Containment Systems, Methods, and Devices

Abstract

At least one exemplary system comprises a tubular mesh enclosure formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of less than 0.5 inches, the tubular mesh enclosure having an opposing pair of ends, at least one of the opposing pair of ends sealed; and a filling surrounded by the tubular mesh enclosure; the system defining a length and a generally non-circular longitudinal cross-section defining a major width, a ratio of the length to the major width greater than approximately 40.

1 . A method for forming an erosion control device, the method comprising:
 placing a plant growing medium into a first tubular mesh enclosure formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of between approximately 0.125 inches and approximately 0.5 inches, said first tubular mesh enclosure having a first opposing pair of ends, at least one of said first opposing pair of ends sealed, said first tubular mesh enclosure defining a first length and a first generally oval cross-section defining a first major diameter, a first ratio of said first length to said first major diameter greater than approximately 100, said plant growing medium being containing less than about 5 percent by dry weight of inert or foreign materials, said plant growing medium being substantially weed seed-free, substantially disease-free, substantially insect-free, substantially refuse-free, and substantially contaminant-free, the plant growing medium comprising particles wherein at least 70% of the particles pass through a 0.375 inch sieve and no more than 2% of the particles are longer than 3 inches, the plant growing medium having a moisture content of less than 60%, the plant growing medium comprising less than 1% by dry weight of inert, foreign, or man-made materials;   sealing at least one of said first opposing ends;   placing a plurality of plant growing supplements into said first tubular mesh enclosure;   providing said first tubular mesh enclosure to a location prone to sediment-containing water flow;   compressing said first tubular mesh enclosure to have a substantially flat-bottomed cross-section;   securing said first tubular mesh enclosure to a surface;   attaching a second tubular mesh enclosure to said first tubular mesh enclosure; and   inserting a living plant or plant seed into said plant growing medium through a hole created in a side of said first tubular mesh enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . A method for forming an erosion control device, the method comprising:
 placing a filling into a first tubular mesh enclosure formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of between approximately 0.125 inches and approximately 0.5 inches, said first tubular mesh enclosure having a first opposing pair of ends, at least one of said first opposing pair of ends sealed, said first tubular mesh enclosure defining a first length and a first generally oval cross-section defining a first major diameter, said filling being a plant growing medium containing less than about 5 percent by dry weight of inert or foreign materials, said filling having a bulk particle distribution that corresponds to less than 2% exceeding 3 inches in length.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling is weed seed-free.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling is disease-free.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling is insect-free.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling is free of refuse that is deleterious to plant growth.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling is free of contaminants.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling is free of materials deleterious to plant growth.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling has a pH that measures between approximately 5.0 and approximately 8.0.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling was produced aerobically.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling was produced according to an aerobic composting process meeting 40 CFR 503 regulations.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling produced according to an aerobic composting process meeting a United States federal government composting regulation.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling has a moisture content of less than 60%.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling has a bulk particle distribution that corresponds to 99% passing a 1 inch sieve.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling has a bulk particle distribution that corresponds to 90% passing a 0.75 inch sieve.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling has a bulk particle distribution that corresponds to a minimum of 70% larger than a 0.375 inch sieve.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said bulk particle distribution is predetermined.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling comprises less than 1% by dry weight of inert or man-made materials.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 placing a filling supplement into said first tubular mesh enclosure.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 placing a filling supplement into said first tubular mesh enclosure, the filling supplement selected from: seeds, spores, plugs, sprigs, fertilizer, flocculant, chemical binder, water absorbent, and pesticide.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 stacking a plurality of tubular mesh enclosures above said first tubular mesh enclosure to form a wall.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 securing said first tubular mesh enclosure to a surface.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 securing said first tubular mesh enclosure adjacent to a second tubular mesh enclosure.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 attaching a second tubular mesh enclosure to said first tubular mesh enclosure.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling is placed in said first tubular mesh enclosure via auger.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling is pneumatically placed in said first tubular mesh enclosure.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling is manually placed in said first tubular mesh enclosure.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 closing an end of said first tubular mesh enclosure.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said filling contains less than about 2% by dry weight of inert or man-made materials.   
     
     
         30 . An erosion control device comprising:
 a first tubular mesh enclosure formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of between approximately 0.125 inches and approximately 0.5 inches, said first tubular mesh enclosure having a first opposing pair of ends, at least one of said first opposing pair of ends sealed, said first tubular mesh enclosure defining a first length and a first generally oval cross-section defining a first major diameter, said first tubular mesh enclosure substantially containing a plant growing medium containing less than about 5 percent by dry weight of inert or foreign materials, said filling having a bulk particle distribution that corresponds to less than 2% exceeding 3 inches in length.