Abstract: A hidden door closer is based upon the positioning of a torsional spring adjacent the hinge edge of a door, which door has a hollow interior hidden closer portion with a closer mounted in an access opening so that the torsional spring and its housed assembly can be mounted in the opening is disclosed. The closer is mounted on the hinge side of the door. The torsional spring has a mid-portion crank which extends through an access opening with a coupler to the jamb or door frame. A pneumatic dampener is mounted in opposed relation to the torsion spring crank to slow the closing action induced by the Coil spring. Adjustment elements are provided in the dampener to emperically adjust its action prior to and after installation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safety device, and in particular to a safety device for a sliding panel, such as a patio door. The safety device includes an abutment (20), a carrier (21), for the abutment (20), a mounting arm (22) for the carrier (21), a pivot (25) for the mounting arm (22), a support (24) for the pivot (25), resilient bias element (36) urging the mounting arm (22) towards an abutment condition, the resilient bias element (36) being connected between the mounting arm (22) and the support (24), and manually operable member for moving the abutment (20) against said resilient bias (36), the carrier (21) being substantially parallel to the pivot (25).

Abstract: This invention relates to a hinge which needs only small force to be turned in one rotational direction and relatively larger force to be turned in the opposite direction. The hinge comprises a pair of hinge members each having a cylindrical end and a fixing portion, the fixing portion having at least one aperture defined therein. An intermediate member is disposed between and pivotally connected to the pair of hinge members, the intermediate member having opposite cylindrical ends respectively aligned with and adjacent to the cylindrical ends of the pair of hinge members. A pair of helical springs with leads extending in directions opposite to each other are retained around and have different magnitudes of retaining forces acting upon corresponding adjacent ends of the intermediate member and the pair of hinge members.

Abstract: A hinge bracket assembly for a flipper door comprises a bracket body to which a pair of spaced rollers are fitted along an edge thereof. The rollers are spaced slightly from a flange portion of the bracket body to define slots therebetween. A hinge arrangement is provided along a forward edge of the bracket body for hingeable attachment to a cabinet door. The bracket flange portion is slideable within a simple J-channel mounted to an inside wall of the cabinet whereby the rollers bear against a flange surface of the J-channel and serve to inhibit rotational movement of the bracket body relative to the J-channel as the body is guided lengthwise of the channel. A pair of such brackets each mounted to opposite sides of the door thereby allows the door to freely retract into the cabinet without racking.

Abstract: A carding flat and a system for guiding and driving it in a card with moving flats driven by toothed belts, in which coupling between the flats and belts is achieved by a form fit between cavities and projections without fixed retention means, so enabling these elements to freely rotate about the coupling axis.

Abstract: An easily adjustable fastening belt for holding a dive knife including a belt and a male and a female fastening means separately connected to two ends of the belt. A length of the belt near the end having the female fastening means connected thereto is provided at an inner surface with a plurality of teeth. The female fastening means is provided at a body-facing side with a leaf spring member and at an outer side with a pivotally connected cover plate. The leaf spring has one end always pressing against a force-applying end of the cover plate, such that another end or a resistance end of the cover plate shall normally press against the toothed belt, so that the end of the belt with the female fastening means can only be pulled forward to tighten the belt around a wearer's leg.

Abstract: The extensible bracelet clasp is of the unfolding buckle type. It includes a first assembly (1) comprising a cap (3) and a push-piece (5) adapted to slide on a second assembly (2) in order to adjust the length of the clasp. Such second assembly (2) comprises an arrangement (15) on which the push-piece (5) can act in order to open the clasp, such arrangement (15) and such push-piece being respectively provided with indexing means (16) and positioning means (17) in order to permit adjustment in length of the clasp and to retain the memory of such adjustment when the clasp is opened. The clasp can be used for a watch bracelet.

Abstract: A molded surface fastener is manufactured by supplying molten resin to the circumferential surface of a die wheel rotating in one way to mold a substrate sheet blank and a multiplicity of substantially straight and inclined engaging element blanks in an integral form, and then pressing distal ends of the engaging element blanks by a heat-molding roller in rotation at the same speed to incline the engaging element blanks further toward the substrate sheet blank and also to melt the distal ends to shape each said distal end into an engaging head projecting in a direction opposite to the direction of inclination of the respective engaging element blank. Each of the resulting engaging elements is composed of a stem rising from the substrate sheet surface with inclination by a predetermined angle (.theta.

Abstract: A locking seat belt buckle assembly is configured for placement and operation within a standard seat belt buckle and tongue. In one embodiment, the seat belt buckle includes a latch that engages the tongue and a latch release plate to disengage the latch from the tongue upon depression of the release plate. The assembly includes a stop block that is movable by way of an actuator, such as a reversible micro-motor, to a position beneath the release plate to prevent depression of the latch plate. A pair of limit switches disconnect the motor from a power supply when contacted by the stop block at opposite ends of its travel. An indicator light is provided that is illuminated when the stop block is in position beneath the latch release plate. In one aspect, the motor is mounted within a housing with a spring disposed between the motor and the housing to bias the motor toward the release plate.

Abstract: An improved transport device for a moving material web, in particular a stretching system for plastic film webs which is in particular suitable for high circulating speeds, is distinguished by the fact that a guide rail system (3) comprising at least one guide rail (3', 3") and along which tenter elements (1) can be moved by means of a linear motor drive (5), is integrally incorporated in the relevant linear motor (5', 5"). The respective tenter element (1) is supported with respect to the guide rail system (3) by means of a sliding bearing or a combined sliding and roller bearing.

Abstract: A method for diffusing titanium into a single-crystal lithium niobate substrate and guided wave devices produced therefrom provide improved mode match with coupled fibers. Preferably, the titanium diffusion occurs at a diffusion temperature for a time between about 8 hours and about 18 hours. Outdiffusion of lithium oxide is allowed to occur during titanium diffusion. The outdiffused region, typically at least about 25 .mu.m, is much deeper than the titanium diffusion depth, typically about 5-10 .mu.m.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming strings of springs enclosed within pockets having flat overlapping side seams avoiding problems with false loft in mattress construction.

Abstract: A slide fastener repair system including a method in which an opening is formed in a slide fastener to create a gap in a row of fastener elements, removing the slide fastener slider through the opening, positioning a replacement slider on the teeth of the slide fastener at the opening and attaching a slider stop at the opening.

Abstract: A method for producing a U shaped seat back frame from a single extruded blank. The blank's cross section is nearly circular, but with a pair of short, flattened off crests that create a pair of concentric arcs, in cross section. Over a length of each end of the blank, a rectangular cross section, solid mandrel is inserted between the crests and the arcs are flattened against the mandrel. The arcs are flattened into wider side walls, while the crests move apart, without deformation, to create narrower and stiffer walls of a rectangular cross section. Lastly, the U blank with flattened ends is bent into a U shape, creating an upper beam with a nearly circular cross section, and legs with truly flat and rectangular lower ends.

Abstract: An insulating sleeve removing device including a base member having a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface. A side wall of the base member has indicia thereon. A shaft member having a cylindrical configuration is secured to a central portion of the planar upper surface of the base member in an orthogonal relationship. An upper end of the shaft member is receivable within a venting aperture of an insulating sleeve for dislodging a can from within the insulating sleeve when the can is positioned therein.

Abstract: A method for suspending a plurality of individual loudspeakers from an overhead support in spaced apart relationship for adjustment to different related positions and orientations relative to one another to selectively focus the acoustic throw of the loudspeakers. The method includes selecting frame members having respective first coupling elements and connectors including respective second coupling elements and respective pivot joints. The frame members are mounted to the loudspeakers and the respective second coupling elements are coupled to the respective first coupling elements between adjacent pairs of frame members to position the loudspeakers adjacent one another. The pivot joints are then adjusted to pivot the loudspeakers to selected orientations and the resulting apparatus is then suspended from an overhead support.

Abstract: A connecting and fitting method is provided for metallic pipes with a small diameter. The method includes providing a piping component having a tube wall extending therefrom and defining an expanded chamber. The method further includes providing a pipe member and forming at least one circumferential discontinuity in the pipe member near one end. The end of the pipe member is then inserted through an annular sealing component and into the expanded chamber defined by the tube wall. A diameter reducing area is then formed on the tube wall at a location substantially registered with the circumferential discontinuity in the pipe member to squeeze and tightly seal the sealing component into connecting engagement with the circumferential discontinuity on the pipe member.

Abstract: A system and method of assembling a part having a body and a cover having interference fit retaining pins and associated body shafts is provided which insures that each retaining pin is fully inserted into its associated body shaft through use of a press plate having deflectable inserts at locations adjacent to the retaining pins.

Abstract: A method of producing steel armor plate having improved resistance to penetration by projectiles. The armor plate provides for intended inclusions, generally elliptically shaped, in the steel oriented substantially parallel to the plate surface. Those inclusions result from at least one element of the steel composition selected from the group of sulfur and oxygen. The steel armor plate may be useful with an increased inclusion level on the front approximately one-half portion of the dual hardness composite steel armor plate so as to spread out the force of the impact over a wider area.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic tire valve insertion apparatus for tubeless tire, in which a tire valve can be smoothly inserted into a valve hole of a wheel without entailing damage to the tire valve, wheel, push rod, etc. even though the position of the valve hole varies in the radial and width directions of the wheel. In the tire valve insertion apparatus, the valve hole of the wheel being rotated is detected, the wheel is stopped at a predetermined position by braking, and the tire valve is inserted into the valve hole by means of the push rod of a valve press-fitting device. A light emitting element for emitting a detection light to be transmitted through the valve hole and a light sensing element for receiving the detection light are arranged facing each other across the rotating wheel. The light emitting and sensing ranges of these elements are elongated in a direction perpendicular to a circular path of movement of the valve hole.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for mounting components on a substrate in an accurate location. The components are presented in the sensing station at successive positions to determine the optimum position for their determination and this optimum position is preset into the apparatus and all like components are subsequently measured only in that optimum position.

Abstract: An electronic module comprises (a) an electrical assembly of electrical components and a cap. The cap surrounds a portion of the electrical assembly of electrical components to form a pocket between a portion of the electrical assembly of electrical components and the cap. The cap has at least one sidewall, each of the at least one sidewalls having an end, one of at least one sidewalls proximately positioned to at least one electrical lead and having at least one notch positioned in the end, the pocket filled with an encapsulant. A process comprises providing a cap and filling the cap with encapsulant, placing an electrical assembly of electrical components in the cap filled with the preselected amount of encapsulant, and allowing the electrical assembly to seat to a proper depth.

Abstract: A refrigerant tube for use in heat exchangers comprises a flat aluminum tube having parallel refrigerant passages in its interior and comprising flat upper and lower walls and a plurality of reinforcing walls connected between the upper and lower walls, extending longitudinally of the tube and spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance. The reinforcing walls are each formed with communication holes for causing the parallel refrigerant passages to communicate with one anther therethrough. The flat aluminum tube is prepared from upper and lower two aluminum sheets by bending opposite side edges of the lower aluminum sheet to a raised form and joining the bent edges to the respective side edges of the upper aluminum sheet which is flat so as to form a hollow portion. The reinforcing walls are formed by joining to the inner surface of the upper wall ridges projecting inward from the lower wall.

Abstract: An egg cutter comprising a rectangular base plate which has webs running parallel to a first lateral edge and separated by gaps, the profile of which webs forms an elliptical depression in which to place an egg, and comprising a cutting frame which is pivotable about a second lateral edge, oriented perpendicularly to the first lateral edge, of the base plate and has parallel-tensioned wires aligned with the gaps between the webs, for cutting slices. The technical problem is to provide an egg cutter suitable both for cutting eggs into slices and for cutting them into pieces. A second cutting frame for cutting pieces is pivotable about an axis parallel to the second lateral edge and has cutting wires arranged in the shape of a star, and cross slots are provided in the webs of the base plate to correspond to the cutting wires. FIG. 1.

Abstract: A shearing machine includes a generally hexagonal shearing blade and a generally rectangular shearing blade on each of an upper and a lower jaw. The hexagon forms a point at the forward end of the hexagonal shearing blade dividing a main shearing edge from an auxiliary shearing edge. A hexagonal edge at the rear of the hexagonal shearing blade forms a relief edge which unloads shearing forces to permit full shearing force to be directed to the rectangular shearing blade during a final stage of shearing a sheet of material. An end of the rectangle is preferably abutted to a portion of the relief edge, without provision for a gap or clearance therebetween. Embodiments are disclosed in which the shape of the shearing blade is non-hexagonal. In one disclosed embodiment, the shape of the shearing blade is non-polygonal, in that at least one edge is a curve.

Abstract: Scissors has a first scissor member and a second scissor member which are pivotally coupled to each other. The scissors comprises a blade formed with and extetending along at least one of the scissor members and a fastening memeber is provided with at least a tip portion of the other one of the scissor members to fasten the associated sciccor member to a material to be cut.

Abstract: A filament trimmer has an improved trimmer head. The trimmer head includes a spool having crush ribs on its core to prevent contraction of the filament line from warping or otherwise damaging the spool. A slot shaped exit aperture is provided in the head which can be opened up when the head is disassembled to allow the filament line to be more easily placed therein, but which will be closed when the head is fully assembled and will constrain the line against excessive vertical movement. The head includes a line indexing system for feeding out additional line in which one of the groups of the conventional teeth in such system are vertically spaced away from the spool flanges and are placed on a spool core extension. A dirt seal is provided to help prevent from passing around the ground engaging member of the indexing system. Finally, the head includes a self threading drive shaft that forms the attachment threads for the head into the head when the head is threaded onto the drive shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a quilt graphing system that enables a quilter to custom design quilts and appliques. The quilt designing system includes at least one transparent quilt graphing grid and a template. The grid has a plurality of uniform squares with dimensional markings (dots and dashes) on all four sides of each square in the grid. The dimensional markings divide each side of the square into thirds and quarters. So marked, the quilt graphing grid enables the quilt maker to graph in straight lines, extending between the dimensional markings, artwork beneath the transparent grit or artwork graphed directly on the grid. The template is specially designed for use by the quilt maker in marking each square of fabric to correspond with the shape of a specific portion of the selected design, and for cutting the squares of fabric with seams for piecing together the fabric squares to form the selected design.

Abstract: An electronic audio/visual direction indicator for underwater or other types of navigation which gives unobtrusive and continuous directional feedback without the need for manual manipulation.

Abstract: A pair of clamps for mounting a level to a joist. Each clamp includes a pair of spaced apart spring biased arms having first ends for gripping the joist. A mounting hole at the lower end of each clamp receives the opposite end of a level which is releasably secured therein. The method of measuring the level of a member includes the steps of mounting the clamps and level to the joist to be measured.

Abstract: A spirit level vial construction provides various refinements in the structure and method of manufacture of vials used for the containment of fluid and adapted to be installed in spirit levels. The construction is particularly adapted to use with spherical vials, i. e., level vials having a concave spherical form within the sight glass portion containing the bubble, and adapted to provide level information relative to a planar surface. However, the present construction may also be used for tubular type level vials. Vials using the present construction are formed of plastic materials (particularly acrylics) for economy, and are preferably molded by an injection molding method in order to reduce substantially any warping or deformation during the molding process. Various clear or dyed fluids which are compatible with the plastics may be used, particularly mineral spirits.

Abstract: A T-square for wallboard having a knife-sharpening means mounted on the body of the T-square, allowing the user of the T-square to easily and efficiently sharpen a trimming knife while the T-square is held in operative position on the wallboard. The sharpener may be a simple slot in the T-square, or blades mounted in a "V" formation, or a sharpening stone. The body of the T-square is preferably coated in a fluorescent color coating.

Abstract: A bull nose corner marking apparatus includes a body having a first section and a second section joined perpendicularly relative to one another for placing about an outside corner of a wall. The first section and second section define an internal area corresponding to the shape of a bull nose corner end molding piece. Through utilization of the marking apparatus, proper markings can quickly be made on an outside corner of a wall. In addition, a bull nose corner end molding piece can be quickly measured and marked for completing the construction of a bull nose corner molding location.

Abstract: A device for washing and removing liquid on a gauze conveyor for conveying products, the gauze conveyor having an upper side for carrying products and being provided with link portions and having a gauze pattern. The device having means for removing liquid on the upper side of the gauze conveyor and being formed by a hollow, rotatable roll which is provided with rows of separate projecting teeth, said rows extending axially on the roll, the teeth fitting into the gauze pattern and the link portions being enclosable by the teeth. The roll has holes between the teeth which holes extend into the cavity of the roll.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for surface treated cans or the like, with at least one chain conveyor which has holders for the cans. A hot air apparatus for the surface drying of the cans has an air conducting device, which directs at least one first stream of hot air at the base regions of the cans and guides at least one other second stream of air to the wall regions of the cans. The second stream of air is directed toward the can wall by at least one air conducting wall that runs obliquely in the direction toward the wall of the cans and the wall forms a wall jet of the second stream of in at least one area along the can wall.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dryer section for an apparatus to produce webs of material, such as paper, carton or cardboard which shall consist of a number drying cylinders and carrier rollers, at least one dryer group which shall include at least one conveyer bend to direct the continuous material web along a meandering path around these drying cylinders and carrier rollers, and with at least one pressure cylinder to compress or smoothen the web of material. The pressure cylinder is located within the dryer group 3, 30 or 130, respectively, such that it is located within a region that is contained within the second and the second-to-last dryer cylinder of the dryer group.

Abstract: An apparatus for the application of steam onto a paper web has a steam blower box with numerous zone chambers arranged side by side over the web width. The steam blower box is displaceable so that the spacing between it and the web path is adjustable. A steam supply line extends from each zone chamber in the longitudinal direction through the interior of the steam blower box, and from there outward to a support plate. There the clearance between adjacent steam lines is substantially greater than in the interior of the steam blower box. A steam control valve, that is connected via a flexible line to the support plate, is provided for each zone chamber laterally outside the paper-making machine.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a substrate cleaner and dryer or a dryer alone, and in particular, to an improved method of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) vapor drying having "closed loop" processing and capability to process extremely large substrates. The invention uses an inert gas, typically nitrogen (N.sub.2) or argon (Ar), as a process gas for carrying the vapor of a drying fluid in a "closed loop" cycle through a process vessel. The carrier gas and is pumped through a vapor generator and the process vessel in a rapid "closed loop" manner with extremely pure IPA vapor. Various embodiments employ the invention including two different vapor drying methods, a water rinse and vapor dry method and a solvent clean and vapor dry method. In either the water rinse and vapor dry method and a solvent clean and vapor dry method rinse water or cleaning fluid is rapidly drained in an unimpeded manner from the vessel while the process vessel is vented.

Abstract: Environmental enhancement by controlling volatile organic compound (VOC) and NO.sub.x emissions in a flatline wafer drying system. The method is characterized by advancing the wafers of the type used in manufacture of oriented strand board (OSB) on a flatline conveyor embodying a plurality of dryer zones. Particularly, heating the dryer zones in successive lower temperatures in the range 500.degree. F. to 200.degree. F. by flowing heated air upwardly through the flatline wafer drying conveyor; removing VOC-rich exhaust air from a primary dryer zone while flowing heated air upwardly therein and removing VOC-rich exhaust air from a secondary dryer zone while flowing heated air from therein.

Abstract: The dryer for a motor vehicle washing and drying system includes three downwardly-facing nozzles. The nozzles oscillate in a synchronized manner, with two side nozzles oscillating over a limited range only. A center nozzle, disposed between the two side nozzles, oscillates over a wider range to drive water on the upper surface of the vehicle towards the side nozzles. The side nozzles then drive the water along the contours of the vehicle surface down the sides of the vehicle using the Coanda effect. One of the side nozzles as well as the center nozzle is moved in an inward or outward direction depending upon the sensed width of the vehicle. The center nozzle is rotated in a forward or rearward direction as the vehicle moves underneath the dryer. Each nozzle contains a unique ovoid-shaped member disposed in the nozzle to accelerate and concentrate the output of the nozzles.

Abstract: The dryer for a motor vehicle washing and drying system includes three downwardly-facing nozzles. The nozzles oscillate in a synchronized manner, with two side nozzles oscillating over a limited range only. A center nozzle, disposed between the two side nozzles, oscillates over a wider range to drive water on the upper surface of the vehicle towards the side nozzles. The side nozzles then drive the water along the contours of the vehicle surface down the sides of the vehicle using the Coanda effect. One of the side nozzles as well as the center nozzle is moved in an inward or outward direction depending upon the sensed width of the vehicle. The center nozzle is rotated in a forward or rearward direction as the vehicle moves underneath the dryer. Each nozzle contains a unique ovoid-shaped member disposed in the nozzle to accelerate and concentrate the output of the nozzles.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of wrinkle-resistant garments is disclosed which includes a housing enclosing a drum which is rotatable on a generally horizontal axis, whereby when the drum is rotated with garments disposed therein a tunnel defined by the garments is formed. Mounted on a door secured to the housing is an atomizer unit positioned to discharge a durable press resin in the form of a mist through a hole in the door and into the garment tunnel when the door is closed. In practice, durable press resin is fed into the atomizer unit while the garments are being tumbled until the garments are sufficiently wetted with the resin. The wetted garments are then ready for curing to impart wrinkle-resistant properties to the garments.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in drying webs and is applicable with particular advantage, although not limited to, a process carried out in a paper making machine; that of the application of `size` or `coating`.A web dryer (1) comprises two air bar assemblies (3,5) between which a web (7) travels, each air bar assembly (3,5) comprises a plurality of parallel and spaced apart air bars (9), each air bar (9) being elongate and arranged such that its longitudinal axis is transverse to the direction of travel (A) of the web (7), in which each of the air bar assemblies (3,5) includes at least two sets of air bar, a first set (13) comprises coanda air bars, and the second set (15) comprises jet impingement air bars.

Abstract: An electric pressing iron in which a plate-shaped soleplate made of an aluminum material with a low silicon content is bonded to the iron body by a temperature-resistant adhesive, wherein the surface of the soleplate is provided with a hard and wear-resistant aluminum oxide coating. Because the soleplate is made of an aluminum material with a low silicon content, anodizing produces an aluminum oxide coating of a particularly uniform coloring, with a temperature-resistant as well as corrosion- and scratch-resistant ironing surface that affords particular economy of manufacture.

Abstract: A gun lock assembly includes an engagement portion with a locked position in which a portion of the firing mechanism is operatively engaged to prevent firing of the firearm, and an unlocked position in which operation of the firearm is permitted. The lock preferably includes a lock housing with structure for attaching the lock housing to the firearm. An adaptor can be utilized to facilitate attachment of the lock to a variety of different guns. A preferred combination lock is disclosed with structure for altering the combination. An embodiment that is suitable for long arms is also disclosed. An adaptor plate can be provided with an lever which is moveable with operation of the lock to selectively engage a portion of the firearm to selectively permit or prevent operation of the firearm. Embodiments are disclosed where the lever is utilized to engage the drawbar of a firearm, the rebound slide of a firearm, or the hammer stirrup of the firearm.

Abstract: A fishing lure which can be used in association with a hook on a line or also in association with a squid jig which fishing lure has at least one aperture sealed with a spring loaded member which, when depressed, allows for the injection of berley. The fishing lure has at least one aperture through which the burley can be released and it is also capable of exhibiting a degree of motion when in use in the water.

Abstract: A fly catcher apparatus has a cylindrical body with a single fly inlet port on its wall, near the bottom thereof. A central tube holds a wick of cloth, sponge or similar liquid-permeable material. Midway up the tube are a series of regularly spaced cloth or sponge-like fly-contacting (and other insect-contacting) members, preferably colored and shaped like leaves. These are attached in fluid communication with the wick and exit out the side of the tube into the interior cavity of the body. At the top of the tube is a cup for holding odoriferous bait, in the form of decaying meat, fish or the like. One or more aroma ports allow the smell of the bait to exit out the removable cap of the cup. Additional perforations for releasing the aroma of bait decay are located on the side wall of the bait cup. The top of the wick forms one or more bait-moistening members which exit out the top or side of the tube into the cup. Moisture carried up the wick keeps the bait moist.

Abstract: A methodology for ascertaining gene function entails selection of mutations in androgenetic haploids which are produced by fertilizing a maize plant carrying the indeterminate gametophyte gene (ig) with pollen obtained from a mutagenized plant. Genes that control quantitative characters can be identified, for example, by fertilizing a first inbred carrying the ig gene with pollen from a second inbred that has been mutagenized. Changes in the phenotype of the hybrid progeny then are identified and characterized. A method for direct selection of androgenetic haploids is provided.

Abstract: An automatic water supply device comprises a pot-shaped case having a space enclosing a flowerpot in the inside, a supporting bed of reverse bowl shape enclosed in the case and holding the flowerpot thereon, a control unit arranged in a gap between the inside of the case and the flowerpot and containing at least an air pump, a controller and a timer, an air tube connected to outlet side of the air pump and having a front end part communicating with the inside of the supporting bed, and a device to exhaust air in the supporting bed when the supplying water is finished. Since the water supplying device basically has simple structure that a supporting bed of reverse bowl shape is inserted from the upper side and enclosed in the case, a part storing water can be taken to pieces and inspection or cleaning is easy.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed. The sleeve has one or a plurality of horizontally positioned expansion elements for allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base when the upper sleeve portion is detached.