Two-tone ground cover

Abstract

An agricultural ground cover system including a two-color ground cover for placement over a soil substrate to control its temperature, the two-color ground cover can include a cover layer including a laminate film applied to a woven layer including a plurality of woven polypropylene filaments. A plurality of spaced apart openings within the two-color ground cover can allow for plant growth. The upper side can be white and the lower side can be black. The cover layer can include white and then the woven layer can include black.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS)

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 264,565, filed November 24, 2021, entitled "BICOLOR GROUND COVER," the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Any applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet filed with this application are incorporated herein by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to agricultural ground or soil covers. [Background technology]

[0004] Agricultural soil covers are used for a variety of purposes to treat the soil and promote plant growth. These purposes include preventing weed growth, controlling water content and erosion, and controlling soil temperature. Currently available soil covers include mulch films and ground covers. Mulch films are generally made from thin blown films made from polyethylene or other polymers. Ground covers, on the other hand, are formed from more durable woven strands. The strands can be formed from polypropylene or other materials. A need exists for improved agricultural soil covers. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Without limiting the scope of the claims, for purposes of illustration, certain exemplary embodiments are summarized below. The embodiments may include several novel features, none of which are solely responsible for their desirable attributes, nor are they essential to the embodiments.

[0006] According to one aspect of the disclosure, an agricultural ground cover system can include a two-color ground cover disposed on a soil substrate. The ground cover can include a textile layer including a plurality of woven polypropylene filaments and a cover layer including a laminate film bonded to the textile layer. A plurality of openings can be spaced apart along a length of the ground cover. The openings can be configured to allow plants to grow through the ground cover. The first substantially monochromatic exterior of the ground cover can be a first color and the second substantially monochromatic exterior of the ground cover can be a second color. The second color can be darker than the first color. The second color can face the soil substrate and the first color can face upward.

[0007] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a ground cover can include a first outer side, a second outer side opposite the first outer side, a woven layer including a plurality of woven filaments, and a cover layer.

[0008] The first exterior may be a different color than the second exterior. The first exterior may be darker than the second exterior. The plurality of woven filaments may include polypropylene. The cover layer may be attached to the textile layer. The cover layer may be impermeable to water. The first exterior may be a first substantially monochromatic exterior that may be a first color and the second exterior may be a second substantially monochromatic exterior that may be a second color. The first substantially monochromatic exterior may be on the cover layer and / or the second substantially monochromatic exterior may be on the textile layer. The first substantially monochromatic exterior may be on the textile layer and / or the second substantially monochromatic exterior may be on the cover layer. The first substantially monochromatic exterior may be a metallic color. The first substantially monochromatic exterior may include a metallized layer. The second substantially monochromatic exterior may be substantially white. The second substantially monochromatic exterior may be substantially black. The first substantially monochromatic exterior may be on a cover layer and / or the second substantially monochromatic exterior may be on a textile layer. The cover layer may include a laminate film that may include biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and / or biaxially oriented nylon-6.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a roll of ground cover can include a width of about 0.5 to about 6.0 meters, a length of about 1 to about 4000 meters, a woven layer including a plurality of woven polypropylene filaments, a cover layer laminated across the woven layer, a first outer side, and a second outer side. The first outer side can diffusely reflect substantially all visible light, and the second outer side can absorb substantially all visible light. The roll can include any of the additional features disclosed herein.

[0010] Various embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings for purposes of illustration and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments in any way. Various features of different disclosed embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments that are part of this disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a photograph of a field containing a bicolor ground cover having a plurality of holes spaced at intervals through which plants can grow. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a two-color ground cover including a fabric layer and a cover layer. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a photograph of a bi-color ground cover that includes a white fabric layer and a black cover layer. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a photograph of a bi-color ground cover including a white fabric layer and a black cover layer. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a photograph of the two-tone ground covering of FIGS. 2A-B in a roll. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a photograph of the two-tone ground covering of FIGS. 2A-B in a roll. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Various features and advantages of the systems, devices, and methods of the technology described herein will become more fully apparent from the following description of examples illustrated in the figures. These examples are intended to illustrate the principles of the disclosure, and the disclosure should not be limited to merely the illustrated examples. Features of the illustrated examples can be modified, combined, removed, and / or substituted as would be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the principles disclosed herein.

[0013] Agricultural soil cover

[0014] Agricultural soil covers, including mulch films and ground covers, can be used to control various aspects of the soil to promote crop growth. For example, weeds can compete aggressively for available resources such as light and water, preventing or weakening the good development of the desired crop. Herbicides can be used to protect crops from weeds, but many producers, especially edible food producers, are reluctant to use herbicides due to contamination concerns. Agricultural soil covers applied to the soil prevent or suppress the amount of sunlight reaching the soil, limiting the growth of weeds. Pores in the soil cover can allow crops planted within the soil to access sunlight.

[0015] As another example, the moisture content of the soil can be controlled using a soil cover. Some agricultural cover materials (e.g., some types of mulch films) can be impermeable to water and can be used as moisture barriers. A soil cover placed over the soil can prevent or reduce evaporation of water from the soil, prevent or reduce erosion from rainfall or irrigation, and prevent or reduce soil compaction.

[0016] Agricultural soil covers can also be used to stabilize or regulate soil temperature, including raising or lowering soil temperature. For example, during cooler months, it may be desirable to raise soil temperature, while during warmer months, it may be desirable to cool soil temperature. The color of the soil cover can largely determine the amount of sunlight that is reflected or absorbed by the soil cover. Additionally, this can be used to change soil temperature. Agricultural soil covers, including mulch films and ground covers, are generally manufactured as a single color (e.g., white or black).

[0017] However, currently available mulch films and ground covers contain several limitations in addressing the above problems. Mulch films are generally manufactured as thin expanded polyethylene sheets. As such, they tear easily, degrade over time, and generally have a relatively short useful life. Often, mulch films are disposed of in a manner that promotes pollution. Woven ground covers are made from multiple individual strands of polymeric material, particularly polypropylene, although other polymers can be used. The strands are woven into a woven layer. Woven ground covers are more durable than mulch films, but they also have limitations. The woven nature means that they are porous and often provide little moisture barrier function.

[0018] Mulch films are also manufactured with a single color (i.e., both top and bottom), apart from printed graphics or text. Mulch films as expanded polymer sheets (e.g., polyethylene) are uniform in color, which may vary depending on the pigments used during manufacture. Woven ground covers are made from multiple individual tapes or strands. Generally, woven ground covers are manufactured using strands of a single color (e.g., black or white), making both sides of the weave (i.e., both top and bottom) the same color. Alternatively, multiple colors of woven strands or tapes can be used to create alternating patterns of woven strands or tapes on both sides of the weave, none of which are monochromatic. Woven ground covers may also include portions with different colors to create stripes or other patterns. The usefulness of soil covers may be limited based on being monochromatic. Thus, there is a need for improved agricultural soil covers.

[0019] Two-tone ground cover

[0020] 1A shows an exemplary ground cover 10 arranged in rows in a field. The ground cover 10 may be unrolled from a roll and placed over a portion of the soil of the field. After being placed over the soil, one or more edges of the ground cover 10 may be secured in place by overlying soil, agricultural staples, or the like. One or more holes 15 may be drilled in the ground cover 10. The holes 15 may be cut or preformed at intervals. The holes 15 may promote plant growth in the soil through the openings 15.

[0021] 1B shows a side view of the ground cover 10. The ground cover 10 can include a cover layer 21 and a woven layer 22. The cover layer 21 can include a polypropylene material. Alternatively, the cover layer 21 can include polyethylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a biaxially oriented nylon material such as nylon 6, or another polymer. The cover layer 21 can include a laminate. The polymer or polymer blend of the cover layer 21 can incorporate agents such as one or more pigments, UV stabilizers, or processing aids.

[0022] The cover layer 21 can be bonded to the outer surface of the textile layer 22 using a film coating line. The cover layer 21 can be formed from an extruder / melter and bonded onto the textile layer 22. The cover layer 21 can be formed from heated resin in a laminator and bonded directly onto the textile layer 22 as heated resin. Alternatively, the cover layer 21 can include a preformed film material attached to one surface of the textile layer 22. The cover layer 21 can be attached to the textile material 22 using an adhesive applied to the cover layer 21 and / or the textile layer 22.

[0023] The cover layer 21 can be a thin flexible material. The cover layer 21 can have a thickness less than the thickness of the fabric layer 22. The thickness of the cover layer 21 can be 5-50 μm. For example, the thickness of the cover layer can be about 5 μm, about 10 μm, about 15 μm, about 20 μm, about 25 μm, about 30 μm, about 35 μm, about 40 μm, about 45 μm, about 50 μm, or any value or range between any of these values, although other configurations are possible. Optionally, the cover layer 21 can include multiple laminate layers. In some embodiments, the cover layer 21 can be impermeable to water and / or air.

[0024] The cover layer 21 can include one or more pigments that impart color to the cover layer 21. The cover layer 21 can be substantially monochromatic. By way of example, at least about 98%, about 95%, about 90%, about 85%, or about 80% of the surface of the cover layer 21 (e.g., the outer surface 31) can be the same color, or any value or range between these values, although other configurations are possible. The cover layer 21 can include an outer surface 31. The outer surface 31 can be light (e.g., diffusely reflects most or substantially all visible light) or dark (e.g., absorbs most or substantially all visible light). In certain examples, the light color of the outer surface 31 can be white. In some examples, the dark color can be black. The light colors can reflect (e.g., diffusely) about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, about 98%, about 99% or more of incident visible light, or any value or range between any of these numbers, although other configurations are possible. The dark colors can absorb about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, about 98%, about 99% or more of incident visible light, or any value or range between any of these numbers, although other configurations are possible.

[0025] The woven layer 22 can include a woven polymer. The woven layer 22 can include a plurality of woven filaments (e.g., tapes or strands). The woven layer 22 can include filaments woven in two directions (e.g., warp and weft) to form a weave. The woven layer 22 can be woven according to a pattern (e.g., plain weave (1:1, 1:2, 2:2, etc.), twill, herringbone, etc.). The weave characteristics can include the tightness of the weave, the amount of space left between adjacent strands, and the tightness of the warp relative to the weft. Water may or may not be able to pass through the woven layer 22 depending on the tightness of the weave.

[0026] The filaments can be formed to have round, rectangular, flat, or other cross-sectional shapes. The filaments can include polypropylene or other polymeric materials. Polypropylene can be desirably used because it is resistant to degradation, tearing, and can bond with the laminate material of the cover layer 21. In some embodiments, substantially all of the weft filaments include a first type of filament, and the warp filaments are a second type of filament and can be different from the first type of filament (e.g., different material, shape, or color). In other embodiments, the weft filaments and the warp filaments can be the same. The filaments can be formed from any suitable polyolefin, such as, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene, or mixtures thereof, or ethylene alpha-olefin, or polyester, or biopolymer, or blends of any of the foregoing. It is also useful when certain plastics are present as minor or major components, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene butyl acrylate (EBA) and ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA) (to impart elasticity), polyesters and polystyrene, styrene-butadiene (SB), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate. The polymer or polymer blend may incorporate agents such as one or more pigments, UV stabilizers, or processing aids. The filaments may have a denier weight of about 15 grams per meter or between 5 and 50 grams per meter. The ground cover 10 (including the cover layer 21 and the woven layer 22) may provide a weight of about 100 grams per square meter (GSM) or in the range of 50 to 300 GSM.

[0027] The textile layer 22 can include an exterior surface 32. The exterior surface 32 can be opposite the exterior surface 31 of the ground cover 10. The textile layer 22 can be substantially monochromatic. As an example, at least about 98%, about 95%, about 90%, about 85%, or about 80% of the exterior surface 32 of the textile layer 22 can be the same color, or any value or range between any of these numbers, although other configurations are possible. The textile layer 22 can include filaments that are all substantially the same color and / or material. Coloring in polypropylene can be created using dyes or pigments during the manufacturing process of the polypropylene filaments. The textile layer 22 can also be light (e.g., diffusely reflects most or substantially all visible light) or dark (e.g., absorbs most or substantially all visible light). In certain examples, the light color of the exterior surface 32 can be white. In some embodiments, the dark color can be black. A light color can reflect (e.g., diffusely) about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, about 98%, about 99% or more of incident visible light, or any value or range between any of these numbers, although other configurations are possible. A dark color can absorb about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, about 98%, about 99% or more of incident visible light, or any value or range between any of these numbers, although other configurations are possible.

[0028] The outer surface 31 may be a different color than the outer surface 32. The outer surface 31 may be a lighter color than the outer surface 32. The outer surface 31 may be a darker color than the outer surface 32. The outer surface 31 may be substantially monochromatic. The outer surface 32 may be substantially monochromatic. The outer surface 32 may comprise the outer surface of the filaments of the woven material 22. The monochromaticity of the second side 32 may be based on the color of the woven filaments. These may be substantially monochromatic to form a substantially monochromatic outer surface 32. The outer surface 31 may be substantially white and the outer surface 32 may be substantially black. The outer surface 31 may be substantially black and the outer surface 32 may be substantially white.

[0029] The ground cover 10 can be used to change the temperature of the soil. In one example, the soil temperature can be increased so that plant roots can be in better condition for development. In some cases, the ground cover 10 can stabilize the soil temperature, such as by reducing the fluctuations in temperature between warmer times (e.g., during the day or summer) and cooler times (e.g., at night or winter). The ground cover 10 (e.g., cover layer 21) can be substantially impermeable to moisture and / or air, which can prevent evaporation from the soil and help keep the temperature of the soil warm or stable. Preventing evaporation can help keep the soil moist and can reduce water consumption and / or reduce the frequency of watering. The ground cover 10 can be less permeable to water and / or air compared to a woven ground cover without the cover layer 21. The color of the ground cover 10 can be important to control the thermal response of the soil, as discussed above. Depending on the desired use (e.g., soil or weather conditions), a light / dark ground cover 10 can be used, or a dark / light ground cover 10 can be used. Having different colors of the ground cover material, including cover layer 21 and material layer 22, can add further options for creating a desired thermal response in the soil. While a mulch film or ground cover can be used alone, the ground cover 10 offers certain benefits over traditional agricultural soil covers.

[0030] According to one example, a white cover layer 21 and a black textile layer 22 are used. Alternatively, a white textile layer 22 can be used with a black cover layer 21. A variety of different colors can be used for the textile layer 22 and the cover layer 21. In some implementations, the black surface (e.g., surface 32) can face downward toward the soil and the white surface (e.g., surface 31) can face upward. During cooler periods, the available light is relatively short in duration. The white or light-colored surface facing upward can reflect or provide additional light to plants (e.g., growing on the ground cover 10). The ground cover 10 can improve soil temperature (e.g., by warming the soil or by regulating the temperature). In some implementations, the ground cover 10 with the white cover layer 21 and the black textile layer 22 can be placed on the ground with the white cover layer facing upward to quickly improve the ground temperature. While the use of white on the top surface may seem counterintuitive, the cover layer 21 does not face or contact the soil, and the woven material 22 may face or contact the soil. Heat may be trapped within the cover layer 21 and transferred through the woven layer 22 to the soil. In certain embodiments, the thermal emissivity on the white coating is about 80%, about 85%, or about 90% (which may approximate a transparent film), or any value or range between these percentages, although other configurations are possible. In some implementations, the black coating on the woven layer 22 may more easily transfer heat to the soil in the form of infrared energy. The ground cover 10 may have a light transmittance of about 40%, about 35%, about 30% or less, or any value or range therebetween, although other configurations are possible. The ground cover 10 may block 70% or more of incident light from reaching the ground. The ground cover 10 may be configured to transmit most of the thermal energy to the soil below the ground cover 10 while transmitting only a portion of the light that strikes the ground cover 10.

[0031] The ground cover 10 can have a substantially uniform thickness across its length and width (e.g., the thickness can vary slightly based on the contour of the woven material 22). As shown in the samples of Figures 2A-B and the roll 40 of ground cover 10 in Figures 3A-B, the ground cover 10 can be manufactured in very long lengths. The length of the roll 40 can be about 1 meter, about 2 meters, about 5 meters, about 10 meters, about 15 meters, about 25 meters, about 50 meters, about 75 meters, about 100 meters, about 125 meters, about 150 meters, about 200 meters, about 250 meters, about 300 meters, about 350 meters, about 400 meters, about 500 meters, about 700 meters, about 1000 meters, about 2000 meters, about 3000 meters, about 4000 meters, or more, or any range between these values, although other configurations are possible. The width of the roll 40 can be about 0.5 meters, about 0.75 meters, about 1 meter, about 1.25 meters, about 1.5 meters, about 1.75 meters, about 2 meters, about 2.5 meters, about 3 meters, about 3.5 meters, about 4 meters, about 5 meters, about 6 meters, or any value therebetween, or any range between any of these values, although other sizes are possible.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cover layer 21 can be metallized. In some embodiments, particles of metal can be used in the pigment to form the polymeric material of the cover layer 21. Aluminum, nickel, chromium, or any other suitable metallic material can be used. In some implementations, the cover layer 21 can be coated with a thin metal either before or after it is attached to the textile layer 22. For example, the metallized coating can include a thin layer of metal on the cover layer 21 applied by a physical vapor deposition process or other process. The metal film can include aluminum, nickel, chromium, or other materials. For example, in physical vapor deposition, the metal is heated and evaporated in a vacuum and condensed (sublimated) onto the polymer film. In some embodiments, the polymer cover layer can have a metal film disposed thereon. In some embodiments, the metal film can be a cover layer. For example, the metal film can be deposited on one side of the textile layer 22. In some embodiments, the metal film can be laminated onto the textile layer 22 or onto the cover layer 21. In some embodiments, the metal film can be adhered to the textile layer 22 or the cover layer 21. In some embodiments, the polymer used to make the fabric layer 22 may be metallized, such as having metal particles in the pigment used to make the polymer.

[0033] The metallized surface of the ground cover 10 (e.g., cover layer 21) can reflect more or less light than white (or a reflectance similar to white as discussed herein). The metallized ground cover 10 can be used to change the temperature of the soil. The outer surface 31 can be a metallized color. The outer surface 31 can be a lighter color than the outer surface 32. The outer surface 31 can be substantially monochromatic in the metallized color. The outer surface 32 can be substantially monochromatic. The outer surface 32 can include the outer surface of the filaments of the woven material 22. The outer surface 32 can be substantially dark or black. Alternatively, the outer surface 32 can be light or white. In other embodiments, the outer surface 32 can be metallized and in some cases the outer surface 31 can be substantially monochromatic black or white, or any other suitable color. The metallized surface of the ground cover 10 can be installed facing upward, which can reflect light upward through the ground cover 10 or to plants growing above it. In some embodiments, this reflection of additional light can deter pests such as whiteflies and aphids that can carry disease. Use of the metallized ground cover 10 provides for less soil temperature fluctuation between the heat of the day and the cool of the night. The metallized ground cover 10 can also provide protective properties, which can improve the effectiveness of fumigation or reduce the amount of fumigation used. A metal layer (e.g., coating) can be applied between black or white substrates depending on the season, temperature, or other conditions.

[0034] Specific Terms

[0035] Orientation terms used herein, such as "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", and "end", are used in the context of the illustrated examples. However, the present disclosure should not be limited to the illustrated orientation. Indeed, other orientations are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that circular shape terms used herein, such as diameter or radius, should apply to any suitable structure having a cross-sectional area that can be measured side-to-side, rather than requiring a perfectly circular structure. General shape terms such as "circular", "cylindrical", "semicircular", or "semi-cylindrical", or any related or similar term, do not need to strictly conform to the mathematical definition of a circle or cylinder or other structure, but can encompass structures that are a reasonably close approximation.

[0036] Conditional language such as "can," "could," "may," or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise or understood otherwise within the context in which it is used, is generally intended to convey that a particular example includes or does not include a particular feature, element, and / or step. Thus, such conditional language does not generally imply that a feature, element, and / or step is in any way required for one or more examples.

[0037] Unless otherwise noted, connecting language such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, and Z" is otherwise understood with the context in which it is generally used to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such connecting language does not generally imply that a particular example requires the presence of at least one of X, Y, and at least one of Z.

[0038] The terms "approximately," "about," and "substantially" as used herein refer to an amount close to the stated amount that still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, in some instances, as the context dictates, the terms "approximately," "about," and "substantially" may refer to an amount that is 10% or less of the stated amount. The term "generally" as used herein refers to a value, amount, or characteristic that primarily includes or tends toward a particular value, amount, or characteristic. As an example, in certain instances, as the context dictates, the term "generally parallel" may refer to deviations from exact parallelism by 20 degrees or less. All ranges include the endpoints.

[0039] Summary of the Invention

[0040] Several illustrative examples of soil covers are disclosed. Although the present disclosure has been described with respect to certain illustrative examples and uses, other examples and other uses are also within the scope of the present disclosure, including examples and uses that do not provide all of the features and advantages described herein. Components, elements, features, acts, or steps may be configured or performed differently than described, and components, elements, features, acts, or steps may be combined, merged, added, or removed in various examples. All possible combinations and subcombinations of the elements and components described herein are intended to be included in the present disclosure. No single feature or group of features is required or essential.

[0041] Some features described in the present disclosure in the context of separate implementations may also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single implementation may also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, although features may be described above as acting in a particular combination, one or more features from a claimed combination may in some cases be separated from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or a variation of the subcombination.

[0042] Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and / or apparatus disclosed or illustrated in one example of the present disclosure may be combined with or used with (or in place of) any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and / or apparatus disclosed or illustrated in a different example or flow chart. The embodiments described herein are separate and are not intended to be separated from one another. Combinations, variations, and implementations of the disclosed features are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] Although operations may be depicted in the figures or described herein in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown, or in sequential order, or all operations need not be performed to achieve desired results. Other operations not shown or described may be incorporated into the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any of the described operations. In addition, operations may be rearranged or reordered in some implementations. It should also be understood that the separation of various components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and that the components and systems described may generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged in multiple products. Furthermore, some implementations are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] Further, although exemplary embodiments have been described, any embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, and / or combinations are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, although certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein, not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular example. For example, some examples within the scope of the present disclosure may achieve one advantage or group of advantages taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages taught or suggested herein. Furthermore, some examples may achieve advantages different from those taught or suggested herein.

[0045] Some examples are described in connection with the accompanying drawings. Although the drawings are drawn and / or shown to scale, such scale should not be limiting, as dimensions and proportions other than those shown are contemplated and are within the scope of the disclosed invention. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to the actual dimensions and layout of the illustrated devices. Components can be added, removed, and / or rearranged. Furthermore, any particular features, aspects, methods, properties, characteristics, qualities, attributes, elements, etc. disclosed herein in connection with the various examples may be used in all other examples described herein. Furthermore, any method described herein may be implemented using any device suitable for performing the recited steps.

[0046] For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and features of the invention have been described herein. Not necessarily all or any such advantages are achieved in accordance with any particular example of the invention disclosed herein. No aspect of the disclosure is essential or required. In many examples, the apparatus, systems, and methods may be configured differently than shown in the figures or descriptions herein. For example, various functions provided by the illustrated modules may be combined, rearranged, added, or deleted. In some implementations, additional or different processors or modules may perform some or all of the functions described in the figures and with reference to the illustrated examples. Many variations of implementations are possible. Any of the features, structures, steps, or processes disclosed herein may be included in any example.

[0047] In summary, various examples of soil covers and related methods are disclosed. The disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed examples to other alternatives and / or other uses of the examples, as well as specific modifications and equivalents thereof. Furthermore, the disclosure expressly contemplates that various features and aspects of the disclosed examples may be combined with or substituted for each other. Thus, the scope of the disclosure should not be limited by the specific disclosed examples described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A two-color ground cover disposed on a soil substrate, comprising: a fabric layer comprising a plurality of woven polypropylene filaments; and a cover layer including a laminate film bonded to the fabric layer; a plurality of openings spaced along a length of the ground cover, the openings configured for plant growth through the ground cover; a first substantially monochromatic exterior of the ground covering having a first color and a second substantially monochromatic exterior of the ground covering having a second color, the second color being darker than the first color; The agricultural ground cover system, wherein the second color faces the soil substrate and the first color faces upward.

2. A first outer side; a second outer side opposite the first outer side; a woven layer comprising a plurality of woven filaments; A cover layer; Ground cover including.

3. The ground covering of claim 2 , wherein the first outer side is a different color than the second outer side.

4. The ground covering of claim 2 , wherein the first outer side is darker than the second outer side.

5. The ground covering of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of woven filaments comprises polypropylene.

6. The ground covering of claim 2 , wherein the cover layer is attached to the fabric layer.

7. The ground covering of claim 2 , wherein the cover layer is impermeable to water.

8. 3. The ground covering of claim 2, wherein the first exterior is a first substantially solid exterior having a first color and the second exterior is a second substantially solid exterior having a second color.

9. 9. The ground covering of claim 8, wherein the first substantially solid color outer side is on the cover layer and the second substantially solid color outer side is on the fabric layer.

10. 9. The ground covering of claim 8, wherein the first substantially solid color outer side is on the fabric layer and the second substantially solid color outer side is on the cover layer.

11. 9. The ground covering of claim 8, wherein the first substantially solid color outer side is a metallic color.

12. The ground covering of claim 11 , wherein the first substantially solid color outer side comprises a metallized layer.

13. 13. The ground covering of claim 12, wherein the second substantially solid color outer side is substantially white.

14. 13. The ground covering of claim 12, wherein the second substantially solid color outer side is substantially black.

15. A ground covering according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the first substantially solid colour outer side is on the cover layer and the second substantially solid colour outer side is on the textile layer.

16. 10. The ground covering of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover layer comprises a laminate film comprising biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or biaxially oriented nylon-6.

17. Width: 0.5 to 6.0 meters, Lengths of 1 to 4,000 meters, a fabric layer comprising a plurality of woven polypropylene filaments; a cover layer laminated across the fabric layer; A first outer side; A second outer side; having A roll of ground covering, wherein said first outer surface diffusely reflects substantially all visible light and said second outer surface absorbs substantially all visible light.

18. 20. The roll of claim 17, wherein the first outer side is a different color than the second outer side.

19. 20. The roll of claim 17, wherein the first outer side is darker than the second outer side.

20. 20. The roll of claim 17, wherein the cover layer is attached to the fabric layer.

21. 20. The roll of claim 17, wherein the cover layer is impermeable to water.

22. 20. The roll of claim 17, wherein the first exterior is a first substantially solid exterior that is a first color and the second exterior is a second substantially solid exterior that is a second color.

23. 23. The roll of claim 22, wherein the first substantially solid color outer side is on the cover layer and the second substantially solid color outer side is on the fabric layer.

24. 23. The roll of claim 22, wherein the first substantially solid color outer side is on the fabric layer and the second substantially solid color outer side is on the cover layer.

25. 23. The roll of claim 22, wherein the first substantially solid color exterior is a metallic color.

26. 26. The roll of claim 25, wherein the first substantially solid color outer side comprises a metallized layer.

27. 27. The roll of claim 26, wherein the second substantially solid color exterior is substantially white.

28. 27. The roll of claim 26, wherein the second substantially solid color exterior is substantially black.

29. 29. The roll of any one of claims 22-28, wherein the first substantially monochromatic outer side is on the cover layer and the second substantially monochromatic outer side is on the fabric layer.

30. The roll of any one of claims 17 to 29, wherein the cover layer comprises a laminate film comprising biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or biaxially oriented nylon-6.

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