Nelson Irrigation Corporation

Micro Irrigation Technologies, Inc.

Nelson Irrigation Corporaton

Theodore J Bren

Charles R Harrold

Craig B Nelson

George L Sesser

Lee A Perkins

Paul D Davisson

A packaging/inspection system is provided for a nozzle pivot package including a collection of nozzles in various nozzle sizes. The packaging/inspection system includes a shelf assembly with a plurality of compartments, an operator load track, a verification section downstream of the operator load track, a marking section downstream of the verification section, and an operator unload track downstream of the marking section. Each compartment may store nozzles of a specific nozzle size. Features of the shelf assembly alert the operator as to which compartment should be accessed and how many nozzles from the compartment are required.

Packaging/inspection system for a nozzle pivot package

A sprinkler head includes a base; an elongated stem having an inlet supported within the base; a nozzle and a stream deflector supported within the stem, the nozzle and stream deflector cooperating to define an arcuate orifice; a water distribution plate supported on one end of a shaft extending upwardly from the base, the water distribution plate located in axially spaced relationship to the nozzle and adapted to be impinged by a stream emitted from the nozzle. An externally threaded sleeve is fixed to an opposite end of the shaft; and an elastomeric throttle control member constructed with a smooth through-bore is engaged over the externally threaded sleeve to self-tap along the previously smooth bore. The throttle member is prevented from rotating such that rotation of the shaft causes the throttle control member to move axially relative to a flow restriction portion in the inlet, to thereby adjust flow rate through the stem and the nozzle.

Adjustable arc, adjustable flow rate sprinkler

A process for forming irrigation drip tape includes, broadly, the steps of a) supplying a longitudinally continuous strip of flexible plastic material in a first direction; b) heating a narrow band of the strip along a longitudinal axis thereof; c) depositing a continuous bead of material on an upper surface of the strip, along the narrow band, while the strip moves in the one direction; d) cooling the strip and the bead; e) folding the strip longitudinally so that the longitudinal edges overlap; and f) sealing said longitudinal edges to form a tubular drip tape with a longitudinal, overlapped seam, with the bead extending parallel to the seam and in opposed, facing relationship thereto. Apparatus for carrying out the process includes a first supply station adapted to supply a continuous length of flexible material; a second station including a trimmer roll and a pair of associated knife blades arranged to trim opposite longitudinal edges of the material to form a strip of predetermined width: a third station including a slitter wheel arranged to cut axially spaced longitudinal slits in the strip; a fourth station for applying a pre-formed bead of material onto a surface of the strip, the bead having one or more secondary flow paths formed therein; and a fifth station including a plurality of rollers arranged to wrap the strip about a mandrel into tubular form; a nozzle arranged to apply an adhesive bead along one of the longitudinal edges of the strip; and at least one pressure roller for applying pressure along the longitudinal edge to form a bonded seam between the longitudinal edges of the strip.

Apparatus for forming agricultural drip tape

Drip tape manufacturing process

A process for forming irrigation drip tape includes, broadly, the steps of a) supplying a longitudinally continuous strip of flexible plastic material in a first direction; b) heating a narrow band of the strip along a longitudinal axis thereof; c) depositing a continuous bead of material on an upper surface of the strip, along the narrow band, while the strip moves in the one direction; d) cooling the strip and the bead; e) folding the strip longitudinally so that the longitudinal edges overlap; and f) sealing said longitudinal edges to form a tubular drip tape with a longitudinal, overlapped seam, with the bead extending parallel to the seam and in opposed, facing relationship thereto. Apparatus for carrying out the process includes a first supply station adapted to supply a continuous length of flexible material; a second station including a trimmer roll and a pair of associated knife blades arranged to trim opposite longitudinal edges of the material to form a strip of predetermined width; a third station including a slitter wheel arranged to cut axially spaced longitudinal slits in the strip; a fourth station for applying a pre-formed bead of material onto a surface of the strip, the bead having one or more secondary flow paths formed therein; and a fifth station including a plurality of rollers arranged to wrap the strip about a mandrel into tubular form; a nozzle arranged to apply an adhesive bead along one of the longitudinal edges of the strip; and at least one pressure roller for applying pressure along the longitudinal edge to form a bonded seam between the longitudinal edges of the strip.

A process for forming irrigation drip tape includes, broadly, the steps of a) supplying a longitudinally continuous strip of flexible plastic material in a first direction; b) heating a narrow band of the strip along a longitudinal axis thereof; c) depositing a continuous bead of material on an upper surface of the strip, along the narrow band, while the strip moves in the one direction; d) cooling the strip and the bead; e) folding the strip longitudinally so that the longitudinal edges overlap; and f) sealing said longitudinal edges to form a tubular drip tape with a longitudinal, overlapped seam, with the bead extending parallel to the seam and in opposed, facing relationship thereto. Apparatus for carrying out the process includes a first supply station adapted to supply a continuous length of flexible material; a second station including a trimmer roll and a pair of associated knife blades arranged to trim opposite longitudinal edges of the material to form a strip of predetermined width; a third station including a slitter wheel arranged to cut axially spaced longitudinal slits in the strip; a fourth station for applying a preformed bead of material onto a surface of the strip, the bead having one or more secondary flow paths formed therein; and a fifth station including a plurality of rollers arranged to wrap the strip about a mandrel into tubular form; a nozzle arranged to apply an adhesive bead along one of the longitudinal edges of the strip; and at least one pressure roller for applying pressure along the longitudinal edge to form a bonded seam between the longitudinal edges of the strip.

Growing community of inventors

Walla Walla, WA, United States of America

Theodore J Bren