garden hose

Abstract

Garden hose (1) with a round cross-section with an inner diameter (D) of up to 20 mm, characterized in that the garden hose (1) is designed as a fabric hose with a dimensionally stable cross-section, which has an outer, textile fabric sheath (2) made of a fabric which is provided with a waterproof inner coating (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a garden hose with a round (or substantially round) cross-section and an inner diameter of up to 20 mm. The diameter of a garden hose is, for example, 1 / 2" (13 mm), 5 / 8" (16 mm), or 3 / 4" (19 mm). In use, the garden hose is typically equipped with connection fittings, hose connectors, or the like, which are attached to one or both ends of the hose. Garden hoses are used for watering gardens, parks, or other green spaces or plantings, e.g., also on balconies or terraces.

[0002] Garden hoses that are familiar and have been in use for decades are made of plastic and are usually produced by extrusion. Natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastics are used as materials. Designs with reinforcing inserts made of fibers or fabric are also known. These garden hoses are always characterized by their smoothest possible plastic surface, allowing them to glide easily and smoothly over various surfaces, such as lawns, flowerbeds, and even patios. The fabric reinforcement that may be present in conventional garden hoses is integrated into the hose wall and, among other things, ensures that the hose is pressure-resistant and dimensionally stable, as well as twist-proof and kink-free. Extruded garden hoses that are familiar and have generally proven themselves to be very effective.

[0003] There are also fabric hoses that are used particularly as fire hoses. They are manufactured by circular weaving on a circular loom and are therefore designed especially for high pressures. The fabric hose usually has an inner jacket or coating made from, for example, synthetic rubber. Such fabric hoses, and in particular fire hoses, are usually offered with an inner diameter of, for example, 50 mm to 150 mm or more. They are designed as flat hoses, i.e. the hose or hose jacket is not stiff or dimensionally stable, so that when not under pressure it can be rolled up flat and therefore saves space. When water is being pumped, the hose then assumes its round cross-section.

[0004] The production of a conventional fabric hose, in particular a fire hose, is described, for example, in DE 2 121 146 A. During the production of this fabric hose with an inner jacket made of rubber or plastic, a film hose coated with an adhesive is inserted into the respective fabric hose and glued in place. The adhesive-coated film hose is continuously fed to the fabric hose during the weaving process and carried along in the finished woven hose. The hose thus formed is subjected to internal pressure over a predetermined hose section and expanded to its full hose cross-section. At the same time, it is heated to activate the adhesive and then depressurized.

[0005] As an alternative to flat hoses with a relatively large diameter, fire hoses are also used in practice as quick-attack hoses with a dimensionally stable cross-section and a diameter of 25 mm.

[0006] Developments in the field of fire hoses had no influence on the design and construction of garden hoses. This is where the invention comes in.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of creating a garden hose with improved properties. The garden hose should be characterized in particular by its high durability, combined with its economical production and excellent handling.

[0008] To achieve this object, the invention teaches a garden hose with a round (or substantially) round cross-section and an inner diameter of up to 20 mm. The garden hose is designed as a dimensionally stable fabric hose with a cross-section that has an outer, textile fabric sheath (as a carrier) made of a fabric. The textile fabric sheath is provided on the inside with a waterproof inner coating. The fabric sheath is preferably made of a circular fabric produced by circular weaving, i.e., on a circular loom.

[0009] The invention is based on the surprising discovery that a garden hose with outstanding properties can be produced economically using methods that have previously been commonly used to manufacture fire hoses and other industrial hoses, and in particular flat hoses. This is because the manufacture of the garden hose according to the invention draws on knowledge gained from the manufacture of fire hoses. The garden hose according to the invention is produced as a woven hose on a circular loom, in the manner generally known for fire hoses, from the warp threads or warp yarns running in the longitudinal direction and the weft yarn or weft threads running in the rotating or circumferential direction. Circular looms for producing such woven hoses are known from the prior art, and they can be used to manufacture the garden hose according to the invention.It is important that the textile fabric cover produced on the circular loom forms the outer surface and thus the outer sheath of the garden hose according to the invention. On the inside, the textile fabric cover is provided with a waterproof inner coating, the design and production of which will be discussed below.

[0010] Of particular importance is the dimensionally stable construction or the dimensionally stable cross-section of the garden hose. The term "dimensionally stable" refers to the cross-section of the garden hose, i.e. the garden hose has the same or essentially the same round cross-section when pressurized or exposed to water as when not pressurized and therefore not flowing through. Dimensionally stable therefore means that the garden hose is not designed as a flat hose that can be rolled up flat. Nevertheless, the garden hose is characterized by a certain degree of flexibility, particularly along its length, so that it can be rolled up and laid in different radii.

[0011] Twisted yarns are preferably used as warp threads, which are each made up of several twisted, i.e. twisted, individual yarns.

[0012] It is possible that the weft thread or threads are also made from such twisted yarns.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, weft threads of different types are used for production (particularly in a circular loom), e.g. on the one hand a first weft thread of a first type and on the other hand a second weft thread of a second type. For the first weft thread, a twisted yarn as already mentioned can be used, which is formed from several twisted and thus multiple twisted individual yarns. Preferably, a filament thread, particularly preferably a monofilament thread, is used for the second weft thread rather than a twisted finishing yarn. Through this configuration and in particular the use of weft threads of different types, the properties of the fabric sheath can be specifically influenced and, in particular, a dimensionally stable fabric sheath can be produced.Particularly advantageous for ensuring dimensional stability is the use of a weft thread with a relatively high thickness or strength (and strength). Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the invention proposes that a weft thread, e.g., the second weft thread, which is designed as a filament thread, has a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, e.g., at least 1 mm, preferably 1 mm to 1.5 mm. In one embodiment, a 1.2 mm thick monofilament, e.g., a polyester monofilament, is used as the second weft thread. This weft thread can be a transparent one.

[0014] The weft threads and / or warp threads, which are preferably formed as twisted yarn, have a fineness of e.g. dtex 1000 to dtex 1200, e.g. 1100 dtex.

[0015] In any case, it is particularly advantageous if two types of weft threads with different thicknesses or finenesses are used for the fabric sheath. In the described embodiment, the second weft thread, as a filament thread and, for example, a monofilament thread, has a significantly greater thickness (and greater flexural rigidity) than the first weft thread, which is formed as a twisted yarn.

[0016] The described manufacture of the hose as a fabric hose with a fabric cover is of particular importance. The textile construction is based on various parameters, in particular the number and distribution of the warp threads, the weave type, the weft density, and the type of thread binding. The quality and performance of the hose can be significantly influenced by a suitable choice of weave. Within the scope of the invention, a plain weave is preferably used for the manufacture of the fabric cover. This weave type is generally known from the field of fire hoses, so that known knowledge can be used in the manufacture of the garden hose according to the invention.

[0017] The fabric jacket described is of particular importance for the structure and properties of the garden hose. In addition, the textile fabric jacket is provided on the inside with a waterproof inner coating. An inner coating made of an elastomer is preferably used, e.g. made of or with rubber. The inner coating is particularly preferably made of synthetic rubber or with synthetic rubber. Conventional EPDM, for example, can be used as a synthetic rubber. The inner coating is generally made of an extrudable material and is therefore produced by extrusion. A mixture of a synthetic rubber, e.g. EPDM, and other components, e.g. an EPDM rubber mixture, can be used for this. During production, a rubber or rubber compound that has not yet been cross-linked can first be...Produce a rubber hose which is then vulcanised, i.e. chemically cross-linked under the influence of heat, in order to create an elastic end product from the plastic raw material. In any case, it is expedient to produce the inner lining of the garden hose from a prefabricated and, for example, extruded inner jacket. This inner jacket can then be bonded to the fabric jacket and consequently to the textile printing carrier. Particularly preferably, the prefabricated inner jacket is incorporated into the fabric jacket during the production of the fabric jacket by feeding the prefabricated inner jacket to the circular loom and, during the weaving process, inserting it into the interior of the fabric jacket being created in the circular loom. The preferably provided adhesive bond between the inner jacket and the fabric jacket can then take place in a separate process step.For this purpose, it is expedient for the inner jacket to be provided on the outside with a (thermally) activatable (outer) adhesive layer, which is extruded onto the inner jacket, for example. The inner jacket is then inserted into the fabric jacket with the outer adhesive layer already provided on it. The inner jacket can then be bonded to the textile fabric jacket by (thermal) activation and preferably pressure, so that the inner coating of the textile fabric jacket is formed. To permanently bond the elastomer inner jacket to the textile fabric jacket, the prepared structure is positioned on a vulcanization table, for example. The hose is connected to steam supplies at both ends via so-called squeezing stations. Steam pressure and temperature press the rubber hose against the fabric and activate the adhesive layer, creating a permanent, functional bond.This process step is known from the production of fire hoses, so that these measures can be used in the production of the garden hose according to the invention.

[0018] The garden hose with its dimensionally stable cross-section has an inner diameter of up to 20 mm. The garden hose is preferably available in conventional diameters, e.g., 1 / 2" (13 mm), 5 / 8" (16 mm), or 3 / 4" (19 mm). The hose can be customized and therefore available in various lengths. Possible standard lengths include 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, 30 m, 45 m, or 60 m.

[0019] The garden hose is designed in such a way that it is designed for a bursting pressure of at least 60 bar, e.g. at least 75 bar, preferably at least 90 bar.

[0020] The described and claimed hose is designed according to the invention as a garden hose. The use of the hose as a garden hose is therefore of particular importance.

[0021] The garden hose can be manufactured in the manner described. The process for manufacturing a garden hose of the type described is therefore also of particular importance. The garden hose is manufactured as a fabric hose with a dimensionally stable cross-section and consists of an outer, textile fabric casing made of a fabric of the type described, which is provided with a waterproof inner coating. The fabric casing is preferably manufactured by circular weaving (on a circular loom), in the manner described, from warp threads running in the longitudinal direction of the hose and weft threads running in the circumferential or rotating direction. For more information, please refer to the described structure of the garden hose and the manufacturing method described in this context. The inner coating is preferably manufactured from a prefabricated, extruded inner casing, in the manner described above.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1 a garden hose according to the invention in a perspective view and Fig. 2 schematically simplifies the structure of the fabric of the fabric sheath.

[0023] The figures show a garden hose 1 with a round or substantially round cross-section and an inner diameter D of up to 20 mm. The garden hose 1 is used for watering gardens, parks, or other green spaces, flowerbeds, or the like. However, the garden hose is not designed as a conventional extruded plastic hose, but rather as a dimensionally stable fabric hose with a cross-sectional shape, which has an outer textile fabric sheath 2 made of a fabric and is provided with a waterproof inner coating 3.

[0024] The fabric cover 2 (which forms the outer surface of the tube) is made of a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical circular fabric produced by circular weaving on a circular loom. For this purpose, the fabric cover 2 is made of warp threads 4 and weft threads 5, 6. The warp threads 4 run in the longitudinal direction L of the tube, while the weft threads 5, 6 run in the circumferential direction, or the rotating direction.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, twisted yarns consisting of several twisted individual yarns, ie, several times twisted together, are used as warp threads 4, preferably as polyester yarn. The warp threads 4 can be formed from a yarn with a fineness of, for example, 1100 dtex.

[0026] In the exemplary embodiment, two different types of weft thread are used as weft threads 5, 6. A first weft thread 5 is preferably designed in the same way as the warp thread 4, i.e. as a twisted yarn, which can also have a fineness of 1100 dtex, for example. The second weft thread 6 is preferably not designed as a yarn or not as a twisted weft yarn, but as a filament thread, preferably a monofilament thread. It is particularly preferably a monofilament thread made of polyester and thus a (e.g. transparent) polyester monofilament. The second weft thread 6 is preferably thicker and / or more rigid than the first weft thread 5. It can have a thickness of 1.2 mm, for example.

[0027] The weave type of the fabric of the fabric sheath 2 is preferably a plain weave. In any case, the described structure of the textile fabric sheath 2 ensures a dimensionally stable cross-section of the garden hose 1, in part through the use of the relatively stiff filament threads 6.

[0028] On the inside, the textile fabric sheath 2 is provided with a waterproof inner coating 3. This inner coating 3 is made of an elastomer, e.g. from a synthetic rubber or based on a synthetic rubber such as EPDM. To produce the inner coating 3, a prefabricated and, for example, extruded inner sheath is used, which is adhesively bonded to the fabric sheath 2. For this purpose, it is possible to feed the prefabricated inner sheath, which is provided with an activatable adhesive layer 7, into the circular loom during the production of the fabric sheath 2, so that initially a textile fabric sheath 2 with a loose inner sheath is provided. In a further production step, the inner sheath can be bonded to the textile fabric sheath 2 by thermal activation and pressure, resulting in a textile fabric sheath 2 with a materially bonded inner coating 3.Details of this manufacturing step are not shown in the figures. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 2 121 146 A

[0004]

Claims

[1] Garden hose (1) with a round cross-section with an inner diameter (D) of up to 20mm, characterized by that the garden hose (1) is designed as a cross-sectionally dimensionally stable fabric hose which has an outer textile fabric sheath (2) made of a fabric which is provided with a waterproof inner coating (3). [2] Garden hose according to claim 1, characterized by that the fabric cover (2) is made of a circular fabric produced by circular weaving. [3] Garden hose according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the fabric casing (2) or the circular fabric is woven from warp threads (4) running in the longitudinal direction (L) of the tube and one or more weft threads (5, 6) running in the circumferential direction. [4] Garden hose according to claim 3, characterized by that the warp threads (4) are formed as twisted yarns from several twisted individual yarns. [5] Garden hose according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the textile fabric sheath (2) has at least one weft thread (5) which is formed as a twisted yarn from a plurality of twisted individual yarns. [6] Garden hose according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by that the textile fabric sheath (2) has at least one weft thread (6) which is designed as a filament thread, e.g. as a monofilament thread. [7] Garden hose according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by that the fabric sheath (2) has several weft threads (5, 6) of different types, e.g. a first weft thread (5) of a first type and a second weft thread (6) of a second type. [8] Garden hose according to claim 7, characterized by that the first weft thread (5) is formed as a twisted yarn from a plurality of twisted individual yarns and / or that the second weft thread (6) is formed as a filament thread, e.g. monofilament thread. [9] Garden hose according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized by that the warp threads (4) and / or at least one weft thread (5), e.g. the first weft thread (5), is designed e.g. as a twisted yarn, with a fineness of dtex 1000 to dtex 1200. [10] Garden hose according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized by that at least one weft thread (6), e.g. the second weft thread (6), e.g. as a filament thread, has a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, e.g. at least 1 mm, preferably 1 mm to 1.5 mm. [11] Garden hose according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized by that the warp threads (4) and / or the weft thread(s) (5, 6) are designed as plastic threads or are made of or with plastic, e.g. as polyester yarn, polyester thread or polyester filament, e.g. polyester monofilament. [12] Garden hose according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the fabric sheath (2) is woven in a plain weave. [13] Garden hose according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that the inner coating (3) is made of an elastomer or with an elastomer, e.g. of or with a rubber. [14] Garden hose according to claim 13, characterized by that the inner coating (3) is made of or with a synthetic rubber, e.g. of or with EPDM. [15] Garden hose according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by that the inner coating (3) is made from a prefabricated extruded inner shell (3). [16] Garden hose according to claim 15, characterized by that the prefabricated inner sheath (3) is adhesively bonded to the fabric sheath (2). [17] Garden hose according to claim 16, characterized bythat the inner jacket is provided with a (thermally) activatable outer adhesive layer (7) which is extruded, for example, onto the inner jacket, and that the inner jacket (3) is connected to the textile fabric jacket (2) to form the inner coating by (thermal) activation and, if appropriate, pressure. [18] Garden hose according to one of claims 1 to 17 with an inner diameter (D) of 1 / 2" or 13mm or an inner diameter of 5 / 8" or 16mm or an inner diameter of 3 / 4" or 19mm.

Images