In line button drip emitter

Abstract

A drip irrigation emitter may be provided with a coupler for bonding to an inner surface of a conduit. The emitter may include for example a button flow restrictor. The coupler may optionally provide an outlet zone on the conduit surface that is large enough for automated perforation. Bonding the emitter to the surface of the conduit may have a minimal effect on the dimensions and/or properties of the conduit. A button drip irrigation emitter may optionally include a two part labyrinth. The labyrinth may for example be confined between a cylindrical surface and a cover and/or wind between intermeshing baffles on the cover and/or the surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drip emitter for bonding to an inner surface of a conduit over a less than the circumference thereof of comprising:
 a cover including,
 a fluid inlet; and 
 a cylindrical cavity; 
   a body including,
 a cylindrical portion inserted into said cylindrical cavity; 
 a protruding portion, protruding from one end of said cylindrical cavity; and 
 terminating with a closed perimeter fluid outlet zone;
 said closed perimeter fluid outlet zone having a width between 50% to 100% of the diameter of said cylindrical portion; and 
 said protruding portion indicating an orientation of said closed perimeter fluid outlet zone; and 
 
 a regulator in communication with a fluid outlet and comprising a flexible membrane; and 
   a labyrinth flow path confined between an outer surface of said body and an inner surface of said cylindrical cavity, said labyrinth flow path connecting said fluid inlet to said regulator.   
     
     
         2 . The drip emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said closed perimeter fluid outlet zone has a width of between 2 mm and 10 mm. 
     
     
         3 . A drip irrigation system comprising a plurality of drip emitters according to  claim 1  attached to an inner surface of an irrigation tube, said tube including a plurality of openings, each said opening surrounded by said closed perimeter bonding surface of a respective emitter of said plurality drip emitters. 
     
     
         4 . The drip emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said body and said cover are separate elements. 
     
     
         5 . The drip emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said body is a molded element and said cover is a molded element and said body and said cover are molded separately. 
     
     
         6 . The drip emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said labyrinth flow path is defined by a channel formed on said cylindrical surface of said body. 
     
     
         7 . The drip emitter of  claim 1  wherein said closed perimeter fluid outlet zone bounded by a rim having an arched profile which lies on a substantially cylindrical virtual surface, wherein an axis of said substantially cylindrical virtual surface is substantially perpendicular to a main axis of said cylindrical element. 
     
     
         8 . The drip emitter of  claim 7 , wherein a curvature of the arched profile matches a curvature of the inner surface of the conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The drip emitter of  claim 7 , wherein said cover further includes:
 a bonding surface for bonding said cover to the inner surface of the conduit; and   an additional orientation element for aligning said bonding surface with said substantially cylindrical virtual surface.   
     
     
         10 . The drip emitter of  claim 9 , wherein said bonding surface of said cover has having an arched profile which lies on a substantially cylindrical virtual surface, wherein an axis of said substantially cylindrical virtual surface is substantially perpendicular to a main axis of said cylindrical element. 
     
     
         11 . The drip emitter of  claim 9 , wherein a curvature of the arched profile matches a curvature of the inner surface of the conduit. 
     
     
         12 . The drip emitter of  claim 1 , including a self contained button flow restrictor. 
     
     
         13 . The drip emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said orientation a flat surface on said protruding element indicates orientation for alignment with an axis of the conduit. 
     
     
         14 . The drip emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said regulator includes:
 a regulating surface on said body;   a regulator outlet in said regulating surface   a regulator chamber formed between said regulating surface and a first side of said flexible membrane; said regulating chamber in fluid communication with an outlet of said labyrinth and   and wherein a second side of said flexible is exposed to fluid pressure from said conduit.   
     
     
         15 . The drip emitter of  claim 14 , wherein said regulating surface includes a regulator labyrinth. 
     
     
         16 . The drip emitter of  claim 14 , wherein said regulating surface is concave. 
     
     
         17 . The drip emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said labyrinth flow path winds along said outer surface of said body. 
     
     
         18 . The drip emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said outer surface of said body includes a curved outer side wall of a cylinder. 
     
     
         19 . The drip emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said inner surface of said cylindrical cavity includes a curved inner side wall of a cylinder. 
     
     
         20 . The drip emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said outer surface of said body is substantially cylindrical.