Abstract: A sleeve has an open top and side edges. One or more handles are defined by perforations that extend inward from the side edges and can terminate with a stress concentration-reducing shape. The handles may be tapered. The handles may include a reinforcing weld formed by an extension of the bottom seal of adjacent, oppositely oriented sleeves.

Abstract: A floral sleeve is made from two layers of non-woven thermoplastic fabric such as polypropylene. The layers are joined at the side seams of the sleeve by first pre-sealing the edges and thereafter trimming them. Pre-sealing compresses the fabric to make it denser along a band and applying heat causes the band to retain the compressed and at least partially fused set. Trimming may be done using a hot knife that completes the fusing process of the layers to each other. Alternately, the pre-sealing step may form a satisfactory fusion between the layers and the trimming step need not effect further fusion.

Abstract: A plant container including a receptacle having a top opening for insertion of a plant therein and a top flap for selective folding over the top opening to cover the receptacle. A stack of these containers may be compactly stored in a collapsed flat state and then individual containers expanded upon purchase of plant. The containers may be made from panels having a right triangular shape so that may be mass produced in such a manner that wasted web material is minimized.

Abstract: A floral shipper comprising an inner container for supporting a floral grouping therein in an upright position and an outer container sized to receive therein the inner container and the upright floral grouping. The outer container has a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly therefrom. At least some of the side walls have a heightened portion that is greater than the height of the inner container and the floral grouping and have disposed therein ventilation openings for allowing air to circulate within the outer container. The ventilation openings are disposed in the at least some of the side walls so that when two or more outer containers are oriented adjacent one another, at least some ventilation openings of one outer container align with the ventilation openings of the adjacent outer container.

Abstract: A floral container including a receptacle that holds a liquid and an insert which supports the floral grouping. The insert is positioned within the receptacle above the bottom wall of the receptacle to define a liquid-holding region. The side walls of the receptacle and the side walls of the insert may define a spill-catching region which communicates with the liquid-holding region of the container to catch displaced liquid if the floral container is tilted. The insert may include a divider positioned to form compartments through which the stems may extend to the liquid-containing region of the receptacle. The floral container may be loaded into an outer container to form a floral shipper and a plurality of these floral shippers may be assembled on a pallet.

Abstract: A floral shipper comprising an inner container for supporting a floral grouping therein in an upright position and an outer container sized to receive therein the inner container and the upright floral grouping. The outer container has a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly therefrom. At least some of the side walls have a heightened portion that is greater than the height of the inner container and the floral grouping and have disposed therein ventilation openings for allowing air to circulate within the outer container. The ventilation openings are disposed in the at least some of the side walls so that when two or more outer containers are oriented adjacent one another, at least some ventilation openings of one outer container align with the ventilation openings of the adjacent outer container.

Abstract: A flat trapezoidal container provides a generally frustoconical single cavity for snugly sheathing a flower pot. The container is specifically dimensioned sheath a flower pot so as either (a) to leave therebeneath, a surplus of film in an transition zone which is concealable under the flower pot, or (b) form a hexagonal gusset in the bottom. The container is made from two flat panels of heat-sealable film, each shaped in the general form of a trapezium; or from a single web folded double. The lower portion of the container is ornamentally imprinted along a border extending beneath a generally lateral line above the longitudinal axis of the web; and, with a marker in the upper portion, identifies the contents, or provides instructions for their use or care. When the cavity is distended by being partially filled, the entire container, except for a transition zone, presents a smoothly arcuate surface of the frustum of a cone.

Abstract: A flat trapezoidal container provides a generally frustoconical single cavity for snugly sheathing a flower pot. The container is specifically dimensioned sheath a flower pot so as either (a) to leave therebeneath, a surplus of film in an transition zone which is concealable under the flower pot, or (b) form a hexagonal gusset in the bottom. The container is made from two flat panels of heat-sealable film, each shaped in the general form of a trapezium; or from a single web folded double. The lower portion of the container is ornamentally imprinted along a border extending beneath a generally lateral line above the longitudinal axis of the web; and, with a marker in the upper portion, identifies the contents, or provides instructions for their use or care. When the cavity is distended by being partially filled, the entire container, except for a transition zone, presents a smoothly arcuate surface of the frustum of a cone.

Abstract: A flat trapezoidal container provides a generally frustoconical bag with a single cavity when at least partially filled with a pulverulent material such as soil which may have a live plant growing therein, or comestible goods such as popcorn and other snacks which rely heavily upon spur-of-the-moment purchases by a customer who must first be visually attracted to the goods, thereafter be visually convinced of their freshness, and have the opportunity to smell and/or touch the goods prior to purchasing them. The container may also be specifically dimensioned to snugly sheath a flower pot so as to leave therebeneath, a surplus of film in an empty transition zone which is concealable under the flower pot. The container is made from two flat panels of heat-sealable film, each shaped as a trapezium; or from a single web folded double.

Abstract: A flat trapezoidal container provides a generally frustoconical bag with a single cavity when at least partially filled with a pulverulent material such as soil which may have a live plant growing therein, or comestible goods such as popcorn and other snacks which rely heavily upon spur-of-the-moment purchases by a customer who must first be visually attracted to the goods, thereafter be visually convinced of their freshness, and have the opportunity to smell and/or touch the goods prior to purchasing them. The container may also be specifically dimensioned to snugly sheath a flower pot so as to leave therebeneath, a surplus of film in an empty transition zone which is concealable under the flower pot. The container is made from two flat panels of heat-sealable film, each shaped as a trapezium; or from a single web folded double.