Sediment Control Device and Methods of Using Same

Abstract

One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein includes a method for creating a sediment control device, comprising clearing native soil on a tract of land of vegetation, tilling the native soil, filtering the native soil, importing additional soil and fibrous materials, mixing the additional soil and fibrous materials with the native soil, blending an adhesive-type binder into the mixed soil, forming the mixed soil with the adhesive-type binder into a berm, and covering the berm with a textile.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The field of this application and any resulting patent is sediment control devices and methods of using same.

2. Description of Related Art

Various devices and methods have been proposed and utilized for controlling sediment, including some of the devices and methods disclosed in the references appearing on the face of this patent. However, those devices and methods lack all the steps or features of the devices and methods covered by any patent claims below. As will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, any devices and methods covered by claims of the issued patent solve many of the problems that prior art devices and methods have failed to solve. Also, the devices and methods covered by at least some of the claims of this patent have benefits that could be surprising and unexpected to a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the prior art existing at the time of invention.

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), part of the Clean Water Act of 1972, includes provisions targeted at reducing impacts from point source pollution. NPDES was further expanded in the 1990's to include erosion from surface water runoff on medium and small construction sites. In response to regulations, an industry developed Best Management Practices (BMPs) including methods, practices, and products to reduce surface erosion and capture and control suspended sediments in surface water runoff. Common sediment control products predominantly include a variety of plastic silt fences supported with steel or hardwood posts and net tubing filled with compost, wood, or straw secured in place with wood stakes. These perimeter control and sediment control devices are typically installed prior to construction site clearing and are typically removed after the project site is stable from further erosion.

While the intent of these products is to protect the environment, the carbon and ecological impacts of producing over one billion linear feet, annually, of plastic, steel, and wood products opposes green-friendly construction practices and has damaging and offsetting effects on the environment. Many of the products are bulky in nature and require multiple steps and freight points to produce and deliver to the jobsite, increasing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. Upon removal, the products are typically disposed into landfills, further negatively impacting the environment. A more sustainable sediment control device and method is needed to address these problems.

SUMMARY

One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein includes a method for creating a sediment control device, comprising clearing native soil on a tract of land of vegetation, tilling the native soil, filtering the native soil, importing additional soil and fibrous materials, mixing the additional soil and fibrous materials with the native soil, blending an adhesive-type binder into the mixed soil, forming the mixed soil with the adhesive-type binder into a berm, and covering the berm with a textile.

One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein includes a method for creating a sediment control device, comprising clearing native soil on a tract of land of vegetation, tilling the native soil, filtering the native soil, importing additional soil and fibrous materials, mixing the additional soil and fibrous materials with the native soil, blending natural fibers into the mixed soil, wherein the natural fibers comprise byproducts of clearing, grubbing, and pulverizing plants, shrubs, and trees, forming the mixed soil with the natural fibers into a berm, covering the berm with a hydromulch, and destroying the berm and leaving the remaining berm materials in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a sediment control device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a sediment control device in which an earthen berm comprises a reinforcement.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a sediment control device in which an earthen berm comprises a protective covering.

FIG. 4 illustrates soil containing vegetation.

FIG. 5 illustrates soil turned over.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a sediment control device wherein the reinforcement comprises an adhesive-type binder.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a berm.

FIG. 8A illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of a right triangular prism.

FIG. 8B illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of an isosceles triangular prism.

FIG. 8C illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of a rectangular prism.

FIG. 8D illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of an isosceles trapezoidal prism.

FIG. 8E illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of an acute trapezoidal prism.

FIG. 8F illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of a semi-cylinder.

FIG. 8G illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of an acute trapezoidal prism except that one of the legs is curved rather than straight.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1. Introduction

A detailed description will now be provided. The purpose of this detailed description, which includes the drawings, is to satisfy the statutory requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112. For example, the detailed description includes a description of the inventions defined by the claims and sufficient information that would enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventions. In the figures, like elements are generally indicated by like reference numerals regardless of the view or figure in which the elements appear. The figures are intended to assist the description and to provide a visual representation of certain aspects of the subject matter described herein. The figures are not all necessarily drawn to scale, nor do they show all the structural details of the systems, nor do they limit the scope of the claims.

Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention which, for infringement purposes, is recognized as including equivalents of the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to the subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims. Each of the inventions will now be described in greater detail below, including specific embodiments, versions, and examples, but the inventions are not limited to these specific embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventions when the information in this patent is combined with available information and technology. Various terms as used herein are defined below, and the definitions should be adopted when construing the claims that include those terms, except to the extent a different meaning is given within the specification or in express representations to the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below or in representations to the PTO, it should be given the broadest definition persons having skill in the art have given that term as reflected in any printed publication, dictionary, or issued patent.

2. Certain Specific Embodiments

Now, certain specific embodiments are described, which are by no means an exclusive description of the inventions. Other specific embodiments, including those referenced in the drawings, are encompassed by this application and any patent that issues therefrom.

One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein includes a method for creating a sediment control device, comprising clearing native soil on a tract of land of vegetation, tilling the native soil, filtering the native soil, importing additional soil and fibrous materials, mixing the additional soil and fibrous materials with the native soil, blending an adhesive-type binder into the mixed soil, forming the mixed soil with the adhesive-type binder into a berm, and covering the berm with a textile.

One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein includes a method for creating a sediment control device, comprising clearing native soil on a tract of land of vegetation, tilling the native soil, filtering the native soil, importing additional soil and fibrous materials, mixing the additional soil and fibrous materials with the native soil, blending natural fibers into the mixed soil, wherein the natural fibers comprise byproducts of clearing, grubbing, and pulverizing plants, shrubs, and trees, forming the mixed soil with the natural fibers into a berm, covering the berm with a hydromulch, and destroying the berm and leaving the remaining berm materials in place.

In any of the methods disclosed herein, the step of turning over the soil may comprise disking.

In any of the methods disclosed herein, the step of applying the one or more soil binders may comprise broadcasting.

In any of the devices or methods disclosed herein, the berm may comprise a height between 4 inches and 2 feet.

In any of the devices or methods disclosed herein, the protective covering may encourage vegetation growth.

In any of the devices or methods disclosed herein, the one or more soil binders may comprise a polymer.

In any of the devices or methods disclosed herein, the reinforcement may comprise natural fibers.

In any of the devices or methods disclosed herein, the reinforcement may comprise natural or synthetic fibers.

In any of the devices or methods disclosed herein, the protective covering may comprise a broadcast or hydraulically-applied hydromulch product.

In any of the methods disclosed herein, the step of applying the one or more soil binders may comprise spraying.

In any of the devices or methods disclosed herein, the one more soil binders may comprise fly ash.

In any of the devices or methods disclosed herein, the reinforcement may comprise straw.

In any of the devices or methods disclosed herein, the reinforcement may comprise plastic.

In any of the devices or methods disclosed herein, the protective covering may comprise gunite.

3. Specific Embodiments in the Figures

The drawings presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Rather, the drawings are intended to help enable one having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed inventions.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8G, a specific embodiment, e.g., version or example, of sediment control devices and methods of using same are illustrated. These figures may show features which may be found in various specific embodiments, including the embodiments shown in this specification and those not shown.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a sediment control device 100. In embodiments, the sediment control device 100 may comprise an earthen berm 102. In embodiments, the earthen berm 102 may be employed to slow water and prevent erosion. In embodiments, the earthen berm 102 may prevent or slow stormwater sheet-flowing across a soil 104 (not illustrated), which may allow sediment to settle from gravity and/or water to evaporate, leaving the soil 104 behind. In embodiments, the earthen berm 102 may be porous and employed to allow stormwater to flow through the earthen berm 102 providing filtration and/or deposition of sediment. In embodiments, the soil 104 may comprise onsite soil, imported soil, or a combination of onsite soil and imported soil. Generally, berms that are naturally vegetated to prevent degradation may not be practical for temporary construction measures due to the inherent time required to fully establish vegetation. However, in embodiments, the earthen berm 102 may be specifically engineered to withstand erosion and degradation, and even more so, if left in place upon project completion, the earthen berm 102 may be an improvement over traditional device-based BMPs and may be used to meet NPDES requirements with far less damage to the environment.

In embodiments, the earthen berm 102 may comprise a soil binder 106. In embodiments, the soil binder 106 may comprise polymers, bentonite, enzymes, Portland cement, fly ash, lime, and/or any other suitable adhesive-type substances that may be sprayed onto or blended into the soil 104 to bind the particles of the soil 104 and harden the earthen berm 102.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a sediment control device 100 in which the earthen berm 102 may further comprise a reinforcement 108. In embodiments, the reinforcement 108 may comprise a variety of reinforcements 108. In embodiments, the reinforcement 108 may assist in preventing degradation of the earthen berm 102 from surface water or rainwater droplets. In embodiments, the reinforcement 108 may comprise natural or synthetic fibers blended into the soil 104. In embodiments, natural fibers may comprise onsite or imported grass, straw, wood chippings, shavings or other byproducts of clearing, grubbing, and pulverizing of plants, shrubs, and trees. In embodiments, synthetic fibers may comprise plastic, metal, aramids, or other man-made materials. Further, in embodiments natural or synthetic fibers may inherently reinforce the soil and/or may enhance an adhesive-type binder.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the sediment control device 100 in which the earthen berm 102 may further comprise a protective covering 110. In embodiments, the protective covering 110 may also assist in preventing degradation of the earthen berm 102 from surface water or rainwater droplets. In embodiments, the protective covering 110 may comprise a textile or blanket comprised of jute, hemp, cotton, straw, wood, plastic, or any other natural or synthetic material. In embodiments, the use of the protective covering 110 may protect the earthen berm 102 from erosion and degradation. In other embodiments, the protective covering 110 may comprise a hydromulch product comprising paper, wood, polymer, tackifier, or other combination of spray-applied product, which may protect the earthen berm 102 from erosion and degradation, as well as encourage vegetation growth for added long-term protection. Additionally, in other embodiments, the protective covering 110 may comprise a spray-applied cover comprising gunite, Portland cement, polymer, or other liquid or blend of materials and/or chemicals which may harden into a protective shell over the exterior of the earthen berm 102. In embodiments, the spray-applied protective covering 110 may or may not encourage or limit vegetation growth. Additionally, in embodiments the protective covering 110 may also comprise any soil binder 106.

The following is a description of certain methods of using the various embodiments described above. The following methodologies may be performed in any order, and some steps may be optional.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the soil 104 containing vegetation 112. In embodiments, the vegetation 112 may be mowed or cleared initially. In embodiments, any vegetation 112 may be discarded or left along the path of installation. In embodiments, all or some of the vegetation 112 may be blended into the soil 104 to enhance soil reinforcement.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the soil 104 turned over. In embodiments, the soil 104 may be turned over by various methods, such as disking, tilling, or otherwise loosening the soil 104 in the proximity of the anticipated final placement of the berm 102.

In embodiments, the next step in the method may be to filter or screen the soil 104, which may be blended, to remove unwanted larger particles or materials.

In embodiments, another step may be to import one or more types of soil binders 106 to create the berm 102 or to blend with the soil 104 to create the berm 102. In embodiments, the soil binder 106 may be applied to the soil 104 by broadcasting, spraying, or some other form of disbursement. In embodiments, another step in the method may be to blend the soil binder 106 into the soil 104.

In embodiments, another step may be to incorporate the reinforcement 108 into the soil 104. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the sediment control device 100 wherein the reinforcement 108 comprises natural fibers. In embodiments, the reinforcement 108 may be incorporated into the soil 104 by broadcasting, spraying, injection, or some other form of disbursement. In embodiments, another step in the method may be to blend the reinforcement 108, such as the natural fibers, into the soil 104.

In embodiments, another step may be to form the soil 104, which may comprise fibrous material, into the berm 102, which may be as low as 4 inches and as high as 4 feet. FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the berm 102. In embodiments, the berm 102 may be as narrow as 8 inches and as wide as 20 feet. In embodiments, the berm 102 may comprise a cross-sectional shape resembling a trapezoid, triangle, semi-circle, or other irregular shape with uniform or non-uniform sides. FIGS. 8A to 8G illustrate the different shapes of embodiments of the berm 102. More specifically, FIG. 8A illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of a right triangular prism. FIG. 8B illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of an isosceles triangular prism. FIG. 8C illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of a rectangular prism. FIG. 8D illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of an isosceles trapezoidal prism. FIG. 8E illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of an acute trapezoidal prism. FIG. 8F illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of a semi-cylinder. FIG. 8G illustrates an embodiment of a berm comprising a shape of an acute trapezoidal prism except that one of the legs is curved rather than straight.

In embodiments, another step in the method may be to allow the soil binder 106 and/or the reinforcement 108, which may comprise natural fibers, to cure, set, or harden to reinforce the soil 104.

In embodiments, another step in the method may be to include gravel, mulch, compost or other larger particles into berm 102 to allow berm 102 to be permeable and allow passage and filtration of water. Alternatively, in embodiments another step in the method may be to faun holes within berm 102 prior to curing of soil binder 106 to allow berm 102 to be permeable and allow passage and filtration of water.

In embodiments, another step in the method may be to cover the berm 102 with a protective covering 110, such as a textile or blanket, as shown in FIG. 3. In embodiments, this process of employing the protective covering 110 may occur simultaneously during the forming of the berm 102, or this process may be a separate process after the berm 102 is formed. In embodiments, if used in conjunction with the reinforcement 108, the protective covering 110 may be deployed before or after the soil binder 106 and/or reinforcement 108 have cured, set, or hardened.

In other embodiments, another step in the method may be to spray-apply the protective covering 110 over the berm 102 for external protection. In such embodiments, the spray-applied protective covering 110 may encourage or limit vegetation growth.

In embodiments, upon completion of the project, the engineered berm 102 may be left in place in its current condition at the time of project completion. Alternatively, in embodiments the engineered berm 102 may be tilled or otherwise destroyed and left in place. Alternatively, in embodiments portions of the engineered berm 102, which may comprise biodegradable or non-biodegradable components, may be removed and discarded while other components may be left in place or destroyed and left in place. In embodiments, upon completion of the project and removal or non-removal of some or all of the components, additives or materials may be applied to restore, or partially restore, the area of the reinforced berm location to its native, pre-disturbed conditions.

Depending on the context, all references above to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to the subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims. Each of the inventions may be described in greater detail above, including specific embodiments, versions, and examples, but the inventions are not limited to these specific embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventions when the information in this patent is combined with available information and technology.

Claims

1. A method for creating a sediment control device, comprising: clearing native soil on a tract of land of vegetation;turning over the native soil;filtering the native soil, wherein unwanted larger particles or materials are removed;importing one or more soil binders;applying the one or more soil binders to the native soil;blending the one or more soil binders into the native soil;incorporating a reinforcement into the blended native soil;forming the blended native soil into a berm; andcovering the berm with a protective covering.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of turning over the soil comprises disking.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of applying the one or more soil binders comprises broadcasting.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the berm comprises a height between 4 inches and two feet.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the protective covering encourages vegetation growth.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more soil binders comprise a polymer.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement comprises natural fibers.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement comprises synthetic fibers.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the protective covering comprises a hydromulch product.

10. A method for creating a sediment control device, comprising: mowing vegetation on a track of land to clear native soil;mixing the mowed vegetation into the native soil;turning over the mixed native soil;importing one or more soil binders;applying the one or more soil binders to the mixed native soil;blending the one or more soil binders into the mixed native soil;incorporating a reinforcement into the blended native soil;forming the blended native soil into a berm;allowing the berm to cure;covering the cured berm with a protective covering;destroying the berm; andleaving the destroyed berm materials in place.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of turning over the soil comprises tilling.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of applying the one or more soil binders comprises spraying.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the berm comprises a height between two feet and four feet.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the protective covering limits vegetation growth.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the one or more soil binders comprise fly ash.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the reinforcement comprises natural fibers.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the reinforcement comprises straw.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein the reinforcement comprises synthetic fibers.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the reinforcement comprises plastic.

20. The method of claim 10 wherein the protective covering comprises gunite.