US6524424B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combined soil reinforcement and drainage grid
Assignee: Linear Composites Ltd
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Filing: 2000-12-07
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Granted: 2003-02-25
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Expires: 2020-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A method of producing a drainage grid or network comprising a number of interlocked strips is disclosed which comprises providing a warp direction a plurality of strips having a channel or channels formed longitudinally therein, feeding such strips into a bonding zone wherein a filter material is bonded over the channel or channels, subsequently providing strips of polymeric material transverse to the warp strips and bonding them thereto to form the weft of the network and thereafter collecting the network or grid so produced. The warp and weft may be produced from yarn reinforced polymeric webbing which is heat bonded to give a mesh. It has been found that polyolefin materials, particularly polyethylene, are suitable. Where reinforcing is provided this may be in the form of reinforcing polyester yarns and are preferably inserted in the longitudinal direction in bundles. The filter fabric may also be a thermoplastic material and may be heat bonded, needle punched or woven. The filter fabric is adhered to, preferably by hot bonding, the warp using an elevated temperature and pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Terence John Edwards
- 👤 Michael King McCreath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:46
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B11/00; E02D; E02D29/00; E02D29/02; E02D29/0225; E02D29/0241
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of producing a drainage grid or network comprising a number of interlocked strips which comprises providing in a warp direction a plurality of spaced apart strips, each strip has a channel or channels formed longitudinally therein, feeding such strips into a bonding zone wherein a filter fabric is bonded over the channel or channels, subsequently providing strips of polymeric material transverse to the warp strips and bonding them thereto to form the weft of the network and thereafter collecting the network or grid so produced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of producing a drainage grid or network comprising a number of interlocked strips which comprises providing in a warp direction a plurality of spaced apart strips, each strip has a channel or channels formed longitudinally therein, feeding such strips into a bonding zone wherein a filter fabric is bonded over the channel or channels, subsequently providing strips of polymeric material transverse to the warp strips and bonding them thereto to form the weft of the network and thereafter collecting the network or grid so produced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the collection is carried out by winding the so-produced network onto a roll.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the weft is bonded to the warp only in those areas adjacent the channel or channels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the warp and weft is produced from yarn reinforced polymeric webbing which is heat bonded to give a mesh.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the polymeric material is a polyolefin material, particularly polyethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the reinforcing is in the form of reinforcing polyester yarns which are inserted in the longitudinal direction in bundles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the filter fabric is a thermoplastic material and is heat bonded, needle punched or woven.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the filter fabric is adhered to the warp using an elevated temperature and pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 carried out in a machine which is operated in a step-wise manner so that each warp strip is bonded to a length of filter fabric and then the machine indexed forward for the next stage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the length of step chosen is that between adjacent wefts so that indexing the strips forward one unit places the warp in position for both the next filter bonding stage as well as the next weft attachment stage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the filter fabric is bonded to the surface of the warp to provide a satisfactory continuous bond without destroying the structure of the filter fabric.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the combination of bonding temperature, bonding time, bonding pressure and bonding anvil material are controlled such that, employing a sufficiently high pressure, the temperature can be reduced so as not to melt or shrink the filter fabric, and the bonding time can be controlled to give a satisfactory bond.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the bonding pressure is between 0.3 to 0.7 N/mm 2 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 in which the bonding anvil is of a synthetic rubber material with a shore hardness of 50° to 70°.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-24 | 2006-08-26 | 2007-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-24 | 2010-08-26 | 2011-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-24 | 2014-08-26 | 2015-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |