Title of Invention	AN APPARATUS FOR FORMING A DRIP IRRIGATION TAPE''
Abstract	57) Abstract:- All apparatus for forming a drip irrigation tape comprises a shaping drum with channels connected via suction ports to a vacuum source for pulling the strip material into the channels to form the grooves, the vacuum cormections being arranged to direct the vacuum only to the region of the drum over which the strip is passing. A method of forming the tape using the apparatus is also provided. PRICE: THIRTY RUPEES

Title of Invention

AN APPARATUS FOR FORMING A DRIP IRRIGATION TAPE''

Abstract

57) Abstract:- All apparatus for forming a drip irrigation tape comprises a shaping drum with channels connected via suction ports to a vacuum source for pulling the strip material into the channels to form the grooves, the vacuum cormections being arranged to direct the vacuum only to the region of the drum over which the strip is passing. A method of forming the tape using the apparatus is also provided. PRICE: THIRTY RUPEES

Full Text	along the tape. This problem is particularly acute in cases where extremely long runs of tape are to be used. Currently the maximum run of tape which can be used from a water supply is around 600 to 700 feet before a relatively large reduction in drip rate will be encountered. This can be a problem in large crop regions to be irrigated. In my previous U.S. Patent Nos 4,722,759 and 4,807,668, a drip irrigation tape is described in which a strip of flexible material is formed with an indented groove extending lengthwise adjacent one side edge of the strip, and the other side edge is folded over lengthwise to overlap the groove and form the main conduit within the interior of the tape. The overlapping side edges are sealed together on opposite sides of the groove to form a seam in which the groove forms a secondary conduit. Spaced inlets are provided between the main conduit and secondary conduit, and spaced outlets lead from the secondary conduit to the exterior of the tape, so that fluid supplied to the main conduit flows into the secondary conduit and leaks slowly out of the outlets into the surrounding soil. In U.S. Patent No. 4,722,759 a method of fabricating such tape is described, in which a straight, continuous or segmented groove is formed along the side edge of the strip on a vacuum drum. However, there is some advantage in providing a non-straight flow path along the secondary conduit to create some turbulence in the fluid, tending to shift any debris which might otherwise block the conduit. The tortuous or winding flow path will also reduce the flow rate and allow the dimensions of the secondary conduit to be increased while providing the same drip rate as a corresponding straight conduit, further reduce the risk of debris blocking the channel. Drip irrigation tape with a winding or serpentine secondary conduit is described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,177,946 of Sahagun-Barragan, U.S. Patent No. 4,473,191 of Chapin, and in my co-pending Application .Serial No. 01/ B3,11B filed February 22, 1990. There are problems in manufacturing tape with a winding or serpentine secondary conduit. in Sahagun-Barragan, the tape is formed from two sheets, one of which is embossed to form a winding channel. In chapin, the winding channels are formed by a pair of paired ribbons of adhesive or hot melt polymer between two flat sheets of plastic film, causing problems in maintaining uniformity of the channel cross section along its length. In my co¬pending Application Serial No. 07/485,778 referred to above, a method and apparatus for manufacturing irrigation tape with a winding secondary conduit is described, in which opposing drums have mating indented groove and projecting mandrel formations for forming the channel, the shape of the mating groove and mandrel corresponding to the desired conduit shape. One problem with this is that the two drums must be synchronized for proper operation. Other problems inherent in existing drip irrigation tapes are that the drip outlets often become blocked' with plant roots growing over or into them, for example, and that although winding secondary conduits have advantages over straight conduits, they are very difficult to make. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved drip irrigation tape and method of manufacturing such tape. According to one aspect of the present invention, a drip irrigation tape is provided which comprises a strip of thin, flexible material having an indented, continuous or segmented groove in one side edge extending lengthwise along the strip. The other side edge portion is folded lengthwise along the strip to cover the groove, and the two opposing side edge portions are secured together in face to face contact to form a first or main conduit within the folded strip and a secondary conduit along the or each groove. Inlets are provided between the main conduit and the or each secondary conduit, and outlets are provided between the secondary conduit or each secondary conduit segment and the exterior of the tape. The groove or each groove segment is shaped to form a winding flow path for water flowing along the secondary conduit, and comprises a series of oblong chambers interconnected by orifices of smaller dimensions than the chambers, with the chambers alternating in position from one side to the other side of the groove to form a serpentine or winding passageway. The chambers have opposite end walls which are rounded or radiused in opposite directions from one chamber to the next, to introduce a vortex or swirling, circular motion into the water flow, reducing the flow rate, increasing the water flow path and allowing the conduit to be made of larger dimensions. The swirling, turbulent motion will also tend to keep any debris moving along the conduit without blocking the flow path. This arrangement of chambers and oppositely radiused end walls in successive chambers tends to direct water flow in opposite directions in successive chambers along the length of the conduit, producing turbulent, vortex flow conditions tending to reduce the water, flow rate. This produces enhanced pressure compensation for variations in water pressure along the length or run of the conduit. The channel shape also acts to help dislodge any debris, since any debris blocking the secondary conduit will block flow, causing a large pressure back up tending to push debris along the system. The turbulent flow conditions will also tend to dislodge any debris. This tape can be laid in much longer runs than was previously possible, and it has been found that a run of 1320 feet will have an 84% coefficient of uniformity along its length. Thus, the length of irrigation tape which can be laid has been more or less doubled with the tape of this invention. Preferably, the outlets have raised annular rims projecting radially outwardly from the tubing. The raised outlets act as root deflectors, reducing the risk of roots growing over and blocking the outlets. Also, the strip preferably has a wall portion of reduced thickness as compared to the wall thickness of the remainder of the strip. This reduced thickness portion is located in the flat side area which will overlie the groove when the strip is folded to form the main conduit. This produces some pressure compensation, since the thinner wall portion will tend to flex into the groove, reducing its dimensions, with increased water pressure in the main conduit, thus reducing flow rate in the secondary conduit as the water pressure increases, and automatically increasing the flow rats as the water pressure decreases. The pressure compensation effect can be enhanced by making the channel wider and shallower, so that a slight flexing of the wall will produce a relatively large change in the channel cross-sectional area. According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for forming the drip irrigation tape is provided, which comprises an extruder for extruding a strip of flexible material, a rotatable shaping drum having an inwardly extending, continuous or segmented channel extending around its periphery with a serpentine shape matching that of the groove to be formed in the strip, a guide for guiding the extruded strip around part of the periphery of the drum with a first side edge portion overlying the channel, the channel having a plurality of spaced suction ports extending along its length, and a vacuum source connected to the suction ports via passageways within the drum to pull the side edge portion overlying the channel into the channel to form a groove of corresponding shape in the strip, some of the suction ports being of larger dimensions than others so that the suction at the larger ports is sufficient to pull a raised hole in the strip at that point, the raised hole forming an outlet from the tape. A folding mechanism is provided downstream of the shaping drum to fold the strip lengthwise with the first side edge portion and an opposite, second side edge portion overlapping to form a first conduit, and a sealing mechanism is provided for joining the first and second side edge portions together on opposite sides of the groove to form a seam in which the groove defines a secondary conduit. Preferably, the guide for guiding strip around the drum includes an opposing drum having a projecting annular rib overlying a portion of the second side edge of the strip which will overlie the groove in the first side edge when the strip is folded. The rib will compress the underlying strip material which is still hot and moldable, reducing the strip wall thickness in this region. The thinner material overlying the groove will tend to flex into the groove by an amount dependent on ■ the water pressure in the first conduit, producing pressure compensation. According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the connection between the drum and the vacuum source includes a sealing mechanism designed to direct the vacuum only to those regions of the drum channel over which the tape extends. This avoids any loss of vacuum pressure as a result of vacuum being directed to vacuum ports elsewhere on the drum which are exposed to atmospheric pressure, and provides an increased vacuum pulling force allowing the strip to be pulled more precisely into the forming channel. This allows a standard vacuum pump to be used to form a serpentine or tortuous groove on a single / shaping drum, avoiding the need for opposing shaping mandrels which have to be precisely matched and synchronized. The drip irrigation tape and forming method and apparatus of this invention provides a convenient and relatively inexpensive way of making serpentine flow conduits to reduce flow rate, allowing the secondary conduit to be made of larger dimensions and providing improved drip rate uniformity over long runs of .the tape. The increased vacuum makes the secondary conduit straighter and more uniform. Accordingly the present invention provides an j^paratus for forming a drip irrigation tape, comprising: an extruder for extruding a strip of flexible material; a rotatable shaping drum having an inwardly extending channel extending around at least part of the periphery of the drum, the channel having a serpentine shspe matching that of a groove to be formed in &e strip; guide means for guiding the strip around part of the periphery of the drum with a first side edge portion of the strip overlymg the channel; the channel having a plurality of spaced suction ports extending along its length, at least one of the ports being of larger dimensions than the remaining ports; a vacuum source; passageways within the drum connecting the vacuum source to at least the suction ports around said part of the periphery of tiie drum to pull the strip material overlying the channel into the channel to form a groove of corresponding shape in the strip; the larger suction port comprising suction means for a{q)lying sufficient suction to the overlying strip to pull a raised hole in the strip at tiiat port; a folding mechanism downstream of the shaping drum for folding the strip lengthwise with the first side edge portion and an opposite seccmd sicte edge portion overiapping to form a first conduit, and a sealmg mechanism downstream of the folding m^hanism for joining the first and second side edge portions toge&er on opposite sides of the groove to form a seam in which the groove defines at least one seccMid^y conduit and br^iks in the seam defines at least one inlet between the main conduit and the or each secondary conduit. The present invention will be better -anderst-ood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like, reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an apparatus for forming drip irrigation tape according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the shaping drum on the lines. 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the sealing assembly; Figure 4 is a section of the shaping assembly on the lines 4-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an enlarged section on the lines 5-5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 5-6 of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on lines 7-7 of Figure 3; Figure 8 is an enlarged detail of part of the side edge portion of the strip illustrating the preformed edge portion prior to folding; Figure 9 illustrates the folding of the flexible strip to form tubing; Figure 10 is a section on the lines 10-10 of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a top plan view of a portion of the formed tubing; Figure 12 is an expanded plan view of part of the secondary conduit in Figure 11 illustrating the swirling motion of water along the conduit; Figure 13 is a section on the lines 13-13 of Figure XI; Figure 14 is a section similar to Figure 13 illustrating the effect of increased water pressure in the main conduit; Figure 15 is a sectional view similar to Figure 12 illustrating, a secondary conduit with modified dimensions for enhanced pressure compensation; Figure 16 is a section on the lines 16-16 of Figure 11; Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 11 illustrating a modification; Figure 18 is a top plan view of tubing according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 19 is a top plan view of irrigation tubing according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 20 is a sectional view on the lines 20-20 of Figure 19; * Figure 21 illustrates tubing according to another modified embodiment of the invention; Figure 22 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 23 is a view similar to Figure 19 illustrating an alternative conduit; Figure 24 is a similar view Illustrating a short emitter configuration; Figure 25 is an enlargement of a portion of the conduit of Figure 23; Figure 26 is a sectional view taken on line 26-26 of Figure 25; Figure 27 is a sectional view taken on lines 27-27 of Figure 25; Figure 28 is a view similar to Figure 25 illustrating an alternative baffle arrangement; and Figure 29 is a sectional view taken on line 29-29 of Figure 28. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMEHTS Figures 1-10 of the drawings illustrate an apparatus and method for forming a drip irrigation tape 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The formed tape as illustrated in Figures 11-13 basically comprises a strip of thin, flexible, water impervious material such as polyethylene or silicone rubber, with a series of spaced, indented grooves 14 of generally serpentine shape formed along one side edge 16 of the strip, the opposite side edges 16 and 18 of the strip being folded into overlapping relationship and sealed together to form a main conduit 2 0 along the length of the strip and a series of spaced, secondary conduit segments 22 along each of the grooves 14. Inlets 126 are provided between the main conduit and the inlet end 24 of each secondary conduit segment 22, while outlet ports 25 having raised rims 2 6 are formed between each secondary conduit and the exterior of the tape. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the groove is discontinuous and comprises a series of spaced groove segments. However, it will be understood that the tape may alternatively be formed with a continuous groove of similar shape, having spaced inlets and outlets along its length for connecting the main conduit to the secondary conduit and the secondary conduit to the exterior of the tape. A preferred embodiment of an apparatus for making the tape is illustrated in Figures 1-7, while Figures 8-10 illustrate stages in the manufacture. The apparatus includes an extruder 28 for extruding a strip 30 of material for forming the tape, and a shaping station 32 at which the grooves 14 are formed in side edge 16 of the strip while it is still molten from the extrusion process. A folding mechanism,34 is located downstream of the shaping station 3 2 for folding the strip with its opposite side edges overlapping, followed by heat sealing station 36 for sealing the overlapping side edges together to form the separate main conduit and secondary conduit segments. After the heat sealing station, the formed tape is passed ovef a series of guide rollers and cooling wheels 38 before being wound onto a storage spool 40. As illustrated in Figure 1, the various parts of the apparatus between the extruder and storage spool are supported on a frame or back plate 42 within a suitable outer housing {not illustrated). The extruder is of a known type for forming thin polyethylene or similar material film or strip, and includes a hopper 44 into which suitable raw material such as polyethylene beads are placed, and an extrusion die 46 through which a thin film of ttiolten plastics material is forced. The die has a slot designed to form strip having a thickness in the range of around .005 to .02 inches (5 to 20 mils.). Preferably, the slot has an enlarged or thickened region to form a bulge in the extruded strip, at the area where the channel or groove is to be formed, so that the wall thickness of the formed groove will be at least 2 mil. greater than the remainder of the strip and may be up to 10 mil. thicker. The shaping station assembly is best illustrated in Figures 2, 4 and 5, and comprises a shaping drum 48 rotatably mounted via axle 50 on back plate 42, and an opposing, rotatably mounted guide drum 52 for guiding and compressing the still molten strip onto the shaping drum 48. Strip 3 0 arriving at drum 48 will still be at a temperature of around 400 degrees Fahrenheit from the preceding extrusion step. As illustrated in Figure 2, the drum 48 has a series of indented channels 53 extending around its periphery adjacent one side edge of the drum. The shape of the channels 53 corresponds to the desired shape of the secondary conduit segments 22 in the formed strip, and as illustrated in Figure 2 each channel is of generally serpentine or zig-zag shape with a V-shaped portion 54 intersecting one end of each channel 53. As best illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the drum 48 has a hollow interior 55 between spaced front and back walls 56 and 58. Axle 50 projects from back wall 58 through a bearing 60 in back plate 42. An inlet tube 62 extending through axle 50 and back plate 58 connects the drum to a suitable vacuum source such as a vacuum pump. A dividing wall or plate 64 in .the drum separates the vacuum inlet from the interior 55 of the drum. Each channel 53 has a series of suction ports 66 extending along its length, with one of the ports 68 at one end of the channel being of larger dimensions than the remaining ports. The ports 66, 68 are all connected via circumferential passageways 70 underlying each channel and radial passageways 72 formed in dividing wall 64 to a central chamber 74 in dividing wall 64. Vacuum inlet 62 extends through seal member 76 into the central region 74 of the plate. The seal member 76 has an enlarged head 78 at its inner end which is a close fit in chamber 74, as best illustrated in Figure 5, with a segmental shaped cut-out 80 formed in head 78 to direct the vacuum only into some of the radial passageways 72 at any one instant of the drum's rotation forming a selective seal. As the drum rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 5, plate 64 will rotate relative to stationary seal member 76, bringing successive passageways 72 into alignment with cut-out region 80 of the seal. This arrangement is such that the vacuum is directed only to those portions of the drum over which the strip is guided, and is therefore not exposed to the atmosphere through any of the uncovered suction ports. This allows the vacuum force to be concentrated in the regions where it is needed in order to suck, the strip material into the underlying channels and form the shaped grooves. As the drum rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 5, successive passageways will become aligned with cut-out 80 just as the strip 30 starts to travel over the channel connected to those passages, as best illustrated in Figure 5, so that the vacuum is connected to the suction ports around the region of the drum illustrated in Figure 5 only. The force of the vacuum pulling the molten strip material into the channels will be sufficient to form grooves of corresponding shape to the channels along the side edge 16 of the strip. The larger suction ports 68 apply sufficient suction to pull holes in the strip material at one end of each channel, forming the outlet ports 25 with raised rims 26, which are best illustrated in Figure 13. The drum is also connected via a rotary coupling 82 in the front wall to water inlet and outlet hoses 84, 86, which supply cooling water to the interior of the drum, cooling the strip as the grooves are formed. As best illustrated in Figure 4, the drum 52 has an annular, projecting rib 88 adjacent the opposite side edge to the channels 53 in drum 48. This compresses the underlying strip material to reduce the wall thickness in that region 90, as can be seen in Figure 4. Alternatively, the drum may have a groove in this region to increase the wall thickness in the region 90, if desired, as will be explained in more detail below. Figure 8 illustrates a portion of the strip preformed with grooves 14 as it leaves the shaping drum. As the strip leaves drum 48, it is passed over several guide rollers 92 and into folding mechanism 34. The folding mechanism is of a known type and folds the strip lengthwise as generally illustrated in Figure 9, so that the opposite side edge portions are overlapped with the first portion 16 having the indented grooves on the outside and the second portion 18 covering the grooves on the inside of the tubing, the thinner wall thickness region 90 being aligned with the grooves, as illustrated in Figure lo, which illustrates the form of the tubing as it leaves the folding mechanism and is guided onto heat sealing drum 94 at the heat sealing station 36. As best illustrated in Figures 3, 6 and 7 heat sealing drum 94 is rotatably mounted on back plate 42 via axle 95, and includes a recessed portion 9 5 separating the drum into a front portion 98 and a back portion 100. A brass heat sealing wheel 102 having raised annular ribs 104, 106 extending along its opposite edges is set into recessed portion 96 of the heat, sealing drum 94. Inclined transverse ribs 108 extend between the annular ribs at spaced intervals corresponding to the gaps between adjacent grooves in the formed tubing. Flat spots or gaps lio are formed in the rib 104 adj acent each transverse rib 108. The heat sealing wheel 102 is heated via a suitable electrical heating arrangement, as best illustrated in Figure 7. Suitable means such as commutator rings 112 and contacts 114 serve to couple an external power supply (not shown) to a junction box 116, from which it is coupled to thus the flow rate, to be relatively constant along the length of the tape. The finished irrigation tape or tubing may be cut to any desired length and laid on or in the ground in a region to be irrigated with one end connected to a water supply. Water supplied at one end will flow along the main conduit 20 within the tubing, and will communicate via inlets 24 with each secondary conduit 22. Water flowing along the tortuous, serpentine secondary conduits 22 will trickle at a relatively slow and constant rate out of raised outlets 25. The raised rim 26 of outlets 25 will tend to deflect any roots or other debris which may otherwise grow over or into the outlets, potentially blocking the outlets from some secondary conduits and producing irregular irrigation. Although only one outlet 25 is i 1 lustrated at the end of each secondary conduit, two or more outlets may be provided so that the flow is not cut off if one of the outlets should become blocked. The shape of the serpentine groove is best illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. The groove is shaped to form a series of elongate chambers 130 offset alternately on opposite sides of the grooved region and interconnected by orifices 132 of reduced dimensions between adjacent ends of each pair of chambers. The ends 134 of the chambers are rounded or radiused, and the ends of adjacent chambers overlap one another to form a generally S- or Z-shaped path between adjacent chambers, as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 12 between two adjacent chambers. The radiused ends introduce a swirling, circular or vortex-type of flow pattern in water at each end of each chamber 13 0, increasing the flow path and reducing the flow rate. The water flow will change direction from one chamber to the next, from a clockwise to an anti-clockwise generally circular motion, as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 12. This swirling flow will reduce the flow rate along the conduit, allowing the conduit dimensions to be made larger for a predetermined drip rate and thus reducing the risk of debris blocking the conduit. The swirling, vortex-type flow also produces a better pressure drop. The swirling liquid motion will also tend to keep any debris moving along the conduit, reducing the risk of debris accumulating to block the flow. Preferably, the wall thickness of the portion 90 of the side edge which overlies conduits 22 is reduced, as illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. The wall thickness of the tubing will generally be in the range of 5 to 15 mil. around the periphery of the main conduit, with the groove itself having a greater thickness of the order of 2 to 10 mil. over the remainder of the wall, as mentioned above. Preferably, the reduced thickness region 90 will have a wall thickness of the order of 5 to 8 mil. This reduced thickness combined with the overall flexibility and memory of the polyethylene material forming the tubing allows region 90 to flex or stretch into the secondary conduit both along inlets 126 and along the length of the secondary conduit segment 22 as the pressure in the main conduit 20 increases. This effect is illustrated in Figure 14. The reduced thickness region 90 will tend to bulge inwardly into the secondary conduit under increased fluid pressure P in the main conduit, reducing the dimensions and thus the flow rate in the secondary conduit. When the pressure is reduced, the region 90 will relax back outwardly to increase the secondary conduit dimensions. Alternatively, where less stretching is required, for example under higher flow conditions, region 90 may be made thicker than the remainder of the tubing. In one example, say the total pressure on the inner side of wall 90 is c square inches x 6 p.s.i. where c is the surface area. If c is 10 square inches then the pressure is 6 x 10 or 60 pounds. If the pressure on the other side of wall 90, within the secondary conduit, is 0.5 p. s. i., say, the pressure is 10 square inches x . 5 or 5 pounds so the net outward pressure on wall 90 is 60 - 5 or 55 pounds (5.5 pounds per square inch). The pressure on the outer wall of secondary conduit 22 is about 12 square inches x .5 or 6 pounds. The pressure on inner wall 90 is thus 12 times that on the outer wall of the secondary conduit. This however, is not entirely controlled by the respective thickness of the inner and outer walls. The pressure is controlled by the strength of section 12 against stretching and the incompressible liquid in outer channel 22. However by making wall region 90 sufficiently thin, it can stretch more, allowing more of the water pressure in the main conduit to be exerted on the secondary conduit, producing improved pressure compensation. This arrangement allows the dimensions of the secondary conduit to be varied to a certain extent dependent on water pressure in the main conduit. This produces some compensation for variations in water pressure which would otherwise cause major variations in the drip rate. When the water pressure in the tubing goes up, the thin wall region will tend to flex inwardly into the channel, reducing the dimensions of the secondary conduit and thus reducing the flow rate along the secondary conduit and ultimately the drip rate. The inlet passageway dimensions will also be reduced. As the water pressure goes down, the region will relax outwardly and increase the secondary conduit dimensions. This allows a much more uniform drip rate to be achieved along relatively long runs of tape. This pressure compensation effect can be increased with the modification illustrated in Figure 15. In this embodiment, the secondary conduit 222 is made wider and shallower than in Figures 13 and 14, although it preferably has the same basic serpentine shape as illustrated in Figure 12. Additionally, the groove 214 is completely rounded or radiused in cross-section, with no square corners as in Figure 13. This can he achieved by suitably machining the channels 53 in the shaping drum to form rounded or radiused channels, so that the channel is arcuate in cross section along its length. As in the version of Figures 13 and 14, the inner wall section 290 of the conduit is thinner than that of the remainder of the wall surrounding main conduit 220, and will therefore tend to bulge under increased fluid pressure. This will reduce the dimensions of secondary conduit 222, as indicated in dotted outline in Figure 15. The secondary conduit may have a depth of the order of .003 to .004 inches and a width of up to .1 inch, for example, in this version, to produce a very sensitive pressure compensation. With this arrangement, only a very slight flexing of region 290 will produce a relatively large difference in the cross-sectional area of conduit 222, thus reducing the flow rate as the pressure increases and compensating for pressure variations along the length of the tubing. With this tubing, the vortex turbulent flow in the secondary conduit allows the grooves to be of larger dimensions and the secondary conduit to be shorter while still maintaining a relatively low flow rate. The depth of the grooves may be of the order of 10 to 30 mils., for example, with the chambers 130 having a width of up to 100 mils. The increased vacuum force directed only to the region of the drum where it is needed forms the grooves accurately and precisely matching the channels in the shaping drum. The enlarged secondary conduit dimensions combined with the flow characteristics of the serpentine groove substantially reduce the risk of debris blocking any secondary conduit. This permits longer runs of tubing to be used, with lengths of up to 1320 feet being found to have around 84% coefficient of uniformity. Thus, much larger areas can be covered with a single run of tubing than was previously possible without loss of uniformity in the drip rate and corresponding lack of uniformity in the crop. The elongate flow chambers 130 combined with the swirling, vortex flow allow more time for pressure compensation to take effect. In a laminar flow secondary conduit, the outlet flow rate will more or less double if the water pressure doubles. With secondary conduits of the shape illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, a doubling in the water pressure increases output flow only 50%. Figure 17 illustrates a modification to the seal arrangement in the tubing of the previous embodiments. The tubing of Figure 17 is otherwise identical to that of the first embodiment and like reference numerals have been used where appropriate. In the modified version of Figure 17, an additional seal region 121 is provided transversely between the legs of the V-shaped inlet grooves 12 6 and in alignment with one of the seal lines 120. The seal region 121 has tapered or inclined ends which match the taper of the respective adjacent inlet channels 126, as illustrated in Figure 7. Additionally, seal lines 12 0 and 122 have enlarged, opposing seal regions 123, 125 which extend inwardly up to the opposite sides of the secondary conduit or groove 22 adjacent the inlet end of each secondary conduit segment. These additional seal regions. 121, 123 and 125 may be formed by suitable modification of heat sealing ribs on the heat sealing drum 94. With these additional seal areas at the inlet end of each secondary conduit segment, any tendency for the overlapping side edge portions of the strip to spread apart at the inlet and allow additional water to flow into the secondary conduit is eliminated, since these edge portions are positively sealed together. With the arrangement of Figure 11, there may be some tendency for the overlapping regions of the strip to separate under high pressure conditions, particularly between the V-shaped inlet channels 12 6, to form a bridge and allow a greater flow rate of water into the secondary conduit. The additional seal regions in Figure 17 will avoid this possibility. Drip irrigation tape is typically provided in a range of standard outlet spacings, dependent on grower's requirements. This range is 8", 12", 16" and 24" outlet spacings. For each outlet spacing, the secondary conduit will be dimensioned and designed to produce a predetermined drip rate in gallons per minute per hundred feet of tape, for example 2/10 and 4/10 gallons per minute. Clearly, if the same secondary conduit is provided between outlets for a 12" outlet spacing and a 24" outlet spacing, i.e. with the secondary conduit segment being double the length for the 24" outlet spacing, the drip rate will be lower for the 24" "tape than for the 12" tape. This variation may be avoided either by varying the dimensions of the 24" outlet tape to increase the flow rate, or by using the same length secondary conduit in both cases. For example, for the former alternative, a secondary conduit shaped and dimensioned to provide 4/10 gal/min/lOO feet in a 12" outlet spacing will provide approximately 2/10 gal/min/lOO feet in a 24" outlet spacing tape. The latter alternative of using the same length secondary conduit segment for every outlet spacing is illustrated in Figure 18. The shape of the secondary conduit segments 22 and other components of Figure 18 are equivalent to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, and like reference numerals have been used where appropriate. In Figure 18, the spacing between outlets 25 is twice that of the version of Figure 11, but each secondary conduit segment 22 has the same length as in Figure 11, with a region 310 between adjacent conduit segments 22 being blanked or sealed off by transverse seal lines 312 extending between seal lines 120 and 122. The configuration of the secondary conduit segments 22 is identical to that of Figure 11, in which the conduit segments extend for substantially the entire length between adjacent outlets. In practice, any suitable secondary conduit length may be selected for use with all outlet spacings, from 1" upwards, with the region between adjacent segments simply being blanked off. This allows the outlet flow rate to be controlled more easily for any outlet spacing. The advantage of using a standard secondary conduit length is that design expense is reduced, since the same variation in secondary conduit dimensions will produce the same change in flow rate for any outlet spacing. However, there are also some benefits in running the secondary conduit segment for the entire length between adjacent outlets, for example this permits the secondary conduit to be made larger since the flow rate is reduced by providing a longer flow path to the outlet, at the same time reducing the risk of clogging and providing more scope for pressure compensation. Tape may be manufactured in a range of different outlet spacings, either with secondary conduits segments extending between outlets or with appropriate blanked off regions as in Figure 18, simply by providing an equivalent range of shaping drums 4 8 with appropriately shaped channels 53, with or without blanked off regions between adjacent channels. Figures 19 and 2 0 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which drip irrigation tape 350 is formed in the same manner as tape 10 in Figure 11 but the secondary conduit segments 3 52 are each formed with a serpentine or winding portion 354 extending from inlet channels 356 in which water is directed back and forth, and a second, pressure compensating section 358 extending from winding portion 354 to raised outlet 360, which is equivalent to raised outlet 25 in the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the tape is made by first forming a series of indented groove segments along one side edge of the tape in the appropriate shape for forming the secondary conduit segments, and then folding the tape with the side edges overlapped before sealing them together along spaced seal lines 3 62, 354, with transverse seal lines 3 65 extending between the seal lines to separate adjacent secondary conduit segments, and gaps 366 in the seal line 362 at each V-shaped inlet channel. The pressure compensating section 358 comprises a straight groove, with a series of indented steps 3 68 in its base forming barriers in the channel for directing water in an up and down direction, as best illustrated in Figure 2 o, rather than transversely back and forth. This stepped section forms successive small size orifices 370 and enlarged pressure relieving chambers 372. As in the previous embodiments, the opposing flat side edge portion 374 of the tape is formed with a reduced thickness wall portion opposing the groove in the opposite side edge portion, as can be seen in Figure 20. With this arrangement, as the pressure inside the main conduit increases, the reduced thickness portion of wall 374 will tend to bulge outwardly towards indented ■ step:: 3 68, reducing flow towards the outlet by an amount substantially proportional to the increase in pressure. At the same time, the water is directed up and down to follow :he stepped configuration of the secondary conduit, introducing up and down turbulence and similarly reducing ind controlling flow. Thus, an equivalent outlet flow rate ;an be produced for a secondary conduit of larger limensions than an equivalent laminar flow secondary ;onduit. If the pressure compensating section should lecome blocked by debris at any of the small orifices 370, jack up pressure will force the opposing surfaces of the conduit apart and push the debris into the next adjacent pressure relieving chamber 372. Figure 21 illustrates a modification in which the entire secondary conduit segment 380 is of the same shape as the pressure compensating section at the outlet end in Figure 19,- while Figure 22 illustrates an embodiment in which a pressure compensating section 382 is provided at the inlet end of a secondary conduit segment while the remainder 384 of the secondary conduit segment is of equivalent shape to the inlet section in Figure 19. In both Figures 21 and 22, like reference numerals to Figure 19 have been used for like parts. Both of these alternative versions will produce turbulent, up and down flow along at least part of the length of each secondary conduit segment with improved pressure compensation via the gradual closing of the small orifices between adjacent pressure relieving chambers as the pressure within the main conduit rises. This arrangement has been found to provide good pressure compensation with little variation in the output flow rate as pressure increases within the tubing. The stepped groove is formed by a shaping wheel equivalent to shaping wheel 48 but having channels with a similar stepped formation along part or all of their length. Figure 23 illustrates another modification in which the entire secondary conduit segment 390 is of winding or serpentine shape, as in the first embodiment, and pressure compensating barriers 392 are formed in each of the chambers 394 between adjacent turns 396 of the winding channel. Although in the illustrated embodiment the pressure compensating barriers are provided along the entire length of the secondary conduit, the pressure compensating region may alternatively extend only part of the length of the secondary conduit, for example adjacent the outlet as in Figure 19 or adjacent the inlet as in Figure 22 or anywhere else in the conduit. Only one inlet channel 395 is provided at the inlet end of the secondary conduit. The inlet may be deeper than the rest of the conduit. This version may alternatively have two inlets as in the other embodiments. The drip irrigation tape in this embodiment is otherwise identical to that of Figure 19. Like reference numerals have been used as appropriate. The barriers 392-are illustrated in more detail in Figures 25 to 27, and are formed by a series of indented steps 398 formed in the grooved side edge portion of the tape, one step being formed at the center of each chamber 394. Preferably the steps are of rounded, generally arcuate shapes, as illustrated in Figure 27, although other shapes such as, rectangular or elliptical may be used, and the height of the step may be varied to suit the particular application. As in the previous embodiments of Figures 19-22, the steps may be formed by an equivalent stepped formation in the shaping wheel forming the serpentine groove. The steps or barriers 392 form a series of successive small size orifices 399 and enlarged pressure relieving chambers in the secondary conduit. As in the embodiment of Figure 19, this will tend to reduce the flow rate in a pressure compensating manner, since the small orifices will gradually close more and more with increase in pressure within the main conduit. The overall effect will be a relatively constant output flow rate regardless of variations in the water pressure in the tubing. Figures 27 and 28 illustrate an alternative pressure compensating arrangement in which barriers 4 00 are provided in the turns or bends 402 of the serpentine passageway rather than in the chambers between adjacent turns as in Figure 23, The drip irrigation tape in this alternative will be otherwise identical to that of Figure 23. As best illustrated in Figure 28, the barriers 400 are formed by constrictions or steps 402 at the base of the groove formed in one side edge portion of the tape, but the steps in this case are located at turns in the serpentine groove to form a reduced size orifice 404 at each bend or turn between adjacent enlarged chambers 406 in the passageway. Again, this will tend to compensate for any pressure variations to produce a substantially constant output flow rate. Figure 24 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention which is similar to the embodiment of Figure 18, and like reference numerals have been used where appropriate. As in Figure 18, short secondary conduit segments 410 are provided, which are significantly shorter than the distance between adjacent outlets 25. However, unlike Figure 18, the conduit segments 410 are straight and have a series of spaced barriers or steps 412 along their length as in the embodiment of Figure 21, in order to produce a turbulent, up and down flow along the length of each segment 410. The barriers form small orifices between adjacent pressure relieving chambers 414, and the orifices will tend to close gradually as pressure within the main conduit increases, reducing flow rate with increased pressure to produce little variation in output flow rate as pressure within the tubing changes. As in Figure 18, the region 310 between adjacent conduit segments 410 is blanked or sealed off by transverse . seal lines 312 extending between seal lines 120 and 122. Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above by way of example only, it will be understood by those skilled in the field that modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. WE CLAIM: 1. An apparatus for forming a drip irrigation tape, comprising: an extruder for extruding a strip of flexible material a rotatable bang drum having an inwardly extending channel extending around at least part of tile periphery of the drum, the channel having a serpentine shape matching that of a groove to be formed in the strip; guide means for guiding the strip around part of the periphery of the drum with a first side edge portion of the strip overlying the channel; the channel having a pluralism of spaced suction ports extending along its length, at least one of the ports being of larger dimensions tin remaining ports; a vacuum source; passageways within the drum connecting the vacuum source to at least the suction pots around said part of the periphery of the drum to pull the strip material overlying the channel into die channel to form a groove of corresponding shape in the strip; the later suction port comprising suction means for applying sufficient suction to the overlying strip to pull a raised hole in the strip at that port; a folding mechanism downstream of the shaping drum for folding the strip lengthwise with the first side edge portion and an opposite second side edge portion overlapping to form a first conduit; and a sealing mechanism downstream of the folding mechanism for joining the first and second side edge portions together on opposite sides of the groove to form a seam in which the groove defines at least one secondary conduit and breaks in the seam defines at least one inlet between the main conduit and the or each secondary conduit. 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein the shaping drum has a series of channels around its periphery for funning a corresponding series of spaced groove segments along the length of ^e strip, each channel having a series of suction ports along its lentil and an enlarged suction port for pulling an outlet port in strip at one end of Ike channel. 3. An apparatus for forming a drip irrigation tape, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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along the tape. This problem is particularly acute in cases where extremely long runs of tape are to be used. Currently the maximum run of tape which can be used from a water supply is around 600 to 700 feet before a relatively large reduction in drip rate will be encountered. This can be a problem in large crop regions to be irrigated.
In my previous U.S. Patent Nos 4,722,759 and 4,807,668, a drip irrigation tape is described in which a strip of flexible material is formed with an indented groove extending lengthwise adjacent one side edge of the strip, and the other side edge is folded over lengthwise to overlap the groove and form the main conduit within the interior of the tape. The overlapping side edges are sealed together on opposite sides of the groove to form a seam in which the groove forms a secondary conduit. Spaced inlets are provided between the main conduit and secondary conduit, and spaced outlets lead from the secondary conduit to the exterior of the tape, so that fluid supplied to the main conduit flows into the secondary conduit and leaks slowly out of the outlets into the surrounding soil.
In U.S. Patent No. 4,722,759 a method of fabricating such tape is described, in which a straight, continuous or segmented groove is formed along the side edge of the strip on a vacuum drum. However, there is some advantage in providing a non-straight flow path along the secondary conduit to create some turbulence in the fluid, tending to shift any debris which might otherwise block the conduit. The tortuous or winding flow path will also reduce the flow rate and allow the dimensions of the secondary conduit to be increased while providing the same drip rate as a corresponding straight conduit, further reduce the risk of debris blocking the channel. Drip irrigation tape with a winding or serpentine secondary conduit is described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,177,946 of Sahagun-Barragan,

U.S. Patent No. 4,473,191 of Chapin, and in my co-pending Application .Serial No. 01/ B3,11B filed February 22, 1990.
There are problems in manufacturing tape with a winding or serpentine secondary conduit. in Sahagun-Barragan, the tape is formed from two sheets, one of which is embossed to form a winding channel. In chapin, the winding channels are formed by a pair of paired ribbons of adhesive or hot melt polymer between two flat sheets of plastic film, causing problems in maintaining uniformity of the channel cross section along its length. In my co¬pending Application Serial No. 07/485,778 referred to above, a method and apparatus for manufacturing irrigation tape with a winding secondary conduit is described, in which opposing drums have mating indented groove and projecting mandrel formations for forming the channel, the shape of the mating groove and mandrel corresponding to the desired conduit shape. One problem with this is that the two drums must be synchronized for proper operation.
Other problems inherent in existing drip irrigation tapes are that the drip outlets often become blocked' with plant roots growing over or into them, for example, and that although winding secondary conduits have advantages over straight conduits, they are very difficult to make.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved drip irrigation tape and method of manufacturing such tape.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a drip irrigation tape is provided which comprises a strip of thin, flexible material having an indented, continuous or segmented groove in one side edge extending lengthwise along the strip. The other side edge portion is folded lengthwise along the strip to cover the groove, and the two

opposing side edge portions are secured together in face to face contact to form a first or main conduit within the folded strip and a secondary conduit along the or each groove. Inlets are provided between the main conduit and the or each secondary conduit, and outlets are provided between the secondary conduit or each secondary conduit segment and the exterior of the tape. The groove or each groove segment is shaped to form a winding flow path for water flowing along the secondary conduit, and comprises a series of oblong chambers interconnected by orifices of smaller dimensions than the chambers, with the chambers alternating in position from one side to the other side of the groove to form a serpentine or winding passageway. The chambers have opposite end walls which are rounded or radiused in opposite directions from one chamber to the next, to introduce a vortex or swirling, circular motion into the water flow, reducing the flow rate, increasing the water flow path and allowing the conduit to be made of larger dimensions. The swirling, turbulent motion will also tend to keep any debris moving along the conduit without blocking the flow path.
This arrangement of chambers and oppositely radiused end walls in successive chambers tends to direct water flow in opposite directions in successive chambers along the length of the conduit, producing turbulent, vortex flow conditions tending to reduce the water, flow rate. This produces enhanced pressure compensation for variations in water pressure along the length or run of the conduit. The channel shape also acts to help dislodge any debris, since any debris blocking the secondary conduit will block flow, causing a large pressure back up tending to push debris along the system. The turbulent flow conditions will also tend to dislodge any debris.

This tape can be laid in much longer runs than was previously possible, and it has been found that a run of 1320 feet will have an 84% coefficient of uniformity along its length. Thus, the length of irrigation tape which can be laid has been more or less doubled with the tape of this invention.
Preferably, the outlets have raised annular rims projecting radially outwardly from the tubing. The raised outlets act as root deflectors, reducing the risk of roots growing over and blocking the outlets. Also, the strip preferably has a wall portion of reduced thickness as compared to the wall thickness of the remainder of the strip. This reduced thickness portion is located in the flat side area which will overlie the groove when the strip is folded to form the main conduit. This produces some pressure compensation, since the thinner wall portion will tend to flex into the groove, reducing its dimensions, with increased water pressure in the main conduit, thus reducing flow rate in the secondary conduit as the water pressure increases, and automatically increasing the flow rats as the water pressure decreases. The pressure compensation effect can be enhanced by making the channel wider and shallower, so that a slight flexing of the wall will produce a relatively large change in the channel cross-sectional area.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for forming the drip irrigation tape is provided, which comprises an extruder for extruding a strip of flexible material, a rotatable shaping drum having an inwardly extending, continuous or segmented channel extending around its periphery with a serpentine shape matching that of the groove to be formed in the strip, a guide for guiding the extruded strip around part of the periphery of the drum with a first side edge portion overlying the channel, the channel having a plurality of

spaced suction ports extending along its length, and a vacuum source connected to the suction ports via passageways within the drum to pull the side edge portion overlying the channel into the channel to form a groove of corresponding shape in the strip, some of the suction ports being of larger dimensions than others so that the suction at the larger ports is sufficient to pull a raised hole in the strip at that point, the raised hole forming an outlet from the tape. A folding mechanism is provided downstream of the shaping drum to fold the strip lengthwise with the first side edge portion and an opposite, second side edge portion overlapping to form a first conduit, and a sealing mechanism is provided for joining the first and second side edge portions together on opposite sides of the groove to form a seam in which the groove defines a secondary conduit.
Preferably, the guide for guiding strip around the drum includes an opposing drum having a projecting annular rib overlying a portion of the second side edge of the strip which will overlie the groove in the first side edge when the strip is folded. The rib will compress the underlying strip material which is still hot and moldable, reducing the strip wall thickness in this region. The thinner material overlying the groove will tend to flex into the groove by an amount dependent on ■ the water pressure in the first conduit, producing pressure compensation.
According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the connection between the drum and the vacuum source includes a sealing mechanism designed to direct the vacuum only to those regions of the drum channel over which the tape extends. This avoids any loss of vacuum pressure as a result of vacuum being directed to vacuum ports elsewhere on the drum which are exposed to atmospheric pressure, and provides an increased vacuum pulling force

allowing the strip to be pulled more precisely into the forming channel. This allows a standard vacuum pump to be used to form a serpentine or tortuous groove on a single / shaping drum, avoiding the need for opposing shaping mandrels which have to be precisely matched and synchronized.
The drip irrigation tape and forming method and apparatus of this invention provides a convenient and relatively inexpensive way of making serpentine flow conduits to reduce flow rate, allowing the secondary conduit to be made of larger dimensions and providing improved drip rate uniformity over long runs of .the tape. The increased vacuum makes the secondary conduit straighter and more uniform.

Accordingly the present invention provides an j^paratus for forming a drip irrigation tape, comprising: an extruder for extruding a strip of flexible material; a rotatable shaping drum having an inwardly extending channel extending around at least part of the periphery of the drum, the channel having a serpentine shspe matching that of a groove to be formed in &e strip; guide means for guiding the strip around part of the periphery of the drum with a first side edge portion of the strip overlymg the channel; the channel having a plurality of spaced suction ports extending along its length, at least one of the ports being of larger dimensions than the remaining ports; a vacuum source; passageways within the drum connecting the vacuum source to at least the suction ports around said part of the periphery of tiie drum to pull the strip material overlying the channel into the channel to form a groove of corresponding shape in the strip; the larger suction port comprising suction means for a{q)lying sufficient suction to the overlying strip to pull a raised hole in the strip at tiiat port; a folding mechanism downstream of the shaping drum for folding the strip lengthwise with the first side edge portion and an opposite seccmd sicte edge portion overiapping to form a first conduit, and a sealmg mechanism downstream of the folding m^hanism for joining the first and second side edge portions toge&er on opposite sides of the groove to form a seam in which the groove defines at least one seccMid^y conduit and br^iks in the seam defines at least one inlet between the main conduit and the or each secondary conduit.

The present invention will be better -anderst-ood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like, reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an apparatus for forming drip irrigation tape according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the shaping drum on the lines. 2-2 of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the sealing assembly;
Figure 4 is a section of the shaping assembly on the lines 4-4 of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an enlarged section on the lines 5-5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 5-6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on lines 7-7 of Figure 3;
Figure 8 is an enlarged detail of part of the side edge portion of the strip illustrating the preformed edge portion prior to folding;
Figure 9 illustrates the folding of the flexible strip to form tubing;
Figure 10 is a section on the lines 10-10 of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a top plan view of a portion of the formed tubing;
Figure 12 is an expanded plan view of part of the secondary conduit in Figure 11 illustrating the swirling motion of water along the conduit;
Figure 13 is a section on the lines 13-13 of Figure XI;
Figure 14 is a section similar to Figure 13 illustrating the effect of increased water pressure in the main conduit;
Figure 15 is a sectional view similar to Figure 12 illustrating, a secondary conduit with modified dimensions for enhanced pressure compensation;
Figure 16 is a section on the lines 16-16 of Figure
11;
Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 11 illustrating a modification;
Figure 18 is a top plan view of tubing according to another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 19 is a top plan view of irrigation tubing according to another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 20 is a sectional view on the lines 20-20 of Figure 19;
* Figure 21 illustrates tubing according to another modified embodiment of the invention;
Figure 22 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention;

Figure 23 is a view similar to Figure 19 illustrating an alternative conduit;
Figure 24 is a similar view Illustrating a short emitter configuration;
Figure 25 is an enlargement of a portion of the conduit of Figure 23;
Figure 26 is a sectional view taken on line 26-26 of Figure 25;
Figure 27 is a sectional view taken on lines 27-27 of Figure 25;
Figure 28 is a view similar to Figure 25 illustrating an alternative baffle arrangement; and
Figure 29 is a sectional view taken on line 29-29 of Figure 28.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMEHTS
Figures 1-10 of the drawings illustrate an apparatus and method for forming a drip irrigation tape 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The formed tape as illustrated in Figures 11-13 basically comprises a strip of thin, flexible, water impervious material such as polyethylene or silicone rubber, with a series of spaced, indented grooves 14 of generally serpentine shape formed along one side edge 16 of the strip, the opposite side edges 16 and 18 of the strip being folded into overlapping relationship and sealed together to form a main conduit 2 0 along the length of the strip and a series of spaced, secondary conduit segments 22 along each of the grooves 14. Inlets 126 are provided between the main conduit and the inlet end 24 of each secondary conduit segment 22, while outlet ports 25 having raised rims 2 6 are formed between each secondary conduit and the exterior of the tape.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the groove is discontinuous and comprises a series of spaced groove

segments. However, it will be understood that the tape may alternatively be formed with a continuous groove of similar shape, having spaced inlets and outlets along its length for connecting the main conduit to the secondary conduit and the secondary conduit to the exterior of the tape.
A preferred embodiment of an apparatus for making the tape is illustrated in Figures 1-7, while Figures 8-10 illustrate stages in the manufacture. The apparatus includes an extruder 28 for extruding a strip 30 of material for forming the tape, and a shaping station 32 at which the grooves 14 are formed in side edge 16 of the strip while it is still molten from the extrusion process. A folding mechanism,34 is located downstream of the shaping station 3 2 for folding the strip with its opposite side edges overlapping, followed by heat sealing station 36 for sealing the overlapping side edges together to form the separate main conduit and secondary conduit segments. After the heat sealing station, the formed tape is passed ovef a series of guide rollers and cooling wheels 38 before being wound onto a storage spool 40.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the various parts of the apparatus between the extruder and storage spool are supported on a frame or back plate 42 within a suitable outer housing {not illustrated). The extruder is of a known type for forming thin polyethylene or similar material film or strip, and includes a hopper 44 into which suitable raw material such as polyethylene beads are placed, and an extrusion die 46 through which a thin film of ttiolten plastics material is forced. The die has a slot designed to form strip having a thickness in the range of around .005 to .02 inches (5 to 20 mils.). Preferably, the slot has an enlarged or thickened region to form a bulge in the extruded strip, at the area where the channel or groove is to be formed, so that the wall thickness of the formed

groove will be at least 2 mil. greater than the remainder of the strip and may be up to 10 mil. thicker.
The shaping station assembly is best illustrated in Figures 2, 4 and 5, and comprises a shaping drum 48 rotatably mounted via axle 50 on back plate 42, and an opposing, rotatably mounted guide drum 52 for guiding and compressing the still molten strip onto the shaping drum 48. Strip 3 0 arriving at drum 48 will still be at a temperature of around 400 degrees Fahrenheit from the preceding extrusion step. As illustrated in Figure 2, the drum 48 has a series of indented channels 53 extending around its periphery adjacent one side edge of the drum. The shape of the channels 53 corresponds to the desired shape of the secondary conduit segments 22 in the formed strip, and as illustrated in Figure 2 each channel is of generally serpentine or zig-zag shape with a V-shaped portion 54 intersecting one end of each channel 53.
As best illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the drum 48 has a hollow interior 55 between spaced front and back walls 56 and 58. Axle 50 projects from back wall 58 through a bearing 60 in back plate 42. An inlet tube 62 extending through axle 50 and back plate 58 connects the drum to a suitable vacuum source such as a vacuum pump. A dividing wall or plate 64 in .the drum separates the vacuum inlet from the interior 55 of the drum. Each channel 53 has a series of suction ports 66 extending along its length, with one of the ports 68 at one end of the channel being of larger dimensions than the remaining ports. The ports 66, 68 are all connected via circumferential passageways 70 underlying each channel and radial passageways 72 formed in dividing wall 64 to a central chamber 74 in dividing wall 64. Vacuum inlet 62 extends through seal member 76 into the central region 74 of the plate. The seal member 76 has an enlarged head 78 at its inner end which is a close fit in chamber 74, as best

illustrated in Figure 5, with a segmental shaped cut-out 80 formed in head 78 to direct the vacuum only into some of the radial passageways 72 at any one instant of the drum's rotation forming a selective seal. As the drum rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 5, plate 64 will rotate relative to stationary seal member 76, bringing successive passageways 72 into alignment with cut-out region 80 of the seal. This arrangement is such that the vacuum is directed only to those portions of the drum over which the strip is guided, and is therefore not exposed to the atmosphere through any of the uncovered suction ports. This allows the vacuum force to be concentrated in the regions where it is needed in order to suck, the strip material into the underlying channels and form the shaped grooves. As the drum rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 5, successive passageways will become aligned with cut-out 80 just as the strip 30 starts to travel over the channel connected to those passages, as best illustrated in Figure 5, so that the vacuum is connected to the suction ports around the region of the drum illustrated in Figure 5 only.
The force of the vacuum pulling the molten strip material into the channels will be sufficient to form grooves of corresponding shape to the channels along the side edge 16 of the strip. The larger suction ports 68 apply sufficient suction to pull holes in the strip material at one end of each channel, forming the outlet ports 25 with raised rims 26, which are best illustrated in Figure 13. The drum is also connected via a rotary coupling 82 in the front wall to water inlet and outlet hoses 84, 86, which supply cooling water to the interior of the drum, cooling the strip as the grooves are formed.
As best illustrated in Figure 4, the drum 52 has an annular, projecting rib 88 adjacent the opposite side edge to the channels 53 in drum 48. This compresses the

underlying strip material to reduce the wall thickness in that region 90, as can be seen in Figure 4. Alternatively, the drum may have a groove in this region to increase the wall thickness in the region 90, if desired, as will be explained in more detail below.
Figure 8 illustrates a portion of the strip preformed with grooves 14 as it leaves the shaping drum. As the strip leaves drum 48, it is passed over several guide rollers 92 and into folding mechanism 34. The folding mechanism is of a known type and folds the strip lengthwise as generally illustrated in Figure 9, so that the opposite side edge portions are overlapped with the first portion 16 having the indented grooves on the outside and the second portion 18 covering the grooves on the inside of the tubing, the thinner wall thickness region 90 being aligned with the grooves, as illustrated in Figure lo, which illustrates the form of the tubing as it leaves the folding mechanism and is guided onto heat sealing drum 94 at the heat sealing station 36.
As best illustrated in Figures 3, 6 and 7 heat sealing drum 94 is rotatably mounted on back plate 42 via axle 95, and includes a recessed portion 9 5 separating the drum into a front portion 98 and a back portion 100. A brass heat sealing wheel 102 having raised annular ribs 104, 106 extending along its opposite edges is set into recessed portion 96 of the heat, sealing drum 94. Inclined transverse ribs 108 extend between the annular ribs at spaced intervals corresponding to the gaps between adjacent grooves in the formed tubing. Flat spots or gaps lio are formed in the rib 104 adj acent each transverse rib 108. The heat sealing wheel 102 is heated via a suitable electrical heating arrangement, as best illustrated in Figure 7. Suitable means such as commutator rings 112 and contacts 114 serve to couple an external power supply (not shown) to a junction box 116, from which it is coupled to

thus the flow rate, to be relatively constant along the length of the tape.
The finished irrigation tape or tubing may be cut to any desired length and laid on or in the ground in a region to be irrigated with one end connected to a water supply. Water supplied at one end will flow along the main conduit 20 within the tubing, and will communicate via inlets 24 with each secondary conduit 22. Water flowing along the tortuous, serpentine secondary conduits 22 will trickle at a relatively slow and constant rate out of raised outlets 25. The raised rim 26 of outlets 25 will tend to deflect any roots or other debris which may otherwise grow over or into the outlets, potentially blocking the outlets from some secondary conduits and producing irregular irrigation. Although only one outlet 25 is i 1 lustrated at the end of each secondary conduit, two or more outlets may be provided so that the flow is not cut off if one of the outlets should become blocked.
The shape of the serpentine groove is best illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. The groove is shaped to form a series of elongate chambers 130 offset alternately on opposite sides of the grooved region and interconnected by orifices 132 of reduced dimensions between adjacent ends of each pair of chambers. The ends 134 of the chambers are rounded or radiused, and the ends of adjacent chambers overlap one another to form a generally S- or Z-shaped path between adjacent chambers, as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 12 between two adjacent chambers. The radiused ends introduce a swirling, circular or vortex-type of flow pattern in water at each end of each chamber 13 0, increasing the flow path and reducing the flow rate. The water flow will change direction from one chamber to the next, from a clockwise to an anti-clockwise generally circular motion, as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 12. This swirling flow will reduce the flow rate along the

conduit, allowing the conduit dimensions to be made larger for a predetermined drip rate and thus reducing the risk of debris blocking the conduit. The swirling, vortex-type flow also produces a better pressure drop. The swirling liquid motion will also tend to keep any debris moving along the conduit, reducing the risk of debris accumulating to block the flow.
Preferably, the wall thickness of the portion 90 of the side edge which overlies conduits 22 is reduced, as illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. The wall thickness of the tubing will generally be in the range of 5 to 15 mil. around the periphery of the main conduit, with the groove itself having a greater thickness of the order of 2 to 10 mil. over the remainder of the wall, as mentioned above. Preferably, the reduced thickness region 90 will have a wall thickness of the order of 5 to 8 mil. This reduced thickness combined with the overall flexibility and memory of the polyethylene material forming the tubing allows region 90 to flex or stretch into the secondary conduit both along inlets 126 and along the length of the secondary conduit segment 22 as the pressure in the main conduit 20 increases. This effect is illustrated in Figure 14. The reduced thickness region 90 will tend to bulge inwardly into the secondary conduit under increased fluid pressure P in the main conduit, reducing the dimensions and thus the flow rate in the secondary conduit. When the pressure is reduced, the region 90 will relax back outwardly to increase the secondary conduit dimensions. Alternatively, where less stretching is required, for example under higher flow conditions, region 90 may be made thicker than the remainder of the tubing.
In one example, say the total pressure on the inner side of wall 90 is c square inches x 6 p.s.i. where c is the surface area. If c is 10 square inches then the pressure is 6 x 10 or 60 pounds. If the pressure on the

other side of wall 90, within the secondary conduit, is 0.5 p. s. i., say, the pressure is 10 square inches x . 5 or 5 pounds so the net outward pressure on wall 90 is 60 - 5 or 55 pounds (5.5 pounds per square inch). The pressure on the outer wall of secondary conduit 22 is about 12 square inches x .5 or 6 pounds. The pressure on inner wall 90 is thus 12 times that on the outer wall of the secondary conduit. This however, is not entirely controlled by the respective thickness of the inner and outer walls. The pressure is controlled by the strength of section 12 against stretching and the incompressible liquid in outer channel 22. However by making wall region 90 sufficiently thin, it can stretch more, allowing more of the water pressure in the main conduit to be exerted on the secondary conduit, producing improved pressure compensation.
This arrangement allows the dimensions of the secondary conduit to be varied to a certain extent dependent on water pressure in the main conduit. This produces some compensation for variations in water pressure which would otherwise cause major variations in the drip rate. When the water pressure in the tubing goes up, the thin wall region will tend to flex inwardly into the channel, reducing the dimensions of the secondary conduit and thus reducing the flow rate along the secondary conduit and ultimately the drip rate. The inlet passageway dimensions will also be reduced. As the water pressure goes down, the region will relax outwardly and increase the secondary conduit dimensions. This allows a much more uniform drip rate to be achieved along relatively long runs of tape.
This pressure compensation effect can be increased with the modification illustrated in Figure 15. In this embodiment, the secondary conduit 222 is made wider and shallower than in Figures 13 and 14, although it preferably has the same basic serpentine shape as illustrated in

Figure 12. Additionally, the groove 214 is completely rounded or radiused in cross-section, with no square corners as in Figure 13. This can he achieved by suitably machining the channels 53 in the shaping drum to form rounded or radiused channels, so that the channel is arcuate in cross section along its length. As in the version of Figures 13 and 14, the inner wall section 290 of the conduit is thinner than that of the remainder of the wall surrounding main conduit 220, and will therefore tend to bulge under increased fluid pressure. This will reduce the dimensions of secondary conduit 222, as indicated in dotted outline in Figure 15. The secondary conduit may have a depth of the order of .003 to .004 inches and a width of up to .1 inch, for example, in this version, to produce a very sensitive pressure compensation. With this arrangement, only a very slight flexing of region 290 will produce a relatively large difference in the cross-sectional area of conduit 222, thus reducing the flow rate as the pressure increases and compensating for pressure variations along the length of the tubing.
With this tubing, the vortex turbulent flow in the secondary conduit allows the grooves to be of larger dimensions and the secondary conduit to be shorter while still maintaining a relatively low flow rate. The depth of the grooves may be of the order of 10 to 30 mils., for example, with the chambers 130 having a width of up to 100 mils. The increased vacuum force directed only to the region of the drum where it is needed forms the grooves accurately and precisely matching the channels in the shaping drum. The enlarged secondary conduit dimensions combined with the flow characteristics of the serpentine groove substantially reduce the risk of debris blocking any secondary conduit. This permits longer runs of tubing to be used, with lengths of up to 1320 feet being found to have around 84% coefficient of uniformity. Thus, much

larger areas can be covered with a single run of tubing than was previously possible without loss of uniformity in the drip rate and corresponding lack of uniformity in the crop. The elongate flow chambers 130 combined with the swirling, vortex flow allow more time for pressure compensation to take effect. In a laminar flow secondary conduit, the outlet flow rate will more or less double if the water pressure doubles. With secondary conduits of the shape illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, a doubling in the water pressure increases output flow only 50%.
Figure 17 illustrates a modification to the seal arrangement in the tubing of the previous embodiments. The tubing of Figure 17 is otherwise identical to that of the first embodiment and like reference numerals have been used where appropriate. In the modified version of Figure 17, an additional seal region 121 is provided transversely between the legs of the V-shaped inlet grooves 12 6 and in alignment with one of the seal lines 120. The seal region 121 has tapered or inclined ends which match the taper of the respective adjacent inlet channels 126, as illustrated in Figure 7. Additionally, seal lines 12 0 and 122 have enlarged, opposing seal regions 123, 125 which extend inwardly up to the opposite sides of the secondary conduit or groove 22 adjacent the inlet end of each secondary conduit segment. These additional seal regions. 121, 123 and 125 may be formed by suitable modification of heat sealing ribs on the heat sealing drum 94.
With these additional seal areas at the inlet end of each secondary conduit segment, any tendency for the overlapping side edge portions of the strip to spread apart at the inlet and allow additional water to flow into the secondary conduit is eliminated, since these edge portions are positively sealed together. With the arrangement of Figure 11, there may be some tendency for the overlapping regions of the strip to separate under high pressure

conditions, particularly between the V-shaped inlet channels 12 6, to form a bridge and allow a greater flow rate of water into the secondary conduit. The additional seal regions in Figure 17 will avoid this possibility.
Drip irrigation tape is typically provided in a range of standard outlet spacings, dependent on grower's requirements. This range is 8", 12", 16" and 24" outlet spacings. For each outlet spacing, the secondary conduit will be dimensioned and designed to produce a predetermined drip rate in gallons per minute per hundred feet of tape, for example 2/10 and 4/10 gallons per minute. Clearly, if the same secondary conduit is provided between outlets for a 12" outlet spacing and a 24" outlet spacing, i.e. with the secondary conduit segment being double the length for the 24" outlet spacing, the drip rate will be lower for the 24" "tape than for the 12" tape. This variation may be avoided either by varying the dimensions of the 24" outlet tape to increase the flow rate, or by using the same length secondary conduit in both cases. For example, for the former alternative, a secondary conduit shaped and dimensioned to provide 4/10 gal/min/lOO feet in a 12" outlet spacing will provide approximately 2/10 gal/min/lOO feet in a 24" outlet spacing tape. The latter alternative of using the same length secondary conduit segment for every outlet spacing is illustrated in Figure 18. The shape of the secondary conduit segments 22 and other components of Figure 18 are equivalent to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, and like reference numerals have been used where appropriate.
In Figure 18, the spacing between outlets 25 is twice that of the version of Figure 11, but each secondary conduit segment 22 has the same length as in Figure 11, with a region 310 between adjacent conduit segments 22 being blanked or sealed off by transverse seal lines 312 extending between seal lines 120 and 122. The

configuration of the secondary conduit segments 22 is identical to that of Figure 11, in which the conduit segments extend for substantially the entire length between adjacent outlets.
In practice, any suitable secondary conduit length may be selected for use with all outlet spacings, from 1" upwards, with the region between adjacent segments simply being blanked off. This allows the outlet flow rate to be controlled more easily for any outlet spacing. The advantage of using a standard secondary conduit length is that design expense is reduced, since the same variation in secondary conduit dimensions will produce the same change in flow rate for any outlet spacing. However, there are also some benefits in running the secondary conduit segment for the entire length between adjacent outlets, for example this permits the secondary conduit to be made larger since the flow rate is reduced by providing a longer flow path to the outlet, at the same time reducing the risk of clogging and providing more scope for pressure compensation.
Tape may be manufactured in a range of different outlet spacings, either with secondary conduits segments extending between outlets or with appropriate blanked off regions as in Figure 18, simply by providing an equivalent range of shaping drums 4 8 with appropriately shaped channels 53, with or without blanked off regions between adjacent channels.
Figures 19 and 2 0 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which drip irrigation tape 350 is formed in the same manner as tape 10 in Figure 11 but the secondary conduit segments 3 52 are each formed with a serpentine or winding portion 354 extending from inlet channels 356 in which water is directed back and forth, and a second, pressure compensating section 358 extending from winding portion 354 to raised outlet 360, which is equivalent to raised outlet 25 in the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, the tape is made by first forming a series of indented groove segments along one side edge of the tape in the appropriate shape for forming the secondary conduit segments, and then folding the tape with the side edges overlapped before sealing them together along spaced seal lines 3 62, 354, with transverse seal lines 3 65 extending between the seal lines to separate adjacent secondary conduit segments, and gaps 366 in the seal line 362 at each V-shaped inlet channel. The pressure compensating section 358 comprises a straight groove, with a series of indented steps 3 68 in its base forming barriers in the channel for directing water in an up and down direction, as best illustrated in Figure 2 o, rather than transversely back and forth. This stepped section forms successive small size orifices 370 and enlarged pressure relieving chambers 372. As in the previous embodiments, the opposing flat side edge portion 374 of the tape is formed with a reduced thickness wall portion opposing the groove in the opposite side edge portion, as can be seen in Figure 20.
With this arrangement, as the pressure inside the main
conduit increases, the reduced thickness portion of wall
374 will tend to bulge outwardly towards indented ■ step::
3 68, reducing flow towards the outlet by an amount
substantially proportional to the increase in pressure. At
the same time, the water is directed up and down to follow
:he stepped configuration of the secondary conduit,
introducing up and down turbulence and similarly reducing
ind controlling flow. Thus, an equivalent outlet flow rate
;an be produced for a secondary conduit of larger
limensions than an equivalent laminar flow secondary
;onduit. If the pressure compensating section should
lecome blocked by debris at any of the small orifices 370,
jack up pressure will force the opposing surfaces of the

conduit apart and push the debris into the next adjacent pressure relieving chamber 372.
Figure 21 illustrates a modification in which the entire secondary conduit segment 380 is of the same shape as the pressure compensating section at the outlet end in Figure 19,- while Figure 22 illustrates an embodiment in which a pressure compensating section 382 is provided at the inlet end of a secondary conduit segment while the remainder 384 of the secondary conduit segment is of equivalent shape to the inlet section in Figure 19. In both Figures 21 and 22, like reference numerals to Figure 19 have been used for like parts. Both of these alternative versions will produce turbulent, up and down flow along at least part of the length of each secondary conduit segment with improved pressure compensation via the gradual closing of the small orifices between adjacent pressure relieving chambers as the pressure within the main conduit rises. This arrangement has been found to provide good pressure compensation with little variation in the output flow rate as pressure increases within the tubing.
The stepped groove is formed by a shaping wheel equivalent to shaping wheel 48 but having channels with a similar stepped formation along part or all of their length.
Figure 23 illustrates another modification in which the entire secondary conduit segment 390 is of winding or serpentine shape, as in the first embodiment, and pressure compensating barriers 392 are formed in each of the chambers 394 between adjacent turns 396 of the winding channel. Although in the illustrated embodiment the pressure compensating barriers are provided along the entire length of the secondary conduit, the pressure compensating region may alternatively extend only part of the length of the secondary conduit, for example adjacent the outlet as in Figure 19 or adjacent the inlet as in

Figure 22 or anywhere else in the conduit. Only one inlet channel 395 is provided at the inlet end of the secondary conduit. The inlet may be deeper than the rest of the conduit. This version may alternatively have two inlets as in the other embodiments. The drip irrigation tape in this embodiment is otherwise identical to that of Figure 19. Like reference numerals have been used as appropriate. The barriers 392-are illustrated in more detail in Figures 25 to 27, and are formed by a series of indented steps 398 formed in the grooved side edge portion of the tape, one step being formed at the center of each chamber 394. Preferably the steps are of rounded, generally arcuate shapes, as illustrated in Figure 27, although other shapes such as, rectangular or elliptical may be used, and the height of the step may be varied to suit the particular application. As in the previous embodiments of Figures 19-22, the steps may be formed by an equivalent stepped formation in the shaping wheel forming the serpentine groove.
The steps or barriers 392 form a series of successive small size orifices 399 and enlarged pressure relieving chambers in the secondary conduit. As in the embodiment of Figure 19, this will tend to reduce the flow rate in a pressure compensating manner, since the small orifices will gradually close more and more with increase in pressure within the main conduit. The overall effect will be a relatively constant output flow rate regardless of variations in the water pressure in the tubing.
Figures 27 and 28 illustrate an alternative pressure compensating arrangement in which barriers 4 00 are provided in the turns or bends 402 of the serpentine passageway rather than in the chambers between adjacent turns as in Figure 23, The drip irrigation tape in this alternative will be otherwise identical to that of Figure 23. As best illustrated in Figure 28, the barriers 400 are formed by

constrictions or steps 402 at the base of the groove formed in one side edge portion of the tape, but the steps in this case are located at turns in the serpentine groove to form a reduced size orifice 404 at each bend or turn between adjacent enlarged chambers 406 in the passageway. Again, this will tend to compensate for any pressure variations to produce a substantially constant output flow rate.
Figure 24 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention which is similar to the embodiment of Figure 18, and like reference numerals have been used where appropriate. As in Figure 18, short secondary conduit segments 410 are provided, which are significantly shorter than the distance between adjacent outlets 25. However, unlike Figure 18, the conduit segments 410 are straight and have a series of spaced barriers or steps 412 along their length as in the embodiment of Figure 21, in order to produce a turbulent, up and down flow along the length of each segment 410. The barriers form small orifices between adjacent pressure relieving chambers 414, and the orifices will tend to close gradually as pressure within the main conduit increases, reducing flow rate with increased pressure to produce little variation in output flow rate as pressure within the tubing changes. As in Figure 18, the region 310 between adjacent conduit segments 410 is blanked or sealed off by transverse . seal lines 312 extending between seal lines 120 and 122.
Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above by way of example only, it will be understood by those skilled in the field that modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

WE CLAIM:
1. An apparatus for forming a drip irrigation tape, comprising: an extruder for extruding a strip of flexible material a rotatable bang drum having an inwardly extending channel extending around at least part of tile periphery of the drum, the channel having a serpentine shape matching that of a groove to be formed in the strip; guide means for guiding the strip around part of the periphery of the drum with a first side edge portion of the strip overlying the channel; the channel having a pluralism of spaced suction ports extending along its length, at least one of the ports being of larger dimensions tin remaining ports; a vacuum source; passageways within the drum connecting the vacuum source to at least the suction pots around said part of the periphery of the drum to pull the strip material overlying the channel into die channel to form a groove of corresponding shape in the strip; the later suction port comprising suction means for applying sufficient suction to the overlying strip to pull a raised hole in the strip at that port; a folding mechanism downstream of the shaping drum for folding the strip lengthwise with the first side edge portion and an opposite second side edge portion overlapping to form a first conduit; and a sealing mechanism downstream of the folding mechanism for joining the first and second side edge portions together on opposite sides of the groove to form a seam in which the groove defines at least one secondary conduit and breaks in the seam defines at least one inlet between the main conduit and the or each secondary conduit.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein the shaping drum
has a series of channels around its periphery for funning a
corresponding series of spaced groove segments along the length of ^e strip,
each channel having a series of suction ports along its lentil and an
enlarged suction port for pulling an outlet port in strip at one end of Ike
channel.
3. An apparatus for forming a drip irrigation tape, substantially as
herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Documents:

224-mas-1997 abstract.jpg

224-mas-1997 abstract.pdf

224-mas-1997 assignemnt.pdf

224-mas-1997 claims.pdf

224-mas-1997 correspondence others.pdf

224-mas-1997 correspondence po.pdf

224-mas-1997 description (complete).pdf

224-mas-1997 drawings.pdf

224-mas-1997 form-1.pdf

224-mas-1997 form-10.pdf

224-mas-1997 form-26.pdf

224-mas-1997 form-4.pdf

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Patent Number

191937

Indian Patent Application Number

224/MAS/1997

PG Journal Number

30/2009

Publication Date

24-Jul-2009

Grant Date

13-Aug-2004

Date of Filing

04-Feb-1997

Name of Patentee

M/S. ROBERTS GROUP HOLDINGS LLC

Applicant Address

700 RANCHEROS DRIVE, SAN MARCOS, CA-92069-3007,

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	JAMES, G ROBERTS	2822 PASATIEMPO CLEN, ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA 92025,

PCT International Classification Number

B05B1/02

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1			NA