Method of retarding vegetation growth
AssigneeFlexstake, Inc.
InventorB. Paul Marcoux
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for preventing the growth of vegetation around structures extending from the ground is disclosed. The method consists of providing a substantially flat, flexible mat of a polymeric material having a substantially uniform thickness. An aperture is provided in the mat so that the mat can be positioned around a structure extending from the ground. A slit may also be formed in the mat to facilitate the positioning of the mat around the structure. The mat has a substantial weight to prevent lifting of the mat from the surface around the structure without staking or securing the mat to the structure or ground. Because the mat has a low profile or thickness, mowers may be easily passed over the mat without damaging the mat or the mower.
Claims18
A method for preventing growth of vegetation adjacent to structures extending from a surface which is capable of supporting the growth of vegetation, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a unitary, substantially flat, flexible mat having a uniform composition of flexible polymeric material throughout and which is of a substantially uniform thickness greater than 3/16 inch, the mat being impervious to light and moisture and having a weight greater than about 0.6 pounds per square foot, the mat being defined by an outer edge and configured to overlay and assume uneven contour of the surface;
- providing an aperture in the mat for receiving the structure extending from the surface;
- and then
- positioning the mat against the surface around the structure wherein the structure extends through the aperture and the mat conforms to the contour of the surface, and wherein the weight of the mat prevents lifting of the mat from the surface when subjected to suction or air movement such as that created by a power mower used for cutting vegetation without staking or otherwise securing the mat to the surface.
A method for preventing growth of vegetation adjacent to structures extending from a surface of earth which is capable of supporting the growth of vegetation and for preventing erosion of soil from around the structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a substantially flat, flexible mat having a uniform composition of flexible polymeric material throughout and which is of a substantially uniform thickness between about 3/16 to 5/8 inch, the mat being impervious to light and moisture and the weight of the mat being between about 1 to 2.5 pounds per square foot, the mat being defined by an outer edge and configured to overlay and assume uneven contour of the surface;
- providing an aperture in the mat for receiving the structure extending from the surface;
- and then
- positioning the mat against the surface around the structure wherein the structure extends through the aperture and the mat conforms to the contour of the surface, and wherein the weight of the mat prevents lifting of the mat from the surface when subjected to suction or air movement such as that created by a power mower used for cutting vegetation without staking or otherwise securing the mat to the surface.
A method for preventing growth of vegetation around a roadway post extending from a surface of earth adjacent to a roadway which is capable of supporting the growth of vegetation and for preventing erosion of soil from around the roadway post, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a substantially flat, flexible mat of flexible recycled plastic or rubber material and which is of a substantially uniform thickness of greater than 3/16 inch, the mat being impervious to light and moisture and having a weight greater than 0.6 pounds per square foot, the mat being defined by an outer edge and configured to overlay and assume uneven contour of the surface;
- providing an aperture in the mat for receiving the structure extending from the surface;
- providing the mat with a slit which extends through the thickness of the mat from the outer edge to the aperture;
- passing the structure through the slit to the aperture;
- and
- positioning the mat against the surface so that the mat conforms to the contour of the surface and around the structure wherein the structure extends through the aperture, and wherein the weight of the mat holds the mat on the surface without staking the mat to the surface or securing the mat to the structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.