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).
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Patent number: 6298601Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Southpac Trust Int'l, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Publication number: 20010001920Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet of material about a bouquet of flowers. A sheet of material 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2000Publication date: May 31, 2001Inventors: Paul Fantz, Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig
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Patent number: 6230441Abstract: A decorative flower pot sleeve having a closed bottom and an expansion element for allowing expansion of the sleeve upon the position of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve is movable from a flattened state to an open position, in the flattened state the sleeve having a convexly curved lower end and in the open position the sleeve having a base portion containing a closed bottom, the base portion substantially corresponding in size and configuration to the outer peripheral surface of the pot and the closed bottom substantially corresponding in size and configuration to the bottom surface of the pot when the pot is disposed therein. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Publication number: 20010000560Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2000Publication date: May 3, 2001Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Publication number: 20010000555Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants or comestibles. The sleeve has a closed bottom and an expansion element for allowing expansion of the sleeve upon the depositing of the pot or items into the sleeve. The expansion element may be 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2000Publication date: May 3, 2001Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Patent number: 6185904Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 10, 1998Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Patent number: 6182395Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 18, 1998Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Patent number: 6178727Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 2000Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Patent number: 6112500Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Patent number: 5921063Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet of material about a bouquet of flowers. A sheet of material 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1998Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Paul Fantz, Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig
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Patent number: 5913799Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 8, 1998Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Patent number: 5740656Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 1997Date of Patent: April 21, 1998Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Patent number: 5740664Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 1997Date of Patent: April 21, 1998Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Patent number: 5718099Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet of material about a bouquet of flowers. A sheet of material 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1996Date of Patent: February 17, 1998Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Paul Fantz, Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig
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Patent number: 5659996Abstract: A method and apparatus for stemming a flower in which the flower stem is cut substantially simultaneously with attaching a flower pick to the flower stem, thereby eliminating the separate steps of cutting the flower stem and subsequently attaching a stem pick by combining these two operations. In another aspect of the invention, the flower stem is cut in an environment which displaces air from the region of the severed plant stem by submerging the portion of the plant stem in the region of severance under water or by subjecting it to a flow of water or a spray of water or other material which would prevent formation of an air gap in the vascular tissue of the plant and/or skinning over of the tubules. The flower stem may be cut under water and a pick applied under water or cut of the water or out of the water.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1993Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz, Gary E. Wilson, Charles E. Schlueter
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Patent number: 5636502Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Patent number: 5609009Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 2, 1994Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz
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Patent number: 5605006Abstract: An apparatus for applying a stem pick to a flower stem wherein the stem pick has laterally directed fingers for wrapping around the stem of a flower. The apparatus includes means for positioning a stem pick into a position ready for attachment to the flower stem, means for attaching the stem pick to the stem of a flower, and pressure adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the stem pick fingers. The pressure adjusting means comprises a clutch mechanism having means for adjusting the torque applied to the means for attaching the stem pick to the stem of a flower.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1995Date of Patent: February 25, 1997Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz, Gary E. Wilson, Charles E. Schlueter
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Patent number: 5575108Abstract: A method and apparatus for stemming a flower in which the flower stem is cut substantially simultaneously with attaching a flower pick to the flower stem, thereby eliminating the separate steps of cutting the flower stem and subsequently attaching a stem pick by combining these two operations. In another aspect of the invention, the flower stem is cut in an environment which displaces air from the region of the severed plant stem by submerging the portion of the plant stem in the region of severance under water or by subjecting it to a flow of water or a spray of water or other material which would prevent formation of an air gap in the vascular tissue of the plant and/or skinning over of the tubules. The flower stem may be cut under water and a pick applied under water or cut of the water or out of the water.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1995Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter, Paul Fantz, Gary E. Wilson, Charles E. Schlueter
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Patent number: 5564257Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet of material about a bouquet of flowers. A sheet of material 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1994Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignees: The Family Trust U/T/A, Southpac Trust International, Inc.Inventors: Paul Fantz, Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig