Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus for transporting pipe between a position adjacent a pipe storage rack and a rig floor elevated above the pipe storage rack is provided. The pipe handling apparatus includes a support frame, substantially horizontally disposed platform supported by the support frame having a pipe receiving groove formed therein for receiving the joint of pipe, a carriage member, and a pusher member. The carriage member is movable from a lowered position wherein the joint of pipe which is positioned in the pipe receiving groove of the platform is supported in a substantially horizontal position and a raised position wherein the carriage member supports a first end of the joint of pipe at an elevated position relative to an opposed second end of the joint of pipe. The pusher member is movable along the pipe receiving groove between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A sleeve comprising a lower portion preferably having a base portion and a skirt portion for packaging a floral grouping or plant. The sleeve may have an upper portion which can be detached from the lower portion of the sleeve once the function of the upper portion has been completed. The sleeve has a plurality of horizontally and diagonally positioned expansion elements.

Abstract: A metallic catalytic particle for producing single-walled carbon nanotubes. The catalytic particles contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The metal component is on a support such as silica.

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 method of covering a pot wherein the cover is a flattened sleeve which comprises a lower portion which is tapered and an upper portion which is detachable from the lower portion via a detaching element, leaving a non-linear upper peripheral edge in the lower portion. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant Bacillus host cell containing a recombinant vector including a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase (HAS). The recombinant Bacillus host cell is utilized in a method for producing hyaluronic acid (HA).

Abstract: A grappling hook comprising a shaft, a head member, a plurality of blades, and a locking ring. The shaft has a first end. The head member is secured to the first end of the shaft. Each of the blades includes at least one gripping tooth for gripping onto a desired supporting structure. Each of the blades is pivotally connected to the head member such that each blade is movable between an operational position and a collapsed position wherein the blades are spread away from the head member and positioned to grip the supporting structure in the operational position, and wherein the blades are positioned adjacent to the shaft in the collapsed position. The locking ring is movable between an open position and a closed position wherein the locking ring secures the blades in the operational position when the locking ring is positioned in the open position, and wherein the locking ring secures the blades in the collapsed position when the locking ring is in the closed position.

Abstract: A protective cover assembly is provided. The protective cover assembly includes a flexible cover and an alarm assembly. The flexible cover includes an outer layer of flexible material, an inner layer of flexible material, and at least one layer of tear resistant material positioned between the outer and inner layers. The alarm assembly includes a pair of conductor plates positioned between the outer layer of flexible material and the inner layer of flexible material, a power source, and an alarm system electrically connected to the power source and at least one of the first and second conductor plates such that upon an electrical conducting implement piercing the first conductor plate and contacting the second conductor plate an electrical connection is established between the first conductor plate and the second conductor plate thereby causing the alarm system to emit an alerting signal.

Abstract: An adhesive and material dispenser for dispensing single sheets of material from stacks of sheets of material or from rolls of material and applying an adhesive to the sheet. The adhesive is applied by contacting the adhesive portion of an adhesive transfer tape to the sheet. The sheet of material with the adhesive applied thereto can be used to wrap floral arrangements or flower pots or other articles. The dispenser may be combined with an automatic pot wrapping apparatus so the adhesive application and decorative pot wrapping sequence can be combined into one continuous operation.

Abstract: A method of covering a flower pot with a floral grouping disposed therein. In the method, a cover having an upper extension is formed about the flower pot. The upper extension is formed about the floral grouping to a position wherein the upper extension extends about a portion of the floral grouping to provide a protective covering. The cover is secured about the pot and floral grouping via an adhesive or cohesive bonding material disposed on the cover.

Abstract: An adjustable weapon auxiliary mount for mounting devices of different diameters, one at a time, to a weapon. The adjustable weapon auxiliary mount is provided with a base, a device clamp and a clamp. The base has a first end, an opposed second end, and a clamping surface formed therebetween. The device clamp is mounted to the base. The device clamp is provided with a clamping member having a clamping surface facing the clamping surface of the base and spatially disposed therefrom so as to define a receiving space for receiving one device and securely gripping the device. The clamping surfaces of the clamping member and the base are configured to securely grip, one at a time, devices having varying diameters within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for catalytic production of single walled 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 reaction gas is preferably provided at a high space velocity to minimize CO2 build-up. The process also contemplates processes 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 casing liner and method for lining a casing affixed in a well bore. The casing liner having a plurality of grooves and ridges arranged longitudinally and in an alternating relationship about the exterior surface of the casing liner to increase stress storage upon the casing liner being radially reduced in size and thereby decrease the expansion rate of the casing liner and facilitate installation of the casing liner into the casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a punch assembly and methods of using same and, more particularly, to a punch assembly that is capable of accurately and repeatedly measuring an intersecting point at which a hold or indentation can be put in a sheet of material such as, but not by way of limitation, a sheet of metal.

Abstract: A floral sleeve sized to fit a flower pot, the sleeve generally having a conical shape and having a bonding material disposed thereon for connecting the sleeve to a pot disposed within the sleeve or connected via a banding element to a pot disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to removal of subsurface contaminants and methods of same. In more particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to an integrated method for remediating subsurface contaminants through the use of a low concentration surfactant solution (and methods of making and using novel surfactant solutions) followed by an abiotic polishing process to thereafter achieve a substantially reduced subsurface contaminant concentration that surfactant flushing alone cannot achieve.

Abstract: A rapid method for detecting spoilage of a food sample, particularly a fish sample, by detecting and enumerating sulfide-producing bacteria (SPB). A growth medium containing iron and sulfur is combined with the food sample forming an incubation mixture which is incubated for a period of time. In one embodiment, a plurality of fluorescence measurements are taken during an incubation period of about 3 hours to 17 hours at 30° C. SPB are determined to be present in the sample if the fluorescence measurement initially increases and then decreases to form a fluorescence maximum (peak). The time to detection of the fluorescence peak can be used with a correlation schedule to enumerate the SPB in the food sample. In another embodiment, a visual test can also be used to identify color changes in the incubation mixture to provide a semi-quantitative enumeration of SPB effective after about 3 hours to 17 hours of incubation.

Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping which includes a floral holding material and a sheet of fluid impermeable material disposed about the floral holding material. The floral holding material is a preformed shape-sustaining support member which is moveable between an expanded condition and a flattened condition. In the expanded condition the preformed shape-sustaining support member as an open upper end, an open lower end, a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending between the open upper end and the open lower end thereof and a groove disposed circumferentially about the peripheral sidewall. The peripheral sidewall is provided with creases to facilitate movement of the preformed shape-sustaining support member between the expanding condition and the flattened condition.

Abstract: Decorative grasses having an appearance or texture simulating the appearance or texture of cloth are disclosed, as are methods for making such decorative grasses from materials wherein at least one surface of the material is modified to simulate the appearance or texture of cloth.