Patent Publication Number: US-2023160166-A1

Title: Fiber Sheet System

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/859,445, entitled “Fiber Sheet System”, filed on Jul. 7, 2022, which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/361,070, entitled “Improved Fiber Block System” filed. Nov. 23, 2021. This application claims priority to both U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/361,070, entitled “Improved Fiber Block System”, filed Nov. 23, 2021, and U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/859,445, entitled “Fiber Sheet System”, filed Jul. 7, 2022, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional forms of wattles and logs used for perimeter sediment control, slope length shortening, and check dam applications are generally thick and circular in cross section. The circular structure results from the method of construction in which a tubular sleeve of netting is stuffed with filler from one end. When installed, less than the entire diameter of the circular log will contact the ground due to its shape, resulting in performance issues that require additional installation steps to address. Water tends to flow between the ground and convention cylindrical wattles and logs since they lack sufficient contact and downward pressure to form adequate barriers to water flow. The additional installation steps that are sometimes taken with conventional wattles and logs can include the digging of trenches and the extensive use of ropes to anchor the circular wattles and logs in place. Use of anchoring ropes tends to result in water flowing between the circular log and the rope, thereby undercutting the log and at least partially defeating the purpose thereof. Furthermore, the performance efficiency per unit of weight of a conventional wattle log is not optimal due to the log being wider in diameter than the diameter of the portion thereof that actually contacts the ground. 
     Additionally, the thickness and shape of conventional wattle logs make them difficult to configure for transporting and storage. The thickness of conventional wattle logs and fiber blocks relative to their height results in a relatively small number of linear meters of sediment control barrier that can be arranged on a pallet for shipping and/or storage. As a result, many pallets of conventional wattle logs and fiber blocks must be used to accommodate a target length of sediment control barriers. 
     Furthermore, transportation and handling costs represent a significant portion of the overall costs of a sediment control system. These transportation and handling costs are affected by the total volume of a sediment control barrier required to address a given situation. Consequently, reducing the unit volume per unit length of a sediment control system may advantageously impact the costs of transportation and handling the sediment control system. 
     Consequently, there is a need for a system that provides for perimeter sediment control, slope length shortening, and check dam applications that can address one or more of these and other shortcomings. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure encompasses a fiber sheet system for perimeter sediment control, slope length shortening, and check dam applications comprising: a fiber sheet comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a natural fiber felt, wherein the fiber sheet comprises a top side, a bottom side opposing the top side, a front side extending between the top side and the bottom side, a rear side opposing the front side and extending between the top side and the bottom side, a right side extending between the front side and the rear side, and a left side opposing the right side; a coating composition adhered to the fiber sheet, wherein the coating composition comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a natural rubber, wherein the natural rubber comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a polyisoprene moiety; and, a netting attached to the fiber sheet, wherein the netting comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a natural fiber mesh. 
     In one aspect, the fiber sheet comprises a ratio of a front side height of the front side of the fiber sheet to a top side width of the top side of the fiber sheet in a range of about 9 to 1 to about 90 to 1. In another aspect, the coating composition is adhered to the rear side of the fiber sheet. In a further aspect, the coating composition is adhered to the front side of the fiber sheet. In yet another aspect, the coating composition exhibits an area density in the range of about 0.06 kg/m 2  to about 0.22 kg/m 2 . In still a further aspect, the coating composition exhibits an area density in the range of about 0.07 kg/m 2  to about 0.1 kg/m 2 . In still another aspect, the fiber sheet comprises a fiber sheet upper section and a fiber sheet lower section, wherein the fiber sheet upper section is covered by the netting, and wherein the fiber sheet lower section extends beyond a lower edge of the netting. In one aspect, the netting comprises a band, wherein the band is aligned adjacent the lower edge of the netting. In still another aspect, the coating composition is cross-linked with the natural fiber felt. In a further aspect, the netting comprises a front side netting section and a rear side netting section, wherein the front side netting section contacts the front side of the fiber sheet, wherein the rear side netting section contacts the rear side of the fiber sheet, wherein the front side netting section exhibits a front side netting thread count, and wherein the rear side netting section exhibits a rear side netting thread count, and wherein the rear side netting thread count is greater than then the front side netting thread count. In another aspect, the rear side netting comprises a plurality of rear side netting bands. In still a further aspect, the netting comprises a sleeve encasing the fiber sheet. In another aspect, the natural fiber felt comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of coir fibers. In one aspect, the netting comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a coir twine. In another aspect, the fiber sheet system comprises a plurality of stakes connected to the netting and aligned adjacent the fiber sheet. 
     The present disclosure also encompasses a fiber sheet system for perimeter sediment control, slope length shortening, and check dam applications comprising: a fiber sheet comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a natural fiber felt, wherein the fiber sheet comprises a top side, a bottom side opposing the top side, a front side extending between the top side and the bottom side, a rear side opposing the front side and extending between the top side and the bottom side, a right side extending between the front side and the rear side, and a left side opposing the right side, wherein a ratio of a front side height of the front side of the fiber sheet to a top side width of the top side of the fiber sheet is in a range of about 9 to 1 to about 90 to 1; a coating composition adhered to the fiber sheet, wherein the coating composition comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a natural rubber; and, a netting covering the fiber sheet, wherein the netting comprises a natural fiber mesh. 
     In one aspect, the coating composition is adhered to the rear side of the fiber sheet. In another aspect, the coating composition is adhered to the front side of the fiber sheet. In a further aspect, the coating composition exhibits an area density in the range of about 0.07 kg/m 2  to about 0.1 kg/m 2 . 
     The present disclosure further encompasses a fiber sheet system for perimeter sediment control, slope length shortening, and check dam applications comprising a fiber sheet comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of coir fiber felt, wherein the fiber sheet comprises a top side, a bottom side opposing the top side, a front side extending between the top side and the bottom side, a rear side opposing the front side and extending between and connected to the top side and the bottom side, a right side, and a left side opposing the right side, wherein the fiber sheet comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a coir fiber felt, and wherein a ratio of a front side height of the front side of the fiber sheet to a top side width of the top side of the fiber sheet is in a range of about 9 to 1 to about 90 to 1; a coating composition adhered to the fiber sheet, wherein the coating composition comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a natural rubber, wherein the natural rubber comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a polyisoprene moiety, wherein the coating composition exhibits an area density in the range of about 0.07 kg/m 2  to about 0.1 kg/m 2 , and, a netting contacting the fiber sheet, wherein the netting comprises a sleeve, wherein the sleeve encases the fiber sheet, and wherein the sleeve comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of coir fibers. 
     These and other aspects of the present disclosure are set forth in greater detail below and in the drawings for which a brief description is provided as follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a portion of a fiber sheet system including a fiber sheet system segment of the fiber sheet system, wherein the fiber sheet system and the fiber sheet system segment encompass aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a left side view of the portion of the fiber sheet system shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a front side view of the portion of the fiber sheet system shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a rear side view of the portion of the fiber sheet system shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    is a front side view of the fiber sheet system segment of the fiber sheet system shown in  FIG.  1    with the plurality of stakes removed. 
         FIG.  6    is a rear side view of the fiber sheet system segment shown in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the fiber sheet system segment shown in  FIG.  5    showing cross-ties in dashed line, wherein the cross-ties extend through the fiber sheet. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of the fiber sheet of the portion of the fiber sheet system shown in  FIG.  1    with the outer netting and the plurality of stakes removed. 
         FIG.  9    is a left side view of the portion of the fiber sheet system of  FIG.  1    installed on soil. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of another fiber sheet system segment encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    is a front side view of the fiber sheet system segment shown in  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  12    is a rear side view of the fiber sheet system segment shown in  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  13    is a left end view of the fiber sheet system segment shown in  FIG.  10    incorporated in a fiber sheet system with a plurality of stakes and a plurality of staples attached to the fiber sheet system segment, wherein the fiber sheet system encompasses aspects of the present disclosure, wherein the fiber sheet system is installed in soil and with the lower portion of the fiber sheet system segment disposed in a channel formed in the soil. 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of the fiber sheet segment shown in  FIG.  10    incorporated into a fiber sheet system with a plurality of stakes and a plurality of staples attached to the fiber sheet system segment, wherein the fiber sheet system encompasses aspects of the present disclosure, wherein the fiber sheet system is installed in soil with the plurality of stakes and the plurality of staples securing the fiber sheet system segment to the soil surface. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of a fiber sheet system coil disposed on a pallet, wherein the fiber sheet system coil is formed of one or more of the fiber sheet system segments as shown in  FIG.  5    joined together in a fiber sheet system chain. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure encompasses fiber sheet systems, fiber sheet system segments and fiber sheets having coating compositions adhered thereto and that can be used in applications for erosion and sediment control, perimeter sediment control, slope length shortening, and/or check dam formation. The present disclosure refers in detail below to various aspects of the fiber sheet systems, the fiber sheet system segments, and the fiber sheets that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the application uses the same reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar items. 
     As used herein, the singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” encompass the plural forms thereof unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, the phrase “at least one” includes all numbers of one and greater. As used herein, the term “and/or” refers to one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements. As used herein, the phrase “integrally formed” means formed as a single, unitary body. As used herein, the term “felt” refers to a body of nonwoven fibers formed by pressure and/or other means of fiber entanglement, such as heat, moisture, and/or needle-punching. As used herein, the term “thread count” refers to the total number of warp and weft threads combined in one square centimeter of netting. As used herein, the term “cross-link” means a reaction that results in a chemical bond, such as a covalent bond, ionic bond, or hydrogen bond, between the chains of different molecules or polymers. As used herein, the term “adhere” refers to the mechanical, chemical, electrostatic, and/or dispersive joining of one material or component to another. 
     The fiber sheet systems, the fiber sheet system segments, and the fiber sheets encompassed by the present disclosure can comprise thin sheets of entangled and compressed natural fibers having adhered thereto a coating composition comprising natural rubber derived from natural latex. The coated fiber sheets are ecologically friendly and can aid in erosion and sediment control, perimeter sediment control, slope length shortening, and/or check dam applications. Because the fiber sheet systems and fiber sheet system segments comprise natural fibers and natural coatings, they can be installed in environmentally sensitive areas. Surprisingly, the fiber sheet systems, the fiber sheet system segments, and the coated fiber sheets encompassed by the present disclosure can capture sediment contained in ground water even though the coated fiber sheets of the fiber sheet systems are relatively thin in width as compared to their heights and lengths. 
     The fiber sheet systems encompassed by the present disclosure can comprise one or more fiber sheet system segments, and/or one or more coated fiber sheets as described herein aligned alone, end to end with other fiber sheet system segments and/or other coated fiber sheets, and/or side by side with other fiber sheet system segments and/or other coated fiber sheets to provide a barrier of sufficient length and width to achieve the intended goals. The fiber sheet systems, the fiber sheet system segments, and the coated fiber sheets can aid in the protection from erosion of bare soil. Among the natural fibers that can be used in the fiber sheets, nettings, sleeves, meshes, and ties of the fiber sheet systems is coconut or coir fiber, which can be used to form any one or more of these components and provide the desired characteristics of the systems. 
       FIGS.  1 - 9    illustrate a portion of a fiber sheet system  100  and a fiber sheet system segment  110  encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG.  1   , the fiber sheet system segment  110  of the fiber sheet system  100  comprises a fiber sheet  112  formed of needle-punched coir fiber felt  121  covered at least partially by a netting  113  of a high strength mesh  114  that contacts each of the sides of the fiber sheet  112 . A coating composition  102  is adhered to at least one side, such as the front side  136 , of the fiber sheet  112 . The mesh  114  can comprise natural fibers, such as coir fibers, other biodegradable fibers, or of twine made exclusively of natural fibers, or, alternatively, made with biodegradable natural fibers wrapped around a synthetic core. In one aspect, both the fiber sheet  112  and the mesh  114  comprise, consist essentially of or consist of coir fibers. 
     The fiber sheet  112  is an elongated rectangular sheet. The fiber sheet  112  comprises a top side  124 , a bottom side  126  opposite the top side  124 , a front side  136  extending between the top side  124  and the bottom side  126 , a rear side  138  opposing the front side  136  and also extending between the top side  124  and the bottom side  126 , a left side  130  extending between the front side  136  and the rear side  138 , and a right side  128  opposing the left side  130  and also extending between the front side  136  and the rear side  138 . The rear side  138  and the front side  136  are the major sides of the fiber sheet  112 , while the top side  124 , the bottom side  126 , the left side  130  and the right side  128  are the minor sides of the fiber sheet  112 . The major sides, the rear side  138  and the front side  136 , are substantially greater in area than the minor sides, the top side  124 , the bottom side  126 , the left side  130  and the right side  128 . The fiber sheet  112  comprises a needle-punched coir fiber felt  121 . The minor sides are the thickness or width of the elongated sheet of needle-punched coir fiber felt  121 . 
     The top side  124  and the front side  136  cooperate to define a upper front edge  135 . The bottom side  126  and the front side  136  cooperate to define a lower front edge  133 . The top side  124  and the rear side  138  cooperate to define an upper rear edge  137 , and the bottom side  126  and the rear side  138  cooperate to define a lower rear edge  127 . The front side  136  and the rear side  138  are generally rectangular. The top side  124 , the front side  136 , the rear side  138 , and the bottom side  126  are generally flat and extend the length of the fiber sheet  112  between the left side  130  and the right side  128 . 
     In one aspect, the fiber sheet  112  comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a needle-punched coir fiber felt  121 . The coir fiber felt  121  is formed by feeding loose coir fibers through a needle punch machine to compress and entangle the loose coir fibers into a dense interconnected coir fiber felt. The coir fibers become entangled during the needle-punching process, thereby resulting in the formation of a nonwoven coir fiber felt  121 . The coir fiber felt  121  is substantial and rigid enough to make the fiber sheet  112  free standing when properly aligned. 
     The coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can exhibit a density in the range of about 100 kg/m 3  to about 125 kg/m 3 . In another aspect, the coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can exhibit density that is about 112 kg/m. In one aspect, the upper limit of the range of density exhibited by the coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 112 kg/m 3 , 113 kg/m 3 , 114 kg/m 3 , 115 kg/m 3 , 116 kg/m 3 , 117 kg/m 3 , 118 kg/m 3 , 119 kg/m 3 , 120 kg/m 3 , 121 kg/m 3 , 122 kg/m 3 , 123 kg/m, 124 kg/m 3 , or 125 kg/m 3 . In a further aspect, the lower limit of the range of density exhibited by the coir fiber felt of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 100 kg/m 3 , 101 kg/m 3 , 101 kg/m 3 , 102 kg/m 3 , 103 kg/m 3 , 104 kg/m 3 , 105 kg/m 3 , 106 kg/m 3 , 107 kg/m 3 , 108 kg/m 3 , 109 kg/m 3 , 110 kg/m 3 , 111 kg/m 3 , or 112 kg/m 3 . 
     The fiber sheet  112  can also be described in terms of its mass per unit area, or area density. The coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can exhibit an area density in the range of about 1.25 kg/m 2  to about 1.56 kg/m 2 . The coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can exhibit an area density of about 1.4 kg/m 2 . In one aspect, the lower limit of the range of the area density exhibited by the coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 1.25 kg/m 2 , 1.26 kg/m 2 , 1.27 kg/m 2 , 1.28 kg/m 2 , 1.29 kg/m 2 , 1.30 kg/m 2 , 1.31 kg/m 2 , 1.32 kg/m 2 , 1.33 kg/m 2 , 1.34 kg/m 2 , 1.35 kg/m 2 , 1.36 kg/m 2 , 1.37 kg/m 2 , 1.38 kg/m 2 , 1.39 kg/m 2 , or 1.4 kg/m 2 . In a further aspect, the upper limit of the range of the area density exhibited by the coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 1.4 kg/m 2 , 1.41 kg/m 2 , 1.42 kg/m 2 , 1.43 kg/m 2 , 1.44 kg/m 2 , 1.45 kg/m 2 , 1.46 kg/m 2 , 1.47 kg/m 2 , 1.48 kg/m 2 , 1.49 kg/m 2 , 1.50 kg/m 2 , 1.51 kg/m 2 , 1.52 kg/m 2 , 1.53 kg/m 2 , 1.54 kg/m 2 , 1.55 kg/m 2 , or 1.56 kg/m 2 . 
     In one aspect, the coating composition  102  comprises a natural latex. The natural latex comprises a natural rubber. The natural rubber is a polymer of isoprene, also known as 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene. In another aspect, the coating composition  102  comprises a natural rubber. In another aspect, the coating composition  102  comprises a polyisoprene moiety. In yet another aspect, the coating composition  102  comprises greater than 50% by weight of a natural rubber. The coating composition  102  can be formed from a natural latex, such as a Low Ammonia Centrifuged Latex available from SL Coco Fibre Manufacturing Co. (Pvt.) Ltd., Ihala Baladora, Kobeygane, Sri Lanka. The natural latex can comprise about 60% by weight or greater of a natural rubber, cis 1,4 polyisoprene. 
     In one aspect, the coating composition  102  can comprise a natural rubber in a range of about 10% to about 95% by weight. In another aspect, the coating composition  102  can comprise a natural rubber in a range of about 30% to about 80% by weight. In a further aspect, the coating composition  102  can comprise greater than 50% by weight of a natural rubber. In yet another aspect, the coating composition  102  can comprise greater than 60% by weight of a natural rubber. In still a further aspect, the coating composition can comprise greater than 75% by weight of a natural rubber. 
     In one aspect, the lower limit of the range of percentage amount by weight of the natural rubber of the coating composition  102  can be about 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, or 80%. 
     In another aspect, the upper limit of the range of percentage amount by weight of the natural rubber of the coating composition  102  can be about 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%. 
     The coating composition  102  also can be described in terms of its mass per unit area, or area density. The coating composition  102  adhered to the fiber sheet  112  can exhibit an area density in the range of about 0.05 kg/m 2  to about 0.3 kg/m 2 . The coating composition  102  on the fiber sheet  112  can exhibit an area density of about 0.07 kg/m 2 . 
     In one aspect, the lower limit of the range of the area density exhibited by the coating composition on the fiber sheet  112  can be about 0.05 kg/m 2 , 0.06 kg/m 2 , 0.07 kg/m 2 , 0.08 kg/m 2 , 0.08 kg/m 2 , 0.09 kg/m 2 , 0.1 kg/m 2 , 0.11 kg/m 2 , 0.12 kg/m 2 , 0.13 kg/m 2 , 0.14 kg/m 2 , 0.15 kg/m 2 , 0.16 kg/m 2 , 0.17 kg/m 2 , 0.18 kg/m 2 , 0.19 kg/m 2 , 0.2 kg/m 2 , 0.21 kg/m 2 , 0.22 kg/m 2 , 0.23 kg/m 2 , 0.24 kg/m 2 , 0.25 kg/m 2 , 0.26 kg/m 2 , 0.27 kg/m 2 , 0.28 kg/m 2 , or 0.29 kg/m 2 . 
     In a further aspect, the upper limit of the range of the area density exhibited by the coating composition  102  on the fiber sheet  112  can be about 0.06 kg/m 2 , 0.07 kg/m 2 , 0.08 kg/m 2 , 0.08 kg/m 2 , 0.09 kg/m 2 , 0.1 kg/m 2 , 0.11 kg/m 2 , 0.12 kg/m 2 , 0.13 kg/m 2 , 0.14 kg/m 2 , 0.15 kg/m 2 , 0.16 kg/m 2 , 0.17 kg/m 2 , 0.18 kg/m 2 , 0.19 kg/m 2 , 0.2 kg/m 2 , 0.21 kg/m 2 , 0.22 kg/m 2 , 0.23 kg/m 2 , 0.24 kg/m 2 , 0.25 kg/m 2 , 0.26 kg/m 2 , 0.27 kg/m 2 , 0.28 kg/m 2 , 0.29 kg/m 2 , or 0.3 kg/m 2 . 
     The fiber sheet  112  can also be described in terms of its mass per unit area, or area density. The coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can exhibit an area density in the range of about 1.25 kg/m 2  to about 1.56 kg/m 2 . The coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can exhibit an area density of about 1.4 kg/m 2 . In one aspect, the lower limit of the range of the area density exhibited by the coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 1.25 kg/m 2 , 1.26 kg/m 2 , 1.27 kg/m 2 , 1.28 kg/m 2 , 1.29 kg/m 2 , 1.30 kg/m 2 , 1.31 kg/m 2 , 1.32 kg/m 2 , 1.33 kg/m 2 , 1.34 kg/m 2 , 1.35 kg/m 2 , 1.36 kg/m 2 , 1.37 kg/m 2 , 1.38 kg/m 2 , 1.39 kg/m 2 , or 1.4 kg/m 2 . In a further aspect, the upper limit of the range of the area density exhibited by the coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 1.4 kg/m 2 , 1.41 kg/m 2 , 1.42 kg/m 2 , 1.43 kg/m 2 , 1.44 kg/m 2 , 1.45 kg/m 2 , 1.46 kg/m 2 , 1.47 kg/m 2 , 1.48 kg/m 2 , 1.49 kg/m 2 , 1.50 kg/m 2 , 1.51 kg/m 2 , 1.52 kg/m 2 , 1.53 kg/m 2 , 1.54 kg/m 2 , 1.55 kg/m 2 , or 1.56 kg/m 2 . 
     In a further aspect, the upper limit of the range of the area density exhibited by the coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 1.4 kg/m 2 , 1.41 kg/m 2 , 1.42 kg/m 2 , 1.43 kg/m 2 , 1.44 kg/m 2 , 1.45 kg/m 2 , 1.46 kg/m 2 , 1.47 kg/m 2 , 1.48 kg/m 2 , 1.49 kg/m 2 , 1.50 kg/m 2 , 1.51 kg/m 2 , 1.52 kg/m 2 , 1.53 kg/m 2 , 1.54 kg/m 2 , 1.55 kg/m 2 , or 1.56 kg/m 2 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the fiber sheet system  100  can comprise a plurality of stakes  140  positioned adjacent both the rear side  138  and the front side  136  of the fiber sheet system segment  110 . Each stake  142  of the plurality of stakes  140  can be connected to the fiber sheet system segment  110  by one or more anchor ties  146  that loop around each stake  142 . The anchor ties  146  are attached to and/or integrally formed with the netting  113  and can be formed of the same coir fiber twine of which the mesh  114  of the netting  113  is formed. Each stake  142  can include a notch  144  formed therein through which an anchor tie  146  can be looped or threaded. The fiber sheet system segment  110  can be firmly positioned in place by securely cinching an anchor tie  146  through the notch  144  of a stake  142 . Each stake  142  can be positioned directly adjacent to the rear side  138  or the front side  136  and spaced apart from the other stakes  142  so as to provide support system for the fiber sheet system segment  110  across the length of the fiber sheet  112 . As each stake  142  is driven into the ground, the anchor tie  146  that is engaged with the notch  144  of the stake  142 , which is pulled downward by the stake  142 , thereby pulling the netting  113  and the fiber sheet system segment  110  downward with the anchor tie  146  to secure the fiber sheet system segment  110  to the ground. 
       FIGS.  5 - 7    illustrate the fiber sheet system segment  110  of the fiber sheet system  100  of  FIG.  1   , but with the stakes  142  and anchor ties  146  removed. The netting  113  comprises a front side netting section  150  covering at least a portion of the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112 , a rear side netting section  152  covering at least a portion of the rear side  138  of the fiber sheet  112 , and a top side netting section  154  covering the top side  124  of the fiber sheet  112  and connecting the rear side netting section  152  to the front side netting section  150 . The netting  113  also comprises a left side netting section  156  covering at least a portion of the left side  130  of the fiber sheet  112  and connecting the front side netting section  150  to the rear side netting section  152 , and a right side netting section  158  covering at least a portion of the right side  128  of the fiber sheet  112  and also connecting the front side netting section  150  to the rear side netting section  152 . As shown in  FIGS.  5 - 7   , each of the top side netting section  154 , the front side netting section  150 , the rear side netting section  152 , the left side netting section  156 , and the right side netting section  158  cover the fiber sheet upper section  119 . The fiber sheet lower section  117  is not covered by the netting  113 , but, rather, extends beyond the netting  113 , as the fiber sheet upper section  119  is covered on all sides by the netting  113 . 
     The front side netting section  150  is aligned adjacent a fiber sheet upper section  119  and comprises a front side netting section edge  160  disposed at the bottom of the front side netting section  150 . The front side netting section edge  160  is disposed above or distal from the lower front edge  133  of the fiber sheet  112  and intermediate between the lower front edge  133  and the upper front edge  135 , thereby leaving a fiber sheet lower section  117  exposed and projecting downward beyond the netting  113 . Likewise, the rear side netting section  152  is aligned adjacent the fiber sheet upper section  119  and comprises a rear side netting section edge  162 . The rear side netting section edge  162  is disposed above or distal from the lower rear edge  127  of the fiber sheet  112 , thereby leaving a fiber sheet lower section  117  exposed. 
     The front side netting section  150  comprises a front side netting band  161  extending along all or at least a portion of the front side netting section  150 . The front side netting band  161  is aligned at or proximal to the front side netting edge  160 . The front side netting band  161  generally comprises band threads and/or band webbing that exhibit a thread count that is greater than the average thread count of the rest of the front side netting section  150 . The front side netting band  161  is constructed and aligned so as to potentially increase the strength and/or durability of the front side netting edge  160  and/or to server as a substrate for receiving cross ties. 
     Likewise, the rear side netting section  152  comprises a rear side netting band  163  extending along all or at least a portion of the rear side netting section  152 . The rear side netting band  163  is aligned at or proximal to the rear side netting edge  162  and intermediate between the lower rear edge  127  and the upper rear edge  137 . The rear side netting band  163  generally comprises band threads and/or band webbing that exhibit a thread count that is greater than the average thread count of the rest of the rear side netting section  152 . The rear side netting band  163  also is constructed and aligned so as to potentially increase the strength and/or durability of the rear side netting edge  162  and/or to server as a substrate for receiving cross ties  157 . Furthermore, the left side netting section  156  can comprise a left side netting band  165  extending between the rear side netting band  163  and the front side netting band  161 , and the right side can comprise a right side netting band  167  extending between the rear side netting band  163  and the front side netting band  161 . Accordingly, the netting  113  comprises a lower netting band  171  comprising the four side netting bands  161 ,  163 ,  165  and  167  that is aligned at the terminating edge of the netting  113  and that extends around the fiber sheet  112 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the front side netting section  150  comprises a front side netting weave  172 , and the rear side netting section  152  comprises a rear side netting weave  174 . In one aspect, the front side netting weave  172  exhibits a front side netting thread count less than the rear side netting thread count of the rear side netting weave  174 . The thread counts exhibited by the netting weaves of the netting of the fiber sheet systems of the present disclosure can vary depending upon the application in which the fiber sheet system is intended to be used. In slope length shortening applications, heavy water flow typically is not experienced, whereas, in check dam applications concentrated heavy water flow usually is expected. Therefore, in slope length shortening applications, the thread counts of the netting weaves of the netting of the fiber sheet system can be low, and, in check dam applications, thread counts of the netting weaves will be higher. For example, in a slope length shortening application, the netting weave of the nettings  113  or  213  can be about 5 cm×5 cm. For the check dam application, the netting weave of the nettings  113  or  213  can be about 2.5 cm×2.5 cm. 
     In one aspect, the front side netting weave  172  can exhibit an average front side netting thread count in the range of about 0.1 to 1 per square centimeter, and the average rear side netting weave  174  can exhibit a rear side netting thread count in the range of about 0.25 to about 6 per square centimeter. In still another aspect, the rear side netting section  152  can comprise a plurality of reinforcement bands  176  spaced apart across the rear side netting section  152 . The reinforcement bands  176  can be aligned both horizontally and vertically, and can intersect each other. While the more open front side netting weave  172  of the front side netting section  150  can allow for greater input of water flow into the fiber sheet  112 , the tighter rear side netting weave  174  of the rear side netting section  152  can provide support for the fiber sheet  112  so as to maintain the shape and alignment of the fiber sheet  112  when exposed to water. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the netting  113  also can comprises a plurality of cross ties  157  that extend through two opposing sides of the fiber sheet  112  and connect opposing sides of the netting  113 . Each cross tie  157  comprises a first end that extends through the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112  and is attached to the front side netting section  150 , and a second end that extends through the rear side  138  of the fiber sheet  112  and is attached to the rear side netting section  152 . The plurality of cross ties  157  secures the netting  113  to the fiber sheet  112 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4  and  9   , the fiber sheet system  100  can comprise a first set of stakes  142  aligned adjacent the rear side  138  of the fiber sheet system segment  110  and a second set of stakes  142  aligned adjacent the front side  136  when installed on a ground surface. The two sets of stakes  142  cooperate with the fiber sheet system segment  110  to maintain the alignment of the fiber sheet system segment  110  in its original installed position during use. Staples can be inserted through the fiber sheet  112  and also into the surface of the soil  300  on which the fiber sheet system segment  110  is installed in order to assist in securing the fiber sheet system segment  110  in place. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates the fiber sheet system  100  in use as installed in soil aligned perpendicular to a water flow  400 . The front side  136 , with the coating composition  102  adhered thereto, of the fiber sheet  112  is installed facing the water flow  400  with the bottom side  126  of the fiber sheet  112  aligned on the soil surface  300 . Each stake  142  is inserted in the ground to secure the fiber sheet system  100  in place. The anchor ties  146  are attached to the netting  113  and the stakes  142 , thereby securing the fiber sheet system segment  110  to the stakes  142 . The fiber sheet lower section  117  extends beyond the lower band  171  of the netting  113  and is disposed directly on the soil surface  300 . When water flows  400  towards the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112 , silt that is carried by the water flow  400  tends to contact and be stopped by the fiber sheet system  100 , thereby preventing silt from passing beyond the fiber sheet system  100 . Since the fiber sheet  112  sits directly on the soil surface  300  without the netting  113  being disposed therebetween, the water flow  400  cannot flow under the fiber sheet  112 . Silt will tend to accumulate on the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112 . Multiple fiber sheet segments  110  can be installed end to end to provide a continuous barrier to prevent silt movement or erosion. Alternatively, the coating composition  102  can be applied to the rear side  138  of the fiber sheet  112  and aligned on the opposing side of the fiber sheet system  100  away from the water flow  400 . In such an alignment, the water flow  400  contacts first the coir fiber felt of the fiber sheet  112  as it diffuses through the fiber sheet  112 . 
       FIGS.  10 - 14    illustrate another embodiment of a fiber sheet system segment  210  and another embodiment of a fiber sheet system  200  encompassing aspects of the present disclosure. The fiber sheet system  200  comprises a fiber sheet  112  formed of needle-punched coir felt  121  encased in a netting sleeve  213 . The fiber sheet  112  has a coating composition  102  adhered to both the front side  136  and the rear side  138  thereof. Unlike the fiber sheet system  100  in which the fiber sheet lower section  117  is uncovered by the netting  113  and projects beyond the lower edge thereof, the entire fiber sheet  112 , including the fiber sheet lower section  117 , is encased in the netting sleeve  213 . The mesh  214  of the netting sleeve  213  comprises a diamond weave  272  of coir twine that extends around each side of the fiber sheet  112 . Alternatively, the fiber sheet  112  can have the coating composition  102  adhered to just one of the front side  136  or the rear side  138 . In yet another alternative, the fiber sheet  112  can have the coating composition  112  adhered to substantially all of the fiber sheet  112 . 
       FIG.  13    illustrates the fiber sheet system  200  in use as installed in soil aligned perpendicular to a water flow  400 . The fiber sheet system  200  is anchored to the soil by a plurality of stakes  142  that are attached to the fiber sheet segment  210  by a plurality of anchor ties  146  that are attached to the sleeve  213  and/or directly to the fiber sheet  112 . Each anchor tie  146  can be threadably attached to the netting sleeve  213 , intertwined with the netting sleeve  213 , and/or inserted through the fiber sheet  112 . The fiber sheet system  200  is anchored to the soil also by a plurality of staples  148 . Each staple  148  is interlocked with the netting sleeve  213  and driven into the soil at the bottom of a trench or channel cut into the soil and extending below the soil surface  300 . The staples  148  are spaced about 30 cm apart along the length of the fiber sheet system  200 . The staples  148  can be of varying size, such as about 10 cm to about 20 cm in length. The staples  148  of about 10 cm in length can be used in harder and more compact soil, whereas the longer staples  148  of about 20 cm in length can be used in softer and less compact soil. The trench or channel is cut to a depth of approximately 2 cm to 5 cm below the soil surface  300 . The front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112  is installed facing the water flow  400  with the bottom side  126  of the fiber sheet  112  aligned below the soil surface  300 . A portion of the fiber sheet lower section  117  of the fiber sheet  112  is disposed in the trench or channel. The trench is approximately the width of the fiber sheet segment  210  and deep enough to provide abutting surfaces to the front side  136  and rear side  138  of the fiber sheet  112  so as to secure the fiber sheet system segment  210  in place. The trench is shallow enough to allow a majority of the height of the fiber sheet system segment  210  to project upward above the surface of the soil so as to provide a barrier of sufficient height to block the movement of soil contained within water flows moving along the soil surface  300  and that might flow into the fiber sheet  212 . 
     Each stake  142  is inserted in the soil of the ground to secure the fiber sheet system  200  in place. The anchor ties  146  are attached to the netting  213  and the stakes  142 , thereby securing the fiber sheet  112  and netting  213  to the stakes  142 . The fiber sheet lower section  117  is aligned below the soil surface  300  and anchored in the channel by the plurality of staples  148 . When water flow  400  is towards the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112 , silt that is carried by the water flow  400  tends to contact and be stopped by the fiber sheet system  200 , thereby preventing silt to pass beyond the fiber sheet system  200 . Silt will tend to accumulate on the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112 . 
       FIG.  14    illustrates the fiber sheet system  200  in use in an alternative installation configuration. As in  FIG.  13   , the fiber sheet system  200  is installed in soil and aligned perpendicular to a water flow  400 , but the installation does not include a trench. Instead, the fiber sheet system  200  is aligned on the soil surface  300  and anchored thereto with both a plurality of stakes  146  and a plurality of staples  148 . Each staple  148  engages a lower portion of the netting  213 , thereby securing the netting  213  and the entire fiber sheet  112  to the soil surface  300 . The securing of the fiber sheet system  200  to the soil surface  300  with the plurality of staples  148  can minimize and/or prevent the sediment-laden water of the water flow  400  from flowing under the fiber sheet  112 . The front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112  is installed facing the water flow  400  with the bottom side  126  of the fiber sheet  112  aligned below the soil surface  300 . The staples  148  can be formed of a metal, such as carbon steel or stainless steel, or other suitable material. The present disclosure also encompasses fiber sheet systems  100  that use the plurality of staples  148  in installations using a trench, as shown in  FIG.  9   . 
     The coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  can serve as a filter media for sediment-laden water. The average pore size of the coir fiber felt  121  tends to be smaller than the average pore size of compressed coir fiber blocks that are not a needle-punched felt. Adherence of the coating composition  102  to the coir fiber felt  121  further reduces the thickness or width of the fiber sheet  112  and can, depending upon the amount of the coating composition  102  applied to the fiber sheet  112 , reduce the average pore size of the coir fiber felt  121 , thereby reducing the flow rate of filtered water passing through the fiber sheet  112 . Since natural rubber tends to degrade when exposed to ultraviolet light, the coating composition  102  can tend to degrade after the fiber sheet system  100  is installed in an erosion control installation. As the coating composition  102  degrades over time, the coir fiber felt  121  of the fiber sheet  112  may tend to expand. During this time of expansion, the fiber sheet  112  may have tended to accumulate sediment therein from sediment-filled water passing therethrough. The accumulated sediment may tend to block the pores of the coir fiber felt  121 , thereby providing additional surface area for filtration of the sediment-filled water that continues to pass therethrough. 
     The fiber sheet  112  can have height-to-width ratio of a height from the top side  124  to the bottom side  126  greater to a width of the fiber sheet  112  from front side  136  to rear side  138  in the range of about 9 to 1 to about 90 to 1. In one aspect, the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 23 cm in height and the top side  124  can be about 0.5 cm in width. In another aspect, the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 30 cm in height and the top side  124  can be about 0.5 cm in width. In yet another aspect, the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 45 cm in height and the top side  124  can be about 0.5 cm in width. In a further aspect, the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 23 cm in height and the top side  124  can be about 1.25 cm in width. In still another aspect, the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 30 cm in height and the top side  124  can be about 1.25 cm in width. In yet another aspect, the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 45 cm in height and the top side  124  can be about 1.25 cm in width. In one aspect, the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 23 cm in height and the top side  124  can be about 2.5 cm in width. In another aspect, the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 30 cm in height and the top side  124  can be about 2.5 cm in width. In yet another aspect, the front side  136  of the fiber sheet  112  can be about 45 cm in height and the top side  124  can be about 2.5 cm in width. 
     In one aspect, the ratio of the front side height  159  of the fiber sheet  112  to the top side width  149  can be about 9 to 1. In another aspect, the ratio of the front side height  159  of the fiber sheet  112  to the top side width  149  can be about 12 to 1. In a further aspect, the ratio of the front side height  159  of the fiber sheet  112  to the top side width  149  can be about 18:1. In still another aspect, the ratio of the front side height  159  of the fiber sheet  112  to the top side width  149  can be about 24 to 1. In a further aspect, the ratio of the front side height  159  of the fiber sheet  112  to the top side width  149  can be about 36 to 1. In yet another aspect, the ratio of the front side height  159  of the fiber sheet  112  to the top side width  149  can be about 45 to 1. In another aspect, the ratio of the front side height  159  of the fiber sheet  112  to the top side width  149  can be about 60 to 1. In a further aspect, the ratio of the front side height  159  of the fiber sheet  112  to the top side width  149  can be about 90 to 1. 
       FIG.  15    illustrates a fiber sheet system chain  600  rolled into a coil and disposed on a pallet. The fiber sheet system chain coil  610  can be formed from one or more fiber sheet system chains  600 . Each fiber sheet system chain  600  can be formed from one or more fiber sheet system segments  110  connected end-to-end with each other. The present disclosure also encompasses a fiber sheet system chain, not shown, comprises of a plurality of fiber sheet system segments  210  connected end-to-end with each other. The fiber sheet system chain  600  can be used as unitary piece in a sediment control application or shortened as needed by removing one or more fiber sheet system segments  110  therefrom. The fiber sheet system segments  110  can be stored and/or transported more efficiently by rolling the fiber sheet system chain  600  into a fiber sheet system chain coil  610 . Since the fiber sheet  112  of each fiber sheet system segment  110  has a narrow width, each fiber sheet system chain coil  610  can include more linear meters of fiber sheet system segments  110 , than if the fiber sheet system segments  110  were formed of fiber blocks having greater widths and smaller ratios of height-to-width than the height-to-width ratios of the fiber sheets  112  of the present disclosure. More than one fiber sheet system chain coil  610  can be stacked one on top of another on a pallet to reduce the space required to store and/or transport a given number of fiber system segments  110 . 
     The fiber sheet system segments  110  and  210  can be constructed by feeding loose coir fibers into a needle punch machine. The loose coir fibers are compressed and entangled to cause the them to bind together to form a coir fiber felt  121 . The coir fiber felt  121  is then fed to a sprayer which sprays a layer of the coating composition  102 , comprising a natural latex, on either one or both of the front and back sides of the coir fiber felt  221 . The coated coir fiber felt  121  is then fed through a double-roller press wherein the thickness of the coated coir fiber felt  221  is reduced. The pressed and coated coir fiber felt  221  is then fed to a continuous dryer wherein the felt is heated to a temperature in the range of about 80° C. to about 100° C. for about 30 minutes. The heating and drying process tends to cause the water contained in the coating composition  102  to evaporate and the remaining natural rubber and other constituents of the natural latex to interlock and/or to cross-link and/or to thermoset, thereby adhering the coating composition  102  with itself and the compressed coir fibers of the coated coir fiber felt  221 . The pressing and heating of the coir fiber felt  121  tends to reduce its thickness or width, thereby allowing the fiber sheet  112  to have a width smaller than the width of the uncoated coir fiber felt  121 . 
     The coated coir fiber felt  221  can be cut to the desired height and length to form the fiber sheet  112  with the coating composition  102  adhered thereto. For fiber sheet system segment  110 , the netting  113  can be wrapped around the fiber sheet  112  and secured to the fiber sheet  112  by inserting cross-ties  157  into the fiber sheet  112  and securing the cross-ties  157  to either front side and rear side of the netting  113 . 
     Alternatively, for fiber sheet system segment  210 , the fiber sheet  112  can be inserted into a netting sleeve  213  that, in turn, can then be tightened around the fiber sheet  112  and stitched at the left and right sides  130  and  128  of the fiber sheet  112  to completely encase the fiber sheet  112 . 
     The fiber sheet systems  100  and  200  each can be installed as illustrated and used in erosion control sediment control, perimeter sediment control, slope length shortening, and/or check dam formation applications. The fiber sheet systems  100  and  200  can be installed and aligned so as to form a barrier to existing or potential water flows that may contain sediment or other solids. The fiber sheet systems  100  and  200  can act to remove or reduce the amount of sediment and other solids within the water flows so as to reduce the extent of possible erosion or introduction of the solids into a body of water. 
     The various alignments of the components of the fiber sheet system segments and the fiber sheet systems disclosed herein can be combined in alternative arrangements of fiber sheet system segments and fiber sheet systems encompassed by the present disclosure. Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from their consideration of the specification and practice of the present disclosure disclosed in this document. The applicant intends that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.