Corn stover blanket and method of making the same

Abstract

A revegetation blanket formed from fibers, the fibers formed from corn stover and methods of making and using the same.

1 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A method of making a blanket, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) harvesting a corn crop to obtain corn stover material; and    b) defibrating said corn stover material to form stover fibers.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of mixing with said corn stover fibers at least one member selected from the group consisting of bonding fibers, adhesives, thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, waxes, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, wetting agents, colorants, perfumes, netting, fire retardants, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of positioning said blanket for erosion control, revegetation, livestock or plant retention.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of adding a scrim or netting to said blanket.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  the blanket comprising a bonding fiber comprising a coating of a thermoplastic adhesive, the method further comprising the step of heating the blanket to a temperature sufficient to cause the hot melt adhesive to flow.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14  the corn stover material comprising substantially corn stalk and corn leaves.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said method is a dry method wherein said corn stover material has a moisture content of about 10% to about 30% by weight.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of ensiling wherein said ensiling comprises adding water, inoculants, preservatives and mixtures thereof to said corn stover material prior to defibrating.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said defibrating is done thermo-mechanically.  
   
   
       23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A method for controlling erosion from soil with a blanket used as a temporary ground cover, the method comprising: 
 providing a degradable erosion control blanket in a roll form the degradable erosion control blanket comprising about 25 to 99 wt-% corn stover fibers and about 1 to 5 wt-% polymeric binder fibers, and any remainder being selected from the group consisting of other natural fibers and synthetic fibers and mixtures thereof;    unrolling said blanket on said soil; and    securing said blanket into place.