A membrane for covering the cut end of a tree trunk to prevent the tree from creating a seal after it has been cut. The membrane is attachable to the cut end surface of the tree trunk and includes a hydrating layer comprising a hydrogel. The hydrogel, made up primarily of water, adheres to the cut end surface of the tree trunk to continue hydrating the tree, and prevents air from reaching the tree's exposed transport tissue. In some embodiments, the membrane includes a backing layer and a release layer on opposite sides of the hydrating layer.

A membrane for covering the cut end of a tree trunk to prevent the tree from creating a seal after it has been cut. The membrane is attachable to the cut end surface of the tree trunk and includes a hydrating layer comprising a hydrogel. The hydrogel, made up primarily of water, adheres to the cut end surface of the tree trunk to continue hydrating the tree, and prevents air from reaching the tree's exposed transport tissue. In some embodiments, the membrane includes a backing layer and a release layer on opposite sides of the hydrating layer.

A plant propagation apparatus and associated methods are disclosed for automating and optimizing the process of cutting, scraping and applying rooting hormone to plant stems. In at least one embodiment, a housing provides an at least one substantially tubular-shaped receiver sized and configured for removably receiving a plant stem therewithin. An at least one blade is positioned within the housing and configured for cutting the plant stem at a desired angle. An at least one pump outlet is positioned within the at least one receiver and configured for selectively administering a volume of rooting hormone to the plant stem. An at least one abrasive surface is positioned within the at least one receiver and configured for scraping an outer surface of the plant stem, as the plant stem is removed from the receiver.

A plant propagation apparatus and associated methods are disclosed for automating and optimizing the process of cutting, scraping and applying rooting hormone to plant stems. In at least one embodiment, a housing provides an at least one substantially tubular-shaped receiver sized and configured for removably receiving a plant stem therewithin. An at least one blade is positioned within the housing and configured for cutting the plant stem at a desired angle. An at least one pump outlet is positioned within the at least one receiver and configured for selectively administering a volume of rooting hormone to the plant stem. An at least one abrasive surface is positioned within the at least one receiver and configured for scraping an outer surface of the plant stem, as the plant stem is removed from the receiver.

What is disclosed is an improved cutting tool to provide improved cutting of small diameter materials, such as stems of flowers and other plants. The device provides a cutting mechanism that is parallel to or in the same plane of a circumference of a ring that is worn on the user's finger. This provides for an increased ergonomic cutting tool. The cutting tool has a blade and an opposing portion that is configured to retain the material to be cut while the blade is pressed into the material or the material can be pushed onto the blade. The device is preferably constructed of a unitary molded plastic with an integrated blade formed in the material.

A plastic grid or framework arrangement is used to support and position a series of bowls that hold flower arrangements, candles, letters, and other decorative elements. This grid is deployable in water fountains, indoor and outdoor pools, and other small bodies of water during festive occasions or for longer term decorative display. A special feature of this invention is that the grid itself does not float and is positioned below the surface of the water, and thus is not readily visible. Buoyancy is provided at the hubs that form nodes in the grid. The hubs also support floating bowls containing various decorative elements. The resulting effect is that the various decorative elements appear to be floating on the surface while the sub-surface grid structure maintains their relative positioning, keeping the bowls from clumping together at the edges or in the corners of the pool or fountain. The framework can take the form of a grid or ring or other shapes and can be assembled quickly from a kit of components and can be easily dis-assembled and stored for future use.

A plastic grid or framework arrangement is used to support and position a series of bowls that hold flower arrangements, candles, letters, and other decorative elements. This grid is deployable in water fountains, indoor and outdoor pools, and other small bodies of water during festive occasions or for longer term decorative display. A special feature of this invention is that the grid itself does not float and is positioned below the surface of the water, and thus is not readily visible. Buoyancy is provided at the hubs that form nodes in the grid. The hubs also support floating bowls containing various decorative elements. The resulting effect is that the various decorative elements appear to be floating on the surface while the sub-surface grid structure maintains their relative positioning, keeping the bowls from clumping together at the edges or in the corners of the pool or fountain. The framework can take the form of a grid or ring or other shapes and can be assembled quickly from a kit of components and can be easily dis-assembled and stored for future use.

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and related methods (i.e. utilities) for trimming plants, in particular, buds and flowers, to remove unwanted plant material. A typical application would be to process a plant to leave only trimmed buds and flowers for use in potpourri, fragrant sashes, or as a prelude to further processing of essential oils. The utilities enable faster and safer production of plant material than prior plant processing machines. The utilities employ a coaxial drum and cutting element that counter rotate. This coaxial cutting element typically includes a plurality of cutting elements, to create a plurality of cutting interface that shear unwanted plant material form plant material within the drum and then collect this debris though, for example, a vacuum system. The use of the counter-rotating cutting interfaces allows for multiplying the cutting interfaces over prior existing machines.

A combination shipping and display package for relatively small articles, especially gift items such as candy and other food, small green plants, young tree seedlings, or flowering plants. The package is designed to be lightweight, to protect the article being shipped, and to function as an adornment after delivery. The package includes a container for the article to be shipped, a stand for supporting the container, and a cap for covering the stand. The stand is collapsible into a flat shape and is expandable into an open upright shape for displaying the shipped article. The stand may also have printed matter thereon to provide a message or advertisement. When a plant is being shipped, the package may include a water-resistant breathable bag surrounding the container to help contain the seed or root ball of the plant during shipment, and to provide an additional ornamental feature for the plant when displayed.

A combination shipping and display package for relatively small articles, especially gift items such as candy and other food, small green plants, young tree seedlings, or flowering plants. The package is designed to be lightweight, to protect the article being shipped, and to function as an adornment after delivery. The package includes a container for the article to be shipped, a stand for supporting the container, and a cap for covering the stand. The stand is collapsible into a flat shape and is expandable into an open upright shape for displaying the shipped article. The stand may also have printed matter thereon to provide a message or advertisement. When a plant is being shipped, the package may include a water-resistant breathable bag surrounding the container to help contain the seed or root ball of the plant during shipment, and to provide an additional ornamental feature for the plant when displayed.