Patent Publication Number: US-2003226314-A1

Title: Decorative attachments and methods of use

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/990,900, filed Nov. 16, 2001, entitled DECORATIVE ATTACHMENTS AND METHODS OF USE, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/460,528, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENT, now abandoned, and which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/083,286, filed Aug. 29,1998 entitled DECORATIVE SLEEVE COVER FORMED OF A POLYMERIC MATERIAL HAVING A CLOTH-LIKE APPEARANCE.  
     [0002] This application is also a continuation of U.S. Serial No. 09/459,960, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENT; U.S. Ser. No. 09/460,206, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENT; U.S. Ser. No. 09/460,207, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENT; U.S. Ser. No. 09/460,539, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENT; U.S. Ser. No. 09/460,201, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENT; U.S. Ser. No. 09/460,204, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENTS FOR SLEEVES AND METHODS; U.S. Ser. No. 09/460,205, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENTS FOR SLEEVES AND METHODS; U.S. Ser. No. 09/459,717, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENTS; U.S. Ser. No. 09/460,202, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENTS FOR SLEEVES AND METHODS; U.S. Ser. No. 09/459,718, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENTS FOR SLEEVES AND METHODS; U.S. Ser. No. 09/459,964, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENTS FOR SLEEVES AND METHODS; U.S. Ser. No. 09/459,961, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENT; U.S. Ser. No. 09/459,963, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENTS FOR SLEEVES AND METHODS; U.S. Ser. No. 09/460,200, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENT; U.S. Ser. No. 09/466,706, filed Dec. 13, 1999 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENTS FOR SLEEVES AND METHODS; and U.S. Ser. No. 09/607,121, filed Jun. 29, 2000 entitled DECORATIVE POP-UP ATTACHMENT the contents of all of which are expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
    
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0003] Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0005] This invention relates to decorative pop-up attachments connected to pots, floral wrappings for flowers and pots or containers, and preformed flower pot covers, and the methods of making and using same.  
       [0006] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR § 1.97 and  37  CFR § 1.98  
       [0007] Sheets of material have been utilized to form decorative wrappings about flower pots and floral groupings, and have been utilized to form preformed decorative flower pot covers.  
       [0008] One floral wrapping is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,638, entitled “Method For Wrapping An Object With A Material Having Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Thereon”, which illustrates wrapping pots with sheets of material. A floral wrapping using a sheet of material is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,364, entitled “Wrapping A Floral Grouping With Sheets Having Adhesive Or Cohesive Applied Thereto”. A floral wrapping using a flattened or unflattened sleeve is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,851, entitled “Plant Package Having A Detachable Sleeve And Methods”. Preformed decorative flower pot covers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182, entitled “Article Forming System”, which discloses a decorative article, and article forming system.  
       [0009] Labels have sometimes been applied to pots, and to floral wrappings and preformed decorative flower pot covers. These labels include price labels, UPC bar code labels, and labels describing the plant contained within a container or wrapping, and/or its care (known in the art as “care tags”).  
       [0010] The prior art discloses sheets of material which decoratively cover flowers and containers, and labels for these items. The prior art does not disclose a decorative pop-up design attachment which may be connected to a wrapping for flowers, or a pot or container, or a preformed flower pot cover, or to flowers themselves. Therefore, there is a need felt within the art for a decorative pop-up attachment which utilizes not print or symbols (such as, but not by way of limitation, a UPC bar code), but which has a design, such as, but not by way of limitation, a whimsical character (a drawing of Peter Rabbit), used as a decoration on at least one end of a decorative pop-up attachment.  
       [0011] The decorative pop-up attachment is an attachment which is connected to the above-referenced items, and which is designed to extend a distance from the item. The decorative pop-up attachment will have a decoration which is whimsical, or related to a particular theme, such as, but not by way of limitation, a birthday, holiday, anniversary, and the like.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012] A method for using a decorative pop-up attachment with a floral grouping is disclosed. A decorative pop-up attachment is provided, comprising a sheet of material having an outer periphery and having a decorative end having design indicia thereon. The sheet of material is sized smaller than at least a portion of an outer diameter of a floral grouping. The floral grouping has a flower portion and a stem portion. The decorative pop-up attachment is disposed in the floral grouping, and positioned in the floral grouping whereby the decorative end of the decorative pop-up attachment extends a distance away from the flower portion of the floral grouping for displaying design indicia on the decorative end. The decorative pop-up extension is connected to the floral grouping.  
       [0013] Another method for using a decorative pop-up attachment is disclosed as well. A floral grouping having a flower portion and a stem portion, and having an outer diameter, is provided. A decorative pop-up attachment is provided, which comprises a sheet of material having an outer periphery and having a decorative end having design indicia thereon. The sheet of material sized smaller than at least a portion of the outer diameter of the floral grouping. The decorative pop-up attachment is disposed in the floral grouping, and positioned in the floral grouping whereby the decorative end of the decorative pop-up attachment extends a distance away from the flower portion of the floral grouping for displaying design indicia on the decorative end. The decorative pop-up attachment is then connected to the floral grouping.  
       [0014] Still another method for using a decorative pop-up attachment with a floral grouping is disclosed. A decorative pop-up attachment is provided, which comprises a sheet of material having an outer periphery and having a decorative end having design indicia thereon. At least a portion of the outer periphery adjacent the decorative end follows the outline of the design indicia such that the decorative end is complementary in shape to the design indicia. The sheet of material is sized smaller than at least a portion of an outer diameter of a floral grouping. The floral grouping has a flower portion and a stem portion. The decorative pop-up attachment is disposed in the floral grouping, and the decorative pop-up attachment is positioned in the floral grouping whereby decorative end of the decorative pop-up attachment extends a distance away from the flower portion of the floral grouping for displaying design indicia on the decorative end. The decorative pop-up attachment is connected to the floral grouping.  
       [0015] Still yet another method for using a decorative pop-up attachment is disclosed as well. A floral grouping having a flower portion and a stem portion, and having an outer diameter is provided. A decorative pop-up attachment is provided, which comprises a sheet of material having an outer periphery and a decorative end having design indicia thereon. At least a portion of the outer periphery adjacent the decorative end follows the outline of the design indicia such that the decorative end is complementary in shape to the design indicia. The sheet of material sized smaller than at least a portion of the outer diameter of the floral grouping. The decorative pop-up attachment is disposed in the floral grouping. The decorative pop-up attachment is positioned in the floral grouping whereby the decorative end of the decorative pop-up attachment extends a distance away from the flower portion of the floral grouping for displaying design indicia on the decorative end. Then the decorative pop-up attachment is connected to the floral grouping.  
       [0016] The decorative pop-up attachment may comprise a bonding material. The bonding material may be an adhesive bonding material, or alternatively, a cohesive bonding material. The sheet of material is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, foil, plastic film, metallized film, fabric, fiber, burlap and any combination thereof. The sheet of material has characteristics 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 sheet of material has a thickness in a range from about 0.5 mils to about 50 mils. The sheet of material may also have a thickness in a range from about 1.0 mils to about 30 mils The sheet of material may further have a thickness in a range from about 3 mils to about 25 mils. In addition, the sheet of material may have a thickness in a range from about 4 mils to about 15 mils. And, the sheet of material may also have a thickness in a range from about 4 mils to about 10 mils. The decorative pop-up attachment may be disposed adjacent at least a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping. The decorative pop-up attachment may be connected to the floral grouping via a frictional engagement between the decorative pop-up attachment and the floral grouping. At least a portion of the outer periphery of the sheet of material adjacent the decorative end follows the outline of the design indicia such that the decorative end is complementary in shape to the design indicia. It will be appreciated that all of the characteristics listed herein may be included in some, or all, apparatus described and shown herein.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upper surface of a decorative pop-up attachment formed from a sheet of material constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the design indicia on a decorative end, and showing one corner lifted for illustration purposes only.  
     [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lower surface of a decorative pop-up attachment of FIG. 1.  
     [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pad of sheets of material, each of which forms a decorative pop-up attachment, showing a portion of the top sheet of material lifted from the pad, exposing the next sheet of material.  
     [0020]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pot, and a decorative pop-up attachment spaced a distance therefrom.  
     [0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pot of FIG. 4, but showing the decorative pop-up attachment disposed adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the pot and positioned upon and connected to the pot.  
     [0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a floral wrapping sheet of material, having one edge lifted for illustration purposes only.  
     [0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sheet of material of FIG. 6, having a floral grouping disposed thereon.  
     [0024]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a the sheet of material formed into a wrapping for the floral grouping, showing one portion of the floral wrapping sheet of material overlapping at least one other portion of the floral wrapping sheet of material to form the wrapping, and a decorative pop-up attachment spaced a distance from the wrapping.  
     [0025]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the wrapping for the floral grouping of FIG. 8, but showing the decorative pop-up attachment disposed adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the wrapping, and positioned upon and connected to the wrapping.  
     [0026]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an opened sleeve used to form a wrapping for a floral grouping.  
     [0027]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 10 which has formed a wrapping for a floral grouping disposed into and contained within the sleeve, the stem portion of the floral grouping extending beyond the lower end of the wrapping, and a decorative pop-up attachment spaced a distance therefrom.  
     [0028]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the wrapping of FIG. 11, showing the decorative pop-up attachment disposed adjacent the wrapping and positioned upon and connected to the inner peripheral surface of the wrapping.  
     [0029]FIG. 13 is a transverse view of FIG. 12 taken at  13 - 13 , showing the placement of the decorative pop-up attachment adjacent the inner peripheral surface of the wrapping.  
     [0030]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second sheet of material, one edge being lifted for illustration purposes only.  
     [0031]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a pot disposed upon the upper surface of the second sheet of material shown in FIG. 14.  
     [0032]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the pot and the second sheet of material of FIGS.  14 - 15 , but showing the pot being partially wrapped by the second sheet of material.  
     [0033]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the pot and second sheet of material of FIGS.  14 - 16 , but showing the second sheet of material forming a pot wrapping about the pot, and showing a decorative pop-up attachment spaced a distance away.  
     [0034]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the pot wrapped by the pot wrapping of FIG. 17, but showing the decorative pop-up attachment disposed adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the pot wrapping and positioned upon and connected thereto.  
     [0035]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the pot wrapped by the pot wrapping of FIG. 17, but showing the decorative pop-up attachment disposed adjacent to the inner peripheral surface of the pot wrapping and positioned upon and connected thereto.  
     [0036]FIG. 20 is a transverse view of FIG. 19 taken at  20 - 20 , showing the placement of the decorative pop-up attachment adjacent the inner peripheral surface of the pot wrapping.  
     [0037]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a preformed flower pot cover.  
     [0038]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a preformed flower pot cover, having a pot disposed into the retaining space, and showing a decorative pop-up attachment spaced a distance therefrom.  
     [0039]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the preformed flower pot cover having a pot disposed therein of FIG. 22, but showing the decorative pop-up attachment being disposed adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the preformed flower pot cover and positioned upon and connected thereto.  
     [0040]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the preformed flower pot cover having a pot disposed therein of FIG. 22, but showing the decorative pop-up attachment being disposed adjacent to the inner peripheral surface of the preformed flower pot cover and positioned upon and connected thereto.  
     [0041]FIG. 25 is a transverse view of FIG. 24 taken at  25 - 25 , showing the placement of the decorative pop-up attachment adjacent the inner peripheral surface of the preformed flower pot cover.  
     [0042]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a floral grouping having a flower portion and a stem portion, and having a decorative pop-up attachment disposed in the center of the flower portion of the floral grouping.  
     [0043]FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the floral grouping and decorative pop-up attachment shown in FIG. 26. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     The Embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 2   
     [0044] Referring to FIGS.  1 - 2 , designated generally by the reference numeral  10  is a decorative pop-up attachment which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The decorative pop-up attachment  10  comprises at least one sheet of material  12 . The sheet of material  12  has an upper surface  14 , a lower surface  16  (one edge of the sheet of material lifted for illustration purposes only), and an outer periphery  18 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the outer periphery  18  of the sheet of material  12  comprises a first side  20 , a second side  22 , a third side  24 , and a fourth side  26 . It will be appreciated that the sheet of material  12  may comprise a variety of shapes, and sides.  
     [0045] At least one portion of the sheet of material will form a decorative end  30 . It will be appreciated, however, that the sheet of material  12  may have more than one decorative end  30 , that is, a plurality of decorative ends  30 . One such decorative pop-up attachment with at least one decorative end is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,469, entitled “Wrapping Material Having An Extension For Design Indicia For Wrapping Flower Pots And Floral Arrangements And Methods”, issued to Weder et al., on Aug. 13, 1996, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein. It will be understood, however, for illustrative purposes only, that only one decorative end  30  is shown herein. The decorative end  30  comprises design indicia  32  on at least one surface thereof. The design indicia  32  may be on the upper surface  14 , the lower surface  16 , or both the upper surface  14  and the lower surface  16  (FIGS.  1 - 2 ). “Design indicia” as used herein includes, but not by way of limitation, fanciful designs such as rabbits, hearts, balloons, pumpkins, clover, and the like. Additional examples of design indicia include flowers (such as roses, daisies, lilacs), plants (such as fruits, vegetables, clover, grasses, trees), animals (rabbits, dogs, cats, birds, alligators, fish and the like), insects, fictional characters (such as cartoon characters), and/or real characters (such as a photograph of an individual), and the like. Design indicia  32  may vary between the upper surface  14  and the lower surface  16  of the sheet of material  12  (FIGS.  1 - 2 ). That is, either the upper surface  14 , or, alternatively, the lower surface  16 , or, in another alternative, both surfaces, may have design indicia  32  thereon. In addition, the upper surface  14  and the lower surface  16  may each have different design indicia  32  disposed on each surface.  
     [0046] The design indicia  32  may be disposed upon the sheet of material  12  by use of a dye, ink, and/or pigment. Such dyes, inks, and/or pigments are known in the art and are commercially available, and may be disposed upon or incorporated in the sheet of material  12  by any method described herein or known in the art. That is, the design indicia  32  may be painted upon the sheet of material  12 , sprayed upon the sheet of material  12 , printed upon the sheet of material  12 , or incorporated in the sheet of material  12  during the extrusion process. The extrusion of polymer films is well-known in the art.  
     [0047] The sheet of material  12  may closely follow the design indicia  32 , and be complementary to the shape of at least a portion of the design indicia. In this manner, the sheet of material  12  forms at least a portion of the design indicia  32  by following the outline of the design indicia  32 . Alternatively, the sheet of material  12  may not follow the outline of the design indicia  32 , and may form its own geometric, non-geometric and/or asymmetric shape.  
     [0048] A bonding material  33  may, optionally, be disposed on the sheet of material  12 , on either the upper surface  14  (FIG. 1), the lower surface  16 , or both surfaces. Alternatively, however, the sheet of material  12  may be free of a bonding material  33 . As illustrated in FIG. 1, the bonding material  33 , if present, is often disposed on the upper surface  14  of the sheet of material  12 . The bonding material  33  may also be disposed in a strip of bonding material  33 , although the bonding material  33  also could be applied to a surface of the sheet of material  12  be in the form of spaced apart spots or the bonding material  33  may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the sheet of material  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  33  may form at least a part, or, alternatively, all of the pattern on each strip of material. In this instance, the bonding material  33  may comprise one or more colors; the bonding material  33  may comprise one or more patterns as well, as described above, and could form a part of the design indicia  32 . One such bonding material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,802, entitled, “Sticky Element Upon Which Insects Adhere And Materials And Methods”, issued to Donald E. Weder, on May 21, 1996 and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.  
     [0049] Turning to the characteristics of the sheet of material  12 , the sheet of material  12  has a thickness in a range from about 0.5 mils to about 50 mils. Often, the sheet of material  12  has a thickness in a range from about 1.0 mils to about 30 mils. In some embodiments, the sheet of material has a thickness in a range from about 3.0 mils to about 25 mils. In other embodiments, the sheet of material has a thickness in a range from about 4 mils to about 15 mils. And in yet still another embodiment, the sheet of material has a thickness in a range from about 4 mils to about 10 mils. The sheet of material  12  is constructed of a material which is at least somewhat flexible.  
     [0050] The sheet of material  12  may comprise any shape or combination of shapes, and a portion of a rectangular shape is shown in FIG. 1 only by way of example. The sheet of material  12  for example may be square, rectangular, circular or any other geometric, non-geometric, asymmetric or fanciful shape, such as heart shaped, for example only, or any combination of geometric and non-geometric shapes, as shown in FIGS.  1 - 2 . The sheet of material  12  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 sheet of material  12  may be laminated together or connected together by any method known in the art.  
     [0051] In one embodiment, the sheet of material  12  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 B523 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.  
     [0052] The sheet of material  12  shown in FIGS.  1 - 2  is constructed from any suitable material that is capable of having the characteristics and function described herein. The sheet of material  12  may comprise paper (the term “paper” as used herein means treated or untreated paper, corrugated paper or cardboard, or any other form of paper material). The sheet of material may comprise cellophane, foil, plastic film, metallized film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), fiber, burlap, or any combination thereof.  
     [0053] 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.  
     [0054] The sheet of material  12  has a length  34  extending between the first and second sides  20  and  22  of the sheet of material  12 . The sheet of material  12  also has a width  35  extending between the third and fourth sides  24  and  26  of the sheet of material  12 .  
     [0055] The sheet of material  12  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  12  are used, the sheets of material  12  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.  
     [0056] As noted earlier, a bonding material  33  may be disposed on the sheet of material  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.  
     [0057] 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.  
     [0058] 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 a wrapper or wrapping. Another way to secure the wrapping is to heat seal the ends 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.  
     [0059] 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, 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 pot or container, or to both the sheet itself and a pot or container.  
     [0060] The sheet of material  12  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 the sheet of material  12  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 sheet of material  12  may have various colorings, coatings, embossings, flockings and/or metallic finishes, or other decorative surface ornamentation applied separately or simultaneously. The sheet of material  12  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 the sheet of material  12 . Moreover, each surface of the sheet of material  12  may vary in the combination of such characteristics. The sheet of material  12  may also be partially or completely opaque, translucent, clear and/or tinted transparent.  
     [0061] The sheet of material  12  may also optionally comprise one or more shape sustaining elements (not shown). “Shape sustaining elements” means wire or rods, or other elements made from metal, plastic (synthetic resinous plastic), cardboard or other thickened paper product, fiber, wood, or a combination thereof, which imparts sufficient shape to permit the sheet of material  12  to extend a distance from a floral wrapping, a pot or container and/or a preformed flower pot cover, as described in greater detail below. Such a shape sustaining element (not shown) may be attached to the sheet of material  12  via a bonding material, the element laminated between sheets of material  12 , or by any method described herein or known in the art.  
     [0062] It will be understood that the shape sustaining element may be used to bend and shape the decorative pop-up attachment  10 . The shape sustaining element may be utilized to form the decorative pop-up attachment  10  into a shape which is complementary to the design indicia  32  contained thereon. The shape sustaining element may also be utilized to extend the decorative pop-up attachment  10  a distance from the item to which it is attached.  
     [0063] When the decorative pop-up attachments  10  are used, one or more of the decorative pop-up attachment  10  is connectable to a pot or container, a wrapping for flowers (a sheet of material or a sleeve), a wrapping for a pot or container, or a preformed flower pot cover. Each decorative pop-up attachment  10  will extend a distance from the pot/container, the wrapping (for a floral grouping or a pot/container), or the preformed flower pot cover, so that the design indicia  32  on the decorative end  30  may be displayed. In many instances, each decorative pop-up attachment  10  will extend a substantial distance from the pot/container, the wrapping (for a floral grouping or a pot/container), or the preformed flower pot cover. Each of these applications is discussed in detail below.  
     [0064] The decorative pop-up insert  10  may also comprise an area for a hand-written or, alternatively, a printed message. Such an area may permit a personalized, written message (not shown). Alternatively, however, such an area may have a pre-printed message (not shown). In yet another alternative, the decorative pop-up insert  10  may have a connecting portion (not shown) on the sheet of material  12  where a card or small sheet of material having a message, whether hand-written or pre-printed, could be connected to the decorative pop-up attachment  10 . Such a connecting portion may be formed by bonding material, by a slot (not shown) in the decorative pop-up attachment, or by any means and/or method known in the art. One such similar decorative pop-up attachment with an area for permitting a written or pre-printed message, or the attachment of a message, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,469, entitled “Wrapping Material Having An Extension For Design Indicia For Wrapping Flower Pots And Floral Arrangements And Methods”, issued to Weder et al., on Aug. 13, 1996, which has been previously incorporated by reference herein.  
     Embodiment of FIG.  3   
     [0065] Shown in FIG. 3 is a modified decorative pop-up attachment  10 a formed from a sheet of material  12   a  which is identical to the decorative pop-up attachment  10  and sheet of material  12  shown in FIGS.  1 - 2  and described in detail previously, except that the sheet of material  12   a  is formed into a group of sheets of material  12   a  which are stacked and aligned, generally, but not by way of limitation, one on top of the other to form a pad  36  of sheets of material  12   a.    
     [0066] The pad  36  comprises a top sheet  37  having a next sheet  38  disposed directly thereunder, with additional sheets of material  12   a  disposed under the next sheet  38 , all sheets collectively forming the pad  36  of sheets of material  12   a  (one edge of the top sheet  37  lifted for illustration purposes only). The sheets of material  12   a  are generally aligned, and may, optionally, but not by way of limitation, be connected together via a bonding material (not shown), such as, but not by way of limitation, a pressure sensitive adhesive.  
     [0067] It will be appreciated that the decorative pop-up attachment  10   a  may also be provided via a roll of sheets of material  12   a  (not shown). Such a roll may provide one, or a plurality, of decorative pop-up attachments  10   a  (not shown). Such a plurality of decorative pop-up attachments  10   a  would likely be separated by perforations, permitting each one to be easily separated from the roll (not shown). Alternatively, a plurality of decorative pop-up attachments  10   a  contained within a roll of decorative pop-up attachments  10   a  would be easily separated from a roll via a dispenser having a cutting edge (not shown).  
     The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS.  4 - 5   
     [0068] Shown in FIG. 5 is a decorative pop-up attachment  10   b  constructed from a sheet of material  12   b,  which is exactly like the decorative pop-up attachment  10  and the sheet of material  12 , except that the decorative pop-up attachment  10   b  is disposed on and connected to a pot  40 .  
     [0069] The flower pot  40 , illustrated in FIG. 4, comprises an upper end  42 , a lower end  44  and an outer peripheral surface  46 . The upper end  42  has an opening  48  that is formed in the flower pot  40 , with a portion of the flower pot opening  48  intersecting the upper end  42  of the flower pot  40  forming an inner peripheral surface  50  and a retaining space  52 . A rim  54 , namely a thickened “collar,” surrounds the opening  48 , and extends circularly around the upper end  42  of the flower pot  40 . The flower pot opening  48  is sized and shaped for receiving a floral grouping, the floral grouping being retained in the retaining space  52  of the flower pot  40  (not shown).  
     [0070] The term “flower pot” means any type of container used to hold a floral grouping. Examples of flower pots  40  used in accordance with the present invention include clay flower pots, plastic flower pots, fiber flower pots, metal pots, paper mache pots, glass flower pots, baskets, and any combination thereof.  
     [0071] In a method of use, as shown in FIG. 5, the decorative pop-up attachment  10   b  is disposed adjacent the outer peripheral surface  46  of the pot  40 . The decorative pop-up attachment  10   b  is positioned upon the outer peripheral surface  46  of the pot  40 , and connected to the outer peripheral surface  46  of the pot  40  via a bonding material  33   b.  When the decorative pop-up attachment  10   b  is connected to the pot  40  as described previously, the decorative pop-up attachment  10   b  extends a distance from the pot  40 .  
     [0072] It will be understood that, alternatively, the decorative pop-up attachment  10   b  could be disposed adjacent the inner peripheral surface  50  of the pot  40 , and positioned thereon and connected thereto (not shown). It will be appreciated that when the decorative pop-up attachment  10   b  is disposed adjacent the inner peripheral surface  50  of the pot  40 , the decorative pop-up attachment may be held in place via bonding material which connects to the pot (not shown), or, alternatively, by a frictional engagement between the inner peripheral surface  50  of the pot  40  and any growing medium and/or floral grouping and/or other material contained in the pot  40  (not shown), or, in another alternative, by any other means or method known in the art.  
     The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS.  6 - 9   
     [0073] Shown in FIGS.  8 - 9  is a decorative pop-up attachment  10   c  constructed from a sheet of material  12   c,  which is exactly like the decorative pop-up attachment  10  and the sheet of material  12 , except that the decorative pop-up attachment  10   c  is disposed on and connected to a wrapping containing a floral grouping  55 .  
     [0074] “Floral grouping”, as shown best herein in FIG. 7 and as used herein and means fresh cut flowers, artificial flowers, other fresh and/or artificial plants or other floral materials and may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentation which add to the aesthetics of the overall floral grouping  55 . The floral grouping  55  comprises a flower portion  56  which may comprise either a bloom or foliage portion and a stem portion  57 . However, it will be appreciated that the floral grouping  55  may consist of only a single bloom or only foliage (not shown). “Floral grouping” as used also includes any living plant which is contained within a flower pot as described herein. Such a floral grouping  55  may include, as well as a flower portion  56  and a stem portion  57 , a root portion contained in a growing medium or other material (not shown).  
     [0075] As mentioned previously, the floral grouping  55  may be wrapped or held in a wrapping. The wrapping may be formed from a floral wrapping sheet of material  58  wrapped about the floral grouping  55 , as shown in FIGS.  6 - 8 . Such a floral Wrapping sheet of material  58 , as shown in FIGS.  6 - 7 , has an upper surface  59 , a lower surface  60  and an outer periphery  61 . It will be understood that the floral wrapping sheet of material  58  has the same or similar characteristics as those previously described herein for the sheet of material  12  which forms the decorative pop-up attachment  10 .  
     [0076] In a method of forming a wrapping utilizing a floral wrapping sheet of material  58 , a floral grouping  55  is disposed on the floral wrapping sheet of material  58 , as shown in FIG. 7. At least one portion of the floral wrapping sheet of material  58  is overlapped over at least one other portion of the floral wrapping sheet of material  58 , as shown in FIG. 8, thereby forming a wrapping  62 . It will be appreciated that the floral wrapping sheet of material  58  may, optionally, have a bonding material disposed thereon (not shown), to secure the floral wrapping sheet of material  58  in the wrapped position. One method of forming a wrapping about a floral grouping is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,364, entitled “Wrapping A Floral Grouping With Sheets Having Adhesive Or Cohesive Applied Thereto”, issued to Weder on Jan. 26, 1993, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.  
     [0077] The wrapping  62  has an upper end  64 , a lower end  66  and an outer peripheral surface  68 . An opening  70  intersects the upper end  64  forming an inner peripheral surface  72  and a retaining space  74 . The floral grouping  55  is retained in the retaining space  74  of the wrapping  62 . The opening  70  also intersects the lower end  66 , forming a lower opening  76 , from which the stem portion  57  of the floral grouping  55  extends. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the lower end  66  of the wrapping  62  is closed (not shown). Further, it will be understood that the upper end of the wrapping  62  may also be closed (not shown).  
     [0078] In a method of use, the decorative pop-up attachment  10   c  is disposed adjacent the outer peripheral surface  68  of the wrapping  62 . The decorative pop-up attachment  10   c  is positioned upon the outer peripheral surface  68  of the wrapping  62 , and is then connected to the outer peripheral surface  68  of the wrapping  62  via the bonding material  33   c.  When connected to the wrapping  62 , the decorative pop-up attachment  10   c  extends a distance from the wrapping  62 .  
     [0079] It will be understood that the decorative pop-up attachment  10   c  could be disposed adjacent to the inner peripheral surface  72  of the wrapping  62 , and positioned thereon and connected thereto (not shown). In this instance, the decorative pop-up attachment  10   c  is connected to the inner peripheral surface  72  of the wrapping  62  via the bonding material  33   c,  or, alternatively, via a frictional engagement between the floral grouping  55 , the decorative pop-up attachment  10   c  and the inner peripheral surface  72  of the wrapping  62 , or, in another alternative, between overlapping folds of the floral wrapping sheet of material  58  which forms the wrapping  62 . It will be appreciated that the decorative pop-up attachment  10   c  in these embodiments (not shown) extends a distance from the wrapping  62  (not shown).  
     [0080] It will be appreciated that the wrapping  62  may, alternatively, be crimped about the stem portion  57  or any other portion of the floral grouping  55  (not shown). Such crimping or gathering permits the wrapping  62  to closely engage the stem portion  57  or other portion of the floral grouping  55  (not shown).  
     The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS.  10 - 13   
     [0081] Shown in FIGS.  11 - 13  is a decorative pop-up attachment  10   d  constructed from a sheet of material  12   d,  which is exactly like the decorative pop-up attachment  10  and the sheet of material  12 , except that the decorative pop-up attachment  10   d  is disposed on and connected to a sleeve which forms a wrapping  62   d  containing a floral grouping  55   d.    
     [0082] Such a sleeve 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. The sleeve remains in a flattened state when not in use. To use the sleeve described herein, the sleeve must be opened and held open to permit the sleeve to form a retaining space for a floral grouping. It will be understood that the sheets of material forming sleeves have the same or similar characteristics as those described herein for sheets of material.  
     [0083] In the present instance, but not by way of limitation, the sleeve utilized as a wrapping  62   d  herein is-preformed from a continuous web, and has an upper end  64   d,  a lower end  66   d  and an outer peripheral surface  68   d.  When the sleeve is unflattened, as shown in FIG. 10, an opening  70   d  intersects the upper end  64   d  forming an inner peripheral surface  72   d  and a retaining space  74   d.  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.  
     [0084] It will be appreciated, as shown in FIGS.  11 - 13 , that a floral grouping  55   d  is disposed in the retaining space  74   d.  The opening  70   d  usually also intersects the lower end  66   d,  forming a lower opening  76   d  in the wrapping  62   d  as well. Often when there is a lower opening  76   d,  such as illustrated herein (FIGS.  11 - 13 ), the stem portion  57   d  of the floral grouping  55   d  extends therethrough. Alternatively, the lower end  66   d  may be closed (not shown). In a further alternative, the upper end  64   d  of the wrapping  62   d  may also be closed (not shown).  
     [0085] In a method of use, as shown in FIGS.  10 - 11 , the floral grouping  55   d  is disposed into the wrapping  62   d,  with the stem end  57   d  disposed into the opening  70   d  in the upper end  64   d  of the wrapping  62   d.  The floral grouping  55   d  is retained in the retaining space  74   d,  and the flower portion  56   d  of the floral grouping  55   d  is disposed adjacent and/or near the upper end  64   d  of the wrapping  62   d,  while the stem portion  57   d  of the floral grouping  55   d  extends through the lower opening  76   d.    
     [0086] As illustrated in FIGS.  11 - 13 , the decorative pop-up attachment  10   d  is disposed adjacent the inner peripheral surface  72   d  of the wrapping  62   d.  The decorative pop-up attachment  10   d  is positioned upon the inner peripheral surface  72   d  of the wrapping  62   d,  and is then connected to the inner peripheral surface  72   d  of the wrapping  62   d  (FIGS.  12 - 13 ) via a bonding material, or, alternatively, via a frictional engagement between the inner peripheral surface  72   d  of the wrapping  62   d,  the decorative pop-up attachment  10   d  and the floral grouping  55   d  (not shown), or in another alternative, by any means and/or method known in the art. When connected to the wrapping  62   d,  the decorative pop-up attachment  10   d  extends a distance from the wrapping  62   d.    
     [0087] It will be understood that the decorative pop-up attachment  10   d  could be disposed adjacent to the outer peripheral surface  68   d  of the wrapping  62   d,  and positioned thereon and connected thereto via the bonding material  33   d,  or by any other means or method shown and/or described herein, or known in the art (not shown). In this instance as well, the decorative pop-up attachment  10   d  extends a distance from the wrapping  62   d  (not shown).  
     [0088] It will be appreciated that the wrapping  62   d  may, alternatively, be crimped about the stem portion  57   d  or any other portion of the floral grouping  55   d  (not shown). Such crimping or gathering permits the wrapping  62   d  to closely engage the stem portion  57   d  or other portion of the floral grouping  55   d  (not shown).  
     The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS.  14 - 20   
     [0089] Shown in FIG. 17- 20  is a decorative pop-up attachment  10   e  constructed from a sheet of material  12   e,  which is exactly like the decorative pop-up attachment  10  and the sheet of material  12 , except that the decorative pop-up attachment  10   e  is disposed on and connected to a sheet of material forming a pot wrapping, which is wrapped about a pot  40   e.    
     [0090] The pot wrapping is formed from a second sheet of material  78 , FIG. 14, which is sized to wrap a pot  40   e.  It will be appre-ciated that the second sheet of material  78  has all of the characteristics described earlier for the sheet of material  12 .  
     [0091] The second sheet of material  78  has an upper surface  80 , a lower surface  82  and an outer periphery  84 . The second sheet of material  78  may or may not having a bonding material thereon (not shown).  
     [0092] In a method of use, a pot  40   e  is disposed on one surface, in this example, but not by way of limitation, the upper surface  80  of the second sheet of material  78 . The second sheet of material  78  is wrapped by an operator about the outer peripheral surface  46   e  of the pot  40   e,  forming the pot wrapping  86 . One such pot wrapping is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,638, entitled “Method For Wrapping An Object With A Material Having Pressure. Sensitive Adhesive Thereon”, issued to Weder, May 12, 1992, which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
     [0093] The pot wrapping  86 , when formed, has an upper end  88 , a lower end  90  and an outer peripheral surface  92 . An opening  94  intersects the upper end  88  of the pot wrapping  86  forming an inner peripheral surface  96  and a retaining space  98 , which holds the pot  40   e  and which is adjacent the outer peripheral surface  46   e  of the pot  40   e.  Optionally, the pot wrapping  86  may also have a skirt  100  which extends from the upper end  88  of the pot wrapping  86 , as shown in FIGS.  17 - 20 .  
     [0094] The decorative pop-up attachment  10   e  is shown, in FIGS.  17 - 18 , to be disposed adjacent the outer peripheral surface  92  of the pot wrapping  86  via a bonding material, or via any other means and/or method shown and/or described herein, or known in the art. The decorative pop-up attachment  10 e, when disposed adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the pot wrapping  86 , is positioned on the pot wrapping  86  then connected to the pot wrapping  86  via a bonding material  33   e,  or via any other means or method known in the art. When the decorative pop-up attachment  10   e  is positioned on and connected to the pot wrapping  86 , the decorative pop-up attachment  10   e  extends a distance from the pot wrapping  86 .  
     [0095] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS.  19 - 20 , the decorative pop-up attachment  10   e  may be disposed adjacent the inner peripheral surface  92  of the pot wrapping  86 . In this instance, the decorative pop-up attachment  10   e  is usually disposed adjacent both the inner peripheral surface  92  of the pot wrapping and the outer peripheral surface  46   e  of the pot  40   e.  The decorative pop-up attachment  10   e  may be connected to the-pot wrapping  86  via frictional engagement, a bonding material  33   e,  or any other means or method known in the art. When the decorative pop-up attachment  10   e  is positioned on and connected to the pot wrapping  86 , the decorative pop-up attachment  10   e  extends a distance from the pot wrapping  86 .  
     The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS.  21 - 25   
     [0096] Shown in FIGS.  22 - 25  is a decorative pop-up attachment  10   f  constructed from a sheet of material  12   f,  which is exactly like the decorative pop-up attachment  10  and the sheet of material  12 , except that the decorative pop-up attachment  10   f  is disposed on and connected to a preformed flower pot cover  102 .  
     [0097] A preformed flower pot cover  102  is illustrated in FIG. 21. One such similar preformed flower pot cover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182, entitled “Article Forming System”, issued to Weder et al. on Sep. 27, 1988, and is hereby incorporated herein by referenced. The preformed flower pot cover  102  has an upper end  104 , a lower end  106  and an outer peripheral surface  108 . An opening  110  intersects the upper end  104  of the preformed flower pot cover  102  forming an inner peripheral surface  112  and a retaining space  114 . The area between the upper end  104  and the lower end  106  of the preformed flower pot cover  102  is the base  116 . Optionally, the preformed flower pot cover  102  may have a skirt  118  which extends from the upper end  104  of the base  116 .  
     [0098] In a method of use, an operator disposes a pot  40   f  into the retaining space  114  of the preformed flower pot cover  102 , as shown in FIG. 22. In this manner, the outer peripheral surface  46   f  of the pot  40   f  is adjacent the inner peripheral surface  112  of the preformed flower pot cover  102 . It will be appreciated that the pot  40   f,  or any pot shown and described herein, may contain a floral grouping  55   f.    
     [0099] In a method of using the decorative pop-up attachment  10   f,  shown in FIGS.  22 - 23 , the decorative pop-up attachment  10   f  is disposed adjacent the outer peripheral surface  108  of the preformed flower pot cover  102 . The decorative pop-up attachment  10   f,  when disposed adjacent the outer peripheral surface  108  of the preformed flower pot cover  102 , is positioned upon the preformed flower pot cover  102  and connected to the preformed flower pot cover  102  via a bonding material  33   f,  or via any other means or method shown and/or described herein, or known in the art. When the decorative pop-up attachment  10   f  is positioned on and connected to the preformed flower pot cover  102 , the decorative pop-up attachment  10   f  extends a distance from the preformed flower pot cover  102 .  
     [0100] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS.  24 - 25 , the decorative pop-up attachment  10   f  may be disposed adjacent the inner peripheral surface  112  of the preformed flower pot cover pot wrapping  86 . In this instance, the decorative pop-up attachment  10   f  is usually disposed adjacent both the inner peripheral surface  92  of the preformed flower pot cover  102  and the outer peripheral surface  46   f  of the pot  40   f.  The decorative pop-up attachment  10   f  may be connected to the preformed flower pot cover  102  via frictional engagement, a bonding material  33   f,  or any other means and/or method shown and/or described herein, or known in the art. When the decorative pop-up attachment  10   f  is positioned on and connected to the preformed flower pot cover  102 , the decorative pop-up attachment  10   f  extends a distance from the preformed flower pot cover  102 .  
     The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS.  26 - 27   
     [0101] Shown in FIGS.  26 - 27  is a decorative pop-up attachment  10   g  constructed from a sheet of material  12   g,  which is exactly like the decorative pop-up attachment  10  and the sheet of material  12 , except that the decorative pop-up attachment  10   g  is disposed in the center of a floral grouping  55   g.    
     [0102] The decorative pop-up attachment  10   g  is connected to any portion of the floral grouping  55   g,  that is, the flower portion  56   g  and/or the stem portion  57   g,  via a bonding material (not shown), or, alternatively, via a frictional engagement, or via any means or method known in the art. It will be appreciated that the floral grouping  55   g  may be disposed in a pot (not shown), or in a wrapping formed from either a floral wrapping sheet of material or a sleeve (not shown), or in a pot wrapped in a pot wrapping (not shown), or in a pot disposed in a preformed flower pot cover (not shown).  
     [0103] In a method of use, the decorative pop-up insert  10   g  is inserted into the center of the floral grouping  55   g,  as shown in FIGS.  26 - 27 . The decorative pop-up insert  10   g  is disposed in the floral grouping  55   g  such that the decorative end  30   g  and the design indicia  32   g  thereon extends a distance away from the floral grouping  55   g,  and, particularly, a distance from the flower portion  56   g  of the floral grouping  55   g.    
     [0104] 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.