US 12,349,617 B2
Seedmat for growing plants
Andrew Tobias, Santa Barbara, CA (US); and Bryan Foster, Santa Barbara, CA (US)
Assigned to GTX TURF FARMS LP, Santa Barbara, CA (US)
Appl. No. 17/292,095
Filed by GTX TURF FARMS LP, Santa Barbara, CA (US)
PCT Filed Nov. 7, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/060209
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 7, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/097292, PCT Pub. Date May 14, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/756,735, filed on Nov. 7, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0400865 A1, Dec. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. A01C 1/04 (2006.01); A01G 24/46 (2018.01)
CPC A01C 1/044 (2013.01) [A01G 24/46 (2018.02)] 31 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
31. A method of manufacturing a seedmat suitable for laying on a soil, the seedmat comprising a biodegradable base layer, a seed distribution and a biodegradable cover layer;
wherein the seed distribution includes fertilizer granules or pellets that each have a coating that enables the fertilizer granules or pellets to absorb water and to slowly release that water, together with fertilizer; and
wherein the method includes the steps of (i) spraying adhesive onto one or both of the biodegradable base layer or the cover layer, that the adhesive securing seeds in position; and (ii) applying the adhesive using a centrifugal spray apparatus with multiple rotating spray heads;
wherein the seedmat also includes a biodegradable water retention layer that is configured to have a wet density higher than at least one of the biodegradable base layer, the seed distribution layer and the cover layer to provide water to the seeds in dry conditions;
wherein the biodegradable water retention layer is a layer of nonwoven cellulose configured to release stored water; and
wherein the seedmat includes a tackifier layer integrated as part of the biodegradable base layer, the tackifier layer enabling the biodegradable base layer to conform and stick to the soil, including uneven or irregular soil surfaces, without the use of external adhesive; and
wherein the tackifier layer, when wet, enables the biodegradable base layer, to become mouldable and conform to the soil including uneven or irregular soil surfaces.