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: The present invention comprises a particulate support matrix for making 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. 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: The present invention is a modular system and method for packaging articles for shipment. In particular, a potted plant is sorted according to a grade, placed in a decorative cover, then automatically deposited into a protective sleeve. The potted plant thus packaged is ready for containment within a shipping carton. Various components of the system may be adapted for various packaging needs and circumstances.

Abstract: A method of wrapping a floral grouping, preferably an orchid, with a wrapper which may be a sheet of material, a sleeve or a preformed pot cover. The wrapper is preferably constructed from a laminated material made up of at least a waxy layer and a support layer which are superposed upon each other and connected or laminated to each other. A second waxy layer may be connected or laminated to the other surface of the support surface. The waxy layer is made from a waxed paper or waxed tissue. The wrapped floral grouping may also contain a shredded material for cushioning the blooms of the floral grouping.

Abstract: A sheet of material having a closure bonding material disposed thereon and a reinforcing member associated with the sheet of material. The sheet of material is wrapped about a floral grouping to provide a wrapper. The reinforcing member cooperates to provide reinforcing member rigidity to the wrapper for preventing damage during movement when the wrapper is packed in a carton.

Abstract: A pneumatic drilling chip removal system for removing drilling chips from a well bore, comprising sub-surface drilling equipment having a plurality of components and a drilling bit, a central passageway extending through the components and to the air jets in the drilling bit, wherein at least one component above the drilling bit in the sub-surface drilling equipment is a pneumatic component having an opening forming a pneumatic conduit from the central passageway to the annulus, a bypass valve disposed therein selectively permitting air flow from the central passageway to the annulus, forming a supplementary air source for removal of drilling chips from the well bore. Methods for using a pneumatic drilling chip removal system.

Abstract: A weight collar for use with a stabilizer adapted to be connected to a bow. The weight collar is removably connected to a stabilizer outer peripheral surface of the stabilizer. The weight collar includes a pad constructed of a compressible material whereby the weight collar is movable in upwardly and downwardly directions perpendicular to an axial center line of the weight collar and movable in angular directions relative to the axial center line of the weight collar while remaining attached to the weight collar. A stabilizer for use with a bow having a stabilizer tube with an opening extending therethrough forming a stabilizer chamber, the stabilizer chamber defining a stabilizer in a peripheral surface. A resonator suppressor ring is disposed in the stabilizer chamber between the first and the second ends of the stabilizer tube.

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: A blast wheel having a rotatable shaft with discs carrying blades for propelling abrasive material against a surface to be blast-cleaned. Each one of the blades has a striking portion and a dovetail base member. Each one of the discs has a number of circumferential dovetail slots for receiving the base members of the blades. Keeper plates, lock washers and keeper bolts are used to retain each end of each blade in place. Each disc has several sound-abating holes to reduce the rotational noise of the blast wheel.

Abstract: A cat toy having a generally hollow, circular housing containing a toy animal simulating a mouse. The toy animal is mounted on the outer end of a motor-driven arm, whereby the toy animal will be moved in a circular pattern around the interior of the housing. Openings are provided in the housing, through which a cat can extend a paw to engage and play with the toy animal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover with fins. The apparatus comprises a male mold, a female mold having an opening mating with the male mold, and means for moving the male mold into and out of the opening of the female mold with the sheet of material between the two molds. To form outwardly extending fins in the flower pot cover, fingers are extended from the male mold to push folds in the sheet of material between segments of the female mold. The female segments are closed on the folds to form fins in the sheet of material as the male mold is pressed into the female mold to make the flower pot cover. To form inwardly extending fins, fingers are moved between the female segments to push folds in the sheet of material between segments of the male mold. The segments of the male mold close on the folds to form fins in the sheet of the material as the male mold is pressed into the female mold to make the flower pot cover.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.

Abstract: A male die, a female die, air pressure and vacuum are used to form a sheet of material into a flat-paneled flower pot or flower pot cover. A platform supports the female die which has an opening with flat surfaces for forming panels in the base and skirt of the flower pot or flower pot cover. The male die has forming surfaces which mate with the forming surfaces of the female die. The sheet of material is centered over the opening of the female die. A bracket having a plurality of legs which align with the panel-forming surfaces of the female die is placed on the sheet of material. Air pressure and vacuum lines communicating with the opening of the female die are used to control the sheet of material as the male die enters the opening of the female die. The top surface of the platform and the bracket legs provide additional control of the sheet of material. The sheet of material is pressed between forming surfaces of the male and female die to form the flat-paneled flower pot or flower pot cover.

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: An optical effect material used for making shredded, flaked, die-cut and sheets of decorative materials. The optical effect material comprises an iridescent sheet and a light transmitting material connected together. Methods for using an optical effect material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stemming a flower in which the flower stem is cut substantially simultaneously with attaching a flower pick to the flower stem, thereby eliminating the separate steps of cutting the flower stem and subsequently attaching a stem pick by combining these two operations. In another aspect of the invention, the flower stem is cut in an environment which displaces air from the region of the severed plant stem by submerging the portion of the plant stem in the region of severance under water or by subjecting it to a flow of water or a spray of water or other material which would prevent formation of an air gap in the vascular tissue of the plant and/or skinning over of the tubules. The flower stem may be cut under water and a pick applied under water or cut of the water or out of the water.

Abstract: A plant package assembly, comprising a pot containing a floral grouping and a flexible sleeve having detaching elements at preselected areas, the sleeve further-comprising a bonding material which connects the sleeve to the pot when the pot is positioned within the sleeve, the sleeve being positioned about the pot and a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounding and encompassing the pot, an upper portion of the sleeve extending upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping contained within the pot, at least a portion of the sleeve being removable via the detaching elements, leaving a portion of the sleeve which is a decorative plant cover.

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.