Patent ID: 6543509
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for forming agricultural drip tape which includes a length of flexible film overlapped and seamed along longitudinal edges of the film, and a bead of material adhered to an interior surface of the film, the bead having a plurality of secondary flow paths formed therein, each secondary flow path having an inlet region, a turbulence inducing region and an outlet region, the film having outlet slits radially adjacent respective outlet regions; the apparatus including:a form wheel having a periphery formed with a continuous groove extending about said periphery, said groove adapted to receive a flexible bead of material; said groove configured to form at least one of said secondary flow paths in said bead; a first roll adjacent said form wheel to form a nip therebetween; and a flat endless belt arranged to engage said first roll and said form wheel at said nip, and around a portion of the periphery of said form wheel, in overlying relationship with said groove such that said belt forces said bead of material into said groove as said bead of material enters said nip to thereby form said secondary flow path in said bead.