Abstract: A plant cover, comprising a base formed from a sheet of material, said base having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface, an opening intersecting the upper end forming an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space, a skirt formed from a sheet of material, said skirt connected to the upper end of the base, and expansion means formed integrally with the base, the expansion means comprising an excess of material, the expansion means permitting the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of a pot. Methods of using a plant cover.

Abstract: An escape device for escaping from a building or other high area in an emergency comprises a worm gear mechanism driven by an electric motor and operatively coupled to a reel having a length of high tensile line wound around it, arranged within a casing, and a belt connected to the casing for supporting a person's body. The worm gear mechanism rotates the reel, feeding out the line, and thereby lowering the user to a safe location below.

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 provides a horticulturally diverse garden for growing botanicals having a plurality of transportable modules, at least two of which provide differing microenvironments. The modules can comprise various soil compositions such that a variety of diverse botanicals can grow and thrive in close proximity. The present invention also provides for a garden which is irrigated from below the modules. The garden can also be heated or cooled underground. The present invention can also comprise a flexible plastic film or other transparent enclosure covering the top of the garden or modules. The modules may also comprise a synthetic surface.

Abstract: A cover/wrap system for flower pots and the like allows the use of any sheet of material to cover a pot and be held in place by a sleeve. A transparent sleeve can be used, and colored or patterned material will decorate the pot; and, if the material is subject to moisture damage, an inner sleeve acts as a moisture barrier. The sleeve can be set down, the sheet of material placed over the sleeve, and the pot simply placed on the sheet of material. The pot will sink into the sleeve and will urge the sheet of material around the pot, then hold the material in place.

Abstract: A plant cover, comprising a base formed from a sheet of material, said base having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface, an opening intersecting the upper end forming an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space, a skirt formed from a sheet of material, said skirt connected to the upper end of the base, and expansion means formed integrally with the base, the expansion means comprising an excess of material, the expansion means permitting the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of a pot. Methods of using a plant cover.

Abstract: Mulching pellets made from fmely divided paper and wood, a clay binder, a highly water absorbent natural polymer, and a surfactant. The pellets absorb at least four times their weight in water. The pellets substantially reduce water run-off and soil erosion as compared to other mulch pellets.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced, pourable, soil substrate for supporting vegetation, comprising substantially undecayable, loose, individual, untwisted or carded plastic fibers in the form of filaments having lengths of from about 1 cm to about 10 cm; a slowly decomposable, difficultly decayable, organic, fibers and the balance easily decayable organic constituents and aggregates. The substrate has a thickness of from about 0.5 cm to about 30 cm.