US 8,747,995 B2 · Pyramidal fabrics having multi-lobe filament yarns and method for erosion control

Abstract

A pyramidal geotextile fabric comprising two sets of multi-lobe filament yarns interwoven in substantially perpendicular direction to each other, each of the multi-lobe filament yarns having pre-determined, different heat shrinkage characteristics such that, upon heating, the fabric forms a three-dimensional, cuspated profile. A method of stabilizing soil and reinforcing vegetation comprises the steps of placing a three-dimensional, high-profile woven fabric into soil, wherein the fabric comprises two sets of multi-lobe filament yarns interwoven in substantially perpendicular direction to each other, each of the multi-lobe filament yarns having pre-determined, different heat shrinkage characteristics such that, upon heating, the fabric forms a three-dimensional, cuspated profile; securing the fabric to the ground; and, distributing soil and seed onto the fabric such that the section of ground is quickly revegetated and thereby protected from further erosion.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A three-dimensional, cuspated profile, turf reinforcement mat comprising trilobal, thermoplastic polymer, filament yarn

wherein the trilobal, thermoplastic polymer, filament yarn includes a cross-sectional geometry having a substantially circular core region and three substantially convex elongated lobes that are substantially equally spaced around the core region, each elongated lobe consisting of a single, substantially symmetrical half-ellipse shaped convex member disposed along a portion of the circumference of the core region, a shortest distance between a geometrical apex of the convex member and the portion of the circumference of the core region being substantially equal to a longest width of the convex member along a geometrical axis perpendicular to a geometrical axis defined by the shortest distance between the apex and the portion of the circumference of the core region, and three substantially concave and smoothly curved channels separating the elongated lobes, a portion of each smoothly curved channel comprising a plurality of points along the circumference of the core region
wherein the trilobal, thermoplastic polymer, filament yarn is woven to form a generally planar mat
wherein the generally planar mat is subject to heat of a temperature and duration sufficient to accentuate a three-dimensional, cuspated profile.

A method of stabilizing soil and reinforcing vegetation in a section of ground comprising:

a) placing a three-dimensional, cuspated profile, woven turf reinforcement mat on the section of ground
wherein the turf reinforcement mat includes heat-shrinkable trilobal filament yarns interwoven in substantially perpendicular direction to each other, each of the trilobal filament yarns having heat shrinkage characteristics such that, upon heating, the turf reinforcement mat includes a three-dimensional, cuspated profile, and wherein each of the trilobal filament yarns has a denier of between about 1200 and about 2000 and a cross-sectional geometry consisting essentially of:
a substantially circular, substantially uniform core region,
three substantially convex and smoothly curved elongated lobes substantially equally spaced about a circumference of the core region, each elongated lobe consisting of a single, substantially symmetrical half-ellipse shaped convex member disposed along a portion of the circumference of the core region, a shortest distance between a geometrical apex of the convex member and the portion of the circumference of the core region being substantially equal to a longest width Of the convex member along a geometrical axis perpendicular to a geometrical axis defined by the shortest distance between the apex and the portion of the circumference of the core region, and
three substantially concave and smoothly curved channels separating the elongated lobes, a portion of each smoothly curved channel comprising a plurality of points along the circumference of the core region, each smoothly curved channel being configured to capture sediment to prevent erosion;
(b) securing the turf reinforcement mat to the section of the ground;
and
(c) distributing soil or seed or mixtures thereof onto the turf reinforcement mat such that the section of ground has stabilized soil and upon seed germination, reinforced vegetation.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pyramidal fabrics having multi-lobe filament yarns and method for erosion control

Life of this patent

Pyramidal fabrics having multi-lobe filament yarns and method for erosion control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29