Abstract: A debris clearing apparatus for use with an agricultural implement has a pair of rotatable discs each having a plurality of teeth extending from a periphery thereof. The teeth on the discs each have a profile comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edges are sharpened to create cutting edges to cut through crop residue and other debris. The leading cutting edge can be a straight edge with an outer edge formed at the distal tip of the tooth between the leading and trailing edges. Alternatively, the leading cutting edge can be a curved edge with a sharp outer point between the leading and trailing edges. The discs are arranged so that geometric planes containing the first and second discs intersect and the discs are toed-in toward each other relative to a direction of travel of the implement.

Abstract: An agricultural seed planting implement has a frame moveable in an up and down direction relative to soil over which the frame traverses. A seed trench opening assembly mounted on the frame includes disks mounted side by side and having a forming point positioned in between. A wearable insert of plastic is slidably but non-rotatably retained in the forming point to abut the disks when they are deflected. The disks are removable to enable simple replacement of the wearable insert.

Abstract: A depth adjustment for an agricultural seed planting implement has a depth control assembly of side by side gauge wheels pivotally mounted to a frame with leading equal length arms in a staggered relation. A settable lever acts on the arms through a control rocker having arms with the same staggered relation to control soil flow.

Abstract: The selective positioning of row units along a planter tool bar is facilitated by introducing an elongated channel of generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration intermediate the tool bar and a plurality of row unit head brackets. The channel is welded or otherwise fixed to the tool bar with the open edge of the “C” facing away from the tool bar and the head brackets are fixed to the channel by clamping nut and bolt assemblies. The bolts extend through the clamping brackets and engage corresponding clamping nuts. The clamping nuts are positioned within the “C” and may be slid along the inner edge of the channel to any preferred position. The bolts are then and tightened fixing the head bracket at the selected at location.

Abstract: A seed planting apparatus includes a toolbar mounted on a tractor for traversing the ground in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toolbar. A plurality of seeding units are spaced laterally across the toolbar for ground penetration and planting of seeds. A ground engaging wheel is provided and a linkage connects the wheel to the toolbar for up and down movement relative to the ground. An actuator interconnects the toolbar to at least one of the linkage and wheel for selectively elevating the wheel. A bulk seed hopper is supported adjacent the wheel and a control system determines a parameter associated with the toolbar and raises and lowers the wheel to transfer weight from the bulk feed hopper to and from the toolbar.

Abstract: An agricultural planting apparatus including a chassis; and a row unit carried by the chassis. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; a biasing element carried by the unit body that is selected from the group consisting of an extension spring, a compression spring, and a cylinder; and a pair of pinch wheels carried by the unit body behind the at least one furrowing disc and including an axle assembly pivotally movable relative to said unit body and connected to said biasing element. The axle assembly is configured to readily connect to any of the group members of the biasing element.

Abstract: An agricultural planter has at least one wing section that can rotate forward to a transport configuration and can also rotate outward to a working configuration. The at least one wing section has a caster assembly attached to a strut pivotable between a raised position forward of the at least one wing section and a lowered position beneath the at least one wing section. At least one wing section lift cylinder is located above and horizontally rearward of the at least one wing section, and is connected to the at least one wing section using a rearward extending wing section lift cylinder mounting bracket. The at least one wing section lift cylinder is connected to at least one bell crank, which is connected to at least one drop link, which is connected to the strut.

Abstract: An agricultural planter has a chassis with at least one wing section, which is operable to rotate forward about a vertical hinge to a transport configuration and to rotate outward about the vertical hinge to a working configuration. The agricultural planter has a telescoping hitch assembly made of an inner hitch bar and an outer hitch bar in a sliding relationship. A horsehead is attached to the at least one wing section and configured in such a way as to support the at least one wing section when in the transport configuration by resting upon the top of the outer hitch bar of the telescoping hitch assembly.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle system including a towing vehicle and an implement towed by the towing vehicle. The towing vehicle supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the implement. The implement includes a chassis, an electrical generation device carried by the chassis and a hydraulic flow control system. The electrical generation device has a hydraulically driven motor coupled to the pressurized hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic flow control system is configured to alter a flow of the hydraulic fluid to the motor and to maintain a speed of the motor, with the speed being dependent upon a configuration input defining a configuration of the implement to which the electrical generation device is coupled.

Abstract: A planter includes a chassis and a row unit carried by the chassis. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; at least one pressing wheel carried by the unit body behind the furrowing disc(s); a travel arm carried by and pivotally movable relative to the unit body that defines a travel path; at least one closing disc positioned behind the furrowing disc(s) and in front of the pressing wheel(s) and pivotally movable along the travel path by the travel arm; and a stop having a stop portion placed in the travel path that limits a vertical travel of the closing disc(s) and at least one adjustment feature formed thereon that allows the stop portion to be held in at least two different locations in the travel path.

Abstract: An operating environment of an agricultural utility vehicle having a graphical user interface includes a freely configurable display or control unit. The display or control unit can, as desired, be mounted at a first mounting interface for providing a first display or control configuration in a first driver field of vision, or at a second mounting interface for providing a second display or control configuration in a second driver field of vision.

Abstract: A seed treater provides enhanced seed coating capabilities and performance. The seed and/or treatment fluid may be heated for improving vaporization and absorption by the seed. Air may be injected in the seed treater to provide heat, dehumidified air, and to provide vaporization enhancement, and component cleaning functions. The functions may be controlled by a control processor based on recipes and may be changed dependent upon sensed or input environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.

Abstract: A planting apparatus includes a chassis and a row unit carried by the chassis. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; at least one pressing wheel carried by the unit body behind the furrowing disc in a direction of travel; a travel arm carried by and pivotally movable relative to the unit body that defines a travel path; at least one closing disc positioned behind the at least one furrowing disc and in front of the at least one pressing wheel in the direction of travel and pivotally movable along the travel path by the travel arm; and a stop placed in the travel path of the travel arm that is configured to limit a vertical travel of the at least one closing disc.

Abstract: An adjustable scraper structure is attached to a press wheel arm and suspends an adjustable scraper above the press wheel for removing mud buildup above the treads on the tire. The scraper is rotatably adjustable about the rotational axis of the press wheel and the blade pitch is rotatably adjustable about an axis parallel to and removed from the press wheel axis.

Abstract: An agricultural planting apparatus includes a chassis and a row unit carried by the chassis that defines a width. The row unit includes a unit body carried by the chassis; a metering device carried by the unit body; at least one furrowing disc carried by the unit body; at least one closing disc carried by the unit body behind the furrowing disc(s); a restraining member carried by the mounting body; and a pressing wheel carried by the unit body, pivotally movable about an axis of rotation relative to the unit body, positionable behind the closing disc(s), and reversibly connectable to the restraining member. The pressing wheel has a constrained pivoting configuration when connected to the restraining member that resists pivoting and a freely pivoting configuration when disconnected from the restraining member to reduce the width of the row unit when pivoted in an upward direction about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: An agricultural planter including a frame member, a conveyance system, a seeding system and an air pressure differential system. The conveyance system is coupled to the frame member and the conveyance system allows for the moving of the planter at a ground speed. The seeding system is coupled to the frame member. The air pressure differential system is operatively coupled to the seeding system. The air pressure differential system includes an air pressure differential producing apparatus for producing an air pressure difference and a controller. The controller is in controlling communication with the air pressure differential producing apparatus. The controller is configured to select the air pressure difference dependent upon the ground speed of the planter.

Abstract: An agricultural planter includes a chassis; a pneumatic system carried by the chassis; and a row unit carried by the chassis. The row unit includes: a unit body; a metering unit carried by the unit body and having a port with a channel formed therein; a flexible coupling locked onto the port by an inner lip formed on an inner surface of the coupling, the coupling having a sliding region formed on an outer surface of said coupling; a locking ring bound within the sliding region of the coupling, the locking ring being slidable across the sliding region between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking ring preventing the coupling from deforming to allow the inner lip off the port in the locked position; and a hose connecting the pneumatic system to the channel of the port through the coupling.

Abstract: A seed planting implement includes a monolithic body defining a seed hopper and an air supply system for a seed meter of the implement. The air supply system includes an air inlet manifold and an air channel from the manifold to the seed meter. A screen on the manifold is easily removed for servicing. A housing of the seed meter partially defines the channel during use.

Abstract: An agricultural implement including a tool bar and a row unit coupled to the tool bar. The row unit includes a frame member and at least one clamping device coupled to the frame member. Each clamping device has a first member having first interior features and a second member having second interior features, with the first interior features being substantially a mirror image of the second interior features.

Abstract: An agricultural planter has a chassis with a tool bar and at least one row unit. Each row unit is carried by the tool bar and has a fluid actuator and a linkage assembly connecting it to the tool bar. The linkage assembly and fluid actuator allows the row unit to be raised and lowered. A control module is operable to individually raise and lower each row unit on the agricultural planter using the fluid actuator in response to either a manual input, an automatically determined requirement or condition of the at least one row unit, or an automatically determined operating condition of the agricultural planter. The control module is further operable to prevent the raising or lowering of an individual row unit on the agricultural planter based on either a configuration of the agricultural planter or the potential occurrence of an undesirable weight or drag distribution.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for the disc of a mobile agricultural device, including a washer configured to attach to a disc of the mobile agricultural device. The washer may be attached to a center location of the disc. The washer is operatively connected to a deflector bar. The deflector bar substantially prevents debris from accumulating between the disc and a fertilizer assembly attached to the disc, as the disc rotates. The deflector bar in other embodiments, may be directly connected to a fertilizer assembly, rather than to the washer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing the volume of a liquid carrier used for delivering an agricultural product into a furrow during planting. In one embodiment, a spray nozzle is mounted on a planter row unit so as to dispense a carrier containing an agricultural product along a dispensing pattern in alignment with the pattern width of the spray nozzle, in the direction of the furrow. In one embodiment a seed cover assembly is operatively connected to a seed tube assembly. A seed cover application tube is mounted to the seed cover assembly. A seed cover brush is mounted to the outlet end of the seed cover application tube configured to contact the carrier containing the product during the dispensing thereof and brush the carrier containing the agricultural product onto the seed being dispensed from the seed tube assembly. In another embodiment, a seed firmer application tube assembly is utilized.

Abstract: In certain example embodiments of this invention, the lawn mower includes one or more of: (a) cutter deck baffle teeth for improving cutting performance; (b) a trim divider edge portion of the cutter deck for improving cutting performance; (c) a trim vacuum structure portion of the cutter deck for improving cutting performance; and/or (d) a center vacuum structure portion of the cutter deck for improving cutting performance.

Abstract: An unloading conveyor arrangement for an agricultural machine includes a conveyor having a discharge end, and a spout arrangement at the discharge end of the conveyor. A range for the position of the spout is determined from one or more factors such as topography and the physical characteristics of the material being handled through the conveyor. The actual position of the spout is ascertained and a warning or an adjustment is made if the actual position is not within the range.

Abstract: A system and method for detachably securing an attachment to a zero-turn utility vehicle such as a zero-turn, stand-on mower. The system includes a mounting assembly provided on a hydraulically operated support member on the utility vehicle's frame; and a connector assembly provided on the attachment. The mounting assembly includes a pivotable plate member that is inserted into the complementary shaped connector assembly. The plate member includes a locking rod at an upper end. The connector assembly has side walls and a top wall that surround the plate member when the mounting assembly is engaged with the connector assembly. The top wall overhangs and captures the locking rod between the top wall and a back wall of the attachment. A locking mechanism secures the mounting assembly and connector assembly together. Moving the attachment is accomplished by actuating the hydraulic system on the utility vehicle to move the support member.

Abstract: A header for a harvesting machine. The header includes at least two row dividers spaced from one another in a transversal direction and at a predetermined distance, at least one roller, a driving for driving the roller comprising multiple projections, at least two base cutting discs, a driver for driving the at least two base cutting discs, one roller positioned behind the at least two base cutting discs to raise the cut plants, and at least one conveyor roller positioned above the said roller to raise plants, to transport the cut plants to the inside of a harvesting machine. The at least one roller includes multiple projections to collect and direct the plants downwards and towards the opening.

Abstract: An improvement in robotic harvesting machines. A robotic harvester that consists of robotic arm(s) mounted on vehicles that can pick low-lying fruits and vegetables in all weather, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, without damaging delicate crops. This robotic harvester is unique because it can find ripe crops such as strawberries, pick them, pack them and in some cases transport them to a storage area with no damage. This robotic harvester 1) Uses an advanced system to find ripe fruit, utilizing an innovative arrangement of state-of-the-art sensors; 2) Uses an innovative approach to picking delicate fruit, including a custom cutter/grasping design that does not touch the fruit or crops, only the stem; and 3) Uses proprietary control software.

Abstract: A modular gathering platform for grain harvesters, for coupling to the front of a grain harvester or processor, with means to gather plants previously prepared in one or more rows by at least one central belt conveyor with functional side by side coupling means to other equal harvesting conveyor belts, all of them positioned with their variable inclination, with their front extremity stays level with the ground to gather a row that was previously prepared, while their opposite extremities are also equally aligned with their respective anti jamming roll, these rolls and the upper extremities of the conveyors belts are assembled on the front of a transversal mounting structure that, by its outer rear, has an ample exit for harvested plants, as it also equipped with articulated means for coupling to the front of a general machine that will process the harvested plants.

Abstract: A nut gatherer device includes a cage formed by a plurality of wires and a pair of hubs. Each hub includes first and second annular sets of spaced teeth, with portions of the wires secured in the radially-aligned spaces. In use, the wire cage is rolled on the ground into contact with a bulky object, such as a nut, so that the object forces the wires to separate and permit the nut to pass into the cage where it is retained until emptying.

Abstract: A windrower has a hydrostatic header drive system with a header drive pump and one or more header drive motors. The windrower also has a chassis with wheels coupled thereto, an engine, and a ground drive system coupled to the wheels and the engine. A control system has plural sensors having first, second, and third sensors, wherein the first sensor monitors engine load, the second sensor monitors hydrostatic header drive pressure, and the third sensor monitors ground speed. The control system has one or more controllers configured to receive input from the plural sensors, compare the input with respective target values for engine load, header drive pressure, and ground speed throughout a range of ground speeds defined based on an operator configured maximum ground speed, and automatically adjust the ground speed based on the comparison.

Abstract: Crop processing rolls are provided for operative use in forage harvesters wherein the crop processing rolls are formed with spiraled grooves that are oriented in opposing slopes extending from the opposite ends of the crop processing roll toward the center of the roll. The formation of these spiraled grooves defines teeth from the ridges created with the formation of horizontal grooves into the circumferential surface of the crop processing roll. In one configuration, the spiraled grooves meet at the center of the crop processing roll in a V-shaped intersection to provide a chevron shape to the spiraled grooves. In a second configuration, the spiraled grooves do not intersect at the center and form a semi-chevron pattern that does not form a short tooth that the chevron configuration creates at the V-shaped intersection.

Abstract: A combine harvester including at least one straw walker extending in a longitudinal direction of the harvester and supported by a front and rear shaft. The shafts are rotatable about respective rotation axes, and each shaft provided with one or more eccentric portions. The straw walker is rotatably mounted on an eccentric portion of the respective front and rear shafts, so that the simultaneous rotation of the shafts actuates a reciprocating motion of the straw walker. The combine further comprises a pivot frame and one or more actuators, configured to adjust the angular position of the frame by pivoting the frame about a pivot axis oriented transversally to said longitudinal direction. The front and rear shafts are configured to rotate with respect to the pivot frame, so that the straw walker's angular position is adjustable while the straw walker executes said reciprocating motion.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis; a cleaning system carried by the chassis and is configured to clean crop material; and a crop material elevator carried by the chassis that is supplied with cleaned crop material from the cleaning system. The crop material elevator includes: a housing including a boot portion at a bottom of the housing, the boot portion defining a bulbous shape on at least a conveyance side of the housing; a driving loop held within the housing and configured to rotate; a driving element linked to the driving loop and configured to rotate the driving loop; and a plurality of paddles carried by the driving loop.

Abstract: A knotter assembly for a baler allows for two bow knots to be formed per knotter tie cycle using a single drive cam gear and two bill hooks while maintaining needle penetration requirements. The knotter assembly includes a first twine disc driven by a first twine disc drive gear and a second twine disc driven by a second twine disc drive gear. The knotter assembly includes a first bill hook driven by a first bill hook drive gear and a second bill hook driven by a second bill hook drive gear. The knotter assembly also includes a cam gear driving the bill hook drive gears and the twine disc drive gears and a main knotter drive shaft driving the cam gear. A needle is located adjacent the twine discs.

Abstract: A repair, conversion or retrofit kit includes at least two continuously closable replacement baler belts which correspond substantially in their combined width to the width of a continuously closed baler belt to be replaced. The replacement baler belts may be closable in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner by a connecting means, and the connecting means may be at least partially hook connectors. In some embodiments, the repair, conversion or retrofit kit further includes at least one guide means arranged on the round baler such that at least two replacement baler belts each extend laterally with respect to the at least one guide means, and the at least two replacement baler belts are guided laterally with respect to one another. In some cases, the guide means is an auxiliary guide disk arranged on a rotatable shaft of the round baler.

Abstract: A belt, such as a round baler belt, includes a core region, and at least one peripheral region arranged transversely to a longitudinal direction of the belt, where the peripheral region has a protective element at least sectionally, and the belt is continuously closed in the longitudinal direction. In some cases, the protective element is arranged around the entire continuously closed circumference in the longitudinal direction. The protective element may be stretched more in the longitudinal direction than the core region. The protective element may be a metal element, and in some cases, is a steel wire. Further, the protective element may be configured in an interrupted manner in the longitudinal direction. In some cases, a plurality of protective elements are arranged in a manner overlapping one another sectionally in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A belt-roller arrangement with a deflecting roller and an endless flexible belt and a method for guiding such a belt over such a roller are disclosed. The roller body of the roller includes two deformable roller body segments and a rigid roller body segment part which is—in an axial direction—positioned between these two deformable segments. The belt is entirely guided over the central rigid segment part and at least partially over both deformable segments. The belt run is automatically corrected.

Abstract: There is at least one embodiment that comprises a system for harvesting plants comprising at least one container for receiving and growing plants; at least one irrigation system configured to feed water to at least one of said plurality of containers; and at least one microprocessor configured to calculate a time until reaching a harvest point based upon a position of the plants. The at least one container can comprise a plurality of containers. The at least one irrigation system comprises at least one level valve configured to close when fluid in at least one container of said plurality of containers reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: This present invention discloses an integrated method of cyclic utilization of energy grasses comprising the steps of generating biogas residue from the energy grasses, growing edible mushrooms from the biogas residue, producing livestock or poultry feeds from the spent mushroom culture medium, feeding livestock with the feeds, and producing organic fertilizers from the manure of the livestock or poultry. The method, by producing biogas, edible mushrooms, feeds, livestock or poultry, and organic fertilizers, makes an integrated and cyclic use of energy grasses and aforementioned products. This invention will help achieve the goal of cyclic use of energy grasses with great efficiency.

Abstract: The composite material is comprised of a substrate of discrete particles and a network of interconnected mycelia cells bonding the discrete particles together. The composite material is made by inoculating a substrate of discrete particles and a nutrient material with a preselected fungus. The fungus digests the nutrient material over a period of time sufficient to grow hyphae and to allow the hyphae to form a network of interconnected mycelia cells through and around the discrete particles thereby bonding the discrete particles together to form a self-supporting composite material.

Abstract: A method, and a device for administering the method, of treating a plant seedling to improve long term hardiness and/or crop yield and/or quality characterised by the step of exposing the plant seedling, prior to a subsequent growth phase, to ultra-violet (UV) irradiation with at least one wavelength, only between 280-310 nm. The method further including the step of selecting a plant seedling or seedlings for a subsequent growth phase.

Abstract: An apparatus for landscaping is disclosed having a casing of flexible fluid-permeable material for retaining a plant-growing medium preformed into a toroid-shape, having an inner radius, r, r>0, and an outer radius, R, R>r.

Abstract: A harvest tray for carrying potted herbs, the harvest tray including a rectangular base portion, having two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides, wherein an extension direction of the two long sides defines a longitudinal direction of the harvest tray, a pair of side walls, each side wall arranged in the direction of the long sides of the base portion, respectively, and extending in a vertical direction from the base portion, said side walls defining two sides of a reception cavity, dividing elements, arranged in a row in said reception cavity, said dividing elements being distanced from the side walls defining the reception cavity, at least along a portion of their height, such that an open passage is formed on each side of the row of dividing elements along a portion of the height of the reception cavity in the longitudinal direction of said harvest tray.

Abstract: The embodied invention utilizes a lined and domed furrow to provide for crop germinating and growth. The dome and soil lining provide for moisture control in the soil. The lining is an impermeable material, and bottom surface incorporates slits to allow plant roots to grow into the soil. The domed covering is a permeable material that covers the furrow by utilizing a domed shape wire frame spaced at intervals. A polyacrylate coating is optionally applied to the furrow cover. A drip irrigation system provides water to the soil mixture inside the lined furrow. The soil mixture includes a water absorbing polymer and an additional planting mediums. A light provides for warming the soil in the furrow to lengthen the growing season. The furrow geometry is shaped by a machine. The furrow shape will alter as the plant grows, in particular, the dome will expand.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the lateral levelling equipment of a timber working head at a forestry machine with a hydraulic system for the driving and regulation of the functions of the forestry machine, which forestry machine comprises a chassis with a driver's cabin and an arm to which a timber working head is fixed jointed and in a manner that allows rotation, the working head comprising levelling equipment and a regulator for the control and regulation of the lateral angle of the working head relative to the vertical direction, an arrangement for the execution of the method, and a forestry machine for the use of the arrangement during the execution of the method.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system that includes a carrier having a storage tank disposed thereon for storing a liquid product. A boom is coupled to the carrier and includes a distribution hose through which the liquid product flows from the storage tank and into a number of liquid placement apparatuses. Each liquid placement apparatus includes a drop assembly coupled to the boom and extending downward. A base assembly is coupled to the lower end of the drop assembly and a hose assembly extends from the distribution hose to the base assembly. A lower hose assembly is protected within the base assembly and includes a pair of dribble hoses extruding from the base assembly. The liquid product is delivered proximate to the ground surface through the dribble hoses.

Abstract: A center pivot irrigation system including a plurality of towers having circumferential and counter-circumferential legs; circumferential and counter-circumferential pivot arms having proximal ends respectively pivotally attached to the circumferential and counter-circumferential legs; circumferential and counter-circumferential linear motion actuators respectively triangulating between the circumferential pivot arms and circumferential legs, and between the counter-circumferential pivot arms and counter-circumferential legs, the linear motion actuators being adapted for alternatively upwardly retracting and downwardly extending the circumferential and counter-circumferential pivot arms; and circumferential and counter-circumferential ground contact assemblies which are adapted for, upon the circumferential and counter-circumferential pivot arms' downward extensions, downwardly biasing against a ground surface.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system, including: an ornament assembly comprising: a fluid pump therein, wherein the fluid pump comprises an inlet and a discharge; a control mechanism operatively coupled to the fluid pump, wherein the control mechanism controls the fluid pump; a power source operatively coupled to control mechanism; and at least a first aperture and a second aperture; the first aperture being connected to the inlet of the fluid pump and having a connection mechanism for connecting a fluid transfer device; and the second aperture being connected to the discharge of the fluid pump and having a connection mechanism for connecting a fluid transfer device. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a garden pot device that automatically waters garden plants and collects the drainage water. The device has a bottom portion with a source of electrical power and a pump and additionally provides support for a network of tubes leading to pots in which plants are grown. The network of tubes both provides water to the pots and collects water that drains out of the pots for use in the next watering.

Abstract: A mineral wool batt for use as a plant growth medium, particularly in applications for growing vegetation (including plants) in which water retention and/or the avoidance of water run-off is of interest. The mineral wool batt has an absorbent layer which comprises needled mineral wool fibres; superabsorbent particles in the absorbent layer may be sandwiched between a denser upper and/or lower barrier layer(s) which assist in preventing their escape.