Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping comprising a floral holding material and a sheet of material. The floral holding material is constructed of a material capable of receiving a portion of a floral grouping and supporting the floral grouping. The sheet of material is extended about a portion of the floral holding material and a crimped portion is formed in the sheet of material with the crimped portion cooperating to hold the sheet of material about the floral holding material to provide a decorative covering.

Abstract: A method of forming a decorative cover, a sleeve or a preformed pot cover for a floral grouping or flower pot from a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three-dimensional appearance.

Abstract: A plant package, 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: A drum mixer for heating, mixing and drying an aggregate material, such as a mixture of recycled asphaltic pavement and virgin aggregate. The drum mixer includes an inclined drum having a first end and a second end. The drum forms a pre-heating/blending section adjacent the first end, a heating/mixing section adjacent the second end, and a heating/drying/mixing section therebetween. A feed assembly for feeding aggregate material, preferably having a high ratio of RAP material to virgin aggregate, is provided. The feed assembly feeds the aggregate material into the pre-heating/blending section of the drum for movement of the aggregate material sequentially through the pre-heating/blending section, the heating/drying/mixing section and the heating/mixing section. A burner assembly extends from the second end of the drum into the heating/drying/mixing section of the drum.

Abstract: A packaging assembly for shipping a container comprising a support member for supporting the container in an upright position, a sheet of material wrapped about the support member and at least a portion of the container such that the sheet of material encompasses the support member and at least a portion of the container, and securing means for securing the sheet of material about the support member and at least a portion of the container and method of assembling same.

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: 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 packaging material comprising a plurality of flexible strips of material intertwined with and bondably connected to one another so as to form a cohesive cushioning unit and method for forming same is provided. The strips of material have a bonding material disposed thereon for bondingly connecting the strips of material to one another and enabling the strips of material to be bondingly connected to a container and an article.

Abstract: An improved alternator system for replacing an OEM Ford IAR alternator system. The improved alternator system includes a rectifier with increased heat dissipation qualities and decreased heat generation qualities and configured to maintain secure electrical connections. The alternator system is further configured to provide optimum electrical output by providing the rotor and the stator with additional turns or windings of heavier gauge wire whereby the alternator is capable of inducing a stabilized output current of at least about 52 amperes of current at about 1600 revolutions per minute of the rotor.

Abstract: An inflatable shipping device for protecting at least one fragile item during shipment is provided. The inflatable shipping device includes a housing defining a gas receiving cavity and being constructed of a flexible and substantially gas impermeable material. The housing has a flattened state when the gas receiving cavity is substantially free of gas and an expanded state when gas is introduced into the gas receiving cavity. The housing has a first side, an opposed second side, a first end, an opposed second end, and a flexible inner-liner defining at least one item receiving chamber positioned between the first end and the second end. The item receiving chamber communicates with the first side of the housing and the item receiving chamber is sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the fragile item. The inflatable shipping device is also provided with an inflation assembly for introducing gas into the gas receiving cavity defined by the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for rigidly interlocking a control stick and the rudder pedals of an aircraft is provided for protecting the control surfaces of the aircraft operated by the control stick and the rudder pedals against wind loads. The apparatus comprises a control stick clamp assembly rigidly connected to one end of a first lever arm and a rudder pedal retaining assembly rigidly connected to another end of the first lever arm. A second lever arm has one end connected to the rudder pedal retaining assembly. The second lever arm is moveable between a collapsed position and an extended position wherein the distal end of the second lever arm is engageable with a support surface such that the second lever arm is able to support the rudder pedal retaining assembly in engagement with each of the rudder pedals and thereby cause, upon the control stick clamp assembly being secured to the control stick, the first lever arm to support the control stick in a selected position.

Abstract: The present invention is a system which allows a personal computer system to be split into a local portion and a remote portion. The local portion of the split personal computer system is located in conjunction with the TV system located at homes or hotels. The remote portion of the split personal computer system is located in a remote location and normally maintained by a network service provider. The local portion includes a television display unit, and a television accessory unit in communication with the television display unit. An input unit is located adjacent the television display unit and is in communication with the television accessory unit to input data signals into the television accessory unit.

Abstract: A method of enhancing oxidation of air contaminants on an ultra-low density, UV light accessible aerogel photocatalyst is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a photocatalytic reactor system broadly comprising a photocatalytic reactor cell, a UV light source, and a pump to force the contaminated air stream through the photocatalytic reactor cell. The photocatalytic reactor cell includes glass cell. A catalyst bed formed of a titanium dioxide aerogel is provided in the glass cell whereby a high fraction of the titanium dioxide aerogel is accessible to UV light and gas. The catalyst bed is exposed to UV light from the UV light source and a contaminated air stream is introduced into the photocatalytic reactor cell such that the air stream passes through the catalyst bed causing oxidation of the contaminants of the air stream.

Abstract: A flower pot cover constructed of a thermoplastic material for providing a decorative cover for an item, such as a floral grouping. The flower pot cover comprises a base portion and a skirt portion. The base portion has an upper end, a lower end, a bottom having a first thickness and a continuous sidewall extending generally between the upper and lower ends of the base portion. The skirt portion is positioned circumferentially about the upper end of the base portion and extends a distance therefrom. The skirt portion is substantially flexible and has a third thickness which is less than the first thickness of the bottom of the base portion. The base portion and the skirt portion cooperate to provide the flower pot cover with a shape sustaining configuration.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a container, such as a vase containing a floral grouping, with a sheet of material. A connecting bonding material and a closure bonding material are disposed on the sheet of material. The sheet of material is wrapped about the vase causing the connecting bonding material to connect the sheet of material to the vase. The closure bonding material is sealed above the floral grouping to enclose the floral grouping within the sheet of material. The sheet of material may have a second closure bonding material for effecting a vertically sealed area in the sheet of material.

Abstract: A filtration system for filtering particulate matter from a liquid, the filtration system comprises a pre-filtration apparatus and a main filtration apparatus. The pre-filtration apparatus comprises a vessel having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a back-washing outlet, and a filtering medium disposed in the vessel and capable of filtering large particulate matter from the liquid and passing fine particulate matter. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are positioned such that liquid flowing therebetween is passed through the filtering medium. The fluid outlet and back-washing outlet are positioned such that liquid flowing therebetween is passed through the filtering medium. The main filtration apparatus comprises a vessel having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a filtering medium disposed in the vessel and capable of filtering fine particulate matter from the liquid. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are positioned such that liquid flowing therebetween is passed through the filtering medium.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and kit for analyzing a sample, preferably a liquid environmental sample, which may comprise a toxic xenobiotic element or compound, i.e., an environmental pollutant. The method and kit preferably utilize a portion of a molecule comprising a peptide zinc binding domain, known as a zinc finger.

Abstract: The present invention is a dental device for insertion in a patient's mouth generally between the patient's upper and lower teeth for cooperating and positioning the mandible and the maxilla in centric relation. The dental device includes a centric bite assembly including a bite portion which is insertable between the patient's upper and lower anterior teeth. The bite portion is constructed of pliable materials and is sized and shaped to maintain the patient's upper and lower posterior teeth spaced a distance apart as the patient bites down on the bite portion. The pliable materials result in the bite portion being partially collapsed as the patient bites down on the bite portion and permit relative movement of the upper and lower anterior teeth for cooperating in positioning the mandible and the maxilla in centric relation as a result of the patient's muscle contraction and relaxation as the patient bites down on the bite assembly while not causing a ramping effect.

Abstract: A decorative flower pot sleeve having a closed bottom and an expansion element for allowing expansion of the sleeve upon the position of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve is movable from a flattened state to an open position, in the flattened state the sleeve having a convexly curved lower end and in the open position the sleeve having a base portion containing a closed bottom, the base portion substantially corresponding in size and configuration to the outer peripheral surface of the pot and the closed bottom substantially corresponding in size and configuration to the bottom surface of the pot when the pot is disposed therein. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.