Apparatus and method for treating mulch

Abstract

An apparatus and method for treating mulch include a mobile facility that applies a treatment to wood fibers at an increased efficiency than conventional coloring or coating methods. The method includes the steps of introducing the wood fibers into a revolving tub, and transporting the wood fibers to a first treatment manifold. The first treatment manifold includes at least one inlet port to receive a first treatment and at least one discharge port to apply the first treatment to the wood fibers. The wood fibers are treated with the first treatment using the first treatment manifold. The apparatus includes a revolving tub and a first treatment manifold, which is preferably installed in the revolving tub in a first treatment area.

1 . A method of treating a plurality of wood fibers, comprising the steps of: 
 a) introducing the wood fibers into a revolving tub;    b) transporting the wood fibers to a first treatment manifold, wherein the first treatment manifold is located within the revolving tub and comprises at least one inlet port to receive a first treatment and at least one discharge port to apply the first treatment to the wood fibers; and    c) treating the wood fibers with the first treatment using the first treatment manifold.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first treatment manifold is mounted to a floor of the revolving tub.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 d) transporting the wood fibers to a second treatment manifold; and    e) treating the wood fibers with a second treatment using the second treatment manifold.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of grinding the wood fibers to a smaller nominal size.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of: 
 d) transporting the wood fibers to a second treatment manifold; and    e) treating the wood fibers with a second treatment using the second treatment manifold.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of delivering a material to be used to treat the wood fibers to the first treatment manifold.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment comprises a colorant.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment is provided as a foam.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, prior to step (c), the steps of: 
 d) combining the first treatment, a foaming agent, and a solvent to form a landscaping composition; and    e) foaming the landscaping composition to form a delivery medium for delivering the first treatment to the wood fibers.    
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for treating a plurality of wood fibers, comprising: 
 a) a revolving tub; and    b) a first treatment manifold mounted to the revolving tub, the first treatment manifold comprising at least one inlet port to receive a first treatment and at least one discharge port to apply the first treatment to the wood fibers.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first treatment manifold is mounted to a floor of the revolving tub.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first treatment manifold has sloped sides for allowing the wood fibers to roll over the first treatment manifold.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a grinding machine comprising at least one tooth to grind the wood fibers into a plurality of smaller pieces.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the grinding machine is a grinding mill mounted to a floor of the revolving tub.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the discharge port is aimed toward the grinding mill.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the grinding machine further comprises a cutting screen, with openings sized to match a desired particulate size for wood fibers particles.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a second treatment manifold in a second treatment area for treating the wood fibers with a second treatment, the second treatment manifold comprising at least one inlet port to receive the second treatment and at least one discharge port to apply the second treatment to the wood fibers; 
 wherein the second treatment manifold treats the wood fibers after the wood fibers have been ground in the grinding machine.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising an engine coupled to the revolving tub.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a transportable carrier, wherein the revolving tub is mounted on the transportable carrier.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the treatment comprises a colorant.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the treatment is provided as a foam.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the treatment is provided as a mist.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the treatment is provided in water.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the treatment is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) at least one dye;    b) at least one pigment;    c) at least one oil;    d) at least one fragrance;    e) at least one insect repellent;    f) at least one insecticide;    g) at least one fungicide;    h) at least one wood preservative; and    i) any combination of (a) through (h).    
     
     
         25 . A method of treating a plurality of wood fibers, comprising the steps of: 
 a) introducing the wood fibers onto a feed table;    b) conveying the wood fibers along the feed table to a first treatment manifold, wherein the first treatment manifold comprises at least one inlet port to receive a first treatment and at least one discharge port to apply the first treatment to the wood fibers;    c) treating the wood fibers with the first treatment using the first treatment manifold; and    d) grinding the wood fibers in a grinding mill;    wherein the wood fibers travel from the feed table over the manifold and into the grinding mill.