US5404671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sod
Assignee: Invista North America LLC
•
Filing: 1993-10-27
•
Granted: 1995-04-11
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Expires: 2013-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A novel multi-layer sod and the method for making said sod is disclosed. The sod contains recycled waste products including pieces of carpet and compost.
Inventors
- 👤 William H. Farrow, Jr.
- 👤 Vijayendra Kumar
- 👤 William H. Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:44
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01C; A01C1/00; A01C1/04; A01C1/046; A01G; A01G20/00; A01G20/20; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S47/00; Y10S47/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for producing a sod comprising the steps of: a) placing a first layer comprising a mixture of carpet pieces and compost over a root impervious barrier; b) placing a second layer comprising compost over said first layer to at least a depth whereby any pieces of carpet extending upward from said first layer are completely covered by said second layer; c) placing viable seeds, seedlings, rooted cuttings, root divisions, or plant plugs in said second layer; d) watering said seeds, seedlings, rooted cuttings, root divisions, or plant plugs for growth to establish root penetration into said first layer and root entanglement with said carpet pieces, thus forming a sod; and e) harvesting the sod.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for producing a sod comprising the steps of: a) placing a first layer comprising a mixture of carpet pieces and compost over a root impervious barrier; b) placing a second layer comprising compost over said first layer to at least a depth whereby any pieces of carpet extending upward from said first layer are completely covered by said second layer; c) placing viable seeds, seedlings, rooted cuttings, root divisions, or plant plugs in said second layer; d) watering said seeds, seedlings, rooted cuttings, root divisions, or plant plugs for growth to establish root penetration into said first layer and root entanglement with said carpet pieces, thus forming a sod; and e) harvesting the sod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mixture of carpet pieces and compost comprises from about 10% to about 50% by total volume carpet pieces and from about 90% to about 50% by total volume compost.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said carpet pieces are from about 1/2 inch to about 1 inch in width and from about 1 inch to about 5 inches in length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
Sod comprising: a) a first layer comprising a mixture of carpet pieces and compost; b) a second layer comprising compost covering said first layer to at least a depth whereby any pieces of carpet extending upward from said first layer are covered by said second layer; c) a plurality of plants growing in said second layer, said plants having roots penetrating into said first layer and entangling said carpet pieces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
Sod comprising: a) a first layer comprising a mixture of carpet pieces and compost; b) a second layer comprising compost covering said first layer to at least a depth whereby any pieces of carpet extending upward from said first layer are covered by said second layer; c) a plurality of plants growing in said second layer, said plants having roots penetrating into said first layer and entangling said carpet pieces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The sod of claim 4 wherein said mixture of carpet pieces and compost comprises from about 10% to about 50% by total volume carpet pieces and from about 90% to about 50% by total volume compost.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sod of claim 5 wherein said mixture of carpet pieces and compost comprises about 50% by total volume carpet pieces and 50% by total volume compost.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sod of claim 5 wherein said carpet pieces are from about 1/2 inch to about 1 inch in width and from about 1 inch to about 5 inches in length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sod of claim 5 wherein said first layer has a depth of about 1 inch and wherein said second layer has a depth of about 1/2 inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sod of claim 5 wherein said compost is selected from the group consisting of municipal waste compost and sewage sludge--wood chip compost.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sod of claim 9 wherein said compost is municipal waste compost.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sod of claim 9 wherein said compost is sewage sludge--wood chip compost.
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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) | 1998-04-10 | 1998-10-10 | 1999-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-10 | 2002-10-10 | 2003-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-10 | 2006-10-10 | 2007-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |