Method for introducing an internal helical formation into a flexible tubular material
OwnerJohn Graeme Houston, Peter Arno Stonebridge +5inventors
InventorsJohn Graeme Houston, Peter Arno Stonebridge, John Bruce Cameron Dick, Robert Gordon Hood, Allana Johnstone, Christophe Emmanuel Sarran, Craig McLeod Duff
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Abstract
There is disclosed a method for introducing a helical formation (11) into a flexible tubular material (12). The material (12) is supported together with a surrounding helical former (13) so as to deform the material (12) to have a helical indentation (11) corresponding to the shape of the former (13). The material (12) is then set in that configuration and the former (13) is removed.
Claims31
A method for introducing an internal helical formation into a flexible tubular material, the method comprising supporting the material on a mandrel having a groove, placing a helical former corresponding to the groove around the material so as to deform the material to have an internal helical formation corresponding to the shape of the groove, setting the material in that configuration, and removing the former and the mandrel.
A tube for a human or animal body, the tube comprising a flexible tubular material, a side wall of the tube being deformed to form a helical formation in the internal surface of the side wall of the tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.