# US 5,344,511 A · Heat shrinkable plastic hose and method for manufacturing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,344,511 A - Document ID: US5344511A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/078,772 - Filed: 1993-08-05 - Granted: 1994-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 1991-01-10 - Assignees: RXS Schrumpftechnik-Garnturen GmbH - Inventors: Detlef Graefe; Dieter Sagemuehl - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5344511A ## CPC - B29C 61/0633: {Preforms comprising reinforcing elements (B29C61/0625 takes precedence)} - B29C 48/09: Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels - B29C 48/153: Coating both inner and outer surfaces - B29C 61/0616: {layered or partially layered preforms, e.g. preforms with layers of adhesive or sealing compositions (B29C61/0625 and B29C61/065 take precedence)} - 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 (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) ## Abstract A method for manufacturing a heat-shrinkable hose, wherein at least one shrinkable thread is wound around a basic hose element. A cover hose is provided that surrounds the basic hose element and overlies the heat-shrinkable thread. Longitudinal supporting threads can be provided for additional reinforcement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for continuously manufacturing a heat-shrinkable plastic hose having heat-shrinkable threads, said method consisting of the following steps: continuously extruding a basic hose element of plastic material from a first extruder; stretching at least one heat-shrinkable thread to form at least one pre-stretched thread; helically continuously winding said at least one pre-stretched thread onto said basic hose element, thus continuously forming a heat-shrinkable wound basic house element having a shape memory; continuously extruding a cover hose of plastic material from a second extruder onto said heat-shrinkable sound basic hose element, thus continuously forming a finished shrinkable hose having a radial shrink-factor of 5 through 10; and cross-linking said shrinkable hose. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of extruding a basic hose element comprises extruding a basic hose element of a thermoplastic material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of extruding a basic hose element comprises extruding a basic hose element of polyethylene. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A method according to claim 2, wherein the same plastic material is employed for said basic hose element and for said cover hose. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of extruding a cover hose comprises extruding a cover hose of a thermoplastic material differing from the material employed for the basic hose element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of stretching said heat-shrinkable thread, with a stretch factor of 5 through 20, before said step of winding. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of cross-linking said heat-shrinkable thread before said step of winding. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of applying at least one longitudinal, heat-stable, reinforcing supporting thread to said basic hose element in a cylindrical surface plane. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, wherein said at least one supporting thread is applied to said basic hose element from a support thread supply reel reciprocating along a longitudinal axis of said basic hose element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, wherein said at least one supporting thread is applied to said basic hose element simultaneously with, and in cooperation with, said step of winding said shrinkable thread. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, wherein said supporting threads are applied onto said basic hose element in said first extruder. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of cross-linking said shrink-hose comprises cross-linking said shrink hose in a cross-linking path at an exit side of said second extruder using a method chosen from a group consisting of cross-linking by high-energy irradiation and cross-linking chemically. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of winding further comprises helically winding a plurality of heat-shrinkable threads onto the basic hose element, such that said heat-shrinkable threads are generally parallel to one another. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of winding further comprises winding a plurality of shrinkable threads to form a lattice-like structure having thread intersections. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of fusing said heat-shrinkable threads to one another at said intersections. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of winding further comprises providing said heat-shrinkable thread on a supply reel, and rotating said supply reel around said basic hose element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of winding further comprises: providing said heat-shrinkable thread on a supply reel; feeding said heat-shrinkable thread from said supply reel; and rotating said basic hose element such that said heat-shrinkable thread is guided onto said basic hose element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of extruding a cover hose comprises providing a plurality of rollers within said second extruder. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of extruding a basic hose element, said step of winding, said step of extruding a cover hose, and said step of cross-linking are discontinuously implemented. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of stretching at least one heat-shrinkable thread is further defined by stretching at least one heat-shrinkable thread having a stretch factor of up to 20 to form at least one pre-stretched thread. ### Claim 21 A method for discontinuously manufacturing a heat-shrinkable plastic hose having heat-shrinkable threads, said method consisting of the following steps: stretching at least one heat-shrinkable thread to form at least one pre-stretched thread; forming a cylindrical fabric section including said at least one pre-stretched thread as a circumferential thread and a plurality of longitudinal supporting threads; extruding a basic hose element of plastic material from a first extruder; applying said fabric section onto said basic hose element, thus forming a wound basic hose element; impressing a shape memory onto said wound basic hose element; extruding a cover hose of plastic material from a second extruder onto said wound basic hose element, thus forming a shrink-hose; and cross-linking said shrink-hose. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the step of stretching at least one heat-shrinkable thread is further defined by stretching at least one heat-shrinkable thread having a stretch factor of up to 20 to form at least one pre-stretched thread.