Bungee Cords and Magic Hoses

Some Bungee cord covers have wrinkles. I thought the X-Hose inventor found this during the invention though he did not mention it in his interview video. If so the X-Hose idea was not so revolutionary. He just mentioned the rubber tube for his exercise in a sport gym as a source of basic idea. Also recently introduced "Expand-able Bungee Hose" the idea is just a modification of some type of Bungee Cords. Bungee cords are very dynamic and must be tough anyway, the same requirement for Dynamic Hoses.





 


For further information please contact

Asnet Dynamic Hoses - a division of 

Asnet Components Ltd
Hong Kong (Wanchai Office / Sales)
23/F , On Hong Commercial Building,
145 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3578-5372
Fax: (852) 3582-3310
E-mail: sales-1@asnetcomp.com
www.asnetcomp.com

Bungee Garden Hose

The bungee hose is another new type of Dynamic Garden Hose. More correctly "RETRACTABLE ELASTIC BUNGEE HOSE"　－ US patent No. 9,182,0587 B2 titled "RETRACTABLE ELASTIC BUNGEE HOSE".

I hit a similar idea before by considering the function of an accordion (a musical instrument) but gave up as the hose is too long. Also I hit an idea of the use of reinforced braided fabric (like a net) tube (sleeve) as a rubber hose cover but gave it up as it becomes shorter (not longer) and the diameter becomes larger when the pressure is applied inside or pushing force is applied in the axial direction.

The document explains well the mechanism of the outer fabric, which may be the very key for this patent. Anyway it is patented like X-Hose. The explanation of his patent document is however better and have more engineering explanations than that of X-Hose.

The points are:

1) The material of the outer tube is generally the fabric like X-Hose but reinforce braided tube unlike X-hose.

2) The outer tube has two stages - one "extended" and two "fully extended".

3) Extension is rather small at least 1.25 times (first stage) x 1.10 times (2nd stage) = 1.375 times although potentially more than 3 times or even more than 6 times under certain conditions.

4) Retention is quite good (maintaining the pressure). (This contradicts with our testing of two hoses from China)

5) Besides the water pressure the pulling force is considered - an additional tension (as a result of pulling by the user). So you can extend it by tension (pulling) force up to the maximum extensibility of the outer tube (not that of the inner tube).

6) Contraction is limited by the outer fabric tube, not the inner tube natural contraction.

7) Existence of the middle cover (fabric or polymer is adapted to be sticky and shifts with the inner tube or the outer tube), which reduces the radially expanding force of the inner hose due to the water pressure against the outer tube. Without the middle cover the axial extension of the outer tube will be restricted. (This middle tube is not seen in our two samples from China)

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The document

a) refers - the patent of spring biased hose and elastic biased hose (X-Hose).

b) shows ＜braided polyester, hollow braided, reinforced＞ besides woven polyester. The details are found in the document. (This technology seems the key.)

c) says (The outer tube) can be coated with a wear resistant material. (I tried some methods before to make it water proof, but only very limited success).

d) says more beautiful than X-Hose when retracted.

e) says that the new outer tube structure reduces the friction between the inner tube and outer tube. (Proof is required).

f) says that smooth operation (to expand and retract) comes form the periodical repetition of the bonds between the inner tube and the outer tube, which may reduce the friction.

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The two samples from China are similar and have a simpler structure to but not the same as the those shown in the patent document. For instance the inner tube is a simple rubber tube like the one found in a X-hose.


For further information please contact

Asnet Dynamic Hoses - a division of 
Asnet Components Ltd
Hong Kong (Wanchai Office / Sales)
23/F , On Hong Commercial Building,
145 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3578-5372
Fax: (852) 3582-3310
E-mail: sales-1@asnetcomp.com
www.asnetcomp.com

Different types of special garden hoses - advantages and disadvantages

There is a wide variety of different types of garden hoses in the market besides common round PVC hoses. They have been invented and developed according to the requirements of easy  handling and storing while strong enough, the garden sizes and many other conditions. Each type of hose has advantages and disadvantages. If you have moderated weather throughout the year and have a right amount of rain at a right time for your garden you may not worry about garden hoses much but the reality requires you to chose an appropriate hose by considering the garden condition and your budget.


1) Expandable hoses

Advantages

This type hoses are rather new in the market. We take this type with the first priority as they have Dynamic nature - expand and contract. They are small and compact and very light. It expands, say three times (X3) the original length. After using it, the hose shrinks back to its original compact size automatically. It is portable and easy to store. The expandable hose is considered to be the best option as a light duty hose for most small to mid size gardens as they are very light and easy to handle and store.

Disadvantages

As the inside rubber tube and the outer fabric tube expand and shrink repeatedly the stresses cause its life shorter. The fabric absorbs water easily.  So the stress of wet and dry cycles may also leads to a stress to the fabric, which will make the life shorter. The life is generally short though some new life-improved types are available each year.

2) Coil hoses

Advantages

Coild hoses are not so new as Magic Hoses. It is very convenient to use for a small garden or patio because when it is not used it coils into the original small size by themselves by a different mechanism from that of Magic Hose and still dynamic. Then it is easy to store as it does not tangle. You don’t need a hose reel to store it. After extending it, the coiled hose has a good length so it can be used to water a fairy large area of your garden. Even though they are compact and relatively light, they are durable. PU (polyurethane) coil hoses are a bit heaver but more durable and have higher bursting pressure than lighter weight EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate) coil hoses. Also they don’t kink.

Disadvantages

However, you must keep holding it to keep uncoiled extended position. A very long one becomes a bit cumbersome to handle.

3) Flat hoses

Advantages

A flat hose takes up less space when unused and stored. Like a coil hose, a flat hose doesn’t kink. PVC hoses are common and a cloth outer tube (inside Vinyl tube) type is also available. Some flat hoses are used as a line sprinkler at a normal pressure or as a soaker hose at lower pressure or normal pressure.

Disadvantages

If a hose is very flat, it doesn’t goes well around a corner. As it lays flat on the ground a sharp object may puncture a flat hose than a round hose. Also the water flow may not be so uniform as a round hose. Some water tend to remain inside even after shaking or pushing water out.

4) Soaker hoses

Advantages

A soaker hose can save water and even your time when watering from a distant position. With a soaker hose once settled you do not have to move around your garden with a hose. It uses less water and therefore saves you money.  A soaker hose can effectively keep all your plants watered by avoiding unnecessary area watering.

Disadvantages

Soaker hoses usually made by recycled tyre rubber (so the color is usually black) and recycled PE (Polyethylene) are generally larger and heavier than other common hoses, so it may be hard to move around your garden with it. Some extra jobs must be done to keep an appropriate lower pressure. Also, as used at a lower water pressure and due to its a relatively large size, water may not flow through the entire hose evenly. Soaker hoses are also more prone to rupturing due to the increase of water pressure caused by the clogged pores of the hose or some other reasons like by mishandling the water pressure.

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For more information please contact

Asnet Dynamic Hoses - a division of 
Asnet Components Ltd
Hong Kong (Wanchai Office / Sales)
23/F , On Hong Commercial Building,
145 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3578-5372
Fax: (852) 3582-3310
E-mail: sales-1@asnetcomp.com
www.asnetcomp.com

Round (Cylidrical) Hose and Flat Hose

The advantages and disadvantages of Round (Cylindrical) Hoses and Flat Hoses.


1) Flat Hoses may be easy to make but difficult to handle especially larger ones as they lay flat on the ground. The friction between the flat hose and the ground is large. It does not kink but it is difficult go around a corner with it unlike a round hose. As a garden hose when the size becomes large <Lay it Flat for a certain period of time> is a good use but moving around with it for a long time is cumbersome. Some type of Flat Hoses are used as a soaker hose being laid flat.

2) The water flow in the flat hose may not be so even as the shape differs at one place to another, not evenly flat over the entire hose when water is in it.

3) Some water tends to remain in  the hose after use due to a capillary effect at both sides.

4) However the storage of a Flat Hose is easy and takes less space.



For more information please contact

Asnet Dynamic Hoses - a division of 
Asnet Components Ltd
Hong Kong (Wanchai Office / Sales)
23/F , On Hong Commercial Building,
145 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3578-5372
Fax: (852) 3582-3310
E-mail: sales-1@asnetcomp.com
www.asnetcomp.com

New type of Magic Hose - 2016

One new type of Magic Hose is seen in the market in 2016 (just started now). See below. Available from some China suppliers.



































We tested one sample. The findings are as follows:

Extension

1) Before applying the pressure

2) After applying the water pressure (about 2.5 bar). Extended about 2-times.

3) After stretching by hands. Extended further 1.5 times (estimated equivalent to at 3.5 bar)

Generally the performance has been improved as the extension is smoother than the old type Magic Hoses which extend rather erratically. As the stress is more evenly distributed over the entire hose, it may increase the life. The life may be mote than two times longer than the old type and even much longer than the poor quality old type Magic Hoses widely distributed in the market. Thus new type may hit the market this year of 2016. The suppliers are still limited due to the technical reasons.



Asnet Dynamic Hoses - a division of 
Asnet Components Ltd
Hong Kong (Wanchai Office / Sales)
23/F , On Hong Commercial Building,
145 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3578-5372
Fax: (852) 3582-3310
E-mail: sales-1@asnetcomp.com
www.asnetcomp.com