US4888914A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and fabric container for controlling root growth
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-05-23
•
Granted: 1989-12-26
•
Expires: 2008-05-23
Abstract
Abstract An improved method and fabric container for controlling the root growth of nursery stock planted in the ground prior to transplanting are provided. In accordance with the method, the root growth is confined in the ground within a porous fabric container formed of needle punched continuous fibers whereby the roots are readily caught and caused to initially penetrate the container, but the fabric constricts the roots sufficiently to produce nodule formation and root branching within the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph E. Reiger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:33
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/02; A01G9/029; A01G9/0291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
In a method of controlling the root growth of nursery stock planted in the ground prior to transplanting such nursery stock wherein said root growth is confined within a porous fabric container having sufficient strength to constrict penetrating roots whereby root growth outside the container is restricted and enlarged root nodule formation and root branching are promoted within the container, the improvement which comprises confining said root growth within a container formed of a porous needle punched fabric of woven continuous fibers whereby said roots are readily caught by and caused to initially penetrate said fabric but are sufficiently constricted thereby to produce said nodule formation and root branching.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a method of controlling the root growth of nursery stock planted in the ground prior to transplanting such nursery stock wherein said root growth is confined within a porous fabric container having sufficient strength to constrict penetrating roots whereby root growth outside the container is restricted and enlarged root nodule formation and root branching are promoted within the container, the improvement which comprises confining said root growth within a container formed of a porous needle punched fabric of woven continuous fibers whereby said roots are readily caught by and caused to initially penetrate said fabric but are sufficiently constricted thereby to produce said nodule formation and root branching.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said continuous fibers are selected from the group consisting of polyolefin fibers, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said continuous fibers are polypropylene fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a method of controlling the root growth of nursery stock planted in the ground prior to transplanting such nursery stock wherein said root growth is confined within a porous synthetic fabric container having sufficient strength to constrict penetrating roots whereby root growth outside the container is restricted and enlarged root nodule formation and root branching are promoted within the container, the improvement which comprises confining said root growth within a container formed of a pourous needle punched fabric of woven continuous fibers having staple fibers attached within the interior thereof by needle punching whereby said fabric has a fuzzy interior surface which causes roots to be caught and readily initially penetrate said fabric prior to being sufficiently constricted by said fabric to produce said nodule formation and root branching.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a method of controlling the root growth of nursery stock planted in the ground prior to transplanting such nursery stock wherein said root growth is confined within a porous synthetic fabric container having sufficient strength to constrict penetrating roots whereby root growth outside the container is restricted and enlarged root nodule formation and root branching are promoted within the container, the improvement which comprises confining said root growth within a container formed of a pourous needle punched fabric of woven continuous fibers having staple fibers attached within the interior thereof by needle punching whereby said fabric has a fuzzy interior surface which causes roots to be caught and readily initially penetrate said fabric prior to being sufficiently constricted by said fabric to produce said nodule formation and root branching.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said continuous fibers are selected from the group consisting of polyolefin fibers, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said staple fibers are selected from the group consisting of polyolefin fibers, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 wherein both of said continuous fibers and staple fibers are polypropylene fibers. a
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2252073A
Cited
US2902795A
Cited
US3415012A
Cited
DE2161297A1
Cited
FR2280314A1
Cited
US3988519A
Cited
DE3304352A1
Cited
WO1984004227A1
Cited
US4574522A
Cited
US4613529A
Cited
US4697382A
Cited
EP0172060A2
Cited
US4729913A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-25 | 1993-06-26 | 1993-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-25 | 1997-06-26 | 1997-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-25 | 2001-06-26 | 2001-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |