Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system including a flexible floral sleeve having a base portion and a skirt portion, and optionally an upper detachable portion which may be sized to surround a plant disposed in a flower pot. The base portion is generally made from two flat panels substantially free of overlapping portions and the skirt portion has a plurality of overlapping portions which allow the skirt portion to expand outwardly from the upper end of the base portion.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot containing a floral grouping with a flexible sleeve having a bonding material thereon which connects the sleeve to the pot when the pot is positioned within the sleeve. In one version, the sleeve is positioned about the pot and a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses 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 camera, comprising at least one photodetector, and a light directing device. The light directing device separates light of a wavelength from about 360 nm to about 420 nm to form an NUV component and directs the NUV component to the at least one photodetector whereby the photodetector receives the NUV component and forms a red correction signal.

Abstract: A method for providing a decorative covering for a floral grouping. The method includes the step of providing a decorative covering assembly comprising a header assembly and at least one sheet of material detachably connected to the header assembly. The header assembly is secured to a holder assembly such that the decorative covering assembly is supported by the holder assembly and at least one sheet of material can be detached from the header assembly. At least one sheet of material is detached from the header assembly and is disposed about at least a portion of the floral grouping to provide a decorative covering for the floral grouping.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as flower pots. 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 flower 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 flower pot or other item.

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: An alpha-numeric string electronic telephone and client service provider communication system is superimposed over the existing Internet, telephone, and pager legacy systems to provide a much simpler communication system that will work seamlessly with the existing communication systems. The new system will allow an unlimited number of connections and an unlimited numbers of signal type protocols to be used in the future and eventually phase out all of the separate numeric only telephone systems world wide and at the same time integrate the legacy e-mail system of the Internet with the legacy world wide numeric communication systems in a seamless and more powerful manner. Some other advantages of the new system is to eliminate the need for having to list up to five or more numbers on an individual business card. The system can eliminate the need to show multiple area codes at the same location and can even eliminate the need to have to give out ones company extension number.

Abstract: Flexible polymeric materials having a cloth-like appearance suitable for use in the formation of flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A broadcast network for selectively transmitting individualized weather output signals to remote communicator devices. The broadcast network is comprised of a user input database, a communicator location database, a weather information database, a weather analysis unit and a communication network. The user input database contains user-defined parameters and each of the user-defined parameters includes a user profile. The user profile in each of the user-defined parameters utilizes a user identifier code and identifies a communicator device associated with a particular user. The communicator location database contains real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices. The weather information database contains real-time weather data for the spatial locations contained in the communicator location database.

Abstract: A method for providing a decorative covering for a floral grouping wherein at least one sheet of material is secured to an individual so as to maintain the individual's hands unconstrained. The sheet of material is detached, and then the detached sheet of material is disposed about at least a portion of the floral grouping such that a portion of the floral grouping is left exposed to provide the decorative covering for the floral grouping. In one embodiment, the decorative covering assembly is delivered to a customer for use by the customer in covering floral groupings. The customer can be a grower, for example.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a sports floor assembly. The shock absorber has a base portion and a nodule portion. The base portion is formed of an elastomeric material. The nodule portion extends a distance from one side of the base portion and has a first layer formed of an elastomeric material with a durometer Shore hardness substantially equal to the durometer Shore hardness of the base portion. The nodule portion has a second layer formed of an elastomeric material having a durometer Shore hardness less than the durometer Shore hardness of the base portion and the first layer of the nodule portion.

Abstract: A plant pckaging method providing a tubular sleeve having excess material therein and attaching the sleeve to a potted plant via a bonding material.

Abstract: Method for producing decorative grass, such as Easter grass, from a sheet or web of material having printed material and/or embossed patterns thereon. The printed material and embossed patterns may be in register or out of register with one another. A method for producing decorative grass having the appearance of a blend of decorative grasses is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plant packaging method providing a tubular sleeve having excess material therein and attaching the sleeve to a potted plant via a bonding material.

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

Abstract: A decorative cover or container for holding a flower pot, floral grouping or botanical item, and constructed from a sheet of material having a plurality of folded portions, wherein the decorative cover or container is initially constructed in a flattened condition, and having a base portion which is opened to expose an interior space into which a pot or floral grouping can be disposed, and having a bottom having bottom folds secured by a bottom fold securing element.