Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SPECIFICATION
PLANT SHEET, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR, AND
PLANTING METHOD USING THE PLANT SHEET
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a plant sheet using a succulent plant
or other vegetatively propagable plants, a manufacturing method therefor, and
a seeding and planting method using the plant sheet.
BACKGROUND ART
The temperature rise in urban areas is becoming increasingly rapid
every year owing to exhaust heat from air-conditioners and the reflection of
solar heat by asphalt, concrete and the like. As a measure of easing such a
heat island effect that has been a problem in urban areas, grass, lawn and the
like have been planted on roofs and housetops. In actual practice, problems of
loads falling on buildings and quality of materials used as base soil have
been
encountered. As one of the solutions to the problems, a known method grows
succulent plants such as sedum species, and vegetatively propagable plants.
Succulent plants such as sedum species have a very high degree of
drought resistance and can grow with a small amount of moisture. They do
not require a watering device, and are suited for planting in places such as
housetops and wall surfaces where it is difficult to maintain moisture. These
plants hardly require soil as a planting base, and can therefore grow even on
a
thin planting base. The base for growth can be made thin. It is therefore
possible to reduce the load falling on buildings. Such plants are considered
an
effective device for planting on buildings with load limits.
However, when a succulent plant is transplanted to a soil surface, the
foliage of the succulent plant may be moved or turned over by winds, thereby
failing to fix well to the soil to which they are transplanted. In addition,
since
the foliage of a succulent plant immediately after a transplant is in a state
of
low stress tolerance, the growth of foliage is hampered by strong
environmental stresses caused by direct sunlight, winds and so on.
On the other hand, a method is known which places foliage or seed on a
planting base, and covers it with a sheet from above, to integrate the foliage
or
seed with the planting base for application to a soil surface.
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As shown in Fig. 11, for example, foliage 106 of a turf 104 decomposed
and extended is placed on a net 102 acting as a planting base, and is covered
by
a water retention agent 108 acting as a watering device held between sheets
110 and 112. A sewing device 114 sews up opposite ends and a center portion
of these materials to integrate the net 102, foliage 106 of the turf and
sheets
110 and 112 to be fixedly planted on a soil surface to which they are
transplanted (see Patent Application "Kokai" H2-104216 (Section 2 and Fig. 1),
for example).
However, when this method is used for fixing a relatively bulky,
block-like plant such as a succulent plant placed on a sheet, the plant will
be
damaged when sewn together for integration. The sewing device is needed in
order to sew the net and sheets. This results in an increase in the cost of a
sheet manufacturing apparatus.
On the other hand, another method fixes to soil a turf seed sheet
having seed held between a sheet and a water soluble film (see Patent
Application "Kokai" No. 2000-300073 (Sections 3-4 and Fig. 1), for example).
In this method, however, the seed held between the sheet and water
soluble film is integrated by pressure or with an adhesive. This method is
suited only for a relatively small material such as seed, or a material with a
sufficiently reduced thickness such as foliage of grass extended to a line
shape.
The present invention has been made by taking the above facts into
consideration, and its object is to provide a plant sheet which does not
damage
a bulky plant such as a succulent plant when the plant is held between
sheets, and which can be manufactured at low cost.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A first characteristic construction of the present invention comprises a
meshed substrate sheet a vegetatively propagable plant placed on said
substrate sheet, and a water-soluble coating covering said plant and fixing
said
coating to said substrate sheet.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the first characteristic construction of the present
invention, a vegetatively propagable plant is placed on a meshed substrate
sheet, is covered by a water-soluble coating from above to be fixed to the
substrate sheet.
By covering the vegetatively propagable plant with the water-soluble
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coating, the bulky plant is fixed tight to the substrate sheet, without being
damaged as in the case of foliage of a succulent plant or lawn runner, for
example. The water-soluble coating covering the plant eases environmental
stress acting on the plant, and allows the plant to settle on the substrate
sheet,
and has good influences on the subsequent growth.
The plant sheet formed of the substrate sheet and water-soluble
coating requires no soil, thereby achieving a significant weight saving, which
leads also to a reduction in transport and landing cost.
In a second characteristic construction of the present invention, the
plant sheet according to the present invention defined in claim 2 is
characterized in that said substrate sheet is a biodegradable sheet, and said
water-soluble coating is a paper-like sheet formed of a water soluble resin
and
a fibrous material, said a paper-like sheet being fixed to said biodegradable
sheet.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the second characteristic construction of the present
invention, a biodegradable sheet is used as the substrate sheet, and a
paper-like sheet formed of a water soluble resin and a fibrous material is
fixed
to the substrate sheet.
By using a biodegradable sheet as the substrate sheet, the substrate
sheet is decomposed into soil to prevent soil pollution. The paper-like sheet
dissolves with water, and the fiber of the paper-like sheet becomes entangled
with the plant to fix the plant to the substrate sheet and a soil surface
(including a wall surface of a structure). Further, the paper-like sheet has
an
effect as mulch material to prevent an invasion of weeds, drying of the soil,
and
erosion by rainwater.
In a third characteristic construction of the present invention, the plant
sheet is characterized in that a net is disposed between said plant and said
paper-like sheet.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the third characteristic construction of the present
invention, the net disposed between the plant and paper-like sheet provides a
long-term stability of the surface of the plant sheet. These are suitable for
a
plant sheet for use on sloped surfaces requiring stability.
A fourth characteristic construction of the present invention comprises
a first step of placing a vegetatively propagable plant on a meshed substrate
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sheet, a second step of superposing a water-soluble paper-like sheet over said
plant, a third step of spraying water over said paper-like sheet, and a fourth
step of drawing air from between said substrate sheet and said paper-like
sheet.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the fourth characteristic construction of the present
invention, a vegetatively propagable plant is placed on a substrate sheet, and
a
paper-like sheet is superposed over the plant. When water at a
predetermined temperature is sprayed over the paper-like sheet, the
paper-like sheet loses breathability. Next, air is drawn from between the
substrate sheet and paper-like sheet. The drawing effect causes the
paper-like sheet to stick along the shape of the plant, the paper-like sheet
sticking to the substrate sheet where the plant is not present. In this way,
the plant is fixed in tight contact with the substrate sheet. Since the plant
is
covered by the paper-like sheet, the paper-like sheet reflects direct sunlight
to
protect the plant from direct sunlight.
A fifth characteristic construction of the present invention lies in that,
in the fourth step, the air is drawn from between said substrate sheet and
said
paper-like sheet through a lower surface of said substrate sheet, to provide a
tight contact and promote drying.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the fifth characteristic construction of the present
invention, when air is drawn from between the substrate sheet and paper-like
sheet through the lower surface of the substrate sheet, the substrate sheet
and
paper-like sheet are placed in fully tight contact by suction, and then fine
pores
are formed to enter into a drying step. Usually, a drying step is completed
only by suction. When the pores are distributed unevenly, air will flow
unbalancedly toward the surroundings of the pores, resulting in variations in
dryness and an extended time taken to dry the entire paper-like sheet. Then,
air (e.g. natural wind, warm air or hot air) may be blown to the paper-like
sheet from above to dry the paper-like sheet efficiently and uniformly.
A sixth characteristic construction of the present invention lies in that
said paper-like sheet demonstrates water solubility at normal temperature or
higher.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the sixth characteristic construction of the present
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invention, the plant sheet is manufactured by using a paper-like sheet that
demonstrates water solubility at normal temperature or higher, e.g.
25°C or
higher. When very humid, the humidity will cause the paper-like sheet to
contain moisture and dissolve. Then, a material that demonstrates water
solubility at 25°C or higher, for example, is used as the paper-like
sheet.
Even when the plant sheets are stored as stacked, the paper-like sheet
covering the plant is prevented from sticking to the substrate sheet of the
plant
sheet resting thereon, by adjusting the room temperature of the storage place
to a predetermined temperature.
The normal temperature noted above is a concept taking temperature
differences between districts into consideration. When, for example, the plant
sheet is used in Hokkaido, water solubility should take effect at 15°C
or higher.
In Okinawa, water solubility should take effect at 30°C or higher.
A seventh characteristic construction of the present invention Lies in
that said plant is foliage cut from pro-seedlings of a vegetatively propagable
plant.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the seventh characteristic construction of the present
invention, the plant sheet is manufactured of foliage cut from pro-seedlings
of
a vegetatively propagable plant.
The plant used for the plant sheet may be foliage cut from
pro-seedlings in an optimal state. This leads to a subsequent good growth of
the plant. As long as a certain amount of pro-seedlings is kept in stock, a
material required for transplant to a large area can be supplied in a short
period of time fully to cope with sudden large orders or orders on short
delivery
terms.
An eighth characteristic construction of the present invention lies in
that said foliage has a distribution density with respect to said substrate
sheet
in inverse proportion to growth speed.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the eighth characteristic construction of the present
invention, the plant sheet is manufactured of the foliage distributed over the
substrate sheet in inverse proportion to growth speed.
Since the plant grows fast, the foliage need not be placed compactly on
the substrate sheet, but may only be distributed with suitable gaps on the
substrate sheet by considering the growth speed. Consequently, the plant
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sheet may be manufactured with a small quantity of foliage and at low cost.
The gaps are necessary for integration of the substrate sheet 14 and paper-
like
sheet 26, and cohesion of the substrate sheet 14 and soil.
A ninth characteristic construction of the present invention lies in that
said paper-like sheet is white in color.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the ninth characteristic construction of the present
invention, by using the white paper-like sheet, the plant is less affected by
temperature rise, ultraviolet rays, dryness and so on, to secure a high
root-taking rate.
A tenth characteristic construction of the present invention lies in that
a step of fixing said plant with a net is included between said first step and
said second step.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the tenth characteristic construction of the present
invention, the plant is placed on the substrate sheet, the plant is fixed by
the
net, and covered with the paper-like sheet. By fixing the plant with the net,
the plant net manufactured is protected from damage by weather during a
maturing period until the plant takes root in soil.
An eleventh characteristic construction of the present invention lies in
that, instead of said plant, seeds are scattered over said substrate sheet.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the eleventh characteristic construction of the present
invention, seeds are placed on the meshed substrate sheet, covered with the
water-soluble coating from above, and fixed to the substrate sheet.
By covering the seeds with the water-soluble coating, the water-soluble
coating covers the seeds, to have good influences on spouting and growth
state,
easing the environmental stress acting on the seeds before sprouting, and
settling the seeds on the substrate sheet.
A twelfth characteristic construction of the present invention lies in
that a plant sheet as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3 is attached to a
soil
surface with anchor pins, and is watered.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the twelfth characteristic construction of the present
invention, the plant sheet is attached to a soil surface with anchor pins, and
water is sprinkled over the plant sheet attached to the soil surface, to fix
the
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plant sheet to the soil surface.
The soil surface is planted only by attaching the plant sheet thereto
with anchor pins, and sprinkling water from above. The watering helps the
entire sheet fit the soil. Further, the resin content of the paper-like sheet
moors around the foliage of the plant. The resin content remelts by the
watering and permeates soil, to fix the plant sheet firmly to the soil. The
water sprinkled is retained by the resin content to become a source of water
supply to the foliage.
A thirteenth characteristic construction of the present invention lies in
that said plant sheet is placed on the soil surface, and joint soil is applied
thereto from above and watered.
[Functions and Effects]
According to the thirteenth characteristic construction of the present
invention, joint soil is applied from above the plant sheet that is placed on
the
soil surface, and is watered. In this case, the dissolved paper-like sheet
fixes
the joint soil to the paper-like sheet, so that the joint soil may not be
scattered
easily by and lost to wind, rain and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a view showing a method of manufacturing a plant sheet in a
first embodiment
Fig. 2 is a view showing a first step of the plant sheet in the first
embodiment
Fig. 3 is a view showing a second step of the plant sheet in the first
embodiment
Fig. 4 is a view showing a third step of the plant sheet in the first
embodiment
Fig. 5 is a view showing a fourth step of the plant sheet in the first
embodiment
Fig. 6 is a view showing the plant sheet in the first embodiment
Fig. 7 (A) is a sectional side view showing the third step of the plant
sheet in the first embodiment
Fig. 7 (B) is a sectional side view showing the fourth step
Fig. 8 is a view showing a seeding and planting method using the plant
sheet in the first embodiment
Fig. 9 is a view showing a state of the plant sheet in the first
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embodiment attached to a soil surface
Fig. 10 is a view showing a method of manufacturing a plant sheet in a
second embodiment and
Fig. 11 is a view showing a conventional sheet manufacturing method.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A method of manufacturing a plant sheet and a seeding and planting
method using the plant sheet in the first embodiment will be described.
Fig. 1 shows a process of manufacturing a plant sheet 10.
A substrate sheet 14 used as a base of the plant sheet 10 is wound
around a core I2 installed at a feed side. The substrate sheet 14 is drawn at
one end thereof horizontally from the core 12, fed by a feed roller 16, and
taken
up by a core 18 installed at a take-up side.
The substrate sheet 14 used is an elongate mesh material. Where the
sheet is formed of cotton and has coarse meshes, roots of plants (e.g.
succulent
plants such as sedum species) can penetrate the meshes of the substrate sheet
14 to enter soil with ease. A further advantage is that the substrate sheet 14
can easily fit the soil. Further, where a biodegradable material is used for
the
substrate sheet 14, the substrate sheet 14 will be decomposed by the soil when
attached to a soil surface, to prevent soil pollution.
Between the core 12 and core 18 is a hopper 20 supplied with foliage 22
such as of a succulent plant. Pro-seedlings of a vegetatively propagable plant
may be kept in stock, to cut a required amount of foliage from the pro-
seedlings
for supply to the hopper 20. Then, a material required for transplant to a
large area can be supplied in a short period of time to cope with sudden large
orders received.
From the hopper 20, foliage 22 is uniformly arranged on the substrate
sheet 14 (as shown in Fig. 2). The substrate sheet 14 moves horizontally to
advance to a next step. The foliage 22 may be arranged uniformly with gaps
to have the density of distribution on the substrate sheet I4 in inverse
proportion to growth speed. Then, the foliage will grow thick so as to cover
the entire substrate sheet 14. The gaps are necessary for integration of the
substrate sheet 14 and a paper-like sheet 26, and cohesion of the substrate
sheet 14 and soil.
A core 24 disposed between the core 12 and core 18 has, rolled thereon,
the paper-like sheet 26 elongated and having substantially the same width as
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the substrate sheet 14. When the substrate sheet 14 with the foliage 22
arranged thereon is fed under the core 24, an end of the paper-like sheet 26
is
drawn horizontally to cover the substrate sheet 14 (as shown in Fig. 3). The
paper-like sheet 26 is formed of a water soluble resin mixed with fiber. As
the
water soluble resin, polyvinyl alcohol and starch are suitable. The paper-like
sheet 26 used may demonstrate water solubility at a temperature of 25°C
or
higher. Then, the sheets are prevented from sticking to one another in time of
storage and transport after manufacture of the plant sheet 10. Further, the
paper-like sheet 26 used may be white or near-white to prevent the foliage 22
in the state of low stress tolerance after a transplant from undergoing stress
owing to a rise in temperature, ultraviolet rays and dryness, for example,
thereby to secure a high root-taking rate of the foliage 22 on the soil
surface 36.
A non-white paper-like sheet may be turned white such as by spraying a
colorant thereon.
I5 A nebulizer 28 is disposed between the core 24 and core I8. A
predetermined amount of water is sprayed from the nebulizer 28 over the
paper-like sheet 26 (as shown in Fig. 4). When the paper-like sheet 26
absorbs the water, the paste on the sheet becomes moistened to block the
meshes, whereby the sheet loses breathability. The water soluble resin has
been given a predetermined temperature sensitivity in order to prevent the
paper-Iike sheet 14 sticking together owing to dew condensation or the like in
time of storage and transport.
A suction unit 30 is disposed between the nebulizer 28 and core 18, in
contact with the lower surface of the substrate sheet 14. The suction unit 30
is decompressed by a vacuum pump 32 connected thereto, to draw air between
the substrate sheet 14 and paper-like sheet 26 from the lower surface of the
substrate sheet 14 through air holes 31 (as shown in Figs. 5 or 7 (A)),
whereby
the paper-like sheet 26 is stuck along the foliage 22 (as shown in Figs. 6 or
7
(B)). The paper-like sheet 26 sticks, by suction, to portions of the substrate
sheet I4 where the foliage 22 is not placed, thereby firmly fixing the foliage
22
to the substrate sheet 14, without displacing the foliage right and left.
A warm air device 34 is disposed between the suction unit 30 and core
18. When the paper-like sheet 26 is placed in tight contact by the suction
from the lower surface of the substrate sheet 14, fine pores are formed to be
ready for a drying step. When the pores are distributed unevenly, air will
flow unbalancedly toward the surroundings of the pores, resulting in
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variations in dryness and an extended time taken to dry the entire paper-like
sheet 26. In this case, the warm air device or fan 34 is operated to blow air
to
the paper-like sheet 26 from above to promote drying of the paper-like sheet
26.
It should be noted that the warm air device or fan 34 is not absolutely
necessary.
The plant sheet 10 manufactured in this way is taken up into rolled
form on the core 18.
Next, a seeding and planting method for attaching the plant sheet 10 to
a soil surface 36 will be described.
The plant sheet 10 is cut to a suitable size to be placed in a
predetermined position on a soil surface 36 for transplant. As shown in Fig.
8,
the plant sheet 10 is fixed to the soil surface 36 with anchor pins 38, and
water
is sprinkled over the plant sheet 10. The sprinkling will help the entire
plant
sheet 10 fit the soil surface 36 to be fixed to the soil surface 36. When the
resin content of the paper-like sheet 26 collected around the foliage 22
remelts,
water permeates the substrate sheet 14, whereby the entire substrate sheet 14
engages the ground soil effectively, the sprinkled water is retained by resin
content to serve as a source of water supply fox the foliage.
As shown in Fig. 9, the plant sheet 10 fixed to the soil surface 36 takes
root in the soil surface 36, and many roots grow from the foliage 22 and
reliably
take root and breed in the soil surface 36. Although Fig. 8 or 9 is a view
showing a planting on a sloped surface, the abject of this seeding and
planting
method is not limited to the sloped surface. Instead of water sprinkling, a
vegetation base material for slurry spraying may be used.
Next, functions of the method of manufacturing the plant sheet and the
seeding and planting method using the plant sheet in the first embodiment will
be described.
The method of manufacturing the plant sheet according to the present
invention fixes and integrates the substrate sheet 14 and paper-like sheet 26
holding the foliage 22 in between, without requiring a special method such as
sewing. That is, the paper-like sheet 26 is soaked in the manufacturing
process of the plant sheet 10, and air is drawn off from the lower surface of
the
substrate sheet 14, thereby attaching the foliage 22 to the substrate sheet
14.
Thus, the bulky foliage 22 may be integrated with the substrate sheet 14 and
paper-like sheet 26 without being damaged.
Although the paper-like sheet 26 is used to cover the foliage 22 with a
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water-soluble coating, a water-soluble coating may be formed by spraying a
water soluble solution over the foliage 22.
Next, a method of manufacturing a plant sheet in a second embodiment
will be described.
In the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, a core 40 is disposed
between the core 12 and core 24. An elongate net 42 having substantially the
same width as the substrate sheet 14 is wound on the core 42. Foliage 22 is
placed in the substrate sheet 14 fed from the core 12, and an end of the net
42
is drawn from the core 40 and superposed on it. The subsequent steps are the
same as in the first embodiment, and will not be described.
Next, functions of the method of manufacturing the plant sheet in the
second embodiment will be described.
As shown in Fig. 10, the stability of the surface of the plant sheet 10 is
secured by disposing the net 42 between the foliage 22 and the paper-like
sheet
26. With the use of the net 42, the plant sheet 10 manufactured is suitable
for
application to a sloped surface requiring stability of the surface against
weather until the plant takes root.
Next, a seeding and planting method using a plant sheet in a third
embodiment will be described.
The plant sheet 10 produced in the first embodiment or second
embodiment is cut to a suitable size, and placed in a predetermined position
on
a soil surface 36 for transplant. Joint soil is applied to the plant sheet 10
from
above, and then water is sprinkled over the plant sheet 10 to fix it to the
soil
surface 36. The subsequent steps are the same as in the first embodiment,
and will not be described.
Next, the seeding and planting method using the plant sheet according
to the third embodiment will be described.
Joint soil is applied, from above, to the plant sheet 10 placed on the soil
surface 36, and then water is sprinkled thereon. The plant sheet 10 is fixed
to
the soil surface 36 by applying the joint soil on the plant sheet 10, and the
water sprinkling promotes fitting to the soil surface 36.
The seeding and planting method using the plant sheet 10 according to
the present invention involves less stress that damages the plant roots or the
like than a method that directly plants on the soil surface. This has extended
a period in which construction can be carried out construction has been
possible heretofore only until the middle of June, but now is possible till
early
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July.
In the embodiments of the invention, a succulent plant is used as a
plant of the vegetatively propagable type. The invention is applicable also to
lawn and the like.
For application to level grounds and housetops, the material of the
substrate sheet 14, preferably, decomposes to integrate with soil in the long
run, However, this does apply to the case that require a long-term surface
stability. By using net materials appropriately, it is possible to meet
different
requirements.
In the water spraying step of manufacture of the plant sheet 10, a
chemical for pest prevention, a root-taking enhancer, manure, a colorant and
so on may be mixed into the water in the nebulizer 28. Then, when attaching
the plant sheet 10 to the soil surface 3fi, a complicated and difficult
operation
such as drug treatment may be carried out reliably and efficiently.
In the process of manufacturing the plant sheet 10, the plant sheet 10
manufactured is wound on the core 18 for rolled output. This may be replaced
with a fold-up production.
The vegetatively propagable plants used for the plant sheet of the
present invention include succulent plants (e.g. sedum, fig marigold, and
cactus), lawn, mint, bamboo, bamboo grass, and frogfruit.
INDUSTRIAL UTILITY
The present invention, apart from each of the above embodiments, has
a wide use in the whole range of plant sheets using succulent plants or other
vegetatively propagable plants, manufacturing methods therefor, and seeding
and planting methods using the plant sheet.
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