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US 6,147,029 AGranted
Dissolvable tablet that automatically delivers non-toxic root inhibitor to drain pipes
OwnerAdam Warwick Bell, Peter James Stragnolainventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and devices for cheaply, simply and efficiently keeping drains clear of roots involving the delivery of a root retardent hormone into drain pipes by incorporating the hormone into a tablet that is placed into a drainage system such as a toilet tank, thereby delivering the hormone to the drain pipes each time the toilet is flushed.
Claims12
A method for keeping underground pipes free of roots comprising:
- providing a substance that alters growth of plant cells wherein said substance is a naturally-occurring plant hormone, and providing a means for containment of said substance, placing said substance into said means for containment, and placing said means for containment containing said substance into a water drainage system having underground pipes, wherein said substance is gradually released into said water drainage system, whereby root growth in and around said pipes is altered.
A device for deterring root growth into and within pipes comprising:
- a substance that alters growth of plant cells wherein said substance is a naturally-occurring plant hormone, said substance being incorporated into a means for containment selected from a group consisting of (i) a tablet that dissolves over time, (ii) a non-soluble matrix and (iii) a vessel, wherein said substance is contained in said means for containment is placed into a water drainage system to deter root growth onto and within the pipes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.