WO2013093904A1

WO2013093904A1 - Irrigation device and method

Info

Publication number: WO2013093904A1
Application number: PCT/IL2012/000396
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arie BEIRACH-BARAK
Original assignee: Beirach-Barak Arie
Priority date: 2011-12-20
Filing date: 2012-12-20
Publication date: 2013-06-27
Also published as: IL217103A; IL217103A0

Abstract

A system for inserting irrigation water into the ground comprises one or more irrigation insertion devices (NIID) each used in conjunction with a drip irrigation system, to insert the water out of a drip irrigation emitter directly into the ground. Each NIID comprises an elongated structure with means for its easy snap-on attachment to a drip irrigation emitter at one end (the first end), an outlet allowing water to flow out at its other end (the second end), and a tube for transferring water therethrough from one end to the other. The NIID further includes means for allowing its freedom of motion about a water drip emitter, after the NIID is snap-mounted to the emitter. The NIID further includes means for delivering irrigation water to a desired depth in the ground, by choosing a NIID having a desired length.

Description

Irrigation Device and Method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to systems for inserting irrigation water rota the ground. The new irrigation insertion device (hereinafter NlID) may be used in conjunction with a drip irrigation system, to insert the water out of a drip irrigation emitter, directly into the ground. The NlID is easily snap-on attached Lo a drip irrigation emitter.

DrippinerfTM) and Tzhantaf (TM) are claimed as trademarks by the piesent applicant.

Background Art

The present application claims priority from patent application No. 217103 filed in Israel by the present applicant, Arie Beirach-Barak on 20 Dec. 2011.

The NI1D overcomes the barrier to entry formed by the upper layer of the ground; a barrier which causes waste of water due to the low penetration rate therethrough.

The revolution caused by the drip irrigation systems is not complete- this method does not prevent water evaporation off the wet upper layer of ground. This upper layer forms the partition between the atmosphere and the depth ground which contains the water feeding the plants¹ roots.

The upper layer loses its natural water content between the ground grains, and moreover - there is dehydration because of sun^fs irradiation. The process of dehydration frees additional water molecules which

participate in the composition of ground minerals conglomerates.

The minerals, which are the result of the decay of rocks, together with dust and sand carried in the wind, compose the conglomerates wherein the water molecules play an important role.

Due to the abovedetailed dehydration of the upper layer of ground, this layer has a considerable affinity for water; therefore, upon rain or ground irrigation, many millimeters of water are wasted to wet this upper layer.

Only when the upper layer is wet, it allows additional water, if available, to penetrate into lower layers of ground, where the plants' roots are located. This water is available for the plants there.

During the time it takes to wet the upper layer, water on the ground may evaporate, especially in a hot weather; water may flow to another place, leaving dry the place it was intended to irrigate.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, a new device- the NIID, allows water to bypass the problematic upper layer of ground. Water from a drip irrigation emitter is transferred through the NIID, to be brought directly to the lower layers of ground, where the water can be used for irrigation.

The NIID has such a structure, as to allow it to be mounted close to an emitter on a drip irrigation tube. This structure and operation of the NIID greatly improves the efficiency of drip irrigation systems. Snap-on mounting: The NIID is so devised, as to allow easy and fast connection to an emitter of a drip irrigation tube- just snap it on and the NIID will remain attached to the irrigation tube until pulled away.

This is an essential feature of the present invention.

The irrigation system itself need not be affected by the NIID: A farmer just installs the drip irrigation tubes as usual, or leaves them in place if already installed; units of the NIID, placed in the location of emitters there, guide the water into the ground, at a precise location and depth in the ground.

This achieves a tri-dimensional control over the irrigation process: the precise location of the irrigation point, as well as the depth of the water insertion into the ground.

A large area may require a large number of NIIDs; these may be difficult to remove when it is necessary to do so, for example because NIIDs are wet or slippery or become stuck in the ground, especially for long NIIDs.

Accordingly, NIIDs may be equipped with holding means facilitating their extraction from the ground.

Benefits

1. After connecting the NIID to a water drip emitter, the NIID may retain freedom of movement about the irrigation tube: along the tube, as well as rotation about the tube. This freedom of movement allows for adjustments, to achieve precision in the irrigation location.

2. Water evaporation at the irrigation location is greatly reduced. The upper layer of ground now has a beneficial effect, in preventing or reducing water evaporation. This is a result of the irrigation water being inserted below the upper layer of ground through the NIID. 3. Great savings in irrigation water, energy and fertilizer. The water and fertilizer are inserted directly into the ground, rather than forming

pools on the ground.

4. Elimination or reduction of water pools on the ground and of ground wetness, will prevent growth and spread of undesired wildlife and pests: foliage which requires additional work to remove, parasites requiring spraying; carriers of disease and wasting precious water.

5. The NIID helps secure the drip irrigation tubes in place, to prevent their movement away from a desired location, possibly into the path of agricultural machinery

6. The NIID saves the need for cultivator work (digging the upper layer of ground) and for crumbling, previously used in order to break down the upper layer of ground.

7. The NIID delivers irrigation water to a desired depth in the ground.

The chosen depth may conform to a specific type of plants, or may cause the plants to adapt by guiding their roots to the location of water, at a depth desired by the farmer.

8. The NIID prevents or reduces excessive saltiness of the ground, caused by continuous water evaporation.

9. The NIID eliminates the need for irrigation at night, since there is no danger of water evaporation. This may prevent wetness which causes vermin and parasites, and saves expensive work at night.

10. The NIID enables an injection of fertilizer, specifically to weak plants 11. The drip irrigation emitter can be held at about ground level, thus preventing its being clogged with dirt or covered with moss.

12. The NIID can be added to an already installed irrigation system;

no need to dismantle the irrigation system and re-install it.

13. Due to the freedom of movement of the NIID in two dimensions, its installation can be mechanized, for example using a drum to hold both the irrigation tubes and units of the NIID.

14. The NIID can be conically shaped, to save space by inserting units of the NIID into each other. This novel feature achieves economy in storage, even for a large number of NIID devices.

15. The NIID can be used with drip irrigation emitters separate from the tube, by connecting with the main tube using a separate tube.

Further purposes and benefits of the current invention will become apparent upon reading the present disclosure and the related drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a prior art drip irrigation system, resulting in waste of water.

Fig. 2 illustrates a prior art drip irrigation emitters located on the ground.

Fig. 3 illustrates schematically a drip irrigation system improved with the new NIID. Fig. 4 illustrates a NIID installed in the ground and connected to a

drip irrigation emitter.

Fig. 5 illustrates, in a front view, the structure of the NIID.

Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C detail a front view, side view and top view, respectively, of the NIID.

Fig. 7 illustrates, in perspective view, the structure of the NIID and cap.

Fig. 8 details a method of use of the NIID.

Figs. 9A, 9B and 9C detail a front view, side view and top view, respectively, of another embodiment of the NIID

Fig. 10 illustrates, in perspective view, the structure of yet another

embodiment of the NIID.

Fig. 11A and 11B illustrate a front view and a top view, respectively, of yet another embodiment of the NIID.

Fig. 12A illustrates a front view of a cup-shaped, or tubular NIID device embodiment.

Fig. 12B illustrates a side view of the cup-shaped, or tubular NIID device embodiment.

Fig. 13A illustrates a front view of yet another embodiment of a cup-shaped, or tubular NIID device

Fig. 13B illustrates a side view of the another embodiment of a cup-shaped, or tubular NIID device.

Fig. 14 illustrates an isometric view the cup-shaped, or tubular NIID device of Figs. 12A and 12B.

Modes for Carrying out the Invention

The current invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates a prior art drip irrigation system, resulting in waste of water. Shown are a main feed line 11, irrigation tubes 12 with emitters 13 mounted thereon. There may be formed wet ground areas or water pools 14.

Fig. 2 illustrates a prior art drip irrigation emitters located on the ground, including irrigation tubes 12 with emitters 13 mounted thereon and lying on the ground 15. There may be a clogging lump 16 on the ground, clogging emitters. If the ground has an inclination angle, there may be a water flow 17 to another location, resulting in waste of water.

Fig. 3 illustrates schematically a drip irrigation system improved with the new NIID; an irrigation tube 12 with emitters 13 are laid on the ground 15.

The new irrigation device (NIID) 2 comprises an elongated structure with means for its easy snap-on attachment to a drip irrigation emitter at one end 181, an outlet 182 allowing water to flow out at its other end, and a tube for transferring water therethrough from one end to the other.

The NIID is so mounted that water from emitter 181 is collected into the

NIID 2. Water is guided through the NIID 2, bypassing the upper layer of ground 15, and exits at a desired depth 182. The emitter 13 does not lay on the ground 15, but is enclosed in the upper part of the NIID 2 (see Fig. 4) , being held in place by the NIID 2.

This achieves an anti-clogging feature, or resistant to clogging structure.

Fig. 4 illustrates a NIID installed in the ground and connected to a

drip irrigation emitter 13. Illustrated are the NIID body 21 with cap 3.

The drip irrigation emitter 13 is mounted on the irrigation tube 12, as known in prior art; the NIID 21 is so installed as to collect water out of the

emitter 13.

The NIID bypasses the ground upper, dry layer 151 to deliver the irrigation water to the ground lower, wet layer 152. he NIID 21 is inserted into a previously prepared hole for NIID 153.

The diameter of the device may be set according to the required rate of water flow into the ground. The water flow depends on the requirements of the specific plantation there.

The length of the NIID- according to the required depth of the actual irrigation- the depth where the irrigation water will be inserted into the ground.

The NIID may be manufactured in several standard sizes, with several versions of length and diameter, to adapt to various requirements in water flow rate and depth of irrigation injection into the ground.

Fig. 5 illustrates, in a front view, the structure of the NIID, including a

NIID body 21- a tube, conduit of water down into the ground, and a

cap 3 for covering the device and for further reducing possible water loss by evaporation.

The NIID has a lower opening 22, to allow water exit into the ground; it may have a slant cut lower part 23, which facilitates insertion into the ground.

The NIID may further include an extraction hole 24. Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C detail a front view, side view and top view, respectively, of the NIID, including a NIID body 21- a tube, with an inner hole, conduit of water 211 and a lower opening 22, water exit into the ground.

The NIID may have a slant cut lower part 23, which facilitates insertion into the ground.

The NIID may further include an extraction hole 24. A worker may use a suitably devised tool, including for example a handle ending in a hook which can be inserted into the hole 24; by pulling up, the NIID can easily be extracted from the ground, even if it is wet or adheres to the ground or has a considerable length.

The NIID has an upper hole 25 for holding the drip irrigation emitter, with narrow shoulders 251 for holding the emitter in place.

An important feature of the present invention: The snap-on action of the NIID. The dimensions of the hole 25 and shoulders 251 are so devised, as to allow a drip irrigation emitter (not shown) to snap-on into the hole 25, after being pushed using a reasonable amount of force, through the shoulders 251.

Because of the snap-on action, the NIID will hold the irrigation emitter in place inside the hole 25, while allowing rotation of the irrigation tube and movement of the NIID along the tube (or movement and rotation of the irrigation tube, while the tube is held captive in the hole 25).

Fig. 7 illustrates, in perspective view, the structure of the NIID and cap, including the NIID body 21- a tube, cap 3, a lower opening 22, water exit into the ground and a slant cut lower part 23, facilitates insertion into the ground. The NIID may further include an extraction hole 24 and an upper hole 25 for holding the drip irrigation emitter, with narrow shoulders 251 for holding the emitter in place.

A slant cut lower part 23, facilitates insertion of the NIID into the ground.

Fig. 8 details a method of use of the NIID. The method includes: a. Making a hole in the ground at a desired location for a NIID- for example at the location of a drip irrigation emitter. The irrigation tube may be slightly moved aside in preparation. The hole may be made with a peg having a suitable size, being hammered into the ground. This step is optional; it may not be necessary for NIIDs having a tipped end, such as that illustrated in Figs. 11A and 11B. 51 b. Inserting the NIID into the ground, until only the hole 25 and above protrude from the ground. 52 c. Snap-on the drip irrigation emitter to the NIID, by inserting it into hole 25. 53 d. Attach a cap 3 (see Fig. 7) to the NIID, if the hole 25 is located on the upper part of the NIID. 54

To remove the NIID: a. Remove (snap-off) the drip irrigation emitter from the NIID, by pulling it away from the hole 25. b. Remove (pull up) the NIID from the ground, for example by pulling it up using the hole 24.

Figs. 9A, 9B and 9C detail a front view, side view and top view, respectively, of another embodiment of the NIID. In this embodiment, the NIID body 21 comprises a slightly conical tube, at a tapering angle suitable for inserting NIID devices one into the other. Persons skilled in the art will be able to compute the tapering angle, from the dimensions of the NIID and the thickness of the material it is made of.

The NIID has an inner hole, conduit of water 211 and lower opening 22, a water exit into the ground. There is a slant cut lower part 23, which facilitates insertion into the ground.

The NIID may further include an extraction hole 24, as well as an upper hole 25 for holding the drip irrigation emitter, with narrow shoulders 251 for holding the emitter in place.

Fig. 10 illustrates, in perspective view, the structure of yet another

embodiment of the NIID. There is the NIID body 21- a tube, with a lower opening 22, a water exit into the ground, and a slant cut lower part 23, which facilitates insertion into the ground.

However, in this embodiment, there is a side upper hole 25 for holding the drip irrigation emitter. It is cut on the side of the device; thus the top 26 of the NIID can be closed. No cap is needed. The NIID further includes arrow shoulders 251 for holding the emitter in place.

The extraction hole may be dispensed with, and the hole 25 can be used to hold the NIID for the purpose of extracting it from the ground.

Figs. 11A and 11B illustrate a front view and a bottom view, respectively, of yet another embodiment of the NIID, including the NIID body 21- a tube, with a lower openings 223, used as a water exit into the ground.

However, this embodiment includes a tipped lower part 27, which facilitates direct insertion into the ground, even without having prepared in advance a hole in the ground. Rather, the NIID can be hammered into the ground.

A suitably stronger structure may be required.

Preferably, holes 223 for water exit into the ground are mounted on the side walls of the NIID as shown rather than on its lower part, to prevent the holes from being clogged with ground from the upper layer, during the insertion of the NIID into the ground.

The NIID further includes an upper hole 25 for holding the drip irrigation emitter, with narrow shoulders 251 for holding the emitter in place

Figs. 12A and 12B illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention, which allows for easy installation of the NIID devices, without moving the irrigation tubes. In this embodiment, the NIID is lowered onto the irrigation tube at a location of an emitter there; as the NIID passes through the upper layer of ground, a path is formed for the irrigation water to flow into the lower layer of ground.

An advantage of the embodiments shown in Figs. 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B and 14 is ease of installation: just press a NIID over each irrigation emitter.

In these embodiments, there is no need to move or raise the irrigation tubes at all.

Fig. 12A illustrates a front view of a cup-shaped, or tubular NIID device embodiment. The NIID body 41 may have a closed upper part 411 (the first end); in another embodiment, the upper part is left open; thus a cup-shaped device is formed in the former case, and a tubular device in the latter.

The NIID further includes a hole 412 for holding an irrigation tube 12 with an emitter inside the NIID. This allows water out of the emitter to be contained in the NIID and to be passed down into a lower layer of the ground. The installation of the NIID is simple: the NIID is pressed down onto the irrigation tube, the irrigation tube enters a tapered slot 413

direction of insertion of an irrigation tube 415 and is locked in the hole 412, Thus, the NIID includes a tapered slot 413 spanning its length from close to its first end to the other end, so devised as to allow a simple installation of the NIID wherein the NIID is pressed down onto the irrigation tube and the irrigation tube moves along the NIID from its second end to close to its first end.

Fig. 12B illustrates a side view of the cup-shaped, or tubular NIID device embodiment, installed in the ground and connected to a drip irrigation emitter 13.

The NIID body 41 has a hole 412 for holding an irrigation tube 12 with an emitter 13 inside the NIID. Also shown is the ground level 155.

When the NIID is installed as shown, water is guided through the NIID 41, bypassing the upper layer of ground, and exits at a desired depth 182.

The device in Figs. 13A and 13B is also suitable for sloped ground.

After inserting into the ground, the NIID is rotated about 90 arc degrees (or another angle, as required for any specific embodiment) so the full walled part is toward the direction of water flow; thus water flow is prevented or reduced, and water is better contained inside the NIID to be guided down onto the ground. Thus water will flow down rather than along the irrigation tube.

Fig. 13A illustrates a front view of yet another embodiment of a cup-shaped, or tubular NIID device. A NIID body 41 has a recess 416 for locking therein an irrigation tube. The NIID further has a tapered slot 413.

Also shown is the direction of insertion of an irrigation tube 415.

Fig. 13B illustrates a side view of the another embodiment of a cup-shaped, or tubular NIID device. The NIID body 41 includes a recess 416 for locking therein an irrigation tube.

Fig. 14 illustrates an isometric view the cup-shaped, or tubular NIID

device of Figs. 12A and 12B.

The NIID body 41 in this embodiment has an open upper part 419, and a hole 412 for holding an irrigation tube with an emitter inside the NIID.

The lower part of the NIID (the part pointing toward the ground) has a tapered slot 413. Also show is the direction of insertion of an irrigation tube 415.

Various Embodiments

In one embodiment, the NIID is a long tube, to bring water to desired depth; in another embodiment, the NIID is a short tube, of a larger diameter; for example a tube about 3-8 cm long, with a diameter of 5- 15 cm. Benefits: keeps a quantity of water at a specific location, so water will gradually penetrate the ground; easy to install, no need to insert deep; this is especially important if there is a hard upper layer of ground. The NIID is easy to remove, there is no need to apply a significant force.

Just covering the location of water application onto the ground prevents water evaporation. The NIID prevents water from flowing away from the insertion point, so water will gradually penetrate the ground at that location rather than being absorbed in the upper ground layer over a large area.

This structure allows some movement of the irrigation tube, while still the emitter remains inside the NIID.

In the above embodiments , the NIID is removably mounted over an emitter on an irrigation tube. In another embodiment, a NIID is fixedly attached to an emitter; a new irrigation tube includes a plurality of emitters, each with a NIID fixedly attached thereto. Alternative means for NIID extraction from the ground: a ring on the upper part of the device, or a ring of a larger diameter; such means are easier to hold and may offer significant savings in NIID removal time, especially where large quantities of NIIDs have to be removed.

In yet another embodiment, the NIID can be used without a drip irrigation system: a funnel in the upper part of the NIID collects water which may be on the surface of the ground, for example due to rain, sprinklers etc- and inserts the water into the ground. A protective cover with holes may allow water to flow into the device, while preventing dirt or other things to enter the NIID.

In one embodiment, the NIID is made of plastic, preferably a durable structure to allow multiple insertions into the ground and removals thereof; in another embodiment, it is made of a biodegradable material as one-time use, a disposable device. After a time the NIID disintegrates into the ground.

Benefits: savings in work and costs relating to removing NIIDs, especially over large areas; the NIIDS are inserted and left there, to improve water penetration properties of the ground, for a predefined time period; the NIIDS are never removed. After some time, new NIIDs are inserted.

The NIIDs improve penetration of water into the ground, also usable with water from rain or sprinklers, etc.

The NIID may be made from biodegradable materials as known in the art, for example reed grass, corn or PolyActide. Thus NIIDs can be offered as a green, environment-friendly product.

It will be recognized that the foregoing is but one example of an apparatus and method within the scope of the present invention and that various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the

disclosure set forth hereinbefore. Industrial Applicability

The present invention relates to a system for inserting irrigation water into the ground. The system comprises one or more irrigation insertion devices (NIID), each used in conjunction with a drip irrigation system, to insert the water out of a drip irrigation emitter directly into the ground.

Each NIID comprises an elongated structure with means for its easy snap-on attachment to a drip irrigation emitter at one end (the first end), an outlet allowing water to flow out at its other end (the second end), and a tube for transferring water therethrough from one end to the other.

Optionally, the NIID further includes means for allowing its freedom of motion about a water drip emitter, after the NIID.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for inserting irrigation water into the ground, comprising one or more irrigation insertion devices (NIID) each used in conjunction with a drip irrigation system, to insert the water out of a drip irrigation emitter directly into the ground, and wherein each NIID comprises an elongated structure with means for its easy snap-on attachment to a drip irrigation emitter at one end

(the first end), an outlet allowing water to flow out at its other end (the second end), and a tube for transferring water therethrough from one end to the other.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the NIID further includes means for allowing its freedom of motion about a water drip emitter, after the NIID is snap-mounted to the emitter.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the NIID further includes means for delivering irrigation water to a desired depth in the ground, by choosing a NIID having a desired length.

4. The system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the NIID further includes means for its extraction from the ground.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the means for its extraction from the ground include a hole located close to the first end.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the means for its extraction from the ground include a protuberance located close to the first end.

7. In a system for inserting irrigation water into the ground, an irrigation insertion devices (NIID) comprising an elongated structure with means for its easy snap-on attachment to a drip irrigation emitter at one end (the first end), an outlet allowing water to flow out at its other end (the second end), and a tube for transferring water therethrough from one end to the other.

8. The NIID according to claim 7, wherein the NIID further includes means for allowing its freedom of motion about a water drip emitter, after the NIID is snap-mounted to the emitter.

9. The NIID according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the NIID further includes means for delivering irrigation water to a desired depth in the ground, by choosing a NIID having a desired length.

10. The NIID according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the NIID further includes means for its extraction from the ground.

11. The NIID according to claim 10, wherein the means for its extraction from the ground include a hole located close to the first end.

12. The NIID according to claim 10, wherein the means for its extraction from the ground include a protuberance located close to the first end.

13. The NIID according to claim 7, 8 or 9, further including a tapered slot spanning its length from close to its first end to the other end, so devised as to allow a simple installation of the NIID wherein the NIID is pressed down onto the irrigation tube and the irrigation tube moves along the NIID from its second end to close to its first end.

14. The NIID according to claim 7, 8 or 9, further including a hole at the end of the tapered slot close to the first end, and wherein the slot in its part close to the hole is narrower than the diameter of the hole.

15. The NIID according to claim 14, wherein the hole is so sized as to hold an irrigation tube with an emitter locked inside the NIID, thereby allowing water out of the emitter to be contained in the NIID and to be passed down into a lower layer of the ground.

16. The NIID according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the first end is closed to form a cup-shaped device.

17. The NIID according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the first end is open to form a tubular device.

18. The NIID according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the second end is open to allow water to exit at that location.

19. The NIID according to claim 18, wherein the second end has a slant cut which facilitates insertion into the ground

20. The NIID according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the second end is closed and has a tip thereon to facilitate insertion into the ground, and further including holes on the side walls close to the second end to allow water to exit at that location.