TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] Embodiments of the invention relate to a drip irrigation pipe and an irrigation spout thereof, and in particular to such irrigation spout being attached to an outer side of a drip irrigation pipe over an outlet aperture in the pipe.

BACKGROUND

[002] Irrigation water emitted by drip emitters within a drip irrigation pipe may be arranged to communicate the emitted water to lateral tubes. These tubes may then be used to direct the water to plants (or the like). [003] US2002104903 describes an irrigation apparatus with in-line drippers that have supports for attaching a micro tube to the dripper outlet. The support here has a projection, sleeve or connector for securing a micro tube thereto.

SUMMARY [004] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

[005] In at least certain embodiments there is provided a spout member for attachment to an outer side of a drip irrigation pipe, the spout member comprising a lower side arranged to attach the pipe, wherein the lower side comprises at least one rib for facilitating said attachment. [006] A spout member may be an element that communicates liquid therethrough its passage to additional irrigation elements that may be attached, possibly detachably attached, to its downstream side. In some cases, a spout member may also be integrally fitted with elements that interact with liquid flowing though a passage of the spout member.

[007] In an embodiment there is also provide an irrigation device comprising a drip emitter, a spout member and a pipe comprising a pipe wall that is sandwiched between the drip emitter and spout member, an aperture in the pipe wall providing a route for water emitted by the drip emitter to flow downstream towards an axially extending passage formed through the spout member, wherein in cross sections taken along the axis of the passage an entry section of the passage comprises a larger cross sectional area than a main section of the passage that is immediately downstream to the entry.

[008] In an embodiment there is also provide a method for attaching a spout member to an outer side of a drip irrigation pipe comprising the steps of: providing a drip irrigation pipe comprising a drip emitter bonded to an inner side of the pipe and an aperture formed through a wall of the pipe above the emitter, providing a spout member comprising a through going passage and at least one rib formed about an entry section of the passage at a side of the spout member that is arranged to attach to the pipe, and attaching the spout member to the pipe wall so that the entry section of the spout member's passage overlies the aperture in the pipe wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[009] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures, in which: [010] Fig. 1A schematically shows a drip irrigation pipe and an irrigation spout according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to an outer side of the pipe;

[Oil] Fig. IB schematically shows the drip irrigation pipe and spout of Fig. 1A prior to attachment of the spout to the pipe;

[012] Fig. 1C schematically shows a cross sectional view of the drip irrigation pipe and spout of Fig. 1 A and an enlarged section of the spout where it attaches to the drip irrigation pipe;

[013] Figs. 2A and 2B schematically show, respective, top and bottom perspective views of an embodiment of an irrigation spout;

[014] Figs. 3 A and 3B schematically show, respective, top and bottom perspective views of another embodiment of an irrigation spout;

[015] Figs. 4A and 4B schematically show, respective, top and bottom perspective views of yet another embodiment of an irrigation spout; [016] Figs. 5A and 5B schematically show each top views of yet further irrigation spout embodiments.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[018] Attention is first drawn to Figs. 1A to 1C schematically illustrating a drip irrigation pipe 10 housing a drip emitter that is attached (preferably bonded) to its inner side/surface, and an embodiment of an irrigation spout 14 that is attached (preferably bonded) to its outer side. The spout as here seen is attached to the outer face of the pipe at the pipe's outer side above an aperture 16 of the pipe through which water emitted by a drip emitter exists the pipe. [019] In the embodiments disclosed here, preferably the spout is sealingly attached to the pipe's outer side so that substantially all water exiting a drip emitter are routed through the spout onwards downstream, without substantially leaking out through the connection between spout and pipe.

[020] Spout 14 as seen in the enlarged section of Fig. 1C may be generally formed about an axis X and may have an upwardly/outwardly projecting axially extending stem 141 and a peripheral wall 142 that may be generally formed about the stem. A tube (not shown) may be coupled to an outer side of the spout e.g. by snuggly fitting upon stem 141 and possibly pressed in between stem 141 and wall 142.

[021] Such tube that is attached to spout 14 may be arranged to communicate water exiting the drip pipe onwards downstream e.g. towards plants. In certain cases, an end of such tube may coupled to the stem and/or wall via a coupler (also not shown) that is arranged to mate with the stem and/or wall.

[022] Spout 14 in addition includes a through going passage 148 that extends along axis X generally through the stem while opening out to a lower/inner side 145 of the spout and to an upper/outer side of the spout at the upper/outer side of the stem. Passage 148 may be arranged to include an entry 144 at its lower/inner side that leads downstream into a main section 143 of the passage. Entry 143 may include at least portions that are larger in diameter than the internal diameter of main section 143 of the passage.

[023] In the illustrated views, entry 143 can be seen having a generally funnel shape converging upwards in a direction away from inner side 145, however entry 143 when present may have other forms such as cubic, cylindrical or any other formation possibly larger in cross section (e.g. in diameter in case of cylinder) than main section 143.

[024] It is noted that the directional term outer and lower used with respect to the spout, may be seen defined in relation to the spout when mounted to the drip irrigation pipe - and thus with respect to the radial inner and outer directions of the pipe when held in a generally cylindrical form. [025] As schematically seen in Fig. IB, spout 14 may be attached after or during the manufacturing process of the drip irrigation pipe to the outer side of the pipe. Such attachment of spout 14 to the drip irrigation pipe 10 may preferably be after drippers 12 have been attached to the inner side/face of the pipe and possibly also after formation of an aperture 16 above each dripper.

[026] As seen in the enlarged section of Fig. 1C, a diameter of aperture 16 may typically be smaller than a diameter of main section 143 of the passage. In a non binding example, a diameter of aperture 16 may be about 1.6 millimeters while a diameter of passage 142 may be about 3 millimeters.

[027] In spout embodiments having a wider entry 144 into passage 148, such entry 144 may assist in ensuring that aperture 16 is substantially placed in communication with passage 143 so that water exiting a drip emitter may be provided with a substantial open and free flow path out of the pipe. Such wider entry 144 may in particular assist in suitable placement of the spout 14 over aperture 16 e.g. in cases where the spout is attached to the outer side of the pipe during manufacturing of the pipe (e.g. when the pipe is in movement).

[028] In at least certain embodiments, entry 144 may accordingly be generally funnel shaped with a formation that converges/tapers upwardly towards main section 143 of the passage. Such formation may be useful in funneling water exiting an aperture 16 above a drip emitter towards passage 148.

[029] Attention is drawn to Figs. 2 A and 2B illustrating an embodiment of a spout 14. Fig. 2B reveals the lower/inner side 145 of the spout including here two peripheral rims 146 formed about axis X.

[030] In an aspect of the present invention, provision of one or more rims 146 upon the lower/inner side 145 of the spout may assist in attachment of the spout to the pipe's outer face.

[031] In an embodiment, spout 14 may be attached to the outer side of the pipe by heat bonding.

[032] In one example, heat may be applied to the lower/bottom side of the spout prior to attaching the spout to the pipe, while the one or more rims 146 may be seen as deposits of thermoplastic material that can undergo at least partial melting due to exposure to such heat, so that the at least partial melted rim(s) upon contact with the pipe may assist in heat bonding of the spout to the pipe.

[033] In another example, beads of melted resin may be applied to the lower/inner side 145 of the spout in between adjacent rims, and substantially immediately thereafter the spout may be pressed against the pipe's outer side with the melted resin assisting in heat bonding of the spout to the pipe.

[034] In yet another example, laser energy may be used for assisting in melting of the rim(s) and/or a region of the pipe where the spout is about to be attached. In such case, spout embodiments may be provided that may be substantially transparent to a laser beam focused at the rim(s) and/or pipe. Such laser energy in a non-binding example may be provided in wave lengths of about 1060 nanometers (or the like).

[035] In an embodiment, spout 14 may be attached to the outer side of the pipe by means not necessarily limited to heat bonding. For example, adhesives may be provided in-between adjacent rims, prior to attachment of the spout to the pipe. Upon engagement with the pipe, such adhesives may cure and by that securely bond to the spout to the pipe.

[036] Attention is drawn to Figs. 3 A, 3B, 4A and 4B showing further spout embodiments. The spout of Figs. 3A and 3B illustrates possible provision of a generally rectangular lower side 145 for a spout. The spout of Figs. 4A and 4B illustrates possible provision of a spout's lower side 145 that is generally shaped to follow the pipe's cylindrical contour.

[037] Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate provision of a possible peripheral rib 77 at an upper side of a spout's stem 141. Rib 77 may be arranged to project laterally away from axis X to assist in gripping of a tube or coupler (not shown) to which the spout may be arranged to attach at its upper/outer side. The spout of Fig. 5B illustrates possible provision of a wall 142 with intermission 99 formed therein. Such intermission(s) 99 may be useful e.g. in easing production of rib 77 during injection molding and/or may provide an opening through wall 142 so that successful attachment of a tube/coupler to the stem may be easily visible.

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

[039] Furthermore, while the present application or technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non- restrictive; the technology is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed technology, from a study of the drawings, the technology, and the appended claims.

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

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

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