BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a sixth embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With respect to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a tubular structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention where a tubular structure 10 is made from a nitrile polymeric material 11, a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer barrier layer 12 surrounding the outer surface of the nitrile layer 11, an adhesive layer 13 on the surface of the tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer barrier layer 12, a chlorinated polyethylene layer 14 on top of the adhesive layer 13, a reinforcement layer 15 surrounding the chlorinated polyethylene layer 18, and a chlorinated polyethylene cover 16 surrounding the reinforcement layer and forming the outside layer of the tubular structure 10.
FIG. 2 is a tubular structure In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention where a tubular structure 20 is made from a nitrile polymeric material 21, a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer barrier layer 22 surrounding the outer surface of the nitrile layer 21, a reinforcement layer 23 surrounding the tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer barrier layer 22, and a chlorinated polyethylene cover 24 surrounding the reinforcement layer and forming the outside layer of the tubular structure 20.
FIG. 3 is a tubular structure in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention where a tubular structure 30 is made from a chlorinated polyethylene material 31, a first adhesive layer 32 on the outer surface of the chlorinated polyethylene material 31, a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer barrier layer 33 on top of the first adhesive layer 32, a second adhesive layer 34 on the outer surface of the a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer barrier layer 33, a chlorinated polyethylene backing layer 35 surrounding the outer surface of the second adhesive layer 34, a reinforcement layer 36 surrounding the chlorinated polyethylene backing layer 35, and a chlorinated polyethylene cover 37 surrounding the reinforcement layer 38 and forming the outside layer of the tubular structure 30.
FIG. 4 is a tubular structure in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention where a tubular structure 40 is made from a chlorinated polyethylene material 41, a first adhesive layer 42 surrounding the outer surface of the chlorinated polyethylene inner layer 41, a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer barrier layer 43 surrounding the first adhesive material layer 42, a second adhesive layer 44 on top of the tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer barrier layer 43, a chlorinated polyethylene cover 45 surrounding the second adhesive layer 44 and forming the outside layer of the tubular structure 40.
FIG. 5 is a tubular structure in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention where a tubular structure 50 is made from a nitrile polymeric material 61, a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer barrier layer 52 surrounding the outer surface of the nitrile material 51, an adhesive layer 53 surrounding the tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer barrier layer 52, and a chlorinated polyethylene cover 64 surrounding the adhesive layer 53 and forming the outside layer of the tubular structure 50.
FIG. 6 is a tubular structure in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention where a tubular structure 60 is made from a chlorinated polyethylene material 61, a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer barrier layer 62 surrounding the outer surface of the chlorinated polyethylene layer 61, an adhesive layer 63 surrounding the tetrafluoroethytene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer barrier layer 62, and a chlorinated polyethylene cover 64 surrounding the adhesive layer 53 and forming the outside layer of the tubular structure 60.
Typically, the inner layer of the tubular structure is a nitrile material such as acrylonitrile-butadiene polymer. It has been found that, in certain application such as in the manufacture of a fuel filler hose or vapor hose, chlorinated polyethylene may provide an improved alternative to the nitrile as the inner layer of the tubular structure.
The barrier layer of the tubular structure is a fluoropolymer which prevents or reduces the permeation of fuel, chemical and vapor through the barrier layer. Preferably, the barrier layer is a fluoropolymer containing polymerized units of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride. Preferably, the fluoropolymer is a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer having a fluorine content of about 67 to 73% by weight.
The reinforcement materials useful in the present invention include natural and synthetic fibers such rayon, polyesters, aramid material, polyamides, e.g., nylon, polyimids, and any other suitable materials.
Typically, the inner layer of the tubular structure contains a conductive material such as metal or carbon. Preferably, the conductive material is carbon in the form of carbon black, but may be any conductive agent or combination of conducting agents commonly recognized in the industry to provide conductivity to a rubber or plastic material. Examples of such conductive agents include elemental carbon in the form of carbon black and carbon fibrils, metals such as copper, silver, gold, nickel, and alloys or mixtures of such metals. The use of such conductive agents is known in the art to dissipate static electricity in the transportation of a fluid through the tubular structure.
It is generally preferred to include an adhesive material between the chlorinated polyethylene layers and the tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer layers in order to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the two layers separating during use.
Non-conducting polymer materials also may be employed as the inner layer in applications where dissipation of static electricity is not required.
Other additives such as antioxidants, processing aids, etc. may be employed in amounts and methods known in the art.
The tubular structures of the present invention are formed by extruding the various layers using simultaneous or tandem extrusion.
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080057248
