Abstract An improved device is provided to supply irrigation water in controlled limited amounts to the root zone of plants. The device is constructed from an outer tube or pipe suitable for carrying water along which outlets are spaced as required for the particular crop being irrigated. An inner tube which may be an osmosis membrane; or which may be formed of resilient material, with spaced holes therein; is fitted inside the outer pipe in such a way that water pressure in the inner tube keeps the inner tube in contact with the inside wall of the outer pipe. The surface between the inner tube and the outer pipe is preferably textured with a pattern that provides multiple, continuous, restricted paths through which the water must flow from the inner tube to the outer pipe. The holes in the inner tube are located so that water passing from the interior of the inner tube to the outlets in the outer pipe must travel along these restricted paths. Therefore, the shape and size of the texturing and the distance the water travels along the restricted paths provide flow control of the water supplied to the plants in the limited quantities desired. As flow control is obtained from the restricted areas, the holes in the inner tube and the outlets in the outer pipe may be relatively large and clog free. Furthermore, the resilient inner tube is of such a design that with the water turned off it will separate from the outer pipe. When turned on again, a small quantity of water flows into the textured area between the inner tube and outer pipe, and as the pressure builds up the extra water is extruded out of the outlets in the outer pipe flushing with it any solids that may tend to clog the restricted paths.
Inventors
👤 D Allport
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-29 12:16
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
An assembly for distributing irrigation water, and the like, in controlled amounts, comprising: an outer tubular member having outlets located at spaced distances along its length; an inner tubular member coaxial with said outer tubular member, said inner tubular member being formed of deformable material and having holes located at spaced distances along its length and through which water may pass, the outer surface of said inner tubular member being displaced radially outwardly toward the inner surface of said outer tubular member by water pressure in said inner tubular member to cause said inner tubular member to contact the inner surface of said outer tubular member so as to provide a surface contact between the outer surface of said inner tubular member and said inner surface of said outer tubular member, and at least one of the contacting surfaces being textured in a way to produce a plurality of interconnecting restricted passages between the holes in said inner tubular member and said outlets in said outer tubular member, so as to allow water from said inner tubular member to pass through the holes therein and to enter the restricted passages and seep between said contacting surfaces to the outlets in said outer tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
An assembly for distributing irrigation water, and the like, in controlled amounts, comprising: an outer tubular member having outlets located at spaced distances along its length; an inner tubular member coaxial with said outer tubular member, said inner tubular member being formed of deformable material and having holes located at spaced distances along its length and through which water may pass, the outer surface of said inner tubular member being displaced radially outwardly toward the inner surface of said outer tubular member by water pressure in said inner tubular member to cause said inner tubular member to contact the inner surface of said outer tubular member so as to provide a surface contact between the outer surface of said inner tubular member and said inner surface of said outer tubular member, and at least one of the contacting surfaces being textured in a way to produce a plurality of interconnecting restricted passages between the holes in said inner tubular member and said outlets in said outer tubular member, so as to allow water from said inner tubular member to pass through the holes therein and to enter the restricted passages and seep between said contacting surfaces to the outlets in said outer tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly defined in claim 1, in which said inner tubular member is formed of a resilient material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly defined in claim 1, in which said inner tubular member is formed of a flexible material normally having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of said outer tubular member and having a longitudinal fold therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly defined in claim 1, in which the inner tubular member is attached to said outer tubular member along a longitudinal seam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly defined in claim 1, and which includes a separate textured tubular member interposed between said inner tubular member and said outer tubular member.