Patents Assigned to Southpac Trust International
  • Narrow-neck floral sleeve
    Publication number: 20030208955
    Abstract: A floral sleeve having a flask-shape with a frustoconical body and a narrow neck. The sleeves may have various types of gusseted or non-gusseted lower end shapes, various types of neck shapes, and may be secured, or left unsecured about the floral groupings placed within the sleeves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: SOUTHPAC TRUST INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method for making curled decorative grass having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of paper
    Patent number: 6645408
    Abstract: Curled decorative grasses having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of paper on at least a portion of one surface thereof are disclosed, as are methods for making such curled decorative grasses from materials wherein at least a portion of one surface of the materials is modified to simulate the texture or appearance of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Flower pot wrapper
    Patent number: 6640492
    Abstract: A wrapper for flower pots. The wrapper is a sheet of material with each segment having a lower portion sized to surround a sidewall of the flower pot and an upper portion detachable from the lower portion via a detaching element such as perforations. The sheet of material can be formed about the flower pot and the adjacent edges of the segment joined and sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Folded corrugated decorative grass formed of paper and metallized film
    Patent number: 6638584
    Abstract: The present invention discloses folded corrugated material for producing segments or strips for use as Easter grass, packing material and the like or for use as flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method of covering a potted plant
    Patent number: 6637154
    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: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Floral sleeve having an extendable skirt and methods
    Patent number: 6634137
    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 comprising expansion 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: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Floral sleeve having an extendable skirt and methods
    Patent number: 6629385
    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 comprising expansion 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: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Decorative grower's containers and methods for using same
    Patent number: 6625928
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for growing a plant in a grower's container having an aesthetically pleasing appearance without the use of a decorative container cover when a grown plant contained in the grower's container is on display. The apparatus and method include providing a grower's container, cleaning at least a portion of the grower's container to provide a clean area on which a decorative sticker is applied, disposing growing medium and a floral grouping in the floral grouping retaining space of the decorative grower's container, feeding and watering the floral grouping until it matures to a size desired for marketing, and the decorative grower's container so that the decorative pattern disposed thereon is visible when on display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method of covering a potted plant
    Patent number: 6625930
    Abstract: A plant package produced by a method of covering a pot with a preformed tubular sleeve having a tapered shape, a non-linear upper edge, and free from an upper portion sized to surround and encompass the floral grouping disposed within the pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method for wrapping a flower pot with a sleeve having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth
    Publication number: 20030172619
    Abstract: A method for packaging a plant using a flexible sleeve having a cloth-like appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: SOUTHPAC TRUST INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method of attaching a floral sleeve to a pot via bonding material
    Patent number: 6618991
    Abstract: A plant packaging method providing a tubular sleeve and attaching the sleeve to a potted plant via a bonding material disposed on the tubular sleeve, and a plant package produced by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Thermoplastic flower pot with a thin skirt
    Patent number: 6618990
    Abstract: A flower pot cover constructed of a 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: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio V. Alcazar, Donald E. Weder
  • Floral sleeve having an extendable skirt and methods
    Patent number: 6618992
    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: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    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: 6615541
    Abstract: A decorative cover formed from a sheet of material having forming indicia thereon is disclosed. The forming indicia permits an operator to form the sheet of material into the decorative cover without the use of a mold, such as a flower pot or potted plant. A method for forming the sheet of material into the decorative cover is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Sleeves formed of polymeric materials having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of paper
    Patent number: 6613409
    Abstract: A substantially flexible, shape-sustaining article having an appearance simulating paper made by forming a flexible, laminated material having a paper-like texture or appearance into a substantially flexible article for receiving an object. The substantially flexible article includes a base having a lower end, an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough and a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end of the base. The lower end of the base of the article may be closed and may also contain a gusset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method of containing a botanical item with a sleeve
    Patent number: 6606838
    Abstract: A method for containing a botanical item and a growing medium without a pot. A tubular sleeve is provided and the growing medium and botanical item are disposed therein. The tubular sleeve is secured thereabout by using a bonding material to crimp the tubular sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method for forming a cover about a flower pot
    Patent number: 6604341
    Abstract: A method of wrapping a potted plant in a decorative cover wherein the cover is a flattened sleeve. Upon opening of the sleeve, the sleeve has a bottom which may be closed, and the sleeve is sized to cover a pot. The potted plant is disposed within the inner retaining space of the open sleeve, and the pot is positioned on the bottom of the sleeve such that the sleeve covers at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pot to provide the decorative cover for the potted plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Synthetic decorative grass simulating spanish moss and method for making same
    Patent number: 6605170
    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: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method of covering a potted plant
    Patent number: 6601344
    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 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Flexible vase
    Patent number: 6601343
    Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping comprising a floral holding material and a sheet of material. The floral holding material is constructed of a material capable of receiving a portion of a floral grouping and supporting the floral grouping. The sheet of material is extended about a portion of the floral holding material and a crimped portion is formed in the sheet of material with the crimped portion cooperating to hold the sheet of material about the floral holding material to provide a decorative covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter, Michael J. King, Franklin J. Craig, Michael R. Klemme