Abstract: A method of attenuating a molten thermoplastic polymer stream into polymer fibers for forming a non-woven fiber mat, and the non-woven fiber mat formed thereby. The method applying a gas stream to a molten polymer stream, and inducing a cyclic pulsation in the gas stream. The cyclic pulsation further comprises a discontinuous flow of the gas stream. The application of the gas stream to the molten polymer stream causes the attenuation of the molten polymer stream into a plurality of fibers which are collected onto a receiving surface thereby forming a non-woven fiber mat. The method may be used to impart a particularly unique or otherwise desirable configuration to the fibers or to the fiber mat produced from them. The gas stream may be comprised of a primary gas flow having a first stream and a second stream. The gas stream may be further comprised of a secondary gas flow having a first stream and a second stream.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor belt comprising a plurality of link assemblies adapted to be interconnected so as to permit coplanar rotational movement relative to one another. Each of the link assemblies having a plurality of forward link ends and a plurality of rearward link ends. A link shaft is disposed through the forward link ends and the rearward link ends of adjacent link assemblies for interconnecting the link assemblies to form the spiral conveyor belt. Each of the link shafts is tapered at least near the first end thereof to permit movement of the tapered portion of the link shaft in shaft openings in the forward and rearward link ends as the spiral conveyor belt is turned on a radius.

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.

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: A system for remediating soil containing contaminants. The system comprises a rotary volatilizer, a thermal dust conductor, a soil cooler, a separator and an afterburner. The rotary volatilizer includes a rotatable, counterflow volatilizer drum with a drying zone, a heating zone and a burn zone. The burn zone of the volatilizer has an outer shell and a stainless steel inner liner supported by spring brackets within the outer shell. A separator is provided to receive exhaust gases from the volatilizer and the soil cooler and to remove dust from the exhaust gases. Dust from the separator and hot soil from the volatilizer is introduced into the thermal dust conductor. Hot gases from the thermal dust conductor are returned to the volatilizer to preheat combustion air for the volatilizer and to incinerate contaminants in the returned gases. Soil is transferred from the thermal dust conductor to the soil cooler, where water injection cools the remediated soil and adds moisture to the soil.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater containing undesirable pollutants which comprises a housing having a bottom and defining an internal chamber. The internal chamber is provided with a first and second baffle member which cooperate to define a mixing zone and a separation zone. Wastewater (containing a sufficient amount of air so that the air present in the wastewater exceeds the solubility of air in the wastewater) is introduced into the mixing zone of the internal chamber, and an aerated water is sprayed into the wastewater to produce a quantity of air bubbles sufficient to promote the flotation of pollutants having a density approximately equal to that of the wastewater to form a froth. Pollutants having a density substantially greater than the density of water settled to the bottom portion of the housing. An effluent reservoir assembly (which forms a reservoir zone) is spatially disposed from the second baffle member so that a quiescent zone is formed therebetween.

Abstract: A wrapping material comprising a sheet of material such as paper, cellophane, foil, or man-made organic polymer film and a cling material such as polyethylene secured to a portion of the sheet of material. The cling material connects to the sheet of material and/or itself as the wrapping material is wrapped about an item thereby securing the sheet of material about the item. A method of wrapping an item such as a floral arrangement, Easter basket or a gift container by wrapping the item with the wrapping material.