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 may have a bonding material disposed upon an inner or outer portion of the sleeve for attaching the sleeve to the pot or item.

Abstract: A floral container having a water-impermeable external layer for a floral grouping comprising a holding material and having a water-impermeable external surface layer. The holding material is constructed of a material capable of receiving a portion of a floral grouping, botanical item or propagule and supporting the botanical item, floral grouping or propagule. A sheet of material may be extended about a portion of the holding material and a crimped portion or bonded portion is formed in the sheet of material with the crimped portion or the bonded portion cooperating to hold the sheet of material about the holding material to provide a decorative cover. A bond or other tying device may also be used to bond the sheet of material to the flower pot.

Abstract: A composition for increasing synthesis of melanin in a human melanocyte thereby enhancing pigmentation of the human skin. Use of this composition promotes tanning of the human skin and increases photoprotection from ultraviolet radiation. An organ culture system comprising viable human foreskin samples which may be used to test the effects of agents on human skin, including pigmentation enhancers on human skin.

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: The present invention contemplates a composition and method for treating septic shock in a mammal or as a prophylactic treatment prior to a surgical procedure, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a bacterial lipopolysaccharide binding peptide derived from CAP37 protein. In a preferred version, the composition and method of use may comprise a peptide comprising amino acids 20-44 or 120-146 of CAP37 or subunits thereof.

Abstract: A lift assembly adapted to be incorporated into a structure for moving an object between adjacent floors of a structure. The lift assembly including a guide rail vertically extending between the adjacent floors, a traveler assembly slidingly disposed on the guide rail, a carrier assembly connected to the traveler assembly for holding the object to be moved, and a drive assembly cooperatively connected to the traveler assembly to cause the traveler assembly to move in an upward direction and a downward direction along the guide rail.

Abstract: A method of covering for a flower pot with a floral grouping disposed therein and extending a distance above an upper end of the flower pot wherein the flower pot has a lower end and an outer peripheral edge. The covering includes a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer peripheral edge with a sheet extension connected to the outer peripheral edge of the sheet of material and extending a distance from the outer peripheral edge of the sheet of material. The sheet of material is formed about the flower pot to a position wherein the sheet of material extends about substantially the entire outer peripheral surface of the flower pot to provide a decorative covering and the sheet extension is formed about the floral grouping to a position wherein the sheet extension extends about a substantial portion of the floral grouping to provide a protective covering.

Abstract: A covering for a flower pot with a floral grouping disposed therein and extending a distance above an upper end of the flower pot wherein the flower pot has a lower end and an outer peripheral surface. The covering includes a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer peripheral surface with a sheet extension connected to the outer peripheral surface of the sheet of material and extending a distance from the outer peripheral surface of the sheet of material. The sheet of material is formed about the flower pot to a position wherein the sheet of material extends about substantially the entire outer peripheral surface of the flower pot to provide a decorative covering and the sheet extension is formed about the floral grouping to a position wherein the sheet extension extends about a substantial portion of the floral grouping to provide a protective covering.

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: An apparatus with pivoting blades and closable surfaces for forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover having fins. In an embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, the apparatus includes a male mold and a plurality of plates arranged in pairs to define a forming opening. The male mold has a plurality of fingers which are laterally extendable from the outer periphery of the male mold. A pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder is provided to move the male mold between a storage position spaced from the forming opening and a forming position within the forming opening. Each pair of plates is movable between an open position and a closed position. In operation, the fingers are extended to push folded portions of a sheet of material between the pairs of plates, which are closed to press the folded portions into fins. In an alternate embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, pairs of movable plates are positioned between stationary segments.

Abstract: A training bag apparatus includes a fluid-fillable stand having a pedestal and column supporting a striking pad assembly. The column has a fill opening for filling and emptying the stand. A cap provided to seal the fill opening includes a needle valve for pressurizing the stand. The column of the stand has a pair of channels and lock slots for setting the striking pad assembly to various heights. The striking pad assembly includes a sleeve, a pad disposed around the sleeve and a cover surrounding the exterior of the sleeve and pad. A pair of buttons protrude from the inside wall of the sleeve at locations corresponding to the position of the channels of the column. The sleeve buttons, channels and lock slots cooperate to secure the striking pad assembly at the desired height setting on the column.

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 or a covered 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: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example, and a novel article formed utilizing such a system. The article forming system includes a male die, a female die and a platform having a support surface and an opening extending through the support surface. The female die is disposed generally within the opening in the platform with the upper end of the female die being disposed near the support surface. The article forming system includes means for slidingly holding portions of the sheet of material generally against portions of the support surface while permitting such held portions to slide on the support surface during the forming of the article for cooperating in forming a decorative border on the decorative flower pot cover type of article which flares generally away from the flower pot object when the decorative flower pot cover article is applied to the flower pot.

Abstract: A band applicator for applying a band about a sheet of material disposed about a pot to provide a decorative cover for the pot. The band applicator includes a pot frame having a pot opening and a band holder configured to releasably hold a plurality of bands. The sheet of material is extended about the outer peripheral surface of the pot, and the pot with the sheet of material disposed thereabout is disposed in a pot receiving space in the pot frame. The pot frame holds the sheet of material positioned about the pot. A band is removed from the band holder and disposed about the sheet of material and pot for cooperating to hold the sheet of material positioned about the pot.

Abstract: A stress reducing device for reducing or eliminating stress cracks in concrete slabs caused by shrinkage stresses at re-entrant corners of the concrete slab and method of use is provided. The stress reducing device is provided with a body member having a first and second leg, each leg having a first and second surface, the first surface of each leg defining an angle in the body member substantially corresponding to the angle of the re-entrant corner in a stem wall and the second surface of the first and second legs cooperating to define an arcuate concrete engaging surface for reducing concentration of stresses in the concrete slab adjacent the re-entrant corner.

Abstract: A system for removing free-oils, particulate matter and dissolved heavy metals from an aqueous surfactant solution employed in the degreasing and cleaning of parts in a parts washer. The system includes a primary filter assembly containing an oil absorbent, a particulate matter filter and a filter element having metal particles bound together in a porous metal sponge-like structure. The system can also include a secondary filter assembly capable of removing residual free, dissolved and emulsified oils, particulate matter and dissolved heavy metals from the filtrate produced by passage of the contaminated aqueous surfactant solution through the primary filter assembly.

Abstract: A gas compressor with at least three hydraulic cylinders is connected to a source of natural gas by a gas line. The gas line can also be removably attached to a storage tank. A hydraulic system is also connected to the cylinders. The compressor additionally includes pressure controls which allow the pistons in the hydraulic cylinders to complete the compression stroke in a staged manner. The cylinders are thereby sequentially emptied of gas. Gas at a sufficient initial pressure, entering the cylinders at the completion of the compression cycle, drives the return stroke of the pistons. A pressure switch controls the pressure level of the compressed gas, and aborts the compression cycle when a predetermined pressure in the storage tank has been reached.

Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example, and a novel article formed utilizing such a system. The article forming system includes a male die, a female die and a platform having a support surface and an opening extending through the support surface. The female die is disposed generally within the opening in the platform with the upper end of the female die being disposed near the support surface. The article forming system includes means for slidingly holding portions of the sheet of material generally against portions of the support surface while permitting such held portions to slide on the support surface during the forming of the article for cooperating in forming a decorative border on the decorative flower pot cover type of article which flares generally away from the flower pot object when the decorative flower pot cover article is applied to the flower pot.

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 sleeve areas 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.