Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve has a bonding material disposed upon an inner and/or outer portion of the sleeve for crimping the sleeve adjacent the pot to hold the sleeve about the pot.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated birdhouse/bird feeder unit comprising a housing including a base with an integrated lip so as to act as a perch, a first section forming a birdhouse, a second section forming a bird feeder, and a roof. The unit contains a common vertical wall forming a vertical wall between the birdhouse and the bird feeder. The roof of the integrated unit includes a first section above the bird feeder section which can move between an open position and a closed position for filling the bird feeder with bird food, and a second roof section above the birdhouse section which can move between open and closed positions for cleaning the birdhouse section. In alternate embodiments, the bird feeder section of the combined birdhouse/bird feeder unit may include a see-through window formed of plastic. In addition, the aforementioned unit may include a third section forming a second birdhouse or a second bird feeder, or the like.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system including a floral sleeve having a decorative pattern thereon. The sleeve may have a lower portion sized to cover a pot and an upper portion which can surround a plant disposed in the pot and which can be detached after the protective function of the upper portion is complete or which can be used to support the sleeve from a support device prior to use. The decorative pattern preferably has an arcuate upper boundary in the flattened condition which when opened, gives the sleeve the appearance of having an upper edge which is parallel to the upper rim of the pot disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: A pyrotechnical actuator has a cylindrical housing surrounding a hollow chamber and a piston movably supported in the cylindrical housing. A piston rod is connected to the piston. A detonator is arranged within the hollow chamber and configured to produce a quantity of gas for moving the piston from an initial position in the cylindrical housing into an end position. The piston rod triggers an action when the piston moves into the end position or is positioned in the end position. The cylindrical housing is divided in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical housing into housing parts. At least one holding element secures the housing parts relative to one another.

Abstract: A firing apparatus (1.0) for a projectile-firing weapon of the type comprising a barrel (8) having a bore therein, the firing apparatus comprising a breech assembly (2.0) adapted to be secured to the barrel (8), a firing mechanism (5.0) adapted to initiate firing of the projectile from the bore, and a valve means (4.0)adapted to allow air within the bore, between the projectile and the firing mechanism (5.0), to be expelled from the bore during loading of the projectile through the bore.

Abstract: A reel foot placing seat formed on a top portion of a circumferential surface of a body and a trigger protruding in a direction which is inclined in a backward-downward direction at approximately 30°, are provided on the circumferential surface of the body. A length of the portion crossing over a connection portion that connects a lower portion of the body to a front surface of this trigger is such that a user can place two fingers can be placed thereon. The user's two fingers placed thereon are aligned in a direction in which the angle is opened with respect to a direction perpendicular to a center axis X—X of a fishing body. Therefore, without a user significantly bending a wrist, a fishing rod can be firmly gripped. Furthermore, palming becomes possible in a position in which the body and the trigger are held by a user placing four fingers in front of the trigger in addition to placing the thumb on a reel.

Abstract: An apparatus for control and certification of the delivery of goods and for the concurrent control and certification of the execution of the related payment includes a system for reading an electronic card and for managing authorization processes by the electronic card issuing company, an apparatus for monitoring and interpretation of application protocols for network data transmission systems connected to the system for reading an electronic card, and a data storing unit of the various transactions monitored and interpreted by means, of the apparatus for monitoring and interpretation of the application protocols.

Abstract: A reusable, mach-velocity mobile platform delivers a weapons payload via vertical launch, powerless glide, weapons release, and landing operation phases. The platform includes a generally tubular shaped body having an aft and forward end, and a payload section. An arch wing is supported by the body aft end. The arch wing has an upper and a lower wing joined at distal ends by two curved end plates. A nose assembly is connected at the forward end having an upward directed fixed angle-of-attack to generate forward end lift. Thermal tiles attached under the body and the lower wing under-side radiate/dissipate heat generated during a high angle-of-attack platform reentry. Radar absorptive or radar translucent material is used. The platform preferably discharges payload from the aft end for safe separation. A landing gear is extended for the landing phase of operation.

Abstract: A watering system (10) for pets wherein, the system (10) indudes an elongated generally cylindrical housing member (20) having an upper portion (20A) that defines a reservoir (21) and a lower portion (20B) that includes a circular base (26) having a raised rail (28) and a semi-circular peripheral wall (27) wherein, the raised rail (28) is dimensioned to be received in an elongated channel (32) formed in the bottom (31) of a water bowl member (30) that is slidably disposed beneath the reservoir (21).

Abstract: A spreader roll that is useful to spread a slit web into a plurality of split webs for rewinding or at numerous other critical processes positions on web machines and related finishing and converting equipment. The spreader roll includes a bowable shaft and a plurality of interconnected cylinder elements mounted for rotation about the shaft. The cylinder elements each include a cylindrical outer surface and opposite end portions having nonlinear profiles to thereby provide intermittent support of the split webs as they pass over the spreader roll.

Abstract: A flying insect trapping device configured to be used with a fuel supply containing combustible fuel. The device may include a supporting frame; an insect trap chamber carried on the supporting frame; and a combustion device which may also be carried on the supporting frame. The combustion device comprises an inlet port for connection with the fuel supply, an exhaust port, and a combustion chamber communicating the inlet port with the exhaust port. The inlet port enables the fuel from the fuel supply to flow into the combustion chamber for continuous combustion therein to create an exhaust gas within the combustion chamber. The combustion device further includes a catalyst element disposed within the combustion chamber. The catalyst element has a catalyst body with a plurality of essentially linear elongated conduits for enabling the exhaust gas created in the combustion chamber to flow therethrough towards the exhaust port.

Abstract: Methods of pooling or localizing the allantoic fluid present in avian shell eggs, so that the fluid may be sampled, assessed or injected, are described. The methods involve tilting the avian shell egg so that the major axis of the egg is from about 10 to 180 degrees from the vertically upright position, so that the allantois pools under the uppermost portion of the egg shell. The allantoic fluid may then be sampled, or a substance injected into the allantois, by a vertical needle or probe traveling in a downward direction.

Abstract: A restraint system for pets is disclosed having a leash portion with a buckle at one end for securing to an automotive seat belt and a clasp at the other end for securing to a collar or harness. The buckle sized to cooperate with a variety of different seat belt keepers. The restraint system having a loop spaced from the clasp to allow a user to walk the pet.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a support structure. In one embodiment, the method is comprised of forming a layer of material into the support structure. The layer of material is adapted to be attached onto a substrate surface. The method further comprises treating the layer of material. The present method is further comprised of etching said layer of material. The fabricated support structure is then implementable during assembly of a display device. In one embodiment, the support structure is attached to the substrate surface prior to the forming, treating, and etching of the layer of material. In another embodiment, the support structure is attached to the substrate surface subsequent to the forming, treating, and etching of the layer of material.

Abstract: A greenhouse on a support structure on posts with a hanging foil roof that can be opened, wherein the foil covering that forms the roof remains completely below the support structure formed by lattice girders in every position by being suspended form the rails on the underside of, and longitudinally to, the lattice girders is movable between the open and the closed position.

Abstract: The shackle assembly (10) has a lock gear (22) non-rotatably mounted to the shackle (11). Lock collar (45) has inwardly projecting lock collar teeth (51) that engage with the lock gear teeth (28A-28D). When the lock collar is moved toward the lock gear against the bias of spring (58), the lock gear teeth (28) move into the interior cavity (50) of the lock collar. This protects the teeth of both the lock gear and the lock collar at all times.

Abstract: An electronic animal collar designed to reduce the load applied to the animal's neck by one or more stimulating electrodes or sensors that extend from or through an inside surface of the collar housing into the skin of the animal during use, and to permit the collar to be securely fastened to the neck of the animal without risk of causing discomfort or damage to the skin of the animal due to pressure from the stimulating electrodes. The inside surface of the collar housing has one or more high point surfaces that are raised to extend the inside surface above the base of the stimulating electrodes or sensors toward the animal during use so as to increase contact between the inside surface and the animal's skin and to thereby relieve and distribute the load caused by collar tension around the animal's neck over a larger contact friction area.

Abstract: A feed metering apparatus for supplying a consumable substance to a feeding trough for consumption by an animal, such as a dairy cow, while at least one further animal that has voluntary access to the same trough to consume a consumable substance therefrom is waiting for the animal at the feeding trough to depart. The feeding trough has an entrance opening which can be closed by a closing member. The apparatus intermittently supplies a quantity of a consumable substance to the feeding trough. The feeding trough has a weighing mechanism for continuously weighing the amount of the consumable substance in the feeding trough. A control mechanism is provided for closing the feeding trough's opening and there is a timing component.

Abstract: A method of automatically milking a dairy animal, in particular a cow. The method comprises: a) the step of activating the teat cup for milking the teat; b) the step of measuring a milking parameter during milking the teat during step a) for obtaining a value of the milking parameter, and c) the step of deactivating the teat cup when a deactivation threshold has been reached. The deactivation threshold is determined at least partially with the aid of the value of the milking parameter. A device for automatically milking a dairy animal, in particular a cow. Said device is provided with means for activating the teat cup for milking a teat of the dairy animal, means comprising a milking parameter for measuring a milking parameter during milking the teat for obtaining a value of the milking parameter, means for deactivating the teat cup, and means for generating a threshold signal indicating that a deactivation threshold has been reached.

Abstract: A gas generator G of the present invention has a construction in which a holder (3, 73) is fitted into a cup body (1, 71) and a tube body (2) or a container body (72) and encloses gas generants P and ignition agents (6, 76). The holder (3, 73) is formed of resin. A metallic reinforcement 4 is integrated with the resin holder (3) by insert molding. Or, a ring body (74) for sealing the cup body (71) and the holder (73) is mounted on the holder (73).