US 12,116,324 B2
Materials suitable as substitutes for peat mosses and processes and apparatus therefor
Mont Andrew Handley, Pittsburgh, PA (US); Matt Collins Knapp, Pittsburgh, PA (US); and Mark David Goldman, Sewickley, PA (US)
Assigned to PittMoss LLC, Ambridge, PA (US)
Filed by PITTMOSS LLC, Ambridge, PA (US)
Filed on Mar. 4, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/594,484.
Application 18/594,484 is a division of application No. 17/521,022, filed on Nov. 8, 2021, granted, now 11,919,830.
Application 17/521,022 is a division of application No. 14/856,663, filed on Sep. 17, 2015, granted, now 11,912,632, issued on Feb. 27, 2024.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/060,911, filed on Oct. 7, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2024/0199504 A1, Jun. 20, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. C05F 11/00 (2006.01); C05G 3/80 (2020.01); C05G 5/12 (2020.01); C09K 17/16 (2006.01); C09K 17/50 (2006.01); C09K 17/52 (2006.01)
CPC C05F 11/00 (2013.01) [C05G 3/80 (2020.02); C05G 5/12 (2020.02); C09K 17/16 (2013.01); C09K 17/50 (2013.01); C09K 17/52 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bulk material for use in the horticulture industry as a substitute for sphagnum peat moss and having physical properties that enable the bulk material to be mixed into soil in order to promote moisture retention and enhance aeration in the soil and/or used as media for propagation, seed starting and/or rooting applications, the bulk material comprising porous individual materials having a rolled form, each porous individual material comprising abrasive small granular particles (SGPs) dispersed in a core comprising rearranged shredded fragments of a cellulose material and having an internal fibrous structure, porosity characterized by internal pores for moisture holding, and an external structure, wherein:
the core has a coiled structure with overlapping portions;
the SGPs do not form a cohesive layer that encases the core but instead are individually distributed and dispersed throughout the internal fibrous structures and the external structures of the core and between the overlapping portions of the core;
at least some of the SGPs are confined within the core.
 
20. A process of forming the bulk material of claim 1, the process comprising:
combining and moistening the SGPs and the shredded fragments of the cellulose material; and then
mixing the shredded fragments and the SGPs for a duration to produce the porous individual materials.