An irrigation system

Abstract

An irrigation system (11, 12) includes a mulch film (20) and drip irrigation pipes (22) attached to a lower side of the mulch film. Each drip pipe has visible markings (31, 32) extending along its upper side where it is generally attached to the mulch film and drip emitters (23) located along its lower side.

Description

[0001] AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003]

[0001] Embodiments of the invention relate to an irrigation system, in particular a combined mulch and drip irrigation system.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005]

[0002] Mulch films play a role in reducing evaporation and maintaining optimal soil moisture levels, resulting in a more efficient utilization of available water resources.

[0006]

[0003] When combined with drip irrigation, which delivers water directly to the terrain beneath, the benefits of water conservation are further amplified. Drip irrigation systems provide precise and efficient water delivery, minimizing water wastage through runoff or inefficient dispersion. The plastic mulch works synergistically with drip irrigation, creating an ideal combination that can minimize water requirements.

[0007]

[0004] A combined mulch and irrigation system including a protective mulch film integrated with irrigation pipes, can offer a unified method for conserving moisture, controlling weeds, and supplying water directly to plant roots.

[0008]

[0005] Heap leaching is another example of a process where a combined mulch and irrigation system can be used to extract valuable minerals from ore. In heap leaching, a leaching solution is applied over a bed of ore in order to separate out of the ore a solution that includes metals present in the ore.

[0009]

[0006] US3361359 describes an example of a combined mulch film with integrated irrigation pipes. It includes mulch sheets sealed or fixed to hoses so as to in effect become an integral part that can be simultaneously deployed and removed on a given terrain. SUMMARY

[0010]

[0007] 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, not limiting in scope.

[0011]

[0008] In an embodiment there is provided an irrigation system comprising a mulch film and drip irrigation pipes attached to a lower side of the mulch film, wherein each drip pipe comprises visible markings extending along its upper side where it is generally attached to the mulch film and drip emitters located along its lower side.

[0012]

[0009] Preferably, the drip irrigation pipes are divided into at least two groups of pipes that can be independently controlled to provide irrigation.

[0013]

[0010] Independent control of provision of irrigation may be accomplished by the irrigation system being arranged to receive irrigation substances from upstream and selectively control the distribution of these substances to the different groups of pipes.

[0014] [Oi l] Possibly, irrigation pipes of different groups are marked with different visible identifiable markings to distinguish between the groups.

[0015]

[0012] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed descriptions.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017]

[0013] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures, in which:

[0014] Figs. 1A and IB schematically show irrigation systems in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0018]

[0015] Fig. 2 schematically shows a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an irrigation system of the invention revealing drip irrigation pipes attached to a mulch film; and

[0019]

[0016] Figs. 3A and 3B schematically show an aspect relating to various irrigation system embodiments.

[0020]

[0017] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated within the figures to indicate like elements.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022]

[0018] Attention is first drawn to Figs. 1A and IB schematically showing irrigation systems 11, 12 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. Each irrigation system includes a mulch film 20 and drip pipes 22 attached to a lower side of the film. When deployed over a terrain, the drip pipes are placed upon the terrain with the mulch film covering both the drip pipes and the terrain.

[0023]

[0019] The mulch films 20 of both systems 11, 12 have a generally rectangular elongated formation when deployed over a terrain. In a non-deployed state, the mulch films can be rolled on themselves to assume a rolled-up compact and easily transportable configuration. In each system, the drip pipes 22 are laterally spaced apart one from the other while each extending along the longitudinal extension of the film.

[0024]

[0020] In an aspect of the present invention, the drip pipes of each irrigation system may be clustered into two or more groups that can be controlled independently to provide irrigation. Such independent control of provision of irrigation may be performed in various ways.

[0021] For example, by activating only one of the groups of drip pipes to irrigate, and then activating another one of the groups to irrigate e.g., if the previously activated group malfunctions, e.g., becomes clogged or the like.

[0025]

[0022] Further examples may include periodically switching between drip pipe groups to obtain a more evenly distributed irrigation pattern during an irrigation cycle.

[0026]

[0023] The drip pipes of each group may be marked with distinct visible markings, possibly extending along their upper extensions at a side where they attach to the mulch film and hence are more visible to a user inspecting a deployed irrigation system from above. The distinct markings may take various forms such as axial extending lines of different color (and the like).

[0027]

[0024] In the examples shown in Figs. 1A and IB the irrigation systems are shown including two groups of drip pipes. In Fig. 1A, adjacent laterally spaced apart drip pipes belong to different groups and hence as seen in the enlarged section are marked with different distinct markings 31, 32 here illustrated by the 'dashed' and 'dotted' lines.

[0028]

[0025] In Fig. IB, pairs 17 of closely adjacent, and possibly abutting, nonspaced apart drip pipes are shown extending along the irrigation system's longitudinal extension. The pairs 17 of drip pipes are laterally spaced apart one from the other and each pair 17 includes one drip pipe that belongs to one of the groups and another drip pipe that belongs to the other group, as seen by the distinct markings 31, 32 here again illustrated by the 'dashed' and 'dotted' lines.

[0029]

[0026] Attention is drawn to Fig. 2 schematically showing a partial cross- sectional view of an embodiment of an irrigation system generally similar to those seen and described with respect to Figs. 1A and IB.

[0030]

[0027] In this figure, two laterally spaced apart drip irrigation pipes 20 are seen being attached to a mulch film 20. Visible markings 31,32 of the drip pipes can be seen being located at the upper side of each drip pipe where it attaches to the mulch film and each drip pipe in this example can be seen including drip emitters 23 extending along its lower side that is distal to the mulch film, where the irrigation system lies upon the irrigated terrain.

[0031]

[0028] Attention is drawn to Figs. 3A and 3B showing drip pipes 22a, 22b extending along mulch films 20 of two irrigation systems. The white circles indicate locations of drip emitters along each pipe, and the adjacent lateral spaced apart drip pipes 22, 22b in these figures belong to different groups of drip pipes that can be independently controlled to provide irrigation.

[0032]

[0029] In Fig. 3B, the placement of the drip emitters can be seen alternating along adjacent drip pipes 22a, 22b that here accordingly belong to different groups of drip pipes. In other words, the positioning of the drip emitters is arranged in an alternating pattern along nearby drip pipes 22a, 22b that belong to different drip pipe groups that can be independently controlled to provide irrigation. By alternating the position of the drip emitters, the water can be spread more uniformly, when transitioning to use different groups of drip pipes.

[0033]

[0030] In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, “comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.

[0034]

[0031] Further more, while the present application or technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non- restrictive; the technology is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to 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.

[0035]

[0032] In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may 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 can not be used to advantage.

[0036]

[0033] The present technology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc., if in here such terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc. are referred to in connection with terms such as “about, ca., substantially, generally, at least” etc. In other words, “about 3” shall also comprise “3” or “substantially perpendicular” shall also comprise “perpendicular”. Any reference signs in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope.

[0037]

[0034] Although the present embodiments have been described to a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An irrigation system comprising a mulch film and drip irrigation pipes atached to a lower side of the mulch film, wherein each drip pipe comprises visible markings extending along its upper side where it is generally atached to the mulch film and drip emiters located along its lower side.

2. The irrigation system of claim 1, wherein when laid upon a ground face the lower side of the mulch film is adapted to face the ground face.

3. The irrigation system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the mulch film in a deployed state upon a ground face has a generally rectangular shape and the drip irrigation pipes extend along a longitudinal extension of the mulch film.

4. The irrigation system of claim 3, wherein at least some of the drip pipes are spaced apart one from the other in a lateral direction of the mulch film that is orthogonal to its longitudinal extension.

5. The irrigation system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drip irrigation pipes are divided into at least two groups of pipes that can be independently controlled to provide irrigation.

6. The irrigation system of claim 5, wherein adjacent laterally spaced apart drip pipes belong to different groups.

7. The irrigation system of claim 5 or 6, wherein positioning of drip emiters along drip pipes of different groups is arranged in an alternating patern.

8. The irrigation system of any one of claims 5 to 7 and comprising pairs of non- laterally spaced apart drip pipes that extend adjacently one alongside the other.

9. The irrigation system of claim 8, wherein adjacent drip pipe of a pair belong to different groups.

10. The irrigation system of any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein drip pipes of different groups comprise different markings.

11. A method of irrigating comprising the steps of: providing an irrigation system comprising a mulch film and drip irrigation pipes attached to a lower side of the mulch film, wherein each drip pipe comprises visible markings extending along its upper side where it is generally attached to the mulch film and drip emitters located along its lower side, and placing the mulch film upon a ground face with its lower side facing the ground face.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the mulch film in a deployed state upon a ground face has a generally rectangular shape and the drip irrigation pipes extend along a longitudinal extension of the mulch film.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least some of the drip pipes are spaced apart one from the other in a lateral direction of the mulch film that is orthogonal to its longitudinal extension.

14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the drip irrigation pipes are divided into at least two groups of pipes that can be independently controlled to provide irrigation.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein adjacent laterally spaced apart drip pipes belong to different groups.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein positioning of the drip emitters along drip pipes of different groups is arranged in an alternating pattern.

17. The method of any one of claims 14 to 16 and comprising pairs of non- laterally spaced apart drip pipes that extend one alongside the other.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein adjacent drip pipe of a pair belong to different groups.

19. The method of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein drip pipes of different groups comprise different markings.

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