Abstract: A water retention structure is provided below the surface of the soil in which plants are to be grown. The soil is excavated to a depth d below the plant's root structure and one, or more, water impervious polymeric sheet 10 is placed in the excavation. Each sheet has raised lands for supporting a non-woven filter cloth 10. Between the polymeric sheet and the cloth filter and among the raised lands, valleys or depressions are defined. Excess water is collected in these valleys for aspiration by the plant roots, and any additional water is fed to a storage reservoir, where the water can be pumped out for use elsewhere, and/or for use in irrigating the same soil during periods of reduced rainfall.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a farinaceous-based food product. The food product has a protein additive and a hydrophobic ester and it is dried in a manner to give a cross-section of the same a scanning electron microscopy image that visually displays substantially no protein fiber gaps or voids at about 2000 times magnification. The farinaceous-based food product is firm and not sticky after cooking.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for filtering and distributing fluids to the subterranean soil environment. The system includes spaced core sheets that are typically partially enveloped with fluid permeable fabric. In one embodiment the core sheets are arranged in an alternating wide and narrow configuration. Fluid is transferred from a pipe to the core sheet edges and travels along the core sheets and through the fabric into the subsurface environment. In another embodiment a transfer sheet is provided adjacent at least some of the core sheet edges. Fluid is transferred from a pipe to the transfer sheet for subsequent distribution to the core sheet edges for travel along the core sheets and through the fabric into the subsurface environment.

Abstract: A modular self-supporting fluid reservoir that can be provided in an excavation and covered with the excavated fill. A stack of plastic core sheets is bundled to form each module.

Abstract: A subterranean drainage and fluid filtration system includes an inlet conduit defined by fluid filtering fabric encasing a fluid pervious panel with raised lands and depressions to define passageways for the fluid. The fluid flows downwardly into a filtration system comprising the serpentine wrapped filter fabric in which core sheets and spacers are provided. These core sheets and spacers may be identical to one another and each includes raised lands so as to achieve flow of fluid downwardly and horizontally through the fluid filter.

Abstract: A basement below a dwelling structure has the walls covered by a rigid polystyrene panel that has raised lands to define a space on both sides to collect radon gas. An impermeable polyethlene sheet is sealed top and bottom to isolate the joint between the basement floor and the walls so radon gas is trapped in these spaces. A fan in a basement window is used to provide positive displacement of any radon gas trapped by this system.

Abstract: The drainage device includes a stiff plastic core having rigid raised portions and valleys therebetween is oriented vertically and tangentially to a drain pipe which has axially spaced raised annular portions contacting the core and annular recesses with slots to provide passageways for ground water into the pipe. A permeable plastic membrane is warpped around the core and the pipe to prevent fill from filling the passageways so defined.