US4584790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seed mat and method and apparatus for manufacturing it
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-11-06
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Granted: 1986-04-29
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Expires: 2004-11-06
Abstract
Abstract To manufacture a seed mat, a conveyor moves a layer of straw from a distribution bin where it is distributed against the top run of the conveyor belt which carries it underneath low pressure glue sprayers. After the glue is sprayed on, starter fertilizer granules are gravity fed on and a layer of paper is applied on top of it with a pressure roller. Glue is lightly sprayed on top of the paper and seed properly distributed in a fashion so that it may be visibly observed for quality control. After the seeds have been distributed in the glue, another layer of paper is placed on top of it and the mat runs through a drying oven to remove excess moisture at a temperature of between 100 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for between one minute and three minutes.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas P. Gaughen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:38
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01C; A01C1/00; A01C1/04; A01C1/044; A01G; A01G20/00; A01G20/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
332 words
Apparatus for forming a seed mat for seeds of a predetermined color comprising: first conveyor means having a predetermined width and length for moving material along its length; a plurality of stations spaced-apart along the length of the conveyor means; distribution bin means for distributing mulch on the conveyor; said distribution bin means being located at a first of said stations and including a second conveyor means; the side walls of said distribution bin forming an enclosure, an opening and a roller; said second conveyor means being positioned between said first conveyor and said side walls forming an enclosure with the direction of motion of its top run being toward the opening to move straw from the bin onto the first conveyor means; the roller being adjustably held against said first conveyor means near said opening to compact said material; first glue spraying means at a second station for spraying glue at an air pressure of between 10 and 25 pounds per square inch in a layer on top of said mulch as it moves down said conveyor from said first station; fertilizer distributor means at the second station for applying fertilizer to said glue and mulch; first paper applicator means positioned adjacent to said conveyor at the second station for applying first paper on top of said mulch, glue and fertilizer; said first paper being less than twenty pounds in weight, smooth surfaced, biodegradable and of a color contrasting to the color of said seeds; second glue spraying means for spraying a light application of glue on top of said first paper; seed distribution means for evenly distributing seed on top of said first paper; second paper applicator means for applying second paper to said mat on top of said seed; said second paper being less than twenty pounds in weight, smooth surfaced, biodegradable and of a color contrasting to the color of said seeds; heat tunnel means for drying said mat; and means for cutting said mat into predetermined sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
332 words
Apparatus for forming a seed mat for seeds of a predetermined color comprising: first conveyor means having a predetermined width and length for moving material along its length; a plurality of stations spaced-apart along the length of the conveyor means; distribution bin means for distributing mulch on the conveyor; said distribution bin means being located at a first of said stations and including a second conveyor means; the side walls of said distribution bin forming an enclosure, an opening and a roller; said second conveyor means being positioned between said first conveyor and said side walls forming an enclosure with the direction of motion of its top run being toward the opening to move straw from the bin onto the first conveyor means; the roller being adjustably held against said first conveyor means near said opening to compact said material; first glue spraying means at a second station for spraying glue at an air pressure of between 10 and 25 pounds per square inch in a layer on top of said mulch as it moves down said conveyor from said first station; fertilizer distributor means at the second station for applying fertilizer to said glue and mulch; first paper applicator means positioned adjacent to said conveyor at the second station for applying first paper on top of said mulch, glue and fertilizer; said first paper being less than twenty pounds in weight, smooth surfaced, biodegradable and of a color contrasting to the color of said seeds; second glue spraying means for spraying a light application of glue on top of said first paper; seed distribution means for evenly distributing seed on top of said first paper; second paper applicator means for applying second paper to said mat on top of said seed; said second paper being less than twenty pounds in weight, smooth surfaced, biodegradable and of a color contrasting to the color of said seeds; heat tunnel means for drying said mat; and means for cutting said mat into predetermined sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further including means for driving said roller in a direction opposite to the endless belts of said first conveyor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
A seed mat comprising: a biodegradable, substantially smooth first sheet; a diodegradable second sheet; a layer of seed and glue between said first sheet and said second sheet; a layer of mulch adhered to the second sheet; said seed being of a different color than said first sheet and evenly spaced so that there is the same number of seeds for each square foot of first sheet plus or minus twenty percent; the fertilizer and mulch being flued to the second sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
A seed mat comprising: a biodegradable, substantially smooth first sheet; a diodegradable second sheet; a layer of seed and glue between said first sheet and said second sheet; a layer of mulch adhered to the second sheet; said seed being of a different color than said first sheet and evenly spaced so that there is the same number of seeds for each square foot of first sheet plus or minus twenty percent; the fertilizer and mulch being flued to the second sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A seed mat according to claim 3 further including starter fertilizer between said mulch and said second sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A seed mat according to claim 3 in which the layer of mulch is one-eighth to one-half inch thick and the glue is water-dispersed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A seed mat according to claim 5 in which the fertilizer contains phosphorus in an amount of between 0.5 pounds and one pound for every 1,000 square feet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A seed mat according to claim 6 in which the glue is polyvinyl acetate.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of manufacturing a seed mat comprising the steps of: moving a layer of mulch along in a continuous path; spraying glue under low pressure on said mulch; applying fertilizer to said mulch; applying a thin first sheet of smooth, biodegradable material on top of said glue, mulch and fertilizer; applying glue to said first sheet of smooth, biodegradable material; distributing seed on said sheet of smooth, biodegradable material; applying a second sheet of smooth, biodegradable material on top of said first sheet, glue and seed; and drying said mat.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of manufacturing a seed mat comprising the steps of: moving a layer of mulch along in a continuous path; spraying glue under low pressure on said mulch; applying fertilizer to said mulch; applying a thin first sheet of smooth, biodegradable material on top of said glue, mulch and fertilizer; applying glue to said first sheet of smooth, biodegradable material; distributing seed on said sheet of smooth, biodegradable material; applying a second sheet of smooth, biodegradable material on top of said first sheet, glue and seed; and drying said mat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 8 in which the mat is dried in a heat tunnel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 9 in which the mat is dried at a temperature in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit for at least one minute.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 10 in which the step of drying the mat includes the step of running the mat on a conveyor through a heat tunnel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for forming a seed mat including: a conveyor; a distribution bin means for distributing mulch on the conveyor; low pressure first glue spraying means for spraying glue in a layer on top of said mulch as it moves down said conveyor; fertilizer distributor means for applying fertilizer to said glue and mulch; first paper applicator means positioned adjacent to said conveyor for applying a first paper on top of said mulch, glue and fertilizer; second glue spraying means for spraying a light application of glue on top of said first paper; seed distribution means for distributing seed on top of said first paper with an even distribution over a predetermined area; second paper applicator means for applying a second paper to said mat; and means for drying said mat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for forming a seed mat including: a conveyor; a distribution bin means for distributing mulch on the conveyor; low pressure first glue spraying means for spraying glue in a layer on top of said mulch as it moves down said conveyor; fertilizer distributor means for applying fertilizer to said glue and mulch; first paper applicator means positioned adjacent to said conveyor for applying a first paper on top of said mulch, glue and fertilizer; second glue spraying means for spraying a light application of glue on top of said first paper; seed distribution means for distributing seed on top of said first paper with an even distribution over a predetermined area; second paper applicator means for applying a second paper to said mat; and means for drying said mat.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-28 | 1989-10-28 | 1990-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-28 | 1993-10-28 | 1994-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-28 | 1997-10-28 | 1998-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |