Abstract: A device and method for connecting a line to a spinnerbait type fishing lure having an R-shaped shank without requiring formation of a knot in the line is provided. The device includes a coil having at least 11/2 turns and defining a shank receiving passageway. A first shank extends from one end of the coil, and a second shank extends from the other end of the coil. The first and second shanks extend from the coil so that the second shank is disposed at an angular relationship relative to the first shank whereby the first shank is biased away from the second shank when the first shank is drawn toward the second shank. The device further includes a line engaging hook formed on the first shank, and a line retaining loop formed on the second shank so as to be disposed a distance from the line engaging hook.

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: A method of forming a flower pot or a flower pot cover is provided. The method includes the step of providing a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface with at least one of the upper and lower surfaces being a bondably connectable surface. The sheet of material has a label area which has information related to a floral grouping displayed thereon. The method further includes forming the sheet of material into a base having a closed lower end, an open upper end, and an object opening extending through the open upper end and dimensioned to receive a flower pot in which the floral grouping is disposed. The base is formed to have a plurality of overlapping folds that are bondably connected so as to retain the base in a predetermined shape with the information on the label area being viewable when the flower pot is disposed in the object opening.

Abstract: A wrapper, comprising a floral grouping having a bloom portion and a stem portion wherein the stem portion may have a bonding material thereon and a flexible sleeve optionally 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 attached to the stems of the floral grouping, and methods of using the wrapper.

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: An assembly for both wrapping a floral arrangement and removing the wrapping material from the floral arrangement comprising a sheet of material having a pull tab extending outwardly a distance from the sheet of material, the pull tab being positionable adjacent an overlapped portion of the sheet of material and having a bonding material thereon for connecting the pull tab to the adjacent overlapped portion of the sheet of material, thereby securing the sheet of material in a wrapped condition about at least the stem portion of the floral arrangement. The pull tab is readily visible and graspable to remove the wrapping assembly from the floral arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering contaminated fluids is provided. In a filtering mode, contaminated fluid is introduced into a vessel housing a bed of positively buoyant particulate material and a bed of negatively buoyant particulate material in a spaced apart relationship. The contaminated fluid is passed through the bed of negatively buoyant particulate and through the bed of positively buoyant particulate. In a backwashing mode, a backwashing fluid is passed through the bed of positively buoyant particulate to flush particulate contaminants therefrom. The backwashing fluid is discharged from the vessel at a location between the bed of negatively buoyant particulate and the bed of positively buoyant particulate.

Abstract: A cover forming apparatus for forming a flower pot or flower pot cover from a sheet of material by engaging a sheet of material about the outer surface of a mold, die or pot. The cover forming apparatus includes a plurality of pivotable forming members resting in a surface which supports a sheet of material upon which is positioned a flower pot mold or flower pot. When the forming members are pivotally moved from the storage position to an extended position, the forming members cause the sheet of material to be appressed to or engaged with the mold or pot. The article formed in accordance with the present invention may be separable from the mold or pot and usable as a flower pot or flower pot cover or may be more or less securely attached to the pot by adhesive, cohesive, barbs, friction pinches or other securing means thereby forming a decorative cover connected to a flower pot.

Abstract: Fucosylated sialyated lactosaminoglycan structures that bind to GMP-140 have been discovered. The structure is created by expression of .alpha.(1,3) fucosyltransferases capable of modifying acceptors containing .alpha.(2,3) sialic acid-substituted lactosaminoglycans. Le.sup.x, Gal.beta.1,4(Fuc.alpha.1,3) GlcNAc.beta.1-R (where R is a protein or other carbohydrate structure), a common trisaccharide structure on myeloid cells but not on lymphocytes or erythroid cells, forms the core of this sialyated structure. The actual structure may be sialyl Le.sup.x, difucosyl sialyl Le.sup.x, a longer polyfucosylated polyactosaminoglycan, or a related variant. Several of these structures may bind to GMP-140 with various degrees of affinity. The carbohydrate structures, including sialyl Le.sup.x, difucosyl sialyl Le.sup.

Abstract: A water charging machine wherein the water being treated is moved downwardly through a vertically extending outer vortex and then moved in an upwardly extending inner vortex within the outer vortex. Oxygen may be introduced into the stream of water either upstream of the outer vortex or at the point of reversal of the water between the outer vortex and the inner vortex, or both, to provide a long shelf life incorporation of the gaseous oxygen in the water. The water and oxygen may also be exposed to a negative or positive magnetic field and a piezoelectric field to provide a substantial Zeta potential.

Abstract: A breathable packaging material used for packaging items, such as floral groupings, flower pots, fresh produce, food, medical supplies/equipment, pharmaceutical products, and the like, thereby forming a breathable package for containing said items. The breathable packaging material comprises a sheet of material having controlled atmosphere characteristics, and having a desiccant and/or an antimicrobial agent. Methods for using breathable packaging material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet of material about a bouquet of flowers. A sheet of material having spaced apart defined first and second portions is placed against a support member, such as a prepared table top, and the bouquet is positioned on the sheet with the first and second portions of the sheet extending on right and left sides, respectively, of the bouquet. The first sheet portion is then moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet, and the second sheet portion is moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet and to extend over part of the first sheet portion. The two sheet portions may be secured together by a bonding material, or the first and second portions of the sheet of wrapping material can themselves act as a bonding material by application of appropriate heat sealing, sonic welding, vibratory welding, and similar methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sheet of material about a pot and applying a band therearound. The apparatus includes a table assembly, a pedestal, a plurality of spreader fingers, a plurality of release wedges and a plurality of linkage assemblies. The table assembly is provided with an opening and the pedestal is mounted for reciprocating movement through the opening. The sheet of material is formed into a cover about the pot by placing the sheet of material and pot on the pedestal and urging the pot through the opening. The spreader fingers are radially movable between a retracted position within the opening and an expanded position wherein the spreader fingers are positioned outside the perimeter of the opening. Each of the release wedges is located on the table assembly at the perimeter of the opening along the line of movement of a corresponding one of the spreader fingers. The linkage assemblies and the shape of the pedestal cooperate to move the spreader fingers in response to movement of the pedestal.

Abstract: A card display package and method for manufacturing same is provided. The card package includes a card carrier constructed of a synthetic sheet of paper laminated with a plastic material. The card package further includes a card constructed of the synthetic sheet of paper and laminated with the plastic material and having at least a portion of the card projecting from the card carrier. The card is integrally formed with and selectively detachable from the card carrier and is provided with an encodable magnetic strip extending transversely across the portion of the card projecting from the card carrier whereby the card may be swiped through an encoding device without removing the card from the card carrier.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a floral grouping using a wrapper formed of an optical effect material having a holographic design which constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative wrapper. The optical effect material may include printed matter and/or embossed pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor of the decorative cover. The method also includes crimp connecting means for holding overlapping portions of the wrapper in a crimped position adjacent a stem portion of the floral grouping.

Abstract: A method and composition for the topical application of a yohimbine or derivative or stereoisomer thereof or effective .alpha..sub.2 -antagonists, to the skin for inhibiting melanogenesis in the skin leading to skin lightening. The yohimbine may be provided as a natural extract, for example, as an extract of Johimbe bark.

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 invention satisfies the need for a means for rapidly covering and fastening the cover about an article with a minimal amount of manual effort and in a location having a limited amount of available space. The apparatus comprises a platform having at least one opening sized to receive the article. The apparatus comprises a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the covered article for fastening the cover about the article after the sheet is formed into a cover about the article.

Abstract: A locking apparatus in combination with a locking pin and method for rigidly interlocking a control wheel and the rudder pedals of an aircraft is provided for securing the control surfaces of the aircraft operated by the control wheel and the rudder pedals in a stable position. The locking pin is adapted to be disposed through aligned locking pin receiving holes of the control column and the control panel collar and has a recess formed therein for lockingly receiving a portion of the control column. The locking apparatus includes a pair of control wheel retaining members rigidly connected to one end of a rod member for retainingly engaging the control wheel and a rudder pedal engaging bar rigidly connected to one end of another rod member. The rudder pedal engaging bar is positionable in a V-shaped notch of each of the rudder pedals so as to engage each of the rudder pedals and so as to secure the rudder pedal engaging bar on the rudder pedals.

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.