END FACE STRUCTURE OF REINFORCED HOSE AND METHOD FOR TREATING END FACE
OF HOSE, AND COATING CAP
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]
The present invention relates to an end face structure of a reinforced hose, for example
used in a food manufacturing plant and drug manufacturing facility, which has excellent flexibility
and durability, a method for processing the end face of a hose in the production of the hose, and a
cover cap directly used for practicing the method.
More specifically, the present invention relates to the end face structure of a reinforced hose
for hermetically sealing the hose cut surface of the hose body having a reinforced wire rod extending
in the axial direction buried therein, a method for processing the end face of the hose and a cover
cap used for the end face structure and the method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002]
Conventionally, this kind of end face structure of a reinforced hose and a method for
processing the end face of the hose includes: attaching a double cylindrical forming die formed so as
to surround the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the hose cut surface; filling the inside of
the double cylindrical forming die with thermoset coating fluid having the same type of material as
the material of the hose body; and forming a seal component integrally with the hose cut surface by
thermally hardening the coating fluid with a heater, whereby the coating fluid flows along the
unevenly profiled hose cut surface with the injection of the coating fluid, and the seal component is
formed so as to tightly adhere to the unevenly profiled hose cut surface, and thus the end face can
be processed by a simple work without generating gaps or peel-off regardless of the state of the hose
cut surface (for example, see patent literature 1).
PRIOR ART LITERATURE
PATENT LITERATURE
[0003]
Patent literature 1: Japanese unexamined patent application publication 2007 - 198494
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0004]
However, in such a conventional end face structure of a reinforced hose and a method for
processing the end face of the hose, even if an annularly shaped seal component is adhered to the
unevenly profiled hose cut surface, since the adhered area between both members is limited, a
problem has occurred that the seal component is subject to peel-off from the hose cut surface by a
pull force applied in the axial direction on the outer periphery of the boundary portion between the
hose cut surface and the seal component, such as when the hose is bent in its connected state.
In particular, when the reinforced hose is comprised of a flexible material such as silicone
rubber, the outer periphery of the boundary portion between the hose cut surface and the seal
component is subjected to breakage due to further bending deformation in the hose itself, and thus a
problem has occurred that the seal component is easily peeled off from the hose cut surface.
If the seal component is peeled off from the hose cut surface, in the worst case, the seal
component could drop off and mix into a fluid passing through inside the hose. Thus, a problem has
occurred that such a reinforced hose cannot be used in some industries where very strict
countermeasures are taken against contamination in products produced especially in a food
manufacturing plant, drug manufacturing facility and so forth.

[0005]
The present invention is intended to address such a problem, and the objects of the present
invention are to perform simplified covering process for preventing the cover cap from being peeled
off from the hose cut surface, to perform covering process for protecting from peel-off regardless of
the state of the hose cut surface, to perform covering process for preventing peel-off from the hose
cut surface by simple works, and to simply perform covering process for preventing peel-off from the
hose cut surface and so forth.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
[0006]
In order to achieve such objects, an end face structure of a reinforced hose according to the
present invention is provided with a flexible reinforced hose having a reinforced wire rod buried
therein in the axial direction, and a cover cap having a ring portion and a sleeve portion which are
continuously formed so as to face each of the cut surface and the outer peripheral surface continuing
from the cut surface of the reinforced hose, wherein mutually communicating passages are formed
between the cut surface of the reinforced hose and the ring portion and between the outer
peripheral surface of the reinforced hose and the sleeve portion by sealing a gap between the inner
peripheral surface of the reinforced hose and the inner end face of the ring portion, and by filling
the passages with an adhesive agent, the ring portion and the sleeve portion are tightly adhered to
each of the cut surface and the outer peripheral surface of the reinforced hose via the adhesive
agent.
[0007]
In addition to the aforementioned aspect, protruding portions partially projecting toward
the cut surface of the reinforced hose are formed on the end face of the ring portion facing the cut
surface of the reinforced hose, wherein the protruding portions and a part of the cut surface of the
reinforced hose are arranged so as to comes into contact with each other.
[0008]
Further, a method for processing the end face of a reinforced hose according to the present
invention comprises1 a step of covering the cut surface and the outer peripheral surface continuing
from the cut surface of the reinforced hose having a reinforced wire rod buried therein in the axial
direction with a ring portion and a sleeve portion of a cover cap facing the cut surface and the outer
peripheral surface respectively; a step of forming mutually communicating passages between the
cut surface of the reinforced hose and the ring portion and between the outer peripheral surface of
the reinforced hose and the sleeve portion by detachably inserting a sealing member with respect to
the inner end face of the ring portion and the inner peripheral surface of the reinforced hose so as to
come into contact with each of the inner end face and the inner peripheral surface; and a step of
tightly adhering the ring portion and the sleeve portion to each of the cut surface and the outer
peripheral surface of the reinforced hose by filling the passages with an adhesive agent.
[0009]
Further, a cover cap used for a method for processing the end face of a reinforced hose
according to the present invention is provided with the ring portion annularly formed so as to face
the cut surface of the reinforced hose and the sleeve portion cylindrically formed so as to face the
outer peripheral surface of the reinforced hose, wherein a first passage to be filled with the adhesive
agent is formed on the surface of the ring portion facing the cut surface of the reinforced hose and a
second passage to be filled with the adhesive agent is formed on the surface of the sleeve portion
facing the outer peripheral surface of the reinforced hose, and the first passage and the second
passage are formed to communicate with each other such that the adhesive agent flows bi-
directionally between the first passage and the second passage.
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION
[0010]

In the end face structure of a reinforced hose according to the present invention, which has
aforementioned aspects, a sealing member hermetically seals a gap between the inner peripheral
surface of the reinforced hose and the inner end face of the ring portion such that mutually
communicating passages are formed between the cut surface of the reinforced hose and the ring
portion and between the outer peripheral surface of the reinforced hose and the sleeve portion, and
by filling the passages with an adhesive agent, the cut surface of the reinforced hose and the ring
portion are tightly adhered to each other via the adhesive agent while the outer peripheral surface
of the reinforced hose and the sleeve portion are tightly adhered to each other via the adhesive
agent, and thus the ring portion and the sleeve portion of the cover cap are strongly adhered to the
cut surface and the outer peripheral surface of the reinforced hose, whereby a covering process for
preventing the cover cap from being peeled off from the hose cut surface can be easily performed.
As a result, in comparison with the conventional end face structure where even if an
annularly-shaped seal component is adhered to the unevenly profiled portion of the hose cut
surface, the adhered area between both members is limited, the ring portion and the sleeve portion
of the cover cap cannot be detached and dropped off even if a pull force is applied in the axial
direction on the outer periphery near the hose cut surface such as when the hose is bent in its
connected state, whereby a problem that the ring portion and the sleeve portion are mixed into
products such as foods and drugs is completely eliminated, and thus the reinforced hose can be
safely used especially for industries such as a food manufacturing plant and drug manufacturing
facility where very strict countermeasures are taken against contamination in products.
[0011]
Further, when protruding portions partially projecting toward the cut surface of the
reinforced hose are formed on the end face of the ring portion facing the cut surface, and a part of
the cut surface of the reinforced hose and the protruding portions are arranged to come into contact
with each other, a passage is reliably secured between the cut surface and the protruding portions of
the ring portion by filling the adhesive agent even if the cut surface is tilted or has uneven profiles
generated thereon during the cut of the reinforced hose, and the tilted or unevenly profiled cut
surface and the ring portion are tightly adhered to each other via an adhesive agent, and thus a
covering process for protecting from peel-off can be performed regardless of the state of the cut
surface.
As a result, even if the reinforced hose could not be accurately cut such that the cut surface
thereof is substantially normal to the axial direction of the hose, a complete covering process can be
performed to protect from peel-off for the ring portion of the cover cap.
[0012]
Further, in a method for processing the end face of the reinforced hose according to the
present invention which has aforementioned aspects,
mutually communicating passages are formed between the cut surface of the reinforced hose and
the ring portion and between the outer peripheral surface of the reinforced hose and the sleeve
portion by detachably inserting a sealing member with respect to the inner end face of the ring
portion and the inner peripheral surface of the reinforced hose so as to come into contact with each
of the inner end face and the inner peripheral surface," and by filling the passages with an adhesive
agent, the cut surface of the reinforced hose and the ring portion are tightly adhered to each other
via the adhesive agent while the outer peripheral surface of the reinforced hose and the sleeve
portion are adhered to each other via the adhesive agent, and thus the ring portion and the sleeve
portion of the cover cap are strongly adhered to the cut surface and the outer peripheral surface of
the reinforced hose, whereby a covering process can be performed with a simple work to prevent the
cover cap from being peeled off from the hose cut surface.
As a result, in comparison with a conventional end face processing method where a double
cylindrical forming die is attached so as to surround the inner periphery and the outer periphery of
the hose cut surface and a seal component is formed integrally with the hose cut surface by filling
the double cylindrical forming die with a coating fluid, the method according to the present
invention can reduce process time, and thus is suitable for performing at the site the end face
processing for a reinforced hose.
[0013]

Further, in a cover cap according to the present invention which has aforementioned
aspects, a first passage into which an adhesive agent is filled is formed on the surface of the ring
portion facing the cut surface of the reinforced hose and a second passage into which the adhesive
agent is filled is formed on the surface of the sleeve portion facing the outer peripheral surface of
the reinforced hose, and by filling the first passage and the second passage with the adhesive agent,
the cut surface of the reinforced hose and the ring portion are tightly adhered to each other via the
adhesive agent while the outer peripheral surface of the reinforced hose and the sleeve portion are
tightly adhered to each other via the adhesive agent, and thus the ring portion and the sleeve
portion of the cover cap are strongly adhered to the cut surface and the outer peripheral surface of
the reinforced hose, whereby a covering process for preventing the ring portion and the sleeve
portion from being peeled off from the hose cut surface can be simply performed.
As a result, in comparison with an annularlyshaped seal component adhered to an
unevenly profiled hose cut surface, the ring portion and the sleeve portion of the cover cap cannot
be detached and dropped off even if a pull force is applied in the axial direction on the outer
periphery near the hose cut surface such as when the hose is bent in its connected state, whereby a
problem that the ring portion and the sleeve portion are mixed into products such as foods and
drugs is completely eliminated, and thus the reinforced hose can be safely used especially for
industries such as a food manufacturing plant and drug manufacturing facility where very strict
countermeasures are taken against contaminants in products.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014]
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional front view illustrating an entire configuration of an end face
structure of a reinforced hose and a method for processing the hose end face according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view illustrating a cover cap taken along the line (2) - (2).
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional front view illustrating an entire configuration of an end face
structure of a reinforced hose and a method for processing the hose end face according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional side view illustrating a cover cap taken along the line (5) - (5).
Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015]
Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention is described in detail with
reference to drawings.
As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, an end face structure (A) according to an embodiment of the
present invention includes as main components a flexible reinforced hose 1 having a reinforced wire
rod la buried therein in the axial direction, and a cover cap 2 having a ring portion 2a and a sleeve
portion 2b which are continuously formed so as to face each of a cut surface 1b and a tip section of
an outer peripheral surface 1c continuing from the cut surface 1b of the reinforced hose 1.
A sealing member 3 which comes into contact with each of the inner peripheral surface 1d
of the reinforced hose 1 and the inner end face 2c of the ring portion 2a is configured to seal a gap
between the inner peripheral surface 1d and the inner end face 2c, whereby a passage 4 is formed
between the cut surface 1b and the outer peripheral surface lc of the reinforced hose 1 and the cover
cap 2, and by filling the passage 4 with an adhesive agent 5 the cover cap 2 is tightly adhered to
each of the cut surface 1b and the outer peripheral surface lc of the reinforced hose 1 such that the
cover cap 2 is integrally formed with the reinforced hose 1.
[0016]
The reinforced hose 1 is formed with a plurality of layers comprised of an elastically
deformable material such as a flexible rubber, a synthesized resin and so forth that are integrally
laminated in the radial direction, and a reinforced layer is buried by a reinforced wire rod la being
wound in the axial direction between these multiple layers.

As a specific example of the reinforced hose 1, an inner layer 1i and an outer layer 1o is
formed with a transparent or a semi-transparent silicon rubber and so forth and between these
inner layer 1i and outer layer 1o, as the reinforced wire rod la, a coil made of polyester, nylon
(trademark), splicing yarn or reinforced fiber comprised of multifilament and so forth made of
woven aramid fiber or thin monofilament, metal wire such as stainless steel, and wire rod made of
rigid synthetic resin such as thick monofilament is generally wound in a prescribed pattern such as
a net-like pattern or a spiral pattern.
[0017]
Further, the end face in the axial direction of the reinforced hose 1 is formed by cutting the
reinforced hose 1 with a blade such as a cutter or a scissors and the cut surface lb is formed such
that the surface is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the reinforced hose 1.
When the reinforced hose 1 is formed with a material having flexibility such as a silicon
rubber, even if the hose is cut with a sharp blade, the hose is pressed and easily deformed during
cutting, and thereby making it difficult to cut the hose such that the cut surface 1b is perpendicular
to the axial direction of the hose while easily generating unevenly profiled cut surface 1b.
Further, when cutting the reinforced hose 1 with a blade, although it is relatively easy to
cut the inner layer 1i or the outer layer 1o which are made of a flexible material, it is relatively
difficult to cut the reinforced wire rod la, and thus depending on the state after cutting the hose,
some end portions of the reinforced wire rod la may come out from the cut surface 1b, some of the
reinforced wire rod la may come off, or pores may occur with the removal of some reinforced wire
rods la.
When the reinforced hose 1 is connected while the end portion of the reinforced wire rod la
comes out from the cut surface lb or comes off, or pores occur in the cut surface 1b, foods or drugs
are easily adhered to the end portion of the projected reinforced wire rod 1a, and thus unwanted
bacteria might occur and propagate and a metal wire, if used as the reinforced wire rod la might get
rusted. Further, since the boundary portions between the constituent material of the hose and the
reinforced wire rod la and the holes caused by removal of the reinforced wire rod la are exposed on
the cut surface 1b of the reinforced hose 1, a fluid could penetrate inside the reinforced hose 1 due to
capillary phenomenon also through these boundary portions and holes, and thus a problem occurs
that the decomposed fluid could cause contamination. Further, when a splicing yarn or a reinforced
fiber is used as the reinforced wire rod la, the reinforced wire rod la removed from the cut surface
lb of the reinforced hose 1 could mix into a product, and when a metal wire is used as the reinforced
wire rod la, the rust thereof could mix into a product, and thus facilities especially such as food
manufacturing plants and drug manufacturing facilities where a safe and sanitary environment
must be maintained, have been primarily concerned with sanitation issues.
Also, when the entire reinforced hose 1 is formed with, for example a transparent or a
semitransparent material such as silicone rubber, the transparency of the hose could be reduced by
decomposition and so forth due to the penetration of a fluid.
[0018]
The cover cap 2 is formed with the same elastically deformable material as the constituent
material of the reinforced hose 1 or a material with excellent adherence properties to the
constituent material of the reinforced hose 1 via an adhesive agent 5 which will be described later,
and includes a ring portion 2a which is annularly formed so as to face the cut surface lb of the
reinforced hose 1 and a sleeve portion 2b which is formed continuing from the ring portion 2a in a
cylindrical shape so as to face the outer peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced hose 1.
The inner diameter of the ring portion 2a is formed to have substantially the same length
as the outer diameter of a sealing member 3, which will be described later.
The inner diameter of the sleeve portion 2b is formed to have a larger length than the outer
diameter of the reinforced hose 1.
Further, although not shown here, as necessary, a flange or the like can be integrally
formed on the outer periphery at the base of the sleeve portion 2b where the ring portion 2a is
formed.
[0019]

The sealing member 3 is comprised of a material which is nonadhesive to the reinforced
hose 1, the cover cap 2 and the adhesive agent 5 which will be described later or any other
materials, and formed in a hollow cylindrical or a solid columnar shape having the outer diameter
substantially the same in length as the inner diameter of the ring portion 2a and the inner diameter
of the reinforced hose 1.
Further, by inserting the sealing member 3 along the inner end face 2c of the ring portion
2a and the inner peripheral surface 1d of the reinforced hose 1 in a state where the cover cap 2 is
attached to the reinforced hose 1 so as to cover the cut surface lb and the tip portion of the outer
peripheral surface 1c continuing from the cut surface 1b of the reinforced hose 1, the outer
peripheral surface 3a comes into contact with each of the inner end face 2c of the ring portion 2a
and the inner peripheral surface 1d of the reinforced hose 1, whereby mutually communicating
passages 4 are formed segmentary between the cut surface lb of the reinforced hose 1 and the ring
portion 2a and between the outer peripheral surface lc and the sleeve portion 2b.
[0020]
In the ring protion 2a of the cover cap 2, the end face of the ring portion 2a facing the cut
surface 1b of the reinforced hose 1 preferably has a protruding portion 2d partially projecting
toward the cut surface 1b, whereby a first passage 4a is formed between the end face of the ring
portion 2a and the cut surface lb of the reinforced hose 1 as a passage 4 to be filled with the after-
described adhesive agent 5.
In sleeve portion 2b of the cover cap 2, the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 2b
facing the outer peripheral surface lc of the reinforced hose 1 preferably has an unevenly profiled
portion 2e partially projecting toward the outer peripheral surface 1c, whereby a second passage 4b
is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 2b and the outer peripheral
surface lc of the reinforced hose 1 as a passage 4 to be filled with the after-described adhesive agent
5 so that the first passage 4a and the second passage 4b communicate with each other to allow the
adhesive agent 5 bi-directionally flows therebetween.
[0021]
The adhesive agent 5 is filled in the passage 4 formed between the cut surface lb and the
outer peripheral surface lc of the reinforced hose 1 and the cover cap 2 and hardened so that the cut
surface lb and the outer peripheral surface lc and the cover cap 2 are tightly adhered to each other,
and thus an adhesive agent which has excellent fluidity and easy to control hardening is preferably
used in order to facilitate the process of adherence.
In particular, when the inner layer 1i and the outer layer 1o of the reinforced hose 1 are
formed with, for example addition reactive silicone rubber, addition reactive silicone (liquid-state
silicone elastomer) is preferably used as the adhesive agent 5 comprised of the similar material as
the addition reactive silicone rubber.
When RTV is used as the addition reactive silicone, the RTV is hardened at room
temperature, and when LTV is preferably used instead of RTV, LTV is quickly hardened (in a few
minutes) at around 100 °C.
Further, as the adhesive agent 5 is injected into the passage 4 formed between the cut
surface lb and the outer peripheral surface lc of the reinforced hose 1 and the cover cap 2, the
adhesive agent 5 needs to flow through the passage 4 such that the air in the passage 4 is pushed
out and the overall passage 4 is filled up with the adhesive agent 5. That is, it is preferable to
provide in the passage 4 an inlet 5a for the adhesive agent 5 and an air-releasing fluid channel 5b
as a means for releasing the residual air in the passage 4 with the injection of the adhesive agent 5
from the inlet 5a. A plurality of inlets 5a for the adhesive agent 5 are preferably provided on either
one or both of the ring portion 2a and the sleeve portion 2b of the cover cap 2 so as to open toward
the passage 4.
[0022]
A method for processing the end face of a hose in order to manufacture the end face
structure A for the reinforced hose according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a
step of covering the cut surface of the reinforced hose with the cover cap 2, a step of forming a
passage 4 for the adhesive agent 5, and a step of adherence via the adhesive agent 5 and so forth.

[0023]
In the step of covering the reinforced hose 1 with the cover cap 2, the reinforced hose 1 is
covered with the cover ring 2 such that the ring portion 2a and the sleeve portion 2b of the cover cap
2 face each of the cut surface 1b and the tip portion of the outer peripheral surface 1c continuing
from the cut surface lb.
Further, in this covering step, it is preferable to fill the adhesive agent while the reinforced
hose 1 and the ring portion 2a are arranged such that a part of the cut surface 1b of the reinforced
hose 1 in the circumferential direction comes into contact with the protruding portion 2d formed on
the inner end face of the ring portion 2a. At this time, by circumferentially rotating the reinforced
hose 1 or the cover cap relatively to each other as necessary, a part of the cut surface 1b in the
circumferential direction of the reinforced hose 1 and the protruding portions 2d formed on the end
face of the ring portion 2a may be arranged to fit each other.
Further, in the covering step, a prescribed amount of the adhesive agent 5 may be
preliminarily applied to the end face of the cover cap 2 before the reinforced hose 1 is covered with
the cover cap 2.
[0024]
In the step of forming the passages for the adhesive agent 5, by detachably inserting the
sealing member 3 with respect to the inner end face 2c of the ring portion 2a and the inner
peripheral surface 1d of the reinforced hose 1 so as to come into contact with the inner end face 2c
and the inner peripheral surface 1d respectively and hermetically sealing a gap between the inner
end face 2c of the ring portion 2a and the inner peripheral surface 1d of the reinforced hose 1 with
the outer peripheral surface 3a of the sealing member 3, a first partitioned passage 4a is formed as
the passage 4 between the cut surface 1b of the reinforced hose 1 and the ring portion 2a, and a
second partitioned passage 4b is formed as the passage 4 between the outer peripheral surface 1c of
the reinforced hose 1 and the sleeve portion 2b.
[0025]
In the adhering step using the adhesive agent, by injecting the adhesive agent 5 through
the inlet 5a opened either on the ring portion 2a or on the sleeve portion 2b of the cover cap 2 into
the first passage 4a or the second passage 4b of the passage 4, all over the first passage 4a and the
second passage 4b are filled with the adhesive agent 5. Subsequently, by hardening the adhesive
agent 5, the ring portion 2a and the sleeve portion 2b are tightly adhered to the cut surface 1b and
the outer peripheral surface lc of the reinforced hose 1 respectively.
[0026]
According to the end face structure A, the method for processing the end face of a hose and
the cover cap 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, the cut
surface lb of the reinforced hose 1 and the ring portion 2a are tightly adhered to each other via the
adhesive agent 5 while the outer peripheral surface lc of the reinforced hose 1 and the sleeve
portion 2b are adhered to each other via the adhesive agent 5 as shown by the two-dot chain line in
Fig. 1. Thereby, the ring portion 2a and the sleeve portion 2b of the cover cap 2 are integrally
formed with the cut surface 1b and the outer peripheral surface lc of the reinforced hose 1.
As such, a covering process for preventing the peel-off from the cut surface 1b of the
reinforced hose 1 can be performed, and thus the end part of the reinforced wire rod la can be
completely prevented from coming out or coming off from the cut surface 1b while preventing a fluid
from penetrating inside the reinforced hose 1 along the hole for the reinforced wire rod la based on
capillary phenomenon.
Further, for example, even if a pull force is exerted in the axial direction on the outer
periphery near the cut surface 1b of the reinforced hose 1 such as when the reinforced hose 1 is bent
while the reinforced hose 1 is connected, the ring portion 2a and the sleeve portion 2b can be
prevented from being separated from each other and dropping off.
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the
drawings.
EMBODIMENT 1

[0027]
In the end face structure A of the reinforced hose 1 and the cover cap 2 according to this
embodiment 1 as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a plurality of protruding portions 2d is formed on the inner
end face of the ring portion 2a in the circumferential direction at a predetermined interval, and the
reinforced hose 1 and the ring portion 2a are arranged such that a part of the cut surface lb of the
reinforced hose 1 in the circumferential direction comes into contact with a part or whole of the
plurality of protruding portions 2d, whereby a first passage 4a in the passage 4 is formed between
the inner end face of the ring portion 2a and the cut surface lb of the reinforced hose 1 in the area
except for the protruding portions 2d.
A plurality of convex portions 2el is formed in an unevenly profiled portion 2e on the inner
peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 2b in the axial direction and the circumferential direction at
a predetermined interval, and the reinforced hose 1 and the sleeve portion 2b are arranged such
that the outer peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced hose 1 comes into contact with the tip of the
convex portions 2el, whereby a second passage 4b in the passage 4 is formed between the inner
peripheral surface of the sleeve 2b and the outer peripheral surface lc of the reinforced hose 1 in
concave portions except for the convex portions 2el.
[0028]
In the examples shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the dome'shaped protruding portions 2d and the
dome-shaped convex portions 2el in the unevenly profiled portion 2e are integrally formed with the
end face of the ring portion 2a and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 2b respectively.
Further, although not shown here, it is possible to form the protruding portions 2d and the
convex portions 2e1 in the unevenly profiled portion 2e into other shapes such as a cone shape,
pyramid shape, a circular truncated cone, a frustum of pyramid shape and so forth and to form
different shapes between the protruding portions 2d and the convex portions 2el.
[0029]
Further, in the example shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the inlets 5a of the adhesive agent 5 are
opened in the radial direction toward the second passage 4b in the passage 4 substantially at the
middle position in the axial direction of the sleeve 2b of the cover cap 2 while a plurality of the inlets
5a is arranged in the circumferential direction at a prescribed interval.
In this case, it is preferable to arrange the air-releasing fluid channels 5b at both ends of
the passage 4 in the axial direction as a means for releasing the residual air with the injection of the
adhesive agent 5. In the example shown in Fig. 1 to 3, as the air-releasing fluid channel 5b, an air-
releasing through-hole 2f is opened in the ring portion 2a of the cover cap 2 from the first passage
4a in the passage 4 in the axial direction and an annular shaped opening portion 2g is opened
between the inner periphery at the end portion of the sleeve portion 2b positioned opposite the ring
portion 2a and the outer peripheral surface lc of the reinforced hose 1.
Further, although not shown here, as another example, it is possible to open the inlet 5a for
the adhesive agent 5 in the ring portion 2a of the cover cap 2 toward the first passage 4a in the
passage 4 or to form an annular convex portion on the inner periphery at the end portion of the
sleeve portion 2b opposite the ring portion 2a so as to project toward the outer peripheral surface lc
of the reinforced hose 1 while opening an air-releasing through-hole in the annular convex portion.
[0030]
In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the reinforced wire rod la is cylindrically knitted
between the inner layer 1i and the outer layer 1o which are comprised of transparent or
semitransparent silicone rubber and so forth, and thus the reinforced hose 1 is configured such that
a reinforced layer is formed integrally with the inner layer 1i and the outer layer 1o.
In a method for manufacturing such a reinforced hose 1, an extruder is used, which is
shown for example in the Japanese unexamined patent application publication 8-207110. First, the
inner layer 1i is extrusion-molded by the extruder, followed by a step of knitting the reinforced wire
rod la along the outer peripheral surface of the inner layer 1i using a knitter (not shown), and then
the outer layer 1o is extrusion-molded over the reinforced wire rod la and is laminated thereon.
Further, as the reinforced wire rod la of the reinforced hose 1, for example chemical fiber
(artificial fiber) is used, which includes synthesized fiber such as polyester fiber and nylon fiber or
regenerated fiber such as rayon fiber, and is melted by heat. A warp knitting lines 1a1

continuing in the axial direction of the reinforced hose 1 and a flat knitting lines 1a2 continuing
in the circumferential direction of the reinforced hose 1 crossing the warp knitting lines are
respectively bent substantially in U-shape at even intervals and are mutually flexibly knitted.
The knitting directions of these warp knitting lines 1a1 and flat knitting lines 1a2
is defined by knitting the reinforced wire rod such that the warp knitting lines 1a1 are directed
parallel to the axial direction of the hose body 1 while the flat knitting lines 1a2 are directed
orthogonally to the warp knitting lines or by knitting the reinforced wire rod such that the
reinforced wire rod is tilted by a predetermined angle from the axial direction of the hose 1 and is
spirally wound such that the forces exerted on the warp knitting lines 1a1 and flat knitting
lines 1a2 are balanced in response to the distortion of the hose body 1.
[0031]
According to the end face structure A, the method for processing the end face of a hose and
the cover cap 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example as shown in Fig.
1, the reinforced hose 1 is inserted into the cover cap 2 and the reinforced hose 1 and the cover cap 2
are arranged such that a part of the cut surface 1b of the reinforced hose 1 in the circumferential
direction comes into contact with at least a part of the plurality of protruding portions 2d which are
arranged in the circumferential direction at a predetermined interval, while the sealing member 3
is detachably inserted along the inner end surface 2c of the ring portion 2a and the inner peripheral
surface 1d of the reinforced hose 1.
As such, a gap between the inner end face 2c of the ring portion 2a and the inner peripheral
portion Id of the reinforced hose 1 is sealed by the inner peripheral surface 3a of the sealing
member 3, and thus the inner end of the first passage 4a is closed.
In particular, when cutting the reinforced hose 1 with a blade, the cut surface 1b of the
reinforced hose 1 could be tilted with respect to the axial direction of the reinforced hose 1 or an
unevenly profiled portion could be generated on the cut surface lb. As such, even if the reinforced
hose 1 could not be cut substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the reinforced hose 1,
the reinforced hose 1 and the ring portion 2 are arranged such that a part of the cut surface 1b of
the reinforced hose 1 in the circumferential direction comes into contact with at least a part of the
plurality of protruding portions 2d, whereby the first passage 4a to be filled with the adhesive agent
5 is reliably secured between the cut surface 1b and the ring portion 2a via the protruding portions
2d.
[0032]
Thereafter, while keeping that condition, when the adhesive agent 5 is injected from the
inlet 5a into the second passage 4b in the passage 4, the adhesive agent 5 extends along the second
passage 4b in the axial direction of the reinforced hose 1, and a part of the adhesive agent 5 flows
into the first passage 4a, thereby pushing out the air in the passage 4 through a through-hole 2f
serving as an air-releasing fluid channel 5b. By overflowing the adhesive agent 5 as necessary, the
overall first passage 4a is filled up with the adhesive agent 5. At the same time, the rest of the
adhesive agent 5 pushes out the air in the second passage 4b through the annular opening portion
2g which is opened as an air-releasing fluid channel 5b between the end portion of the sleeve portion
2b and the outer peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced hose 1. By overflowing the adhesive agent 5
as necessary, the overall second passage 4b is filled up with the adhesive agent 5.
[0033]
Thereafter, while keeping that condition, when the adhesive agent 5 is hardened, the cut
surface lb of the reinforced hose 1 and the ring portion 2a are tightly adhered to each other via the
adhesive agent 5 while the outer peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced hose 1 and the sleeve
portion 2b are tightly adhered to each other via the adhesive agent 5, whereby the ring portion 2a
and the sleeve portion 2b of the cover cap 2 are strongly adhered to the cut surface 1b and the outer
peripheral surface lc of the reinforced hose 1 and the reinforced hose 1 and the cover cap 2 are
integrally formed.
As such, when cutting the reinforced hose 1, even if the cut surface 1b is tilted or the
uneven profile is generated on the cut surface 1b, a complete covering process for protecting from
peel-off for the ring portion 2a of the cover cap 2 can be performed without being affected by the tilt
or the uneven profile of the cut surface.

[0034]
In particular, as illustrated in the example shown in Figs. 1 to 3, when the reinforced hose
1 is multilayered such that the reinforced wire rod la is cylindrically knitted between the inner
layer 1i and the outer layer 1o which are made of transparent or semitransparent silicone rubber
and so forth, the removal of the reinforced wire rod la from the cut surface lb can be completely
prevented while the penetration of fluid along the reinforced wire rod la based on capillary
phenomenon can be prevented, and thus the reduction of transparency in the hose due to the
decomposition of the penetrating fluid can also be prevented.
EMBODIMENT 2
[0035]
In this embodiment 2 as shown in Figs. 4 to 6, a plurality of convex portions 2e2 with flat
end surfaces is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 2b such that the convex
portions 2e2 are positioned closely with each other respectively in the axial direction and in the
circumferential direction as an unevenly profiled portion 2e. The flat end surface of the convex
portions 2e2 and the outer peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced hose 1 are arranged to come into
contact with each other, and thereby the second passages 4b are formed to cross one another and
extend respectively in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction between the inner
peripheral surface of the sleeve 2b and the outer peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced hose 1 in
concave portions except for the convex portions 2e2. Such a structure is different from the structure
of the embodiment 1 as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and the rest of the structure is the same as the
structure of the embodiment 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
[0036]
In the example shown in Figs 4 to 6, the convex portions 2e2 in the unevenly profiled
portion 2e are integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 2b so as to
have a truncated quadrangular pyramid shape with a rectangular end surface, and the second
passages 4b are formed in a grid pattern extending in the axial direction and in the circumferential
direction.
In another example, although not shown here, the convex portions 2e2 in the unevenly
profiled portion 2e can be formed so as to have a truncated pyramid shape and so forth, having a
triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or polygonal end surface, and the second passages 4b can be
spirally formed so as to cross one another.
[0037]
Further, in the example shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the air-releasing through- hole 2f is not
opened in the ring portion 2a of the cover cap 2 as the means for pushing out the residual air with
the injection of the adhesive agent 5, that is the air-releasing fluid channel 5b, instead, the inner
end face 2c of the ring portion 2 and the outer peripheral surface 3a of the sealing member 3 are
arranged to detachably come into contact with each other. With the injection of the adhesive agent
5 from the inlet 5a, the internal pressure of the first passage 4a is increased, thereby the inner end
face 2c of the elastically deformable ring portion 2a is swollen so that a slight gap for releasing air is
opened between the outer peripheral surface 3a of the sealing member 3 and the inner end face 2c of
the ring portion 2. That is, an open/close air-releasing fluid channel 5b is formed between the inner
end face 2c of the ring portion 2a and the outer peripheral surface 3a of the sealing member 3.
Further, in another example although not shown here, it is also possible to form a slight
gap as the air-releasing fluid channel 5b between the inner end surface 2c of the ring portion 2a and
the outer peripheral surface 3a of the sealing member 3 by positioning the inner end face 2c of the
ring portion 2 as closer as possible toward the outer peripheral surface 3a of the sealing member 3.
[0038]
Further, the annular shaped opening portion 2g is not opened as the air-releasing fluid
channel 5b between the inner periphery at the end portion of the sleeve portion 2b positioned
opposite the ring portion 2a and the outer peripheral surface lc of the reinforced hose 1, instead, an
annular shaped convex portion 2h is formed on the inner periphery at the end portion of the sleeve

portion 2b so as to project toward the outer peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced hose 1, and the
end surface of the annular shaped convex portion 2h is arranged to detachably come into contact
with the outer peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced hose 1- With the injection of the adhesive
agent 5 from the inlet 5a, the internal pressure of the second passage 4b is increased, thereby the
end surface of the elastically deformable annular shaped convex portion 2h is swollen so that a
slight gap for releasing air is opened between the end surface of the convex portion 2h and the outer
peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced hose 1. That is, an open/close air-releasing fluid channel 5b
is formed between the end surface of the annular convex portion 2h and the outer peripheral surface
1c of the reinforced hose 1.
Further, in another example although not shown here, it is also possible to form a slight
gap as the air-releasing fluid channel 5b between the end surface of the annular convex portion 2h
and the outer peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced hose 1 by positioning the end face 2c of the
annular convex portion 2h as closer as possible toward the outer peripheral surface 1c of the
reinforced hose 1.
Further, the internal pressure of the second passage 4b increases with the injection of the
adhesive agent 5 from the inlet 5a, thereby the overall elastically deformable sleeve portion 2b is
swollen so that also a slight gap for flowing the adhesive agent can be formed as necessary between
the end surface of the convex portions 2e2 in the unevenly profiled portion 2e and the outer
peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced hose 1.
[0039]
Further, a flange-like structure 2i is integrally formed on the outer periphery at the base of
the sleeve portion 2b where the ring 2a is formed.
A cover 2j comprised of a rigid material, for example such as stainless steel or other metals
is attached so as to cover the flange-like structure 2i while being connected to another hose (not
shown) having a flange-like structure 2k, and both hoses are structured to allow for a detachable
coupling therebetween via a hose joint (not shown).
[0040]
In the end face structure A of a reinforced hose, a method for processing the end face of the
hose and a cover cap 2 according to the embodiment 2 of the present invention as shown in Fig. 4,
the adhesive agent 5 is injected through the inlet 5a which is opened substantially at the middle
position in the axial direction of the sleeve portion 2b of the cover cap 2, thereby the adhesive agent
5 extends in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction of the reinforced hose 1 along
the grid-like second passage 4b extending in the axial direction and the circumferential direction. A
part of the adhesive agent 5 flows in the first passage 4a and pushes out the air in the first passage
4a due to an increase in the internal pressure through the open/close air-releasing fluid channel 5b
formed between the inner end face 2c of the ring portion 2a and the outer peripheral surface 3a of
the sealing member 3 or the slight gap. The adhesive agent 5 overflows as necessary and thereby
the overall first passage 4a is filled up with the adhesive agent 5.
Further, at the same time, the rest of the adhesive agent 5 flows up to the end of the second
passage 4b and pushes out the air in the second passage 4b due to an increase of the internal
pressure through the open/close air-releasing fluid channel 5b formed between the end surface of
the annular shaped convex portion 2h and the outer peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced hose 1 or
the slight gap. The adhesive agent 5 overflows as necessary and thereby the overall second passage
4b is filled up with the adhesive agent 5.
According to an increase in the internal pressure with the injection of the adhesive agent 5,
the adhesive agent 5 flows into even the slight gap formed between the end surface of the concave
portions 2e2 in the unevenly profiled portion 2e and the outer peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced
hose 1 so that the overall gap is filled up with the adhesive agent 5.
As such, in comparison with the embodiment 1 as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the adhesive agent
5 equally flows not only the overall second passage 4b but the overall gap between the convex
portions 2e2 in the unevenly profiled portion 2e and the outer peripheral surface 1c of the reinforced
hose 1 and thus the overall passages and gaps can be filled up with the adhesive agent 5 with no
residual air.

Further, the volume of the second passage 4b is smaller than that in the embodiment 1 as
shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and thus the necessary time for filling the second passage 4b with the
adhesive agent 5 can be shortened and the manufacturing cost can be favorably reduced.
[0041]
In the aforementioned embodiment, a plurality of protruding portions 2d is integrally
formed on the end face of the ring portion 2a respectively in the circumferential direction at a
predetermined interval and a plurality of convex portions 2el is integrally formed as the unevenly
profiled portion 2e on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 2b in the axial direction and
in the circumferential direction at a predetermined interval or a plurality of the convex portions 2e2
with flat end surface is formed such that the convex portions 2e2 are positioned closely with each
other respectively in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction. However not limited to
this configuration, a protrusion extending in the circumferential direction may be intermittently
and integrally formed as the protruding portions 2d, or a protrusion, a recessed groove and so forth
extending in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction may be integrally formed as the
unevenly profiled portion 2e on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 2b.
The similar effect as the embodiment described above can be produced also by these
modifications.
[0042]
Further, the example shown in the drawings, illustrates the reinforced hose 1 comprising a
reinforced layer integrally formed with the inner layer 1i and the outer layer 1o by cylindrically
knitting the reinforced wire rod 1a to form the reinforced layer between the inner layer 1i and the
outer layer lo, but not limited to this example, different numbers of the reinforced wire rods la may
be wound in different winding forms. For example, a plurality of the reinforced wire rods la may be
spirally wound to form a grid-like shape as disclosed in the Japanese unexamined patent
application publication 2003-166684.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS
[0043]
1 reinforced hose
la reinforced wire rod
1b cut surface
1c outer peripheral surface
1d inner peripheral surface
2 cover cap
2a ring portion
2b sleeve portion
2d protruding portion
3 sealing member
3a outer peripheral surface
4 passage
4a first passage
4b second passage
5 adhesive agent

CLAIMS
1. An end face structure of a reinforced hose comprising a flexible reinforced hose having a
reinforced wire rod buried therein in the axial direction; and
a cover cap having a ring portion and a sleeve portion continuously formed so as to respectively
face a cut surface and an outer peripheral surface continuing from the cut surface of said reinforced
hose, wherein
a gap between an inner peripheral surface of said reinforced hose and an inner end face of said
ring portion is hermetically sealed by a sealing member and thereby mutually communicating
passages are formed between said cut surface of said reinforced hose and said ring portion and
between said outer peripheral surface of said reinforced hose and said sleeve portion, and by filling
said passages with an adhesive agent said ring portion and said sleeve portion are tightly adhered
to said cut surface and said outer peripheral surface of said reinforced hose via said adhesive agent
respectively.
2. The end face structure of the reinforced hose according to claim 1, wherein protruding portions
partially projecting toward said cut surface of said reinforced hose are formed on an end face of said
ring portion facing said cut surface of said reinforced hose and said protruding portions and a part
of said cut surface of said reinforced hose are arranged to come into contact with each other.
3. A method for processing an end face of a reinforced hose comprising:
a step of covering a cut surface and an outer peripheral surface continuing from the cut surface of
the reinforced hose having a reinforced wire rod buried therein in the axial direction with a ring
portion and a sleeve portion of a cover cap so as to face the cut surface and the outer peripheral
surface respectively,
a step of forming mutually communicating passages between said cut surface of said reinforced
hose and said ring portion and between an outer peripheral surface of said reinforced hose and said
sleeve portion by inserting a sealing member with respect to an inner end face of the ring portion
and an inner peripheral surface of said reinforced hose so as to come into contact with the inner end
face of the ring portion and the inner peripheral surface of said reinforced hose respectively, and
a step of tightly adhering said ring portion and said sleeve portion to said cut surface and said
outer peripheral surface of said reinforced hose respectively by filling said passages with an
adhesive agent.
4. A cover cap used for the method for processing the end face of the reinforced hose according to
claim 3, comprising said ring portion annularly formed so as to face said cut surface of said
reinforced hose, and said sleeve portion cylindrically formed so as to face said outer peripheral
surface of said reinforced hose, wherein
a first passage to be filled with said adhesive agent is formed on a surface of said ring portion
facing said cut surface of said reinforced hose and a second passage to be filled with said adhesive
agent is formed on a surface of said sleeve portion facing said outer peripheral surface of said
reinforced hose, and said first passage and said second passage are formed to communicate with
each other such that said adhesive agent flows between the first passage and the second passage.