Abstract: A vacuum extractor for extracting a fetus from a birth canal during childbirth is provided. The vacuum extractor includes a cup, a substantially rigid stem, and a handle. The cup is provided with a flexible closed top end to enable the stem to be selectively moved from an operational position wherein the stem extends from the closed top end of the cup in substantial axial alignment with a vertical axis of the cup to an insertion position wherein the stem is angularly disposed relative to the vertical axis of the cup and a portion of the stem is recessed into the flexible closed top end of the cup to permit insertion of the cup into the birth canal. The handle has a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending therethrough from the first end to the second end. The handle is connected to the stem such that the first and second ends of the handle extend substantially laterally from the stem and the passageway of the handle in fluid communication with the vacuum cup.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.

Abstract: A sheet of material formed about a flower pot to provide a decorative cover wherein a portion of the sheet of material near an outer peripheral surface thereof extends above an upper end of the flower pot and such portion is crimped to assist in holding the sheet of material formed about the flower pot. The crimping is accomplished by forming overlapping folds in the crimp portion of the sheet of material or by connecting the crimp portion to a portion of the flower pot by way of a bonding material or by way of a drawstring or ribbon or by way of reinforcing members in the sheet of material or by way of a shrinkable material formed in the sheet of material for example.

Abstract: Sheets and rolls of sheets with labels having multiple choice blocks and information areas corresponding to the choice blocks. The sheets include a closure bonding material for securing the sheets around items to be wrapped. The labels are detachably connected to the sheets with an adhesive, a perforation or a tear line. Spots of closure bonding material may be placed on the labels to hold the labels in a wrapped position. The information areas typically include data which may be selected to describe the source, type and characteristics of the items to be wrapped in the sheets. The sheets may also include detachable sleeves for protecting wrapped items during shipping and handle areas which may be punched out of the sheets for grasping the wrapped items. The handle areas may also contain information similar to that on the detachable labels. Sheets having labels with choice blocks may also be used for forming flower pots or flower pot covers.

Abstract: A breast protector and assembly are provided. The breast protector comprises a retention cup constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid material and formed into a demi-teardrop shape which approximates the natural shape of an unsupported female breast. The retention cup can have padding permanently or removably attached to an inner surface of the retention cup. A breast protector assembly comprises two retention cups fitted into a retention cup sleeve composed of a semi-elastic material in the shape of a tube. The retention cup assembly is sized so that the retention cups fit securely within the tube. The retention cup assembly can fit within the cups of an ordinary brassiere, being held thereby against the body of the wearer. Alternately, the retention cup assembly can be sewn into the brassiere.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a tablet, and method for making such, which disintegrates or dissolves in a matter of just a few seconds once placed into the oral cavity. Generally, the method of the present invention comprises up to four steps. First, a porous particulate powder which will serve as the tablet support matrix is produced. In the second step, the pharmaceutical, for example an antihistamine, decongestant, or antibiotic is combined with the powder. Other additives may also be added to the mixture. In the third step the mixture is formed into a tablet. Finally, in the fourth step, a coating may be applied to the outer surface of the tablet to enhance the intactness and durability of the tablet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing and bagging decorative grass, such as Easter grass. The apparatus includes an extruder, a godet, a slitter, a cutter, a bagging assembly and a programmable logic controller. The extruder produces a continuous sheet of material, which is fed by the godet into the slitter and cutter. A thickness gauge is provided between the extruder and slitter to measure the thickness of the sheet of material. The slitter has a row of blades which slit the sheet into a continuous length of slitted material. The cutter includes a rotatable blade which transversely cuts the slitted material into a number of individual filaments. The sheet of material is urged through the slitter and cutter by the godet and an air flow produced by a blower. The blower then forces the filaments to the bagging assembly, which has a rotatable turret, an inserter and a bag handler. The turret has a number of magazines for receiving from the cutter and for discharging the filaments into bags.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a wrapper about a floral grouping wherein the wrapper is a sleeve or sheet of material having a cinching tab or strip of bonding material or both and a detaching means such as perforations for detaching a portion of the sleeve or sheet of material. The floral grouping is placed on the sheet of material which is wrapped thereabout, or the floral grouping is disposed in the interior space of the sleeve. The cinching tab is attached near one end of the sheet or sleeve. The cinching tab has a bonding material disposed thereon which, when the cinching tab is pulled tightly about the wrapper, causes the wrapper to be crimped and tightly bound about the stems of the floral grouping.

Abstract: A structural member alignment tool is provided for aligning and connecting misaligned structural members having bores therethrough and a method for using same. There is also provided a flange alignment tool kit comprising a structural member alignment tool and a plurality of sleeves and a method for using same. The sleeves decrease the inner diameter of the structural member bores thereby allowing the structural member alignment tool to align misaligned structural members.

Abstract: A flower pot cover for providing a decorative cover for an item, such as a floral grouping. The flower pot cover comprises a base portion and a skirt portion. The base portion has an upper end, a lower end, a bottom having a first thickness and a continuous sidewall extending generally between the upper and lower ends of the base portion. The skirt portion is positioned circumferentially about the upper end of the base portion and extends a distance therefrom. The skirt portion is substantially flexible and has a third thickness which is less than the first thickness of the bottom of the base portion. The base portion and the skirt portion cooperate to provide the flower pot cover with a shape sustaining configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning an animal guard on a transformer insulator elevated a remote distance above the ground by an individual located on the ground is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated pole and a guard applicator. The pole has a first end positionable near the ground and a second end extendible so that the second end is positionable adjacent the insulator. The guard applicator has a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the second end of the elongated pole, the second end having a pair of outer prongs spaced apart a distance from one another so that the outer prongs are slidably positionable into a pair lateral loops formed on the guard.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically forming at least two sheets of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a first roll of sheet material, a second roll of sheet material, a female die and a male die. A first sheet of material and a second sheet of material are automatically formed from the first and second rolls of sheet material, respectively, and the first and second sheets of material are positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The formed articles are automatically stacked.

Abstract: A pad of wrapping material made up of a plurality of sheets, wherein each alternating sheet is staggered in relation to an adjacent sheet for improving the ease with which the sheet is removed from the pad.

Abstract: Vegetable oil-based printing inks having at least about 20 poises are formulated by admixing a vegetable oil-based printing ink vehicle having an effective amount of polymerized vegetable oil and an effective amount of unpolymerized vegetable oil sufficient to provide the vegetable oil-based printing ink with a viscosity of at least about 20 poises, and an effective amount of colorant to provide the vegetable oil-based printing ink with a predetermined color. Methods for reclaiming residual vegetable oil-based printing ink from a printing press and polymerizing the vegetable oil component of the vegetable oil-based printing ink vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A kissing shield comprised of a thin, flexible membrane and a frame or holder. The membrane is closed on three sides, a fourth side remaining open so that the membrane can be stretched over the frame or holder. The frame or holder consists of a supporting member and an elongated handle. The supporting member adapts over the bottom part of the user's face and has sufficient dimension to cover the lips and most of the cheeks and extends from under the nose to the bottom of the chin. The elongated handle extends laterally from the supporting member and is sized to be held in the hand of the user such that the hand is spaced apart from the supporting member and membrane.In use, the membrane is placed over the frame or holder. Using the handle portion of the frame or holder, the user places the kissing shield under his nose, so that it covers his lips, cheeks and chin.