Domestic vacuum cleaning appliance comprising a flexible hose

Abstract

A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance including a flexible hose in which a length of the hose has a hose-wall formed at least in part by a layer of ripstop fabric. In one embodiment, the hose-wall is formed entirely by one or more layers of fabric, including said layer of ripstop fabric, and at least one of the layers of fabric is sealed for preventing escape of fluid through the hose-wall during normal use of the hose. The hose offers an alternative to the conventional corrugated plastic hose commonly used in domestic vacuum cleaners.

1 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance comprising:
 a flexible hose in which a length of the hose has a hose-wall formed at least in part by a layer of ripstop fabric.   
     
     
         2 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the layer of ripstop fabric is sealed to form an impermeable barrier for preventing escape of fluid through the hose-wall during normal use of the appliance. 
     
     
         3 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the hose-wall is formed entirely by one or more layers of fabric, including said layer of ripstop fabric, and at least one of the layers of fabric is sealed for preventing escape of fluid through the hose-wall during normal use of the appliance. 
     
     
         4 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance according to  claim 2  or  3 , wherein said sealing is by plastification of the layer of fabric, or by coating or impregnation of the layer of fabric with a sealant. 
     
     
         5 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance according to  claim 3 , wherein the hose-wall is supported by one or more frame elements. 
     
     
         6 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance according to  claim 5 , wherein one or more of the frame elements is sandwiched radially in-between layers or plies of fabric making up the hose wall. 
     
     
         7 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance according to  claim 6 , wherein said layers or plies of fabric are bonded to one another, axially either side of the respective frame element, to encapsulate the frame element between the layers or plies of fabric. 
     
     
         8 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance according to  claim 5 ,  6  or  7 , wherein the fabric making up the hose wall is arranged to form a multi-ply or multi-layer overlap around the outside of one or more of the frame elements. 
     
     
         9 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance according to  claim 5 , wherein the hose wall comprises a layer consisting of a wound fabric tape. 
     
     
         10 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance according to  claim 9 , wherein one or more of the frame elements is sandwiched radially in-between two axially-overlapping passes of the wound fabric tape. 
     
     
         11 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance according to  claim 9  or  10 , wherein two or more axially overlapping passes of the wound fabric tape form a respective multi-ply overlap around the outside of one or more of the frame elements. 
     
     
         12 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance according to  claim 5 ,  6  or  7 , wherein the hose-wall is bonded to the frame elements. 
     
     
         13 . A domestic vacuum cleaning appliance according to  claim 5 ,  6  or  7 , wherein the frame elements are successive coils on a helical supporting member. 
     
     
         14 . A domestic cleaning appliance comprising:
 a flexible hose in which a length of the hose has a hose-wall formed at least in part by a layer of ripstop fabric.