Abstract: A tailgate guard apparatus is arranged for securement to the confronting hinge plate walls defining a gate opening between the spaced side walls of a conventional pickup truck bed to effect covering of the various tailgate linkage typically deposed on removal of a conventional tailgate for securement of a gate opening flexible web within the gate opening defined between the spaced hinge plates.

Abstract: An integral polyurethane bell is placed on the bottom of a suction pipe of a cotton gin. A hook is placed on the top of the outer barrel of the suction pipe and a chain swung from pivot mechanism of the suction pipe. When the suction pipe is not in operation the hook is engaged to the chain to hold the suction pipe in a non-obstructive position. Nylon bearing pads are placed between the inner and outer barrels of the suction pipe.

Abstract: A method of removing fiber tufts from a top surface of a fiber bale with a travelling opening device includes the steps of moving the opening device along the top surface of the fiber bale toward and away from a stationary wall face against which a vertical end face of the fiber bale abuts; and codirectionally rotating pressing rolls which are mounted in the opening device travels away from the wall face, the pressing roll which is farthest away from the wall face is lifted from the top bale surface while a bale-penetrating position of the pressing roll which is closest to the wall face is maintained.

Abstract: For the production of a nonwoven web from a primary nonwoven web a conventional carding drum is used as well as a collecting surface, on which a vacuum is applied and which is continuously moved and serves to collect the fibers flying from the carding drum. In order to ensure desirable conditions for the entrainment of the fibers flying off, the fibrous covering on the carding drum is sucked from consecutive layers on consecutive portions of the surface of the drum so as to from partial streams of fibers in suction passages between the carding drum and the collecting surface.

Abstract: A strap, which can be a strip of metal, is provided for forming a tight loop about an object and for forming a sealless strap connection between overlapping strap portions. The strap has first and second oppositely facing surfaces and two connecting regions spaced apart lengthwise on the strap. Each connecting region has at least one joint element for engaging a corresponding joint element on the other connecting region to connect the regions together upon displacement of the connecting regions lengthwise in opposite directions tending to increase the loop size. An engaging member projects from the strap first surface at one of the connecting regions. A cavity is defined in the strap at the other of the connecting regions and opens to the strap second surface for receiving the engaging member. The cavity is defined at one end by an abutment surface for being engaged by the engaging member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clip device for being removably secured to a marginal edge portion of a sheet of flexible material, and having a sheet-engaging portion that extends forwardly from the rear portion of the device body, which sheet-engaging portion includes an integral tongue which projects forwardly from the device's rear portion and which is resiliently deflectable from the general plane of the device body, and the sheet-engaging portion further including a peripheral frame member which also extends forwardly from the device rear portion and having a front end with an inner edge that lies adjacent the front end of the undeflected tongue.

Abstract: A shoulder strap securing device which selectively engages the shoulder straps of suspenders at one end and the shirt collar or necktie at the opposite end.

Abstract: A clasp mechanism having a main body, a keeper arm and a spring, where the keeper arm extends through the main body in an arm cavity. The keeper arm is pivotally attached to said main body to operate in a scissor-like manner. The keeper arm has a mating end which abuts a hook end on the main body to form a closed interior space and an actuating shoulder extending from the main body. The spring maintains the mating end in the closed position abutting the hook end until the actuating shoulder is pressed into the main body by the user.

Abstract: Machines and methods for longitudinal compressive treatment of a web are shown. A retarder blade disposed adjacent a roll provides a web-contacting slide surface to which the longitudinally compressed web transfers and upon which it slides as it leaves the roll. This retarder blade has two spaced-apart roll-contacting regions disposed toward the roll, one of the roll-contacting regions being at the forward tip of the blade near the drive region and the second roll-contacting region being at a heel region spaced downstream. A pair of drive rolls defines a nip for driving the web forward, the surface of each of the rolls comprising a series of principle web-gripping grooves extending in only one direction helically about the roll axis. At the nip line of the rolls the angle of the grooves of one roll is inclined positively relative to the direction of travel of the web, and the angle of the grooves of the other roll is inclined negatively relative to the direction of travel of the web.

Abstract: In an apparatus for needling a web, which apparatus comprises a brushlike web support consisting of individual brush plates, it is desired to substantially eliminate an influence of the joints between the brush plates on the surface pattern of the needled nonwoven web. To that end the bristle tufts of those rows of tufts which extend adjacent to and along the joints between the brush plates are carried individually or in groups in alternation by the two brush plates which are disposed on opposite sides of the joint.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of manufacturing an insertion-type seam for making a cloth belt, especially a wire cloth, endless, in which the warp ends of each cloth side are interwoven with an auxiliary warp strip, and to a seaming machine for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor that includes a thin film of nominally undoped monocrystalline indium arsenide. An indium arsenide film is described that appears to have a naturally occurring accumulation layer adjacent its outer surface. With film thicknesses below 5 micrometers, preferably below 3 micrometers, the presence of the accumulation layer can have a very noticeable effect. A method for making the sensor is also described. The unexpected improvement provides a significant apparent increase in mobility and conductivity of the indium arsenide, and an actual increase in magnetic sensitivity and temperature insensitivity.

Abstract: A CNC lathe comprising two opposed spindle stocks (2a, 2b) and two turret type tool rests (3a, 3b), in which a base (1) is of a slant type, the first spindle stock (2a) is secured to the base (1), the second spindle stock (2b) is provided to be capable of being moved and located only in a direction to the spindle, and both the tool rests (3a, 3b) are arranged in the deep side of the spindle stocks (2a, 2b). The CNC lathe having said construction in which both spindle stocks include an independent spindle motor (21), a spindle indexing and driving device (23) capable of mechanically releasing connection, and encoders (27, 26) on the side of the spindle, and the indexing and driving device wherein an index motor (40) is rotated on the basis of a phase difference detected by the encoder to match a phase when the spindle indexing and driving device (23) is connected to the spindle 11), so when a work (16) is delivered between both the spindles (2a, 2b).

Abstract: Plant (10) to roll flat products which is fed in line by at least one continuous casting line (11) equipped with a shears (12) upstream of a temperature equalization furnace (13), the outlet of which is in the immediate vicinity of and in cooperation with the intake of a rolling train (10), the temperature equalization furnace (13) comprising within itself three walking beams (22-23-24), of which a first walking beam (22) cooperates with an intake roller conveyor (16) of the temperature equalization furnace (13) and is able to take continuously slabs (18) arriving from the at least one continuous casting line (11) and arranged on the intake roller conveyor (16) and to place them on a second intermediate walking beam (23), which is able to transfer these slabs (18) onto a third walking beam (24), which in turn can transfer the slabs (18) onto an outlet roller conveyor (15).

Abstract: An apparatus for installing a new bull gear onto a trunnion shaft of a BOF, the apparatus comprising a first stop removably attached to the end face of a turnnion shaft, a gear press shaft extending through an aperture within the first stop means, the gear press shaft having a first end portion with an enlarged segment inserted into a recess provided within the trunnion shaft, a second stop adjustably attached to a second end portion of the gear press shaft, a gear press plate removably attached to the gear and encircling the gear press shaft between the first and second stops and a jack means located between the gear press plate and the second stop.

Abstract: A heat releasable weldment for a mechanical opening jack used in combination with fluid powered valve actuators to release said manual opening jack in the event of fire comprising grooved inner and outer members which cooperate to form a eutectic chamber, said inner and said outer members being retained in spaced relationship with each other by horizontal and vertical restraining members in cooperation with a fusable eutectic alloy which is poured into said eutectic chamber and allowed to solidify together and a method to field retrofit said weldment to a mechanical opening jack is presented.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loosening a mechanical plug in a tube. A cartridge having a nose portion, central portion formed from a material that produces an exothermic reaction when ignited, and a base is inserted into the plug to be loosened and removed. An insulated wire extends through the base into the central portion and is connected to a resistive noninsulated wire positioned in the central portion. Sending an electrical current through the wiring causes the noninsulated wire to heat up rapidly. The rapid heat buildup initiates an exothermic reaction in the central portion. The heat generated causes stress conditions in the plug that exceed plug yield and results in a stress relief condition in the plug where the diameter of the plug is reduced. This loosens the plug in the tube and reduces pulling forces needed to remove the plug from the tube.

Abstract: An improved interior automotive door panel assembly including integrally molded fasteners adapted to being connected to openings formed in the outer metal door structure. In an alternate embodiment the interior door panel assembly including the integrally molded fasteners has a bezel detachably mounted on the fasteners thereof by the interior door panel assembly supplier. The bezel is adapted to being automatically adhesively secured to the metal door assembly along the vehicle assembly line by the vehicle manufacturer. The interior door panel and fasteners may be subsequently removed from the bezel in the field.

Abstract: A method of making a tool defined by an elongate shaft medially mounted to a paddle at its lowermost terminal end. The paddle includes an elastomeric body formed of a flexible memory retentent material, including reinforcing members mounted at each side and lower terminal end of the paddle to permit enhanced scraping and removal of fluid components from within a container during use. The organization includes a framework mounting the side blades, with the lower blades spaced from the framework subsequently encased by the elastomeric material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool-carrying vehicle for transporting a tool and positioning it over bolt holes in a flange of a vessel, and for moving the tool in translation and/or rotation, the vehicle comprises:a tool-carrying elevator column extending upwards perpendicularly from the vehicle chassis;a tool-passing opening formed through the chassis adjacent to the column and situated in line with the position occupied by a tool fixed to an elevator in the column so as to allow a tool to be passed down through the chassis and inserted into a bolt hole, and to allow it to be raised to its initial position after acting in the hole; andguide wheels and position adjustment templates for guiding and adjusting the position of the chassis on a flange so that a tool lies exactly on the axis of a bolt hole, regardless of the hole diameter.Such a vehicle is particularly suitable for inspecting and maintaining the vessels of steam generators.

Abstract: A machining center having a bed that supports a work table, a carriage movable along the bed, an upright column moveable across the carriage, a machining head movable vertically on the upright column and a tool magazine with a tool changer. The bed is designed as an inclined bed with a downward slope toward the rear and the work table is mounted on the front side of bed by means of a suitable console.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an internal permanent magnet rotor comprises a plurality of interior laminations stacked to form a substantially continuous internal core and a plurality of external laminations stacked to form a substantially continuous external core. A plurality of permanent magnets are positioned between the internal and external cores and folded in the radial plane so as to form a substantially W-shaped arrangement. The magnets may be placed in slots formed through the stacked laminations between the internal and external core sections or the internal and external core sections may be formed as two separate units with the magnets sandwiched therebetween. The core laminations may be strengthened by using nonmagnetic inserts in selected positions which can be welded to the magnetic portions of the laminations. The outer core portion, when separate from the inner core portion, may be held against the inner core portion by bolts through the outer core portion or by a sleeve around the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for handling multi-board panels in order to liberate therefrom individual circuit boards which may or may not have been prepopulated with the electrical components. Each panel is supported above a receiving tray on a top shuttle and transported from a load/unload station to a routing station at which tabs or webs which retain the circuit boards in the panel are removed. Removal of the boards is facilitated by X-positioning of the panel and Y-positioning of the router according to a programmable controller. The tray receives liberated boards from the top shuttle which is then cycled back to the load/unload station for unloading scrap, acquiring another tray, and reloading the shuttle with another multi-board panel. During subsequent translation of the loaded top shuttle to the routing station, a bottom shuttle transfers the first tray and liberated circuit boards to the load/unload station for unloading thereof.

Abstract: A chip placement system of modular construction is provided for simultaneous population of circuit boards with component chips. A plurality of chip placement modules are provided, each having a conveyor means for receiving a planar from an adjacent one of the modules and transporting it through the module to a next adjacent one of the modules. Each module further includes a further plurality of chip placement subassemblies for simultaneously placing a respective plurality of chips in a preselected geometric pattern on the planar and a load plate which is slidably removable from the module which carries a plurality of stacks of chips disposed in the desired geometric pattern. The load plate of each module is periodically withdrawn in at least one of the stacks are substantially depleted, whereby a next load plate with a replenished supply of chips is slid into place.

Abstract: A method of installing an engine block heater includes the provision of an O-ring carried by the cylindrical body of the heater. The heater also includes a flange portion with a passage therein. The engine block wall is provided with a threaded opening located adjacent to the typically found aperture in the engine block. The heater can be easily installed by aligning the passage in the heater flange with the opening in the engine block and then inserting the body into the aperture such that the O-ring seal engages the aperture wall to provide a sealing engagement therebetween. The heater can be secured by way of a fastener passing through the flange passage which is threaded into the engine block opening.

Abstract: A cutting device which retains a severed portion of an object between two jaws. The cutting device is a mechanism such as shears, clippers or cutters having a jaw and a blade which close against each other so as to cut an object, and a second jaw which moves as said blade moves so as to retain a severed portion of the object which has been cut between said jaws, keeping the severed portion from falling away.

Abstract: The hand-held Rotary Barbecue Rotisserie" includes an elongated shaft having multiple prongs on which wieners, marshmallows, or other food is impaled for cooking. The shaft end opposite the cooking prongs is formed in to an eccentric crank handle, this crank is used for turning the cooking food. a heat insulting sleeve is placed on the shaft. This sleeve would typically be held in one hand while the other hand would rotate the crank handle. The shaft can be one single piece or can be separated into smaller components for easier storage.

Abstract: In a process for filtering the consecutive results yi of a north-seeking gyroscope which are ooverridden by interference signals, the difference between the extreme measured values within a time window is determined. Only if this difference is less than a given maximum deviation y is the means value of the measurements in this time window given as the corrected direction of north.

Abstract: A measuring instrument includes a pair of pivotally connected legs that can be placed on a circular protractor. The protractor contains three separate scales one of which will translate angular measurement provided by the pair of adjustable legs directly into a reading for setting the angle of a saw blade in an adjustable miter saw.

Abstract: A gauging plate for measuring fastener dimensions includes a rotatable plate having a plurality of openings for measuring fastener dimensions. The plate is rotatable to permit alignment of openings with a measuring member to enable the measurement of dimensions of a wide variety of fasteners. The plate preferably includes at least one slot in the periphery to receive fasteners to have dimensions measured. In the plate at least some of the openings extend throughout the thickness of the plate. The plate includes rotational means to rotate the plate to a plurality of dimension measuring positions. At least one adjusting screw is provided extending through the plate. The adjusting screw is adjustable to selected distances above the plate to enable adjustments of tolerance limits of the dimensions to be measured.

Abstract: A radiant energy ink drying device for drying ink on paper exiting a printer includes a lightbox, cooling fans for cooling the light box, and a processing unit. The processing unit controls the operation of the cooling fans based on signals received from a temperature sensor located in the drying area of the lightbox. The processing unit also deactivates the printer based on signals from a paper sensor located on the light box. In addition, an overtemperature sensor deactivates the printer when the light box housing exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: In a device for recuperating heat from a clothes drier, the combination of a heat exchanger with cross streams comprising a pack of facially opposed heat exchange surfaces defining therebetween a plurality of open ended channels in which a stream of a relatively cold medium - air - is passed through one set of channels in heat exchange relationship with a second air stream from a drier passing through another set of channels, such channels terminating in a surface area corresponding to the hypothenuse section of a triangular corner closed box able to catch fluid from said exchanger, the four boxes at inlets and outlets forming hermetic cells with tight joints and able to separate humid air from dry warm air and including motor means of air circulation.

Abstract: An improved vacuum treatment system includes containers for accommodating articles to be treated, a tunnel-like casing in which a plurality of the casings can move contiguously, a driving device for making the containers move in the casing, a plurality of evacuation ducts open to the casing at a plurality of locations, sealing devices for sealing the clearance between the outer surfaces of the containers and the inner surface of the casing at the positions between the openings, and an evacuation facility for evacuating the inside of the casings through the evacuation ducts. The locations of the evacuation ducts closest to the opposite ends of the casing are spaced apart from the ends of the casing by distances greater than the length of the container. The intervals between the locations of the evacuation ducts are preferably longer than the length of the container.

Abstract: A glove drying frame configured as a human hand is formed of a wire mesh hollow body to accommodate a glove thereon, with the hollow body mounting a support clip to a wrist portion of the hollow body to permit suspension of the hollow body permitting free-flow of drying air to be directed interiorly of the hollow body. The invention further includes a mounting framework for support of a plurality of hollow bodies permitting directing of a drying medium within the hollow bodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shoe upper formed of a polymeric fabric mesh, with an ankle portion formed of an elastomeric polymeric material to provide support to an ankle portion of an individual. The upper includes ventilation apertures directed through a forward end of the shoe, with a first row of pneumatic tubes directed parallel to one another and coextensively with a bottom surface of the shoe, with a first resilient polymeric layer positioned interiorly of the first row of pneumatic tubes and a second row of pneumatic tubes positioned above the first resilient layer. A second polymeric layer and a third polymeric layer are respectively mounted to an interior surface in a laminated configuration, wherein each of the first, second, and third polymeric layers are of decreasing durometer of hardness to provide support and cushioning to an individual. A fluid absorbent fabric liner is formed coextensively about an interior surface of the shoe construction.

Abstract: A shoe provided with a central closing device, especially a sport, leisure or rehabilitation shoe, with an upper formed of flexible upper materials, and with an instep shield which covers the instep. The instep shield is designed so that it can be fastened to the side parts of the shoe on both sides of the shoe upper, in a manner making is possible to tighten the instep shield and the side parts of the shoe upper over the entire closing area in a simple way and with as uniform a closing or tightening force as possible to guarantee as uniform a pressure distribution as possible along the entire throat area of the shoe. This is achieved by the instep shield being connected, on each side of its end that is directed toward a toe of the upper, to a closing flap made of a springy elastic material, with each closing flap being connected to a respective side part of the upper and running along the length of the instep shield.

Abstract: An athletic shoe comprising a shoe upper, a shoe tongue and a fastener: heights of the front, lateral and medial sides of the shoe upper are lower than that of the rear side; the upper end of the shoe tongue extends in the right and left directions so that the extended portions may cover the lowered portion of the shoe upper up to a height approximately equal to the rear side of the shoe upper; and the fastener is for tightening the upper end of the shoe upper and the upper end of the shoe tongue surrounding the wearer's ankle portion.

Abstract: The specification discloses a new and improved greeting card comprising a first translucent panel having indicia thereon and a second panel connected to the first panel and with an opening which defines an image thereon. The translucency of the first panel and its arrangement relative to the second panel is such that upon disposition of the first panel closely adjacent to the second panel in an overlay fashion, the image on the second panel is relatively indistinctly visible through the first panel in conjunction with the indicia on the first panel to enhance and supplement the experience associated with viewing the indicia.

Abstract: A support and fixation device supporting a marker carrier (101) comprises a tubular cover (101a) and a tubular housing (101b). The tubular housing is furnished with a retaining section running substantially parallel to lengthwise direction of the tube for receiving and retaining pointers. A flat band section (103), made of a flexible material, is furnished at each of its ends with an opening (104). The flat band section is received in the tubular cover and the tubular cover is disposed between the openings. At least one of the openings is crossed over by a flexible, longitudinal crossing-over bridge (105).

Abstract: A fishhook baiting device for baiting a fishhook with stink bait, dough bait, or cheese bait. The device comprises a dispenser head assembly having a hook chamber, a reservoir body forming a bait chamber for containing a quantity of bait, the bait chamber being in fluid communication with the hook chamber, and a plunger assembly for compressing the bait from the bait chamber into the hook chamber and extruding the bait through the hook chamber. A hook is placed inside the hook chamber and the hook chamber is closed. The bait is compressed into the hook chamber and onto the hook. Then hook chamber is opened and the baited hook is extruded from the hook chamber. The extruded bait is cut from the bait remaining in the device after the desired amount of bait has been extruded. The plunger assembly may have a flange that extends into the bait and embeds in the bait for pulling the cohesive bait remaining in the hook chamber back into the bait chamber, thereby clearing the hook chamber for the next hook.

Abstract: Improvements on the Parra "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING DOLPHIN FROM TUNA" using the primordial fear of dolphin of killer whales to separate dolphin from tuna wherein the sound of feeding killer whale is recorded, digitized, edited and enhanced to produce digitally synthesized killer whale sounds. These digitally synthesized sounds of one or more feeding killer whale is played under water and in the vicinity of a mixed school of dolphin and tuna and as the dolphin leave said vicinity, catching the tuna in nets. According to the present invention, one or more of a plurality of playback units are selectively triggered on and off from a remote location to steer the dolphin to safety. The playback unit is carried in an elongated hollow tube having a weighted end and a recovery end, the weight causing the end it is on to go to a predetermined depth in the sea with the recovery end having a hook for aerial retrieval.

Abstract: A fishing lure is provided, including a central shank with a hook member mounted at a lower terminal end of the shank and a support head at an upper terminal end of the shank, with a projection mounted to the support head, including an aperture for receiving fishing line therethrough. The organization includes a plurality of tinsel strands mounted in surrounding relationship about the central shank adjacent the support head extending in a surrounding relationship about the central shank and hook member to effect masking of the hook member. A modification of the invention includes a securement strand secured to a supporting web mounting the tinsel strands thereon for enhanced securement of the supporting web about the support shank. A plurality of such securement strands may be provided for projecting orthogonally relative to the support shank to enhance movement of the lure during a fishing procedure.

Abstract: A fishing lure is set forth as a tube organization that mimics movement and swimming of an eel as it is supported from a moving boat in a trolling procedure. The organization is defined by at least a plurality of tubes that are secured together by a swivel to effect a twisting to mimic motion of an eel in swimming. Swivel connections are utilized for securement of fishing line and mounted between various components of the organization in use.

Abstract: The bait fish bridle positioning and attachment device disclosed herein includes a locking device having two flexible locking sections, each having a series of conically shaped knob sections, and having two openings in the locking device into which the flexible knob sections are drawn after embracing the bait fish and the hook shank. After tightening the flexible sections onto the bait fish and the hook shank, the sections are prevented from moving in reverse direction by the locking knobs on the flexible sections. The device may be made of nylon or similar composite material.

Abstract: A fishing float or a bobber is designed which permits remote adjustment of fishing line depth beneath the bobber without removal of the bobber or float from the water. By use of the fishing rod to manipulate a ball and ball seat attached to the bobber, the angler can release the fishing line from suspension at a particular depth beneath the bobber and raise or lower the hook attached to the fishing line. Subsequent manipulation of the device by angler movement of the fishing line will again seat the ball to restrain the line movement and resuspend the hook at a second depth beneath the bobber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for a fish attractor device for use on a surface of a body of water to entice fish with a chum material. The improved fish attractor device comprises a body member having a volume for floating the body member on the surface of the body of water. The body member supports a porous container for receiving the chum material enabling the chum material to migrate through the porous container into the body of water for luring fish thereby. The body member is adapted to ride upon currents of oceans and rivers to remove the device from human activity and transport a baited line of a fisherman to a remote location. At the remote location, the body member shades a portion of the body of water to create an artificial haven for fish.

Abstract: A vacuuming apparatus simultaneously vacuums a plurality of parallel rows of plants for removing of insects. A plurality of side-by-side vacuum units are mounted on a mobile support including a tractor-mounted lift to be releasably attached to the front of the tractor. Each vacuum unit includes at least two separate depending intake units located to span two adjacent plant rows. The mobile support includes a frame including a central lift assembly. A parallelogram lift linkage connects the tractor to the lift assembly for vertical positioning of the apparatus. Hydraulical power rams are connected to a tractor driven hydraulic source for control of the position of the apparatus from the tractor. The mobile support frame may include pivoted end frame members, each supporting a vacuum unit and a pair of vacuum inlets. The end frame members are pivoted up and over the ends of the frame for over-the-road travel of the vacuuming apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical ion emitting farming implement to be moved over a field of crop planted in earth for above ground atmospheric treatment of growing plants comprising a frame. A series of bell-shaped members are mounted at spaced intervals on a boom across its transversely extended length and with the bell-shaped members opening in a downward direction toward underlying plants in a field of crops. A wire brush-like ion emitter is centrally mounted in each of the bell-shaped members. An electrical circuit ion generating mechanism operatively connected to the wire brush-like ion emitters for emitting electrical ions in the 30 to 50 KV range through the wire brush-like ion emitters. A power source is provided for energizing the electrical circuit means. A control is provided for activating the electrical circuit means for causing ion emission through the wire brush-like ion emitters upon placement of the bell-shaped members in spaced overhead position relative to the plants being treated.

Abstract: A heat transfer tube extends along the peak of a dike having at least two rows of seedlings for collecting heat from the sun during the daytime and transferring the collected heat to the soil at night. The tube is of a geometrical configuration, preferably oval, and is made of transparent plastic. The tube is secured or in intimate contact on opposite sides to a mulching sheet made of opaque plastic, preferably black plastic during the winter growing season, and white plastic during the summer growing season. Optionally, a drip irrigation line is formed separately from or integrally with the heat transfer tube to irrigate the at least two rows of seedlings located on the peak of a dike.

Abstract: The system includes an efficient, closed irrigation system in conjunction with insulating components for minimizing the harmful effects of extreme changes in ambient temperature, moisture and chemical concentrations in plant containers. Mechanisms are provided for permitting a single pallet, or a single plant within a pallet, to be readily removed from an integrated plurality of pallets without interfering with irrigation of the plants that are contained in the remaining pallets.