PORTABLE HYDROSEEDER SEED, MULCH AND FERTILIZER WATER DISSOLVABLE PACKET

Abstract

A self-contained hydroseeding packet that can be quickly loaded into a portable hydroseeder having seed, mulch and fertilizer in a predetermined ratio bound by a tacifier. The seed, mulch and fertilizer dissolve into a slurry when combined with water. Optionally, the packet can have a color to identify areas previously seeded. The seed, fertilizer, and mulch are bound by a water soluble binding agent and is biodegradable.

Claims

1. A self-contained hydroseeding packet comprising of seed, mulch, fertilizer, optional color, and tacifier or binding agent, that when combined with water dissolves into a slurry for use in a portable hydroseeding system, the packet comprising: a) a water dissolvable membrane selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, soap, glue, water dissolvable paper, wax and a binder; b) a seed containing a plant contained in the water dissolvable membrane; c) a mulch containing a fiber contained in the water dissolvable membrane; d) a fertilizer contained in the water dissolvable membrane, where the seed, mulch and fertilizer dissolve into a slurry when combined with water, and where the seed, fertilizer, and mulch are bound by a binding agent; e) a color to identify areas previously seeded contained in the water dissolvable membrane; f.) a tacifier contained in the water dissolvable membrane; and g) a water soluble and biodegradable binder contained in the water dissolvable membrane.

2. The hydroseeding packet of claim 1, where the packet comprises mixture of seed, fertilizer and mulch so that the packet can be quickly loaded into a portable hydroseeder.

3. The hydroseeding packet of claim 1, where the binding agent can be selected from the group consisting of water-soluble paper, polyvinyl alcohol, quick-dissolving gelatin, and starch.

4. The hydroseeding packet of claim 3, where an amount of seed, mulch and fertilizer are combined in the hydroseeding packet in a predetermined ratio.

5. The hydroseeding packet of claim 4, where the hydroseeding packet comprises five and four-tenths of one ounce of cellulose mulch, one and six-tenths of one ounce of starter fertilizer, and one and six-tenths of one ounce of seed.

6. A method for making a self-contained hydroseeding packet, the method comprising the steps of: a) measuring an amount of seed and storing the measured amount of seed in a temporary holding container; b) placing a measured amount of fertilizer into the temporary holding container; c) placing a measured amount of mulch into the temporary holding container; d) mixing the contents of the temporary holding container until the materials are homogenously distributed; e) transferring the mixture to a packing device, where the mixture is portioned out to the correct amounts for the size of the portable hydroseeder being used; and f) binding the homogenous mixture into a packet shape with a binding agent.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of adding a measured amount of coloring agent, weed killer, pesticides and insecticide to maximize seed growth is added to the temporary holding container.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying FIGURE where:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a self-contained hydroseeding packet comprising seed, mulch and fertilizer that when combined with water dissolves into a slurry for use in a portable hydroseeding system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The present invention solves the problems with the prior art by providing a self-contained hydroseeding packet comprising seed, mulch and fertilizer that when combined with water dissolves into a slurry for use in a portable hydroseeding system. In one embodiment the hydroseeding packet comprises a packet that has the proper mixture of seed fertilizer and mulch so that the packet can be quickly loaded into the portable hydroseeder for use by the user to plant an area. Optionally the packet can also comprise a coloring so that the user can identify areas previously seeded.

[0010] As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the term comprise and variations of the term, such as comprising, comprises and comprised are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

[0011] The term slurry refers to a mixture of water, seed and mulch with other additives, such as, fertilizer, coloring agent and weed killer or pre-made mixtures, such as, for example, Scotts Patchmaster products among others.

[0012] The term packet refers to a self-contained device for making a slurry that is held together by a binding means.

[0013] In the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits can be shown in block diagrams in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques may not be shown in detail.

[0014] Also, it is noted that the embodiments can be described as a process that is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart can describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations can be rearranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed.

[0015] As can be seen in FIG. 1, there is shown is a diagram 100 of a self-contained hydroseeding packet comprising seed, mulch and fertilizer that when combined with water dissolves into a slurry for use in a portable hydroseeding system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The hydroseeding packet 100 comprises seed 102, fertilizer 104 and mulch 106. The seed 102, fertilizer 104 and mulch 106 are bound by a binding agent 108. The binding agent 108 can comprise a water soluble paper, polyvinyl alcohol, quick dissolving gelatin, starch among other binding agents. Preferably, the binding agent is quickly dissolved in water and biodegradable. In a preferred embodiment the binding agent is polyvinyl alcohol.

[0016] The hydroseeding packet 100 comprises sufficient seed, mulch and fertilizer to spread over a one foot square area. A typical mixture would comprise approximately fiftyfour ounces of cellulose mulch, sixteen ounces of starter fertilizer and sixteen ounces of turf fescue lawn seed. As can be appreciated, there is an infinite potential for seed, mulch and fertilizer mixtures that can be made. However, those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure will understand that the seed being planted (grass, flower, vegetable, etc.) will determine the optimum mixture to ensure maximum yield from the hydroseeding.

[0017] Additionally, the hydroseeding packet 100 is shaped for quickly inserting the packet into the portable hydroseeder so that the user can readily seed larger areas, such as, for example a flower bed without the need to manually mix the slurry prior to placing it in the portable hydroseeder.

[0018] Additionally, there is provided a method for making a self-contained hydroseeding packet. The method comprises first measuring the amount of seed to include in the packet and storing the seed in a temporary holding container. Then, a measured amount of fertilizer is placed into the temporary holding container. Next, a measured amount of mulch is placed into the temporary holding container. Optionally, measured amount of coloring agent, weed killer, insecticide, pesticides and other additives that are conducive to maximize the seeds' growth can be added to the temporary holding container. Then, the contents of the temporary holding container are thoroughly mixed until the materials are homogenously distributed throughout. Finally, the mixture is transferred to a packeting device where the mixture is portioned out to the correct amounts for the size of the portable hydroseeder being used. Finally, the homogenous mixture is bound into the packet shape with a binding agent. The binding agent can be a water-soluble liquid that forms into a solid or into a water soluble outer material, such as, for example water soluble paper. Preferably, the binding agent used will be non-toxic and biodegradable. Additionally, the measurements of all of the materials included in the packet can be by weight, volume, or both weight and volume.

[0019] Although the present invention has been discussed in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.