METHOD OF MANUFACTURING CONTINUOUS HOSE

摘要

A method of continuous hose manufacture in which hose comprising a liner 2, reinforcement 5 and cover 7 is cured by passage through a generally horizontal straight curing tube 8 containing a curing medium at a pressure and temperature sufficient to cure the hose. The curing medium acts directly on the outer surface of the hose and has a specific gravity substantially equal to that of the hose assembly passing through the tube 8 so that the latter is essentially supported by its buoyancy in the curing medium. The method enables hose to be produced in which curing is effected with the hose in a substantially straight configuration and subject to small, e.g. of the order of 10-100 Kg, haul-off tensions so that displacement of the reinforcement structure from its optimum configuration is minimised.