Patents by Inventor William F. Straeter

William F. Straeter 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: 20030196380
    Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping wherein the decorative assembly includes a floral holding material and a sheet of fluid impermeable material. The floral holding material is a preformed shape-sustaining support member movable between a flattened condition and an expanded condition. A stabilizing member or assembly is connected to the preformed shape-sustaining support member for stabilizing and maintaining the preformed shape-sustaining member in the expanded condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter, Michael J. King, Franklin J. Craig, Michael R. Klemme
  • Publication number: 20030192250
    Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping comprising a floral holding material and a sheet of material. The floral holding material is a shape-sustaining support member having an open upper end, an open lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending between the open upper end and the close lower end. The sheet of material is extended about a portion of the floral holding material to form a decorative cover and the decorative cover cooperates with the shape-sustaining support member to define a reservoir for confining a liquid a securing element secures the decorative cover about the shape-sustaining support member 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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter, Michael J. King, Franklin J. Craig, Michael R. Klemme
  • Publication number: 20030192249
    Abstract: A decorative assembly for supporting a floral grouping which includes a floral holding material and a sheet of fluid impermeable material. The floral holding material is a preformed shape-sustaining support member, which is selectively movable between an expanded condition and a flattened condition, is provided with a stabilizing assembly for stabilizing the preformed shape-sustaining support member in the expanded condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter, Michael J. King, Franklin J. Craig, Michael R. Klemme
  • Publication number: 20030192244
    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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter, Michael J. King, Franklin J. Craig, Michael R. Klemme
  • Publication number: 20030173246
    Abstract: A method for wrapping a wrapper about a floral grouping wherein the wrapper is a sleeve or sheet of material having a cinching tab or strip of bonding material, or both, and a detaching element such as perforations for detaching a portion of the sleeve or sheet of material. The floral grouping is placed on the sheet of material which is wrapped thereabout, or the floral grouping is disposed in the interior space of the sleeve. The wrapper may further comprise an additional strip of bonding material for bonding an informational card or label to the wrapper. After the wrapper is wrapped about the floral grouping, a portion of the wrapper may be removed by using the detaching element, thereby leaving a portion of the wrapper wrapped or bound about the floral grouping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter
  • Patent number: 6602173
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically forming at least two sheets of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a first roll of sheet material, a second roll of sheet material, a female die and a male die. A first sheet of material and a second sheet of material are automatically formed from the first and second rolls of sheet material, respectively, and the first and second sheets of material are positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The formed articles are automatically stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust Int'l. Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter, Frank Craig, Michael J. King, William C. Funk
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6594953
    Abstract: A floral container, such as a flower pot, having a sleeve bondingly connected to an inner surface of the flower pot, together forming a pot assembly for cultivating, displaying or shipping a botanical item disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20030131561
    Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a bonding material disposed upon an inner or outer portion of the sleeve for attaching the sleeve to the pot or item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter
  • Patent number: 6588148
    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 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 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
  • Publication number: 20030115797
    Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping comprising a floral holding material and a sheet of material. The floral holding material is a shape-sustaining support member having an open upper end, an open lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending between the open upper end and the close lower end. The sheet of material is extended about a portion of the floral holding material to form a decorative cover and the decorative cover cooperates with the shape-sustaining support member to define a reservoir for confining a liquid a securing element secures the decorative cover about the shape-sustaining support member 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: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter, Michael J. King, Franklin J. Craig, Michael R. Klemme
  • Publication number: 20030101647
    Abstract: A floral container, such as a flower pot, having a sleeve bondingly connected to an inner surface of the flower pot, together forming a pot assembly for cultivating, displaying or shipping a botanical item disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20030089080
    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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20030078150
    Abstract: Curled decorative grass having a variety of configurations and methods for making such decorative grass is provided which, because of its increased bulk, can also be used as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and a media for plants. The curled decorative grass is produced by curling a substantially flat sheet of material and thereafter cutting the resulting curled sheet of material, or by cutting a pre-curled material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter, Franklin J. Craig, Michael J. King, Michael R. Klemme, Sonny K. Burnside
  • Publication number: 20030070360
    Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve has a bonding material disposed upon an inner and/or outer portion of the sleeve for crimping the sleeve adjacent the pot to hold the sleeve about the pot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter
  • Patent number: 6546695
    Abstract: A method for wrapping a wrapper about a floral grouping wherein the wrapper is a sleeve or sheet of material having a cinching tab or strip of bonding material, or both, and a detaching element such as perforations for detaching a portion of the sleeve or sheet of material. The floral grouping is placed on the sheet of material which is wrapped thereabout, or the floral grouping is disposed in the interior space of the sleeve. The wrapper may further comprise an additional strip of bonding material for bonding an informational card or label to the wrapper. After the wrapper is wrapped about the floral grouping, a portion of the wrapper may be removed by using the detaching element, thereby leaving a portion of the wrapper wrapped or bound about the floral grouping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter
  • Patent number: 6543184
    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: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 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
  • Patent number: 6516564
    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: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 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
  • Patent number: 6513304
    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: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter
  • Patent number: 6510651
    Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve has a bonding material disposed upon an inner and/or outer portion of the sleeve for crimping the sleeve adjacent the pot to hold the sleeve about the pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter