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 decorative assembly for supporting a floral grouping utilizes a shape sustaining floral holding material, a sheet of material and a band. The decorative assembly is formed by a method which includes the steps of forming the sheet of material about at least a portion of the floral holding material with a forming device such that an upper end of the floral holding material remains substantially uncovered, and thereafter securing the sheet of material about the floral holding material with a band.

Abstract: A method for making decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern which constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative grass. Printed designs or materials and/or embossed materials can also constitute a portion of the decor of the decorative grass. The method includes slitting a material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of at least one surface thereof and then cutting the slit material into segments of a predetermined length to provide the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for automatically trading real investment items desirably on at least one trading exchange based on predetermined conditions. The present invention includes a data interface for receiving investment data identifying at least one item capable of being traded and containing information uniquely associated with the item. An individual trading computer receives predetermined trading criteria for making a trade. The individual trading computer receives the investment data and the predetermined trading criteria. The individual trading computer then analyzes the investment data with the trading criteria and outputs a trade request signal desirably with no manual intervention in response to the analysis determining that the item should be traded.

Abstract: A right angle bend mount for bending an optical fiber into the plane of a circuit board. The mount includes a base and a cover that is pivotably connected to the base by a hinge. A clamp is formed by a first pair of opposed surfaces of the base and cover adjacent the hinge. This clamp fixedly grips a ferrule portion of the optical fiber when the base and the cover are closed together. A second pair of opposed surfaces of the base and cover forms another clamp. This clamp fixedly grips a non-ferrule portion of the optical fiber when the base and the cover are closed together. A bent portion of the optical fiber between the ferrule portion and the gripped non-ferrule portion is disposed in a non-gripping gap between the base and the cover when the base and the cover are closed together.

Abstract: A new class of synthetic glycosulfopeptides (GSPs) which have one or more sulfated tyrosine residues and a glycan linked to the peptide, the glycan preferably including a sialyl Lewisx group or a sialyl Lewisa group. In a preferred version the GSPs have an O-glycan comprising a &bgr;1,6 linkage to a GalNAc. The present invention further contemplates in vitro methods of the synthesis of these GSPs without the use of the cells and methods of their use in vivo as powerful anti-inflammatory antithrombotic, or anti-metastatic compounds. The invention also contemplates a method of synthesizing oligosaccharides by cleaving the glycan from the GSP.

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: Ribbon material formed from a material constructed of a layer of cloth and a layer of polymeric film wherein at least a portion of the layer of polymeric film is laminated to the layer of cloth, as well as methods for forming same, are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A drug delivery system which includes a plurality of microcapsules, each microcapsule containing a plasminogen activator entrapped in a biocompatible, biodegradable, substantially water-soluble polymeric matrix such that the plasminogen activator is releasable therefrom upon exposure of the microcapsules to an aqueous environment, as well as methods for preparing same. Methods of treating a thrombotic condition and reducing the time required for reperfusion of an occluded blood vessel are also described, which include parenterally administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition which includes a plurality of such microcapsules.

Abstract: Targets are inserted throughout the layout of a PCB. Post manufacture measurement of the targets are compared to pre-manufacture positions so as to calculate a non-linear regression analysis best fit model. This model is used to predict a feature's location upon or within a PCB given the feature's position on the layout. The non-linear regression analysis results in a set of x and y polynomial equations. These polynomial equations allows for a linear compensation to be applied to the feature position on a layout so as to minimize misregistration of features in the manufacture of PCBs. Models of the features' post production positioning is made before and after linear compensations are made to the pre-manufacture positioning of the features. Graphical presentations using wire frame diagrams and color coded diagrams help identify those areas of the panel that are projected to be in and out of tolerance relative to the specifications.

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 method of covering a pot wherein the cover is a flattened sleeve which comprises a base portion tapered to fit a pot and may have a skirt having an edge and having a lower end having excess material therein for forming a bottom. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot.

Abstract: A floral sleeve sized to fit about a flower pot or floral grouping. The sleeve has a base with side gussets and optionally bottom gussets for allowing expansion from a flattened position to an opened position. The sleeve may comprise a detachable upper portion, and a skirt portion. The sleeve is preferably secured about a pot or floral grouping via a banding element.

Abstract: A box flap securing device for securing two opposing box flaps in a closed position wherein the box flap securing device includes a bottom member having an edge, a top member disposed a distance from the bottom member and in an overlying relationship with the bottom member, and a post interconnecting the bottom member and the top member. The post has an edge which is disposed in a coextensive relationship with at least a portion of the edge of the bottom member whereby the bottom member, top member and post cooperate to define a box flap receiving slot having a height at least equal to the thickness of the box flap but less than two times the thickness of the box flap.

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 floral sleeve sized to contain a botanical item and a growing medium and having a base portion with side gussets for allowing expansion from a flattened position and method of using same. The sleeve may comprise a detachable upper portion, and a skirt portion.

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 new class of synthetic glycosulfopeptides (GSPs) which have one or more sulfated tyrosine residues and a glycan linked to the peptide, the glycan preferably including a sialyl Lewisx group or a sialyl Lewisa group. In a preferred version the GSPs have an O-glycan comprising a &bgr;1,6 linkage to a GalNAc. The present invention further contemplates in vitro methods of the synthesis of these GSPs without the use of the cells and methods of their use in vivo as powerful anti-inflammatory antithrombotic, or anti-metastatic compounds. The invention also contemplates a method of synthesizing oligosaccharides by cleaving the glycan from the GSP.

Abstract: A decorative wrapper for a floral grouping or flower pot wherein a sheet of material having embossed and printed patterns thereon is wrapped about at least a portion of the floral grouping or flower pot. The printed pattern may be in or out of register with the embossed pattern, or a portion of the printed and embossed patterns may be in register with one another and a portion of the printed and embossed patterns may be out of register with one another. The sheet of material may be provided in the form of a pad containing a plurality of sheets of material or in the form of a roll wherein the sheets of material are separable from the roll of material.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a floral grouping in a sleeve having a texture and/or appearance simulating that of cloth includes the step of placing a floral grouping in the sleeve and binding the sleeve about a stem portion of the floral grouping via a bonding material disposed on the sleeve.