WO1998038847A2 - Drip irrigation hose with self-cleaning inlet - Google Patents
Drip irrigation hose with self-cleaning inlet Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1998038847A2 WO1998038847A2 PCT/US1998/004548 US9804548W WO9838847A2 WO 1998038847 A2 WO1998038847 A2 WO 1998038847A2 US 9804548 W US9804548 W US 9804548W WO 9838847 A2 WO9838847 A2 WO 9838847A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- beads
- inlets
- bead
- longitudinal
- drip irrigation
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G25/00—Watering gardens, fields, sports grounds or the like
- A01G25/02—Watering arrangements located above the soil which make use of perforated pipe-lines or pipe-lines with dispensing fittings, e.g. for drip irrigation
- A01G25/023—Dispensing fittings for drip irrigation, e.g. drippers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G25/00—Watering gardens, fields, sports grounds or the like
- A01G25/02—Watering arrangements located above the soil which make use of perforated pipe-lines or pipe-lines with dispensing fittings, e.g. for drip irrigation
- A01G25/026—Apparatus or processes for fitting the drippers to the hoses or the pipes
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
- Y02A40/10—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
- Y02A40/22—Improving land use; Improving water use or availability; Controlling erosion
Definitions
- This invention relates to drip irrigation hose and more particularly to a drip irrigation hose having self-cleaning inlets and a method for manufacturing such a hose.
- U.S. Patent No. 5,123,984 to Allport et al. discloses a drip irrigation hose made from an elongated strip of plastic film folded longitudinally to form overlapping longitudinal margins. Molded plastic beads seal the overlapping margins and form a flow regulating channel for water exiting the drip irrigation hose.
- the characteristics of the flow regulating channel, the inlets to the channel, and/or the outlets from the channel are determined by the pattern on a molding wheel that shapes a bead extruded on one margin of the film.
- the flow regulating channel is formed by a pair of parallel rib forming beads in the overlapping margins.
- Inlets to the flow regulating channel are formed by interruptions in the inboard bead. Outlets from the hose are formed in the outboard bead or the film itself. There is a tenancy in some soil conditions for the inlets to become plugged as debris in the water builds up at the entrance to the flow regulating channel, which reduces the drip flow rate through the portion of the flow regulating channel fed by the plugged inlets.
- One aspect of the invention is a self cleaning drip irrigation hose comprising an elongated strip of plastic film folded longitudinally to form first and second overlapping longitudinal margins.
- a first longitudinal bead partially seals the overlapping margin.
- a second longitudinal bead outboard of the first bead partially seals the overlapping margins.
- the first and second beads have a repeating longitudinal pattern that forms a flow regulating channel and opposing inlets spaced along the length of the first and second beads. Outlets from the flow regulating channel to the exterior of the hose are spaced from the inlets to create a pressure drop across the flow regulating channel.
- a third longitudinal bead outboard of the second bead completely seals the overlapping margin.
- the second and third beads form a water access channel to the inlets in the second bead such that the inlets in the first bead when plugged are back flushed by water flow through the inlets in the second bead.
- Another aspect of the invention is a method for manufacturing a drip irrigation hose having self-cleaning inlets.
- a continuous length of plastic film having longitudinal margins is transported past a number of assembly stations. At a first assembly station outlets are formed at regular intervals in the margins. At a second assembly station one or more continuous molten beads of compatible plastic are extruded onto the length of film in the other margin. At a third station, the one or more molten beads are shaped into first, second, and third longitudinal beads.
- the first and second beads have a repeating longitudinal pattern that forms a flow regulating channel and opposing inlets spaced along the length of the first and second beads.
- the third bead extends continuously along the length of the film outboard of the first and second beads to form a water access channel with one of the other beads.
- the film is folded longitudinally so the margins overlap each other.
- the molded beads are pressed together to seal the margins.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a length of drip irrigation hose partially cut away to show the features of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the method for making the drip irrigation hose in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a number of the assembly stations represented schematically in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a top view of a length of drip irrigation hose unfolded to show another embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 5 is a top view of the hose of FIG. 4 in a partially folded state
- FIG. 6 is a end sectional view of the hose of FIG. 4 in a completely folded state; and FIG. 7 is a more detailed top view of the hose of FIG. 4.
- FIG. 1 an elongated strip of plastic film 10 which is typically 4- 15 mil thick is folded longitudinally to form overlapping longitudinal margins 12 and 14.
- a longitudinal bead 16 partially seals margins 12 and 14.
- a longitudinal bead 18 outboard of bead 16 also partially seals margins 12 and 14.
- Beads 16 and 18 have a repeating longitudinal pattern, slightly more than one repetition of which is shown in FIG. 1.
- Beads 16 and 18 define a small flow regulating channel 19.
- the interior surface of strip 10 defines a relatively large water flow passage 20, which is connected to a source of water under pressure.
- a series of interruptions in bead 16 form an inlet 22 from water supply passage 20 to flow regulating channel 19.
- a series of interruptions in bead 18 form another inlet 24 from water supply passage 20 to flow regulating channel 19.
- a bead 26 outboard of bead 18 completely seals margins 12 and 14, i.e., there are no interruptions in bead 18.
- beads 16, 18, and 26 run parallel to each other along the length of strip 10 between margins 12 and 14. Beads 18 and 26 form a water access channel to inlets 24.
- Interlaced chevrons 21 are formed on the facing surfaces of beads 16 and 18 to induce turbulence in flow regulating channel 19.
- a cross seal 28 extends between beads 16 and 18 adjacent to inlets 22 and 24 to divide flow regulating channel 19 into mutually isolated sections. Knife blade formed slits 30 serve as outlets from flow regulating channel 19. As shown, each of outlet slits 30 is spaced from inlets 22 and 24 so as to create an outlet along channel 19. It is emphasized that the described pattern formed by beads 16 and 18, inlets 22 and 24, cross seals 28, and outlet slits 30 is repeated throughout the length of strip 10. When debris builds up at the bead interruptions that form inlet 22, as represented by the shading at 31 , more of the water flow into channel 19 is shifted to inlet 24. Such water flow through inlet 24 tends to back flush and thus unplug inlet 22. As a result, the inlet system to flow regulating channel 19 is self-cleaning.
- FIG. 2 for a description of the method for manufacturing the drip irrigation hose described in connection with FIG. 1.
- the described drip irrigation hose is made from a continuous strip of flexible, water impervious plastic film, generally ranging in thickness between 4 and 15 mil.
- Blocks in FIG. 2 represent the different product assembly stations through which film 42 is transported during manufacture. As depicted by a block 32, outlets are formed in the strip of film along the outer margin. Each outlet comprises a single longitudinal slit in the film.
- DeFrank et al patent 5,522,551 for a description of the preferred method and apparatus for forming the outlet slits. Although it is preferred to form the outlets as slits, they could be holes instead.
- a block 34 two molten plastic beads made of material compatible with the film are deposited by an extruder on the inner margin of the film on both sides of the outlet slits.
- a block 36 the track pattern of the beads described in FIG.. 1 is formed in the molten beads by the impressions on a bead forming wheel. The track pattern is repeated each time the bead forming wheel completes a revolution.
- a block 38 after the beads are formed, the margins of the film are folded to overlap the track pattern therebetween.
- the overlapping margins are sealed by the still molten beads to form the finished hose.
- Plastic strip 10 in FIG. 1 is part of a continuous length of plastic film 42 having an inner margin 12 and an outer margin 14.
- the direction of movement of film 42 is depicted by arrows.
- outlet slits 30 have already been formed in outer margin 14.
- inner margin 12 of film 42 is folded down onto the middle of film 42 by a film guide (not shown) so the outer surface of inner margin 12 faces upwardly.
- film 42 passes under extruder nozzles 44, which deposit on inner margin 12 two beads 45 of molten plastic material that is compatible with the material of film 42.
- film 42 passes into the nip formed by the adjacent peripheries of a molding wheel 46 and a backing wheel
- Molding wheel 46 has, around its periphery, impressions 47 that define the desired track pattern.
- film 42 passes through a film guide 50 that folds outer margin 14 down over inner margin 12 and the molten molded beads.
- the overlapping film 42 passes through the nip of a form wheel 51 and a backing wheel 52.
- Form wheel 51 has a groove 53 that depresses the beads formed by extruders 44 and wheel
- Fig. 4 shows a different type of self-cleaning inlet for drip irrigation hose.
- a continuous strip 10 of flexible water impervious plastic film is folded longitudinally so its margins overlap.
- a pattern of glue lines 33 are formed on the margin 34 (as seen in Fig. 5) to seal the overlapping margin 35 when the strip is so folded.
- the existence of two adjacent regions is designed to provide a back flushing effect. As the openings in the entry region 37 begins to be obstructed, more water will begin to flow through entry region 36.
- baffles 39 which may take a number of different shapes and configurations.
- the baffles are oppositely facing, upstream directed chevrons separated by a gap (also known as a negative overlap) 40.
- the size of the gap 40 may be varied to adjust the flow rate. As the gap becomes larger the flow path becomes shorter, and vis-a-versa.
- outlets could be formed as holes or interruptions in the outboard bead as in the '984 patent .
- Other flow regulating channel configurations could be used as in the DeFrank patent 5,333,793.
- two inlets could feed a one outlet without a cross seal as in DeFrank et al application Serial No. 08/683,604, filed on July 15, 1996.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU64537/98A AU6453798A (en) | 1997-03-07 | 1998-03-09 | Drip irrigation hose with self-cleaning inlet and method for its manufacture |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US4025997P | 1997-03-07 | 1997-03-07 | |
US60/040,259 | 1997-03-07 | ||
US5599297P | 1997-08-18 | 1997-08-18 | |
US60/055,992 | 1997-08-18 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1998038847A2 true WO1998038847A2 (en) | 1998-09-11 |
WO1998038847A3 WO1998038847A3 (en) | 1998-12-17 |
Family
ID=26716902
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1998/004548 WO1998038847A2 (en) | 1997-03-07 | 1998-03-09 | Drip irrigation hose with self-cleaning inlet |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU6453798A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998038847A2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2009021272A1 (en) * | 2007-08-10 | 2009-02-19 | Windfuel Mills Pty Ltd | Irrigation system |
US8882004B2 (en) | 2005-11-01 | 2014-11-11 | Naan-Dan Jain Irrigation (C.S.) Ltd. | Drip irrigation apparatus |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4984739A (en) * | 1986-08-04 | 1991-01-15 | Davies Allport | Drip irrigation hose |
US5118042A (en) * | 1991-02-22 | 1992-06-02 | William A. Delmer | Multiple chamber drip irrigation hose |
US5282578A (en) * | 1993-02-08 | 1994-02-01 | T-Systems International, Inc. | Self-protecting irrigation hose and method |
US5522551A (en) * | 1993-05-26 | 1996-06-04 | T-Systems International, Inc. | Drip irrigation hose and method for its manufacture |
US5722601A (en) * | 1994-05-26 | 1998-03-03 | T-Systems International, Inc. | Drip irrigation hose and method of its manufacture |
-
1998
- 1998-03-09 WO PCT/US1998/004548 patent/WO1998038847A2/en active Application Filing
- 1998-03-09 AU AU64537/98A patent/AU6453798A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4984739A (en) * | 1986-08-04 | 1991-01-15 | Davies Allport | Drip irrigation hose |
US5118042A (en) * | 1991-02-22 | 1992-06-02 | William A. Delmer | Multiple chamber drip irrigation hose |
US5282578A (en) * | 1993-02-08 | 1994-02-01 | T-Systems International, Inc. | Self-protecting irrigation hose and method |
US5522551A (en) * | 1993-05-26 | 1996-06-04 | T-Systems International, Inc. | Drip irrigation hose and method for its manufacture |
US5722601A (en) * | 1994-05-26 | 1998-03-03 | T-Systems International, Inc. | Drip irrigation hose and method of its manufacture |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8882004B2 (en) | 2005-11-01 | 2014-11-11 | Naan-Dan Jain Irrigation (C.S.) Ltd. | Drip irrigation apparatus |
WO2009021272A1 (en) * | 2007-08-10 | 2009-02-19 | Windfuel Mills Pty Ltd | Irrigation system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO1998038847A3 (en) | 1998-12-17 |
AU6453798A (en) | 1998-09-22 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5957391A (en) | Drip irrigation hose with self-cleaning inlet and method for its manufacture | |
US5722601A (en) | Drip irrigation hose and method of its manufacture | |
US5522551A (en) | Drip irrigation hose and method for its manufacture | |
US6464816B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for making a drip irrigation hose | |
EP0702600B1 (en) | Drip irrigation hose and method of manufacture | |
RU2142364C1 (en) | Continuous process of hose manufacture and drip irrigation hose | |
US6886761B2 (en) | Drip irrigation hose and method and apparatus for making same | |
US5123984A (en) | Method and apparatus for forming ports in drip irrigation hose | |
US5591293A (en) | Process for manufacturing drip irrigation systems using plastic lamination/extrusion techniques | |
US4006599A (en) | Plastic drain pipe and apparatus for producing the same | |
US20050258278A1 (en) | Drip irrigation hose and method for making same | |
AU706488B2 (en) | Agricultural drip tape | |
WO1999002273A1 (en) | Unibody pressure-compensating emitter | |
US4184831A (en) | Apparatus for producing plastic drain pipes | |
WO1998038847A2 (en) | Drip irrigation hose with self-cleaning inlet | |
US5634595A (en) | Drip irrigation hose and method for its manufacture | |
AU723101B2 (en) | Drip irrigation hose and method of its manufacture | |
EP0470081B1 (en) | Drip irrigation pipe and method of producing the same | |
CA2239153C (en) | Drip irrigation hose and method of its manufacture | |
IL120946A (en) | Drip irrigation hose and method of its manufacture | |
IL117428A (en) | Apparatus and method for manufacturing drip irrigation hose | |
ZA200404526B (en) | Drip irrigation hose and method for making same. |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH GM GW HU ID IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN YU ZW |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH GM GW HU ID IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN YU ZW |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
REG | Reference to national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8642 |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: JP Ref document number: 1998538905 Format of ref document f/p: F |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase | ||
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: CA |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: KR |