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 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: 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 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 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 microscope slide having a glass plate, a marking surface coating on an area of the glass plate, and indicia formed by etching away portions of the marking surface coating. The marking surface coating may comprise an epoxy resin material, a ceramic material, or any other substance capable of being affixed as a layer onto a glass surface. The indicia may include machine-readable indicia, human-readable indicia, or both machine-readable and human-readable indicia. In order to produce accurate, high-quality indicia, a laser directed by a computer controller may be used to etch away the portions of the marking surface coating.

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.

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 packaging material comprising a plurality of flexible strips of material intertwined with and bondably connected to one another so as to form a cohesive cushioning unit and method for forming same is provided. The strips of material have a bonding material disposed thereon for bondingly connecting the strips of material to one another and enabling the strips of material to be bondingly connected to a container and an article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor belt having a plurality of link assemblies. Each of the link assemblies has a forward end, a rearward end, a first side and a second side. A forward shaft opening extends through the forward end of each link assembly and a rearward shaft opening extends through the rearward end of each link assembly. A plurality of link shafts are provided for interconnecting adjacently disposed link assemblies such that the link assemblies are laterally movable relative to adjacently disposed link assemblies. One of the link shafts extends through the forward shaft opening of each of the link assemblies and through the rearward shaft openings of an adjacently disposed link assembly.

Abstract: A composition comprising a carrier and prostaglandin effective in stimulating synthesis of melanin in a human melanocyte thereby enhancing pigmentation of the human skin and optionally comprising a lysosomotropic agent, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and/or methylxanthines, and a method of use of the composition. Use of this composition promotes tanning of the human skin and increases photoprotection from ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: Method for storing methane in light hydrocarbons at moderate temperatures and pressures such that the resulting solution has a high energy density. The method includes combining methane at a 50 to 80 mole percent concentration with a light hydrocarbon, such as butane, propane or liquid petroleum gas (LPG). Then the resulting solution is maintained at a temperature of between -1.degree. C. and 38.degree. C. and a pressure of between 8 and 14 MPa. Under these parameters, the solution has an energy density which is 40 to 67 percent that of gasoline. A motor vehicle fuel storage apparatus for the method includes an insulated storage tank containing the 50 to 80 mole percent methane solution and a cooling mechanism for maintaining the methane solution between -1.degree. C. and 38.degree. C. The cooling mechanism may be an arrangement of expansion valves, or connection to the air conditioning system of the vehicle, or both.

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: A storage unit for a vehicle having a cargo bed defined by a floor and a plurality of side panels is provided. The storage unit includes a first upper cabinet, a first lower cabinet, a second upper cabinet, and a second lower cabinet. A floor plate is secured between the first and second lower cabinets so as to define a drawer receiving space beneath the floor plate. A drawer is slidably mounted in the drawer receiving space. A plurality of clamp assemblies are utilized to connect the first and second upper cabinets to the flange of the adjacent side panels of the vehicle such that the first and second upper cabinets, the first and second lower cabinets, and the drawer are removably secured to the vehicle without structurally altering the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a wrapper about a floral grouping wherein the wrapper is a sleeve or sheet of material having a cinching tab or strip of bonding material or both. The floral grouping is placed on the sheet of material which is wrapped thereabout, or the floral grouping is disposed in the interior space of the sleeve. The cinching tab is attached near one end of the sheet or sleeve. The cinching tab has a bonding material disposed thereon which, when the cinching tab is pulled tightly about the wrapper, causes the wrapper to be crimped and tightly bound about the stems of the floral grouping. When a sheet or sleeve having a strip of bonding material is used, the portion of the wrapper having the strip of bonding material is crimped manually or automatically about a portion of the stems of the floral grouping causing portions of the wrapper to overlap and bond to each other causing the wrapper to be held firmly about the stems of the floral grouping.