US20010000735A1 - Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for making decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern which constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative grass. Printed designs or materials and/or embossed materials can also constitute a portion of the decor of the decorative grass. The method includes slitting a material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of at least one surface thereof and then cutting the slit material into segments of a predetermined length to provide the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/967,706, filed Nov. 10, 1997, entitled “Preformed Pot Cover Having a Three-Dimensional Pattern Printed Thereon”; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/821,012, filed Mar. 19, 1997, entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Product With A Sheet Of Material Having A Three Dimensional Pattern Printed Thereon”, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,152; which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/477,003, filed Jun. 7, 1995, entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Product With A Sheet Of Material Having A Three Dimensional Pattern Printed Thereon”, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,951.[0001]
• This application is also a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/094,993, filed Jun. 15, 1998, entitled “Optical Effect Material And Methods”; which is a divisional of copending U.S. Ser. No. 08/717,469, filed Sep. 20, 1996 entitled “Optical Effect Material And Methods”; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/454,474, filed May 30, 1995, entitled “Optical Effect Material and Methods”, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,720; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/179,057, filed Jan. 7, 1994, entitled “Optical Effect Material and Methods”, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,089.[0002]
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
• Not applicable.[0003]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to methods of wrapping floral groupings and flower pots with a sheet of material to provide a decorative cover for such floral groupings and flower pots, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to methods of wrapping floral groupings and flower pots with a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern printed thereon. In one aspect, the present invention relates to decorative grasses having a three-dimensional pattern, design, or printed material provided thereon.[0004]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is an enlarged, fragmental, perspective view of a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern for wrapping floral groupings and flower pots and for producing decorative grass in accordance with the present invention.[0005]
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet of material of FIG. 1.[0006]
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern thereon and a bonding material disposed along one edge thereof, a floral grouping being disposed on the sheet of material.[0007]
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the floral grouping of FIG. 3 being wrapped with the sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern thereon by one method of wrapping wherein the sheet of material is provided with a bonding material.[0008]
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a decorative cover for the floral grouping formed from the sheet of material of FIG. 3 wherein the decorative cover formed from the sheet of material has a conical configuration.[0009]
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a decorative cover formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern wherein the floral grouping is wrapped with the sheet of material by a second method of wrapping so that the decorative cover formed from the sheet of material has a substantially cylindrical configuration.[0010]
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flower pot containing a potted plant.[0011]
• FIG. 8 is perspective view of a decorative cover positioned about the flower pot of FIG. 7 wherein the decorative cover is formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern.[0012]
• FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a flower pot cover former and band applicator apparatus having the sheet of material of FIG. 2 disposed above an opening of the flower pot cover former and band applicator and having a flower pot disposed above the sheet of material.[0013]
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a floral sleeve formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern.[0014]
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the floral sleeve of FIG. 8 disposed about a floral grouping.[0015]
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a floral sleeve having a cinching member wherein the floral sleeve is formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern.[0016]
• FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the floral sleeve of FIG. 10 disposed about a floral grouping.[0017]
• FIG. 14 is a side view of a sleeve having a detachable portion wherein the sleeve is formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern.[0018]
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 14 having a flower pot disposed therein.[0019]
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a flower pot disposed in the sleeve of FIG. 14 wherein an upper portion of the sleeve has been removed to provide a decorative cover having a skirt.[0020]
• FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a preformed pot cover formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern printed thereon.[0021]
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the preformed pot cover of FIG. 17 having a flower pot disposed therein.[0022]
• FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of a male and female mold having a sheet of material disposed therebetween for forming the preformed pot cover of FIG. 18.[0023]
• FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a roll of material having a three-dimensional pattern and illustrating a knife edge being actuated by an actuator to cut at least a portion of the roll of material into elongated segments of decorative grass.[0024]
• FIG. 21 is an enlarged, fragmental perspective view of one segment of decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern.[0025]
• FIG. 22 is an enlarged, fragmental perspective view of one segment of decorative grass having printed material thereon in addition to the three-dimensional pattern.[0026]
• FIG. 23 is an enlarged, fragmental perspective view of one segment of decorative grass having embossed material thereon in addition to the three-dimensional pattern.[0027]
• FIG. 24 is an enlarged, fragmental perspective view of one segment of decorative grass having printed material and embossed material thereon in addition to the three-dimensional pattern wherein the printed material and the embossed material are in register with one another.[0028]
• FIG. 25 is an enlarged, fragmental perspective view of one segment of decorative grass having printed material and embossed material thereon in addition to the three-dimensional pattern wherein the printed material and the embossed material are out of register with one another.[0029]
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention comprises methods of wrapping floral groupings, flower pots containing potted plants or other pot means with a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern to provide a decorative cover or sleeve for such floral groupings, flower pots containing potted plants or other pot means. The present invention also comprises methods for producing decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern. The methods comprise providing a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern and wrapping the sheet of material about a floral grouping or a flower pot or other pot means to provide a decorative cover having a three-dimensional pattern; or by cutting a sheet or roll of material having a three-dimensional pattern to provide segments of decorative grass which have a predetermined width and length.[0030]
Description of FIGS.1-9
• Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, designated generally by the[0031]reference numeral10 is a sheet of material having anupper surface14, alower surface16, and an outerperipheral edge18. The sheet ofmaterial10 can be made of a polymeric material, such as polypropylene, metallized foil, paper, cloth, burlap and combinations and laminates thereof.
• As shown in FIG. 2, the outer[0032]peripheral edge18 of the sheet ofmaterial10 comprises afirst side20, asecond side22, athird side24, andfourth side26. A bonding material27 (FIGS. 3 and 4) may be disposed on at least a portion of one or both surfaces of the sheet ofmaterial10, such as theupper surface14 thereof as shown and as further illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,364, the specification of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
• The sheet of[0033]material10 has a three-dimensional pattern28 on at least a portion of one of the upper orlower surfaces14 and16 thereof, such as thelower surface16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-6. The three-dimensional pattern28 may be of any geometrical shape or design which will enhance the aesthetic qualities of adecorative cover36,36a(FIGS. 5 and 6) formed from the sheet ofmaterial10. That is, the three-dimensional pattern28 may be a lace pattern, curlicues, paisleys, swirls, squiggles, and any shape generally associated with botanical items such as leaves, petals, stems, roots, fruits and any other biomorphic shapes. Further, the three-dimensional pattern28 can be produced in any suitable manner such as by embossing or printing with a foamable ink which can be of a single color, or portions of the three-dimensional pattern28 may be printed with foamable inks of different colors so that a portion of the three-dimensional pattern28 is printed in at least a first color and other portions of the three-dimensional pattern28 are printed in at least a second color such that the three-dimensional pattern28 consists of multiple colors.
• The three-[0034]dimensional pattern28 may cover only a portion of the sheet ofmaterial10 or may cover an entire surface of the sheet ofmaterial10, or may cover all exposed and/or interior surfaces of the sheet ofmaterial10. The sheet ofmaterial10 having the three-dimensional pattern28 may be employed to provide a decorative cover for a floral grouping (FIGS. 5 and 6) or a decorative cover for a flower pot (FIG. 8); or it may be employed to provide a sleeve for wrapping or covering a floral grouping (FIGS. 11 and 13) or a flower pot (FIGS. 15 and 16); or it may be employed to form a preformed flower pot cover for covering a flower pot (FIGS. 17 and 18); or it may be cut into segments to produce decorative grasses (FIGS. 19-25). The use of the sheet ofmaterial10 having the three-dimensional pattern28 to form a decorative cover for a floral grouping or a flower pot, to form a sleeve for a floral grouping or a flower pot, or to form a preformed flower pot cover or to form decorative grass will be described in more complete detail herein.
• As noted above, the sheet of[0035]material10 having the three-dimensional pattern28 can be utilized to form a decorative cover for a floral grouping or a flower pot. The term “flower pot” as used herein refers to any type of container for holding a floral grouping, or a plant, or even another pot type container. Examples of flower pots and/or pot type containers include, but are not limited to, clay pots, wooden pots, plastic pots, pots made from natural and/or synthetic fibers, or any combination thereof. Such flower pots and or pot-type containers are provided with a retaining space for receiving a floral grouping. The floral grouping may be disposed within the retaining space of the flower pot with a suitable growing medium described in further detail below, or other retaining medium, such as a floral foam. It will also be understood that in some cases the floral grouping, and any appropriate growing medium or other retaining medium, may be disposed in a sleeve formed from the sheet ofmaterial10 having a three-dimensional pattern if the sleeve is adapted to contain a medium.
• “Floral grouping” as used herein means cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower or other fresh and/or artificial plants or other floral materials and may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentation or artificial or natural materials which add to the aesthetics of the overall floral grouping. Further, the floral grouping may comprise a growing potted plant having a root portion as well. However, it will be appreciated that the floral grouping may consist of only a single bloom or only foliage, or a botanical item (not shown), or a propagule. The term “floral grouping” may be used interchangeably herein with the term “floral arrangement”. The term “floral grouping” may also be used interchangeably herein with the terms “botanical item” and/or “propagule.”[0036]
• The term “growing medium” when used herein means any liquid, solid or gaseous material used for plant growth or for the cultivation of propagules, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil, humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, and including the nutrients, fertilizers or hormones, or combinations thereof required by the plants or propagules for growth.[0037]
• The term “botanical item” when used herein means a natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plant, taken singly or in combination. The term “botanical item” also means any portion or portions of natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plants including stems, leaves, flowers, blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or roots, taken singly or in combination, or in groupings of such portions such as bouquet or floral grouping.[0038]
• The term “propagule” when used herein means any structure capable of being propagated or acting as an agent of reproduction including seeds, shoots, stems, runners, tubers, plants, leaves, roots, or spores.[0039]
• In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the sheet of[0040]material10 having the three-dimensional pattern28 is square. It will be appreciated, however, that the sheet ofmaterial10 having the three-dimensional pattern28 can be of any shape, configuration or size as long as the sheet ofmaterial10 is sufficiently sized and shaped to wrap and encompass a flower pot or a floral grouping. For example, the sheet ofmaterial10 may have a rectangular, round, oval, octagonal or asymmetrical shape. Further, multiple sheets ofmaterial10 may be used in a single circumstance to provide a decorative cover or sleeve for a flower pot or a floral grouping. Moreover, when multiple sheets ofmaterial10 are used in combination, the sheets ofmaterial10 need not be uniform in size or shape. Finally, it will be appreciated that the sheet ofmaterial10 having a three-dimensional pattern28 shown in all embodiments herein is a substantially flat sheet except for the three-dimensional pattern28 thereon.
• Any thickness or stiffness of the sheet of[0041]material12 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet ofmaterial12 having the three-dimensional pattern28 may be wrapped about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping or cut into segments to produce decorative grass, as described herein. Stiffer sheets may be scored to facilitate their folding. The sheet ofmaterial10 preferably has a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. Typically, the sheet ofmaterial10 has a thickness in a range of about 0.5 mils to about 2.5 mils.
• The sheet of[0042]material10 is constructed from any suitable wrapping material that is capable of being wrapped about a flower pot or floral grouping. Preferably, the sheet ofmaterial10 is paper (untreated or treated in any manner), cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), cardboard, burlap, or laminations or combinations thereof having the three-dimensional pattern28 thereon.
• The term “polymer film” when used herein means a man-made polymer such as a polypropylene or a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane. A polymer film is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil.[0043]
• The sheet of[0044]material10 may also be constructed, in whole or in part, from a cling material. “Cling Wrap or Material” when used herein means any material which is capable of connecting to the sheet of material and/or itself upon contacting engagement during the wrapping process and is wrappable about an item whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engage and connect to other portions of another material, or, alternatively, itself, for generally securing the material wrapped about at least a portion of a flower pot. This connecting engagement is preferably temporary in that the material may be easily removed, i.e., the cling material “clings” to the flower pot.
• The cling material is constructed and treated if necessary, from polyethylene such as Cling Wrap made by Glad®, First Brands Corporation, Danbury, Conn. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, depend upon the size of sleeve and the size of the flower pot in the sleeve, i.e., generally, a larger flower pot may require a thicker and therefore stronger cling material. The cling material will range in thickness from about 0.1 mils to about 10 mils, and preferably from about 0.5 mils to about 2.5 mils and most preferably from about 0.6 mils to about 2 mils. However, any thickness of cling material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention which permits the cling material to be printed with a foamable ink composition so as to provide the cling material with a three-dimensional printed pattern which is capable of functioning as described herein.[0045]
• In one embodiment, the sleeve may be constructed from two polypropylene films wherein at least a lower or outer surface of one of the sheets polypropylene film is provided with a three-dimensional pattern. The sheets of polypropylene film having the three-dimensional pattern employed to produce the sleeve may be connected together or laminated or may be separate layers. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve may be constructed from only one sheet of polypropylene film having a three-dimensional pattern.[0046]
• The sheet of[0047]material10 may vary in color. Further, the sheet ofmaterial10 may comprise other decorative patterns or designs in addition to the three-dimensional pattern28 which are printed, etched, and/or embossed thereon. In addition, the sheet ofmaterial10 may have various colorings, coatings, flocking and/or metallic finishes, applied separately or simultaneously or may be characterized totally or partially by pearlescent, opaque, translucent, transparent, tinted, iridescent or the like, qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination. Moreover, each surface of the sheet ofmaterial10 may vary in the combination of such characteristics.
• The sheet of[0048]material10 has awidth30 extending generally between thefirst side20 and thesecond side22, respectively, sufficiently sized whereby the sheet ofmaterial10 can be wrapped about and encompass a floral grouping or a flower pot. The sheet ofmaterial10 has alength32 extending generally between thethird side24 and thefourth side26, respectively, sufficiently sized whereby the sheet ofmaterial10 extends over a substantial portion of the floral grouping when the sheet ofmaterial10 has been wrapped about the floral grouping in accordance with the present invention as described in detail herein. The sheet ofmaterial10 may also be wrapped about a flower pot to substantially wrap and cover the flower pot or cut into segments to produce decorative grass in accordance with the present invention.
• A plurality of sheets of[0049]material10 may be connected together to form a roll as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,976, issued Oct. 24, 1995, to Weder, et al. entitled “MATERIAL AND ADHESIVE STRIP DISPENSER”, the specification of which is hereby expressly incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
• The ink compositions which can be applied to the sheet of[0050]material10 to produce the three-dimensional patterns28 on the sheet ofmaterial10 can be any ink composition, either solvent-based or water-based, which is compatible with the sheet ofmaterial10 and which contains a foaming agent capable of foaming the ink composition on curing to produce the three-dimensional patterns28. Such foamable ink compositions are well known in the printing art. However, for environmental reasons it is preferred that the foamable ink composition be a water-based ink composition. An example of a foamable water-based ink composition which can be employed to produce the three-dimensional pattern28 on the sheet ofmaterial10 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,048 entitled “Water Based Ink Composition Free Of Volatile Organic Compounds For Disposition On A Substrate”, the specification of which is hereby expressly incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
• The foamable ink compositions may be applied to the sheet of[0051]material10 in any conventional manner. The method of application may be manual or mechanical. If the sheets of material are in the form of a roll, then gravure, flexographic procedures, or Mayer rod procedures may be used to apply the foamable ink composition to the sheet ofmaterial10.
• FIGS. 3-6 illustrate the wrapping of a[0052]floral grouping34 with the sheet ofmaterial10 having a three-dimensional pattern28 to provide adecorative cover36 for thefloral grouping34. The sheet of material10 (which may optionally have the strip ofbonding material27 disposed upon theupper surface14, thelower surface16 or both, such as the strip ofbonding material27 disposed along at least a portion of theupper surface14 so as to be disposed substantially adjacent thefourth side26 of the sheet ofmaterial10 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) is provided, either as an individual sheet or from a pad or roll of material and the like.
• The[0053]bonding material27, if present, may have a backing or release strip (not shown). The backing or release strip may be left applied for a period of time to thebonding material27 after it is disposed on a surface of the sheet ofmaterial10 prior to its use as a wrapping material, to protect the bonding qualities of the bonding strip. In operation, an operator may dispose the sheet ofmaterial10 on a support surface (not shown); thelower surface16 of the sheet ofmaterial10 contacting the support surface.
• Referring more specifically to FIG. 3, the[0054]floral grouping34 is placed upon theupper surface14 of the sheet ofmaterial10 in a diagonal orientation. Thefloral grouping34 has an upper bloom orfoliage portion42 and alower stem portion44. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the sheet ofmaterial10 is then wrapped about thefloral grouping34 by the operator, the operator overlapping a portion of the sheet ofmaterial10 over another portion of the sheet ofmaterial10. That is, for example, the operator places thefirst side20 of the sheet ofmaterial10 over thefloral grouping34, as shown in FIG. 4. The operator continues to roll thefloral grouping34 and the sheet ofmaterial10 in the direction toward thesecond side22 of the sheet ofmaterial10 until theupper surface14 nearsecond side22 firmly engages thelower surface16 of the sheet ofmaterial10 and thefloral grouping34 is substantially encompassed by the sheet ofmaterial10. Thus, thebonding material27 contacts both the sheet ofmaterial10 to provide thedecorative cover36 which substantially encompasses and surrounds a substantial portion of thefloral grouping34. FIG. 5 shows thefloral grouping34 wrapped in a conical fashion with thebloom end42 exposed near the open upper end of thedecorative cover36 and the stem end44 exposed near the lower end of thedecorative cover36.
• In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 6, the sheet of[0055]material10 is utilized to wrap thefloral grouping34. Thefloral grouping34 is disposed upon the sheet ofmaterial10 approximately parallel toside24 of the sheet ofmaterial10. The sheet ofmaterial10 is then wrapped generally about thestem portion44 of thefloral grouping34 to a position wherein thethird side24 of the sheet ofmaterial10 generally overlaps thefourth side26 of the sheet ofmaterial10 in a cylindrical fashion. It should be noted that the sheet ofmaterial10 may be wrapped a plurality of times about thestem portion44 of thefloral grouping34 before the overlapping of thethird side24 and thefourth side26 of the sheet ofmaterial10. As before, the portion of the sheet ofmaterial10 near thethird side26 is disposed generally adjacent another portion of the sheet ofmaterial10 and the two adjacent portions then are brought into contact where they may be bondingly engaged, thereby securing the sheet ofmaterial10 generally about thefloral grouping34 so as to provide adecorative cover36afor thefloral grouping34.
• In another version of the invention, the sheet of[0056]material10 may be used to wrap a flower pot or pot-type container, as noted above. Shown in FIG. 7 is a flower pot designated by thereference numeral50 and which has an openupper end52, abottom end54, an outerperipheral surface56, aninner retaining space58 within which may be disposed a growing medium. Theflower pot50 may contain a botanical item, such as aplant60, which has anupper portion62 comprising blooms or foliage or both.
• The sheet of[0057]material10 may be wrapped about theflower pot50 by any one of numerous methods used to wrap sheets of material about flower pots to form decorative pot covers for flower pots, such as adecorative cover63 disposed about theflower pot50 illustrated in FIG. 8. The sheet ofmaterial10 may, for example, be formed by hand about the outerperipheral surface56 of theflower pot50 to produce thedecorative cover63. Thedecorative cover63 can then be secured about theflower pot50 by a bonding material or byelastic band64 such that the openupper end52 of the flower pot S0 remains substantially uncovered by thedecorative cover63 substantially as shown in FIG. 8.
• Referring now to FIG. 9, a flower pot cover former and[0058]band applicator apparatus66 for forming the sheet ofmaterial10 into thedecorative cover63 for theflower pot50 is illustrated. The flower pot cover former andband applicator device66 comprises aband applicator68 and a flower pot cover former70. The flower pot cover former andband applicator device66 has asupport platform72 with anopening74 formed therein. A band, such aselastic band64, is disposed circumferentially about theopening74 in thesupport platform72.
• The[0059]lower surface16 of the sheet ofmaterial10 is positioned on anupper surface76 on thesupport platform72 such that the sheet ofmaterial10 is positioned over theopening74 in thesupport platform72. Theflower pot50 is positioned above the sheet ofmaterial10 and is moved in adirection78 into theopening74 of the flower pot cover former andband applicator device66. As theflower pot50 is moved into theopening74, the sheet ofmaterial10 is pressed about the outerperipheral surface56 of theflower pot50 thereby forming thedecorative cover63 about theflower pot50. Thedecorative cover63 is then secured about theflower pot50 by theelastic band64. Theflower pot50 having thedecorative cover63 secured thereto is then moved in adirection80 out of theopening74 in thesupport platform72.
• The[0060]elastic band64 can be applied manually or automatically about thedecorative cover63 such as by the method shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,599, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. Theband64 can be applied about thedecorative cover63 as a tie using a method such as described in “Single Station Covering and Fastening System”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,009, the specification of which is also hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. The sheet ofmaterial10 can also be applied automatically about thedecorative cover63, for example by methods shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,733,521 and 5,291,721, both of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
• Instead of securing the[0061]decorative cover63 about theflower pot50 via theband64, thedecorative cover63 formed from the sheet ofmaterial10 may be secured to theflower pot50 by the use of one or more bonding materials. For example, theupper surface14 of the sheet ofmaterial10 may have a bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof. When the sheet ofmaterial10 is disposed about theflower pot50, at least a portion of theupper surface14 of the sheet ofmaterial10 contacts the outerperipheral surface56 of theflower pot50 and is thereby bonded and held about theflower pot50 via the bonding material.
• The bonding material may cover a portion of the[0062]upper surface14 of the sheet ofmaterial10 or the bonding material may entirely cover theupper surface14 of the sheet ofmaterial10. The bonding material may be disposed on theupper surface14 of the sheet ofmaterial10 in the form of a strip or in the form of spaced-apart spots. One method for disposing a bonding material on the sheet ofmaterial10 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637, entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping”, issued to Weder, et al. on May 12, 1992, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
• The term “bonding material” or “bonding means” when used herein can mean an adhesive, frequently a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive or any adhesive/cohesive combination, having adhesive qualities (i.e., qualities of adhesion or adhesion/cohesion, respectively) sufficient to cause the attachment of a portion of the sheet of[0063]material10 to itself, to a floral grouping, or to a flower pot. Since the bonding material may comprise either an adhesive or an adhesive/cohesive combination, it will be appreciated that both adhesives and cohesives are known in the art, and both are commercially available. When 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 or bonding means” 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 or bonding means” also includes materials which are sonic sealable and vibratory sealable. The term “bonding material or bonding means” when used herein also means a heat sealing lacquer or hot melt material which may be applied to the material and, in this instance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations, also must be applied to effect the sealing.
• The term “bonding material or bonding means” 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 or bonding means” may also include ties, labels, bands, ribbons, strings, tapes (including single or double-sided adhesive tapes), staples or combinations thereof. Some of the bonding materials would secure the ends of the material while other bonding material may bind the circumference of a wrapper, or a sleeve, or, alternatively and/or in addition, the bonding materials would secure overlapping folds in the material and/or sleeve. Another way to secure the wrapping and/or sleeve 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.[0064]
• Alternatively, a cold seal adhesive may be utilized as the bonding material or means. The cold seal adhesive adheres only to a similar substrate, acting similarly as a cohesive, and binds only to itself. The cold seal adhesive, since it bonds only to a similar substrate, does not cause a residue to build up on equipment, thereby both permitting much more rapid disposition and use of such equipment to form articles and reducing labor costs. Further, since no heat is required to effect the seal, the dwell time, that is, the time for the sheet of material to form and retain the shape of an article, such as a flower pot cover or flower pot, is reduced. A cold seal adhesive binds quickly and easily with minimal pressure, and such a seal is not readily releasable. This characteristic is different from, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive.[0065]
• The term “bonding material or bonding means” when used herein also means any heat or chemically shrinkable material, and static electrical or other electrical means, chemical welding means, magnetic means, mechanical or barb-type fastening means or clamps, curl-type characteristics of the film or materials incorporated in material which can cause the material to take on certain shapes, cling films, slots, grooves, shrinkable materials and bands, curl materials, springs, and any type of welding method which may weld portions of the material to itself or to the pot, or to both the material itself and the pot.[0066]
Description of FIGS.10-16
• Shown in FIG. 10 is a decorative cover designated therein by the[0067]general reference numeral82 which comprises a flexible bag orsleeve86 of unitary construction having a three-dimensional pattern87 thereon in accordance with the present invention. Thesleeve86 may be used as thedecorative cover82 for a floral grouping or a flower pot. Thesleeve86 initially comprises a flexible flat collapsed piece of material which is openable in the form of a tube or sleeve. Such sleeves are well known in the floral industry. Further, in accordance with the present invention, thesleeve86 has a three-dimensional pattern87, as previously described herein, on at least a portion thereof. Thesleeve86 has anupper end88, alower end90 and an outerperipheral surface92. Thesleeve86 may be tapered outwardly from thelower end90 toward a larger diameter at itsupper end88. In its flattened state thesleeve86 generally has an overall trapezoidal or modified trapezoidal shape, and when opened is substantially frusto-conical to coniform. It will be appreciated, however, that thesleeve86 may comprise variations on the aforementioned shapes or may comprise significantly altered shapes such as square or rectangular, wherein thesleeve86 when opened has a cylindrical form, as long as thesleeve86 functions in accordance with the present invention in the manner described herein. The sleeve86 (or any other sleeve disclosed herein) may have an angular or contoured shape.
• The[0068]sleeve86 has anopening94 at theupper end88 and may be open at thelower end90, or closed with a bottom at thelower end90. Thesleeve86 also has an innerperipheral surface96 which, when thesleeve86 is opened, defines and encompasses aninner retaining space98. When thelower end90 of thesleeve86 has a closedlower end90, a portion of thelower end90 may be inwardly folded to form one or more gussets (not shown) for allowing the lower portion of theinner retaining space98 to be expandable, for example, for receiving the circular bottom of a pot or growing medium.
• The[0069]sleeve86 is generally frusto-conically shaped, but thesleeve86 may be, by way of example but not by way of limitation, cylindrical, frusto-conical, a combination of both frusto-conical and cylindrical, or any other shape, as long as thesleeve86 functions as described herein as noted above. Further, thesleeve86 may comprise any shape, whether geometric, non-geometric, asymmetrical and/or fanciful as long as it functions in accordance with the present invention. Thesleeve86 may also be equipped with drain holes (if having a closed bottom) or side ventilation holes (not shown), or can be made from gas permeable or impermeable materials.
• The material from which the[0070]sleeve86 is constructed is the same as previously described above for the sheet ofmaterial10. Such materials used to construct thesleeve86 are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. Any thickness of material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as thesleeve86 may be formed as described herein, and as long as the formedsleeve86 may contain at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping, as described herein. Additionally, an insulating material such as bubble film, preferable as one of two or more layers, can be utilized in order to provide additional protection for the item, such as the floral grouping, contained therein.
• In FIG. 11 the[0071]sleeve86 is illustrated having the three-dimensional pattern87 provided on the outerperipheral surface92 of thesleeve86. Afloral grouping100 is disposed within theinner retaining space98 of thesleeve86. Generally, an upper orbloom portion102 of thefloral grouping100 is exposed near theopening94 of thesleeve86 and a lower orstem portion104 of thefloral grouping100 is exposed near thelower end90 of thesleeve86. Either end of thesleeve86 may be closed about thefloral grouping100. Generally, a portion of thesleeve86 is tightened about a portion of thestem portion104 of thefloral grouping100 for holding thedecorative cover82 about thefloral grouping100. For example, thesleeve86 may be held by atie106 tied about thesleeve86 such as is shown in FIG. 11. Other methods for binding thesleeve86 may be employed such as the bonding materials described elsewhere herein.
• Similarly, it generally may be desired to use the[0072]sleeve86 as a decorative cover for a flower pot (not shown). The flower pot will generally contain a botanical item or plant. The flower pot can be deposited into theopen sleeve86 in a manner well known in the art, such as manually wherein thesleeve86 is opened by hand and the flower pot deposited therein.
• As noted above, a bonding material may be disposed on a portion of the[0073]sleeve86 or any sleeve described herein to assist in holding thesleeve86 to the flower pot when the flower pot is disposed within thesleeve86 or to assist in closing theupper end88 of thesleeve86 or adhering thesleeve86 to the flower pot after the flower pot has been disposed therein, as will be discussed in further detail below.
• It will be understood that the bonding material, if present, may be disposed as a strip or block on a surface of the[0074]sleeve86. The bonding material may also be disposed upon either the outerperipheral surface92 or the innerperipheral surface96 of thesleeve86, as well as upon the flower pot. Further, the bonding material may be disposed as spots of bonding material, or in any other geometric, non-geometric, asymmetric, or fanciful form, and in any pattern including covering either the entire innerperipheral surface96 and/or outerperipheral surface92 of thesleeve86 and/or the flower pot. The bonding material may be covered by a cover or release strip which can be removed prior to the use of thesleeve86 or flower pot. The bonding material can be applied by means known to those of ordinary skill in their art. One method for disposing a bonding material on a surfaceof thesleeve86, in this case an adhesive, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
• As noted above, a bonding material may be disposed on at least a portion of the inner[0075]peripheral surface96 of the sleeve86 (or any other sleeve described herein), or, alternatively, the bonding material may be disposed on the outerperipheral surface92 of a flower pot contained within thesleeve86, while thesleeve86 may be free of the bonding material. In a further alternative, the bonding material may be disposed both on at least a portion of the flower pot as well as upon at least a portion of the innerperipheral surface96 of thesleeve86. In addition, a portion of the bonding material may also be disposed on the outerperipheral surface92 of thesleeve86 as well. It will be understood that the bonding material may be disposed in a solid section of bonding material. The bonding material, when present, is disposed on thesleeve86 and/or flower pot by any means known in the art.
• Certain versions of sleeves described herein may be used in combination with a preformed pot cover. For example, a preformed pot cover may be applied to the pot, then the covered pot wrapped or disposed within a sleeve. Either the cover or the sleeve, or both, may have the three-dimensional pattern printed thereon. Examples of sleeves which may be used in this invention are shown in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,979, issued May 6, 1997, to Donald E. Weder which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Equipment and devices for forming sleeves are commercially available, and well known in the art.[0076]
• Shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is a[0077]decorative cover82acomprising asleeve86ahaving a three-dimensional pattern87awhich is provided with acinching tab108 having abonding material110 disposed upon a surface thereof. Thecinching tab108 can be used to gather portions of thesleeve86atogether about thestem portion104 of thefloral grouping100 as shown in FIG. 13 for holding thesleeve86atightly about thefloral grouping100.
• Shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is another embodiment of a[0078]decorative cover82bcomprising a flexible bag orsleeve86bconstructed in accordance with the present invention and designated by thegeneral reference numeral86b.Thesleeve86bhas a three-dimensional pattern87b;and thesleeve86bhas a “detaching”element112 in predetermined areas for detaching a portion of thesleeve86b.Thesleeve86bgenerally initially comprises a flexible flat collapsed piece of material which is openable in the form of a tube or sleeve. Thesleeve86bis constructed of the same material and in the same way as described previously herein and may be described exactly the same as the other sleeves described herein except for the additional elements described herein.
• The[0079]sleeve86bhas anupper end88b,a lower end90b,and an outerperipheral surface92b.Thesleeve86bhas anopening94bat theupper end88bthereof, and thesleeve86bmay be open at the lower end90bor closed with a bottom at the lower end90b.In a flattened state, thesleeve86bhas afirst side113aand asecond side113b.Thesleeve86balso has an innerperipheral surface96bwhich, when thesleeve86bis opened, defines and encompasses an inner retaining space98bas shown in FIG. 15. When the lower end90bof thesleeve86bhas a closed bottom, a portion of the lower end90bmay be inwardly folded to form one or more gussets (not shown) for permitting a circular bottom of an object such as apotted plant118 to be disposed in the inner retaining space98bof the lower end90bof thesleeve86b.
• As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the[0080]sleeve86bis demarcated into anupper portion114 and alower portion116. Thelower portion116 of thesleeve86bis generally sized to contain theflower pot117. Theupper portion114 of thesleeve86bis sized to substantially surround and encompass aplant118 contained in the flower pot117 (FIGS. 15 and 16) disposed within thelower portion116 of thesleeve86b.Thesleeve86bis demarcated into theupper portion114 and thelower portion116 by a detachingelement112 for enabling the detachment of theupper portion114 of thesleeve86bfrom thelower portion116 of thesleeve86b.In the present version, the detachingelement112 is a plurality of generally laterally-oriented or alternating diagonally-oriented perforations which extend circumferentially across the outerperipheral surface92bof thesleeve86bfrom thefirst side113ato thesecond side113b.
• In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the[0081]lower portion116 of thesleeve86bfurther comprises abase portion120 and askirt portion122. Thebase portion120 comprises that part of thelower portion116 of thesleeve86bwhich, when theflower pot117 is placed into thelower portion116 of thesleeve86b,has an inner peripheral surface which is substantially adjacent to and surrounds the outer peripheral surface of theflower pot117. Theskirt portion122 comprises that part of thelower portion116 of thesleeve86bwhich extends beyond an open upper end of theflower pot117 and is substantially adjacent at least a portion of theplant118 contained within theflower pot117 and which is left to freely extend at an angle, inwardly or outwardly, from thebase portion120 when the upper portion of114 thesleeve86bis detached from thelower portion116 of thesleeve86bby actuation of the detachingelement112.
• In the[0082]intact sleeve86b,theskirt portion122 comprises an upper peripheral edge congruent with the detachingelement112 which is connected to a lower peripheral edge, also congruent with the detachingelement112, of theupper portion114 of thesleeve86b.In FIGS. 14 and 15, the upper peripheral edge of theskirt portion122 is congruent with a series of alternating diagonally-oriented lines of perforations which together form a zig-zag and comprise the detachingelement112. Theupper portion114 of thesleeve86bmay also have anadditional detaching element124 indicated as a plurality of vertical perforations for facilitating removal of theupper portion114 of thesleeve86band which are disposed more or less vertically therein so as to extend between the detachingelement112 of thesleeve86band theupper end88bof thesleeve86b.
• The[0083]upper portion114 of thesleeve86bis thereby separable from thelower portion116 of thesleeve86bby tearing theupper portion114 along both the detachingelement124 and the detachingelement112, thereby separating theupper portion114 from thelower portion116 of thesleeve86b.Thelower portion116 of thesleeve86bremains disposed as thebase portion120 about theflower pot117 and as theskirt portion122 about theplant118 forming adecorative cover126 as shown in FIG. 16 which substantially surrounds and encompasses theflower pot117 and theplant118 contained therein. The three-dimensional pattern87bmay be provided on only thelower portion116 of thesleeve86b,for example, the base andskirt portions120 and122 while theupper portion114 is left unprinted or is printed with another design. When theupper portion114 is detached from thelower portion116 of thesleeve86b,thecover portion116 containing the three-dimensional pattern87bis left.
• “Detaching element” as used herein, can be any element, or combination of elements, or features, such as, but not by way of limitation, perforations, tear strips, zippers, and any other devices or elements of this nature known in the art, or any combination thereof. Therefore, while perforations are shown and described in detail herein, it will be understood that tear strips, zippers, or any other “detaching elements” known in the art, or any combination thereof, could be substituted therefor and/or used therewith.[0084]
• In a general method of use of sleeves[0085]86-86bas a decorative cover for a flower pot, an operator provides a sleeve86-86b,and theflower pot117 having theplant118 disposed in a growing medium contained within theflower pot117. The operator then disposes theflower pot117 having theplant118 contained therein into the sleeve86-86bby opening the sleeve86-86bat its upper end88-88band assuring both that the opening therein is in an open condition, and that the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve86-86bis somewhat expanded outward as well, as shown in FIG. 15. The operator then manually or automatically disposes theflower pot117 into the opening in the sleeve, theflower pot117 being disposed generally through the upper portion of the sleeve86-86binto generally the lower portion of the sleeve86-86b,theflower pot117 remaining in the lower portion of the sleeve86-86b,permitting the sleeve86-86bto substantially surround and tightly encompass theflower pot117. It will be understood that, alternatively, the sleeve86-86bwith an extension (not shown) so that the sleeve86-86bmay be disposed on rods, or wickets whereby theflower pot117 then being disposed in the sleeve86-86beither before or after the sleeve86-86bhas been removed from the wickets.
Embodiments of FIGS.17-18
• Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, a decorative preformed[0086]flower pot cover128 is illustrated constructed from a sheet ofmaterial130 having a three-dimensional pattern132 on at least one surface thereof such as alower surface134. The sheet ofmaterial130 used in the construction of the preformedflower pot cover128 is identical to the sheet ofmaterial10 having the three-dimensional pattern28 thereon hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 1.
• The decorative preformed[0087]flower pot cover128 has anupper end136, alower end138, and an outerperipheral surface140. Anopening142 intersects theupper end136, forming an innerperipheral surface144 which defines and encompasses a retaining space within which aflower pot146 containing afloral grouping148 may be disposed in a manner well known in the art and which is shown in FIG. 18.
• The decorative preformed[0088]flower pot cover128 may be constructed of one sheet ofmaterial130 having the three-dimensional pattern132 substantially as shown in FIG. 19, or a plurality of sheets of the same and/or different types of material may be employed in the formation of the decorative preformedflower pot cover128. The thickness of the sheet ofmaterial130 may vary widely and any thickness of the sheet ofmaterial130 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet ofmaterial130 is formable into the decorative preformedflower pot cover128 as described herein. When the sheet ofmaterial130 is constructed of a plurality of sheets of material, each sheet of material may be connected to an adjacent sheet of material via a bonding material.
• The decorative preformed[0089]flower pot cover128 may be formed using aconventional mold system150 comprising amale mold152 and afemale mold154 having amold cavity156 for matingly receiving themale mold152. The sheet ofmaterial130 having the three-dimensional pattern132 thereon is positioned between the male andfemale molds152 and154, respectively. Movement of themale mold152 in thedirection158 and into themold cavity156 forces the sheet ofmaterial130 to be formed about the portion of themale mold152 disposed in themold cavity156 of thefemale mold154 so that, upon removal of themale mold152 from mating engagement with thefemale mold154 by movement of themale mold152 in the direction159, the decorativepreformed pot cover128 is recovered (substantially as shown in FIG. 17) and thereby forms the sheet ofmaterial130 into the preformed decorative flower pot cover128 (FIG. 18).
• Methods for forming such preformed decorative pot covers are well known in the art. Two methods of forming such covers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,773,182 and 5,291,721, each of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.[0090]
• Further, in accordance with the present invention, the preformed[0091]flower pot cover128 may have a bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof, and may contain printed material or designs, and/or embossed material on at least a portion thereof in addition to the three-dimensional pattern described in detail above.
Embodiments of FIGS.20-25
• Referring now to FIG. 20, a[0092]roll160 ofmaterial162 having a three-dimensional pattern164 provided on at least one surface of thereof, such as anupper surface166 of thematerial162, is illustrated, together with a knife assembly168 which is actuated by anactuator170 to cut at least a portion of the material162 withdrawn from theroll160 intoelongated segments172 ofdecorative grass174. Thematerial162 is substantially identical in construction as the sheet ofmaterial10 having a three-dimensional pattern28 provided on at least a portion of one of the surfaces of the sheet ofmaterial10 as hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 1. That is, thematerial162 can be made of paper (untreated or treated in any manner), cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), cardboard, burlap, or laminations or combinations thereof. Thematerial162 may vary in color. Further, thematerial162 may comprise other decorative patterns or designs in addition to the three-dimensional pattern164 which are printed, etched, and/or embossed thereon. In addition, thematerial162 may have various colorings, coatings, flocking and/or metallic finishes, applied separately or simultaneously, or may be characterized totally or partially by pearlescent, opaque, translucent, transparent, tinted, iridescent or the like, qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination. Moreover, each surface of thematerial162 may vary in the combination of such characteristics.
• The three-[0093]dimensional pattern164 provided on thematerial162 may be of any geometrical shape or design which will enhance the aesthetic qualities of adecorative grass174 formed from thematerial162, or if desired, from the sheet ofmaterial10. That is, the three-dimensional pattern164 provided on thematerial162 may be a lace pattern, curlicues, paisleys, swirls, squiggles, and any shape generally associated with botanical items such as leaves, petals, stems, roots, fruits and any other biomorphic shapes. Further, the three-dimensional pattern162 may be produced by printing and/or embossing thematerial162, by etching at least a portion of one surface of the material162 or by any other method known in the art.
• The three-[0094]dimensional pattern164 may cover only a portion of the material162 or may cover an entire surface of thematerial162. Further, the three-dimensional pattern164 may be positioned on thematerial162 so that when thematerial162 is cut intoelongated segments172 ofdecorative grass174, the three-dimensional pattern164 substantially uniformly lies within the boundaries of theelongated segments172; or the three-dimensional pattern164 may be positioned on thematerial162 so that when thematerial162 is cut intoelongated segments172 ofdecorative grass174, the three-dimensional pattern164 is randomly positioned on theelongated segments172 whereby the three-dimensional pattern164 is not uniformly provided within the boundaries of theelongated segments172.
• The[0095]roll160 ofmaterial162 is supported on amounted shaft176. Thematerial162 having the three-dimensional pattern164 provided thereon is withdrawn from theroll160 ofmaterial162 via aleading edge178 until a predetermined length of thematerial162 has been withdrawn from theroll160 ofmaterial162. In this position, a portion of thematerial162 is disposed under the knife assembly168 having a plurality of cuttingelements180. The knife assembly168 is connected to theactuator170 which is adapted to move the knife assembly168 in afirst direction182 or in asecond direction184. When the predetermined length of thematerial162 has been withdrawn from theroll160 of thematerial162, theactuator170 moves the knife assembly168 in thefirst direction182 to a position wherein the cuttingelements180 of the knife assembly168 severingly engage thematerial162 to provide a slit web ofmaterial186.
• In another optional mode, the[0096]actuator170 may rotate the knife assembly168 to thesecond direction184 wherein the cuttingelements180 of the knife assembly168 severingly re-engages the slit web ofmaterial186 thereby causing the slit web ofmaterial186 to be severed into theelongated segments172 of the decorative grass174 (FIGS.20 amd21). Theactuator170 may comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or a motor and gear arrangement or any other form of arrangement suitable for moving the knife assembly168 in thefirst direction182 and, when desired, in thesecond direction184. After thecutting elements180 of the knife assembly168 have cuttingly severed the desired portion of thematerial162, theactuator170 is actuated to move the knife assembly168 in astorage direction188 to a storage position disposed a distance above thematerial162 as opposed to the cutting positions previously described. Alternatively, theleading edge178 of the sheet ofmaterial162 may be run across a first knife edge (not shown) set in a support surface (also not shown) to form the slit web ofmaterial186 wherein theactuator170 actuates a second knife edge (not shown) to cross-cut the slit web ofmaterial186 intoelongated segments172 ofdecorative grass174. Apparatus and methods for making decorative grass and the like is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,388, entitled, “Apparatus For Producing Weighed Charges Of Loosely Aggregated Filamentary Material”, issued to Weder et al. on Mar. 3, 1987, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.
• Referring now to FIG. 21, one[0097]elongated segment172 of thedecorative grass174 is illustrated. Theelongated segment172 of thedecorative grass174, which is produced from thematerial162 having the three-dimensional pattern164, is provided with anupper surface190 having the three-dimensional pattern164 thereon and alower surface192. While theelongated segment172 of thedecorative grass174 has been shown as having the three-dimensional pattern164 on theupper surface190 thereof, it should be understood that theelongated segment172 of thedecorative grass174 can be provided with the three-dimensional pattern164 on thelower surface192 thereof, or on both the upper andlower surfaces190 and192.
• The[0098]elongated segment172 of thedecorative grass174 has awidth194 and alength196 which define the boundaries of theelongated segment172. The three-dimensional pattern164 may be confined within the boundaries of theelongated segment172 of the decorative grass174 (substantially as shown in FIG. 20); or the three-dimensional pattern164 may be randomly positioned on theelongated segment172 so that only a portion of the three-dimensional pattern164 lies within the boundaries of theelongated segment172 of thedecorative grass174. Thewidth194 andlength196 of theelongated segment172 are determined by the design and operational parameters of the knife assembly168. Further, thewidth194 andlength196, as well as the thickness of theelongated segment172 can vary widely and will generally be dependent on the requirements of individual consumers. For most uses, however, such as when the elongated segments, such assegment172, are used as a packing material or a decorative grass for use in filling Easter baskets, candy boxes, preparing floral arrangements, wreaths and other decorative purposes, the elongated segments will have a width of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.125 inches, a length of from about 2 inches through 24 inches and a thickness from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.0030 inches. Further, in many instances the elongated segments are intertwined into a cohesive mass whereby the elongated segments are provided with flat portions, random longitudinal curls, random transverse curls, crimped or crinkled portions and combinations thereof.
• The segments of the[0099]decorative grass174, such as thesegment172, can be produced clear or in almost any color required and the colors can be transparent or opaque including but not exclusively red, green, yellow, pink orchid and blue. Further, the upper andlower surfaces190 and192 of theelongated segment172 may be of the same color, or of different colors, or have various coatings, flockings, and/or metallic finishes applied thereto.
• Referring now to FIG. 22, another embodiment of an[0100]elongated segment172aof adecorative grass174ais illustrated. Theelongated segment172aof thedecorative grass174ais provided with anupper surface190aand a lower surface192a.Theupper surface190ais provided with a three-dimensional pattern164aand a printed design and/or printedmaterials198. Theelongated segment172ahas awidth194aand alength196awhich define the boundaries of theelongated segment172a.The three-dimensional pattern164aand the printed design and/or printedmaterials198 may be confined within the boundaries of theelongated segment172aof thedecorative grass174a(substantially as shown in FIG. 22); or the three-dimensional pattern164aand/or the printed design and/or printedmaterials198 may be randomly positioned on theelongated segment172aso that only a portion of the three-dimensional pattern164a,the printed design and/or printedmaterials198, or the three-dimensional pattern164aand the printed design and/or printedmaterials198 lay within the boundaries of theelongated segment172aof thedecorative grass174a.
• As previously stated with reference to the[0101]elongated segment172, thewidth194aandlength196aof theelongated segment172aare determined by the design and operational parameters of the knife assembly168. Further, thewidth194aandlength196a,as well as the thickness of theelongated segment172acan vary widely and will generally be dependent on the requirements of individual consumers. For most uses, however, theelongated segment172awill have a width of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.125 inches, a length of from about 2 inches through 24 inches and a thickness from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.0030 inches.
• The segments of the[0102]decorative grass174a,such as thesegment172a,can be produced clear or in almost any color required and the colors can be transparent or opaque including but not exclusively red, green, yellow, pink orchid and blue. Further, the upper andlower surfaces190aand192aof thesegment172amay be of the same color, or of different colors, or have various coatings, flockings, and/or metallic finishes applied thereto.
• Referring now to FIG. 23, another embodiment of an[0103]elongated segment172bof adecorative grass174bis illustrated. Theelongated segment172bof thedecorative grass174bis provided with anupper surface190band a lower surface192b.The upper surface192bis provided with a three-dimensional pattern164bandembossed material200, such as a design, slogan etc., thereon. Theelongated segment172bhas awidth194band alength196bwhich define the boundaries of theelongated segment172b.The three-dimensional pattern164band theembossed material200 may be confined within the boundaries of theelongated segment172bof thedecorative grass174b(substantially as shown in FIG. 23); or the three-dimensional pattern164band/or theembossed material200 may be randomly positioned on theelongated segment172bso that only a portion of the three-dimensional pattern153b,the embossedmaterial200, or the three-dimensional pattern164band theembossed material200 lay within the boundaries of theelongated segment172bof thedecorative grass174b.
• As previously stated with reference to the[0104]elongated segments172 and172a,thewidth194bandlength196bof theelongated segment172bare determined by the design and operational parameters of the knife assembly168. Further, thewidth194bandlength196b,as well as the thickness of theelongated segment172bcan vary widely and will generally be dependent on the requirements of individual consumers. For most uses, however, theelongated segment172bwill have a width of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.125 inches, a length of from about 2 inches through 24 inches and a thickness from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.0030 inches.
• The segments of the[0105]decorative grass174b,such as thesegment172b,can be produced clear or in almost any color required and the colors can be transparent or opaque including but not exclusively red, green, yellow, pink orchid and blue. Further, the upper andlower surfaces190band192bof thesegment172bmay be of the same color, or of different colors, or have various coatings, flockings, and/or metallic finishes applied thereto.
• Referring now to FIG. 24, another embodiment of an[0106]elongated segment172cof adecorative grass174cis illustrated. Theelongated segment172cof thedecorative grass174cis provided with anupper surface190cand alower surface192c.Theupper surface190cis provided with a three-dimensional pattern164c,printed design and/or printedmaterials198candembossed material200c,such as a design, slogan etc., thereon. Theelongated segment172chas awidth194cand alength196cwhich define the boundaries of theelongated segment172c.The three-dimensional pattern164c,the printed design and/or printedmaterial198cand theembossed material200cmay be confined within the boundaries of theelongated segment172cof thedecorative grass174c(substantially as shown in FIG. 24); or the three-dimensional pattern164c,the printed design and/or printedmaterial198cand/or theembossed material200cmay be randomly positioned on theelongated segment172cso that only a portion of the three-dimensional pattern164c,and/or the printed design and/or printedmaterial198c,and/or theembossed material200c,lie within the boundaries of theelongated segment172cof thedecorative grass174c.However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, the printed design and/or printedmaterial198c,and/or theembossed material200care in register with one another.
• As previously stated with reference to the[0107]elongated segments172,172aand172b,thewidth194candlength196cof theelongated segment172care determined by the design and operational parameters of the knife assembly168. Further, thewidth194candlength196c,as well as the thickness of theelongated segment172ccan vary widely and will generally be dependent on the requirements of individual consumers. For most uses, however, theelongated segment172cwill have a width of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.125 inches, a length of from about 2 inches through 24 inches and a thickness from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.0030 inches.
• The segments of the[0108]decorative grass174c,such as thesegment172c,can be produced clear or in almost any color required and the colors can be transparent or opaque including but not exclusively red, green, yellow, pink orchid and blue. Further, the upper andlower surfaces190cand192cof thesegment172cmay be of the same color, or of different colors, or have various coatings, flockings, and/or metallic finishes applied thereto.
• Referring now to FIG. 25, another embodiment of an[0109]elongated segment172dof adecorative grass174dis illustrated. Theelongated segment172dof thedecorative grass174dis provided with anupper surface190dand alower surface192d.Theupper surface190dis provided with a three-dimensional pattern164d,printed design and/or printedmaterials198dandembossed material200d,such as a design, slogan etc., thereon. Theelongated segment172dhas awidth194dand alength196dwhich define the boundaries of theelongated segment172d.The three-dimensional pattern164d,the printed design and/or printedmaterial198dand theembossed material200dmay be confined within the boundaries of theelongated segment172dof thedecorative grass174d(substantially as shown in FIG. 25); or the three-dimensional pattern164d,the printed design and/or printedmaterial198dand/or theembossed material200dmay be randomly positioned on theelongated segment172dso that only a portion of the three-dimensional pattern164d,and/or the printed design and/or printedmaterial198d,and/or theembossed material200d,lie within the boundaries of theelongated segment172dof thedecorative grass174d.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 25, the printed design and/or printedmaterial198d,and/or theembossed material200dare out or register with one another.
• It should be noted that while the three-dimensional pattern[0110]164-164d,the printed design and/or printedmaterial198,198cand198d,and/or theembossed material200,200cand200dhave been illustrated on the upper surfaces190-190dof the segments172-172dof the decorative grass174-174d,the three-dimensional pattern164-164d,the printed design and/or printedmaterial198,198cand198dand theembossed material200,200cand200dcan be provided on the lower surfaces192-192dof the segments172-172dof the decorative grass174-174d,or on both the upper surfaces190-192dof the segments172-172dand the lower surfaces192-192dof the segments172-172d.
• Further, as previously stated with reference to the[0111]elongated segments160,160a,160band160c,thewidth194dandlength196dof theelongated segment172dare determined by the design and operational parameters of the knife assembly168. Further, thewidth194dandlength196d,as well as the thickness of theelongated segment172dcan vary widely and will generally be dependent on the requirements of individual consumers. For most uses, however, theelongated segment172dwill have a width of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.125 inches, a length of from about 2 inches through 24 inches and a thickness from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.0030 inches.
• The segments of the[0112]decorative grass174d,such as thesegment172d,can be produced clear or in almost any color required and the colors can be transparent or opaque including but not exclusively red, green, yellow, pink orchid and blue. Further, the upper andlower surfaces190dand192dof thesegment172dmay be of the same color, or of different colors.
• 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.[0113]

Claims (26)

What is claimed:

1. A method for making decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern comprising:

providing a material having an upper surface, a lower surface and a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof;

slitting the material to provide strips of material having a predetermined width; and

cutting the strips of material into segments to provide a decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern.

2. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of

claim 1

wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the material is further provided with a printed design or material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor to the decorative grass.

3. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of

claim 2

wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the three-dimensional pattern and the printed design or material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor to the decorative grass are positioned within the boundaries of the segments of the decorative grass.

4. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of

claim 2

wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the material is further provided with embossed material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern and the printed design or material to provide at least a portion of the decor to the decorative cover.

5. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of

claim 4

wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the three-dimensional, the printed design or material and the embossed material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor to the decorative grass are positioned within the boundaries of the segments of the decorative grass.

6. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of

claim 4

wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, at least a portion of the printed design or material and the embossed material are in registry with one another.

7. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of

claim 4

wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, at least a portion of the printed design or material and the embossed material are out of registry with one another.

8. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of

claim 1

wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the material is further provided with embossed material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor to the decorative grass.

9. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of

claim 8

wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the three-dimensional and the embossed material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor to the decorative grass are positioned within the boundaries of the segments of the decorative grass.

10. Decorative grass for use in filling Easter baskets, candy boxes, preparing floral arrangements, wreaths and other decorative purposes comprising a mass of randomly arranged segments of material having a three-dimensional pattern provided on at least a portion of one surface of the segments and wherein the segments of the material have substantially the same width and length and a substantially rectangularly shaped cross-section, and are intertwined into a cohesive mass whereby the segments of the material are provided with flat portions, random longitudinal curls, random transverse curls, crimped or crinkled portions and combinations thereof.

11. The decorative grass of

claim 10

wherein at least a portion of the segments of the material are further provided with printed designs or materials on at least one surface thereof which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor of the decorative grass.

12. The decorative grass of

claim 11

wherein at least a portion of the segments of the material are further provided with an embossed material on at least one surface thereof which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern and the printed designs or materials to provide at least a portion of the decor of the decorative grass.

13. The decorative grass of

claim 12

wherein at least a portion of the printed designs or materials and the embossed material on the segments of material are in registry with one another.

14. The decorative grass of

claim 12

wherein at least a portion of the printed designs or materials and the embossed material on the segments of material are out of registry with one another.

15. The decorative grass of

claim 10

wherein at least a portion of the segments of material are further provided with embossed material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor of the decorative grass.

16. A packing material in the form of decorative grass wherein the packing material comprises:

a plurality of undivided strands of material wherein at least a portion of the strands of material have a three-dimensional pattern thereon and wherein the strands of material have a substantially rectangularly-shaped cross-section.

17. The packing material of

claim 16

wherein at least a portion of the strands of material are further provided with printed designs and materials thereon.

18. The packing material of

claim 17

wherein at least a portion of the strands of material are further provided with an embossed material thereon.

19. The packing material of

claim 18

wherein at least a portion of the printed designs and materials and the embossed materials on the strands of material are in registry with one another.

20. The packing material of

claim 18

wherein at least a portion of the printed designs and materials and the embossed materials on the strands of material are out of registry with one another.

21. The packing material of

claim 16

wherein at least a portion of the strands of material are further provided with an embossed material thereon.

22. A method for providing a packing material in the form of decorative grass wherein the packing material comprises a plurality of individual strands of material wherein at least a portion of the strands of material have a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a roll of material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof;

withdrawing a portion of the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof from the roll of such material;

slitting the portion of the material withdrawn from the roll to provide a slit web material wherein at least a portion of the slit web material has a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof; and

cutting the slit web material to provide a plurality of segments having a substantially rectangular-shaped cross-section wherein at least a portion of the segments have a three-dimensional pattern.

23. The method for providing a packing material of

claim 22

wherein, in the step of providing a roll of material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof, the material is further provided with printed designs and materials thereon.

24. The method for providing a packing material of

claim 22

wherein, in the step of providing a roll of material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof, the material is further provided within embossed materials thereon.

25. The method for providing a packing material of

claim 24

wherein segments of material having a substantially rectangular-shaped cross-section and a three-dimensional pattern provided on at least a portion of one surface of the segments are intertwined into a cohesive mass whereby the segments of the material are provided with flat portions, random longitudinal curls, random transverse curls, crimped or crinkled portions and combinations thereof.

26. The method for providing a packing material of

claim 22

wherein, in the step of providing a roll of material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof, the material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

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