Abstract: A sticky element, comprising a sticky element having an insect-attracting color and an insect-attracting scent, the sticky element comprising sufficient sticky qualities to cause an insect to become permanently attached to the sticky element when any portion of the insect contacts with the sticky element, the sticky element adaptable to being disposed upon a surface. The surface may comprise a wrapping material, a flower pot cover, a flower pot, a floral arrangement, or other surface. When the sticky element is disposed on a wrapping material, the wrapping material is used to wrap a floral arrangement or decoratively cover a flower pot.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for the inhibition of inflammatory diseases in biological tissue and a body part of user. The therapeutic device includes a body member having a work surface and a leading edge. A leading edge is positioned adjacent to the user so that the user extends at least a portion of the body part across the leading edge when working at repetitive motion task on the work surface. The therapeutic device further includes a plurality of lights for generating at least one beam of light positionable on the body part of the user when the user extends the body part across the leading edge. The light beam has a wave length and an intensity sufficient to inhibit the inflammation of the biological tissue in the body part of the user on which the beam of light is positioned.

Abstract: A method for providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping wherein the decorative cover is provided with a 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 an opening extending therethrough wherein the opening is offset from a central portion of the sheet of material. A 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 portion which extends above the remainder of the decorative cover and thereby enhances the visual aesthetic effect of the decorative cover. The decorative cover can also be provided with a design indicia which is disposed on the portion of the decorative cover which extends above the remainder of the decorative cover.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a sheet of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a female die and a male die. A sheet of material is positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The apparatus further includes means for supplying a stream of air between the female die and the formed article to release the formed article from the female die and means for holding the formed article against the male die as the male die and the female die are positioned from a forming position to a discharge position whereby the formed article is removed from the female die.

Abstract: Methods for treating and modulating an inflammatory response using compositions containing a primarily monomeric or primarily dimeric form of galectin-1. The dimeric form stimulates apoptosis of activated neutrophils while the monomeric form inhibits apoptosis of activated neutrophils. Methods of screening for compounds which have galectin-1-like functions are also identified.

Abstract: A vibration mitigation assembly for mitigating vibration of a bridge as a vehicle travels across the bridge is provided. The vibration mitigation assembly includes a plurality of adjustable actuator assemblies having a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber interconnected by a valve. The actuator assemblies being connected to the vehicle and motion sensors being attached to the vehicle to measure vibration of the vehicle. In response to the motion data, a controller outputs a control signal to the valve to vary the flow rate of the fluid between the first and second chambers such that the amount of vibration energy dissipated by the vibration mitigation assembly is selectively varied whereby both a stiffness of the adjustable actuator assemblies and the amount of damping are continuously adjusted to prevent resonant coupling between the vehicle and the bridge over which the vehicle is traveling.

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 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: 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 plant package assembly, comprising a pot containing a floral grouping and a flexible sleeve having detaching elements at preselected areas, the sleeve further comprising a bonding material which connects the sleeve to the pot when the pot is positioned within the sleeve, the sleeve being positioned about the pot and a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounding and encompassing the pot, an upper portion of the sleeve extending upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping contained within the pot, at least a portion of the sleeve being removable via the detaching elements, leaving a portion of the sleeve which is a decorative plant cover.

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: A hand-held electronic scale for weighing an object is provided. The scale includes display assembly pivotally connected to a handle assembly for viewing the weight of an object at an optimum viewing angle relative to the eyes of the individual. The object to be weighed being supported on a support member having a hook shaped first end adapted to transfer the force of the object supported thereon to a force sensor contained within the handle assembly and transmitting a value to a micro-controller for generating an alphanumeric readout representing the weight of the object for viewing on an electronic display contained within a display assembly.

Abstract: Retaining flaps for shipping cartons, with bonding material disposed on at least a portion of the flaps, are provided. The flaps are interposed between delicate items, such as, for example, floral grouping assemblies, to hold the delicate items essentially immobile within a shipping carton in order to prevent damage from internal movement of the delicate items when the shipping carton is transported. The bonding material disposed on the flaps releasably connects to portions of the floral grouping wrappings and to portions of the internal surface of the shipping carton. The flaps can be constructed of a flexible or a rigid material.

Abstract: A vest adapted to be worn by an individual, such as a race car driver. The vest includes a cushioning assembly. The cushioning assembly is adapted to extend about the chest cavity, collar bones, sternum, shoulder blades, clavicles and rib area of the individual to prevent injury to the individual when impact is applied thereto. The cushioning assembly is also constructed to permit air to circulate about and cool the portions of the individual covered by the cushioning assembly. The cushioning assembly typically extends downwardly from about the hollow of the throat of individual to near the midriff of the individual whereby the individual can assume a seated position in a seat, such as a molded race car seat without substantial interference from the cushioning assembly.

Abstract: A packaging assembly for shipping a container. A support member supports the container in an upright position. A sheet of material is wrapped about the support member and at least a portion of the container such that the sheet of material encompasses the support member and at least a portion of the container. The sheet of material may be secured about the support member and at least a portion of the container. The container may be bondingly secured to the support member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for a vibrator system capable of generating and applying a reciprocating force to an object, such as the underlying ground or water. The control system is generally provided with a means for outputting a drive signal having a fundamental frequency to the vibrator system to activate the reciprocating of the base plate of the vibrating system and a means for receiving a vibrator output signal indicative of the force applied to the object. The vibrator output signal includes at least one harmonic frequency signal and is delayed with respect to the phase of the initial drive signal. To increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the vibrator system, the control system includes a harmonic distortion reduction means receiving the vibrator output signal for outputting at least one harmonic drive signal to the vibrator system.

Abstract: A filter system for continuously removing solid matter from a wastewater is provided. The flow of wastewater is automatically alternated between a pair of filter chambers, each of which contain a filter assembly, upon the filter assemblies reaching a predetermined spent condition. As the wastewater is being introduced into one of the filter chambers, the filter assembly in the other filter chamber is automatically backwashed and readied for another filtering cycle. Each filter assembly includes a filter element coated with a diatomaceous earth filter media through which the wastewater is drawn by creating a vacuum downstream of the filter assembly.

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.