Abstract: A water permeable membrane capable of blocking the growth of plant and tree roots only in a mechanical way. This membrane comprises n layers of a non-woven material having a predetermined thickness and n+1 layers of an impermeable material perforated with holes to allow drainage of water, where n is an integer equal or greater than 1. The layers of non woven and impermeable material are in alternate position so that two layers of impermeable material form external layers of the water permeable membrane, and each layer of non-woven material is positioned between two layers of the impermeable material.

Abstract: The invention concerns a triboelectric air filter consisting essentially of a mixture of polypropylene fibers with polymethaphenylene isophatalamide fibers.

Abstract: A laminated insole (2) for a footwear has an upper layer (4) of a resilient foam material having an outline (6) shaped for incorporation in the footwear, and a bottom layer of a fibrous mat (10) and having a shape conforming with the outline (6) of the upper layer (4). The fibrous mat (10) includes a multiplicity of fibers (12), a number of which penetrate the foam material of the upper layer (4) for bonding the bottom layer (10) to the upper layer (4), and a stiffening portion (14) for providing stiffness to the insole (2). Preferably, each of the fibers (12) of those penetrating the foam material (4) emerges from the outer surface (16) thereof and thereby provides a pilosity (17) thereon. The laminated product (2) is suitable for use as an insole as well as a slip-in insole in any footwear. It takes advantage of the resilient properties of the foam, the stiffness and thermoformability of the fibrous mat and the comfort provided by the pilosity covering the upper layer of foam.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a liquid in a reactor comprising a chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion, a liquid inlet located in the upper portion of the chamber, a liquid outlet located in the lower portion of the chamber and an absorbent bed within the chamber between the upper and lower portions thereof, said method comprising using as said absorbent bed a porous packing that is able to absorb by capillarity the liquid to be treated, said porous packing having a given capillarity height h.sub.s which is the height that the liquid to be treated reaches by capillarity action when it is fed in a column filled up with a continuous layer of said porous packing; mounting at least one horizontally extending separation member within the chamber so as to divide the absorbent bed into at least two superimposed layers of a given height that is equal to or lower than h.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling and preventing the growth of plant roots using a water-permeable, non-woven fabric made of synthetic fibers coated or otherwise impregnated with a water-insoluble polymeric binder in which is dispersed a water-insoluble inorganic copper compound in an amount effective to stop root growth. The polymeric binder is bound to the fabric and retains and confines the copper compound to the fabric. The coated fabric is used to stop or prevent the growth of undesirable rootlets or radicles which come in contact thereto.