Abstract: Method for providing a decorative cover by providing a flower pot, positioning a sheet of material about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot such that the sheet of material extends about a floral grouping so as to form a sleeve around the floral grouping which is selectively detachable from the sheet of material, and positioning a collar about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot with a portion of the sheet of material being disposed between the collar and the flower pot whereby the collar secures the sheet of material to the flower pot.

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: Anti-gp130 monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) obtained from hybridomas designated 4B11 and 2H4 are effective in the inhibition of the acute phase response on hepatoma cells and prevent the IL-6-induced growth inhibition of A375 cells in vitro. Administration of the antibodies to dogs showed that 2H4 is a potent in vivo inhibitor of the IL-6-induced acute phase response, abrogating IL-6-mediated-increments in fibrinogen, C-reactive protein and the platelet count. Antibodies may be used in methods for measuring soluble gp130 and in therapeutic treatments. The 2H4 antibody may be used in inhibiting in vivo the function of gp130 or cellular factors dependent on gp130 for cellular transduction.

Abstract: A chromium-resistant strain of Shewanella alga BrY and method of using such for removing chromium (VI) from a chromium-contaminated waste stream involving treating the waste stream with the chromium-resistant strain under anaerobic conditions whereby Cr(VI) in the waste stream is reduced, the chromium generally forming a precipitate which can be separated from the waste stream.

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: A filter having a an outer peripheral surface comprising an accordion wire mesh and an inner peripheral surface comprising a support structure, the filter permitting a liquid composition such as paint to be filtered therethrough when connected to an airless paint spraying system. Method of using a filter.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a ribbon assembly having a decorative ribbon formed on a support member wherein an elastic member having a stretched condition and an unstretched condition extends between a piece of material and the support member for substantially automatically forming the decorative ribbon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet of material about a bouquet of flowers. A sheet of material having spaced apart defined first and second portions is placed against a support member, such as a prepared table top, and the bouquet is positioned on the sheet with the first and second portions of the sheet extending on right and left sides, respectively, of the bouquet. The first sheet portion is then moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet, and the second sheet portion is moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet and to extend over part of the first sheet portion. The two sheet portions may be secured together by a bonding material, or the first and second portions of the sheet of wrapping material can themselves act as a bonding material by application of appropriate heat sealing, sonic welding, vibratory welding, and similar methods.

Abstract: A method for preparing a plant package assembly for delivery to a predetermined location and for transporting the plant package assembly thereto. The plant package assembly comprises a plurality of floral groupings disposed within floral containers. Each floral container is bondingly connected at its base to a support surface by a bonding material disposed on the floral container base, the floral container positioned in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus mounted to an enclosure housing of a water entrained ash hopper for dislodging ash pluggages across an ash discharge opening in the ash hopper to maintain passage of ash from the ash hopper. The apparatus comprising a plate rotatably and sealingly connected to the enclosure housing, and a cylinder, mounted to the plate. The cylinder mounted to the plate such that a rod assembly extending from the cylinder is angularly disposed through the plate toward the ash discharge opening so as to be selectively extendable through a selected area of the ash discharge opening along an arc-shaped path. The piston movable from a retracted position to an extended position such that the rod extends into the ash discharge opening to dislodge ash pluggages disposed across the ash discharge opening. The rod assembly adapted to convey a stream of high pressure fluid against the ash pluggage.

Abstract: A wrapping apparatus having a springable base with attached arms which support a wrapping material. The spaced apart arms extend upward and outward from the perimeter of the springable base, which is flexible to assume an arched posture and a flat posture. In response to downward pressure on a central area of the springable base, the springable base snaps from the arched posture into the flat posture. When the springable base is in the arched posture, the arms and wrapping material are in an open position to receive an item to be wrapped. The arms and wrapping material move into a closed position when the springable base assumes the flat posture. The wrapping apparatus may be constructed with or without an upper skirt of wrapping material. The wrapping material may be inside the arms, outside the arms or may envelope the arms.

Abstract: Method for providing a decorative cover by providing a flower pot, positioning a sleeve about the floral grouping with a portion of the sleeve extending along a portion of the flower pot, disposing a sheet of material about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot; and positioning a collar about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot with a portion of the sleeve and the sheet of material being disposed between the collar and the flower pot whereby the collar secures the sleeve and the sheet of material to the flower pot.

Abstract: A sleeve forming method and apparatus where sleeves are formed by use of overlapping webs. The webs are twisted in one direction to form a seal at one side of a sleeve and later twisted in the opposite direction to form the seal at the opposite side of a sleeve, such that all of the sleeves are oriented in the same direction, such as with the large openings of the sleeves facing upwardly and the smaller openings of the sleeves facing downwardly.

Abstract: A floral arrangement wrapped with a sheet of material. The sheet of material has a bonding material disposed thereon for crimping the sheet about the floral grouping. The sheet also has a pull tab with a bonding material thereon for gripping the sheet and holding the sheet in a crimped position about the floral arrangement.