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: 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 proximity service unit for providing at least one predetermined service for use with multiple types of wireless devices. The proximity service unit includes a multiple channel wireless transceiver, a proximity unit validation assembly, and a legacy activation unit. The multiple channel wireless transceiver receives at least two signal types, such as infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals. The multiple channel wireless transceiver receives a request authorization code from each of a plurality of respective wireless devices such that the plurality of wireless devices communicate simultaneously with the multiple channel wireless transceiver without air time. The proximity unit validation assembly communicates with the multiple channel wireless transceiver and receives and validates the plurality of request authorization codes received by the multiple channel wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A sheet of material having forming indicia and bonding material thereon which permits an operator to form the sheet of material into a decorative cover without the use of a mold. Methods for forming a decorative cover from a sheet of material having forming indicia and bonding material thereon without the use of a mold.

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: A method of covering a flower pot with a floral grouping disposed therein. In the method, a sheet of material with a sheet extension connected to the outer peripheral edge of the sheet of material and extending a distance therefrom is formed about the flower pot to a position wherein the sheet of material extends about substantially the entire outer peripheral surface of the flower pot to provide a decorative covering and the sheet extension is formed about the floral grouping to a position wherein the sheet extension extends about a portion of the floral grouping to provide a protective covering. A portion of the sheet of material is then crimped to form a crimped portion in the sheet of material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and the cover may be a decorative cover. The apparatus includes a platform having at least one opening sized to allow passage therethrough of an article, a conveyable cover forming assembly having contacting portions for contacting the sheet of material, and a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of a covered article for fastening a cover about the article.

Abstract: A decorative basket assembly is produced by wrapping a wrapping material about an outer periphery of a basket. The basket wrapping material forms both a bow and a closure in a sheet of material about the basket. Methods of wrapping a basket with a basket wrapping material which forms both a bow and a closure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A protective headgear for a firefighter comprising a firefighting hood constructed from an aramid knit material, including a front opening for exposure of the firefighters face; an SCBA mask shaped to engage the firefighter's face; a fastening system for attaching the SCBA mask to the firefighting hood along the perimeter of the mask such that the front opening of the hood is positioned within the perimeter of the mask, assuring that at least the firefighter's mouth will be within the mask when worn; and a retainer attached to opposite sides of the mask and adapted to extend around the back of the firefighter's head such that the strap holds the mask snugly against the firefighter's face. Preferably, the fastening system attaches the mask to the firefighting hood at a plurality of points along the perimeter of the mask, such that when the hood and face mask system is donned by the firefighter, there is no skin exposed between the hood and the mask.

Abstract: An oilfield equipment identifying apparatus for tracking selected parameters for each of a plurality of pieces of oilfield equipment adapted to be inserted into a drill string supported by a drilling rig. The drilling rig also supports a drilling device for selectively rotating portions of the drill string to form a well bore. The apparatus comprises a computer loaded with an oilfield equipment database. A reader is provided for inputting into the computer a unique identification code for each piece of oilfield equipment added to the drill string so as to build a grid including a reference to each piece of oilfield equipment.

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: A portable generator assembly comprising an alternator installable in a vehicle, and a power converter. The alternator includes an AC output port electrically connected to the stator windings of the alternator for receiving the AC output signal, and providing access to the AC output signal such that the AC output signal can provide AC power at a location outside of the alternator's housing. The power converter is provided with a transformer, a frequency changer, and an electrical outlet. The transformer receives the AC output signal from the AC output port and increases the voltage of the AC output signal to at least about 120 V. The frequency changer receives the AC output signal having the increased voltage, and converts the frequency of the AC output signal to a frequency between about 45 to about 65 Hz. The electrical outlet receives the AC output signal having the increased voltage and converted frequency.

Abstract: A sticky element, comprising a sticky element having an insect-attracting color and an insect-attracting scent, the sticky element comprising sufficient sticky qualities to cause an insect to become permanently attached to the sticky element when any portion of the insect contacts with the sticky element, the sticky element adaptable to being disposed upon a surface. The surface may comprise a wrapping material, a flower pot cover, a flower pot, a floral arrangement, or other surface. When the sticky element is disposed on a wrapping material, the wrapping material is used to wrap a floral arrangement or decoratively cover a flower pot.

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 unlimited number 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.

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 plant cover includes a flower pot cover having a skirt connected to an upper end of the flower pot cover, and a base having a plurality of expansion elements extending thereabout and including an excess of material shaped in the form of a pleat. To form the plant cover, a pot is disposed in the flower pot cover, and the base is disposed about the flower pot cover such that the expansion elements permit the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of the flower pot cover.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the delivery of health care for patients. A first data signal being multimedia data which is indicative of a patient condition of a selected patient is input into a local computer. Clinical data, cost data and administrative data relating to the health of the selected patient is also input into the local computer. The first data signal is combined with the clinical data, cost data and administrative data to form a first patient information signal which is transmitted to a central computer. A predetermined disease stage is then assigned to the selected patient based on the first data signal. The disease stage is combined with the first patient information signal to form a second patient information signal. Then, a first array of risk factors is computed from a database containing a plurality of previously obtained individualized patient information records.