Abstract: Protective container, especially adapted for vines, is provided with a sleeve comprising two semi-shells adapted to envelope a plant. A journal connects the two semi-shells and a latching element maintains the two semi-shells in a closed positioned so that the sleeve has a general shape of a tube open at both ends. The sleeve is sufficiently rigid so as to act as a support, and includes a lower portion adapted to be at least partially buried and envelope a root system of a plant, an upper portion constructed and arranged to enable free access therein, and an intermediate tubular portion, having reduced dimensions and reinforced mechanical resistance, separating the lower and upper portions. Projections in the general shape of teeth of a comb extend from the lower end of the lower portion to retain the root system of the plant and a substrate. The upper portion includes an openable portion which is selectably closable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for coating mineral, organic or metallic substrates, said substrates being either microscopic, such as pigment, filler, cement or metal particles, or macroscopic, such as large sized materials.The process according to the invention comprises a first step consisting in coating said substrate with a first layer of a composition comprising a liquid medium containing a polyhydroxylated polymer and a transition metal selected among the metals of the IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB and VIIIB groups of the periodic arrangement of the elements, capable of forming a polymer/metal complex, preferably a complex of polyvinyl alcohol and copper II, a second step consisting in applying on the first layer a polymerizable material capable of being grafted on the first layer and a third step consisting in causing said polymerizable material to become grafted to the first layer by polymerization thereon. The polymerizable material contains preferably acrylic or methacrylic unsaturations.

Abstract: A moulding composition which comprises a polycarbonate polymer, a plasticizer for said polymer, and a finely divided nucleating agent selected from the group consisting of metal salts of polymers carrying lateral carboxylic groups.

Abstract: A method for processing porous materials with at least one water-insoluble polymerizable compound and the products obtained, said method comprising the following steps in successive order: impregnating a porous material, especially one consisting essentially of a hydraulic binder and a granular or fibrous filler, with said compound; fully covering the thus impregnated material with an aqueous solution of a salt which precipitates when contacted with the hydraulic binder; and polymerizing the compound in the impregnated material while covered with the saline solution.