U.S. patent application number 10/385084 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-18 for method for forming a decorative cover for a flower pot with a sheet of material having printed and embossed patterns thereon.
Invention is credited to Weder, Donald E..
Application Number | 20030172587 10/385084 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27085339 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030172587 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weder, Donald E. |
September 18, 2003 |
Method for forming a decorative cover for a flower pot with a sheet
of material having printed and embossed patterns thereon
Abstract
A decorative covering for a flower pot wherein a sheet of
material having embossed and printed patterns thereon is formed
about at least a portion of the flower pot. The printed pattern may
be in or out of register with the embossed pattern, or a portion of
the printed and embossed patterns may be in register with one
another and a portion of the printed and embossed patterns may be
out of register with one another.
Inventors: |
Weder, Donald E.; (Highland,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUNLAP, CODDING & ROGERS P.C.
PO BOX 16370
OKLAHOMA CITY
OK
73114
US
|
Family ID: |
27085339 |
Appl. No.: |
10/385084 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10385084 |
Mar 10, 2003 |
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10183786 |
Jun 26, 2002 |
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6564507 |
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10183786 |
Jun 26, 2002 |
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10051828 |
Jan 17, 2002 |
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10051828 |
Jan 17, 2002 |
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09606812 |
Jun 28, 2000 |
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6347480 |
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09606812 |
Jun 28, 2000 |
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08888813 |
Jul 7, 1997 |
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08888813 |
Jul 7, 1997 |
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08480657 |
Jun 7, 1995 |
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5752360 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
47/41.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/0078 20130101;
A47G 7/085 20130101; B31B 50/81 20170801; B65D 63/109 20130101;
Y10T 29/49833 20150115; Y10T 29/49947 20150115; B29C 51/262
20130101; B29C 61/0608 20130101; B44C 3/04 20130101; B65D 75/14
20130101; G09F 23/00 20130101; Y10T 156/1062 20150115; B65B 47/06
20130101; B65D 75/54 20130101; G09F 3/04 20130101; B29C 51/082
20130101; B65B 67/08 20130101; B44C 1/1733 20130101; B65D 5/50
20130101; B65D 65/22 20130101; Y10T 156/1023 20150115; B44C 5/06
20130101; B65B 61/025 20130101; Y10T 156/1028 20150115; B65D 33/22
20130101; B29C 51/08 20130101; B65D 5/5035 20130101; B65D 85/52
20130101; G09F 3/10 20130101; B65B 25/023 20130101; A01G 5/04
20130101; G09F 23/105 20130101; B44F 1/10 20130101; B65D 33/20
20130101; B65D 71/0085 20130101; Y10T 156/10 20150115; B65D 85/505
20130101; A01G 5/06 20130101; A47F 5/16 20130101; B65D 65/14
20130101; B65B 25/02 20130101; B31F 1/0045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
47/41.01 |
International
Class: |
A01G 005/00; A47G
007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for providing a decorative covering for a flower pot
comprising: providing a sheet of material having an upper surface
and a lower surface, the sheet of material having an embossed
pattern disposed on at least a portion of one of the upper and
lower surfaces thereof, the sheet of material being selected from
the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, metallized film,
foil, laminations thereof and combinations thereof; providing a
flower pot having an upper end, a lower end and an outer peripheral
surface; and forming the sheet of material about the outer
peripheral surface of the flower pot to provide the decorative
covering wherein at least a portion of the embossed pattern is
visible on the decorative covering.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the
sheet of material, the sheet of material is further provided with a
bonding material disposed thereon such that when the sheet of
material is formed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower
pot, the bonding material bondingly connects the sheet of material
to the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the
sheet of material, the sheet of material is further provided with a
printed pattern disposed on at least a portion of one of the upper
and lower surfaces thereof such that at least a portion of the
printed pattern is visible on the decorative covering formed from
the sheet of material.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the embossed pattern is in
register with the printed pattern.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the embossed pattern is out of
register with the printed pattern.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of the embossed
pattern is in register with at least a portion of the printed
pattern.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing the sheet of
material is further defined as comprising the steps of: providing a
roll of material; unrolling material from the roll of material
until a predetermined amount of material has been unrolled from the
roll of material; and cutting the unrolled material from the roll
of material to provide the sheet of material.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing the sheet of
material is further defined as comprising the steps of: providing a
pad of sheets of material wherein the sheets of material are
bondingly connected to form the pad; and disconnecting one sheet of
material from the pad to provide the sheet of material.
9. A method for providing a decorative covering for a flower pot
comprising: providing a sheet of material having an upper surface
and a lower surface, the sheet of material having an embossed
pattern disposed on at least a portion of one of the upper and
lower surfaces thereof, the sheet of material being selected from
the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, metallized film,
foil, laminations thereof and combinations thereof; and forming the
sheet of material into a flowerpot cover having a plurality of
overlapping folds therein wherein the overlapping folds extend at
various angles and at various distances, the flower pot cover
having an object opening formed through an upper end thereof sized
to receive a flower pot, and wherein at least a portion of the
embossed pattern is visible on the flower pot cover.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein, in the step of providing the
sheet of material, the sheet of material is further provided with a
printed pattern disposed on at least a portion of one of the upper
and lower surfaces thereof such that at least a portion of the
printed pattern is visible on the flower pot cover formed from the
sheet of material.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the embossed pattern is in
register with the printed pattern.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the embossed pattern is out of
register with the printed pattern.
13. The method of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of the
embossed pattern is in register with at least a portion of the
printed pattern.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of providing the sheet
of material is further defined as comprising the steps of:
providing a roll of material; unrolling material from the roll of
material until a predetermined amount of material has been unrolled
from the roll of material; and cutting the unrolled material from
the roll of material to provide the sheet of material.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of providing the sheet
of material is further defined as comprising the steps of:
providing a pad of sheets of material wherein the sheets of
material are bondingly connected to form the pad; and disconnecting
one sheet of material from the pad to provide the sheet of
material.
16. A method for providing a decorative covering for a flower pot
comprising: providing a sheet of material having an upper surface
and a lower surface, the sheet of material having an embossed
pattern disposed on at least a portion of one of the upper and
lower surfaces thereof, the sheet of material being selected from
the group consisting of paper, polymeric film, metallized film,
foil, laminations thereof and combinations thereof; forming the
sheet of material into a flower pot cover having a plurality of
overlapping folds therein wherein the overlapping folds extend at
various angles and at various distances, the flower pot cover
having an object opening formed through an upper end thereof sized
to receive a flower pot, and wherein at least a portion of the
embossed pattern is visible on the flower pot cover; providing a
flower pot having an outer peripheral surface; and disposing the
flower pot in the object opening of the flower pot cover with the
flower pot cover encompassing a substantial portion of the outer
peripheral surface of the flower pot to provide the decorative
covering having at least a portion of the embossed pattern visible
thereon.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein, in the step of providing the
sheet of material, the sheet of material is further provided with a
printed pattern disposed on at least a portion of one of the upper
and lower surfaces thereof such that at least a portion of the
printed pattern is visible on the flower pot cover formed from the
sheet of material.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the embossed pattern is in
register with the printed pattern.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the embossed pattern is out of
register with the printed pattern.
20. The method of claim 17 wherein at least a portion of the
embossed pattern is in register with at least a portion of the
printed pattern.
21. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of providing the sheet
of material is further defined as comprising the steps of:
providing a roll of material; unrolling material from the roll of
material until a predetermined amount of material has been unrolled
from the roll of material; and cutting the unrolled material from
the roll of material to provide the sheet of material.
22. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of providing the sheet
of material is further defined as comprising the steps of:
providing a pad of sheets of material wherein the sheets of
material are bondingly connected to form the pad; and disconnecting
one sheet of material from the pad to provide the sheet of
material.
23. A method for providing a decorative covering for a flower pot
comprising: providing a sheet of material having an upper surface
and a lower surface, the sheet of material having an embossed
pattern disposed on at least a portion of one of the upper and
lower surfaces thereof and a printed pattern disposed on at least a
portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the sheet
of material being selected from the group consisting of paper,
polymeric film, metallized film, foil, laminations thereof and
combinations thereof; providing a flower pot having an upper end, a
lower end and an outer peripheral surface; and forming the sheet of
material about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot to
provide the decorative covering wherein at least a portion of the
embossed pattern and at least a portion of the printed pattern are
visible on the decorative covering.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein, in the step of providing the
sheet of material, the sheet of material is further provided with a
bonding material disposed thereon such that when the sheet of
material is formed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower
pot, the bonding material bondingly connects the sheet of material
to the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.
25. The method of claim 23 wherein the embossed pattern is in
register with the printed pattern.
26. The method of claim 23 wherein the embossed pattern is out of
register with the printed pattern.
27. The method of claim 23 wherein at least a portion of the
embossed pattern is in register with at least a portion of the
printed pattern.
28. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of providing the sheet
of material is further defined as comprising the steps of:
providing a roll of material; unrolling material from the roll of
material until a predetermined amount of material has been unrolled
from the roll of material; and cutting the unrolled material from
the roll of material to provide the sheet of material.
29. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of providing the sheet
of material is further defined as comprising the steps of:
providing a pad of sheets of material wherein the sheets of
material are bondingly connected to form the pad; and disconnecting
one sheet of material from the pad to provide the sheet of
material.
30. A method for providing a decorative covering for a flower pot
comprising: providing a sheet of material having an upper surface
and a lower surface, the sheet of material having an embossed
pattern disposed on at least a portion of one of the upper and
lower surfaces thereof and a printed pattern disposed on at least a
portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the sheet
of material being selected from the group consisting of paper,
polymeric film, metallized film, foil, laminations thereof and
combinations thereof; and forming the sheet of material into a
flower pot cover having a plurality of overlapping folds therein
wherein the overlapping folds extend at various angles and at
various distances, the flower pot cover having an object opening
formed through an upper end thereof sized to receive a flower pot,
and wherein at least a portion of the embossed pattern and at least
a portion of the printed pattern are visible on the flower pot
cover.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein the embossed pattern is in
register with the printed pattern.
32. The method of claim 30 wherein the embossed pattern is out of
register with the printed pattern.
33. The method of claim 30 wherein at least a portion of the
embossed pattern is in register with at least a portion of the
printed pattern.
34. The method of claim 30 wherein the step of providing the sheet
of material is further defined as comprising the steps of:
providing a roll of material; unrolling material from the roll of
material until a predetermined amount of material has been unrolled
from the roll of material; and cutting the unrolled material from
the roll of material to provide the sheet of material.
35. The method of claim 30 wherein the step of providing the sheet
of material is further defined as comprising the steps of:
providing a pad of sheets of material wherein the sheets of
material are bondingly connected to form the pad; and disconnecting
one sheet of material from the pad to provide the sheet of
material.
36. A method for providing a decorative covering for a flower pot
comprising: providing a sheet of material having an upper surface
and a lower surface, the sheet of material having an embossed
pattern disposed on at least a portion of one of the upper and
lower surfaces thereof and a printed pattern disposed on at least a
portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the sheet
of material being selected from the group consisting of paper,
polymeric film, metallized film, foil, laminations thereof and
combinations thereof; forming the sheet of material into a flower
pot cover having a plurality of overlapping folds therein wherein
the overlapping folds extend at various angles and at various
distances, the flower pot cover having an object opening formed
through an upper end thereof sized to receive a flower pot, and
wherein at least a portion of the embossed pattern and at least a
portion of the printed pattern are visible on the flower pot cover;
providing a flower pot having an outer peripheral surface; and
disposing the flower pot in the object opening of the flower pot
cover with the flower pot cover encompassing a substantial portion
of the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot to provide the
decorative covering having at least a portion of the embossed
pattern and at least a portion of the printed pattern visible
thereon.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein the embossed pattern is in
register with the printed pattern.
38. The method of claim 36 wherein the embossed pattern is out of
register with the printed pattern.
39. The method of claim 36 wherein at least a portion of the
embossed pattern is in register with at least a portion of the
printed pattern.
40. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of providing the sheet
of material is further defined as comprising the steps of:
providing a roll of material; unrolling material from the roll of
material until a predetermined amount of material has been unrolled
from the roll of material; and cutting the unrolled material from
the roll of material to provide the sheet of material.
41. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of providing the sheet
of material is further defined as comprising the steps of:
providing a pad of sheets of material wherein the sheets of
material are bondingly connected to form the pad; and disconnecting
one sheet of material from the pad to provide the sheet of
material.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
10/183,786, filed Jun. 26, 2002; which is a continuation of U.S.
Ser. No. 10/051,828, filed Jan. 17, 2002, now abandoned; which is a
continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/606,812, filed Jun. 28, 2000, now
U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,480, issued Feb. 19, 2002; which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/888,813, filed Jul. 7,
1997, now abandoned; which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No.
08/480,657, filed Jun. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,360, issued
May 19, 1998, the contents of which are hereby expressly
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to methods for
wrapping floral groupings or flower pots wherein the floral
grouping or flower pot is wrapped with a sheet of material having a
pattern embossed thereon and a pattern printed thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sheet of material constructed in
accordance with the present invention.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the sheet of material shown in
FIG. 1 taken substantially along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the sheet of material of FIGS. 1
and 2 showing a floral grouping disposed thereon prior to the sheet
of material being wrapped about the floral grouping.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the sheet of material
of FIGS. 1-3 wrapped about the floral grouping of FIG. 3.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4, but showing
the sheet of material of FIGS. 1-3 wrapped about the floral
grouping in a different manner as compared to that shown in FIG.
4.
[0008] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a sheet of material which is
similar to the sheet of material shown in FIG. 1, but having a
bonding material disposed thereon.
[0009] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the sheet of material
of FIG. 6 wrapped about a floral grouping.
[0010] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the embossing of a
pattern on the sheets of material described herein and showing the
printing of a pattern on the sheets of material wherein the printed
pattern is in register with the embossed pattern.
[0011] FIG. 9 is a schematic view, similar to FIG. 8, but showing a
modified system for embossing a pattern on the sheets of material
described herein and printing a pattern on the sheets of material
wherein the printed pattern is out of register with the embossed
pattern.
[0012] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a pot cover constructed
using the sheet of material shown in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the pot cover of
FIG. 10 disposed about a flower pot having a floral grouping
disposed therein.
[0014] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of another sheet of material
which is similar to the sheet of material shown in FIG. 1, but
having a plurality of spots of bonding material disposed
thereon.
[0015] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the sheet of
material of FIG. 12 wrapped about a flower pot having a floral
grouping disposed therein wherein the spots of bonding material
secure the sheet of material to the flower pot.
[0016] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a plant sleeve having
an embossed pattern thereon.
[0017] FIG. 14a is a partially cut away perspective view showing a
plant sleeve having an embossed pattern thereon and a closed lower
end.
[0018] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the plant sleeve
of FIG. 14 disposed about a flower pot having a floral grouping
disposed therein.
[0019] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a flower pot having a
floral grouping therein with a modified plant sleeve disposed about
a bloom end of the floral grouping.
[0020] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a flower pot having a
floral grouping disposed therein and having a modified plant sleeve
disposed about the flower pot.
[0021] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a pad of material
containing a plurality of sheets of material constructed in
accordance with the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a roll of material formed
of sheets of material constructed in accordance with the present
invention wherein the sheets of material are separated from the
roll of material by tearing along the lines of perforations.
[0023] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a roll of material formed
of sheets of material constructed in accordance with the present
invention wherein the sheets of material are separated from the
roll of material by a knife.
[0024] FIG. 21 is a schematic view showing a roll of material
formed of sheets of material wherein a bonding material is applied
to the roll of material and the sheets of material are cut from the
roll of material by way of a knife.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment of FIGS. 1-5
[0025] Shown in FIGS. 1-3 is a sheet of material 10 constructed in
accordance with the present invention. The sheet of material 10 may
be constructed of any material which is suitable for use with the
present invention. That is, the sheet of material 10 may be
constructed of any flexible material capable of being wrapped about
a floral grouping or flower pot. Examples of materials from which
the sheet of material 10 may be constructed include paper,
polymeric film, metallized film, foil, and laminations and
combinations thereof. Preferably, the sheet of material 10 is
constructed of paper.
[0026] The sheet of material 10 shown in FIG. 1 is rectangular
shaped, although the sheet of material 10 may be any other shape,
such as square, elliptical or round, or may be die cut into any
shape, such as a rose shape. The sheet of material 10 has a first
side 12, second side 14, a first end 16, a second end 18, an upper
surface 20 and a lower surface 22 (FIG. 2).
[0027] An embossed pattern 24 is formed on at least a portion of
one of the upper surface 20 and the lower surface 22 of the sheet
of material 10. The embossed pattern 24 may be any one of a number
of patterns such as depictions of flowers or logos or meaningless
designs, for example. The embossed pattern 24 forms a plurality of
spaced apart raised portions 26 in the upper surface 20 of the
sheet of material 10 (only one of the raised portions 26 is
designated with the reference numeral in FIGS. 1 and 2). The
embossed pattern 24 also forms a plurality of corresponding
depressed portions 28 (only one of the depressed portions 28 being
designated with the reference numeral in FIG. 2) in the lower
surface 22 of the sheet of material 10. Each of the depressed
portions 28 corresponds to one of the raised portions 26. The
embossed pattern 24 may cause the raised portions 26 and the
corresponding depressed portions 28 to be uniformly raised and
depressed, or each of the raised portions 26 and corresponding
depressed portions 28 may include portions raised and depressed to
different heights as may be desired in a particular
application.
[0028] The embossed pattern 24 of the sheet of material 10 provides
more rigidity as compared to an unembossed sheet of material, such
that a lighter material can serve the same purpose as compared to
heavier sheets of material. Further, the embossed sheets of
material 10 described herein give the appearance in a roll or a
stack of more material or volume of material being contained in
such roll or stack. The embossing of the sheets of material 10 to
provide the embossed pattern 24 also adds strength to the material.
In addition, the embossing of the sheets of material 10 provides
more absorbency per square inch as compared to unembossed sheets of
material, and thus the embossed sheets of material 10 described
herein absorb more moisture or absorb the moisture quicker. The
embossed sheets of material 10 also provide an insulating quality
due to the air space formed by the embossed pattern 24.
[0029] In addition to the embossed pattern 24, the sheet of
material 10 may further include a decorative pattern 29 printed on
at least a portion of the upper surface 20 of the sheet of material
10, the lower surface 22 of the sheet of material 10 or both the
upper and lower surfaces 20 and 22 of the sheet of material if
desired. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the decorative printed pattern 29 is
depicted as being disposed on the lower surface 22 of the sheet of
material 10 and in register with the depressed portions 28 of the
embossed pattern 24. The decorative printed pattern 29 may be a
solid color or a printed pattern comprising one or more colors. The
decorative printed pattern 29 may be in register with the embossed
pattern 26 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, or the decorative
printed pattern 29 may be out of register with the embossed pattern
24, or a portion of the decorative printed pattern 29 may be in
register with the embossed pattern 24 while a portion of the
decorative printed pattern 29 may be out of register with the
embossed pattern 24. The upper surface 20 or the lower surface 22
or both the upper and lower surfaces 22 and 24 of the sheet of
material 10 may also include a metallic finish.
[0030] In operation, the sheet of material 10 is embossed to
provide the embossed pattern 24 thereon and printed to provide the
printed pattern 29 thereon. A floral grouping 30 (FIGS. 3 and 4)
having a stem end 32 and a bloom end 34 is placed on the upper
surface 20 of the sheet of material 10 (as shown in FIG. 3). It
should be noted that the floral grouping 30 may be placed on the
lower surface 22 of the sheet of material 10 if desired in a
particular application. The sheet of material 10 then is wrapped
about the floral grouping 30 to provide a decorative wrapper 36
(shown in FIG. 4) which encompasses a substantial portion of the
floral grouping 30.
[0031] The decorative wrapper 36 has an upper end 38, a lower end
40 and an outer peripheral surface 39 (FIG. 4). The upper end 38 is
opened and the lower end 40 is opened. At least a portion of the
embossed pattern 24 and at least a portion of the printed pattern
29 provided on the sheet of material 10 from which the decorative
wrapper 36 is constructed are visible on the outer peripheral
surface 39 of the decorative wrapper 36. The decorative wrapper 36
encompasses a substantial portion of the floral grouping 30 with
the stem end 32 of the floral grouping 30 extending through the
open lower end 40 of the decorative wrapper 36. The bloom end 34 of
the floral grouping 30 is exposed via the open upper end 38 of the
decorative wrapper 36.
[0032] In FIG. 5, the sheet of material 10 is wrapped about the
floral grouping 30 in a slightly different manner as compared to
that described before with respect to FIG. 4 to provide a modified
decorative wrapper 36a. The decorative wrapper 36a has an upper end
38a, a lower end 40a and an outer peripheral surface 39a, and at
least a portion of the embossed pattern 24 and at least a portion
of the printed pattern 29 disposed on the sheet of material 10 from
which the decorative wrapper 36a is constructed are visible on the
outer peripheral surface 39a of the decorative wrapper 36a.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the stem end 32 of the floral grouping
30 does not extend through the lower end 40a of the decorative
wrapper 36a, and the bloom end 34 of the floral grouping 30 is
disposed below the upper end 38a of the decorative wrapper 36a. The
lower end 40a of the decorative wrapper 36a may be closed by simply
crimping portions of the sheet of material 10 adjacent the lower
end 40a together or by securing the lower end 40a in a closed
position by tying a string or ribbon or other securing element or
material about the lower end 40a of the decorative wrapper 36a. The
upper end 38a of the decorative wrapper 36a may also be closed in a
similar manner if desired in a particular application.
[0034] With either the decorative wrapper 36 or the decorative
wrapper 36a, the sheet of material 10 is wrapped about the floral
grouping 30 to a position wherein a portion of the sheet of
material 10 overlaps other portions of the sheet of material 10 to
provide the decorative wrapper 36 or 36a with a substantially
conically shaped configuration. The decorative wrapper 36 or 36a
may be secured in this wrapped position about the floral grouping
30 by taping the overlapping portion of the sheet of material 10 to
the adjacent portions of the sheet of material 10, or by bonding
the overlapping portion of the sheet of material 10 to the adjacent
portions of the sheet of material 10, or by tying a ribbon or
string or other binder around the decorative wrapper 36 or 36a to
secure the sheet of material 10 in the conically shaped form of the
decorative wrapper 36 or 36a if desired in a particular
application.
[0035] "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 which add to the aesthetics of the
overall floral grouping.
Embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7
[0036] Shown in FIG. 6 is a modified sheet of material 10b which is
constructed similar to the sheet of material 10 shown in FIGS. 1
and 2 and described in detail before, except as described herein
below. The sheet of material 10b is provided with a first side 12b,
a second side 14b, a first end 16b, a second end 18b, an upper
surface 20b, a lower surface 22b (FIG. 7), an embossed pattern 24b
and a printed pattern 29b. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the printed pattern
29b is disposed on at least a portion of the lower surface 22b of
the sheet of material 10b, and the printed and embossed patterns
29b and 24b are in register with one another. In addition, the
sheet of material 10b also includes a bonding material 42 disposed
on a portion of the upper surface 20b thereof near the second side
14b which extends between the first and the second ends 16b and 18b
of the sheet of material 10b.
[0037] The bonding material 42 preferably is an adhesive or
pressure sensitive adhesive material. The bonding material 42 may
be a cohesive material; however, in that event, a corresponding
strip or spot of cohesive material also must be applied to the
lower surface 22b of the sheet of material 10b to connect with the
cohesive bonding material 42 on the upper surface 20b of the sheet
of material 10b. Alternatively, the bonding material 42 may be
applied to at least a portion of the lower surface 22b of the sheet
of material 10b.
[0038] The term "bonding material" as used herein means an
adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive.
Where the bonding material 42 is a cohesive, a similar cohesive
material must be placed on the adjacent surface of the sheet of
material 10b 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 sheet of material 10b 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 of material 10b 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 of material 10b to effect the
connection or bonding described herein. The term "bonding material"
also includes labels, bands, ribbons, strings, tape, staples or
combinations thereof. Some of the bonding materials would secure
the ends of the sheet of material 10b while other bonding materials
may bind the circumference of a decorative wrapper 36b formed from
the sheet of material 10b.
[0039] The sheet of material 10b is wrapped (shown in FIG. 7) about
the floral grouping 30 to form the decorative wrapper 36b in the
same manner as described before with respect to wrapping the sheet
of material 10 about the floral grouping 30 to form the decorative
wrapper 36 as shown in FIG. 4 or the decorative wrapper 36a as
shown in FIG. 5. A portion of the sheet of material 10b near the
second side 14b thereof overlaps portions of the sheet of material
10b near the second end 18b thereof when wrapped about the floral
grouping 30 and the bonding material 42 bondingly engages the
overlapping portions of the sheet of material 10b and bondingly
connects the overlapping portions of the sheet of material 10b to
secure the sheet of material 10b in the form of the decorative
wrapper 36b as shown in FIG. 7. At least a portion of the embossed
pattern 24b and at least a portion of the printed pattern 29b are
visible on an outer peripheral surface 39b of the decorative
wrapper 36b.
[0040] Sheets of material with bonding material thereon for
wrapping about a floral grouping are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,111,637; issued May 12, 1992, entitled, "Method For Wrapping A
Floral Grouping"; U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,638, issued May 12, 1992,
entitled, "Method For Wrapping an Object With A Material Having
Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Thereon" and U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,364,
issued Jan. 26, 1993, entitled, "Wrapping A Floral Grouping With
Sheets Having Adhesive or Cohesive Material Applied" and the
descriptions in these patents are specifically incorporated herein
by reference.
Embodiment of FIG. 8
[0041] Shown in FIG. 8 schematically is a system 43 for embossing
the sheet of material 10 or 10b to provide the embossed pattern 24
or 24b and for printing a color or colors on the sheet of material
10a or 10b to provide the printed pattern 29 or 29b. A roll of
material 44 may be constructed of any flexible material capable of
being cut into sheets of material and wrapped about a floral
grouping. Preferably, the roll of material 44 is constructed of
paper, polymeric film, metallized film, foil, or laminations or
combinations thereof.
[0042] The roll of material 44 is rollingly supported, and one end
of the roll of material 44 is passed between a pair of embossing
rollers 46 and 48. The embossing roller 46 has a plurality of
raised portions 50 and a plurality of depressed portions 51 (only
one of the raised portions 50 and one of the depressed portions 51
being designated by the reference numerals in FIG. 8). The
embossing roller 48 has a plurality of depressed portions 52 and a
plurality of raised portions 53 (only one of the depressed portions
52 and one of the raised portions 53 being designated by the
reference numerals in FIG. 8). The depressed portions 52 are
arranged on the embossing roller 48 to correspond and register with
the raised portions 50 on the embossing roller 46. In a similar
manner, the depressed portions 51 are arranged on the embossing
roller 46 to correspond and register with the raised portions 53 on
the embossing roller 48.
[0043] An ink roller 54 is disposed near the embossing roller 46.
The ink roller 54 is positioned to apply ink to the raised portions
50 of the embossing roller 46.
[0044] One end 55 of the roll of material 44 is passed between the
embossing rollers 46 and 48 in the direction indicated by the arrow
56, and the embossing rollers 46 and 48 are rotated in the
respective directions indicated by the arrows 58 and 60. As the
roll of material 44 is passed between the embossing rollers 46 and
48, the raised portions 50 of the embossing roller 46 engage the
roll of material 44 and force the roll of material 44 into the
corresponding depressed portion 52 of the embossing roller 48,
thereby forming raised and depressed portions, such as the raised
portions 26 and depressed portions 28 depicted in the sheet of
material 10 (FIGS. 1-3). The ink roller 54 rotates in a direction
indicated by the arrow 62 and applies ink to the raised portions 50
of the embossing roller 46. The raised portions 50 of the embossing
roller 46 having the ink thereon transfer the ink to the roll of
material 44, thereby providing the printed pattern 29 by applying a
color to the depressed portions 28 of the sheet of material 10,
wherein the printed pattern 29 is provided simultaneously with the
forming of the raised portions 26 and depressed portions 28 of the
embossed pattern 24 provided on the sheet of material 10. In this
manner, the printed pattern 29 is provided in register with the
embossed pattern 24.
[0045] A portion of the roll of material 44 then is passed under a
knife 64. After a predetermined amount of the roll of material 44
is passed under the knife 64, the knife 64 is moved to engage and
cut the sheet of material 10 or 10b from the roll of material
44.
[0046] The embossing rollers 46 and 48 each may be constructed of
any suitable material capable of maintaining the raised and
depressed portions 50 and 51 of the embossing roller 46 and the
depressed and raised portions 52 and 53 of the embossing roller 48.
Preferably, however, the embossing rollers 46 and 48 are
constructed of a metal. In some instances, an embossing roller 48
constructed of paper may be used and, in this instance, it is not
necessary to preform the depressed portions 52 in the embossing
roller 48 as the depressed portions 52 will somewhat automatically
be formed by the raised portions 50 of the embossing roller 46
engaging the paper embossing roller 48 and depressing the engaged
portions of the paper embossing roller 48.
[0047] It should be noted that the ink roller 54 could be
positioned to apply ink to the depressed portions 52 of the
embossing roller 48 or the corresponding raised portions 53 on the
embossing roller 48 if desired in a particular application.
Alternatively, the ink roller 54 may not interact with either of
the embossing rollers 46 and 48 and may provide the printed pattern
29 to the material by directly interacting with the material
withdrawn from the roll of material 44, as discussed in further
detail below.
Embodiment of FIG. 9
[0048] Shown in FIG. 9 is a system 65 for forming the embossed
pattern 24 or 24b on the respective sheets of material 10 or 10b.
The system 65 is similar to the system 43 described hereinbefore
with respect to FIG. 8, except as described herein below.
[0049] In the system 65 shown in FIG. 9, an ink roller 54a is
disposed upstream of embossing rollers 46a and 48a to apply a color
or colors which provide the printed pattern 29 to the roll of
material 44 prior to the roll of material 44 being embossed by the
embossing rollers 46a and 48a to provide the embossed pattern 24.
Otherwise, the system 65 shown in FIG. 9 operates in a manner
similar to the system 43 hereinbefore described with reference to
FIG. 8.
[0050] It should be noted that the ink roller 54a could be
positioned past the embossing rollers 46a and 48a so that the
printed pattern 29 is applied to the sheet of material 10 or 10b
after the embossed pattern 24 or 24b has been depressed thereon by
the embossing rollers 46a and 48a. It also should be noted that an
additional ink roller could be included for applying a second
printed pattern (not shown) to the opposite surface of the sheet of
material 10 or 10b if desired in a particular application.
[0051] By applying the printed pattern 29 prior to or following the
embossing of the embossing pattern 24, the printed pattern 29 may
be applied in register with the embossed pattern 24 or out of
register with the embossed pattern 24. Alternatively, a portion of
the printed pattern 29 may be applied in register with the embossed
pattern 24, while a portion of the printed pattern 29 may be
applied out of register with the embossed pattern 24.
[0052] Systems for embossing sheets of material are well known in
the art, and a detailed description of such systems and the
embossing roller or ink rollers used therein is not deem necessary
herein.
[0053] Following application of the printed pattern 29 and the
embossed pattern 24 to the roll of material 44, a portion of the
roll of material 44 is passed under a knife 64a, and the knife 64a
is moved to engage and cut the sheet of material 10 or 10b from the
roll of material 44.
Embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11
[0054] Shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is a pot cover 66 which is formed
from the sheet of material 10 shown in FIG. 1. The pot cover 66
includes a base 68 having an upper end 70, a lower end 72 and an
outer peripheral surface 73. An object opening 74 is formed through
the upper end 70 of the base 68 of the pot cover 66, and the object
opening 74 extends a distance between the upper end 70 and the
lower end 72 of the base 68 of the pot cover 66. The object opening
74 is sized to receive a pot or flower pot. A skirt 76 is formed on
the upper end 70 of the base 68 of the pot cover 66, and the skirt
76 extends a distance outwardly from the upper end 70 of the base
68 of the pot cover 66.
[0055] At least a portion of the embossed pattern 24 provided on
the sheet of material 10 from which the pot cover 66 is constructed
is visible on at least one of the outer peripheral surface 73 of
the base 68 of the pot cover 66 and the skirt 76 of the pot cover
66. When the sheet of material 10 from which the pot cover 66 is
constructed is provided with a decorative printed pattern 29, at
least a portion of the decorative printed pattern 29 is visible on
the outer peripheral surface 73 of the base 68 and/or the skirt 76b
of the pot cover 66.
[0056] The pot cover 66 is formed by placing the sheet of material
10 between a male die and a female die. The dies are brought
together with the sheet of material 10 being disposed therebetween
to form the sheet of material 10 into the pot cover 66. During this
forming process, a plurality of overlapping folds 80 are formed in
the base 68 of the pot cover 66. The overlapping folds 80 extend at
various and different distances and at various and different angles
over the base 68 of the pot cover 66.
[0057] The system for forming the pot cover 66 is described in
detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,183, entitled, "Article Forming
System", issued Sep. 27, 1988, the Specification of such patent
specifically being expressly incorporated herein by reference.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 11, a flower pot 82 is disposed in the
object opening 74 of the pot cover 66. The base 68 of the pot cover
66 covers a substantial portion of an outer peripheral surface 84
of the flower pot 82. The skirt 76 of the pot cover 66 extends a
distance outwardly and upwardly from an upper end 86 of the flower
pot 82. The flower pot 82 has a floral grouping 30c disposed
therein, and the floral grouping 30c extends a distance upwardly
from the upper end 86 of the flower pot 82. The pot cover 66
provides a decorative covering 78 for the flower pot 82.
Embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13
[0059] Shown in FIG. 12 is a modified sheet of material 10d which
is constructed similar to the sheet of material 10 shown in FIG. 1,
except as described hereinbelow. The sheet of material 10d has a
first side 12d, a second side 14d, a first end 16d, a second end
18d, an upper surface 20d and a lower surface 22d. At least a
portion of at least one of the upper and lower surfaces 20d and 22d
of the sheet of material 10d is provided with an embossed pattern
24d, and at least a portion of at least one of the upper and lower
surfaces 20d and 22d of the sheet of material 10d is provided with
a printed pattern 29d. In FIG. 12, the printed pattern 29d is
depicted as disposed on the lower surface 22d of the sheet of
material 10d and out of register with the embossed pattern 24d.
[0060] The sheet of material 10d also includes a plurality of
spaced apart spots of bonding material 88 disposed on at least a
portion of the upper surface 20d thereof. It should be noted that
in lieu of the spots of bonding material 88, the bonding material
88 could be applied to at least a portion of the upper surface 20d
of the sheet of material 10d in the form of strips or any other
geometric shape, and the bonding material 88 may be applied only on
the raised portions 26d of the embossed pattern 24d, or the bonding
material 88 may be incorporated in the ink applied to the upper
surface 20d of the sheet of material 10d in the form of the
decorative printed pattern 29.
[0061] In FIG. 12, the embossed pattern 24d and the printed pattern
29d are illustrated as being out of register with one another.
However, it will be understood that the embossed pattern 24d and
the printed pattern 29d may be in register with one another, or a
portion of the embossed pattern 24d may be in register with the
printed pattern 29d and a portion of the embossed pattern 24d may
be out of register with the printed pattern 29d.
[0062] In operation, the flower pot 82 is placed on the upper
surface 20d of the sheet of material 10d. In this position, the
sheet of material 10d is formed about the outer peripheral surface
84 of the flower pot 82 (shown in FIG. 13) such that the sheet of
material 10d substantially encompasses and covers the outer
peripheral surface 84 of the flower pot 82, thereby providing a
decorative covering 87 for the flower pot 82. The bonding material
88 is brought into engagement with the outer peripheral surface 84
of the flower pot 82 as the sheet of material 10d is formed about
the flower pot 82 to provide the decorative covering 87. The
bonding material 88 bondingly engages the outer peripheral surface
84 of the flower pot 82 so as to bondingly connect the sheet of
material 10d to the outer peripheral surface 84 of the flower pot
82. As the sheet of material 10d conforms to the shape of the outer
peripheral surface 84 of the flower pot 82, a base portion 89 of
the decorative covering 87 is formed. A portion of the sheet of
material 10d extends outwardly and upwardly from the upper end 86
of the flower pot 82 to form a skirt portion 91 of the decorative
covering 87 formed from the sheet of material 10d.
[0063] It also should be noted that the bonding material 88 may be
applied to the lower surface 22d of the sheet of material 10d. In
this instance, the sheet of material 10d would be applied to the
flower pot 82 in a manner similar to that described before, except
the flower pot 82 would be adjacent the lower surface 22d of the
sheet of material 10d such that the lower surface 22d would be
positioned adjacent the outer peripheral surface 84 of the flower
pot 82.
Embodiment of FIGS. 14, 14a, 15, 16 and 17
[0064] Shown in FIG. 14 is a sleeve 90 for a flower pot or floral
grouping, the sleeve 90 constructed from the sheet of material 10
having printed and embossed patterns 29 and 24, respectively, as
shown in FIG. 1 and described in detail before. The sleeve 90 has
an upper end 92 and a lower end 94. The sleeve 90 is
frusto-conically shaped and has an opening 96 extending
therethrough intersecting the upper end 92 and the lower end 94
thereof.
[0065] The sleeve 90 may be constructed by taking the sheet of
material 10 shown in FIG. 1 and cutting the sheet of material 10 in
the form of two trapezoidally shaped sheets and then connecting the
two sheets together along two edges of each sheet to form the
frusto-conically shaped sleeve 90 shown in FIG. 14. In the
alternative, two rolls of material having the embossed pattern 24
and the printed pattern 29 thereon may be connected at spaced apart
places to form the frusto-conically shaped sleeves 90, and then the
formed frusto-conically shaped sleeves 90 may then be separated
from the combined materials. There are various commercially
available methods for forming sleeves such as the sleeve 90, and
any of these commercially available methods or systems can be used
to form the sleeve 90. These prior art systems for forming the
sleeve 90 are well known in the art, and a detailed description of
the apparatus and methods for forming the sleeve 90 is not deemed
necessary herein.
[0066] Shown in FIG. 14a is a sleeve 90a similar to the sleeve 90
shown in FIG. 14 and described hereinbefore, except that a lower
end 94a of the sleeve 90a is closed, thereby forming a closed
bottom 95 of the sleeve 90a. While the uses of sleeve 90 will be
described in detail hereinafter, it will be understood that sleeve
90a may be used in a similar manner.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 15, the flower pot 82 with the floral
grouping 30c disposed therein is disposed in the opening 96 of the
sleeve 90. The flower pot 82 is positioned near the lower end 94 of
the sleeve 90, and the sleeve 90 substantially encompasses the
outer peripheral surface 84 of the flower pot 82, except for a
bottom 97 of the flower pot 82 which is disposed adjacent the open
lower end 94 of the sleeve 90. A portion of the sleeve 90 also
encompasses and surrounds the floral grouping 30c disposed in the
flower pot 82. Preferably, a portion of the sleeve 90 extends above
the bloom end 34c of the floral grouping 30c. The sleeve 90
provides a protective and a decorative covering 99 for the flower
pot 82 and the floral grouping 30c disposed therein.
[0068] While the use of the sleeve 90 to provide a decorative
covering 99 for the flower pot 82 has been described herein, it
will be understood that the sleeve 90 may also be employed to
provide a decorative covering for a floral grouping in a
substantially similar manner as that described above in reference
to providing the decorative covering 99 for the flower pot 82.
[0069] Shown in FIG. 16 is a modified sleeve 90e which is
constructed similar to the sleeve 90 shown in FIG. 14 and described
in detail before, except the sleeve 90e is smaller than the sleeve
90 shown in FIG. 14 in that the distance between an upper end 92e
and a lower end 94e of the sleeve 90e is less than the distance
between the upper and lower ends 92 and 94 of the sleeve 90. The
sleeve 90e is positioned over and encompasses only the bloom end
34c of the floral grouping 30c disposed in the flower pot 82 to
provide a protective and a decorative covering 99e for the bloom
end 34c of the floral grouping 30c with the bloom end 34c being
disposed in an opening 96e of the sleeve 90e.
[0070] Shown in FIG. 17 is another modified sleeve 90f which is
constructed similar to the sleeve 90e shown in FIG. 16, except the
sleeve 90f is sized to surround and encompass the flower pot 82
rather than surrounding the bloom end 34c of the floral grouping
30c disposed in the flower pot 82. The sleeve 90f is sized to
encompass substantially only the outer peripheral surface 84 of the
flower pot 82 in such a manner that the floral grouping 30c
disposed in the flower pot 82 is clearly visible, thereby providing
a decorative covering 99f for the flower pot 82.
Embodiment of FIG. 18
[0071] Shown in FIG. 18 is a pad 98 of sheets of material 10, 10b
or 10d with each of the sheets of material 10, 10b or 10d being
constructed in a manner like that described before with respect to
FIGS. 1, 6 or 12. In those instances where the sheets of material
10, 10b or 10d in the pad 98 are constructed like the sheet of
material 10b or 10d shown in FIG. 6 or 12, the bonding material 42
or 88 bondingly and releasably connects each of the sheets of
material 10b or 10d to the adjacent sheet of material 10b or 10d to
form the pad 98. The sheets of material 10, 10b or 10d are
disconnected or removed from the pad 98 and wrapped about the
floral grouping 30 or the flower pot 82 in the manner described
before with respect to FIGS. 1, 3-7 and 12-13. A pad of sheets of
material for wrapping about floral groupings is disclosed and
described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,364, referred to before
and expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Embodiment of FIGS. 19-21
[0072] Shown in FIG. 19 is a roll of material 100 containing a
plurality of sheets of material, such as the sheet of material 10,
10b or 10d, separated by lines of perforations 102. In this
embodiment, the material is unrolled from the roll of material 100
and the sheets of material 10, 10b or 10d are separated from the
roll of material 100 by tearing along the lines of perforations
102.
[0073] Shown in FIG. 20 is a roll of material 100a which is
constructed similar to the roll of material 100 shown in FIG. 19,
except the roll of material 100a does not include the lines of
perforations 102. In this embodiment, the material is unrolled from
the roll of material 100a and, after a predetermined amount of
material has been unrolled from the roll of material 100a, a knife
104 is activated or manually manipulated to cut the material from
the roll of material 100a thereby separating a sheet of material
10, 10b or 10d from the roll of material 100a. The separated sheet
of material 10, 10b or 10d is constructed similar to the sheets of
material hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1, 6 or 12,
for example.
[0074] Shown in FIG. 21 is another roll of material 100b containing
a plurality of sheets of material similar to the sheet of material
10, 10b or 10d described herein before with respect to FIGS. 1, 6
or 12. The roll of material 100b is constructed similar to the roll
of material 100a shown in FIG. 20 and described in detail before.
The material is unrolled from the roll of material 100b and passed
through an adhesive applicator 106 where a bonding material is
applied to the material to form a sheet of material containing a
bonding material disposed on one surface thereof such as the sheet
of material 10b having the bonding material 42 disposed on the
upper surface 20d thereof or the sheet of material 10d having the
bonding material 88 disposed on the upper surface 20d thereof, as
described hereinbefore with reference to FIGS. 6 and 12,
respectively. The material further is unrolled from the roll of
material 100b and, after a predetermined amount of material has
been unrolled from the roll of material 10b, the knife 104 is
activated or manually manipulated to cut a sheet of material, such
as the sheets of material 10b and 10d, from the roll of material
10b.
[0075] 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.
* * * * *