Pressure compensating drip irrigation hose
First Claim
1. A pressure compensating drip irrigation hose for distributing water comprising:
- a) a hose having a wall with an inner surface, the inner surface defining a main water passage;
b) a continuous elastomeric strip member operatively connected to the inner surface, the continuous elastomeric strip member and the inner surface defining a plurality of emitter units, the continuous elastomeric strip member having a bottom wall operatively connected to first and second spaced elongated side members, the bottom wall, sides and inner surface defining an emitter water passageway;
c) each emitter unit comprising;
i) an inlet, wherein water from the main water passageway enters the emitter unit through the inlet;
ii) a pressure reducing section downstream from the inlet, wherein water flowing through the emitter is slowed and water pressure is reduced; and
iii) a pressure responsive section downstream from the pressure reducing section, wherein with increased pressure in the main water passage, the bottom wall deflects toward the inner surface, thereby decreasing a size of the emitter water passageway; and
d) an outlet formed in the hose wall, the outlet in fluid communication with the emitter water passageway and downstream from the pressure responsive section.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure compensated drip irrigation hose (20) includes a hose having a wall (21) with an inner surface (21a). A continuous elastomeric strip member (30) is connected to the inner surface (21a). The continuous elastomeric strip member (30) and inner surface (21a) form a plurality of emitters. The emitters have an inlet section (40), a pressure reducing section (60) which is downstream from the inlet section (40). A pressure responsive section (70) is downstream from the pressure reducing section (60) and the outlet section (80) is downstream from the pressure responsive section (70). The continuous elastomeric strip member (30) is constructed from a material softer than the wall (21).
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A pressure compensating drip irrigation hose for distributing water comprising:
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a) a hose having a wall with an inner surface, the inner surface defining a main water passage;
b) a continuous elastomeric strip member operatively connected to the inner surface, the continuous elastomeric strip member and the inner surface defining a plurality of emitter units, the continuous elastomeric strip member having a bottom wall operatively connected to first and second spaced elongated side members, the bottom wall, sides and inner surface defining an emitter water passageway;
c) each emitter unit comprising;
i) an inlet, wherein water from the main water passageway enters the emitter unit through the inlet;
ii) a pressure reducing section downstream from the inlet, wherein water flowing through the emitter is slowed and water pressure is reduced; and
iii) a pressure responsive section downstream from the pressure reducing section, wherein with increased pressure in the main water passage, the bottom wall deflects toward the inner surface, thereby decreasing a size of the emitter water passageway; and
d) an outlet formed in the hose wall, the outlet in fluid communication with the emitter water passageway and downstream from the pressure responsive section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A pressure compensating drip irrigation hose for distributing water comprising:
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a) a hose having a wall with an inner surface, the inner surface defining a main water passage;
b) a continuous elastomeric strip member having a hardness less than that of the hose, the continuous elastomeric strip member operatively connected to the inner surface, defining an emitter water passageway;
c) each emitter unit comprising;
i) an inlet, wherein water from the main water passageway enters the emitter unit through the inlet;
ii) a pressure reducing section, wherein water flowing through the emitter is slowed and water pressure is reduced; and
iii) a pressure responsive section, wherein with increased pressure in the main water passage, the bottom wall deflects toward the inner surface, thereby decreasing a size of the emitter water passageway;
d) an outlet formed in the hose wall, the outlet in fluid communication with the emitter water passageway;
e) a plurality of first preformed members formed in the outlet section, whereby the pressure responsive section is more sensitive to pressure than the outlet section; and
f) a plurality of second preformed members formed in the pressure reducing section, whereby the pressure reducing section is less responsive to pressure than the pressure responsive section. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification