Plant package having a decorative covering

A plant package includes a flower pot containing a floral grouping and a flexible sleeve which may be provided with detaching elements at preselected areas. The sleeve may further include a bonding material which connects the sleeve to the flower pot when the flower pot is positioned within the sleeve. When the sleeve is positioned about the flower pot, a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the flower pot, and an upper portion of the sleeve extends upwardly from the flower pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping contained within the flower pot. At least a portion of the sleeve is removable via the detaching elements, leaving a portion of the sleeve which forms a decorative plant cover.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to packaging materials, and, more particularly, packaging materials used to wrap flower pots containing floral groupings and/or mediums containing floral groupings, and methods of using same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description of FIGS.1–10

Shown inFIG. 1and designated therein by the general reference numeral10is a plant package. The plant package10comprises a sleeve12which is generally tubular in shape. The sleeve12has a first end14, a second end16, an outer peripheral surface20, an inner peripheral surface24and a retaining space27. In some embodiments (shown inFIGS. 13–17, and discussed in detail below), the second end16is closed, thereby forming a closed base of the sleeve12. Equipment and devices for forming sleeves are commercially available, and well known in the art.

In the formation of the sleeve12, the outer peripheral surface20of the sleeve12is continuously sealed from the first end14to the second end16thereof, thereby providing the sleeve12with a generally tubular shape which can be opened to provide the retaining space27in which a flower pot may be disposed. This is in contrast to a blank form, such as a flat sheet of material which is supplied to a florist or other retailer or even the consumer. Such a blank requires the florist, retailer or consumer to mold and shape the blank into a form in which a flower pot may be disposed, and may even require that the blank be formed about the flower pot, as the blank is incapable of maintaining such a form or shape. The blank will also require a bonding material, such as an adhesive, a cohesive, tape, slots, grooves, and other like materials, to secure the blank in such form or shape. Therefore, the use of the sleeve12which has been preformed into the generally tubular shape sized and dimensioned to contain a flower pot is highly desirable over the blanks which have been previously used.

The plant package10may also comprise a flower pot30(FIG. 2). The flower pot has an upper end32, a closed lower end34, an outer peripheral surface38, an inner peripheral surface42and a pot retaining space45. The flower pot30may be inwardly tapered from the upper end32to the closed lower end34thereof. The term “flower pot” refers to any type of container used for holding a floral grouping or a potted plant. Examples of flower pots used in accordance with the present invention include clay pots, wooden pots, plastic pots, and the like.

The plant package10further comprises a floral grouping46(FIGS. 1 and 2). The floral grouping46may be disposed in the pot retaining space45of the flower pot30along with suitable growing medium47, which will be described in further detail below, or other retaining medium, such as a floral foam. It will also be understood that the floral grouping46and any appropriate growing medium47or other retaining medium may be disposed in the sleeve12without the flower pot30, and in such embodiment the plant package10comprises the sleeve12and the floral grouping46and any appropriate growing medium47or other retaining medium.

The term “floral grouping” as used herein refers to cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower or other fresh and/or artificial plants or other floral materials and may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentation or artificial or natural materials which add to the aesthetics of the overall floral grouping46. The floral grouping46comprises a bloom or foliage portion48and a stem portion50. Further, the floral grouping46may comprise a growing potted plant having a root portion (not shown) as well. However, it will be appreciated that the floral grouping46may consist of only a single bloom or only foliage, or a botanical item (not shown), or a propagule (not shown). The term “floral grouping” may be used interchangeably herein with the terms “floral arrangement” and “potted plant”. The term “floral grouping” may also be used interchangeably herein with the terms “botanical item” and/or “propagule.”

The term “growing medium” when used herein refers to any liquid, solid or gaseous material used for plant growth or for the cultivation of propagules, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil, humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, and including the nutrients, fertilizers or hormones or combinations thereof required by the plants or propagules for growth.

The term “botanical item” when used herein refers to a natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plant, taken singly or in combination. The term “botanical item” also includes any portion or portions of natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plants including stems, leaves, flowers, blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or roots, taken singly or in combination, or in groupings of such portions such as a bouquet or a floral grouping.

The term “propagule” when used herein refers to any structure capable of being propagated or acting as an agent of reproduction including seeds, shoots, stems, runners, tubers, plants, leaves, roots or spores.

A bonding material54(FIGS. 3–5) may be disposed on at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface24of the sleeve12, as shown inFIG. 3, or, alternatively, the bonding material54may be disposed on the outer peripheral surface38of the flower pot30contained within the sleeve12, as illustrated inFIG. 4, while the sleeve12may be free of the bonding material54. In a further alternative, the bonding material54may be disposed both on at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface38of the flower pot30as well as upon at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface24of the sleeve12, as shown inFIG. 5. In addition, a portion of the bonding material54may also be disposed on the outer peripheral surface20of the sleeve12as well (not shown). The bonding material54may also be disposed upon either the outer peripheral surface20or the inner peripheral surface24of the sleeve12, as well as upon the outer peripheral surface38of the flower pot30. It will be understood that the bonding material54may be disposed in a solid section of bonding material54, as shown inFIG. 3for example. Further, the bonding material54may be disposed in strips of bonding material54, spots of bonding material54, or in any other geometric, non-geometric, asymmetric, or fanciful form, and in any pattern, including covering either the entire surface of the sleeve12and/or the flower pot30. The bonding material54is disposed on the sleeve12and/or flower pot30by any method known in the art. One method for disposing a bonding material54, in this case an adhesive, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637 entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping” issued to Weder et al., on May 12, 1992, which has been incorporated by reference above.

The term “bonding material” when used herein refers to an adhesive, frequently a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive. Where the bonding material is a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must be placed on the adjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondingly engaging with the cohesive material. The term “bonding material” also includes materials which are heat sealable and, in this instance, the adjacent portions of the material must be brought into contact and then heat must be applied to effect the seal. The term “bonding material” also includes materials which are sonic sealable and vibratory sealable. The term “bonding material” when used herein also means a heat sealing lacquer or hot melt material which may be applied to the material and, in this instance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations, also must be applied to effect the sealing.

Alternatively, a cold seal using a cold seal adhesive is utilized upon the material to form a sleeve. The term “bonding material” includes this cold seal adhesive. The cold seal adhesive adheres only to a similar substrate, acting similarly as a cohesive, and binds only to itself. The cold seal adhesive, since it adheres (or coheres) only to a similar substrate, does not cause a residue to build up on equipment, thereby permitting much more rapid disposition and use to form articles. A cold seal adhesive differs also from, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive, in that a cold seal adhesive is not readily releasable.

The term “bonding material” when used herein also includes any heat or chemically shrinkable material, and static electrical or other electrical materials, chemical welding materials, magnetic materials, mechanical or barb-type fastening materials or clamps, curl-type characteristics of the film or materials incorporated in material which can cause the material to take on certain shapes, cling films, slots, grooves, shrinkable materials and bands, curl materials, springs, and any type of welding method which may weld portions of the material to itself or to the flower pot, or to both the material itself and the flower pot.

The sleeve12is generally tubularly shaped, but the sleeve12may be cylindrical, frusto-conical, or a combination of both frusto-conical and cylindrical (not shown). Further, as long as a generally tubular shape is maintained in at least a portion of the sleeve12, any shape, whether geometric, non-geometric, asymmetrical and/or fanciful may be utilized. The sleeve12may also be equipped with drains or ventilation holes (not shown), or can be made from permeable or impermeable materials.

The sleeve12has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil. Often, the thickness of the sleeve12is in a range from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mil. Preferably, the sleeve12has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 5 mil. The sleeve12is constructed of a material56which is flexible.

The sleeve12may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of materials. Any thickness of layer of material may be utilized to construct the sleeve12in accordance with the present invention as long as the sleeve12may be formed into at least a portion of a sleeve12, as described herein, and as long as the formed sleeve12may contain at least a portion of the flower pot30or the floral grouping46, as described herein. Additionally, an insulating material such as bubble film, preferable as one of two or more layers, can be utilized in order to provide additional protection for the item, such as the floral grouping46, contained therein. The layers of material comprising the sleeve12may be connected together or laminated or may be separate layers. Materials which may be utilized for construction of the sleeve12are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637 entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping” issued to Weder et al., on May 12, 1992, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

In one embodiment, the sleeve12may be constructed from two polypropylene films. The two polypropylene films comprising the sleeve12may be-connected together or laminated or may remain separate layers. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve12may be constructed from only one of the polypropylene films.

The sleeve12may also be constructed, in whole or in part, from a cling material. “Cling Wrap or Material” when used herein refers to any material which is capable of connecting to the flower pot30and/or floral grouping46and/or itself upon contacting engagement during the wrapping process and is wrappable about an item whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engage and connect to other portions of another material, or, alternatively, itself, for generally securing the sleeve12wrapped about at least a portion of the flower pot30or the floral grouping46. This connecting engagement is preferably temporary in that the material may be easily removed, i.e., the cling material “clings” to the flower pot30.

The cling material is constructed from polyethylene such as Cling Wrap made by Glad®, First Brands Corporation, Danbury, Conn., and may be treated if necessary. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, depend upon the size of the sleeve12and the flower pot30in the plant package10, i.e., generally, when the flower pot30is large, a thicker and therefore stronger cling material may be required. The cling material will range in thickness from less than about 0.1 mil to about 10 mil, and preferably less than about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mil and most preferably from less than about 0.6 mil to about 2 mil. However, any thickness of cling material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention which permits the cling material to function as described herein.

The sleeve12is constructed from any suitable material (said material shown only in the form of a sleeve12, but the material having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery) that is capable of being wrapped about the flower pot30or the floral grouping46, and formed into a plant package10as described herein. Preferably, the material from which the sleeve12is constructed is selected from the group consisting of paper, metal foil, polymeric film, fabric (woven, nonwoven, synthetic or natural), cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, and laminations and combinations thereof.

The term “polymeric film” refers to a synthetic polymer such as a polypropylene or a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane. A polymeric film is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil.

The material from which the sleeve12is constructed may vary in color. Further, the material from which the sleeve12is constructed may consist of designs or decorative patterns which are printed, etched, and/or embossed thereon using inks or other printing materials. An example of an ink which may be applied to the surface of the material from which the sleeve12is constructed is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,706 entitled “Water Based Ink On Foil And/Or Synthetic Organic Polymer” issued to Kingman on Sep. 15, 1992 and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the material from which the sleeve12is constructed may have various colorings, coatings, flocking and/or metallic finishes, or other decorative surface ornamentation applied separately or simultaneously or may be characterized totally or partially by pearlescent, translucent, transparent, iridescent or the like, qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination and may be applied to the upper and/or lower surface of the material from which the sleeve12is constructed. Moreover, each surface of the material used in constructing the sleeve12may vary in the combination of such characteristics. The material utilized for the sleeve12may be opaque, translucent, transparent, or partially clear or tinted transparent.

The sleeve12may further comprise an extension58, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. The extension58has a plurality of perforations60(the plurality of perforations designated generally by the numeral60) in the sleeve12adjacent to the first end14thereof. The extension58has one or more apertures62(only one aperture designated by the numeral62) disposed therein. The apertures62permit the sleeve12, or a complete plant package10, to be placed on a rod or a set of rods64(FIG. 7), also known as wickets, for shipment, storage, assembly of the plant package10, or other function known in the art.

The sleeve12further has an upper portion66and a lower portion68(FIGS.1and3–9). The lower portion68of the sleeve12is sized, shaped and dimensioned such that, upon positioning the flower pot30in the sleeve12, the lower portion68of the sleeve12is tapered to substantially correspond in shape to the inwardly taper of the outer peripheral surface38of the flower pot30, as shown inFIGS. 3–5. The sleeve12also has detaching elements in preselected areas. “Detaching element,” as used herein, refers to any element, or combination of elements, or features, such as perforations, tear strips, zippers, and any other devices or elements of this nature known in the art, or any combination thereof. Therefore, while perforations are shown and described in detail herein, it will be understood that tear strips, zippers, or any other “detaching elements” known in the art, or any combination thereof, could be substituted therefor and/or used therewith. A plurality of generally circumferential perforations70(FIGS.1and6–9) are disposed circumferentially about the sleeve12and delineate the upper portion66of the sleeve12from the lower portion68of the sleeve12. The upper portion66of the sleeve12has a plurality of vertical perforations72(FIGS.1and6–9) which are disposed in a vertical line in the upper portion66of the sleeve12, generally extending between the circumferential perforations70and the first end14of the sleeve12. The upper portion66of the sleeve12is separable from the lower portion68by tearing the upper portion66along both the vertical perforations72and the circumferential perforations70, thereby detaching the upper portion66of the sleeve12from the lower portion68of the sleeve12. As shown inFIG. 10, the remaining lower portion68of the sleeve12is disposed about the flower pot30and/or the floral grouping46(and/or the growing medium47), thereby forming a decorative plant cover74which substantially surrounds and encompasses the flower pot30and/or the growing medium47or other retaining medium (not shown) in which the floral grouping46is disposed. A portion of the lower portion68of the sleeve12extends a distance above the upper end32of the flower pot30, thereby forming a decorative skirt portion73of the decorative plant cover74. The decorative skirt portion73is provided with an upper edge75. The decorative skirt portion73is disposed adjacent only a lower portion of the floral grouping46disposed in the flower pot30, such as a portion of the stem portion50of the floral grouping46, substantially as shown inFIG. 10, so that the distance between the upper end32of the flower pot30and the upper edge75of the decorative skirt portion73is less than the distance between the closed lower end34of the flower pot30and the upper end32of the flower pot30.

It will be understood that the decorative plant cover74, and/or the second decorative cover described in detail below may be provided with all of the characteristics of the flower pot30. That is, the decorative plant cover74(or the second decorative cover) may comprise both the decorative characteristics of a decorative cover as well as the structural characteristics of a pot (not shown), namely, the decorative plant cover74(and the second decorative cover, described in detail below) may have an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space.

In a general method of use (FIGS. 1–2and8–10), an operator provides the sleeve12and the flower pot30having the floral grouping46disposed in the growing medium47contained within the flower pot30. The operator then opens the sleeve12at the first end14thereof and assures that the sleeve12is somewhat expanded outward to form the retaining space27. The operator then disposes the flower pot30having the floral grouping46therein into the retaining space27of the sleeve12, the flower pot30being disposed generally through the upper portion66of the sleeve12into generally the lower portion68of the sleeve12, the flower pot30remaining in the lower portion68of the sleeve12, permitting the sleeve12to substantially surround and tightly encompass the flower pot30. It will be understood that alternatively, the sleeve12with an extension58, as shown schematically inFIGS. 6–7, may be utilized, and the flower pot30then being disposed in the sleeve12either before or after the rods64are disposed through the extension58of the sleeve12.

Alternatively, the flower pot30could be placed on a support device such as a pedestal (not shown), and the sleeve12disposed underneath or astride the flower pot30could be pulled toward and over the flower pot30so as to substantially surround the flower pot30or at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface38of the flower pot30. The bonding material54disposed on the flower pot30and/or the sleeve12(FIGS. 3–5) could then serve to connect the sleeve12to the flower pot30.

The floral grouping46extends from the growing medium47in the retaining space45of the flower pot30(FIG. 2) and into the upper portion66of the sleeve12(FIGS. 1,8and9). The material from which the sleeve12is constructed has sufficient flexibility but also sufficient rigidity to both remain in and sustain the generally tubular or frusto-conical shape of the sleeve12, thereby substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping46, particularly the stem portion50and the bloom portion48of the floral grouping46. When the flower pot30is disposed adjacent the inner peripheral surface24of the sleeve12in the lower portion68of the sleeve12, the bonding material54disposed on the inner peripheral surface24of the sleeve12and/or the outer peripheral surface38of the flower pot30connects the sleeve12and the flower pot30together, thereby securely bonding the sleeve12to the flower pot30, and/or the flower pot30to the sleeve12, depending upon the disposition of the bonding material54, as shown inFIGS. 3–5and described in detail previously.

To remove the upper portion66of the sleeve12, the operator generally grasps the sleeve12near the vertical perforations72and adjacent the first end14of the sleeve12and pulls one side of the upper portion66of the sleeve12away from the line of vertical perforations72and downward, thereby causing the sleeve12to tear away along the vertical perforations72, as shown inFIGS. 8–9. When the sleeve12has separated along the vertical perforations72from the first end14thereof to the circumferential perforations70, the operator then pulls the detached portion of the sleeve12circumferentially about the flower pot30, as illustrated inFIG. 9, thereby causing the sleeve12to tear or separate along the line of circumferential perforations70. The upper portion66of the sleeve12is then discarded, leaving the lower portion68of the sleeve12which forms the decorative plant cover74disposed about the flower pot30; and which is at least partially bondingly connected to the flower pot30(FIG. 10). The lower portion68of the sleeve12which remains about the flower pot30may be equipped with a reservoir (not shown) to contain water, nutrients, preservatives, and/or hormones for nourishing the plant and/or floral grouping46after the upper portion66of the sleeve12has been removed.

Description of FIGS.11–12

FIGS. 11–12illustrate another embodiment and method of use of the present invention. A plant package10acomprises a sleeve12a, a flower pot30aand a floral grouping46adisposed in the flower pot30a, and the plant package10ais constructed and utilized similar to the plant package10shown in FIGS.1and3–10and described in detail previously, except as described herein below. The sleeve12ais provided with an upper portion66awhich is detachable from a lower portion68athereof via circumferential perforations70aand vertical perforations72a. The sleeve12ais constructed so that the circumferential perforations70aform a decorative design, namely, a scalloped design, as shown inFIGS. 11–12.

The flower pot30acontaining the floral grouping46amay be disposed in the sleeve12aas described hereinabove or by any method known in the art. When the upper portion66aof the sleeve12ais removed by any method described herein or any method known in the art, the remaining lower portion68aof the sleeve12aforms a decorative plant cover74ahaving a decorative skirt portion73acomprising a plurality of curved portions76and having a scalloped upper edge75a. It will be appreciated that the circumferential perforations70amay form any decorative design or combination of decorative designs on the upper edge75aof the decorative skirt portion73a. It will also be appreciated that additional decorative designs created by the vertical perforations72aand/or the circumferential perforations70awill suggest themselves when the plant package10ais utilized by those having ordinary skill in the art, and therefore the invention is not limited to the decorative designs described herein or depicted in the figures.

Description of FIGS.13–17

FIGS. 13–17illustrate another embodiment and method of use of the present invention.FIG. 15illustrates a plant package10bwhich is constructed similar to the plant package10shown in FIGS.1and3–10and described in detail previously, except as described herein below. The plant package10bcomprises a sleeve12b, a flower pot30band a floral grouping46bhaving a bloom portion48band a stem portion50b, wherein the floral grouping46bis disposed in the flower pot30b. The plant package10bmay further include a growing medium47bdisposed in the flower pot30b(FIGS. 15 and 16).

As illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14, the sleeve12bhas a first end14b, a second end16b, an outer peripheral surface20b, an inner peripheral surface24b, and a retaining space27b. The second end16bof the sleeve12bis closed, thereby forming a base28. The sleeve12bis also provided with an upper portion66bwhich is detachable from a lower portion68bof the sleeve12bvia circumferential perforations70band vertical perforations72b. The sleeve12bis constructed from a sheet of material which is similar to the material utilized in construction of the sleeve12, as described in detail hereinbefore. Such a sheet of material is disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,638 entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping” issued to Weder et al., on May 12, 1992, which has been previously incorporated by reference herein. In addition, the sleeve12bhas a plurality of overlapping folds77which are formed by the use of a bonding material79on the material from which the sleeve12bis formed (the bonding material79being similar to the bonding material54described hereinbefore), by the use of heat shrinkable material known in the art and commercially available, or by any device or mechanical methods which forms sheet material into such a shape. Such mechanical methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182, entitled, “Article Forming System”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,031, entitled, “Article Forming System”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,027, entitled “Article Forming System”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,606, entitled “Covering for Flower Pot and Floral Grouping”, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Alternatively, the sheet of material from which the sleeve12bis constructed may be folded in such a manner as to form gussets in the sleeve12b. Methods of forming gussets in sheet material, and folding sheet material, are known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

The sleeve12balso differs from the sleeve12in that the sleeve12bhas a circumferential overlapping fold78which extends circumferentially about the sleeve12b, as shown inFIG. 14. In this embodiment, the bonding material79is disposed generally both above and near the circumferential perforations70band below and near the circumferential perforations70b(FIGS. 13 and 15. The bonding material79extends about the sleeve12bin generally parallel alignment with the circumferential perforations70b. The circumferential overlapping fold78is formed in this area. That is, a portion of the outer peripheral surface20bof the sleeve12bextending circumferentially around the sleeve12b, near the circumferential perforations70b, is folded under by tucking a portion of the outer peripheral surface20bof the sleeve12b(near the line of circumferential perforations70a) under, thereby causing a portion of the inner peripheral surface24bof the sleeve12bto lie adjacent another portion of the inner peripheral surface24bof the sleeve12b(as shown schematically inFIG. 14), creating a first fold80. This first fold80causes a first portion82of the outer peripheral surface20bof the sleeve12bhaving the bonding material79thereon to overlap and lie adjacent a second portion84of the outer peripheral surface20bof the sleeve12b, the second portion84of the outer peripheral surface20balso having the bonding material79thereon. The first portion82contacts the second portion84, and the first and second portions82and84respectively, are bondingly connected, as shown schematically inFIG. 14(it will be appreciated that the connection between the first portion82and the second portion84will likely be much closer than the connection schematically shown inFIG. 14). In this manner, the three-layer circumferential overlapping fold78is created in the sleeve12b. The circumferential fold78remains in place until the upper portion66bof the sleeve12bis removed as described herein.

In a general method of use as shown inFIG. 15, the flower pot30bcontaining the floral grouping46bis disposed into the sleeve12bsuch that the flower pot30bis closely surrounded and encompassed by the lower portion68bof the sleeve12b, and at least a portion of the floral grouping46bis disposed in the upper portion66bof the sleeve12b. When the upper portion66bof the sleeve12bis removed as shown and described in detail previously herein, the remaining portion of the circumferential overlapping fold78forms a skirt portion86which extends about, and outwardly from, an opening88in the lower portion68bof the resulting decorative plant cover74bas shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, and may surround and encompass at least a portion of the stem portion50bof the floral grouping46b, depending on the position of the skirt portion86. The position of the skirt portion86may be altered by an operator by releasing the bonding material54bconnecting both the first portion82and the second portion84of the outer peripheral surface20bof the sleeve12bfrom its bonded position. The skirt portion86may be formed so as to turn upwardly, inwardly, horizontally (upward or inward), downwardly, vertically (either upward or downward) or in any combination thereof, or in any obtuse or arbitrary angle or combination thereof.

To alter the position of the skirt portion86, an operator simply pulls the first portion82away from the second portion84of the outer peripheral surface20bof the sleeve12b. Then, the skirt portion86may be arranged at different angles, such as the angle shown inFIG. 16, with the skirt portion86extending downwardly and outwardly, or such as the angle shown inFIG. 17, in which the skirt portion86extends upwardly and outwardly. It will be appreciated that a variety of skirt portion angles may be created, such as a horizontally extending skirt portion86, or an upwardly and inwardly extending skirt portion86. It will further be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that the circumferential overlapping fold78permits the formation of such a skirt portion86having a flare, as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17. Further, the circumferential overlapping fold78protects the skirt portion86from being crushed or damaged before the upper portion66bof the sleeve12bis removed. Then, once the upper portion66bis removed as described above, the operator may flare the skirt portion86as desired. It will be further appreciated that the circumferential overlapping fold78may overlap inward, toward the floral grouping46b, rather than outward, as presently shown inFIGS. 13–15. In a further alternative, a skirt portion86may be formed without any circumferential overlapping fold78.

Description of FIGS.18–21

FIGS. 18–19illustrate another embodiment and method of use of the present invention. A plant package10cillustrated in this embodiment and used in this method is similar to the plant package10shown inFIGS. 1,8and9and described in detail previously, except as described herein below.

The plant package10ccomprises a sleeve12c, a flower pot30cand a floral grouping46chaving a bloom portion48cand a stem portion50cand being disposed in the flower pot30c. The plant package10cmay further comprise a growing medium47c. The sleeve12chas a first end14c, a second end16c, an outer peripheral surface20c, an inner peripheral surface24c, and a retaining space27c. The sleeve12cis also provided with an upper portion66cwhich is detachable from a lower portion68cthereof via circumferential perforations70cand vertical perforations72c(FIG. 18).

The sleeve12chas printed thereupon both a ribbon pattern90and a bow pattern92, said ribbon pattern90extending about the outer peripheral surface20cof the sleeve12c, in the lower portion68cof the sleeve12c. Alternatively, an actual bow may be attached to the ribbon90via a bonding material, rather than being printed upon the sleeve12cas a bow pattern92.

In a method of use, the upper portion66cof the sleeve12cis removed as shown inFIGS. 18 and 19or by any method described herein to provide a decorative plant cover74chaving the appearance of a ribbon90wrapped about and encircling the decorative plant cover74c, the ribbon90being decoratively tied into a bow92, as shown inFIG. 20.

In a further alternative, the sleeve12cis constructed from more than one material, so that the ribbon pattern90forms an integral part of the sleeve12cbut is constructed of a material different from the material of the remainder of the sleeve12c, such as, but not by way of limitation, heat shrinkable material, as described previously. Such ribbon pattern90may be shrunk to cause a crimping condition of a portion of the decorative plant cover74c(FIG. 21) as described above, or may remain unshrunk, as shown inFIG. 20.

FIG. 21illustrates another embodiment and method of use of the present invention. The sleeve12chas an actual ribbon93which extends circumferentially around the outer peripheral surface20cof the sleeve12cin the lower portion68cof the sleeve12c, and an actual bow95is attached to the ribbon90or formed from the ends of the ribbon93. The ribbon93and bow95may be connected to the sleeve12cvia a bonding material (not shown) or may be tied about the sleeve12cand flower pot30cto sufficiently hold the ribbon93and bow95(as well as the sleeve12c) thereabout. The ribbon93and/or bow95may be constructed from any material described herein or known in the art.

In a method of use, the ribbon93is connected to the sleeve12cvia a bonding material in a manner which crimps the sleeve12csomewhat in and near the ribbon93. Crimping sheet material is well known in the art. For example, the ribbon93may comprise a heat shrinkable material (known in the art and commercially available), and the ribbon93may be placed in a condition to crimp the lower portion68cof the sleeve12cby exposing the ribbon93(either before or after the upper portion66cof the sleeve12cis removed) to a heat source sufficient to cause the ribbon93to shrink and thereby crimp the lower portion68cof the sleeve12c(such heat sources are known in the art and commercially available, such as a heat gun which blows heated air). The upper portion66cof the sleeve12cis removed by any method described herein, leaving the lower portion68cof the sleeve12cwhich forms the decorative plant cover74c, and the ribbon93which crimps the decorative plant cover74cabout the flower pot30cor the floral grouping46c(or growing medium47c), the ribbon93being tied into a bow95, or a separate bow95being connected in any manner described herein to the ribbon93and/or the decorative plant cover74c. It will be appreciated that the ribbon93and/or bow95may be connected at any level of the flower pot30c, or above the flower pot30c, thereby crimping the decorative plant cover74cinward in a diameter smaller than the diameter of an upper end32cof the flower pot30c, or, alternatively, connecting the ribbon93and/or bow95at any level of the decorative plant cover74cwhich encompasses the flower pot30c. Alternatively, the ribbon93and/or bow95is connected to the sleeve12cwithout crimping, as shown inFIG. 20and described previously.

After a flower pot30chas been disposed in the sleeve12cby any method described herein, a crimped portion94is formed by the ribbon93(FIG. 21), the crimped portion94causing adjacent portions of the inner peripheral surface24cand/or outer peripheral surface20cof the lower portion68cof the sleeve12cto come together, the bonding material on the ribbon93and/or sleeve12ccausing adjacent portions to be bonded together for forming the crimped portion94. Crimping may be accomplished by hand or with a device or a machine as may be desired in a particular application. The crimped portion94may comprise only adjacent portions of the lower portion68cof the sleeve12c, or, alternatively, the crimped portion94of the lower portion68cof the sleeve12cmay engage a portion of the flower pot30c, the flower pot30chaving a bonding material on the outer peripheral surface38cthereof, wherein the bonding material on the flower pot30ccreates the crimped portion94. Alternatively, the crimped portion94of the lower portion68cof the sleeve12cmay be created by any combination of the lower portion68cof the sleeve12cand/or the outer peripheral surface38cof the flower pot30cand/or the ribbon93which extends about the lower portion68cof the sleeve12c, by hand or by any device or mechanical methods known in the art. The crimped portion94engages a portion of the flower pot30cfor cooperating to maintain the lower portion68cof the sleeve12cassembled about and/or connected to the flower pot30c.

The crimped portion94(FIG. 21) preferably extends circumferentially about the outer peripheral surface38cof the flower pot30cand/or a portion of the floral grouping46cand/or growing medium47c. In some applications, it may be desirable to form the crimped portion94only at certain positions spaced circumferentially about the lower portion68cof the sleeve12c. Methods of crimping are also shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,629, entitled “Method and Apparatus For Forming a Decorative Cover”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,482, entitled, “Method of Forming A Flower Pot Cover With Crimped Portion”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,939, entitled, “Method For Crimping A Wrapper About a Floral Grouping”, all of which are hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein.

Further, it will be appreciated that any ribbon93shown and/or described herein may comprise a band. The term “band” when used herein refers to any material which may be secured about an object such as a flower pot or a sleeve, such bands commonly being referred to as elastic bands, rubber bands or non-elastic bands and also includes any other type of material such as an elastic or non-elastic string or elastic piece of material, non-elastic piece of material, a round piece of material, a flat piece of material, a ribbon, a piece of paper strip, a piece of plastic strip, a piece of wire, a tie wrap or a twist tie or combinations thereof or-any other device capable of gathering material to removably or substantially permanently form a crimped portion and secure the crimped portion formed in the material which may be secured about an object such as the flower pot. The band also may include a bow95if desired in a particular application.

The crimped portion94may be formed either before or after the removable upper portion66cof the sleeve12chas been detached from the remaining lower portion68c(not shown). After the upper portion66cof the sleeve12chas been removed, the remaining lower portion68cof the sleeve12cnow constitutes a decorative plant cover74c. The decorative plant cover74cmay be removable from the flower pot30c, or may be firmly connected to the outer peripheral surface38cof the flower pot30cby a bonding material disposed, as noted above, either on the outer peripheral surface38cof the flower pot30cor on the inner peripheral surface24cof the sleeve12c.

It will also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the sleeve12cmay have a portion which forms a skirt portion86c, such that when the removable upper portion66cof the sleeve12cis detached, a decorative plant cover74cwith a skirt portion86cremains, as described in detail hereinbefore with reference to the skirt portion86of the decorative plant cover74b.

Description of FIGS.22–29

FIGS. 22,23and26illustrate another embodiment and method of use of the present invention. A plant package10dillustrated in this embodiment and used in this method is constructed similar to the plant package10cshown inFIGS. 18–19and described in detail previously, except as described hereinbelow. The plant package10dcomprises a sleeve12d, a flower pot30d(FIGS. 26 and 27) and a floral grouping46dhaving a bloom portion48dand a stem portion50dand being disposed in the flower pot30d. The sleeve12dis provided with an upper portion66dwhich is detachable from a lower portion68dvia circumferential perforations70dand vertical perforations72d.

As shown inFIGS. 22–23, the vertical perforations72dof the sleeve12cof the plant package10dextend below the circumferential perforations70dinto the lower portion68dof the sleeve12d. An underlying second decorative plant cover96(identical to the previously described decorative plant cover74or, alternatively, either a flower pot cover known in the art, or, in a further alternative, the flower pot30d) is contained within the sleeve12d, and the circumferential perforations70dcomprise two parallel lines of circumferential perforations70d(only one line of circumferential perforations designated by the numeral70d). A ribbon pattern90dand bow95dare utilized in this embodiment and method, and may comprise any ribbon pattern90dand/or bow95dshown and/or described herein, or known in the art.

The sleeve12dmay be completely removed, except for the ribbon pattern90dand bow95d. The ribbon pattern90dmay extend about the second decorative plant cover96in a non-crimped condition, as shown inFIG. 24. Alternatively, the ribbon pattern90dmay extend about the second decorative plant cover96in a crimped condition, as shown inFIG. 25, and as previously described herein with reference to the ribbon93extending about the crimped decorative plant cover74cofFIG. 21.

Alternatively, as shown inFIGS. 26 and 27, the upper portion66dof the sleeve12dmay be removed by any method described herein, and the lower portion68dof the sleeve12dmay remain about at least a portion of the second plant cover96(not shown) or the flower pot30das a decorative plant cover74d. In a further alternative, as shown inFIGS. 28 and 29, the lower portion68dof the sleeve12dis removed while the upper portion66dremains in place, forming a skirt portion86d. The upper portion66dcomprises a plurality of decorative sections97(only one section designated97) defined by a plurality of decorative perforations99(only one perforation designated99). The decorative perforations99are torn away in a method previously described herein and known in the art, leaving the decorative sections97in the upper portion66dof the sleeve12d.

Description of FIGS.30–32

FIGS. 30–32illustrate another embodiment and method of use of the present invention. The plant package10eillustrated in this embodiment and used in this method is constructed similar to the plant package10dshown inFIGS. 22–29and described in detail previously, except that a sleeve12eof the plant package10ecomprises only an upper portion66e, a ribbon90eand a pull bow98having a pull portion100attached to the upper portion66eof the sleeve12e, so that when the sleeve12eis removed, the pull portion100pulls the pull bow98into a plurality of decorative loops (shown schematically using four loops shown inFIG. 32). The pull portion100is detachable from the pull bow98once the pull bow98is formed into the plurality of loops. The ribbon90emay comprise any ribbon shown and/or described herein.

In a method of use, the upper portion66eof the sleeve12eis detached by any method described herein. The pull portion100causes ribbon within the pull bow98to gather into the plurality of decorative loops, the beginning of this operation being shown inFIG. 31, as the upper portion66eof the sleeve12eis pulled away. The pull portion100is detached from the pull bow98by any method known by those having ordinary skill in the art, leaving a decorative plant cover96ehaving a ribbon90eextending thereabout, and having a multiple loop pull bow98, as illustrated inFIG. 32. It will be appreciated that the ribbon90emay crimp the decorative plant cover96e, as previously described herein. Further, it will be appreciated that the ribbon90eand/or pull bow98may be utilized with any embodiment shown and/or described herein. As shown inFIGS. 30–32, the plant package10ecomprises a flower pot30e, the decorative plant cover96ewhich is disposed about the flower pot30e, and the sleeve12e. It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the decorative plant cover96eshown inFIGS. 30–32is only one of a number of versions of plant covers which may be employed in the invention described herein. In particular, the decorative plant cover96emay be formed from a sheet of material which is formed into a cover about the outer peripheral surface (not shown) of the flower pot30eeither by hand or automatically, as previously described herein. The decorative plant cover96emay or may not further comprise a skirt portion. The decorative plant cover96emay be a preformed plant cover such as one produced by the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182, which has previously been incorporated by reference above. The decorative plant cover96emay have a plurality of overlapping folds101as indicated inFIGS. 30–32. Alternatively, the body of the decorative plant cover96emay be substantially free of overlapping folds and may have the appearance of a sleeve. A bottom102of the decorative plant cover96emay be flattened, gussetted, or simply sealed along an edge.

The decorative plant cover96emay have a bonding material (not shown) disposed upon a portion thereof, including an inner peripheral surface and/or an outer peripheral surface thereof, for attaching to the flower pot30eand/or to the sleeve12e. Alternatively, the decorative plant cover96emay be free of a bonding material. The sleeve12eapplied to the flower pot30e/decorative plant cover74eassembly may have a bonding material (not shown) disposed on the inner peripheral surface24eand/or the outer peripheral surface20ethereof for bonding to the decorative plant cover96e. Alternatively, the sleeve12emay be free of a bonding material on any surface thereof. Although the sleeve12einFIGS. 30–32is shown as having a pull bow98, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the sleeve12emay be free of a pull bow98, and that when a portion of the sleeve12eis detached, the portion of the sleeve12ethat may be left surrounding the decorative plant cover96emay simply function to cause the decorative plant cover96eto be bound more firmly about an outer peripheral surface of the decorative plant cover96e, or it may provide a decorative function as well, as described elsewhere herein.

As noted herein, any of the sleeves12–12emay have perforations in various patterns to facilitate removal of a portion or portions of the sleeve12–12eor of the entire sleeve12–12e. The sleeve12–12emay have other elements as described elsewhere herein for facilitating the removal of a portion or portions of the sleeve12–12e, or of the entire sleeve12–12e.

Description of FIGS.33–34

Shown inFIG. 33is a plant package10fwhich comprises a flower pot30f, a floral grouping46fand a sleeve12f. The plant package10fmay further comprise a growing medium47f. The sleeve12fis unitarily constructed and is continuously sealed from a first end14fto a second end16fthereof, as described herein before for the sleeve12. The sleeve12fis provided with a shape and size dimensioned in accordance with the flower pot30fwhich has an upper end32f, a closed lower end34f, an outer peripheral surface38f, and a pot retaining space45f, in which the floral grouping46fhaving a bloom portion48fand stem portion50fmay be disposed.

The sleeve12fcomprises a lower portion68fand a skirt portion73f. The lower portion68fis sized and dimensioned to closely surround and encompass the flower pot30f, and the sleeve12fhas no perforations or other detaching elements formed therein. The decorative skirt portion73fis formed from a portion of the sleeve12fnear the first end14fthereof which extends away from the sleeve12fand above the upper end32fof the flower pot30fwhen the sleeve12fis positioned about the flower pot30f. The sleeve12fis positionable about the flower pot30f, and the lower portion68fof the sleeve12fclosely surrounds and encompasses the flower pot30fwhen positioned about the flower pot30f. The sleeve12fmay be constructed of similar materials and in a similar manner as any of the sleeves12–12edescribed herein previously.

It will be understood that either the sleeve12fand/or the skirt portion73fmay have overlapping folds or gussets (not shown) which permit the formation of the skirt portion73f. Alternatively, no overlapping folds or gussets may be utilized. The decorative skirt portion73fis positionable at differing angles, as described previously herein. It will be appreciated that the sleeve12fand/or the flower pot30fmay be provided with a bonding material disposed thereupon, as previously described herein. Further, the skirt portion73fmay also have a bonding material disposed thereupon, on either surface of the decorative skirt portion73f.

In a method of use, the flower pot30fis positioned within the sleeve12fas previously described herein, and the combination of the lower portion68fand the decorative skirt portion73fof the sleeve12fform a decorative plant cover74f. It will be appreciated that at least a portion of the decorative plant cover74f, such as the lower portion68fthereof, substantially surrounds and encompasses the flower pot30f, while the decorative skirt portion73fis disposed adjacent only a lower portion of the stem portion50fof the floral grouping46fdisposed in the pot retaining space45fof the flower pot30f.

Shown inFIG. 34is a plant package10gwhich is substantially similar to the plant package10f, except as described herein below. The plant package10gcomprises a sleeve12g, a flower pot30gand a floral grouping46gdisposed in the flower pot30g. The sleeve12ghas a first end14g, a second end16g, a decorative lower portion68gand a skirt portion73g. The lower portion68gof the sleeve12gis sized and dimensioned such that the flower pot30gmay be disposed therein.

The first end14gof the sleeve12gcomprises a plurality of curved portions106and has a scalloped upper edge104which provides a decorative design to the skirt portion73gof the sleeve12gof the plant package10g. Such a plant package10gmay be constructed and utilized in the same manner as the plant package10fdescribed hereinbefore.

Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various components, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.