Irrigation device and system

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an irrigation device and irrigation system. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a weep or tear type irrigation device and irrigation system.

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       26 . An irrigation device, comprising: 
 a flexible soaker hose including a soaker hose flow passageway configured for accommodating water flow through and along a length of said soaker hose, said soaker hose having an open end and a closed end;    a bent support extending continuously along a substantial length of said soaker hose and disposed within said soaker hose flow passageway of said soaker hose, said bent support configured to maintain said soaker hose in a substantially fixed bent configuration during use, said bent support being sized to be less than an inner surface of said soaker hose to provide an annular-like flow passageway between an outer surface of said bent support and an inner surface of said soaker hose, said bent support having a hook-type configuration including a straight portion connected to and extending radially outwardly from a circular-shaped open hoop portion, said bend support being configured to allow said circular-shaped open hoop portion to be changed from one substantially fixed circular bent configuration to another substantially fixed circular bent configuration; and    a hose connector connected to said open end of said soaker hose, and located adjacent an end of said straight portion of said bent support.    
   
   
       27 . A device according to  claim 26 , wherein said bent support extends along the entire length of said soaker hose.  
   
   
       28 . A device according to  claim 26 , wherein said bent support is configured to allow said irrigation device to be further bent so that said closed end overlaps said open end of said soaker hose.  
   
   
       29 . A device according to  claim 26 , wherein said bent support is a further bendable support located within said soaker hose to allow said circular-shaped open hoop portion to be further bent closed.  
   
   
       30 . A device according to  claim 26 , wherein said bent support is a bendable metal support including at least one selected from the group consisting of a conduit, bar, plate, wire, mesh, stranded and spring.  
   
   
       31 . A device according to  claim 30 , wherein said bendable metal support is made from one selected from the group consisting of copper, copper alloy, bronze, aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, steel alloy and galvanized steel.  
   
   
       32 . A device according to  claim 26 , including at least one hose connection connected to said soaker hose.  
   
   
       33 . A device according to  claim 26 , wherein said closed end of said soaker hose is plugged.  
   
   
       34 . A device according to  claim 26 , wherein an upper portion of said soaker hose is configured to be water impermeable to allow water to only soak through and out of a lower portion of said soaker hose.  
   
   
       35 . An irrigation system, comprising: 
 a water supply;    at least one flexible soaker hose configured to be connected to said water supply, said soaker hose including a soaker hose flow passageway configured for accommodating water flow through and along a length of said soaker hose, said soaker hose having an open end and a closed end; and    a bent support extending continuously along a substantial length of said soaker hose and disposed within said soaker hose flow passageway of said soaker hose, said bent support configured to maintain said soaker hose in a substantially fixed bent configuration during use, said bent support being sized to be less than an inner surface of said soaker hose to provide an annular-like flow passageway between an outer surface of said bent support and an inner surface of said soaker hose, said bent support having a hook-type configuration including a straight portion connected to and extending radially outwardly from a circular-shaped open hoop portion, said bend support being configured to allow said circular-shaped open hoop portion to be changed from one substantially fixed circular bent configuration to another substantially fixed circular bent configuration; and    a hose connector connected to said open end of said soaker hose, and located adjacent an end of said straight portion of said bent support.    
   
   
       36 . A system according to  claim 35 , including a supply hose connected to said soaker hose.  
   
   
       37 . A system according to  claim 36 , wherein said supply hose is made of hose material configured not to leak.  
   
   
       38 . A system according to  claim 36 , wherein a plurality of said soaker hose is connected to said supply hose.  
   
   
       39 . A system according to  claim 38 , wherein said supply hose is provided with a plurality of hose connections and said soaker hoses are each provided with a hose connection to allow said soaker hoses to be releasably connected to said supply hose.  
   
   
       40 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein said bent support is a bendable metal support including at least one selected from the group consisting of a conduit, bar, plate, wire, mesh, stranded and spring.  
   
   
       41 . A device according to  claim 40 , wherein said bendable metal support is made from one selected from the group consisting of copper, copper alloy, bronze, aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, steel alloy and galvanized steel.