Combination-cell foam floating island

Abstract

A floating island comprising a combination-cell thermoplastic foam. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a floating island comprising: an island body comprising at least a first portion that comprises a combination-cell thermoplastic foam and having a cavity; and a bedding material that is disposed in said cavity; wherein said combination-cell thermoplastic foam is buoyant in water and permeable to gas and water.

1 . A floating island comprising:
 an island body comprising a nonwoven plastic fiber matrix, said island body having a central cavity and a bottom having a plurality of holes;   a shaped liner having a plurality of liner holes;   a plurality of wicking cups that connect each said hole to each side liner hole, each said wicking cup having an outer layer and a central portion; and   a growth medium that is disposed in said shaped liner and in each said central portion.   
     
     
         2 . The floating island of  claim 1  wherein said island body is comprised of a nonwoven thermosetting or thermoplastic fiber matrix. 
     
     
         3 . The floating island of  claim 1  wherein said growth medium is a wicking composition. 
     
     
         4 . The floating island of  claim 3  wherein said growth medium comprises a hydrophilic polymer foam and a plurality of organic materials. 
     
     
         5 . The floating island of  claim 1  wherein said outer layer comprises a combination-cell foam. 
     
     
         6 . The floating island of  claim 1  wherein said shaped liner comprises a combination-cell foam. 
     
     
         7 . A floating island comprising:
 an island body comprising at least a first portion that comprises a combination-cell thermoplastic foam and having a cavity; and   a bedding material that is disposed in said cavity;   wherein said combination-cell thermoplastic foam is buoyant in water and permeable to gas and water.   
     
     
         8 . The floating island of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a second portion that comprises a matrix.   
     
     
         9 . A floating island comprising:
 a buoyant matrix layer comprising a combination-cell thermoplastic foam;   a grass sod layer that is disposed on said buoyant matrix material.   
     
     
         10 . The floating island of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a nonwoven matrix layer that underlies said buoyant matrix material.   
     
     
         11 . The floating island of  claim 9  wherein said buoyant matrix layer is selected from the group consisting of:
 a thermoplastic polymer shape,   a thermoplastic polymer foam shape, and   a combination of the shapes.   
     
     
         12 . A fastening assembly comprising:
 at least two fastening pins, each of said fastening pins comprising a substantially U-shaped, stiff body having legs having notches; and   a connecting cable that connects said fastening pins.   
     
     
         13 . A fastening unit comprising:
 a substantially U-shaped, stiff, planar body having a substantially flat top and legs having notches.   
     
     
         14 . A combination comprising:
 a first floating island an island body comprising a first combination-cell thermoplastic foam portion and a first matrix portion;   a second floating island comprising a second combination-cell thermoplastic foam portion and a second matrix portion; and   the fastening unit of  claim 12  wherein one fastening pin is embedded in said first matrix portion and a second fastening pin is embedded in said second matrix portion.   
     
     
         15 . A combination comprising:
 a buoyant matrix layer comprising a combination-cell thermoplastic foam;   a grass sod layer that is disposed on said buoyant matrix material;   a nonwoven matrix layer that underlies said buoyant matrix material; and   the fastening unit of  claim 14  embedded at least two of said layers.   
     
     
         16 . A floating island comprising:
 an island body that comprises a first combination-cell thermoplastic foam portion and having a cavity;   a bedding material that is disposed in said cavity;   a top cover that comprises a second combination-cell thermoplastic foam portion that is disposed on said island body;   wherein said combination-cell thermoplastic foam portions are buoyant in water and permeable to gas and water.   
     
     
         17 . A floating island comprising:
 an island body comprising a matrix top, a matrix bottom and matrix sides and having an interior portion; and   a scrap material that is disposed in said interior portion, said scrap material comprising a combination-cell thermoplastic foam portion;   wherein said combination-cell thermoplastic foam portion is buoyant in water and permeable to gas and water.   
     
     
         18 . A floating island comprising:
 an island body comprising a first matrix layer, a second matrix layer and a third matrix layer; and   a gas-trapping insert that is disposed between two of said layers, said gas-trapping insert being fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of a combination-cell thermoplastic foam and a solid thermoplastic;   wherein said combination-cell thermoplastic foam portion is buoyant in water and permeable to gas and water.