Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system including a floral sleeve having a decorative pattern thereon. The sleeve may have a lower portion sized to cover a pot and an upper portion which can surround a plant disposed in the pot and which can be detached after the protective function of the upper portion is complete or which can be used to support the sleeve from a support device prior to use. The decorative pattern has an arcuate upper boundary in the flattened condition which when opened, gives the sleeve the appearance of having an upper edge which is parallel to the upper rim of the pot disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: Processes for producing a holographic material wherein the holographic image is formed on a polished, substantially smooth surface of a printing element and then transferred the holographic image to a substrate. A coating is applied to the smooth surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface, the coated surface is embossed or engraved to provide the holographic image, and the holographic image is then transferred to a substrate via a bonding material, thereby producing the holographic material. The holographic material may be used to provide a decorative cover for an object or item, such as a floral grouping or a potted plant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet about a bouquet of flowers. The sheet 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. A stiff wrap ring form may be positioned suspended over the sheet, and the bouquet inserted in the wrap ring form.

Abstract: Methods for making decorative grasses from materials wherein at least one surface of the material is modified to assimilate the appearance of cloth.

Abstract: A floral sleeve initially having a flattened condition and openable therefrom for use in covering, containing or wrapping a floral grouping, botanical item, pot, or pot having a floral grouping or botanical item therein. The sleeve has a rounded lower end, and may have a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a non-linear or linear upper edge. When having a detachable upper portion, the sleeve has a detaching element which when employed to detach the upper portion, leaves a linear, or non-linear upper edge on the lower portion of the sleeve. The rounded lower end of the sleeve may have a gusset therein.

Abstract: A substantially flexible, shape-sustaining article having an appearance simulating paper made by forming a flexible, laminated material having a paper-like texture or appearance into a substantially flexible article for receiving an object. The substantially flexible article includes a base having a lower end, an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough and a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end of the base. The lower end of the base of the article may be closed and may also contain a gusset.

Abstract: A floral sleeve having an upper portion, a lower portion and a medial portion. The floral sleeve can be placed about a plant container such as a potted plant such that the lower portion contains the pot, and the upper portion surrounds the plant. When desired, the upper portion and lower portion can be detached, leaving the medial portion which can be attached to the pot forming a skirt extending from the upper end thereof.

Abstract: A safety light for a vehicle is provided. The safety light includes a housing defining a retaining space. The housing is mountable to the vehicle proximate the rear end thereof. The safety light further includes a light source supported within the retaining space of the housing such that the light source projects a visual line of reference from the housing and onto a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling substantially coextensive to the rear end of the vehicle and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle so that the driver of the vehicle is able to determine the position of an adjacent obstacle relative to the rear end of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants or comestibles. The sleeve has a closed curved bottom. The sleeve may also have an expansion element such as a gusset, pleats, random folds or elastic material for enabling the lower portion of the sleeve to conform to the outer and bottom surfaces of the pot to provide a decorative cover about the pot. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.

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: 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 wrapper for wrapping about a floral grouping and a method for wrapping the floral grouping, the wrapper having a handle formed from a portion of the sheet of material for carrying the wrapper with the floral grouping disposed therein. The wrapper may comprise one or more sheets of material. The sheet may have more than one handle portion formed thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for catalytic production of carbon nanotubes. Catalytic particles are exposed to different process conditions at successive stages wherein the catalytic particles do not come in contact with reactive (catalytic) gases until preferred process conditions have been attained, thereby controlling the quantity and form of carbon nanotubes produced. The method also contemplates methods and apparatus which recycle and reuse the gases and catalytic particulate materials, thereby maximizing cost efficiency, reducing wastes, reducing the need for additional raw materials, and producing the carbon nanotubes, especially SWNTs, in greater quantities and for lower costs.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a base portion having a decorative pattern thereon. The sleeve may have an upper sleeve portion which can surround a plant disposed in a pot and which can be detached once the protective function of the sleeve is complete or which can be used to support the sleeve from a support device prior to use. The decorative pattern has a curved or non-linear upper boundary which gives the sleeve the appearance of having a curved or non-linear upper skirt extending from the base portion.

Abstract: A plant cover, comprising a base formed from a sheet of material, said base having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface, an opening intersecting the upper end forming an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space, a skirt formed from a sheet of material, said skirt connected to the upper end of the base, and expansion means formed integrally with the base, the expansion means comprising an excess of material, the expansion means permitting the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of a pot. Methods of using a plant cover.

Abstract: A work load lifting and moving apparatus is formed by a wheel supported horizontal main frame in turn supporting a mast assembly having a vertically reciprocal lifting frame gripping and lifting the work load by a hoist supported by the mast assembly. Other lifting apparatus supported by the main frame tilts the vertical axis of the work load in a forward direction.

Abstract: Decorative grasses having a texture and/or appearance assimilating the texture and/or appearance of paper are disclosed, as are method for making such decorative grasses from materials wherein at least one surface of the materials is modified to assimilate the texture and/or appearance of paper.

Abstract: A substantially flexible, shape-sustaining article, such as a flower pot cover, is disclosed wherein the article has a paper-like appearance. The article can be made by forming a flexible, substantially non-shape sustaining polymeric material or a laminated material wherein at least one surface of the material is modified to provide the material with a paper-like texture or appearance. The substantially flexible, shape-sustaining article, which has an appearance of being made of paper, includes a base having a closed lower end, an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough and a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end of the base. The base of the article has a plurality of overlapping folds of which at least a portion are permanently connected so that the article may be substantially flattened and then unflattened to assume the original shape of the article.

Abstract: A substantially flexible, shape-sustaining article having an appearance simulating paper made by forming a flexible, laminated material having a paper-like texture or appearance into a substantially flexible article for receiving an object. The substantially flexible article includes a base having a lower end, an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough and a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end of the base. The lower end of the base of the article may be closed and may also contain a gusset.