Abstract: The present invention is directed to a helical ribbon, and method and apparatus for making same. The helical ribbon is formed from a resilient ribbon having first and second surfaces and a length substantially longer than its width. A plurality of spaced-apart crimps extending across the width of the ribbon are formed in the first surface of said ribbon whereby said plurality of crimps cause the ribbon to curl back onto itself. The resilient ribbon used to form the helical coil of the invention must be sufficiently rigid to take and hold a crimp rather than merely bending, yet be pliable enough that the process of forming the crimp does not cause the ribbon to break. The invention also includes decorative items made from one or more of such helical ribbon(s).

Abstract: A machine is provided for forming a decorative twisted spiral garland from at least one continuous ribbon web, and a pair of continuous wires. One or more ribbon webs are guided to the outside of a pair of elongated threaded rods which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of and generally parallel to a main axis. The rods form part of a loop frame which is rotated about the main axis to wind the ribbon webs around the rods in a series of continuous loops and draw the webs from supply reels, while the rods are simultaneously rotated about their own axes to advance the ribbon loops along the main axis. A wire supply rotates in synchronism with the loop frame, guiding a pair of wires into paths respectively on opposite sides of the ribbon loops and thence along the main axis between pinch rollers for pulling the wires longitudinally along the axis. The rotation of the wire supply twists the wires and the ribbon loops to form the garland.

Abstract: A decorative twisted spiral garland includes one or more continuous webs of material, each arranged in a series of flattened, generally helical coils about a longitudinal axis, with the coils extending generally transversely of the axis and having a predetermined pitch longitudinally of the axis, and a pair of wires extending generally parallel to the axis outside of the coils and respectively along opposite sides of the coils, the wires being twisted together along the axis so that the coils are pinched together along the axis and twisted about the axis. The actual shape of the garland depends upon the amount of twist imparted to the wires and coils. One or more filaments may also be disposed along the axis inside the coils and twisted together with the wires and the coils.

Abstract: A garland is produced by providing plural strips, each including one or more plies of web, with each web ply having two laterally spaced arrays of longitudinally spaced lateral slits defining arrays of lateral slats joined at the their inner and outer ends. Each strip is twisted with one or more associated support filaments in a predetermined direction to form adjacent helical coils. Plural ones of the twisted strands are then twisted together in the opposite direction to produce an elongated rope which includes adjacent spiral bands all turning in a first direction about the longitudinal axis, with each band including a plurality of generally tubular sections arranged side-by-side, with each section forming a segment of a spiral turning in an opposite direction relative to the axis.

Abstract: A washer-type machine containment pedestal tray having sensor-shutoff device for removing power from the washing machine. The invention provides a pedestal for mounting a washing machine thereon and further, that is capable of containing overflow water should the machine malfunction. The collection of water in the containment pedestal tray actuates a float which in turn trips an electrical switch to remove operative power from the washing machine motor, thus stopping the overflow. Adjunct means are also used on the switch for sounding an audible alarm to operating personnel.