Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping comprising a floral holding material and a sheet of material. The floral holding material is a shape-sustaining support member having an open upper end, an open lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending between the open upper end and the close lower end. The sheet of material is extended about a portion of the floral holding material to form a decorative cover and the decorative cover cooperates with the shape-sustaining support member to define a reservoir for confining a liquid a securing element secures the decorative cover about the shape-sustaining support member 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: Non-circular vias and methods of cutting away material in a printed circuit board (PCB) so as to form non-circular vias. Laser ablation or plasma ablation is used to remove PCB material about a centerline. This type of material removal allows lateral movement to effect non-circular patterns. Exemplary shapes are convoluted circle vias, square vias, extended/elongated vias, and trench vias. The trench vias may be micro milled to form a coaxialised structure that provides noise suppression and EMI protection, and are elongated to be even greater than three times the diameter of a circular micro-via.

Abstract: An analytic plate such as a microscope slide or a diagnostic plate and kit having the slide or plate, the slide or plate having a containment border for containing a liquid, histological or other biological sample. The containment border is substantially transparent and is substantially flush with the surface of the slide or plate for containing the liquid, histological or other biological sample disposed thereon and thereby preventing spreading or migration of the sample across the slide or plate. The containment border is preferably comprised of a polysiloxane, siloxane, silicone, a silane, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Flexible polymeric materials having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth suitable for use in the formation of decorative flower pot covers are disclosed.

Abstract: A flower pot cover disposable about a flower pot. The flower pot includes a preformed base sized to contain the flower pot and has an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and a pot opening formed through the upper end thereof providing access to a pot receiving space forming an inner peripheral surface of the base. The flower pot cover formed of at least two sheets of material having a two-dimensional printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance produced by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern.

Abstract: A sleeve for containing a flower pot wherein the sleeve is formed of a polymeric film having at least one surface thereof modified to provide the sleeve with an appearance or texture simulating the appearance or texture of cloth. The sleeve has a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space, a base portion and a skirt portion.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a base portion having a decorative pattern thereon. The sleeve may have an upper sleeve portion which can surround a plant disposed in a pot and which can be detached once the protective function of the sleeve is complete or which can be used to support the sleeve from a support device prior to use. The decorative pattern has a curved or non-linear upper boundary which gives the sleeve the appearance of having a curved or non-linear upper skirt extending from the base portion.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot with a plant cover, the plant cover at least comprising a base portion, and optionally having a skirt or a detachable upper portion. The plant cover has a heat shrinkable bonding material which can be heat shrunk to secure the plant cover about the pot.

Abstract: Flexible polymeric materials having a cloth-like appearance suitable for use in the formation of flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system including a floral sleeve having a decorative pattern thereon. The sleeve may have a lower portion sized to cover a pot and an upper portion which can surround a plant disposed in the pot and which can be detached once the protective function of the upper portion is complete or which can be used to support the sleeve from a support device prior to use. The decorative pattern preferably has a non-linear upper boundary which gives the sleeve the appearance of having a non-linear upper edge or skirt extending from the lower portion.

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 and optionally a detaching element such as perforations for detaching a portion of the sleeve or sheet of material and a reservoir 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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming a decorative covering about a flower pot or a floral grouping from a sheet of material, the sheet of material having printed thereon a graphic image that is prominently displayed on a selected portion of the decorative covering. The graphic image may be a masterpiece of art produced by one of the Great Masters of the Renaissance, at least a portion of a musical score, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An optical cable is embedded in a printed circuit board using a MEMS mirror to steer the photonic signal from the surface of the board to the optical cable embedded in the board's interior. The photonic signal is conducted from the surface to the embedded mirror by way of a vertical optical via. Such optical vias are used as well for coupling photonic signals between plural optical layers formed by plural flat optical cables. Some or all of the plural flat optical cables are internal to the printed circuit board. Other steering devices may be used that provide equivalent function to that of the mirrors.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot with a plant cover, the plant cover at least comprising a base portion, and optionally having a skirt or a detachable upper portion. The plant cover has a heat shrinkable bonding material which can be heat shrink to secure to plant cover about the pot.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular system for packaging articles for shipment. In particular, a potted plant is placed in a cover, then automatically deposited into a protective sleeve. The potted plant thus packaged is ready for containment within a shipping carton. Various components of the system may be adapted for various packaging needs and circumstances.

Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping comprising a floral holding material and a sheet of material. The floral holding material is a shape-sustaining support member having an open upper end, an open lower end anda peripheral side wall defining an internal chamber extending between the open upper end and the lower end. The sheet of material is extended about a portion of the floral holding material to form a decorative cover and the decorative cover cooperates with the shape-sustaining support member to define a resevoir for confining a liquid, a securing element secures the decorative cover about the shape-sustaining support member 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 making a transaction card sheet product having a plurality of transaction card assemblies. Non-variable data is printed on selected portions of a sheet of material. A strip of releasable tape is applied to the sheet of material, and variable data is printed on selected portions of the sheet of material and the strip of tape. The sheet of material is laminated with a transparent material. The laminated sheet of material is cut to define the plurality of transaction card assemblies such that each transaction card assembly includes an information card having variable and non-variable data printed thereon and a corresponding tape receiving portion removably attached to the information card and having a strip of removable tape attached thereto with variable data printed thereon which corresponds to the variable data printed on the information card.

Abstract: The present invention discloses folded corrugated materials for producing segments or strips for use as Easter grass, packing material and the like wherein the folded corrugated materials are formed of paper and polymeric film.

Abstract: Methods are provided for packaging floral groupings in a modified atmosphere at or near the site or harvest. The modified atmosphere package, which generally contains oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations which differ from those seen in air, is constructed of a material which has modified atmosphere characteristics such that the material is permeable to certain gases while impermeable to others. The package may also include fluid impermeable perforations to assist in the removal of the floral grouping from the package. A surface packaging agent, which maintains the appearance of the floral grouping and/or the modified atmosphere package, may also be present on the package, and a floral grouping maintenance agent, which maintains the appearance of the floral grouping, may also be disposed within the package with the floral grouping before partially sealing the modified atmosphere package about the floral grouping.

Abstract: An animal feeder support device for maintaining a feed container on a substantially vertically extending support member a distance above the ground. The animal feeder support device comprises a stabilizing member, a container support frame, an arm, a first cable, a second cable, and an adjustable strap assembly. The stabilizing member is disposable in a substantially vertical position on the substantially vertically extending support member. The container support frame has an opening sized to receive a feed dispenser of the feed container when the feed container is positioned on the container support frame. The arm has a medial portion connected to the stabilizing member. The first and second cables are adjustably connected to the container support frame. The adjustable strap assembly is connectable to the arm near the medial portion of the arm so that the strap assembly is extendable about the vertically extending support member.