Patent Application
20190150377
The present invention relates to devices and methods useful in soil moisture stabilization and tree and plant protection.
Trees, shrubs and other woody plants planted in cities and communities provide social communal environmental and economic benefits. Planting a tree is easy; but growing a tree is not, especially in urban area where land/soil is limited and irrigation is not available. The average life of urban trees is 7 years. Among the factors that cause the short life of urban trees, poor irrigation on limited soil volume and weed control (including mowing) are on the top of the list.
Irrigation may be available in parks and around buildings, but usually not for off street and road median areas, where trees have the shortest life. Traditionally, these trees are watered with water trucks at a frequency of once every other day for newly planted trees. Recently, slow release watering bags are used for such situations. It is very costly to bring water to hard-to-reach areas and perform maintenance. These bags can be easily damaged by lawn care equipment such as lawn mowers and trimmers. Once they are broken, they are useless. Other critiques about the watering bags include: 1) watering bags dump water onto the root ball that forms an underground bathtub; 2) watering area is very close to the trunk area that does not stimulate outward root growth to chase water resources; 3) watering too much and too frequently slows down the integration of roots into the surrounding ground; and 4) empty bags left on the tree rubs the tree trunk in windy weather, promotes fungal growth and worsens insect problems. None of these watering bags suppress weed growth. Indeed, the presence of water from such bags encourages weed growth, which can consequently lead to more damage to the bags by lawn mower and trimmers.
Agricultural trees, plants and other crops are typically watered with an irrigation system or by natural rainfall only. Water usage can be a large operational cost item for drought-prone areas. Drip irrigation, intended to reduce evaporation loss of water during watering (compared to surface and sprinkler irrigation methods) is widely used by nurseries, orchards, vineyards, and farms. However, drip irrigation cannot prevent evaporation from ground and runoff water losses, which can be up to 50% of water usage. In some cases, as little as 13% to 26% of irrigation water is actually used by plants in some nursery operations.
Expansive soils, also known as shrink-swell soils, swelling soils, adobe, clay, or caliche soils, expand when they get wet, and then shrink as they dry out. Swelling or expansive soils are susceptible to volume change (shrink and swell) with seasonal fluctuations in moisture content. The magnitude of this volume change is dependent on the type of soil (shrink-swell potential) and its change in moisture content. A loss of moisture will cause the soil to shrink, while an increase in moisture will cause it to expand or swell. Therefore, arid or semi-arid areas with seasonal changes of soil moisture experience a much higher frequency of swelling problems than areas that have higher rainfall and more constant soil moisture. As the soil expands and contracts it can create enough force to cause major damage to building foundations, patios, and sidewalks, as well as roads, railways, bridges, and other transportation structures. Pipelines are also subject to the damages of expansive soils.
Soils that alternately expand or contract due to wetting or drying conditions cause more damage to homes and buildings than floods, tornadoes and hurricanes combined. This is because about 50 percent of all American homes are built on problem soils. And about 50 percent of those homes suffer some damage—cracked foundations, damaged wallboard, or broken pipes, among other damages—from swelling and shrinking soils. It is estimated that the cost to homeowners to stabilize or shore up foundations is around $4 billion annually as of 2010.
Expansive soils are also responsible for the application of premature maintenance and rehabilitation activities on many miles of roadway each year. The volume change of clay type soils can result in longitudinal cracks near the pavement's edge and significant surface roughness (varying swells and depressions) along the pavement's length.
Current solutions to problems caused by expansive soils are based on three mechanisms: replace expansive soils with other materials, treat expansive soils so to reduce/eliminate the swell/shrink ratio, and stabilize moisture level in the soils underneath and around perimeter of the infrastructures. Commonly, structural slab that resists the shrink/swell of expansive soils, replacement high expansive soils with less expansive soils or gravel and sand, application of lime/cement and hydrophobic chemicals to reduce the expansive nature of the soils, installation of drainage system to limit rain water from entering ground, installation of irrigation system to maintain a certain level of moisture (especially during drought), and a combination of two or more of the above solutions are used. A few examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,015,432, 4,508,472, 5,156,494, 5,924,251, and 6,132,138, as well as the US Published Application No. 20130071186.
Aside from the engineering solutions used to mitigate the expansive soil problem for an infrastructure, one recommended practice during extreme droughts is to irrigate the foundation and surrounding area. Such practice, however, would undesirably require a complicated irrigation system to apply water uniformly, in addition to requiring skill and guesswork in timing to maintain constant and uniform soil moisture. Overwatering caused by a malfunction of the irrigation system, leakage, and human error are as problematic as leaving it dry, because the swelling soil can cause damage as well. Further, and unfortunately, during a drought season, water resources are very limited while watering foundation and surrounding area are required to prevent foundation damage.
A tree or plant protection mat is provided, comprising:
A method of protecting or encouraging the growth of a tree or plant is provided, comprising placing the tree or plant protection mat on soil near which the tree or plant is planted.
A tree or plant fertilization mat is provided, comprising:
A method of fertilizing a tree or plant is provided, comprising placing the tree or plant fertilization mat on soil near which the tree or plant is planted.
A soil moisture stabilization mat for infrastructure located in or on the ground is provided, comprising:
A method of reducing the occurrence of damage to infrastructure located in or on the ground is provided, comprising placing the soil moisture stabilization mat on the ground near, around or above the infrastructure.
A method of reducing the occurrence of damage to infrastructure located in or on the ground is provided, comprising placing a soil moisture stabilization mat on the ground near, around or above the infrastructure, wherein the soil moisture stabilization mat comprises:
A method of stabilizing soil moisture in expansive or other soil is provided, comprising placing a soil moisture stabilization mat on the soil, wherein the soil moisture stabilization mat comprises:
A method of using a soil moisture stabilization mat is provided for both plant protection and foundation protection with plants grown around outer perimeters of the mat.
In one embodiment, the superabsorbent particles are free to move within the section of the center layer having superabsorbent particles, or are not free to move within the section having superabsorbent particles. For example, the superabsorbent particles may be fixed or embedded in a matrix in the center layer, such as a non-woven fibrous matrix. Alternatively, the superabsorbent particles may be free particles that can move and shift around in the center layer section having the particles.
In one embodiment, the mat comprises a hole through the top, bottom, and center layers through which a tree or plant can grow, the hole being defined by an interior perimeter edge at which the top and bottom layers are affixed directly to one another, or affixed indirectly to one another via an intervening interior perimeter sidewall.
In one embodiment, the mat comprises an access slit extending from the hole to the first and second perimeter edges, the access slit being defined by access slit perimeter edges at which the top and bottom layers are affixed directly to one another, or affixed indirectly to one another via intervening access slit perimeter edges sidewalls. The access slit is intended to allow the mat to be placed around the base of a tree or plant, the access slit leading to the hole that accommodates the tree or plant.
In one embodiment, the mat comprises one or more connections between the access slit perimeter edges, to connect the opposing sides of the access slit together after the mat has been placed around a tree or plant.
In one embodiment, the mat connections are selected from the group consisting of ties, grommets, Velcro, Velcro tabs, zipper, buttons, snaps, hooks, string, cord, or any combination of two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, the mat does not comprise a hole through the top, bottom, and center layers.
In one embodiment, the mat comprises a hole, or more than one hole, but does not have an access slit. This is to allow the mat to be laid down over small plants, or to allow planting in the holes after the mat has been laid down.
In one embodiment, the mat top layer reduces or prevents evaporative water loss from the center layer.
In one embodiment, the mat top layer is permeable to one or more of water, atmospheric water, dew, rainwater, applied water, or a combination of two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, the mat top layer further comprises one or more perforations, funnel, hole, opening, channel, seam, or a combination of two or more thereof, to permit one or more of atmospheric water, dew, rainwater, applied water, or a combination of two or more thereof to penetrate into the center layer.
In one embodiment, the mat the top layer is flexible.
In one embodiment, the mat top layer is flexible and is made of fabric, woven material, non-woven material, film, plastic, laminate, sheeting, polymer, or a combination of two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, the mat top layer is polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polyester, polyurethane, polylactic acid, acrylic, rubber, rayon, cellulose, cotton, burlap, canvas, hemp, paper, biodegradable, biomaterial, bio-based plastic, processed bio-based material, reclaimed plastic, recycled plastic, recycled diaper, recycled rubber, wood, bamboo, agricultural residue, natural weed control fabric, mulch film, WeedGuardPlus® mulch film, biodegradable paper weed barrier, biodegradable natural weed barrier fabric, biodegradable mulch weed barrier, weed barrier film, weed barrier fabric, polylactic acid fabric, plant-based fiber, seed hairs, cotton, stem fiber, bast fiber, flax, straw, hemp, leaf fiber, sisal, husk fiber, coconut fiber, corn fiber, animal-based fiber, wool, hair, secretion fiber, silk, aspen wood fiber, linen, wool, cashmere, jute, abaca, coir, flax, ramie, sisal, mohair, camel hair, angora wool, alpaca wool, straw, or a combination of two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, the mat top layer further comprises one or more containers with raised rim that can be in form of a funnel, tray, pan, dish, channel, slot, or a combination of two or more thereof, to collect one or more of atmospheric water, dew, rainwater, applied water, or a combination of two or more thereof before it penetrates into the center layer through the perforations at the bottom of the containers, the water being collected and guided into the center layer by the containers.
In one embodiment, the mat bottom layer further comprises one or more perforations, hole, opening, channel, seam, or a combination of two or more thereof, to permit the release of water from the center layer.
In one embodiment, the mat bottom layer is flexible.
In one embodiment, the mat bottom layer is flexible and is made of fabric, woven material, non-woven material, film, plastic, laminate, sheeting, polymer, or a combination of two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, the mat bottom layer is polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polyester, polyurethane, polylactic acid, acrylic, rubber, rayon, cellulose, cotton, burlap, canvas, hemp, paper, biodegradable, biomaterial, bio-based plastic, processed bio-based material, reclaimed plastic, recycled plastic, recycled diaper, recycled rubber, wood, bamboo, agricultural residue, natural weed control fabric, mulch film, WeedGuardPlus® mulch film, biodegradable paper weed barrier, biodegradable natural weed barrier fabric, biodegradable mulch weed barrier, weed barrier film, weed barrier fabric, polylactic acid fabric, plant-based fiber, seed hairs, cotton, stem fiber, bast fiber, flax, straw, hemp, leaf fiber, sisal, husk fiber, coconut fiber, corn fiber, animal-based fiber, wool, hair, secretion fiber, silk, aspen wood fiber, linen, wool, cashmere, jute, abaca, coir, flax, ramie, sisal, mohair, camel hair, angora wool, alpaca wool, straw, or a combination of two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, the mat further comprises a sidewall.
In one embodiment, the mat is assembled by sewing the top and bottom layers together around their edges, leaving a center layer between them. Sections of the center layer with and without SAP are separated by sewing the top and bottom layers together along the lines dividing the center layer sections with and without SAP.
In one embodiment, the mat center layer is a hollow portion between the top and bottom layers, the top and bottom layers connected to each other around the edges of the top and bottom layers. SAP is contained in some center layer sections, and other center layer sections do not have SAP.
The arrangement of sections with and without SAP in the center layer is not particularly limited, and those sections can be arranged according to preference. For example, the sections (with and without SAP) can be in the same plane of the center layer and alternate (see, e.g.,
The section of the center layer that does not have SAP can be empty, that is, it does not contain either SAP, water-absorbing material, wicking material, or active material, or it can contain an active material, such as fertilizer, insect repellent, animal repellent, fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides, nutrients, and the like.
In one embodiment, SAP is the only water-absorbing and releasing material in the mat. In one embodiment, the center layer does not have polyurethane foam or crumb rubber, or other wicking material other than SAP.
In one embodiment, the mat further comprises animal repellent.
In one embodiment, the mat further comprises one or more insect-, bacteria-, and fungi-control agent.
In one embodiment, the mat further comprises one or more endophytic microbe or mycorrhiza spore.
In one embodiment, the mat sections are separated by stitching lines, heat sealing lines, adhesive lines, or a combination of two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, the mat superabsorbent particles (SAP) comprise polyacrylic acid polymer, polyacrylate polymer, starch-grafted polymer, polyacrylamide, ethylene maleic anhydride polymer, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene oxide, starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile, Group IA salt of polyacrylic acid, copolymer of two or more thereof, bio-based super absorbent polymer TryEco Agrisorb™, starch-based super absorbent polymer, cellulose-based super absorbent polymer, biodegradable superabsorbent polymer, superabsorbent cellulosic hydrogel, or any combination thereof.
In one embodiment, one or more of the mat sections having superabsorbent particles or not having superabsorbent particles comprise one or more of fertilizer, slow release fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer, compost, sludge from waste water treatment plant, sewage sludge, anaerobically digested sludge, biomass by-product from brewery, manure, anaerobically digested animal manure, anaerobically digested biomass, pulp and paper waste, animal repellent, insect repellent, pesticide, fungicide, insecticide, herbicide, microbe, fungus, spore, or a combination of two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, the mat first and second perimeter edges are affixed to one another directly or to one another via an intervening sidewall via sewing, heat-sealing, friction-welding, laser-welding, ultrasonic-welding, induction-welding, radio-frequency-welding, heat-bonding, adhesive, solvent-welding, stapling, or a combination of two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, the mat sections of soaker hose, drip emitters or micro-spray emitters are inserted in between of the top and bottom layers and the soaker hose and the emitters can be connected to an irrigation system via connections such as a hose connector.
In one embodiment, the mat hose connector is attached to the top, bottom layer or the side wall with via sewing, heat-sealing, friction-welding, laser-welding, ultrasonic-welding, induction-welding, radio-frequency-welding, heat-bonding, adhesive, solvent-welding, stapling, or a combination of two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, the method is used in combination with an irrigation system, wherein sections of soaker hose, drip emitters or micro-spray emitters can be placed on top of the mat.
In one embodiment, the irrigation system is an automatic system that are electronically controlled based on the soil moisture level, which is determined using a soil moisture sensor buried underneath the mat.
In one embodiment, the infrastructure comprises one or more of a foundation, building, dwelling, house, road, roadbed, street, highway, pavement, sidewalk, railway, subway, runway, bridge, dam, pier, utility, utility pole, utility tunnel, tunnel, pipeline, buried conduit, tower, airport, sewage line, gas line, water pipe, storage tank, or a combination of two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, the soil moisture stabilization mat further comprises one or more insect-, bacteria- and fungi-control agent.
In one embodiment, the damage comprises one or more of a crack, buckling, sinking, lifting, shifting, translocation, upheaval, collapse, or a combination of two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, the method reduces the occurrence of cracks appearing in a building's foundation.
In one embodiment, the soil stabilization or foundation mat is used in combination of existing irrigation system such as soaker hoses, drip emitters and micro-spray emitters.
In one embodiment, the irrigation system is an automatic system that are electronically controlled based on soil moisture level, which is determined using a soil moisture sensor buried underneath the mat or based on the stress level exerted on the foundation wall, which is determined by a sensor placed in between the foundation wall and the soil.
In one embodiment, the mat center layer further comprises one or more animal repellents.
Non-limiting examples of animal repellents may suitably include one or more of dried blood, putrescent egg solids, Garlic oil, Mint oil, Cedar oil, urine granules of predators such as fox coyote, Rosemary Oil, Peppermint Oil, Cottonseed Oil, castor oil, cinnamon oil, pepper powders, acephate, piperine, clove oil, capsaicin oil, spearmint oil. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,069,314, 4,179,499, and 4,940,583.
Non-limiting examples of target animals for repelling may include rabbits, deer, rodents, mole, mice gophers, snakes, birds.
In one embodiment, the mat center layer further comprises one or more insect, bacteria or fungi control agents.
Non-limiting examples of more insect, bacteria and fungi control agents include pesticides and biocides to control pests, which includes microorganisms, plants, animals that are detrimental to humans and human concerns. Pesticides may include the following types: Organophosphate, Carbamate, Organochlorine, Pyrethroid, and Sulfonylurea pesticides, as well as biopesticides, which are derived from such natural materials as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals as opposite to synthetic pesticides. Depending on the pests type to control, it may include antimicrobials and/or biocides for kill microorganisms (such as bacteria and viruses), fungicides for killing of fungi (including blights, mildews, molds, and rusts), herbicides for killing of weeds and other plants that grow where they are not wanted, insecticides for killing insects and other arthropods, miticides, for killing mites that feed on plants and animals, microbial pesticides, which are microorganisms that kill, inhibit, or out compete pests, including insects or other microorganisms, molluscicides for killing of snails and slugs, nematicides for killing nematodes (microscopic, worm-like organisms that feed on plant roots), ovicides for killing eggs of insects and mites, pheromones, which is biochemicals used to disrupt the mating behavior of insects, repellents, which are used to repel pests, including insects (such as mosquitoes) and birds, and rodenticides for controlling mice and other rodents.
Non-limiting examples of target insects may include ants, Adelgids (including Hemlock Woolly Adelgid), Aphids, Leaf Beetles (including elm and willow leaf beetles), Borers (including Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Long-horned Beetle and Bronze Birch Borer), Lacebugs, Leafhoppers, Leaf miners, Mealybugs, Psyllids, Scale Insects, Whiteflies, phytophagous mites, scale crawlers, thrips, Flies, Sawflies, Caterpillars, Beetles, Weevils, Mole Crickets, Mushrooms Flies, Leaf chewing insects including Caterpillars, Pine Tip Moth, Winter Moth, Gypsy Moth, Eastern Tent Caterpillars, Fall Cankerworm, Fall Webworm, Spider Mites, Boxelder Bugs
In one embodiment, the mat center layer further comprises one or more fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides and insect repellents
Non-limiting examples of fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides and insect repellents may suitably include Aldrin, Chlordane, Chlordecone, Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), Dieldrin, Endosulfan, Endrin, Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene, Lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane), Methoxychlor, Mirex, Pentachlorophenol, Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), Acephate, Azinphos-methyl, Bensulide, Chlorethoxyfos, Chlorpyrifos, Chlorpyriphos-methyl, Diazinon, Dichlorvos (DDVP), Dicrotophos, Dimethoate, Disulfoton, Ethoprop, Fenamiphos, Fenitrothion, Fenthion, Fosthiazate, Malathion, Methamidophos, Methidathion, Mevinphos, Monocrotophos, Naled, Omethoate, Oxydemeton-methyl, Parathion, Parathion-methyl, Phorate, Phosalone, Phosmet, Phostebupirim, Phoxim, Pirimiphos-methyl, Profenofos, Terbufos, Tetrachlorvinphos, toxaphene, Tribufos, Trichlorfon, Aldicarb, Bendiocarb, Carbofuran, Carbaryl, Dioxacarb, Fenobucarb, Fenoxycarb, Isoprocarb, Methomyl, 2-(1-Methylpropyl)phenyl methylcarbamate, Allethrin, Bifenthrin, Cyhalothrin, Lambda-cyhalothrin, Cypermethrin, Cyfluthrin, Deltamethrin, Etofenprox, Fenvalerate, Permethrin, Phenothrin, Prallethrin, Resmethrin, Tetramethrin, Tralomethrin, Transfluthrin, Acetamiprid, Clothianidin, Imidacloprid, Nithiazine, Thiacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Benzoylureas, Diflubenzuron, Flufenoxuron, Cyromazine, Methoprene, Hydroprene, Tebufenozide, Chlorantraniliprole, Cyantraniliprole, Flubendiamide, Anabasine, Anethole, Annonin, Asimina (pawpaw tree seeds). Azadirachtin, Caffeine, Carapa, Cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamon leaf oil, Cinnamyl acetate, Citral, Deguelin, Derris, Desmodium caudatum (leaves and roots), Eugenol, Linalool, Myristicin, Nicotiana rustica (nicotine), Peganum harmala, Oregano oil, Polyketide, Pyrethrum, Quassia, Ryanodine, Tetranortriterpenoid, Thymol, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus thuringiensis aizawi, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, acillus thuringiensis kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis, Nuclear Polyhedrosis virus, Granulovirus, Spinosad Spinosyn D, Lecanicillium lecanii, (3-ethoxypropyl)mercury bromide, 2-methoxyethylmercury chloride, 2-phenylphenol, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, 8-phenylmercurioxyquinoline, acibenzolar, acylamino acid fungicides, acypetacs, aldimorph, aliphatic nitrogen fungicides, allyl alcohol, amide fungicides, ampropylfos, anilazine, anilide fungicides, antibiotic fungicides, aromatic fungicides, aureofungin, azaconazole, azithiram, azoxystrobin, barium polysulfide, benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benodanil, benomyl, benquinox, bentaluron, benthiavalicarb, benzalkonium chloride, benzamacril, benzamide fungicides, benzamorf, benzanilide fungicides, benzimidazole fungicides, benzimidazole precursor fungicides, benzimidazolylcarbamate fungicides, benzohydroxamic acid, benzothiazole fungicides, bethoxazin, binapacryl, biphenyl, bitertanol, bithionol, bixafen, blasticidin-S, Bordeaux mixture, boric acid, boscalid, bridged diphenyl fungicides, bromuconazole, bupirimate, Burgundy mixture, buthiobate, sec-butylamine, calcium polysulfide, captafol, captan, carbamate fungicides, carbamorph, carbanilate fungicides, carbendazim, carboxin, carpropamid, carvone, Cheshunt mixture, chinomethionat, chlobenthiazone, chloraniformethan, chloranil, chlorfenazole, chlorodinitronaphthalene, chloroform, chloroneb, chloropicrin, chlorothalonil, chlorquinox, chlozolinate, ciclopirox, climbazole, clotrimazole, conazole fungicides, conazole fungicides (imidazoles), conazole fungicides (triazoles), copper(II) acetate, copper(II) carbonate, basic, copper fungicides, copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oleate, copper oxychloride, copper(II) sulfate, copper sulfate, basic, copper zinc chromate, cresol, cufraneb, cuprobam, cuprous oxide, cyazofamid, cyclafuramid, cyclic dithiocarbamate fungicides, cycloheximide, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, cypendazole, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, dazomet, (1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane) DBCP, debacarb, decafentin, dehydroacetic acid, dicarboximide fungicides, dichlofluanid, dichlone, dichlorophen, dichlorophenyl, dichlozoline, diclobutrazol, diclocymet, diclomezine, dicloran, diethofencarb, diethyl pyrocarbonate, difenoconazole, diflumetorim, dimethirimol, dimethomorph, dimoxystrobin, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, dinitrophenol fungicides, dinobuton, dinocap, dinocap-4, dinocap-6, dinocton, dinopenton, dinosulfon, dinoterbon, diphenylamine, dipyrithione, disulfiram, ditalimfos, dithianon, dithiocarbamate fungicides, (Dinitro-ortho-cresol) DNOC, dodemorph, dodicin, dodine, donatodine, drazoxolon, edifenphos, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, etem, ethaboxam, ethirimol, ethoxyquin, ethylene oxide, ethylmercury 2,3-dihydroxypropyl mercaptide, ethylmercury acetate, ethylmercury bromide, ethylmercury chloride, ethylmercury phosphate, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone, fenaminosulf, fenapanil, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenhexamid, fenitropan, fenoxanil, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, Fluconazole, fludioxonil, flumetover, flumorph, fluopicolide, fluoroimide, fluotrimazole, fluoxastrobin, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flusulfamide, flutolanil, flutriafol, fluxapyroxad, folpet, formaldehyde, fosetyl, fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr, furamide fungicides, furanilide fungicides, furcarbanil, furconazole, furconazole-cis, furfural, furmecyclox, furophanate, glyodin, griseofulvin, guazatine, halacrinate, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, hexachlorophene, hexaconazole, hexylthiofos, hydrargaphen, hymexazol, imazalil, imibenconazole, imidazole fungicides, iminoctadine, inorganic fungicides, inorganic mercury fungicides, iodomethane, ipconazole, iprobenfos, iprodione, iprovalicarb, isopropyl alcohol, isoprothiolane, isovaledione, kasugamycin, ketoconazole, kresoxim-methyl, Lime sulfur (lime sulphur), mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, mebenil, mecarbinzid, mepanipyrim, mepronil, mercuric chloride, mercuric oxide, mercurous chloride, mercury fungicides, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M (a.k.a. Mefenoxam), metam, metazoxolon, metconazole, methasulfocarb, methfuroxam, methyl bromide, methyl isothiocyanate, methylmercury benzoate, methylmercury dicyandiamide, methylmercury pentachlorophenoxide, metiram, metominostrobin, metrafenone, metsulfovax, milneb, morpholine fungicides, myclobutanil, myclozolin, N-(ethylmercury)-p-toluenesulfonanilide, nabam, natamycin, nystatin, β-nitrostyrene, nitrothal-isopropyl, nuarimol, octhilinone, ofurace, oprodione, organomercury fungicides, organophosphorus fungicides, organotin fungicides, orthophenyl phenol, orysastrobin, oxadixyl, oxathiin fungicides, oxazole fungicides, oxine copper, oxpoconazole, oxycarboxin, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, pentachlorophenol, penthiopyrad, phenylmercuriurea, phenylmercury acetate, phenylmercury chloride, phenylmercury derivative of pyrocatechol, phenylmercury nitrate, phenylmercury salicylate, phenylsulfarnide fungicides, phosdiphen, Phosphite, phthalide, phthalimide fungicides, picoxystrobin, piperalin, polycarbamate, polymeric dithiocarbamate fungicides, polyoxins, polyoxorim, polysulfide fungicides, potassium azide, potassium polysulfide, potassium thiocyanate, probenazole, prochloraz, procymidone, propamocarb, propiconazole, propineb, proquinazid, prothiocarb, prothioconazole, pyracarbolid pyraclostrobin, pyrazole fungicides, pyrazophos, pyridine fungicides, pyridinitril, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyrimidine fungicides, pyroquilon, pyroxychlor, pyroxyfur, pyrrole fungicides, quinacetol, quinazamid, quinconazole, quinoline fungicides, quinomethionate, quinone fungicides, quinoxaline fungicides, quinoxyfen, quintozene, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, silthiofam, silver, simeconazole, sodium azide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium orthophenylphenoxide, sodium pentachlorophenoxide, sodium polysulfide, spiroxamine, streptomycin, strobilurin fungicides, sulfonanilide fungicides, sulfur, sulfuryl fluoride, sultropen, 2-(Thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole (TCMTB), tebuconazole, tecloftalam, tecnazene, tecoram, tetraconazole, thiabendazole, thiadifluor, thiazole fungicides, thicyofen, thifluzamide, thymol, triforine, thiocarbamate fungicides, thiochlorfenphim, thiomersal, thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl, thiophene fungicides, thioquinox, thiram, tiadinil, tioxymid, tivedo, tolclofos-methyl, tolnaftate, tolylfluanid, tolylmercury acetate, triadimefon, triadimenol, triamiphos, triarimol, triazbutil, triazine fungicides, triazole fungicides, triazoxide, tributyltin oxide, trichlamide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, trifloxystrobin, triflumizole, triforine triticonazole, Undecylenic acid, uniconazole, uniconazole-P, urea fungicides, validamycin, valinamide fungicides, vinclozolin, voriconazole, zarilamid, zinc naphthenate, zineb, ziram, zoxamide, Diatomaceous earth, Borate, Borax, Boric Acid, Rosemary Oil, Peppermint Oil, Cottonseed Oil.
Sulfonylurea herbicides: amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium, halosulfuron-methyl, imazosulfuron, nicosulfuron, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron-methyl, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron-methyl Sulfosulfuron, terbacil, triflusulfuron methyl bispyribac-sodium, cyclosulfamuron, and pyrithiobac-sodium.
Additionally, the pesticides and herbicides listed on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP). The National List identifies the synthetic substances that may be used in organic crop and livestock production, and prohibits the use of certain natural toxic substances in organic production.
In one embodiment, the mat center layer further comprises Endophytic microbes or Endophytes. These are organisms, often fungi and bacteria that dwell within robust plant tissues by having a symbiotic association, for at least part of its life cycle without causing apparent disease. Endophytes are benign organisms that produce some compounds to promote plant growth or help survival of harsh environments.
In one embodiment, the mat center layer further comprises Mycorrhiza.
Mycorrhizas are commonly divided into ectomycorrhizas and endomycorrhizas. The two types are differentiated by the fact that the hyphae of ectomycorrhizal fungi do not penetrate individual cells within the root, while the hyphae of endomycorrhizal fungi penetrate the cell wall and invaginate the cell membrane. Endomycorrhiza includes arbuscular, ericoid, and orchid mycorrhiza, while arbutoid mycorrhizas can be classified as ectoendomycorrhizas. Monotropoid mycorrhizas form a special category.
Many plants form associations called mycorrhizae with fungi that give them access to nutrients in the soil, protecting against disease and toxicities. Mycorrhizas are especially beneficial for the plant partner in nutrient-poor soils. Mycorrhizal plants are often more resistant to diseases, drought, salinity and toxicity
Because nutrients are often depleted in the soil, most plants form symbiotic relationships called mycorrhizae with fungi that integrate into the plant's root.
The relationship between plants and fungi is symbiotic because the plant obtains phosphate and other minerals through the fungus, while the fungus obtains sugars from the plant root.
The long extensions of the fungus, called hyphae, help increase the surface area of the plant root system so that it can extend beyond the area of nutrient depletion. Mycorrhizal mycelia are much smaller in diameter than the smallest root, and thus can explore a greater volume of soil, providing a larger surface area for absorption.
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Development of Novel Weed and Moisture Control (WCMC) Mat from Recycled Disposable Diaper Materials
Disposable baby and adult diapers account for 2% of all solid wastes that are accumulating in landfills. Currently, in the U.S., plastic materials recovered from disposable diapers are not accepted by recycling companies because the materials include a mixture of different plastics, as well as human waste.
At the same time, there is need for a product that can help trees to survive drought and suppress weed growth without using chemicals. The present inventors have designed and developed novel weed control and moisture conservation (WCMC) plant mat from recycled disposable diapers using an economically viable and environmentally benign method. The WCMC mat design includes three layers: a top cover that limits evaporation but allows rain water to seep in, a middle layer with superabsorbent polymer particles (SAP) that absorbs and stores water and releases it slowly, and a permeable bottom layer that allows water to pass through to the underlying ground. The bottom layer also blocks weed growth. In one embodiment, the WCMC mat can be heavy enough to keep the mat on ground, and prevent from reaching the ground. The mat exhibits superior weed control.
Low Cost and Environmentally Benign Recycling Process.
The process provides a low cost recycling and simple processing method, uses low cost materials and reduces energy cost. In one embodiment, a float/sink separation of diaper components using water as separation medium and low cost chemicals for sanitation with bleach (sodium or calcium hypochlorite), for SAP treatment with snow melt (calcium chloride) and for SAP recovery with potash fertilizer (potassium carbonate) was developed. But energy cost for drying SAP was significant as water content is very high in the recovered SAP/cellulose mixtures. In experiments, it was found that the water content has been dramatically reduced (>93%) by using higher concentrations of calcium cations with some scarification of recoverable absorbency in SAP. The excess calcium cations can be reused by recycling water from the separation process. Since most of the water used in the recycling process can be reused in the separation process, waste water amount is expected to be low, even at large scale operations. Waste water analysis results indicated that it is similar to sewage waste water. Current municipal waste water treatment plants can handle them without problems at a low quantity, and direct discharge into sewage is possible. Pretreatment may be needed for very large volume of waste water, but the treatment methods are readily available and economical.
Sheets were prepared from recovered diaper shell plastics using a wetlay and compression molding method. Integrity of the mat without addition of extra wood fiber was identified as a major problem. With addition of wood fiber to improve integrity of the wetlaid mats and molded sheets, mechanical testing reviewed that the physical properties of these sheets are sufficient for the intended application in a WCMC mat at a 500 micrometer thickness. The strength requirement was determined based on the wet weight and handling needs of one embodiment of the prototype WCMC mats, which is about 10 MPa or higher for 500 micrometer thick sheets.
One embodiment of the diaper recycling pilot plant is shown in
The slurry and fluid handling from 3 to 4, 4 to 6, 5 to 3, and 6 to 3 may be accomplished by a sump pump. This will allow smooth handling of fluids without clogging while maintaining high separation efficiency and high production rate. Water removed from the upper layer polyolefins-rich slurry and lower layer SAP-rich slurry coming out of 3 may be filtered by using two different screens 4 and 5. 5 is a screen with large holes so that only the polyolefin fibers and strips will be removed from the rest of slurry, which will return back to 3. 4 is a screen with small holes to be used for filtering SAP out of water. Vacuum or press may be used to remove as much water as possible. The removed water may be pumped to the recycle tank 6 for reuse. CaCl2 and bleach can be added to the recycle tank for two purposes: prevent bacteria growth in this tank and serve as a source of salt for the settling process. Prior to placing SAP in dryer 7, K2CO3 solution is sprayed onto the wet SAP. Recovery of SAP can be done in the dryer, and residual K2CO3 can be left in SAP. Dryer may be a forced air or other suitable dryer.
The subsystem including a settling tank 8 and a filter screen 9 (dotted lines for flow directions) may be repeated to obtain better separation for polyolefins. This subsystem can also be removed if such processing of recycled polyolefins fails. Incomplete removal of SAP particles from polyolefin strips and fibers result in poor mechanical properties, especially under wet conditions. The presence of swelled SAP particles create pores in the compression molded panels and ruins the mechanical properties. The lower layer from 8 and the water coming out the 9 will be returned back to 3.
High Throughput Manufacturing
For plastic processing, injection molding, thermoforming and vacuum forming are usually much faster and more suitable for high volumes than other plastic processing methods.
In one embodiment, any of the mats described herein may be produced with recycled diaper materials obtained by the diaper recycling process.
WCMC Mat Prototype and Evaluation.
Concurrent to the recycling process, an evaluation was carried out with prototype WCMC mats. Because processing of recycled diaper plastics can only be possible after enough plastics are collected, the top and bottom covers of the prototype mat were made by weed barrier fabrics or ground cover fabrics. Because the demand for WCMC mats on field tests were high and SAP from diapers were not enough, the SAP layer had three types of SAP: recycled SAP from diapers, virgin SAP particles acquired from the market or a mixture of these two. Different sizes, shapes and combination of materials were used to make the prototypes. The material selection was to enhance the features of the WCMC mat in weed control (strong fabric to block weed growth), water conservation (slow down evaporation from top cover and allow rainwater to permeate) and delivery of water to root system (permeable bottom layer). Durability and UV stability is also an important factor for consideration as the mats are designed for outdoor usage.
WCMC mats were fabricated and evaluated for performances under various conditions. WCMC mats can provide several benefits: (1) covering the soil to prevent soil surface evaporation, (2) maximizing soil water availability through elimination of competing vegetation (weed control), (3) providing a self-charging and slow-releasing water reservoir for plants, and (4) preserving fertilizer by reducing weed growth and irrigation/rain water runoff.
Controlled environment trials and field tests on multiple sites were carried out in greenhouses and in road medians, parks, landscaping grounds, vineyards, and nurseries. The results show that WCMC mats can suppress weed control and alleviate planting stress of trees, especially in drought conditions. WCMC mats have high potential for reducing water usage, labor and other maintenance costs while increasing survival rate of trees for urban forest management, park and recreation, and forest restoration.
Water Distribution Test.
This experiment was set up during the hottest part of the year. It was designed to determine whether water goes down into the soil, how fast water goes into the soil, and how much water goes into the soil. Potting soil was placed into flower pots under a rain exclusion shelter. The initial relative soil moisture was about 3-4 (on a scale from 1-10 with 1 being very dry and 10 being soaked). Prototype WCMC mats with about 15 lbs absorbed water were placed on the top of potting soil. Soil moisture levels were measured at 4-inch deep for 6 weeks. The weight of the WCMC mat and the total weight of pot plus mat were recorded.
The results are shown in
Exposure to Drought in Sandy Soil
Sandy soil is known to have poor water retention properties and usually requires more frequent watering to be suitable for planting. This experiment was designed to determine whether the WCMC mat provides water retention and release that are necessary for seedlings to survive in drought in sandy soils. In this bioassay, the control group is seedlings without WCMC mats. Each group of eight seedlings was exposed an extended drought cycle.
The results show (
Testing of WCMC Mats Concept in Urban Forestry Management
The inventors installed 20 WCMC mats around trees in the median of a highway in August. Before the installment of WCMC mats, all of the trees had been previously relied on watering bags for water.
Testing of WCMC Mats Concept in Nursery Production
Container and field trials under controlled and simulated watering environment following nursery daily schedules have been carried out about two months. This test was design to evaluate the water conservation capabilities of the WCMC mat to increase soil water availability and reduce irrigation for nursery crops in containers and in field. Drip irrigation methods are the standard operations at this nursery. There are two groups of experimental treatments: Group #1 for container plants, there are five testing trials with maple trees of similar size (Table 1); Group#2 for ground plants, there are six testing trials (Table 2).
The water usage and soil moisture were measured and recorded for 64 days, including rain precipitation (retrieved from weather.org). Plants in containers were watered on daily basis except for days on which it rained (62-day watering in 64 days). The results are shown in
It has been observed that in-field plants have been watered overnight each time in 4-day intervals (15 times in 64 days). Because of the long time watering and small measuring container (5 gal bucket), water were filled and overflowed many times for some treatments. Therefore, the total water usage recorded is underestimated, and the actual differences between treatments should be larger. The results are shown in
Testing of WCMC Mats Concept in Urban Orchard
The present inventors installed 10 WCMC mats around fruit trees in an orchard, and watering bags were installed around 10 other trees in the same orchard. A variety of different fruit tree species was included. Although it cannot be considered as a scientifically sound experimental design of experiment, it provided an opportunity to test WCMC mats against regular watering using watering bags on different fruit trees. Orchard staff were on hand to fill the watering bags whenever there was less than one inch of rain during a 7-day period. WCMC mats were not watered throughout the year. It was found that the average relative soil moisture level under WCMC mats (−7.7) was higher than that under watering bags (−7.5).
Using an accurate watering record and precipitation record from weather.org, the amount of water received by each tree was determined. Watering bags were manually filled 4 times with total of 60 gallons for each tree. From June to December, WCMC mats received total of 26 inches of rain since the time of planting, which corresponds to 50 gallons during this period using 24 inch diameter mat and 4-inch diameter tree hole. It was assumed that all the rain water was collected and stored since runoff could not be estimated. Due to the cone shape (estimated diameter at bottom is 12 inches) of watering bags, rain is prevented from entering the soil beneath the bags. The total excluded rain water is estimated to be 11 gallons of rain water per tree. The accumulative water amount available for each tree is shown in
Weed Management.
The overall weed control results of the WCMC mats are very good. First, the fabrics used to make the prototypes are commercially available weed barrier fabrics. Second, the swelled SAP secures the WCMC mat on the ground so that air and sunlight cannot reach weeds, which would die without photosynthesis. The weight of mats also provides extra pressure to prevent grass penetrating, which happens to single layer of weed fabrics. In experiments at a nursery farm, it was found that WCMC mats controlled weeds around the base of a sapling tree better than either sprayed weed killer or applied weed killer pellets.
For smaller sized WCMC mats tested in this experiment, air can reach the weeds underneath the WCMC mats as evidenced by the continual growth of weeds (white or pale colored leaves and stems) and weed roots for a period of time before they eventually die off. Fine roots of the trees were also found underneath the WCMC mats, indicating oxygen diffused to that location and allows the root growth. The death of the weeds was mainly due to the blocking of sunlight for a certain time.
However, in a separate experiment where larger sized WCMC mats were used, air blocking was found to contribute to the death of weeds when the weeds is far from the edges of the WCMC mats. It is evidenced by the rotten weed leaves and stems. During inspection, the inventors were experienced with the typical smell of the anaerobic respiration of microorganisms. The smell was particularly pronounced when recycled diaper materials (containing cellulose fibers and other organic materials), organic fertilizers and other organic matters were used. In one embodiment, dividing a large sized WCMC mats into multiple sections and leaving some of the sections without SAP, can be advantageous for certain applications.
Soil Temperature Measurement.
During a field trip to one testing site in October, the present inventors noticed a big temperature difference above and under the WCMC mats. A literature review on the temperature effects on root growth as well as plants in winter protection showed that 5-30° C. is the temperature range for root growth for most plants. Therefore, an experiment was designed to measure soil temperatures during winter. Soil temperatures were measured in the road median of a highway from January to February. Sensors were buried 3″ below soil surface. In
In some of the warmer days of winter, the temperature under WCMC mats was lower than the temperature that under watering bags. This indicates that in the very hot summer days, soil temperature under WCMC mats will desirably be lower than that under watering bags to offer hot weather protection for trees. However, complete temperature data could not be collected in the road median because of vandalization of the temperature sensors. Therefore, temperatures were only collected from two parks in a nearby county in the days with high temperature above 90 F (32° C.). Data is shown in
Soil Moisture Stabilizer Mat for Foundation of Structures on Expansive Soils
One embodiment provides a method of stabilizing soil moisture in expansive or other soil with any WCMC mat or prototype WCMC mat described herein, which includes placing the WCMC mat or prototype WCMC mat on the soil as a soil stabilization mat or foundation mat, and allowing it to remain on the soil for an extended period of time.
Another embodiment provides a method of reducing the occurrence of damage to infrastructure located in or on the ground, which includes placing a soil stabilization mat or foundation mat, such as any WCMC mat or prototype WCMC mat described herein on the soil near, around, or above the infrastructure, and allowing it to remain on the soil for an extended period of time.
One embodiment includes using foundation mat to stabilize the soil moisture for an extended period, even without watering or rainfall. As demonstrated in the field trials for urban forestry applications in Richmond, Va., USA, a moisture conservation mat was used for trees planted in the road medium to maintain a much more stable moisture content for 4 months even without the use of an irrigation watering (
Another test was performed in a rain exclusion shelter during the summer months. The whole system was connected to the environment with normal sunlight, air flow, outdoor temperature fluctuation, and transpiration from weeds and plants, except that rain falls were sheltered off. Soil moisture levels found to be between 6 and 8 at 4-inch deep in soil for 6 weeks (
It can also be combined with an existing irrigation system. In field tests at a nursery farm where drip irrigation and micro-spray irrigation systems are used, the soil moisture was found to be stabilized around 5.6 with only half of water used (
The foundation mat comprises three layers: top layer is a permeable or impermeable plastic film; center layer is a water absorbent material that contains super absorbent polymer; the bottom layer being a permeable layer that allows moisture transmit from the center layer to the soil, vice versa.
The foundation mat with center layer containing absorbent materials recovered from diapers and other incontinence products, such as described in US20140230322.
The foundation mat will greatly reduce water usage with a super uniform soil moisture content, example is the manuscript where soil moisture is much more stable under plant protection mats (WCMC mats) than that under watering bags,
The foundation mat with a moisture sensor such as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,138 attached to the foundation mat so that moisture level is monitored and irrigation is dispensed as needed.
The foundation mat is used in connection with one or plural of porous pipes or soaker hoses similar the system, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,156,494 and 4,534,143, or a wicking material like that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,018,134 on top of or inside of the foundation mat, an irrigation controlling system, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,932
Incorporate an automatic irrigation control which is activated by moisture sensor in soil, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,132,138, 7,018,134, 6,082,932, US20080219768 or by stress sensor described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,494.
The foundation mat can be made with holes for establishment of vegetation, such as described in US Published Application No. 20140230322.
The foundation mat may also be used in combination with foundation stabilization systems such as described in US Published Application No. 20130071186.
A method of using the foundation mat by applying it on top of expansive soils under the foundation of buildings, and other infrastructures.
A method of using the foundation mat by placing it on top of swelling soils and by covering with covered with mulch, gravel, sand bricks, granite, pavement, dirt or the combination of two or more of these materials.
A method of using foundation mat on the perimeters of the foundations of any buildings, bridges, roads and other structures.
The contents of articles, references, patents, and publications described herein are hereby incorporated by reference.
Fabrication of Tree Protection Mat in Vineyard Application
As illustrated in
Two of this grape protection mats were used for a vineyard where grape vines were planted 6 ft apart and in a 120 ft long row. One mat on each side of the grape vine roll. The first compartment with SAP is place right next to the first grape vine in the row so that the rest of the SAP containing compartments are aligned up with the rest of the grape vines in the same row.
Fabrication of Tree Protection Mat for Tree Seedling Protection. As illustrated in
Two of these tree seedling protection mats were used for a nursery where seeds or seedlings were planted 1 ft apart in a 200 ft long row, one mat on each side of the seedling row with the compartments without SAP overlapping on each other. For each seedling position, a knife or scissor was used to cut a slit open in the overlapped section to allow seedlings go through the overlapped mat.
Fabrication of A Foundation Soil Moisture Stabilizer A foundation soil moisture stabilizer mat was prepared with 1). a top cover plate: rectangular-shaped woven polypropylene fabric of 8″×16″; 2) a semipermeable bottom layer: rectangular-shaped spunbond polypropylene nonwoven fabric; and 3) a center water holding layer using 25 grams of superabsorbent polymer particles (Crosslinked Potassium Acrylate Acrylamide Copolymer). Using a sewing machine, the top cover plate was sewn to the semipermeable bottom layer along the outer perimeter edges thereof, with the superabsorbent polymer particles—as a center layer—placed between the top cover plate and the semipermeable bottom layer.
The foundation soil moisture stabilizer mat is placed on top of expansive clay soil in a rectangular-shaped container, which has the same dimension as the device. The depth of the clay soil is at least 8 inches. The foundation soil moisture stabilizer and the expansive clay soil is then watered thoroughly. Drain all standing water. Soil moisture of this device is then measured twice a day for comparison of the changes in soil moisture. Chart included (
Fabrication of a Sheet of Foundation Soil Moisture Stabilizer
A foundation soil moisture stabilizer mat was prepared with 1). a top cover plate: rectangular-shaped woven polypropylene fabric of 2 ft wide and 8 ft long; 2) a semipermeable bottom layer: rectangular-shaped spunbond polypropylene nonwoven fabric of the same dimension as the top cover plate; and 3) a center water holding layer using 480 grams of superabsorbent polymer particles (Crosslinked Potassium Acrylate Acrylamide Copolymer,). Using a sewing machine, the top cover plate was sewn to the semipermeable bottom layer along the along the outer perimeter edges thereof, with the superabsorbent polymer particles—as a center layer—placed between the top cover plate and the semipermeable bottom layer. The 2 ft by 8 ft device was divided by using the sewing machine into four 2′×2′ compartments, for which each has one fourth of the total 480 grams of SAP. The soil moisture stabilizer was placed beside the foundation of house right next to the foundation.
Fabrication of a Foundation Soil Moisture Stabilizer Using Recycled Diaper SAP Materials
A device similar to Example 2 was prepared by replacing half of the SAP (240 grams) with 1000 grams of recycled diaper SAP materials. Each SAP and recycled diaper SAP materials were divided into 4 parts and placed in each of the four compartments.
The entire contents of each patent and publication cited herein are incorporated herein by reference.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Application No. 62/363,068, filed Jul. 15, 2016.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US17/42281 | 7/15/2017 | WO | 00 |
