U.S. patent application number 10/316467 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-08 for conveyable cover former and fastening system.
Invention is credited to Straeter, Joseph G., Weder, Donald E..
Application Number | 20030084612 10/316467 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22214618 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030084612 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weder, Donald E. ; et
al. |
May 8, 2003 |
Conveyable cover former and fastening system
Abstract
An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and
for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and
optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered
article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and
the cover may be a decorative cover. The apparatus includes a
platform having at least one opening sized to allow passage
therethrough of an article a conveyable cover forming assembly
having contacting portions for contacting the sheet of material,
and a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener
about a portion of the outer surface of a covered article for
fastening a cover about the article.
Inventors: |
Weder, Donald E.; (Highland,
IL) ; Straeter, Joseph G.; (Highland, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUNLAP, CODDING & ROGERS P.C.
PO BOX 16370
OKLAHOMA CITY
OK
73114
US
|
Family ID: |
22214618 |
Appl. No.: |
10/316467 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10316467 |
Dec 10, 2002 |
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10263209 |
Oct 1, 2002 |
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10263209 |
Oct 1, 2002 |
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09607578 |
Jun 29, 2000 |
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6481181 |
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09607578 |
Jun 29, 2000 |
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09090889 |
Jun 4, 1998 |
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6101788 |
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09090889 |
Jun 4, 1998 |
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08826841 |
Apr 7, 1997 |
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5839256 |
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08826841 |
Apr 7, 1997 |
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08465294 |
Jun 5, 1995 |
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5661952 |
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08465294 |
Jun 5, 1995 |
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08088976 |
Jul 8, 1993 |
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5450707 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
47/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/505 20130101;
A01G 5/04 20130101; B65B 25/026 20130101; A47G 7/085 20130101; B65D
85/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
47/72 |
International
Class: |
A01G 009/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An article having a cover fastened thereabout produced according
to the process comprising the steps of: providing a cover forming
apparatus; placing a sheet of material in a cover forming position
adjacent the cover forming apparatus; positioning an article in a
position adjacent the sheet of material; forming the sheet of
material into a cover about an outer peripheral surface of the
article using the cover forming apparatus; conveying a conveyable
fastener applicating device via a conveying apparatus to a
fastening position adjacent the cover; and causing the conveyable
fastener applicating device to automatically apply a fastener about
a portion of the cover of the article thereby fastening the cover
about the article.
2. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 1, wherein in the step of placing
the sheet of material, the sheet of material is selected from the
group consisting of paper, metal foil, natural cloth, synthetic
cloth, denim, burlap or polymer film or combinations thereof.
3. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 1, the sheet of material is
placed on a support surface.
4. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 1, wherein in the step of
positioning the article, the article is further defined as a pot
containing a botanical item therein.
5. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 4, wherein the pot is further
characterized as having an upper end and wherein the fastener is
applied about a portion of the sheet of material formed about the
pot which extends above the upper end of the pot.
6. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 4, wherein the pot is further
characterized as having an upper end and wherein the fastener is
applied about a portion of the sheet of material formed about the
pot which is disposed below the upper end of the pot.
7. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 1, wherein in the step of
automatically applying a fastener, the fastener is selected from
the group consisting of elastic or non-elastic string, thread,
bands, ribbon, wire and tape.
8. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 1, wherein the process further
comprises the additional step of applying a label to a portion of
an outer surface of the cover of the article.
9. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 1, wherein the covered article is
removed after returning the conveyable fastener applicating device
to its original position.
10. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 1, wherein the fastener
applicating device is a tying device.
11. An article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process comprising the steps of: providing an
article; providing a sheet of material; forming the sheet of
material about the article at a forming station; providing a
conveyable fastener applicating device at a position remote from
the forming station; moving the conveyable fastener applicating
device from the position remote from the forming station to a
fastener applicating position; and causing the conveyable fastener
applicating device to automatically apply a fastener about a
portion of the sheet of material formed about the article.
12. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 11, wherein in the step of
providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is selected
from the group consisting of paper, metal foil, cloth, denim,
burlap, polymer film and combinations thereof.
13. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 11, wherein in the step of
forming the sheet of material about the article, the sheet of
material is automatically formed about the article.
14. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 11, wherein in the step of
providing the article, the article is further defined as a pot
having a botanical item therein.
15. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 14, wherein the pot is further
characterized as having an upper end and wherein the fastener is
applied about a portion of the sheet of material formed about the
pot which extends above the upper end of the pot.
16. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 14, wherein the pot is further
characterized as having an upper end and wherein the fastener is
applied about a portion of the sheet of material formed about the
pot which is disposed below the upper end of the pot.
17. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 11, wherein in the step of
forming the sheet of material about the article, the article is
automatically moved to the forming station where the sheet of
material is automatically formed about the article.
18. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 11, wherein in the step of
causing the conveyable fastener applicating device to automatically
apply a fastener about the sheet of material formed about the
article, the fastener is selected from a group of fasteners
consisting of elastic or non-elastic string, thread, bands, ribbon,
wire and tape.
19. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 11, wherein the process further
comprises the steps of: providing a labeling device for applying a
label to the sheet of material formed about the article; and
automatically applying a label to the sheet of material formed
about the article.
20. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced
according to the process of claim 11, wherein the conveyable
fastener applicating device is a tying device.
21. An article having a cover fastened thereabout produced by an
apparatus for processing the article, the apparatus comprising: a
cover forming apparatus adapted to form a sheet of material into a
cover about an article; a conveyable fastener applicating device
for automatically applying a fastener about a portion of an outer
surface of a cover formed about the article by the cover forming
apparatus; a conveying apparatus for conveying the conveyable
fastener applicating device to a fastener applicating position; and
a drive apparatus for conveying the conveyable fastener applicating
device via the conveying apparatus to the fastener applicating
position.
22. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced by the
apparatus of claim 21, wherein the conveying apparatus further
comprises a rail.
23. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced by the
apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus further comprises an
apparatus for automatically providing a sheet of material.
24. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced by the
apparatus of claim 21, wherein the cover forming apparatus is
adapted to receive a flower pot.
25. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced by the
apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus further comprises a
labeling apparatus for automatically applying a label to a portion
of the outer surface of the cover of the covered article.
26. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced by the
apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus further comprises an
apparatus for automatically picking and placing the article for
picking up the article from an article supply and placing the
article adjacent the cover forming apparatus.
27. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced by the
apparatus of claim 21, wherein the fastener applied by the fastener
applicating device is selected from the group consisting of elastic
or non-elastic string, thread, bands, ribbon, wire and tape.
28. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced by the
apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus further comprises an
automatic removal apparatus for automatically removing the covered
article.
29. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced by the
apparatus of claim 21, wherein the fastener applicating device
applies the fastener about a portion of the cover of the article in
a position which extends above an upper end of the article.
30. The article having a cover fastened thereabout produced by the
apparatus of claim 21, wherein the fastener applicating device
applies the fastener about a portion of the cover of the article in
a position which is disposed below an upper end of the article.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of copending U.S.
Ser. No. 10/263,209, filed Oct. 1, 2002; which is a continuation of
U.S. Ser. No. 09/607,578, filed Jun. 29, 2000, now allowed; which
is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/090,889, filed Jun. 4, 1998,
now U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,788; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser.
No. 08/826,841, filed Apr. 7, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,256;
which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/465,294, filed Jun. 5,
1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,952; which is a continuation of U.S.
Ser. No. 08/088,976, filed Jul. 8, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No.
5,450,707, the contents of all of which are hereby expressly
incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for
using a conveyable cover former for placing a cover about an
article, conveying the covered article to a fastening device, and
automatically applying a fastener about the covered article, and
more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to such apparatus
and methods wherein the article is a potted plant or flower
pot.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method
for forming a cover about an article, conveying the article and
cover to a fastening device and automatically fastening the cover
to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on
the covered article. The article may be a potted plant or flower
pot and the cover may be a decorative cover. The invention
satisfies the need for rapidly covering and fastening the cover
about an article with a minimal amount of manual effort in a
location having a limited amount of available space.
[0004] The apparatus comprises a platform having a support surface
formed thereon. An opening sized to accommodate an article for
passage therethrough extends through the support surface. The
support surface is adapted to support at least portions of a sheet
of material in a position generally over a conveyable cover forming
assembly or mold disposed near the opening in the support surface.
The conveyable cover forming assembly or mold has contacting
portions for contacting the sheet of material. The conveyable cover
forming assembly or mold opening is sized and configured to receive
the article.
[0005] The apparatus further comprises a fastening or tying device
for automatically applying a fastener about a portion of the outer
surface of the covered article for fastening the cover about the
article after the cover is formed about the article.
[0006] The apparatus further comprises conveying assembly or rail
for conveying the covered article and conveyable cover forming
assembly or mold from the cover forming position to a fastener
application positioning at the fastening or tying device.
[0007] The apparatus may also comprise a labeling device for
automatically applying a label to a portion of the outer surface of
the cover of the covered article. The apparatus may further
comprise an assembly for automatically placing a sheet of material
on the support surface.
[0008] The present invention also comprises a method for processing
an article. The process initially comprises providing a platform
having a support surface formed thereon and an opening extending
through the support surface. The opening is as described above. The
conveyable cover forming assembly or mold has contacting portions
and is sized to receive an article, which may be a flower pot. The
next step is placing a sheet of material in a cover forming
position over the opening and on the support surface wherein the
sheet of material, in the cover forming position, is positioned
over the conveyable cover forming assembly or mold.
[0009] The next step is providing the article and positioning the
article over the sheet of material so the article is disposed
generally above and near the portion of the sheet of material which
is above the conveyable cover forming assembly or mold. Then, the
article is moved in a direction which causes a lower end of the
article to engage a portion of the sheet of material. The article
and portions of the sheet of material pass into the conveyable
cover forming assembly or mold causing the sheet of material to
contact or nearly contact both an outer peripheral surface of the
article and the contacting portions of the conveyable cover forming
assembly. The sheet is pressed about the outer peripheral surface
of the article to form a cover about the article.
[0010] The conveyable cover forming assembly or mold is
automatically conveyed on a conveying assembly, such as a rail, so
that the covered article is moved into a fastener applicating
position at the fastening device. After the covered article is
conveyed to the fastener applicating position, a fastener is
automatically applied about a portion of the outer surface of the
cover of the article for fastening the cover about the article.
Then, the covered article is removed from the conveyable cover
forming assembly. The covered article may be removed before or
after the conveyable cover forming assembly is returned via the
conveying assembly to near the platform. Also, the method may
comprise the additional step of engaging an automatic labeling
assembly and automatically applying a label to a portion of the
outer surface of the cover of the article prior to the removal of
the covered article.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first sheet of material with one
end turned up constructed in accordance with the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second sheet of material with one
end turned up constructed in accordance with the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first and the
second sheets of material disposed adjacent each other.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing bonding areas on a
surface of a first sheet of material or a second sheet of material
which cause bonding of the second sheet of material and the first
sheet of material.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an exaggerated cross-sectional view of a first
sheet of material and a modified second sheet of material.
[0016] FIG. 6 is another exaggerated cross-sectional view of a
modified first sheet of material connected to a second sheet of
material.
[0017] FIG. 7 is an exaggerated cross-sectional view of still
another modified first sheet of material connected to a modified
second sheet of material.
[0018] FIG. 8 is another exaggerated cross-sectional view of yet
another modified first sheet of material connected to a modified
second sheet of material.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of a roll of a plurality of
sheets of material constructed in accordance with the present
invention, the roll partially unrolled to reveal a single sheet
still attached thereto.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a roll of plurality of
sheets of material disposed in a dispenser.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing a roll of material
disposed in a dispenser wherein the roll of material comprises a
first and a second sheet of material constructed in accordance with
the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of a roll of material for
dispensing a first and a second sheet of material constructed in
accordance with the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 13 is an exaggerated side elevational view of a pad of
first and second sheets of material constructed in accordance with
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a plan view of a sheet of material with a sheet
extension connected thereto constructed in accordance with the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a plan view of another sheet of material with a
sheet extension connected thereto constructed in accordance with
the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a pre-formed decorative pot
cover.
[0027] FIG. 17 is a side elevational view, partially in cross
section, of an apparatus for processing an article of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the apparatus for processing
an article of FIG. 17.
[0029] FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a cover forming mold used
in the apparatus of FIG. 17.
[0030] FIG. 19B is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
cover forming mold used in the apparatus of FIG. 17.
[0031] FIG. 20 is a side elevational view, partially in cross
section, of an apparatus for processing an article of the present
invention having a material dispenser.
[0032] FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the apparatus for processing
an article of the present invention shown in FIG. 20.
[0033] FIGS. 22A-22D are side elevational views, partially in cross
section, of the apparatus for processing an article of FIG. 17
while in operation.
[0034] FIG. 23 is a side elevational view, partially in cross
section, of a potted plant having a cover fastened thereto.
[0035] FIG. 24 is a side elevational view, partially in cross
section, of a potted plant having a cover fastened thereto, the
cover having a sheet extension.
DESCRIPTION
[0036] In one version, the present invention comprises an apparatus
for processing an article such as a potted plant or flower pot. The
apparatus comprises a platform supported by a framework. The
platform has a support surface formed thereon and an opening
extending through the support surface. The opening is sized to
accommodate an article to be passed therethrough. The article has
an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface.
[0037] The apparatus further comprises a conveyable cover forming
assembly having contacting portions and a receiving end and sized
to receive the article. The cover forming assembly is further
adapted such that a sheet of material is formed into a cover about
the outer peripheral surface of the article when the article is
moved in a direction which causes the lower end of the article to
engage a portion of the sheet of material. As the sheet of material
is engaged, the article and portions of the sheet of material pass
into the receiving end of the conveyable cover forming assembly
causing the sheet of material to contact or nearly contact both the
outer peripheral surface of the article and the contacting portions
of the conveyable cover forming assembly. As the article is moved,
the sheet of material is pressed about the outer peripheral surface
of the article to form the cover about the article. The cover has
an inner surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the article
and an exposed outer surface.
[0038] The apparatus further comprises a conveying assembly for
conveying the conveyable cover forming assembly from adjacent the
platform to a fastener applicating position. The apparatus further
comprises a fastener applicating device, such as a tying device,
for automatically applying a fastener about a portion of the outer
surface of the cover of the article for fastening the cover about
the article when the conveyable cover forming assembly is conveyed
via the conveying assembly to the fastener applicating
position.
[0039] Finally, the apparatus comprises a drive assembly for
conveying the conveyable cover forming assembly via the conveying
assembly to the fastener applicating position adjacent the fastener
applicating device and for returning the conveyable cover forming
assembly via the conveying assembly to a cover forming position
adjacent the platform. Optionally, the apparatus may further
comprise a labeling device for automatically applying a label to a
portion of the outer surface of the cover of the covered
article.
[0040] The present invention, as will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art, may also be modified such that the tying
fastening device is conveyable to a stationary cover forming
apparatus.
[0041] The present invention further comprises a method using the
apparatus described above for processing an article such as a
potted plant or flower pot. The method comprises the first step of
providing a platform having a support surface formed thereon and an
opening extending through the support surface in which the opening
is sized to accommodate an article passed therethrough. In the next
step is provided a conveyable cover forming assembly, such as
described above, which is conveyable via a conveying assembly such
as a rail.
[0042] Next, a sheet of material is placed in a cover forming
position over the opening and on the support surface wherein the
sheet of material, in the cover forming position, is positioned
over the receiving end of the conveyable cover forming assembly. An
article, for example a potted plant or flower pot, is provided. The
article is positioned over the sheet of material in a position
wherein the lower end of the article is disposed generally above
and near the portion of the sheet of material which is above the
receiving end of the conveyable cover forming assembly.
[0043] The sheet of material is formed into a cover about the outer
peripheral surface of the article by moving the article in a
direction which causes the lower end of the article to engage a
portion of the sheet of material whereby the article and portions
of the sheet of material pass into the receiving end of the
conveyable cover forming assembly causing the sheet of material to
contact or nearly contact both the outer peripheral surface of the
article and the contacting portions of the conveyable cover forming
assembly as the article is moved. The sheet is pressed about the
outer peripheral surface of the article to form the cover about the
article.
[0044] A fastener applicating device, such as a tying device, is
provided. The conveyable cover forming assembly is conveyed via the
conveying assembly from adjacent the platform to a fastening
position adjacent the fastener applicating device. A fastener is
automatically applied about a portion of the outer surface of the
cover of the article for fastening the cover about the article. The
article with the cover fastened thereabout is then removed.
The Embodiments of FIGS. 1-3
[0045] Shown in FIG. 1 and designated therein by the general
reference numeral 10 is a sheet of material (also referred to
herein as first sheet of material). The sheet of material 10 has a
first end 12, a second end 14, a first side 16, a second side 18,
an upper surface 20 and a lower surface 22.
[0046] A closure bonding material 24 may be disposed on the upper
surface 20 of the sheet of material 10. Alternatively, the sheet of
material 10 may be free of a closure bonding material. As shown in
FIG. 1, the closure bonding material 24, if present, may be
disposed adjacent the first side 16 of the sheet of material 10 and
extends between the first and the second ends 12 and 14 of the
sheet of material 10 or it may be disposed on any other portion of
the sheet of material 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the closure bonding
material 24 is disposed on the upper surface 20 in a strip of
closure bonding material 24, although the closure bonding material
24 also could be applied to the upper surface 20 of the sheet of
material 10 in the form of spaced apart spots, or the closure
bonding material 24 also could be disposed on the upper surface 20
of the sheet of material 10 in any other geometric form and in any
pattern including covering the entire upper surface 20 of the sheet
of material 10. In this last-mentioned instance, the closure
bonding material and the connecting bonding material would be
contained within the bonding material covering the sheet of
material 10. The term "spot" or "spots" includes any geometric
shape of spot including, but not limited to, what is commonly
referred to as strips.
[0047] The sheet of material 10 has a thickness in a range from
about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. Preferably, the sheet of material
10 has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 5
mils.
[0048] The sheet of material 10 may be any shape and a square or
rectangular shape is shown in FIG. 1 only by way of example. The
sheet of material 10 for example only may be square, rectangular,
circular or any other geometric shape such as heart shaped, for
example only.
[0049] The sheet of material 10 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 of material 10 may
be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the
sheet of material 10 is wrappable about an object, such as a plant
or flower pot, as described herein. The layers of material
comprising the sheet of material 10 may be connected together or
laminated or may be separate layers.
[0050] Shown in FIG. 2 is a second sheet of material 26 (also
referred to herein as "second sheet 26" or "sheet 26"). The second
sheet of material 26 has a first end 28, a second end 30, a first
side 32, a second side 34, an upper surface 36 and a lower surface
38. The second sheet of material 26, if used may be constructed of
paper. The term "paper" as used herein means treated or untreated
paper, corrugated paper or cardboard or any other form of paper
material.
[0051] The first sheet of material 10 has a length 40 extending
between the first and the second sides 16 and 18 of the sheet of
material 10. The first sheet of material 10 also has a width 42
extending between the first and the second ends 12 and 14 of the
first sheet of material 10.
[0052] The second sheet of material 26 has a length 44 extending
between the first and the second sides 32 and 34 of the second
sheet of material 26. The second sheet of material 26 has a width
46 extending between the first and the second ends 28 and 30 of the
second sheet of material 26. In a preferred embodiment, the length
44 of the second sheet of material 26 is less than the length 40 of
the first sheet of material 10 as shown in FIG. 3 so that, when the
first sheet of material 10 is disposed adjacent the second sheet of
material 26, a portion of the first sheet of material 10 adjacent
the first side 16 thereof extends a distance beyond the first side
32 of the second sheet of material 26, in a manner and for reason
which will be described in greater detail below.
[0053] The first sheet of material has a thickness in a range from
about 0.5 mil to about 30 mils and preferably the thickness of the
first sheet of material is in a range from about 0.5 mil to about
10 mils. The first sheet of material 10 is constructed of a
material which is flexible.
[0054] The second sheet of material 26 has a thickness in a range
from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils and preferably in a range from
about 0.1 mil to about 10 mils. The second sheet of material 26 is
flexible, but relatively rigid compared to the first sheet of
material 10.
[0055] The second sheet of material 26 may be any shape and a
square or rectangular shape is shown in FIG. 2 only by way of
example. The second sheet of material 26, for example only, may be
square, rectangular, circular or any other geometric shape.
[0056] The second sheet of material 26 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 second sheet of
material 26 may be utilized in accordance with the present
invention as long as the second sheet of material 26 is wrappable
about an object such as a flower pot, as described herein, and as
long as the second sheet of material 26 provides the rigidity
described herein or the absorbency described herein or both. The
layers of material comprising the second sheet of material 26 may
be connected together or laminated or may be separate layers.
[0057] In operation, when the second sheet of material 26 is
desired in addition to the first sheet of material 10, the second
sheet of material 26 is placed adjacent the first sheet of material
10 as shown in FIG. 3. In this position, the lower surface 38 of
the second sheet of material 26 is disposed adjacent the upper
surface 20 of the first sheet of material 10. The width 42 of the
first sheet of material 10 is about equal to the width 46 of the
second sheet of material 26 so that, when the first and the second
sheets of material 10 and 26 are disposed adjacent each other, the
first end 28 of the second sheet of material 26 is generally
aligned with the first end 12 of the first sheet of material 10;
the second end 30 of the second sheet of material 26 is generally
aligned with the second end 14 of the first sheet of material 10;
the second side 18 of the first sheet of material 10 is generally
aligned with the second side 34 of the second sheet of material 26;
and the first side 16 of the first sheet of material 10 extends a
distance beyond the first side 32 of the second sheet of material
26 so that the closure bonding material 24 on the upper surface 20
of the first sheet of material 10 is exposed and not covered by the
second sheet of material 26.
[0058] It should be noted that the first and the second sheets of
material 10 and 26 each could have virtually identical lengths 40
and 44. In this case, the second sheet of material 26 is
disposed-on the first sheet of material 20 in such a manner that
the second side 34 of the second sheet of material 26 extends a
distance beyond the second side 18 of the first sheet of material
10 whereby the first side 16 of the first sheet of material 10 is
spaced a distance from the first side 32 of the second sheet of
material 26, thereby leaving the closure bonding material 24 on the
first sheet of material 10 exposed and not covered by the second
sheet of material 26. Multiple sheets of the first and second
sheets of material 10 and 26 may be used. Moreover, when multiple
sheets of the first and second sheets of material 10 and 26 are
used in combination, the sheets of material 10 and 26 need not be
uniform in size or shape. Finally, it will be appreciated that the
first and second sheets of material 10 and 26 shown in all
embodiments herein are substantially flat.
[0059] As noted earlier, a closure bonding material 24 may be
disposed on the upper surface 20 of the first sheet of material 10.
The closure bonding material 24 may be applied as a strip or as
spots or other shapes. One method for disposing a closure bonding
material, in this case an adhesive, is described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,111,637 entitled "Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping" issued
to Weder et al., on May 12, 1992 and which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
[0060] The first sheet of material 10 can be utilized alone or in
combination with the second sheet of material 26 to wrap a potted
plant or flower pot. The term "flower pot" refers to any type of
container used for holding a floral grouping or a potted plant.
Examples of flower pots used in accordance with the present
invention are clay pots, plastic pots, and the like. "Floral
grouping" as used herein means cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower 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 arrangement. The floral
grouping comprises a bloom or foliage portion and a stem portion.
However, it will be appreciated that the floral grouping may
consist of only a single bloom or only foliage (not shown). The
term "floral grouping" may be used interchangeably herein with the
term "floral arrangement".
[0061] The first sheet of material 10 or the second sheet of
material 26 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 first and second sheets of material 10 and 26
may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as
the first and second sheets of material 10 and 26 may be wrapped or
formed about at least a portion of a flower pot, as described
herein. Additionally, an insulating material, such as bubble film,
preferably one of two or more layers, can be utilized in order to
provide additional protection for the item wrapped therein.
[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the first sheet of material 10 is
constructed from two polypropylene films (a 20".times.15" sheet of
Mobil 270 ABW white opaque film laminated to a 20".times.15" sheet
of Mobil 220 AB clear film) having a thickness in a range of from
less than about 1.0 mil to about 2.5 mils. The layers of
polypropylene film comprising the first sheet of material 10 may be
connected together or laminated or may be separate layers.
[0063] The first sheet of material 10 is constructed from any
suitable wrapping material that is capable of being wrapped about a
flower pot or floral grouping, as the case may be. Preferably, the
first sheet of material 10 comprises paper (untreated or treated in
any manner), foil, polymeric film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or
synthetic or natural), burlap, or combinations thereof.
[0064] The term "polymeric film" means a synthetic polymer such as
a polypropylene or a naturally occurring polymer such as
cellophane. A polymeric film is relatively strong and not as
subject to tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the
case with paper or foil.
[0065] The first and second sheets of material 10 and 26 may vary
in color. Further, the first and second sheets of material 10
and/or 26 may consist of designs or decorative patterns which are
printed, etched, and/or embossed thereon using inks or other
printing materials. An example of an ink which may be applied to
the surface of the first and second sheets of material 10 and/or 26
is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,706 entitled "Water Based Ink
On Foil And/Or synthetic organic polymer" issued to Kingman on Sep.
15, 1992 and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In
addition, the first and second sheets of material 10 and/or 26 may
have various colorings, coatings, flocking and/or metallic
finishes, or other decorative surface ornamentation applied
separately or simultaneously or may be characterized totally or
partially by pearlescent, translucent, transparent, iridescent or
the like, qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may
occur alone or in combination and may be applied to the upper
and/or lower surface of the first and second sheets of material 10
and 26. Moreover, each surface of the first and second sheets of
material 10 and 26 may vary in the combination of such
characteristics. The first and second sheets of material 10 and/or
26 may be opaque, translucent or partially clear or tinted
transparent.
Embodiments of FIGS. 4-8
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 4, a bonding material 48 may be
applied to either an upper surface 20a of a first sheet of material
10a or to a lower surface 38a of a second sheet of material 26a in
a plurality of patches 48 for the purpose of bonding the upper
surface 20a of the first sheet of material 10a to the lower surface
38a of the second sheet of material 26a.
[0067] Shown in FIG. 5 is a first sheet of material 10b connected
to a modified second sheet of material 26b. The first sheet of
material 10b is constructed exactly like the sheet of material 10.
The second sheet of material 26b is constructed like the second
sheet of material 26 described in detail before and shown in FIG.
2, except the second sheet of material 26b includes a bonding
material 60 disposed on a lower surface 38b of the second sheet of
material 26b. The bonding material 60 is in the form of a plurality
of spaced apart spots of bonding material 60, similar to that shown
in FIG. 4. The lower surface 38b of the second sheet of material
26b is bondingly connected to an upper surface 20b of the first
sheet of material 10b by way of the bonding material 60. Since the
bonding material 60 is in the form of a plurality of spaced apart
spots, a plurality of spaced apart spaces 62 (only one of the
spaces 62 being designated by reference numeral in FIG. 5) are
formed between the lower surface 38b of the second sheet of
material 26b and the upper surface 20b of the first sheet of
material 10b. The spaces 62 provide air gaps which form an
insulation when the first and the second sheets of material 10b and
26b are wrapped about a flower pot in a manner and for reasons like
that described herein.
[0068] Shown in FIG. 6 is a first sheet of material 10c connected
to a second sheet of material 26c. The first sheet of material 10c
is constructed exactly like the sheet of material 10 shown in FIG.
1, except the first sheet of material 10c includes a bonding
material 64 disposed on an upper surface 20c of the first sheet of
material 10c. The bonding material 64 is in the form of a plurality
of spaced apart spots of bonding material 64, similar to that shown
in FIG. 5. A lower surface 38c of the second sheet of material 26c
is bondingly connected to the upper surface 20c of the first sheet
of material 10c by way of the bonding material 64. Since the
bonding material 64 is in the form of a plurality of spaced apart
spots, a plurality of spaces 66 (only one of the spaces 66 being
designated by a reference numeral in FIG. 6) are formed between the
lower surface 38c of the second sheet of material 26c and the upper
surface 20c of the first sheet of material 10c. The spaces 66
provide air gaps which form an insulation when the first and the
second sheets of material 10c and 26c are wrapped about a flower
pot in a manner and for reasons like that described herein in
connection with FIG. 5.
[0069] Shown in FIG. 7 is a first sheet of material 10d connected
to a second sheet of material 26d. The first sheet of material 10d
is constructed exactly like the sheet of material shown in FIG. 1,
except the first sheet of material 10d includes a bonding material
68 on an upper surface 20d thereof. The second sheet of material
26d is constructed exactly like the second sheet of material 26
shown in FIG. 2, except the second sheet of material 26d includes a
plurality of spaced apart raised portions 70. The raised portions
70 may be formed by embossing the second sheet of material 26d or
forming corrugations in the second sheet of material 26d or in any
other manner desired in any particular application.
[0070] The upper surface 20d of the first sheet of material 10d is
disposed generally adjacent a lower surface 38d of the second sheet
of material 20d or, more particularly, adjacent the raised portions
70 on the second sheet of material 26d. In this position, the
raised portions 70 are bonded to the upper surface 20d of the first
sheet of material 10d by way of the bonding material 68 to connect
the first sheet of material 10d to the second sheet of material
20d.
[0071] The spaced apart raised portions 70 on the second sheet of
material 26d form a plurality of spaces 72 between the first sheet
of material 10d and the second sheet of material 26d in a connected
position of the first and the second sheets of material 10d and 26d
for providing insulation when the first and second sheets of
material 10d and 26d are connected together and wrapped about a
flower pot in a manner like that described herein.
[0072] Shown in FIG. 8 is a first sheet of material 10e connected
to a second sheet of material 26e. The first sheet of material 10e
is constructed exactly like the sheet of material 10 shown in FIG.
1, except the first sheet of material 10e includes a plurality of
spaced apart raised portions 74. The raised portions 74 may be
formed in the first sheet of material 10e by embossing the first
sheet of material 10e or forming corrugations in the first sheet of
material 10e or in any other suitable manner. The second sheet of
material 26e is constructed exactly like the second sheet of
material 26 shown in FIG. 2, except the second sheet of material
26e includes a bonding material 76 disposed on a lower surface 38e
thereof.
[0073] In operation, an upper surface 20e of the first sheet of
material 10e is disposed generally adjacent the lower surface 38e
of the second sheet of material 26e or, more particularly, the
raised portions 74 on the first sheet of material 10e are disposed
adjacent the lower surface 38e of the second sheet of material 26e.
In this position, the first sheet of material 10e is bondingly
connected to the second sheet of material 26e by way of the bonding
material 76 on the second sheet of material 26e or, more
particularly, the bonding material 76 on the second sheet of
material 26e bondingly engages and bondingly connects to the raised
portions 74 on the first sheet of material 10e to connect the first
sheet of material 10e to the second sheet of material 26e. In this
connected position of the first sheet of material 10e and the
second sheet of material 26e, the raised portions 74 cooperate to
form a plurality of spaces 78 between the first sheet of material
10e and the second sheet of material 26e. The spaces 78 cooperate
to provide an insulation when the first and the second sheets of
material 10e and 26e are wrapped about a flower pot in a manner and
for reasons like that described herein.
Embodiments of FIGS. 9-10
[0074] Referring now to FIG. 9, a plurality of individual sheets of
material 10f are connected linearly together to form a roll 80.
Preferably, the plurality of sheets of material 10f in the roll 80
are connected by perforations 82, as illustrated in FIG. 9. Such a
roll 80 permits one sheet of material 10f to be withdrawn from the
roll 80, then severed or disconnected from the roll 80.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, the roll 80 may simply be
formed a's a continuous roll 80 of wrapping material without
perforations, wherein a plurality of sheets of material 10f may be
removed from the roll 80 by unrolling a portion of the roll 80, and
using a separate cutting element (not shown) to sever the unrolled
portion of the roll 80 of material to form the sheet of material
10f. The roll 80 may also be contained within a dispenser 84, as
illustrated in FIG. 10. When the roll 80 is disposed in the
dispenser 84, a portion of the roll of material is again unrolled,
and a serrated cutting edge 86 contained within the dispenser 84,
or a separate cutting element (not shown), severs the unrolled
portion to form the sheet of material 10f. Any number of sheets of
material 10f may form the roll 80 as long as it is possible to
withdraw at least one sheet of material 10f from the roll 80 as
described herein.
Embodiments of FIGS. 11-12
[0075] The first and the second sheets of material described herein
can be provided in the form of a roll of material wherein, when
material is unrolled from the roll of material, the unrolled
material can be severed, either by perforations or by cutting to
provide the first and the second sheets of material. It also should
be noted that additional sheets of material may be combined with
the first and the second sheets of material if so desired in a
particular application.
[0076] Shown in FIG. 11 is a roll of material 90 comprising a first
material 92 and a second material 94 with the second material 94
being disposed adjacent the first material 92. The first material
92 is constructed of any of the materials described before with
respect to the first sheet of material 10. The second material 94
is constructed of any of the materials described before with
respect to the second sheet of material 26.
[0077] The roll of material 90 is disposed in a dispenser 96 having
an opening 98 through which the first and second materials 92 and
94 may be withdrawn from the roll of material 90. A cutting edge
100 is disposed on the dispenser 96 near the opening 98. The
cutting edge 100 may be a sawtooth type of edge, as shown in FIG.
11, or the cutting edge 100 may be any other type of edge or device
suitable for cutting portions of the first and second materials 92
and 94 from the roll of material 90 and the cutting edge 100 may be
connected to the dispenser 96 or may be a separate component, if
desired in particular application.
[0078] The roll of material 90 has a leading edge 102. In
operation, the leading edge 102 is gripped or portions of the first
and/or the second materials 92 and/or 94 are gripped and the first
and the second materials 92 and 94 are unrolled and withdrawn from
the roll of material 90 in a direction 104. The first and the
second materials 92 and 94 are withdrawn or unrolled from the roll
of material 90 until desired lengths of the first and the second
materials 92 and 94 have been withdrawn from the roll of material
90. In this position, portions of the first and the second
materials 92 and 94 are disposed adjacent the cutting edge 100. The
first and the second materials 92 and 94 then are maneuvered to
pass the first and the second materials 92 and 94 over the cutting
edge 100, thereby severing the portions of the first and second
material 92 and 94 extending a distance from the leading edge 102
thereof from the roll of material 90. The portions of the first and
the second materials 92 and 94 withdrawn from the roll of material
90 and severed from the roll of material 90 comprise the first and
the second sheets of material 10 and 26, as described herein.
[0079] The first and the second materials 92 and 94 in the roll of
material 90 may be connected or unconnected. Further, the roll of
material 90 may comprise two rolls of material (not shown) with one
of the rolls of material comprising the first material 92 and the
other roll of material comprising the second material 94. In this
last-mentioned embodiment, the first material 92 is withdrawn from
the first roll of material and the second material 94 is withdrawn
from the second roll of material about simultaneously so that the
first and the second materials 92 and 94 are provided in a manner
as generally shown in FIG. 11 for severing from the first and
second rolls of material to provide the first and the second sheets
of material as described herein. The term "roll of material" as
used herein is intended to encompass two or more rolls in the
manner generally described.
[0080] Shown in FIG. 12 is a modified roll of material 90a
comprising a first material 92a and a second material 94a with a
leading edge 102a. The roll of material 90a is constructed exactly
like the roll of material 90 described before, except the roll of
material 90a is not disposed in a dispenser constructed like the
dispenser 96 shown in FIG. 11. Rather, the roll of material 90a is
supported on a generally mounted shaft 106. The first and the
second materials 92a and 94a are withdrawn from the roll of
material 90a in a manner like that described before in connection
with FIG. 11 until predetermined lengths of the first and the
second materials 92a and 94a have been withdrawn from the roll of
material 90a. In this position, portions of the first and the
second materials 92a and 94a are disposed under a knife edge 108.
The knife edge 108 is connected to an actuator 110 adapted to move
the knife edge 108 in a direction 112 and in a direction 114. When
the predetermined lengths of the first and the second materials 92a
and 94a have been withdrawn from the roll of material 90a, the
actuator 110 actuates to move the knife edge 108 in the direction
112 to a position wherein the knife edge 108 severingly engages the
materials 92a and 94a to severingly cut portions of the first and
the second materials 92a and 94a from the roll of material 90a to
provide the first and the second sheets of material 10 and 26, as
described herein. The actuator 110 may comprise a hydraulic or
pneumatic cylinder or a motor and gear arrangement or any other
form of arrangement suitable for moving the knife edge 108 in the
directions 112 and 114. After the knife edge 108 has cuttingly
severed the desired portion of the first and the second sheets of
material 92a and 94a from the roll of material 90a, the actuator
110 is actuated to move the knife edge 108 in the direction 114 to
a storage position disposed a distance above the first and the
second materials 92a and 94a as opposed to the cutting position
previously described.
Embodiment of FIG. 13
[0081] Shown in FIG. 13 is a pad 116 of first sheets of materials
designated by the reference numerals 10f, 10g, and 10h and a
plurality of second sheets of material, designated by the reference
numerals 26f, 26g and 26h. The first sheets of material 10f, 10g
and 10h may be constructed like the sheet of material 10 shown in
FIG. 1 and described in detail before and the second sheets of
material 26f, 26g and 26h may be constructed like the second sheet
of material 26 shown in FIG. 2 and described in detail before, or
like any of the other first and the second sheets of material
described herein. The first and the second sheets of material 10f,
10g, 10h, 26f, 26g and 26h are connected in the form of a pad 116
with the closure bonding material 24f, 24g and 24h cooperating to
connect the first sheets of material 10f, 10g and 10h in the form
of the pad 116. The second sheets of material 26f, 26g and 26h may
be connected to the respective first sheets of material 10f, 10g
and 10h or may be interleaved between the adjacent first sheets of
material 10f, 10g and 10h in the pad 116. In the alternative, the
second sheets of material 26f, 26g and 26h may be connected to form
the pad 116 with the first sheets of material 10f, 10g and 10h
being interleaved in the respective second sheets of material 26f,
26g and 26h and/or connected thereto (not shown). In operation, one
of the first sheets of material 10f, 10g or 10h along with the
adjacent second sheet of material 26f, 26g and 26h may be removed
from the pad 116 and then placed in position to be wrapped about
the flower pot.
Embodiments of FIGS. 14-16
[0082] As noted above, the sheet of material 10 or the first sheet
10 and the second sheet of material 26 may be used to provide a
decorative cover for an object such as a flower pot or a potted
plant. To cover the object, the sheet of material 10 or the first
and second sheets of material 10 and 26 may be manually or
automatically placed in a position to be formed about an outer
peripheral surface of a pot or potted plant as described in more
detail below. Alternatively, the sheet of material 10 or the first
and second sheets of material 10 and 26 may be formed into a
preformed cover which is then placed in a position to receive the
pot or potted plant using the present invention.
[0083] Referring now to FIG. 14, as shown therein and designated by
the general reference numeral 10j is another sheet of material
constructed in accordance with the present invention. The sheet of
material 10j has an upper surface 12j, a lower surface (not shown),
a first end 16j, a second end 18j, a first side 20j and a second
side 22j. The first and second ends 16j and 18j cooperate with the
first and second sides 20j and 22j to define an outer peripheral
edge 24j of the sheet of material 10j. The outer peripheral edge
24j of the sheet of material 10j is defined by perforations 26j, as
shown in FIG. 14.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 14, a sheet extension 28j is connected to
the outer peripheral edge 24j of the sheet of material 10j. The
sheet extension 28j extends a distance outwardly from the outer
peripheral edge 24j of the sheet of material 10j. The sheet
extension 28j has a first end 30j, a second end 32j, a first side
34j and a second side 36j. A portion of the sheet extension 28j
extends a distance outwardly from the first end 16j of the sheet of
material 10j terminating with the first end 30j of the sheet
extension 28j. Another portion of the sheet extension 28j extends a
distance outwardly from the second end 18j of the sheet of material
10j terminating with the second end 32j of the sheet extension 28j.
Yet another portion of the sheet extension 28j extends a distance
outwardly from the first side 20j of the sheet of material 10j
terminating with the first side 34j of the sheet extension 28j.
Still another portion of the sheet extension 28j extends a distance
outwardly from the second side 22j of the sheet of material 10j
terminating with the second side 36j of the sheet extension
28j.
[0085] The sheet extension 28j cooperates with the sheet of
material 10j to define a generally square or rectangularly shaped
sheet with the perforations 26j being disposed in a central portion
of the sheet and defining the outer peripheral edge 24j of the
sheet of material 10j. Preferably, the sheet of material 10j and
the sheet extension 28j are unitary and formed from a single sheet
or plies or multiple sheets one on top of the other which may or
may not be laminated.
[0086] The sheet of material 10j and the sheet extension 28j are
constructed from any suitable flexible material that is capable of
being wrapped about a flower pot and formed into the covering, as
described herein. Preferably, the sheet of material 10j and the
sheet extension 28j are constructed of a material selected from a
group of materials consisting of paper, metal foil, cloth (natural
or synthetic), denim, burlap or polymeric film as defined above or
combinations thereof.
[0087] The sheet of material 10j and the sheet extension 28j have a
thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.
Preferably, the sheet of material 10j and the sheet extension 28j
have a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 5 mils.
[0088] The sheet of material 10j and the sheet extension 28j may be
any shape and a rectangular shape is shown in FIG. 14 only by way
of example. The sheet of material 10j and the sheet extension 28j,
for example only, may be square, rectangular, circular or any other
geometric shape such as heart shaped for example only.
[0089] The sheet of material 10j and the sheet extension 28j 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 of material 10j and the sheet extension 28j may be utilized
in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet of
material 10j and the sheet extension 28j are wrappable about a
flower pot and formable into the covering, as described herein. The
layers of material comprising the sheet of material 10j and the
sheet extension 28j may be connected together or laminated or may
be separate layers.
[0090] The sheet extension 28j is transparent, although a
decorative pattern also may be applied to the sheet extension
28j.
[0091] The sheet extension 28j preferably includes a bonding
material 72j (FIG. 14) disposed on the upper surface 29j of the
sheet extension 28j and extending about the outer peripheral edge
31; of the sheet extension 28j. After the sheet extension 28j has
been formed about the floral grouping, the first and second ends
30j and 32j and the first and second sides 34j and 36j of the sheet
extension 28j may be bonded together to provide a closed end. The
term "bonding material" as used herein is as defined below.
[0092] The sheet extension 28j remains in a position extending
about the floral grouping until it is desired to remove the sheet
extension 28j. The sheet extension 28j is removed from a pot cover
formed from the sheet of material 10j by tearing along the
perforations 26j separating the sheet extension 28j from the pot
cover formed from the sheet of material 10j. The sheet extension
28j then is removed from the floral grouping (not shown) leaving a
decorative cover for the pot (also not shown).
[0093] In addition to the perforations 26j, the sheet extension 28j
also may include perforations extending between the perforations
26j and the outer peripheral edge 31j of the sheet extension 28j to
further assist in the removal of the sheet extension 28j when it is
no longer desired to keep the sheet extension 28j extending about
the floral grouping.
[0094] Shown in FIG. 15 and designated by the general reference
number 10k is a sheet of material constructed in accordance with
the present invention. The sheet of material 10k includes an upper
surface 20k and a lower surface 22k (not shown)
[0095] A connecting bonding material 24k is disposed on the upper
surface 20k of the sheet of material 10k. The sheet of material 10k
has an outer peripheral edge 26k. The connecting bonding material
24k is disposed near and spaced a distance 28k from the outer
peripheral edge 26k of the sheet of material 10k and extends
generally circumferentially about the sheet. of material 10k.
[0096] The sheet of material 10k shown in FIG. 15 is circularly
shaped and the connecting bonding material 24k extends in a
circularly shaped pattern over the upper surface 20k of the sheet
of material 10k. The sheet of material 10k may be any geometric
shape such as square or rectangular or heart shaped or
trapezoidally shaped or any other geometric shape. Further, the
connecting bonding material 24k may extend in any geometric pattern
over the upper surface 20k of the sheet of material 10k, and the
circularly shaped pattern is shown in FIG. 15 only by way of
example.
[0097] A sheet extension 25k is connected to the sheet of material
10k. The sheet extension 25k extends about the outer peripheral
edge 26k of the sheet of material 10k. The sheet extension 25k
extends outwardly from the sheet of material 10k terminating with
an outer peripheral edge 27k. The sheet extension 25k has an upper
surface 29k (FIG. 15) and a lower surface (not shown). The upper
surface 29k is disposed in a plane about coplanar with the upper
surface 20k of the sheet of material 10k and lower surface (not
shown) is disposed in a plane about coplanar with the lower surface
(not shown) of the sheet of material 10k.
[0098] The sheet extension 25k and the sheet of material 10k may be
integrally constructed of a single sheet of material or the sheet
extension 25k may be laminated to the sheet of material 10k. A
connecting bonding material 33k is disposed on the upper surface
29k of the sheet extension 25k. The connecting bonding material 33k
is disposed near and spaced a distance from the outer peripheral
edge 31k of the sheet extension 25k and extends generally
circumferentially about the sheet extension 25k.
[0099] The sheet extension 25k is shown in FIG. 15 as being
circularly shaped. The sheet extension 25k 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 the sheet extension 25k may be the same as the geometric
shape of the sheet of material 10k or the sheet extension 25k may
have a geometric shape different from the geometric shape of the
sheet of material 10k. Further, although the sheet extension 25k is
shown in FIG. 15 as extending circumferentially about the outer
peripheral edge 26k of the sheet of material 10k, the sheet
extension 25k may extend only about a portion of the outer
peripheral edge 26k of the sheet of material 10k or the sheet
extension 25k may comprise segments with each segment extending
about a portion of the outer peripheral edge 26k of the sheet of
material 10k.
[0100] The sheet of material 10k and the sheet extension 25k may be
constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers
of the same or different types of materials as described above. Any
thickness of the sheet of material 10k and the sheet extension 25k
may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as
the sheet of material 10k and the sheet extension 25k are wrappable
or formable about a flower pot or a floral grouping in the manners
described herein. The layers of material comprising the sheet of
material 10k and the sheet extension 25k 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 the upper surface 20k
and/or the lower surface (not shown) of the sheet of material 10k
or portions thereof as described above.
[0101] A decorative pattern, such as a color and/or an embossed
pattern, and/or other decorative surface ornamentation may be
applied to the upper surface 29k and/or the lower surface (not
shown) of the sheet extension 25k or portions thereof as described
above. The sheet extension 25k also may be totally or partially
clear or tinted transparent material as described above.
[0102] The connecting bonding materials 24k and 33k are shown in
FIG. 15 as being applied to the upper surface 20k of the sheet of
material 10k and the upper surface 29k of the sheet extension 25k
in the form of circularly shaped strips. The connecting bonding
materials 24k or 33k 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
connecting bonding materials 24k or 33k may include a color to
obscure the fact that the connecting bonding materials 24k and 33k
are disposed on the sheet of material 10k and the sheet extension
25k.
[0103] In a preferred form, a line of perforations 53k (FIG. 15) is
formed between the sheet of material 10k and the sheet extension
25k. The line of perforations 53k extends generally about the outer
peripheral edge 26k of the sheet of material 10k. The sheet
extension 25k encompasses a floral grouping and provides a
protective covering for the floral grouping to protect the floral
grouping during shipment and/or storage. When it is desired to
remove the protective covering provided by the sheet extension 25k,
the operator tears the sheet extension 25k along the line of
perforations 53k thereby severing or separating the sheet extension
25k from the sheet of material 10k so that the sheet extension 25k
can be removed from the sheet of material 10k or, in other words,
the protective covering may be removed from the decorative covering
by tearing along the line of perforations 53k.
[0104] The sheet of material 10j or 10k may be preformed into a
cover 120 having an opening 122 as shown in FIG. 16. The cover 120
is self-supporting by virtue of overlapping folds which are bonded
to each other, thereby forming a rigid structure. The preformed
cover 120 may be deposited into an opening in a table or platform
to support the cover 120. A potted plant can then be disposed into
the opening 122 of the preformed cover 120, thereby resulting in a
covered potted plant (not shown).
[0105] One method for forming such a preformed plant cover or pot
cover is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182 entitled "Article Forming
System" issued to Weder et al., on Sep. 27, 1988, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
[0106] The term "bonding material" when 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" also includes
materials which are sonic sealable and vibratory sealable. The term
"bonding material" when used herein also means a heat sealing
lacquer which may be applied to the sheet of material and, in this
instance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations, also must be applied to
effect the sealing.
[0107] The term "bonding material" when used herein also means any
type of material or thing which can be used to effect the bonding
or connecting of the two adjacent portions of the material or sheet
of material to effect the connection or bonding described herein.
The term "bonding material" also includes ties, labels, bands,
ribbons, strings, tape, staples or combinations thereof. Some of
the bonding materials would secure the ends of the material while
other bonding material may bind the circumference of the wrapper.
Another way to secure the wrapping is to heat seal the ends of the
material to another portion of the material. One way to do this is
to contact the ends with an iron of sufficient heat to heat seal
the material.
[0108] 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.
[0109] 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.
[0110] 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.
[0111] The term "band" when used herein means any material which
may be secured about an object such as a flower pot, such bands
commonly being referred to as elastic bands or rubber bands and
also includes any other type of material such as a string or
elastic piece of material, non-elastic piece of material, a round
piece of material, a flat piece of material, a ribbon, a piece of
paper strip, a piece of plastic strip, a piece of wire, a tie wrap
or a twist tie or combinations thereof or any other device capable
of gathering the sheet of material to removably or substantially
permanently form a crimped portion and secure the crimped portion
formed in the sheet of material which may be secured about an
object such as the flower pot. The band also may include a bow if
desired in a particular application.
[0112] The sheets of material used herein, such as the sheets of
material 10, may further comprise at least one scent. Examples of
scents utilized herein include (but are not limited to) floral
scents (flower blossoms, or any portion of a plant), food scents
(chocolate, sugar, fruits), herb or spice scents (cinnamon), and
the like. Additional examples of scents include flowers (such as
roses, daisies, lilacs), plants (such as fruits, vegetables,
grasses, trees), foods (for example, candies, cookies, cake), food
condiments (such as honey, sugar, salt), herbs, spices, woods,
roots, and the like, or any combination of the foregoing. Such
scents are known in the art, and are commercially available.
[0113] The scent may be disposed upon the sheet of material 10 by
spraying the scent thereupon, painting the scent thereupon,
brushing the scent thereupon, lacquering the scent thereupon,
immersing the sheet of material in a scent-containing liquid,
exposing the sheet of material to scent-containing gas, or any
combination thereof.
[0114] The scent may be contained within a lacquer, or other
liquid, before it is disposed upon the sheet of material 10. The
scent may also be contained within a dye, ink, and/or pigment (not
shown). Such dyes, inks and pigments are known in the art, and are
commercially available, and may be disposed upon or incorporated in
the sheet of material 10 by any method described herein or known in
the art.
Embodiments of FIGS. 17-19B
[0115] Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, a cover forming and
fastening apparatus constructed in accordance with the present
invention is generally referred to by the reference numeral 126.
The cover forming and fastening apparatus 126 comprises a platform
130 having an upper support surface 132 which has a first end 134,
a second end 136, a first side 138, and a second side 140. The
platform 130 has a platform opening 142, as shown in FIG. 18, for
accommodating a conveyable cover forming assembly or mold 146. The
platform 130 has a plurality of vacuum ports 144 for releasably
securing a sheet of material during operation. The conveyable cover
forming assembly or mold 146 has an outer peripheral surface 148, a
lower end 150 and an opening 152; and the conveyable cover forming
assembly or mold 146 is disposed generally within the platform
opening 142 and adapted to receive a potted plant during
operation.
[0116] The cover forming and fastening apparatus 126 further
comprises a conveying assembly, such as a rail 154 having a first
end 156 and a second end 158 and a groove 160 disposed
longitudinally therein from near first end 156 to near the second
end 158. On the lower end 150 of the conveyable cover forming
assembly or mold 146 is located an adaptor 162. The adaptor 162
fits within the groove 160 of the rail 154.
[0117] The cover forming and fastening apparatus 126 further
comprises a drive assembly 164 which functions to cause the
conveyable cover forming assembly or mold 146 to be driven from one
end of the rail 154 to the other in the direction 166 from the
first end 156 to the second end 158 during operation of the cover
forming and fastening apparatus 126. Located generally in the
vicinity of the second end 158 of the rail 154 is a fastener
applicating assembly, such as a tying machine 170 of a type
commercially available and well known to those of ordinary skill in
the art. Examples of fastening machines include tying machines such
as those commercially available from Saxmeyer, Bunn, Felins, and
Cyclops.
[0118] The tying machine 170 has a tying arm 172, a knotter head
174, and a spool 176. The spool 176 supplies a fastening element
178, such as a string, to the tying arm 172, the opposite end of
the fastening element 178 being attached to the knotter head 174.
The tying machine 170 has a tying area 180 to which the conveyable
cover forming assembly or mold 146 is conveyed along the rail 154
by the drive assembly 164 during operation.
[0119] One version of the conveyable cover forming assembly or mold
146 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 19A. The conveyable cover
forming assembly or mold 146 has an outer peripheral surface 148, a
lower end 150, an opening 152 and the adaptor 162 as described
above. An alternate version of a conveyable cover forming assembly
or mold is shown in FIG. 19B and is generally designated by the
reference numeral 146a. The conveyable cover forming assembly or
mold 146a is comprised generally of a plurality of fingers 147
attached to a lower end 150a of the conveyable cover forming
assembly or mold 146a and thereby forming an opening 152a sized to
receive a pot. Attached to the lower end 150a is an adaptor 162a
which engages the rail 154.
Embodiment of FIGS. 20-21
[0120] Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, an alternate version of a
cover forming and fastening apparatus is represented generally by
the reference numeral 126a. The cover forming and fastening
apparatus 126a is exactly the same as the cover forming and
fastening apparatus 126 described above except that in addition it
has a platform extension 188 for supplying a roll of material 190
which in turn supplies sheets of material to be used during
operation of the cover forming and fastening apparatus 126a. The
roll of material 190, which is similar to rolls 80 or 90 described
in FIGS. 9-12 above, is mounted upon a support shaft 192. A portion
of material 194 withdrawn from the roll of material 190 is fed
through rollers 196 and 198. Roller 196 moves in direction 200
while roller 198 moves in direction 202 thereby causing the portion
of material 194 to be advanced through the roller 196 and 198 in
direction 204 over the platform extension 188.
[0121] As described earlier in greater detail in FIG. 17, the
portion of material 194 is advanced a predetermined distance on the
upper surface 132 of the platform 130. Once the portion of material
194 has been advanced a predetermined distance on the platform
extension 188, a knife 208 is actuated by an actuator 210 to sever
the portion of material 194 from the roll of material 190 thereby
providing a sheet of material sized for use by the cover forming
and fastening apparatus 126a.
Embodiments of FIGS. 22A-22D
[0122] Referring now to FIGS. 22A-22D, the operation of the cover
forming and fastening apparatus 126 will be described. However, it
is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the
cover forming and fastening apparatus 126a works in substantially
the same manner as well as other modified version of the cover
forming and fastening apparatus 126 described herein.
[0123] In operation, a sheet of material 214 which may be exactly
the same as or similar to any of the sheets described in FIGS. 1-15
may be placed on the upper support surface 132 of the platform 130
as shown in FIG. 22A. A potted plant 215 comprising a plant and a
pot is positioned generally over the sheet of material 214 and
above the opening 152 of the conveyable cover forming assembly or
mold 146. The pot of the potted plant has an upper end 216. The
sheet 214 may be supplied to the upper support surface 132 either
manually or automatically. The potted plant 215 is passed in a
direction 217 into the interior of the conveyable cover forming
assembly or mold 146 thereby forming a covered potted plant 218 as
shown in FIG. 22B. The conveyable cover forming assembly or mold
146 containing the covered potted plant 218 is conveyed in a
direction 166 by the drive assembly 164 along the rail 154 to the
fastening machine 170 (also referred to herein as a tying machine)
as shown in FIG. 22B. The covered potted plant 218 in the mold 146
is arrested at a fastening position 180 of the fastening machine
170 as shown in FIG. 22C. Once in the fastening position 180 a tie
or fastener 222 is disposed about the exterior peripheral surface
of the covered potted plant 218 as shown in FIG. 22D.
[0124] The tie or fastener 222 may be applied with or without a bow
or in any manner feasible by the fastening machine 170.
[0125] The covered potted plant 218 having the tie or fastener 222
disposed thereabout is then removed from the conveyable cover
forming assembly or mold 146 by lifting the covered potted plant in
direction 224. Once the covered potted plant 218 has been removed
from the conveyable cover forming assembly or mold 146, the
conveyable cover forming assembly or mold 146 is returned in
direction 226 via the rail 154 to the vicinity of the cover forming
platform 132 by the drive assembly 164 as shown in FIG. 22D.
Alternatively, the conveyable cover forming assembly or mold 146
may be returned via the rail 154 to the vicinity of the platform
132 before the covered potted plant 218 has been removed.
[0126] In another version of the invention, the cover forming and
fastening apparatus 126 may further comprise a labeling apparatus
(not shown) for automatically applying a label to a portion of the
outer surface of the cover of the covered potted plant 218. Such
labeling machines are commercially available and are known to those
of ordinary skill in the art. The sheet of material as described in
more detail above, which is used in accordance with the present
invention, is constructed from material selected from a group of
materials consisting of paper, metal foil, cloth (natural or
synthetic), denim, burlap or polymeric film or combinations
thereof.
[0127] The cover forming and fastening apparatus 126 may further
comprise a pick and place assembly (not shown) for picking up the
article from an article supply and for placing the article into the
platform opening 142 in the platform 130 to form the covered
article. Additionally, the cover forming and fastening apparatus
126 may further comprise a removal assembly for automatically
removing a covered article from the platform 130. The cover forming
and fastening apparatus 126 may be located on an axis off a
90.degree. angle and may be portable or stationary. Such pick and
place machines and removal assemblies are known to those of
ordinary skill in the art and are commercially available.
[0128] As noted earlier, the cover forming and fastening apparatus
126 can use precut sheets which are fed manually or automatically
with a dispenser which feeds a sized sheet from a roll to the
proper working position on the platform 130. Automatic sheet
feeding devices are well known in the art. Examples of such sheet
feeding machines are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,805 issued to
Herbert et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,331 issued to Sardella, and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,676 issued to Matsumo et al. An automatic sheet
feeding machine may be detachably connected to the framework of the
cover forming and fastening apparatus 126 of the present
invention.
Embodiments of FIGS. 23-24
[0129] Shown in FIGS. 22A-22D is a covered potted plant 218 in
which the tie or fastener 222 is applied at a position below the
upper end 216 of the potted plant 215. Alternatively, as indicated
in FIGS. 23 and 24, a tie or fastener 222a may be applied at a
position above the upper end 216 of the pot of the potted plant
215. Designated by the general reference numeral 218a is a covered
potted plant in which the tie or fastener 222a is applied at a
position above the upper end 216 of the pot of the potted plant
215.
[0130] Shown in FIG. 24, alternatively, is a covered potted plant
218b in which the potted plant 215 is covered by a sheet of
material 228 having a sleeve 230 which forms a sheet extension and
which can be closed at a position 232 above the potted plant 215.
The sleeve 230 may be detachable from the sheet 228 via a
perforation zone 234.
[0131] Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of
the various components, elements and assemblies described herein or
in the steps or in 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.
* * * * *