Abstract: A method and apparatus for affecting angiogenesis in biological subjects such as mammals. The method employs the use of an apparatus which is capable of producing a magnetic field of a particular nature which has been proven in animal studies to affect angiogenesis. The apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of magnets capable of producing a magnetic field wherein each of the plurality of magnets has a north pole and a south pole and a longitudinal axis passing therethrough and are partially held in place by the frame. A coil of electrically conducting material is wrapped about the plurality of magnets in an orthogonal relationship to the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of magnets. A source of electrical energy supplies an electrical current to the coil enabling a magnetic field to be produced therefrom. A switch is provided to enable the electrical current to flow in a first direction and optionally in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A material volume reduction apparatus having a frame, a motor supported by the frame, a drum supported by the frame and having an interior and an exterior, a drive shaft operably connected to the motor, a comminuting wheel assembly including a disk like body portion having an axis; and a geared axle assembly operably interpositioned between and connected to the drive shaft and the comminuting wheel assembly to operably support the comminuting wheel assembly within the interior of the drum and to transmit the rotational torque of the motor imparted to the drive shaft and transfer it to the comminuter wheel assembly enabling the comminuter wheel to rotate within the interior of the drum. The geared axle assembly is preferably that of a motorized vehicle of the type found in an over-the-road type diesel truck. The drum may include a substantially cylindrical wall with an open first end and an open second end; and a closure member to at least partially close the second end of the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transplanting seedling from a first tray to a second tray. The apparatus includes a frame, a moveable carriage connected to the frame, and a conveyor system. In the preferred embodiment, a first conveyor is used to shuttle seedlings into the operative reaches of the apparatus and a second conveyor shuttles the transplanted seedlings out of the operative reaches of the apparatus. The carriage includes a gripper assembly comprised of a plurality of grippers slidably mounted to a guide rod system or track. A positioning mechanism is employed to move the carriage and associated gripper assembly. The grippers includes an upright support and a pair of pivotally connected spaced apart gripper fingers. The gripper fingers are separated by a separating member and can be easily detached from the carriage by a disconnect mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for transplanting seedling from a first ray to a second tray. The apparatus includes a frame, a moveable gantry connected to the frame, and a conveyor system. In the preferred embodiment, a first conveyor is used to shuttle seedlings into the operative reaches of the apparatus and a second conveyor shuttles the transplanted seedlings out of the operative reaches of the apparatus. The gantry includes a gripper assembly comprised of a plurality of grippers slidably mounted to a track. A positioning mechanism is employed to move the gantry and associated gripper assembly. The grippers includes an upright support and a pair of pivotally connected spaced apart gripper fingers. The gripper fingers are separated by a plunger mechanism preferably having a beveled surface for ease of insertion between the gripper fingers.

Abstract: A motor driven grinding apparatus, and a system incorporating the inventive grinder, for reducing the size of waste material. The apparatus includes a housing having an interior, an exterior, an inlet for introducing material into the interior, and an exit for expelling material from the interior. The housing also includes a front wall, a back wall, a pair of spaced apart side walls, and a bottom grate. The apparatus also includes a substantially cylindrical, balanced, drum having a shaft, and a plurality of cutting blocks rotatably mounted thereto. The drum is rotated by a drive motor engageable with the shaft. An airfoil is attached to the front wall for establishing a static air curtain within the interior of the housing enabling air to be drawn into the housing through the inlet and expelled from the exit when the drum rotates. The drum and cutting block configuration are particularly useful for grinding, and shearing, cellulose, plastics, glass, and other solid waste materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for disassociating material such as peat moss from a compressed bale. The apparatus includes a housing having a plurality of substantially vertically stacked agitator assemblies. The agitator assemblies are rotatable in response to an independent hydraulic drive motor attached to one end of the vertical shaft of each agitator spindle partially comprising the agitator assembly. The hydraulic motors are mounted to the exterior of the housing, but receive the aforementioned shafts. A lifting platform is provided within the housing to enable a bale of material to be placed thereon. The lifting platform is hydraulically manipulated such that it may be raised to enable the bale of material to come in contact with the rotating spindles of the agitator assemblies. An exit port is provided in the lowermost portion of the housing to enable the material to be ejected from the housing after it is disassociated from the bale.

Abstract: A motor driven grinding apparatus, and a system incorporating the inventive grinder, for reducing the size of waste material. The apparatus includes a housing having an interior, an exterior, an inlet for introducing material into the interior, and an exit for expelling material from the interior. The housing also includes a front wall, a back wall, a pair of spaced apart side walls, and a bottom grate. The apparatus also includes a substantially cylindrical, balanced, drum having a shaft, and a plurality of cutting blocks rotatably mounted thereto. The drum is rotated by a drive motor engageable with the shaft. An airfoil is attached to the front wall for establishing a static air curtain within the interior of the housing enabling air to be drawn into the housing through the inlet and expelled from the exit when the drum rotates. The drum and cutting block configuration are particularly useful for grinding, and sheafing, cellulose, plastics, glass, and other solid waste materials.

Abstract: A continuous soil mixing apparatus including a series of soil feed hoppers and a mixing chamber, all supported over an elongated, endless, single conveyor belt to carry layers of soil of different compositions from the different feed hoppers to the mixing chamber. The first soil hopper remote from the mixing chamber incorporates a soil agitator and deposits its soil directly upon the conveyor belt, while the remaining hoppers incorporate independent feed belts above the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously filling and preparing pots for receiving plants including an endless conveyor chain supporting a plurality of pot receiver elements and for continuously carrying pots from a pot loading station through a filling station for filling the pots with potting soil, and through a pot drilling station for drilling holes in the soil for receiving plants and a pot ejector station. The pots are loaded, filled, drilled, and ejected while the pots move continuously through the various stations. The pot drilling mechanism includes a rotary turret supporting a plurality of circumferentially spaced rotating drills which are adapted to reciprocate vertically as they revolve about the rotary axis of the turret, so that each drill will be lowered into a pot for drilling a hole in the soil while moving at the same speed and direction as the pot.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing frusto-conical pots, such as nursery or plant pots, including a pair of pivotally connected arm members arranged for movement toward and away from each other on opposite sides of a stack of pots to be dispensed. Each arm member, or each set of arm members, supports a plurality of feed cylinders, each having a spiral groove in its cylindrical surface, adapted to engage opposite sides of the stack of pots and adapted to be rotated in a direction to cause the lowermost pot or pots to separate and drop from the upper pots in the stack. An adjustment mechanism is included for moving the arm members toward and away from each other in order to accommodate stacked pots of different diameters. An overhead conveyor may be provided for feeding stacks of pots to the dispensing position between the arm members.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a flexible cover from a bale of material, such as compressed peat moss, including a pusher member adapted to move the bale lengthwise against a plurality of knives adapted to cut across the front end of the cover as well as along the sides to slit the cover and separate it from the material. The pusher member is provided with spike devices for retaining the separated cover as the material is discharged from a discharge station, to remove the split separated cover to a cover removal station. In a preferred form of the invention, a stripper mechanism is included for stripping the split cover from the pusher member.