Abstract:
A chemical application line is provided having a core chemical application carrier to dispense a desired chemical into a target environment over a period of time. The chemical application line includes a degradable film or paper covering the carrier to provide protection from the chemical when handling. The chemical application line also includes a degradable rope surrounding the carrier to provide strength and durability to the line.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to chemical dispensing and, more particularly, to a device for selectively dispensing a chemical agent into a targeted environment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Dispensing of a chemical agent slowly over a period of time is useful in many industries, particularly in the agriculture, railroad and roadway maintenance industries. Conventional application of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides is time consuming and requires repeated application. Typically, application of these chemical agents is time sensitive for the chemical agent to be effective. Additionally, environmental factors such as rain may wash away the chemical requiring another application within a specified period of time for the chemical to be effective. 
         [0003]    Various slow dispensing devices have been developed to release small amounts of fertilizer, pesticides or herbicides over an extended period of time. Some of these devices include biodegradable materials impregnated with the chemical to be dispensed. As the biodegradable material decomposes, the chemical is released. Other devices have dissolved the desired chemical in an elastomeric material at a super saturated concentration causing the chemical to bloom to the surface of the elastomer and be dispensed into the surrounding environment. 
         [0004]    Problems associated with such slow dispensing devices include leaching of chemicals and the danger of exposure to the user, fragile carrier systems whereby the carrier material is susceptible to breakage during handling and installation, or conversely, the carrier material is not biodegradable and requires removal and disposal after a period of time. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention includes a biodegradable carrier material wrapped in a biodegradable paper, film or fabric to protect the user from exposure to the chemical in the carrier material, and a biodegradable, braided twine or rope surrounding the carrier material and paper to provide strength and ease of handling to the system. One or more carrier materials may be included each separately wrapped by the paper or wrapped together and surrounded by the rope. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the chemical application line of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional end view of an embodiment of the chemical application line of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of various uses of the chemical application line of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a placement of the chemical application line around the foundation of a house. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a placement of the chemical application line around a memorial stone. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a placement of the chemical application line along a highway. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a placement of the chemical application line along an intersection and sidewalk. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a placement of the chemical application line along a fence. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a placement of the chemical application line along a railroad track. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is an elevation and plan view of a placement of the chemical application line in a citrus grove. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a placement of the chemical application line on a fruit tree branch. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a chemical application line of the present invention is generally indicated by numeral  20 . Chemical application line  20  includes core chemical carrier  22 , a paper  24  wrapping the core chemical carrier  22  and a braided rope  26  surrounding the paper  24  and core chemical carrier  22 . 
         [0018]    Two or more core chemical carriers  22  may be included in the chemical application line  20 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , four core chemical carriers  22  are included. Core chemical carriers  22  may include a number of different chemical depending on the specific application. For example, the core application carrier  22  may include fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insect attractants, animal repellants or an exothermic chemical heater. 
         [0019]    Core chemical carrier  22  may include various compostable, biodegradable or degradable binding materials to contain and release the chemical at a desired rate and time. For example, the binding materials may include potato starch, corn starch, tapioca starch or sugar cane fiber individually or mixed in various combinations to achieve a desired decomposition rate according to the application and rate at which the chemical is to be discharged. These materials may decompose within 30 to 180 days or longer depending on the binding material and the environment of the application. A corn starch-based binding material typically decomposes faster than a potato or tapioca starch binding material, for example. For a six-month application of a pesticide, three core carriers  22  may be included in the chemical application line. The binding material of the first core carrier may be made of a corn starch with a decomposition time of 30 days. The second binding material may be made of a combination of corn starch and potato starch with a decomposition time of 90 days. The third binding material may be made of a potato or tapioca starch with a decomposition time of 180 days. In this manner, the pesticide may be released over a six-month period to provide continuous application of the desired pesticide or fertilizer for the desired time. 
         [0020]    In order for the pesticide to achieve a continuous release, the first binder and pesticide mixture  30  may be homogeneous so that as the binder initially begins to break down, the pesticide is released into the environment. Second core carrier  32  may have an outer layer  34  of binder material only and an inner layer  36  of a binder and pesticide mixture. The outer layer  34  may be formulated to decompose within 30-45 days. When the inner layer  36  is reached, the pesticide begins to be released as the inner layer  36  breaks down. Because the inner layer  36  decomposes at a slower rate than the first binder, for example, a higher concentration of the pesticide may be combined with the inner layer binder  36  so that the release of pesticide is generally constant over the life of the second core carrier  32 . The third core carrier  38  may include an outer layer  40  that decomposes within approximately 90 days with an inner layer  42  mixed with the pesticide that also decomposes within 90 days. 
         [0021]    The paper  24  wrapping the core chemical carrier  22  protects the user from exposure to the chemical contained within the core chemical carrier  22 . The paper  24  may be a cellulose paper, a fabric, film or other biodegradable coating or wrapping. For example, core chemical carrier  22  may be sprayed or dipped in a starch-based liquid coating to provide a protective layer. The coating  24  may readily decompose or dissolve when exposed to moisture and thereby activate the core chemical carrier  22 . Alternatively, the coating  24  may be of varying thicknesses and thus time to decompose for each of the core chemical carriers  22  to provide a delayed release of the chemicals. 
         [0022]    The braided rope  26  provides strength to the system and protects the core chemical carriers  22 . The thickness and composition of the rope  26  may be tailored to the environment and the method of application. The rope  26  may be made of natural fibers such as hemp or may be made from sugar cane fibers, starches or other biodegradable materials. Selection of the type of rope  26  may be made based on the application time period of the chemical. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the chemical application line  20  may be applied along a driveway  50 , a sidewalk  52 , the foundation  54  of a house  56 , around a tree  58 , along a fence  60 , and along a street  62 . For the applications along the driveway  50 , sidewalk  52 , fence  60  and street  62 , the chemical application line  20  may include a fast-acting herbicide, such as a vegetation killer, which may be released for a period of one or more years. The chemical application line  20  around the foundation  54  of house  56  may include a vegetation killer, a pesticide and a rodent repellant. The chemical application line  20  around the tree  58  may include a fertilizer for flowers or other plants around the tree  58  and a rodent repellant to discourage rabbits and other animals from eating the flowers or other plants. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the chemical application line  20  may be applied around a memorial stone  70  in a cemetery to keep weeds from growing around the stone  70  and reduce the time necessary for mowing by eliminating the need to trim. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the chemical application line  20  may be applied along the top  80  and bottom  82  of a fence line  84 , and along a highway  86 . At the top  80  of fence  84  the chemical application line  20  may include natural repellants to deter nuisance wildlife from entering a roadway, such as deer. Placed along interstates and highways at high risk areas for deer crossings, this deterrent may reduce costly accidents and save the lives of both humans and wildlife. Further placing the chemical application line  20  along the highway including a vegetation killer improves visibility and reduces the time and cost of road maintenance. Additionally, a pesticide may also be included in the chemical application line  20  along the shoulder of the highway  86  to reduce or eliminate damage from fire ants and other pests that build nests along the edge of roads causing the road to weaken and crumble. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , the chemical application line  20  may be used to fill and treat cracks along walks  90 , walls  92 , curbs  94 , medians  96 , parking lots  98  and railroad tracks  100 , keeping these areas free from weeds. Additionally, medians containing vegetation may be continually fertilized by the release of a fertilizer from the chemical application line  20 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the chemical application line  20  may be used in citrus groves  110  to help keep the trees warm during cold weather occurrences. The chemical application line may encapsulate heat packets consisting of iron powder, water, salt, activated charcoal and vermiculate. When the line  20  is stretched, the wrapping (not shown) is torn or broken to allow the compound to be exposed to air triggering an exothermic reaction to warm the citrus grove  110 . The exothermic reaction may last for 6-12 hours. Multiple chemical application lines  20  may be arranged to provide longer term protection from freezing weather. 
         [0028]    Chemical application line  20  containing insect attractants may be placed in fruit trees  112  to attract bees or other pollinating insects to enhance the yield of the fruit trees  112 . 
         [0029]    It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto, except in so far as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable equivalents thereof.