Mold for extrusion molding of flexible pipe and manufacturing apparatus of flexible pipe

Abstract

This invention provides a mold and an apparatus for manufacturing a flexible tube using the mold. The mold is capable of shortening the length of the portion containing resin before and after the switching when extruding resin onto the surface of the braided thread. The mold of this invention is for extruding and forming a flexible tube, and includes: a linear through-hole through which a braided thread inserted at one end exits from the other end; a first resin supply path connected to the through-hole, having a flow path parallel to a plane orthogonal to the central axis of the through-hole in a portion within a predetermined range from the connection point; and a second resin supply path connected to the through-hole at a position closer to the through-hole than the connection point of the first resin supply path, having a flow path parallel to the plane in a portion within a predetermined range from the connection point.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mold for extruding and forming a flexible tube to which resin covers the outer surface of braided threads, and an apparatus for manufacturing a flexible tube using the mold. Background Technology

[0002] In medical facilities, tubular medical devices called catheters are used to inject medications or contrast agents into designated areas within a patient's body, or to extract bodily fluids. Because these catheters are inserted into the body through curved blood vessels, the distal end must be flexible to allow for easy bending along the curves of the vessel without damaging it. Conversely, the portion of the catheter not inserted into the body must be appropriately rigid to facilitate manipulation. However, since some blood vessels have abrupt bends, a catheter designed to follow these bends and bend at the boundary between the softer and firmer sections is required.

[0003] For example, International Publication No. 2005 / 120804 discloses a conduit forming apparatus that uses two layers, a first resin and a second resin, to form an outer tube extruded onto a mesh layer. In the conduit forming apparatus disclosed in International Publication No. 2005 / 120804, the thickness ratio of the inner layer to the outer layer constituting the outer tube can be changed by adjusting the ratio of the flow rate of the first resin extruded from the first extruder to the flow rate of the second resin extruded from the second extruder.

[0004] For example, consider using the conduit forming apparatus described in International Publication No. 2005 / 120804 and switching the supply of the first resin and the second resin, thereby forming an outer tube molded with a soft resin and an outer tube molded with a harder resin adjacent to each other.

[0005] However, even when the resin supplied to the mold is switched from the first resin to the second resin, the supply of the first resin does not stop immediately because the first resin retains pressure within the flow path of the first resin, and the first resin within the flow path of the first resin continues to be extruded. Furthermore, it has been observed that after the extrusion of the second resin begins, for a period of time, the first resin remaining within the flow path of the first resin is drawn out by the second resin. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The resin flow path needs to be set within the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the mold to simultaneously supply resin to the entire circumference of the outer surface of the mesh layer. The mold in International Publication No. 2005 / 120804 has a conical shape (positive cone shape), therefore the volume of the resin flow path set on the outer periphery of the mold is large, resulting in a larger amount of the first resin being extruded after resin switching. Therefore, in the molding apparatus described in International Publication No. 2005 / 120804, it is difficult to shorten the length of the portion molded with a mixture of soft and hard resins, and it is not suitable for manufacturing conduits that can abruptly bend at the boundary between the soft and hard resins.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a mold and an apparatus for manufacturing a flexible tube using the mold, the mold being able to shorten the length of the portion containing the resin before and after the switching when switching the resin extruded onto the surface of the braided thread.

[0008] The mold for extruding and forming a flexible tube according to the present invention comprises: a linear through hole through which a braided thread inserted at one end is released from the other end; a first resin supply path connected to the through hole, having a flow path parallel to a plane orthogonal to the central axis of the through hole in a portion within a predetermined range from the connection point with the through hole; and a second resin supply path connected to the through hole at a position closer to the through hole than the connection point of the first resin supply path with the through hole, having a flow path parallel to the plane in a portion within a predetermined range from the connection point with the through hole.

[0009] The apparatus for manufacturing a flexible tube according to the present invention includes: a mold; a first extruder that supplies a first resin to the mold; a second extruder that supplies a second resin different from the first resin to the mold; a first valve disposed between the mold and the first extruder for controlling the supply of the first resin; and a second valve disposed between the mold and the second extruder for controlling the supply of the second resin. The mold includes: a linear through-hole through which a braided thread inserted at one end exits from the other end; a first resin supply path connected to the through-hole, having a flow path parallel to a plane orthogonal to the central axis of the through-hole in a portion within a predetermined range from the connection point with the through-hole; and a second resin supply path connected to the through-hole at a position closer to the through-hole than the connection point of the first resin supply path with the through-hole, having a flow path parallel to the plane in a portion within a predetermined range from the connection point with the through-hole.

[0010] According to the present invention, a mold and an apparatus for manufacturing a flexible tube using the mold are provided, the mold being able to shorten the length of the portion containing the resin before and after the switching when switching the resin extruded onto the surface of the braided thread.

[0011] The above-described contents, as well as other objects, features, circumstances, and effects of the present invention, will be further clarified with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a top view showing a simplified structure of the flexible tube manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 From Figure 1 The cross-sectional view observed along line II-II shown.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the mold used in the implementation method.

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The top view of the first plate flange shown.

[0016] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 The top view of the first spacer shown.

[0017] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 The top view of the second plate flange shown.

[0018] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 The top view of the second spacer shown.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the mold for variation example 1.

[0020] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the mold for variation example 2. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the following description, an example will be given of a manufacturing apparatus for a flexible tube in which the present invention is applied to a structure in which a braided component (mesh) is provided on the outer surface of an inner tube that is a resin layer, and the braided component is covered by an outer tube that is a resin layer. As an example of such a flexible tube, a catheter shaft can be cited. However, the catheter shaft is only one example of a flexible tube, and the present invention can also be applied to manufacturing apparatuses for flexible tubes used for other purposes, such as flexible tubes for endoscopes.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a top view illustrating a simplified structure of the flexible tube manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. Figure 2 From Figure 1 The cross-sectional view observed along line II-II shown. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the mold used in the implementation method. Figure 3In this illustration, to simplify the diagram, the rotation positions of the components differ from the actual structure.

[0023] The flexible tube manufacturing apparatus 100 is an apparatus for extruding and forming a flexible tube 7 using resin. It includes a die 9, a first extruder 1, a second extruder 2, a third extruder 3, a fourth extruder 4, a first valve 21, a second valve 22, a third valve 23, and a fourth valve (not shown). It should be noted that the flexible tube manufacturing apparatus 100 is fixed to a predetermined frame or similar structure via a platform. Furthermore, a supply device for supplying braided wire 6, a cooling device for cooling the extruded flexible tube 7, and an extraction device for removing the flexible tube 7 are appropriately provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the die 9; these are not shown in the figures. The braided wire 6 is transported from the rear side to the front side of the flexible tube manufacturing apparatus 100. The braided wire 6 is formed by providing a braided component (mesh assembly) 27 on the outer surface of the resin inner tube 28 and inserting a core wire (guide wire) 29 into the hollow portion of the inner tube 28 (see reference). Figure 3 (b) The flexible tube 7 is formed by setting an outer tube 26 on the surface of the braided wire 6. After the outer tube 26 is formed, the core wire 29 of the braided wire 6 is pulled out, thereby obtaining the guide shaft.

[0024] The mold 9 has a straight through hole 16 through which a braided thread 6 inserted from the rear end 17a exits from the front end 17b, a first resin supply path 11, a second resin supply path 12, a third resin supply path 13, and a fourth resin supply path 14. The first resin supply path 11, the second resin supply path 12, the third resin supply path 13, and the fourth resin supply path 14 are all connected to the through hole 16. First resin, second resin, third resin, and fourth resin are supplied from the first extruder 1, the second extruder 2, the third extruder 3, and the fourth extruder 4 to the first resin supply path 11, the second resin supply path 12, the third resin supply path 13, and the fourth resin supply path 14, respectively. Detailed structure of the mold 9 will be described later.

[0025] The first extruder 1, second extruder 2, third extruder 3, and fourth extruder 4 are, for example, screw extruders, capable of melting resin granules and extruding the molten resin from the nozzle at a constant speed. First resin, second resin, third resin, and fourth resin are supplied to the first extruder 1, second extruder 2, third extruder 3, and fourth extruder 4, respectively. Typically, the first to fourth resins are resins with different hardnesses. However, when the supply to the die 9 is switched in the order of the first to fourth resins, it is sufficient that the hardness of the resins before and after the switch is different; two of the first to second resins can also have the same hardness. Furthermore, the hardness of the first to fourth resins does not need to increase (or decrease) according to the switching order; it can be set according to the application location of the flexible tube 7. The molten resin extruded from the first extruder 1, second extruder 2, third extruder 3, and fourth extruder 4 is supplied to the die 9 through the first valve 21, second valve 22, third valve 23, and fourth valve.

[0026] A first valve 21 is disposed between the first extruder 1 and the first resin supply path 11 of the die 9. The first valve 21 can switch between a state where the first extruder 1 and the first resin supply path 11 are connected and a state where the connection between the first extruder 1 and the first resin supply path 11 is blocked. Similarly, a second valve 22 is disposed between the second extruder 2 and the second resin supply path 12 of the die 9. The second valve 22 can switch between a state where the second extruder 2 and the second resin supply path 12 are connected and a state where the connection between the second extruder 2 and the second resin supply path 12 is blocked. A third valve 23 is disposed between the third extruder 3 and the third resin supply path 13 of the die 9. The third valve 23 can switch between a state where the third extruder 3 and the third resin supply path 13 are connected and a state where the connection between the third extruder 3 and the third resin supply path 13 is blocked. Furthermore, although... Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 Although not shown, the fourth valve is located between the fourth extruder 4 and the fourth resin supply path 14 of the die 9. The fourth valve can switch between a state where the fourth extruder 4 and the fourth resin supply path 14 are connected and a state where the connection between the fourth extruder 4 and the fourth resin supply path 14 is blocked.

[0027] The first valve 21, second valve 22, third valve 23, and fourth valve include, for example, a cylindrical valve core rotatable about a predetermined rotation axis, a housing housing the valve core, and a drive device such as a motor for rotating the valve core. Multiple flow paths formed by grooves or through holes are provided in the valve core and housing. The connection state of the flow paths in the valve core and housing changes according to the rotational position of the valve core, thereby controlling whether the extruder is connected to the resin supply path or whether the extruder is blocked from the resin supply path. Preferably, the first valve 21, second valve 22, third valve 23, and fourth valve can discharge (waste) the resin supplied from the corresponding extruder to the outside when the corresponding extruder is blocked from the corresponding resin supply path. With this configuration, internal pressure fluctuations of the resin supplied from each extruder to the valve can be suppressed, thus ensuring a stable supply of resin from each valve to the resin supply path of the mold 9. It should be noted that the structure or configuration of the first valve 21, second valve 22, third valve 23, and fourth valve is not particularly limited as long as the above-described resin supply control is possible.

[0028] The flexible tube manufacturing apparatus 100 also includes a control device 20. The control device 20 includes a computer comprising a CPU, memory, storage device, communication interface, etc., and is connected to the first extruder 1, the second extruder 2, the third extruder 3, the fourth extruder, the first valve 21, the second valve 22, the third valve 23, and the fourth valve via signal lines (not shown). The control device 20 controls the operation of each of the aforementioned devices connected via the signal lines. Furthermore, the control device 20 can also control various devices located upstream and downstream of the flexible tube manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0029] The following is for reference Figures 2-7 The structure of mold 9 in this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0030] The mold 9 in this embodiment is constructed by sequentially overlapping the processing mold 10, the first plate flange 31, the first spacer 41, the second plate flange 32, and the second spacer 42 and integrating them with bolts or the like.

[0031] Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 They are Figure 2 The diagram shows a top view of the first plate flange, the first spacer, the second plate flange, and the second spacer. Figure 4 of (a), Figure 5 of (a), Figure 6 (a) and Figure 7 (a) is equivalent to from Figure 3 The image shown is taken from the direction indicated by the arrow A. Figure 4 (b) Figure 5(b) Figure 6 (b) and Figure 7 (b) is equivalent to from Figure 3 The image shown is taken in the direction B, indicated by the arrow.

[0032] The processing die 10 has: a through hole that forms the extrusion port (end 17b) for extruding the flexible tube 7 at its central portion; and a first flat surface P1 (see reference). Figure 3 Its position on the side closer to end 17a than the extrusion port (end 17b) is orthogonal to the central axis Ax of the through hole 16.

[0033] The first flange 31 is a flat plate component, such as... Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the plate has a second flat surface P2 that is in close contact with the first flat surface P1, and a third flat surface P3 that is parallel to the second flat surface P2. Through holes 34a and 35a are formed on the first plate flange 31, a first groove 112 that connects to the through holes 34a and 35a on the second flat surface P2 side, and a second groove 122 that connects to the through hole 34a on the third flat surface P3 side.

[0034] The first spacer 41 is a flat plate-shaped component with the same shape as the first plate flange 31, such as... Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 As shown, it has a fourth flat surface P4 that is in close contact with the third flat surface P3 of the first plate flange 31, and a fifth flat surface P5 that is parallel to the fourth flat surface P4. Through holes 34b, 35b and 36a are formed in the first spacer 41.

[0035] The second flange 32 is a flat plate component with the same shape as the first flange 31, such as... Figure 3 as well as Figure 6 As shown, the second plate flange 32 has a sixth flat surface P6 that is in close contact with the fifth flat surface P5 of the first spacer 41, and a seventh flat surface P7 that is parallel to the sixth flat surface P6. Through holes 34c, 35c, 36b, and 37a are formed on the second plate flange 32; a third groove 132 connects to the through holes 34c and 37a on the sixth flat surface P6 side; and a fourth groove 142 connects to the through hole 34c on the seventh flat surface P7 side.

[0036] The second spacer 42 is a flat plate-shaped component with the same shape as the flange 31 of the first plate, such as... Figure 3 as well as Figure 7 As shown, it has an eighth flat surface P8 that is in close contact with the seventh flat surface P7 of the second plate flange 32, and a ninth flat surface P9 that is parallel to the eighth flat surface P8. Through holes 34d, 35d, 36c, 37b and 38 are formed in the first spacer 41.

[0037] In mold 9, a through hole 16 is formed by the through hole of the processing mold 10, the through hole 34a of the first plate flange 31, the through hole 34b of the first spacer 41, the through hole 34c of the second plate flange 32, and the through hole 34d of the second spacer 42.

[0038] The first resin supply path 11, the second resin supply path 12, the third resin supply path 13 and the fourth resin supply path 14 mentioned above are composed of a combination of through holes and / or grooves provided in the processing mold 10, the first plate flange 31, the first spacer 41, the second plate flange 32 and the second spacer 42.

[0039] The first resin supply path 11 includes a flow path (first flow path) formed by a through hole 35a of the first plate flange 31, a through hole 35b of the first spacer 41, a through hole 35c of the second plate flange 32, and a through hole 35d of the second spacer 42, and a flow path formed by a first groove 112 of the first plate flange 31 connecting the through hole 16 and the through hole 35a (first flow path) between the first plate flange 31 and the first flat surface P1 of the processing mold 10. The flow path formed by the first groove 112 is provided in a portion within a predetermined range from the connection point of the first resin supply path 11 and the through hole 16, so that the resin flows in a direction parallel to a plane orthogonal to the central axis Ax of the through hole 16.

[0040] The second resin supply path 12 includes a flow path (second flow path) formed by the through hole 36a of the first spacer 41, the through hole 36b of the second plate flange 32, and the through hole 36c of the second spacer 42, and a flow path formed by the second groove 122 of the first plate flange 31, which connects the through hole 16 to the through hole 36a (second flow path) of the first spacer 41 between the second groove 122 and the fourth flat surface P4 of the first spacer 41. The flow path formed by the second groove 122 connects to the through hole 16 at a position closer to the end 17a of the through hole 16 than the connection point between the first resin supply path 11 and the through hole 16, and causes the resin to flow in a direction parallel to a plane orthogonal to the central axis Ax of the through hole 16 in a portion within a defined range from the connection point between the second resin supply path 12 and the through hole 16.

[0041] The third resin supply path 13 includes a flow path (third flow path) formed by the through hole 37a of the second plate flange 32 and the through hole 37b of the second spacer 42, and a flow path formed by the third groove 132 of the second plate flange 32 that connects the through hole 16 and the through hole 37a (third flow path) between the second plate flange 32 and the fifth flat surface P5 of the first spacer 41. The flow path formed by the third groove 132 connects to the through hole 16 at a position closer to the end 17a of the through hole 16 than the connection point between the second resin supply path 12 and the through hole 16, and causes the resin to flow in a direction parallel to a plane orthogonal to the central axis Ax of the through hole 16 in a portion within a defined range from the connection point between the third resin supply path 13 and the through hole 16.

[0042] The fourth resin supply passage 14 includes a flow path (fourth flow path) formed by the through hole 38 of the second spacer 42, and a flow path formed by the fourth groove 142 of the second plate flange 32, which connects the through hole 16 and the through hole 38 (fourth flow path) between the second spacer 42 and the eighth flat surface P8. The flow path formed by the fourth groove 142 connects to the through hole 16 at a position closer to the end 17a of the through hole 16 than the connection point between the fourth resin supply passage 14 and the through hole 16, and causes the resin to flow in a direction parallel to a plane orthogonal to the central axis Ax of the through hole 16 in a portion within a defined range from the connection point between the fourth resin supply passage 14 and the through hole 16.

[0043] The following is for reference Figure 3 An extrusion molding method for a flexible tube using the flexible tube manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described. In the following description, an example will be given in which the hardness of the first resin, the second resin, the third resin, and the fourth resin are supplied sequentially to the through hole 16 of the mold 9, starting with the resin with the lowest hardness.

[0044] First, the control device 20 opens the first valve 21 and closes the second valve 22, the third valve 23, and the fourth valve, supplying the first resin extruded from the first extruder 1 to the through hole 16 of the mold 9 through the first resin supply path 11. While supplying the first resin to the mold 9, the braided thread 6 inserted into the through hole 16 is released from the extrusion port (end 17b of the through hole 16), thereby covering the surface of the braided thread 6 with the first resin.

[0045] Next, the control device 20 opens the second valve 22 and closes the first, third, and fourth valves, supplying the second resin extruded from the second extruder 2 to the through-hole 16 of the mold 9 via the second resin supply path 12. Shortly after switching the resin supplied to the mold 9 from the first resin to the second resin, because the first resin remains in the through-hole 16, a portion of the outer tube 26 covering the braided thread 6 is formed by a mixture of the first and second resins. Figure 3 (b) shaded area). Additionally, due to the flow of the second resin, a portion of the resin in the first groove 112 is drawn into the through hole 16. However, in this embodiment, the portion of the first resin supply path 11 within a predetermined range from the connection portion connected to the through hole 16 is formed parallel to a plane orthogonal to the central axis Ax of the through hole 16. Therefore, compared to the case of using a conical mold as described in International Publication No. 2005 / 120804, the amount of first resin flowing into the through hole 16 after switching can be reduced. Therefore, the length of the portion formed by the mixture of the first and second resins can be shortened, thereby enabling the manufacture of a flexible tube 7 capable of abruptly bending at the connection between the portion composed of the first resin and the portion composed of the second resin.

[0046] Subsequently, similarly, control device 20 opens the third valve 23 and closes the first valve 21, second valve 22, and fourth valve, supplying the third resin extruded from the third extruder 3 to the through-hole 16 of the die 9 through the third resin supply passage 13. Next, control device 20 opens the fourth valve and closes the first valve 21, second valve 22, and third valve 23, supplying the fourth resin extruded from the fourth extruder 4 to the through-hole 16 of the die 9 through the fourth resin supply passage 14. This control, as... Figure 3 As shown in (b), an outer tube 26 can be formed having portions made of a first resin, a second resin, a third resin, and a fourth resin in sequence, with the hardness changing in stages. Similar to the first groove 112, the second groove 122 and the third groove 123 are formed along a plane orthogonal to the central axis Ax. Therefore, the amount of second resin flowing into the through-hole 16 after switching from the second resin to the third resin, and the amount of third resin flowing into the through-hole 16 after switching from the third resin to the fourth resin, can be reduced.

[0047] As explained above, by using the mold 9 of this embodiment, the length of the portion containing the resin before and after the switching can be shortened when switching the resin extruded onto the surface of the braided thread 6. As a result, it is possible to manufacture products capable of... Figure 3 The three shaded areas shown in (b) are abruptly bent (capable of bending with a large curvature) of the flexible tube 7. Furthermore, in the mold 9 of this embodiment, resin is supplied radially along the braided thread 6 from a flow path formed by the first groove 112, the second groove 122, the third groove 132, and the fourth groove 142, in a direction orthogonal to the central axis Ax of the through hole 16. In this case, applying resin injection pressure radially to the braided thread 6 allows the molten resin used to form the outer tube 26 to reach the inner tube 28, thus improving the adhesion of the outer tube 26 to the braided component 27.

[0048] It should be noted that in the above embodiment, an example of extruding and forming the outer tube 26 while switching between four types of resin was described, but variations such as the following can also be implemented depending on the number of bendable parts.

[0049] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the mold for variation example 1.

[0050] Figure 8 The mold 18 shown in (a) comprises a processing mold 10, a first plate flange 31, and a first spacer 41. The mold 18 has a through hole 16, a first resin supply passage 11, and a second resin supply passage 12. The structure of each component or resin supply passage is the same as described above, therefore repeated descriptions are omitted. It should be noted that when using… Figure 8 When the mold shown in (a) constitutes a flexible tube manufacturing apparatus, the third extruder, the fourth extruder, the third valve, and the fourth valve can be omitted.

[0051] In the direction Figure 8 In the case where the resin supplied to the mold 18 shown in (a) is switched from the first resin to the second resin and the flexible tube 7 is extruded, as Figure 8 As shown in (b), it is possible to manufacture a flexible tube 7 with a bendable portion.

[0052] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the mold for variation example 2.

[0053] Figure 9 The mold 19 shown in (a) omits the fourth resin supply path 14 compared to the mold 9 shown in the above embodiment. The mold 19 can be used without the fourth resin supply path 14. Figure 6 The second plate flange 32 of the fourth groove 142 shown, and the flange without a flange shown. Figure 7 The second spacer 42 is used to construct the through hole 38 shown. It should be noted that, in use... Figure 9 In the case where the mold shown in (a) constitutes a flexible tube manufacturing apparatus, the fourth extruder and the fourth valve can be omitted.

[0054] In the direction Figure 9 In the case where the resin supplied to the mold 19 shown in (a) is sequentially switched to the first resin, the second resin, and the third resin, and the flexible tube 7 is extruded, as Figure 9 As shown in (b), it is possible to manufacture a flexible tube 7 with two bendable sections.

[0055] It should be noted that the structure of the first to fourth resin supply paths shown in the above embodiment is an example, and the first to fourth resin supply paths do not need to pass through the mold parallel to the through hole through which the braided thread passes. The position of the upstream end of the first to fourth resin supply paths can also be appropriately changed according to other structures of the flexible tube manufacturing apparatus.

[0056] This invention can be used as an apparatus for manufacturing flexible tubes such as catheter shafts used in the manufacture of medical catheters and tubes used in endoscopes.

[0057] The present invention has been described in detail above, but the foregoing description is merely illustrative in various respects and is not intended to limit its scope. It is self-evident that various modifications or variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mold for extruding and forming a flexible tube, wherein, The mold has the following features: A straight through hole that allows braided thread inserted at one end to exit at the other end; A first resin supply path, which is connected to the through hole, has a flow path parallel to a plane orthogonal to the central axis of the through hole in a portion within a specified range from the connection point connected to the through hole. as well as A second resin supply path is connected to the through hole at a position closer to one end of the through hole than the connection point between the first resin supply path and the through hole, and has a flow path parallel to the plane within a specified range from the connection point to the through hole. The mold is constructed by integrating a processing mold, a flat first flange, and a flat first spacer. The machining mold includes the other end of the through hole, and has a first flat surface parallel to the plane at a position closer to the other end of the through hole than the other end. The flat first flange has a second flat surface that is in close contact with the first flat surface of the processing mold, and a third flat surface that is parallel to the second flat surface. The first spacer, which is flat, has a fourth flat surface that is in close contact with the third flat surface. The first resin supply route consists of a first flow path and a first tank. The first flow path passes through the first plate flange and the first spacer, and extends parallel to the through hole. The first groove is disposed on the flange of the first plate, and a flow path connecting the through hole and the first flow path is formed between the first groove and the first flat surface. The second resin supply route consists of a second flow path and a second tank. The second flow path passes through the first spacer and extends parallel to the through hole. The second groove is disposed on the flange of the first plate, and a flow path connecting the through hole and the second flow path is formed between the second groove and the fourth flat surface.

2. The mold according to claim 1, wherein, The mold has a third resin supply path, which is connected to the through hole at a position closer to one end of the through hole than the connection point between the second resin supply path and the through hole, and has a flow path parallel to the plane in a portion of the distance from the connection point connected to the through hole.

3. The mold according to claim 2, wherein, The first spacer has a fifth flat surface parallel to the fourth flat surface. The mold also includes: A second plate flange, shaped like a flat plate, has a sixth flat surface in close contact with the fifth flat surface, and a seventh flat surface parallel to the sixth flat surface; and A second, flat spacer having an eighth flat surface that is in close contact with the seventh flat surface. The third resin supply route consists of a third flow path and a third tank. The third flow path passes through the second plate flange and the second spacer, and extends parallel to the through hole. The third groove is disposed on the flange of the second plate, and a flow path connecting the through hole and the third flow path is formed between the third groove and the fifth flat surface.

4. An apparatus for manufacturing a flexible tube, wherein, The apparatus for manufacturing the flexible tube includes: Mold; A first extruder supplies a first resin to the die; A second extruder supplies a second resin, which is different from the first resin, to the die; A first valve, disposed between the mold and the first extruder, controls the supply of the first resin; and A second valve, disposed between the mold and the second extruder, controls the supply of the second resin. The mold has the following features: A straight through hole that allows braided thread inserted at one end to exit at the other end; A first resin supply path, which is connected to the through hole, has a flow path parallel to a plane orthogonal to the central axis of the through hole in a portion within a specified range from the connection point connected to the through hole. as well as A second resin supply path is connected to the through hole at a position closer to one end of the through hole than the connection point between the first resin supply path and the through hole, and has a flow path parallel to the plane within a specified range from the connection point to the through hole. The mold is constructed by integrating a processing mold, a flat first flange, and a flat first spacer. The machining mold includes the other end of the through hole, and has a first flat surface parallel to the plane at a position closer to the other end of the through hole than the other end. The flat first flange has a second flat surface that is in close contact with the first flat surface of the processing mold, and a third flat surface that is parallel to the second flat surface. The first spacer, which is flat, has a fourth flat surface that is in close contact with the third flat surface. The first resin supply route consists of a first flow path and a first tank. The first flow path passes through the first plate flange and the first spacer, and extends parallel to the through hole. The first groove is disposed on the flange of the first plate, and a flow path connecting the through hole and the first flow path is formed between the first groove and the first flat surface. The second resin supply route consists of a second flow path and a second tank. The second flow path passes through the first spacer and extends parallel to the through hole. The second groove is disposed on the flange of the first plate, and a flow path connecting the through hole and the second flow path is formed between the second groove and the fourth flat surface.

5. The apparatus for manufacturing a flexible tube according to claim 4, wherein, The apparatus for manufacturing the flexible tube includes: A third extruder supplies the die with a third resin that is different from at least one of the first resin and the second resin; and A third valve, located between the mold and the third extruder, controls the supply of the third resin. The mold includes a third resin supply path, which is connected to the through hole at a position closer to one end of the through hole than the connection point between the second resin supply path and the through hole, and has a flow path parallel to the plane in a portion of the distance from the connection point connected to the through hole.

6. The apparatus for manufacturing a flexible tube according to claim 5, wherein, The first spacer has a fifth flat surface parallel to the fourth flat surface. The mold also includes: A second plate flange, shaped like a flat plate, has a sixth flat surface in close contact with the fifth flat surface, and a seventh flat surface parallel to the sixth flat surface; and A second, flat spacer having an eighth flat surface that is in close contact with the seventh flat surface. The third resin supply route consists of a third flow path and a third tank. The third flow path passes through the second plate flange and the second spacer, and extends parallel to the through hole. The third groove is disposed on the flange of the second plate, and a flow path connecting the through hole and the third flow path is formed between the third groove and the fifth flat surface.

Images