Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a decorative cover about an outer peripheral surface of a flower pot. The apparatus includes a frame assembly having a well formed therein, and a cover forming and banding assembly having a flower pot receiving opening sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a sheet of cover forming material and at least a lower portion of the flower pot. The platform is provided with an opening therein sized to permit passage of at least a portion of the flower pot and at least a portion of the sheet of cover forming material there through. The cover forming and banding assembly is supported within the well of the frame such that the flower pot receiving opening in the cover forming and banding assembly is aligned with the opening in the platform.

Abstract: A plant package produced by a method of covering a pot with a preformed tubular sleeve having a tapered shape, a non-linear upper edge, and free from an upper portion sized to surround and encompass the floral grouping disposed within the pot.

Abstract: The present invention discloses articles containing a coating composition, as well as methods of making and using the compositions which, when applied to a substrate and cured, provide articles having transparent abrasion resistant coatings, wherein the coatings have a matched refractive index to that of the substrate and can be tailored to control the extent of tint absorption (vide infra). The coating compositions comprise an aqueous-organic solvent mixture containing a mixture of hydrolysis products and partial condensates of an epoxy-functional silane, a carboxylic acid functional compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, multifunctional carboxylic acids, anhydrides, and combinations thereof, a metal oxide composite colloid, and a disilane. The coating compositions may further include a mixture of hydrolysis products and partial condensates of one or more silane additives, a colloidal silica material, and a tetrafunctional silane.

Abstract: A personal computer system split into a local portion and a remote portion. In one embodiment the remote portion of the split personal computer system is located in a remote location and normally maintained by a network service provider and has personal computer application programs stored thereon that are controlled by the individuals local portion. The remote portion provides one or more personal computer application programs as a service that can be selected by the individual and stores the individuals data after running the personal computer application program selected by the individual. Both the selected program and the individuals data can be accessed upon providing a valid password by the individual. The remote portion has a controller that can collect fees for the application program services provided each individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to triacylglycerol oligomer products and methods of making, using and producing same.

Abstract: The present relates in general to upconversion luminescence (“UCL”) materials and methods of making and using same and more particularly, but not meant to be limiting, to Mn2+ doped semiconductor nanoparticles for use as UCL materials. The present invention also relates in general to upconversion luminescence including two-photon absorption upconversion, and potential applications using UCL materials, including light emitting diodes, upconversion lasers, infrared detectors, chemical sensors, temperature sensors and biological labels, all of which incorporate a UCL material.

Abstract: An auto darkening eye protection device including a shutter assembly, a light sensing circuit, a control circuit and a power supply source. The shutter assembly is adjustable to a plurality of shade levels. The phototransistor of the light sensing circuit senses light from a welding arc and provides an output of the light sensing circuit indicative of the shade level at which the shutter assembly should be operated. The phototransistor is configured for surface mount and has an external base connection connected to the base of the phototransistor. The control circuit is configured to receive the output from the light sensing circuit and provide a drive signal to the shutter assembly responsive to said output, drives the shutter assembly to one of said plurality of shade levels.

Abstract: A method of forming a decorative cover, a sleeve or a preformed pot cover for a floral grouping or flower pot from a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three-dimensional appearance.

Abstract: A flexible sleeve for containing a pot and/or floral grouping and/or growing or retaining medium. The flexible sleeve has a body and a flap. The body has an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface and a skirt. The flap is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the body, preferably near the skirt. The flap is adapted to be positioned in: a storage position extending downward, a receiving position extending upward, and a deployed position extending substantially inwardly from the inner peripheral surface of the body when the body is in an open configuration. The flap can be a sheet, or may be folded or slitted. Water or other chemicals may be impregnated into the flap to aid in the maintenance of the floral grouping or growing medium. The flap may also be used to secure the sleeve about the pot and/or floral grouping and/or growing or retaining medium.

Abstract: A nanotube/matrix composite mixture, and a method of producing it, which can be used to form a composite material such as a drawn fiber having an increased strength over a drawn fiber formed from the matrix material alone. Nanotubes are combined with a solvent material to form a nanotube/solvent mixture. The nanotube/solvent mixture is mixed, for example by sonication, such that the nanotubes are uniformly dispersed in the nanotube/solvent mixture. An amount of a matrix material (with or without a solvent) is then combined with the nanotube/solvent mixture to form a nanotube/solvent/matrix mixture. The nanotube/solvent/mixture and the matrix material are mixed such that the nanotubes are maintained in uniformly dispersed state in the nanotube/solvent/matrix mixture, for example by continued sonication after the nanotubes and matrix material are combined.

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 has a bonding material disposed upon an inner and/or outer portion of the sleeve for crimping the sleeve adjacent the pot to hold the sleeve about the pot.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a system whereby a service provider can service a large number of customers (millions) and connect them to their rented PC from millions of locations around the world. Many customers (10 to 100 thousand) can be connected simultaneously. The service provider is responsible for maintaining the latest PC Hardware and Software configurations available on the market instead of the customer. The rented PC operates in essentially the same manner as if one purchased and maintained their PC at home or office. Access to the individuals rented PC can be obtained from any existing PC, office network computer, a Web TV computer or other customer interface computer which has been authorized by the service provider. The current invention will greatly improve existing Client/Server systems being used to service large global offices.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube product formed from a metallic catalytic particle and single-walled carbon nanotubes deposited thereon. The catalytic particles preferably contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The metallic catalytic particle preferably further comprises a support material such as silica. The carbon nanotube product is preferably formed by exposing the metallic catalytic particle to a carbon-containing gas at a temperature sufficient to form the single-walled nanotubes as a primary portion of a solid carbon product on the metallic catalytic particles.

Abstract: A method for covering a flower pot with a sheet of material or a pot cover. At least a portion of a sheet of material, or the inner surface of the pot cover and/or the outer surface of the flower pot is provided with a bonding material such that upon wrapping the sheet of material about the outer surface of the flower pot or placing the flower pot in an interior space of the pot cover, the flower pot is secured to the sheet of material wrapped thereabout or the pot cover via the bonding material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active Streptococcus equisimilis hyaluronate synthase (seHAS), and to the use of this nucleic acid segment in the preparation of recombinant cells which produce hyaluronate synthase and its hyaluronic acid product. Hyaluronate is also known as hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan.

Abstract: The present invention discloses folded corrugated material for producing segments or strips for use as Easter grass, packing material and the like or for use as flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials.

Abstract: A bearing retainer for a valve having an internally mounted stem and valve member with a trunnion and a bearing positioned thereabout is disclosed. The bearing retainer has a retainer body having a bearing receiving opening extending from a first side to an opposed second side and a stem receiving slot formed in the first side thereof in open communication with the bearing receiving opening. The retainer body is disposable about the bearing, and the retainer body is configured such that the retainer body is rotatable about the trunnion upon the valve member, the bearing, and the bearing retainer being positioned in the valve chamber with the stem engaged with the valve member.

Abstract: A band applicator for applying a band about a sheet of material disposed about a pot to provide a decorative cover for the pot. The band applicator includes a pot frame having a pot opening and a band holder configured to releasably hold a plurality of bands. The sheet of material is extended about the outer peripheral surface of the pot, and the pot with the sheet of material disposed thereabout is disposed in a pot receiving space in the pot frame. The pot frame holds the sheet of material positioned about the pot. A band is removed from the band holder and disposed about the sheet of material and pot for cooperating to hold the sheet of material positioned about the pot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active Pasturella multocida hyaluronate synthase (PmHAS), and to the use of this nucleic acid segment in the preparation of recombinant cells which produce hyaluronate synthase and its hyaluronic acid product. Hyaluronate is also known as hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan. The present invention also relates to the use of the PmHAS in constructing “knock-out” mutant strains of P. multocida for use in vaccinations. The present invention further relates to the use of the PmHAS in diagnostic tests in the field determinations of livestock P. multocida infection.