Abstract: A process for the eradication of undesirable plants on a plot of ground upon which young desired species are planted is disclosed. The desired trees or seedlings are covered with a sleeve that is preferably retained in place and then a spraying of the area with herbicide by land or air-based spray equipment takes place. Spraying may be from land or air-based spray equipment. This is followed by a removal of the sleeves from the trees and disposal thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of enhancing plant growth or yield, comprising exposing soil to hydrogen gas (H2), and growing plants in the soil. The H2 gas employed can be generated by electrolysis of water, produced by H2 evolving microorganisms, and/or produced by legumes. In accordance with the invention, soil can be exposed to H2 and plants then grown in it, or H2 can be applied directly to soil in which plants are already growing. In one embodiment, the invention comprises obtaining an aqueous extract from H2-treated soil, and applying the extract to soil, seeds, and or plant roots.

Abstract: A biodegradable plant shell comprises a mixture of particulate organic base material such as shredded southern pine bark or rice hulls in combination with peat moss, manure, top soil, time-release nutrients or other organic materials, and a water responsive biodegradable organic tackifier or glue. The components are mixed and compressed in the shape of a plant pot or shell having relatively thick walls. The shell retains its shape until used but disintegrates readily when the shell is planted in a moist environment. The walls permit root permeation, provide desirable water retention, and provide nutrition during plant development. The shells are sized to mate with standard sizes of temporary nursery pots and are inserted in the ground as a nutrient and water retention liner for a new plant. A series of shells of graduated sizes can fit inside each other to facilitate transplanting of plants during nursery development.

Abstract: A floral sleeve initially having a flattened state and openable therefrom for use in covering, containing or wrapping a floral grouping, botanical item, pot, or pot having a floral grouping or botanical item therein. The sleeve has a concave lower end having an inwardly curved lower edge, and may have a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a non-linear or linear upper edge. when having a detachable upper portion, the sleeve has a detaching element which, when employed to detach the upper portion, leaves a linear or non-linear upper edge on the lower portion of the sleeve. The concave lower end of the sleeve may have a gusset therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated gasification and hydroprocessing process. A hydrocarbonaceous fuel is first gasified to produce syngas, and then a portion of the hydrogen is removed from the syngas. The hydrogen is compressed and used as an excess reactant in a hydroprocessing unit. Hydrogen gas is recovered from the hydroprocessing unit product, purified, compressed and recycled to the hydroprocessing unit. The hydrogen-poor syngas is expanded in an expander that drives the compressor that compresses the recycled hydrogen gas. The expanded syngas is then combined with light hydrocarbons removed from the recycle hydrogen gas stream, combusted in a gas turbine and used for power generation.

Abstract: An auto-oxidation and internal heating type reforming method and apparatus for hydrogen production are disclosed for use in a process in which a gaseous mixture of a hydrocarbon or an aliphatic alcohol with water vapor is fed into contact with a mass of a reforming catalyst to bring about a reforming reaction of the gaseous mixture to produce hydrogen, wherein a small amount of an oxidizing catalyst is admixed with the reforming catalyst in that mass; and a small amount of oxygen is admixed with the gaseous mixture, whereby a portion of the hydrocarbon or aliphatic alcohol is exothermally oxidized to generate a quantity of heat required to reform the gaseous mixture of the hydrocarbon or aliphatic alcohol with water vapor.

Abstract: A door system including, a door movable between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position, a cable attached to the door and normally providing a counterbalancing force to the door, the cable extending along a vertical line adjacent the door and being normally substantially taut, and an anti-drop assembly having a pawl pivotally supported on the door and attached to the cable, a stop surface positioned adjacent to the door, and a spring operable to urge the pawl toward engagement with the stop surface, wherein when taut the cable opposes the biasing force of the spring and wherein upon the cable going slack the spring urges the pawl into engagement with the stop surface to decelerate the door.

Abstract: A device for locking a trailer door in a plurality of different opened positions has a plurality of hinges for coupling the door to a frame of the trailer. A torsion bar is coupled to each of the plurality of hinges and to the frame. A rachet mechanism is coupled to the torsion bar which allows the torsion bar to rotate in one direction and in incremental movements thereby allowing one to open and lock the door in a plurality of different positions.

Abstract: A self-closing system for a screen door that slides in a doorway includes an elongated tube for attachment to the rear stile of the sliding door in a substantially vertical orientation. A housing that contains an internal pulley is attached to the top end of the tube. A cable is provided having a first end for attachment to the front jamb of the doorway. From the doorway, the cable extends into the housing and runs around the pulley. From the pulley, the cable exits the housing and extends into the tube where the second end of the cable is connected to a weight. The weight is movable within the tube to maintain a constant tension on the cable. The cable tension, in turn, applies a force on the pulley and housing. This force acts to bias the sliding door into a closed position.

Abstract: A door panel assembly for a dishwasher includes an inner door panel having a formation extending therefrom, and a seal member having a head portion and an opening therethrough. The opening receives the formation and attaches the seal member to the formation.

Abstract: Friction materials for clutch plates, brake shoes and the like are formed of a paper having reduced or eliminated non-functional processing additives. The paper composition includes components selected from a group consisting of aramid pulp, aramid staple, carbon/polyacrylonitrile fibers, glass wool, potassium octatitinate, bronze wool, high surface area filter cake, graphite, amorphous carbon and cyanated phenolic resin. The paper composition may be precompounded to a particle size in the range of 60 to 200 mesh. Part molding may be carried out by microwave heating the paper at 250° to 550° F. The precompounded and dispersed resin provides improved bonding of parts to clutch plates or brake shoes and the like.

Abstract: Ceramic forming polymers are used to form a tailorable bonding matrix for abrasive grit such as diamond, diamond-like carbon, cubic boron nitride, boron carbide and/or silicon carbide. The ceramic forming polymer is unique in that it can be heated to convert it to a ceramic material at a low enough temperature to prevent damage to the abrasive grits. The ceramic forming polymer may also contain controlled amounts of silicon, carbon, oxygen, and other elements to optimize the properties of the abrasive. A toughening media such as additional ceramic forming polymer, metal and/or polymer resin can be infused into a model of the abrasive tool to permit further tailoring of the abrasive tool to meet widely varying demands of machining both very hard materials as well as softer but more abrasive materials.

Abstract: A polishing composition comprising an abrasive and water, wherein the polishing composition has an index of degree of sedimentation of 80 or more and 100 or less; a process for producing a substrate comprising polishing a substrate to be polished using the above-mentioned composition; a process for preventing clogging of a polishing pad comprising applying the above-mentioned composition; a process for preventing clogging of a polishing pad comprising applying the above-mentioned composition to polishing with a polishing pad for a nickel-containing object to be polished; and a process for preventing clogging of a polishing pad comprising applying a composition comprising a hydrophilic polymer having two or more hydrophilic groups in its molecule and a molecular weight of 300 or more, or a compound capable of dissolving nickel hydroxide at a pH of 8.0, and water to polishing with a polishing pad for a nickel-containing object to be polished.

Abstract: Powder composition and method for polishing stone. The present invention relates to a powder composition and to a method for polishing stone, in particular granite, said method making use of said powder composition.

Abstract: A one-piece molded body includes a horizontal arm that extends into a concave longitudinal recess at the front of the roof of a leaf repellant rain gutter, a vertical arm that contacts the back wall of the gutter and contacts the bottom wall of the trough of the gutter, and by referencing on the contacts, orients a fastener in a fastener support guide portion of the body so that the axis of the fastener extends through the slot opening formed by the longitudinal front of the roof and the longitudinal top of the front of the trough.

Abstract: A modular and versatile food and beverage service bar requiring minimum storing space and enabling service of large number of people in social and theme events and readily changeable to meet variety of decor needs, includes a plurality of full sections, each section includes three spaced U-shaped box support members having an upper horizontal member, an upright vertical member and a lower horizontal member, a rigid top plate secured to the upper members, a pair of trim bands secured to the upright vertical members and sandwiching a front panel against and generally covering the upright vertical members, and fasteners in the form of bolts and nuts to couple these components together. Another embodiment of the present invention is a half section including a pair of spaced support members as well as a rigid top plate, a pair of bands and a front bendable panel.

Abstract: There is now provided a building having a pitched, sculptured tile roof with a ridge extending atop the pitched, sculptured tile roof, with a pitched tile roof venting arrangement disposed at the ridge. The building has walls to support a roof having a ridge beam, roof rafters, and battens that support roofing tiles. The roof also has a row of ridge tiles disposed on said ridge beam. A venting arrangement is disposed atop the ridge beam, between the ridge tiles and the roofing tiles. The venting arrangement has a center strip that is placed onto the ridge beam, and two side strips that cover a portion of adjacent uppermost roofing tiles. The side strips have air venting openings for the passage of air from beneath the roof to the outside of the roof. The air venting openings are covered by cover bands which cover bands permit passage of air to flow therethrough and prevent rain or drift snow to readily penetrate through the air venting openings.

Abstract: An exposed rafter end is simulated by a frame and complementary sleeve. The frame is attached to a building eave and the sleeve is inserted over the frame. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve is inserted over an exposed rafter end. In yet another embodiment, the simulated exposed roof rafter end comprises an architectural design at a distal end and a cradle at a proximal end having a shape which is complementary to the profile of a conventional rain gutter to thereby cradle the rain gutter and provide support thereto. The simulated exposed roof rafter end can also comprise a solid member without a cradle for use without a rain gutter system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for masking a planar surface and providing information at the point of use of an assembly including the planar surface are disclosed. In one advantageous method in accordance with the present invention, a masking material comprising a substrate and an adhesive disposed over a first face of the substrate is provided. One or more strips of masking material are applied to a planar surface, and an information bearing sheet is applied over the one or more strips of masking material.

Abstract: The invention provides improved masking for monolithic panes, insulating glass units, and other substrates. In some embodiments, the protective covering comprises a plurality of strips of masking material. In some embodiments, the protective covering (which may take the form of a single masking sheet or of multiple masking strips) is sized, shaped, and positioned such that an oversized masked portion of a pane surface has a lesser area than the pane surface itself but has a greater than an exposed central region of the pane surface that remains exposed (i.e., is left uncovered) by a frame when the pane is mounted in the frame. In some embodiments, a pane is mounted to a frame such that at least one edge of the pane is received in the frame. The pane has a protective covering disposed over a masked portion of a major surface of the pane. This major surface has an unmasked apron between an outer periphery of the protective covering and an outer periphery of the pane.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for masking a planar surface and providing information at the point of use of an assembly including the planar surface are disclosed. In one advantageous method in accordance with the present invention, a masking material comprising a substrate and an adhesive disposed over a first face of the substrate is provided. One or more strips of masking material are applied to a planar surface, and an information bearing sheet is applied over the one or more strips of masking material. In some embodiments, the protective covering comprises a free portion and a fixed portion. The free portion of the protective covering defining a first side of a channel and the face of the pane defining a second side of the channel.

Abstract: A helice pier coupling system used for used for soil stabilization, supporting building structures and similar applications. The coupling system provides a way of adding one or more pier shaft extensions to a helice pier shaft of a helice pier for extending the length of the pier. The pier shafts may have lengths of 5 feet or greater. The coupling system includes a first helice pier. The first helice pier having diagonal cuts at a lower first end and an upper second end of a pier shaft. The lower first end of the pier shaft can be used as a lead point when the pier shaft is driven into the soil surface. The upper second end of the pier shaft can be used with a shaft coupling for engaging a lower first end, having a mating diagonal cut, of a pier shaft of a second helice pier or the pier shaft extension. The first helice pier includes one or more helice plates.

Abstract: A window frame system with transparent, tinted, or translucent window frames is provided. The window frame itself is transparent, tinted, or translucent, instead of merely the enclosed glass window. Because the frame of the window is light permeable, additional light may pass through the window frame yielding an increase in the overall brightness of the window. Additionally, the structural and environmental integrity of the window is preserved because the window frame remains solid. A transparent screen may also replace a conventional screen to further increase light transmission.

Abstract: A window-and-wall assembly comprises an exterior support wall of a building enclosure defining a frame opening carrying a window frame for mounting on the exterior side of the exterior wall to span the frame opening. The window frame has an area that is bigger than that of the frame opening so as to largely overlap the frame opening at the edges. A glazing and frame assembly is supported in the window frame and may be fixed or openable. An air barrier sheeting located on and covering the external side of said support wall surrounds the window frame, and rigid insulation sheeting is positioned on the support wall exteriorly of the air barrier sheeting. The sandwiched barrier sheeting thus combines the function of the traditional air barrier and weather barrier and is less prone to perforation or damage than either.

Abstract: When assembled to a building support structure to form a curtain wall system of adjoining panels, a preferred embodiment of the enhanced airloop wall system as shown in FIG. 2 comprises panel frame segments (e.g., upper frame segment) that, when assembled, form interconnected inner and outer airloop segments (e.g., inner loop segment) that separate and improve water seal and air seal functions and improve sealing performance, a circuitous path (e.g., “A”) at an enlarged air opening into an airloop to pressure equalize and limit water entry into the airloop, a two point fastener support of each panel assembly to allow interfloor deflections under seismic or other loads without excessive loads on the panel assembly, a structural hook-like protrusion for resisting building outward loads on panels separate from fasteners, a splitter in a drainage cavity in the outer airloop that creates a dual drainage path and a surface upon which droplets can collect.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for a window assembly for insertion into an opening in a window supporting structure including, but not limited to, a building wall or door, or a mobile or automotive vehicle. Frame pieces are adapted to fit into opposite sides of the opening and be releaseably secured into position without the window glazing or any insert in place. This allows the frame pieces to be installed by one person. The frame pieces are translatable relative to one another over a range to accommodate different thickness openings. A glazing or insert can independently installed in a frame piece. Securing structure can be adapted to accommodate different thickness glazing or inserts.

Abstract: A partition for open building space and the like having a frame including at least one substantially horizontal surface. A cover member is configured to enclose at least a portion of the frame. The cover member includes attachment members configured to connect the cover member to the frame. A seal is attached to the cover member and includes a resilient flap which engages the substantially horizontal surface of the frame to inhibit the passage of acoustical and/or optical energy through the partition.

Abstract: A Formwork includes rigid casting panels constructed to receive a batch of poured concrete. The surfaces of the panel exposed to contact the concrete are covered with a water absorbing liner coated or impregnated with a photocatalysis compound. The photocatalysis compound in a semiconductor material, such as titanium dioxide powder, which activated by sunlight to generate oxygen radicals.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a portable floor comprised of interlocking floor panels which may be used for dancing, theatrical productions, musical performances, trade shows, and other settings where it is desirable to have a firm wooden floor surface. The disclosed invention enables a single person to install or disassemble the portable floor. It eliminates the need for storing any additional hardware to connect the panels to one another. No special tools are required to assemble or disassemble a floor. The floor is easy to assemble. Once the portable floor is assembled each panel is locked at two different places, thus firmly connecting the floor together. Panels may be added as desired to increase the size of the floor.

Abstract: Methods for creating relatively wide surface coverings and surface covering components by seaming together relatively narrow surface coverings and surface covering components are disclosed. The surface coverings are seamed together with a barely visible or invisible seam by lining up two sheets together and taping them together on one surface at the seam. In one embodiment, the taped surface is the top surface of a surface covering, i.e., the surface that includes the design. The sheets can include thermoplastic polymers. The taped surface is placed downward, and a gluing surface is exposed. The gluing surface is the surface on the two surface coverings to be joined that are in contact with each other. The gluing surface can either be exposed by raising the taped region or by lowering one or both sides adjacent the taped region. A suitable adhesive is applied to the gluing surface, and the raised region is lowered or the lowered sides are raised to the original height.

Abstract: A structurally enhanced, insulating sheathing (10) and method of sheathing a frame of the type used in constructing a building are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sheathing includes an insulating layer of material (14) attached to a structural layer of material (12) formed of a plurality of fibers (12al-12an), preferably biased in first and second directions (D1, D2) relative to a common axis, such as the longest centerline of the sheathing. The fibers form a grid (12c) having a plurality of openings (12d) that are capable of receiving an adhesive (A3) for attaching the sheathing to a stable mounting structure, such as a frame. Preferably, the adhesive is capable of penetrating at least partially into the openings to ensure that a secure, lasting bond is formed. In a second embodiment the sheathing includes a multilayer polymer film with a low melting point adhesive thereon.

Abstract: An interlockable panel for forming a generally planar surface. Each panel includes a first surface positioned substantially in a plane and a second surface facing opposite the first surface and substantially parallel to and displaced from the first surface. Each surface has a perimeter defined by edges extending between the first and second surfaces. The edges may include male or female edges. Each male edge includes a tongue that extends outwardly from the male edge and a longitudinally extending void that extends inwardly of the tongue. Each female edge includes a groove having a protrusion position within the groove and extending outwardly from the groove generally parallel to the first surface. An adjacent panel may be linked to a fixed panel such that the tongue engages the groove and the protrusion engages the void. The invention also includes a method for assembling a generally planar surface using interlockable panels such as the above-mentioned.

Abstract: A wall block arranged to be stacked vertically for creation of a retaining wall, the block being of generally trapezoidal configuration having parallelly arranged front and rear surfaces along with opposed top and bottom surfaces. The top surface has front and rear lips formed thereon with each of the lips having a trapezoidal root portion with mutually opposed triangular portions converging inwardly therefrom to define opposed and aligned front and rear apices. In one embodiment, the apices are disposed midway along the length of the block, while in a second embodiment, the apices are formed at the juncture point of mated pairs of blocks. The bottom surface of the block includes a central base with opposed notches formed along the front and rear edges of the bottom surface, with the base having a trapezoidal configuration with a width dimension which is no greater than the spacing between the opposed aligned front and rear apices.

Abstract: A corrugated wooden fiberboard panel system provides a new structural member for use in the construction of building walls, ceilings, and floors as a substitute for conventional framing members, such as studs and joists.

Abstract: A deployable single truss with folding or removable chordal members and diagonals and orthogonal hinge joints for continuous and synchronous retraction and extension, in straight and curved configurations. A deployable dual rectangular truss comprised of two single trusses mated along two common chords. A deployable diamond truss comprised of two single trusses mated along one common chord. An end frame to close off or mount one of more ends of the deployable trusses. A primary orthogonal hinge joint to connect the chordal members and diagonals of the deployable trusses along a primary chord. A secondary orthogonal hinge joint to connect the chordal members and diagonals of the deployable trusses along a secondary chord.

Abstract: Column-beam building frame structure, wherein columns and beams are interconnected to distribute and share all lateral loads through collars that encircle columns at the nodal points of attachments between columns and beams. Each collar includes inner and outer components which seat, and gravity-lock together, during frame construction, and which also to offer a certain amount of immediate moment resistance to lateral loads. Tension bolt and nut assemblies lock the inner and outer collar components together, and with these assemblies in place, the collars (which circumsurround the beams) function to deliver beam moment loads as plural-position, angularly distributed compression loads to different side regions of columns.

Abstract: A device to inexpensively repair a wooden post that has rotted or failed. The device comprises a plate which has a plurality of holes drilled or punched in it for attaching above ground level to a side of a wooden post and at least two rods depending out from the face of the plate. At least one of the rods depends near the top of the plate and at least one of the rods depends near the bottom of the plate. This location of the rods allows them to work cooperatively in push-pull to counteract a moment tending to overturn the post. The rods extend into a hole dug in the soil adjacent to the existing post footing. After the fence has been aligned as desired, the hole is filled with concrete surrounding the rods.

Abstract: A shear panel assembly including a shear panel in combination with a shear panel hold-down. The shear panel includes a frame and a panel diaphragm including a peripheral edge. The frame includes an upper horizontal frame member pivotally interconnecting the upper ends of first and second upright frame members. A lower horizontal is connected at the lower ends of the first and second upright frame members. The peripheral edge of the panel diaphragm is secured to an inner periphery of the frame within the depth of the frame. The shear panel system includes a hold-down having a base and at least one upright frame member engagement tab pivotally connected to and extending from the base for attachment to an upright frame member.

Abstract: A removable and reusable door frame guard for installation over and providing temporary protection to door trim attached to a door jamb. The guard includes a relatively rigid elongate upright member of shock absorbing material with an L-shaped cross section for covering adjacent bottom, front and inside portions of a vertical door jamb to be protected, and an expandable clamp means is secured to an upper end of the upright member and dimensioned in position for expanding and thereby engaging a bottom surface of a horizontal door header to hold the upright member in position.

Abstract: A structural member comprises a plastic base material with fiber reinforced plastic fill material. A gas producing substance or foaming agent is mixed with the base material and provides a lower density within the interior of the member. The structural member can comprise one or more of the components of a utility pole assembly, such as the crossarms, bracing, insulators and pole. A method of producing the structural member includes the steps of mixing additives with plastic pellets for feeding into an extruder. The extruded structural members are formed, cooled, pulled and cut to desired lengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a water heater on the roof of a building or at another location outside of the building. A roof curb surrounds a hole in the roof, and a base member is mounted to the roof curb. Alternatively, the base member is mounted on a concrete pad at ground level. A water tank is mounted to the base member with the longitudinal axis of the water tank extending horizontally. Support rails are mounted to the base member, and wedge-shaped supports are mounted to the support rails. The wedge-shaped supports are interconnected with tank mounted brackets that are mounted to the sides of the water tank. Thermally insulated spacers are interposed between the wedge-shaped supports and the tank mounting brackets.

Abstract: A method for constructing modular high-rise buildings is described. Precast modules forming a portion of a level of the building are formed at ground level, and are lifted in position on the level being assembled. Most of the finishing and testing work for the precast modules is carried out at ground level, resulting in a safer and less expensive construction. Once in place on the building's level, the precast modules are secured with concrete pours and other strengthening devices.

Abstract: A method for forming a concrete path or the like, which concrete path is provided with dowels, whereby unhardened concrete, by means of at least one form piece moving over the concrete, is brought into the shape of the concrete path to be realized, wherein said dowels are brought into the concrete in front of and/or at the height of the form piece, more particularly before and/or at the moment that the concrete surrounding the dowels, by means of said form piece, is forced into the shape of the concrete path to be realized.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for applying adhesive to the end seals and/or the side glass surface of an insulating glass (IG) window unit to be mounted in a frame or sash. An apparatus and method of using the apparatus is provided by which adhesive is applied to the end regions of the insulating glass unit with one or more nozzles while a separate side arm extends from the device and alongside the insulating glass unit having a nozzle that delivers adhesive bead to the side of the pane to be adhered to the frame or sash.

Abstract: A the compact disk packing machine includes a base having a box providing device for move empty boxes to a box opening device which opens the empty boxes one by one. A transferring device transfers the opened boxes to a disk providing device and a disk positioning device to put a compact disk in each of the opening boxes. A sheet putting device puts a sheet of commercial in the open boxes and a closing device closes the boxes. The boxes having a compact disk and a sheet of commercial are transferred to a collection device and piled up.

Abstract: A bottle handling device for assisting in inserting a number of similar sized bottles into a secondary container, such as a partitionless beer carton. The device comprises a frame which, when inserted into the empty carton, provides a number of similar sized cells or compartments equal to the number of bottles which would completely fill the carton. The frame is maintained by support means above the shoulders of the bottles when located in the carton. Each bottle is inserted into, and its main body passes through, the frame until the bottle sits on the carton floor, the walls of each cell preventing a bottle in that cell from toppling over and hindering the insertion of further bottles and completion of filling of the carton. Upon completion and filling of the carton, the device is readily removed for reuse and the bottles are maintained in their upright condition by contacting adjacent bottles and the carton walls.

Abstract: A rotary capping apparatus and feedback control apparatus for regulating torque applied to screw-on type caps for containers is disclosed. The present system is integrated into a machine suitable for a clean-room environment. The apparatus includes a supporting frame whereon a computer-controlled driving mechanism including a servomotor for transmitting a predetermined torque to an inflatable gripping device actuated by compressed air for gripping and torquing such caps is provided. The inflatable gripper is imparted with automatic vertical height adjustment to accommodate containers of various sizes. The present rotary capping apparatus provides an integrated closed loop feedback control system utilizing a computer for setting parameters for regulating the application of such torque and a servocontroller interfaced for bidirectional communication with the computer.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing mail by severing an edge of each envelope in a stack of mail. The apparatus includes an input bin for receiving a stack of mail. A feeder feeds the bottom envelope from the input bin to a transport that conveys the envelope along an envelope path. A cutter positioned along the envelope path severs one edge of the envelopes. A displaceable outfeed guide is provided for supporting the cut edge of the envelope as the envelop is being cut. Preferably, the outfeed guide is connected with the cutter so that the outfeed guide automatically adjusts position as the depth of cut is adjusted. The transport discharges the opened envelopes onto a return conveyor that conveys the opened envelopes to a stacking area where the opened envelopes are stacked.

Abstract: A plant cover, comprising a base formed from a sheet of material, said base having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface, an opening intersecting the upper end forming an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space, a skirt formed from a sheet of material, said skirt connected to the upper end of the base, and expansion means formed integrally with the base, the expansion means comprising an excess of material, the expansion means permitting the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of a pot. Methods of using a plant cover.

Abstract: A reclosable packaging having a slider/zipper assembly and a sealed header. The header has a tear notch for initiating tearing of the header material and a line of weakness for continued tearing of the header material at an elevation which is lower than the top of the slider. Most preferably, the line of weakness is lower than the bottom of the slider. When the header is torn along the line of weakness, at least part of the slider is exposed and accessible to the consumer. In one embodiment, the tear notch is located in a side edge at an elevation higher than the top of the slider. A slit is provided which traverses a range of elevations encompassing a first elevation near an elevation of the tear notch and a second elevation near an elevation of the line of weakness.