Halftone phase shift mask blank and halftone phase shift mask |
TW201722699A (en) * | 2015-12-30 | 2017-07-01 | 聖高拜塑膠製品公司 | Composite tubing and method for making and using same |
US10274116B2 (en) * | 2016-01-29 | 2019-04-30 | The Boeing Company | Environmental conditioning systems and methods utilizing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) foam ducts |
GB2576588B (en) * | 2018-08-23 | 2022-04-06 | Tucai Sa | Connecting assembly and method for manufacturing thereof |
JP6814485B2 (en) * | 2018-09-21 | 2021-01-20 | 株式会社トヨックス | Heat-resistant flexible tube and its manufacturing method |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4783289A (en) * | 1986-04-01 | 1988-11-08 | Toray Silicone Co., Ltd. | Process for molding silicone rubber compositions |
US5708054A (en) * | 1995-11-08 | 1998-01-13 | Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co., Ltd. | Two-part curable liquid silicone composition |
US5759329A (en) * | 1992-01-06 | 1998-06-02 | Pilot Industries, Inc. | Fluoropolymer composite tube and method of preparation |
US6346328B1 (en) * | 1998-07-30 | 2002-02-12 | Dyneon Llc | Composite articles including a fluoropolymer |
US6562180B1 (en) * | 1998-02-27 | 2003-05-13 | Rhodia Chimie | Cross-linkable adhesive silicone composition and use of said composition for bonding various substrates |
US6743515B1 (en) * | 1999-12-09 | 2004-06-01 | Wacker-Chemie Gmbh | Self-adhesive addition-crosslinking silicone compositions |
US20050008871A1 (en) * | 2003-07-12 | 2005-01-13 | Manfred Sikora | Method for coating and/or partial extrusion-coating of flexible, elongated products |
US20070089797A1 (en) * | 2005-10-26 | 2007-04-26 | Farnsworth Kimberly D | Preformed liner adhered to a pipe with an adhesive |
Family Cites Families (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4806289A (en) * | 1987-01-16 | 1989-02-21 | The Dow Chemical Company | Method of making a hollow light pipe |
US5062456A (en) * | 1990-03-02 | 1991-11-05 | Parker-Hannifin Corporation | Kink-resistant, small bend radius hose with polyfluorocarbon liner |
US5928794A (en) * | 1996-12-24 | 1999-07-27 | Dow Corning Gmbh | Addition curable composition having self adhesion to substrates |
US6004310A (en) * | 1998-06-17 | 1999-12-21 | Target Therapeutics, Inc. | Multilumen catheter shaft with reinforcement |
GB9815080D0 (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 1998-09-09 | Dow Corning Sa | Compressible silicone composition |
US6742545B2 (en) * | 1998-12-21 | 2004-06-01 | Parker-Hannifin Corporation | Hose construction |
JP2001131415A (en) * | 1999-07-19 | 2001-05-15 | Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co Ltd | Silicone rubber sponge-forming composition, silicone rubber sponge and preparation process of silicone rubber sponge |
US6613185B1 (en) * | 2000-07-24 | 2003-09-02 | Specialty Silicone Products, Inc. | Curable silicone elastomer and process of production thereof and method of bonding therewith |
US6641884B1 (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2003-11-04 | Teleflex Fluid Systems | Corrugated hose assembly |
WO2002061317A2 (en) * | 2001-01-30 | 2002-08-08 | Parker Hannifin Corporation | Thermoplastic reinforced hose construction and method of making the same |
KR100853905B1 (en) * | 2001-03-26 | 2008-08-25 | 파커-한니핀 코포레이션 | Tubular polymeric composites for tubing and hose constructions |
US20020144742A1 (en) * | 2001-04-05 | 2002-10-10 | Martucci Norman S. | Hose assembly and method of making same |
DE10226626A1 (en) * | 2002-06-14 | 2004-01-15 | Wacker-Chemie Gmbh | Self-adhesive addition-crosslinking silicone compositions |
US20040142135A1 (en) * | 2003-01-21 | 2004-07-22 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Fuel management system comprising a fluoroelastomer layer having a hydrotalcite compound |
EP1454740B1 (en) * | 2003-03-04 | 2006-02-08 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Method of bonding a fluoroelastomer layer to a silicone rubber layer, laminate for use in said method and article produced therewith |
US7332227B2 (en) * | 2003-03-14 | 2008-02-19 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Non-volatile lubricant system for medical devices |
US20060099368A1 (en) * | 2004-11-08 | 2006-05-11 | Park Edward H | Fuel hose with a fluoropolymer inner layer |
US20090236004A1 (en) * | 2005-06-16 | 2009-09-24 | Bhargav Jani | Smooth and flexible clean room hose |
US20070181202A1 (en) * | 2006-02-03 | 2007-08-09 | Electrovations, Inc., A Corporation Of The State Of Ohio | Brake hose |
-
2006
- 2006-08-14 US US11/503,868 patent/US8048351B2/en active Active
-
2011
- 2011-09-20 US US13/237,063 patent/US8448670B2/en active Active
-
2013
- 2013-05-09 US US13/890,439 patent/US20140034177A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4783289A (en) * | 1986-04-01 | 1988-11-08 | Toray Silicone Co., Ltd. | Process for molding silicone rubber compositions |
US5759329A (en) * | 1992-01-06 | 1998-06-02 | Pilot Industries, Inc. | Fluoropolymer composite tube and method of preparation |
US5708054A (en) * | 1995-11-08 | 1998-01-13 | Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co., Ltd. | Two-part curable liquid silicone composition |
US6562180B1 (en) * | 1998-02-27 | 2003-05-13 | Rhodia Chimie | Cross-linkable adhesive silicone composition and use of said composition for bonding various substrates |
US6346328B1 (en) * | 1998-07-30 | 2002-02-12 | Dyneon Llc | Composite articles including a fluoropolymer |
US6743515B1 (en) * | 1999-12-09 | 2004-06-01 | Wacker-Chemie Gmbh | Self-adhesive addition-crosslinking silicone compositions |
US20050008871A1 (en) * | 2003-07-12 | 2005-01-13 | Manfred Sikora | Method for coating and/or partial extrusion-coating of flexible, elongated products |
US20070089797A1 (en) * | 2005-10-26 | 2007-04-26 | Farnsworth Kimberly D | Preformed liner adhered to a pipe with an adhesive |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11366107B2 (en) | 2018-05-14 | 2022-06-21 | Diatron MI PLC | Immunoassay for whole blood samples |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20080035228A1 (en) | 2008-02-14 |
US8448670B2 (en) | 2013-05-28 |
US20120006443A1 (en) | 2012-01-12 |
US8048351B2 (en) | 2011-11-01 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8448670B2 (en) | Bio-pharmaceutical hose | |
US5573039A (en) | Kink-resistant fuel hose liner | |
US6039084A (en) | Expanded fluoropolymer tubular structure, hose assembly and method for making same | |
JP5274575B2 (en) | Reinforced tube | |
US8936047B2 (en) | Reinforced hose assembly | |
CA2411113A1 (en) | Improvements relating to hose | |
EP0534588A2 (en) | Hose assembly | |
EP1024320A1 (en) | Hose assembly and method for making same | |
EP0806779B1 (en) | Improved fluoropolymer fiber reinforced integral composite cable jacket and tubing | |
US20050199308A1 (en) | Push-on hose construction | |
EP2143984A1 (en) | Reinforced flexible hose | |
JP5744701B2 (en) | hose | |
JPH10506455A (en) | Fuel transport pipe | |
US20040126527A1 (en) | Corrugated hose assembly | |
US20020144742A1 (en) | Hose assembly and method of making same | |
CA2503192A1 (en) | Corrugated liquid and vapor carrying fuel tubes and method | |
CN1154798C (en) | PTFE tube | |
WO2020059665A1 (en) | Heat-resistant flexible pipe | |
US20050087250A1 (en) | Reinforced flexible hose and method of making same | |
JPH0655693A (en) | Hose for fuel piping of automobile | |
US9830797B2 (en) | High pressure hose with polymeric tube | |
JP4318278B2 (en) | Method for producing cylindrical fiber-reinforced rubber molded body | |
EP2468494A1 (en) | Flexible fluid hose having two elastomeric inner layers | |
WO2019099168A1 (en) | Carbon nanotube artificial muscle valve and connections | |
JPH0671813A (en) | Hose for fuel tube of automobile |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SWAGELOK COMPANY, OHIO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BENTLEY, ROBERT;REEL/FRAME:030969/0553 Effective date: 20090326 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |