Abstract: An apparatus and method for centering a pipe string within a slip bowl to facilitate the setting of a set of slips about the pipe string wherein the slip bowl is disposed in a floor of a drilling rig and the pipe string is suspended from the drilling rig so that the pipe string extends downwardly through the slip bowl and into a well bore. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes at least two pairs of hydraulic cylinders mounted beneath the rig floor about the centerline of the slip bowl. Each pair of cylinders connected by a flexible cable through which the pipe string is run. The pipe string is centered by actuating the cylinders to a retracted position thereby forcibly drawing the pipe string to the center of the slip bowl. Alternatively, the cylinders are provided with a pipe engaging member configured for guiding engagement with the pipe string to push the pipe string into alignment with the center of the slip bowl when the cylinders are actuated to an extended position.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a floral grouping wherein a plurality of sheets of material are connected into a pad of sheets of material. The pad has a top sheet of material with the other sheets of material being disposed under the top sheet of material. The floral grouping is placed on the top sheet of material. The top sheet of material is wrapped about a portion of the floral grouping and the top sheet of material and the floral grouping are rolled to wrap the floral grouping in the top sheet of material and simultaneously disconnect the top sheet of material from the pad. The sheets of material are secured about the floral grouping in a wrapped position by an adhesive or cohesive on the sheets of material and the sheets of material are secured in the form of the pad by the adhesive or cohesive materials on the sheet.

Abstract: A wrapper for a floral grouping formed from a sheet of material having a closure bonding material on a portion thereof. The sheet of material is wrapped about the floral grouping with the closure bonding material securing the sheet of material in a wrapped position about the floral grouping to form the wrapper. A top flap is folded over an open upper end of the wrapper and connected to the wrapper to prevent the floral grouping from shifting in the wrapper and extending out from the open upper end of the wrapper. In one form, a bottom flap is connected to the wrapper and extends over an open lower end of the wrapper to prevent the floral grouping from shifting in the wrapper and extending out from the open lower end of the wrapper.

Abstract: A painting apparatus having a spray gun connected to one end of an extension handle, both a roller and a spray nozzle having a plurality of nozzles connected to the opposing end of the extension handle, the spray gun connected to the spray nozzle via a connecting hose. The painting apparatus permits an operator to adjust the spray pattern of a composition such that the composition is disposed on a surface, the roller, or both.

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 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 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 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 wrapping material comprising a sheet of material such as paper, cellophane, foil, or man-made organic polymer film and a cling material such as polyethylene secured to a portion of the sheet of material. The cling material connects to the sheet of material and/or itself as the wrapping material is wrapped about a flower pot thereby securing the sheet of material about the flower pot. A method of wrapping a flower pot by wrapping the flower pot with the wrapping material.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a particulate support matrix for making a solid tablet form, and method for making such, which disintegrates or dissolves in a matter of just a few seconds once placed into the oral cavity. Thee particulate support matrix comprises a first polymeric component which may be a polypeptide, preferably a non-hydrolyzed gelatin, a second polymeric component which may be a different polypeptide which may be a hydrolyzed gelatin and a bulking agent. The porous particulate powder can serve as the tablet support matrix, to which a pharmaceutical, for example an antihistamine, decongestant, or antibiotic is added.

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 water based water repellent composition for rendering cellulose containing materials water repellent which contains, in addition to water, from about 2.5 to about 20 percent by volume of a water repellent compound compatible with the cellulose containing materials and from about 0.1 to about 1 percent by volume of a surfactant compatible with the water repellent compound and capable of enhancing the wetting properties of the water repellent compound. The water repellent compound is a fluoropolymer, an amino-functional siloxane, a self cross-linking silicone and mixtures thereof wherein the amino-functional siloxane is represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein Si is silicon; O is oxygen; n is a positive integer; and A is H, R or X.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising a substrate and a water-based ink composition free of volatile organic compounds which is water resistant upon curing. The water-based ink composition contains a water-based particulate pigment dispersion free of volatile organic compounds. Methods for making the water-based particulate dispersions, the water-based inks containing such dispersions and for disposing the water-based pigment dispersion and the water-based ink composition containing such pigment dispersions on a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wrapper, comprising a floral grouping having a bloom portion and a stem portion and a flexible sleeve having a bonding material thereon, the sleeve being positioned about the floral grouping and the sleeve substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping, forming a wrapper, and methods of using the wrapper.

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 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 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 wrapping material for wrapping a floral grouping comprising a plurality of sheets of material connected together into a pad of sheets of material via staggered strips of adhesive disposed on each sheet of material in the pad. The pad has a top sheet of material and a next sheet of material disposed thereunder, the other sheets of material being disposed under the next sheet of material. The floral grouping is placed on a sheet of the material, and the sheet of material is wrapped about a portion of the floral grouping and simultaneously disconnected from the pad of sheets of material. The sheets of material are secured about the floral grouping in a wrapped position by the staggered strips of adhesive on each sheet of material.

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 paving machine having a sensor-controlled concrete metering screed. The machine includes hydraulic cylinders which move the metering screed to various elevations to control the depth of concrete being metered out by the screed. At least one ultrasonic sensor is slide-mounted to the machine above and behind the metering screed to provide measurements of the distance between the sensor and the surface of the concrete just behind the screed. A control system compares the sensor measurements with a tolerance range of distances corresponding to the desired depth of concrete. When the sensor measurements are out of tolerance, the control system moves the metering screed up or down to bring the distance, and the metered depth of concrete, back within tolerance.