Apparatus and method for treating mulch

Abstract

An apparatus and method for treating mulch include a mobile facility that applies a treatment to wood fibers at an increased efficiency than conventional coloring or coating methods. The method includes the steps of introducing the wood fibers into a revolving tub, and transporting the wood fibers to a first treatment manifold. The first treatment manifold includes at least one inlet port to receive a first treatment and at least one discharge port to apply the first treatment to the wood fibers. The wood fibers are treated with the first treatment using the first treatment manifold. The apparatus includes a revolving tub and a first treatment manifold, which is preferably installed in the revolving tub in a first treatment area.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims an invention which was disclosed in Provisional Application No. 60 / 559,940, filed Apr. 6, 2004, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING MULCH”. The benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of the U.S. provisional application is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention generally relates to apparatus and method for coating treatment of wood fiber such as mulch or wood chips. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Landscaping materials, such as wood chips and wood mulch are currently available in their normal natural colors, and in some cases, are available colored in various colors, for example, in black, brown and red. The conversion of natural wood or other plant fiber-based substrates to colored substrates is currently a rather sloppy, inefficient, expensive, and, in some cases, environme...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes an apparatus and method for treating mulch, specifically wood fibers, with a coating that can be applied more efficiently than conventional methods. The apparatus includes a revolving tub with a first treatment manifold and a grinding machine for grinding the wood fibers. The method involves introducing the wood fibers onto a feed table, conveying them to the first treatment manifold, and treating them with the first treatment. The treatment can include a colorant, a foam, or a combination of these. The wood fibers can also be ground in a grinding mill before being treated. The apparatus and method can provide a more efficient way to treat mulch and improve its performance."

Problems solved by technology

The conversion of natural wood or other plant fiber-based substrates to colored substrates is currently a rather sloppy, inefficient, expensive, and, in some cases, environmentally unfriendly process.

In the case of converting natural mulch to colored mulch, or natural chips to colored chips, the process is highly inefficient.

This results in a water saturated product which must be allowed to dry for extended periods of time before it can be used, and still may contain excessive water, adding significantly to the shipping weight and thus the shipping costs.

Where the moisture content of the mulch material is essentially about 60+ weight percent moisture, there is little capacity to absorb significant additional water, meaning that the colored water solution is mostly wasted.

This is not only an inefficient use of materials, but, depending on the colorant being employed, may also be an environmental hazard.

Moreover the conventional methods of dying the mulch, woodchips etc., require substantial processing equipment.

Such plants are inefficient and expensive, adding to the cost of the final product.

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