Patent ID: 12193367

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

Attention is drawn toFIGS.1A and1Bschematically illustrating a drip irrigation emitter10. Drip irrigation emitter10in this example may be formed from two members12,14and may include a membrane16that in the assembled state of the emitter (FIG.1A) may be located sandwiched in-between the two members.

The two members12,14may include an emitter cover member12and an emitter base member14. The emitter cover member12has an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface of the emitter cover member12is configured to be attached to an inner surface of an irrigation pipe and may comprise an exit pool. Meanwhile, the inner surface of the emitter cover member12may comprise a labyrinth-like flow path in fluid communication with a collection pool; an outlet hole connects the collection pool on the inner surface to the exit pool on the outer surface. The emitter base member14is configured to face the lumen of an irrigation pipe carrying irrigation liquid, and permit irrigation fluid to enter the drip irrigation emitter10. Accordingly, the emitter base member14is provided with an inlet with a filter configured to prevent particulate matter from entering the assembled drip irrigation emitter10.

Membrane16in this example may be used for controlling liquid flow out of emitter10so that it is substantially independent of pressure at an inlet of the emitter for a range of pressures typically encountered in irrigation applications. In the assembled drip irrigation emitter, the membrane16covers the collection pool to form a pressure regulating chamber, and also cover the labyrinth-like flow path.

In an embodiment, membrane may be formed from silicone material, for example LSR material—that may be susceptible to changes in its characteristics due to use e.g. for long periods of time in exposure to water, e.g., waste water and/or water with Chlorine and/or Acid and/or Low PH (or the like).

Attention is drawn toFIG.2. Silicone-based membranes suitable for use in drip irrigation emitters are formed in an injection molding process. LSR material is typically fed via a hopper18into an injection molding machine20that in turn injects molten silicone material into a mold22where the final shape is set.

In experiments that were performed, it has been found that by adding ferric oxide to the LSR being fed to the injection molding machine, a silicone-based membrane with improved characteristics for use in irrigation applications can be obtained. Ferric oxide is the inorganic compound with the formula Fe2O3.

Experiments revealed that a silicone-based membrane with improved resistance for irrigation applications, can be obtained by feeding into an injection molding machine, LSR material that includes Ferric oxide in volumetric percentage ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.5% of the overall volume of the combined used silicone-based material and Ferric oxide, and possible from about 0.15% to about 0.3% of the overall volume of the combined used silicone-based material and Ferric oxide.

In one example, an addition of about 1.5% in volumetric % of the trade named ELASTOSIL® Color Paste FL3013 Red iron oxide of Wacker Chemie AG (https://www.wacker.com/cms/en-de/home/home.html, retrieved Nov. 1, 2021) has been found to increase resistance of the injected silicone-based membranes for irrigation applications.

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.

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.

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 cannot be used to advantage.

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.

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.