HOSE CURING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

An apparatus for and method of curing a polymeric hose are provided herein. In such apparatus and method a hose to be cured is confined within a tubular preformed spiral confining wall of a mold structure. Such tubular preformed spiral confining wall includes first and second spiral grooves in first and second mold structure, each of the first and second spiral grooves being disposed substantially in one plane such that with the first and second structures fastened together the tubular and spiral groove and a hose therein are disposed in one plane. This thereby provides optimum support for the exterior surface of such hose during curing. This assures provision of a precision outside surface yet enables curing of a substantial length of hose in a comparatively compact volume. The apparatus enables the curing of a substantial length of hose in a comparatively compact volume, thereby obviating the need for an oven or heating device of substantial length for the purpose of curing such substantial length hose while confining the outside surface thereof in order to define a precision outside surface therefor.