Method for splicing drip irrigation hoses using splicing means internal to the hoses

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention is a method for splicing together a pair of drop irrigation hoses using splicing means internal to the pair of hoses. The pair of hoses are joined in axial alignment to form a junction with the splicing means interposed internal to each hose. A splicing means is bonded to an inside surface of each hose to fashion the pair of hoses and splicing means into a unitary structure using means for fixing the splicing means to another surface. A seal is formed using means for sealing circumferentially at the junction to create a water-tight seal.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for splicing together a pair of drip irrigation hoses using means for splicing internal to the pair of hoses, comprising the steps of: 
       joining the pair of hoses in axial alignment to form a junction with the splicing means interposed internal to each hose;  
       bonding the splicing means to a first circumferential portion of an inside surface of each hose to fashion the pair of hoses and splicing means into a unitary structure; and  
       forming a seal using means for sealing circumferentially at the junction to create a water-tight seal wherein the splicing means prevents a second circumferential portion of the inside surfaces of the hoses opposite to the splicing means from bonding to said splicing means during the forming of the seal.  
     
     
       2. A method according to claim  1 , wherein the step of joining further comprises overlapping the pair of hoses to form the junction. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim  1 , wherein the step of joining further comprises butting together ends of the pair of hoses to form the junction. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim  1 , wherein the step of joining further comprises adding material to form the junction. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim  1 , wherein the hoses define an irrigation track longitudinally along one wall of each hose and the splicing means is interposed on an inside surface of a wall opposite the track. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim  1 , wherein the step of bonding further comprises the steps of: 
       pressing the pair of hoses together using the fusing means around the junction; and  
       fusing the splicing means to each hose using fusing means to cause the splicing means to bond with the inside surface of each hose.  
     
     
       7. A method according to claim  6 , wherein the fusing means comprises a thermal impulse heat sealer. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim  1 , wherein the step of forming a seal further comprises the steps of: 
       fusing a bottom half of the junction using the sealing means; and  
       fusing an upper half of the junction using the sealing means.  
     
     
       9. A method according to claim  8 , wherein the sealing means comprises a thermal impulse heat sealer. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim  1 , further comprising the step of forming a pair of secondary seals parallel to either side of the circumferential seal and centered on an outer surface of each hose aligned with an end of the splicing means. 
     
     
       11. A method according to claim  10 , wherein the secondary seals are formed on an underside of each hose. 
     
     
       12. A method for splicing together a pair of drip irrigation hoses using a splicing insert internal to the pair of the hoses, comprising the steps of: 
       preheating each hose;  
       inserting approximately half of the splicing insert into one hose;  
       connecting the pair of hoses by inserting the other half of the splicing insert into the other hose, the pair of hoses being axially aligned and forming a junction;  
       heating the pair of hoses around the junction to fuse the splicing insert to only a circumferential portion of an inside surface of each hose proximate the junction; and  
       fusing the junction circumferentially to create a primary water-tight seal.  
     
     
       13. A method according to claim  12 , wherein the pair of hoses define an irrigation track longitudinally along one wall of each hose and the splicing insert is fused to an inside surface of each hose on a wall opposite the track. 
     
     
       14. A method according to claim  13 , wherein the step of connecting further comprises offsetting each track whereby the spliced hoses define a discontinuous track. 
     
     
       15. A method according to claim  12 , wherein the splicing insert comprises a bonding surface, the method further comprising the step of folding the splicing insert transversely with a slight offset from center with the bonding surface facing inwardly to facilitate proper insertion of the splicing insert into a hose. 
     
     
       16. A method according to claim  12 , wherein the connecting step further comprises the step of overlapping the pair of hoses to form the junction. 
     
     
       17. A method according to claim  12 , wherein the step of connecting further comprises butting together ends of the pair of hoses to form the junction. 
     
     
       18. A method according to claim  12 , wherein the step of connecting further comprises adding material to form the junction. 
     
     
       19. A method according to claim  12 , further comprising the step of forming a pair of secondary seals parallel to the primary seal on an outer surface of the pair of hoses and centered over an end of the splicing insert. 
     
     
       20. A method according to claim  12 , wherein a plurality of irrigation slits is formed longitudinally along one wall of each hose, the method further comprising the step of cutting each hose at a location approximately equidistant between a pair of the irrigation slits. 
     
     
       21. A method for splicing together a pair of drip irrigation hoses comprising the steps of: 
       inserting a first end of a splicing insert into an end of a collapsible first hose to be spliced;  
       inserting a second end of the splicing insert into an end of a collapsible second hose to be spliced;  
       bonding the insert to an inside surface of each hose;  
       collapsing the hose ends over the bonded insert by applying pressure over the hose ends; and  
       heating the collapsed hose ends fusing the hose ends together creating a splice.  
     
     
       22. A method according to claim  21  wherein the splicing insert prevents the hoses from bonding shut when collapsed. 
     
     
       23. A method according to claim  21  wherein the splicing insert has only one activatable bondable surface and wherein the step of bonding further comprises the step of activating the bondable surface for bonding the splicing insert to the inside surface of each hose. 
     
     
       24. A method according to claim  23  wherein the bondable surface is heat activatable and the step of activating the bondable surface comprises the step of heating the bondable surface. 
     
     
       25. A method according to claim  23  wherein the step of activating the bondable surface comprises the step of applying pressure to the bondable surface. 
     
     
       26. A method according to claim  21  further comprising the step of centering the insert between the first and second hoses. 
     
     
       27. A method according to claim  26  wherein the splicing insert has a bondable surface and wherein the centering step comprises the steps of: 
       folding the insert on to itself, forming a crease dividing the insert into a first lower portion and a second upper portion wherein the first portion extends a predetermined distance beyond the second portion forming an offset;  
       unfolding the insert;  
       inserting the insert first portion into the end of the first hose, aligning the crease with the end of the first hose and positioning the bondable surface of the folded insert first portion to make contact with a lower surface of the first hose;  
       inserting the insert second portion into the end of the second hose; and  
       sliding the end of the second hose over the end of the first hose overlapping the end of the first hose by a distance approximately equal to the predetermined distance of the offset.  
     
     
       28. A method according to claim  21  wherein the pair of hoses have an irrigation track longitudinally along a first wall of each hose and wherein the step of bonding comprising bonding the insert to an inner surface of a wall opposite the first wall. 
     
     
       29. A method according to claim  21  wherein each hose has outlets along its irrigation track, the method further comprising the step of cutting each hose perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis at a location centered between outlets forming the hose end to be spliced. 
     
     
       30. A method for splicing together a pair of irrigation hoses comprising: 
       
         inserting a first end of a splicing insert into an end of a first hose to be spliced;  
       
       
         inserting a second end of the splicing insert into an end of a second hose to be spliced;  
       
       
         collapsing the hose ends over the insert by applying pressure over the hose ends; and  
       
       
         heating the collapsed hose ends fusing the hose ends together creating a splice wherein the insert prevents opposite points of a hose on either side of the insert from being bonded to each other. 
       
     
     
       31. A method as recited in claim  30  further comprising centering the insert between the first and second hoses. 
     
     
       32. A method according to claim  31  wherein the operation of centering comprises: 
       
         folding the insert on to itself, forming a crease dividing the insert into a first lower portion and a second upper portion wherein the first portion extends a predetermined distance beyond the second portion forming an offset;  
       
       
         unfolding the insert;  
       
       
         inserting the insert first portion into the end of the first hose, aligning the crease with the end of the first hose;  
       
       
         inserting the insert second portion into the end of the second hose; and  
       
       
         sliding the end of the second hose over the end of the first hose overlapping the end of the first hose by a distance approximately equal the predetermined distance of the offset. 
       
     
     
       33. A method as recited in claim  30  wherein the insert comprises a surface that does not bond to the hoses. 
     
     
       34. A method as recited in claim  30  further comprising passing water through the spliced hoses. 
     
     
       35. A method as recited in claim  30  wherein the splice is water tight splice. 
     
     
       36. A method for splicing together a pair of irrigation hoses comprising: 
       
         inserting a splicing insert into a splicing end of a first hose to be spliced;  
       
       
         placing the splicing end of the first hose within a splicing end of a second hose to be spliced forming an overlap section;  
       
       
         collapsing the overlap section causing the splicing end of the second hose to collapse over the splicing end of the first hose causing the splicing end of the first hose to collapse over the insert; and  
       
       
         heating the collapsed hose ends fusing the second hose splicing end to the first hose splicing end creating a splice wherein the insert prevents opposite points of the first hose from being bonded to each other. 
       
     
     
       37. A method as recited in claim  36  wherein the step of collapsing comprises the step of applying pressure to the outer surface of the second hose splicing end. 
     
     
       38. A method as recited in claim  36  wherein the insert comprises a non- bondable surface.   
     
     
       39. A method as recited in claim  36  further comprising the step of bonding a surface of the insert to an inner surface of the first hose splicing end. 
     
     
       40. A method as recited in claim  39  wherein the surface of the insert opposite the surface of the insert bonded to the inner surface of the first hose splicing end does not bond to any surface of the first hose splicing end. 
     
     
       41. A method as recited in claim  36  further comprising passing water through the spliced hoses. 
     
     
       42. A method as recited in claim  36  wherein the splice is water tight splice. 
     
     
       43. A method for splicing together a pair of hoses comprising: 
       
         folding a splicing insert onto itself, forming a crease dividing the insert into a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion extends a predetermined distance beyond the second portion forming an offset;  
       
       
         unfolding the insert;  
       
       
         inserting the insert first portion into the end of the first hose, aligning the crease with the end of the first hose;  
       
       
         inserting the insert second portion into the end of the second hose; and  
       
       
         sliding the end of the second hose over the end of the first hose overlapping the end of the first hose by a distance approximately equal the predetermined distance of the offset;  
       
       
         collapsing the hose ends over the insert by applying pressure over the hose ends; and  
       
       
         heating the collapsed hose ends fusing the hose ends together creating a splice wherein the insert prevents opposite points of a hose on either side of the insert from being bonded to each other.