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 container and jig assembly for dispensing a sheet of material and for wrapping the sheet of material about a flower pot or floral grouping. The container accommodates a roll of sheet material suitable for wrapping flower pots or floral groupings. In addition, the container may have a cutter for separating a sheet of material from the roll of sheet material. The jig assembly is attached to the container and has a jig opening surrounded by a sheet-supporting surface. The jig opening is sized and shaped to receive a lower portion of a flower pot or a stem end portion of a floral grouping. In operation, a sheet of material is separated from the roll of sheet material and disposed on the sheet-supporting surface over the jig opening. The lower portion of the flower pot or the stem end portion of the floral grouping is inserted through the jig opening and carries a portion of the sheet of material with it. In the process, the sheet of material is formed into a covering about the flower pot or floral grouping.

Abstract: A packaging and method for displaying a card having coded data disposed on one side thereof are provided. The packaging comprising an opaque backing and a transparent covering. The data card is disposed on one side of the backing with the coded data positioned against the backing and the covering laminated to a portion of the backing and the data card so as to seal the data card between the covering and the backing and mask the coded data on the data card.

Abstract: A utility belt for painters having a holders for painting devices and tools, and releasable connectors for connecting the holders to the utility belt. Methods of using a utility belt for painters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and the cover may be a decorative cover. The invention satisfies the need for a means for rapidly covering and fastening the cover about an article with a minimal amount of manual effort and in a location having a limited amount of available space. The apparatus comprises a platform having at least one opening sized to receive the article. The apparatus comprises a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the covered article for fastening the cover about the article after the sheet is formed into a cover about the article.

Abstract: A system of hygienic control employing a name tag to be attached to each worker in a hygienically controlled area. Each name tag has a clear signaling light source thereon indicating the worker is sanitary, and an unsanitary signaling light source thereon indicating the worker has not practiced the proper sanitation procedures. The unsanitary light source is enabled when the worker enters a sanitation area, such as a rest room, and is disabled when the worker has washed his/her hands with soap and water. Also, the clear signaling light source is enabled when the worker has complied with the proper sanitation procedure.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system wherein wastewater and air are passed into a mixing zone where the mixture is sprayed with water. The treated wastewater 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 discharged from the quiescent zone at predetermined discharge times and at predetermined intervals. The light sludge is passed from the quiescent zone into a light sludge bin where the light sludge is discharged therefrom for predetermined discharge time at predetermined discharge intervals. The heavy sludge and/or the light sludge then is passed into a drying system for drying the light sludge and the heavy sludge.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a composition and method for treating septic shock in a mammal or as a prophylactic treatment prior to a surgical procedure, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a bacterial lipopolysaccharide binding peptide derived from CAP37 protein. In a preferred version, the composition and method of use may comprise a peptide comprising amino acids 20-44 of CAP37 or a subunit thereof.

Abstract: Sheets and rolls of sheets with labels having multiple choice blocks and information areas corresponding to the choice blocks. The sheets include a closure bonding material for securing the sheets around items to be wrapped. The labels are detachably connected to the sheets with an adhesive, a perforation or a tear line. Spots of closure bonding material may be placed on the labels to hold the labels in a wrapped position. The information areas typically include data which may be selected to describe the source, type and characteristics of the items to be wrapped in the sheets. The sheets may also include detachable sleeve areas for protecting wrapped items during shipping and handle areas which may be punched out of the sheets for grasping the wrapped items. The handle areas may also contain information similar to that on the detachable labels. Sheets having labels with choice blocks may also be used for forming flower pots or flower pot covers.

Abstract: A ribbon assembly including a strip of material divided into segments. A material having a stretched condition and an unstretched condition is disposed on one surface of the strip of material and extends along a length of the strip of material. In the stretched condition, the strip of material extends in a substantially straight line. In the unstretched condition, each segment of the strip of material is formed into a curved segment for making a ruffle or bow.The present invention also contemplates the use of an adhesive or cohesive for holding the strip of material in the form of the bow.

Abstract: A protective glove adapted to be fitted over an individual's hand area and wrist area. The protective glove includes a hand cover constructed of a flexible material adapted to cover and surround the hand area of the individual and a hand protector. The hand protector includes at least a portion constructed of a rigid material capable of being hit with a hard thrown baseball without substantially bending or breaking. The hand protector is connected to the hand cover and positioned on the hand cover whereby the hand protector is positioned over carpals in the hand. The protective glove also includes a wrist protector having at least a portion constructed of a rigid material capable of being hit with a hard thrown baseball without substantially bending or breaking. The wrist protector is connected to the hand cover and positioned on the hand cover whereby the wrist protector is positioned over a portion of the ulna in the wrist area.

Abstract: A floral container having a water-impermeable external layer for a floral grouping comprising a holding material and having a water-impermeable external surface layer. The holding material is constructed of a material capable of receiving a portion of a floral grouping, botanical item or propagule and supporting the botanical item, floral grouping or propagule. A sheet of material may be extended about a portion of the holding material and a crimped portion or bonded portion is formed in the sheet of material with the crimped portion or the bonded portion cooperating to hold the sheet of material about the holding material to provide a decorative cover. A bond or other tying device may also be used to bond the sheet of material to the flower pot.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a stem pick to a flower stem wherein the stem pick has laterally directed fingers for wrapping around the stem of a flower. The apparatus includes means for positioning a stem pick into a position ready for attachment to the flower stem, means for attaching the stem pick to the stem of a flower, and pressure adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the stem pick fingers. The pressure adjusting means comprises a clutch mechanism having means for adjusting the torque applied to the means for attaching the stem pick to the stem of a flower.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular system for packaging articles for shipment. In particular, a potted plant is sorted according to a grade, placed in a decorative 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 method of lining a basket with a basket lining material, in which the basket lining material comprises an unpreformed sheet of material. The sheet of material is disposed in the basket without first preforming the sheet of material to conform to the inner surface of the basket, and the sheet of material disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the basket. The sheet of material is crushed and flattened against the inner surface of the basket thereby forming a liner.

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 waxed paper or waxed tissue. The wrapped floral grouping may also contain a shredded material for cushioning the blooms of the floral grouping.

Abstract: A connecting device for connecting an object, such as a fishing lure, to a line without formation of a knot in the line. The connecting device includes a first shank angularly disposed from a second shank, a line engaging hook and a line retaining loop.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus of the type in which an object is transported on a conveyor belt and in which the conveyor belt slidingly engages a guide member, the guide member having a plurality of nodules extending therefrom so as to form a plurality of channels and define a low friction contact surface for reducing drag between the conveyor belt and the contact surface when the conveyor belt is set in motion. The low friction contact surface of the guide member also is slidingly engagable with the object when the guide member is used as a side rail.

Abstract: A method of producing spinel Li.sub.2 Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 from LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4, lithium metal and graphite. A mixture of black LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4, lithium metal and carbon powders is prepared at a 1:1 molar ratio of Li to LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 and a 1:9 weight ratio of carbon to LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4. Then, the mixture is heated at a temperature between 170.degree. C. and 200.degree. C. until spinel Li.sub.2 Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 is produced. Alternatively, Li and carbon may be reacted together to produce LiC.sub.6 or LiC.sub.12. Then the LiC.sub.x may be mixed and heated with LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 to produce spinel Li.sub.2 Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a floral grouping with at least one sheet of material of a pad of such sheets of material wherein each sheet of material has an upper surface and a lower surface with an adhesive on at least a portion of the upper surface of the sheet of material and a release material on at least a portion of the lower surface of the sheet of material. The sheet of material is wrapped about the floral grouping so that the adhesive contacts overlapping portions of the sheet of material wrapped about the floral grouping and is bonded to other adjacent portions of the sheet of material.