Irrigation pipe

Abstract

An irrigation pipe extends along an axis and has a pipe wall having a base portion (55) and a plurality of raised members (1, 2) extending away from the base portion.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of application number 201780065868.1, filed on October 24, 2017, having the title "Irrigation pipe". TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to irrigation pipes, possibly drip irrigation pipes. BACKGROUND

[0003] Irrigation systems deliver liquid, including water, often containing plant nutrients, pesticides and / or pharmaceuticals, to plants through a network of irrigation pipes.

[0004] Relatively thin walled irrigation pipes, sometimes referred to as tapes, can be used for irrigation, for example when the irrigation pipe is used for a short time (e.g. a single season) and then possibly discarded.

[0005] During installation or use, the irrigation pipe can be subject to wear, which can cause damage to the pipe, in particular when the irrigation pipe has a relatively thin wall.

[0006] Irrigation pipes can deliver liquid to plants through emitters or drippers installed on or integrated within the irrigation pipe. Such emitters can be heat bonded to the pipe to form so-called drip irrigation pipes or drip pipes.

[0007] In some cases, such drip pipe can be susceptible to damage at areas where the drip pipe is combined with and / or connected to a drip emitter. SUMMARY

[0008] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, and are non-limiting in scope.

[0009] In one embodiment, an irrigation pipe is provided, the irrigation pipe extending along an axis and comprising a pipe wall, wherein the pipe wall comprises a base portion and a plurality of raised members extending away from the base portion. The raised members can be rib-like, possibly extending along the pipe axis on an inner surface and / or an outer surface of the pipe wall.

[0010] In one embodiment, the base portion can have a substantially constant thickness, and each raised member increases the thickness of the pipe wall at the location where it is formed, preferably in a radial direction (inwardly or outwardly) when the pipe is held in a substantially cylindrical state.

[0011] This increase in wall thickness can be defined as occurring "locally" where the protrusions are formed, while at locations where there are no protrusions, there can be no pipe material between adjacent protrusions in the circumferential direction, thereby forming valleys, possibly valleys extending axially between adjacent protrusions. These valleys can have a relatively large lateral extension when placed between protrusions that are far apart in the circumferential direction.

[0012] In one embodiment, for a pipe having a base portion thickness T of less than about 0.254 millimeters (10 mils), at least some of the protrusion members can have a height extending radially away from the base portion of up to about 0.254 millimeters (10 mils) minus T. The height of the protrusion members can be selected so as to "appear" to "upgrade" the wall thickness of the pipe (at least locally where the ribs / protrusions are formed). Thus, the protrusion / rib height can be selected to increase the wall thickness of a 5 mil pipe to at least 6 mils, a 7 mil pipe class, etc. at least locally.

[0013] The present application also provides the following aspects: 1) An irrigation pipe extending along an axis and comprising a pipe wall, wherein the pipe wall comprises a base portion and a plurality of protrusion members extending away from the base portion.

[0014] 2) The irrigation pipe according to 1), wherein at least some of the protrusion members are formed on an outer surface of the base portion.

[0015] 3) The irrigation pipe according to 1) or 2), wherein at least some of the protrusion members are formed on an inner surface of the base portion.

[0016] 4) The irrigation pipe according to any one of 1) to 3), wherein the base portion has a substantially constant thickness, and each protrusion member increases the thickness of the pipe wall at the location where it is formed, preferably in the radial direction, possibly radially inwards and / or radially outwards, when the pipe is held in a generally cylindrical state.

[0017] 5) The irrigation pipe according to any one of 1) to 4), wherein at least some of the protrusion members are made of a different material than the base portion.

[0018] 6) The irrigation pipe according to any one of 1) to 5), wherein at least some of the protrusion members are made of a similar material than the base portion.

[0019] 7) The irrigation pipe according to any one of 1) to 6), wherein at least some of the protrusion members extend axially, preferably in a continuous form.

[0020] 8) The irrigation pipe according to any one of 1) to 7), comprising at least one drip irrigation emitter mounted to the inner side of the pipe wall.

[0021] 9) The irrigation pipe according to 8), wherein at least one raised member is located above the drip irrigation emitter.

[0022] 10) The irrigation pipe according to 8) or 9), wherein at least one raised member is located substantially above and / or adjacent to a circumferentially lateral side of the drip irrigation emitter.

[0023] 11) The irrigation pipe according to any one of 1) to 10), wherein for a pipe having a base portion thickness T of less than about 0.254 mm, at least some of the raised members have a height extending radially away from the base portion of up to about 0.254 mm minus T.

[0024] 12) The irrigation pipe according to 11), wherein the raised members are adjacent to a circumferentially lateral side of a drip irrigation emitter incorporated to the inner side of the pipe wall.

[0025] 13) The irrigation pipe according to any one of the preceding items, wherein at least some of the raised members are configured to provide rigidity to the pipe and have a height extending radially away from the base portion of more than about 25 microns, possibly up to about 300 microns, and a width of, for example, up to about 300 microns.

[0026] 14) The irrigation pipe according to any one of the preceding items, wherein at least some of the raised members have a lateral width of up to about 2 mm in a circumferential direction around the pipe axis in cross-section.

[0027] 15) The irrigation pipe according to any one of the preceding items, comprising a rib set comprising several adjacently positioned raised members at a location around the pipe wall, a fold in the pipe wall being configured to occur at the location around the pipe wall when the pipe is flattened.

[0028] 16) The irrigation pipe according to 15), wherein the pipe comprises two folds and in a cross-sectional view of the pipe, a drip irrigation emitter mounted to the pipe wall is configured to be located between the folds when the pipe is flattened.

[0029] 17) A method for reinforcing a thin-walled pipe, comprising extruding a base portion of a cylindrical pipe wall and co-extruding rib-like raised members on the base portion.

[0030] 18) The method according to 17), wherein the raised members are extruded from the same material as the base portion.

[0031] 19) The method of 17), wherein the protrusions are extruded from a material different from that of the base portion.

[0032] 20) The method of any of 17) to 19), including the step of attaching a drip emitter to the inner side of the pipe wall.

[0033] 21) The method of 20), wherein at least some of the protrusions are extruded generally along the lateral sides of the drip emitters, possibly along the inner and / or outer sides of the pipe wall.

[0034] 22) The method of any of 17) to 21), wherein for a pipe having a base portion thickness T of less than about 0.254 mm, at least some of the protrusion members have a height extending radially away from the base portion of up to about 0.254 mm minus T.

[0035] 23) The method of any of 17) to 22), wherein at least some of the protrusion members have a lateral width in cross-section of up to about 2 mm in a circumferential direction around the pipe axis.

[0036] 24) The method of any of 17) to 22), including a set of ribs comprising a number of adjacently positioned protrusion members at a location around the pipe wall, the creases in the pipe wall being configured to occur at the location around the pipe wall when the pipe is flattened.

[0037] 25) The method of 24), wherein flattening the pipe to thereby form the creases occurs prior to or at the step of punching holes through the pipe wall at the locations where emitters are positioned.

[0038] 26) A drip irrigation pipe having drip emitters attached to a pipe wall, the pipe wall including a base portion and a plurality of protrusion members extending away from the base portion, wherein at least some of the protrusion members are located generally over and / or adjacent to lateral sides of at least some of the drip emitters.

[0039] 27) The drip irrigation pipe of 26), wherein at least some of the protrusion members are formed on an outer surface of the base portion.

[0040] 28) The drip irrigation pipe of 26) or 27), wherein at least some of the protrusion members are formed on an inner surface of the base portion.

[0041] 29) The drip irrigation pipe according to any one of 26) to 28), wherein the base portion has a substantially constant thickness, and each protruding member increases the thickness of the pipe wall at the location where it is formed, preferably in a radial direction, possibly radially inwardly and / or radially outwardly, when the pipe is held in a generally cylindrical state.

[0042] 30) The drip irrigation pipe according to any one of 26) to 29), wherein at least some of the protruding members are made of a material different from the material of the base portion.

[0043] 31) The drip irrigation pipe according to any one of 26) to 30), wherein at least some of the protruding members are made of a material similar to the material of the base portion.

[0044] 32) The drip irrigation pipe according to any one of 26) to 31), wherein at least some of the protruding members extend axially, preferably in a continuous form.

[0045] 33) The drip irrigation pipe according to any one of 26) to 32), wherein the protruding members are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction, the pipe wall thickness between adjacent protruding members being a reduced wall thickness of the base portion of the pipe.

[0046] 34) A drip irrigation pipe having a pipe wall comprising a base portion and a strip located on at least a portion of the base portion facing the inside of the pipe, the pipe further comprising a drip irrigation emitter attached to the strip, and the material of the strip being different from the material of the base portion.

[0047] 35) The drip irrigation pipe according to 34), wherein the strip covers all of the base portion facing the inside of the pipe.

[0048] 36) The drip irrigation pipe according to 34), wherein the strip covers only a portion of the base portion, leaving an internal portion of the base portion facing the inside of the pipe in contact with fluid in the pipe.

[0049] 37) The drip irrigation pipe according to 34) or 36), wherein the strip is substantially embedded in the base portion, flush with adjacent portions of the base portion exposed to fluid in the inside of the pipe.

[0050] 38) The drip irrigation pipe according to any one of 34) to 37), wherein the material of the strip has a MFI higher than the MFI of the material of the base portion and lower than the MFI of the material of the drip irrigation emitter.

[0051] In addition to the exemplary aspects and implementations described above, further aspects and implementations will become apparent from a review of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0052] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the referenced drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. However, the present application, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, can best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1-3 An irrigation pipe according to various embodiments of the present application is schematically illustrated; Figure 4A and Figure 4B Each cross-sectional view of an irrigation pipe according to embodiments of the present application, respectively installed with a drip irrigation emitter and without a drip irrigation emitter, is schematically illustrated; Figures 5A-5F Each cross-section of an irrigation pipe similar to those shown in Figure 4A or Figure 4B is schematically illustrated, and various exemplary embodiments of irrigation pipes or drip irrigation pipes of the present application are illustrated; and Figures 6A-6E Each cross-section of an irrigation pipe similar to those in Figure 4A or Figure 4B is schematically illustrated, and various exemplary embodiments of irrigation pipes or drip irrigation pipes of the present application are illustrated; and Figures 7A-7H An irrigation pipe and / or drip irrigation pipe according to various embodiments of the present application is schematically illustrated.

[0053] It is to be understood that the elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for the sake of simplicity and clarity. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements can be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Furthermore, where appropriate, reference numerals can be repeated among the figures to indicate similar or corresponding elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] It is first noted that Figures 1-3 illustrates each embodiment of an irrigation pipe 11, 12, 13 according to the present application. Each of the pipes extends along an axis X and is formed around the axis X.

[0055] Figure 1 The embodiment of the pipe 11 in Figure 4AThe thickness T shown in the figure is such that the protruding member 1 takes the form of an elongated rib structure, which extends radially outward above the base portion when the tube remains generally cylindrical. Here, member 1 is optionally formed around axis X, and preferably, each member extends generally parallel to axis X. In one embodiment (not shown), the protruding member 1 may be spirally formed around axis X or may be any other suitable construction.

[0056] Figure 2 An embodiment of the tube 12 is illustrated as including a plurality of axially extending protrusions 1, which are generally similar to the protrusions of the tube 11. As seen here, the tube 12 also includes additional protrusions 2 formed on the base portion 55, two of which have a larger cross-sectional area than the members 1 in a cross section perpendicular to the axis X.

[0057] This also illustrates that the protruding members 2 may extend continuously along the outer surface of the tube, each protruding member having an elongated rib-like structure and formed around the axis X, preferably, each protruding member extending substantially parallel to the axis X. Furthermore, adjacent protruding members 2 shown here may have a larger circumferential spacing between them around the axis X than member 1. In one embodiment (not shown), the protruding members 2 may be spirally formed around the axis X or may be any other suitable configuration.

[0058] Notice Figure 3 The implementation of pipe 13 is shown as possibly including only roughly similar Figure 2 The protruding member 2 is shown. Only two such protruding members 2 are shown here, and the remaining outer surface of the base portion 55 of the wall is shown as a protrusion structure that may not be formed thereon.

[0059] However, embodiments of pipes that may not be shown but fall within the scope of this disclosure should be understood to include protruding members generally similar to those discussed herein (e.g., protruding members 1, 2, or below). Figures 5A-5F and Figures 6A-6E The various combinations of those discussed in the text.

[0060] At least some of the suitable tubes, including the protruding members discussed herein, can be relatively thin-walled tubes, sometimes referred to as “bands”. Such thin-walled tube structures are characterized in that the wall thickness (excluding the protrusion) can be in the range of about 0.127 mm (5 mils) to about 0.254 mm (10 mils) (measured radially on a tube that remains in a cylindrical state).

[0061] This relatively thin wall thickness can result in a tube that is relatively susceptible to wear, which can occur during use in an irrigation application, and thus is susceptible to damage. Accordingly, in such thin walled tubes, a raised member can be used to strengthen the tube wall and increase the resistance and robustness of the tube wall to damage during use, such as when laid in a field for irrigation purposes.

[0062] However, a tube including the raised members discussed herein need not be only of the relatively thin walled type, but can also be of a greater wall thickness. In such relatively greater wall thickness tubes (as well as in thin walled tubes), the raised members can be used as a deposit of tube material for strengthening certain areas of the tube that can be susceptible to damage.

[0063] These susceptible areas of the tube can include the underside of the tube that is exposed to the ground surface when laid in a field, or the side of the tube that is exposed to friction from the mechanical means used to lay the tube in the field (among others). In one example, such raised members can also strengthen locations in the tube where other devices can be installed.

[0064] Note Figure 4A which shows a cross-sectional view taken in a plane perpendicular to the axis X of the tube, which is generally similar to the tubes discussed above. In this example, a cross-section is taken on the tube 11, which shows the raised members 1 of the tube 11 spaced circumferentially about the axis X.

[0065] Note Figure 4B which shows a cross-sectional view taken in a plane perpendicular to the axis X of the tube, which is generally similar to the tubes discussed herein. In this example, a cross-section is taken on the tube 11, which shows the raised members 1 of the tube 11 spaced circumferentially about the axis X. In addition, in this view, the tube is shown to include a device mounted to its inside, here a drip irrigation emitter 20.

[0066] In one aspect of the disclosure, the raised members located above the location where a drip irrigation emitter is mounted to the tube can be used to provide additional protection to this area, which can be susceptible to damage. As an example, a drip irrigation tube can be installed in a field by guiding the tube through a frame of an agricultural machine (not shown) towards the ground surface. During such a process, for example, the area of the tube that includes a device such as a drip irrigation emitter within it can form a bulge in the tube, which in turn can increase the friction with the frame of the agricultural machine, for example, when the tube is flattened.

[0067] Accordingly, in one embodiment, a drip irrigation tube (such as the tube 11) includes raised members 1 spaced circumferentially about the axis X of the tube 11. Figure 4BThe drip irrigation emitter (not shown) can include at least one raised member (1) located between the opposite lateral sides (30) of the drip irrigation emitter. In the example shown, the raised member (1) is shown located between the lateral sides (30), however, other raised members such as the rib members described herein can be used to protect the drip irrigation pipe. In the example shown, three such raised members (1) are shown located between the lateral sides (30), however, fewer than three (e.g. one) or more than three raised members can be placed between the sides (30) of the drip irrigation emitter.

[0068] It is noted that Figures 5A-5F , Figures 5A-5F Various types of raised member configurations that can be used are shown, where these cross-sectional views represent an irrigation pipe without any device (e.g. drip irrigation emitter) mounted thereto, or represent a cross-sectional view taken axially at a location where there is no device between adjacent devices (e.g. drip irrigation emitters).

[0069] In Figure 5A , a pipe embodiment is shown including a raised member on the outside of the base portion of the wall (55), which looks substantially similar to the raised member (2) shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 . On the left hand side of Figure 5A , a pipe embodiment (161) is shown including a raised member that is illustrated as possibly having the same material as the pipe; and on the right hand side of Figure 5A , a pipe embodiment (162) is shown including a raised member that is illustrated as possibly having a different material than the material of the pipe.

[0070] In Figure 5B , a pipe embodiment is shown including a raised member on the inside of the base portion of the wall. On the left hand side of Figure 5B , a pipe embodiment (171) is shown including a raised member that is illustrated as possibly having the same material as the pipe; and on the right hand side of Figure 5B , a pipe embodiment (172) is shown including a raised member that is illustrated as possibly having a different material than the material of the pipe.

[0071] In Figure 5C , a pipe embodiment is shown including a raised member on the inside and outside of the base portion of the wall. On the left hand side of Figure 5C , a pipe embodiment (181) is shown including a raised member that is illustrated as possibly having the same material as the pipe; and on the right hand side of Figure 5C , a pipe embodiment (182) is shown including a raised member that is illustrated as possibly having a different material than the material of the pipe.

[0072] In Figure 5D , the tube embodiment is shown as comprising raised members on the inside of the base portion of the wall, here the raised members are formed as strips with a relatively large circumferential extension. In Figure 5D , on the left-hand side, a tube embodiment 191 is shown comprising raised members or strips with a circumferential extension extending along an arc of approximately 45 degrees. In Figure 5D , on the right-hand side, a tube embodiment 192 is shown comprising raised members or strips with a larger circumferential extension, possibly over the entire inner circumference of the tube.

[0073] In Figure 5E , the tube embodiment is shown as having a strip-like structure substantially similar to those in Figure 5D , where further raised members, possibly similar to the raised 2, are mounted on top of the strips. In Figure 5E , on the left-hand side, a tube embodiment 201 is shown comprising raised members formed on the strips substantially similar to those on the left-hand side in Figure 5D . In Figure 5E , on the right-hand side, a tube embodiment 202 is shown comprising raised members formed on the strips substantially similar to those on the right-hand side in Figure 5D .

[0074] In Figure 5F , a tube embodiment is shown comprising inner raised members and outer raised members. In Figure 5F , on the left-hand side, a tube embodiment 211 is shown comprising outer raised members 1 substantially similar to those in Figure 4A , and inner raised members here shown exemplarily as identical to those on the left-hand side in Figure 5E . In Figure 5F , on the right-hand side, a tube embodiment 212 is shown comprising outer raised members 1 substantially similar to those in Figure 4A , and inner raised members here shown exemplarily substantially similar to those in Figure 5B .

[0075] In embodiments having raised members made of a material different from the base portion of the wall (e.g., tubes 162, 172, 182), the material of these raised members can be more elastic and / or softer than the rest of the base portion of the wall. For example, an irrigation tube having a base portion made of a polyethylene material (i.e., typically high-density polyethylene (HDPE), medium-density polyethylene, or the like) can include raised members made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), or the like.

[0076] Note Figures 6A-6D which illustrates tubes 1161, 1162, 1171, 1172 (and so on), respectively, that are generally similar to those in Figures 5A-5D However, the tubes shown here include drip emitters mounted to the inner side or inner surface of the base portion of the wall. The lateral sides of each drip emitter are marked here by vertical "dashed lines," and as seen, each lateral side can be generally covered by a raised member.

[0077] For example Figure 6D The material strip illustrated in the tube embodiments 1192, 1191 in Figure 6E Also illustrated is an irrigation tube embodiment 1193 that includes a strip of material embedded within and / or flush with the base portion of the tube wall. Such a strip can be formed of a material that is more suitable for bonding to emitters mounted on the tube than, for example, the rest of the material of the tube wall (e.g., the material in the base portion of the tube).

[0078] The improved suitability of the material for bonding to emitters (e.g., the material of the strip in tube embodiments 1191, 1192, 1193) can be due to the MFI of the strip generally being higher than the MFI of the rest of the tube wall (e.g., in the base portion of the tube); and generally being lower than the MFI of the material of the drip emitter with which the strip is bonded. For example, for a drip tube having a strip with an MFI of MFIs, a base portion with an MFI of MFIb, and a drip emitter with an MFI of MFId, the relationship of these MFIs can satisfy the following ratio: MFIb≤ MFIs≤ MFId. In non-bonding examples, in at least certain embodiments, the thickness of the strip can be from about 50 microns up to about 15% of the total thickness of the tube wall (e.g., including the base portion).

[0079] Figures 7A-7H Various irrigation tube and / or drip tube embodiments are illustrated. In Figure 7Aat the upper right side, a so-called "ribbon" shaped thin-walled drip irrigation pipe is shown in flat form, wherein the drip irrigation emitters mounted to the pipe are located between two folds 17 formed in the pipe wall. This flat shape leading to the formation of the folds 17 can be created during the manufacturing process of such a "ribbon" by intentionally flattening the pipe in order to perform certain procedures on the pipe, such as punching through the pipe.

[0080] In Figure 7A the pipe embodiment at the bottom, the rib set 170 (one possible set at the distal side of the pipe is hidden) is configured to be placed at the adjacent locations around the pipe wall where these folds occur in order to strengthen these areas. Furthermore, it is seen that Figure 7A the pipe in includes additional ribs, such as ribs located along the lateral sides of the emitters.

[0081] In Figure 7B , a pipe embodiment is illustrated which includes only such a rib set which is possible at the area where the folds occur. In Figure 7C , such a rib set is configured to be placed on the inside of the pipe wall (protruding inwardly from the base portion of the pipe). Here, a possible gap 190 is formed within the rib set in order to force the folds to occur within the strengthened area of the pipe wall, i.e. within the rib set. Here, additional possible ribs are shown which are formed on the base portion of the pipe wall.

[0082] Figure 7D and Figure 7E illustrate further examples of pipe embodiments which again include a rib set and possible additional ribs. Figure 7F illustrate a pipe embodiment with ribs which are uniformly distributed around its periphery, possibly similar to the embodiment seen in Figure 1 and Figures 4A-4B .

[0083] Figure 7G illustrates a pipe embodiment with adjacently positioned ribs formed around the periphery of the pipe which are possibly spaced apart by a distance which is roughly similar to the width of the ribs. Figure 7H illustrates a pipe embodiment which is roughly similar to the one in Figure 7G , but without ribs along a section of the periphery of the pipe (possibly a section along which the drip irrigation emitters can be mounted to the inside of the pipe wall). Here, the distance between adjacent ribs also appears to be slightly larger, such as equal to the combined width of two or more ribs.

[0084] Generally, the mounting of drip irrigation emitters to the inside of an irrigation pipe to form a so-called drip irrigation pipe can be done by heat bonding. Such heat bonding can be done during the production of the drip irrigation pipe by contacting the drip irrigation emitters with the hot melt of the pipe upon leaving the extruder and before the pipe wall solidifies. In some cases, the drip irrigation emitters can also be pre-heated to facilitate the heat bonding to the pipe wall.

[0085] The contact area between a drip irrigation emitter and the pipe wall can be susceptible to damage, for example, to the formation of cracks in the pipe wall, in some cases due to shear forces exerted between the emitter and the pipe during production or later during use. In some cases, such damage can be concentrated at locations along the lateral sides of the pipe that cover the drip irrigation emitters.

[0086] Thus, in at least some embodiments, the raised members can also be considered as "deposits" of excess material for increasing strength at "important" locations along the pipe wall where damage to the pipe wall is expected to possibly occur, for example along the lateral sides of the drip irrigation emitters in the illustrated embodiments. For example, the raised members that are extruded with or co-extruded on the base portion of the pipe can assist in providing additional material to increase the contact between the emitter and the pipe during the heat fusion thermal bonding of the drip irrigation emitters with the pipe wall, thereby increasing the bonding strength. Such raised members can also melt during the thermal bonding process and can be designed to flow to locations where additional reinforcement of the pipe wall is needed.

[0087] According to at least some embodiments of the present application, a raised projection that is sufficient to provide "robustness" to a drip irrigation pipe, for example a thin walled pipe or tape, can be defined as comprising a raised height extending above the base portion of the pipe, which can be between about 100 microns to about 300 microns, possibly between about 100 microns to about 200 microns. In some cases, the raised height extending above the base portion of the pipe can be as low as about 25 microns or 50 microns or even higher (possibly up to about 300 microns). In some cases, the raised height extending above the base portion of the pipe can be as high as about 300 microns or 200 microns or even higher (possibly up to about 500 microns or even higher). Figure 4A Such a raised projection, here raised projection 1, is illustrated in the enlarged cross-section provided at the lower left side of Fig. 1 as extending above the base portion 55 of the pipe by a raised height, here labeled Hb, which can be between about 25 microns to about 300 microns, possibly between about 100 microns to about 300 microns, and further possibly between about 100 microns to about 200 microns.

[0088] Pipe "robustness" can refer here to an increased resistance of the pipe to failure and / or damage when laying the pipe in an agricultural application, for example in a field or the like. Preferably, a possible circumferential distribution of such raised projections (typically on the outer surface of the base portion of the pipe) around the axis X of the pipe in a symmetrical manner can be required to provide such "robustness". The raised width Wb of such a raised projection such as raised projection 1 for providing "robustness" can similarly be in the range of about 100 microns to about 300 microns, possibly between about 100 microns to about 200 microns.

[0089] The protrusion size can be adapted to provide an additional material deposit for locally "strengthening" certain areas of the tube (e.g., due to drip irrigation emitter coupling to the tube) and / or to provide "robustness" to the tube (e.g., increased resistance to tube failure and / or damage); can be defined in at least some embodiments of the present application as follows. In one approach, a tube having a relatively large wall thickness, e.g., up to a base wall thickness T of about 0.254 mm (10 mils), is generally considered to be less susceptible to damage, e.g., damage that can occur due to, for example, shear forces acting along the lateral sides of a drip emitter coupled to a thin-walled tube.

[0090] Thus, according to this approach, a tube having a relatively thin wall thickness T can be configured to include locally "strengthened" and / or "robust" protrusions, e.g., protrusions 2 and / or protrusions 1 illustrated in Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 , particularly see protrusions 2 and protrusions 1 in the enlarged cross-sections of Figure 6A and Figure 4A , extending a height Hs (for protrusions 2) and a height Hb (for protrusions 1) away from the base portion of the tube. In preferred embodiments, such protrusions can be defined to have a height of at least up to about 0.254 mm (10 mils) minus T, so as to provide a total local tube thickness of up to about 0.254 mm (10 mils).

[0091] For example, a tube having a base portion thickness T of about 0.127 mm (5 mils) can be configured to include one or more locally "strengthened" and / or "robust" protrusions having a height extending away from the base portion of the tube of up to about 0.127 mm (i.e., 0.254 mm minus 127 mm), so as to sufficiently locally "strengthen" and / or increase the "robustness" of the tube.

[0092] Somewhat differently from the above approach, ribless thin-walled tubes are generally provided in so-called "thickness classes" of, for example, about 0.127 mm (5 mils), 0.1524 mm (6 mils), 0.1778 mm (7 mils), 0.2032 mm (8 mils), etc.; by providing ribs / protrusions according to various embodiments of the present application, it is possible to "upgrade" to a higher "thickness class", thereby resulting in a tube that is "stronger" and / or more "robust". This can be achieved by appropriately selecting the protrusion height (e.g., Hs, Hb) to locally increase the wall thickness of the thin-walled tube to one or more higher class wall thicknesses.

[0093] In one example, a tube having a wall thickness of about 0.127 mm (5 mils) at its base portion can be selected to have ribs / protuberances of a height of about 0.0254 mm to "bridge" the gap and "upgrade" the tube to a tube classification of about 6 mils. In another example, a tube having a wall thickness of about 0.127 mm (5 mils) at its base portion can be selected to have ribs / protuberances of a height of about 0.0762 mm to "bridge" the gap and "upgrade" the tube to a tube classification of about 8 mils.

[0094] In at least some tube embodiments, the width Wsof the localized "reinforcing" protuberance can be defined in terms of manufacturing tolerances of such tubes. For example, in a tube, such as a tube that includes localized "reinforcing" protuberances for providing deposits of meltable material adjacent lateral sides of drip irrigation emitters of the tube, the width Wsmay be selected to be of the order of approximately similar to an expected tolerance of placement of the emitters about the tube axis.

[0095] For example, in a manufacturing process in which drip irrigation emitters can have a tolerance of placement of about 2 mm about the tube axis on the base portion 55, the width Wsmay be selected to be approximately similar to about 2 mm to compensate for such a tolerance and to ensure that deposits of such localized "reinforcing" protuberances are properly located adjacent lateral sides of the drip irrigation emitters.

[0096] In the description and claims of the application, each of the verbs "comprise" "include" and "have," and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that an object or subjects of the verb are not necessarily singular or exclusive, but are inclusive or plural.

[0097] Moreover, while this application has been described and pictured in detail under the heading "Detailed Description of the Invention" and "Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention," such description and illustration is to be considered an illustrative or exemplary in nature, and not restrictive; the technology is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed technology, from a study of the drawings, the technology, and the appended claims.

[0098] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0099] The present technology is also understood to include exact terminology, features, numerical values or ranges, etc. if such terminology, features, numerical values or ranges, etc. are referred to herein in connection with terms such as "about, approximately, substantially, at least, etc." In other words, "about 3" should also include "3," or "substantially vertical" should also include "vertical." Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

[0100] While the present embodiments have been described to a certain extent with specificity, it is understood that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed below.

Claims

1. A drip irrigation tube (1193) having a tube wall including a base portion (55) and a strip located on at least a portion of the base portion facing inward into the tube, the tube (1193) further including a drip irrigation injector (20) attached to the strip, and the strip being made of a material different from that of the base portion, characterized in that: The strip is substantially embedded in the base portion (55) and flush with the adjacent portion of the base portion exposed to the fluid inside the tube, wherein The thickness of the strip is between approximately 50 micrometers and approximately 15% of the total thickness of the tube wall.

2. The drip irrigation pipe according to claim 1, wherein, The strip covers only a portion of the base portion, such that the inner portion of the base portion facing into the tube comes into contact with the fluid in the tube.

3. The drip irrigation pipe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The MFI of the strip material is higher than that of the base portion material and lower than that of the drip irrigation infuser material.

4. The drip irrigation tube according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each lateral side of each drip irrigation infuser is typically covered by a raised component.

5. A method for forming a drip irrigation tube (1193) having a wall, comprising the following steps: A wall is formed, the wall comprising a base portion (55) and strips located on at least a portion of the base portion facing the inner side of the tube, and The drip irrigation device (20) is attached to the strip, wherein The material of the strip is different from the material of the base portion, wherein The strip is substantially embedded in the base portion, flush with the adjacent portion of the base portion exposed to the fluid inside the tube, and wherein The thickness of the strip is between approximately 50 micrometers and approximately 15% of the total thickness of the tube wall.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The strip covers only a portion of the base portion, such that the inner portion of the base portion facing into the tube comes into contact with the fluid in the tube.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, The MFI of the strip material is higher than that of the base portion material and lower than that of the drip irrigation infuser material.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein, Each lateral side of each drip irrigation infuser is typically covered by a raised component.

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