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: A composition for increasing synthesis of melanin in a human melanocyte thereby enhancing pigmentation of the human skin. Use of this composition promotes tanning of the human skin and increases photoprotection from ultraviolet radiation. An organ culture system comprising viable human foreskin samples which may be used to test the effects of agents on human skin, including pigmentation enhancers on human skin.

Abstract: A wrapping material for wrapping a floral grouping comprising a plurality of sheets of material connected together into a pad of sheets of material via staggered strips of adhesive disposed on each sheet of material in the pad. The pad has a top sheet of material and a next sheet of material disposed thereunder, the other sheets of material being disposed under the next sheet of material. The floral grouping is placed on a sheet of the material, and the sheet of material is wrapped about a portion of the floral grouping and simultaneously disconnected from the pad of sheets of material. The sheets of material are secured about the floral grouping in a wrapped position by the staggered strips of adhesive on each sheet of material.

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: A composition for increasing synthesis of melanin in a human melanocyte thereby enhancing pigmentation of the human skin. Use of this composition promotes tanning of the human skin and increases photoprotection from ultraviolet radiation. An organ culture system comprising viable human foreskin samples which may be used to test the effects of agents on human skin, including pigmentation enhancers on human skin.

Abstract: A paving machine having a sensor-controlled concrete metering screed. The machine includes hydraulic cylinders which move the metering screed to various elevations to control the depth of concrete being metered out by the screed. At least one ultrasonic sensor is slide-mounted to the machine above and behind the metering screed to provide measurements of the distance between the sensor and the surface of the concrete just behind the screed. A control system compares the sensor measurements with a tolerance range of distances corresponding to the desired depth of concrete. When the sensor measurements are out of tolerance, the control system moves the metering screed up or down to bring the distance, and the metered depth of concrete, back within tolerance.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular system and method 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: The present invention comprises a particulate support matrix for making a tablet, and method for making such, which disintegrates or dissolves in a matter of just a few seconds once placed into the oral cavity. Thee particulate support matrix comprises a first polymeric component which may be a polypeptide, preferably a non-hydrolyzed gelatin, a second polymeric component which may be a different polypeptide which may be a hydrolyzed gelatin and a bulking agent. The porous particulate powder can serve as the tablet support matrix, to which a pharmaceutical, for example an antihistamine, decongestant, or antibiotic is added.

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 weight collar for use with a stabilizer adapted to be connected to a bow. The weight collar is removably connected to a stabilizer outer peripheral surface of the stabilizer. The weight collar includes a pad constructed of a compressible material whereby the weight collar is movable in upwardly and downwardly directions perpendicular to an axial center line of the weight collar and movable in angular directions relative to the axial center line of the weight collar while remaining attached to the weight collar. A stabilizer for use with a bow having a stabilizer tube with an opening extending therethrough forming a stabilizer chamber, the stabilizer chamber defining a stabilizer in a peripheral surface. A resonator suppressor ring is disposed in the stabilizer chamber between the first and the second ends of the stabilizer tube.

Abstract: A sheet of material having a closure bonding material disposed thereon and a reinforcing member associated with the sheet of material. The sheet of material is wrapped about a floral grouping to provide a wrapper. The reinforcing member cooperates to provide reinforcing member rigidity to the wrapper for preventing damage during movement when the wrapper is packed in a carton.

Abstract: A pneumatic drilling chip removal system for removing drilling chips from a well bore, comprising sub-surface drilling equipment having a plurality of components and a drilling bit, a central passageway extending through the components and to the air jets in the drilling bit, wherein at least one component above the drilling bit in the sub-surface drilling equipment is a pneumatic component having an opening forming a pneumatic conduit from the central passageway to the annulus, a bypass valve disposed therein selectively permitting air flow from the central passageway to the annulus, forming a supplementary air source for removal of drilling chips from the well bore. Methods for using a pneumatic drilling chip removal system.

Abstract: A gas compressor with at least three hydraulic cylinders is connected to a source of natural gas by a gas line. The gas line can also be removably attached to a storage tank. A hydraulic system is also connected to the cylinders. The compressor additionally includes pressure controls which allow the pistons in the hydraulic cylinders to complete the compression stroke in a staged manner. The cylinders are thereby sequentially emptied of gas. Gas at a sufficient initial pressure, entering the cylinders at the completion of the compression cycle, drives the return stroke of the pistons. A pressure switch controls the pressure level of the compressed gas, and aborts the compression cycle when a predetermined pressure in the storage tank has been reached.

Abstract: A blast wheel having a rotatable shaft with discs carrying blades for propelling abrasive material against a surface to be blast-cleaned. Each one of the blades has a striking portion and a dovetail base member. Each one of the discs has a number of circumferential dovetail slots for receiving the base members of the blades. Keeper plates, lock washers and keeper bolts are used to retain each end of each blade in place. Each disc has several sound-abating holes to reduce the rotational noise of the blast wheel.

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 cat toy having a generally hollow, circular housing containing a toy animal simulating a mouse. The toy animal is mounted on the outer end of a motor-driven arm, whereby the toy animal will be moved in a circular pattern around the interior of the housing. Openings are provided in the housing, through which a cat can extend a paw to engage and play with the toy animal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover with fins. The apparatus comprises a male mold, a female mold having an opening mating with the male mold, and means for moving the male mold into and out of the opening of the female mold with the sheet of material between the two molds. To form outwardly extending fins in the flower pot cover, fingers are extended from the male mold to push folds in the sheet of material between segments of the female mold. The female segments are closed on the folds to form fins in the sheet of material as the male mold is pressed into the female mold to make the flower pot cover. To form inwardly extending fins, fingers are moved between the female segments to push folds in the sheet of material between segments of the male mold. The segments of the male mold close on the folds to form fins in the sheet of the material as the male mold is pressed into the female mold to make the flower pot cover.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.