Patent Abstract:
A drip irrigation system is disclosed for delivering an irrigation fluid from an irrigation fluid supply source to one or more plants and includes at least one pressure regulation device in fluid communication with the irrigation fluid supply source, at least one fluid delivery device coupled in fluid communication to the pressure regulation device, and a weighted emitter coupled in fluid communication to the fluid delivery device. 
     A kit for a drip irrigation system is also disclosed and includes at least one pressure regulation device adapted to be coupled to an irrigation fluid supply source, at least one elongated member having an internal passage adapted to couple to the pressure regulation device, at least one weighted emitter having an internal passage adapted to couple to the elongated member, and a package for the kit.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a drip irrigation system and the plants grown using such systems, and more particularly relates to a drip irrigation system having weighted drip emitters. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The growth and sale of plants can be a substantial portion of the business of many businesses having a plant growing facility including greenhouses, home improvement stores and large discount stores. Thus, in view of the fact that one of the primary inputs in plant growth is water, watering or irrigation systems and the efficiency thereof are integral with the plant growth process and the extraction of optimum value from the sale of such plants. 
     Irrigation systems for plants, flowers and vegetables, etc. provide a continuing or periodic supply of moisture to the plants. Such systems may be of the subterranean type or may be of the above-ground type. Subterranean systems are generally costly, complex and require relatively permanent installations and are not readily capable of being modified or adapted to suit changing plant locations or to provide a source of moisture to plants that are potted or otherwise located above the subterranean source of moisture. 
     Above-ground type irrigation systems that are generally known may include sprinkler systems that distribute water over a generally broad area and often require the installation of permanent water lines and sprinkler hardware or require moving the sprinkler hardware to adapt to the irrigation needs of various plant configurations. Such known sprinkler-type irrigation systems are directed over a general area and not directed to the roots of a particular plant and therefore may also result in the use of excessive quantities of water. 
     Other generally known above-ground type irrigation systems may include porous hoses that seep water through the hose wall or that have apertures that emit a stream of water when the hose is under pressure. Such known hose irrigation systems often require routing the hose in a pathway or pattern above the planting soil and beneath the foliage to provide a water source in close proximity to the roots of each plant. Such known hoses often require excessive lengths to meet the irrigation needs of many plants and may result in damage to delicate foliage when placing, removing or relocating the hoses. Such known hoses also typically result in uneven water distribution due to the variation in water pressure along the length of the hose, inability of the hose porosity to compensate for pressure variations, and disbursement of water along the length of the hose rather than at discreet plant locations. 
     Irrigation systems may also include a supply pipe or hose having branch tubes extending therefrom. Such branch tubes may have an open or closed end and include small apertures or orifices for seeping water at plant locations, but generally do not provide a flexible irrigation system adaptable to a variety of plant irrigation needs due to the fixed length of the branch tubes and the pre-established orifice locations. Such branch tube irrigation systems typically do not emit the same amount of water to each of the plants along the length of the supply hose or pipe. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a drip irrigation system that is capable of adapting to plants of various heights and locations. It would also be advantageous to provide a drip irrigation system that emits water only at the desired location for a variety of plants. It would be further advantageous to provide a drip irrigation system that emits the same amount of water at each of the plant locations, regardless of pressure gradients along the supply hose or pipe, and prevents siphoning of water back to the supply hose or pipe when supply pressure is decreased. It would also be advantageous to provide a drip irrigation system that is easily adapted to changing plant patterns or locations. It would be further advantageous to provide a drip irrigation system that is easily and quickly installed or removed without damaging the plant. 
     Accordingly, one of the important advantages of the present invention would be the ability to profit from the sale of plants grown using an improved drip irrigation system or watering systems which incorporate an improved irrigation system, and other products which are normally sold with drip irrigation systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a drip irrigation system for delivering an irrigation fluid from an irrigation fluid supply source to one or more plants and includes at least one pressure regulation device in fluid communication with the irrigation fluid supply source, at least one fluid delivery device coupled in fluid communication to the pressure regulation device, and a weighted emitter coupled in fluid communication to the fluid delivery device. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a kit for a drip irrigation system and includes at least one pressure regulation device adapted to be coupled to an irrigation fluid supply source, at least one elongated member having an internal passage adapted to couple to the pressure regulation device, at least one weighted emitter having an internal passage adapted to couple to the elongated member, and a package for the kit. 
     A further embodiment of the invention relates to a method of irrigating a plurality of plants and includes the steps of providing an irrigation fluid supply source adapted to contain pressurized irrigation fluid and coupling an inlet portion of at least one pressure compensating device to the irrigation fluid supply source, where the pressure compensating device is adapted to allow flow of the irrigation fluid at a reduced pressure to an outlet portion of the pressure compensating device. The embodiment also includes coupling a first end of at least one elongated tubular member in fluid communication to the outlet portion of the pressure compensating device, coupling a second end of the elongated tubular member in fluid communication with a weighted emitter, and positioning the weighted emitter in a plant. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to an indoor facility for growing plants and includes a structural enclosure having a controlled environment for growing a plurality of plants, an irrigation fluid supply source routed at least partially through the structural enclosure, at least one pressure regulating device coupled in fluid communication with the irrigation fluid supply source, at least one irrigation fluid delivery device having a first end coupled in fluid communication with the pressure regulating device, and a weighted emitter having an internal passage coupled to a second end of the irrigation fluid delivery device, where the weighted emitter is located near the plant to provide a source of irrigation fluid to the plant. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to an irrigation system for plants, including means for providing a pressurized source of irrigation fluid, means for discharging a flow of the irrigation fluid from the source at reduced pressure, means for routing the reduced pressure flow of the irrigation fluid to a plant location, and means for emitting the irrigation fluid at the plant location. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to an emitter for a drip irrigation system, and includes a weighted cylindrical shaped body portion, a passage extending at least partially through the body portion, at least one discharge opening in the body portion communicating with the passage, and an inlet portion on one end of the body portion having an inlet opening and an integrally formed retainer portion adapted to couple with a tube. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a plant, grown using a drip irrigation process including positioning a weighted emitter in a watering relationship with the plant, the weighted emitter having a cylindrical body portion, a fluid inlet at an inlet end of the body portion, two fluid outlets, a passage through the weighted emitter connecting the inlet and the outlets, and a retention device at the inlet end adapted to receive and retain the tube, coupling the tube to the inlet end of the weighted emitter, and directing an irrigation fluid through the tube and the emitter to deliver a supply of irrigation fluid to the plant. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a component of a drip irrigation system according to a preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 1B is a perspective view of another component of a drip irrigation system according to a preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 1C is a perspective view of another component of a drip irrigation system according to a preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 1D is a perspective view of another component of a drip irrigation system according to a preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view of the component for a drip irrigation system of FIG. 1C along line  1 E— 1 E, according to a preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a drip irrigation system according to a preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drip irrigation system according to a preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a drip irrigation system according to a preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of a drip irrigation system according to a preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 2, a drip irrigation system  10  for delivering fluids, such as water, fertilizer, pesticides, chemicals, selected mixtures thereof, etc. to plants is shown according to one embodiment. Drip irrigation system  10  includes an irrigation fluid supply source or device such as a hose, container, reservoir, etc. and shown schematically as a pipe or line  12 . In one embodiment, line  12  is a PVC pipe having a diameter of one-half (½) inch, three-quarter (¾) inch or one (1) inch, but other materials, shapes and sizes may be used in alternative embodiments. Supply line  12  provides a source of irrigation fluids in the general vicinity of the plants to be irrigated. The irrigation fluid may be stored in a tank, bottle or other suitable reservoir (not shown) and maintained in a pressurized condition within supply line  12  by a pump (not shown), gravity head, water main supply pressure (see FIG. 5) or other suitable device. Supply line  12  includes openings, shown schematically as orifices  14  located at desired locations established by a user along the length of supply line  12  to form an irrigation pattern for one or more plants. The irrigation pattern may be adapted to changing plant locations by creating more openings or closing existing openings with plugs (not shown) or other suitable devices. 
     According to one embodiment, a flow metering or pressure regulating device, shown schematically as pressure compensator  20 , has a high pressure inlet end  22  adapted to be removably received in orifice  14  on the top side of the supply line  12  and retained by circumferential ridges, shown schematically as barbs  24  or other suitable structure. A distribution interface device, shown schematically as a branch header  30 , has a body portion  32  adapted to be received on a low pressure outlet end  26  of pressure compensator  20  and multiple distribution connectors  34  (shown as four according to a particularly preferred embodiment) for distributing irrigation fluids from the pressure compensator to multiple branch lines  40 . Branch lines  40  have a first end  42  coupled to distribution connectors  34  by any suitable means such as an interference fit, etc. and may be provided in any suitable length for delivering irrigation fluids to a plant. A second end  44  of branch lines  40  is adapted to receive a discharge device, shown schematically as an emitter  50 . Emitter  50  is placed on or near the base of a plant to provide a drip irrigation source of fluid. In an alternative embodiment, a branch header may be omitted and the branch lines connected directly to the pressure compensators, or the branch header may have any number of distribution connectors, consistent with the regulating properties of the pressure compensator. In other alternative embodiments, the pressure compensator may be located remote from the supply line by routing an intermediate length of tubing between the supply line and the pressure compensator. In further alternative embodiments, the pressure compensator and branch header may be oriented at any location around the circumference of the supply line. 
     Referring to FIG. 1A, one embodiment of a pressure compensator is shown. Pressure compensator  20  is a compact, fluid pressure regulation device capable of receiving high pressure input fluid supply at inlet end  22  and emitting low pressure fluid corresponding to a steady-drip flow rate at emitters  50 . The pressure regulation characteristics of compensator  20  also provide a shut-off function and an anti-siphoning function to prevent reverse flow of irrigation fluid when the irrigation fluid supply pressure is below a predetermined pressure. Use of multiple pressure compensators on a single supply line permits a consistent and generally equal amount of fluid to be dispensed to each emitter  50 . Pressure compensator  20  may be provided in various sizes and pressure regulation capacities to adapt to specific plant needs and may be of a type commercially available from Kulker of France. 
     Referring to FIG. 1D, a distribution interface or branch header is shown. Branch header  30  is shown having four (4) distribution connectors  34  according to a particularly preferred embodiment, but may be provided with any number of distribution connectors suited to a particular irrigation system and having a pressure compensator having a correspondingly sized regulation capacity to provide the desired fluid volume at each emitter. Branch lines  40  may be removably received over the exterior  36  of distribution connector  30  or within the interior  38  of distribution connector  30 . 
     Referring to FIG. 1B, a branch line is shown. Branch line  40  is a flexible, thin-walled, non-porous tubing connected between the distribution connectors  30  and the emitters  50 . In one embodiment, branch lines  40  are Micro Poly Tube of a type commercially available from Action Technology of Clinton, Ill., and having a length that is cut-to-suit by a user in lengths preferably between six (6) inches and forty-eight (48) inches. In alternative embodiments, the branch line may be made of other materials or shapes and may be provided in various lengths suited for providing drip irrigation of fluids to plants. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1C and 1E, an emitter is shown. One embodiment of emitter  50  is an elongated member having internal passages  52  for receiving irrigation fluids from branch line  40  and emitting the fluids from either or both of outlets  54  to the plant. Passages  52  may be formed in the shape of a “T” with a single fluid inlet  64  and two lateral fluid discharge outlets  54  to reduce the flow speed of the fluid entering the plant or soil to minimize the potential for soil displacement, while the “T” shaped passage tends to minimize the potential for clogging or obstruction of the fluid flow path. In an alternative embodiment, the internal passages may be provided in any flow pattern suitable for providing a fluid discharge path that minimizes fluid velocity and resists clogging. Emitter  50  is preferably placed on or near the base of the plant or within the foliage of the plant to provide a drip source of irrigation fluids to the particular plant to be irrigated. Emitter  50  is weighted to improve its retention at the irrigation location of the plant. In one embodiment, emitter  50  has a cylindrical body portion  56  with tapered ends  58 ,  60  that allow the emitter  50  to be easily installed, removed or relocated without damage to the plant. The end  60  of emitter  50  having the inlet  64  to passage  52  may be provided with circumferential ridges, shown schematically as barbs  62 , to improve the retention of branch line  40 . In one embodiment, emitter  50  has a weight in the range of three (3) ounces to five (5) ounces and is preferably made of metal or other suitable material having sufficient mass such that, together with the flexible nature of the branch line, it may be located and retained in a desired position to irrigate a particular plant. In alternative embodiments, the emitter may have any suitable weight to correspond to the resiliency of the tubing and the emitter may be made of any streamlined shape to allow installation in, or removal from, a plant without damaging or injuring the plant foliage. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, a drip irrigation system for use with multiple plants is shown. Drip irrigation system  10  may include numerous pressure compensators  20  and corresponding branch headers  30 , branch lines  40  and emitters  50  on either a single supply line  12  or multiple supply lines for providing irrigation fluids to multiple plants over a large area, while providing the desired amount of fluid to each plant corresponding to the pressure compensator capacity and the number of branch lines associated with each pressure compensator. The location of the pressure compensators  20  and the length of the branch lines  40 , together with the weighted emitters  50 , provides an irrigation system that may be adapted to supply irrigation fluids to a variety of plant configurations. For example, the system may be adapted to irrigate hanging plants  70 , potted plants  72  having various heights or positioned on a floor, platform or other convenient surface, plants grown in trays or planter boxes  74 , and plants growing directly from underlying soil (not shown). Drip irrigation system  10  may be adapted to alternative or changing plant irrigation needs by creating additional orifices and installing additional pressure compensators  20  in the supply line  12  or by relocating and plugging abandoned orifices. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, an irrigation system adapted for use in a structure or growing facility having a controlled environment, such as a nursery or greenhouse facility, is shown according to one embodiment. Supply lines  12  may be routed at any suitable location and elevation within a structure (shown schematically as a greenhouse  80 ). Orifices may be provided in supply lines  12  at suitable locations and pressure compensators  20 , branch headers  30 , branch lines  40  and emitters  50  connected to provide a drip source for irrigation fluids at the desired plant locations. In alternative embodiments, the irrigation system may be used in any suitable facility such as a nursery, garden, landscape supply or other horticulture store or facility. The supply lines may be provided with couplings or quick-connectors for moving, relocating or rearranging the location of the supply lines to create alternative irrigation system patterns for the plants according to the particular needs of the facility. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, an irrigation system for the plant-growing facility of FIG. 4 is shown. An actual installation of irrigation system  10  in a structure  80 , such as a greenhouse, nursery, home improvement store, large discount store or other plant growing facility is shown schematically for a large volume of commercially grown plants. In one embodiment, irrigation system  10  includes a plumbing system  81  having a main water line  82  to provide a pressurized water source for the irrigation fluid. A fitting, such as a tee  84 , on water line  82  directs a supply of water through an in-line filter  86  and a valve  88 , such as a solenoid or manual valve, to a water manifold line  90 . An electronic controller (not shown) may be provided to interface with valve  88  to control the operation of irrigation system  10 . Additional filters, such as sand filters (not shown), may also be included to provide the desired water quality characteristics for irrigation purposes. Water manifold line  90  may have a multiple fittings (shown, for example, as three), such as tees  92  for coupling to multiple supply lines  12 , which include a corresponding fitting  94  adapted for coupling to tees  92 . Multiple pressure compensators  20 , branch headers  30 , branch lines  40  and emitters  50  are connected to provide a drip source for irrigation fluids to each of the plants. Supply lines  12  are provided with an end closure device  96 , such as a cap or plug to contain the irrigation fluid and maintain pressure in supply line  12 . 
     In any embodiment of the invention, commercial installations of the irrigation system and the plumbing system for the irrigation system include the following commercially available components: rigid PVC piping of one (1) inch, one and one-half (1½) inch or two (2) inch diameter for the main water line; Micro Poly Tube or other suitable tubing of 0.192 inch outside diameter for the branch lines; rigid PVC piping of three-quarter (¾) inch or one (1) inch diameter for the water manifold line; flexible PVC piping of one-half (½) inch, three-quarter (¾) inch or one (1) inch diameter for the supply line; valves, such as solenoid and manual valves, in sizes ranging from three quarter (¾) inch to two (2) inches; filters, such as in-line filters and sand filters; fittings such as tees, couplings and plugs of various sizes for interconnection of the lines, valves and filters; and electronic controllers for controlling the operation of the irrigation system. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the drip irrigation system provided herein are illustrative only. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these embodiments (such as variations in installation location and orientation of the components of the system, sizes, structures, shapes and proportions of the various components, mounting arrangements, configuration and routing of the lines, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention. According to other alternative embodiments, the drip irrigation system may be used in connection with any environment or facility where a supply of irrigation fluids for plants is desirable. Further, it is readily apparent that variations of the system may be provided in a wide variety of routing configurations, pressure regulation capacities, emitter shapes, sizes, or fluid passage orientations and may be used in agricultural, commercial, institutional, industrial or residential applications. Additionally, the irrigation system may be controlled electronically or manually. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 
     Notwithstanding the format of the claims defining the resulting present invention or the description of the preferred embodiment, the inventor hereof believes the claims should be interpreted to be read as broadly as permitted by the disclosure hereof and the prior art. To this extent, the inventor believes that the claims should be interpreted to protect the inventive irrigation system, methods and plants grown using the system, and business the inventor may have depending on product commercialization relating to such invention. 
     The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the inventions as expressed in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8