Method and apparatus for making drip irrigation devices
AssigneeHydromatic GmbH
InventorShlomo Bloom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for making a drip irrigation device by continuously extruding a tube and simultaneously feeding a plurality of dripper units in succession within the tube as it is extruded. Each dripper unit is arrested as it arrives at a first location which is a short distance downstream of the extrusion head where the extruded tube is still tacky, and is then moved transversely to bring it into light contact with the tacky surface of the extruded tube to cause the dripper unit to lightly adhere to the tube and to begin to move axially with it. A short distance downstream of the first location where the dripper unit has attained the same axial velocity as the extruded tube, the dripper unit is pressed into firm bonding contact with the tacky inner surface of the extruded tube.
Claims17
A method of making a drip irrigation device including a tube formed with a plurality of apertures and dripper units bonded to a surface of the tube in alignment with said apertures, with each unit extending for only a part of the circumference of the tube, comprising:
- continuously extruding the tube from an extrusion head;
- feeding a plurality of dripper units in succession to move axially with respect to the tube during the extrusion thereof;
- at a first location, which is a short distance downstream of the extrusion head where the extruded tube is still tacky, arresting the axial movement of each dripper unit as it arrives to said first location and moving it transversely to bring it into light contact with said tacky surface of the extruded tube, to thereby cause the dripper unit to lightly adhere to the extruded tube and to begin to move axially with the extruded tube;
- and
- at a second location, which is a short distance downstream of the first location, where the dripper unit has attained the same axial velocity as the extruded tube, pressing the dripper unit into firm bonding contact with said tacky inner surface of the extruded tube.
Apparatus for making a drip irrigation device including a tube formed with a plurality of apertures and dripper units bonded to a surface thereof, with each unit extending for only a part of the circumference of the tube, comprising:
- an extruder including an extrusion head for continuously extruding the tube;
- feeding means for feeding a plurality of dripper units in succession to move axially of the tube during the extrusion of the tube;
- arresting means at a first location which is a short distance downstream of the extruder head, where the extruded tube is still tacky, for arresting the axial movement of each dripper unit as it arrives to said first location, and for moving it transversely to bring it into light contact with said tacky surface of the extruded tube, to thereby cause the dripper unit to lightly adhere to the extruded tube and to begin to move axially with the extruded tube;
- and
- a pressure applicator at a second location, which is a short distance downstream of said first location where the dripper unit has attained the same axial velocity as the extruded tube, for pressing the dripper unit into firm bonding contact with the tacky surface of the extruded tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.