Patents by Inventor Paul Fantz

Paul Fantz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20030177741
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet about a bouquet of flowers. The sheet having spaced apart defined first and second portions is placed against a support member, such as a prepared table top, and the bouquet is positioned on the sheet with the first and second portions of the sheet extending on right and left sides, respectively, of the bouquet. The first sheet portion is then moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet, and the second sheet portion is moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet and to extend over part of the first sheet portion. The two sheet portions may be secured together by a bonding material, or the first and second portions of the sheet of wrapping material can themselves act as a bonding material by application of appropriate heat sealing, sonic welding, vibratory welding, and similar methods. A stiff wrap ring form may be positioned suspended over the sheet, and the bouquet inserted in the wrap ring form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Paul Fantz, Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig
  • Publication number: 20030167733
    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 invention satisfies the need for a means for rapidly covering and fastening the cover about an article with a minimal amount of manual effort and in a location having a limited amount of available space. The apparatus comprises a platform having at least one opening sized to receive the article. The apparatus comprises a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the covered article for fastening the cover about the article after the sheet is formed into a cover about the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Patent number: 6601367
    Abstract: A floral sleeve initially having a flattened state and openable therefrom for use in covering, containing or wrapping a floral grouping, botanical item, pot, or pot having a floral grouping or botanical item therein. The sleeve has a concave lower end having an inwardly curved lower edge, and may have a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a non-linear or linear upper edge. When having a detachable upper portion, the sleeve has a detaching element which, when employed to detach the upper portion, leaves a linear or non-linear upper edge on the lower portion of the sleeve. The concave lower end of the sleeve may have a gusset therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Publication number: 20030136081
    Abstract: A floral sleeve initially having a flattened state and openable therefrom for use in covering, containing or wrapping a floral grouping, botanical item, pot, or pot having a floral grouping or botanical item therein. The sleeve has a concave lower end having an inwardly curved lower edge, and may have a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a non-linear or linear upper edge. When having a detachable upper portion, the sleeve has a detaching element which, when employed to detach the upper portion, leaves a linear or non-linear upper edge on the lower portion of the sleeve. The concave lower end of the sleeve may have a gusset therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Publication number: 20030121206
    Abstract: A tubular sleeve having a triangular lower end for covering a pot or floral grouping. The sleeve may have a detachable upper portion and may have a non-linear or linear upper edge and may have a gusset in the triangular lower end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Publication number: 20030110692
    Abstract: A floral sleeve initially having a flattened condition and openable therefrom for use in covering, containing or wrapping a floral grouping, botanical item, pot, or pot having a floral grouping or botanical item therein. The sleeve has a curvilinear lower end, and may have a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a non-linear or linear upper edge. When having a detachable upper portion, the sleeve has a detaching element which when employed to detach the upper portion, leaves a linear, or non-linear upper edge on the lower portion of the sleeve, the curvilinear lower end of the sleeve may have a gusset therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Patent number: 6571536
    Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants or comestibles. The sleeve has a closed curved bottom. The sleeve may also have an expansion element such as a gusset, pleats, random folds or elastic material for enabling the lower portion of the sleeve to conform to the outer and bottom surfaces of the pot to provide a decorative cover about the pot. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Patent number: 6560924
    Abstract: A tubular sleeve having a triangular lower end for covering a pot or floral grouping. The sleeve may have a detachable upper portion and may have a non-linear or linear upper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Publication number: 20030079404
    Abstract: A floral sleeve initially having a flattened condition and openable therefrom for use in covering, containing or wrapping a floral grouping, botanical item, pot, or pot having a floral grouping or botanical item therein. The sleeve has a curvilinear lower end, and may have a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a non-linear or linear upper edge. When having a detachable upper portion, the sleeve has a detaching element which when employed to detach the upper portion, leaves a linear, or non-linear upper edge on the lower portion of the sleeve, the curvilinear lower end of the sleeve may have a gusset therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Publication number: 20030079410
    Abstract: A floral sleeve initially having a flattened condition and openable therefrom for use in covering, containing or wrapping a floral grouping, botanical item, pot, or pot having a floral grouping or botanical item therein. The sleeve has a biconcave lower end, and may have a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a non-linear or linear upper edge. When having a detachable upper portion, the sleeve has a detaching element which when employed to detach the upper portion, leaves a linear, or non-linear upper edge on the lower portion of the sleeve. The biconcave lower end of the sleeve may have a gusset therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Patent number: 6553741
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet about a bouquet of flowers. The sheet having spaced apart defined first and second portions is placed against a support member, such as a prepared table top, and the bouquet is positioned on the sheet with the first and second portions of the sheet extending on right and left sides, respectively, of the bouquet. The first sheet portion is then moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet, and the second sheet portion is moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet and to extend over part of the first sheet portion. The two sheet portions may be secured together by a bonding material, or the first and second portions of the sheet of wrapping material can themselves act as a bonding material by application of appropriate heat sealing, sonic welding, vibratory welding, and similar methods. A stiff wrap ring form may be positioned suspended over the sheet, and the bouquet inserted in the wrap ring form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Fantz, Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig
  • Patent number: 6546669
    Abstract: A tubular sleeve having a triangular lower end for covering a pot or floral grouping. The sleeve may have a detachable upper portion and may have a non-linear or linear upper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Publication number: 20030066236
    Abstract: A floral container used to wrap items such as potted plants or comestibles. The floral container has a closed curved bottom. The floral container may also have an expansion element such as a gusset, pleats, random folds or elastic material for enabling the lower portion of the sleeve to conform to the outer and bottom surfaces of the pot to provide a decorative cover about the pot. The floral container optionally has a detachable upper portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Publication number: 20030066237
    Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants or comestibles. The sleeve has a closed curved bottom. The sleeve may also have an expansion element such as a gusset, pleats, random folds or elastic material for enabling the lower portion of the sleeve to conform to the outer and bottom surfaces of the pot to provide a decorative cover about the pot. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Patent number: 6539666
    Abstract: A floral sleeve initially having a flattened condition and openable therefrom for use in covering, containing or wrapping a floral grouping, botanical item, pot, or pot having a floral grouping or botanical item therein. The sleeve has a curvilinear lower end, and may have a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a non-linear or linear upper edge. When having a detachable upper portion, the sleeve has a detaching element which when employed to detach the upper portion, leaves a linear, or nonlinear upper edge on the lower portion of the sleeve, the curvilinear lower end of the sleeve may have a gusset therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Publication number: 20030041517
    Abstract: A floral sleeve initially having a flattened state and openable therefrom for use in covering, containing or wrapping a floral grouping, botanical item, pot, or pot having a floral grouping or botanical item therein. The sleeve has a concave lower end having an inwardly curved lower edge, and may have a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a non-linear or linear upper edge. when having a detachable upper portion, the sleeve has a detaching element which, when employed to detach the upper portion, leaves a linear or non-linear upper edge on the lower portion of the sleeve. The concave lower end of the sleeve may have a gusset therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Patent number: 6523305
    Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants or comestibles. The sleeve has a closed curved bottom. The sleeve may also have an expansion element such as a gusset, pleats, random folds or elastic material for enabling the lower portion of the sleeve to conform to the outer and bottom surfaces of the pot to provide a decorative cover about the pot. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Publication number: 20020189202
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet about a bouquet of flowers. The sheet having spaced apart defined first and second portions is placed against a support member, such as a prepared table top, and the bouquet is positioned on the sheet with the first and second portions of the sheet extending on right and left sides, respectively, of the bouquet. The first sheet portion is then moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet, and the second sheet portion is moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet and to extend over part of the first sheet portion. The two sheet portions may be secured together by a bonding material, or the first and second portions of the sheet of wrapping material can themselves act as a bonding material by application of appropriate heat sealing, sonic welding, vibratory welding, and similar methods. A stiff wrap ring form may be positioned suspended over the sheet, and the bouquet inserted in the wrap ring form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Paul Fantz, Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig
  • Publication number: 20020170231
    Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants or comestibles. The sleeve has a closed curved bottom. The sleeve may also have an expansion element such as a gusset, pleats, random folds or elastic material for enabling the lower portion of the sleeve to conform to the outer and bottom surfaces of the pot to provide a decorative cover about the pot. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
  • Patent number: 6477804
    Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants or comestibles. The sleeve has a closed curved bottom. The sleeve may also have an expansion element such as a gusset, pleats, random folds or elastic material for enabling the lower portion of the sleeve to conform to the outer and bottom surfaces of the pot to provide a decorative cover about the pot. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz