Method of manufacturing an irrigation implement

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an irrigation implement may include receiving tubing. The tubing may be conventional plastic irrigation tubing. The tubing may be cut to form a first end of an irrigation implement. The tubing may be cut to form a second end of the irrigation implement. Either the first end or the second end of the tubing may be pinched in forming the irrigation implement. The pinched end of the tubing may be sealed in forming the irrigation implement. In an embodiment, the pinched end may be heat sealed to form the irrigation implement.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing an irrigation implement, comprising:
 receiving tubing;   cutting the tubing to form a first end of an irrigation implement;   cutting the tubing to form a second end of the irrigation implement;   pinching either the first end or the second end of the tubing in forming the irrigation implement; and   sealing the pinched end of the tubing to form the irrigation implement.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein pinching and sealing are performed simultaneously by heating the end of the tubing being pinched to cause the pinched region of the tubing to melt together. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising forming an opening in the tubing to be positioned toward the pinched end. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein forming the opening includes punching a circular opening sized to receive and engage an irrigation tube such that the opening is sealed by the irrigation tube. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein forming the opening includes forming the opening within 7.62 cm (3-inches) of the second end of the irrigation implement. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein receiving the tubing includes receiving plastic tubing. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein cutting the first end and cutting the second end of the tube are performed within 30.48 cm (12-inches) of one another. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein receiving tubing includes receiving tubing having an inner diameter between 1.27 cm (½-inch) and 2.54 cm (1-inch) in diameter. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein receiving the tubing includes receiving a plastic irrigation hose. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein receiving a plastic irrigation hose includes receiving a plastic irrigation hose from a spool. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 wherein receiving tubing includes receiving tubing that defines a single opening defined along the tubing between the first end and the second end of the irrigation implement; and   wherein pinching either the first end or the second end of the tubing includes pinching either the first end or the second end at a distance sufficiently far from the single opening such that the single opening is oriented entirely along a longitudinal-oriented portion of a sidewall and closer to the pinched first end or second end than the non-pinched first end or second end.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein pinching either the first end or the second end of the tubing includes forming a heated pinched seal at either the first end or the second end. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein receiving tubing that defines a single opening includes receiving tubing that defines a single opening sized to receive an irrigation tube such that when the irrigation tube is inserted into the single opening that the irrigation tube seals the single opening.