Page 50 - 2010-2022 hose manufactureing ability and guide

In either circumstance, labels are not The ability to use these methods is controlled
considered as permanent or as durable an by the size, length and weight of the hose in
identification as are the brands described above. question and where the identification must
A label, if imbedded in the cover, may remain appear on the hose length.
serviceable throughout the life of the hose; Stencil identification is widely used in
however, a label which is applied to a hose after identifying woven-jacketed hoses such as fire
vulcanization is much more vulnerable to early hose; such labeling is reasonably permanent due
obliteration.
to ink penetration of the jacket yarns.
Another type of identification encountered
can best be described as a decal. Decals are Exterior Surface Identification (Ribs,
Plateaus, Grooves)
usually applied to a hose after vulcanization and
are attached to the outer surface by means of It is possible to manufacture hose having an
pressure sensitive adhesive system. As with exterior patterned surface of ribs or plateaus
rubber labels, a decal cannot be considered a projecting from the surface, or having grooves
permanent or durable means of identification. below the hose surface, which extend along the
entire hose length. Efforts have been made to
Printed Identification
adopt specific patterns to identify certain types
Printed Identification has come into wide use of hose and to use these patterns in place of
because of its economy, particularly in long- brands, labels or printed identification. There
length production methods. In this process, the has been no effective industry or national
identification legend is continuously printed on standard established for this kind of
the outer surface of a hose either before or after identification system and use of the method is
vulcanization. The length of the legend to be discouraged.
repeated at intervals is restricted to the One established standard that has been
circumference of the continuous printing device particularly effective is a code which uses
used. Usually, the circumference will permit the patterns of ribs and plateaus to identify the
legend to be repeated more than once per manufacturer. The pattern of ribs and plateaus
revolution. Another consideration used in to be used by a manufacturer is assigned by the
determining the length of the legend is the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA),
shortest length of hose to be cut and used in General Products Group, primarily for the
service.
identification of extruded products. Many hose
Printed identification is not considered as manufacturers have obtained a pattern
permanent or as durable as is a branded assignment and may be equipped to provide
identification, however, prudent choice of inks hose with their assigned identification code.
and method of printing provide a reasonable Colored Yarn or Cord Identification
means of identification. Printing before
vulcanization is preferable for providing In some methods of hose manufacture, it is
moderate durability. Printed identification possible and convenient to incorporate one or
provides the most convenient means of more yarns or cords having distinctive color (s)
providing date coding where such information is contrasting with the basic color of the
required or desirable to assure that the product reinforcement. Such a yarn or cord could be of
is being used within a specific period of time the same size and composition as the basic
after production. Such printing may also reinforcement and be used in one or more
provide a means of tracing a hose to its source locations in the reinforcement con-figuration. It
and time of production. could be different in size and composition and
inserted in an alternate but compatible manner,
Printed identification at specific locations e.g., spiraled and/or laid in longitudinally, in the
along the length of a hose is practiced only on a reinforcement.
small scale. The required legend may be applied
by various printing methods, by hot stamping
transfer from colored foil, or by stenciling.

RMA/IP-2/2003 29