Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Methods – Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-10
2001-03-06
Aftergut, Jeff H. (Department: 1733)
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Methods
Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
C156S296000, C047S029500, C047S029500, C047S031000, C047S05810R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06197141
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of vegetation protection, and more particularly to a novel netting of fibers or filament strands that may be readily discharged from a pressurized applicator so as to float over a canopy of foliage intended to be protected, and which includes low contact adhesion to the foliage.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
The control of bird and insect damage to foliage, such as grapes or orchard products, is difficult. Several attempts have been made in the past to prevent such damage by placing sheets or layers of plastic netting over the vegetation area intended to be protected. A major disadvantage of employing conventional netting is the extensive labor involved as well as the cost of the netting. In particular, removal of the netting is extremely time-consuming and is more of a problem than the original placement of the netting on the vegetation.
Some attempts have been made to provide a covering for the vegetation and one such attempt in disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,398 which suggests the use of cellulosic fibers that may be used for protection of vegetation. However, it is noted that the protection is only for frost or freeze and that the coating is applied in either sheet or foam form. No suggestion is made that a “netting” can be employed which is composed of acetate fibers or filaments so as to permit passage of air and sunlight for promoting vegetation growth. Furthermore, there is no mention in the disclosure of how the foam or sheets are applied to the vegetation and it appears that the material is stored in large containers and that other materials such as non-cellulosic material can be used. Such materials mentioned are aluminum flakes or film-forming polymers such as ethyl cellulose. Although spraying techniques are used for applying ground fibers, the fibers are partially hydrated by the addition of a water mist from one or more water jets aimed at the path of the ejected fibers. The resulting hydrating spray contains sufficient water soluble adhesive to bond the fibers to the foliage such as trees.
Another attempt to provide vegetation protection is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,902 which relates solely to the repelling of animals or birds and employs a latex composition. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 2,203,274 discloses a coating which is intended for repelling dogs, animals or rodents that is applied directly to the foliage or vegetation surface. This, however, is not related to a netting of cellulose acetate fibers that are formed in a filament for gravitational application to the tops of the vegetation. Regarding the U.S. Pat. No. 2,128,973, it is noted that the disclosure relates to coating agents which are applied directly to the surface areas of the vegetation and are not related to the employment or creation of netting or a filament or open mesh structure.
Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a means for controlling pests such as insects or birds from damaging orchards and vineyards that may be sprayed over the vegetation area and which forms fibers or filaments constituting an open mesh netting that will deposit via gravitational forces over a large area of foliage. Such a means and application should be of low labor intensity and should be convenient to use without technical knowledge or skill.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are avoided by the present invention which provides a novel liquid chemical spray, such as cellulose acetate, that may be discharged, under pressure, from a hand-held applicator. The consistency of the liquid chemical is such that a plurality of elongated fibers or filaments are discharged from the applicator so as to form an airborne netting of open mesh and having a characteristic of light weight so as to float by gravitational force over a large area of vegetation. The formed netting cures in open air as it floats or settles on top of the foliage intended to be protected. The composition of the substance being discharged includes a low contact adhesive agent or substance which permits a clinging contact with the leaves of the foliage as the netting settles over the vegetation canopy. The fiber or filaments discharged from the applicator form a long continuous thread-like filament or an array of threads that impede the ingress of birds, insects or the like. The composition of the liquid chemical may include coloring agents so as to visibly mimic the color of a natural characteristic so as to discourage the forage of birds into vines, trees or the like that would normally eat or damage fruits.
Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel pest control for orchards and vineyards which employs a cellulose acetate or a similar substitute which is of the same basic material as the vegetation intended to be protected and to apply such a material or substance over a vegetation area intended to be protected in the form of a netting.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel pest control for vegetation which employs a basic material or substance which is similar to that of the composition of the vegetation and which applies this substance or material in the form of fibers and filaments to provide an open mesh netting that employs gravitational forces to settle the netting directly onto the foliage.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a netting composed of filaments or fibers which are produced from a composition which is degradable sooner than the detritus from the plants which are intended to be covered since the diameter of the fibers or filaments is much smaller and the very low bulk of material or substance such as cellulose aids degrading. Therefore, cleanup or removal is minimal.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a manually actuated pressure appliance for discharging a biodegradable substance in the form of filaments constituting an open mesh netting which floats into contact with vegetation so as to resist ingress of insects or birds which would normally destroy or damage the vegetation.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide such a substance for an open mesh netting that is sticky in nature when the fibers are initially sprayed over the vegetation so that the formed netting will stick to the vegetation and the unstuck portion would then have time for curing and the unstuck portion would then stick to the feet and wings of birds attempting to light on the vegetation. Birds abhor having anything sticking to them, and they would immediately fly off.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3669898 (1972-06-01), Butler
patent: 3787265 (1974-01-01), McGinnis et al.
patent: 5500220 (1996-03-01), Roe et al.
patent: 5575111 (1996-11-01), Rajamannan
patent: 6052943 (2000-04-01), Hoffmann et al.
Aftergut Jeff H.
Marrs Roger A.
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