Abstract: Compositions having improved sability which, when applied to a variety of substrates and cured, form transparent coatings having superior abrasion resistant properties. The coating compositions are aqueous-organic solvent mixtures containing a mixture of hydrolysis products and partial condensates of an epoxy functional silane and a tetrafunctional silane and a multifunctional compound selected from the group consisting of multifunctional carboxylic acids, multifunctional anhydrides and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of wrapping a floral grouping, preferably an orchid, with a wrapper which may be a sheet of material, a sleeve or a preformed pot cover. The wrapper is preferably constructed from a laminated material made up of at least a waxy layer and a support layer which are superposed upon each other and connected or laminated to each other. A second waxy layer may be connected or laminated to the other surface of the support surface. The waxy layer is made from a waxy material such as waxed paper, waxed tissue or high density polyethylene. The wrapped floral grouping may also contain a shredded material for cushioning the blooms of the floral grouping.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot wherein the cover is a flattened sleeve which comprises a base portion tapered to fit a pot and may have a skirt having an edge and having a lower end having excess material therein for forming a bottom. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet about a bouquet of flowers. The sheet 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. A stiff wrap ring form may be positioned suspended over the sheet, and the bouquet inserted in the wrap ring form.

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 a detaching element such as perforations for detaching a portion of the sleeve or sheet of material. 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 wrapper may further comprise an additional strip of bonding material for bonding an informational card or label to the wrapper. After the wrapper is wrapped about the floral grouping, a portion of the wrapper may be removed by using the detaching element, thereby leaving a portion of the wrapper wrapped or bound about the floral grouping.

Abstract: A one-piece adjustable headgear strap is constructed of lightweight material, for example plastic, and therefore is inexpensively manufactured and comfortable to wear. The strap is constructed with an adjustment mechanism that enables it to be easily adjusted around the head of wearer with just one hand. The adjustment mechanism is also integrally formed with the headband of the headgear support and is therefore inexpensive to manufacture due to its one-piece construction.

Abstract: An inflatable shipping device for protecting at least one fragile item during shipment is provided. The inflatable shipping device includes a housing defining a gas receiving cavity and being constructed of a flexible and substantially gas impermeable material. The housing has a flattened state when the gas receiving cavity is substantially free of gas and an expanded state when gas is introduced into the gas receiving cavity. The housing has a first side, an opposed second side, a first end, an opposed second end, and a flexible inner-liner defining at least one item receiving chamber positioned between the first end and the second end. The item receiving chamber communicates with the first side of the housing and the item receiving chamber is sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the fragile item. The inflatable shipping device is also provided with an inflation assembly for introducing gas into the gas receiving cavity defined by the housing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses compositions as well as methods of making and using said compositions, having improved stability which, when applied to a variety of substrates and cured, form transparent coatings which have abrasion resistant properties, a matched refractive index to that of the substrate, and which can be tailored to control the extent of tint absorption (vide infra). The 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: An apparatus for inserting a side bar having a bar portion and a flanged end in a side face of a concrete slab formed by a slip form paver is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having a side bar receiving chamber defining a travel path. A slide pin is extendable through at least a portion of the side bar receiving chamber so as to engage the side bar and cause the side bar to be driven from the side bar receiving chamber along the travel path. A guide member is connected to the frame and movable between a first position wherein the guide member is positioned to vertically support the bar portion of the side bar in a selected relationship with respect to the side face of the concrete slab and a second position wherein the guide member is retracted from the travel path of the side bar to permit the flanged end of the side bar to travel past the guide member along the travel path unimpeded by the guide member.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants or comestibles. The sleeve has a closed curved bottom. The sleeve may also have an expansion element such as a gusset, pleats, random folds or elastic material for enabling the lower portion of the sleeve to conform to the outer and bottom surfaces of the pot to provide a decorative cover about the pot. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a base and skirt. The sleeve may have an upper protective sleeve portion which can surround a plant disposed in a pot and which can be detached once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed thereby allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The sleeve has a plurality of folds, some constricted by constriction means, the folds comprising expansion means for allowing portions of the base portion to expand, and portions of the skirt to extend angularly, when a pot is disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: A drum mixer for heating, mixing and drying an aggregate material, such as a mixture of recycled asphaltic pavement and virgin aggregate. The drum mixer includes an inclined drum having a first end and a second end. The drum forms a pre-heating/blending section adjacent the first end, a heating/mixing section adjacent the second end, and a heating/drying/mixing section therebetween. A feed assembly for feeding aggregate material, preferably having a high ratio of RAP material to virgin aggregate, is provided. The feed assembly feeds the aggregate material into the pre-heating/blending section of the drum for movement of the aggregate material sequentially through the pre-heating/blending section, the heating/drying/mixing section and the heating/mixing section. A burner assembly extends from the second end of the drum into the heating/drying/mixing section of the drum.

Abstract: A plant cover, comprising a base formed from a sheet of material, said base having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface, an opening intersecting the upper end forming an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space, a skirt formed from a sheet of material, said skirt connected to the upper end of the base, and expansion means formed integrally with the base, the expansion means comprising an excess of material, the expansion means permitting the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of a pot. Methods of using a plant cover.

Abstract: A method for producing carbon nanotubes by contacting a carbon containing gas with metallic catalytic particles. The catalytic particles 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 metal component may be deposited on a support. Preferably, a substantial percentage of the nanotubes formed are single-walled carbon nanotubes. Further, a method for determining catalyst composition and reaction conditions for optimizing production of single-walled carbon nanotubes is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus having a face mask removably attachable to a firefighting hood is provided. The face mask used in cooperation with a breathing apparatus such as a self-contained breathing assembly or a respirator. The face mask has a rim supporting a seal member that operatively sealingly engages the user's face providing a breathing chamber between the user's face and the face mask that is sealed off from the external environment. The firefighting hood has a compliant material enclosing the wearer's head and a support frame surrounding a front opening in the firefighting hood exposing the wearer's face. The firefighting hood matingly engages the face mask such that a perimeter portion of the firefighting hood around the front opening is nested behind the rim of the face mask so as to prevent gaps between the firefighting hood and the face mask.

Abstract: A plant cover for covering a flower pot includes a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve having upper and lower portions wherein the upper portion is detachable from the lower portion. The lower portion of the sleeve may be constructed from a first material and the upper portion of the sleeve may be constructed from a second material different from the first material. The lower portion includes a base portion and a skirt portion, wherein the base portion may be constructed from a first material and the skirt portion may be constructed from a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: A decorative flower pot cover and method for producing same is disclosed wherein the decorative flower pot cover is provided with a multi-layered upper portion formed of a plurality of sheets of material wherein each sheet of material is provided with an opening therein adapted to receiver a lower potion of a flower pot such that, upon positioning the lower end of the flower pot through the openings in the sheets of material, a portion of the sheets of material are connected to a portion of a sidewall of the flower pot and the sheets of material forming the multi-layered upper portion of the decorative flower pot cover extend substantially independent of one another in an upwardly and outwardly angular direction from the sidewall of the flower pot so that an open upper end of the flower pot remains substantially uncovered by the decorative flower pot cover.

Abstract: A flexible sleeve disposable about at least a portion of a flower pot or floral grouping is disclosed wherein the flexible sleeve is formed of a flexible, expanded core polymeric material in which at least one surface of the material has been textured or modified so that the material is provided with a cloth-like appearance. The flexible sleeve having a cloth-like appearance may also be provided with perforations at preselected areas. A method for making the perforations in the sleeve in preselected areas further comprises both vertical perforations and circumferential perforations.

Abstract: A flower pot cover constructed of a thermoplastic material for providing a decorative cover for an item, such as a floral grouping. The flower pot cover comprises a base portion and a skirt portion. The base portion has an upper end, a lower end, a bottom having a first thickness and a continuous sidewall extending generally between the upper and lower ends of the base portion. The skirt portion is positioned circumferentially about the upper end of the base portion and extends a distance therefrom. The skirt portion is substantially flexible and has a third thickness which is less than the first thickness of the bottom of the base portion. The base portion and the skirt portion cooperate to provide the flower pot cover with a shape sustaining configuration.