JP6958890B2 - Insulation pipe - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a heat insulating pipe in which a heat insulating material is provided on the outer surface of a flexible pipe body such as a hose or a tube.

Conventionally, as this type of heat insulating tube, a reinforcing material is wound around the outer periphery of a flexible resin inner tube, a foamed resin layer is formed on the outer periphery of the reinforcing material, and the outer periphery thereof is a flexible resin outer. There is a reinforced heat insulating pipe covered with a pipe (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
A foamed resin layer such as polyurethane foam having an annular cross section and a thick wall is formed on the outer periphery of the resin inner tube, and the outer periphery of the foamed resin layer is covered with a flexible resin outer tube.

Jikkensho 51-048739

By the way, such a reinforced heat insulating pipe is generally deformed in diameter by using an annular fastener made of a hose band or the like when connecting the end portion of the pipe to a connecting end portion such as a water supply port or a joint. Will be done.
A fastener such as a hose band is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the heat insulating pipe, and the inner peripheral surface of the end portion of the heat insulating pipe is reduced in diameter and deformed so as to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connecting end portion by the tightening operation.
However, even if the foamed resin layer (foamed layer) is tightened from the outside with a fastener, only the foamed layer is compressed and deformed, and the resin inner pipe (tube body) cannot be sufficiently reduced in diameter. There is a problem that the heat insulating pipe is easily pulled out from the connection end and leaks easily.
Therefore, at least the pipe body and the foam layer are arranged so as not to be in contact with each other, and when the heat insulating pipe is connected to the pipe, the end of the foam layer is partially cut off from the pipe body so that the pipe body can be sufficiently shrunk by the fastener. It is possible to make the diameter possible.
However, in this case, a gap is formed at the interface between the non-contact pipe body and the foam layer, and air or the like enters and exits from the end face of the heat insulating pipe toward this gap, so that dew condensation or mold is generated. This is not suitable for places where hygiene management is strict, such as for beverages, and there is a problem that hygiene cannot be maintained for a long period of time.
Further, when the heat insulating pipe is bent, the interface between the non-contact pipe body and the foam layer is easily displaced in the axial direction, so that the bending stress is concentrated on the pipe body and the pipe is bent first, and the bent portion is kinked. There is also a problem that the inside of the flow path is blocked.
Under such circumstances, it is desired to simultaneously achieve easy separation of the foam layer from the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body, sealing and holding at the interface between the pipe body and the foam layer, and dispersion of bending stress in the pipe body. ing.

In order to solve such a problem, the sleeve for a pipe joint according to the present invention is formed into one flexible pipe body and a tubular shape along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body, and is formed on the outside of the pipe body. Made of an elastically deformable foam layer that is laminated so as to cover the foam layer without adhesion, and a thermoplastic resin that is formed in a tubular shape along the outer peripheral surface of the foam layer and is laminated so as to cover the outside of the foam layer. A pressure surface comprising a protective layer, which is flexible but cannot expand and contract in the radial direction to press the foamed layer inward in the radial direction so that the foamed layer is totally compressed and deformed. The foamed layer has a pressure contact surface that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body when pressed by the pressure surface.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the heat insulating pipe which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is the perspective view which partially cutout.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The heat insulating pipe A according to the embodiment of the present invention is a heat insulating hose used as a drinking conduit, a dispenser, or a conduit leading to a water supply source or a hot water supply source for supplying water from a water supply port such as a water supply to a beverage device such as a coffee server or a vending machine. And insulation tubes.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the heat insulating tube A according to the embodiment of the present invention has a flexible tube body 1 and a foam layer laminated so as to cover the outside of the tube body 1 without adhesion. 2 and a protective layer 3 laminated so as to cover the outside of the foam layer 2 are provided as main components.

The tube body 1 is a laminated tube or a single-layer tube composed of a plurality of layers formed of a synthetic resin such as a thermoplastic resin, silicone rubber, or a material similar thereto.
In particular, the pipe body 1 used as a beverage conduit needs to be made of a material having at least an inner surface in contact with a fluid having no food hygiene problem and having no influence of taste and odor, and a material having no odor transfer. There is.
When the pipe body 1 has a laminated structure, it is flexible with an inner layer 11 made of a material conforming to the Food Sanitation Law, having no influence of taste and odor and having excellent water resistance, and an intermediate layer 12 made of a material having no odor transfer. It is preferable to provide an outer layer 13 made of a material having excellent properties and not easily scratched.
Further, it is preferable to form a reinforcing layer made of a reinforcing wire 14 in order to increase the pressure resistance in one or both of the inner layer 11 and the intermediate layer 12 or between the intermediate layer 12 and the outer layer 13.

In the case shown in FIG. 1 as a specific example of the tube body 1, the inner layer 11 formed of polyethylene (PE), the intermediate layer 12 and the outer layer 13 formed of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), and the outer layer 13 Is integrated by coextrusion molding with an extrusion molding machine.
That is, the outer surface of the outer layer 13 becomes the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1. When connecting the pipe body 1 to a connection end (not shown) such as a water supply port or a joint, an annular fastener (not shown) made of a hose band or the like is wrapped around the outer surface of the outer layer 13 and tightened. The diameter of the pipe body 1 is reduced and deformed. As a result, the inner surface of the inner layer 11 which is the inner peripheral surface 1b of the pipe body 1 is strongly brought into close contact with the connection end portion such as the water supply port or the joint.
Further, a net-like (lattice-like) reinforcing layer is formed by spirally winding a plurality of reinforcing wires 14 made of polyester fibers between the intermediate layer 12 and the outer layer 13.
Further, although not shown as another example, the material of any one or more of the inner layer 11, the intermediate layer 12, and the outer layer 13 may be changed, the material of the reinforcing wire 14 may be changed, or the reinforcing wire 14 may be changed depending on the application. It is also possible to change to knit knitting.

The foamed layer 2 is made of a thermoplastic resin having excellent heat insulating properties and is formed in a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral surface 1a of the tube body 1. By forming bubbles or the like inside the foamed layer 2, elastic deformation that enhances heat insulating performance. It is a possible layer.
The entire inner peripheral surface of the foam layer 2 has a pressure contact surface 2a facing the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1 in the radial direction.
The pressure contact surface 2a is configured to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1 by being pressed by the pressure surface 3a described later.
As a specific example of the foam material constituting the foam layer 2, a styrene resin such as a styrene thermoplastic elastomer (TPS or TPE-S) is used, and a large number of bubbles are formed inside by blending a foaming agent to form at least a diameter. It is preferable to make it elastically deformable in the direction.
As a specific example of the method for manufacturing the foam layer 2, the foam material is co-extruded along the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1 with an extrusion molding machine to form a laminate with the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1 in a non-adhesive state. It is preferable to do so.
Further, as another example, a thermoplastic resin other than the styrene resin is used as the material of the foam layer 2, or the foam layer 2 manufactured separately from the pipe body 1 is covered on the outside of the pipe body 1 and integrated. Is possible.

The protective layer 3 is a layer made of a thermoplastic resin having low elasticity and excellent durability and formed in a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral surface 2b of the foam layer 2 to protect the easily scratched foam layer 2.
The entire inner peripheral surface of the protective layer 3 has a pressure surface 3a that is in contact with the foam layer 2 in the radial direction and cannot expand or contract in the radial direction.
The pressure surface 3a is configured to press the foam layer 2 inward in the radial direction toward the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1 over the entire circumference. As a result, the swelling of the foam layer 2 is suppressed.
As a specific example of the material constituting the protective layer 3, it is preferable to use an olefin resin such as polyethylene (PE) to form a pressure surface 3a that cannot expand and contract at least in the radial direction.
As a specific example of the method for manufacturing the protective layer 3, a skin adhered to the outer peripheral surface 2b of the foam layer 2 by coextruding the material of the protective layer 3 along the outer peripheral surface 2b of the foam layer 2 with an extrusion molding machine. It is preferable that the layers are laminated.
Further, as another example, a thermoplastic resin other than the olefin resin is used as the material of the protective layer 3, or the protective layer 3 manufactured separately from the foam layer 2 is covered on the outside of the foam layer 2 and integrated. Is possible.

Further, it is preferable that the material constituting the protective layer 3 is blended with an appropriate amount of a slip material, an antifungal material, a dark coloring material, or the like, if necessary.
The slip material is added for the purpose of lowering the viscosity of the surface of the protective layer 3 and improving the slipperiness.
The antifungal material is added so that mold does not occur on the surface of the protective layer 3.
A dark colorant such as black is added so as to enhance the light-shielding property of the protective layer 3 and prevent mold from forming on the foam layer 2 and the tube body 1.

According to the heat insulating tube A according to the embodiment of the present invention, the foamed layer 2 is compressed and deformed as a whole by pressing the foamed layer 2 inward in the radial direction with the non-stretchable pressure surface 3a of the protective layer 3. Therefore, the pressure contact surface 2a is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1.
Therefore, the interface between the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1 and the pressure contact surface 2a of the foam layer 2 is in close contact with the non-adhesive state.
When connecting a pipe to a connection end such as a water supply port or a joint, it is easy to make an annular cut C at the end of the protective layer 3 and the foam layer 2 with a blade (not shown) such as a cutter as shown in FIG. The end portions of the protective layer 3 and the foam layer 2 can be partially cut off from the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1 by various operations. As a result, the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1 is easily exposed, and the hose band and other fasteners can be attached so as to come into contact with each other.
In the subsequent pipe connection state, the pressure contact surface 2a of the foam layer 2 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1 due to the pressing by the pressure surface 3a, no gap is generated between the two, and air does not enter or exit.
Further, when the pipe is bent, the elastically deformable foam layer 2 follows the bending of the pipe body 1, so that the interface between the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1 and the pressure contact surface 2a of the foam layer 2 is close to each other and both are positioned in the axial direction. It does not shift. As a result, the bending stress is not concentrated on the pipe body 1 and is bent integrally with the foam layer 2.
Therefore, it is possible to achieve easy separation of the foam layer 2 from the pipe body 1, seal holding at the interface between the pipe body 1 and the foam layer 2, and dispersion of bending stress in the pipe body 1 at the same time.
As a result, the diameter of the pipe body 1 is reduced by a fastener such as a hose band as compared with the conventional one in which a foamed resin layer is formed on the outer periphery of the resin inner pipe via a reinforcing material, and the connection end of the water supply port or the joint is reduced. The pipe can be securely connected to the part, the pull-out strength can be improved, and the occurrence of leakage can be completely prevented.
Further, in the pipe connected state, dew condensation and mold do not occur between the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pipe body 1 and the pressure contact surface 2a of the foam layer 2, and the pipe is connected to a place where hygiene control is strict, such as for beverages. However, it can be kept hygienic for a long period of time.
Further, when the pipe is bent, the pipe body 1 does not break (does not kink) even if it is bent smaller, and it has excellent kink resistance and can be piped even in a narrow place, which is excellent in workability.

In particular, it is preferable to add a sliding material to the material of the protective layer 3.
In this case, the frictional resistance of the protective layer 3 is reduced by blending the slip material.
Therefore, the slipperiness of the surface of the protective layer 3 can be improved.
As a result, even if the surface of the protective layer 3 comes into contact with the floor surface or the like when the pipe is connected, the protective layer 3 slides smoothly, the pipe can be easily handled, and the workability can be further improved.

Further, it is preferable to add an antifungal material to the material of the protective layer 3.
In this case, no mold is generated on the surface of the protective layer 3 due to the addition of the antifungal material.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the generation of mold on the surface of the protective layer 3.
As a result, even if the pipes are connected in a hot and humid environment, the surface of the protective layer 3 is not polluted due to the generation of mold, and the surface of the protective layer 3 can be maintained hygiene for a long period of time. It will be optimal.

Further, it is preferable to add a dark coloring material to the material of the protective layer 3.
In this case, the light-shielding property of the protective layer 3 is enhanced by blending a dark coloring material such as black.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the generation of mold on the foam layer 2 and the pipe body 1.
As a result, even if the pipes are connected in a hot and humid environment, the inside of the foam layer 2 and the pipe body 1 is not polluted due to the generation of mold, and the inside of the pipe body 1 can be maintained hygienically for a long period of time. Ideal for harsh places.

In the illustrated example in the above-described embodiment, the case where the pipe body 1 has a four-layer structure of a reinforcing layer composed of an inner layer 11, an intermediate layer 12, an outer layer 13 and a reinforcing wire rod 14 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. A five-layer structure or more, such as a single-layer structure, a three-layer structure without a reinforcing layer, an innermost layer inside the inner layer 11, or an outermost layer outside the outer layer 13. May be good.

A Insulation pipe 1 Pipe body 1a Outer peripheral surface 2 Foam layer 2a Pressure contact surface 3 Protective layer 3a Pressurized surface

Claims (4)

One flexible tube body and
An elastically deformable foam layer formed in a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body and laminated so as to cover the outside of the pipe body without adhesion.
A protective layer made of a thermoplastic resin, which is formed in a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral surface of the foam layer and is laminated so as to cover the outside of the foam layer, is provided.
Although the protective layer is flexible, it has a pressure surface that cannot expand and contract in the radial direction, which presses the foam layer inward in the radial direction so that the foam layer is totally compressed and deformed.
The foamed layer is a heat insulating pipe having a pressure contact surface that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body when pressed by the pressure surface. The heat insulating tube according to claim 1, wherein a sliding material is blended with the material of the protective layer. The heat insulating tube according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an antifungal material is blended with the material of the protective layer. The heat insulating tube according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a dark coloring material is blended with the material of the protective layer.

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