Erosion-and-sediment-control block and method of manufacture

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention relates to an erosion-and-sediment-control system. The erosion-and-sediment-control system includes a sleeve having a substantially-flat bottom surface and a fiber matrix disposed within, and substantially filling, the sleeve. A flap is formed at a first end of the sleeve. The substantially-flat bottom surface resists movement due to wave action and currents.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An erosion-and-sediment-control system comprising:
 a sleeve comprising a substantially-flat bottom surface;   a fiber matrix disposed within, and substantially filling, the sleeve;   a flap formed at a first end of the sleeve; and   wherein the substantially-flat bottom surface resists movement due to wave action and currents.   
     
     
         2 . The erosion-and-sediment-control system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a second sleeve comprising a second substantially-flat bottom surface, the second sleeve positioned adjacent to the first end of the sleeve;   a second fiber matrix disposed within, and substantially filling, the sleeve;   wherein the flap facilitates formation of a seamless joint between the sleeve and the second sleeve.   
     
     
         3 . The erosion-and-sediment-control system of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve and the second sleeve abut each other in an end-to-end fashion. 
     
     
         4 . The erosion-and-sediment-control system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is biodegradeable. 
     
     
         5 . The erosion-and-sediment-control system of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber matrix comprises curled interlocking fibers with barbed edges. 
     
     
         6 . The erosion-and-sediment-control system of  claim 5 , wherein the fiber matrix is wood wool. 
     
     
         7 . The erosion-and-sediment-control system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a plurality of stakes disposed on either side of the sleeve;   a tether stretched between individual stakes of the plurality of stakes, the tether and the plurality of stakes together securing the sleeve to a subgrade.   
     
     
         8 . A method of installing an erosion-and-sediment-control system, the method comprising:
 positioning a first erosion-and-sediment-control block comprising a substantially-flat bottom surface along a shoreline of a body of water;   arranging a plurality of stakes on opposite sides of the first erosion-and-sediment-control block;   stretching a tether between the plurality of stakes thereby securing the first erosion-and-sediment-control block; and   wherein the substantially-flat bottom surface resists movement due to wave action and currents present in the body of water.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising forming a plurality of holes through the first erosion-and-sediment-control block. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising establishing foliage within at least one hole of the plurality of holes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising positioning a second erosion-and-sediment-control block adjacent to the first erosion-and-sediment-control block, the second erosion-and-sediment-control block abutting the first erosion-and-sediment-control block in an end-to-end fashion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first erosion-and-sediment-control block is positioned such that a long axis of the first erosion-and-sediment-control block is generally perpendicular to a direction of wave travel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising forming a trench for receipt of the first erosion-and-sediment-control block. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a second erosion-and-sediment-control block is positioned above the first erosion-and-sediment-control block. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing an erosion-and-sediment-control block, the method comprising:
 positioning a sleeve around an opening of a press;   closing a first end of the sleeve so as to cover the opening;   pressing, via the press, a fiber matrix into the sleeve, the press imparting a generally rectangular shape to the fiber matrix; and   cutting the sleeve.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising attaching a cone to the opening of the press, the cone facilitating the positioning of the sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the closing comprises tying the first end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pressing imparts a generally rectangular shape to the erosion-and-sediment-control block. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cutting occurs when the sleeve reaches a desired length. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising filling the sleeve with the fiber matrix. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the steps are performed in the order listed.