CONTINUOUS MOLDED IRRIGATION EMITTER STRIP

摘要

A method and related apparatus for manufacturing a continuous strip member having at least one surface structured with a surface pattern are described, which employs a rotating mold wheel in conjunction with a belt tensioned around and moving with the rotating mold wheel. A continuous bead of molten thermoplastic material is drawn and applied between the rotating mold wheel and the moving belt to extrude the continuous strip member. The mold wheel carries on its outer circumference a structure serving as a series of mold cavities designed to form the surface pattern onto the continuous strip member. The moving belt applies a compressive force onto the molten thermoplastic material thus forcing the material into the mold cavities until the material has sufficiently solidified, thereby taking on the contours of the mold cavities.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing a continuous strip member (16, 20) having at least one surface structured with a surface pattern (31, 32, 33), the method comprising:
drawing a continuous bead of malleable plastic material (15) onto a rotating mold wheel (11); applying said bead of malleable plastic material (15) between said rotating mold wheel (11) and a belt (12) tensioned around and moving with said rotating mold wheel (11); at least one of said mold wheel or said belt carrying on an outer circumference thereof or on an inner surface thereof, respectively, a structure serving as a series of mold cavities designed to form said surface pattern (31, 32, 33) onto said continuous strip member (16, 20); and applying a compressive force with said belt onto said malleable plastic material (15) to force said material into said mold cavities until said material has set.