Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for fabricating drip irrigation tape from a water impervious polyethelene film. A shaping assembly with a water-cooled vacuum drum preforms a groove along one edge, a folding device folds the strip lengthwise to form a first conduit, and a sealing assembly with an electrically-heated heat sealing wheel joins the edges along opposite sides of the groove to form a seam in which the groove defines a secondary conduit that is resistant to deformation. Flat spots on a pair of outwardly-extending annular ribs around the circumference of the heat sealing wheel produce breaks in the seam for inlet ports and outlet ports.

Abstract: The formation of tubular objects by spirally winding and seaming a relatively rigid strip of plastics material. A sealing flap (15, 215) along one longitudinal edge (5, 25) of the strip, and an engaging surface (16, 216) along the other edge (11, 211) positioned close to but separate from the interlocking portions (8 and 12, 28, 212) of these longitudinal edges. The provision of these sealing flaps and engaging surfaces permit the interlocking portions at the edges to be designed independent of the ability of these interlocking portions to create a fluid seal. This results in optimum operation of these interlocking portions to, for example, permit relatively rapid changes in the diameter of the tube as it is formed, as well as subsequent to its formation.

Abstract: The method of forming tubes from strip in which a complementary rib and groove are spaced apart to each extend longitudinally on the strip and oppositely facing on the said strip characterized by guiding the strip into a helical configuration to overlap the edges of the said strip, and pressing together the overlapping parts of the said strip while maintaining a differential pressure in the direction of feed to force the strip together under such differential pressure.

Abstract: The method of forming tubes from strip in which a complementary rib and groove are spaced apart to each extend longitudinally on the strip and oppositely facing on the said strip characterized by guiding the strip into a helical configuration to overlap the edges of the said strip, and pressing together the overlapping parts of the said strip while maintaining a differential pressure in the direction of feed to force the strip together under such differential pressure.

Abstract: A continuous drip irrigation tube having a series of longitudinally extending capillary tubes formed on its wall integrally with said wall.

Abstract: A method of forming holes in plastic tubes which includes advancing a rotating shaft into and through the wall of the tube while maintaining a rate of rotation sufficient to cause the material of the tube to be distressed sufficiently to fluidize and/or disintegrate from the area of operation of the shaft, moving the shaft from the hole, and allowing the periphery of the hole to solidify.

Abstract: A small hole may be formed in a wall of a flexible member or structure such as a tube of a thermoplastic material by an apparatus including a rotating wheel by a laser beam source directed towards the wheel, and rotating reflecting means for reflecting the beam from this source so as to direct the beam towards a specific area of the flexible member. Preferably the flexible member is held against a surface of the wheel as the beam is directed so as to engage only a single point on the surface of the flexible member.

Abstract: A connector for use with flexible tubing comprising first and second coupling sections. The first coupling section has a head and a shank with the head being adapted to be forced through an opening in the wall of the tubing. The second coupling section has a shoulder and can be attached to the first coupling section so that the head and the shoulder clamp a region of the wall of the tubing to provide a strong mechanical connection and a substantially fluid tight connection between the connector and the tubing.