Abstract: A holder for at least one element of living corsage material from which substantially the entire stem has been severed.

Abstract: The pollen-supporting anthers of lilies is removed, without staining the fingers or clothing of the operator, and without spilling pollen in the work area, by using a tweezer fitted at each free end with an anther-contacting member that includes a layer of foam material. The softness of the foam material, permits the anthers, which are held quite loosely on the lily filaments, to break free without pulling away the filaments. The anthers with supported pollen can then be deposited in a waste receptacle, simply by opening the tweezers over the waste receptacle and gently tapping the tweezers on the receptacle.

Abstract: A brake light, particularly for a vehicle other than an automobile, that operates using minimal energy from the vehicle. A first embodiment teaches a brake light using inertial change to initiate its operation. A second embodiment uses a magnetic sensor to determine the speed of a rotating wheel and initiates operation of the brake light when the speed of the rotating wheel decreases by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Apparatus for winding bows from ribbon comprising a base and arms about which the ribbon may be wound in a plurality of loops. One arm is rotatably supported on the base so that it is capable of rotation towards the other arm. A spring resists rotation of that arm towards the fixed arm. The rotatable arm and spring permit one arm to rotate towards the other when loops of ribbon are drawn together midway between the arms in forming a bow. A holding arm is provided overhead the loops of ribbon for holding a loop in an upright orientation.

Abstract: A holder for a fresh flower or bud from which the stem has been severed, the holder including a covered wire, a portion of absorbent material surrounding an intermediate portion of the covered wire to form a moisture reservoir, and a water-repellent covering surrounding the absorbent material and extending down the length of the stem, wherein the absorbent material comprises a plug of fibers in which the fibers extend predominantly parallel to the covered wire to permit insertion of the severed end of the flower into the plug so as to keep the flower from breaking its moisture-supplying contact with the plug.

Abstract: A stem cleaner for cutting away thorns, excess foliage and the like from stems having a flexible handle with two free ends to which are attached at least one cutting blade capable of being pressed against a stem. The cutting blade is shaped so as to prevent damage to the outer stem bark: the stem-contact surface is wide along the stem length direction; oblique-angle transitions are provided between that surface and surfaces sloping away from the stem-contact surface; and a sharpened cutting edge for cutting away the thorns and foliage is spaced outwardly from the stem-contact surface to prevent its contact with the stem bark.

Abstract: A watering indicator for hanging plants, with two support elements (e.g., an upper hook attached to a tubular housing and a lower hook integral with a rod extending into the housing), a spring resisting separation of the support elements (e.g., located within the housing and surrounding the rod), a mask element connected to one support element and adapted to be moved along that element when the two elements move relative to one another, an indicator element with an indication indicia (e.g., a brightly-colored band) mounted to the other support element, all adapted so that the indication indicia is covered by the mask element when the plant is watered and is later exposed when the plant dries out.

Abstract: A water funnel and card holder arrangement for insertion into a block of foam plastic to supply water to cut flowers having their cut ends inserted into the block. The arrangement is a unitary structure having a funnel including a card carrying surface with retainer clips for receiving a card and the funnel feeds water to an elongated tubular member having its upper end joined to the funnel and its lower end including a plurality of spaced apertures to discharge water. A pointed tip member closes the lower end of the tubular member and has a maximum diameter which exceeds the diameter of the tubular member, thereby providing an annular space in the block of foam plastic into which water flows from the tubular member. An optional card support may be provided that consists of a pair of slits in the top edge of the funnel.

Abstract: A holder for a fresh flower or bud from which the stem has been severed, the holder including a covered wire, a portion of absorbent material formed around an intermediate portion of the covered wire to form a moisture reservoir, and a water-repellent covering formed around the absorbent material and extending down the length of the stem, the improvement wherein the strip of absorbent material is formed around the wire in a generally conical formation to form at the flower end a generally conical well for receiving the severed end of the flower and to form at the other end a tapered transition between the moisture reservoir and the wire, whereby when the holder is moistened and the flower is impaled on the end of the wire the severed end of the flower is securely held within the well formed by the absorbent material.