Abstract: Plastic film in sheet form is supplied to a forming unit which forms it into tubular form with overlapping or fin-type edges. The edges are then caused to pass along an anvil and the horn of an ultrasonic sealing unit is positioned adjacent the edges for effecting ultrasonic sealing of the edges, the edges of the film passing through a gap between the horn and the anvil. An adjustable guide wheel is provided for ensuring that the edges are guided into proper relationship for ultrasonic sealing. The apparatus includes an adjustable rigid connection between the forming unit and the ultrasonic sealing apparatus for establishing a proper relationship between the forming unit and the ultrasonic unit and for providing the necessary rigidity. In order to ensure that the ultrasonic unit is effectively energized only when the film is moving therethrough, a tachometer or other speed-sensitive device responsive to movement of the sheet film is provided.

Abstract: A system for growing and harvesting perennial, hedge-type, harvestable plants is provided which permits greater utilization of sunlight for photosynthesis, more efficient use of the land, and control of evapotranspiration through wind control. The plants are in rows, running in a substantially east-west direction, and are cut and harvested so that their "sun" surface(s) is not horizontal, but, rather, faces the direction of the sun's rays during the peak growing time of the day throughout the prime growing season of the year. The surface is generally cut to expose a maximum growing surface of the plant to sunlight and in this sense is analogous to solar collectors in solar home or hot water heating systems. The rows of plants are so spaced relative to adjacent rows to permit sunlight to fall on most of the planar surface of the hedge, but such that one row will not cast a dense shadow on a portion of another row.

Abstract: A lightweight, disposable face mask for covering the entire face of the wearer, which mask comprises a unitary shell of transparent plastic material having upper and lower portions joined at a ridge which traces the facial respiratory line. A band of flexible material is disposed along the ridge and creates an aerodynamic seal between the upper and lower portions of the mask when worn. A strip of soft, flexible material is secured to the mask along the periphery creating a soft, comfortable seal between the mask and the face of the wearer.

Abstract: A food container is provided for efficiently cooking foods in a microwave oven and for serving them at the table. By use of the container, the food is cooked positioned vertically within the oven so that it absorbs both direct microwave radiation and microwave radiation reflected from the walls and floor of the oven. The container can be used to display the food in a store in a vertical position, cook it in a vertical position, and serve it in a horizontal position. It may then be disposed of after one use. The container is designed to use the weight of th food itself to position the center of gravity of the container and food so that the filled container will balance in a vertical position and therefore, no extending supporting base is needed. The container can be readily blow molded, thermo formed or injection molded and, consequently, is inexpensive to produce.

Abstract: A dispenser is designed to provide a visual indication whenever the remaining quantity of contents to be dispensed is less than a predetermined amount. The dispenser is particularly suitable for dispensing vaporizable material such as room deodorants or insecticides. The dispenser is made of lightweight plastic material and has internal space to hold the vaporizable material and air openings for permitting the material to slowly dissipate into the surroudning environment. It is designed, however, to be physically unstable in the absence of a predetermined weight of the vaporizable material. Thus, when the dispenser is full, or partially full, it will stand up, but when the vaporizable material is almost depleted, that is, below the predetermined weight, the dispenser will not stand and falls over, indicating to the user that either a refill is needed or the dispenser must be replaced. The dispenser includes a housing and a supporting base.

Abstract: A cooking utensil kit includes a large generally circular mixing bowl and a center post. The center post is in the shape of a truncated cone having a height approximately the same as the sides of the bowl and is adapted to serve as a container. A generally hemispherical knob is formed at the center of the base of the mixing bowl and the post has a complementary hemispherical indentation in its base. The post is adapted to be centered in the bowl at the knob so that it may be plunged into batter in the bowl and the bowl may then be used as a pan for preparing ring-shaped foods. The kit also includes a serving dish which also has a knob formed at the center of its base and is adapted to receive and center the post. Either the bowl or dish may serve as the top to the other. A fourth component of the kit is a trivet upon which either the bowl or the dish may be supported or which may be placed in the bowl or dish.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cooking and browning foods such as roasts, fowl, hams and bacon, etc. in a microwave oven. The meat to be cooked is supported on ribs on the upper surface of a cooking vessel, the ribs defining grooves for the flow of liquid fat drippings from the meat being cooked. The grooves cover most of the upper surface of the vessel and so underlie most of the surface of the meat. They feed into a channel leading into a main reservoir.Fat absorbs more energy from microwave radiation than meat and so reaches a high temperature far more quickly than the meat. The presence of the fat, as a result, reduces absorption of direct and reflected microwave energy by the leaner meat, and so should be conducted away from directly below or around the meat area, to a position remote as possible from the meat.The vessels of this invention conduct liquified fat from the meat, so the meat is not shielded, and use the fat as a source of heat for the air in the oven.

Abstract: An intrusion alarm is encased within a housing hung from a doorknob by a conductive strap which makes electrical contact with the doorknob apparatus. A monitoring circuit within the housing is connected to the hanging strap for sensing capacitance changes corresponding to touching of the exterior portion of the doorknob apparatus by a would-be intruder. Alarm means within the housing are activated by the monitoring circuit to generate a local audible alarm or an FM transmission signal sent to a remote receiver or both. A latching circuit maintains the alarm means in an activated state after the capacitance coupled to the doorknob apparatus has been removed, and switch means on the exterior of the housing are provided for resetting the alarm to a non-activated state to permit sensing of a subsequent capacitance change. The alarm further includes means for temporarily disabling the alarm device for a predetermined period of time during which it may be touched without activating an alarm signal.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided for vaporizable materials such as deodorants and insecticides. The dispenser is adapted to create accentuated air flow over the materials either in the presence of ambient air flow or when the dispenser is moved through the air, for example, by being mounted on the back of a door. It dispenses far smaller quantities in the absence of air movement.The dispenser includes one or more material containers open at one end and mounted within a vented housing. The vents on the housing are positioned over a portion of the open end of the contained material, and are recessed in a concave area of the housing. The housing is spaced from the material container and has exit ports along its periphery. The containers preferably have a dividing partition passing part way down the material container to provide paths for the air to flow down one side and up on the other for better contact with the vaporizable material.

Abstract: A low cost, readily assembled container suitable for germinating seeds and supporting plant growth under balanced growth conditions includes a plastic base containing an integral series of germinating/root control means and a series of channels including means for regulating water/gas transmission, and a separate soil containment means which can be assembled in some of the channels thereby defining a container for the soil. The invention also includes methods of germinating seeds and growing plants using the container of the invention.

Abstract: An improved disposable container cover for use with recessed-bottom frusto-conical containers includes annular projection means on its surface which will fit into the recessed bottom of an adjacent like container in telescopic forceful frictional engagement. The projection means is resilient and of diameter greater than the inner diameter of the container recessed bottom and deforms upon pressure of interengagement therewith to fit therein. Upon release of this pressure the projection means seeks to expand to its original diameter and siezes the recessed bottom to permit stable stacking of a plurality of containers. In another embodiment, an annular projection secures the exterior of a flat-bottomed container. A stack of containers may be secured by a binding strap which fits into recesses on the container cover periphery to maintain alignment and permit spill-proof carrying thereof.

Abstract: A readily adjustable, moisture retainable, air transferable soil covering, integral with fertilizer and, if desired, fungicide is provided that may be used with indoor plants. The soil covering is made up of a biodegradable cellulose paper and film covering having thereon water soluble beads of fertilizer or fungicide. The covering has been perforated in a series of concentric circles together with at least one radial perforation so that the unit may be torn radially to the proper size for the pot, may have an opening in the center for the stem of the plant, and may be torn radially to allow insertion of the stem.The same type covering may also be utilized in rolls for gardens and can be perforated in regular design for regular spacing of plants.

Abstract: A holder for supporting or carrying an article, obtained from a die cut blank of flexible sheet material such as thermoplastic sheet, may be used to prepackage containers of the throw away type in vertical stacked relationship. The holder may also serve as a convenient carrier for beverage and similar containers at the point of sale. The article holder finds further advantageous use as an effective support for balanced vertical suspension support for flower pots and similar articles. The blank may be die cut from sheet which remains flat until ready for use and may also include thermoformed portions.

Abstract: A low cost, readily assembled container suitable for germinating seeds and supporting plant growth under balanced growth conditions includes a plastic base containing an integral series of germinating/root control means and a series of channels including means for regulating water/gas transmission, and a separate soil containment means which can be assembled in some of the channels thereby defining a container for the soil. The invention also includes methods of germinating seeds and growing plants using the container of the invention.