U.S. patent application number 14/467352 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-25 for methods for controlling weeds and water using a bag filled with landscaping material.
The applicant listed for this patent is R & J East, Inc.. Invention is credited to James Earl Hawkinson, Robert Neal Alfred Hawkinson.
Application Number | 20140377005 14/467352 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49756049 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140377005 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hawkinson; Robert Neal Alfred ;
et al. |
December 25, 2014 |
Methods for Controlling Weeds and Water Using a Bag Filled with
Landscaping Material
Abstract
A bag constructed of a weed suppression material for packaging a
ground cover material. When the bag is in a closed configuration,
the bag serves as a container for shipping, handling, and storage
of the ground cover material. When the bag is opened and unfolded,
and the ground cover material within the bag is spread over the
opened and unfolded bag, the bag serves as a layer of weed
suppression material on top of underlying soil and beneath the
ground cover. In addition, the bag may be used for planting
individual plants in a planting bed, for establishing a buffer zone
around the foundation of a building, or for controlling erosion
around a downspout of a building.
Inventors: |
Hawkinson; Robert Neal Alfred;
(Orange Park, FL) ; Hawkinson; James Earl; (Orange
Park, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
R & J East, Inc. |
Jacksonville |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49756049 |
Appl. No.: |
14/467352 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13959204 |
Aug 5, 2013 |
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|
14467352 |
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|
12795841 |
Jun 8, 2010 |
8522476 |
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13959204 |
|
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|
61219137 |
Jun 22, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
405/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 31/00 20130101;
A01G 13/0268 20130101; A01G 13/0281 20130101; E02B 7/005 20130101;
E02D 17/202 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/16 |
International
Class: |
E02B 7/00 20060101
E02B007/00; E02D 31/00 20060101 E02D031/00 |
Claims
1. A method for preventing erosion of soil adjacent a water
discharge opening: a. providing a bag that has a front panel and a
back panel having edges and joined along the edges, that is
constructed of water permeable, non-degradable bag material, and
that is filled with rock material; and b. placing the bag under the
water discharge opening so that the water discharged from the
downspout impinges on the front panel of the bag and the back panel
of the bag frictionally engages the soil.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the bag material is selected from
the group comprising a sheet of perforated plastic or cloth
fabric.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the bag material includes an
additive selected from the group comprising a pesticide, an
insecticide, or a herbicide.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/959,204, filed Aug. 5, 2013, which is a
continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/795,841, filed Jun. 8, 2010, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to a bag for packaging
landscaping material, and more particularly to methods for using
the bag for weed suppression, pest control, and water control.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In a planting bed for flowers and/or vegetables, a ground
cover material, including mulches and rock material, composted soil
(garden soil or potting soil), and ground synthetic particles, is
often spread on top of the soil among the flowering plants and/or
the vegetables plants. The ground cover material offers several
advantages. The ground cover can be selected to maintain soil
moisture or to inhibit soil compaction. In the case of flower beds,
the ground cover material can be selected to create a pleasing
aesthetic appearance to show off the flowers.
[0004] In order to lower the maintenance required for planting
beds, particularly to inhibit the growth of weeds in the planting
beds, a separate weed suppression material is often laid on top of
the soil and under the ground cover.
[0005] In planting individual plants, such as flowers and/or
vegetables, in a planting bed, the soil of the planting bed often
needs amendment by the addition of a top layer of enriched
composted soil. In addition, weeds in the planting bed should be
controlled as the flowers and/or vegetables mature. Further,
moisture should be retained in the soil of the planting bed.
Therefore, a need exists for a simple method for planting
individual plants, such as flowers and/or vegetables, in a planting
bed that addresses the need for soil amendment, weed control in the
planting bed and moisture retention.
[0006] Organic materials and mulches located adjacent the
foundation of a building create a risk of insect intrusion and of
water damage. Consequently, a need exists to easily create a buffer
zone of rock material along the perimeter of the foundation of the
building to inhibit insect intrusion and control water damage.
[0007] Downspouts from the gutters of a building create the
potential for erosion at the site where the downspout discharges
water onto the landscape around the building. Therefore, a need
exists for erosion control at the discharge point of the building
downspouts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention addresses both the need for a ground
cover material and the need for a weed suppression material for a
planting bed. Particularly, the present invention comprises a bag
constructed of a weed suppression material for packaging a ground
cover material. When the bag of the present invention is in its
closed configuration, the bag serves as a container for shipping,
handling, and storage of the ground cover material. When installing
the ground cover material in the planting bed, the bag of the
present invention is opened and unfolded, and the ground cover
material within the bag is spread over the opened and unfolded bag.
Consequently, the bag serves as a layer of weed suppression
material on top of the underlying soil and beneath the ground
cover.
[0009] The ground cover material that may be used in connection
with the bag of the present invention may include mulches, such as
pine straw, chipped wood bark, grain straws, shredded wood
materials, or other mulches known to those of ordinary skill in the
landscaping art. The ground cover may also include rock material,
including sand, crushed stone, gravel, pea gravel, graded stone,
shale, or other rock materials known to those of ordinary skill in
the landscaping art. The ground cover may also include ground
synthetic particles, such as ground rubber particles and ground
plastic particles. The ground cover may also include composted
soil.
[0010] The weed suppression material for the bag of the present
invention may be a sheet of perforated plastic,
biodegradable/compostable plastic film, paper, cardboard or cloth
fabric. For most planting bed applications, the weed suppression
material should be porous in order to allow water and air to pass
through the weed suppression material to the roots of the plants in
the underlying soil. The bag of the present invention may be
constructed with an impervious temporary outer coating or an
impervious internal liner to ensure integrity of the bag during
shipping, handling, and storage. The temporary coating or liner
dissolves when the bag comes in contact with moist soil, or the
temporary liner is manually removed when the bag is opened.
Further, the weed suppression material of the bag may be
biodegradable within a 3 to 24 month period of time to ensure
suppression of weeds during the growing season and to ensure that
there is no buildup of the weed suppression material in the
planting bed from growing season to growing season. The weed
suppression material of the bag may also be compostable. The weed
suppression material of the bag may be colored on the inside to
match the color of the ground cover packaged in the bag so that
when in place, the bag, underlying the ground cover material, will
not be obtrusive in the planting bed. The weed suppression material
comprising the bag may also be coated or impregnated with an
additive including fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, herbicide,
or beneficial microbes for release into the underlying soil.
Because the area of the unfolded bag is a known parameter, the
impregnated bag provides an accurate dose of fertilizer, pesticide,
insecticide, herbicide, or beneficial microbes to the underlying
soil. Further, the weed suppression material comprising the bag may
also be coated with or impregnated with an antimicrobial so that
the bag does not mildew or mold during shipping, handling or
storage.
[0011] In applications where the ground cover is spread over a
large area without planting beds, the weed suppression material may
be impervious to both air and water to ensure total weed control by
depriving the weeds in the underlying soil of moisture and air. In
such circumstances, the impervious weed suppression material may
also be used to direct the flow of water toward drainage facilities
or toward adjacent plant beds to increase the water available for
such adjacent plant beds. Such an impervious weed suppression
material may include, among other materials, a plastic film or a
coated paper laminate.
[0012] The bag constructed of weed suppression material in
accordance with the present invention has indicia on its outer
surface indicating where and how the bag should be opened.
Particularly, the indicia may comprise sewn seams, tear strips,
perforations, or printed cut lines to facilitate opening and use of
the bag as a weed suppression material. In one embodiment of the
bag in accordance with the present invention, the bag may have sewn
seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut lines arranged in
the form of a capital "I", with the leg of the "I" running along
the center of the length of the bag and with the top and bottom
bars of the "I" running along the end edges of the bag. In a second
embodiment of the bag in accordance with the present invention, the
bag may have sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed cut
lines arranged in the form of a capital "I", with the leg of the
"I" running along the center of the width of the bag and with the
top and bottom bars of the "I" running along the side edges of the
bag. In a third embodiment of the bag in accordance with the
present invention, the bag may have sewn seams, tear strips,
perforations, or printed cut lines on both end edges and on one of
the side edges of the bag. In a third embodiment of the bag in
accordance with the present invention, the bag may have sewn seams,
tear strips, perforations, or printed cut lines on both side edges
and on one of the end edges of the bag.
[0013] In use, the bag of the present invention containing the
ground cover (mulch, rock, composted soil, or ground synthetic
particles) is laid on the exposed soil adjacent the plants. The bag
is then opened by means of indicia, such as sewn seams, tear
strips, perforations, or printed cut lines. Once the bag has been
opened, the bag is unfolded around the plants in the planting bed.
Holes are cut or torn in the weed suppression material to
accommodate the plants in the planting bed. The installation is
completed by spreading the ground cover over the exposed portions
of the unfolded bag. Alternatively, the bag and groundcover may be
installed before plants are installed in the planting bed. In that
circumstance, holes are cut or torn in the bag after installation
of the bag and ground cover, and the plants are inserted through
the holes in the bag into the underlying soil. Where enriched
composted soil, such as garden soil is used as ground cover, the
bag is opened and placed flat over the underlying soil. The
composted soil in the bag is then spread over the open bag. The
plants are then planted through a hole in the open bag and grow
through the composted soil on top of the bag while the weeds in the
underlying soil are suppressed.
[0014] The relationship between the size of the bag and the amount
of ground cover contained in the bag provides a measure for the
proper installation of the ground cover to the proper depth. In
other words, the amount of ground cover included in the bag is just
the right amount to cover the bag to the proper depth when the bag
is unfolded. In order to accommodate the volume of ground cover
material in the bag, the bag may also include one or more extra
panels attached adjacent the sewn seams, tear strips, perforations,
or printed cut lines so that, when the bag is unfolded with the
extra panels, additional area of weed suppression material is
available to accommodate the volume of ground cover material in the
bag.
[0015] Further, the present invention contemplates a bag that is
constructed of water permeable, biodegradable material and that is
filled with enriched composted soil or the like. Such a bag enables
a method of planting individual plants, such as flowers and/or
vegetables, in a planting bed while at the same time amending the
soil of the planting bed, controlling weeds in the planting bed,
and retaining moisture in the planting bed. The bag is laid out on
the planting bed, opened along indicia representing means for
opening the bag, and unfolded to a flat configuration. Once
unfolded, the enriched soil is spread out to cover the water
permeable, biodegradable bag. Once the bag has been opened, laid
flat, and covered with the enriched soil, individual openings are
made in the enriched soil, the bag, and the underlying soil of the
planting bed. Individual plants are inserted into the openings and
therefore in contact with the overlying enriched soil, the water
permeable biodegradable bag, and the underlying soil of the
planting bed.
[0016] The present invention also contemplates a bag that is
constructed of a water impermeable, non-degradable material and
that is filled with rock material. Such a bag enables a method of
establishing a protective buffer zone adjacent the foundation of a
building to lower the risk of insect intrusion and water damage.
The bag is dimensioned to coincide with the width of the buffer
zone. The bag is laid out adjacent the foundation of the building,
opened along indicia comprising means for opening the bag, and
unfolded to a flat configuration adjacent the building foundation.
Once unfolded, the rock material in the bag is spread out to cover
the flat impermeable, non-degradable bag except for a segment at
one end. The next bag is laid out in the same fashion and overlaps
the uncovered segment of the first bag. The rock material in the
second bag is then spread out to cover the overlap leaving another
uncovered segment at the opposite end to accommodate the third bag,
and so on to create the buffer zone.
[0017] The present invention also contemplates a bag that is
constructed of a water permeable, non-degradable material and that
is filled with rock material. Such a bag enables a method of
controlling erosion at the point where a downspout or other conduit
discharges water onto the surrounding landscape or where other
water runoff occurs. The water permeable, non-degradable bag is
laid out so that the downspout discharges water directly onto the
top of the bag. Because the bag is permeable, the water passes into
the bag and is dispersed through the bottom of the bag into the
surrounding soil. The rock material provides structure for the bag
and keeps the bottom of the bag fully and frictionally engaged with
the soil below. Alternatively, the water permeable, non-degradable
bag may be open along indicia comprising means for opening the bag
and unfolded to a flat configuration under the downspout. The rock
material is then spread over the flat bag so that the water
discharged from the downspout impinges directly on the rock
material. The rock material holds the water permeable,
non-degradable material of the bag securely against the underlying
soil to frictionally engage and hold the soil in place.
[0018] Further objects, features and advantages will become
apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description
of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings and
the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of an
unopened bag with sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed
cut lines in an "I" shape in accordance with the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 1 opened and
unfolded in accordance with the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of an
unopened bag with sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed
cut lines in an "I" shape in accordance with the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 3 opened and
unfolded in accordance with the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of an
unopened bag with sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed
cut lines along two end edges and along one side edge in accordance
with the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 5 opened and
unfolded in accordance with the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of an
unopened bag with sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed
cut lines along two sides edges and along one end edge in
accordance with the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 7 opened and
unfolded in accordance with the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a fifth embodiment of an
unopened bag with sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printed
cut lines in an "I" shape in accordance with the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 9 opened and
unfolded and including extra panels in accordance with the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a section view of planting bed soil, of a weed
suppression material of the bags of FIGS. 1-10 opened and unfolded
on top of the soil, and ground cover on top of the weed suppression
material all in accordance with the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a section view of the planting bed soil, of a
multilayer weed suppression material of the bags of FIGS. 1-10
opened and unfolded on top of the soil, and ground cover on top of
the weed suppression material all in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Referring now to the drawings, a first embodiment of a bag
10, constructed of weed suppression material 12 in accordance with
the present invention, is illustrated FIGS. 1-2. FIG. 1 shows the
bag 10 in its closed configuration. FIG. 2 shows the bag 10 in its
open configuration. The bag 10 is formed of a weed suppression
material 12. The weed suppression material 12 for the bag 10 may be
a sheet of perforated plastic, biodegradable/compostable plastic
film, paper, cardboard, or cloth fabric (woven or nonwoven). For
most planting bed applications, the weed suppression material 12
may be a layer 13 (FIG. 11) of porous material in order to allow
water and air to pass through the weed suppression material 12 to
the underlying soil 18 (FIG. 11). In practice, the porous layer 13
may be implemented by three layers of wet strength Kraft paper. The
number and thickness of individual layers comprising porous layer
13 may be adjusted to meet the strict requirements of shipping,
handling and storage on one hand, and proper porosity for use as a
weed suppression material.
[0032] The bag 10 of the present invention may also be constructed
with an impervious temporary outer coating (not shown) or an
impervious temporary internal liner 15 (FIG. 12) to ensure
integrity of the bag 10 during shipping, handling, and storage. The
temporary impervious coating or liner 15 dissolves when the weed
suppression material 12 bag comes in contact with moist soil 18, or
the temporary impervious liner 15 is manually removed when the bag
is opened. Further, the weed suppression material 12 of the bag 10
may be biodegradable within a 3 to 24 month period of time to
ensure suppression of weeds during the growing season and to ensure
that the weed suppression material 12 does not build up in the
planting bed from growing season to growing season. The weed
suppression material 12 of the bag 10 may also be compostable.
[0033] The weed suppression material 12 of the bag 10 may be
colored on the inside of the bag 10 to match the color of the
ground cover 14 (FIGS. 11 and 12) packaged in the bag 10 so that
when in place, the bag 10, underlying the ground cover material,
will not be obtrusive in the planting bed. The weed suppression
material 12 comprising the bag 10 may also be impregnated with
fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, herbicide, or beneficial
microbes for release into the underlying soil. Boric acid may be
coated onto the weed suppression material 12 to reduce flammability
and to provide an insecticide. Further, the weed suppression
material comprising the bag may also be coated with or impregnated
with an antimicrobial so that the bag does not mildew or mold
during shipping, handling, and storage. Because the area of the
unfolded bag 10 (FIG. 2) is a known parameter, the impregnated bag
10 provides an accurate does of fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide,
herbicide, or beneficial microbes to the underlying soil. Likewise,
because the area of the unfolded bag is known, the amount of ground
cover contained in the bag can be measured to ensure that when
ground cover is spread on the open bag, the ground cover is at the
correct depth.
[0034] As previously indicated, where the ground cover is spread
over a large area without planting beds, the weed suppression
material 12 in the bag 10 may be impervious to both air and water
to ensure total weed control by depriving the weeds in the
underlying soil of moisture and air. In such circumstances, the
impervious weed suppression material 12 may also be used to direct
the flow of water toward drainage facilities or toward adjacent
plant beds to increase the water available for such adjacent
planting beds. Such an impervious weed suppression material may
include, among other materials, a plastic film or a coated paper
laminate. The plastic film or the coated paper laminate may be
either permanent or biodegradable/compostable depending on the
application. The plastic film or the coated paper laminate may also
be colored to blend with the color of the ground cover
material.
[0035] With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the bag 10 comprises a
first front panel 20, a second front panel 22, and a back panel 24.
The first front panel 20, the second front panel 22, and the back
panel 24 are all connected together at a first side edge 26, a
second side edge 28, a first end edge 30, and a second end edge 32
to form the bag 10 for packaging the ground cover material 14
during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 10 further has a
center tear strip or indicia 34, a first end tear strip 36, and a
second end tear strip 38. (The terms "tear strip" or "indicia" as
used hereinafter should be understood to refer to sewn seams, tear
strips, perforations, or printed cut lines.) The center tear strip
34 interconnects the first front panel 20 and the second front
panel 22. The first end tear strip 36 connects the edges of the
first front panel 20, the second front panel 22, and the back panel
24 along the first end edge 30. The second end tear strip 38
connects the edges of the first front panel 20, the second front
panel 22, and the back panel 24 along the second end edge 32.
[0036] In order to use the bag 10 as a weed suppression material,
the center tear strip 34, the first end tear strip 36, and the
second end tear strip 38 are removed from the bag 10. With the tear
strips 34, 36, and 38 removed, the bag 10 is then unfolded as shown
in FIG. 2. A first side fold line 42 corresponds to the first side
edge 26 of the bag 10 (FIG. 1), and a second side fold line 44
corresponds to the second side edge 28 of the bag 10 (FIG. 1). Once
the bag 10 has been unfolded as shown in FIG. 2, the ground cover
material 14 is spread over the bag 10 in its open and unfolded
configuration.
[0037] Although the bag 10 has been described in connection with
the use of tear strips 34, 36, and 38, as indicated above, other
opening means, such as sewn seams, perforations, or printed cut
lines may be used in connection with the present invention.
Particularly, the printed cut lines direct the user to those places
on the bag that should be cut in order to open the bag 10 to its
open and unfolded configuration shown in FIG. 2. Instead of printed
cut lines, perforations may be provided to facilitate the opening
of the bag 10 along the edges and center. In another embodiment,
instead of a tear strip, the edges 30 and 32 may be sealed by a
standard sewn closure which is easily opened by pulling on the
thread of the sewn closure. Also, the center tear strip 34 may be
accessible from the inside of the bag once the edges have been
opened by removing the tear strips 36 and 38.
[0038] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a bag 100 of the
present invention. The bag 100 comprises a first front panel 120, a
second front panel 122, and a back panel 124. The first front panel
120, the second front panel 122, and the back panel 124 are all
connected together at a first end edge 126, a second end edge 128,
a first side edge 130, and a second side edge 132 to form the bag
100 for packaging the ground cover material during shipping,
handling, and storage. The bag 100 further has a center tear strip
134, a first side tear strip 136, and a second side tear strip 138.
The center tear strip 134 interconnects the first front panel 120
and the second front panel 122. The first side tear strip 136
connects the edges of the first front panel 120, the second front
panel 122, and the back panel 124 along the first side edge 130.
The second side tear strip 138 connects the edges of the first
front panel 120, the second front panel 122, and the back panel 124
along the second side edge 132.
[0039] In order to use the bag 100 as a weed suppression material,
the center tear strip 134, the first side tear strip 136, and the
second side tear strip 138 are removed from the bag 100. With the
tear strips 134, 136, and 138 removed, the bag 100 is then unfolded
as shown in FIG. 4. A first end fold line 142 corresponds to the
first end edge 126 of the bag 100, and a second end fold line 144
corresponds to the second end edge 128 of the bag 100. Once the bag
100 has been unfolded as shown in FIG. 4, the ground cover material
14 contained within the bag 100 is spread over the bag 100 in its
open and unfolded configuration. Further, as previously stated,
other opening indicia, such as sewn seams, perforations, or printed
cut lines, can be substituted for the tear strips 134, 136, and
138.
[0040] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of a bag 200 of the
present invention. The bag 200 comprises a front panel 220 and a
back panel 224. The front panel 120 and the back panel 224 are
connected together at a first side edge 226, a second side edge
228, a first end edge 230, and a second end edge 232 to form the
bag 200 for packaging the ground cover material during shipping,
handling, and storage. The bag 200 further has a side tear strip
234, a first end tear strip 236, and a second end tear strip 238.
The side tear strip 234 interconnects the front panel 220 and the
back panel 224. The first end tear strip 236 interconnects the
edges of the front panel 220 and the back panel 224 along the first
end edge 230. The second end tear strip 238 interconnects the edges
of the front panel 220 and the back panel 224 along the second end
edge 232.
[0041] In order to use the bag 200 as a weed suppression material,
the side tear strip 234, the first end tear strip 236, and the
second end tear strip 238 are removed from the bag 200. With the
tear strips 234, 236, and 238 removed, the bag 200 is then unfolded
as shown in FIG. 6. A side fold line 244 corresponds to the second
side edge 228 of the bag 200 (FIG. 5). Once the bag 200 has been
unfolded as shown in FIG. 6, the ground cover material 14 contained
within the bag 200 is spread over the bag 200 in its open and
unfolded configuration. Further, as previously stated, other
opening indicia, such as sewn seams, perforations, printed cut
lines, can be substituted for the tear strips 234, 236, and
238.
[0042] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a fourth embodiment of a bag 300 of the
present invention. The bag 300 comprises a front panel 320 and a
back panel 324. The front panel 320 and the back panel 324 are
connected together at a first end edge 326, a second end edge 328,
a first side edge 330, and a second side edge 332 to form the bag
300 for packaging the ground cover material during shipping,
handling, and storage. The bag 300 further has an end tear strip
334, a first side tear strip 336, and a second side tear strip 338.
The end tear strip 334 interconnects the front panel 320 and the
back panel 324. The first side tear strip 336 interconnects the
edges of the front panel 320 and the back panel 324 along the first
side edge 330. The second side tear strip 338 interconnects the
edges of the front panel 320 and the back panel 324 along the
second side edge 332.
[0043] In order to use the bag 300 as a weed suppression material,
the end tear strip 334, the first side tear strip 336, and the
second side tear strip 338 are removed from the bag 300. With the
tear strips 334, 336, and 338 removed, the bag 300 is then unfolded
as shown in FIG. 8. A side fold line 344 corresponds to the second
end edge 328 of the bag 300 (FIG. 7). Once the bag 300 has been
unfolded as shown in FIG. 8, the ground cover material 14 contained
within the bag 300 is spread over the bag 300 in its open and
unfolded configuration. Further, as previously stated, other
opening indicia, such as sewn seams, perforations, or printed cut
lines, can be substituted for the tear strips 334, 336, and
338.
[0044] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fifth embodiment of a bag 400 of the
present invention. The bag 400 comprises a first front panel 420
with an extra underlying panel 421, a second front panel 422 with
an extra underlying panel 423, and a back panel 424. The first
front panel 420 with its extra underlying panel 421, the second
front panel 422 with its extra underlying panel 423, and the back
panel 24 are all connected together at a first side edge 426, a
second side edge 428, a first end edge 430, and a second end edge
432 to form the bag 400 for packaging the ground cover material
during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 400 further has a
center tear strip 434, a first end tear strip 436, and a second end
tear strip 438. The center tear strip 434 interconnects the first
front panel 420 and the second front panel 422. The first end tear
strip 436 interconnects the edges of the first front panel 420, the
second front panel 422, and the back panel 424 along the first end
edge 430. The second end tear strip 438 interconnects the edges of
the first front panel 420, the second front panel 422, and the back
panel 424 along the second end edge 432. The underlying panel 421
is hinged to the first front panel 420 adjacent the center tear
strip 434 and is folded back underneath the first front panel 420
inside of the bag 400. Likewise, the underlying panel 423 is hinged
to the second front panel 422 adjacent the center tear strip 434
and is folded back underneath the second front panel 422 inside of
the bag 400. The extra underlying panel 421 and the extra
underlying panel 423 may be placed above the first front panel 420
and the second front panel 422, respectively, instead of underlying
those front panels 420 and 422.
[0045] In order to use the bag 400 as a weed suppression material,
the center tear strip 434, the first end tear strip 436, and the
second end tear strip 438 are removed from the bag 400. With the
tear strips 434, 436, and 438 removed, the bag 400 is then unfolded
as shown in FIG. 10. A first side fold line 442 corresponds to the
first side edge 426 of the bag 10. A second side fold line 444
corresponds to the second side edge 428 of the bag 400. A third
fold line 441 corresponds to the hinged connection between the
first front panel 420 and its underlying panel 421. A fourth fold
line 443 corresponds to the hinged connection between the second
front panel 422 and its underlying panel 423. The extra underlying
panels 421 and 423 provide extra weed suppression material to
accommodate the volume of ground cover material contained within
the bag 400. Once the bag 400 has been unfolded as shown in FIG.
10, the ground cover material 14 contained within the bag 400 is
spread over the bag 400 in its open and unfolded configuration with
its extra area provided by the extra panels 421 and 423. Further,
as previously stated, other opening indicia, such as sewn seams,
perforations, or printed cut lines, can be substituted for the tear
strips 434, 436, and 438.
[0046] Preferably, the bags 10, 100, 200, 300 and 400 are flat tube
bags that are sewn at the edges and along one side to provide the
opening lines. Other types of bags, such as gusset bags, may be
used in connection with the invention.
[0047] One construction of bags in accordance with the present
invention comprises a tube bag made of three layers of 50 pound
basis weight, wet strength Kraft paper. The bags were installed in
planting beds with pine bark mulch. Over a seven-month period, the
bags had begun to degrade in response to environmental conditions.
The bags, however, continued to suppress weed growth at
approximately a 90% reduction compared to planting beds without the
weed suppression material.
[0048] The construction of bag 10 or 200 is suitable for use with a
method for planting individual plants, such as flowers and/or
vegetables in a planting bed with existing soil. Particularly, the
bag 10 or 200 is constructed of water permeable, biodegradable
material, and the bag 10 or 200 is filled with enriched composted
soil or the like. The bag 10 or 200 is laid out on the planting
bed, opened along indicia 34, 36, and 38 for the bag 10 or along
indicia 234, 236, and 238 for the bag 200. Once opened the bag 10
or 200 is unfolded to a flat configuration, the enriched soil in
the bag 10 or 200 is spread out to cover the water permeable,
biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200. In order to facilitate
the spreading of the enriched soil over the water permeable,
biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200, a lip may optionally
be created along the edge of the flattened bag by folding and
securing the material to itself along the indicia. The lip provides
a barrier to retain the enriched soil from spreading beyond the
edge of the flattened bag. Once the bag 10 or 200 has been opened,
laid flat, and covered with the enriched soil, individual openings
are made through the enriched soil, through the water permeable,
biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200, and into the
underlying soil of the planting bed. Individual plants are then
inserted into each of the openings. Each individual plant therefore
is in contact with the overlying enriched soil, the water
permeable, biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200, and the
underlying soil of the planting bed. The method employing the bag
10 or 200 for planting individual plants in the planting bed offers
several advantages. First, the enriched soil in the bag 10 or 200
amends the soil of the planting bed and delivers nutrients to the
individual plants. Second, the water permeable, biodegradable
material of the bag 10 or 200 creates a weed barrier between the
individual plants. Third, the water permeable, biodegradable
material of the bag 10 or 200 acts as a mulch to retain moisture in
the soil of the planting bed. Fourth, the water permeable,
biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 20 degrades over the course
of a growing season so that the bag material can simply be tilled
into the soil of the planting bed the following year thereby
eliminating the need to dispose of the bag 10 or 200.
[0049] The construction of bag 100 or 300 is suitable for use with
a method for creating a protective buffer zone about 12-18 inches
in width around the foundation of a building to inhibit the
intrusion of insects and to protect against water damage. The bag
100 or 300 is constructed of a water impermeable, non-degradable
material, and the bag 100 or 300 is filled with rock material. In
the first step of the method, organic material is removed from the
buffer zone around the foundation of the building. The grade of the
buffer zone should slope away from the foundation. The bag 100 or
300 is dimensioned to coincide with the width of the buffer zone.
After the buffer zone has been cleared of organic material and
graded, the bag 100 or 300 is laid in the buffer zone adjacent the
foundation of the building, opened along indicia 134, 136, and 138
for the bag 100 and along indicia 334, 336, and 338 for the bag
300, and unfolded to a flat configuration covering the buffer zone
adjacent the building foundation. The bag 100 or 300 may optionally
have a lip as previously described with respect to the bag 10 or
200 used for planting individual plants in a planting bed. Once
unfolded, the rock material in the bag 100 or 300 is spread out to
cover the flat impermeable, non-degradable material of the bag 100
or 300 except for a segment of the material at one end of the bag
100 or 300. The second bag is laid out in the same fashion and
overlaps the uncovered segment of the first bag. The rock material
in the second bag is then spread out to cover the overlap leaving
another uncovered segment at the opposite end of the second bag to
accommodate the third bag, and so on until the buffer zone is
covered with rock material. The method employing the bag 100 or 300
for creating the protective buffer zone around the foundation of
the building offers several advantages. First, the rock material in
the protective buffer zone inhibits ingress of insects to the
foundation of the building. Second, the rock material in the bag
can be selected for size, shape, and coloration in order to provide
a desired aesthetic appearance for the buffer zone. Third, because
the material of the bag is water permeable and non-degradable the
flattened bag can serve as flashing to direct water away from the
foundation of the building.
[0050] The construction of bag 10, 100, 200, or 300 is suitable for
use with a method for controlling erosion at the point where a
downspout or other conduit discharges water onto the surrounding
landscape or where other water runoff channels on a landscape
occur. The bag 10, 100, 200, or 300 is constructed of a water
permeable, non-degradable material, and the bag 10, 100, 200, or
300 is filled with rock material. The water permeable,
non-degradable bag 10, 100, 200, or 300 is laid out so that the
downspout or other conduit or runoff channel discharges water
directly onto the front panels 20 and 22 of the bag 10, the front
panels 120 and 122 of the bag 100, the front panel 220 of the bag
200, and the front panel 320 of the bag 300. Because the material
of the bag 10, 100, 200, or 300 is permeable, the water passes into
the bag and is dispersed into the surrounding soil through the back
panel 24 of the bag 10, the back panel 124 of the bag 100, the back
panel 224 of the bag 200, and the back panel 324 of the bag 300.
The rock material provides structure for the bag and keeps the back
panel of the bag frictionally engaged with the soil below.
Alternatively, the water permeable, non-degradable bag 10, 100,
200, or 300 may be open along indicia 34, 36, and 38 of the bag 10,
indicia 134, 136, and 138 of the bag 100, indicia 234, 236, and 238
of the bag 200, and indicia 334, 336, and 338 of the bag 300 and
unfolded to a flat configuration under the downspout. The rock
material is then spread over the flat bag so that the water
discharged from the downspout impinges directly on the rock
material. The rock material holds the water permeable,
non-degradable material of the bag securely against the underlying
soil to frictionally engage and hold the soil in place. The bag
material can be colored to blend with the landscape when the bag is
used unopened, and the rock material can be sized, shaped, and
colored for aesthetic purposes when the bag is used in the opened
and flat configuration.
[0051] While this invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that
variations and modifications can be affected within the spirit and
scope of the invention as described herein and as described in the
appended claims.
* * * * *