Abstract: A unique chute construction for a grass cutting mower which directs cut grass being ejected by its rotating blades through an opening in a hood surrounding its blades out of the mower in an upward fan-shaped pattern away from the mower and thereby preventing undesired clumping of the ejected grass when it hits the ground. The top portion of the hood that is adjacent to and which form an outer edge of the opening in the hood is tapered in an upward direction to form an upper first portion of the chute. A second portion of the chute forms an inside portion that employs a plate that is positioned beneath and in spaced apart relationship with the first portion and has the same taper as the first portion of the chute. The addition of this chute eliminates the need for an operator of a mower to take a second, time-consuming cut of the same grass in order to eliminate the clumps of grass that are generated by conventional mowers that do not have such a chute.

Abstract: An applicator for seed treatment products includes an elongated, cylindrical tube having an enlarged flange at a top end for receiving a canister of treatment products. The bottom end of the tube is inserted into a seed hopper filled with seeds, the tube penetrating beneath the surface of the seeds. A canister of treatment products is opened at one end and inserted into the flange with the open side down. The canister fits snugly in the flange so the treatment products can escape only from the bottom of the tube which is within the seed pile. The user stirs the pile with the tube to distribute the treatment products evenly throughout the pile.

Abstract: An automatic house plant watering system is provided allowing the user to control a constant slow flow of irrigating water to house plants during the extended absence of the user. User adjustable valves control the gravity outflow of water from a reservoir in the preferred embodiment, and a perforated threaded reservoir fill plug having a central bore for air pressure regulation is used to expose the fill hole and also for controlling atmospheric air inflow to the reservoir as an additional means of controlling the outflow of water. The user thus control irrigation flow by adjusting the at least one outflow valve and also by adjusting air inlet through the threaded fill plug. Conical ridged nipples on the at least one irrigation water outflow valve provides a friction fit for suitable flexible tubing to conduct water to individual plants to be watered. The present invention may be provided with casters, pull handles, a rolling cart, an air pump for positive reservoir air pressure, and a lamp mounting bracket.

Abstract: The invention discloses flower pots forming a self-supporting modular structure comprising a plurality of flower pots (4, 7) each comprising first container elements (41; 71) united together through at least one channel (42; 72) and suited to contain ornamental plants, co-axially matchable through the fixed joint formed by their matching profiles (8, 9). Each of the mentioned flower pots (4, 7) can be co-axially matched with a second container element (5) through the fixed joint formed their matching profiles (8; 9). Moreover, each of said container elements (41, 71) fits co-axially inside an underpot tray (10).

Abstract: The growing room includes a closed loop track suspended above the floor and extending throughout the room. A plurality of racks are movably supported on the track by a motorized mover system. The racks include a frame for supporting a plurality of growing sheets for supporting and growing the plants. The growing sheets are made of a translucent material and include a plurality of growing cells formed by affixing a plurality of lengths of membrane material to the sheet at predetermined locations. The growing cells are gas permeable, liquid impermeable, and translucent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lawn protecting method for preventing a lawn from being barren by stamping pressure, particularly relates to a lawn protecting method in golf courses, tennis courts, sports stadiums such as soccer fields and an elastic body for lawn protection used therefor. The present invention is a lawn protecting method comprising dispersing fragmental elastic bodies of not less than 0.0003 cm.sup.3 and not more than 5 cm.sup.3 in volume on a lawn or previously sowed soil, and cultivating turf. Moreover, an elastic body for lawn protection according to the present invention consists of rubber, synthetic resin or their sponge, its cross section is circular, oval, annular, spherical, polygonal and their amorphous shape, and its volume is 0.0003-5 cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A method for preventing the growth of vegetation around structures extending from the ground is disclosed. The method consists of providing a substantially flat, flexible mat of a polymeric material having a substantially uniform thickness. An aperture is provided in the mat so that the mat can be positioned around a structure extending from the ground. A slit may also be formed in the mat to facilitate the positioning of the mat around the structure. The mat has a substantial weight to prevent lifting of the mat from the surface around the structure without staking or securing the mat to the structure or ground. Because the mat has a low profile or thickness, mowers may be easily passed over the mat without damaging the mat or the mower.

Abstract: This invention relates to sod and turf having modified planting mediums and a synthetic sod reinforcement. The sod mats are propagated quickly and are very effective in use. The sod mats are especially effective for soil stabilization and sports fields.

Abstract: A selective spraying weed control system utilizes weed detectors that process four bands of reflected illumination from a field of view that may contain weeds. The system uses distributed processes assigned individually to control associated spray nozzles.

Abstract: An air pruning plant growth system comprising an air-pruning tray having a plurality of plant growth cells with upper elliptical openings within an upper plane, lower elliptical openings with diameters larger than the diameters of the upper elliptical openings within a lower plane spaced from and parallel to the upper plane, continuous, upwardly tapering, side walls joining the upper and lower opening, and a continuous, horizontal bottom wall joining the cells; and a support tray having an air permeable floor and upwardly extending tray side walls.

Abstract: A pesticide applicator has a mounting surface onto which is bonded a solid pesticide composition. The bonding is provided by a cellulosic sheet disposed between the pesticide and the mounting surface avoiding the requirement for surface knurling or fasteners such as are found in previous solid pesticide applicators. A solid pesticide composition is also disclosed comprising a solid carrier, a pesticide and an amount of flour to promote the dispersion of the pesticide into the wax. Previously known chemical surfactants are not required.

Abstract: A single plant greenhouse that is a single unit of rigid material with adjustable access ports, wherein the greenhouse provides a thermal buffer against harsh environmental conditions while enabling access to the greenhouse interior to provide ventilation, viewing and caring for a plant while maintaining a sheltered environment that can gradually be removed, allowing the plant to gradually harden itself to the outside environment without shock.

Abstract: A mowing guard has a band element that forms a side wall of a tray-like container disposed on the ground about the base of a tree trunk, lamp post, utility pole, fire hydrant or like upstanding element. A bottom as constituted by drapeable sheet material inhibiting of growth of plant material connected to a lower edge of the side wall. The drapeable sheet has an opening conforming to the tree trunk or other element and extending to an opening in the side wall allowing the guard to be installed around the tree trunk or other element. The drapeable material is disposed to form a substantially continuous plant growth inhibitive covering between the tree trunk or other element and the wall element. The container may be filled with mulch material.

Abstract: An article and method of maintaining wooden fence posts from attack by landscaping equipment in which the base of the post is encircled with a hard plastic cuff having a smoother surface than the post such that string cutters used in edging around the fence post create a smoother and cleaner cut of the vegetation with the cuff as a backing while protecting the post from attack by the tip of the string element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover comprising means for engaging portions of the sheet of material and forming pleats in predetermined portions of the sheet of material having a predetermined shape whereby the formed flower pot or flower pot cover has pleats in predetermined portions and of predetermined shapes.

Abstract: An apparatus used to lengthen or replace a natural stem while allowing for a solid insertion (picking) into floral arrangements. Embodiments of this present invention include a cylindrical rod of absorbent floral foam, acting as the water translocating core of a natural stem. This core is to have a water impermeable, exterior coating (shell) and uncoated ends, the nature of which may be a clear plastic resin providing rigidity and moisture retention. This exterior shell will have a surface area of evenly spaced perforations, these being of sufficient size and number, allowing the air transfer, necessary for the wetting and wicking action of the core. A recessed or dimpled top end will provide for ease of stem insertion, while a bottom end slant cut will facilitate base medium placement. The embodiment of this invention can be modified and economically fabricated by dual extrusion or injection molding. Although natural in appearance, this device may be color shaded and decoratively enhanced.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a bonding material disposed upon an inner or outer portion of the sleeve for attaching the sleeve to the pot or item.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.

Abstract: A controlled atmosphere storage chamber (22) including:(i) means (34) for generating cooled and pressurised air located within or adjacent the chamber such as an airconditioner;(ii) one or more air supply ducts (28) associated with the generating means for circulating said cooled and pressurized air throughout the chamber (22) wherein the or each supply duct (28) extends substantially the length of the chamber (22) and has an unrestricted air flow passage which has a transverse dimension or width that tapers progressively inwardly throughout its length towards an end remote from the generating means (34);(iii) air outlet means (51, 61, 62) associated with the or each supply duct (28) which air outlet means (51, 61, 62) extends substantially the length of the or each supply duct (28);(iv) one or more elongate hollow storage members (23) having one or more heat sources (27) located closely adjacent thereto wherein the interior of the or each storage member functions as a return duct (29) for return of heat lade

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed which operate to automatically deliver liquid to a plant growing medium in a pot from a receptacle positioned above the plant growing medium. The liquid flows from the receptacle under the influence of gravity and is supplied to the plant growing medium at predetermined drip rate, which may be manually adjusted.