Abstract: In order, in the case of a strapping apparatus for strapping articles with a strapping band, having a base plate (4) which is provided for arranging on an article, having a tensioning device (6) with which a band tension can be applied to the strapping band, the tensioning device (6) being provided for this purpose with an actuable tensioning tool which can be brought into and out of contact with the band, having a sealing device with which, by contact with the band, two band layers can be permanently connected to each other by forming a seal between the two band layers, being provided with a clamping device which has at least one clamp with two interacting clamping elements for clamping the band between the clamping elements, and being provided with at least one actuating element with which a magnitude of a tensioning force which can be applied to the strapping band or a magnitude which is dependent on the tensioning force can be set, to improve the strength of friction-welded band strapping seals produced b

Abstract: A pneumatic packaging apparatus includes a fixed base provided thereon with a pressure cylinder unit connected with a chuck unit. The fixed base is further mounted with a valve seat combined thereon with a driving unit and a control unit. The control unit is able to receive external high pressure gas and control the high pressure gas to flow to the driving unit and to the pressure cylinder unit to let the driving unit and the pressure cylinder unit driven by air pressure to automatically pull tight the packaging strap and firmly squeeze the packaging fastener for fixing the packaging strap in place. Thus, the pneumatic packaging apparatus of this invention can assist users to complete packaging work with quickness, able to elevate efficiency of the packaging work.

Abstract: Packaging tools, which, in various embodiments, are adapted to assist a user in applying material from a roll of packaging material (e.g., packing tape, stretch wrap or shrink wrap) to an item or group of items. The packaging tool is typically adapted to move between: (1) a first orientation in which the packaging tool does not substantially restrict the rotation of the roll of packaging material adjacent the packaging tool; and (2) a second orientation in which the packaging tool does substantially restrict (e.g., prevent) the rotation of the roll of stretch wrap tool adjacent the packaging tool. A user typically maintains the packaging tool in the first orientation as the user wraps the packaging material about an item. The user may then move the packaging tool into the second orientation, which allows the user to pull the packaging material tight and separate the applied length of packaging material from the roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for making a buckle joint at the ends of a flexible strap that is wrapped around a round, irregularly shaped, or small object. The method may include loading the end of the strap in a buckle, inserting a rigid insert between a pair of legs of the buckle that prevents one side of the buckle from collapsing, tensioning a strap by a tensioning device and removing the rigid insert after the required tension is achieved. In one embodiment of the method, the rigid insert being pivotably mounted on the lever, which is pivotally mounted in the front of the tensioning apparatus. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be constructed so that there is a zone on the frame for pressing the frame against the buckle, cutting mechanism for cutting strap after tensioning and the windlass actuated by a tension handle.

Abstract: A hygienic cover for a hair brush is an elastic plastic netting of lycra polyester stitched into a tunnel shape with open and closed ends. This cover is rolled on a hollow insert with two open ends. A hairbrush is inserted into and through the insert. The closed end of the cover hits the end of the brush and the cover is stretched over the brush and slides off the insert and compresses around the brush head. The cover is porous and the holes grow when stretched, allowing the brush bristles to pass through the cover. When allowed to slide off the insert and collapse around the brush, the cover closes tightly around the bristles to prevent debris from reaching the brush head. The cover protects the brush in use. After each use, the hygienic cover can be taken off and replaced by a new cover.

Abstract: A strapping tool for tensioning and securing a strap on or around an object or load includes a motor, a tensioning assembly coupled to the motor, and a weld plate assembly coupled to the motor. The motor is actuated in a first direction to control the tensioning assembly to tension the strap during a tensioning operation and the motor is actuated in a second direction to control the weld plate assembly to weld the strap to itself during a welding operation.

Abstract: A hand dispenser for stretch film. The stretch film from the hand dispenser is dispensed by using one hand from a person. The hand dispenser comprises a handle with prongs, a collar with a flange and a notched cylinder with flexible sections, and a foam sleeve for a cushion grip. The handle prongs are inserted into the extended core of the roll. The film is wound around one end of the extended core.

Abstract: A device and related method for storing and bundling papers, magazines and/or cardboard, for easy disposal and recycling comprised of a storage unit comprising four side walls and a bottom surface wherein a top area is open and permits stacking of papers on said bottom service; and a single source of twine in a pre-arranged pattern within said storage unit for easy bundling of the papers, magazines and/or cardboard.

Abstract: A device for bundling newspapers for recycling, the device having a cylindrical handle member having two spaced apart apertures perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder, the cylinder further having two axial slits formed in the ends thereof, the handle member cooperative with a length of cordage passing through one of the apertures in the handle member such that the cordage is of equal length from both sides of the aperture of the handle member, the cordage lengths arranged in an X configuration such that a bundle of newspapers is angularly positioned on the cordage so positioned, the handle member then drawn up over one corner of the bundle to approximately the center of the top of the bundle of newspapers, the opposing two ends of the cordage are then inserted through the second aperture in the handle member, drawn taut, and then wrapped about the opposing slits formed in the end of the handle member.

Abstract: A tool used for wrapping boxes or shipments with plastic or other wrap in an ergonomic manner, as in warehouses or shipping departments. The tool is elongated and allows the user to rotate about the object to be wrapped. A tensioner makes it possible for the user to ensure that the wrapping is taught. A stopper allows the tool to come into contact with the ground.

Abstract: A firewood bundler device includes a base member having first and second opposed, vertical arm members extending from the base member. A U-shaped, wood support member is attached at an end of each arm member, with an open end opposite the base member. A wrapping support member is rotatably attached to an end of one arm member and includes a spindle section extending therefrom, the spindle section movable in a circular path around the wood support members upon rotation of the wrapping support member. The spindle section holds a roll of wrapping material. A rotation device is operatively connected to the wrapping support member for imparting rotational movement thereto and to the spindle section. Multiple pieces of firewood placed in the U-shaped supports are encircled with wrapping material by rotation of the wrapping support member holding a roll of wrapping material.

Abstract: A tool for installing a metal locking tie is disclosed. The tool includes a tension mechanism and a ball set and cut-off mechanism. The tension mechanism tensions the metal locking tie wrapped around a bundle. The ball set and cut-off mechanism includes a guide block and a shear block that engages the guide block. Once the tool tensions the metal locking tie, the guide block and the shear block travel forward in the tool thereby setting a ball in a metal locking tie head and shearing a portion of the tensioned metal locking tie.

Abstract: A wrap dispensing apparatus for wrapping an article with wrapping material includes a base; a hub assembly; a threaded spindle mounted to the base and the hub assembly, and a brake assembly to control the movement of the threaded spindle. The threaded spindle supports a roll of material between the base and the hub assembly. Further included is a steering arm that is attached to the base and the hub assembly and spaced from the threaded spindle. The base has wheels for omni-directional movement along a horizontal surface.

Abstract: To palletize packages, a wrapping vehicle includes a vertically mounted drive screw having a plurality of ball nuts mounted at wrapping-effective distances from each other on the vertically mounted drive screw. Each ball-nut has a corresponding cantilever mounted to the ball nut to support a roll of wrapping material. A tension adjustment mechanism is mounted to adjust the resistance to motion of each roll of wrapping material and thus the tension on the wrapping material. The ball nuts are each connected to side support guide plates positioned to slide against the sides of mast housing the drive screw wherein said ball nuts are supported against tilting movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering goods, and goods stacked on a pallet with plastic wrap supplied in a roll comprises: a) a roll head adapted to rotatably carry the roll of plastic wrap, the roll head having a friction mechanism so that ease of rotation of the roll with respect to the head is controlled thereby facilitating stretching the wrap around the goods after an end portion of the wrap is initially secured adjacent to the goods; and, b) an elongate handle portion carrying the roll head and extending therefrom in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the roll of plastic wrap.

Abstract: A reduced force sealless connection mechanism is used in a strapping machine for forming a sealless connection of strapping material overlapped onto itself. The mechanism includes an upper and a lower punch support. The upper punch support includes two punches for engaging the strapping material. The lower punch support includes one punch. The upper punch support incorporates a stepped design such that one of the two punches mounted to the upper punch support is at a different height than the other punch mounted to the upper punch support. Each of the punches includes a plurality of punching heads. At least one punching head of each of the plurality of punching heads is shorter than the other punching heads. A multi-step punching sequence is therefore created such that no more than two slits of any of the joints of the sealless connection are simultaneously punched during creation of the sealless connection.

Abstract: A packing machine with an adjustable band-compressing stroke includes a compressing base provided with an accommodating chamber for installing a pulley, and a compressing device. A shaft passes through the pulley and two penetrating holes bored in two sides of the accommodating chamber. A compressing block is set under the pulley. The compressing device is composed of a compressing handle, a compressing bar, an eccentric shaft fitted in the compressing bar and having a polygonal bar on its bottom, and an adjusting board having a polygonal hole and an arc-like hole. The polygonal bar is engaged with the polygonal hole to enable the adjusting board to turn the eccentric shaft for altering the band-compressing stroke.

Abstract: A membrane releasing-tightness adjusting device for a membrane strapping dispenser is installed at one side of a basic body of a membrane strapping dispenser and provided with a threaded rod having a support shaft and a tightening member pivotally assembled thereon and having a rubber ring fitted on the support shaft. When compressed by both the support shaft and the tightening member, the rubber ring with great elasticity will be deformed outward to fix the membrane reel of the membrane strapping dispenser in position, able to control membrane releasing tightness and enhance effect in membrane strapping work.

Abstract: A packing tool for packing large articles such as image forming apparatuses has a pallet to place the article, and an article-fixing member to secure the article to the pallet. The article-fixing member is accommodated in an accommodating section in the pallet. When securing the article to the pallet, the article-fixing member is pulled out and wound around the article.

Abstract: A rib (206c) is formed on a ceiling surface of a tape guide mounted on a driver handle of a binding machine for gardening, and two plate springs (224a, 224b) are mounted on the bottom plate portion of the tape guide. The plate spring (224a), which is situated on the downstream side, is elastically contacted with the rib (206c) to thereby allow the plate spring (224a) and rib (206c) to hold tape (T) between them, while the upstream-side plate spring (224b) is contacted with the tape. When a tape roll is rotated reversely and the tape is thereby pulled back, tension is applied to the tape existing between the rib (206c) and tape roll, and the upstream-side plate spring (224b) is raised up due to the friction of the tape to curve a passage of the tape, which increases the frictional resistance of the tape to thereby be able to prevent the tape (T) against reverse movement.

Abstract: A strap pressing device for a strap packing apparatus includes a strap presser, an eccentric shaft, and a spring. The eccentric shaft consists of a first shaft and a second shaft eccentrically connected to the first shaft and received in an oval hole of the strap presser. The first shaft is pivotally connected to a side of the base. A spring is fitted around the second shaft in the oval hole, so the strap presser may be pressed down to press a strap closely contact the upper surface of the base, and also moved bias by movement of the second shaft when the first shaft is moved by a lever so that the strap presser may be moved bias to rise up quickly to leave the upper surface of the base so as to prevent a curved bottom surface of the strap presser from frictionally sliding on the strap to give scar on it.

Abstract: An improved structure portable strapping machine in which a band is articulated via a strap pulling device, a swinging device, and a cutting device and then bound tight by a friction welding means to facilitate strapping objects of various shapes and dimensions that are difficult to ship. As such, utilization of the improved structure portable strapping machine of the present invention is easy, convenient, rapid, reliable, and safe.

Abstract: An apparatus for the bundling of newspapers and magazines for recycling comprising a stand having a base, four upstanding legs positioned on the base proximate the corners thereof, each of the legs supporting a separate segmented tray member, each segmented tray member having a planar base secured to a leg member, and two adjacent upstanding edges on the outer periphery forming an “L”, the upstanding edges defining a collection area for the placement and support of newspapers and magazines to be recycled, the base member having an upstanding spindle mounted on a pivot arm for the rotatable positioning of a source of twine, cord or string, the pivot arm allowing for the disbursal of twine beneath the bundle in a lateral direction and in a longitudinal direction when pivoted from lateral position.

Abstract: A strap-guiding device for a strapping packaging apparatus includes a main body provided with a tightening device, a cutting device and a strap-compressing device. A nose-tip shaped base having a lower and an upper propping member is secured on the front wall of the main body, having a strap-inserting groove formed between the upper and the lower propping member. During packaging, a packaging strap has one end inserted through the strap-inserting groove of the nose-tip shaped base and passing through the cutting device and the tightening device, having the other end compressed and fixed by the strap-compressing device, and the nose-tip shaped base has its front end closely pushing against an article to make the packaging strap pulled and moved steadily and smoothly.

Abstract: A strapping machine has a housing carrying a mount attachable to an overhead balancer line, tensioning and sealing devices in the housing, and an elongated pivotal handle. An inner handle end is formed with an annular inlet passage and a radially throughgoing inlet port opening into the inlet passage. The handle also is formed with axially extending passages extending from the inlet passage to an outer handle end. A pneumatic motor in the outer handle end drives a transmission in the inner end of the handle in turn drives the devices in the housing. An inlet fitting on the housing is connectable to a compressed-air supply line. A conduit has one end communicating with the inlet fitting and an opposite end opening radially inward into the inlet port of the handle. The outer handle end is formed with an outlet opening for venting air from the motor.

Abstract: A portable membrane packing apparatus includes a holding-and-drawing rod, two reel connecting units, a first roller unit, a swaying plate, a connecting plate, a second roller unit, and four elastic compressing units. The first roller unit is axially assembled at the ends of the opposite combing rods, and the swaying plate and the connecting plate are respectively provided between the first roller unit and the combining rods, with the swaying plate restricted to sway biasly.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying stretch film to goods on a pallet. It uses a basic core holder to hold a roll of stretch film which has an adjustable braking mechanism. In addition, the apparatus, which is portable, is ergonomically correct, easy to use, and has a pair of pre-stretch rollers which allow the stretch film to be pulled to increase its elasticity, thereby securing goods effectively on a pallet.

Abstract: A newspaper storage and bundler device having a box shaped container, two pairs of opposing tie studs, each tie stud extending vertically in a stud inset, the stud inset being recessed from the top of a side panel or an end panel with an opposing tie stud extending vertically in a stud inset recessed from the top of the opposing side panel or end panel, each tie stud being anchored to the respective side panel or end panel.

Abstract: A binding apparatus for packaging and paper recycling comprises of four separate holding trays, four legs connected to the trays, and several frames connecting the legs. Each of the trays holds a corner to a quarter of the area of the papers or materials which need to be bound. The four trays work together to hold papers or any materials that needs to be bound but there is a clearance between any two pairs of the trays. Given the clearance between the trays and the clearance between the frames and trays, human hands, ropes, or binding tools can go through to bind the papers without touching any one of the trays and without moving the objects which needs to be bound. The ropes are placed in the clearances between trays. Once the binding is finished, a stack of bound papers or materials can be removed directly from the top of the binding apparatus without moving the apparatus. The apparatus can be used for paper recycling, as magazine rack, or as furniture for decoration.

Abstract: A strapping apparatus for securing a tape around a package has a housing, a support roll rotatable on the housing, a tube shaft pivotal on the housing adjacent the support roll about a tube-shaft axis, and a drive shaft rotatable in the tube shaft about a drive-shaft axis parallel to and offset from the tube-shaft axis. A first drive roll on the drive shaft carries a friction layer bearing axially offset from the drive-shaft axis on the housing. A first drive connected to the drive shaft rotates same and the first drive roll in a clamping direction and thereby oppositely rotates the tube shaft about the tube-shaft axis into an end position and also can rotate the drive shaft and the first drive roll in an opposite freeing direction to thereby oppositely rotate the tube shaft about the tube-shaft axis into another end position.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for securing a decorative cover about a flower pot. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, an extension member having a cover support assembly, and a plurality of legs. The frame assembly includes a body member having an opening. The opening is sized and configured to permit passage of the flower pot through the opening. The extension member extends in an upwardly direction from the body member. The cover support assembly is connected to the extension member for supporting a decorative cover comprising at least one sleeve or sheet of material. The plurality of legs extend from and are spatially disposed about the body member such that the legs cooperate to support at least one band. As the flower pot moves through the opening in the body member, at least one of the bands is removed from the plurality of legs and moved about the decorative cover disposed about the flower pot.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a machine body having two side plates fixed in parallel on one side of its bottom base. The side plates are bored with a plurality of through holes preset in number at the locations where a cutting device, a clamping device and a band-pressing device are assembled. Each through hole is fitted with a padding sleeve which is wrapped inside the machine body and formed in shape together when the machine body is made integral by means of plastic injection molding, possible to be mass-produced, needless to be additionally drilled with holes for other components, lightening its whole weight and economizing producing cost.

Abstract: A strapping packaging device includes a compressing device, a cutting device, a strap-rolling device and a strap-pressing device. The eccentric cam of the compressing device is actuated to rotate by an operating rod, and the eccentric cam presses down a slide base together with a press block to compress on the strap-clamping member of a packaging strap. The strapping packaging device can not only precisely compress on the strap-clamping member, but also cut off the packaging strap easily at the same time.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping an item, e.g., a gift basket is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for wrapping an item, e.g., a gift basket, using the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for covering a flower pot with a sheet of material. The apparatus includes a supporting platform, a pot receiving opening formed through the supporting platform and a plurality of forming members radially arranged around the pot receiving opening. The plurality of forming members are designed and disposed such that upon insertion of the flower pot and the sheet of material into the pot receiving opening the forming members pivot in a downward direction and form the sheet of material around an outer peripheral surface of the flower pot. The forming members are also upwardly biased so as to assist in ejecting the covered flower pot in an upward direction from the pot receiving opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying stretch film to goods on a pallet. It uses a basic core holder to hold a roll of stretch film which has an adjustable braking mechanism. In addition, the apparatus, which is portable, is ergonomically correct, easy to use, and has a pair of pre-stretch rollers which allow the stretch film to be pulled to increase its elasticity, thereby securing goods effectively on a pallet.

Abstract: A method of producing a packaging container, in particular for providing a box with a binding comprising a thread-like or strip-like auxiliary packaging component, such as a band or the like, and for decorating the packaging container with a bow. In order to make the method more flexible, in particular in order to allow partial automation, according to the invention, first of all a carrier is prefabricated with the auxiliary packaging component, and then the auxiliary packaging mechanism is transferred from the carrier to the packaging apparatus.

Abstract: A stretch wrap device for wrapping a raised pallet with stretch wrap. The stretch wrap device includes a carriage assembly, a frame assembly and a lever assembly. The frame assembly is securely attached to a top surface of the carriage assembly and extends upwardly therefrom. The lever assembly moves a roll of the stretch wrap around a raised pallet. The lever assembly is rotatably coupled to the frame assembly. The stretch wrap is positioned on the lever assembly such that the stretch wrap may be wound about the pallet along an axis orientated generally parallel to a plane of a bottom surface of the pallet.

Abstract: A band-thickness adjusting device for a portable packing machine includes an adjusting shaft and an activating rod combined eccentrically with the adjusting shaft, and a press rod pressed axially by eccentric movement of the adjusting shaft to press down a friction head of a fusing device. Then the gap between the friction head and a stationary friction head of the fusing device can be changed to suit to different thickness of packing bands so that pressure against the packing band may be adjusted for the thickness of a packing band, with the gap between the two friction heads freely adjustable.

Abstract: A cover forming apparatus and method for forming and securing a sheet of material about a flower pot having an outer peripheral surface is provided. The cover forming apparatus includes a former. The former has a bowl shaped configuration and an open upper end, a lower end, a sidewall extending from the open upper end to the lower end, and a pot opening. The sidewall has an outer surface and an inner surface with the outer surface having an upper inwardly tapered portion. The pot opening is sized to receive at least a portion of the flower pot together with the sheet of material such that upon disposing the flower pot into the pot opening with the sheet of material positioned between the upper end of the former and the flower pot causes the sheet of material to be formed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.

Abstract: A portable plastic film wrapping system comprises a push-cart having a vertical mast member mounted thereon. A film roll carriage is vertically movable along the mast member, and the film roll carriage is operatively connected to a counterweight which is movably disposed within the mast member. The mast member is provided with a plurality of apertures, and a releasable stop pin is engageable within a particular one of the mast member apertures so as to lockingly retain the film roll carriage at a particular elevation when concentric reinforcing wrapping of an article is desired, and is disengageable from the apertures so as to permit the film roll carriage to continuously elevate for spiral wrapping of the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning and closing of a tightening strap for package tightenings. The apparatus comprising a closing device for connecting two ends of the strap and a tensioning device having a tensioning wheel that can be driven, a pressure plate which can be moved against the tensioning wheel or lifted from the tensioning wheel, and a self-adjusting separating element which is arranged between the tensioning wheel and the pressure plate, whereby one end of the strap is taken up between said tensioning wheel and the separating element, and the other end of the strap is taken up between the separating element and said pressure plate, the apparatus further including an unblocking element which displaces the separating element during the lifting of the pressure plate from the tensioning wheel. The displacement being approximately parallel to the two ends of the strap.

Abstract: An apparatus, in particular an apparatus which can be manually operated and transported, being provided for the purpose of strapping and/or bundling pallets and articles with at least one base plate, with a band-leading device and with at least one clamping device arranged at the front end of the band-leading device. A guiding device, in which the band-leading device is guided, is provided on the base plate. A carriage, which has a deflecting unit, is releasably attached to the front end of the band-leading device. On the carriage there is fastened a length-limiting band, which can be fixed in a number of regions of the base plate.

Abstract: A manual binding device including a base on which a seat body is mounted. The seat body is provided with a hand lever, a lift lever, and a slot in which a press lever member is pivoted for actuating a press block located in the interior of the seat body. The press member is formed of an eccentric cam rod, an arresting rod, and a press member. The eccentric cam rod and the arresting rod are connected by the press member. The press member is provided with a spring to alleviate the pressure exerted on a sealing pad and a binding strap at such time when the arresting rod is excessively exerted on by an external force.

Abstract: This invention entails the piling of newspapers to be bundled into a stack atop a pair of shelves secured to, and between, rear and side walls of a housing, with the shelves being separated a distance to allow a length of twine, cord, rope, tape or other material to be drawn down from off a roll, under and over the newspapers to be tied in perpendicular directions, without having to lift and rotate the pile. In one embodiment of the invention, the bundling apparatus can be wall-mounted, while in a second embodiment, a lower compartment can be provided to accumulate stacked bundles or to house an additional collection container for glass, plastic, metal, or paper trash so separated, as a free-standing unit.

Abstract: An upright binding machine including a machine stand on which a strap feeding wheel device is mounted to facilitate the binding of an article. The machine stand is further provided with a strap withdrawing structure including a transmission member for actuating a connection rod to cause a first slide block and a second slide block to displace such that the first slide block causes a main strap feeding wheel to separate from a secondary strap feeding wheel. The second slide block is linked with the first slide block so as to enable a frame body to actuate a strap guiding frame and the secondary strap feeding wheel to move upwards to enable the binding strap to move away from the article.

Abstract: In a strapping apparatus for strapping goods with a band, which apparatus has a tensioning device which is operatively connected to a tensioning drive and is intended for tensioning the band, a welding device for sealing two layers of a band, and a plurality of rewinding locks for fixing the band on the strapping apparatus, highest possible efficiency is to be achieved. The invention proposes providing the welding device with a lever (91), on the one end of which an eccentric (94) which is operatively connected to a motor shaft acts for the purpose of transmitting an eccentric movement, with regard to the motor shaft of the closure device, to the lever (91), and to the other end of which a welding shoe (86) is coupled, the lever (91) being mounted pivotably at a bearing point (90), so that the movement of the eccentric results in an oscillating reciprocating movement of the welding shoe. As a result, it is possible to reduce the power loss occurring in the friction welding operation.

Abstract: A hand strapping tool has a two-piece outer link assembly wherein a first upper outer link member is mounted upon a pivot shaft of the tool, while a second lower outer link member is mounted upon the distal end portion of the feedwheel shaft so as to maintain the feedwheel upon the feedwheel shaft.

Abstract: Between the binding tape taking out section 7 and the tape cutting section 4 the tape reel 2 for keeping a wound tape 1 is disposed horizontally with each other. Thereby, the total length of the simple binding device is shortened to contribute to lower the total height of it, make it miniaturized and light-weighted and easier in mounting on a human body.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve has a bonding material disposed upon an inner and/or outer portion of the sleeve for crimping the sleeve adjacent the pot to hold the sleeve about the pot.