Abstract: A device and method of watering plants using a programmable bucket is described. In one version, the programmable bucket uses a reservoir for water, a pump, at least one minimum pressure valve, a control enclosure, a water level switch, a flow meter, a watering hose, and a cover with an opening adapted to facilitate filling of the reservoir with a funnel and a removable plug. In use, power to the control enclosure is turned on and the reservoir is filled with water, setting the calibrated amount of water. The watering hose is removed from a recycling adaptor, the pump is activated through use of pushbuttons on the control enclosure, water fills the watering hose, once it reaches a minimum pressure valve water exits the hose under pressure, a signal from flow meter changes a volume of water in reservoir.

Abstract: A device and method of watering plants using a programmable bucket is described. In one version, the programmable bucket uses a reservoir for water, a pump, at least one minimum pressure valve, a control enclosure, a water level switch, a flow meter, a watering hose, and a cover with an opening adapted to facilitate filling of the reservoir with a funnel and a removable plug. In use, power to the control enclosure is turned on and the reservoir is filled with water, setting the calibrated amount of water. The watering hose is removed from a recycling adaptor, the pump is activated through use of pushbuttons on the control enclosure, water fills the watering hose, once it reaches a minimum pressure valve water exits the hose under pressure, a signal from flow meter changes a volume of water in reservoir.

Abstract: The potted plant system of the present invention uses the space between the inner and outer pots as a reservoir for water. The water reservoir acts passively to transport water into the spoil of the inner pot which is subsequently used by the potted house plant. The reservoir is filled by over watering the inner pot and allowing the excess water to pass through the apertures within the inner pot. Passive transport of water from the reservoir to the soil occurs as the water saturation of the soil decreases. As a result, the soil and the potted plant remain hydrated for longer period of time as the reservoir continuously replenishes the water. The water within the reservoir can be drained through a quick connect sliding valve located on the outer pot. The quick connect sliding valve is either placed above another water receptacle or is fitted with a hose that transports the water to a drain.

Abstract: The potted plant system of the present invention uses the space between the inner and outer pots as a reservoir for water. The water reservoir acts passively to transport water into the spoil of the inner pot which is subsequently used by the potted house plant. The reservoir is filled by over watering the inner pot and allowing the excess water to pass through the apertures within the inner pot. Passive transport of water from the reservoir to the soil occurs as the water saturation of the soil decreases. As a result, the soil and the potted plant remain hydrated for longer period of time as the reservoir continuously replenishes the water. The water within the reservoir can be drained through a quick connect sliding valve located on the outer pot. The quick connect sliding valve is either placed above another water receptacle or is fitted with a hose that transports the water to a drain.

Abstract: The potted plant system of the present invention uses the space between the inner and outer pots as a reservoir for water. The water reservoir acts passively to transport water into the spoil of the inner pot which is subsequently used by the potted house plant. The reservoir is filled by over watering the inner pot and allowing the excess water to pass through the apertures within the inner pot. Passive transport of water from the reservoir to the soil occurs as the water saturation of the soil decreases. As a result, the soil and the potted plant remain hydrated for longer period of time as the reservoir continuously replenishes the water. The water within the reservoir can be drained through a quick connect sliding valve located on the outer pot. The quick connect sliding valve is either placed above another water receptacle or is fitted with a hose that transports the water to a drain.

Abstract: The potted plant system of the present invention uses the space between the inner and outer pots as a reservoir for water. The water reservoir acts passively to transport water into the spoil of the inner pot which is subsequently used by the potted house plant. The reservoir is filled by over watering the inner pot and allowing the excess water to pass through the apertures within the inner pot. Passive transport of water from the reservoir to the soil occurs as the water saturation of the soil decreases. As a result, the soil and the potted plant remain hydrated for longer period of time as the reservoir continuously replenishes the water. The water within the reservoir can be drained through a quick connect sliding valve located on the outer pot. The quick connect sliding valve is either placed above another water receptacle or is fitted with a hose that transports the water to a drain.

Abstract: The potted plant display system of the present invention uses plant trays into which potted plants are placed. Watering of the potted plants is accomplished by filling the plant trays with water and allowing the soil within the pots to absorb the water in a bottom up fashion. Multi-tier or vertical displays are created by using the various display bases into which trays are placed. Plant trays within a tier are interconnected through a conduit system that transfers water from one plant tray to another. A single plant tray within a tier contains a draining adaptor through which water is drained onto a plant tray located on a tier directly below or into a bucket. Water level in the plant trays is controlled by the draining restrictor that is placed into the draining adaptor. During watering, water is applied to a plant tray positioned on the highest tier in a multi-tier display.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces and the like includes a cleaning head and a vacuum head to apply water on the surface for a continuous cleaning and vacuum operation. A single water passage of the apparatus is adapted to be connected to an automatic central water supply and drain system to supply water to and withdraw used water from the apparatus alternately through the single water passage in a controlled manner. Fresh water and used water containers are provided for temporarily storing the fresh and used water respectively. A valve device is used to selectively direct the water flow from the single water passage to the fresh water container and water flow from the used water container to the single water passage. Dirt particles are separated from water and air, and are collected in a removable bin for periodic dumping. The apparatus of the invention assures a fully automatic and efficient wet cleaning and vacuuming operation.

Abstract: A method for supplying and withdrawing water to and from a user apparatus is achieved by supplying and withdrawing water through a single water pipe during different periods of time. A remote controlled water flow and drain system for implementation of this water supply and withdrawal method includes a water passage having two ends, one being use with the user apparatus such as a plant pot, and the other being connected to a reversible pump, and is controlled by a main controller, preferably in combination with a remote controller. The system can be connected to both a water source and a place for drainage, selectively communicating with the water source to supply water through the water passage to the user apparatus at one time, and at another time communicating the place for drainage to withdraw water from the user apparatus and deliver the withdrawn water to the place for drainage.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces and the like includes a cleaning head and a vacuum head to apply water on the surface for a continuous cleaning and vacuum operation. A single water passage of the apparatus is adapted to be connected to an automatic central water supply and drain system to supply water to and withdraw used water from the apparatus alternately through the single water passage in a controlled manner. Fresh water and used water containers are provided for temporarily storing the fresh and used water respectively. A valve device is used to selectively direct the water flow from the single water passage to the fresh water container and water flow from the used water container to the single water passage. Dirt particles are separated from water and air, and are collected in a removable bin for periodic dumping. The apparatus of the invention assures a fully automatic and efficient wet cleaning and vacuuming operation.

Abstract: A combined connector assembly provided for quick, secure fluid and electrical connection includes a socket assembly and plug assembly. The socket assembly can be supported on various structures as a wall outlet or an appliance attachment by means of an adapter assembly. Interlocking means are incorporated with electrical contacts between socket and plug assemblies so that the fluid and electrical connection between the socket and plug assemblies can be quickly and securely established, eliminating the risk of accidental detachment of the plug assembly from the socket assembly. Seals and covers are provided to prevent fluid leakage from the assembly in both connected and disconnected positions. The combined connector assembly of the present invention can be advantageously used to connect an appliance to a water supply and drain system which pumps water to and removes water under vacuum from the appliance through a single hose in a pre-programmed manner.

Abstract: A method for supplying and withdrawing water to and from a user apparatus is achieved by supplying and withdrawing water through a single water pipe during different periods of time. A remote controlled water flow and drain system for implementation of this water supply and withdrawal method includes a water passage having two ends, one being for use with the user apparatus such as a plant pot, and the other being connected to a reversible pump, and is controlled by a main controller, preferably in combination with a remote controller. The system can be connected to both a water source and a place for drainage, selectively communicating with the water source to supply water through the water passage to the user apparatus at one time, and at another time communicating the place for drainage to withdraw water from the user apparatus and deliver the withdrawn water to the place for drainage.

Abstract: A flood and drain watering method for watering potted plants includes introducing water into a bottom space of a flower pot through a tube extending upwardly from the bottom space and out of the open top of the flower pot until a top portion of soil in the flower pot is flooded with water, and then removing all or part of the brown water which is not absorbed by the soil in the flower pot and is collected in the bottom space. With such a flood and drain watering method, the soil in the flower pot is completely saturated with water but there is no excess brown water remaining in the soil to damage the plant roots. This watering method provides an optimum and non-spill watering of potted plants and is conveniently applicable to most flower pots currently available in the market when a converter kit is provided. Indoor and outdoor plant containers specially for use in the implementation of this flood and drain watering method are also described.

Abstract: An automatic rolled tissue dispensing system, which includes a housing within which is located a tissue advancing element comprising a pair of feed rollers which pull the tissue product from a roll of continuous rolled tissue product and advance the tissue to a sheet separating element comprising a pair of tearing rollers which remove individual tissue sheets from the continuous roll. A guide allows the tissue sheets discharged from the tearing rollers to be laid horizontally and stacked in a dispensing tray accessible to the user. An electric motor drives the rollers. The tearing rollers are driven through a variable clutch at a faster speed than the feed rollers, which causes the tissue to tear along its perforations in between the two sets of rollers. A first photo detecting sensor monitors the number of tissue sheets discharged from the tearing rollers, and a second photo detecting sensor monitors the presence of tissue sheets in the dispensing tray.

Abstract: A sensing mechanism for use with a paper cutting machine having a table for supporting a pile of sheets to be cut. There is provided a knife for cutting the pile, a movable clamp for the pile, a back gauge for movement along the table against the pile to position it for cutting. A camera is provided for positioning over the table to observe a target area of the surface of the top sheet on the pile, containing marking indicating a desired cutting line. A visual display device is located remote from the camera and operatively connected thereto to display a visual image of the target area. The display is provided with reference marking for registry with said cutting marking on the top sheet when the pile is in a position a known distance from the cutting position.

Abstract: An encoder arrangement for machines having a rotating worm shaft which controls the movement of a working part and which has an optical disc on the shaft whose movement is photoelectrically sensed and interpreted by a controller to govern drive mechanism for moving the part in accordance with a program. The disc and photoelectric sensing means are contained in a dust-proof casing mounted on the machine and surrounding the shaft. The disc is in the form of companion segments which are clamped to each other and about the shaft. The casing is in the form of companion shells which are mounted on the machine casing and are connected to each other about the shaft. A preferred use of the encoder arrangement is with paper cutting machines of the type having a backstop movable along a worm shaft.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a paper cutting machine having a table for supporting a pile of sheets to be cut, cutting apparatus for operating it, a backstop mounted for movement along the table so as to position and advance the pile, and drive apparatus for moving the backstop along the table in either direction. A controller is electrically connected to the machine including a digital computer mechanism equipped to accept input information relating to the position of the back gauge and information from a keyboard and to store and process this information and retrieve it, and to provide input to control the drive according to desired programs. A keyboard and display are connected to the computer mechanism to operate the controller and display its action.