Agricultural wrap and method of making the same

An agricultural wrap includes a continuous planar main body formed of a flexible and permeable material, an amount of growing matter, and at least one irrigation tube. The body has first and second sides, first and second ends, an inner surface, an outer surface disposed against a base surface, and at least one aperture. With the growing matter disposed against the inner surface, the first and second sides are positioned around the growing matter to define a holding pocket. An irrigation tube being disposed against the main body and above the base surface leaks water that permeates through the main body and saturates the growing matter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to agriculture, and more specifically, to agricultural containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Agriculture includes the science, art, and practice of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising livestock. Crops can be planted and grown in fields of soil, as well as in containers. Containers utilized for agricultural purposes have ranged from rigid structures, such as rigid cylinders having closed bottoms, to flexible ones, such as growing bags and other cylindrical enclosures.

For example, pre-formed cylindrical enclosures are disclosed by Tyler in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,226,240, 7,452,165, and 8,439,607, and in WO 2004/002834 A2 and WO 2004/002834 A3. These containers are provided as a pre-formed cylinder in which growing material can be blown or otherwise disposed into such tubes via a delivery mechanism, such as a hose, tube, pipe, duct, or chute. Such containers suffer from several deficiencies. They require their cylindrical bodies to be pre-formed prior to filling, which does not allow dynamic on-site size selection of such containers. Also, such pre-formed bodies do not readily allow convenient (volume- or content-based) modification of soil or filler within such containers, as they are permanently formed in cylindrical configurations. Further, such containers do not provide hydration elements for hydrating growing matter contained therein, nor do they provide such hydration elements that provide structural support of such containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an agriculture wrap and methods of fabricating the same.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in an agricultural environment having a base surface, an agricultural wrap can include a continuous planar main body, an amount of growing material, and at least one irrigation tube. Such a main body can be formed of a flexible and permeable material, and can have first and second opposing sides with respective terminal edges, first and second ends, an inner surface, an outer surface disposed against the base surface, and at least one aperture that exposes at least a portion of the amount of growing matter, which can be disposed against the inner surface. Such an irrigation tube can be attached to one of the first and second sides, with a volume of water retained therein. The first and second sides can be positioned around the growing matter, and in conjunction with the ends, can define a holding pocket, and can encapsulate the growing matter within the holding pocket, with the at least one irrigation tube being disposed, against the main body, and above the base surface. At least a portion of the volume of water can, be released by the at least one irrigation tube, permeate through the main body, and hydrate the growing matter.

In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, the at least one aperture can be formed by cutting the material with an appropriate cutting instrument, such as scissors, a punch, etc.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an agricultural wrap can further comprise a second irrigation tube attached to the other of the first and second sides.

In a further exemplary aspect, the sides can overlap each other with either side overlapping the other.

In another exemplary aspect, the terminal edges can define a gap therebetween and provide the at least one aperture.

In yet another exemplary aspect, one or more of the terminal edges can define the at least one aperture, such as when one or both edges include a cut-out portion that provides an aperture when the sides are positioned as described herein.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an agricultural wrap can further comprise at least one fixing structure, such as a stake, for example and not in limitation, disposed through the first and second sides, and optionally, the amount of growing matter, to secure the first and second opposing sides in a static position.

In a further exemplary aspect, the at least one fixing structure can be further disposed through the base surface.

In still yet another exemplary aspect, the at least one fixing structure can include a first leg attached to a second leg, with the first leg being disposed through the first side and the second leg being disposed through the second side.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in an agricultural environment having a base surface, a method of forming an agricultural wrap, having a continuous planar main body, formed of a flexible and permeable material, and having first and second opposing sides with respective terminal edges, first and second ends, an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one aperture that exposes at least a portion of an amount of growing matter, can include the following steps:

disposing the main body against the base surface;

placing an amount of growing matter against the inner surface;

attaching, to one of the first and second sides, at least one irrigation tube having a volume of water retained within the at least one irrigation tube; and

positioning the first and second sides around the amount of growing matter to define, in conjunction with the first and second sides, a holding pocket and to encapsulate the amount of growing matter within the holding pocket. Further, the at least one irrigation tube can be disposed, against the main body, and above the base surface, and at least a portion of the volume of water the amount of growing matter can include at least a portion of the volume of water.

The following are additional exemplary optional aspects of the present invention: such a method can further include after the step of positioning, cutting the material to form the at least one aperture; the other of the first and second sides can include a second irrigation tube attached thereto; the step of positioning can result in the sides overlapping each other; the terminal edges can define a gap therebetween; one or more of the terminal edges can define the at least one aperture; such a method can further include after the step of positioning, forcing at least one fixing structure through the first and second opposing sides and the amount of growing matter to secure the first and second opposing sides in a static position; the step of forcing can include forcing the at least one fixing structure through the base surface; and the at least one fixing structure can include a first leg attached to a second leg, and such a method can further include after the step of positioning, forcing the first leg through the first side and the second leg through the second side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an agricultural wrap.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an agricultural wrap from which one or more plants can be grown.

It should be noted that this disclosure includes a plurality of embodiments each having a plurality of elements and/or aspects, and such elements and/or aspects need not necessarily be interpreted as being conjunctively required by one or more embodiments of the present invention. In particular, all combinations of elements and/or aspects can enable a separate embodiment of a patentable invention, which may be claimed with particularity in this or any future filed Patent Applications. Moreover, such elements and/or aspects disclosed herein, whether expressly or implicitly, are to be construed strictly as illustrative and enabling, and not necessarily limiting. Therefore, it is expressly set forth that any elements and/or aspects, independently or in any combination of one of more thereof, are merely illustratively representative of one or more embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as necessary in a strict sense.

Further, to the extent the same element and/or aspect is defined differently anywhere within this disclosure, whether expressly or implicitly, the broader definition is to take absolute precedence, with the distinctions encompassed by the narrower definition to be strictly construed as optional.

Illustratively, perceived benefits of the present invention can include functional utility, whether expressly or implicitly stated herein, or apparent herefrom. However, it is expressly set forth that these benefits are not intended as exclusive. Therefore, any explicit, implicit, or apparent benefit from the disclosure herein is expressly deemed as applicable to the present invention.

The present invention provides an agricultural wrap from which one or more plants can be grown. Accordingly, such a wrap can advantageously provide a growing environment in one or more desired environments.

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which an exemplary agricultural wrap1prior to final configuration can include a continuous planar main body10formed of a flexible material (such as a woven mesh, for example and not in limitation) that is sufficiently permeable, such that water can move therethrough. In an exemplary aspect, permeability can arise via spaces between a woven or porous material. Further, main body10can include first and second opposing sides11,12having respective terminal edges11a,12a, first and second ends13,14, an inner surface15, an outer surface (not shown, but opposite the inner surface) disposed against a base surface17(which can include any structural surface upon which wrap1can be placed, such as a dirt, wooden, concrete, plastic, rubber, crystalline, or metal surface, etc.), and at least one aperture18(illustratively shown inFIG. 4). Notably, main body10can be cut or trimmed so as to dynamically adjust its size on-site.

As further illustrated inFIG. 1, wrap1can further include an amount of growing matter19disposed against inner surface15, with at least a portion of the growing matter being accessible via the at least one aperture18. Notably, accessibility includes sufficient space for a plant to pass from growing matter19to an area outside of wrap1. As illustrated inFIG. 4, such accessibility can allow a plant20to grow from growing matter19and extend through aperture18, so as to be exposed to natural or artificial sunlight outside of wrap1. Notably, as also illustrated inFIG. 4, aperture18can include an opening between the terminal portions of first and second sides11,12(which can be a trough, for example and not in limitation) and/or one or more apertures18within main body10, which can be stamped, punched, or otherwise cut into any portion of the main body. As also illustrated, wrap1can include at least one irrigation tube21that can be attached to one of the first and second sides11,12, with such attachment being effectuated via any desired one or more means, such as an adhesive, static friction via wrapping of a side around a tube, a clamp, a staple, a stitch, etc., insofar as the same is functionally compatible with the present invention. Notably, as illustrated, wrap1can optionally include at least one tube21for each side11,12. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, irrigation tube21can optionally function as a handhold or grasping structure when attached to one of first and second sides11,12, and thus can be used to pull or otherwise physically manipulate one or both of the first and second sides, which can facilitate the positioning of the one or both sides.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, with growing matter19disposed against inner surface15, first and second sides11,12can be positioned around the growing matter, with the sides and ends13,14defining a holding pocket22for retaining or holding the growing matter. In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, irrigation tube21can be disposed against main body10and above base surface17. Thus, irrigation tube21, which can carry and hold a volume of water, can release at least a portion of the water via at least one hole21a(illustratively shown inFIG. 4), which can then permeate through main body10and desirably hydrate growing matter19to facilitate a growing process. Notably, irrigation tube21can be provided as any type of known or apparent irrigation tube insofar as the same is functionally compatible with the present invention, and can be formed from a permeable material, which can inherently include at least one hole, or a non-permeable material with a provided at least one hole. Further, tube21is not necessarily limited to a rounded cross-section, as any functionally compatible shape can be utilized.

FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate an exemplary wrap1after an exemplary positioning of sides11,12. As illustrated, the terminal edges of sides11,12can be positioned to meet each other (whether touching or not); however, it should be noted that such edges can be positioned such that one overlaps the other, as illustratively shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, insofar as desired.

In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, at least one of ends13,14can be configured to be closed (as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4) or open (as illustrated inFIGS. 5-8). A closed configuration can be effectuated by folding ends13,14, with or without a fixing structure (as described below) or fixing the same together via a fixing structure. An open configuration can facilitate aeration, for example and not in limitation.

In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, after positioning, first and second sides11,12can be positionally fixed via at least one fixing structure23. Notably, such fixation can be temporary, in that such fixation can be undone to allow subsequent physical manipulation of growing matter19, and thereafter reapplied to positionally fix first and second sides11,12as desired. For example, and not in limitation, fixing structure23can include any functionally compatible structure that positionally fixes first and/or second side11,12, such as a clamp that holds together a pair of irrigation tubes21attached to the sides (as illustratively shown inFIGS. 4 and 9) or a stake having one or more legs23athat can penetrate through main body10, and optionally, growing matter19(as illustratively shown inFIGS. 5-8), and further optionally, base surface17. Further, either side11,12can be fixed concurrently or successively via at least one fixing structure23. For example and not in limitation, one of first and second sides11,12can be fixed with one or more fixing structures23, such as with a stake forced through main body10, followed by the other of the first and second sides being pulled over the fixing structure(s) and another one or more fixing structures23being forced through main body10.

As apparent from the above, a method of forming wrap1can include disposing main body10against a base surface17; placing the amount of growing matter19against inner surface15; attaching, to at least one of first and second sides11,12, at least one irrigation tube21having a volume of water retained therein; and positioning the first and second sides around the growing matter to define holding pocket22and to encapsulate the growing matter within the holding pocket. Accordingly, the at least one irrigation tube21can be disposed against main body10and above the base surface17, such that water (not shown) released by irrigation tube21can permeate the main body and saturate the growing matter.

While terminal edges11a,11bcan define the at least one aperture18, one or more apertures can optionally be provided by cutting the material from which main body10is formed.

In an optional aspect, a method of forming wrap1can include, after the step of positioning, forcing at least one stake23through sides11,12and the growing matter19to secure the sides in a static position. Further optionally, stake23can be forced through base surface17, which can positionally maintain wrap1in a static position relative to the base surface. Notably, at described above, a fixing structure23provided as a clamp can be utilized insofar as desired and as described above.

As illustrated inFIG. 5-8, stake23can be forced through main body10with various positional configurations of first and second ends11,12, and such various configurations can include any known or apparent configuration given the scope of this disclosure.

Notably, in any embodiment of the present invention, the various elements can be provided in any desired shape and/or size that are functionally compatible with the present invention as described and/or claimed, and as expressly stated, are not necessarily limited to any particular shape or size illustratively described herein. Accordingly, exemplary shapes and/or sizes can include any shape or size having one or more geometric shapes, whether having symmetric or asymmetric portions, and without shape or size limitations relative to other elements unless necessary to the functionality of the present invention.

Further, it is expressly set forth that any structural element and/or aspect described herein can be formed from any one or more desired materials that provide functional compatibility with the respective element and/or the respective aspect related thereto. Thus, any one or more of a plastic, rubber, metal, wood, elastomer, crystalline material, man-made material, naturally-occurring material, synthetic, mesh, woven material, etc. may be utilized insofar as respectively compatible.

Also notably, to the extent any two elements of the present invention are attached, connected, or fixed to each other or to another structure, any one or more attachment, connection, or fixation structures can be utilized to effectuate such attachment, connection, or fixation, including but not limited to, an adhesive, rope, twine, a strap, a clamp, a nail, a screw, a bolt, a nut, a magnet, etc., and are expressly not limited to any particular attachment, connection, or fixation structure illustrative shown or described, insofar as the same is functionally compatible herewith.

It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the manner of making and using the claimed invention has been adequately disclosed in the above-written description of the exemplary embodiments and aspects.

It should be understood, however, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific embodiments, aspects, arrangement, and components shown and described above, but may be susceptible to numerous variations within the scope of the invention.

Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative and enabling, rather than a restrictive, sense.

Accordingly, it will be understood that the above description of the embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.