Water distributing tube

Claim 2

A tube for use in distributing water along the length of the tube, said tube having a plurality of outlets located along its length, said tube being formed of an impervious material, in which the improvement comprises: means securing walls of said tube together within the interior of said tube adjacent to each of said outlets so as to restrict the flow of water to each of said outlets from the interior of said tube, the interior of said tube being open past said means.

Claim 3

A tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said means are lines joining interior walls within said tube together so as to define at least one flow passage leading from the interior of said tube to each of said outlets, said flow passages of each of said means being sufficiently small so as to provide resistance to flow from within the interior of said tube to each of said outlets.

Claim 4

A tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said means are a series of points joining interior walls within said tube together so as to define a multiplicity of tortuous flow paths leading from the interior of said tube to each of said outlets, said flow paths of each of said means being sufficiently small so as to provide resistance to water flow from within the interior of said tube to each of said outlets.

Claim 5

A tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said means are groups of lines joining interior walls within said tube together adjacent to each of said openings so as to define a labyrinth type of flow passage leading from the interior of said tube to each of said outlets, said flow passages of said means being sufficiently small so as to provide resistance to flow from within the interior of said tube to each of said outlets.

Claim 6

A tube as claimed in claim 4 wherein: said flow passages have ''''dead end'''' areas which tend to trap and hold sediment as water flows through said flow passages so as to minimize clogging within these flow passages.

Claim 7

A tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said tube is formed of a biodegradable composition and is capable of being broken up by an agricultural implement.

Claim 8

A tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said outlets are outlet openings located centrally of said tube.

Claim 9

A tube as claimed in claim 1 including: extensions extending from said tube capable of being utilized to cover areas to both sides of said tube around said outlets so as to inhibit plant growth under said extensions.

Claim 10

A tube as claimed in claim 1 including: extensions extending from remote sides of said tube capable of being utilized to cover areas around said outlets so as to inhibit plant growth under said extensions, and wherein, said tube and said eXtensions are integrally formed of a biodegradable composition capable of being broken up by an agricultural implement, said outlets are outlet openings through which plants are capable of growing during the use of said tube, and said means are lines joining interior walls within said tube together so as to define at least one flow passage leading from the interior of said tube to each of said outlets, said flow passages of each of said means being sufficiently small so as to provide resistance to flow from within the interior of said tube to each of said outlets.

Claim 11

A tube as claimed in claim 1 including: extensions extending from remote sides of said tube capable of being utilized to cover areas around said outlets so as to inhibit plant growth under said extensions, and wherein, said tube and said extensions are integrally formed of a biodegradable composition capable of being broken up by an agricultural implement, said outlets are outlet openings through which plants are capable of growing during the use of said tube, and said means are a series of points joining interior walls within said tube together so as to define a multiplicity of tortuous flow paths leading from the interior of said tube to each of said outlets, said flow paths of each of said means being sufficiently small so as to provide resistance to water flow from within the interior of said tube to each of said outlets.

Claim 12

A tube as claimed in claim 1 including: extensions extending from remote sides of said tube capable of being utilized to cover areas around said outlets so as to inhibit plant growth under said extensions, and wherein, said tube and said extensions are integrally formed of a biodegradable composition capable of being broken up by an agricultural implement, said outlets are outlet openings through which plants are capable of growing during the use of said tube, and said means are groups of lines joining interior walls within said tube together adjacent to each of said openings so as to define a labyrinth type of flow passage leading from the interior of said tube to each of said outlets, said flow passages of said means being sufficiently small so as to provide resistance to flow from within the interior of said tube to each of said outlets.

Claim 13

A tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said means securing walls of said tube together are located so as to define flow channels of a uniform cross-sectional configuration located parallel to one another along the edges of said walls, and said outlets are located midway between said flow channels so as to be spaced from both of said flow channels by said means.

Claim 14

A tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said tube is integrally formed of a biodegradable composition capable of being broken up by an agricultural implement, said means securing said walls together are located so as to define flow channels of a uniform cross-sectional configuration located parallel to one another along the edges of said walls and so as to define a distribution channel located midway between said flow channels, and said outlets are openings within said distribution channel.