Patents Assigned to Southpac Trust International
  • Floral sleeve having an extendable skirt and methods
    Patent number: 6499252
    Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a base portion and skirt portion. The sleeve may have an upper protective sleeve portion which can surround a plant disposed in a pot and which can be detached once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed thereby allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base portion. The sleeve has a plurality of folds, some constricted by constriction elements, the folds comprising expansion elements for allowing portions of the base portion to expand, and portions of the skirt portion to extend angularly, when a pot is disposed within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Preformed pot cover having a cloth-appearing finish on a surface thereof
    Patent number: 6495248
    Abstract: A substantially flexible, shape-sustaining cover having a cloth-appearing finish on a surface thereof, the substantially flexible, shape-sustaining cover formed from a flexible, substantially non-shape sustaining laminated material having at least one surface with a cloth-like texture or appearance. The substantially flexible, shape-sustaining cover has a closed lower end, an open upper end with an opening extending therethrough and a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end thereof. The substantially flexible, shape-sustaining cover has a plurality of overlapping folds of which at least a portion are permanently connected so that the substantially flexible, shape-sustaining cover may be substantially flattened and then unflattened to assume the original shape of the substantially flexible, shape-sustaining cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method of covering a potted plant
    Patent number: 6493989
    Abstract: A plant packaging method providing a tubular sleeve having excess material therein and attaching the sleeve to a potted plant via a bonding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Sticky element upon which insects adhere and materials and methods
    Patent number: 6494020
    Abstract: A sticky element, comprising a sticky element having an insect-attracting color and an insect-attracting scent, the sticky element comprising sufficient sticky qualities to cause an insect to become permanently attached to the sticky element when any portion of the insect contacts with the sticky element, the sticky element adaptable to being disposed upon a surface. The surface may comprise a wrapping material, a flower pot cover, a flower pot, a floral arrangement, or other surface. When the sticky element is disposed on a wrapping material, the wrapping material is used to wrap a floral arrangement or decoratively cover a flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Decorative grass formed of polymeric materials having a texture and appearance assimilating paper
    Patent number: 6491997
    Abstract: Decorative grasses having a texture and/or appearance assimilating the texture and/or appearance of paper are disclosed, as are method for making such decorative grasses from materials wherein at least one surface of the materials is modified to assimilate the texture and/or appearance of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method of covering a potted plant
    Patent number: 6484443
    Abstract: A plant packaging method providing a tubular sleeve having excess material therein and attaching the sleeve to a potted plant via a bonding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Sheets of material having forming indicia for forming into flower pots or plant covers and methods
    Patent number: 6484442
    Abstract: A sheet of material having forming indicia and bonding material thereon which permits an operator to form the sheet of material into a decorative cover without the use of a mold. Methods for forming a decorative cover from a sheet of material having forming indicia and bonding material thereon without the use of a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Conveyable cover former and fastening system
    Patent number: 6481181
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and the cover may be a decorative cover. The apparatus includes a platform having at least one opening sized to allow passage therethrough of an article, a conveyable cover forming assembly having contacting portions for contacting the sheet of material, and a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of a covered article for fastening a cover about the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Decorative basket assembly and method for producing same
    Patent number: 6478177
    Abstract: A decorative basket assembly is produced by wrapping a wrapping material about an outer periphery of a basket. The basket wrapping material forms both a bow and a closure in a sheet of material about the basket. Methods of wrapping a basket with a basket wrapping material which forms both a bow and a closure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Kenneth T. Barker
  • Flat sleeve convertible to a decorative container
    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
  • Accordion-type plant cover with attached skirt and methods
    Patent number: 6474019
    Abstract: A plant cover includes a flower pot cover having a skirt connected to an upper end of the flower pot cover, and a base having a plurality of expansion elements extending thereabout and including an excess of material shaped in the form of a pleat. To form the plant cover, a pot is disposed in the flower pot cover, and the base is disposed about the flower pot cover such that the expansion elements permit the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of the flower pot cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Thermoplastic flower pot with a thin skirt
    Patent number: 6474020
    Abstract: A flower pot cover constructed of a thermoplastic material for providing a decorative cover for an item, such as a floral grouping. The flower pot cover comprises a base portion and a skirt portion. The base portion has an upper end, a lower end, a bottom having a first thickness and a continuous sidewall extending generally between the upper and lower ends of the base portion. The skirt portion is positioned circumferentially about the upper end of the base portion and extends a distance therefrom. The skirt portion is substantially flexible and has a third thickness which is less than the first thickness of the bottom of the base portion. The base portion and the skirt portion cooperate to provide the flower pot cover with a shape sustaining configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International
    Inventors: Antonio V. Alcazar, Donald E. Weder
  • Sticky element and materials and method
    Patent number: 6474042
    Abstract: A sticky element, comprising a sticky element having an insect-attracting color and an insect-attracting scent, the sticky element comprising sufficient sticky qualities to cause an insect to become permanently attached to the sticky element when any portion of the insect contacts with the sticky element, the sticky element adaptable to being disposed upon a surface. The surface may comprise a wrapping material, a flower pot cover, a flower pot, a floral arrangement, or other surface. When the sticky element is disposed on a wrapping material, the wrapping material is used to wrap a floral arrangement or decoratively cover a flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method for providing a decorative covering for a flower pot
    Patent number: 6474043
    Abstract: A method for providing a decorative covering for a floral grouping. The method includes the step of providing a decorative covering assembly comprising a header assembly and at least one sheet of material detachably connected to the header assembly. The header assembly is secured to a holder assembly such that the decorative covering assembly is supported by the holder assembly and at least one sheet of material can be detached from the header assembly. At least one sheet of material is detached from the header assembly and is disposed about at least a portion of the floral grouping to provide a decorative covering for the floral grouping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Sonny K. Burnside
  • Method of covering a potted plant
    Patent number: 6470624
    Abstract: A plant packaging method providing a tubular sleeve having excess material therein and attaching the sleeve to a potted plant via a bonding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Synthetic decorative grass simulating Spanish moss and method for making same
    Patent number: 6468196
    Abstract: Curled decorative grasses and methods for producing same are disclosed wherein the curled decorative grasses have improved bulk and simulate Spanish moss in color and appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method of covering a potted plant
    Patent number: 6467218
    Abstract: A plant packaging method providing a tubular sleeve having excess material therein and attaching the sleeve to a potted plant via a bonding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Floral shipping container
    Patent number: 6463697
    Abstract: A floral shipping container comprising a base portion, a tube and a lid. The base portion has sidewalls, an upper end, a closed lower end and a retaining space encompassed by the sidewalls, the upper end, and the lower end thereof. The tube is adapted to receive at least one or a plurality of flowers. The tube is supported by the upper end of the base portion such that the tube extends into the retaining space of the base portion. The lid is supported by the base portion such that the lid extends above the upper end of the base portion to encompass the flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Ole B. Nissen
  • Decorative sleeve cover formed of a polymeric material having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth
    Patent number: 6463717
    Abstract: Flexible polymeric materials having a cloth-like appearance suitable for use in the formation of flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method of attaching a tubular sleeve to a pot
    Patent number: 6463718
    Abstract: A method of covering a pot containing a floral grouping with a flexible sleeve having a bonding material thereon which connects the sleeve to the pot when the pot is positioned within the sleeve. In one version, the sleeve is positioned about the pot and a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the pot, an upper portion of the sleeve extending upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping contained within the pot, at least a portion of the sleeve being removable via the detaching elements, leaving a portion of the sleeve which is a decorative plant cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder