Variable pressure, constant flow drip emitter system and head

Abstract

A drip emitter system and head is disclosed, the system including a line through which water may pass, the line having a series of spaced openings. Drip emitter heads are received in these spaced openings, each head including a bulbous end received within the line, the end being larger than the opening, and a flared top external to the line. A shank connects the bulbous end and flared top of the head, at least a portion of the surface of the shank being tapered and narrowing from the bulbous end gradually towards the top, whereby increased pressure in the line increases the forces on the head, forcing the shank more firmly into the opening in the line and causing it to constrict water flow between the shank and the opening. The surface of the shank may be substantially circular in cross section, or may include one or more longitudinal grooves for water. The undersurface of the head may be oriented generally parallel to the surface of the line so that emitted water will strike it and spray outwardly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.