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

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

Abstract: A flexible, stretchable, crush resistant hose particularly well suited for supplying breathing gases to patients in medical applications and the like has a helix defined by reinforcing coils of thermoplastic material, and a web of thermoplastic material bonded or welded to adjacent ones of the coils, preferably near outer diameter portions of the coils. The web extends radially inwardly between the adjacent pairs of the reinforcing coils to define a helical reverse-direction crease that can be located closer to or farther from a centerline of the hose than is the inner diameter of the reinforcing coils. The thermoplastic material of the hose is stress relieved by an annealing process performed during axial compression of the hose at a time after the hose has been formed.

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

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

Abstract: An extensible-retractable helically reinforced hose is formed by helically wrapping a freshly extruded bead of thermoplastic material about a rotating mandrel to form a helical array of spaced reinforcing coils, and by helically wrapping a freshly extruded thin yet wide web of thermoplastic material so edge regions of the wide web are placed onto and bond continuously with the peripheries of each adjacent pair of the reinforcing coils, with a leading edge region of each new wrap of the web overlying and bonding to a trailing edge region of a prior web wrap. Central portions of each web wrap extend radially inwardly and are sandwiched between adjacent reinforcing coils when the hose is retracted to a minimal axial length.

Abstract: A flexible, stretchable, crush resistant hose particularly well suited for supplying breathing gases to patients in medical applications and the like has a helix defined by reinforcing coils of thermoplastic material, and a web of thermoplastic material bonded or welded to adjacent ones of the coils, preferably near outer diameter portions of the coils. The web extends radially inwardly between the adjacent pairs of the reinforcing coils to define a helical reverse-direction crease that can be located closer to or farther from a centerline of the hose than is the inner diameter of the reinforcing coils. The thermoplastic material of the hose is stress relieved by an annealing process performed during axial compression of the hose at a time after the hose has been formed.

Abstract: A heatable hose (1), in particular a respiration hose, having a flexible hose wall (4), shall guarantee through its design that a contact of the electric conductors or heating wires (14, 16) accommodated in the hose (1) and, thus, a short circuit, is excluded. For this purpose, the hose (1) is equipped with a plurality of reinforcing ribs (8, 12, 20, 22), each of which winds around the hose wall (4) in the manner of a helical line and which form together a multiple-threaded helical line, at least two reinforcing ribs (8, 12) being provided, each of which encloses a heating wire (14, 16) designed for heating the hose. Each heating wire (14, 16) is preferably a single-conductor wire.

Abstract: A heatable hose (1), in particular a respiration hose, having a flexible hose wall (4), shall guarantee through its design that a contact of the electric conductors or heating wires (14, 16) accommodated in the hose (1) and, thus, a short circuit, is excluded. For this purpose, the hose (1) is equipped with a plurality of reinforcing ribs (8, 12, 20, 22), each of which winds around the hose wall (4) in the manner of a helical line and which form together a multiple-threaded helical line, at least two reinforcing ribs (8, 12) being provided, each of which encloses a heating wire (14, 16) designed for heating the hose. Each heating wire (14, 16) is preferably a single-conductor wire.

Abstract: An elastically stretchable stretch hose (2) with a support spiral (4) acting as a tension spring and with a hose wall (6) connected with the support spiral (4) and consisting of a synthetic material, shall have a relatively low weight. Furthermore, it is desirable for various applications that the stretching force required for the extension is kept relatively low. For this purpose, the support spiral (4) is made, according to the invention, of a synthetic material.