Abstract: A method for both wrapping a floral arrangement and removing the wrapping material from the floral arrangement, comprising a sheet of material having a pull tab and pull indicia thereon, the pull tab sized to be easily graspable, a bonding material disposed on the sheet of material near the pull tab. A floral arrangement is utilized, the floral arrangement being wrapped in the sheet of material, the sheet of material being crimped about a portion of the floral arrangement.

Abstract: A wrapping material for wrapping floral groupings and pots having reinforcing elements therein which provide resiliency and strength to the wrapping material. Methods for using a wrapping material having reinforcing elements.

Abstract: A wrapper, comprising a floral grouping having a bloom portion and a stem portion and a flexible sleeve having a bonding material thereon, the sleeve being positioned about the floral grouping and the sleeve substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping, forming a wrapper, and methods of using the wrapper.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging disks from the bottom of a stack of aligned disks one at a time is provided. The apparatus includes a pair of feed gate subassemblies supported in a spaced apart, diametrically opposing relationship so as to define a disk receiving opening therebetween. The feed gate subassemblies are adapted to cooperatively support the stack of disks in the disk receiving opening and abuttingly engage at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge of the disk positioned at the bottom of the stack of disks so as to compress the bottom disk and thus cause the bottom disk to be discharged from the stack of disks.

Abstract: A rapid method for detecting the presence or absence of coliform bacteria in a liquid or liquified dairy sample, for example skimmed milk. A growth medium containing a fluorogenic substrate is combined with the sample and is incubated for a brief period of about 7-9 hours after which a single fluorescence value is measured. Total or thermotolerant coliform bacteria are determined to be present in the sample if the single fluorescent measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. 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 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 pot or item.

Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example, and a novel article formed utilizing such a system. The article forming system includes a male die, a female die and a platform having a support surface and an opening extending through the support surface. The female die is disposed generally within the opening in the platform with the upper end of the female die being disposed near the support surface. The article forming system includes means for slidingly holding portions of the sheet of material generally against portions of the support surface while permitting such held portions to slide on the support surface during the forming of the article for cooperating in forming a decorative border on the decorative flower pot cover type of article which flares generally away from the flower pot object when the decorative flower pot cover article is applied to the flower pot.

Abstract: Compositions having improved stability which, when applied to a variety of substrates and cured, form transparent coatings having superior abrasion resistant properties. The coating compositions are aqueous-organic solvent mixtures containing a mixture of hydrolysis products and partial condensates of an epoxy functional silane and a tetrafunctional silane and a multifunctional compound selected from the group consisting of multifunctional carboxylic acids, multifunctional anhydrides and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A cover for use with a flower pot having a floral grouping disposed therein. The cover includes a sheet of material having a sheet extension connected to an outer peripheral surface thereof. The sheet of material is formed into a pot cover for covering the flower pot and the sheet extension extends over the floral grouping.

Abstract: A device for use by an individual for carrying garments hung on hangers is provided. The device includes a straight shaft member entirely padded having a hanger receiving hook at one end and a hand grip at the opposite end thereof. The hanger receiving hook is swingably movable relative to the straight tubular shaft and is capable of receiving the hook portion of a garment hanger. A tubular money holder that is smaller in diameter than the shaft member is insertable within one end of the straight shaft member.

Abstract: 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 and an impression support assembly connected to and extending a predetermined perpendicular distance away from the centric bite assembly. The dental device also may be used for relieving muscle trismus and pain caused by muscles and diagnosing temporal mandibular joint problems by having the patient bite down on the bite portion tending to position the mandibular and the maxilla in centric relation.

Abstract: A flower pot cover consisting of a base and a skirt. The base has an upper end, a lower end and a pot receiving space. The skirt is connected to the upper end of the base and the skirt extends a distance outwardly from the base. A bonding material is disposed on the skirt. A flower pot is disposed in the pot receiving space and the portion of the skirt having the bonding material thereon is crimped to provide a bonded crimped portion in the skirt.

Abstract: Methods for treating and modulating an inflammatory response using compositions containing a primarily monomeric or primarily dimeric form of galectin-1. The dimeric form stimulates apoptosis of activated neutrophils while the monomeric form inhibits apoptosis of activated neutrophils. Methods of screening for compounds which have galectin-1-like functions are also identified.

Abstract: A monoblock gas compressor for use in compressing gas having a supply pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure is provided. The compressor includes a compressor head mounted to a cylinder block such that a plurality of valve receiving bores formed in the cylinder head are aligned with a bank of cylinders of the cylinder block. A compressor valve is disposed in the valve receiving bores and secured therein with a valve retainer. The valve retainer defines a gas inflow path to the compressor valve and a gas discharge path away from the compressor valve. The compressor head has a plurality of gas inlets extending from a side of the compressor head and intersecting a corresponding one of the gas inflow paths, thereby enabling the compressor head to safely receive supply gas at a pressure substantially greater than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing a beverage from either one of two sizes of beverage bottles. The apparatus includes a base, at least one canister, an adapter cap, a valve assembly, and a pump. The adapter cap has two sets of threads. Typically, one set of threads fits a two liter beverage bottle and the other set of threads mates with a three liter beverage bottle. Further, the adapter cap has both a dispensing port and an injection port, each of which is in fluid communication with the contents of a beverage bottle attached to the adapter cap. A dispensing tube connects the dispensing port of the adapter cap with the valve assembly and an injection tube connects the injection port of the adapter cap with the pump. The canister has a pivotable front portion which may be opened to expose the interior of the canister.

Abstract: A packaging material comprising a plurality of cushioning members for cushioning an article in a container is provided. The cushioning members being formed by crumpling a flexible sheet of material into a globular configuration having a plurality of random folds, a plurality of random engaged portions, and a plurality of voids. The sheet of material has an upper surface and a lower surface with at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface having a bonding material disposed thereon such that at least a portion of the engaged portions are bondably connected thereby increasing the resiliency of the folds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a sheet of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a female die and a male die. A sheet of material is positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The apparatus further includes means for supplying a stream of air between the female die and the formed article to release the formed article from the female die and means for holding the formed article against the male die as the male die and the female die are positioned from a forming position to a discharge position whereby the formed article is removed from the female die.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.

Abstract: A wrapping material for wrapping a floral arrangement, a flower pot, or for forming a flower pot, comprising a sheet of material, an extension of the sheet of material attached to the sheet of material, the extension having design indicia thereon, wherein the sheet of material is sized to wrap about and substantially surround and encompass a floral arrangement, a flower pot, or contain a floral arrangement or potted plant. Methods of using the wrapping material to wrap a floral arrangement, a flower pot, and to form a flower pot.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.