Abstract: An acrylic/lactam monomer based polymeric resin is provided which has excellent weatherability, outstanding transparency and optical clarity, improved heath and solvent resistance, as well as improved impact strength. The acrylic/lactam monomer based polymeric resin is formulated by the catalytic activation at ambient temperature of a polymerization syrup which contains from about 300 to about 2970 parts by volume of an acrylic monomer, from about 30 to about 2700 parts by volume of a lactam monomer, from about 0.3 parts to about 40 parts by volume of a mercaptan chain transfer agent and from about 0.3 to about 40 parts by volume of a crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking the acrylic monomer and the lactam monomer. To prevent further polymerization of the polymeric constituents of the polymerization syrup, as well as to enhance the shelf life of the polymerization syrup, an effective amount of a polymerization inhibitor and an ultraviolet light stabilizer are incorporated into the polymerization syrup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a guide apparatus for guiding a moving web of material having a tuft portion mounted on a backing portion such that the backing portion extends outwardly from the tuft portion to form at least one tuft edge. The web is movable in a web direction through a travel path threaded through the guide apparatus. The guide apparatus comprises a base and a platform pivotally mounted on the base to pivot about a pivot range. At least two parallel steering rollers are mounted on the platform and disposed transversely of the web direction of travel when the web travels across the platform. A sensor is positioned substantially adjacent to the travel path of the web to sense a lateral position of the tuft edge and to output an output signal indicative of the lateral position of the tuft edge when the web travels through the travel path.

Abstract: A dietary supplement comprising herbs and herbal extracts, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids effective in modulating hematological toxicities, enhancing the immune system and maintaining appetite and weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the contactless detection of the position of a moving webs. The web has on one side of the web a detector electrode covering its entire width and on the other side in the area of the web edges transmission electrodes fed by an oscillator in phase opposition, so that the capacitive couplings between the transmission electrodes and the detector electrode respond in opposing fashion to deviations of the web from the central position. The signal received by the detector electrode is processed by a current to voltage converter with a very small input impedance so that the potential of the detector electrode remains at zero, and virtually no capacitive displacement currents flow to a screening electrode In this way, the sensitivity of the measurement array is independent of the web width.

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: The invention is directed to a purified soluble form of human granule membrane protein 140 (GMP-140) which lacks an amino acid sequence comprising a transmembrane domain and which is effective in inhibiting leukocyte adherence mediated by granule membrane protein 140. Nucleic acid encoding the soluble form of GMP-140 is disclosed.

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 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: 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 plant package assembly, comprising a pot containing a floral grouping and a flexible sleeve having curved, circumferentially oriented detaching elements. The sleeve is positioned about the pot so that a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the pot, and an upper portion of the sleeve extends upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping contained within the pot. The upper portion of the sleeve is removable via the detaching elements, leaving a curved upper end of the lower portion which extends upwardly focusing attention on the upper portion of the floral grouping.

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 method for treating a fluid or gas containing contaminants wherein the fluid or gas is passed through a contactor having at least one reticulated foam structured fluid treatment element formed from metal particles bound together in an interconnected form and capable of promoting a reduction/oxidation reaction between the contaminants and the reticulated foam structured fluid treatment element. The metal particles employed in the fabrication of the reticulated foam structured fluid treatment element are selected from a group of particles comprising zinc, copper or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A portable wastewater treatment system for recycling an aqueous surfactant solution utilized in a parts washer assembly for cleaning parts. The system including a contaminated solution storage tank, a treated solution storage tank, and a portable wastewater treatment apparatus wherein contaminated aqueous surfactant solution is collected in the contaminated solution storage tank, withdrawn from the contaminated solution storage tank, injected with air and passed into a mixing zone where the mixture is sprayed with water. The treated solution in the mixing zone is passed into a quiescent zone where light sludge is passed to the top of the quiescent zone and heavy sludge is passed to the bottom of the quiescent zone, the treated wastewater being disposed between the light sludge and the heavy sludge and the treated wastewater being passed from the quiescent zone into a discharge zone where the treated wastewater is discharged therefrom. The heavy sludge is selectively discharged from the quiescent zone.

Abstract: A breathable packaging material used for packaging items, such as floral groupings, flower pots, fresh produce, food, medical supplies/equipment, pharmaceutical products, and the like, thereby forming a breathable package for containing said items. The breathable packaging material comprises a sheet of material having controlled atmosphere characteristics, and having a desiccant and/or an antimicrobial agent. Methods for using breathable packaging material.

Abstract: A self-erecting container which is collapsible into a flat storage position. The container includes a top member with an opening into the container, a bottom member and a plurality of walls extending between the top member and bottom member. The walls pivot with respect to the top member and the bottom member. Further, each wall has upper and lower wall sections which pivot with respect to each other. A bracket is suspended within the container by a plurality of elastic members. Each elastic member extends between the inner surface of one of the walls and the bracket. The elastic members bias the container into an erected position. When an external influence overcomes the bias, the walls collapse such that the container assumes a flat position. Alternatively, the container may be biased by an elastic band connected to the inner or outer surfaces of the walls of the container.

Abstract: A wrapper, comprising a floral grouping having a bloom portion and a stem portion wherein the stem portion may have a bonding material thereon and a flexible sleeve optionally having a bonding material thereon, the sleeve being positioned about the floral grouping and the sleeve substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping, forming a wrapper attached to the stems of the floral grouping, and methods of using the wrapper.

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 dispose 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 method for wrapping a floral grouping or flower pot or both wherein a sheet of material constructed of paper and having a pattern embossed thereon and a printed pattern in register with the embossed pattern printed on the embossed pattern is wrapped about at least a portion of the floral grouping or the flower pot or both. The sheet of material may be provided in the form of a pad of a plurality of sheets of material or a roll wherein the sheets of material are separated from the roll of material.

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. The sleeve has one or a plurality of horizontally positioned expansion elements for allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base when the upper sleeve portion is detached.