Method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ manufacture of compost filter socks and method of forming compost filter socks using same

Abstract

A method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock comprises the steps of: providing a sleeve of netting material having at least one open end; bunching the sleeve of netting material primarily along a longitudinal axis, whereby each open end of the netting material remains accessible to form a compression bundle netting material; placing the compression bundle netting material in a sealable weatherproof bag; drawing a vacuum in the bag to compress the compression bundle netting material; and sealing the bag. A mechanical fastener capable of securing a compression bundle netting sleeve in position may be provided within in the bag. The bag may efficiently store remnants of the netting sleeve at the end of given manufacturing runs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock comprising the steps of:
 A) a providing a sleeve of netting material having at least one open end;   B) bunching the sleeve of netting material primarily along a longitudinal axis, whereby each open end of the netting material remains accessible to form a compression bundle netting material;   C) placing the compression bundle netting material in a sealable bag;   D) drawing a vacuum in the bag to compress the compression bundle netting material; and   E) sealing the bag.   
     
     
         2 . The method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 1  further including the step of placing within in the vacuum bag a mechanical fastener capable of securing a compression bundle netting sleeve in position. 
     
     
         3 . The method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 2  wherein the mechanical fastener is one of a twist tie, cable tie, hose tie, zip tie or tie-wrap. 
     
     
         4 . The method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 1  wherein the sleeve of netting material has two open ends. 
     
     
         5 . The method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 1  wherein the bag is resealable. 
     
     
         6 . The method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 1  following the bunching of the sleeve of netting material, one open end of the material is drawn through the open interior and through the other open end then wrapped around the exterior forming a shape holding rolled sleeve of a torus or donut shape. 
     
     
         7 . The method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 6  further including the step of placing a mechanical fastener capable of securing a compression bundle netting sleeve in position within in the vacuum bag. 
     
     
         8 . The method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 7  wherein the mechanical fastener is one of a twist tie, cable tie, hose tie, zip tie or tie-wrap. 
     
     
         9 . The method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 1  further including the step of surrounding the compression bundle netting material with a protective sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The method of forming a vacuum packed compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 1  wherein the protective sleeve is formed of netting material. 
     
     
         11 . A method of forming a compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock comprising the steps of:
 A) a providing a sleeve of netting material having two open ends;   B) bunching the sleeve of netting material primarily along a longitudinal axis, whereby each open end of the netting material remains accessible to form a compression bundle netting material; and   C) forming a shape holding sleeve of a torus or donut shape from the compression bundle netting material by one of i) drawing one open end of the netting material through the open interior and through the other open end then wrapped around the exterior at least once; ii) securing the compression bundle netting sleeve in position within in the bag with a mechanical fastener which is one of a twist tie, cable tie, hose tie, zip tie or tie-wrap; and iii) securing the compression bundle netting sleeve in position within in the bag with an encapsulating mesh protective sleeve.   
     
     
         12 . The method of forming a compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 11  further including the step of placing the compression bundle netting material in a sealable bag and sealing the bag. 
     
     
         13 . The method of forming a compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 12  further including the step of placing a mechanical fastener capable of securing a compression bundle netting sleeve in position within in the bag. 
     
     
         14 . The method of forming a compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 13  wherein the mechanical fastener is one of a twist tie, cable tie, hose tie, zip tie or tie-wrap. 
     
     
         15 . The method of forming a compressed netting sleeve for in situ formation of a compost filter sock according to  claim 14  wherein the bag is resealable. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a compost filter sock comprising the steps of:
 A) providing a bag containing a compression bundle netting sleeve;   B) removing the compression bundle netting sleeve from the bag;   C) placing the compression bundle netting sleeve on a pneumatic nozzle;   D) removing one open end and a leading length of the netting sleeve from the pneumatic nozzle while maintaining the opposite end and the remainder of the netting sleeve on the pneumatic nozzle ;   E) sealing the open end;   F) filling the netting sleeve with compost; and   G) sealing the remaining open end.   
     
     
         17 . The method of manufacturing a compost filter sock according to  claim 16  further including the step of removing remaining portions of the compressed bundle netting sleeve from the pneumatic nozzle following formation of at least one compost filter sock; securing the compression bundle netting sleeve of the remainder of netting material with a mechanical fastener and returning the compression bundle netting sleeve of the remaining material to the bag. 
     
     
         18 . The method of manufacturing a compost filter sock according to claim according to  claim 17  wherein the mechanical fastener is one of a twist tie, cable tie, hose tie, zip tie or tie-wrap. 
     
     
         19 . The method of manufacturing a compost filter sock according to claim according to  claim 16  wherein the compression bundle netting sleeve is formed as a shape holding rolled sleeve of a torus or donut shape by drawing one open end of the netting material through the open interior and through the other open end then wrapped around the exterior at least once. 
     
     
         20 . The method of manufacturing a compost filter sock according to claim according to  claim 16  wherein the compression bundle netting material is surrounded with a protective sleeve.