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 sensor system for determining the position of at least one edge of a web of material traveling along a predetermined path. The sensor system has a transmitter assembly capable of selectively transmitting at least one collimated light curtain and a receiver assembly capable of generating output signals in response to receiving portions of the collimated light curtain transmitted by the transmitter assembly. The receiver assembly is spaced a distance from the transmitter assembly so as to define a travel path therebetween whereby at least a portion of the web of material traveling along a predetermined travel path blocks at least a portion of the collimated light curtain transmitted by the transmitter assembly. The output signal generated by the receiver assembly is indicative of the position of the web of material as the same is moved along the travel path between the transmitter assembly and the receiver assembly.

Abstract: DNA sequences coding for branched chain keto dehydrogenase, a promoter and branched chain keto dehydrogenase, and the promoter are disclosed. Also disclosed are recombinant vectors comprising one of the foregoing DNA sequences, transformed hosts comprising one of the foregoing recombinant vectors, and a method of making the polypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence.

Abstract: A wrapping material for wrapping an item, such as a floral grouping is provided. The wrapping material has a bonding material on a surface so that, when the wrapping material is formed into a wrapper, the wrapper may be releasably attached to a mounting surface, such as a board or wall, by way of the bonding material.

Abstract: A rapid method for detecting the presence or absence of coliform bacteria in a liquid or liquified dairy sample, for example skimmed milk. A growth medium containing a fluorogenic substrate is combined with the sample and is incubated for a brief period of about 7-9 hours after which a single fluorescence value is measured. Total or thermotolerant coliform bacteria are determined to be present in the sample if the single fluorescent measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning and dispensing a mixture of wet and dry insulation material is provided. The apparatus includes a hopper with a partition disposed in the hopper so as to define a wet material receiving compartment and a dry material receiving compartment. A plurality of shafts are rotatably and longitudinally supported in the hopper. The shafts are provided with helically arranged spikes which serve to incorporate the wet and dry insulation material together, as well as condition the insulation material. A lower shaft acts to convey the wet insulation material to an air lock while a pair of upper shafts function to incorporate the dry insulation material into the wet insulation material at various points.

Abstract: A plant package comprising a flower pot and a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is provided with a base portion, a skirt portion and an upper portion. The base portion of the sleeve surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot, and the skirt portion of the sleeve extends from the base portion. The upper portion of the sleeve is detachably connected to the skirt portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a replacement alternator constructed to replace an existing CS-130 alternator in a vehicle where the CS-130 alternator was disposed in a predetermined alternator space within the vehicle. The alternator space has a predetermined length, width and height. The alternator comprises a housing defining an alternator interior space. The housing is sized to fit within the predetermined alternator space. A rotor coil having a plurality of wire windings wound thereabout is disposed in the alternator interior space of the housing and rotatably supported by the housing. The wire windings of the rotor coil have an electrical current flowing therethrough for generating a rotating magnetic field as the rotor coil rotates. Means are provided for selectively rotating the rotor coil at a speed of at least 1600 revolutions per minute. The alternator includes a stator positioned in the rotating magnetic field generated by the rotor coil and supported by the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus are provided for converting a gas stream containing hydrocarbons to a reaction product containing effluent molecules having at least one carbon atom, having at least one interior surface and at least one exterior surface, a first electrode and a second electrode with the first and second electrodes being selectively movable in relation to each other and positioned within the housing so as to be spatially disposed a predetermined distance from each other, a plasma discharge generator between the first and second electrodes, gas stream introducer and a collector for collecting the reaction product effluent produced by the reaction of the gas stream containing hydrocarbons with the plasma discharge between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A basket wrapping material forming a bow in a wrapping about an outer periphery of a basket. The basket wrapping material forms both a bow and a closure in the sheet of material about a basket. Methods of wrapping a basket with a basket wrapping material which forms both a bow and a closure.

Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example, and a novel article formed utilizing such a system. The article forming system includes a male die, a female die and a platform having a support surface and an opening extending through the support surface. The female die is disposed generally within the opening in the platform with the upper end of the female die being disposed near the support surface. The article forming system includes means for slidingly holding portions of the sheet of material generally against portions of the support surface while permitting such held portions to slide on the support surface during the forming of the article for cooperating in forming a decorative border on the decorative flower pot cover type of article which flares generally away from the flower pot object when the decorative flower pot cover article is applied to the flower pot.

Abstract: A mail delivery signal kit which includes a magnet which can be mounted on a side or face of a mailbox door, a tethering device which is anchored to a portion of the mailbox, a stopper constructed of a metallic material which will connect to the magnet and which can be attached to one end of the tether, and a visual indicator device which can be retained on the tethering device, and which is adapted to be stopped by the stopper attached to the tethering device. A delivered mail indicating system is formed when the mail delivery signal kit is installed on a rural-type streetside mailbox. The delivered mail indicating system is activated when the stopper is magnetically connected to the magnet on the mailbox door. Opening of the mailbox door pulls the magnet away from the stopper until the stopper disconnects from the magnet, causing the stopper to fall below the mailbox wherein the visual indicator device drops down the tether and is arrested at the end of the tether by the stopper.

Abstract: A method for providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping wherein the decorative cover is provided with a design indicia bearing portion which extends above the remainder of the decorative cover and thereby enhances the visual aesthetic effect of the decorative cover. The decorative cover is formed from a sheet of material having a design indicia and an opening extending therethrough wherein the opening is offset from a central portion of the sheet of material in a direction generally away from the indicia bearing portion of the sheet of material. A lower portion of a stem end of a floral grouping is inserted through the opening in the sheet of material and the sheet of material is wrapped about the floral grouping to provide a decorative cover having a design indicia bearing portion which extends above the remainder of the decorative cover and thereby enhances the visual aesthetic effect of the decorative cover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering portions of an object having an outer peripheral surface with a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive on at least a portion of the lower surface by wrapping the sheet of material about portions of the outer peripheral surface and positioning the sheet of material so that the pressure sensitive coating either contacts portions of the outer peripheral surface of the object and is bonded thereto or contacts overlapping portions of the sheet of material and is bonded to other adjacent portions of the sheet of material having the pressure sensitive coating thereon or overlapping portions of the sheet of material are bonded by the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A wrapping material for wrapping hamburgers or other food items is provided, the wrapping material having a bonding material disposed on either an upper surface or a lower surface.

Abstract: A sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery, a plurality of indentations in the outer periphery, portions of the sheet of material surrounding the indentations overlapping to form an article having a substantially smooth outer peripheral surface. Methods of forming and using an article, such as a flower pot cover article.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a base portion and skirt portion. 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 portion. The sleeve has a plurality of folds comprising expansion elements for allowing portions of the base portion to expand, and portions of the skirt portion to extend angularly, when a pot is disposed within the sleeve.