US5167092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and fabric container for controlling root growth
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-10-10
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Granted: 1992-12-01
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Expires: 2009-10-10
Abstract
Abstract An improved fabric container for controlling the root growth of nursery stock planted in the ground prior to transplant is provided. The improved fabric container is formed of a porous, needle-punched, continuous fiber fabric that maintains root growth in the ground such that roots are readily caught and caused to initially penetrate the container, but the fabric functions to constrict the roots sufficiently to produce nodule formation and root branching within the confines of the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph E. Reiger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:57
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/04; A01G9/00; A01G9/02; A01G9/029
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
In a root constricting nursery stock fabric container for controlling the root growth of nursery stock grown in the ground prior to removal of the nursery stock and container from the ground and the transplanting of the nursery stock without the container, the improvement which comprises said fabric container being formed of a porous, needle punched fabric of woven continuous fibers which are tangled and knotted as a result of being needle punched whereby said roots are readily caught by and initially penetrate said fabric but are sufficiently constricted thereby to restrict root growth outside the container and promote enlarged root nodule formation and root branching within the container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a root constricting nursery stock fabric container for controlling the root growth of nursery stock grown in the ground prior to removal of the nursery stock and container from the ground and the transplanting of the nursery stock without the container, the improvement which comprises said fabric container being formed of a porous, needle punched fabric of woven continuous fibers which are tangled and knotted as a result of being needle punched whereby said roots are readily caught by and initially penetrate said fabric but are sufficiently constricted thereby to restrict root growth outside the container and promote enlarged root nodule formation and root branching within the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The container 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 container of claim 1 wherein said continuous fibers are polypropylene fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a root constricting nursery stock fabric container for controlling the root growth of nursery stock grown in the ground prior to removal of the nursery stock and container from the ground and the transplanting of the nursery stock without the container, the improvement which comprises said fabric container being formed of a porous, needle punched fabric of continuous fibers wherein said continuous fibers are woven to form a substrate upon which one or more layers of stable fibers are placed prior to needle punching whereby a fuzzy staple fiber root catching surface is formed on said fabric whereby said roots are readily caught by and initially penetrate said fabric but are sufficiently constricted thereby to restrict root growth outside the container and promote enlarged root nodule formation and root branching within the container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a root constricting nursery stock fabric container for controlling the root growth of nursery stock grown in the ground prior to removal of the nursery stock and container from the ground and the transplanting of the nursery stock without the container, the improvement which comprises said fabric container being formed of a porous, needle punched fabric of continuous fibers wherein said continuous fibers are woven to form a substrate upon which one or more layers of stable fibers are placed prior to needle punching whereby a fuzzy staple fiber root catching surface is formed on said fabric whereby said roots are readily caught by and initially penetrate said fabric but are sufficiently constricted thereby to restrict root growth outside the container and promote enlarged root nodule formation and root branching within the container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The container 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 container of claim 4 wherein said staple fibers are selected from the group consisting of polyolefin fibers, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The container of claim 4 wherein both said continuous fibers and staple fibers are polypropylene fibers.
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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) | 1995-12-01 | 1996-06-01 | 1996-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-01 | 2000-06-01 | 2000-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-01 | 2004-06-01 | 2004-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |