Inline dripper with micro-tube connector

Abstract

An irrigation apparatus comprises an in-line dripper insert having a support for attaching a micro tube to the dripper outlet. A fluid conduit in which the insert is placed has an aperture in line with the support. The support may comprise a projection for securing a micro tube thereto, a sleeve for securing a micro tube or a connector thereto, or a shoulder for supporting the attachment of a connector to the fluid conduit at the aperture. The dripper insert is secured to the inner surface of the fluid conduit and is contained entirely therein. After detachment of the micro tubes, the main fluid line may be easily reeled or otherwise handled. The internal dripper provides structural internal support to the main fluid conduit when external pressure is applied to the line, such as when a micro tube or a connector is forced against the fluid line to be connected thereto.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An irrigation apparatus comprising an insert adapted to be received within a fluid conduit and having an outer surface mountable in physical contact with an inner surface of the fluid conduit, said insert including a support adapted for supporting a lateral tube element extending through an aperture in the fluid conduit when said support is positioned adjacent the aperture and a fluid passageway extending between the interior of the fluid conduit and the aperture.  
     
     
         2 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said support comprises a recess adapted to frictionally engage an end of a tube and said fluid passageway extends into the recess.  
     
     
         3 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising the fluid conduit and wherein the recess is substantially the same size as the aperture.  
     
     
         4 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said support comprises a stem adapted to frictionally engage an end of a tube and said fluid passageway extends through said stem.  
     
     
         5 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising the fluid conduit and a tube extending through the aperture wherein the tube is smaller than the aperture.  
     
     
         6 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said support comprises a recess adapted to receive a tube connector and said fluid passageway extends into the recess.  
     
     
         7 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising the fluid conduit and wherein said support is positioned within the fluid conduit adjacent to the aperture and includes a shoulder positioned against the inner surface of the fluid conduit providing internal support to said inner surface around the aperture.  
     
     
         8 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a connector extending through the aperture into the recess and a tube connected to said connector.  
     
     
         9 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said shoulder has a perimeter larger than the aperture.  
     
     
         10 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a tube connected to said support and said fluid passageway extends into the tube.  
     
     
         11 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said insert is bonded to said inner surface.  
     
     
         12 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said insert is an in-line drip emitter and said fluid passageway is fluid-flow restricting and has an outlet opening in said support.  
     
     
         13 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said support is chosen from the group consisting of a projection positioned within a recess, an insert-receiving recess, and a shoulder for supporting the attachment of a connector to the fluid conduit at the aperture.  
     
     
         14 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a fluid conduit including an aperture therein, wherein said elongate insert is positioned within said fluid conduit and said support is aligned with said aperture.  
     
     
         15 . The irrigation apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said fluid conduit includes an inner surface, and said support includes a shoulder positioned in water tight contact against the inner surface of the fluid conduit.  
     
     
         16 . A method of assembling an irrigation apparatus comprising the steps of: 
 providing an irrigation fluid conduit including an inner surface;    securing an insert to the inner surface of the fluid conduit;    forming an aperture in the fluid conduit adjacent to the insert;    extending an end of a tube element through the aperture; and    supporting the end of the tube element extending through the aperture relative to the insert.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said step of supporting further comprises the step of attaching the end of the tube element to the insert.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said step of attaching comprises frictionally engaging an inner surface of the tube element to the insert.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said step of attaching comprises frictionally engaging an outer surface of the tube element to the insert.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said step of supporting further comprises the step of attaching the end of the tube element to the fluid conduit.