Abstract: A process and processing system are disclosed that provide for the processing of many forms of waste, such as medical waste, food waste disposable diapers or the like, that both reduces the volume of waste solids and neutralizes the biological activity of such waste, thereby facilitating the disposal of potentially unhealthy or hazardous materials. The process and system also provides for the removal of coating from the surfaces of plastic waste material or for the dissolution of water soluble polymeric or fibrous waste material. Biological neutralization or, alternatively, coating removal or dissolution of water soluble waste, is accomplished by chopping the waste material and mixing it with a circulating stream of fluid such as water that is heated to a temperature which effects disinfection or sterilization or, alternatively coating removal or waste dissolution, in accordance with the needs of the user.

Abstract: An automatically expanding pop-up decoration for use in gift-wrapping a package is capable of assuming a compact folded orientation suitable for storage in a limited area, yet expands automatically upon application to a package so as to create a substantially upstanding portion. The decoration comprises an ornament having a pair of opposed end members and an expansible structure pivotally joining the end members together. It further comprises an elastic cord operatively engaging the opposed ornament end members so that application of the cord about a package so as to tension the cord automatically causes the ornament end members to pivot into a substantially edge-to-edge relationship with the expansible structure standing substantially upright from the package.

Abstract: An automatically expanding pop-up decoration for use in gift-wrapping a package is capable of assuming a compact folded orientation suitable for storage in a limited area, yet expands automatically upon application to a package so as to create a substantially upstanding portion. The decoration comprises an ornament having a pair of opposed end members and an expansible structure pivotally joining the end members together. It further comprises an elastic cord having the opposite ends thereof secured to the opposed ornament end members so that application of the cord about a package so as to tension the cord ends automatically causes the ornament end members to pivot into a substantially edge-to-edge relationship with the expansible structure standing substantially upright from the package.

Abstract: A flower-like decorative ornament for use in gift-wrapping a package comprises an artificial flower and an elasticized cord, with the free ends of the cord extending upwardly through the flower to provide the appearance of stamens.

Abstract: A spray-like decorative ornament for use in gift-wrapping a package comprises a rigidifying core having top and bottom edges and a strip of metal foil wound about the core, a section of the strip being of greater height than the core and the top portion of the strip being vertically slit to define a plurality of fingers. Preferably the strip tapers substantially smoothly from one end thereof to the other, with a portion of the strip radially closer to the core having taller fingers than the portion of the strip radially further from the core, thereby to produce a spray-like appearance. In one preferred embodiment the core is hollow and the ornament additionally includes an elasticized cord having a section of enlarged diameters incapable of passing through the core, the core being slidably mounted on a loop of the cord passing longitudinally therethrough with the enlarged section at least partially disposed above the core top portion.