US20050246959A1 - Method for covering a flower pot and floral grouping - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of covering a flower pot with a floral grouping disposed therein. In the method, a cover having an upper extension is formed about the flower pot. The upper extension is formed about the floral grouping to a position wherein the upper extension extends about a portion of the floral grouping to provide a protective covering. The cover is secured about the pot and floral grouping via an adhesive or cohesive bonding material disposed on the cover.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/697,857, filed Oct. 30, 2003; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/261,852, filed Sep. 30, 2002, now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/767,388, filed Jan. 23, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,225, issued Oct. 1, 2002; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/374,465, filed Aug. 13, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,348; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/036,044, filed Mar. 6, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,651; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/846,441, filed Apr. 30, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,905; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/468,502, filed Jun. 6, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,937; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/037,067, filed Mar. 25, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,169; which is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. Ser. No. 07/926,098, filed Aug. 5, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,629; said U.S. Ser. No. 08/037,067, also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/940,930, filed Sep. 4, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,482. Each of these applications is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to coverings for flower pots and floral groupings and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a covering having a portion extending about a flower pot for providing a decorative covering and another portion extending about the floral grouping disposed in the flower pot for providing a protective covering for the floral grouping.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an upper surface of a sheet of material with a sheet extension connected thereto constructed in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing the sheet of material ofFIG. 1 formed about a flower pot and the sheet extension formed about a floral grouping to provide a protective covering.
• FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing the sheet of material formed about the flower pot as shown inFIG. 2 with the flower pot not being shown inFIG. 3 and showing the sheet extension wrapped about the floral grouping.
• FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the sheet of material crimped to form an overlapping fold.
• FIG. 5 is a plan view of a lower surface of a modified sheet of material having a sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the sheet of material ofFIG. 5 crimped to form an overlapping fold.
• FIG. 7 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing a sheet of material wrapped about a flower pot to form a modified decorative covering and showing the sheet extension formed about a floral grouping to provide a protective covering.
• FIG. 8 is a plan view of an upper surface of another modified sheet of material and showing a modified sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet of material and sheet extension ofFIG. 8.
• FIG. 10 is a plan view of an upper surface of yet another modified sheet of material with a sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 11 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing the modified sheet of material ofFIG. 10 formed about a flower pot and the sheet extension formed about a floral grouping.
• FIG. 12 is a plan view of an upper surface of still another modified sheet of material with a modified sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet of material and the sheet extension ofFIG. 12.
• FIG. 14 is a plan view of an upper surface of still another modified sheet of material with a modified sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet of material and the sheet extension ofFIG. 14.
• FIG. 16 is a plan view of an lower surface of still another modified sheet of material with a sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 17 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the sheet of material ofFIG. 16 formed about a flower pot and the sheet extension formed about a floral grouping.
• FIG. 18 is a elevational view of a pad of sheets of material with sheet extensions connected thereto constructed in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic, elevational view of a roll of material for providing sheets of material with sheet extensions connected thereto in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the roll of material for providing sheets of material with sheet extensions connected thereto in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 21 is a plan view of an upper surface of yet another modified sheet of material with a sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 22 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing the sheet of material ofFIG. 21 formed about a flower pot and the sheet extension formed about a floral grouping.
• FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet of material ofFIG. 21 wrapped about a flower pot with the section taken along a horizontal plane.
• FIG. 24 is an elevational view of a modified flower pot for cooperating to connect a sheet of material thereto.
• FIG. 25 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing a sheet of material wrapped about a flower pot for forming yet another modified decorative cover with a sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a modified flower pot for cooperating to secure a sheet of material wrapped thereabout to form a modified decorative cover like the decorative cover shown inFIG. 25.
• FIG. 27 is a plan view of a lower surface of still another modified sheet of material having a ribbon connected thereto and showing a sheet extension connected thereto with a ribbon connected to the sheet extension.
• FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the modified sheet of material with the sheet extension connected thereto shown inFIG. 27.
• FIG. 29 is an elevational view of the sheet of material ofFIG. 27 wrapped about a flower pot (not shown) to form another modified decorative covering and the sheet extension formed about the floral grouping to provide a protective covering.
• FIG. 30 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of a flower pot with a floral grouping disposed therein and showing a sheet of material wrapped about the flower pot and secured thereto with a band, the sheet of material having a sheet extension connected thereto formed about the floral grouping for providing a protective covering.
• FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a flower pot cover with a sheet extension constructed in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 32 is an elevational view of the flower pot cover ofFIG. 31 with the sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 33 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of a flower pot with the flower pot cover ofFIGS. 31 and 32 placed thereabout and with a crimped portion formed in the flower pot cover and with the sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a modified flower pot cover with a sheet extension connected thereto constructed in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 35 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, showing the flower pot cover ofFIG. 34 placed about a flower pot with the flower pot cover having a crimped portion formed therein, the flower pot cover having the sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 36 is a perspective view of yet another modified flower pot cover with a sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view showing the flower pot cover ofFIG. 36 disposed about a flower pot with a crimped portion being formed in the flower pot cover and showing the sheet extension formed about the floral grouping.
• FIG. 38 is an elevational view of still another modified flower pot cover with a sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 39 is an elevational view of still another modified flower pot cover with a sheet extension connected thereto.
• FIG. 40 is an elevational view of still another modified flower pot cover with a sheet extension connected thereto.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Shown inFIG. 1 and designated by thegeneral reference number10 is a sheet of material constructed in accordance with the present invention.
• The sheet ofmaterial10 includes an upper surface20 (FIG. 1) and a lower surface22 (FIG. 2). A connectingbonding material24 is disposed on theupper surface20 of the sheet ofmaterial10. The sheet ofmaterial10 has an outerperipheral edge26. The connectingbonding material24 is disposed near and spaced adistance28 from the outerperipheral edge26 of the sheet ofmaterial10 and extends generally circumferentially about the sheet ofmaterial10.
• The sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIG. 1 is circularly shaped and the connectingbonding material24 extends in a circularly shaped pattern over theupper surface20 of the sheet ofmaterial10. The sheet ofmaterial10 may be any geometric shape such as square or rectangular or heart shaped or trapezoidally shaped or any other geometric shape. Further, the connectingbonding material24 may extend in any geometric pattern over theupper surface20 of the sheet ofmaterial10, and the circularly shaped pattern is shown inFIG. 1 only by way of example.
• Asheet extension25 is connected to the sheet ofmaterial10. Thesheet extension25 extends about the outerperipheral edge26 of the sheet ofmaterial10. Thesheet extension25 extends outwardly from the sheet ofmaterial10 terminating with an outerperipheral edge27. Thesheet extension25 has an upper surface29 (FIG. 1) and a lower surface31 (FIG. 2). Theupper surface29 is disposed in a plane about coplanar with theupper surface20 of the sheet ofmaterial10 and thelower surface31 is disposed in a plane about coplanar with thelower surface22 of the sheet ofmaterial10.
• Thesheet extension25 and the sheet ofmaterial10 may be integrally constructed of a single sheet of material or thesheet extension25 may be laminated to the sheet ofmaterial10. A connectingbonding material33 is disposed on theupper surface29 of thesheet extension25. The connectingbonding material33 is disposed near and spaced a distance from the outerperipheral edge27 of thesheet extension25 and extends generally circumferentially about thesheet extension25.
• Thesheet extension25 is shown inFIG. 1 as being circularly shaped. Thesheet extension25 may be any geometric shape such as a square or rectangular or heart shaped or trapezoidally shaped or any other geometric shape and the geometric shape of thesheet extension25 may be the same as the geometric shape of the sheet ofmaterial10 or thesheet extension25 may have a geometric shape different from the geometric shape of the sheet ofmaterial10. Further, although thesheet extension25 is shown inFIG. 1 as extending circumferentially about the outerperipheral edge26 of the sheet ofmaterial10, thesheet extension25 may extend only about a portion of the outerperipheral edge26 of the sheet ofmaterial10 or thesheet extension25 may comprise segments with each segment extending about a portion of the outerperipheral edge26 of the sheet ofmaterial10.
• The sheet ofmaterial10 and the other sheets of material and thesheet extension25 and the other sheet extensions described herein are constructed from any suitable flexible material that is capable of being wrapped or formed about a flower pot or a floral grouping as described herein. Preferably, the sheet ofmaterial10 and thesheet extension25 are constructed of a material selected from a group of materials consisting of paper, metal foil, cloth (natural or synthetic or combinations thereof), denim, burlap or polymeric film or combinations thereof.
• The term “polymeric film” as used herein means any polymeric film. For example, but not by way of limitation, one polymeric film is a polypropylene film. Another example of a polymeric film, but not by way of limitation, is cellophane.
• The sheet ofmaterial10 and thesheet extension25 each has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil. Preferably, the sheet ofmaterial10 and thesheet extension25 each has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 5 mil.
• The sheet ofmaterial10 and thesheet extension25 may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of materials. Any thickness of the sheet ofmaterial10 and thesheet extension25 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet ofmaterial10 and thesheet extension25 are wrappable or formable about a flower pot or a floral grouping in the manners described herein. The layers of material comprising the sheet ofmaterial10 and thesheet extension25 may be connected together or laminated or may be separate layers.
• A decorative pattern, such as a color and/or an embossed pattern, and/or other decorative surface ornamentation may be applied to theupper surface20 and/or thelower surface22 of the sheet ofmaterial10 or portions thereof including, but not limited to printed designs, coatings, colors, flocking or metallic finishes. The sheet ofmaterial10 also may be totally or partially clear or a tinted transparent material.
• A decorative pattern, such as a color and/or an embossed pattern, and/or other decorative surface ornamentation may be applied to theupper surface29 and/or thelower surface31 of thesheet extension25 or portions thereof including, but not limited to, printed designs, coatings, colors, flocking or metallic finishes. Thesheet extension25 also may be totally or partially clear or a tinted transparent material. In one preferred embodiment the sheet ofmaterial10 has a decorative pattern applied to theupper surface20 and/or thelower surface22 while thesheet extension25 is totally or partially clear or tinted transparent. Thesheet extension25 is shown in the drawings as being transparent.
• The term “bonding material” as used herein means an adhesive, preferably 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” as used herein also means a heat sealing lacquer which may be applied to the sheet ofmaterial10 and, in this instance, heat also must be applied to effect the sealing. The term “bonding material” as used herein means any type of material or thing which can be used to effect the bonding or connecting of the two adjacent portions of the sheet ofmaterial10 to effect the connection or bonding described herein. The term “bonding material” also includes other forms of effecting the bonding described herein such as chemical welds or heat fusion or welding by way of example only.
• The connectingbonding materials24 and33 are shown inFIG. 1 as being applied to theupper surface20 of the sheet ofmaterial10 or theupper surface29 of thesheet extension25 in the form of circularly shaped strips. The connectingbonding materials24 or33 may be applied in the form of spots or spaced apart strips and the spots may be any geometric pattern or any other type of pattern such as a logo, for example. Further, the connectingbonding materials24 or33 may include a color to obscure the fact that the connectingbonding materials24 and33 are disposed on the sheet ofmaterial10 or thesheet extension25.
• Shown inFIG. 2 is aflower pot30 having anupper end32, alower end34 and an outerperipheral surface36. Anopening38 is formed through theupper end32 of theflower pot30 providing access to a retainingspace40. The retainingspace40 is sized to accommodate growing medium such as soil, for example, and at least a portion of a botanical item such as a plant or flower, for example.
• The retainingspace40 is defined by an innerperipheral surface42 of theflower pot30. A bottom44 of theflower pot30 is disposed at thelower end34 and cooperates to enclose or partially enclose the retainingspace40. Theflower pot30 may be any conventional, commercially available container well known in the art.
• Growingmedium45 is shown inFIG. 2 disposed in the retainingspace40 and afloral grouping47 is shown inFIG. 2 partially disposed in the growingmedium45. A portion of thefloral grouping47 extends a distance upwardly above theupper end32 of theflower pot30.
• “Floral grouping” as used herein means any botanical item such as flowers or plants or trees or the like, or a single flower or a single plant or a single tree or the like, and may include other floral materials and may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentation which add to the aesthetics of the floral grouping. The botanical item may be a growing flower, plant or tree or the like, or may be an artificial flower plant or tree or the like.
• Theflower pot30 is placed on theupper surface20 of the sheet ofmaterial10. More particularly, the bottom44 of theflower pot30 is disposed on a central portion of the sheet ofmaterial10. In this position, the connectingbonding material24 extends circumferentially about theflower pot30 and the connectingbonding material24 is spaced a distance from theflower pot30.
• The sheet ofmaterial10 then is formed about theflower pot30 to a position wherein the sheet ofmaterial10 extends about and encompasses substantially the entire outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30, including the bottom44. It should be noted that the sheet ofmaterial10 does not have to cover the bottom44. In this position, a portion of the sheet ofmaterial10 is disposed adjacent the bottom44 of theflower pot30 and portions of the sheet ofmaterial10 extend upwardly and encompass the entire outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 between theupper end32 and thelower end34 of theflower pot30. In one embodiment, the portions of the sheet ofmaterial10 extending over the outerperipheral surface36 are spaced a distance from the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 to provide a blossom type effect.
• When the sheet ofmaterial10 is formed about theflower pot30, a portion of the sheet ofmaterial10 near the outerperipheral edge26 thereof extends a distance above theupper end32 of theflower pot30 as shown inFIG. 2. Further, when the sheet ofmaterial10 is formed about theflower pot30, the sheet ofmaterial10 is sized and the connectingbonding material24 is positioned on theupper surface20 of the sheet ofmaterial10 so that the connectingbonding material24 is disposed a distance above theupper end32 of theflower pot30.
• In this position, the portion of the sheet ofmaterial10 disposed near and about the connectingbonding material24 is crimped by bringing together portions of the sheet ofmaterial10 near and about the connectingbonding material24 so that portions of the sheet ofmaterial10 near and about the connectingbonding material24 are disposed adjacent each other and the adjacent portions of the sheet ofmaterial10 are connected by way of the connectingbonding material24 thereby forming a plurality of connected overlapping folds49 in the portion of the sheet ofmaterial10 near and about the connectingbonding material24. The connected overlapping folds49 extend at various distances and at various angles. The connected overlapping folds49 (FIGS. 2 and 3) in the area near and about the portion of the sheet ofmaterial10 containing the connectingbonding material24 is designated inFIG. 2 by thereference numeral46 and sometimes referred to herein as the crimped portion46 (FIGS. 2 and 3).
• A section showing a portion of a connected overlappingfold49 is shown inFIG. 4. The adjacent portions of the sheet ofmaterial10 on theupper surface20 are shown inFIG. 4 as being connected via the connectingbonding material24 while the adjacent portions of the sheet ofmaterial10 on thelower surface22 are unconnected since no connectingbonding material24 is disposed on thelower surface22. It should be noted that connectingbonding material24 also can be disposed on thelower surface22 for connecting adjacent portions of thelower surface22 in the crimped portion46 (FIGS. 2 and 3), if desired and as described in more detail below.
• The crimpedportion46 extends circumferentially about theupper end32 of theflower pot30. The crimpedportion46 also extends a distance inwardly from theupper end32 of theflower pot30 toward a central portion of the retainingspace40 thereby forming aridge portion48 extending circumferentially about theflower pot30 generally near theupper end32 of theflower pot30. The crimpedportion46 and theridge portion48 thereof cooperate to engage theupper end32 of theflower pot30 to assist and cooperate in holding the sheet ofmaterial10 formed about theflower pot30 to provide a decorative cover50 (FIGS. 2 and 3).
• The crimpedportion46, when formed, preferably causes adjacent portions of the upper andlower surfaces20 and22 of the sheet ofmaterial10 to be brought together or positioned adjacent each other. The crimpedportion46 and the other crimped portions shown in the drawings are shown in an expanded form where the portions of thelower surface22 are not disposed adjacent each other for the purpose of illustration and because this expanded form may be desired in some applications.
• The portion of the sheet ofmaterial10 extending between the connectingbonding material24 and the outerperipheral edge26 of the sheet ofmaterial10 extends a distance above the crimpedportion46 and is flared outwardly and extends a distance radially outwardly from the crimpedportion46 to form a flaredportion52. The flaredportion52 extends circumferentially about thedecorative cover50 and circumferentially about theupper end32 of theflower pot30.
• In this embodiment, the connectingbonding material24 preferably is a pressure sensitive adhesive or a cohesive, although the connectingbonding material24 could be in any of the other forms described before.
• Theupper surface20 of the sheet ofmaterial10 forms the inner peripheral surface of thedecorative cover50 and thelower surface22 of the sheet ofmaterial10 forms the outer peripheral surface of thedecorative cover50. A portion of the inner peripheral surface of thedecorative cover50 formed by theupper surface20 of the sheet ofmaterial10 is disposed adjacent the bottom44 of theflower pot30; and a portion of the inner peripheral surface of thedecorative cover50 formed by theupper surface20 is spaced a distance from the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30.
• As described above, theflower pot30 is placed on theupper surface20 of the sheet ofmaterial10 and the sheet ofmaterial10 is then formed about theflower pot30 to form thedecorative cover50 with theupper surface20 being disposed near the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 and thelower surface22 providing the outer surface of thedecorative cover50. In the alternative, theflower pot30 may be placed on thelower surface22 of the sheet ofmaterial10. In this last-mentioned embodiment, the sheet ofmaterial10 is formed about theflower pot30 in the manner exactly like that described before, except thelower surface22 is disposed near the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 and theupper surface20 forms the outer surface of thedecorative cover50 with the connectingbonding material24 being disposed on the outer surface of thedecorative cover50.
• Either before or after or during the forming of the crimpedportion46, thesheet extension25 is formed about thefloral grouping47 to a position wherein thesheet extension25 encompasses a substantial portion of thefloral grouping47, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. Thesheet extension25 extends upwardly about thefloral grouping47 with a portion of thesheet extension25 extending upwardly beyond the upper end of thefloral grouping47 terminating with the outerperipheral edge27 of thesheet extension25 and forming an open upper end. In this position of thesheet extension25, portions of thesheet extension25 near the outer peripheral edge27 (the open upper end) thereof are brought into contact thereby bringing the connectingbonding material33 into contact and into engagement with adjacent portions of thesheet extension25 for closing thesheet extension25 about or above an upper end of thefloral grouping47.
• In a preferred form, a line of perforations53 (FIGS. 1-3) is formed between the sheet ofmaterial10 and thesheet extension25. The line ofperforations53 extends generally about the outerperipheral edge26 of the sheet ofmaterial10. Thesheet extension25 encompasses thefloral grouping47 and provides a protective covering for thefloral grouping47 to protect thefloral grouping47 during shipment and/or storage. When it is desired to remove the protective covering provided by thesheet extension25, the operator tears thesheet extension25 along the line ofperforations53 thereby severing or separating thesheet extension25 from the sheet ofmaterial10 so that thesheet extension25 can be removed from the sheet ofmaterial10. In other words, the protective covering may be removed from thedecorative cover50 by tearing along the line ofperforations53.
Embodiment of FIGS.5 and6
• Shown inFIG. 5 is a modified sheet ofmaterial10awhich is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIG. 1 and described in detail before, except the sheet ofmaterial10aincludes a cohesive or pressure sensitive adhesive connectingbonding material54 disposed on alower surface22aof the sheet ofmaterial10a. The cohesive or pressure sensitive adhesive connectingbonding material54 extends circumferentially about thelower surface22a. The cohesive or pressure sensitive adhesive connectingbonding material54 is spaced adistance56 from an outerperipheral edge26aof the sheet ofmaterial10a. Preferably, thedistance56 corresponds or equals thedistance28 described before in connection with the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIG. 1.
• The sheet ofmaterial10aincludes the connecting bonding material54 (preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive or cohesive connecting bonding material) on anupper surface20a(FIG. 6) of the sheet ofmaterial10aexactly like that described before in connection with the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIG. 1.
• Asheet extension25ais constructed exactly like thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 3 and described in detail before, except thesheet extension25aincludes a connectingbonding material33adisposed on alower surface31aof thesheet extension25a.
• In this embodiment, the sheet ofmaterial10ais formed about theflower pot30 in a manner exactly like that described before in connection with the sheet ofmaterial10 formed about theflower pot30 as shown inFIG. 2, except in this embodiment, when the crimped portion (not shown) like the crimped portion46 (FIG. 2) is formed, the adjacent portions of the sheet ofmaterial10ain the area containing the connectingbonding material54 also will be bondingly connected to form connected overlapping folds49a(FIG. 6). Thus, in this embodiment, the adjacent portions of the sheet ofmaterial10aon theupper surface20aand thelower surface22aare bondingly connected by way of the respective connectingbonding material24 ofFIG. 1 or the cohesive connectingbonding material54.
• Thesheet extension25ais formed about thefloral grouping47 in a manner exactly like that described before in connection withFIGS. 1 through 3, except the connectingbonding material33aon thelower surface31ais brought into bonding engagement with adjacent portions of thesheet extension25ato close the open upper end of the protective covering provided by thesheet extension25a.
Embodiment of FIG.7
• Shown inFIG. 7 is adecorative cover50bformed from another modified sheet ofmaterial10bwhich is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before, except, in this embodiment, a crimpedportion46bextends a distance radially outwardly and circumferentially about theupper end32 of theflower pot30. The sheet ofmaterial10bis formed about theflower pot30 in the manner exactly like that described before with respect to the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before, except the crimpedportion46bis formed to extend radially outwardly as opposed to radially inwardly in the manner described before in connection with the sheet ofmaterial10 in the crimped portion46 (FIGS. 2 and 3).
• It should be noted that in connection with the sheet ofmaterial10,10aor10b, the bottom44 of theflower pot30 may be placed on thelower surface22,22aor22bof the sheet ofmaterial10,10aor10b, respectively. The sheet ofmaterial10,10aor10bmay then be formed about theflower pot30 in the manner described before with theupper surface20,20aor20bof the sheet ofmaterial10,10aor10bforming the outer peripheral surface of thedecorative cover50 or50bin lieu of thelower surface22,22aor22bforming the outer peripheral surface of thedecorative cover50 or50bin the manner described before in connection with the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-7.
• Asheet extension25bis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 4 and described in detail before.
Embodiment of FIGS.8 and9
• Shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 is another modified sheet ofmaterial10cwhich is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before, except the sheet ofmaterial10cdoes not include a connecting bonding material (such as the connecting bonding material24). The sheet ofmaterial10cincludes adrawstring58. Thedrawstring58 is connected to the sheet ofmaterial10c. Thedrawstring58 has opposite ends60 and62. Portions of thedrawstring58 near each of the opposite ends60 and62 thereof exit throughrespective openings64 and66 formed in an upper surface20cof the sheet ofmaterial10c.
• Thedrawstring58 extends circumferentially about the sheet ofmaterial10cand thedrawstring58 is spaced adistance68 from an outerperipheral edge26cof the sheet ofmaterial10c.
• Thedrawstring58 may be connected to the sheet ofmaterial10cin any suitable manner so desired in any particular application. In one preferred embodiment, the sheet ofmaterial10ccomprises afirst sheet70 and a second sheet72 (FIG. 9). Thedrawstring58 is disposed between the first and thesecond sheets70 and72 and the first and thesecond sheets70 and72 then are bondingly connected or laminated to form the sheet ofmaterial10c. Portions of the first and thesecond sheets70 and72 near thedrawstring58 are left unconnected so that thedrawstring58 may slidingly move between the first and thesecond sheets70 and72. Theopenings64 and66 more particularly are formed through a portion of thefirst sheet70. The first and thesecond sheets70 and72 are constructed of materials exactly like that described before with respect to the sheet ofmaterial10.
• Asheet extension25cis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 4 and described in detail before, except thesheet extension25cdoes not include a connecting bonding material (such as the connecting bonding material33), although it could also include connecting bonding material, if desired. Thesheet extension25cincludes adrawstring57. Thedrawstring57 is connected to thesheet extension25c. Thedrawstring57 has opposite ends59 and61. Portions of thedrawstring57 near each of the opposite ends59 and61 exit throughrespective openings63 and65 formed in anupper surface29cof thesheet extension25c.
• Thedrawstring57 extends circumferentially about thesheet extension25c. Thedrawstring57 is spaced a distance from an outerperipheral edge27cof thesheet extension25c.
• Thedrawstring57 may be connected to thesheet extension25cin any suitable manner so desired in any particular application. In one preferred embodiment, thesheet extension25cis formed by extending the first and thesecond sheets70 and72 (FIG. 9). Thedrawstring57 is disposed between the first and thesecond sheets70 and72 and the first and thesecond sheets70 and72 then are bondingly connected or laminated to form the sheet ofmaterial10cand thesheet extension25c. Portions of the first and thesecond sheets70 and72 near thedrawstring57 are left unconnected so thedrawstring57 may slidingly move between the first and thesecond sheets70 and72. Theopenings63 and65 more particularly are formed through a portion of thefirst sheet70.
• The sheet ofmaterial10cis formed about a flower pot, such as theflower pot30, in the manner exactly like that described before with respect to the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before. Thedrawstring58 is positioned on the sheet ofmaterial10cand the sheet ofmaterial10cis sized and shaped so that, when the sheet ofmaterial10cis formed about the flower pot, thedrawstring58 is disposed above the upper end of the flower pot. In this position, the ends60 and62 of thedrawstring58 are pulled, thereby drawing the portions of the sheet ofmaterial10cgenerally near thedrawstring58 inwardly and crimping the portions of the sheet ofmaterial10cnear thedrawstring58 to form a crimped portion like the crimpedportion46 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. The ends60 and62 of thedrawstring58 then are tied or otherwise secured to maintain the crimped portion formed in the decorative cover formed by the sheet ofmaterial10c.
• Thesheet extension25cis formed about a floral grouping, such as thefloral grouping47, to a position wherein thesheet extension25cextends about a substantial portion of the floral grouping. In this position, the ends59 and61 of thedrawstring57 are pulled, thereby drawing portions of thesheet extension25cgenerally near thedrawstring57 inwardly, closing the open upper end of thesheet extension25cabout the floral grouping. The ends61 and59 then are tied or otherwise secured to maintain thesheet extension25cextending about the floral grouping to provide the protective covering. Thesheet extension25cmay be separated from the decorative cover formed by the sheet ofmaterial10cby tearing along a line ofperforations53c(FIG. 8).
• The decorative cover formed by the sheet ofmaterial10cwill look like thedecorative cover50 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, except the crimpedportion46 is formed by pulling thedrawstring58 and the resulting adjacent portions of the sheet ofmaterial10care not bondingly connected in the manner described before with respect to thedecorative cover50. It should be noted that the sheet ofmaterial10calso could include a cohesive or pressure sensitive adhesive bonding material on the upper surface20cof the sheet ofmaterial10cexactly like that described before with respect to the connectingbonding material24 on the sheet of material10 (FIGS. 1-4). In this embodiment, the adjacent portions of the sheet ofmaterial10cformed when thedrawstring58 is pulled to form the crimped portion also would be bondingly connected in a manner like that described before with respect to thedecorative cover50 and the crimped portion46 (FIGS. 1-4). Also, the sheet ofmaterial10ccan be constructed like the sheet ofmaterial10ashown inFIGS. 5 and 6 and described in detail before so that the adjacent portions of alower surface22cof sheet ofmaterial10calso are connected when thedrawstring58 is pulled to form the crimped portion.
Embodiment of FIGS.10 and11
• Shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 is a modified sheet ofmaterial10dwhich is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before, except the sheet ofmaterial10dalso includes a pot connectingbonding material80 disposed on anupper surface20dof the sheet ofmaterial10d. The pot connectingbonding material80 extends circumferentially about the sheet ofmaterial10d. The pot connectingbonding material80 is spaced adistance82 from an outerperipheral edge26dof the sheet ofmaterial10dand thedistance82 is greater than a distance28dbetween a connectingbonding material24dand the outerperipheral edge26d. The pot connectingbonding material80 is spaced adistance84 from the connectingbonding material24d.
• The sheet ofmaterial10dis formed about theflower pot30 in a manner exactly like that described before in connection with the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4, except, in this embodiment, the sheet ofmaterial10dis sized and shaped and the pot connectingbonding material80 is positioned on the sheet ofmaterial10dso that, when the sheet ofmaterial10dis formed about theflower pot30, the pot connectingbonding material80 is disposed near the outerperipheral surface36 and near theupper end32 of theflower pot30. In this position, the portions of the sheet ofmaterial10dhaving the pot connectingbonding material80 disposed thereon are pressed or positioned against the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 so that the pot connectingbonding material80 bondingly engages and bondingly connects a portion of the sheet ofmaterial10dto the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 generally near and adjacent theupper end32 of theflower pot30 for bonding a portion of the sheet ofmaterial10dto theflower pot30.
• The sheet ofmaterial10dthus is bonded to theflower pot30 by way of the pot connectingbonding material80 and the connection between the sheet ofmaterial10dand theflower pot30 extends circumferentially about theflower pot30 generally near and adjacent theupper end32 thereof.
• In this embodiment, a crimpedportion46dand aridge portion48dcooperate to secure the sheet ofmaterial10din the form of adecorative cover50dformed about theflower pot30 and the pot connectingbonding material80 also cooperates to maintain the sheet ofmaterial10din the form of thedecorative cover50dpositioned about theflower pot30. The pot connectingbonding material80 thus augments the crimpedportion46dand theridge portion48din maintaining the sheet ofmaterial10din the form of thedecorative cover50dsecured about theflower pot30.
• The sheet ofmaterial10dalso could be constructed like the sheet ofmaterial10aif desired. The sheet ofmaterial10dalso could be constructed like the sheet ofmaterial10bto form thedecorative cover50bin a manner like that described before with respect toFIG. 7 if desired in a particular application. The sheet ofmaterial10dalso could include a drawstring in the manner described before with respect to thedrawstring58 shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 if desired in a particular application.
• The sheet ofmaterial10dis connected to asheet extension25dand thesheet extension25dis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 4 and described in detail before, and is detachable via a line ofperforations53d. Thesheet extension25dis formed about thefloral grouping47 to provide thedecorative cover50din the manner exactly like thedecorative cover50 described before in connection withFIGS. 1 through 4. Thesheet extension25dis shown inFIG. 11 formed about thefloral grouping47.
Embodiment of FIGS.12 and13
• Shown inFIGS. 12 and 13 is another modified sheet ofmaterial10e, which is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before, except the sheet ofmaterial10edoes not necessarily include a connecting bonding material like the connectingbonding material24 on the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4. The sheet ofmaterial10eincludes reinforcingstructure86 connected to the sheet ofmaterial10e. The reinforcingstructure86 more particularly comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements with two reinforcingelements88 and90 being shown inFIGS. 12 and 13 by way of example. Each of the reinforcingelements88 and90 is connected to the sheet ofmaterial10e. The reinforcingelements88 and90 each extend circumferentially about the sheet ofmaterial10e. The reinforcingelements88 and90 are spaced about adistance92 from an outerperipheral edge26eof the sheet ofmaterial10e.
• The reinforcingelements88 and90 may be connected to the sheet ofmaterial10ein any suitable manner. Preferably, the sheet ofmaterial10eis formed using afirst sheet94 and a second sheet96 (FIG. 13) with the reinforcingelements88 and90 being disposed between the first and thesecond sheets94 and96. In this position, the first and thesecond sheets94 and96 are bondingly connected or laminated together to form the sheet ofmaterial10e. The first and thesecond sheets94 and96 are constructed of any of the materials described before in connection with the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4.
• In this embodiment, the sheet ofmaterial10eis formed about a flower pot, such as theflower pot30, in the manner exactly like that described before in connection with the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4, except a crimped portion (not shown) is maintained in the formed position by way of the reinforcingelements88 and90 which cooperate to maintain the portion of the sheet ofmaterial10ein a crimped position to form the crimped portion such as the crimpedportion46 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 and described in detail before.
• The reinforcingelements88 and90 may be constructed of any type of material capable of maintaining the shape of the crimped portion of the decorative cover (not shown) formed from the sheet of material which is like the crimpedportion46 of thedecorative cover50 described before. The reinforcingelements88 and90 may be wire elements, for example, or plastic rods and the reinforcingelements88 and90 may be continuous as illustrated inFIG. 12 or in the form of segments as may be desired in a particular application.
• It also should be noted that the sheet ofmaterial10ecan be formed about a flower pot to provide a decorative cover like thedecorative cover50bshown inFIG. 7 and described in detail before. It also should be noted that the sheet ofmaterial10emay include a connecting bonding material like the connectingbonding material24 and/or connecting bonding material like the connectingbonding material54, if desired in a particular application. In some instances, it also may be desirable to include a drawstring with the sheet ofmaterial10elike thedrawstring58 shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 and described in detail before. It also should be noted that the sheet ofmaterial10emay include a pot connecting bonding material like the potmaterial bonding material80 shown inFIG. 10 for forming a decorative cover like thedecorative cover50dshown inFIG. 11, if desired in a particular application.
• The sheet ofmaterial10eincludes asheet extension25e. Thesheet extension25eis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 4 and described in detail before, except thesheet extension25edoes not include a connecting bonding material, although it could include a connecting bonding material if desired. Rather, thesheet extension25eincludes a reinforcing structure. The reinforcing structure more particularly comprises a reinforcingelement87. The reinforcingelement87 is connected to thesheet extension25ein a manner like that described before in connection with the reinforcingelements88 and90.
• Thesheet extension25eis formed about the floral grouping in a manner like that described before in connection with thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 4. The open upper end of thesheet extension25ewhich extends above the upper end of the floral grouping is closed by bending and twisting the portion of thesheet extension25ehaving the reinforcingelement87 therein. The reinforcingelement87 cooperates to maintain the open upper end of thesheet extension25eclosed over the floral grouping to provide a protective cover.
Embodiment of FIGS.14 and15
• Shown inFIGS. 14 and 15 is yet another modified sheet ofmaterial10fwhich is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before, except the sheet ofmaterial10fdoes not necessarily include a connecting bonding material like the connectingbonding material24 described in detail before with respect to the sheet ofmaterial10. The sheet ofmaterial10fmore particularly includes a reinforcingstructure98.
• The reinforcingstructure98 comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements100 (only one of the reinforcingelements100 being designated with the reference numeral inFIGS. 14 and 15). The reinforcingelements100 may be constructed of any material and any shape so long as the reinforcingelements100 cooperate with the sheet ofmaterial10fto reinforce the sheet ofmaterial10fand assist in maintaining the formed shape of the sheet ofmaterial10f. In one form, the reinforcingelements100 may comprise a plurality of wire elements or plastic rod-like elements, for example. The reinforcingelements100 may be continuous as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, or may be segmented as may be desired in a particular application. The reinforcingelements100 extend throughout the sheet ofmaterial10f.
• The sheet ofmaterial10fis formed about a flower pot, such as theflower pot30, in the manner described before in connection withFIG. 2 or7, except, in this embodiment, the reinforcingelements100 cooperate to maintain a portion of the sheet ofmaterial10fformed in the form of the crimped portion like the crimpedportion46 or46bin lieu of connecting bonding material.
• The sheet ofmaterial10fmay include a connecting bonding material like the connectingbonding material24 or a connecting bonding material like the cohesive connectingbonding material54, if desired in a particular application. Also, the sheet ofmaterial10fmay include a drawstring like thedrawstring58 shown inFIG. 8 and described in detail before. Also, the sheet ofmaterial10fmay include a pot connecting bonding material like the pot connectingbonding material80 shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 and described in detail before.
• The sheet ofmaterial10fincludes asheet extension25fconnected thereto. Thesheet extension25fincludes a reinforcingstructure97. In one form, the reinforcingstructure97 comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements101 (only one of the reinforcingelements101 being designated with the reference numeral inFIGS. 14 and 15). The reinforcingelements101 may be continuous, as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, or may be segmented as may be desired in a particular application. The reinforcingelements101 extend over substantially throughout thesheet extension25f.
• Thesheet extension25fis formed about a floral grouping in a manner like that described before in connection with thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 4. An open upper end of thesheet extension25fthen is closed over an upper end of the floral grouping to provide the protective covering. The reinforcingelements101 cooperate to maintain thesheet extension25fclosed over the open upper end of the floral grouping.
• The reinforcingelements101 preferably are not continuous or part of the reinforcingelements100 so that thesheet extension25fmay be separated from the sheet ofmaterial10fby tearing along a line of perforations53f. Thesheet extension25fmay include a drawstring like thedrawstring57 shown inFIG. 8 and described in detail before.
Embodiment of FIGS.16 and17
• Shown inFIGS. 16 and 17 is still another modified sheet of material10gwhich is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before, except the sheet of material10gdoes not include a connecting bonding material like the connectingbonding material24 on the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4. Rather, the sheet of material10gincludes ashrink material102 disposed on a lower surface22gof the sheet of material10g. Theshrink material102 may be constructed of any material which shrinks when subjected to heat or liquid or some other outside force or fluid. Such materials are well known in the art.
• Theshrink material102 extends circumferentially about the lower surface22gof the sheet of material10g. Theshrink material102 is spaced adistance104 from an outer peripheral edge26gof the sheet of material10g.
• The sheet of material10gis formed about the flower pot30 (FIG. 17) in the manner exactly like that described before in connection withFIG. 2 or7. Theshrink material102 is positioned on the sheet of material10gand the sheet of material10gis sized and shaped so that theshrink material102 is positioned above theupper end32 of theflower pot30 when the sheet of material10gis formed about theflower pot30 in a manner like that described before with respect to the positioning of the connectingbonding material24 on the sheet of material10 (FIGS. 1-4). In this position, theshrink material102 then is subjected to heat or any of the other means mentioned before causing theshrink material102 to shrink, thereby forming a crimped portion46gin a decorative cover50g(FIG. 17). The crimped portion46gwill operate in a manner exactly like that described before with respect to the crimpedportion46 on the decorative cover50 (FIGS. 2 and 3).
• The sheet of material10ghas a sheet extension25gconnected thereto. The sheet extension25gis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 4 and described in detail before, and may be detached via a line of perforations53g.
• The sheet extension25gis formed about the floral grouping47 (FIG. 17) and a portion of the sheet extension25gnear an outer peripheral edge27gis closed over the upper end of thefloral grouping47 to a position wherein portions of the sheet extension25gare bondingly contacted by a connecting bonding material33gto close the open upper end of the sheet extension25gover the upper end of thefloral grouping47 to provide a protective covering. The bonding material33gmay comprise shrink material.
Embodiment of FIG.18
• Shown inFIG. 18 is a plurality of sheets ofmaterial10h(only one of the sheets ofmaterial10hbeing designated with a reference numeral. The sheets ofmaterial10hare positioned and connected together to form apad106. The sheets ofmaterial10hmay be constructed in any of the forms of sheets of material described herein.
• Each of the sheets ofmaterial10hincludes asheet extension25h(only one of thesheet extensions25hbeing designated with a reference numeral.
• In this embodiment, one of the sheets ofmaterial10hin thepad106 is removed from thepad106 and formed about a flower pot to provide the decorative cover in any of the manners described herein. In the alternative, the flower pot may be placed on one of the sheets ofmaterial10hin thepad106 and then the sheet ofmaterial10hmay be formed about the flower pot to provide the decorative cover in any of the manners described herein while simultaneously removing the sheet ofmaterial10hfrom thepad106. Thesheet extensions25hare formed about a floral grouping to provide a protective covering in the manners described before.
Embodiment of FIG.19
• Shown inFIG. 19 is a roll ofmaterial108, generally supported. In this embodiment, material from the roll ofmaterial108 is unrolled and pulled from the roll ofmaterial108 in adirection110 to unroll a portion of the material from the roll ofmaterial108. When a predetermined amount of the material has been unrolled from the roll ofmaterial108, aknife edge112 is brought into cutting contact with a portion of the material unrolled from the roll ofmaterial108 to sever a sheet of material from the roll ofmaterial108. Theknife edge112 may be automatically actuated by anactuator114 which may be a hydraulic cylinder, for example, or theknife edge112 may be a manually actuated knife edge or a knife edge on the edge of a container which contains the roll ofmaterial108, for example.
• In this embodiment, the material in the roll ofmaterial108 is constructed of any of the materials described herein with respect to any of the sheets of having a sheet extension connected thereto as described herein. In this embodiment, the sheets of material having a sheet extension connected thereto as described herein are supplied in the form of the roll ofmaterial108 and the sheets of material having the sheet extension connected thereto are severed from the roll ofmaterial108 in the manner just described.
Embodiment of FIG.20
• Shown inFIG. 20 is a roll ofmaterial116 which is journally supported. The material in the roll ofmaterial116 may be constructed of any of the materials described herein with respect to any of the sheets of material described herein. As shown inFIG. 20, the roll ofmaterial116 contains a plurality of spaced apart connectingbonding materials24jdisposed on the material in the roll ofmaterial116. The material in the roll ofmaterial116 also contains a plurality of spaced apart perforations118 (only two of theperforations118 being designated with a reference numeral). Theperforations118 separate the material in the roll ofmaterial116 into a plurality of sheets of material10j. Each of the sheets of material10jis constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before.
• Each of the sheets of material10jhas a sheet extension25jconnected thereto.
• In this embodiment, the material is unrolled from the roll ofmaterial116 to a desired length. A portion of the material in the roll ofmaterial116 then is separated from the roll ofmaterial116 by tearing the material along one of theperforations118 to provide the sheet of material10jhaving thesheet extension25 connected thereto. The sheet of material10jthen is wrapped or formed about a flower pot in any of the manners described herein.
• It should be noted that the sheet of material10jhas been described before as being constructed like the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4, although the sheet of material10jcould be constructed like any of the other sheets of material described herein, if desired in a particular application.
Embodiment of FIGS.21,22 and23
• Shown inFIG. 21 is a sheet ofmaterial10kwhich is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIG. 1 and described in detail before, except the sheet ofmaterial10kalso includes a plurality of strips of pot connecting bonding material120 with the individual strips of the pot connecting bonding material120 being designated inFIG. 21 by theindividual reference numerals120a,120b,120c,120d,120eand120f.
• The strips of pot connecting bonding material120a-fare spaced a distance circumferentially apart about the sheet ofmaterial10k. Each of the strips of pot connecting bonding material120a-fextends from a connectingbonding material24ka distance radially inwardly toward a central portion of the sheet ofmaterial10k. The strips of pot connecting bonding material120a-fpreferably are strips of pressure sensitive adhesive pot connecting bonding material. The strips of pot connecting bonding material120a-falso could be a cohesive; however, in this instance, a corresponding cohesive pot connecting bonding material also would be disposed on the flower pot30 (FIGS. 22 and 23) for reasons which will be made more apparent below.
• The sheet ofmaterial10kis formed about the flower pot30 (FIGS. 22 and 23) to provide adecorative cover50k(FIG. 22) in a manner exactly like that described before in connection with the sheet of material10 (FIGS. 1-4) except, in this instance, portions of anupper surface20khaving the strips of pot connecting bonding material120a-fdisposed thereon are positioned adjacent a portion of the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 whereby the strips of pot connecting bonding material120a-fbondingly engage and bondingly connect portions of the sheet ofmaterial10kto the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30. The strips of pot connecting bonding material120a-fare positioned on the sheet ofmaterial10kand sized so that the strips of pot connecting bonding material120a-feach extend generally between theupper end32 and thelower end34 of theflower pot30 when the portions of the sheet ofmaterial10khaving the strips of pot connecting bonding material120a-fdisposed thereon are positioned adjacent the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30.
• Since the strips of pot connecting bonding material120a-fare spaced a distance apart circumferentially about the sheet ofmaterial10k, portions of the sheet ofmaterial10kwill be bondingly connected to the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 while other portions of the sheet ofmaterial10kwill not be connected to the outerperipheral surface36 of the flower pot30 (FIGS. 22 and 23). More particularly, when the sheet ofmaterial10kis connected to theflower pot30, portions of the sheet ofmaterial10kwill be connected to the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 at positions extending between theupper end32 and thelower end34 of theflower pot30 and extending a distance circumferentially about theflower pot30 to form connected portions122, while remaining portions of the sheet ofmaterial10kextending between theupper end32 and thelower end34 of theflower pot30 will not be connected to theflower pot30, forming unconnected portions124 (the specific or individual connected portions122 being designated by thereference numerals122a,122b,122c,122d,122eand122finFIG. 23, and the specific or individual unconnected portions124 being designated inFIG. 23 by thespecific reference numerals124a,124b,124c,124d,124eand124f). Each connected portion122a-fextends a distance circumferentially about theflower pot30 and extends generally between theupper end32 and thelower end34 of theflower pot30. Each unconnected portion124a-fextends between theupper end32 and thelower end34 of theflower pot30 and each unconnected portion124a-fextends a distance circumferentially about theflower pot30. Each unconnected portion124 is disposed generally between two adjacent connected portions122.
• The sheet ofmaterial10kalso could be constructed like the sheet ofmaterial10a(FIGS. 5 and 6) or shaped to form an outwardly extending crimped portion like the crimpedportion46b(FIG. 7) or to include a drawstring like the drawstring58 (FIGS. 8 and 9) or to include a reinforcing structure like the reinforcing structure86 (FIG. 12) or a reinforcing structure like the reinforcing structure98 (FIG. 14) or shrink material like the shrink material102 (FIG. 16).
• The sheet ofmaterial10khas asheet extension25kconnected thereto. Thesheet extension25kis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 4 and described in detail before. Further, thesheet extension25kmay be separated from the sheet ofmaterial10kby tearing along a line ofperforations53k.
• In use, thesheet extension25kis formed about thefloral grouping47 and the open upper end of thesheet extension25kis closed via the contact between a connectingbonding material33kand adjacent portions of thesheet extension25kto provide a decorative cover in a manner like that described before.
Embodiment of FIG.24
• Shown inFIG. 24 is a flower pot30lwhich is constructed exactly like theflower pot30 described in detail before, except the flower pot30lincludes strips of pot connecting bonding material126 (only three strips of pot connecting bonding material126 being shown inFIG. 24 and designated therein by theindividual reference numerals126a,126band126c). The strips of pot connecting bonding material126a-care spaced apart circumferentially about an outer peripheral surface36lof the flower pot30land each of the strips of pot connecting bonding material126a-cextends between an upper and a lower end32land34lof the flower pot30l.
• The flower pot30lmay be used in connection with the sheet ofmaterial10kand thesheet extension25kshown inFIG. 21 where the strips of pot connecting bonding material120a-fon the sheet ofmaterial10kare a cohesive bonding material and the strips of pot connecting bonding material126a-con the flower pot30lare a cohesive bonding material. In this embodiment, the cohesive strips of pot connecting bonding materials120a-fon the sheet ofmaterial10kcohesively bondingly engage and bondingly connect to the strips of pot connecting bonding material126a-con the flower pot30lto form a decorative cover like that described before in connection with thedecorative cover50k(FIGS. 22 and 23).
• The strips of pot connecting bonding material126a-calso may be an adhesive bonding material. In this instance, the flower pot30lmay be used in connection with a sheet of material like the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before. In this embodiment, the sheet of material10 (FIGS. 1-4) is formed about the flower pot30lin the manner like that described before in connection with the sheet ofmaterial10k(FIGS. 21-23) and the strips of adhesive pot connecting bonding material126a-cbondingly engage and bondingly connect to portions of the sheet of material10 (FIGS. 1-4) to form thedecorative cover50k(FIGS. 22 and 23).
• The flower pot30lalso may be used in connection with any of the other sheets of material and sheet extensions described herein.
Embodiment of FIG.25
• Shown inFIG. 25 is a sheet of material10mwhich is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial10d(FIG. 10), except the sheet of material10mdoes not necessarily include a connecting bonding material like the connectingbonding material24dshown inFIG. 10. In this embodiment, the sheet of material10mis formed about theflower pot30 in the manner exactly like that described before in connection with the sheet ofmaterial10d(FIGS. 10 and 11), except a pot connectingbonding material80mis positioned on the sheet of material10mso that a portion of the sheet of material10mnear theupper end32 of theflower pot30 is folded over and disposed adjacent a portion of the innerperipheral surface42 of theflower pot30 near theupper end32 of theflower pot30. In this position, the pot connectingbonding material80mis bondingly engaged with and bondingly connected to a portion of the innerperipheral surface42 of theflower pot30 near theupper end32 thereof. The bonding engagement between the pot connectingbonding material80mand the innerperipheral surface42 of theflower pot30 extends circumferentially about theflower pot30.
• The sheet of material10mmay be constructed like any of the other sheets of material described herein, except thepot bonding material80mis positioned on the sheet of material10mto bondingly engage and connect with a portion of the innerperipheral surface42 of theflower pot30.
• The sheet of material10mhas asheet extension25mconnected thereto. Thesheet extension25mmay be constructed exactly like thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 4 and described in detail before and is detachable via a line ofperforations53m.
Embodiment of FIG.26
• Shown inFIG. 26 is a modifiedflower pot30nwhich is constructed exactly like theflower pot30 described herein, except theflower pot30nincludes a pot connectingbonding material128 disposed on a portion of an innerperipheral surface42nof theflower pot30nnear and adjacent anupper end32nof theflower pot30n. The pot connectingbonding material128 extends circumferentially about the innerperipheral surface42nof theflower pot30n.
• Theflower pot30nmay be used in connection with a sheet of material (not shown) and sheet extension (not shown) constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial10 andsheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before, except the sheet ofmaterial10 does not necessarily include the connecting bonding material like the connectingbonding material24. In this embodiment, the sheet of material is formed about theflower pot30nin a manner like that described before in connection with the sheet of material10 (FIGS. 1-4), except a portion of the sheet ofmaterial10 is folded over and adjacent a portion of the innerperipheral surface42nof theflower pot30ninto bonding engagement with the pot connectingbonding material128 for bondingly connecting the sheet of material to theflower pot30nin a manner like that described before in connection with the sheet of material10m(FIG. 25).
• The pot connectingbonding material128, as just described preferably is an adhesive bonding material. The pot connectingbonding material128 may be a cohesive bonding material and, in this instance, theflower pot30nwould be used in connection with a sheet of material and sheet extension like the sheet of material10mandsheet extension25m(FIG. 25) except the pot connectingbonding material80mwould be a cohesive bonding material cohesively engaging and cohesively bonding with thecohesive bonding material128 on theflower pot30n.
• Theflower pot30nalso may be used in connection with any of the other sheets of material or sheet extensions described herein, except portions of the sheet of materials would be bondingly connected to theflower pot30nby way of the pot connectingbonding material128 and, in this instance, it is not necessary to form the crimped portion, although the crimped portion also could be formed if desired in any particular application.
Embodiment of FIGS.27,28 and29
• Shown inFIGS. 27, 28 and29 is another modified sheet ofmaterial10pwhich is constructed exactly like the sheet ofmaterial10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before, except the sheet ofmaterial10pdoes not necessarily include a connecting bonding material like the connectingbonding material24. Rather, the sheet ofmaterial10pincludes a drawstring in the form of aribbon132 having opposite ends134 and136 connected to a portion of alower surface22pof the sheet ofmaterial10p. More particularly, a portion of theribbon132 between the opposite ends134 and136 is connected to thelower surface22pof the sheet ofmaterial10pwhile portions of theribbon132 near each of theends134 and136 are unconnected from the sheet ofmaterial10p. The portions of theribbon132 near the opposite ends134 and136 which are unconnected to the sheet ofmaterial10peach extend a distance from the sheet ofmaterial10p. Theribbon132 may be connected to the sheet ofmaterial10pin any suitable manner. As shown inFIG. 28, theribbon132 is connected to the sheet ofmaterial10pby way of anadhesive bonding material138. Theribbon132 may be connected between two sheets as described before in connection with thedrawstring58 shown inFIGS. 8 and 9.
• The portion of theribbon132 connected to the sheet ofmaterial10pextends a distance circumferentially about the sheet ofmaterial10p. The portion of theribbon132 connected to the sheet ofmaterial10pis spaced adistance140 from an outer peripheral edge26pof the sheet ofmaterial10p.
• The sheet ofmaterial10pis formed about a flower pot (not shown) to form adecorative cover50pwith a portion of the sheet ofmaterial10pextending above an upper end of the flower pot. More particularly, theribbon132 is positioned on the sheet ofmaterial10pso that, when the sheet ofmaterial10pis formed about the flower pot, theribbon132 extends above the upper end of the flower pot. In this position, the opposite ends134 and136 of theribbon132 are cinched or drawn tight to gather the portions of the sheet ofmaterial10pnear and adjacent theribbon132 over the upper end of the flower pot to form a crimped portion46plike thecrimped portions46 described before. In this position, theends134 and136 of theribbon132 are tied or otherwise secured to the secure theribbon132 in the drawn or pulled position. Then, abow142 may be secured to thedecorative cover50p(FIG. 29) by adhesively connecting thebow142 to either a portion of theribbon132 or a portion of the outer peripheral surface of thedecorative cover50p.
• The sheet ofmaterial10palso may be constructed like any of the other sheets of material described herein to bond to portions of the flower pot or to include bonding materials for bondingly connecting adjacent portions of the sheet ofmaterial10pwhen theribbon132 is drawn tightly about the upper end of the flower pot, for example.
• The sheet ofmaterial10phas asheet extension25pconnected thereto. Thesheet extension25phas aribbon150 connected thereto by way of an adhesive bonding material151 (FIG. 28). Theribbon150 may be connected between two sheets like that described before in connection with thedrawstring57 shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. The portion of theribbon150 connected to thesheet extension25pextends circumferentially about thesheet extension25p. The portion of theribbon150 connected to thesheet extension25pis spaced a distance from the outerperipheral edge27p(FIG. 27) of thesheet extension25p.
• Thesheet extension25pis formed about the floral grouping47 (FIG. 29). Theribbon150 is drawn or pulled and then tied into a bow153 (FIG. 29) for closing the open upper end of thesheet extension25pand securing thesheet extension25pabout thefloral grouping47 to form a protective covering.
Embodiment of FIG.30
• Shown inFIG. 30 is theflower pot30 having the growingmedium45 disposed therein. Thefloral grouping47 extends a distance above theupper end32 of theflower pot30 in the manner described before. In this embodiment, a sheet of material10ris formed about the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 and positioned so that a portion of the sheet of material10rnear an outerperipheral edge26rextends a distance above theupper end32 of theflower pot30. A circularly shapedband160 is disposed about the portion of the sheet of material10rextending above theupper end32 of theflower pot30. Theband160 crimps a portion of the sheet of material10rand pulls a portion of the sheet of material10rinwardly above theupper end32 of theflower pot30 for securing the sheet of material10rin the position extending about the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 to form adecorative cover50r.
• Asheet extension25ris connected to the sheet of material10r. Thesheet extension25ris constructed exactly like thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 3 and described in detail before or any of the other sheet extensions described herein. Thesheet extension25ris formed about thefloral grouping47 and a portion of thesheet extension25rnear the open upper end of thesheet extension25ris closed via a bonding material in a manner like that described before in connection with thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 3.
• It should be noted that theband160 may be disposed about the sheet of material10rand about the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 for securing the sheet of material10rin the position extending about the outerperipheral surface36 of theflower pot30 to provide thedecorative cover50r, if desired in a particular application.
• As described herein, the various sheets of material are formed about the flower pot by hand forming the sheets of material about the flower pot and by hand crimping the material to form the crimped portions. It is contemplated that forming the sheet of material about the flower pot and crimping the sheet of material may be accomplished automatically or semi-automatically by way of a machine. For example, a machine may include pivoting elements or fingers which are automatically pivoted to move the sheet of material about the flower pot and position a sheet of material as described herein. In this instance, the fingers may include a separate element for forming the crimped portion or the element for forming the crimped portion may be a separate device such as halves of a donut shaped device which are moved inwardly to form the crimped portion after the sheet of material has been formed about the flower pot. In lieu of fingers or elements, the sheet of material may be blown by way of air jets or the like around the flower pot and then a crimping device may be disposed adjacent portions of the sheet of material to form the crimped portions. In a like manner, the sheet extension may be formed about the floral grouping in an automatic or semi-automatic manner.
• It also is contemplated that the crimped portion may be formed by a strivet or band which is automatically applied to the sheet of material after the sheet of material has been formed about the flower pot with the strivet or band being positioned above the upper end of the flower pot.
Embodiment of FIGS.31-33
• Shown inFIGS. 31 through 33 and designated therein by thegeneral reference numeral210, is a flower pot cover constructed in accordance with the present invention. Theflower pot cover210 comprises abase212 and askirt214. Asheet extension25sis connected to the base212 or, more particularly, to an outerperipheral edge215 of theskirt214. Thesheet extension25sis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 3 and described in detail before.
• In one preferred form, theflower pot cover210 is formed by taking a sheet of material constructed like the other sheets of material described and placing it between a male and a female mold. In this embodiment, the male mold is brought into mating engagement with the female mold thereby forming theflower pot cover210. In this process, a plurality of overlapping folds216 (FIGS. 31 and 32) are formed in thebase212. The overlapping folds216 cooperate to maintain the structural integrity of thebase212 and cooperate to maintain the base212 in the preformed shape. Apparatus and methods for forming a flower pot cover as just described are disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182, titled “ARTICLE FORMING SYSTEM” issued Sep. 27, 1988 and assigned to the Assignee of the present invention and the disclosure of such patent is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
• Thebase212 has anupper end218, alower end220 and an outerperipheral surface222. A pot opening224 (FIG. 31) is formed through theupper end218 of thebase212, providing access to a pot receiving space226 (FIGS. 31 and 33). Thepot receiving space226 forms an innerperipheral surface228 in thebase212. As shown inFIGS. 31 and 32, thebase212 is generally cylindrically shaped, although the base212 could be any geometric shape as may be desired in a particular application.
• In a preferred manner, theskirt214 is formed integrally with thebase212. Theskirt214 is connected to theupper end218 of the base212 such that theskirt214 extends a distance radially outwardly from theupper end218 of the base212 terminating with an outer peripheral edge215 (FIGS. 31-33). Theskirt214 has an inner peripheral surface234 (FIGS. 31 and 33) and an outer peripheral surface236 (FIGS. 32 and 33). In one form, shown inFIGS. 31 and 32, a plurality offolds238 also are formed in theskirt214 with most of thefolds238 extending radially outwardly from theupper end218 of the base212 toward the outerperipheral edge215 of theskirt214.
• Thebase212 and theskirt214 may be constructed of any suitable material that is capable of being formed into theflower pot cover210. As mentioned before, thebase212 and theskirt214 are constructed from a sheet of material and the sheet of material is constructed from any of the materials described before in connection with the sheet ofmaterial10 for example.
• A bonding material240 (FIGS. 31 and 33) is disposed on a portion of the innerperipheral surface234 of theskirt214. Thebonding material240 more particularly is disposed near the connection between theskirt214 and theupper end218 of thebase212. Thebonding material240 covers an area extending from the connection of theskirt214 to theupper end218 of the base212 a distance radially outwardly to a line242 (FIGS. 31 and 33) spaced a distance radially outwardly from theupper end218 of thebase212. Although thebonding material240 is shown inFIGS. 31 and 33 in the form of a continuous strip, thebonding material240 may be in the form of spots or spaced apart strips or any other form desired in a particular application suitable for effecting the crimping described below.
• As mentioned before, thebonding material240 preferably is an adhesive or cohesive. More particularly, thebonding material240 preferably is a cohesive. When thebonding material240 is a cohesive, a plurality of the flower pot covers210 may be stacked one on top of the other with thebase212 of an adjacentflower pot cover210 being disposed in thepot receiving space226 of an adjacentflower pot cover210. When thebonding material240 is a cohesive, thebonding material240 will not cause oneflower pot cover210 to be bonded to an adjacentflower pot cover210 when the flower pot covers210 are stacked in the manner just described.
• Thebonding material240 may be applied to the sheet of material prior to forming the sheet of material into theflower pot cover210 or thebonding material240 may be applied during the forming of the sheet of material into theflower pot cover210 or thebonding material240 may be applied after theflower pot cover210 has been formed.
• As mentioned before, theflower pot cover210 is adapted and configured to be used with a flower pot, a flower pot being shown inFIG. 33 and designated therein by the referencednumeral244. As shown inFIG. 33, theflower pot244 has anupper end246, alower end248, an outerperipheral surface250 with anopening252 being formed through theupper end246 of theflower pot244 providing access to a plant orflower receiving space254.
• In use, thelower end248 of theflower pot244 is disposed through thepot opening224 and into thepot receiving space226 of theflower pot cover210 to a position wherein thelower end248 of theflower pot244 is disposed near thelower end220 of thebase212 of theflower pot cover210 and theupper end246 of theflower pot244 is disposed near theupper end218 of thebase212 of theflower pot cover210.
• After theflower pot244 has been disposed in thepot receiving space226, a crimped portion256 (FIG. 33) is formed in theskirt214 by bringing together adjacent portions of theskirt214 about thebonding material240 thereby causing the adjacent portions to be bonded together for forming the crimpedportion256. The crimping of theskirt214 may be accomplished by hand or with a device or machine as may be desired in a particular application.
• The crimpedportion256 extends a distance radially inwardly above theupper end246 of theflower pot244. The crimpedportion256 is disposed about adjacent theupper end246 of theflower pot244 and the crimpedportion256 engages a portion of theupper end246 of theflower pot244 for cooperating to maintain theflower pot cover210 assembled around or connected to theflower pot244. The crimpedportion256 preferably extends circumferentially about theupper end218 of thebase212 of theflower pot cover210 and preferably circumferentially around theupper end246 of theflower pot244. In some applications, it may be desirable to form the crimpedportion256 only at certain positions spaced circumferentially about theupper end218 of thebase212 of theflower pot cover210.
• Theflower pot cover210 substantially encompasses theflower pot244 when theflower pot244 is disposed in thepot receiving space226.
• Thesheet extension25sis formed about the floral grouping47 (FIG. 33). Thesheet extension25sis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25 shown inFIGS. 1 through 3 and described in detail before. The open upper end of thesheet extension25sis closed by contacting a bonding material33s(FIG. 31) with adjacent portions of thesheet extension25sin the manner described before. Thesheet extension25ssubstantially encompasses thefloral grouping47 and provides a protective covering in the manner described before. Theflower pot cover210 is thereby secured about thepot244 using thebonding material240 on theflower pot cover210.
Embodiment of FIGS.34 and35
• Shown inFIGS. 34 and 35 is a modifiedflower pot cover210awhich is constructed exactly like theflower pot cover210 shown inFIGS. 31,32 and33 and described in detail before, except theflower pot cover210aalso includes abonding material258 disposed on an innerperipheral surface228aof a base212anear anupper end218aof the base212ain addition to abonding material240adisposed on an innerperipheral surface234aof a skirt214a.
• Thebonding material258 extends from theupper end218aof the base212aa distance toward a lower end220aof the base212ato a line260 (FIG. 34) disposed near and spaced a distance from theupper end218aof the base212a. Thebonding material258 extends circumferentially about theupper end218aof the base212a. Thebonding material258 substantially covers the entire area between theupper end218aof the base212aand theline260. It should be noted that thebonding material258, although shown as a continuous strip inFIG. 34, could be spots or spaced apart strips if desired in a particular application.
• In operation, as illustrated inFIG. 35, theflower pot cover210ais disposed about theflower pot244 in the manner described before in connection with theflower pot cover210 shown inFIGS. 31, 32 and33, and acrimped portion256ais formed in theflower pot cover210ain a manner exactly like that described before in connection with theflower pot cover210 and the crimpedportion256 shown inFIG. 33. In addition, thebonding material258 on the innerperipheral surface228aof the base212abondingly engages to a portion of the outerperipheral surface250 of theflower pot244 near theupper end246 of theflower pot244. The bonding engagement between thebonding material258 and theflower pot244 further cooperates to secure theflower pot cover210ato theflower pot244.
• In those instances where thebonding material258 is a cohesive, a cohesive material also is included on the outerperipheral surface250 of theflower pot244 for bondingly engaging with thebonding material258 on theflower pot cover210a.
• Asheet extension25tis connected to the skirt214aof theflower pot cover210a. Thesheet extension25tis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25sshown inFIGS. 31 through 33 and described in detail before. Thesheet extension25tis formed about a floral grouping to provide a protective covering in the manner described before.
Embodiment of FIGS.36 and37
• Shown inFIGS. 36 and 37 is another modifiedflower pot cover210bwhich is constructed exactly like theflower pot cover210 shown inFIGS. 31, 32 and33, except theflower pot cover210bdoes not include bonding material on a skirt214blike thebonding material240 on theskirt214 shown inFIGS. 31 and 32. Rather, theflower pot cover210bincludesbonding material262 disposed on an innerperipheral surface228bof a base212bnear anupper end218bof the base212b. Thebonding material262 extends circumferentially about theupper end218bof the base212b. Thebonding material262 extends from theupper end218bto aline264 spaced a distance from theupper end218bof the base212b. Thebonding material262 substantially covers the entire area between theupper end218band theline264. Thebonding material262 could be in the form of spots or spaced apart strips if desired in a particular application.
• In use, theflower pot244 is disposed in apot receiving space226bof theflower pot cover210b, as shown inFIG. 37. A crimpedportion256bis formed in theflower pot cover210bby crimping together portions of theflower pot cover210bnear thebonding material262, with thebonding material262 cooperating to bond the overlapping crimped portions for maintaining the shape of the crimpedportion256bin a manner like that described before. In this application, the crimpedportion256bis formed in the base212b, rather than in the skirt214bas is the case in connection with theflower pot cover210 shown inFIGS. 31, 32 and33. Theflower pot cover210bincludes asheet extension25u. Thesheet extension25uis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25sshown inFIGS. 31 through 33 and described in detail before. Thesheet extension25uis formed about the floral grouping in the manner described before to provide a protective covering and thesheet extension25uhas connectingbonding material33ufor closing thesheet extension25u.
Embodiment of FIG.38
• Shown inFIG. 38 is another modifiedflower pot cover210cwhich is constructed exactly like theflower pot cover210 shown inFIGS. 31 through 33 and described in detail before, except theflower pot cover210cdoes not include thebonding material240 on thebase212. Rather, theflower pot cover210cincludes abonding material266 on an outerperipheral surface236cof askirt214cnear anupper end218cof a base212cof theflower pot cover210c. Thebonding material266 extends circumferentially around theupper end218cof the base212cand extends from theupper end218cof the base212cto a line268 spaced a distance from theupper end218cof the base212c.
• In use, theflower pot cover210cis disposed about a flower pot (not shown) and a crimped portion is formed by crimping together portions of theflower pot cover210cnear and adjacent thebonding material266 in a manner like that described before in connection with theflower pot cover210bshown inFIG. 37, except thebonding material266 is on the outerperipheral surface236cof theskirt214c, rather than an inner peripheral surface (not shown) of the base212cas is the case with theflower pot cover210bshown inFIG. 37.
• Theflower pot cover210cincludes asheet extension25w. Thesheet extension25wis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25sshown inFIGS. 31 through 33 and described in detail before. Thesheet extension25wis formed about the floral grouping to provide the protective covering in the manner described before and has connectingbonding material33wfor closing thesheet extension25w.
Embodiment of FIG.39
• Shown inFIG. 39 is a flower pot cover210dwhich is constructed exactly like theflower pot cover210cshown inFIG. 38 described in detail before, except the flower pot cover210dalso includes, in addition to abonding material266don a portion of askirt214d,abonding material270 on an outerperipheral surface222dof a base212dof the flower pot cover210dsubstantially as shown. In this instance, a crimped portion (not shown) is formed by crimping together portions of the base212dand theskirt214dhaving thebonding materials270 and266d, respectively, thereon.
• The flower pot cover210dincludes asheet extension25x. Thesheet extension25xis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25sshown inFIGS. 31 through 33 and described in detail before. Thesheet extension25xis formed about a floral grouping (not shown) to provide a protective covering in the manner described before. Further, thesheet extension25xhas a connectingbonding material33xfor closing thesheet extension25xabove the floral grouping.
Embodiment of FIG.40
• Shown inFIG. 40 is another modifiedflower pot cover210ewhich is constructed exactly like theflower pot cover210, except theflower pot cover210edoes not include thebonding material266 on askirt214eof theflower pot cover210e. Rather, theflower pot cover210eincludes only abonding material274 on a base212ewhich extends to aline276. Theflower pot cover210ewill operate to form a crimped portion (not shown) in a manner exactly like that described before with respect to the flower pot covers210cand210dshown inFIGS. 38 and 39, except the crimped portion only will be formed by crimping together portions of thebonding material274 on the base212e.
• Theflower pot cover210eincludes asheet extension25y. Thesheet extension25yis constructed exactly like thesheet extension25sshown inFIGS. 31 through 33 and described in detail before. Thesheet extension25yis formed about a floral grouping (not shown) to provide a protective covering in the manner described before. Further, thesheet extension25yhas abonding material33yfor closing thesheet extension25yabout a floral grouping disposed in theflower pot cover210e.
• Thesheet extensions25s,25t,25u,25w,25× and25ymay be constructed like any of the other sheet extensions described herein as may be desired in a particular application.
• Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various components, elements and assemblies described herein and changes may be made 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.

Claims (6)

1. A method for providing a decorative covering comprising:

providing a cover having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface, and a pot opening formed through the upper end of the cover providing access to a pot receiving space, an adhesive or cohesive bonding material being disposed on at least a portion of at least one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the cover, and the cover having an upper extension extending therefrom;

providing a flower pot having an upper end, a lower end and an outer peripheral surface with a floral grouping being disposed in the flower pot;

disposing the flower pot in the pot receiving space of the cover;

securing the cover about the pot by using the adhesive or cohesive bonding material on the cover; and

forming the upper extension about a portion of the floral grouping to provide a protective covering.

2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein in the step of providing the cover, the adhesive or cohesive bonding material is disposed on at least a portion of both the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface thereof.

3. The method ofclaim 1 wherein in the step of providing the cover, the cover is defined further as comprising a skirt portion.

4. The method ofclaim 3 wherein in the step of providing the cover, the adhesive or cohesive bonding material is further defined as disposed on a portion of the skirt portion.

5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the upper extension is detachable from the cover.

6. The method ofclaim 5 further comprising the step of detaching the upper extension from the cover.

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