Sediment/Erosion/Perimeter Control Devices and Methods of Making and Using the Same

Abstract

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices and methods of making and using the same. In exemplary embodiments, a system comprises a convertible silt fence/scour pad and a wattle. The wattle is integrated with the convertible silt fence/scour pad such that the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product. The convertible silt fence/scour pad is deployable in at least a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation, the convertible silt fence/scour pad is generally vertical and/or generally perpendicular relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, whereby the convertible silt fence/scour pad is operable primarily as a silt fence. In the second orientation, the convertible silt fence/scour pad is generally horizontal and/or generally parallel relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, whereby the convertible silt fence/scour pad is operable primarily as a scour pad.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices and methods of making and using the same.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Sediment retention devices and control systems include silt fence, wattles, filter logs, compost socks, hay bales, check dams, temporary diversion dikes, fiber rolls, and various types of stormwater inlet protectors. They are a widely used best management practice (BMP) to remove sediment from stormwater runoff as water passes through the BMP.

The term “wattle” is used to describe a wide variety of tubular, cylindrical, and/or low-profile BMPs that have intimate contact with the ground and are designed to help control water direction, remove sediment from water, and aide in controlling or preventing erosion. For example, FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show a conventional wattle 1 that may be used to help keep eroded soil on a construction site so that the eroded soil does not wash off and cause water pollution to a nearby stream, river, lake, sea, etc. The conventional wattle 1 includes an outer shell 5 formed from a netting, nonwoven material, or woven material. The outer shell 5 is used to encase straw or other infill. As shown in FIG. 3, the conventional wattle 1 has a relatively large bulky profile from the time of manufacturing to the point in time of use and afterwards. Additionally, the conventional wattle's infill has little rebound after the wattle 1 has been compressed or under pressure, e.g., after the wattle 1 is driven over by a vehicle, etc.

Sediment controls are usually employed together with erosion controls. Generally, erosion controls are designed to prevent or minimize erosion and thus reduce the need for sediment controls. Sediment controls are generally designed to be temporary measures. But some sediment controls may be used for stormwater management purposes in addition to removing sediment, and at times are left on construction sites indefinitely to biodegrade.

Additionally, chemical treatment of sediment in stormwater runoff is a relatively new form of sediment control for the construction industry. It is designed to reduce turbidity in nearby water bodies and involves at times using chemicals within sediment retention devices to aid in the treatment of sediment-laden stormwater by adding a chemical flocculant. This causes the sediment to settle so it can be more easily removed from the water at the time in which the water passes through the sediment retention device.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional wattle.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the conventional wattle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the conventional wattle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a compressible, expandable infill that may be used in a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The compressible, expandable infill may be incorporated into a wattle or other sediment/erosion/perimeter control device at the time of manufacturing or thereafter (e.g., at a jobsite, etc.).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device that includes a compressible, expandable infill according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device shown in FIG. 5 in the initial compressed configuration before expansion of the infill.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device shown in FIG. 5 in the initial compressed configuration before expansion of the infill.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device shown in FIG. 5 after expansion of the compressible, expandable infill.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the expanded/activated sediment/erosion/perimeter control device shown in FIG. 8

FIG. 10 is a side view of the expanded/activated sediment/erosion/perimeter control device shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional system in which a wattle and silt fence are separate components such that the wattle must be separately positioned in front of/by the silt fence and then the wattle is staked in place along the toe of the silt fence.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the conventional silt fence and wattle non-integrated multicomponent system wattle shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the conventional silt fence and wattle non-integrated multicomponent system shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a system that includes a wattle (broadly, sediment/erosion/perimeter control device) integrated into or with a silt fence according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The wattle's outer shell may or may not be made of the same silt fence material.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the integrated silt fence/wattle system shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the integrated silt fence/wattle system shown in FIG. 14 wherein the wattle is shown in an initial first or smaller before infill has been inserted into the interior defined by the wattle's outer case and/or before expansion of a compressible, expandable infill within the interior defined by the wattle's outer case.

FIG. 17 is another side view of the integrated silt fence/wattle system shown in FIG. 16 wherein the wattle is shown in a second configuration after infill insertion into the interior defined by the wattle's outer case and/or after expansion of a compressible, expandable infill within the interior defined by the wattle's outer case.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a system that includes a wattle (broadly, sediment/erosion/perimeter control device) integrated into or with a scour pad according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the integrated scour pad/wattle system shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the integrated scour pad/wattle system shown in FIG. 18 wherein the wattle is shown in an initial first configuration before infill has been inserted into the interior defined by wattle's outer case and/or before expansion of a compressible, expandable infill within the interior defined by the wattle's outer case.

FIG. 21 is another side view of the integrated scour pad/wattle system shown in FIG. 20 wherein the wattle is shown in a second configuration after infill insertion into the interior defined by wattle's outer case and/or after activation/expansion of a compressible, expandable infill within the interior defined by wattle's outer case.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are perspective views of a system that includes a wattle (broadly, sediment/erosion/perimeter control device) integrated into or with a convertible silt fence/scour pad according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals may indicate corresponding (though not necessarily identical) parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The purpose of erosion control is to prevent the movement of topsoil and sediment and to assist vegetation establishment. Some erosion control methods, while protecting the soil, are not considered as wildlife and/or environmentally friendly as others. As recognized herein, wildlife safe materials may be considered materials that are 100% biodegradable, made from natural fibers (e.g., plant-based, organic, and/or eco-friendly fibers, etc.), and use special outer shells, outer containment materials, or water permeable exteriors (e.g., weaves, nonwovens, meshes, knits, etc.) that allow animals to not be entrapped or entangled in the components used to manufacture the erosion control device.

To reduce wildlife entanglement, it is also recognized herein that choosing temporary erosion and sediment control products that either do not contain netting or that contain netting manufactured from 100% biodegradable materials. Accordingly, disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices (e.g., wattles, etc.) that include an infill (e.g., natural infill, synthetic infill, non-natural infill, combination thereof, etc.) encapsulated within an interior defined by a netting, weave, knit, nonwoven textile, or other outer shell, which, in turn, comprises one or more of jute fibers, sisal fibers, coir fibers, lyocell cellulose based fibers, modal cellulose based fibers, among other eco-friendly, natural, organic and/or plant-based fibers, etc.), which may help protect wildlife.

And as further recognized herein, the outer shell materials should preferably have a wildlife-safe, loose-weave design with movable, non-welded joints between the horizontal and vertical twines, thereby allowing the twines to move independently and thus reducing the potential for wildlife entanglement or entrapment. Accordingly, disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices (e.g., wattles, etc.) that include an infill encapsulated within an interior defined by a netting, weave, knit, nonwoven textile, or other outer shell that has movable, non-welded joints between horizontal and vertical twines that allow the twines to move independently thereby allowing for a reduced potential for wildlife entanglement in the twines.

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices and methods of making and using the same. In exemplary embodiments, a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device (e.g., wattle, sediment retention device, silt fence and wattle combination, scour pad and wattle combination, other sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices, etc.) comprises a material (e.g., a compressible, hygroexpandable, chemically activatable, and/or natural material, etc.) that is reconfigurable between at least a first or smaller configuration (e.g., compressed, reduced volume, reduced weight, etc.) and a second or substantially larger configuration (e.g., expanded, activated, increased volume, increased weight, etc.). The sediment/erosion/perimeter control device may be packaged, shipped, stored, deployed in the field, etc. when the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is in the first or smaller configuration. The sediment/erosion/perimeter control device may be reconfigured (e.g., chemically activated, hygroexpanded when exposed to water, etc.) from the first or smaller configuration to the second or substantially larger configuration after being deployed in the field, e.g., to help control water direction, remove sediment from water, aide in controlling or preventing erosion, etc.

Exemplary embodiments include sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices that are compressible, expandable (e.g., hygroexpandable, etc.) and/or chemically activatable such that the sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices are reconfigurable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration substantially larger than the first configuration. In exemplary embodiments, a sediment retention device (e.g., wattle, etc.) comprises a material (e.g., a natural infill, synthetic infill, non-natural infill, combination thereof, etc.) that is compressible and expandable, e.g., upon absorption of water (e.g., hygroexpandable, etc.) and/or after being chemically activated, etc. For example, the sediment retention device may be configured to be initially compressed (e.g., when being packaged, stored, shipped, deployed in the field, etc.) and expanded after being chemically activated and/or after the material absorbs water (broadly, liquid), e.g., while the sediment retention device is being used in the field to help control water direction, remove sediment from water, aide in controlling or preventing erosion, etc.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device (e.g., wattle, etc.) can be 100% biodegradable and include a compressed cellulose-based sponge material (or other natural material) that has the capability of filtering water and capability to expand when wet, e.g., expansion of up to multiple times (e.g., 100×, more or less than 100×, etc.) its initial volume and/or weight depending upon the geometry and quantity of sponge infill present, etc. The material may be used as an infill to exclusively to fill a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device. Or the material may be used as a portion of or less than all of the infill that is used to fill a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device. As yet another example, the material may be used as a standalone sediment/erosion/perimeter control device such that the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device does not include an outer shell that encapsulates the material.

In exemplary embodiments, a compressed sponge infill material (or other infill(s)) may be pre-treated with chemical additives to aide in the chemical treatment of the water and removal of pollutants. Additionally, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices may also include wildlife sensitive and/or biodegradable materials for the exterior or outer shell, which may provide the best environmentally friendly option to the industry when selecting BMP (best management practice) wattles and other sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices.

In exemplary embodiments, an infill (e.g., cellulose sponge, etc.) may be compressed prior to its activation such that the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is in a compressed state for its first configuration. In the compressed state, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is significantly less bulky and lighter in weight when compared to conventional non-compressible sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices. In addition, conventional non-compressible sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices are relatively very costly to ship on a per unit basis, take up massive amounts of warehouse space, and also are heavy and difficult to maneuver on a construction site. And conventional non-compressible sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices do not always use infills that are biodegradable and may use nets, knits, and/or weaves for the external shell that are not wildlife friendly.

Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may provide or offer one or more (but not necessarily any or all) of the following advancements or advantages when considering the infill material and/or the external shell. For example, the compressibility of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices in some exemplary embodiments may allow for reduced shipping costs by shipping the sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices in the compressed state (broadly, first configuration). Likewise, the compressibility of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices in some exemplary embodiments may allow for reduced storage space needed to inventory the sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices by storing the sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices in the compressed state. And onsite material handling may be easier, faster, and safer because the sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices in some exemplary embodiments are significantly lighter prior to becoming wet as compared to conventional sediment/erosion/perimeter control devices. In some exemplary embodiments, the entire sediment/erosion/perimeter control device (e.g., infill, exterior or outer shell, etc.) may be made of 100% biodegradable materials such that the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device (e.g., wattle, etc.) may be disposed of onsite. And if the exterior or outer shell of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is also wildlife-friendly as disclosed herein, then the entire sediment/erosion/perimeter control device may be left on site to decompose.

In exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, compressed cellulose-based sponge is used as the infill for a wattle or other sediment/erosion/perimeter control device. As recognized herein, the characteristics of the compressed cellulose-based sponge provides the ability to improve upon material handling inefficiencies that exist with conventional currently-used BMPs across the construction industry while also offering the same or higher level of erosion and/or sediment control performance all the while being environmentally friendly throughout the entire life cycle of the product when compared to the traditional materials being used. Given the characteristics and advantages of the compressed cellulose-based sponge and other infills (e.g., natural, synthetic, and/or non-natural infill(s), etc.) as recognized herein, aspects of the present disclosure should not be limited to any one particular or single type of sediment/erosion/perimeter control device (e.g., wattles, etc.) as the use of compressed cellulose-based sponge and other materials disclosed herein may also be advantageously used with other sediment and erosion control devices (e.g., combination silt fence and wattle, etc.).

With reference to the figures, FIG. 4 illustrates a compressible, expandable infill 104 that may be used in a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device (e.g., wattle, etc.) according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The compressible, expandable infill 104 may be incorporated into a wattle or other sediment/erosion/perimeter control device at the time of manufacturing or thereafter (e.g., at a jobsite, etc.).

The infill 104 may comprise a natural infill, synthetic infill, non-natural infill, combination thereof that is expandable (e.g., hygroexpandable, activatable upon absorption of liquid, chemically activatable, etc.). The infill 104 can be provided in various shapes and sizes but the infill 104 is initially compressed and small in comparison to its expanded configuration, e.g., upon absorption of water (broadly, liquid), hygroexpanded, and/or after being chemically activated, etc. The initial compressibility and subsequent expandability of the infill 104 allows the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device (e.g., wattle, etc.) that includes the infill 104 to be less bulky and lighter before use, such as during manufacturing, packaging, shipping, storage, onsite handling, installation, etc.

FIGS. 5-10 illustrate a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device 200 (e.g., wattle, etc.) that includes a compressible, expandable infill according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The compressible, expandable infill may comprise a natural infill, synthetic infill, non-natural infill, combination thereof that is expandable (e.g., hygroexpandable, activatable upon absorption of liquid, chemically activatable, infill 104 (FIG. 4), etc.).

In FIGS. 5-7, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device 200 is shown in an initial compressed configuration before expansion of the infill, e.g., before absorption of water (broadly, liquid), hygroexpansion, chemical activation, or other activation, etc. In FIGS. 8-10, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device 200 is shown after expansion of the compressible, expandable infill, e.g., after absorption of water (broadly, liquid), hygroexpansion, chemical activation, or other activation, etc.

By way of example, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device 200 may comprise a compressible wattle (broadly, compressible sediment retention device) that includes a hygroexpandable infill (e.g., infill 104 (FIG. 4), etc.) that is activated upon absorption of water (broadly, liquid). The sediment/erosion/perimeter control device 200 may include an outer shell 208 formed from a water permeable material that encases and contains the infill before and after expansion of the infill.

As shown by a comparison of FIGS. 1-3 with FIGS. 5-7, the initial compressibility and subsequent expandability of the infill allows the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device 200 (FIG. 5-7) to be less bulky and lighter before use (e.g., during manufacturing, packaging, shipping, storage, onsite handling, installation, etc.) as compared to the conventional wattle 1 (FIGS. 1-3).

As shown by a comparison of FIGS. 5-7 with FIGS. 8-10, the initial compressibility and subsequent expandability of the infill allows the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device 200 (FIG. 5-7) to have a bulky profile after the infill has been activated, e.g., upon absorption of water (broadly, liquid), hygroexpansion, chemical activation, or other activation, etc. Additionally, the compressible, expandable infill also provides the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device 200 (FIG. 5-10) with at least some rebound after the infill has been hygroexpanded and/or activated when wet such as if the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device 200 is driven over by a vehicle or otherwise compressed under pressure.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a non-integrated multicomponent system 309 in which a wattle 301 (e.g., wattle 1 (FIGS. 1-3) and a silt fence 313 are separate components such that the wattle 301 must be attached or staked to the silt fence 313 via stakes 321 at the toe of the silt fence 313. Accordingly, the wattle 301 is not integrated into the silt fence 313, such that the silt fence 313 and the wattle 301 are not an integrated, singular, or unitary product.

As shown in FIG. 13, the conventional wattle 301 of the system 309 has a relatively large bulky profile from the time of manufacturing to the point in time of use and afterwards. Additionally, the conventional wattle's infill has little rebound after the wattle 301 has been compressed or under pressure, e.g., after the wattle 301 is driven over by a vehicle, etc.

FIGS. 14-17 illustrate a system 420 that includes a wattle 400 (broadly, sediment/erosion/perimeter control device) integrated into or with a silt fence 424 (e.g., a built-in silt fence, etc.) according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In this exemplary integrated silt fence/wattle system 420, the silt fence 424 and the wattle 400 (e.g., wattle 200 (FIGS. 5-10), etc.) are an integrated, singular, or unitary product.

The silt fence 424 may integrally define the exterior 408 of the wattle 400. For example, the silt fence 424 may be integrally woven with the exterior 408 of the wattle 400. The silt fence 424 may comprise a single piece of fabric 428 (or other silt fence material) that integrally forms the wattle's outer shell 408 to encase and contain the wattle's infill. The formation of the outer shell 408 of the wattle 400 can take place before the infill is presented to the wattle 400 or can be completed in the same step as the infill is being presented to the wattle 400. The silt fence 424 and wattle outer shell 408 may be integrally formed from a single piece of material comprising a netting, weave, knit, nonwoven textile, woven geotextile, jute fibers, sisal fibers, coir fibers, lyocell cellulose based fibers, and/or modal cellulose based fibers.

Further, the combination silt fence 424 and wattle 400 may be formed from one or more pieces of fabric and can be joined together. This joining of the fabrics can be completed using a sewn stitch, fabric welding, or other joining methods. For example, the combination wattle 400 and silt fence 424 may be formed using a fabric manufactured for the use of the silt fence 424, which is then modified with a second piece of fabric for the wattle 400 by joining the two fabrics together. This joining can be completed using a sewn stitch, fabric welding, or other joining methods. Further, the joining of these fabrics can take place in a step before the infill is presented to the wattle 400. Or the joining of the fabrics can also be accomplished at the time of placing the infill in the wattle 400.

The arrows 432 in FIG. 14 generally represent a direction of waterflow relative to the integrated silt fence/wattle system 420. Also shown in FIG. 14 are exemplary support posts or stakes 436 that may be used to support the silt fence 424 of the integrated silt fence/wattle system 420. The silt fence 424 may thus be supported with the posts or stakes 436 (e.g., wood, metal, or synthetic posts or stakes, etc.) that are spaced apart from each other at various intervals along the silt fence 424. The posts/stakes 436 are configured to maintain the silt fence 424 upright and support the silt fence 424 during the stress of moving soil/water. The silt fence 424 is configured in a manner that will allow water to pass through while holding back the soil and sediment disturbed by the rain hence keeping the soil in place to limit runoff and erosion.

Also shown in FIG. 14 are exemplary support posts or stakes 440 that may be used to support the wattle 400 of the integrated silt fence/wattle system 420. The wattle 400 may thus be supported with the posts or stakes 440 (e.g., wood, metal, or synthetic posts or stakes, etc.) that are spaced apart from each other at various intervals along the wattle 400. The posts/stakes 440 are configured to support and retain the position of the wattle 400 during the stress of moving soil/water. The wattle 400 is configured in a manner that will allow water to pass through while holding back the soil and sediment disturbed by the rain hence keeping the soil in place to limit runoff and erosion.

In FIG. 16, the wattle 400 of the integrated silt fence/wattle system 420 is shown in an initial first or smaller configuration (e.g., compressed, unfilled, etc.) before infill has been inserted into the interior defined by the wattle's outer case 408 and/or before expansion of a compressible, expandable infill (e.g., infill 104 (FIG. 4), etc.) that is within the interior defined by the wattle's outer case 408.

In FIG. 17, the wattle 400 of the integrated silt fence/wattle system 420 is shown in a second configuration after infill insertion into the interior defined by the wattle's outer case 508 and/or after expansion of a compressible, expandable infill that is within the interior defined by the wattle's outer case 508, e.g., after absorption of water (broadly, liquid), hygroexpansion, chemical activation, other activation, etc.

As shown by a comparison of FIG. 16 with FIG. 17, the first/initial configuration (FIG. 16) of the wattle 400 is less bulky and lighter before use (e.g., during manufacturing, shipping, storage, onsite handling, installation, etc.) as compared to the second configuration (FIG. 17) of the wattle 400. Additionally, the infill insertion into the wattle 400 and/or activation/expansion of the infill of the wattle 400 (to thereby configure the wattle 400 into the second configuration) may provide the wattle 400 with at least some rebound after the wattle 400 has been compressed or under pressure, e.g., after the wattle 400 is driven over by a vehicle, etc.

In exemplary embodiments, the wattle 400 of the integrated silt fence/wattle system 420 is compressible and expandable, e.g., hygroexpandable, activatable upon absorption of liquid, chemically activatable, etc. In alternative embodiments, the wattle 400 of the integrated silt fence/wattle system 420 includes an infill that is not hygroexpandable, activatable upon absorption of liquid, or chemically activatable. For example, the infill of the wattle 400 may comprise straw, foam, natural infill, synthetic infill, non-natural infill, combination thereof, etc. Accordingly, the wattle 400 of the integrated silt fence/wattle system 420 should not be limited to any specific infill.

FIGS. 18-21 illustrate a system 520 that includes a wattle 500 (broadly, sediment/erosion/perimeter control device) integrated into or with a scour pad 524 (e.g., a built-in scour pad, etc.) according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In this exemplary integrated scour pad/wattle system 520, the scour pad 524 and the wattle 500 (e.g., wattle 200 (FIGS. 5-10), etc.) are an integrated, singular, or unitary product.

The scour pad 524 may integrally define the exterior 508 of the wattle 500. For example, the scour pad 524 may be integrally woven with the exterior 508 of the wattle 500. The scour pad 524 may comprise a single piece of fabric 528 (or other scour pad material) that integrally forms the wattle's outer shell 508 to encase and contain the wattle's infill. The formation of the outer shell 508 of the wattle 500 can take place before the infill is presented to the wattle 500 or can be completed in the same step as the infill is being presented to the wattle 500. The scour pad 524 and wattle outer shell 508 may be integrally formed from a single piece of material comprising a netting, weave, knit, nonwoven textile, woven geotextile, jute fibers, sisal fibers, coir fibers, lyocell cellulose based fibers, and/or modal cellulose based fibers.

Further, the combination wattle 500 and scour pad 524 may be formed from one or more pieces of fabric and can be joined together. This joining of the fabrics can be completed using a sewn stitch, fabric welding, or other joining methods. For example, the combination wattle 500 and scour pad 524 may be formed using a fabric manufactured for the use of the scour pad 524, which is then modified with a second piece of fabric for the wattle 500 by joining the two fabrics together. This joining can be completed using a sewn stitch, fabric welding, or other joining methods. Further, the joining of these fabrics can take place in a step before the infill is presented to the wattle 500. Or the joining of the fabrics can also be accomplished at the time of placing the infill in the wattle 500.

The arrows 532 in FIG. 18 generally represent a direction of waterflow relative to the integrated scour pad/wattle system 520. Also shown in FIG. 18 are exemplary support posts or stakes 540 that may be used to support the wattle 500 of the integrated scour pad/wattle system 520. The wattle 500 may thus be supported with the posts or stakes 540 (e.g., wood, metal, or synthetic posts or stakes, etc.) that are spaced apart from each other at various intervals along the wattle 500. The posts/stakes 540 are configured to support and retain the position of the wattle 500 during the stress of moving soil/water. The wattle 500 is configured in a manner that will allow water to pass through while holding back the soil and sediment disturbed by the rain hence keeping the soil in place to limit runoff and erosion.

In FIG. 20, the wattle 500 of the integrated scour pad/wattle system 520 is shown in an initial first configuration (e.g., compressed, unfilled, etc.) before infill has been inserted into the interior defined by wattle's outer case 508 and/or before expansion of a compressible, expandable infill (e.g., infill 104 (FIG. 4), etc.) that is within the interior defined by the wattle's outer case 508.

In FIG. 21, the wattle 500 of the integrated scour pad/wattle system 520 is shown in a second configuration after infill insertion into the interior defined by wattle's outer case 508 and/or after activation/expansion of a compressible, expandable infill within the interior defined by wattle's outer case 508, e.g., after absorption of water (broadly, liquid), hygroexpansion, chemical activation, or other activation, etc.

As shown by a comparison of FIG. 20 with FIG. 21, the first/initial configuration (FIG. 20) of the wattle 500 is less bulky and lighter before use (e.g., during manufacturing, shipping, storage, onsite handling, installation, etc.) as compared to the second configuration (FIG. 21) of the wattle 500. Additionally, the infill insertion into the interior defined by the wattle's outer case 508 and/or the activation/expansion of the infill within the interior defined by the wattle's outer case 508 (that configures the wattle 500 into the second configuration) may also provide the wattle 500 with at least some rebound after the wattle 500 has been compressed or under pressure, e.g., after the wattle 500 is driven over by a vehicle, etc.

In exemplary embodiments, the wattle 500 of the integrated scour pad/wattle system 520 is compressible and expandable, e.g., hygroexpandable, activatable upon absorption of liquid, chemically activatable, etc. In alternative embodiments, the wattle 500 of the integrated silt fence/wattle system 520 includes an infill that is not hygroexpandable, activatable upon absorption of liquid, or chemically activatable. For example, the infill of the wattle 500 may comprise straw, foam, natural infill, synthetic infill, non-natural infill, combination thereof, etc. Accordingly, the wattle 500 of the integrated silt fence/wattle system 520 should not be limited to any specific infill.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a system 620 that includes a wattle 600 (broadly, sediment/erosion/perimeter control device) integrated into or with a convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 (e.g., a built-in convertible silt fence/scour pad, etc.) according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In this exemplary integrated system 520, the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 (broadly, flap) and the wattle 600 (e.g., wattle 200 (FIGS. 5-10), etc.) are an integrated, singular, or unitary product.

The convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 may integrally define the exterior 608 of the wattle 600. For example, the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 may be integrally woven with the exterior 608 of the wattle 600. The convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 may comprise a single piece of fabric 628 (or other silt fence material) that integrally forms the wattle's outer shell 608 to encase and contain the wattle's infill. The formation of the outer shell 608 of the wattle 600 can take place before the infill is presented to the wattle 600 or can be completed in the same step as the infill is being presented to the wattle 600. The convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 and wattle outer shell 608 may be integrally formed from a single piece of material comprising a netting, weave, knit, nonwoven textile, woven geotextile, jute fibers, sisal fibers, coir fibers, lyocell cellulose based fibers, and/or modal cellulose based fibers.

Further, the combination convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 and wattle 600 may be formed from one or more pieces of fabric and can be joined together. This joining of the fabrics can be completed using a sewn stitch, fabric welding, or other joining methods. For example, the combination wattle 600 and convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 may be formed using a fabric manufactured for the use of the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624, which is then modified with a second piece of fabric for the wattle 600 by joining the two fabrics together. This joining can be completed using a sewn stitch, fabric welding, or other joining methods. Further, the joining of these fabrics can take place in a step before the infill is presented to the wattle 600. Or the joining of the fabrics can also be accomplished at the time of placing the infill in the wattle 600.

The arrows 632 in FIG. 22 generally represent a direction of waterflow relative to the system 620.

As shown in FIG. 22, the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 is reconfigurable and deployable in a first orientation in which the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 is generally vertical and/or generally perpendicular relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle 600. In the first vertical orientation, the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 is operable primarily as a silt fence. Stated differently, deploying the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 in the first orientation shown in FIG. 22 enables the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 to be operable with a primary silt fence function.

As shown in FIG. 23, the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 is also reconfigurable and deployable in a second orientation in which the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 is generally horizontal and/or generally parallel relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, 600. In the second horizontal orientation, the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 is operable primarily as a scour pad. Stated differently, deploying the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 in the second horizontal orientation shown in FIG. 23 enables the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 to be operable with a primary scour pad function.

Also shown in FIG. 22 are exemplary support posts or stakes 636 that may be used to support the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 in the first vertical orientation. The convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 may thus be supported with the posts or stakes 636 (e.g., wood, metal, or synthetic posts or stakes, etc.) that are spaced apart from each other at various intervals along the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624. The posts/stakes 636 are configured to maintain the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 upright and support the convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 during the stress of moving soil/water. The convertible silt fence/scour pad 624 is configured in a manner that will allow water to pass through while holding back the soil and sediment disturbed by the rain hence keeping the soil in place to limit runoff and erosion.

Also shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 are exemplary support posts or stakes 640 that may be used to support the wattle 600 of the system 620. The wattle 600 may thus be supported with the posts or stakes 640 (e.g., wood, metal, or synthetic posts or stakes, etc.) that are spaced apart from each other at various intervals along the wattle 600. The posts/stakes 640 are configured to support and retain the position of the wattle 600 during the stress of moving soil/water. The wattle 600 is configured in a manner that will allow water to pass through while holding back the soil and sediment disturbed by the rain hence keeping the soil in place to limit runoff and erosion.

In exemplary embodiments, the wattle 600 includes a compressible, expandable (e.g., hygroexpandable, activatable upon absorption of liquid, chemically activatable, etc.) infill (e.g., infill 104 (FIG. 4), natural infill, synthetic infill, non-natural infill, combination thereof, etc.). In such exemplary embodiments, the infill can be provided in various shapes and sizes. And the infill may be initially compressed and small in comparison to its expanded configuration, e.g., upon absorption of water (broadly, liquid), hygroexpanded, and/or after being chemically activated, etc. The initial compressibility and subsequent expandability of the infill allows the wattle 600 (broadly, sediment/erosion/perimeter control device) to be less bulky and lighter before use, such as during manufacturing, packaging, shipping, storage, onsite handling, installation, etc.

In alternative embodiments, the wattle 600 includes an infill that is not hygroexpandable, activatable upon absorption of liquid, or chemically activatable. For example, the infill of the wattle 600 may comprise straw, foam, natural infill, synthetic infill, non-natural infill, combination thereof, etc. Accordingly, the wattle 600 of the system 620 should not be limited to any specific infill.

In exemplary embodiments, a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device comprises a material configured such that the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is reconfigurable between: a first configuration in which the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device has a first size, shape, volume, and/or weight; and a second configuration in which the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device has a second size, shape, volume, and/or weight substantially larger than the first size, shape, volume, and/or weight of the first configuration of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device.

In exemplary embodiments, a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device comprises a material configured such that the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is reconfigurable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration that is substantially larger than the first configuration of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is expandable from the first configuration to the second configuration upon exposure to water.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is compressible into the first configuration and expandable into the second configuration upon exposure to water.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is hygroexpandable from the first configuration to the second configuration.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is chemically activatable from the first configuration to the second configuration.

In exemplary embodiments, the material comprises an infill configured to be hygroexpandable.

In exemplary embodiments, the material comprises an infill configured to be compressible and expandable upon absorption of water.

In exemplary embodiments, the material comprises an infill that is configured to be chemically activatable to thereby reconfigure the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device from the first configuration into the second configuration.

In exemplary embodiments, the material comprises a natural infill.

In exemplary embodiments, the material comprises an organic, plant-based, and/or environmentally friendly infill.

In exemplary embodiments, the material comprises a cellulose-based material.

In exemplary embodiments, the material comprises a sponge.

In exemplary embodiments, the material comprises a cellulose-based sponge material.

In exemplary embodiments, the material comprises a porous material having a plurality of pores that absorb water when exposed to water thereby causing expansion of the porous material and the reconfiguration of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device from the first configuration into the second configuration.

In exemplary embodiments, the material is biodegradable in its entirety.

In exemplary embodiments, the material is pre-treated with chemical flocculant and/or one or more chemical additives to aide in chemical treatment of water and removal of pollutants.

In exemplary embodiments, the material is configured with the capability of filtering water and the ability to expand from an initial volume and/or initial weight of the material.

In exemplary embodiments the material is a natural infill. And the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device consists of the natural infill as the only type of infill; or the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device further comprises one or more additional infills different than the natural infill including one or more different natural infills and/or one or more non-natural and/or synthetic infills.

In exemplary embodiments, the material comprises a non-natural and/or synthetic infill.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device comprises a sediment retention device comprising the material. The material is a natural infill configured such that the sediment retention device is compressible and expandable upon exposure to water when the natural infill expands upon absorption of water.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is configured to be: compressible into the first configuration via compression of the material; and expandable from the compressed first configuration to the expanded second configuration via expansion of the material when the material absorbs water.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device comprises a water permeable exterior. And the material is encapsulated within an interior defined by the water permeable exterior of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device. The sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is compressible into the compressed first configuration via compression of the material encapsulated within the interior defined by the water permeable exterior of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device. The sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is expandable from the compressed first configuration to the expanded second configuration via expansion of the material when the material absorbs water passing through the water permeable exterior of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device. The water permeable exterior and the material encapsulated within the interior defined by the water permeable exterior may be biodegradable in their entirety. The sediment/erosion/perimeter control device may comprise a netting, weave, knit, nonwoven textile, or other outer shell that defines the water permeable exterior of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device. The netting, weave, knit, nonwoven textile, or other outer shell that defines the water permeable exterior of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device may be biodegradable. The netting, weave, knit, nonwoven textile, or other outer shell that defines the water permeable exterior of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device may comprise jute fibers, sisal fibers, coir fibers, lyocell cellulose based fibers, and/or modal cellulose based fibers. The netting, weave, knit, nonwoven textile, or other outer shell that defines the water permeable exterior of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device may comprise movable, non-welded joints between horizontal and vertical twines that allow the twines to move independently thereby allowing for a reduced potential for wildlife entanglement in the twines.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is configured to be biodegradable in its entirety.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is a sediment retention device.

In exemplary embodiments, the material is provided within an interior defined by an exterior of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device when the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is manufactured or when the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is being deployed in the field.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is a wattle.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is a wattle that consists entirely of only the material that enables to the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device to be reconfigurable between the first and second configurations. And that material is configured to eliminate the need for an outer shell, such that the wattle does not include or need an outer shell. In which case, the wattle in its entirety is reconfigurable between the first configuration and the second configuration.

In exemplary embodiments, the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device comprises a wattle that includes a water permeable exterior. The material comprises an infill encapsulated within an interior defined by the water permeable exterior of the wattle. The wattle is compressible into the compressed first configuration via compression of the infill. The wattle is expandable from the compressed first configuration to the expanded second configuration via expansion of the infill when the infill absorbs water passing through the water permeable exterior of the wattle. The water permeable exterior of the wattle may comprise jute fibers, sisal fibers, coir fibers, lyocell cellulose based fibers, and/or modal cellulose based fibers. The water permeable exterior of the wattle may comprise movable, non-welded joints between horizontal and vertical twines that allow the twines to move independently thereby allowing for a reduction in the potential for wildlife entanglement in the twines. The infill of the wattle may comprise a cellulose-based sponge infill.

In exemplary embodiments, a perimeter control system comprises a silt fence and a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device along a portion of the silt fence. The sediment/erosion/perimeter control device may be positioned in front of the silt fence along a lower edge of the silt fence. The sediment/erosion/perimeter control device may be integrated into or with the silt fence such that the silt fence and the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device an integrated, singular, or unitary product. The integration of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device into the silt fence may eliminate the need to manually add the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device to the silt fence, and/or may enable the silt fence and the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device to be: packaged into a single unit (e.g., rolled up into a single roll, etc.); shipped as a single unit (e.g., single roll, etc.); and/or deployed in the field as a single unit without having to trench the lower portion of the silt fence. The sediment/erosion/perimeter control device may be a wattle that is positioned in front of the silt fence along the lower edge of the silt fence. The silt fence may comprise a woven geotextile fabric. By way of example, the silt fence may comprise a silt fence as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication US2023/0304249, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

In exemplary embodiments, a wattle is integrated with or into a silt fence such that the silt fence and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product. The integration of the wattle into the silt fence eliminates the need to manually add the wattle to the silt fence, enables the silt fence and the wattle to be: packaged into a single unit (e.g., rolled up into a single roll, etc.); shipped as a single unit (e.g., single roll, etc.); and/or deployed in the field as a single unit without having to trench a lower portion of the silt fence.

In exemplary embodiments, a wattle is integrated with or into a scour pad such that the scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product.

In exemplary embodiments, a wattle is integrated with or into a convertible silt fence/scour pad such that the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product. The convertible silt fence/scour pad is deployable in at least a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation, the convertible silt fence/scour pad is generally vertical and/or generally perpendicular relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, whereby the convertible silt fence/scour pad is operable primarily as a silt fence. In the second orientation, the convertible silt fence/scour pad is generally horizontal and/or generally parallel relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, whereby the convertible silt fence/scour pad is operable primarily as a scour pad.

In exemplary embodiments, a method of using a perimeter control system includes packaging (e.g., rolling, etc.) the silt fence and the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device into a single unit (e.g., single roll, etc.); and/or shipping the silt fence and the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device as a single unit (e.g., single roll, etc.); and/or unpackaging (e.g., unrolling, etc.) the silt fence and the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device from a single unit (e.g., single roll, etc.) while deploying the silt fence and the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device in the field as a single unit; and/or deploying the silt fence and the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device in the field as a single unit when the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is in the first configuration and without having to trench the lower portion of the silt fence.

In exemplary embodiments, a method of using a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device method includes: compressing the material of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device to thereby compress the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device into the first configuration via the compression of the material; and/or reconfiguring the sediment/erosion/perimeter control from the first configuration to the second configuration.

In exemplary embodiments, the method includes packaging the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device whereby the packaging itself compresses the material of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device.

In exemplary embodiments, the method includes reconfiguring the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the material of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device when the material absorbs water.

In exemplary embodiments, the method includes reconfiguring the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device from the first configuration to the second configuration via chemical activation of the material of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device.

In exemplary embodiments, the method includes: storing the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device while in the first configuration; and/or shipping the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device while in the first configuration; and/or deploying the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device while in the first configuration.

In exemplary embodiments, a method includes incorporating material (e.g., a compressible, hygroexpandable, chemically activatable, and/or natural material, etc.) into a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device (e.g., wattle, etc.) during manufacturing of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device or after manufacturing of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device while deploying the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device in the field.

In exemplary embodiments, a method of using a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device includes: compressing the material of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device to thereby compress the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device into the first configuration via the compression of the material; deploying the compressed sediment/erosion/perimeter control device while in the first configuration compressed at a location in which the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device will be exposed to water; and reconfiguring the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the material of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device when the material absorbs water and/or via chemical activation of the material of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device.

In exemplary embodiments, a method of manufacturing a sediment/erosion/perimeter control device includes selecting and using a material for the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device such that the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device is reconfigurable from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the selected material of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device when the selected material absorbs water and/or via chemical activation of the selected material of the sediment/erosion/perimeter control device.

In exemplary embodiments, a system comprises a convertible silt fence/scour pad and a wattle integrated with the convertible silt fence/scour pad such that the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product. The convertible silt fence/scour pad is deployable in at least a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation, the convertible silt fence/scour pad is generally vertical and/or generally perpendicular relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, whereby the convertible silt fence/scour pad is operable primarily as a silt fence. In the second orientation, the convertible silt fence/scour pad is generally horizontal and/or generally parallel relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, whereby the convertible silt fence/scour pad is operable primarily as a scour pad.

In exemplary embodiments, the wattle is reconfigurable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration that is substantially larger than the first configuration of the wattle. The wattle may comprise a material configured such that the wattle is reconfigurable between the first configuration and the second configuration. In the first configuration, the wattle has a first size, shape, volume, and/or weight. In the second configuration, the wattle has a second size, shape, volume, and/or weight substantially larger than the corresponding first size, shape, volume, and/or weight that the wattle has in the first configuration. The wattle may comprises an exterior defining an interior. The material may comprise an infill encapsulated within the interior defined by the exterior of the wattle. The wattle may be compressible into the first configuration via compression of the infill; and expandable from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the infill. The convertible silt fence/scour pad may integrally define the exterior of the wattle. For example, the convertible silt fence/scour pad may be integrally woven with the exterior of the wattle. The infill may be chemically activatable such that chemical activation of the infill reconfigures the wattle from the first configuration to the second configuration.

In exemplary embodiments, the wattle comprises a water permeable exterior. The material comprises an infill encapsulated within an interior defined by the water permeable exterior of the wattle. And the wattle is compressible into the first configuration via compression of the infill. The wattle is expandable from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the infill when the infill absorbs water passing through the water permeable exterior of the wattle. The convertible silt fence/scour pad may integrally define the water permeable exterior of the wattle.

In exemplary embodiments, the material of the wattle comprises one or more of: a cellulose-based sponge infill, a hygroexpandable infill, an infill configured to be compressible and expandable upon absorption of water, an infill configured to be chemically activatable to thereby reconfigure the wattle from the first configuration into the second configuration, a natural infill, a non-natural infill, a synthetic infill, an organic, plant-based, and/or environmentally friendly infill, a cellulose-based material, and/or a sponge.

In exemplary embodiments, the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle are biodegradable in their entirety.

In exemplary embodiments, the convertible silt fence/scour pad is integrally woven with an exterior of the wattle.

In exemplary embodiments, the integration of the wattle with the convertible silt fence/scour pad eliminates the need to manually add the wattle to the convertible silt fence/scour pad.

In exemplary embodiments, the integration of the wattle with the convertible silt fence/scour pad enables the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle to be packaged into a single unit (e.g., rolled up into a single roll, etc.), shipped as a single unit (e.g., single roll, etc.), and/or deployed in the field as a single unit without having to trench a lower portion of the convertible silt fence/scour pad.

In exemplary embodiments, infill is provided within the interior defined by the exterior of the wattle when the wattle is manufactured or when the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle are being deployed in the field.

In exemplary embodiments, the convertible silt fence/scour pad and an exterior of the wattle are integrally formed from a same single piece of fabric. Or the convertible silt fence/scour pad is formed from a first fabric, and an exterior of the wattle is formed from a second fabric that is joined to the first fabric such that the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product.

Also disclosed are exemplary methods of using a system that includes a convertible silt fence/scour pad and a wattle. The wattle is integrated with the convertible silt fence/scour pad such that the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product. And the method comprises deploying the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle in the field as a single unit selectively in either: a first orientation in which the convertible silt fence/scour pad is generally vertical and/or generally perpendicular relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, whereby the convertible silt fence/scour pad is operable primarily as a silt fence, or a second orientation in which the convertible silt fence/scour pad is generally horizontal and/or generally parallel relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, whereby the convertible silt fence/scour pad is operable primarily as a scour pad.

In exemplary methods, the wattle comprises a material configured such that the wattle is reconfigurable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration that is substantially larger than the first configuration of the wattle. And the method includes: compressing the material of the wattle to thereby compress the wattle into the first configuration via the compression of the material, and reconfiguring the wattle from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the material of the wattle when the material absorbs water or via chemical activation of the material of the wattle.

In exemplary methods, the method includes packaging (e.g., rolling, etc.) the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle into a single unit (e.g., single roll, etc.), and/or shipping the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle as a single unit (e.g., single roll, etc.), and/or unpackaging (e.g., unrolling, etc.) the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle from a single unit (e.g., single roll, etc.) while deploying the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle in the field as a single unit, and/or deploying the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle in the field as a single unit without having to trench a lower portion of the convertible silt fence/scour pad.

In exemplary methods, the wattle comprises a material configured such that the wattle is reconfigurable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration that is substantially larger than the first configuration of the wattle. And the method includes incorporating the material into the wattle during manufacturing of the wattle or after manufacturing of the wattle while deploying the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle in the field.

In exemplary embodiments, a system comprise a silt fence and wattle integrated with the silt fence such that the silt fence and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product. The integration of the wattle with the silt fence may advantageously eliminate the need to manually add the wattle to the silt fence. The integration of the wattle with the silt fence may enable the silt fence and the wattle to be: packaged into a single unit (e.g., rolled up into single roll, etc.), shipped as a single unit (e.g., single roll, etc.), and/or deployed in the field as a single unit without having to trench a lower portion of the silt fence.

In exemplary embodiments, the wattle comprises a material configured such that the wattle is reconfigurable between at least a first configuration in which the wattle has a first size, shape, volume, and/or weight, and a second configuration in which the wattle has a second size, shape, volume, and/or weight substantially larger than the corresponding first size, shape, volume, and/or weight that the wattle has in the first configuration. The material of the wattle may an infill encapsulated within an interior defined by the exterior of the wattle. And the wattle may be compressible into the first configuration via compression of the infill; and expandable from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the infill. The silt fence may integrally defines the exterior of the wattle.

In exemplary embodiments, the silt fence and the wattle are biodegradable in their entirety.

In exemplary embodiments, the silt fence is integrally woven with an exterior of the wattle.

In exemplary embodiment, infill is provided within the interior defined by the exterior of the wattle when the wattle is manufactured or when the silt fence and the wattle are being deployed in the field.

In exemplary embodiments, the silt fence and an exterior of the wattle are integrally formed from a same single piece of fabric. Or the silt fence is formed from a first fabric, and an exterior of the wattle is formed from a second fabric that is joined to the first fabric such that the silt fence and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product.

In exemplary embodiments, a system comprises a scour pad and a wattle integrated with the scour pad such that the scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product. The integration of the wattle with the scour pad may advantageously eliminate the need to manually add the wattle to the scour pad. The integration of the wattle with the scour pad may enable the scour pad and the wattle to be: packaged into a single unit (e.g., rolled up into a single roll, etc.), shipped as a single unit (e.g., single roll, etc.), and/or deployed in the field as a single unit.

In exemplary embodiments, the wattle comprises a material configured such that the wattle is reconfigurable between at least: a first configuration in which the wattle has a first size, shape, volume, and/or weight, and a second configuration in which the wattle has a second size, shape, volume, and/or weight substantially larger than the corresponding first size, shape, volume, and/or weight that the wattle has in the first configuration. The material of the wattle may comprise an infill encapsulated within an interior defined by the exterior of the wattle. And the wattle may be compressible into the first configuration via compression of the infill, and expandable from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the infill. The scour pad may integrally define the exterior of the wattle.

In exemplary embodiments, the scour pad and the wattle are biodegradable in their entirety.

In exemplary embodiments, the scour pad is integrally woven with an exterior of the wattle.

In exemplary embodiment, infill is provided within the interior defined by the exterior of the wattle when the wattle is manufactured or when the silt fence and the wattle are being deployed in the field.

In exemplary embodiments, the scour pad and an exterior of the wattle are integrally formed from a same single piece of fabric. Or the scour pad is formed from a first fabric, and an exterior of the wattle is formed from a second fabric that is joined to the first fabric such that the scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. In addition, advantages and improvements that may be achieved with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for purpose of illustration only and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure, as exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may provide all or none of the above mentioned advantages and improvements and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapes disclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values and particular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more of the examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any two particular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define the endpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the given parameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value for a given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any value between the first and second values could also be employed for the given parameter). For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping, or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, and 3-9.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, when permissive phrases, such as “may comprise”, “may include”, and the like, are used herein, at least one embodiment comprises or includes the feature(s). As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The term “about” when applied to values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters. For example, the terms “generally”, “about”, and “substantially” may be used herein to mean within manufacturing tolerances.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, intended or stated uses, or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a convertible silt fence/scour pad; anda wattle integrated with the convertible silt fence/scour pad such that the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product;wherein the convertible silt fence/scour pad is deployable in at least: a first orientation in which the convertible silt fence/scour pad is generally vertical and/or generally perpendicular relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, whereby the convertible silt fence/scour pad is operable primarily as a silt fence; anda second orientation in which the convertible silt fence/scour pad is generally horizontal and/or generally parallel relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, whereby the convertible silt fence/scour pad is operable primarily as a scour pad.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wattle is reconfigurable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration that is substantially larger than the first configuration of the wattle.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the wattle comprises a material configured such that the wattle is reconfigurable between at least: the first configuration in which the wattle has a first size, shape, volume, and/or weight; andthe second configuration in which the wattle has a second size, shape, volume, and/or weight substantially larger than the corresponding first size, shape, volume, and/or weight that the wattle has in the first configuration.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein: the wattle comprises an exterior;the material comprises an infill encapsulated within an interior defined by the exterior of the wattle; andthe wattle is: compressible into the first configuration via compression of the infill; andexpandable from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the infill.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the convertible silt fence/scour pad integrally defines the exterior of the wattle.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the convertible silt fence/scour pad is integrally woven with the exterior of the wattle.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the infill is chemically activatable such that chemical activation of the infill reconfigures the wattle from the first configuration to the second configuration.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the infill is provided within the interior defined by the exterior of the wattle: when the wattle is manufactured; orwhen the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle are being deployed in the field.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein: the wattle comprises a water permeable exterior;the material comprises an infill encapsulated within an interior defined by the water permeable exterior of the wattle; andthe wattle is: compressible into the first configuration via compression of the infill; andexpandable from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the infill when the infill absorbs water passing through the water permeable exterior of the wattle.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the convertible silt fence/scour pad integrally defines the water permeable exterior of the wattle.

11. The system of claim 3, wherein the material of the wattle comprises one or more: a cellulose-based sponge infill;a hygroexpandable infill;an infill configured to be compressible and expandable upon absorption of water;an infill configured to be chemically activatable to thereby reconfigure the wattle from the first configuration into the second configuration;a natural infill;a non-natural infill;a synthetic infill;an organic, plant-based, and/or environmentally friendly infill;a cellulose-based material; and/or a sponge.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle are biodegradable in their entirety.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the convertible silt fence/scour pad is integrally woven with an exterior of the wattle.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein: the convertible silt fence/scour pad and an exterior of the wattle are integrally formed from a same single piece of fabric; orthe convertible silt fence/scour pad is formed from a first fabric, and an exterior of the wattle is formed from a second fabric that is joined to the first fabric such that the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the integration of the wattle with the convertible silt fence/scour pad enables the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle to be: packaged into a single unit;shipped as a single unit; and/ordeployed in the field as a single unit without having to trench a lower portion of the convertible silt fence/scour pad.

16. A method of using a system that includes a convertible silt fence/scour pad and a wattle integrated with the convertible silt fence/scour pad such that the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product, the method comprising deploying the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle in the field as a single unit selectively in either: a first orientation in which the convertible silt fence/scour pad is generally vertical and/or generally perpendicular relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, whereby the convertible silt fence/scour pad is operable primarily as a silt fence; ora second orientation in which the convertible silt fence/scour pad is generally horizontal and/or generally parallel relative to the ground or other surface supporting the wattle, whereby the convertible silt fence/scour pad is operable primarily as a scour pad.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein: the wattle comprises a material configured such that the wattle is reconfigurable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration that is substantially larger than the first configuration of the wattle; andthe method includes: compressing the material of the wattle to thereby compress the wattle into the first configuration via the compression of the material; andreconfiguring the wattle from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the material of the wattle when the material absorbs water or via chemical activation of the material of the wattle.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes: packaging the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle into a single unit; and/orshipping the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle as a single unit; and/orunpackaging the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle from a single unit while deploying the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle in the field as the single unit; and/ordeploying the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle in the field as a single unit without having to trench a lower portion of the convertible silt fence/scour pad.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein: the wattle comprises a material configured such that the wattle is reconfigurable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration that is substantially larger than the first configuration of the wattle; andthe method includes incorporating the material into the wattle: during manufacturing of the wattle; orafter manufacturing of the wattle while deploying the convertible silt fence/scour pad and the wattle in the field.

20. A system comprising: a silt fence; anda wattle integrated with the silt fence such that the silt fence and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the integration of the wattle with the silt fence enables the silt fence and the wattle to be: packaged into a single unit;shipped as a single unit; and/ordeployed in the field as a single unit without having to trench a lower portion of the silt fence.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the wattle comprises a material configured such that the wattle is reconfigurable between at least: a first configuration in which the wattle has a first size, shape, volume, and/or weight; anda second configuration in which the wattle has a second size, shape, volume, and/or weight substantially larger than the corresponding first size, shape, volume, and/or weight that the wattle has in the first configuration.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein: the wattle comprises an exterior;the material comprises an infill encapsulated within an interior defined by the exterior of the wattle; andthe wattle is: compressible into the first configuration via compression of the infill; andexpandable from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the infill.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the silt fence integrally defines the exterior of the wattle.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the infill is provided within the interior defined by the exterior of the wattle: when the wattle is manufactured; orwhen the silt fence and the wattle are being deployed in the field.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the silt fence and the wattle are biodegradable in their entirety.

27. The system of claim 20, wherein the silt fence is integrally woven with an exterior of the wattle.

28. The system of claim 20, wherein: the silt fence and an exterior of the wattle are integrally formed from a same single piece of fabric; orthe silt fence is formed from a first fabric, and an exterior of the wattle is formed from a second fabric that is joined to the first fabric such that the silt fence and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product.

29. A system comprising: a scour pad; anda wattle integrated with the scour pad such that the scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the integration of the wattle with the scour pad enables the scour pad and the wattle to be: packaged into a single unit;shipped as a single unit; and/ordeployed in the field as a single unit.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the wattle comprises a material configured such that the wattle is reconfigurable between at least: a first configuration in which the wattle has a first size, shape, volume, and/or weight; anda second configuration in which the wattle has a second size, shape, volume, and/or weight substantially larger than the corresponding first size, shape, volume, and/or weight that the wattle has in the first configuration.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein: the wattle comprises an exterior;the material comprises an infill encapsulated within an interior defined by the exterior of the wattle; andthe wattle is: compressible into the first configuration via compression of the infill; andexpandable from the first configuration to the second configuration via expansion of the infill.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the scour pad integrally defines the exterior of the wattle.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the infill is provided within the interior defined by the exterior of the wattle: when the wattle is manufactured; orwhen the scour pad and the wattle are being deployed in the field.

35. The system of claim 29, wherein the scour pad and the wattle are biodegradable in their entirety.

36. The system of claim 29, wherein the scour pad is integrally woven with an exterior of the wattle.

37. The system of claim 29, wherein: the scour pad and an exterior of the wattle are integrally formed from a same single piece of fabric; orthe scour pad is formed from a first fabric, and an exterior of the wattle is formed from a second fabric that is joined to the first fabric such that the scour pad and the wattle are an integrated, singular, or unitary product.