U.S. patent application number 16/317709 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-23 for device and method for soil moisture stabilization and tree or plant protection.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hailing YANG, Wei ZHANG. Invention is credited to Hailing YANG, Wei ZHANG.
Application Number | 20190150377 16/317709 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60951877 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190150377 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ZHANG; Wei ; et al. |
May 23, 2019 |
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SOIL MOISTURE STABILIZATION AND TREE OR PLANT
PROTECTION
Abstract
A tree or plant protection mat is provided, comprising: a top
layer, having a first perimeter edge; a water-permeable bottom
layer, having a second perimeter edge affixed either directly to
the first perimeter edge, or indirectly to the first perimeter edge
via an intervening sidewall; and a water-absorbing and releasing
center layer disposed between the top and bottom layers, and
comprising a section having superabsorbent particles and a section
not having superabsorbent particles. Other mats and methods are
provided.
Inventors: |
ZHANG; Wei; (Midlothian,
VA) ; YANG; Hailing; (Midlothian, VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ZHANG; Wei
YANG; Hailing |
Midlothian
Midlothian |
VA
VA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60951877 |
Appl. No.: |
16/317709 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
July 15, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US17/42281 |
371 Date: |
January 14, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G 24/35 20180201;
A01G 13/0281 20130101; A01G 25/02 20130101; A01M 1/2005 20130101;
A01G 13/0275 20130101; A01G 7/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01G 13/02 20060101
A01G013/02; A01G 24/35 20060101 A01G024/35; A01M 1/20 20060101
A01M001/20; A01G 7/06 20060101 A01G007/06; A01G 25/02 20060101
A01G025/02 |
Claims
1. A tree or plant protection mat, comprising: a top layer, having
a first perimeter edge; a water-permeable bottom layer, having a
second perimeter edge affixed either directly to the first
perimeter edge, or indirectly to the first perimeter edge via an
intervening sidewall; and a water-absorbing and releasing center
layer disposed between the top and bottom layers, and comprising a
section having superabsorbent particles and a section not having
superabsorbent particles.
2. The mat of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent particles are
free to move within the section having superabsorbent particles, or
are not free to move within the section having superabsorbent
particles.
3. The mat of claim 1, which further comprises a hole through the
top, bottom, and center layers through which a tree or plant can
grow, the hole being defined by an interior perimeter edge at which
the top and bottom layers are affixed directly to one another, or
affixed indirectly to one another via an intervening interior
perimeter sidewall.
4. The mat of claim 3, which further comprises an access slit
extending from the hole to the first and second perimeter edges,
the access slit being defined by access slit perimeter edges at
which the top and bottom layers are affixed directly to one
another, or affixed indirectly to one another via intervening
access slit perimeter edges sidewalls.
5. The mat of claim 4, which further comprises one or more
connections between the access slit perimeter edges.
6. The mat of claim 5, wherein the connections are selected from
the group consisting of ties, grommets, Velcro, Velcro tabs,
zipper, buttons, snaps, hooks, string, cord, or any combination of
two or more thereof.
7. The mat of claim 1, which does not comprise a hole through the
top, bottom, and center layers.
8. The mat of claim 1, wherein the top layer reduces or prevents
evaporative water loss from the center layer.
9. The mat of claim 1, wherein the top layer is permeable to one or
more of water, atmospheric water, dew, rainwater, applied water, or
a combination of two or more thereof.
10. The mat of claim 1, wherein the top layer further comprises one
or more perforations, funnel, hole, opening, channel, seam, or a
combination of two or more thereof, to permit one or more of
atmospheric water, dew, rainwater, applied water, or a combination
of two or more thereof to penetrate into the center layer.
11. The mat of claim 1, wherein the top layer is flexible.
12. The mat of claim 1, wherein the top layer is flexible and is
made of fabric, woven material, non-woven material, film, plastic,
laminate, sheeting, polymer, or a combination of two or more
thereof.
13. The mat of claim 1, wherein the top layer is polypropylene,
polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polyester, polyurethane,
polylactic acid, acrylic, rubber, rayon, cellulose, cotton, burlap,
canvas, hemp, paper, biodegradable, biomaterial, bio-based plastic,
processed bio-based material, reclaimed plastic, recycled plastic,
recycled diaper, recycled rubber, wood, bamboo, agricultural
residue, natural weed control fabric, mulch film,
WeedGuardPlus.RTM. mulch film, biodegradable paper weed barrier,
biodegradable natural weed barrier fabric, biodegradable mulch weed
barrier, weed barrier film, weed barrier fabric, polylactic acid
fabric, plant-based fiber, seed hairs, cotton, stem fiber, bast
fiber, flax, straw, hemp, leaf fiber, sisal, husk fiber, coconut
fiber, corn fiber, animal-based fiber, wool, hair, secretion fiber,
silk, aspen wood fiber, linen, wool, cashmere, jute, abaca, coir,
flax, ramie, sisal, mohair, camel hair, angora wool, alpaca wool,
straw, or a combination of two or more thereof.
14. The mat of claim 1, wherein the top layer further comprises one
or more containers with raised rim that can be in form of a funnel,
tray, pan, dish, channel, slot, or a combination of two or more
thereof, to collect one or more of atmospheric water, dew,
rainwater, applied water, or a combination of two or more thereof
before it penetrates into the center layer through the
perforations.
15. The mat of claim 1, further comprising animal repellent.
16. The mat of claim 1, further comprising one or more insect-,
bacteria-, and fungi-control agent.
17. The mat of claim 1, further comprising one or more endophytic
microbe or mycorrhiza spore.
18. The mat of claim 1, wherein the sections are separated by
stitching lines, heat sealing lines, adhesive lines, or a
combination of two or more thereof.
19. The mat of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent particles
comprise polyacrylic acid polymer, polyacrylate polymer,
starch-grafted polymer, polyacrylamide, ethylene maleic anhydride
polymer, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene
oxide, starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile, Group IA salt
of polyacrylic acid, copolymer of two or more thereof, bio-based
super absorbent polymer TryEco Agrisorb.TM., starch-based super
absorbent polymer, cellulose-based super absorbent polymer,
biodegradable superabsorbent polymer, superabsorbent cellulosic
hydrogel, or any combination thereof.
20. The mat of claim 1, wherein one or more of the sections having
superabsorbent particles or not having superabsorbent particles
comprise one or more of fertilizer, slow release fertilizer,
inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer, compost, sludge from
waste water treatment plant, sewage sludge, anaerobically digested
sludge, biomass by-product from brewery, manure, anaerobically
digested animal manure, anaerobically digested biomass, pulp and
paper waste, animal repellent, insect repellent, pesticide,
fungicide, insecticide, herbicide, microbe, fungus, spore, or a
combination of two or more thereof.
21. The mat of claim 1, wherein the first and second perimeter
edges are affixed via sewing, heat-sealing, friction-welding,
laser-welding, ultrasonic-welding, induction-welding,
radio-frequency-welding, heat-bonding, adhesive, solvent-welding,
stapling, or a combination of two or more thereof.
22. The mat of claim 1, wherein sections of soaker hose, drip
emitters or micro-spray emitters are inserted in between of the top
and bottom layers and the soaker hose and the emitters can be
connected to an irrigation system via connections such as a hose
connector.
23. The mat of claim 22, wherein the hose connector is attached to
the top, bottom layer or the side wall with via sewing,
heat-sealing, friction-welding, laser-welding, ultrasonic-welding,
induction-welding, radio-frequency-welding, heat-bonding, adhesive,
solvent-welding, stapling, or a combination of two or more
thereof.
24. A method of protecting or encouraging the growth of a tree or
plant, comprising placing the tree or plant protection mat of claim
1 on soil near which the tree or plant is planted.
25. The method of claim 24 used in combination with an irrigation
system, wherein sections of soaker hose, drip emitters or
micro-spray emitters can be placed on top of the plant protection
mat.
26. The method of claim 25, where the irrigation system is an
automatic system that are electronically controlled based on the
soil moisture level, which is determined using a soil moisture
sensor buried underneath the mat.
27. A tree or plant fertilization mat, comprising: a top layer,
having a first perimeter edge; a water-permeable bottom layer,
having a second perimeter edge affixed either directly to the first
perimeter edge, or indirectly to the first perimeter edge via an
intervening sidewall; and a fertilizing center layer disposed
between the top and bottom layers, and comprising fertilizer.
28. A soil moisture stabilization mat for infrastructure located in
or on the ground, comprising: a top layer, having a first perimeter
edge; a water-permeable bottom layer, having a second perimeter
edge affixed either directly to the first perimeter edge, or
indirectly to the first perimeter edge via an intervening sidewall;
and a water-absorbing and releasing center layer disposed between
the top and bottom layers, and comprising a section having
superabsorbent particles and a section not having superabsorbent
particles.
29. The mat of claim 28, wherein the infrastructure comprises one
or more of a foundation, building, dwelling, house, road, roadbed,
street, highway, pavement, sidewalk, railway, subway, runway,
bridge, dam, pier, utility, utility pole, utility tunnel, tunnel,
pipeline, buried conduit, tower, airport, sewage line, gas line,
water pipe, storage tank, or a combination of two or more
thereof.
30. The mat of claim 28, further comprising one or more insect-,
bacteria- and fungi-control agents
31. A method of reducing the occurrence of damage to infrastructure
located in or on the ground, comprising placing the soil moisture
stabilization mat of claim 28 on the ground near, around or above
the infrastructure.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the infrastructure comprises
one or more of a foundation, building, dwelling, house, road,
roadbed, street, highway, pavement, sidewalk, railway, subway,
runway, bridge, dam, pier, utility, utility pole, utility tunnel,
tunnel, pipeline, buried conduit, tower, airport, sewage line, gas
line, water pipe, storage tank, or a combination of two or more
thereof.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein the damage comprises one or
more of a crack, buckling, sinking, lifting, shifting,
translocation, upheaval, collapse, or a combination of two or more
thereof.
34. The method of claim 31, which reduces the occurrence of cracks
appearing in a building's foundation.
35. The method of claim 31, with combination of existing irrigation
system such as soaker hoses, drip emitters and micro-spray
emitters.
36. The method of claim 35, where the irrigation system is an
automatic system that are electronically controlled based on soil
moisture level, which is determined using a soil moisture sensor
buried underneath the mat or based on the stress level exerted on
the foundation wall, which is determined by a sensor placed in
between the foundation wall and the soil.
37. A method of using a soil moisture stabilization mat for both
plant protection and foundation protection with plants grown around
outer perimeters of the mat.
38. The mat of claim 1, wherein the bottom layer further comprises
one or more perforations, hole, opening, channel, seam, or a
combination of two or more thereof, to permit the release of water
from the center layer.
39. The mat of claim 1, wherein the bottom layer is flexible.
40. The mat of claim 1, wherein the bottom layer is flexible and is
made of fabric, woven material, non-woven material, film, plastic,
laminate, sheeting, polymer, or a combination of two or more
thereof.
41. The mat of claim 1, wherein the bottom layer is polypropylene,
polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polyester, polyurethane,
polylactic acid, acrylic, rubber, rayon, cellulose, cotton, burlap,
canvas, hemp, paper, biodegradable, biomaterial, bio-based plastic,
processed bio-based material, reclaimed plastic, recycled plastic,
recycled diaper, recycled rubber, wood, bamboo, agricultural
residue, natural weed control fabric, mulch film,
WeedGuardPlus.RTM. mulch film, biodegradable paper weed barrier,
biodegradable natural weed barrier fabric, biodegradable mulch weed
barrier, weed barrier film, weed barrier fabric, polylactic acid
fabric, plant-based fiber, seed hairs, cotton, stem fiber, bast
fiber, flax, straw, hemp, leaf fiber, sisal, husk fiber, coconut
fiber, corn fiber, animal-based fiber, wool, hair, secretion fiber,
silk, aspen wood fiber, linen, wool, cashmere, jute, abaca, coir,
flax, ramie, sisal, mohair, camel hair, angora wool, alpaca wool,
straw, or a combination of two or more thereof.
42. The mat of claim 1, further comprising the sidewall.
43. A method of stabilizing soil moisture in expansive or other
soil, comprising placing a soil moisture stabilization mat on the
soil, wherein the soil moisture stabilization mat comprises: a top
layer, having a first perimeter edge; a water-permeable bottom
layer, having a second perimeter edge affixed either directly to
the first perimeter edge, or indirectly to the first perimeter edge
via an intervening sidewall; and a water-absorbing and releasing
center layer disposed between the top and bottom layers, and
comprising superabsorbent particles.
44. A method of reducing the occurrence of damage to infrastructure
located in or on the ground, comprising placing a soil moisture
stabilization mat on the ground near, around or above the
infrastructure, wherein the soil moisture stabilization mat
comprises: a top layer, having a first perimeter edge; a
water-permeable bottom layer, having a second perimeter edge
affixed either directly to the first perimeter edge, or indirectly
to the first perimeter edge via an intervening sidewall; and a
water-absorbing and releasing center layer disposed between the top
and bottom layers, and comprising superabsorbent particles.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Application No. 62/363,068, filed Jul. 15, 2016.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to devices and methods useful
in soil moisture stabilization and tree and plant protection.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Trees, shrubs and other woody plants planted in cities and
communities provide social communal environmental and economic
benefits. Planting a tree is easy; but growing a tree is not,
especially in urban area where land/soil is limited and irrigation
is not available. The average life of urban trees is 7 years. Among
the factors that cause the short life of urban trees, poor
irrigation on limited soil volume and weed control (including
mowing) are on the top of the list.
[0004] Irrigation may be available in parks and around buildings,
but usually not for off street and road median areas, where trees
have the shortest life. Traditionally, these trees are watered with
water trucks at a frequency of once every other day for newly
planted trees. Recently, slow release watering bags are used for
such situations. It is very costly to bring water to hard-to-reach
areas and perform maintenance. These bags can be easily damaged by
lawn care equipment such as lawn mowers and trimmers. Once they are
broken, they are useless. Other critiques about the watering bags
include: 1) watering bags dump water onto the root ball that forms
an underground bathtub; 2) watering area is very close to the trunk
area that does not stimulate outward root growth to chase water
resources; 3) watering too much and too frequently slows down the
integration of roots into the surrounding ground; and 4) empty bags
left on the tree rubs the tree trunk in windy weather, promotes
fungal growth and worsens insect problems. None of these watering
bags suppress weed growth. Indeed, the presence of water from such
bags encourages weed growth, which can consequently lead to more
damage to the bags by lawn mower and trimmers.
[0005] Agricultural trees, plants and other crops are typically
watered with an irrigation system or by natural rainfall only.
Water usage can be a large operational cost item for drought-prone
areas. Drip irrigation, intended to reduce evaporation loss of
water during watering (compared to surface and sprinkler irrigation
methods) is widely used by nurseries, orchards, vineyards, and
farms. However, drip irrigation cannot prevent evaporation from
ground and runoff water losses, which can be up to 50% of water
usage. In some cases, as little as 13% to 26% of irrigation water
is actually used by plants in some nursery operations.
[0006] Expansive soils, also known as shrink-swell soils, swelling
soils, adobe, clay, or caliche soils, expand when they get wet, and
then shrink as they dry out. Swelling or expansive soils are
susceptible to volume change (shrink and swell) with seasonal
fluctuations in moisture content. The magnitude of this volume
change is dependent on the type of soil (shrink-swell potential)
and its change in moisture content. A loss of moisture will cause
the soil to shrink, while an increase in moisture will cause it to
expand or swell. Therefore, arid or semi-arid areas with seasonal
changes of soil moisture experience a much higher frequency of
swelling problems than areas that have higher rainfall and more
constant soil moisture. As the soil expands and contracts it can
create enough force to cause major damage to building foundations,
patios, and sidewalks, as well as roads, railways, bridges, and
other transportation structures. Pipelines are also subject to the
damages of expansive soils.
[0007] Soils that alternately expand or contract due to wetting or
drying conditions cause more damage to homes and buildings than
floods, tornadoes and hurricanes combined. This is because about 50
percent of all American homes are built on problem soils. And about
50 percent of those homes suffer some damage--cracked foundations,
damaged wallboard, or broken pipes, among other damages--from
swelling and shrinking soils. It is estimated that the cost to
homeowners to stabilize or shore up foundations is around $4
billion annually as of 2010.
[0008] Expansive soils are also responsible for the application of
premature maintenance and rehabilitation activities on many miles
of roadway each year. The volume change of clay type soils can
result in longitudinal cracks near the pavement's edge and
significant surface roughness (varying swells and depressions)
along the pavement's length.
[0009] Current solutions to problems caused by expansive soils are
based on three mechanisms: replace expansive soils with other
materials, treat expansive soils so to reduce/eliminate the
swell/shrink ratio, and stabilize moisture level in the soils
underneath and around perimeter of the infrastructures. Commonly,
structural slab that resists the shrink/swell of expansive soils,
replacement high expansive soils with less expansive soils or
gravel and sand, application of lime/cement and hydrophobic
chemicals to reduce the expansive nature of the soils, installation
of drainage system to limit rain water from entering ground,
installation of irrigation system to maintain a certain level of
moisture (especially during drought), and a combination of two or
more of the above solutions are used. A few examples include U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,015,432, 4,508,472, 5,156,494, 5,924,251, and
6,132,138, as well as the US Published Application No.
20130071186.
[0010] Aside from the engineering solutions used to mitigate the
expansive soil problem for an infrastructure, one recommended
practice during extreme droughts is to irrigate the foundation and
surrounding area. Such practice, however, would undesirably require
a complicated irrigation system to apply water uniformly, in
addition to requiring skill and guesswork in timing to maintain
constant and uniform soil moisture. Overwatering caused by a
malfunction of the irrigation system, leakage, and human error are
as problematic as leaving it dry, because the swelling soil can
cause damage as well. Further, and unfortunately, during a drought
season, water resources are very limited while watering foundation
and surrounding area are required to prevent foundation damage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 presents one embodiment in schematic view of a Diaper
Recycling Pilot Plant Design.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a 1 WCMC mat 2D-CAD design
for injection molding, thermoforming, or vacuum forming of top
layer.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a perspective and top view of a prior art plant
protection mat.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows four embodiments of prototype WCMC mats.
[0015] FIG. 5 shows data obtained for one embodiment of prototype
WCMC matwater distribution test.
[0016] FIG. 6 shows data obtained for western red cedar seedlings
water potential (lower chart) and survival rate (upper) in sandy
soil.
[0017] FIG. 7 shows soil moisture data for embodiments of WCMC mats
compared to watering bags in the road median of a highway
[0018] FIG. 8 shows data comparing water amount and soil moisture
among different treatments for in-container tests.
[0019] FIG. 9 shows data comparing water amount and soil moisture
among different treatments for in-field tests.
[0020] FIG. 10 shows data for accumulated rain water collected by
WCMC mats, irrigation water and rain water shielded by watering
bags per tree in an urban orchard field test.
[0021] FIG. 11 shows data for soil temperatures (3'' below soil
surface) in the road median of a highway in January-February.
[0022] FIG. 12 shows data for soil temperatures (3'' below soil
surface) in June and July.
[0023] FIG. 13 shows a top view of one embodiment of the WCMC mat,
in strip form placed on each side of a row of plants, and with
alternating sections with and without SAP.
[0024] FIG. 14 shows a top view of one embodiment of the WCMC mat,
in strip form placed on each side of a row of plants, and with
lengthwise sections with and without SAP.
[0025] FIG. 15 shows data for Soil Moisture Stabilization Mat Test
for one embodiment of the soil moisture stabilization or foundation
mat. The experiment was conducted in a rain excluding shelter with
full afternoon sunshine on sunny days. Soil moisture level was
measured daily in the morning for at least 5 data points and the
soil moisture probe was inserted in soil for at least 1 inch when
it is permitted. Control: Clay-rich soil in a container without
ground coverage (vegetation or mulch); Under Mat: Clay-rich soil in
a container covered with a Soil Moisture Stabilization Mat without
ground coverage (vegetation or mulch).
[0026] FIG. 16 shows top and perspective views of one embodiment of
a top layer of a WCMC plant protection mat.
[0027] FIG. 17 shows top and perspective views of one embodiment of
a top layer of a WCMC plant protection mat, in combination of drip
irrigation tubing and an irrigation hose. One or more drip emitters
or micro-spray nozzles may be connected to the drip irrigation
tubing and placed inside of the mat or on top of the mat.
[0028] FIG. 18 shows top and perspective views of one embodiment of
a top layer of a WCMC plant protection mat, in combination of
soaker hose with soaker hose placed on top of a plant protection
mat.
[0029] FIG. 19 shows top and perspective views of one embodiment of
a top layer of a WCMC plant protection mat, in combination with a
soaker hose placed inside of the mat.
[0030] FIG. 20 shows top views of one embodiment of a plant
protection mat with multiple segments that may be used together or
assembled into one unit where there is a hole in the middle for
plants to be planted or around one or more already planted plants.
Alternating sections with and without SAP are shown.
[0031] FIG. 21 shows top views of one embodiment of a plant
protection mat with multiple segments that may be used together or
assembled into one unit where there is a hole in the middle for
plants to be planted or around one or more already planted plants.
Alternating sections are shown.
[0032] FIG. 22 shows top views of one embodiment of a plant
protection mat with multiple segments that assembles into one unit
where there is a hole in the middle for plants to be planted or
around one or more already planted plants.
[0033] FIG. 23 shows top views of other embodiments of plant
protection mat having sections that may be placed together in
serpentine fashion, or flexible long tube shaped WCMC mats in
planters, flower pots and containers, garden beds, or ground to go
around plants.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS
[0034] A tree or plant protection mat is provided, comprising:
[0035] a top layer, having a first perimeter edge; [0036] a
water-permeable bottom layer, having a second perimeter edge
affixed either directly to the first perimeter edge, or indirectly
to the first perimeter edge via an intervening sidewall; and [0037]
a water-absorbing and releasing center layer disposed between the
top and bottom layers, and comprising a section having
superabsorbent particles and a section not having superabsorbent
particles.
[0038] A method of protecting or encouraging the growth of a tree
or plant is provided, comprising placing the tree or plant
protection mat on soil near which the tree or plant is planted.
[0039] A tree or plant fertilization mat is provided, comprising:
[0040] a top layer, having a first perimeter edge; [0041] a
water-permeable bottom layer, having a second perimeter edge
affixed either directly to the first perimeter edge, or indirectly
to the first perimeter edge via an intervening sidewall; and [0042]
a fertilizing center layer disposed between the top and bottom
layers, and comprising fertilizer.
[0043] A method of fertilizing a tree or plant is provided,
comprising placing the tree or plant fertilization mat on soil near
which the tree or plant is planted.
[0044] A soil moisture stabilization mat for infrastructure located
in or on the ground is provided, comprising: [0045] a top layer,
having a first perimeter edge; [0046] a water-permeable bottom
layer, having a second perimeter edge affixed either directly to
the first perimeter edge, or indirectly to the first perimeter edge
via an intervening sidewall; and [0047] a water-absorbing and
releasing center layer disposed between the top and bottom layers,
and comprising a section having superabsorbent particles and a
section not having superabsorbent particles.
[0048] A method of reducing the occurrence of damage to
infrastructure located in or on the ground is provided, comprising
placing the soil moisture stabilization mat on the ground near,
around or above the infrastructure.
[0049] A method of reducing the occurrence of damage to
infrastructure located in or on the ground is provided, comprising
placing a soil moisture stabilization mat on the ground near,
around or above the infrastructure, wherein the soil moisture
stabilization mat comprises: [0050] a top layer, having a first
perimeter edge; [0051] a water-permeable bottom layer, having a
second perimeter edge affixed either directly to the first
perimeter edge, or indirectly to the first perimeter edge via an
intervening sidewall; and [0052] a water-absorbing and releasing
center layer disposed between the top and bottom layers, and
comprising superabsorbent particles.
[0053] A method of stabilizing soil moisture in expansive or other
soil is provided, comprising placing a soil moisture stabilization
mat on the soil, wherein the soil moisture stabilization mat
comprises: [0054] a top layer, having a first perimeter edge;
[0055] a water-permeable bottom layer, having a second perimeter
edge affixed either directly to the first perimeter edge, or
indirectly to the first perimeter edge via an intervening sidewall;
and [0056] a water-absorbing and releasing center layer disposed
between the top and bottom layers, and comprising superabsorbent
particles.
[0057] A method of using a soil moisture stabilization mat is
provided for both plant protection and foundation protection with
plants grown around outer perimeters of the mat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS
[0058] In one embodiment, the superabsorbent particles are free to
move within the section of the center layer having superabsorbent
particles, or are not free to move within the section having
superabsorbent particles. For example, the superabsorbent particles
may be fixed or embedded in a matrix in the center layer, such as a
non-woven fibrous matrix. Alternatively, the superabsorbent
particles may be free particles that can move and shift around in
the center layer section having the particles.
[0059] In one embodiment, the mat comprises a hole through the top,
bottom, and center layers through which a tree or plant can grow,
the hole being defined by an interior perimeter edge at which the
top and bottom layers are affixed directly to one another, or
affixed indirectly to one another via an intervening interior
perimeter sidewall.
[0060] In one embodiment, the mat comprises an access slit
extending from the hole to the first and second perimeter edges,
the access slit being defined by access slit perimeter edges at
which the top and bottom layers are affixed directly to one
another, or affixed indirectly to one another via intervening
access slit perimeter edges sidewalls. The access slit is intended
to allow the mat to be placed around the base of a tree or plant,
the access slit leading to the hole that accommodates the tree or
plant.
[0061] In one embodiment, the mat comprises one or more connections
between the access slit perimeter edges, to connect the opposing
sides of the access slit together after the mat has been placed
around a tree or plant.
[0062] In one embodiment, the mat connections are selected from the
group consisting of ties, grommets, Velcro, Velcro tabs, zipper,
buttons, snaps, hooks, string, cord, or any combination of two or
more thereof.
[0063] In one embodiment, the mat does not comprise a hole through
the top, bottom, and center layers.
[0064] In one embodiment, the mat comprises a hole, or more than
one hole, but does not have an access slit. This is to allow the
mat to be laid down over small plants, or to allow planting in the
holes after the mat has been laid down.
[0065] In one embodiment, the mat top layer reduces or prevents
evaporative water loss from the center layer.
[0066] In one embodiment, the mat top layer is permeable to one or
more of water, atmospheric water, dew, rainwater, applied water, or
a combination of two or more thereof.
[0067] In one embodiment, the mat top layer further comprises one
or more perforations, funnel, hole, opening, channel, seam, or a
combination of two or more thereof, to permit one or more of
atmospheric water, dew, rainwater, applied water, or a combination
of two or more thereof to penetrate into the center layer.
[0068] In one embodiment, the mat the top layer is flexible.
[0069] In one embodiment, the mat top layer is flexible and is made
of fabric, woven material, non-woven material, film, plastic,
laminate, sheeting, polymer, or a combination of two or more
thereof.
[0070] In one embodiment, the mat top layer is polypropylene,
polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polyester, polyurethane,
polylactic acid, acrylic, rubber, rayon, cellulose, cotton, burlap,
canvas, hemp, paper, biodegradable, biomaterial, bio-based plastic,
processed bio-based material, reclaimed plastic, recycled plastic,
recycled diaper, recycled rubber, wood, bamboo, agricultural
residue, natural weed control fabric, mulch film,
WeedGuardPlus.RTM. mulch film, biodegradable paper weed barrier,
biodegradable natural weed barrier fabric, biodegradable mulch weed
barrier, weed barrier film, weed barrier fabric, polylactic acid
fabric, plant-based fiber, seed hairs, cotton, stem fiber, bast
fiber, flax, straw, hemp, leaf fiber, sisal, husk fiber, coconut
fiber, corn fiber, animal-based fiber, wool, hair, secretion fiber,
silk, aspen wood fiber, linen, wool, cashmere, jute, abaca, coir,
flax, ramie, sisal, mohair, camel hair, angora wool, alpaca wool,
straw, or a combination of two or more thereof.
[0071] In one embodiment, the mat top layer further comprises one
or more containers with raised rim that can be in form of a funnel,
tray, pan, dish, channel, slot, or a combination of two or more
thereof, to collect one or more of atmospheric water, dew,
rainwater, applied water, or a combination of two or more thereof
before it penetrates into the center layer through the perforations
at the bottom of the containers, the water being collected and
guided into the center layer by the containers.
[0072] In one embodiment, the mat bottom layer further comprises
one or more perforations, hole, opening, channel, seam, or a
combination of two or more thereof, to permit the release of water
from the center layer.
[0073] In one embodiment, the mat bottom layer is flexible.
[0074] In one embodiment, the mat bottom layer is flexible and is
made of fabric, woven material, non-woven material, film, plastic,
laminate, sheeting, polymer, or a combination of two or more
thereof.
[0075] In one embodiment, the mat bottom layer is polypropylene,
polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polyester, polyurethane,
polylactic acid, acrylic, rubber, rayon, cellulose, cotton, burlap,
canvas, hemp, paper, biodegradable, biomaterial, bio-based plastic,
processed bio-based material, reclaimed plastic, recycled plastic,
recycled diaper, recycled rubber, wood, bamboo, agricultural
residue, natural weed control fabric, mulch film,
WeedGuardPlus.RTM. mulch film, biodegradable paper weed barrier,
biodegradable natural weed barrier fabric, biodegradable mulch weed
barrier, weed barrier film, weed barrier fabric, polylactic acid
fabric, plant-based fiber, seed hairs, cotton, stem fiber, bast
fiber, flax, straw, hemp, leaf fiber, sisal, husk fiber, coconut
fiber, corn fiber, animal-based fiber, wool, hair, secretion fiber,
silk, aspen wood fiber, linen, wool, cashmere, jute, abaca, coir,
flax, ramie, sisal, mohair, camel hair, angora wool, alpaca wool,
straw, or a combination of two or more thereof.
[0076] In one embodiment, the mat further comprises a sidewall.
[0077] In one embodiment, the mat is assembled by sewing the top
and bottom layers together around their edges, leaving a center
layer between them. Sections of the center layer with and without
SAP are separated by sewing the top and bottom layers together
along the lines dividing the center layer sections with and without
SAP.
[0078] In one embodiment, the mat center layer is a hollow portion
between the top and bottom layers, the top and bottom layers
connected to each other around the edges of the top and bottom
layers. SAP is contained in some center layer sections, and other
center layer sections do not have SAP.
[0079] The arrangement of sections with and without SAP in the
center layer is not particularly limited, and those sections can be
arranged according to preference. For example, the sections (with
and without SAP) can be in the same plane of the center layer and
alternate (see, e.g., FIGS. 13, 20 and 21) or be in the same plane
of the center layer and run lengthwise (see, e.g., FIG. 14).
Alternatively, the sections with and without SAP can be arranged on
top of one another or under one another.
[0080] The section of the center layer that does not have SAP can
be empty, that is, it does not contain either SAP, water-absorbing
material, wicking material, or active material, or it can contain
an active material, such as fertilizer, insect repellent, animal
repellent, fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides,
nutrients, and the like.
[0081] In one embodiment, SAP is the only water-absorbing and
releasing material in the mat. In one embodiment, the center layer
does not have polyurethane foam or crumb rubber, or other wicking
material other than SAP.
[0082] In one embodiment, the mat further comprises animal
repellent.
[0083] In one embodiment, the mat further comprises one or more
insect-, bacteria-, and fungi-control agent.
[0084] In one embodiment, the mat further comprises one or more
endophytic microbe or mycorrhiza spore.
[0085] In one embodiment, the mat sections are separated by
stitching lines, heat sealing lines, adhesive lines, or a
combination of two or more thereof.
[0086] In one embodiment, the mat superabsorbent particles (SAP)
comprise polyacrylic acid polymer, polyacrylate polymer,
starch-grafted polymer, polyacrylamide, ethylene maleic anhydride
polymer, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene
oxide, starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile, Group IA salt
of polyacrylic acid, copolymer of two or more thereof, bio-based
super absorbent polymer TryEco Agrisorb.TM., starch-based super
absorbent polymer, cellulose-based super absorbent polymer,
biodegradable superabsorbent polymer, superabsorbent cellulosic
hydrogel, or any combination thereof.
[0087] In one embodiment, one or more of the mat sections having
superabsorbent particles or not having superabsorbent particles
comprise one or more of fertilizer, slow release fertilizer,
inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer, compost, sludge from
waste water treatment plant, sewage sludge, anaerobically digested
sludge, biomass by-product from brewery, manure, anaerobically
digested animal manure, anaerobically digested biomass, pulp and
paper waste, animal repellent, insect repellent, pesticide,
fungicide, insecticide, herbicide, microbe, fungus, spore, or a
combination of two or more thereof.
[0088] In one embodiment, the mat first and second perimeter edges
are affixed to one another directly or to one another via an
intervening sidewall via sewing, heat-sealing, friction-welding,
laser-welding, ultrasonic-welding, induction-welding,
radio-frequency-welding, heat-bonding, adhesive, solvent-welding,
stapling, or a combination of two or more thereof.
[0089] In one embodiment, the mat sections of soaker hose, drip
emitters or micro-spray emitters are inserted in between of the top
and bottom layers and the soaker hose and the emitters can be
connected to an irrigation system via connections such as a hose
connector.
[0090] In one embodiment, the mat hose connector is attached to the
top, bottom layer or the side wall with via sewing, heat-sealing,
friction-welding, laser-welding, ultrasonic-welding,
induction-welding, radio-frequency-welding, heat-bonding, adhesive,
solvent-welding, stapling, or a combination of two or more
thereof.
[0091] In one embodiment, the method is used in combination with an
irrigation system, wherein sections of soaker hose, drip emitters
or micro-spray emitters can be placed on top of the mat.
[0092] In one embodiment, the irrigation system is an automatic
system that are electronically controlled based on the soil
moisture level, which is determined using a soil moisture sensor
buried underneath the mat.
[0093] In one embodiment, the infrastructure comprises one or more
of a foundation, building, dwelling, house, road, roadbed, street,
highway, pavement, sidewalk, railway, subway, runway, bridge, dam,
pier, utility, utility pole, utility tunnel, tunnel, pipeline,
buried conduit, tower, airport, sewage line, gas line, water pipe,
storage tank, or a combination of two or more thereof.
[0094] In one embodiment, the soil moisture stabilization mat
further comprises one or more insect-, bacteria- and fungi-control
agent.
[0095] In one embodiment, the damage comprises one or more of a
crack, buckling, sinking, lifting, shifting, translocation,
upheaval, collapse, or a combination of two or more thereof.
[0096] In one embodiment, the method reduces the occurrence of
cracks appearing in a building's foundation.
[0097] In one embodiment, the soil stabilization or foundation mat
is used in combination of existing irrigation system such as soaker
hoses, drip emitters and micro-spray emitters.
[0098] In one embodiment, the irrigation system is an automatic
system that are electronically controlled based on soil moisture
level, which is determined using a soil moisture sensor buried
underneath the mat or based on the stress level exerted on the
foundation wall, which is determined by a sensor placed in between
the foundation wall and the soil.
[0099] In one embodiment, the mat center layer further comprises
one or more animal repellents.
[0100] Non-limiting examples of animal repellents may suitably
include one or more of dried blood, putrescent egg solids, Garlic
oil, Mint oil, Cedar oil, urine granules of predators such as fox
coyote, Rosemary Oil, Peppermint Oil, Cottonseed Oil, castor oil,
cinnamon oil, pepper powders, acephate, piperine, clove oil,
capsaicin oil, spearmint oil. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,069,314, 4,179,499, and 4,940,583.
[0101] Non-limiting examples of target animals for repelling may
include rabbits, deer, rodents, mole, mice gophers, snakes,
birds.
[0102] In one embodiment, the mat center layer further comprises
one or more insect, bacteria or fungi control agents.
[0103] Non-limiting examples of more insect, bacteria and fungi
control agents include pesticides and biocides to control pests,
which includes microorganisms, plants, animals that are detrimental
to humans and human concerns. Pesticides may include the following
types: Organophosphate, Carbamate, Organochlorine, Pyrethroid, and
Sulfonylurea pesticides, as well as biopesticides, which are
derived from such natural materials as animals, plants, bacteria,
and certain minerals as opposite to synthetic pesticides. Depending
on the pests type to control, it may include antimicrobials and/or
biocides for kill microorganisms (such as bacteria and viruses),
fungicides for killing of fungi (including blights, mildews, molds,
and rusts), herbicides for killing of weeds and other plants that
grow where they are not wanted, insecticides for killing insects
and other arthropods, miticides, for killing mites that feed on
plants and animals, microbial pesticides, which are microorganisms
that kill, inhibit, or out compete pests, including insects or
other microorganisms, molluscicides for killing of snails and
slugs, nematicides for killing nematodes (microscopic, worm-like
organisms that feed on plant roots), ovicides for killing eggs of
insects and mites, pheromones, which is biochemicals used to
disrupt the mating behavior of insects, repellents, which are used
to repel pests, including insects (such as mosquitoes) and birds,
and rodenticides for controlling mice and other rodents.
[0104] Non-limiting examples of target insects may include ants,
Adelgids (including Hemlock Woolly Adelgid), Aphids, Leaf Beetles
(including elm and willow leaf beetles), Borers (including Emerald
Ash Borer, Asian Long-horned Beetle and Bronze Birch Borer),
Lacebugs, Leafhoppers, Leaf miners, Mealybugs, Psyllids, Scale
Insects, Whiteflies, phytophagous mites, scale crawlers, thrips,
Flies, Sawflies, Caterpillars, Beetles, Weevils, Mole Crickets,
Mushrooms Flies, Leaf chewing insects including Caterpillars, Pine
Tip Moth, Winter Moth, Gypsy Moth, Eastern Tent Caterpillars, Fall
Cankerworm, Fall Webworm, Spider Mites, Boxelder Bugs
[0105] In one embodiment, the mat center layer further comprises
one or more fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides
and insect repellents
[0106] Non-limiting examples of fungicides, pesticides, herbicides,
and insecticides and insect repellents may suitably include Aldrin,
Chlordane, Chlordecone, Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT),
Dieldrin, Endosulfan, Endrin, Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene,
Lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane), Methoxychlor, Mirex,
Pentachlorophenol, Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), Acephate,
Azinphos-methyl, Bensulide, Chlorethoxyfos, Chlorpyrifos,
Chlorpyriphos-methyl, Diazinon, Dichlorvos (DDVP), Dicrotophos,
Dimethoate, Disulfoton, Ethoprop, Fenamiphos, Fenitrothion,
Fenthion, Fosthiazate, Malathion, Methamidophos, Methidathion,
Mevinphos, Monocrotophos, Naled, Omethoate, Oxydemeton-methyl,
Parathion, Parathion-methyl, Phorate, Phosalone, Phosmet,
Phostebupirim, Phoxim, Pirimiphos-methyl, Profenofos, Terbufos,
Tetrachlorvinphos, toxaphene, Tribufos, Trichlorfon, Aldicarb,
Bendiocarb, Carbofuran, Carbaryl, Dioxacarb, Fenobucarb,
Fenoxycarb, Isoprocarb, Methomyl, 2-(1-Methylpropyl)phenyl
methylcarbamate, Allethrin, Bifenthrin, Cyhalothrin,
Lambda-cyhalothrin, Cypermethrin, Cyfluthrin, Deltamethrin,
Etofenprox, Fenvalerate, Permethrin, Phenothrin, Prallethrin,
Resmethrin, Tetramethrin, Tralomethrin, Transfluthrin, Acetamiprid,
Clothianidin, Imidacloprid, Nithiazine, Thiacloprid, Thiamethoxam,
Benzoylureas, Diflubenzuron, Flufenoxuron, Cyromazine, Methoprene,
Hydroprene, Tebufenozide, Chlorantraniliprole, Cyantraniliprole,
Flubendiamide, Anabasine, Anethole, Annonin, Asimina (pawpaw tree
seeds). Azadirachtin, Caffeine, Carapa, Cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamon
leaf oil, Cinnamyl acetate, Citral, Deguelin, Derris, Desmodium
caudatum (leaves and roots), Eugenol, Linalool, Myristicin,
Nicotiana rustica (nicotine), Peganum harmala, Oregano oil,
Polyketide, Pyrethrum, Quassia, Ryanodine, Tetranortriterpenoid,
Thymol, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus
thuringiensis aizawi, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, acillus
thuringiensis kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis, Nuclear
Polyhedrosis virus, Granulovirus, Spinosad Spinosyn D,
Lecanicillium lecanii, (3-ethoxypropyl)mercury bromide,
2-methoxyethylmercury chloride, 2-phenylphenol, 8-hydroxyquinoline
sulfate, 8-phenylmercurioxyquinoline, acibenzolar, acylamino acid
fungicides, acypetacs, aldimorph, aliphatic nitrogen fungicides,
allyl alcohol, amide fungicides, ampropylfos, anilazine, anilide
fungicides, antibiotic fungicides, aromatic fungicides,
aureofungin, azaconazole, azithiram, azoxystrobin, barium
polysulfide, benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benodanil, benomyl, benquinox,
bentaluron, benthiavalicarb, benzalkonium chloride, benzamacril,
benzamide fungicides, benzamorf, benzanilide fungicides,
benzimidazole fungicides, benzimidazole precursor fungicides,
benzimidazolylcarbamate fungicides, benzohydroxamic acid,
benzothiazole fungicides, bethoxazin, binapacryl, biphenyl,
bitertanol, bithionol, bixafen, blasticidin-S, Bordeaux mixture,
boric acid, boscalid, bridged diphenyl fungicides, bromuconazole,
bupirimate, Burgundy mixture, buthiobate, sec-butylamine, calcium
polysulfide, captafol, captan, carbamate fungicides, carbamorph,
carbanilate fungicides, carbendazim, carboxin, carpropamid,
carvone, Cheshunt mixture, chinomethionat, chlobenthiazone,
chloraniformethan, chloranil, chlorfenazole,
chlorodinitronaphthalene, chloroform, chloroneb, chloropicrin,
chlorothalonil, chlorquinox, chlozolinate, ciclopirox, climbazole,
clotrimazole, conazole fungicides, conazole fungicides
(imidazoles), conazole fungicides (triazoles), copper(II) acetate,
copper(II) carbonate, basic, copper fungicides, copper hydroxide,
copper naphthenate, copper oleate, copper oxychloride, copper(II)
sulfate, copper sulfate, basic, copper zinc chromate, cresol,
cufraneb, cuprobam, cuprous oxide, cyazofamid, cyclafuramid, cyclic
dithiocarbamate fungicides, cycloheximide, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil,
cypendazole, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, dazomet,
(1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane) DBCP, debacarb, decafentin,
dehydroacetic acid, dicarboximide fungicides, dichlofluanid,
dichlone, dichlorophen, dichlorophenyl, dichlozoline,
diclobutrazol, diclocymet, diclomezine, dicloran, diethofencarb,
diethyl pyrocarbonate, difenoconazole, diflumetorim, dimethirimol,
dimethomorph, dimoxystrobin, diniconazole, diniconazole-M,
dinitrophenol fungicides, dinobuton, dinocap, dinocap-4, dinocap-6,
dinocton, dinopenton, dinosulfon, dinoterbon, diphenylamine,
dipyrithione, disulfiram, ditalimfos, dithianon, dithiocarbamate
fungicides, (Dinitro-ortho-cresol) DNOC, dodemorph, dodicin,
dodine, donatodine, drazoxolon, edifenphos, epoxiconazole,
etaconazole, etem, ethaboxam, ethirimol, ethoxyquin, ethylene
oxide, ethylmercury 2,3-dihydroxypropyl mercaptide, ethylmercury
acetate, ethylmercury bromide, ethylmercury chloride, ethylmercury
phosphate, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone, fenaminosulf,
fenapanil, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenhexamid,
fenitropan, fenoxanil, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph,
fentin, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, Fluconazole, fludioxonil,
flumetover, flumorph, fluopicolide, fluoroimide, fluotrimazole,
fluoxastrobin, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flusulfamide,
flutolanil, flutriafol, fluxapyroxad, folpet, formaldehyde,
fosetyl, fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr, furamide fungicides,
furanilide fungicides, furcarbanil, furconazole, furconazole-cis,
furfural, furmecyclox, furophanate, glyodin, griseofulvin,
guazatine, halacrinate, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene,
hexachlorophene, hexaconazole, hexylthiofos, hydrargaphen,
hymexazol, imazalil, imibenconazole, imidazole fungicides,
iminoctadine, inorganic fungicides, inorganic mercury fungicides,
iodomethane, ipconazole, iprobenfos, iprodione, iprovalicarb,
isopropyl alcohol, isoprothiolane, isovaledione, kasugamycin,
ketoconazole, kresoxim-methyl, Lime sulfur (lime sulphur),
mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, mebenil, mecarbinzid, mepanipyrim,
mepronil, mercuric chloride, mercuric oxide, mercurous chloride,
mercury fungicides, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M (a.k.a. Mefenoxam),
metam, metazoxolon, metconazole, methasulfocarb, methfuroxam,
methyl bromide, methyl isothiocyanate, methylmercury benzoate,
methylmercury dicyandiamide, methylmercury pentachlorophenoxide,
metiram, metominostrobin, metrafenone, metsulfovax, milneb,
morpholine fungicides, myclobutanil, myclozolin,
N-(ethylmercury)-p-toluenesulfonanilide, nabam, natamycin,
nystatin, .beta.-nitrostyrene, nitrothal-isopropyl, nuarimol,
octhilinone, ofurace, oprodione, organomercury fungicides,
organophosphorus fungicides, organotin fungicides, orthophenyl
phenol, orysastrobin, oxadixyl, oxathiin fungicides, oxazole
fungicides, oxine copper, oxpoconazole, oxycarboxin, pefurazoate,
penconazole, pencycuron, pentachlorophenol, penthiopyrad,
phenylmercuriurea, phenylmercury acetate, phenylmercury chloride,
phenylmercury derivative of pyrocatechol, phenylmercury nitrate,
phenylmercury salicylate, phenylsulfarnide fungicides, phosdiphen,
Phosphite, phthalide, phthalimide fungicides, picoxystrobin,
piperalin, polycarbamate, polymeric dithiocarbamate fungicides,
polyoxins, polyoxorim, polysulfide fungicides, potassium azide,
potassium polysulfide, potassium thiocyanate, probenazole,
prochloraz, procymidone, propamocarb, propiconazole, propineb,
proquinazid, prothiocarb, prothioconazole, pyracarbolid
pyraclostrobin, pyrazole fungicides, pyrazophos, pyridine
fungicides, pyridinitril, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyrimidine
fungicides, pyroquilon, pyroxychlor, pyroxyfur, pyrrole fungicides,
quinacetol, quinazamid, quinconazole, quinoline fungicides,
quinomethionate, quinone fungicides, quinoxaline fungicides,
quinoxyfen, quintozene, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, silthiofam,
silver, simeconazole, sodium azide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium
orthophenylphenoxide, sodium pentachlorophenoxide, sodium
polysulfide, spiroxamine, streptomycin, strobilurin fungicides,
sulfonanilide fungicides, sulfur, sulfuryl fluoride, sultropen,
2-(Thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole (TCMTB), tebuconazole,
tecloftalam, tecnazene, tecoram, tetraconazole, thiabendazole,
thiadifluor, thiazole fungicides, thicyofen, thifluzamide, thymol,
triforine, thiocarbamate fungicides, thiochlorfenphim, thiomersal,
thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl, thiophene fungicides, thioquinox,
thiram, tiadinil, tioxymid, tivedo, tolclofos-methyl, tolnaftate,
tolylfluanid, tolylmercury acetate, triadimefon, triadimenol,
triamiphos, triarimol, triazbutil, triazine fungicides, triazole
fungicides, triazoxide, tributyltin oxide, trichlamide,
tricyclazole, tridemorph, trifloxystrobin, triflumizole, triforine
triticonazole, Undecylenic acid, uniconazole, uniconazole-P, urea
fungicides, validamycin, valinamide fungicides, vinclozolin,
voriconazole, zarilamid, zinc naphthenate, zineb, ziram, zoxamide,
Diatomaceous earth, Borate, Borax, Boric Acid, Rosemary Oil,
Peppermint Oil, Cottonseed Oil.
[0107] Sulfonylurea herbicides: amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron,
bensulfuron-methyl, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron
ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium,
halosulfuron-methyl, imazosulfuron, nicosulfuron, oxasulfuron,
primisulfuron-methyl, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, rimsulfuron,
sulfometuron-methyl Sulfosulfuron, terbacil, triflusulfuron methyl
bispyribac-sodium, cyclosulfamuron, and pyrithiobac-sodium.
[0108] Additionally, the pesticides and herbicides listed on the
National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances by the US
Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP).
The National List identifies the synthetic substances that may be
used in organic crop and livestock production, and prohibits the
use of certain natural toxic substances in organic production.
[0109] In one embodiment, the mat center layer further comprises
Endophytic microbes or Endophytes. These are organisms, often fungi
and bacteria that dwell within robust plant tissues by having a
symbiotic association, for at least part of its life cycle without
causing apparent disease. Endophytes are benign organisms that
produce some compounds to promote plant growth or help survival of
harsh environments.
[0110] In one embodiment, the mat center layer further comprises
Mycorrhiza.
[0111] Mycorrhizas are commonly divided into ectomycorrhizas and
endomycorrhizas. The two types are differentiated by the fact that
the hyphae of ectomycorrhizal fungi do not penetrate individual
cells within the root, while the hyphae of endomycorrhizal fungi
penetrate the cell wall and invaginate the cell membrane.
Endomycorrhiza includes arbuscular, ericoid, and orchid mycorrhiza,
while arbutoid mycorrhizas can be classified as
ectoendomycorrhizas. Monotropoid mycorrhizas form a special
category.
[0112] Many plants form associations called mycorrhizae with fungi
that give them access to nutrients in the soil, protecting against
disease and toxicities. Mycorrhizas are especially beneficial for
the plant partner in nutrient-poor soils. Mycorrhizal plants are
often more resistant to diseases, drought, salinity and
toxicity
[0113] Because nutrients are often depleted in the soil, most
plants form symbiotic relationships called mycorrhizae with fungi
that integrate into the plant's root.
[0114] The relationship between plants and fungi is symbiotic
because the plant obtains phosphate and other minerals through the
fungus, while the fungus obtains sugars from the plant root.
[0115] The long extensions of the fungus, called hyphae, help
increase the surface area of the plant root system so that it can
extend beyond the area of nutrient depletion. Mycorrhizal mycelia
are much smaller in diameter than the smallest root, and thus can
explore a greater volume of soil, providing a larger surface area
for absorption.
[0116] In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 1, a Diaper
Recycling Pilot Plant Design includes: 1. sanitation and washing
device, 2. shredder, 3. hydropulper and settling tank, 4. screen
for SAP, 5. screen for polyolefin, 6. water recycle tank, 7. dryer
for SAP, 8. optional additional separation tank, 9. optional
additional screen for polyolefin, and 10. dryer for polyolefin
plastics. Red line (shown between "Diapers" and elements 1 and 2):
dirty diapers or shredded diapers; Green line (shown as solid
between elements 3, 5 and 8, and shown as dotted: polyolefin rich
upper layers; Purple line (shown between elements 3, 4 and 7): SAP
rich lower layers; and Black (shown as solid line from element 5 to
6, and as dotted line from elements 8 and 9 to 6) and Blue lines
(shown as solid from element 4 to 6 then to 8 and 3): water
recycling.
[0117] In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 13, two
strip-shaped plant protection mats may be placed on each side of a
row of plants. Alternatively, one strip-shaped plant protection mat
may be placed on one side of a row of plants. Alternating sections
with and without SAP are shown. Such a placement, and embodiment,
might be desirable for grape vines, trees, shrubs, crops in
nurseries, orchards, farms and vineyards. The long strip shaped
plant protection mat can be made with multiple compartments that
are separated, for example, with stitching lines, heat sealing
lines, adhesive lines or any other methods described herein for
joining the top and bottom layer to one another. Such an embodiment
might be preferable for plants that are planted far from one
other.
[0118] In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 14, two
strip-shaped plant protection mats may be placed on each side of a
row of plants, wherein the sections with and without SAP run the
length of the mat. Such an embodiment might be preferable for
plants that are planted close to each other.
[0119] In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 16, the top layer
of a plant protection mat may include one or more cones formed or
sewn therein, which help to catch water and direct it downward into
the center layer. The tip of each (inverted) cone may have a small
hole, if desired, to help pass caught water into the center layer.
Alternatively, the cone may be present and not have a hole at the
bottom, or the cone may be made of permeable or semipermeable
material that allows water to seep into the center layer, and
reduce or eliminate evaporation of water from the center layer. In
some embodiments, this type of top layer may be a flexible
material, such as a fabric, or it may be made from a stiffer
material, such as a plastic. Alternatively, the cones may be made
from plastic, and sewn or affixed into a flexible material. Here,
access slit is shown for placing the mat around an existing plant
or tree. The access slit extends from the perimeter edge to the
large hole in the interior, to accommodate a plant or tree. In one
embodiment, the cone-shaped structures can be formed via Injection
Molding, Blow Molding, Compression Molding, Film Insert Molding,
Gas Assist Molding, Rotational Molding, Structural Foam Molding,
and Thermoforming. The top cover with cone shaped structures can be
connected to the bottom layer of the plant protection mat via
sewing, heat sealing, adhesive, abrasion sealing or other joining
methods. The materials that can be used to make the top cover
includes polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, bio-based
plastics, mixtures of materials such as the recycled diaper
materials, polyester, polyurethane, rubber materials, recycled
rubber materials, bio-based materials such as wood, bamboo, and
agricultural residues, processed bio-based materials. The side wall
can be made from the same materials and formed at the same time of
the top cover is formed. It can be structural support for the top
cover and collected water in the cones before they seep through the
holes in the cones. The height of the sidewall, if present, may be
any size desired, but in one embodiment may range from 0.5 inch to
10 inch in height. The use of a sidewall is to increase the water
holding capacity of the plant protection mat for a certain shape
and covered area.
[0120] In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 17, the WCMC plant
protection mat may be used in combination of drip irrigation tubing
and an irrigation hose. One or more drip emitters or micro-spray
nozzles connected to the drip irrigation tubing may also be placed
inside of the mat or on top of the mat. Non-limiting examples of
drip irrigation tubing and irrigation hose may be found in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 2,752,201, 3,420,064, 3,586,239, and 3,604,72. The drip
emitters or micro-spray nozzles may be connected to the drip
irrigation tubing and placed inside of the mat or on top of the
mat.
[0121] In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 19, a WCMC plant
protection mat can be used in combination with a soaker hose placed
inside of the mat. The porous soaker hose is to be in contact with
super absorbent materials or in contact with a wicking material
that is in contact with super absorbent materials that makes the
center layer of the plant protection mat. To connect the soaker
hose with a water source, a threaded hose connector, e.g., garden
hose threaded connector, male or female, 3/4'' MGHT (Male Garden
Hose Thread) can be used. The hose connector can be joined to the
mat via heat sealing, sewing, cable ties, twist tie, tape, Velcro
straps, and plastic straps.
[0122] In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 20, the plant
protection mat may be made of multiple segments that may be used
together or assembled into one unit where there is a hole in the
middle for plants to be planted or around one or more already
planted plants. Each segment has all the segments of a plant
protection mat and a top layer and a center layer, having sections
with and without SAP, with edges sealed together. The assembled
unit can have any shape, such as circle, rectangle, square, or a
shaped of the place where plants will be planted. The plant
protection can be made with multiple compartments that are
separated with stitching lines, heat sealing lines, adhesive lines
or any other methods of joining the top and bottom layer together.
Right-hand side of figure shows an embodiment in which a single
unit for placement around a tree or plant has four access slits,
leading to a hole for accommodating a tree or plant.
[0123] In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 21, the plant
protection mat may be made of multiple segments that assemble into
one unit where there is a hole in the middle for plants to be
planted or around one or more already planted plants. Each segment
has all the segments of a plant protection mat and a top layer and
a center layer with edges sealed together. The assembled unit can
has any shape, such as circle, rectangle, square, or a shaped of
the place where plants will be planted. The plant protection mat
can be made with multiple compartments that are separated with
stitching lines, heat sealing lines, adhesive lines or any other
methods of joining the top and bottom layer together. Some
compartments contains fertilizers that may include slow release
fertilizer, inorganic and organic (compost) based fertilizers,
sludge from waste water treatment plant, sewage sludge,
anaerobically digested sludge, biomass by product from brewers,
matures, anaerobically digested animal manures, anaerobically
digested other biomass, Pulp and Paper Waste. Fertilizer can be in
particulate shape or pressed into flat sheets. Fertilizers can also
be mixed with SAP or pure. Right-hand side of figure shows an
embodiment in which a single unit for placement around a tree or
plant has four access slits, leading to a hole for accommodating a
tree or plant.
[0124] In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 22, a plant
protection mat may be made of multiple segments that assembles into
one unit where there is a hole in the middle for plants to be
planted or around one or more already planted plants. Each segment
has all the segments of a plant protection mat and a top layer and
a middle layer with edges sealed together. The assembled unit can
has any shape, such as circle, rectangle, square, or a shaped of
the place where plants will be planted. The plant protection mat
can be made with multiple compartments that are separated with
stitching lines, heat sealing lines, adhesive lines or any other
methods of joining the top and bottom layer together. All
compartments contains fertilizers that may include slow release
fertilizer, inorganic and organic (compost) based fertilizers,
sludge from waste water treatment plant, sewage sludge,
anaerobically digested sludge, biomass by product from brewers,
matures, anaerobically digested animal manures, anaerobically
digested other biomass, Pulp and Paper Waste. Fertilizer can be in
particulate shape or pressed into flat sheets. Fertilizers can also
be mixed with SAP or pure.
[0125] In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 23, the WCMC mat
may be flexible long tube to allow placement around several
different plants, or it may be have a serpentine shape, or may be
in a fractional-circumferential shape, such as one-quarter,
one-half, three-quarters, or the like, which mats, so-shaped, can
be connected together, or which may be not connected but used in
combination to accommodate placement around different plants. Each
mat may have sections with and without SAP. In one embodiment, one
method of using a plant protection mat is to place one or more
flexible long tube shaped WCMC mats in planters, flower pots and
containers, garden beds, or ground to go around plants. The long
strip shaped plant protection mat can be made with multiple
compartments that are separated with stitching lines, heat sealing
lines, adhesive lines or any other methods of joining the top and
bottom layer together.
[0126] Development of Novel Weed and Moisture Control (WCMC) Mat
from Recycled Disposable Diaper Materials
[0127] Disposable baby and adult diapers account for 2% of all
solid wastes that are accumulating in landfills. Currently, in the
U.S., plastic materials recovered from disposable diapers are not
accepted by recycling companies because the materials include a
mixture of different plastics, as well as human waste.
[0128] At the same time, there is need for a product that can help
trees to survive drought and suppress weed growth without using
chemicals. The present inventors have designed and developed novel
weed control and moisture conservation (WCMC) plant mat from
recycled disposable diapers using an economically viable and
environmentally benign method. The WCMC mat design includes three
layers: a top cover that limits evaporation but allows rain water
to seep in, a middle layer with superabsorbent polymer particles
(SAP) that absorbs and stores water and releases it slowly, and a
permeable bottom layer that allows water to pass through to the
underlying ground. The bottom layer also blocks weed growth. In one
embodiment, the WCMC mat can be heavy enough to keep the mat on
ground, and prevent from reaching the ground. The mat exhibits
superior weed control.
[0129] Low Cost and Environmentally Benign Recycling Process.
[0130] The process provides a low cost recycling and simple
processing method, uses low cost materials and reduces energy cost.
In one embodiment, a float/sink separation of diaper components
using water as separation medium and low cost chemicals for
sanitation with bleach (sodium or calcium hypochlorite), for SAP
treatment with snow melt (calcium chloride) and for SAP recovery
with potash fertilizer (potassium carbonate) was developed. But
energy cost for drying SAP was significant as water content is very
high in the recovered SAP/cellulose mixtures. In experiments, it
was found that the water content has been dramatically reduced
(>93%) by using higher concentrations of calcium cations with
some scarification of recoverable absorbency in SAP. The excess
calcium cations can be reused by recycling water from the
separation process. Since most of the water used in the recycling
process can be reused in the separation process, waste water amount
is expected to be low, even at large scale operations. Waste water
analysis results indicated that it is similar to sewage waste
water. Current municipal waste water treatment plants can handle
them without problems at a low quantity, and direct discharge into
sewage is possible. Pretreatment may be needed for very large
volume of waste water, but the treatment methods are readily
available and economical.
[0131] Sheets were prepared from recovered diaper shell plastics
using a wetlay and compression molding method. Integrity of the mat
without addition of extra wood fiber was identified as a major
problem. With addition of wood fiber to improve integrity of the
wetlaid mats and molded sheets, mechanical testing reviewed that
the physical properties of these sheets are sufficient for the
intended application in a WCMC mat at a 500 micrometer thickness.
The strength requirement was determined based on the wet weight and
handling needs of one embodiment of the prototype WCMC mats, which
is about 10 MPa or higher for 500 micrometer thick sheets.
[0132] One embodiment of the diaper recycling pilot plant is shown
in FIG. 1. This plant includes five sequential steps: washing and
sanitizing, shredding, settling, filtering, and drying. In this
system, the collected soiled diapers are first sanitized and washed
using the selected device as discussed above. To prevent noxious
odors, soiled diapers may be stored in air-tight trash bags, which
are opened in advance to provide adequate contact of diapers with
bleach. Shredding is used.
[0133] The slurry and fluid handling from 3 to 4, 4 to 6, 5 to 3,
and 6 to 3 may be accomplished by a sump pump. This will allow
smooth handling of fluids without clogging while maintaining high
separation efficiency and high production rate. Water removed from
the upper layer polyolefins-rich slurry and lower layer SAP-rich
slurry coming out of 3 may be filtered by using two different
screens 4 and 5. 5 is a screen with large holes so that only the
polyolefin fibers and strips will be removed from the rest of
slurry, which will return back to 3. 4 is a screen with small holes
to be used for filtering SAP out of water. Vacuum or press may be
used to remove as much water as possible. The removed water may be
pumped to the recycle tank 6 for reuse. CaCl.sub.2 and bleach can
be added to the recycle tank for two purposes: prevent bacteria
growth in this tank and serve as a source of salt for the settling
process. Prior to placing SAP in dryer 7, K.sub.2CO.sub.3 solution
is sprayed onto the wet SAP. Recovery of SAP can be done in the
dryer, and residual K.sub.2CO.sub.3 can be left in SAP. Dryer may
be a forced air or other suitable dryer.
[0134] The subsystem including a settling tank 8 and a filter
screen 9 (dotted lines for flow directions) may be repeated to
obtain better separation for polyolefins. This subsystem can also
be removed if such processing of recycled polyolefins fails.
Incomplete removal of SAP particles from polyolefin strips and
fibers result in poor mechanical properties, especially under wet
conditions. The presence of swelled SAP particles create pores in
the compression molded panels and ruins the mechanical properties.
The lower layer from 8 and the water coming out the 9 will be
returned back to 3.
[0135] High Throughput Manufacturing
[0136] For plastic processing, injection molding, thermoforming and
vacuum forming are usually much faster and more suitable for high
volumes than other plastic processing methods. FIG. 2 illustrates a
2D-CAD drawing of a plastic tray with rain water collection
funnels, a center tree hole, and a slit for deployment around the
plant or tree. The larger sizes (diameter/linear dimension larger
than 30 inches) will be too heavy for handling when they are
soaked. Therefore, the design for them can be divided into two,
three or four parts for manufacturing. This will reduce the tooling
cost for the aforementioned plastic processing methods.
[0137] In one embodiment, any of the mats described herein may be
produced with recycled diaper materials obtained by the diaper
recycling process.
[0138] WCMC Mat Prototype and Evaluation.
[0139] Concurrent to the recycling process, an evaluation was
carried out with prototype WCMC mats. Because processing of
recycled diaper plastics can only be possible after enough plastics
are collected, the top and bottom covers of the prototype mat were
made by weed barrier fabrics or ground cover fabrics. Because the
demand for WCMC mats on field tests were high and SAP from diapers
were not enough, the SAP layer had three types of SAP: recycled SAP
from diapers, virgin SAP particles acquired from the market or a
mixture of these two. Different sizes, shapes and combination of
materials were used to make the prototypes. The material selection
was to enhance the features of the WCMC mat in weed control (strong
fabric to block weed growth), water conservation (slow down
evaporation from top cover and allow rainwater to permeate) and
delivery of water to root system (permeable bottom layer).
Durability and UV stability is also an important factor for
consideration as the mats are designed for outdoor usage. FIGS. 3
and 4 shows the prototype mats prepared for field and bioassay
tests from weed barrier films and/or ground cover fabrics.
[0140] WCMC mats were fabricated and evaluated for performances
under various conditions. WCMC mats can provide several benefits:
(1) covering the soil to prevent soil surface evaporation, (2)
maximizing soil water availability through elimination of competing
vegetation (weed control), (3) providing a self-charging and
slow-releasing water reservoir for plants, and (4) preserving
fertilizer by reducing weed growth and irrigation/rain water
runoff.
[0141] Controlled environment trials and field tests on multiple
sites were carried out in greenhouses and in road medians, parks,
landscaping grounds, vineyards, and nurseries. The results show
that WCMC mats can suppress weed control and alleviate planting
stress of trees, especially in drought conditions. WCMC mats have
high potential for reducing water usage, labor and other
maintenance costs while increasing survival rate of trees for urban
forest management, park and recreation, and forest restoration.
[0142] Water Distribution Test.
[0143] This experiment was set up during the hottest part of the
year. It was designed to determine whether water goes down into the
soil, how fast water goes into the soil, and how much water goes
into the soil. Potting soil was placed into flower pots under a
rain exclusion shelter. The initial relative soil moisture was
about 3-4 (on a scale from 1-10 with 1 being very dry and 10 being
soaked). Prototype WCMC mats with about 15 lbs absorbed water were
placed on the top of potting soil. Soil moisture levels were
measured at 4-inch deep for 6 weeks. The weight of the WCMC mat and
the total weight of pot plus mat were recorded.
[0144] The results are shown in FIG. 5. It took 3 days for the soil
moisture of 4 inches below surface to rise from 3 to 6. Then in the
following 40 days, the soil moisture was observed at a rather high
level (6-8). Weight loss of mat was larger than the total weight
loss initially, indicating that water enters soil at the same time
it evaporates from the mats and the potting soil. But the potting
soil was observed to have has a net gain in water. After 25 days,
the total weight loss is larger than weight loss of the WCMC mat.
This suggests that the water in the mat became less available and
there was more moisture evaporation than it obtained from the mat.
At this point, more than half of the WCMC mat's absorbency capacity
became available for compensation of evaporation or movement down
into the soil.
[0145] Exposure to Drought in Sandy Soil
[0146] Sandy soil is known to have poor water retention properties
and usually requires more frequent watering to be suitable for
planting. This experiment was designed to determine whether the
WCMC mat provides water retention and release that are necessary
for seedlings to survive in drought in sandy soils. In this
bioassay, the control group is seedlings without WCMC mats. Each
group of eight seedlings was exposed an extended drought cycle.
[0147] The results show (FIG. 6) that the seedlings in the control
group had much lower water potential (i.e. higher water stress)
than those in the WCMC group. This suggests the poor water
retention capability in sandy soil exposed the control seedlings to
extreme drought conditions. Six out of eight control group
seedlings died before 26 days, and none survived for 34 days. The
seedlings in two WCMC groups all survived the trial period. The
control group seedlings had minimal height growth, no diameter
growth, and no root growth. The WCMC group had root growth
throughout the soil profile, which helped the seedling survive the
experiment period. A larger-sized and more sophisticated experiment
is needed to be conclusive, but it is clear from this trial that
WCMC mats can provide protections for trees against severe
drought.
[0148] Testing of WCMC Mats Concept in Urban Forestry
Management
[0149] The inventors installed 20 WCMC mats around trees in the
median of a highway in August. Before the installment of WCMC mats,
all of the trees had been previously relied on watering bags for
water. FIG. 7 shows the soil moisture level under WCMC mats
compared to that under watering bags (randomly selected from nearby
trees). For most of time in an unusually wet summer with a late
drought, soil moisture level under WCMC mats was from 4 to 8, which
was most suitable for most plants to grow. It was at least 2 times
higher than that under watering bags. Soil moisture data from two
other field tests agrees with the data shown in FIG. 7.
[0150] Testing of WCMC Mats Concept in Nursery Production
[0151] Container and field trials under controlled and simulated
watering environment following nursery daily schedules have been
carried out about two months. This test was design to evaluate the
water conservation capabilities of the WCMC mat to increase soil
water availability and reduce irrigation for nursery crops in
containers and in field. Drip irrigation methods are the standard
operations at this nursery. There are two groups of experimental
treatments: Group #1 for container plants, there are five testing
trials with maple trees of similar size (Table 1); Group#2 for
ground plants, there are six testing trials (Table 2).
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 In-container Experimental Treatments Group #
Description Treatment and Setup GP#1 Control Group, Standard
Operation No WCMC mat installed, regular drip irrigation with
watering rate 7.0 GPH GP#2 WCMC Mats only 18'' WCMC mats installed,
manual watering when needed only GP#3 WCMC Mats with combination of
18'' WCMC mats installed, watering rate 3.0 GPH drip irrigation
GP#4 WCMC Mats with combination of 18'' WCMC mats, watering rate
5.0 GPH drip irrigation GP#5 WCMC Mats with combination of 18''
WCMC mats, watering rate 7.0 GPH drip irrigation
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 In-field Experimental Treatments Group #
Description Treatment and Setup GT#1 Control Group, Standard No
WCMC mat installed, regular watering with drip Operation irrigation
GT#2 WCMC Mats only 2'.times.2' WCMC mats installed, manual
watering when needed only GT#3 WCMC Mats with combination
2'.times.2' WCMC mats installed, daily watering rate 0.5 GPH of
drip irrigation GT#4 WCMC Mats with combination 2'.times.2' WCMC
mats, daily watering rate 1.0 GPH of drip irrigation GT#5 WCMC Mats
with combination 2'.times.2' WCMC mats, daily watering rate 1.5 GPH
of drip irrigation GT#6 WCMC Mats with combination 18'' WCMC mats,
daily watering rate 2.0 GPH of drip irrigation
[0152] The water usage and soil moisture were measured and recorded
for 64 days, including rain precipitation (retrieved from
weather.org). Plants in containers were watered on daily basis
except for days on which it rained (62-day watering in 64 days).
The results are shown in FIG. 8. These data indicate that current
water usage in the nursery can be reduced from 5.3 to 2.7 cu ft for
in-container plants with better results by using WCMC mats. It also
means that these WCMC mats can save more than 50% of current water
usage to maintain the same soil moisture level.
[0153] It has been observed that in-field plants have been watered
overnight each time in 4-day intervals (15 times in 64 days).
Because of the long time watering and small measuring container (5
gal bucket), water were filled and overflowed many times for some
treatments. Therefore, the total water usage recorded is
underestimated, and the actual differences between treatments
should be larger. The results are shown in FIG. 9. For the several
times that bucket was overflowed, the measured amount of irrigation
water is lower than what the plants actually received. These data
indicate that WCMC mats can help maintain good soil moisture level
for in-field plants with much less water usage. Considering the
inaccuracy in water amount measurements, it does show that a large
amount of water can be saved without scarifying plant growth.
[0154] Testing of WCMC Mats Concept in Urban Orchard
[0155] The present inventors installed 10 WCMC mats around fruit
trees in an orchard, and watering bags were installed around 10
other trees in the same orchard. A variety of different fruit tree
species was included. Although it cannot be considered as a
scientifically sound experimental design of experiment, it provided
an opportunity to test WCMC mats against regular watering using
watering bags on different fruit trees. Orchard staff were on hand
to fill the watering bags whenever there was less than one inch of
rain during a 7-day period. WCMC mats were not watered throughout
the year. It was found that the average relative soil moisture
level under WCMC mats (-7.7) was higher than that under watering
bags (-7.5).
[0156] Using an accurate watering record and precipitation record
from weather.org, the amount of water received by each tree was
determined. Watering bags were manually filled 4 times with total
of 60 gallons for each tree. From June to December, WCMC mats
received total of 26 inches of rain since the time of planting,
which corresponds to 50 gallons during this period using 24 inch
diameter mat and 4-inch diameter tree hole. It was assumed that all
the rain water was collected and stored since runoff could not be
estimated. Due to the cone shape (estimated diameter at bottom is
12 inches) of watering bags, rain is prevented from entering the
soil beneath the bags. The total excluded rain water is estimated
to be 11 gallons of rain water per tree. The accumulative water
amount available for each tree is shown in FIG. 10. Although the
numbers are not supported by actual measurements, the total water
amounts are about same at the end of the 180 days period. It is in
good agreement with the soil moisture level measurements. A few
things might have been missed in the calculation: runoff rainwater
from WCMC mats, runoff irrigation water from watering bags, and
rainwater flows into the area covered by watering bags. It is also
possible that a better estimation could be derived by including the
measurement of runoff water amount.
[0157] Weed Management.
[0158] The overall weed control results of the WCMC mats are very
good. First, the fabrics used to make the prototypes are
commercially available weed barrier fabrics. Second, the swelled
SAP secures the WCMC mat on the ground so that air and sunlight
cannot reach weeds, which would die without photosynthesis. The
weight of mats also provides extra pressure to prevent grass
penetrating, which happens to single layer of weed fabrics. In
experiments at a nursery farm, it was found that WCMC mats
controlled weeds around the base of a sapling tree better than
either sprayed weed killer or applied weed killer pellets.
[0159] For smaller sized WCMC mats tested in this experiment, air
can reach the weeds underneath the WCMC mats as evidenced by the
continual growth of weeds (white or pale colored leaves and stems)
and weed roots for a period of time before they eventually die off.
Fine roots of the trees were also found underneath the WCMC mats,
indicating oxygen diffused to that location and allows the root
growth. The death of the weeds was mainly due to the blocking of
sunlight for a certain time.
[0160] However, in a separate experiment where larger sized WCMC
mats were used, air blocking was found to contribute to the death
of weeds when the weeds is far from the edges of the WCMC mats. It
is evidenced by the rotten weed leaves and stems. During
inspection, the inventors were experienced with the typical smell
of the anaerobic respiration of microorganisms. The smell was
particularly pronounced when recycled diaper materials (containing
cellulose fibers and other organic materials), organic fertilizers
and other organic matters were used. In one embodiment, dividing a
large sized WCMC mats into multiple sections and leaving some of
the sections without SAP, can be advantageous for certain
applications.
[0161] Soil Temperature Measurement.
[0162] During a field trip to one testing site in October, the
present inventors noticed a big temperature difference above and
under the WCMC mats. A literature review on the temperature effects
on root growth as well as plants in winter protection showed that
5-30.degree. C. is the temperature range for root growth for most
plants. Therefore, an experiment was designed to measure soil
temperatures during winter. Soil temperatures were measured in the
road median of a highway from January to February. Sensors were
buried 3'' below soil surface. In FIG. 11, daily mean or high
temperatures (obtained from weather.org), air temperature on site
when measurements were done (some were taken in early morning when
temperature was close to the minimum temperature of the subject
day), soil temperature under WCMC mats and watering bags are
reported. The results showed that the soil temperature under WCMC
mats remained around 5.degree. C. in one of the coldest days in
January, while the temperature under watering bags was about
1-2.degree. C., that is, much colder. For a continuous cold period,
the results showed the soil temperature under WCMC mats were also
3-5.degree. C. higher than that under the watering bags.
[0163] In some of the warmer days of winter, the temperature under
WCMC mats was lower than the temperature that under watering bags.
This indicates that in the very hot summer days, soil temperature
under WCMC mats will desirably be lower than that under watering
bags to offer hot weather protection for trees. However, complete
temperature data could not be collected in the road median because
of vandalization of the temperature sensors. Therefore,
temperatures were only collected from two parks in a nearby county
in the days with high temperature above 90 F (32.degree. C.). Data
is shown in FIG. 12. On the hottest days, the soil temperature
under the WCMC mat was lower than 27.degree. C. Much higher average
temperatures, 34-38.degree. C. (as high as 45.degree. C.), were
recorded for trees covered with mulch only. The direct sun exposure
does contribute much to the soil temperature.
[0164] Soil Moisture Stabilizer Mat for Foundation of Structures on
Expansive Soils
[0165] One embodiment provides a method of stabilizing soil
moisture in expansive or other soil with any WCMC mat or prototype
WCMC mat described herein, which includes placing the WCMC mat or
prototype WCMC mat on the soil as a soil stabilization mat or
foundation mat, and allowing it to remain on the soil for an
extended period of time.
[0166] Another embodiment provides a method of reducing the
occurrence of damage to infrastructure located in or on the ground,
which includes placing a soil stabilization mat or foundation mat,
such as any WCMC mat or prototype WCMC mat described herein on the
soil near, around, or above the infrastructure, and allowing it to
remain on the soil for an extended period of time.
[0167] One embodiment includes using foundation mat to stabilize
the soil moisture for an extended period, even without watering or
rainfall. As demonstrated in the field trials for urban forestry
applications in Richmond, Va., USA, a moisture conservation mat was
used for trees planted in the road medium to maintain a much more
stable moisture content for 4 months even without the use of an
irrigation watering (FIG. 7).
[0168] Another test was performed in a rain exclusion shelter
during the summer months. The whole system was connected to the
environment with normal sunlight, air flow, outdoor temperature
fluctuation, and transpiration from weeds and plants, except that
rain falls were sheltered off. Soil moisture levels found to be
between 6 and 8 at 4-inch deep in soil for 6 weeks (FIG. 5). For
foundations on expansive soils, the foundation mat can greatly
reduce irrigation watering need by reducing evaporation, slow
release of the water stored in the mat and by capturing rain water
that falls onto it.
[0169] It can also be combined with an existing irrigation system.
In field tests at a nursery farm where drip irrigation and
micro-spray irrigation systems are used, the soil moisture was
found to be stabilized around 5.6 with only half of water used
(FIGS. 8 and 9).
[0170] The foundation mat comprises three layers: top layer is a
permeable or impermeable plastic film; center layer is a water
absorbent material that contains super absorbent polymer; the
bottom layer being a permeable layer that allows moisture transmit
from the center layer to the soil, vice versa.
[0171] The foundation mat with center layer containing absorbent
materials recovered from diapers and other incontinence products,
such as described in US20140230322.
[0172] The foundation mat will greatly reduce water usage with a
super uniform soil moisture content, example is the manuscript
where soil moisture is much more stable under plant protection mats
(WCMC mats) than that under watering bags,
[0173] The foundation mat with a moisture sensor such as disclosed
in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,138 attached to the foundation
mat so that moisture level is monitored and irrigation is dispensed
as needed.
[0174] The foundation mat is used in connection with one or plural
of porous pipes or soaker hoses similar the system, such as
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,156,494 and 4,534,143, or a wicking
material like that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,018,134 on top of
or inside of the foundation mat, an irrigation controlling system,
such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,932
[0175] Incorporate an automatic irrigation control which is
activated by moisture sensor in soil, such as described in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,132,138, 7,018,134, 6,082,932, US20080219768 or by
stress sensor described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,494.
[0176] The foundation mat can be made with holes for establishment
of vegetation, such as described in US Published Application No.
20140230322.
[0177] The foundation mat may also be used in combination with
foundation stabilization systems such as described in US Published
Application No. 20130071186.
[0178] A method of using the foundation mat by applying it on top
of expansive soils under the foundation of buildings, and other
infrastructures.
[0179] A method of using the foundation mat by placing it on top of
swelling soils and by covering with covered with mulch, gravel,
sand bricks, granite, pavement, dirt or the combination of two or
more of these materials.
[0180] A method of using foundation mat on the perimeters of the
foundations of any buildings, bridges, roads and other
structures.
[0181] The contents of articles, references, patents, and
publications described herein are hereby incorporated by
reference.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0182] Fabrication of Tree Protection Mat in Vineyard
Application
[0183] As illustrated in FIG. 13, a grape vine (for vineyard)
protection mat was prepared with 1). a top cover plate:
rectangular-shaped woven polypropylene fabric strip of 12 inch wide
and 120 ft long; 2) a semipermeable bottom layer:
rectangular-shaped spunbond polypropylene nonwoven fabric of the
same dimension as the top cover plate; and 3) a center water
holding layer using a total of 1200 grams of superabsorbent polymer
particles (Crosslinked Potassium Acrylate Acrylamide Copolymer).
Using a sewing machine, the top cover plate was sewn to the
semipermeable bottom layer along the 2 short edges and 1 long edge
of the rectangular shape first. The long strip is then divided into
2 ft long compartments using the sewing machine. For one in every
three compartments, 60 grams of SAP is added before complete
closure of the compartment along the second long edge with a sewing
machine.
[0184] Two of this grape protection mats were used for a vineyard
where grape vines were planted 6 ft apart and in a 120 ft long row.
One mat on each side of the grape vine roll. The first compartment
with SAP is place right next to the first grape vine in the row so
that the rest of the SAP containing compartments are aligned up
with the rest of the grape vines in the same row.
Example 2
[0185] Fabrication of Tree Protection Mat for Tree Seedling
Protection. As illustrated in FIG. 14, a tree seedling protection
mat was prepared with 1). a top cover plate: rectangular-shaped
woven polypropylene fabric strip of 8 inch wide and 200 ft long; 2)
a semipermeable bottom layer: rectangular-shaped spunbond
polypropylene nonwoven fabric of the same dimension as the top
cover plate; and 3) a center water holding layer using a total of
2000 grams of superabsorbent polymer particles (Crosslinked
Potassium Acrylate Acrylamide Copolymer). Using a sewing machine,
the top cover plate was sewn to the semipermeable bottom layer
along the 2 short edges and 1 long edge of the rectangular shape
first. The long strip is then divided into 1 ft long compartments
using the sewing machine. For each compartment, 10 grams of SAP is
added before complete closure of the compartment with a sewing
machine along the second long edge with two rows of stitches. The
two rows of stitches is 2 inch apart along the second long edge to
create a row of 2''.times.12'' compartments without SAP.
[0186] Two of these tree seedling protection mats were used for a
nursery where seeds or seedlings were planted 1 ft apart in a 200
ft long row, one mat on each side of the seedling row with the
compartments without SAP overlapping on each other. For each
seedling position, a knife or scissor was used to cut a slit open
in the overlapped section to allow seedlings go through the
overlapped mat.
Example 3
[0187] Fabrication of A Foundation Soil Moisture Stabilizer A
foundation soil moisture stabilizer mat was prepared with 1). a top
cover plate: rectangular-shaped woven polypropylene fabric of
8''.times.16''; 2) a semipermeable bottom layer: rectangular-shaped
spunbond polypropylene nonwoven fabric; and 3) a center water
holding layer using 25 grams of superabsorbent polymer particles
(Crosslinked Potassium Acrylate Acrylamide Copolymer). Using a
sewing machine, the top cover plate was sewn to the semipermeable
bottom layer along the outer perimeter edges thereof, with the
superabsorbent polymer particles--as a center layer--placed between
the top cover plate and the semipermeable bottom layer.
[0188] The foundation soil moisture stabilizer mat is placed on top
of expansive clay soil in a rectangular-shaped container, which has
the same dimension as the device. The depth of the clay soil is at
least 8 inches. The foundation soil moisture stabilizer and the
expansive clay soil is then watered thoroughly. Drain all standing
water. Soil moisture of this device is then measured twice a day
for comparison of the changes in soil moisture. Chart included
(FIG. 15).
Example 4
[0189] Fabrication of a Sheet of Foundation Soil Moisture
Stabilizer
[0190] A foundation soil moisture stabilizer mat was prepared with
1). a top cover plate: rectangular-shaped woven polypropylene
fabric of 2 ft wide and 8 ft long; 2) a semipermeable bottom layer:
rectangular-shaped spunbond polypropylene nonwoven fabric of the
same dimension as the top cover plate; and 3) a center water
holding layer using 480 grams of superabsorbent polymer particles
(Crosslinked Potassium Acrylate Acrylamide Copolymer,). Using a
sewing machine, the top cover plate was sewn to the semipermeable
bottom layer along the along the outer perimeter edges thereof,
with the superabsorbent polymer particles--as a center
layer--placed between the top cover plate and the semipermeable
bottom layer. The 2 ft by 8 ft device was divided by using the
sewing machine into four 2'.times.2' compartments, for which each
has one fourth of the total 480 grams of SAP. The soil moisture
stabilizer was placed beside the foundation of house right next to
the foundation.
Example 5
[0191] Fabrication of a Foundation Soil Moisture Stabilizer Using
Recycled Diaper SAP Materials
[0192] A device similar to Example 2 was prepared by replacing half
of the SAP (240 grams) with 1000 grams of recycled diaper SAP
materials. Each SAP and recycled diaper SAP materials were divided
into 4 parts and placed in each of the four compartments.
[0193] The entire contents of each patent and publication cited
herein are incorporated herein by reference.
* * * * *