Subterranean irrigation device and method of using the same

Abstract

A subterranean irrigation system comprises a conduit that is attached to a soaker sheet having upper and lower permeable membranes that define a hollow interior there between. The hollow interior facilitates fluid flow there through while minimizing fluid flow resistance. The sheet typically includes a heat welded side seam along three sides of the upper and lower membranes to prevent the flow of water there through, wherein the remaining edge of the sheet is secured to the conduit. The sheet further includes a plurality of holes cut into the upper and lower membranes, wherein the hole pattern extends over the entire sheet. The holes allow the roots of grass or ground cover to grow through the soaker mat and simultaneously define channels of water flow around the holes between the upper and lower membranes.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A subterranean irrigation system comprising: 
 a conduit adapted for being secured to a fluid source and including a fluid flow aperture positioned therein;    a first permeable membrane secured to said conduit and defining an exposed top, planar surface of said irrigation system; and    a second permeable membrane secured directly to said first permeable membrane and to said conduit and defining an exposed bottom, planar surface of said irrigation system,    wherein said first and second permeable membranes define an enclosed, hollow cavity therebetween wherein said fluid flow aperture communicates with said enclosed, hollow cavity.    
     
     
         2 . The irrigation system of  claim 1  wherein said first permeable membrane includes a plurality of apertures extending there through, wherein said second permeable membrane includes a plurality of apertures extending there through and being positioned aligned with corresponding ones of said plurality of apertures of said first permeable membrane, and wherein said second permeable membrane is secured to said first permeable membrane around each of said plurality of apertures of said first permeable membrane so that said irrigation system defines a pattern of apertures extending there through.  
     
     
         3 . The irrigation system of  claim 1  wherein said fluid flow aperture comprises a slit extending substantially along a length of said conduit.  
     
     
         4 . The irrigation system of  claim 1  wherein said fluid flow aperture comprises a plurality of apertures extending substantially along a length of said conduit.  
     
     
         5 . The irrigation system of  claim 1  wherein said first and second permeable membranes are each manufactured of a material chosen from the group consisting of a polysulfone, a cellulose material, a polyolefin, and a polyetholene.  
     
     
         6 . The irrigation system of  claim 1  wherein said first and second permeable membranes define a first sheet, and wherein said system comprises a plurality of sheets operatively connected to said conduit.  
     
     
         7 . The irrigation system of  claim 1  wherein said pattern of apertures comprises a waffle type pattern.  
     
     
         8 . The irrigation system of  claim 1  wherein said conduit comprises a rigid cylindrical member.  
     
     
         9 . The irrigation system of  claim 1  wherein said conduit is manufactured of a material chosen from the group consisting of metal, polyvinyl chloride, and plastic.  
     
     
         10 . The irrigation system of  claim 2  wherein said enclosed, hollow cavity defines multiple channels of fluid flow extending around said pattern of apertures.  
     
     
         11 . A subterranean, planar irrigation system comprising: 
 a fluid header adapted for being secured to a fluid source and including a fluid outlet positioned therein;    a first permeable membrane secured to said header and defining an exposed first, planar surface of said irrigation system; and    a second membrane secured directly to said first permeable membrane and to said header and defining an exposed second, planar surface of said irrigation system,    wherein said first permeable membrane includes a plurality of apertures extending there through, wherein said second membrane includes a plurality of apertures extending there through and being positioned aligned with corresponding ones of said plurality of apertures of said first permeable membrane, and wherein said second membrane is secured to said first permeable membrane around each of said plurality of apertures of said first permeable membrane so that said irrigation system defines a pattern of apertures extending there through.    
     
     
         12 . The irrigation system of  claim 11  wherein said first and second membranes define an open space there between and wherein said fluid outlet communicates with said open space.  
     
     
         13 . The irrigation system of  claim 11  wherein said first and second membranes define a soaker sheet, and wherein said soaker sheet includes an enlarged aperture extending there through and being adapted for placement around a shrub.  
     
     
         14 . The irrigation system of  claim 11  wherein said second membrane is secured to said first permeable membrane by heat welding along at least a portion of an edge of said second membrane.  
     
     
         15 . The irrigation system of  claim 11  wherein said first permeable membrane includes pores therein, wherein said pores have an average diameter size in a range of 10 nm to 10,000 nm and wherein said first permeable membrane has a width, a length and a thickness, and wherein said thickness is less than ten times smaller than said width and said length.  
     
     
         16 . The irrigation system of  claim 11  wherein said first and second membranes define a soaker sheet, and wherein said soaker sheet is trimmed along an edge to have a predetermined shape.  
     
     
         17 . The irrigation system of  claim 11  wherein said system comprises a plurality of first permeable membranes secured to corresponding ones of a plurality of second membranes, and wherein said system further comprises a patch positioned on at least one of said first membranes.  
     
     
         18 . The irrigation system of  claim 11  wherein said patch is connected directly to said fluid header.  
     
     
         19 . A method of irrigating a lawn area, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an irrigation device including a first permeable planar membrane and a second permeable planar membrane wherein said first and second membranes are secured together to define a hollow cavity there between;    placing said irrigation device on a ground surface;    covering said irrigation device with a living plant ground cover;    providing a fluid flow to said hollow cavity such that the fluid flow passes through said first and second permeable membranes to contact said ground surface and said living plant ground cover.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said irrigation device comprises a plurality of holes extending there through, said holes adapted to allow unhindered root growth through said irrigation device.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said living plant ground cover comprises dirt and grass seed therein.  
     
     
         22 . The irrigation system of  claim 11  wherein said second membrane is secured to said first permeable membrane by adhesive along at least a portion of an edge of said second membrane.