Patent Publication Number: US-2004055251-A1

Title: Flattened decorative bag or sleeve having gussets convertible to a decorative bag for holding a basket and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/102,393, filed Mar. 18, 2002, entitled “FLATTENED DECORATIVE BAG OR SLEEVE HAVING GUSSETS CONVERTIBLE TO A DECORATIVE BAG FOR HOLDING A BASKET AND METHODS”; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/553,582, filed Apr. 20, 2000, entitled “FLATTENED DECORATIVE BAG OR SLEEVE HAVING GUSSETS CONVERTIBLE TO A DECORATIVE BAG FOR HOLDING A BASKET AND METHODS”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,560, issued Jun. 4, 2002; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/092,331, filed Jun. 5, 1998, entitled “FLATTENED DECORATIVE BAG OR SLEEVE HAVING GUSSETS CONVERTIBLE TO A DECORATIVE BAG FOR HOLDING A BASKET AND METHODS”, now abandoned. 
    
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002] Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0004] This invention relates to flattened bags or sleeves for containing baskets, and particularly, flattened bags or sleeves having gussets used to contain baskets, and methods of making and using same.  
       [0005] Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR § 1.97 and 37 CFR § 1.98  
       [0006] Sheets of material have been formed into bags and decorative covers for various items. Such bags often are folded for easy shipment and storage.  
       [0007] Usually, however, the item placed in such a bag must be sized to fit the bag. The bag, that is, has not been formed to conform to the shape of the item placed within it. Further, when a decorative cover has been formed to conform to an item, the decorative cover often cannot be folded and flattened so that the cover can be easily shipped and stored.  
       [0008] The present invention contemplates bags formed from sheets of material and sleeves, which conform to the shape of an object placed within the bag, in this instance, a basket. Further, many of the bags disclosed herein have gussets, either in the side of the bag, the bottom of the bag, or both, which permit the bag to conform to the shape of the object it contains. Such gussets permit the present bag to expand and contract to closely follow the contours of the object placed within the bag. In this way, the bag closely follows the overall shape and contours of the outer surface of the object, such as a basket, placed within the bag. Further, such gussets permit the bag to be folded into a shape which makes shipping and/or storage easy, and conserving of space. The gussets also permit the bag, even if of an unusual shape when opened and expanded to receive an object, to be folded and flattened into a smaller and/or more symmetrical shape, and which again enhances ease of shipping and/or storage.  
       [0009] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a bag having gussets in the sides and/or bottom of the bag. It is a goal of this invention that the gussets in the bag permit the bag to be folded and flattened for storage and/or shipment. It is a further objective of the present invention to have a bag which expands when opened, forming an object retaining space. It is a further goal of this invention that the bag conforms closely to the overall shape and contours of the outer surface of an object placed within the object retaining space when the bag is opened. It is yet a further objective of the present invention that the bag conforms to the contours of the object placed within the bag when the bag is closed and/or sealed about the object.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010] A flattened decorative bag for containing a basket is disclosed. The decorative bag has an upper end, a closed lower end, an outer surface, a plurality of gussets disposed between the upper end and the closed lower end, and an opening in the upper end. When the bag is placed in an opened condition, the opening is sized to receive a basket and the plurality of gussets expand to form a basket retaining space. The plurality of gussets expand to permit a basket to be received and retained in the basket retaining space. When a basket is disposed in the basket retaining space, the bag expands and contracts via the plurality of gussets and conforms to contours and an overall shape of an outer surface of the basket.  
       [0011] Another embodiment of a flattened decorative bag for containing a basket is also disclosed. A basket having an outer surface is provided. The decorative bag has an upper end, a closed lower end, an outer surface, a plurality of gussets disposed between the upper end and the closed lower end, and an opening in the upper end. When the bag is placed in an opened condition, the opening is sized to receive a basket and the plurality of gussets expand to form a basket retaining space. The plurality of gussets expand to permit a basket to be received and retained in the basket retaining space. The basket is disposed in the basket retaining space, and the bag expands and contracts via the plurality of gussets, the bag conforming to contours and an overall shape of the outer surface of the basket.  
       [0012] A flattened decorative bag assembly, sometimes referred to as being in an inoperative flattened condition, for containing a basket is disclosed. The decorative bag has an upper end, a closed lower end, and has at least one gusset disposed in the closed lower end, an outer surface and an opening in the upper end. When the bag is placed in an opened condition, sometimes referred to as an operative expanded condition, the opening is sized to receive a basket and at least one gusset expands to form a basket retaining space. The gusset expands to permit a basket to be received and retained in the basket retaining space. When a basket is disposed in the basket retaining space, the bag expands and contracts via the gusset and conforms to contours of a lower end of the basket.  
       [0013] An alternative flattened decorative bag assembly for containing a basket is also disclosed. A basket is utilized which has a lower end and an outer surface. A decorative bag is used, which has an upper end, a closed lower end having at least one gusset disposed in the closed lower end, an outer surface and an opening in the upper end. When the bag is placed in an opened condition, the opening is sized to receive a basket and at least one gusset expands to form a basket retaining space. The gusset expands to permit a basket to be received and retained in the basket retaining space. The bag is disposed in the basket retaining space, and the bag expands and contracts via the gusset, the bag conforming to the contours and an overall shape of the outer surface of the lower end of the basket.  
       [0014] A method for covering a basket is disclosed. A basket having an outer periphery is provided. A flattened decorative bag is also provided. The flattened decorative bag has an upper end, a closed lower end, an outer surface, a plurality of gussets disposed between the upper end and the closed lower end, and an opening in the upper end. The bag is opened such that the opening is sized to receive the basket. The bag is expanded via the plurality of gussets to both form a basket retaining space and permit the basket to be disposed within and retained in the basket retaining space. The basket is disposed in the basket retaining space, the bag expanding and contracting via the plurality of gussets, the bag conforming to contours and an overall shape of the outer surface of the basket.  
       [0015] Another method for covering a basket is disclosed. A basket having a lower end and an outer surface is provided. A flattened decorative bag is provided. The flattened decorative bag has an upper end, a closed lower end having at least one gusset disposed in the closed lower end, an outer surface and an opening in the upper end. The bag is opened such that the opening is sized to receive the basket. The gusset is expanded to both form a basket retaining space and permit the basket to be disposed within and retained in the basket retaining space. The basket is disposed in the basket retaining space, the bag expanding and contracting via the gusset and conforming to contours of the outer surface of the lower end of the basket.  
       [0016] The flattened decorative bag may further comprise a bonding material. The bonding material may comprise an adhesive bonding material, or, alternatively, a cohesive bonding material. The flattened decorative bag is constructed from a sheet of material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, foil, plastic film, metallized film, fabric, fiber, burlap, and any combination thereof. The flattened decorative bag has character-istics selected from the group consisting of decorations, colorings, coatings, embossings, flockings, metallic finishes, pearlescent finishes, translucent finishes, transparent finishes, iridescent finishes, neon finishes, holographic finishes, holographic designs, opaque finishes, clear finishes, and any combination thereof. The flattened decorative bag is constructed from a sheet of material having a thickness in a range of about 0.5 mil to about 10 mil. Alternatively, the flattened decorative bag is constructed from a sheet of material having a thickness in a range of about 1.0 mil to about 8 mil. In a further alternative, the flattened decorative bag is constructed from a sheet of material having a thickness in a range of about 1.0 mil to about 5 mil. When the flattened decorative bag is opened and a basket is placed therein, the bag may be closed about a handle of the basket. Alternatively, when the flattened decorative bag is opened and a basket is placed therein, the bag may be closed about the basket via a multi-loop bow. In another alternative, when the flattened decorative bag is opened and a basket is placed therein, the bag may be closed above the level of a handle on the basket. The flattened decorative bag may comprise a plurality of side gussets. When the flattened decorative bag has a plurality of side gussets, the side gussets may comprise an excess of material comprising pleats. The flattened decorative bag may comprise at least one gusset in the closed lower end of the bag. When the flattened decorative bag has at least one gusset in the lower end, the gusset may comprise an excess of material comprising pleats.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first sheet of material with one end turned up for illustration purposes only, constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second sheet of material with one end turned up for illustration purposes only, constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first and second sheets of material connected together to form a decorative bag of tubular shape, and having a plurality of slits formed in the lower end of the bag.  
     [0020]FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the lower end of the bag, showing the first flap, the second flap, the third flap and the fourth flap extended a distance from the bag.  
     [0021]FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the bag of FIG. 4, but showing the first and third flaps connected together.  
     [0022]FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the bag of FIGS.  4 - 5 , but showing all flaps connected together, thereby forming a closed lower end in the bag.  
     [0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bag, showing the bag in an opened, but not expanded, position.  
     [0024]FIG. 8 is a side plan view of the bag, showing the bag in a flattened position.  
     [0025]FIG. 9 is a side plan view of another side of the bag, showing the bag in the flattened position, and showing schematically a plurality of gussets in the side and the gusset in the bottom of the bag.  
     [0026]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bag of FIGS.  6 - 9 , showing the bag in an inoperative flattened condition, the bag having both a plurality of side gussets and a bottom gusset.  
     [0027]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a basket, schematically illustrating a basket having a handle.  
     [0028]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 9, but showing the bag in an operative expanded position and the insertion of a basket into the bag.  
     [0029]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the bag of FIGS. 9 and 12, but showing the basket disposed into the basket retaining space, and showing the bag via the plurality of gussets expanding to conform to the contours of the outer surface of the basket.  
     [0030]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 13, but showing the bag closed above the level of the handle of the basket, the bag conforming to the contours of the outer surface of the basket.  
     [0031]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 13, but showing a closure of the bag above the handle of the basket, the bag conforming to the contours of the outer surface of the basket.  
     [0032]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 13, but showing an alternative closure of the bag about the handle of the basket, the bag conforming to the contours of the outer surface of the basket.  
     [0033]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another first sheet of material with one end turned up for illustration purposes only, constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0034]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another second sheet of material with one end turned up for illustration purposes only, constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0035]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the first and second sheets of material of FIGS.  17 - 18  connected together to form a bag of somewhat tubular shape, and having a plurality of slits formed in the lower end of the tube.  
     [0036]FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the lower end of the bag, showing the first flap, the second flap, the third flap and the fourth flap extended a distance from the bag.  
     [0037]FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of the bag of FIG. 20, but showing the first and third flaps connected together.  
     [0038]FIG. 22 is a bottom plan view of the bag of FIGS.  20 - 21 , but showing all flaps connected together, thereby forming a closed lower end in the bag.  
     [0039]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the bag, showing the bag in a partially flattened position, the bag having a plurality of side gussets but no bottom gusset.  
     [0040]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an alternative bag of FIGS.  17 - 22 , but showing the bag in a partially flattened position, the bag having no side gussets but having a bottom gusset.  
     [0041]FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of yet another alternative bag, showing a bag similar to the bag of FIG. 24 but having no bottom gusset, the bag having the lower end folded over, the bag being in a flattened position.  
     [0042]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of still yet another alternative bag, showing the bag having both a plurality of side gussets and a bottom gusset, the bag being in a folded, partially opened position.  
     [0043]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 26, showing the bag in a position where the bag was opened and a basket was disposed therein, the bag retaining the basket in the retaining space, the bag being closed above the level of the handle of the basket, the bag conforming to the contours of the outer surface of the basket contained therein.  
     [0044]FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 26, showing the bag in a position where the bag was opened and a basket was disposed therein, the bag retaining the basket in the retaining space, the bag being closed about and over the handle of the basket, the bag conforming to the contours of the outer surface of the basket contained therein.  
     [0045]FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the bag formed from a sleeve, showing the bag in a partially flattened position, the bag having a plurality of side gussets having an excess of material, but no bottom gusset.  
     [0046]FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 29, showing the bag in a partially opened position, the bag having a plurality of side gussets having an excess of material expanding outward to both accept a basket and form a retaining space for a basket.  
     [0047]FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the bag of FIGS.  29 - 30 , showing the bag in a position where the bag was opened and a basket was disposed therein, the bag retaining the basket in the retaining space, the bag being closed about and over the handle of the basket, the bag conforming to the contours of the outer surface of the basket contained therein.  
     [0048]FIG. 32 is a bottom plan view of the bag of FIGS.  29 - 31 , the bag in a flattened position, but having a bottom gusset having an excess of material formed in the bottom of the flattened bag.  
     [0049]FIG. 33 is a bottom plan view of the bag of FIG. 32, but showing the bottom gusset having excess material expanded to form a retaining space for a basket, the bottom conforming to contours and the overall shape of the lower end of the basket.  
     [0050]FIG. 34 is a perspective view of yet another alternative bag formed from a sleeve, showing the bag in a partially flattened position, the bag having a plurality of side gussets having an excess of material, but no bottom gusset, the bag formed from a pleated material.  
     [0051]FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 34, showing the bag in a partially opened position, the bag having a plurality of side gussets having an excess of material expanding outward to both accept a basket and form a retaining space for a basket.  
     [0052]FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the bag of FIGS.  34 - 35 , showing the bag in a position where the bag was opened and a basket was disposed therein, the bag retaining the basket in the retaining space, the bag being closed about and over the handle of the basket, the bag conforming to the contours of the outer surface of the basket contained therein.  
     [0053]FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 7, but showing a plurality of bonding material spots disposed near the opening in the bag, near the upper end.  
     [0054]FIG. 38 is a detail view defined by the circled area in FIG. 37, slowing the plurality of bonding material spots disposed near the opening in the bag.  
     [0055]FIG. 39 is a detail view of FIG. 38, but showing a plurality of bonding material spots connected together to form one loop of material.  
     [0056]FIG. 40 is a detail view of FIG. 39, but showing a plurality of bonding material spots connected together to form two loops of material.  
     [0057]FIG. 41 is an upper plan view of the bag of FIG. 37, but showing the bag holding a basket therein, the upper end of the bag formed into a multiloop bow.  
     [0058]FIG. 42 is a side elevational view of the bag of FIG. 41, showing the bag conforming to the contours of the outer surface of the basket container therein, and having a multi-loop bow which forms the closure of the bag.  
     [0059]FIG. 43 is a perspective view of yet another alternative bag formed from a sleeve, showing the bag in a partially flattened position, the bag having an excess of material thereabout in the form of a plurality of pleats, but no side gusset or bottom gusset, the bag formed from a pleated material.  
     [0060]FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 43, showing the bag in a partially opened position, the bag having a plurality of pleats expanding outward to both accept a basket and form a retaining space for a basket.  
     [0061]FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the bag of FIGS.  43 - 44 , showing the bag in a position where the bag was opened and a basket was disposed therein, the bag retaining the basket in the retaining space, the bag being closed about and over the handle of the basket, the bag conforming to the contours of the outer surface of the basket contained therein.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS.  1 - 16   
     [0062] Referring to FIGS.  1 - 16 , designated generally by the reference numeral  10  is a decorative cover which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The decorative cover  10  comprises a bag  12  which comprises at least one sheet of material.  
     [0063] Such a decorative bag  12 , and all embodiments of bags shown and/or described herein, may be formed from a continuous web, may be formed from one sheet of material, may be formed from two sheets of material, or may be formed from a plurality of sheets of material. In the present embodiment, however, as shown in FIGS.  1 - 2 , by example, but not by way of limitation, the bag  12  is formed from a first sheet of material  14  and a second sheet of material  16 . The first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  each, respectively, have an upper surface  18  and  20 , a lower surface  22  and  24 , and an outer periphery  26  and  28 . The outer periphery  26  and  28  of the first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  forms, respectively, a first side  30  and  32 , a second side  34  and  36 , a third side  38  and  40  and a fourth side  42  and  44 .  
     [0064] The first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  are placed in alignment and connected together by any means and method described herein, or known in the art, to form the bag  12 . That is, for example, but not by way of limitation, the first sides  30  and  32 , respectively, are aligned and connected together. Similarly, the second sides  34  and  36 , respectively, are aligned and connected together.  
     [0065] The first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  form a somewhat cylindrical or somewhat square shape of the bag  12 , which has a first end  46  and a second end  48 , an outer surface  50  and an inner surface  54  as illustrated in FIG. 3. An opening  52  intersects the first end  46  and extends down and through the second end  48 . The second end  48  is provided with a plurality of slits  56  (only one of the plurality of slits indicated by numeral  56 ). The plurality of slits  56  create a first flap  58 , a second flap  60 , a third flap  62  and a fourth flap  64 , as shown in FIG. 4. Opposing flaps, such as the first flap  58  and the second flap  60  are brought together and secured via a bonding material, or by any means and/or method shown and/or described herein, or known in the art (FIG. 5). Similarly, opposing flaps, such as the third flap  62  and the fourth flap  64  are brought together and secured by any means or method described above. The plurality of flaps  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  forms a closure of the second end  48  of the bag  12 , thereby forming a bottom  66  of the bag  12 , and a retaining space  68  (FIG. 6).  
     [0066] The bag  12 , and all embodiments of bags shown and/or described herein, after being formed, remain in an inoperative flattened condition when not opened to contain a basket. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the first sheet of material  14  and the second sheet of material  16  forming the bag  12  are disposed adjacent each other while the bag is in a flattened state (inoperative flattened condition), as illustrated in FIGS.  8 - 10 . A plurality of side gussets  70  are formed (only one side gusset designated by the numeral  70 ), which permit the bag  12  to flatten and remain in a flattened state. The bottom  66  of the bag  12  may also have at least one gusset  72 . Alternatively, however, the bottom  66  of the bag  12  may have no gussets (not shown). In a further alternative, if the bottom  66  of the bag  12  does have at least one gusset  72 , the bag  12  may be formed without any side gusset  70  (not shown).  
     [0067] To use the bag  12 , and all bags shown and/or described herein, the bag  12  must be opened, to assume an operative expanded condition, and held open to permit the bag  12  to form the retaining space  68  for a basket, and to permit a basket to be inserted into the retaining space  68 , so that the basket is receivingly engaged by the bag  12 , as shown in FIGS. 7 and 12.  
     [0068] A bonding material  74  may, optionally, be disposed on the first and/or second sheets of material  14  and  16 , on either the upper surface  18  (FIG. 1), the lower surface  22 , or both surfaces, before the bag  12  is formed, and may be utilized to connect the first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  together to form the bag  12 . A bonding material  74  is often also disposed on the bag  12  after formation, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 12. In this instance, the bag  12  may have a bonding material  74  disposed on the outer surface  50 , or, alternatively, the inner surface  54 , or, in a further alternative, both surfaces. The sheets of material  14  and  16 , and the bag  12 , may, however, be free of a bonding material  74 . In addition, bonding material may be disposed on at least a portion of a basket as well (not shown). As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 12- 13 , the bonding material  74  is often disposed on the inner surface  54  of the bag  12 , near the opening  52 .  
     [0069] It will be appreciated that the bonding material  74  may also be disposed in a strip of bonding material  74 , although the bonding material  74  also could be applied in the form of spaced apart spots or the bonding material  74  may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the sheets of material  14  and  16 , respectively, or the bag  12 , in any geometric shape, non-geometric and/or asymmetric shape, or any combination thereof, including any pattern or plurality of patterns. Further, the bonding material  74  may form at least a part, or, alternatively, all of the pattern on each of the sheets of material  14  and  16 , or the bag  12 . In this instance, the bonding material  74  may comprise one or more colors; the bonding material  74  may comprise one or more decorative patterns as well. One such bonding material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,789, entitled, “Decorative Material Having A Colored Sticky Element Disposed Thereon Forming At Least A Portion Of A Decoration And Method”, issued to Donald E. Weder, on Sep. 20, 1994 and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.  
     [0070] Turning to the characteristics of the first and second sheets of material  14  and  16 , the first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  each have a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil. Often, the first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  each have a thickness in a range from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mil. In some embodiments, the first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  each have a thickness in a range from about 1.0 mil to about 8.0 mil. In other embodiments, the first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  each have a thickness in a range from about 1.0 mil to about 5.0 mil. The first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  are each constructed of a material which is at least somewhat flexible.  
     [0071] The first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  may comprise any shape or combination of shapes. The first and/or second sheets of material  14  and  16  for example may be square, circular or any other geometric, nongeometric, asymmetric or fanciful shape, such as heart shaped, for example only, or any combination of geometric and non-geometric shapes. The first and/or second sheets of material  14  and  16  may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of materials. The layers of material comprising the first and/or second sheets of material  14  and  16  may be laminated together or connected together by any method known in the art.  
     [0072] In one embodiment, the first and/or second sheets of material  14  and  16 , respectively, is a relatively thin, flexible material constructed from a plastic film. Alternatively, a paper may be utilized, alone, or in combination with other sheets of material described herein. One such plastic film (Hercules B 523  oriented polypropylene packaging film (clear)), is available from Hercules Incorporated, Hercules Plaza, Wilmington, Del. 19894. Such sheets of material may be laminated together or may be connected together by any method known in the art, or may remain partially or completely unconnected.  
     [0073] The first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  shown in FIGS.  1 - 2  are constructed from any suitable material that is capable of having the characteristics and function described herein. The first and/or second sheets of material  14  and  16  may be comprised of paper (the term “paper” as used herein means treated or untreated paper, corrugated paper or cardboard or any other form of paper material). The first and/or second sheets of material  14  and  16  may comprise cellophane, foil, plastic film, metallized film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), fiber, burlap, or any combination thereof.  
     [0074] The term “plastic film” as used herein means a thermo-plastic resinous material, such as, but not by way of limitation, a man-made polymer such as, but not by way of limitation, a polypropylene. The term “plastic film” as used herein also means a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane. A plastic film, as contemplated and described in detail herein, is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil.  
     [0075] The first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  each have a length  76  and  78 , respectively, extending between the first sides  30  and  32  and second sides  34  and  36  of the first and second sheets of material  14  and  16 . The first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  each also have a width  80  and  82 , respectively, extending between the third sides  38  and  40  and the fourth sides  42  and  44  of the first and second sheets of material  14  and  16 .  
     [0076] The first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  each may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of materials. One or more sheets of material may be laminated. or bonded together, completely or partially, by any method known in the art. When multiple sheets of material are used, the sheets of material need not be uniform in size or shape. That is, one sheet may extend beyond at least a portion of the outer periphery of another sheet of material.  
     [0077] As noted earlier, a bonding material  74  may be disposed on either the first and/or second sheets of material  14  and  16 , or, alternatively, on the bag  12 , in any pattern or shape. One method for disposing a bonding material, in this case an adhesive, on a sheet of material 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 and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Another method for disposing a bonding material in order to laminate two sheets of material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,811 entitled “Laminated Printed Foil Flower Pot Wrap With Multicolor Appearance, issued to Weder on Nov. 3, 1981, which is also hereby incorporated herein by reference.  
     [0078] The term “bonding material” when used herein means an adhesive, possibly 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” when used herein also means a lacquer, which may be applied to the sheet of material and, in this instance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations, also must be applied to effect the sealing of the lacquer.  
     [0079] The term “bonding material” when used herein also means any type of material or thing which can be used to effect the bonding or connecting of the two adjacent portions of the material or sheet of material to effect the connection or bonding described herein. The term “bonding material” also includes ties, labels, bands, ribbons, strings, tape, staples or combinations thereof. Some of the bonding materials would secure the ends of the sheet of material while other bonding material may bind the circumference of the bag. Another way to secure the wrapping is to heat seal a portion of the material to another portion of the material. One way to do this is to contact the ends with an iron of sufficient heat to heat seal the material.  
     [0080] The term “bonding material” when used herein also means any heat or chemically shrinkable material, and static electrical or other electrical means, magnetic means, mechanical or barb-type fastening means or clamps, clingtype characteristics of polyethylene or curl-type characteristics of the film or materials incorporated in the sheet of material which can cause the material to take on certain shapes, and any type of welding method which may weld portions of the sheet to itself or to a basket, or to both the sheet itself and a basket.  
     [0081] The first and/or second sheets of material  14  and  16  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 either surface of a sheet of material 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 first and/or second sheets of material  14  and  16  may have various colorings, coatings, embossings, flockings and/or metallic finishes, or other decorative surface ornamentation applied separately or simultaneously. The first and/or second sheets of material  14  and  16  may be characterized totally or partially, but not by way of limitation, by pearlescent, translucent, transparent, iridescent, neon, holographic, or the like, qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination with other characteristics described herein, and may be applied to the upper and/or lower surface of either the first sheet of material  14  or the second sheet of material  16 . Moreover, each surface of each of the first and second sheets of material  14  and  16  may vary in the combination of such characteristics. The first and/or second sheets of material  14  and  16  may also be partially or completely opaque, translucent, clear and/or tinted transparent.  
     [0082] To use the bag  12  after formation, the bag is unflattened and held in an opened position to receive a basket  84 . The bag  12  in the opened position forms the retaining space  68 . The basket  84  is inserted into the retaining space  68  of the bag  12 , as shown in FIGS.  12 - 13 . Such a basket  84 , as illustrated in FIG. 11, has an upper end  86 , a lower end  88  and an outer surface  90 . The upper end  86  is intersected by an opening  92  which forms an inner surface  94  and a basket retaining space  96 . The basket  84  may also have a handle  98 , or a plurality of handles (not shown), which connect to the basket  84 . Alternatively, the basket  84  may have no handle (not shown).  
     [0083] The basket  84  may be formed from fiber, including natural fibers as well as synthetic fibers, cloth, plastic, metal, paper, wood, glass, pottery, clay, paper mache, burlap, and any combination thereof. In addition, a basket  84  formed from any material may be utilized as long as the basket performs as described herein.  
     [0084] In a method of use, as shown in FIGS.  11 - 13 , the bag  12  and a basket  84  are provided, and is unflattened, and the opening  52  in the first end  46  is opened and held in an opened position. The bottom gusset  72  is expanded when the bag  12  is in an opened position, and any bottom gusset  72  is extended such that the bottom  66  of the bag  12  is flattened against the surface upon which it rests. The opening of the bag  12  causes the bottom gusset  72  and the plurality of side gussets  70  to expand to form the retaining space  68 ; similarly, when the bag  12  has only a bottom gusset  72 , the bottom gusset  72  must be expanded, to form the retaining space  68 . A basket  84  is inserted into the opening  52  and is disposed in the retaining space  68  of the bag  12 . When the basket  84  is disposed in the retaining space  68  and rests upon the bottom  66 , the plurality of side gussets  70  are extended outward, in contrast to their inward folded position when the bag  12  is flattened, and in contrast to their position before the basket  84  is inserted, in which the plurality of side gussets  70  form generally level, unfolded, or, only slightly folded, sides of the bag  12 . The plurality of side gussets  70  in the expanded position and/or the bottom gusset  72  in the expanded position permit the bag  12  to assume the operative expanded condition to conform to the overall characteristic shape of the outer surface  90  of the basket  84 . The plurality of side gussets  70  and/or bottom gusset  72  permit the bag  12  to conform to the contours and overall shape of the outer surface  90  of the basket by expanding and contracting, thereby permitting the bag  12  to follow the contours of the basket  84  and to conform to the contours of the outer surface  90  of the basket  84  in a close fitting relationship between the bag  12  and the basket  84 . When the bag  12  has only a bottom gusset  72 , it will be understood that the bottom gusset  72  permits the bag  12  to conform to the contours of the outer surface  90  of the lower end  88  and a substantial portion of the basket  84 .  
     [0085] In a method of closure, the first end  46  of the bag  12  may be gathered together, above the level of the basket  84  and the handle  98 , as shown in FIG. 14. The first end  46  of the bag  12  may be crimped together to provide a closure of the bag  12  about the basket  84  (FIG. 14). This closure may be assisted or created by a bonding material  74  disposed about or near the first end  46  of the bag  12 . It will be appreciated that the first end  46  of the bag  12  may be both crimped and twisted to create such a closure as well (not shown).  
     [0086] Alternatively, the first end  46  of the bag  12  is flattened against itself and the first end  46  is folded over to create a closure, as illustrated in FIG. 15. The bag  12  is held in the closed position by bonding material  74 , or any other means or method known in the art. In addition, in another similar alternative, the first end  46  is again flattened and folded over, but is folded adjacent the handle  98  of the basket  84 , and is held in the closed position via a bonding material  74 , as shown in FIG. 16. Such a closure near the handle  98  of the basket  84  permits an operator to pick up the basket  84  in the bag  12  by grasping the basket  84  from the outside of the bag  12  by the handle  98 , using the thumb and fingers to hold the handle  98  of the basket  84  from the outside of the closed bag  12 .  
     The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS.  17 - 28   
     [0087] Shown in FIGS.  17 - 28  is a bag  12   a  constructed from a first sheet of material  14   a  and a second sheet of material  16   a , which is similar to the bag  12  and formed from first and second sheets of material  14  and  16 , respectively, except that the first and second sheets of material  14   a  and  16   a  have a different shape, and therefore the bag  12   a  has a different shape.  
     [0088] As shown in FIGS.  17 - 28 , the first and second sheets of material  14   a  and  16   a  have third sides  38   a  and  40   a  and fourth sides  42   a  and  44   a  which each have an outside angle of about, but not by way of limitation, 225 degrees. When the first and second sheets of material  14   a  and  16   a  are connected together (FIG. 19), the second end  48   a  has a generally trapezoidal shape, while the first end  46 a does not. The first and second sheets of material may have, as noted above, a plurality of slits  56   a  formed in the first and second sheets of material  14   a  and  16   a  before they are connected together, or such plurality of slits  56   a  may be formed when the first and second sheets of material  14   a  and  16   a  are connected. As illustrated in FIG. 20, a first flap  58   a , a second flap  60   a , a third flap  62   a  and a fourth flap  64   a  are formed, and are folded over and connected in a manner similar to that described above for the first flap  58  and second flap  60 , the third flap  62  and the fourth flap  64  (FIGS.  21 - 22 ) except that the resulting bottom  66   a  of the bag  12   a  formed from this closure is often, but not by way of limitation, a diamond, or, alternatively, oval shape (FIG. 22). The bag  12   a  may have a plurality of side gussets  70   a  (FIG. 23), or, alternatively, the bag  12   a  may have no side gussets (FIG. 24). Similarly, the bottom  66   a  may have a bottom gusset  72   a  (FIG. 24), or be formed without such a bottom gusset (FIG. 25).  
     [0089] In a method of use, the bag  12   a  (FIG. 26) is unflattened and opened via the opening  52   a  and held in the opened position, in a manner illustrated previously in FIGS. 7, 12 and  13 . A basket  84   a  is inserted into the opening  52   a  and disposed in the retaining space  68   a , in a manner similar to that described previously. Any bottom gusset  72   a  or plurality of side gussets  70   a  are expanded when the basket  84   a  is inserted into the retaining space  68   a  of the bag  12   a  (FIGS.  27 - 28 ).  
     [0090] A portion of the plurality of side gussets  70   a  may be retained upon closing the bag  12   a ,as shown in FIGS.  27 - 28 , when the first end  46   a  of the bag  12   a  is folded over and closed, or sealed, in any manner or method shown and/or described herein.  
     [0091] Alternatively, the first end  46   a  of the bag  12   a  may be crimped and/or twisted (not shown) to obtain a closure, as shown (FIG. 14) and described previously herein. A bonding material  74   a ,or any other means or method of closure known in the art, may be utilized to obtain closure of the bag  12   a . The bag  12   a , when closed conforms to the contours and overall shape of the outer surface  90   a  of the basket  84   a  disposed therein.  
     The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS.  29 - 33   
     [0092] Shown in FIGS.  29 - 33  is a bag  12   b  constructed from a first sheet of material  14   b  and a second sheet of material  16   b , which is similar to the bag  12  and  12   a  formed from first and second sheets of material  14  and  16 , and  14   a  and  16   a , respectively, except that the bag  12   b  has a plurality of side gussets  70   b  having pleating or gathering of the material forming the plurality of side gussets  70   b.    
     [0093] The first and second sheets of material  14   b  and  16   b  are connected together in a manner similar to that shown and described above for the first and second sheets of material  14  and  16 . Such a connection resembles sleeves. Such sleeves are disclosed in both U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,851, entitled “Plant Package Having A Detachable Sleeve And Methods”, issued to Weder, Nov. 12, 1996, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,979, entitled “Sleeve Having A Detachable Portion Forming A Skirt And Methods”, issued to Weder, May 6, 1997, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.  
     [0094] The first sheet of material  14   b  and the second sheet of material  16   b lay flatwise upon each other, with the lower surface  22   b  of the first sheet of material  14   b  adjacent the upper surface  20   b  of the second sheet of material  16   b  (FIG. 29). Between the first sides  30   b  and  32   b , respectively, as shown in FIG. 29 is a first gusset  100  whereby the first gusset  100  has an excess of material, in the present instance, the first gusset  100  comprises a pleated material comprising a Z-shaped pleat, referred to herein as an “accordion pleat”. It will be appreciated, however, that other pleated patterns, such as, but not by way of limitation, vertical pleats, vertical folds, and other patterns of permitting excess material to expand and contract, may be utilized in the present invention. The first gusset  100  has an outer surface  102 , an inner surface  104  and an outer periphery  106 . It will be understood that the first gusset  100 , and all gussets described herein, may take any form. The first gusset  100  also has a length  108  which, in this instance, extends from the first end  46   b  of the bag  12   b  to the second end  48   b  of the bag  12   b . The outer periphery  106  of the first gusset  100  connects the first sides  30   b  and  32   b , respectively, of the first and second sheets of material  14   b  and  16   b.    
     [0095] Between the second sides  34   b  and  36   b , respectively, as shown in FIG. 29 is a second gusset  110  whereby the second gusset  110  has an excess of material, identical to that described previously for the first gusset  100 . The second gusset  110  has an outer surface  112 , an inner surface  114  and an outer periphery  116 . The second gusset  110  also has a length  118  which, in this instance, extends from the first end  46   b  of the bag  12   b  to the second end  48   b  of the bag  12   b . The outer periphery  116  of the second gusset  110  connects the second sides  34   b  and  36   b , respectively, of the first and second sheets of material  14   b  and  16   b . It will be appreciated that both first and second gussets  100  and  110 , respectively, assist in forming the bag  12   b  and exist as part of the bag  12   b . The first and second gussets  100  and  110 , respectively, are termed, collectively, a plurality of gussets  70   b , and it will be appreciated that one gusset, or, alternatively, any number of gussets may be utilized to form the bag  12   b  so long as the bag functions as described herein.  
     [0096] In this instance, however, a plurality of side gussets  70   b  are formed, each of which has an excess of material. As noted above, but by way of example only, the material forming the plurality of side gussets  70   b  is pleated in a Z-shaped accordion pleat. All gussets shown herein may be constructed from a separate material, or may be constructed from the same material used to form the first and/or second sheets of material  14   b  and  16   b . An example of how a gusset may be formed from a separate sheet of material that the material used to form the first and/or second sheets of material  14   b  and  16   b , respectively, is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,380,646, issued to Doyen in FIGS. 9 and 10 and discussion thereof, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.  
     [0097] A closed bottom  66   b  of the bag  12   b  is formed by sealing the second end  48   b  of the bag  12   b  via a bonding material  74   b  or via any means and/or method known in the art. It will be understood, however, that when the second end  48   b  of the bag  12   b  has one or more gussets, the one or more gussets may share any and/or all of the characteristics of the gussets described herein. Further, it will be understood that any bottom gusset connects to the first sheet of material  14   b  and the second sheet of material  16   b  to form both a gusset and a closure, to form a closed bottom  66   b  of the bag  12   b.    
     [0098] In a method of use, when the bag  12   b  is unflattened and opened via the opening  52   b , the plurality of side gussets  70   b  expand outward, due to the excess of material and the pleating, permitting the bag to be widely opened for the insertion of a basket  84   b , as shown in FIGS.  30 - 31 . When the basket  84   b  is inserted, it will be appreciated that the pleated material contained within the plurality of side gussets  70   b  expands outward to accommodate the size of the basket  84   b  (FIG. 31), and in a reverse manner, the pleated material contracts and tucks inwardly as well to shape the bag  12   b  about the handle  98   b , to create a bag  12   b  which contours to the shape of the basket  84   b . The bag  12   b  is closed and/or sealed via any means and/or method shown and/or described herein, or known in the art.  
     [0099] It will be understood that the bottom  66   b  of the bag  12   b  may, optionally, as shown in FIGS.  32 - 33 , be formed such that an excess of material which is gathered or pleated is provided, to form a bottom gusset  72   b . It will be appreciated that when the bottom  66   b  of the bag  12   b  is not expanded, the bottom gusset is flattened, as shown in FIG. 32. When the bottom gusset  72   b  is expanded, such as when the bag  12   b  is opened and a basket  84   b  is contained therein, the bottom gusset  72   b  expands to conform to the contours and the overall shape of the outer surface  90   b  of the lower end  88   b  of the basket  84   b  (FIG. 33).  
     The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS.  34 - 36   
     [0100] Shown in FIGS.  34 - 36  is a bag  12   c  constructed from a first sheet of material  14   c  and a second sheet of material  16   c , which is similar to the bag  12   b  which is formed from first and second sheets of material  14   b  and  16   b , respectively, except that the first and second sheets of material  14   c  and  16   c  have an excess of material and, for instance, but not by way of limitation, are completely pleated in a manner such as, but not by way of limitation, a Z-shaped accordion pleating, creating a bag  12   c  having an outer surface  90   c  and an inner surface  94   c  which has pleating thereabout.  
     [0101] The bag  12   c  has a first gusset  100   c  and a second gusset  110   c  forming a plurality of side gussets  70   c  having pleating or gathering of the material forming the plurality of side gussets  70   c , as described above for the plurality of gussets  70   b . The bag  12   c  is formed in a manner similar to that described above for bag  12   b.    
     [0102] In a method of use, when the bag  12   c  is unflattened and opened via the opening  52   c , as illustrated in FIG. 35, the pleated excess material, along with the plurality of side gussets  70   c  expand outward, due to the excess of material and the pleating, permitting the bag  12   c  to be widely opened for the insertion of a basket  84   c . When the basket  84   c  is inserted, as shown in FIG. 36, it will be appreciated that the pleated material contained within the plurality of side gussets  70   c  and the outer surface  90   c  expands outward to accommodate the size of the basket  84   c , and in a reverse manner, the pleated material contracts and tucks inwardly as well to shape the bag  12   c  about the handle  98   c , to create a bag  12   c  that conforms to the contours of the overall shape of the outer surface  90   c  of the basket  84   c . The bag  12   c  is closed and/or sealed via any means and/or method shown and/or described herein, or known in the art. The bag  12   c  may also have a bottom gusset (not shown) which is similar or identical to those bottom gussets described above.  
     [0103] In yet another alternative (not shown), the outer surface  90   c  of the bag  12   c  has pleating, but the plurality of side gussets  70   c  and/or the bottom gusset  72   c  has no pleating, or, alternatively, no excess of material.  
     The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS.  37 - 42   
     [0104] In another alternative, as shown in FIGS.  37 - 42 , a bonding material  74   d  may be disposed in spots of bonding material  120  about the upper portion of a bag  12   d  such that, when the spots of bonding material  120  are connected together, the first end  46   d  of the bag  12   d  forms a multi-loop bow  122  (FIG. 41).  
     [0105] It will be appreciated that the bag  12   d  may be identical to any bag shown and/or described herein may be used, but for illustration purposes, the bag  12  (shown previously in FIGS. 7 and 12- 16 ) will be utilized. A plurality of bonding material spots  120  are disposed about the opening  52   d  of the bag  12   d , near the first end  46   d  (FIG. 37). The plurality of bonding material spots  120  are arranged such that the bonding material spots  120  cooperate to provide both a multi-loop bow  122  at the first end  46   d  of the bag  12   d  and/or a closure of the bag  12   d  about a basket (not shown). It will be understood that the plurality of bonding material spots  120  disposed on the bag  12   d  provide one schematic illustration and example of forming a combined closure and multiloop bow  122 . It will also be appreciated that the plurality of bonding material spots  120  may be arranged in a different manner, and still form a multi-loop bow  122  and/or closure.  
     [0106] The bag  12   d  shown in FIG. 37 and described in detail previously herein has a plurality of oval-shaped bonding material spots  120 , which are positioned in a generally symmetrical manner on the inner surface  54   d  of the bag  12   d , near the opening  52   d  and the first end  46   d . It will be understood that, in most instance, before the multi-loop bow  122  is formed, the bag  12   d  will have been unflattened and opened and held open for the insertion of the basket therein. FIGS.  38 - 40  show a detail view of a portion of the bag  12   d , the detail view taken from the area encircled in FIG. 37. FIG. 39 shows, in part, the beginning of the formation of the multi-loop bow  122 , showing one of the plurality of loops  124  being formed. FIG. 40 shows two of the plurality of loops. It will be appreciated that this process is repeated, until each of the plurality of bonding material spots  120  have been utilized, and the plurality of loops  124  form the multi-loop bow  122  as shown in FIGS.  41 - 42 .  
     [0107] More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 39, one-half of a bonding material spot  120  is bonded to one-half of another bonding material spot  120 ′ to form one of the plurality of loops  124  (only one of the plurality of loops being designated by the numeral  124 ) which form the multi-loop bow  122 . As illustrated in FIG. 40, one-half of the bonding material spot  120 ′ is then bonded to one-half of bonding material spot  120 ″ to form yet another of the plurality of loops  124 . This process is continued, as described above, until all of the plurality of loops  124  form a multi-loop bow  122 , as shown in FIGS.  41 - 42 . It will be appreciated that disposing different numbers of the bonding material spots  120  on the bag  12   d , and/or differing the arrangement of the plurality of bonding material spots  120  on the bag  12   d , will create multi-loop bows having differing numbers and/or sizes of loops  124 .  
     [0108] It will also be understood that the multi-loop bow  122  may create a closure at locations other than the top of the bag  12   d . For instance, but not by way of limitation, if the bag  12   d  was placed on its side, and a basket was disposed in the bag  12   d  in an upright position, then a multi-loop bow  122  would be positioned between the upper end and the lower end of the basket adjacent the outer surface of the basket, and not necessarily near the handle or the upper end of the basket (not shown).  
     The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS.  43 - 45   
     [0109] Shown in FIGS.  43 - 45  is a bag  12   e  constructed from a first sheet of material  14   e  and a second sheet of material  16   e , which is similar to the bag  12   c  which is formed from first and second sheets of material  14   c  and  16   c , respectively, except that the first and second sheets of material  14   e  and  16   e  have an excess of material and, for instance, but not by way of limitation, are completely pleated in a manner such as, but not by way of limitation, a Z-shaped accordion pleating, creating a bag  12   e  having an outer surface  50   e  and an inner surface  54   e  which has pleating thereabout.  
     [0110] The bag  12   e  in this instance is dissimilar to the bag  12   c  in that the present bag  12   e  has no plurality of side gussets. The bag  12   e  is formed in a manner similar to that described above for bag  12   b  except for the lack of side gussets; the bag  12   e  has no bottom gussets, either.  
     [0111] In a method of use, when the bag  12   e  is unflattened and opened via the opening  52   e , as shown in FIG. 44, the pleated excess material expands outward, permitting the bag  12   e  to be widely opened for the insertion of a basket  84   e . When the basket  84   e  is inserted, it will be appreciated that the pleated material expands outward to accommodate the size of the basket  84   e , and in a reverse manner, the pleated material contracts and tucks inwardly as well to shape the bag  12   e  about the handle  98   e , to create a bag  12   e  which follows the overall shape and contours of the outer surface  90   e  of the basket  84   e . The bag  12   e  is closed and/or sealed via any means and/or method shown and/or described herein, or known in the art.  
     [0112] It will be appreciated that the different variations of gussets disclosed herein may be utilized, alone or in combination, with any of the bags disclosed herein. Similarly, it will be understood that any of the means and methods of providing a closure disclosed herein may be used with any of the bags shown and/or described herein.  
     [0113] Changes may be made in the embodiments of the invention described herein, or in parts or elements of the embodiments described herein, or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein, without departing from the spirit and/or scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.