US20050180823A1 - Net free erosion control blanket - Google Patents
Net free erosion control blanket Download PDFInfo
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- US20050180823A1 US20050180823A1 US11/022,191 US2219104A US2005180823A1 US 20050180823 A1 US20050180823 A1 US 20050180823A1 US 2219104 A US2219104 A US 2219104A US 2005180823 A1 US2005180823 A1 US 2005180823A1
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- Prior art keywords
- mat
- erosion control
- blanket
- thread
- control blanket
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/44—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling
- D04H1/52—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by applying or inserting filamentary binding elements
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B3/00—Engineering works in connection with control or use of streams, rivers, coasts, or other marine sites; Sealings or joints for engineering works in general
- E02B3/04—Structures or apparatus for, or methods of, protecting banks, coasts, or harbours
- E02B3/12—Revetment of banks, dams, watercourses, or the like, e.g. the sea-floor
- E02B3/122—Flexible prefabricated covering elements, e.g. mats, strips
- E02B3/125—Flexible prefabricated covering elements, e.g. mats, strips mainly consisting of vegetable material, e.g. wood, reeds
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D17/00—Excavations; Bordering of excavations; Making embankments
- E02D17/20—Securing of slopes or inclines
- E02D17/202—Securing of slopes or inclines with flexible securing means
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A10/00—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE at coastal zones; at river basins
- Y02A10/11—Hard structures, e.g. dams, dykes or breakwaters
Definitions
- the present invention relates to erosion control blankets for inhibiting ground erosion in flat or sloping, often bare earth areas, or channels, where water flows, and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to fibrous erosion control blankets adapted to permit ground vegetation to grow upwardly therethrough and manufactured without conventional netting.
- ground vegetation such as grass
- flat land or slopes, channels, and bare earth areas to inhibit erosion due to the effects of wind and rain.
- the successful sprouting and growth of ground vegetation planted on these areas is often prevented by the soil erosion which the planted vegetation is designed to inhibit, the erosion frequently carrying away at least some portion of the soil before it the vegetation takes hold.
- erosion control blankets fibrous, mat-like members commonly referred to as erosion control blankets.
- One particularly effective erosion control blanket is the Curlex® or excelsior blanket manufactured and sold by the American Excelsior Company of Arlington, Tex. since 1964.
- This erosion control blanket is fabricated, in elongated rectangular mat form, from elongated, randomly intertwined fiber commonly referred to as “excelsior” or “wood wool.”
- the fiber mats have historically been held together or contained by photodegradable or netting material, which form nets on one or both sides of the fiber.
- the blanket-net assemblies are then conveniently packaged in individually rolled bundles to facilitate their handling and transport to the erosion control job site.
- the netting is generally necessary during manufacturing, shipping and the subsequent job site installation in order to maintain the integrity of a fibrous mat.
- the blanket bundles are unrolled in a side-to-side relationship along the earth area to be protected against erosion, and are secured along the sides of one another and to the underlying ground area with the use of a spaced series of conventional ground staple members, which may be made of steel, wood, plastic or starch.
- the installed blankets generally have parallel sides and abut one another to form a substantially solid surface to shield the underlying earth area, and thus the planted ground vegetation therein, from wind and water erosion forces.
- the individual fibers forming the mat portions of various types of the blankets collectively define therebetween a multiplicity of small interstitial regions through which the planted ground vegetation may upwardly sprout and grow.
- some varieties of the blankets, such as the Curlex® blanket decompose, ultimately being replaced by the emerging ground vegetation.
- erosion control blankets of this general type have a distinct disadvantage.
- the problem pertains to the use of the netting material often utilized to contain the fiber.
- the netting may be photodegradable, it may last long enough to present ecological and maintenance problems. It has been reported that conventional netting is capable of trapping birds and other small wildlife attempting to nest or inhabit the erosion control blankets. Until the netting material photodegrades, it does present an ecological impediment to normal animal activity. In addition, the netting, which often forms a large grid of material that can become entangled in mowing equipment before the material photodegrades.
- the present invention relates to erosion control blankets. More particularly, one aspect of the invention relates to a vegetation growth-enhancing erosion control blanket having a first surface that may be placed upon, and in contact with, an area on which ground vegetation is to be grown, and a second surface opposite thereto.
- the blanket includes a flexible mat of intertwined, elongated members, the members collectively defining in the mat a multiplicity of interstitial regions through which portions of the growing ground vegetation may pass generally transversely to said mat. At least a major portion of the members are held in place with a thread stitched therethrough in a manner providing the mat with structural integrity.
- the second surface of the mat includes a combination of the thread and the members for subsequent physical degradation following the erosion control.
- the thread is generally biodegradable.
- the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an erosion control blanket.
- the method includes the steps of forming a flexible mat of intertwined, elongated members, said members collectively defining a multiplicity of interstitial regions in said mat through which vegetation may pass, and securing at least a major portion of said members via stitching a thread through a top surface and a bottom surface of the mat.
- the thread is generally biodegradable.
- one embodiment of the invention includes a vegetation growth-enhancing erosion control blanket having a first surface that may be placed upon, and in contact with, an area on which ground vegetation is to be grown, and a second surface opposite thereto.
- the blanket comprises a flexible mat of intertwined, elongated members, the members collectively defining in the mat a multiplicity of interstitial regions through which portions of the growing ground vegetation may pass generally transversely to the mat. At least a major portion of the members are held in place with a thread stitched therethrough in a manner providing the mat with structural integrity.
- the second surface comprises the top of the mat affording a combination of the thread and the members for subsequent physical degradation following the erosion control.
- the thread is generally biodegradable and may be comprised of rayon, cotton, jute, or the like.
- the elongated members comprise Curlex® excelsior/wood wool.
- one embodiment of the invention comprises a method of manufacturing an erosion control blanket.
- the method includes the steps of forming a flexible mat of intertwined, elongated members, the members collectively defining a multiplicity of interstitial regions in the mat through which vegetation may pass. At least a major portion of the members are secured through stitching a thread through a top surface and a bottom surface of the mat.
- the thread is generally biodegradable and may be comprised of rayon, cotton, jute or the like.
- the above described method further includes the step of passing the stitched mat under thread tensioning rollers.
- FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a sloping ground area covered by a series of vegetation growth-enhancing erosion control blankets;
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a portion of an erosion control blanket
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of one embodiment of an erosion control blanket constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention
- FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the erosion control blanket of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic top view of an erosion control blanket manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the principles of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of the erosion control blanket manufacturing process of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a stitching portion of the erosion control blanket manufacturing process of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the stitching portion of the erosion control blanket manufacturing process of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 1 there is shown in simplified form a section of ground having a downwardly sloping earth portion 12 normally subject to undesirable wind and water erosion forces, and upon which erosion-inhibiting ground vegetation is to be grown.
- Covering the sloping earth portion 12 are a series of specially designed vegetation growth-enhancing, erosion control blankets 114 .
- Blankets 114 have a porous construction through which the planned-for ground vegetation may readily germinate and grow.
- the blankets 114 have elongated, generally rectangular configurations (zig-zag shaped sides 115 , in this embodiment) and are conventionally secured to one another and to the underlying sloping earth portion 12 , by a spaced series of ground staples 16 . Installed in this manner, the blankets 114 shield the sloping earth portion 12 from both wind and rain until the ground vegetation takes hold.
- each of the erosion control blankets 114 includes an elongated rectangular mat 118 formed from fibrous material—i.e., a multiplicity of elongated fibers 20 disposed in a randomly intertwined relationship.
- Wood fibers 20 of the excelsior/wood wool variety are preferably used and collectively define therebetween a multiplicity of relatively small interstitial regions through which ground vegetation, such as the grass 22 may upwardly grow from the sloping earth portion 12 protectively covered by blankets 114 .
- Each mat 118 in this particular embodiment, has a substantially flat bottom surface 124 , positionable directly against the sloping earth portion 12 , a portion of which being diagrammatically illustrated, as will be described in more detail below.
- FIG. 2 an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of a prior art erosion control blanket 114 is shown.
- Some prior art blankets 114 are formed with straight sides 115 and at least one layer of a photodegradable netting 128 extending across a top side 126 to form a mat 118 .
- a second plastic net 130 may be attached to the bottom side of the blanket to extend generally parallel to the top net member 128 . Netting 128 and 130 serve to flexibly reinforce conventional mats 118 and facilitate their handling during installation of the erosion control blankets 114 .
- the prior art erosion control blankets 114 are effective for erosion control.
- One embodiment of the blanket 114 shown in FIG. 2 has been manufactured and sold by the American Excelsior Company, Arlington, Tex. under the trade name “Curlex.”
- the nettings 128 and 130 which may create ecological problems, have been removed and replaced with a thread binding as described below.
- FIG. 3 there is shown an enlarged top plan view of an erosion control blanket 14 illustrating one aspect of the fabrication thereof in accordance with one embodiment of the principles of the present invention.
- the top surface 26 of erosion control blanket 14 is bound in place by thread 30 .
- the thread 30 may be generally biodegradable and made of rayon, cotton, jute or the like.
- the thread 30 is held in place by stitches 32 that perforate through the top surface 26 of the blanket 14 to the bottom surface 34 of the blanket 14 .
- the threads are similarly spaced horizontal threads 30 bound in place by stitches 32 at regular intervals along the blanket 14 .
- other orientations of threads 30 and stitches 32 may be utilized in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
- vertical or diagonal threads 30 may be implemented and held in place by randomly positioned stitches 32 .
- the fibers 20 of this particular embodiment are packaged in an intertwined manner and held together with thread 30 and stitches 32 as described above.
- the fibers 20 in the preferred embodiment, are wood material shaved to form Curlex® excelsior fibers 20 with barbed edges. 80% of the fibers 20 are six inches or longer with a consistent width and thickness. The barbed edges and curled orientation of the fibers 20 interlock and assist in holding the blanket 14 together.
- the fibers 20 of the present invention may include any elongated members of wood wool which may be intertwined into a flexible mat.
- Curlex® excelsior fibers comprise the preferred embodiment but other wood wool is contemplated by the present invention.
- FIG. 4 there is shown a side elevational view of the blanket 14 of FIG. 3 .
- the stitches 32 are shown as vertical lines extending from the top surface 26 to the bottom surface 34 substantially near the threads 30 .
- the stitching pattern and threads 30 may be in a variety of orientations other than the preferred embodiment shown.
- the bottom surface 34 is substantially flat and engages the surface of the sloping earth portion 12 as shown in FIG. 1 to permit the infiltration of soil thereagainst and the stabilization of the blanket 14 thereupon.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 there is shown a method of manufacturing the control blanket 14 of the present invention.
- the manufacturing process occurs by accumulating fibrous material 204 , preferably of the excelsior/wood wool variety, placing it within a hopper 206 where it is compacted and discharged from the hopper end 208 .
- the discharged mat 210 is received upon a conveyor belt 209 which transports the mat 210 to a stitching area.
- a roller 212 is positioned adjacent a stitcher head 214 to further compress the mat 210 prior to stitching.
- the stitching head 214 is described with greater detail below with reference to FIG. 6 .
- the threads 30 are stitched into place and the stitched blanket 14 is later packaged for distribution.
- FIGS. 7 and 8 the stitcher head and stitching of the mat 210 are shown in greater detail. Stitches 32 are placed through the top surface of the mat 210 at the stitcher head 214 and the blanket 14 formed is then passed under thread tensioning rollers 216 to maintain the proper tension of the thread 30 .
- the thread 30 runs from an upper area of the machine toward a stitching needle 218 .
- the stitching needle 218 pulls the thread 30 through the top surface of the mat 210 to the bottom surface of the mat 210 .
- the stitching needle 218 then returns past the top surface of the mat 210 to prepare for another stitch.
- the stitching needle 218 engages the mat at appropriate intervals as discussed above.
- the blanket 14 is compressed and the thread tensioning rollers 216 maintain proper tension of the thread 30 .
- a pressure adjusting bolt 220 may be utilized to adjust the tension of the rollers 216 .
- the formed blanket 14 may then be rolled or cut at specific intervals and packaged for distribution.
- the above-referenced stitching system is useful in the manufacture of an erosion control blanket due to the multiplicity of elongated, intertwined members that collectively define a multiplicity of interstitial regions with which the stitching is permitted to secure the intertwined members together. It has been noted that the propensity of excelsior/wood wool to maintain the intertwined relationship lends itself to the stitching technique defined herein, and provides an erosion control blanket for multiple environmentally-safe applications where other fibrous type materials may not lend themselves to such a stitching operation.
- a generally biodegradable thread is a preferred embodiment. However, one embodiment includes a thread made of polypropylene or the like. The length of thread in the biodegradable excelsior mat of the present invention presents a more environmentally friendly configuration than prior art “net” mats.
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Abstract
An environmentally friendly vegetation growth-enhancing erosion control blanket is formed from an elongated rectangular excelsior/wood wool mat. The mat is held together with threads stitched therein. When the finished blanket is placed atop the ground, the blanket serves to shield the earth area from wind and water erosion forces, without the presence of the plastic netting often used in the prior art. As the ground vegetation grows, it ultimately replaces the blanket which decomposes and furnishes the ground vegetation with a nutritive mulch.
Description
- This application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entirety of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/532,843 filed Dec. 23, 2004.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to erosion control blankets for inhibiting ground erosion in flat or sloping, often bare earth areas, or channels, where water flows, and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to fibrous erosion control blankets adapted to permit ground vegetation to grow upwardly therethrough and manufactured without conventional netting.
- 2. History of the Prior Art
- For both aesthetic and environmental protection reasons, it is often necessary or desirable to grow ground vegetation, such as grass, on flat land or slopes, channels, and bare earth areas to inhibit erosion due to the effects of wind and rain. The successful sprouting and growth of ground vegetation planted on these areas, however, is often prevented by the soil erosion which the planted vegetation is designed to inhibit, the erosion frequently carrying away at least some portion of the soil before it the vegetation takes hold.
- To alleviate this problem, it is now a common practice to cover the area with fibrous, mat-like members commonly referred to as erosion control blankets. One particularly effective erosion control blanket is the Curlex® or excelsior blanket manufactured and sold by the American Excelsior Company of Arlington, Tex. since 1964. This erosion control blanket is fabricated, in elongated rectangular mat form, from elongated, randomly intertwined fiber commonly referred to as “excelsior” or “wood wool.” The fiber mats have historically been held together or contained by photodegradable or netting material, which form nets on one or both sides of the fiber. The blanket-net assemblies are then conveniently packaged in individually rolled bundles to facilitate their handling and transport to the erosion control job site. The netting is generally necessary during manufacturing, shipping and the subsequent job site installation in order to maintain the integrity of a fibrous mat.
- At the job site, the blanket bundles are unrolled in a side-to-side relationship along the earth area to be protected against erosion, and are secured along the sides of one another and to the underlying ground area with the use of a spaced series of conventional ground staple members, which may be made of steel, wood, plastic or starch. The installed blankets generally have parallel sides and abut one another to form a substantially solid surface to shield the underlying earth area, and thus the planted ground vegetation therein, from wind and water erosion forces.
- The individual fibers forming the mat portions of various types of the blankets collectively define therebetween a multiplicity of small interstitial regions through which the planted ground vegetation may upwardly sprout and grow. During such shielded vegetation growth, some varieties of the blankets, such as the Curlex® blanket decompose, ultimately being replaced by the emerging ground vegetation.
- Despite the erosion control effectiveness of these excelsior/wood wool blanket-net assemblies, and similar blankets formed from other fibrous-net materials, erosion control blankets of this general type have a distinct disadvantage. The problem pertains to the use of the netting material often utilized to contain the fiber. Although the netting may be photodegradable, it may last long enough to present ecological and maintenance problems. It has been reported that conventional netting is capable of trapping birds and other small wildlife attempting to nest or inhabit the erosion control blankets. Until the netting material photodegrades, it does present an ecological impediment to normal animal activity. In addition, the netting, which often forms a large grid of material that can become entangled in mowing equipment before the material photodegrades.
- In U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,982, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, a net free erosion control blanket is described. As described therein, the erosion control blanket is held together by a bonding agent such as latex. Although, the above-described blanket does not include a net and therefore provides the advantages of a net-free assembly, the use of latex is, in some instances, cost prohibitive. In those instances where the entire erosion control blanket must biologically degrade as does excelsior/wood wool, a different system of securement for the excelsior/wood wool fibers is necessary. The present invention provides such a system by incorporating a stitching technique, which in conjunction with the intertwined relationship of the excelsior/wood wool fibers, as described herein, provides an effective erosion control blanket that is environmentally friendly.
- The present invention relates to erosion control blankets. More particularly, one aspect of the invention relates to a vegetation growth-enhancing erosion control blanket having a first surface that may be placed upon, and in contact with, an area on which ground vegetation is to be grown, and a second surface opposite thereto. The blanket includes a flexible mat of intertwined, elongated members, the members collectively defining in the mat a multiplicity of interstitial regions through which portions of the growing ground vegetation may pass generally transversely to said mat. At least a major portion of the members are held in place with a thread stitched therethrough in a manner providing the mat with structural integrity. The second surface of the mat includes a combination of the thread and the members for subsequent physical degradation following the erosion control. In one embodiment, the thread is generally biodegradable.
- In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an erosion control blanket. The method includes the steps of forming a flexible mat of intertwined, elongated members, said members collectively defining a multiplicity of interstitial regions in said mat through which vegetation may pass, and securing at least a major portion of said members via stitching a thread through a top surface and a bottom surface of the mat. In one embodiment, the thread is generally biodegradable.
- In another aspect, one embodiment of the invention includes a vegetation growth-enhancing erosion control blanket having a first surface that may be placed upon, and in contact with, an area on which ground vegetation is to be grown, and a second surface opposite thereto. The blanket comprises a flexible mat of intertwined, elongated members, the members collectively defining in the mat a multiplicity of interstitial regions through which portions of the growing ground vegetation may pass generally transversely to the mat. At least a major portion of the members are held in place with a thread stitched therethrough in a manner providing the mat with structural integrity. The second surface comprises the top of the mat affording a combination of the thread and the members for subsequent physical degradation following the erosion control. In one embodiment, the thread is generally biodegradable and may be comprised of rayon, cotton, jute, or the like. In another embodiment, the elongated members comprise Curlex® excelsior/wood wool.
- In yet a further aspect, one embodiment of the invention comprises a method of manufacturing an erosion control blanket. The method includes the steps of forming a flexible mat of intertwined, elongated members, the members collectively defining a multiplicity of interstitial regions in the mat through which vegetation may pass. At least a major portion of the members are secured through stitching a thread through a top surface and a bottom surface of the mat. In another embodiment, the thread is generally biodegradable and may be comprised of rayon, cotton, jute or the like. In yet another embodiment the above described method further includes the step of passing the stitched mat under thread tensioning rollers.
- For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference may now be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a sloping ground area covered by a series of vegetation growth-enhancing erosion control blankets; -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a portion of an erosion control blanket; -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of one embodiment of an erosion control blanket constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the erosion control blanket ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic top view of an erosion control blanket manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the principles of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of the erosion control blanket manufacturing process ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a stitching portion of the erosion control blanket manufacturing process ofFIG. 5 ; and -
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the stitching portion of the erosion control blanket manufacturing process ofFIG. 6 . - Referring first to
FIG. 1 there is shown in simplified form a section of ground having a downwardly slopingearth portion 12 normally subject to undesirable wind and water erosion forces, and upon which erosion-inhibiting ground vegetation is to be grown. Covering thesloping earth portion 12 are a series of specially designed vegetation growth-enhancing, erosion control blankets 114.Blankets 114 have a porous construction through which the planned-for ground vegetation may readily germinate and grow. - Referring still to
FIG. 1 , theblankets 114 have elongated, generally rectangular configurations (zig-zag shapedsides 115, in this embodiment) and are conventionally secured to one another and to the underlyingsloping earth portion 12, by a spaced series ofground staples 16. Installed in this manner, theblankets 114 shield thesloping earth portion 12 from both wind and rain until the ground vegetation takes hold. - Referring still to
FIG. 1 , each of the erosion control blankets 114 includes an elongatedrectangular mat 118 formed from fibrous material—i.e., a multiplicity ofelongated fibers 20 disposed in a randomly intertwined relationship.Wood fibers 20 of the excelsior/wood wool variety are preferably used and collectively define therebetween a multiplicity of relatively small interstitial regions through which ground vegetation, such as thegrass 22 may upwardly grow from thesloping earth portion 12 protectively covered byblankets 114. Eachmat 118, in this particular embodiment, has a substantially flatbottom surface 124, positionable directly against the slopingearth portion 12, a portion of which being diagrammatically illustrated, as will be described in more detail below. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 , an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of a prior arterosion control blanket 114 is shown. Someprior art blankets 114 are formed withstraight sides 115 and at least one layer of aphotodegradable netting 128 extending across atop side 126 to form amat 118. A secondplastic net 130 may be attached to the bottom side of the blanket to extend generally parallel to the topnet member 128. Netting 128 and 130 serve to flexibly reinforceconventional mats 118 and facilitate their handling during installation of the erosion control blankets 114. - From a structural standpoint, the prior art
erosion control blankets 114 are effective for erosion control. One embodiment of theblanket 114 shown inFIG. 2 has been manufactured and sold by the American Excelsior Company, Arlington, Tex. under the trade name “Curlex.” However, in accordance with an important aspect of one embodiment of the present invention, thenettings - Referring now to
FIG. 3 there is shown an enlarged top plan view of anerosion control blanket 14 illustrating one aspect of the fabrication thereof in accordance with one embodiment of the principles of the present invention. Thetop surface 26 oferosion control blanket 14 is bound in place bythread 30. In one embodiment, thethread 30 may be generally biodegradable and made of rayon, cotton, jute or the like. Thethread 30 is held in place bystitches 32 that perforate through thetop surface 26 of theblanket 14 to thebottom surface 34 of theblanket 14. In the preferred embodiment, the threads are similarly spacedhorizontal threads 30 bound in place bystitches 32 at regular intervals along theblanket 14. However, other orientations ofthreads 30 and stitches 32 may be utilized in accordance with aspects of the present invention. For example, vertical ordiagonal threads 30 may be implemented and held in place by randomly positioned stitches 32. - Referring still to
FIG. 3 , thefibers 20 of this particular embodiment are packaged in an intertwined manner and held together withthread 30 and stitches 32 as described above. Thefibers 20, in the preferred embodiment, are wood material shaved to form Curlex® excelsior fibers 20 with barbed edges. 80% of thefibers 20 are six inches or longer with a consistent width and thickness. The barbed edges and curled orientation of thefibers 20 interlock and assist in holding theblanket 14 together. It should be noted, however, that thefibers 20 of the present invention may include any elongated members of wood wool which may be intertwined into a flexible mat. Curlex® excelsior fibers comprise the preferred embodiment but other wood wool is contemplated by the present invention. - Referring now to
FIG. 4 there is shown a side elevational view of theblanket 14 ofFIG. 3 . Consistent therewith, thestitches 32 are shown as vertical lines extending from thetop surface 26 to thebottom surface 34 substantially near thethreads 30. As previously mentioned, the stitching pattern andthreads 30 may be in a variety of orientations other than the preferred embodiment shown. Thebottom surface 34 is substantially flat and engages the surface of thesloping earth portion 12 as shown inFIG. 1 to permit the infiltration of soil thereagainst and the stabilization of theblanket 14 thereupon. - Referring now to
FIGS. 5 and 6 there is shown a method of manufacturing thecontrol blanket 14 of the present invention. The manufacturing process occurs by accumulatingfibrous material 204, preferably of the excelsior/wood wool variety, placing it within ahopper 206 where it is compacted and discharged from thehopper end 208. The dischargedmat 210 is received upon aconveyor belt 209 which transports themat 210 to a stitching area. Aroller 212 is positioned adjacent astitcher head 214 to further compress themat 210 prior to stitching. Thestitching head 214 is described with greater detail below with reference toFIG. 6 . Thethreads 30 are stitched into place and the stitchedblanket 14 is later packaged for distribution. - Referring now to
FIGS. 7 and 8 , the stitcher head and stitching of themat 210 are shown in greater detail.Stitches 32 are placed through the top surface of themat 210 at thestitcher head 214 and theblanket 14 formed is then passed underthread tensioning rollers 216 to maintain the proper tension of thethread 30. Thethread 30 runs from an upper area of the machine toward astitching needle 218. Thestitching needle 218 pulls thethread 30 through the top surface of themat 210 to the bottom surface of themat 210. Thestitching needle 218 then returns past the top surface of themat 210 to prepare for another stitch. Thestitching needle 218 engages the mat at appropriate intervals as discussed above. After the mat is stitched, theblanket 14 is compressed and thethread tensioning rollers 216 maintain proper tension of thethread 30. Apressure adjusting bolt 220 may be utilized to adjust the tension of therollers 216. The formedblanket 14 may then be rolled or cut at specific intervals and packaged for distribution. - The above-referenced stitching system is useful in the manufacture of an erosion control blanket due to the multiplicity of elongated, intertwined members that collectively define a multiplicity of interstitial regions with which the stitching is permitted to secure the intertwined members together. It has been noted that the propensity of excelsior/wood wool to maintain the intertwined relationship lends itself to the stitching technique defined herein, and provides an erosion control blanket for multiple environmentally-safe applications where other fibrous type materials may not lend themselves to such a stitching operation. As referenced above, a generally biodegradable thread is a preferred embodiment. However, one embodiment includes a thread made of polypropylene or the like. The length of thread in the biodegradable excelsior mat of the present invention presents a more environmentally friendly configuration than prior art “net” mats.
- It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the method and apparatus shown or described has been characterized as being preferred it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A vegetation growth-enhancing erosion control blanket having a first surface that may be placed upon, and in contact with, an area on which ground vegetation is to be grown, and a second surface opposite thereto, said blanket comprising:
a flexible mat of intertwined, elongated members, said members collectively defining in said mat a multiplicity of interstitial regions through which portions of the growing ground vegetation may pass generally transversely to said mat, at least a major portion of said members being held in place with a thread stitched therefrom in a manner providing said mat with structural integrity; and
said second surface comprising the top of said mat, said second surface substantially comprising a combination of said thread and said members for subsequent physical degradation following said erosion control.
2. The erosion control blanket of claim 1 , wherein the thread is generally biodegradable.
3. The erosion control blanket of claim 2 , wherein the thread is generally biodegradable and comprised of one of rayon, cotton and jute.
4. The erosion control blanket of claim 1 , wherein the thread is comprised of polypropylene.
5. The erosion control blanket of claim 1 , wherein the stitches are formed in a uniformly spaced linear pattern.
6. The erosion control blanket of claim 1 , wherein the elongated members comprise excelsior material.
7. The erosion control blanket of claim 6 , wherein the elongated members comprise Curlex® material.
8. The erosion control blanket of claim 1 , wherein the excelsior material is formed to include barbed edges.
9. The erosion control blanket of claim 1 , wherein 80% of the excelsior material is six inches or longer with a consistent width and thickness.
10. A method of manufacturing an erosion control blanket, the method comprising:
forming a flexible mat of intertwined, elongated members, said members collectively defining a multiplicity of interstitial regions in said mat through which vegetation may pass; and
securing at least a major portion of said members via stitching a thread through a top surface and a bottom surface of the mat.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
accumulating the intertwined, elongated members within a hopper; and
compressing the mat prior to stitching.
12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of passing the stitched mat under thread tensioning rollers.
13. The method of claim 10 and further including the step of manufacturing the mat from excelsior.
14. The method of claim 13 and further including the step of manufacturing the mat from Curlex® excelsior.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the intertwined, elongated members are at least six inches long and comprise barbed edges.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein said stitching is performed by a plurality of stitching needles.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the stitching needles are equidistant from each other.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of securing comprises the step of forming a uniformly stitched mat with regularly spaced stitches.
19. The method of claim 10 , wherein the thread is generally biodegradable.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the thread is generally biodegradable and comprised of one of rayon, cotton and jute.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/022,191 US20050180823A1 (en) | 2003-12-23 | 2004-12-22 | Net free erosion control blanket |
US12/004,558 US7563058B2 (en) | 2003-12-23 | 2007-12-20 | Web free erosion control blanket |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US53284303P | 2003-12-23 | 2003-12-23 | |
US11/022,191 US20050180823A1 (en) | 2003-12-23 | 2004-12-22 | Net free erosion control blanket |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/004,558 Division US7563058B2 (en) | 2003-12-23 | 2007-12-20 | Web free erosion control blanket |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050180823A1 true US20050180823A1 (en) | 2005-08-18 |
Family
ID=34840394
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/022,191 Abandoned US20050180823A1 (en) | 2003-12-23 | 2004-12-22 | Net free erosion control blanket |
US12/004,558 Active US7563058B2 (en) | 2003-12-23 | 2007-12-20 | Web free erosion control blanket |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/004,558 Active US7563058B2 (en) | 2003-12-23 | 2007-12-20 | Web free erosion control blanket |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20050180823A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060049388A1 (en) * | 2004-08-30 | 2006-03-09 | Knott James M Jr | Wire mesh sandwich construction and method for making the same |
US20080260464A1 (en) * | 2007-04-23 | 2008-10-23 | Seven States Enterprise Co., Ltd. | Two-in-one reinforced geogrid |
US20110058920A1 (en) * | 2007-11-20 | 2011-03-10 | Vangilder Rocky | System for packing and shipping erosion control blankets |
CN115748765A (en) * | 2023-01-06 | 2023-03-07 | 海南华源水产科技有限公司 | Be used for agricultural side slope to cover green structure |
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KR100747496B1 (en) * | 2006-11-27 | 2007-08-08 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Rotary compressor and control method thereof and air conditioner using the same |
CN103243799B (en) * | 2013-05-10 | 2014-12-17 | 中钢集团马鞍山矿山研究院有限公司 | Prevention and treatment method of water scour hazards of binding site of mine solid waste yard and mountain area |
CN103821152A (en) * | 2013-12-30 | 2014-05-28 | 青岛润国生态科技发展有限公司 | Combined construction method for anti-shock ecological blankets and W-OH and slope protection structure |
WO2021150739A1 (en) * | 2020-01-21 | 2021-07-29 | Conwed Plastics Acquisitions Company V Llc | Devices, systems and methods for erosion control |
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US3182696A (en) | 1963-06-24 | 1965-05-11 | American Excelsior Corp | Method of making excelsior |
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US2826865A (en) * | 1956-08-31 | 1958-03-18 | John M Chohamin | Seed carrier unit |
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US20060049388A1 (en) * | 2004-08-30 | 2006-03-09 | Knott James M Jr | Wire mesh sandwich construction and method for making the same |
US20080260464A1 (en) * | 2007-04-23 | 2008-10-23 | Seven States Enterprise Co., Ltd. | Two-in-one reinforced geogrid |
US20110058920A1 (en) * | 2007-11-20 | 2011-03-10 | Vangilder Rocky | System for packing and shipping erosion control blankets |
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CN115748765A (en) * | 2023-01-06 | 2023-03-07 | 海南华源水产科技有限公司 | Be used for agricultural side slope to cover green structure |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20080159816A1 (en) | 2008-07-03 |
US7563058B2 (en) | 2009-07-21 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AMERICAN EXCELSIOR COMPANY, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SADOWSKI, TERRY;STEINBUCH, DOUGLAS;JOHNSON, TONY;REEL/FRAME:016187/0073;SIGNING DATES FROM 20050412 TO 20050413 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |