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US 9,315,962 B2Granted
Fiber block planting system
OwnerB. Lanka Santhainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fiber block planting segment suitable for controlling erosion and stabilizing soil is described that comprises an elongated fiber block formed of a densely packed elongated thick fibrous material having at least one channel formed therein for receiving a plant to be planted in the soil. The fiber block is enclosed in a sleeve or wrap of fiber mesh. The fiber block and mesh can be made of coir fibers.
Claims15
A fiber block planting system for stabilizing a shoreline or waterway bank comprising:
- a fiber block planting segment comprising:
- an elongated fiber block comprising a top surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a bottom surface, a male end and a female end, wherein the elongated fiber block consists of compressed natural fibers, wherein the elongated fiber block further comprises a plurality of channels formed therein, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends completely through the elongated fiber block to at least two separate surfaces selected from the top surface, the front surface, the rear surface, and the bottom surface, and wherein each channel of the plurality of channels comprises a channel length;
- a fiber channel plug removably disposed in a channel of the plurality of channels, wherein the fiber channel plug consists of the compressed natural fibers, wherein the fiber channel plug comprises a plug top, a plug bottom, and a plug length, wherein the plug length is equal to the channel length, wherein the plug top is aligned flush with one of the top surface, the front surface, the rear surface or the bottom surface of the elongated fiber block when the plug bottom is aligned flush with an opposed surface of the elongated fiber block;
- and,
- a sleeve of fiber mesh encasing at least a portion of the elongated fiber block.
2 more elements
A method of stabilizing a shoreline or waterway bank, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a first fiber block planting segment adjacent a shoreline or a waterway bank, the first fiber block planting segment comprising an elongated first fiber block consisting of compressed natural fibers, wherein the elongated first fiber block comprises a first top surface, a first bottom surface, a first front surface, a first rear surface, a first male end portion, and a first female end portion disposed opposite the first male end portion, wherein the elongated first fiber block further comprises a first plurality of channels formed therein, wherein each channel of the first plurality of channels extends completely through the elongated first fiber block to two surfaces of the first top surface, the first bottom surface, the first front surface and the first rear surface, a first plurality of fiber channel plugs, wherein each fiber channel plug of the first plurality of fiber channel plugs consists of the compressed natural fibers and is removably disposed in one channel of the first plurality of channels, and wherein the a first mesh sleeve encasing at least a portion of the first fiber block;
- positioning a second fiber block planting segments adjacent the shoreline or waterway bank, the second fiber block planting segment comprising an elongated second fiber block consisting of the compressed natural fibers and defining a second top surface, a second bottom surface, a second front surface, a second rear surface, a second male end portion, and a second female end portion disposed opposite the second male end portion, wherein the elongated second fiber block comprises a second plurality of channels formed therein, wherein each channel of the second plurality of channels extends completely through the elongated second fiber block to two surfaces of the second top surface, the second bottom surface, the second front surface and the second rear surface, a second plurality of fiber channel plugs, wherein each fiber channel plug of the second plurality of fiber channel plugs consists of the compressed natural fibers and is removably disposed in one channel of the second plurality of channels, a second mesh sleeve encasing at least a portion of the second fiber block;
- mating the second male end portion of the elongated second fiber block to the first female end portion of the elongated first fiber block;
- removing at least one fiber channel plug of the first plurality and the second plurality of fiber channel plugs from at least one channel of the first plurality and the second plurality of channels;
- and,
- inserting a cutting of a live plant into the channel from which the fiber channel plug was removed.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.