GRASS SEED BAGS THAT CAN BE VACUUM SEALED

Abstract

Bags that can be used to store and sell grass seed are provided. The bags include a valve that permits air to be removed from the bag after it is filled with seed and sealed, but prevents air from entering the bag. This increases the storage life of the seed. Also provided are methods for using such a bag, for example to increase the shelf-life of the seed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/294,401 filed Jan. 12, 2010, herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD

This application relates to a bag for seed, such a grass seed, which includes a valve that permits air to be removed from the bag after it is filled with seed, but prevents air from entering the bag after a vacuum has been applied. Also provided are methods for using such a bag, for example to increase the shelf-life of the seed.

BACKGROUND

Current bags used to store and sell grass seed are perforated and thus not air tight. Using current technologies, grass seed is generally viable for only about 6 to 9 months after it is packaged. What is needed is a bag that can increase the shelf-life of the seed, for example by preserving the germination by lowering the moisture and maintaining moisture in the seed of less than 10% in any environment.

SUMMARY

The present application provides bags for grass seed. Such bags include a valve that permits release of air (such as oxygen and carbon dioxide) from the bag when containing grass seed, while substantially preventing entry of air into the bag. For example, such valves can be one way valves that permit the release of air from the bag when a vacuum is applied, but prevent entrance of air back into the bag after the vacuum is removed. In some examples, the vale does not allow entry of air under negative pressure, such as 25 inches. The disclosed grass bags increase the shelf-life of the seed inside the bag, as compared to current commercially available grass seed bags. For example, grass seed can be stored in the vacuum-sealed bags for at least one year (such as at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, or at least 5 years, for example 1 to 3 years or 2 to 3 years), as compared to 6 to 9 months for current grass seed bags.

Also provided are methods of increasing the storage time (such as the shelf-life) of grass seed. In particular examples the methods include applying a vacuum to the disclosed grass storage bags under conditions that permit air to be withdrawn from the bag, wherein the bag is sealed and filled with grass seed. For example, the methods can include placing grass seed in the bags disclosed herein, sealing the bag, and then applying a vacuum to the sealed bag under conditions that permit air to be withdrawn from the bag, but substantially prevent air reentering the bag once the vacuum is removed. For example, the valve can be one that does not allow entry of air under negative pressure, such as pressures experienced in an airplane during flight, a pressure less than atmospheric pressure (such as below 760 mm Hg). Such methods increase the storage time of the grass seed (e.g., increase its shelf-life). In one example, such methods preserve the ability of the seed to germinate by lowering the moisture and maintaining moisture in the seed of less than 10% (such as less than 5%, less than 1%, or less than 0.01%, such as 0.01% to 8%) in any environment.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to one or more than one, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “comprising a plastic” includes single or plural plastics and encompasses the phrase “comprising at least one plastic.” The term “or” refers to a single element of stated alternative elements or a combination of two or more elements, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, “comprises” means “includes.” Thus, “comprising A or B,” means “including A, B, or A and B,” without excluding additional elements.

Unless explained otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

Bags for Grass Seed

Provided herein are bags for grass seed. Seed can be stored or sold in such bags for example. The bags include at least one valve (such as 1, 2, or 4 valves) for permitting air to be released from the bag when containing grass seed, while substantially preventing entrance of air into the bag. Thus any valve can be incorporated into the bag which allows air (such as air containing oxygen or carbon dioxide) to be substantially removed when sufficient vacuum is applied, while substantially prohibiting the entry of air back into the bag (such as air containing oxygen or carbon dioxide). Examples of such valves include a one way valve or a check valve, such as a one-way degassing valve. Examples of valves that can be used with the disclosed bags are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,000,846 and 4,206,870 (both herein incorporated by reference). In one example, the valve is one available from Pacific Bag, Inc., Woodinville, Wash., such as valve model no. V-101.

In some examples the valve is one that can be sealed after the air has been removed from the bag. For example, any holes in the valve or areas where air might escape (such as a pin hole) can be sealed, for example with a pressure-sensitive tab (which in some examples is circular) or with glue or other adhesive. In some examples the valve is sealed with cyanoacrylate, such as methyl 2-cyanoacrylate or ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate.

The valve need not permit complete removal of the air from the bag containing seed. In some examples, the valve permits removal of at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or even at least 99.9% of the air from the bag when a suitable vacuum is applied. In some examples however, the valve permits 100% of the air to be removed from the bag. Similarly, the valve need not completely prohibit entry of air into the bag. In some examples, the valve permits entry of no more than 5% of the original amount of air present in the bag prior to application of a suitable vacuum, such as no more than 2%, no more than 1%, no more than 0.1%, or no more than 0.01% of the original amount of air present in the bag prior to application of a suitable vacuum. In some examples however, the valve completely prohibits air to enter the bag after a suitable vacuum has been applied. Air that is removed from the bag (or prevented from entering the bag) can include oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or combinations thereof.

The bags can be composed of a material that includes one or more plastics or polymers (or combinations thereof) or other suitable material. In one example, the bag is made of polypropylene. For example, the material is one that permits incorporation of one or more valves. In one example, the material is one that can withstand exposure to a vacuum used to remove air from the bag. In some examples, the bag can hold 3 pounds, 7 pounds, 20 pounds, 25 pounds, 40 pounds, or 50 pounds of grass seed. In particular examples, the bag is not perforated. Currently available grass seed bags are generally perforated (for example to prevent air in the bag to be released, but which allow air to have contact with the seeds inside the bags, thus decreasing their shelf-life).

In some examples the bag includes a mechanism that permits the bag to be sealed (for example to prevent seed leakage), such as a zip lock. In some examples the bag is composed of a material that permits it to be sealed by application of heat or pressure, such as a polypropylene bag.

In some examples the bag does not include a zipper, such that after the grass seed is added, and a vacuum applied, the bag collapses and seals at the open end by the use of a sealant or other mechanism (such as by heating the top of the bag so it seals). In some examples the bag does not include a valve nor a zipper seal, and the bag is sealed at the open end after air is removed by the use of a sealant or other mechanism (such as by heating the top of the bag so it seals). Such bags are available from Pacific Bag.

The disclosure is not limited to any particular type of grass seed. Any type of grass seed can be placed in the bags, such as a seashore paspalum grass seed, ryegrass seed, fescue seed (such as tall fescue), or bentgrass seed. The bag can also hold grass seed mixtures.

Methods of Using the Grass Seed Bags

The disclosure also provides methods of using the disclosed grass seed bags. The disclosed bags permit preserving grass seed, and thus increasing the shelf-life of the seed stored and/or sold in such vacuum-sealed bags. The increased shelf-life of the seed can result in a higher germination rate, for example as compared to seed sold/stored in a non-vacuum sealed bag (such as those bags currently in use). Germination is the sprouting of a plant seed into a seedling, for example from a grass seed into a plant. Grass seed stored and sold in currently available bags has a shelf-life of about 6 to 9 months. After that time, the seed is generally discarded, due to the low germination rate (that is the proportion of seeds in a given batch or lot of seed that germinate). However, by using the disclosed grass seed bags, this preserves the germination, thereby increasing the shelf-life of the seed in the bag.

For example, the disclosed bags and methods of their use can increase the shelf-life of the seed by at least 1.5-fold relative to the shelf-life of seed stored and sold in currently available bags, such as an increase of at least 2-fold, at least 2.5-fold, at least 3-fold, at least 3.5-fold, or even at least four fold. In some examples, the disclosed bags and methods permit seed to be stored at least 1 year, such as at least 1.5 years, at least 2 years, at least 3 years, at least 4 years, or even at least 5 years, such as 2 to 3 years or 2 to 5 years, following applying the vacuum.

In some examples, at least 1 year (such as at least 1.5 years, at least 2 years, at least 3 years, or at least 5 years) following application of the vacuum to the bag and the air in the bag is substantially removed, grass seed in the bag has an increased germination rate relative to the germination rate of the same seed in a bag currently used in the industry (or relative to the bag without application of vacuum). For example, grass seed in a vacuum sealed bag can have a germination life that is increased by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 99% relative to the germination rate of the same seed type present in a non-vacuum sealed bag (such as currently commercially used grass seed bags) over the same period of time (such as at least 1 year or at least 2 years).

In particular examples, the methods include applying a vacuum to a disclosed grass seed bag sealed and filled with grass seed, under conditions that permit air to be withdrawn from the bag, thereby increasing the lifespan of the grass seed. For example, the method can include placing grass seed into a disclosed grass seed bag, sealing the bag (for example to prevent the seed from falling out), and then applying a vacuum to the sealed bag under conditions that permit air to be withdrawn from the bag, thereby increasing the shelf-life of the grass seed.

In some examples, the vacuum is applied to multiple bags filled with grass (and sealed) simultaneously. For example, a plurality of seed filled and sealed bags can be placed into a suitable container or chamber, and a vacuum applied to the container. Such a container is able to withstand application of the vacuum. For example, such a container or chamber can be made of wood, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. In one example, multiple pallets of seed (such as at least 2 or at least 3 pallets) are subjected to a vacuum simultaneously, for example exposed to vacuum for 3 to 10 minutes, such as 7 minutes.

Suitable vacuum conditions that permit removal of the air in the seed-filled bag can be determined using routine procedures. Such conditions may depend on the composition of the valve or bag (or both). In some particular examples, a vacuum of 15 to 35 inches of mercury (inHg) is applied, such as 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 inHg. The length of time the vacuum is applied can also be determined using routine procedures. Such time may depend on the size and number of bags to which the vacuum is applied for example. In one example, the sealed grass seed-filled bags are exposed to an appropriate vacuum pressure for no more than 1 hour, such as no more than 30 minutes, no more than 20 minutes, no more than 10 minutes, such as 30 seconds to 60 minutes, 1 minute to 20 minutes, 5 minutes to 10 minutes, or 5 minutes to 30 minutes, such as 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 7 minutes, 8 minutes, 10 minutes or 20 minutes.

Example 1

Tall fescue seed is placed into bags having a one-way degassing valve. The bags are sealed under a vacuum. Subsequently, grass seed is removed on a monthly basis from one of the bags and planted so that germination rate and shelf-life of the seed can be assessed. Each time, seed is removed from a previously unopened bag, so that the shelf-life of the seed can be determined.

Example 2

It has been observed that ‘Seaspray’ (Seashore paspalum) seed stored in a bucket in Hawaii without a vacuum resulted in lost germination of a period of 6-9 months, likely due to the hot, humid weather.

Thus, ‘Seaspray’ (Seashore paspalum

) seed can be placed in the bags disclosed herein and sealed to remove air to increase their storage life beyond a few months.

Seed will be packaged in Oregon and sent to Hawaii. Seed will be evaluated for its germination, for example on a monthly basis over the course of 1-5 years. It is expect that the shelf-life of the seed stored in the bags disclosed herein will have a storage life of longer than 9 months, such at least 1 year, at least 2 years, at least 3 years, at least 4 years, or at least 5 years.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosure may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only examples of the disclosure and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. I therefore claim as my invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.

Claims

1. A bag for grass seed comprising:

a valve for permitting release of air from the bag when containing grass seed, while substantially preventing entrance of air into the bag.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bag is not perforated.

3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bag can hold 3, 7, 20, 25, 40, or 50 pounds of grass seed.

4. The bag of claim 1, wherein the bag is made of a material comprising polypropylene.

5. The bag of claim 1, wherein the valve is a one way valve.

6. A method of increasing shelf-life of grass seed comprising:

placing grass seed in the bag of any claim 1;

sealing the bag; and

applying a vacuum to the sealed bag under conditions that permit air to be withdrawn from the bag, thereby increasing the shelf-life of the grass seed.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising sealing any holes present in the valve after applying the vacuum.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein holes in the valve are sealed with glue or a pressure sensitive tab.

9. A method of increasing the shelf-life of the grass seed comprising:

applying a vacuum a the bag of claim 1, wherein the bag is sealed and filled with grass seed, under conditions that permit air to be withdrawn from the bag, thereby increasing the shelf-life of the grass seed.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

placing a plurality of the bags in a container, wherein applying a vacuum to the bag comprises applying a vacuum to the container.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the vacuum conditions comprise 15 to 35 inches of mercury.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the vacuum conditions comprise 25 inches of mercury.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the seed can be germinated 1 to 5 years following applying the vacuum.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein the seed can be germinated 1 to 3 years following applying the vacuum.

15. The method of claim 6, wherein the seed can be germinated 1 to 2 years following applying the vacuum.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

placing a plurality of the bags in a container, wherein applying a vacuum to the bag comprises applying a vacuum to the container.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the vacuum conditions comprise 15 to 35 inches of mercury.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the seed can be germinated 1 to 5 years following applying the vacuum.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein the seed can be germinated 1 to 3 years following applying the vacuum.

20. The method of claim 9, wherein the seed can be germinated 1 to 2 years following applying the vacuum.