Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for packaging roses or other flowers (or other "botanicals"; e.g., cedar fronds) so that they are preserved in a fresh state for an extended period. A modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) machine seals the flower in a container under vacuum, and a vial which is attached to the stem of the flower includes a solution which releases preservative and rehydration materials from an absorbent medium so that the materials flow through the stem and outwardly through the pores of the flower and its leaves. An ion balanced environment stabilizes pollen and color while prolonging the shelf life of the cut flowers.

Abstract: Two or more of a bottle-cleaning operation, a bottle-filling operation, a cap-dispensing operation, and a cap-affixing operation simultaneously process arrays of equally sized containers in an x-y array by engaging the bottles with movable heads of a head-carrying assembly. The containers can be a compressed array of bottles or a case of bottles in a box or the like. The nozzles for the cleaning and filling operations, and cap-handling devices for the dispensing and affixing operations can be repositioned for change to a new container size, for example with motor driven positioners. At least a subset of the heads are displaced along the axes of the container array, into registry with bottle arrays of the different size bottles. Preferably, each operational system in sequence is independently controlled to effect a container size change, such that the production line can be changed to the new size as the leading edge of containers of the new size arrive at the respective operational system.

Abstract: A capping machine for capping a container having a screw-threaded neck portion with a correspondingly screw-threaded cap. The machine comprises retaining means for retaining such a container in a retaining position and a rotary chuck for holding such a cap above the capping position, forward and reverse rotary drive means coupled to the chuck for rotating such a cap in both a clockwise sense and an anticlockwise sense, rotary movement monitoring means constructed and positioned to monitor rotation of the chuck, linear motion means coupled to the chuck to move the chuck both downwardly and upwardly, screwthread-disengagement monitoring means arranged to monitor when the screwthreads of such a cap and neck disengage momentarily as the cap is rotated in the unscrewing sense on the neck and the linear motion means urge the chuck downwardly, and control means connected to the rotary drive means, the rotary movement monitoring means, and the screwthread-disengagement monitoring means.

Abstract: There is described a process for the preparation of cellulose film, comprising the steps of preparing a culture medium having as nutrients sources of nitrogen and of carbohydrate, seeding this medium with a culture of acetobacter, species Xylinium; incubating the culture at temperatures which permit bacterial activity for a time suitable to the final intended use of the film, and removing the formed film from the culture medium for dehydration in a distended state. The film thus prepared is suitable for use as an artificial skin graft, a separating membrane, or artificial leather.

Abstract: An underground storage tank is treated in an expeditious, safe, and environmentally acceptable manner for the purpose of abandonment in place whereby the tank may not be re-used for its intended purpose which treatment involves completely filling the interior of the storage tank with a rigid polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A closure for the filler neck on a vehicle gas tank having a closure body with a central passage and an upper surface having a vent groove formed therein. The vent groove has a first end communicating with the hollow portion of the closure body and a second end adjacent the periphery of the closure body. A cap is secured to the closure body and a resilient gasket is secured between the cap and the upper surface of the closure body such that a convex surface formed on the cap engages the upper surface of the gasket adjacent the vent groove in a closure body to deflect a portion of the gasket into the groove to seal the vent groove. The gasket is sufficiently resilient to permit passage of fluid through the vent groove when a pressure differential exceeding a predetermined magnitude exists between the first and second ends of the vent groove such that pressure within the tank is vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vending liquid fuel of the type wherein an electrically driven pump is controllably energized in response to a counter adding a credit unit as electrically signalled by a money acceptor. The counter subtracts credit units in response to a primary dispensing switch which is operatively responsive to the dispensing of fuel. In accordance with the present invention, a fail-safe circuit is provided which is electrically connected with the counter, acceptor and primary switch and which is operable for selectively disabling the pump from delivering fuel. A secondary dispensing switch is provided which is operatively responsive to dispensing of fuel and which cooperates with the fail-safe circuit in monitoring the normal sequence of vending steps and responding to abnormality in such normal sequence of steps by precluding delivery of pumped fuel.