Patents by Inventor Franklin J. Craig

Franklin J. Craig 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).

  • Patent number: 5588530
    Abstract: A wrapping material for wrapping a floral grouping comprising a plurality of sheets of material connected together into a pad of sheets of material via staggered strips of adhesive disposed on each sheet of material in the pad. The pad has a top sheet of material and a next sheet of material disposed thereunder, the other sheets of material being disposed under the next sheet of material. The floral grouping is placed on a sheet of the material, and the sheet of material is wrapped about a portion of the floral grouping and simultaneously disconnected from the pad of sheets of material. The sheets of material are secured about the floral grouping in a wrapped position by the staggered strips of adhesive on each sheet of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig
  • Patent number: 5577345
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5573789
    Abstract: An apparatus with pivoting blades and closable surfaces for forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover having fins. In an embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, the apparatus includes a male mold and a plurality of plates arranged in pairs to define a forming opening. The male mold has a plurality of fingers which are laterally extendable from the outer periphery of the male mold. A pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder is provided to move the male mold between a storage position spaced from the forming opening and a forming position within the forming opening. Each pair of plates is movable between an open position and a closed position. In operation, the fingers are extended to push folded portions of a sheet of material between the pairs of plates, which are closed to press the folded portions into fins. In an alternate embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, pairs of movable plates are positioned between stationary segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5572784
    Abstract: Method for providing a decorative cover by providing a flower pot, positioning a sheet of material about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot such that the sheet of material extends about a floral grouping so as to form a sleeve around the floral grouping which is selectively detachable from the sheet of material, and positioning a collar about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot with a portion of the sheet of material being disposed between the collar and the flower pot whereby the collar secures the sheet of material to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5564257
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignees: The Family Trust U/T/A, Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Fantz, Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig
  • Patent number: 5561894
    Abstract: Method for providing a decorative cover by providing a flower pot, positioning a sleeve about the floral grouping with a portion of the sleeve extending along a portion of the flower pot, disposing a sheet of material about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot; and positioning a collar about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot with a portion of the sleeve and the sheet of material being disposed between the collar and the flower pot whereby the collar secures the sleeve and the sheet of material to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5546699
    Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example, and a novel article formed utilizing such a system. The article forming system includes a male die, a female die and a platform having a support surface and an opening extending through the support surface. The female die is disposed generally within the opening in the platform with the upper end of the female die being disposed near the support surface. The article forming system includes means for slidingly holding portions of the sheet of material generally against portions of the support surface while permitting such held portions to slide on the support surface during the forming of the article for cooperating in forming a decorative border on the decorative flower pot cover type of article which flares generally away from the flower pot object when the decorative flower pot cover article is applied to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, E. H. Weder, R. E. Jack Dunn, Franklin J. Craig
  • Patent number: 5535548
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignees: The Family Trust U/T/A, Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5535549
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Highland Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5533301
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignees: The Family Trust U/T/A, Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5526632
    Abstract: A material dispenser for dispensing sheets of material with an adhesive applied thereto. The material is passed through a material applicator and the material applicator includes a contact portion with adhesive in contact with a portion of the material for applying adhesive to the material. The material in one embodiment is a non-heat sealable, non-shape sustaining material and the material is wrapped about a floral grouping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Highland Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5524384
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Highland Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5523046
    Abstract: An apparatus with pivoting blades and closable surfaces for forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover having fins. In an embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, the apparatus includes a male mold and a plurality of plates arranged in pairs to define a forming opening. The male mold has a plurality of fingers which are laterally extendable from the outer periphery of the male mold. A pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder is provided to move the male mold between a storage position spaced from the forming opening and a forming position within the forming opening. Each pair of plates is movable between an open position and a closed position. In operation, the fingers are extended to push folded portions of a sheet of material between the pairs of plates, which are closed to press the folded portions into fins. In an alternate embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, pairs of movable plates are positioned between stationary segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignees: The Family Trust U/T/A, Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5519967
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignees: Southpac Trust International, Inc., Family Trust U/T/A
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5515635
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignees: The Family Trust U/TA, Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5515647
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignees: The Family Trust, Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5493810
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Highland Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5484562
    Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example. The article forming system includes a male die and a female die. A sheet of material is automatically moved to a loaded position between the male and female dies and then the male and female dies are moved to a forming position for forming the article. The formed articles are automatically stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Highland Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig
  • Patent number: 5471787
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Highland Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5472752
    Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a basket liner, and a novel basket liner formed utilizing such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Highland Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, E. H. Weder, R. E. Jack Dunn, Franklin J. Craig