LANDSCAPE MATERIAL AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

Abstract

A landscape material includes a plurality of fibers. Each of the fibers includes a generally uniform length, such as in a range of from about 3.0 inches to about 10.0 inches, and a generally uniform cross sectional area, so that the landscape material generally is lighter in weight and more uniform in appearance than landscape material of the prior art. The landscape material of optionally includes an additive such as a colorant. A method for making landscape material is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a wood section and cutting the wood section into a plurality of ribbons Each of the ribbons has a generally uniform cross sectional area, and the ribbons are reduced to fibers, each of which has a generally uniform length.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicants have contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings, and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of wood sections used to make the landscape material of the present invention, along with bags of the landscape material of the present invention and an unbagged pile of the landscape material of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of exemplary machinery used to process wood sections to manufacture wood ribbons for the landscape material of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of wood ribbons for the landscape material of the present invention being conveyed away from the machinery shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a close-up perspective view of a portion of a pile of fibers of the landscape material of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the landscape material of the present invention in use around a tree.

Claims

1. A landscape material, comprising: a plurality of fibers, wherein each of said fibers includes a generally uniform length and a generally uniform cross sectional area, whereby said landscape material generally is lighter in weight and more uniform in appearance than landscape material of the prior art.

2. The landscape material of claim 1, wherein said generally uniform length of said fibers is in a range of from about 3.0 inches to about 10.0 inches

3. The landscape material of claim 2, wherein said generally uniform length of said fibers is in a range of from about 4.0 inches to about 6.0 inches.

4. The landscape material of claim 1, wherein said generally uniform cross sectional area includes at least one dimension in a range of from about 0.0625 inches to about 0.125 inches.

5. The landscape material of claim 1, wherein said landscape material includes an additive.

6. The landscape material of claim 5, wherein said additive includes a colorant.

7. The landscape material of claim 5, wherein said additive includes a flame retardant.

8. The landscape material of claim 5, wherein said additive includes a horticultural chemical.

9. A method for making landscape material, comprising the steps of: providing a wood section;cutting said wood section into a plurality of ribbons, each of said ribbons having a generally uniform cross sectional area; andreducing said ribbons to fibers, each of said fibers having a generally uniform length

10. The method for making landscape material of claim 9, wherein said generally uniform length of said fibers is in a range of from about 3.0 inches to about 10.0 inches.

11. The method for making landscape material of claim 10, wherein said generally uniform length of said fibers is in a range of from about 4.0 inches to about 6.0 inches

12. The method for making landscape material of claim 9, further comprising the step of adding colorant to said fibers of said landscape material.

13. The method for making landscape material of claim 12, further comprising the step of drying said landscape material

14. The method for making landscape material of claim 9, further comprising the step of adding a flame retardant to said fibers of said landscape material

15. The method for making landscape material of claim 9, further comprising the step of adding a horticultural chemical to said fibers of said landscape material.

16. A landscape material made by the process of claim 9.

17. A method for making landscape material, comprising the steps of: providing a wood section;cutting said wood section into a plurality of ribbons, each of said ribbons having a generally uniform cross sectional area; andadding colorant to said ribbons.

18. The method for making landscape material of claim 17, further comprising the step of reducing said ribbons to fibers, each of said fibers having a generally uniform length.

19. The method for making landscape material of claim 18, wherein said generally uniform length of said fibers is in a range of from about 3.0 inches to about 10.0 inches

20. The method for making landscape material of claim 17, further comprising the step of drying said ribbons