Plant husbandry – Mulching
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-20
2001-03-06
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Plant husbandry
Mulching
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195935
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and method for promoting plant growth through use of a convenient and environmentally friendly mat. The mat serves as an alternative to bulk purchases and human handling of plant foods, soil conditioners and related plant products.
2. Description of Prior Art
Improved plant growth and soil enrichment is one of the major concerns in the plant industry. There are numerous products on the market today which accomplish both. In the past adding fertilizers, soil conditioners and mulches either alone or in conjunction with other products were the means of accomplishing this end.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,726 discloses an “aluminum flake mulch” which promotes plant and seed growth through light reflection, mulching and a fertilizing agent. This device sits above the ground, is meant to be reused and is not biodegradable. The aluminum flake surface of this device is exposed and is consequently unsightly, especially in a plant setting. The device does not contain soil conditioners to aid in microorganism growth or other plant supplements. In addition, it is not a convenient “use and forget” device for the average gardener or landscaper.
The “ground cover and soil supplement” device disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,116 provides a way of adding nutrients to the soil but is more concerned with delivering a consistent mulch material, in mass, for planting beds in a way that does not move, needs no border and leaves “holes” where plants occur. Like the “aluminum flake mulch”, this device sits above the ground and is intended to last as long as possible. It is held together by a binder which is not water soluble.
There are also devices, such as the “vegetation mat” disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,123, which contain plant seeds, mulch and fertilizer materials either in rolls or strips or loosely packaged in bags which are useful for seed germination but have no value when planting shrubs, trees, flowers, seedlings or potted plants.
None of these devices or methods provide a means for delivering plant food, soil conditioners and other related plant and soil products in a pre-packaged, biodegradable form that not only eliminates the handling of these materials by the gardener, but also provides a quick and easy way of accomplishing a multitude of valuable tasks for the plant.
Furthermore, these known devices are not intended or readily adapted for use in plant containers of the type in which plants are grown by a nursery or which are sold with a newly purchased plant.
Finally, such general purpose devices are not readily adapted to aiding the growth of specific existing plants, which require specific fertilizers, soil supplements and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a device and method which will improve plant growth and soil composition.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method which will protect a plant against loss of water through evaporation from the soil and/or protect a plant against frost or other environmental effects.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method of the type described above which is simple and easy to use.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method of the type described above which is safe to use.
These objects, as well as other objects that will become apparent from the discussion that follows, are accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, by providing a plant protector and growth enhancement device in the form of a biodegradable mat which can be placed adjacent to and/or around a plant, either on top of the soil or, preferably, immediately below a thin (¼ inch to 1½ inch) layer of soil and/or mulch material. When in place, the mat protects the plant and promotes the growth of the plant in a variety of ways:
The mat contains plant-specific fertilizer, in both type and amount, for the particular plant for which the mat is intended.
The mat improves soil quality by providing a soil conditioner (organic matter, either synthetic or naturally occurring) for microorganism growth.
The mat allows water and air to pass through easily and yet serves as a moisture retention device for the plant roots.
The mat moderates soil temperature keeping it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which enhances plant development and extends the growing season of the roots.
The mat provides weed control immediately around the plant.
The mat contains a plant growth enhancement mix that may include insecticides, fungicides, animal repellents, weed retarding agents and other plant related commercially available products to perform those services these products were made for.
The mat provides short-term erosion control immediately around the plant and ensures that the fertilizer and the soil conditioner remain in the vicinity of the root ball.
According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plant protector and growth enhancement device comprises three layers, namely:
(a) A first layer of weblike first material having a plurality of passages which permit the passage of air and water therethrough but are sufficiently small to prevent the passage of sandlike granular material. This first material is capable of naturally biodegrading when placed in the soil.
(b) A second layer of loose, granular second material for enhancing plant growth. This second layer is also porous to air and water and is capable of naturally biodegrading when placed in the soil.
(c) A third layer of weblike third material having a plurality of passages which permit the passage of air and water therethrough but are sufficiently small to prevent the passage of sandlike granular material. This third material is also capable of naturally biodegrading when placed in the soil.
The first and third layers are connected together to form a sandwich-like mat with the second layer between them. This mat is then suitable to be placed on or in the soil adjacent to a plant to protect the plant and enhance its growth.
Advantageously, both the first layer and the third layer comprise an outer layer and an inner layer. These two layers are made of different materials: the outer layer being relatively thicker and stronger, and the inner layer being capable of biodegrading at a substantially faster rate than the outer layer. The purpose of the outer layer is to provide strength to the mat. It can be made of burlap, cotton or wool, preferably burlap. The purpose of the inner layer is to prevent the granular material of the second layer from leaking out. This inner layer can be made of paper, cardboard or biodegradable plastic, preferably a non-woven paper tissue which readily disintegrates upon the application of moisture.
The passages for water and air in the outer layer are preferably larger than those of the inner layer. The passages in the outer layer may be as large as 0.2 inches whereas the passages in the inner layer must be substantially smaller to retain the loose, granular material, for example, up to 0.1 inches.
The second layer, which comprises the loose, granular material, may include a plant food such as “Miracle-Grow”; a soil fertilizer, such as an NPK mix; a soil enricher, such as Milorganite; and a soil supplement of any type. Furthermore, the second layer may advantageously include an insecticide, a fungicide and/or a herbicide. It may also include an animal repellant, such as a deer repelling or raccoon repelling material. Such products are available from Espoma, Scotts, Ropell, Preen, Jonathan Green, Ortho and others.
Principally, the first and third layers are moisture absorbent so as to accept and hold moisture for the plant and to inhibit its evaporation from the soil adjacent to the plant.
Advantageously, the first and third layers are made of a material which inhibits frost or at least moderates the temperature of the soil.
The first and third layers are advantageously connected together along sea
Bellucci James F.
Bellucci John A.
Bellucci Joseph P.
Bellucci Michael R.
Jordan Charles T.
Milde Hoffberg & Macklin, LLP
Nelson Judith A.
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