Floral wrapper having printed design with shaded and highlighted areas

Info

Publication number: 20010039757
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 29, 2001
Publication Date: Nov 15, 2001
Inventor: Donald E. Weder (Highland, IL)
Application Number: 09895958

Abstract

A method of forming a decorative cover, a sleeve or a preformed pot cover for a floral grouping or flower pot from a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three-dimensional appearance.

Description

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not applicable.

SPECIFICATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to methods of wrapping floral groupings and flower pots with a sheet of material to provide a decorative cover for such floral groupings and flower pots, and more particularly but not by way of limitation to methods of wrapping floral groupings and flower pots with a sheet of material having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon for providing a decorative sleeve, a preformed pot cover or a decorative cover for a flower pot or floral grouping wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed design with a visual perception of depth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is an enlarged, fragmental, perspective view of a sheet of material for providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping or a flower pot, a decorative sleeve or a preformed pot cover in accordance with the present invention, the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance.

[0005] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet of material of FIG. 1 having a floral grouping disposed thereon.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sheet of material having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas and having a bonding material disposed along one edge thereof and a floral grouping disposed on the sheet of material.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the floral grouping being wrapped with the sheet of material of having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas of FIG. 3 by one method of wrapping the sheet of material about the floral grouping.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a decorative cover for the floral grouping formed from the sheet of material of FIG. 3 wherein the decorative cover formed from the sheet of material has a conical configuration.

[0009] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a decorative cover formed from the sheet of material of FIG. 3 wherein the floral grouping is wrapped with the sheet of material by a second method of wrapping so that the decorative cover formed from the sheet of material has a substantially cylindrical configuration.

[0010] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flower pot containing a potted plant.

[0011] FIG. 8 is perspective view of a decorative cover positioned about the flower pot of FIG. 7 wherein the decorative cover is formed from a sheet of material having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth.

[0012] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a flower pot cover former and band applicator apparatus having the sheet of material of FIG. 2 disposed above an opening of the flower pot cover former and band applicator and having a flower pot disposed above the sheet of material.

[0013] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a floral sleeve formed from a sheet of material having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth.

[0014] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the floral sleeve of FIG. 10 disposed about a floral grouping.

[0015] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a floral sleeve having a cinching member wherein the floral sleeve is formed from a sheet of material having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth.

[0016] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the floral sleeve of FIG. 12 disposed about a floral grouping.

[0017] FIG. 14 is a side view of a sleeve having a detachable portion wherein the sleeve is formed from a sheet of material having a printed pattern having a three dimensional appearance which is created by shaded and highlighted areas in the printed pattern.

[0018] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 14 having a flower pot disposed therein.

[0019] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a flower pot disposed in the sleeve of FIG. 14 wherein an upper portion of the sleeve has been removed to provide a decorative cover having a skirt.

[0020] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a preformed pot cover formed from a sheet of material having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas which produce a visual perception of depth and thus provides the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance.

[0021] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the preformed pot cover of FIG. 17 having a flower pot disposed therein.

[0022] FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of a male and female mold having a sheet of material disposed therebetween for forming the preformed pot cover of FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention comprises methods of wrapping floral groupings, flower pots containing potted plants or other pot means with a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon to provide a decorative cover or sleeve for such floral groupings, flower pots containing potted plants or other pot means wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance. In one aspect, the present invention comprises a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon for providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping or a flower pot or other pot means, a sleeve or a preformed pot cover wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance.

[0024] “Floral grouping” as used herein means cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower or other fresh and/or artificial plants or other floral materials and may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentation or artificial or natural materials which add to the aesthetics of the overall floral grouping. Further, the “floral grouping” may comprise a growing potted plant having a root portion as well. However, it will be appreciated that the floral grouping may consist of only a single bloom or only foliage, or a botanical item (not shown), or a propagule. The term “floral grouping” may be used interchangeably herein with the term “floral arrangement”. The term “floral grouping” may also be used interchangeably herein with the terms “botanical item” and/or “propagule.”

[0025] The term “flower pot” as used herein refers to any type of container for holding a floral grouping, or a plant, or even another pot type container. Examples of flower pots and/or pot type containers include, but are not limited to, clay pots, wooden pots, plastic pots, pots made from natural mad/or synthetic fibers, or any combination thereof. Such flower pots and or pot-type containers are provided with a retaining space for receiving a floral grouping. The floral grouping may be disposed within the retaining space of the flower pot with a suitable growing medium described in further detail below, or other retaining medium, such as a floral foam. It will also be understood that in some cases the floral grouping, and any appropriate growing medium or other retaining medium, may be disposed in a sleeve formed from the sheet of material having the printed pattern printed thereon if the sleeve is adapted to contain a medium.

[0026] The term “growing medium” when used herein means any liquid, solid or gaseous material used for plant growth or for the cultivation of propagules, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil, humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, and including the nutrients, fertilizers or hormones or combinations thereof required by the plants or propagules for growth.

[0027] The term “botanical item” when used herein means a natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plant, taken singularly or in combination. The term “botanical item” also means any portion or portions of natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plants including stems, leaves, flowers, blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or roots, taken singularly or in combination, or in groupings of such portions such as bouquet or floral grouping.

[0028] The term “propagule” when used herein means any structure capable of being propagated or acting as an agent of reproduction including seeds, shoots, stems, runners, tubers, plants, leaves, roots or spores.

[0029] The term “polymer film” when used herein means a synthetically derived polymer, such as a polypropylene, or a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane. A polymer film is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil.

[0030] “Cling Wrap or Material” when used herein means any material which is capable of connecting to the sheet of material and/or itself upon contacting engagement during the wrapping process and is wrappable about an item whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engage and connect to other portions of another material, or, alternatively, itself, for generally securing the material wrapped about at least a portion of a flower pot. This connecting engagement is preferably temporary in that the material may be easily removed, i.e., the cling material “clings” to the flower pot.

[0031] The term “bonding material” or “bonding means” when used herein can mean an adhesive, frequently a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive or any adhesive/cohesive combination, having adhesive qualities (i.e., qualities of adhesion or adhesion/cohesion, respectively) sufficient to cause the attachment of a portion of the sheet of material to itself, to a floral grouping, or to a flower pot. Since the bonding material may comprise either an adhesive or an adhesive/cohesive combination, it will be appreciated that both adhesives and cohesives are known in the art, and both are commercially available. When the bonding material is a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must be placed on the adjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondingly engaging with the cohesive material. The term “bonding material or bonding means” also includes materials which are heat sealable and, in this instance, the adjacent portions of the material must be brought into contact and then heat must be applied to effect the seal. The term “bonding material or bonding means” also includes materials which are sonic sealable and vibratory sealable. The term “bonding material or bonding means” when used herein also means a heat sealing lacquer or hot melt material which may be applied to the material and, in this instance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations, also must be applied to effect the sealing.

[0032] The term “bonding material or bonding means” when used herein also means any type of material or thing which can be used to effect the bonding or connecting of the two adjacent portions of the material or sheet of material to effect the connection or bonding described herein. The term “bonding material or bonding means” may also include ties, labels, bands, ribbons, strings, tapes (including single or double-sided adhesive tapes), staples or combinations thereof. Some of the bonding materials would secure the ends of the material while other bonding material may bind the circumference of a wrapper, or a sleeve, or, alternatively and/or in addition, the bonding materials would secure overlapping folds in the material and/or sleeve. Another way to secure the wrapping and/or sleeve is to heat seal the ends of the material to another portion of the material. One way to do this is to contact the ends with an iron of sufficient heat to heat seal the material.

[0033] Alternatively, a cold seal adhesive may be utilized as the bonding material or means. The cold seal adhesive adheres only to a similar substrate, acting similarly as a cohesive, and binds only to itself. The cold seal adhesive, since it bonds only to a similar substrate, does not cause a residue to build up on equipment, thereby both permitting much more rapid disposition and use of such equipment to form articles and reducing labor costs. Further, since no heat is required to effect the seal, the dwell time, that is, the time for the sheet of material to form and retain the shape of an article, such as a flower pot cover or flower pot, is reduced. A cold seal adhesive binds quickly and easily with minimal pressure, and such a seal is not readily releasable. This characteristic is different from, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0034] The term “bonding material or bonding means” when used herein also means any heat or chemically shrinkable material, and static electrical or other electrical means, chemical welding means, magnetic means, mechanical or barb-type fastening means or clamps, curl-type characteristics of the film or materials incorporated in material which can cause the material to take on certain shapes, cling films, slots, grooves, shrinkable materials and bands, curl materials, springs, and any type of welding method which may weld portions of the material to itself or to the pot, or to both the material itself and the pot.

[0035] “Detaching element” or “detaching means” as used herein, means any element, or combination of elements, or features, such as, but not by way of limitation, perforations, tear strips, zippers, and any other devices or elements of this nature known in the art, or any combination thereof. Therefore, while perforations are shown and described in detail herein, it will be understood that tear strips, zippers, or any other “detaching elements” known in the art, or any combination thereof, could be substituted therefor and/or used therewith.

[0036] Description of FIGS. 1-9

[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, designated generally by the reference numeral 10 is a sheet of material having an upper surface 14, a lower surface 16, and an outer peripheral edge 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer peripheral edge 18 of the sheet of material 10 comprises a first side 20, a second side 22, a third side 24, and fourth side 26. A bonding material 27 (FIGS. 3 and 4) may be disposed on at least a portion of one or both surfaces of the sheet of material 10, such as the upper surface 14 thereof as shown and as further illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,364, the specification of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0038] The sheet of material 10 has a printed pattern 28 on at least a portion of one of the upper or lower surfaces 14 and 16 thereof, such as the lower surface 16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-6. The printed pattern 28, which contains shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, may be of any geometrical shape or design which will enhance the aesthetic qualities of a decorative cover 36 and 36a (FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively) formed from the sheet of material 10. That is, the printed pattern 28 may be a lace pattern, curlicues, paisleys, swirls, squiggles, and any shape generally associated with botanical items such as leaves, petals, stems, roots, fruits and any other biomorphic shapes.

[0039] The printed pattern 28 is produced by printing a web or sheet of material with different colors of ink so that at least one portion of the printed pattern 28 is printed in one color and other portions of the printed pattern 28 are printed in different colors which results in the printed pattern 28 having the desired shaded and highlighted areas. By providing the printed pattern 28 with shaded and highlighted area, the printed pattern 28 has a three dimensional appearance due to the depth perception created in the printed pattern 28 by the shaded and highlighted areas in the printed pattern 28. The printed pattern 28 may cover only a portion of the sheet of material 10, or may cover an entire surface of the sheet of material 10, or may cover all exposed and/or interior surfaces of the sheet of material 10.

[0040] The ink compositions applied to a web or sheet of material to produce the sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 containing shaded and highlighted areas can be any ink compositions, either solvent-based or water-based, which are compatible with the sheet of material 10. Such ink compositions are well known in the printing art. However, for environmental reasons it is preferred that the ink compositions be water-based ink compositions.

[0041] Water-based ink compositions which can be employed to produce the printed pattern 28 on the sheet of material 10, wherein the printed pattern 28 contains shaded and highlighted areas which create the desired visual perception of depth to the printed pattern 28, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,048, the specification of which is hereby expressly incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

[0042] The ink compositions may be applied to the sheet of material 10 in any conventional manner. The method of application may be manual or mechanical. If the material is in the form of a roll, then gravure, flexographic procedures, or Mayer rod procedures may be used to apply the ink compositions to the material which, when cut into sheets of material provide the sheets of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 thereon.

[0043] The sheets of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 containing shaded and highlighted areas may then be employed to provide a decorative cover for a floral grouping (FIGS. 5 and 6) or a decorative cover for a flower pot (FIG. 8); or the sheet of material 10 may be employed to provide a sleeve for wrapping or covering a floral grouping (FIGS. 11 and 13) or a flower pot (FIGS. 15 and 16); or the sheet of material 10 may be employed to form a preformed flower pot cover for covering a flower pot (FIGS. 17 and 18). The use of the sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 to form a decorative cover for a floral grouping or a flower pot, to form a sleeve for a floral grouping or a flower pot, or to form a preformed flower pot cover will be described in more complete detail hereinafter.

[0044] As noted above, the sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 containing shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern 28 with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance can be utilized to form a decorative cover for a floral grouping or a flower pot.

[0045] In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 thereon is a square sheet of material. It will be appreciated, however, that the sheet of material 12 having the printed pattern 28 can be of any shape, configuration or size as long as the sheet of material 10 is sufficiently sized and shaped to wrap and encompass a flower pot or a floral grouping. For example, the sheet of material 10 may have a rectangular, round, oval, octagonal or asymmetrical shape. Further, multiple sheets of material 10 may be used in a single circumstance to provide a decorative cover or sleeve for a flower pot or a floral grouping. Moreover, when multiple sheets of material 10 are used in combination, the sheets of material 10 need not be uniform in size or shape. Finally, it will be appreciated that the sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 shown in all embodiments herein is a substantially flat sheet and the ink compositions applied to the sheet of material 10 are of substantially uniform thickness, whereby the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern 28 are produced by the application of different colors of ink to create the visual perception of depth and thus the three dimensional appearance of the printed pattern 28.

[0046] Any thickness or stiffness of the sheet of material 10 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 containing shaded and highlighted areas printed thereon may be wrapped about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping, as described herein. Stiffer sheets of material 10 may be used if such stiffer sheets of material 10 are scored to facilitate folding. The sheet of material 10 preferably has a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. Typically, the sheet of material 10 has a thickness in a range of about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

[0047] The sheet of material 10 is constructed from any suitable wrapping material that is capable of being wrapped about a flower pot or floral grouping. Preferably, the sheet of material 10 is paper (untreated or treated in any manner), cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), cardboard, burlap, or laminations or combinations thereof.

[0048] The sheet of material 10 may also be constructed, in whole or in part, from a cling material. The cling material is constructed and treated if necessary, from polyethylene such as Cling Wrap made by Glad®, First Brands Corporation, Danbury, Conn. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, depend upon the size of sleeve and the size of the flower pot in the sleeve, i.e., generally, a larger flower pot may require a thicker and therefore stronger cling material. The cling material will have a thickness of at least about 0.1 mil, and preferably a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils. However, any thickness of cling material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention which permits the cling material to be printed with ink compositions so as to provide the cling material with a printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which produce a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance to the printed pattern.

[0049] In one embodiment, a sleeve may be constructed from two polypropylene films wherein at least a lower or outer surface of one of the sheets of polypropylene film is provided with a printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern. The sheets of polypropylene film having such printed pattern may be connected together or laminated or may be separate sheets. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve may be constructed from only one sheet of polypropylene film having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas thereon.

[0050] The sheet of material 10 may vary in color. Further, the sheet of material 10 may comprise other decorative patterns or designs in addition to the printed pattern 28 which are printed, etched, and/or embossed thereon. In addition, the sheet of material 10 may have various colorings, coatings, flocking and/or metallic finishes, applied separately or simultaneously or may be characterized totally or partially by pearlescent, opaque, translucent, transparent, tinted, iridescent or the like, qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination. Moreover, each surface of the sheet of material 10 may vary in the combination of such characteristics.

[0051] Referring more specifically to FIG. 3, the sheet of material 10 has a width 30 extending generally between the first side 20 and the second side 22; and a length 32 extending generally between the third side 24 and the fourth side 26. The sheet of material 10 is sufficiently sized so that the sheet of material 10 extends over a substantial portion of the floral grouping when the sheet of material 10 has been wrapped about the floral grouping in accordance with the present invention, as described in detail herein. The sheet of material 10 may also be wrapped about a flower pot to substantially wrap and cover the flower pot in accordance with the present invention.

[0052] A plurality of sheets of material 10 may be connected together to form a roll as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,976, the specification of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0053] The wrapping of the sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 thereon about a floral grouping 34 to provide a decorative cover 36 for the floral grouping 34 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3-6. The three dimensional appearance of the printed pattern 28 is produced by application of ink compositions to the sheet of material 10 in such a manner that the printed pattern 28 is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern 28 with a perception of depth. The sheet of material 12 (which may optionally have the strip of bonding material 27 disposed upon the upper surface 14, the lower surface 16 or both, such as the strip of bonding material 27 disposed along at least a portion of the upper surface 14 so as to be disposed substantially adjacent the fourth side 26 of the sheet of material 10 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) is provided, either as an individual sheet or from a pad or roll by any means or other described herein.

[0054] The bonding material 27, if present, may have a backing or release strip (not shown). The backing or release strip may be left applied for a period of time to the bonding material 27 after it is disposed on a surface of the sheet of material 10 prior to its use as a wrapping material, to protect the bonding qualities of the bonding strip. In operation, an operator may dispose the sheet of material 10 on a support surface (not shown); the lower surface 16 of the sheet of material 10 contacting the support surface.

[0055] Referring more specifically to FIG. 3, the floral grouping 34 is placed upon the upper surface 14 of the sheet of material 10 in a diagonal orientation. The floral grouping 34 has an upper bloom or foliage portion 42 and a lower stem portion 44.

[0056] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sheet of material 10 is then wrapped about the floral grouping 34 by the operator, the operator overlapping a portion of the sheet of material 10 over another portion of the sheet of material 10. That is, for example, the operator places the first side 20 of the sheet of material 10 over the floral grouping 34, as shown in FIG. 4. The operator continues to roll the floral grouping 34 and the sheet of material 10 in the direction toward the second side 22 of the sheet of material 10 until the upper surface 14 near second side 22 firmly engages the lower surface 16 of the sheet of material 10, wherein the floral grouping 34 is substantially encompassed by the sheet of material 10, and wherein the bonding material 27 contacts a portion of the overlapped sheet of material 10 to provide the decorative cover 36 which substantially encompasses and surrounds a substantial portion of the floral grouping 34. FIG. 6 shows the floral grouping 34 wrapped in a conical fashion with the bloom end 42 exposed near the open upper end of the decorative cover 36 and the stem end 44 exposed near the lower end of the decorative cover 36.

[0057] In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7, the sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 is utilized to wrap the floral grouping 34. The floral grouping 34 is disposed upon the sheet of material 10 approximately parallel to third side 24 of the sheet of material 10. The sheet of material 10 is then wrapped generally about the stem portion 44 of the floral grouping 34 to a position wherein the third side 24 of the sheet of material 10 generally overlaps the fourth side 26 of the sheet of material 10 in a cylindrical fashion. It should be noted that the sheet of material 10 may be wrapped a plurality of times about the stem portion 44 of the floral grouping 34 before the overlapping of the third side 24 and the fourth side 26 of the sheet of material 10. As before, the portion of the sheet of material 10 near the third side 26 is disposed generally adjacent another portion of the sheet of material 10 and the two adjacent portions then are brought into contact where they may be bondingly engaged, thereby securing the sheet of material 10 generally about the floral grouping 34 so as to provide a decorative cover 36a for the floral grouping 34.

[0058] In another version of the invention, the sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 thereon may be used to wrap a flower pot or pot-type container, as noted above. Shown in FIG. 7 is a flower pot designated by the reference numeral 50 and which has an open upper end 52, a bottom end 54, an outer peripheral surface 56, an inner retaining space 58 within which may be disposed a growing medium. The flower pot 50 may contain a botanical item, such as a plant 60.

[0059] The sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 thereon may be wrapped about the flower pot 50 by any one of numerous methods used to wrap sheets of material about flower pots to form decorative pot covers for flower pots, such as a decorative cover 62 disposed about the flower pot 50 illustrated in FIG. 8. The sheet of material 10 may, for example, be formed by hand about the outer peripheral surface 56 of the flower pot 50 to produce the decorative cover 62. The decorative cover 62 can then be secured about the flower pot 50 by a bonding means or material, such as elastic band 64, so that the open upper end 52 of the flower pot 50 remains substantially uncovered by the decorative cover 62.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 9, a flower pot cover former and band applicator apparatus 66 for forming the sheet of material 10 into the decorative cover 62 for the flower pot 50 is illustrated. The flower pot cover former and band applicator device 66 comprises a band applicator 68 and a flower pot cover former 70. The flower pot cover former and band applicator device 66 has a support platform 72 with an opening 74 formed therein. A band, such as elastic band 64, is disposed circumferentially about the opening 74 in the support platform 72.

[0061] The lower surface 16 of the sheet of material 10 is positioned on an upper surface 76 on the support platform 72 such that the sheet of material 10 is positioned over the opening 74 in the support platform 72. The flower pot 50 is then positioned above the sheet of material 10 and is moved in a direction 78 into the opening 74 of the flower pot cover former and band applicator device 66. As the flower pot 50 is moved into the opening 74, the sheet of material 10 is pressed about the outer peripheral surface 56 of the flower pot 50 thereby forming the decorative cover 62 about the flower pot 50. The decorative cover 62 is then secured about the flower pot 50 by the elastic band 64. The flower pot 50 having the decorative cover 62 secured thereto is then moved in a direction 80 out of the opening 74 in the support platform 72.

[0062] The elastic band 64 can be applied manually or automatically such as by the method shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,599, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The band 64 can be applied as a tie using a method such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,009, the specification of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The sheet of material 10 can be applied automatically about the pot 60, for example, by methods shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,733,521 and 5,291,721, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0063] Instead of securing the decorative cover 62 about the flower pot 50 via the band 64, the decorative cover 62 formed from the sheet of material 10 may be secured to the flower pot 50 by the use of one or more bonding materials. For example, the upper surface 14 of the sheet of material 10 may have a bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof. When the sheet of material 10 is disposed about the flower pot 50, at least a portion of the upper surface 14 of the sheet of material 10 contacts the outer peripheral surface 56 of the flower pot 50 and is thereby bonded and held about the flower pot 50 via the bonding material.

[0064] The bonding material may cover a portion of the upper surface 14 of the sheet of material 10 or the bonding material may entirely cover the upper surface 14 of the sheet of material 10. The bonding material may be disposed on the upper surface 14 of the sheet of material 10 in the form of a strip or in the form of spaced-apart spots. One method for disposing a bonding material on the sheet of material 10 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0065] Description of FIGS. 10-16

[0066] Shown in FIG. 10 is a decorative cover designated therein by the general reference numeral 86 which comprises a flexible bag or sleeve 87 of unitary construction having a printed pattern 28a printed thereon in accordance with the present invention. The sleeve 87 may be used to provide the decorative cover 86 for a floral grouping or a flower pot. The sleeve 87 initially comprises a flexible flat collapsed piece of material which is openable in the form of a tube or sleeve. Such sleeves are well known in the floral industry. Further, in accordance with the present invention, the sleeve 87 has the printed pattern 28a, as previously described herein, printed upon at least a portion thereof. That is, the printed pattern 28a is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which produce a three dimensional appearing pattern due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas in the printed pattern 28a. The sleeve 87 has an upper end 88, a lower end 90 and an outer peripheral surface 92. The sleeve 87 may be tapered outwardly from the lower end 90 toward a larger diameter at its upper end 88. In its flattened state the sleeve 87 generally has an overall trapezoidal or modified trapezoidal shape and when opened is substantially frusto-conical to coniform. It will be appreciated, however, that the sleeve 87 may comprise variations on the aforementioned shapes or may comprise significantly altered shapes such as square or rectangular, wherein the sleeve 87 when opened has a cylindrical form, as long as the sleeve 87 functions in accordance with the present invention in the manner described herein. The sleeve 87 (or any other sleeve disclosed herein) may have an angular or contoured shape.

[0067] The sleeve 87 has an opening 94 at the upper end 88 and may be open at the lower end 90, or closed with a bottom at the lower end 90. The sleeve 87 also has an inner peripheral surface 96 which, when the sleeve 87 is opened, defines and encompasses an inner retaining space 98. When the lower end 90 of the sleeve 87 has a closed lower end 90, a portion of the lower end 90 may be inwardly folded to form one or more gussets (not shown) for allowing the lower portion of the inner retaining space 98 to be expandable, for example, for receiving the circular bottom of a pot or growing medium.

[0068] The sleeve 87 is generally frusto-conically shaped, but the sleeve 87 may be, by way of example but not by way of limitation, cylindrical, frusto-conical, a combination of both frusto-conical and cylindrical, or any other shape, as long as the sleeve 87 functions as described herein as noted above. Further, the sleeve 87 may comprise any shape, whether geometric, non-geometric, asymmetrical and/or fanciful as long as it functions in accordance with the present invention. The sleeve 87 may also be equipped with drain holes (if having a closed bottom) or side ventilation holes (not shown), or can be made from gas permeable or impermeable materials.

[0069] The material from which the sleeve 87 is constructed is the same as previously described above for the sheet of material 10. Such materials used to construct the sleeve 87 are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Any thickness of material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sleeve 87 may be formed as described herein, and as long as the formed sleeve 87 may contain at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping, as described herein. Additionally, an insulating material such as bubble film, preferable as one of two or more layers, can be utilized in order to provide additional protection for the item, such as the floral grouping, contained therein.

[0070] In FIG. 11 the sleeve 87 is illustrated having the printed pattern 28a printed on the outer peripheral surface 92 of the sleeve 87. A floral grouping 100 is disposed within the inner retaining space 98 of the sleeve 87. Generally, an upper or bloom portion 102 of the floral grouping 100 is exposed near the opening 94 of the sleeve 87 and a lower or stem portion 104 of the floral grouping 100 is exposed near the lower end 90 of the sleeve 87. Either end of the sleeve 87 may be closed about the floral grouping 100. Generally, a portion of the sleeve 87 is tightened about a portion of the stem portion 104 of the floral grouping 100 for holding the decorative cover 86 about the floral grouping 100. For example, the sleeve 87 may be held by a tie 106 tied about the sleeve 87 such as is shown in FIG. 11. Other means for binding a sleeve about a floral grouping may be employed such as the bonding means and materials described elsewhere herein.

[0071] Similarly, it may generally be desired to use the sleeve 87 as a decorative cover for a flower pot (not shown). The flower pot will generally contain a botanical item or plant. The flower pot can be deposited into the open sleeve 87 in a manner well known in the art, such as manually wherein the sleeve 87 is opened by hand and the flower pot deposited therein.

[0072] As noted above, a bonding material may be disposed on a portion of the sleeve 87 or any sleeve described herein to assist in holding the sleeve 87 to the flower pot when the flower pot is disposed within the sleeve 87 or to assist in closing the upper end 88 of the sleeve 87 or adhering the sleeve 87 to the flower pot after the flower pot has been disposed therein, as will be discussed in further detail below.

[0073] It will be understood that the bonding material, if present, may be disposed as a strip or block on a surface of the sleeve 87. The bonding material may also be disposed upon either the outer peripheral surface 92 or the inner peripheral surface 96 of the sleeve 87, as well as upon the flower pot. Further, the bonding material may be disposed as spots of bonding material, or in any other geometric, non-geometric, asymmetric, or fanciful form, and in any pattern including covering either the entire inner peripheral surface 96 and/or outer peripheral surface 92 of the sleeve 87 and/or the flower pot. The bonding material may be covered by a cover or release strip which can be removed prior to the use of the sleeve 87 or flower pot. The bonding material can be applied by means known to those of ordinary skill in their art. One method for disposing a bonding material, in this case an adhesive, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0074] As noted above, a bonding material may be disposed on at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface 96 of the sleeve 87 (or any other sleeve described herein), or, alternatively, the bonding material may be disposed on the outer peripheral surface 92 of a flower pot contained within the sleeve 87, while the sleeve 87 may be free of the bonding material. In a further alternative, the bonding material may be disposed both on at least a portion of the flower pot as well as upon at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface 96 of the sleeve 87. In addition, a portion of the bonding material may also be disposed on the outer peripheral surface 92 of the sleeve 87 as well. It will be understood that the bonding material may be disposed in a solid section of bonding material. The bonding material, when present, is disposed on the sleeve 87 and/or flower pot by any means known in the art.

[0075] Certain versions of sleeves described herein may be used in combination with a preformed pot cover. For example, a preformed pot cover may be applied to the pot, then the covered pot wrapped or disposed within a sleeve. Either the cover, the sleeve, or both, may have the printed pattern printed thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced by application of ink compositions to the sheet of material 10 or the sleeve 87 in such a manner that the printed pattern 28 or 28a is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern 28 or 28a with a perception of depth.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 12, a decorative cover 86a is provided which comprises a sleeve 87a having the printed pattern 28a printed thereon. The sleeve 87a is further provided with a cinching tab 108 having a bonding material 110 disposed upon a surface thereof. The cinching tab 108 can be used to gather portions of the sleeve 87a together about the stem portion 104 of the floral grouping 100 as shown in FIG. 13 for holding the sleeve 87a tightly about the floral grouping 100.

[0077] Examples of sleeves which may be used in the practice of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,979, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Equipment and devices for forming sleeves are commercially available, and well known in the art.

[0078] Shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is another embodiment of a decorative cover 86b which comprises a sleeve 87b constructed in accordance with the present invention. The sleeve 87b has a printed pattern 28b printed thereon; and the sleeve 87b has a “detaching” element in predetermined areas for detaching a portion of the sleeve 87b. The sleeve 87b generally initially comprises a flexible flat collapsed piece of material which is openable in the form of a tube or sleeve. The sleeve 87b is constructed of the same material and in the same way as described previously herein and may be described exactly the same as the other sleeves described herein except for the additional elements described herein.

[0079] The sleeve 87b has an upper end 88b, a lower end 90b, and an outer peripheral surface 92b. The sleeve 87b has an opening 94b at the upper end 88b thereof, and the sleeve 87b may be open at the lower end 90b or closed with a bottom at the lower end 90b. In a flattened state, the sleeve 87b has a first side 95a and a second side 95b. The sleeve 87b also has an inner peripheral surface 96b which, when the sleeve 87b is opened, defines and encompasses an inner retaining space 98b as shown in FIG. 15. When the lower end 90b of the sleeve 87b has a closed bottom, a portion of the lower end 90b may be inwardly folded to form one or more gussets (not shown) for permitting a circular bottom of an object, such as a flower pot 111, to be disposed in the inner retaining space 98b of the lower end 90b of the sleeve 87b.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 14 and 15, the sleeve 87b is demarcated into an upper portion 104 and a lower portion 106. The lower portion 106 of the sleeve 87b is generally sized to contain the flower pot 111. The upper portion 104 of the sleeve 87b is sized to substantially surround and encompass a plant 110 contained in the flower pot 111 disposed within the lower portion 106 of the sleeve 87b. The sleeve 87b is demarcated into the upper portion 104 and the lower portion 106 by a detaching element 112 for enabling the detachment of the upper portion 104 of the sleeve 87b from the lower portion 106 of the sleeve 87b. In the present version, the detaching element 112 is a plurality of generally laterally-oriented or alternatingly diagonally-oriented perforations which extend circumferentially across the outer peripheral surface 92b of the sleeve 87b from the first side 95a to the second side 95b.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 and 15, the lower portion 106 of the sleeve 87b further comprises a base portion 114 and a skirt portion 116. The base portion 114 comprises that part of the lower portion 106 which, when the flower pot 111 is placed into the lower portion 106, has an inner peripheral surface which is substantially adjacent to and surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot 111. The skirt portion 116 comprises that part of the lower portion 106 which extends beyond an open upper end of the flower pot 111 and adjacent at least a portion of the plant 110 contained within the flower pot 111 and which is left to freely extend at an angle, inwardly or outwardly, from the base portion 114 when the upper portion of 104 the sleeve 87b is detached from the lower portion 106 of the sleeve 87b by actuation of the detaching element 112.

[0082] In the intact sleeve 87b, the skirt portion 116 comprises an upper peripheral edge congruent with the detaching element 112 which is connected to a lower peripheral edge, also congruent with the detaching element 112, of the upper portion 104 of the sleeve 87b. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the upper peripheral edge of the skirt portion 116 is congruent with a series of alternatingly diagonally-oriented lines of perforations which together form a zig-zag and comprise the detaching element 112. The upper portion 104 of the sleeve 87b may also have an additional detaching element 118 indicated as a plurality of vertical perforations for facilitating removal of the upper portion 104 and which are disposed more or less vertically therein extending between the detaching element 112 of the sleeve 87b.

[0083] The upper portion 104 of the sleeve 87b is thereby separable from the lower portion 106 of the sleeve 87b by tearing the upper portion 104 along both the vertical perforations 118 and the detaching element 112, thereby separating the upper portion 104 from the lower portion 106 of the sleeve 87b. The lower portion 106 of the sleeve 87b remains disposed as the base portion 114 about the flower pot 111 and as the skirt portion 116 about the plant 100 forming a decorative cover 86b as shown in FIG. 16 which substantially surrounds and encompasses the flower pot 111 and the plant 100 contained therein. The printed pattern 28b, which has shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern 28b with a visual perception of depth and thus provides a three dimensional appearance, may be printed upon only the lower portion 106 of the sleeve 87b, for example, the base and skirt portions 114 and 116, while the upper portion 104 is left unprinted or is printed with another design. When the upper portion 104 is detached, the portion containing the printed pattern 28b remains.

[0084] In a general method of use of sleeve 87b as a decorative cover for a flower pot, an operator provides the sleeve 87b and the flower pot 111 having a plant 100 disposed in a growing medium contained within the flower pot 111. The operator then disposes the flower pot 111 having the plant 100 contained therein into the sleeve by opening the sleeve 87b at its upper end 88b and assuring both that the opening 94b therein is in an open condition, and that the inner peripheral surface 96b of the sleeve 87b is somewhat expanded outward as well, as shown in FIG. 15. The operator then manually or automatically disposes the flower pot 111 into the opening 94b in the sleeve 87b, the flower pot 111 being disposed generally through the upper portion 104 of the sleeve 87b into generally the lower portion 106 of the sleeve 87b, the flower pot 111 remaining in the lower portion 106 of the sleeve 87b, permitting the sleeve 87b to substantially surround and tightly encompass the flower pot 111. It will be understood that, alternatively, the sleeve 87b with an extension (not shown) may be utilized, the sleeve 87b being disposed on rods, or wickets and the flower pot 111 then being disposed in the sleeve 87b either before or after the sleeve 87b has been removed from the wickets.

[0085] Embodiments of FIGS. 17-18

[0086] Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, a decorative preformed flower pot cover 122 is illustrated constructed from a sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 thereon. As previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the printed pattern 28 is produced by application of ink to the sheet of material 10 such that the printed pattern 28 is provided with a three dimensional appearance as a result of a perception of depth created by shaded and highlighted areas created in the printed pattern 28.

[0087] The decorative preformed pot cover 122 has an upper end 124, a lower end 126, and an outer peripheral surface 128. An opening 130 intersects the upper end 124, forming an inner peripheral surface 132 which defines and encompasses a retaining space within which the flower pot 111 containing the floral grouping or plant 100 may be disposed in a manner well known in the art and which is shown in FIG. 18.

[0088] The decorative preformed flower pot cover 122 may be constructed of a single sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 printed thereon substantially as shown in FIG. 19, or a plurality of layers of the same and/or different types of material may be employed in the formation of the decorative preformed flower pot cover 122. The thickness of the sheet of material 10 may vary widely and any thickness of the sheet of material 10 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention so longs as the sheet of material 10 is formable into the decorative preformed flower pot cover 122 as described herein. When the sheet of material 10 is constructed of a plurality of layers of material, each layer of material may be connected to an adjacent layer of material via a bonding material.

[0089] Referring now to FIG. 19, the decorative preformed flower pot cover 122 may be formed using a conventional mold system 140 comprising a male mold 142 and a female mold 144 having a mold cavity 146 for matingly receiving the male mold 142. The sheet of material 10 having the printed pattern 28 printed thereon is positioned between the male and female molds 142 and 144, respectively. Movement of the male mold 142 in the direction 148 and into the mold cavity 146 forces the sheet of material 10 to be disposed about the portion of the male mold 142 disposed in the mold cavity 146 of the female mold 146 and thereby forms the sheet of material 10 into the preformed decorative flower pot cover 122

[0090] (FIG. 18)

[0091] Methods for forming such preformed decorative pot covers are well known in the art. Two methods of forming such covers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,773,182 and 5,291,721, each of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0092] Further, in accordance with the present invention, the preformed flower pot cover 122 is constructed from the same materials described hereinabove, may have a bonding means or material disposed upon a portion thereof, and has printed upon at least a portion thereof the printed pattern 28 described in detail above.

[0093] Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various components, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for providing a decorative cover about a floral grouping, comprising:

providing a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and high-lighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance;

providing a floral grouping having a bloom end and a stem end; and

wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon about the floral grouping to provide the decorative cover for the floral grouping.

2. The method of

claim 1 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

3. The method of

claim 1 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

4. The method of

claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof.

5. The method of

claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further characterized as having bonding means disposed on at least a portion thereof for bondingly holding the decorative cover produced from the sheet of material about the floral grouping.

6. The method of

claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as having a portion which is selectively detachable.

7. A method for packaging a floral grouping comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and a printed pattern on at least the lower surface, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern;

providing a floral grouping having an upper end consisting of a flower end and a lower end consisting of a stem portion;

placing the floral grouping on the upper surface of sheet of material; and

wrapping the sheet of material about the floral grouping to provide a decorative cover for the floral grouping wherein the printed pattern provides a visual perception of depth and thereby provides a decorative cover having a three dimensional effect, the decorative cover substantially encompassing and surrounding a substantial portion of the floral grouping.

8. The method of

claim 7 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

9. The method of

claim 7 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

10. The method of

claim 7 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof.

11. The method of

claim 7 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further characterized as having bonding means disposed on at least a portion thereof for bondingly holding the decorative cover produced from the sheet of material about the floral grouping.

12. The method of

claim 7 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as having a portion which is selectively detachable.

13. A method for packaging an item, comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having a first side and a second side, a first end and a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface, the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the pattern is produced by application of ink compositions to the sheet of material so as to provide shaded and highlighted areas in the printed pattern and thereby provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern;

providing a floral grouping having an upper end consisting of a flower end and a lower end consisting of a stem portion having a stem end, the floral grouping comprising the item;

placing the floral grouping on the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon;

wrapping the sheet of material about the floral grouping with the first side of the sheet of material overlapping portions of the sheet of material so that the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon substantially encompasses and surrounds a substantial portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping, the sheet of material wrapped about the floral grouping forming a conically shaped decorative cover having the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern and the decorative cover further having an opening extending through a lower end thereof and an opening extending through the upper end thereof with the stem end of the floral grouping extending through the opening in the lower end of the decorative cover and the flower end of the floral grouping being exposed near the opening in the upper end of the decorative cover.

14. The method of

claim 13 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof.

15. The method of

claim 14 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

16. The method of

claim 14 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

17. The method of

claim 15 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further characterized as having bonding means disposed on at least a portion thereof for bondingly holding the decorative cover produced from the sheet of material about the floral grouping.

18. The method of

claim 17 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as having a portion which is selectively detachable.

19. A method for packaging an item comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having a first side and a second side, a first end and a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface, the sheet of material having printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern has a visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas in the printed pattern produced by application of ink compositions to the sheet of material;

providing a floral grouping having an flower end and a stem portion, the stem portion having a lower stem end, the floral grouping comprising the item;

placing the floral grouping on the sheet of material;

wrapping the sheet of material having the three-dimensional printed pattern thereon about the floral grouping with the first side of the sheet of material overlapping portions of the sheet of material so that the sheet of material substantially encompasses and surrounds a substantial portion of the flower end of the floral grouping and a substantial portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping, the sheet of material being tightly wrapped about the stem portion of the floral grouping, the sheet of material wrapped about the floral grouping forming a conically shaped decorative cover having at least a portion of the printed pattern having a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the decorative cover further having an opening extending through a lower end thereof and an opening extending through the upper end thereof with the lower stem end of the stem portion of the floral grouping extending through the opening in the lower end of the decorative cover and the flower end of the floral grouping being exposed near the opening in the upper end of the decorative cover, the upper end of the decorative cover being loosely wrapped about the flower end of the floral grouping.

20. The method of

claim 19 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

21. The method of

claim 20 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof.

22. The method of

claim 19 wherein the step of providing the sheet of materials is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

23. A method for packaging an item comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having a first end and a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface, the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon having a three dimensional appearance due to a visual perception of depth created by shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern produced by application of a plurality of colored ink compositions to the sheet of material;

providing a floral grouping having an upper end consisting of a flower end and a lower end consisting of a stem portion, the floral grouping comprising the item;

placing the floral grouping on the sheet of material;

wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon about the floral grouping with a portion of the sheet of material overlapping other portions of the sheet of material so that the sheet of material substantially encompasses and surrounds a substantial portion of the flower end and a substantial portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping, the sheet of material being tightly wrapped about the stem portion of the floral grouping and the sheet of material being loosely wrapped about the floral grouping so as to form a conically shaped decorative cover having the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the decorative cover further having an opening extending through a lower end thereof and an opening extending through the upper end thereof with a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping extending through the opening in the lower end of the conical shaped decorative cover and the flower end of the floral grouping being exposed near the opening in the upper end of the conical shaped decorative cover.

24. The method of

claim 23 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

25. The method of

claim 23 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

26. The method of

claim 24 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further characterized as having bonding means disposed on at least a portion thereof for bondingly holding the decorative cover produced from the sheet of material about the floral grouping.

27. The method of

claim 26 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof.

28. A method for packaging an item comprising:

providing a sheet of material having a first end, a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface, the sheet of material having a three dimensional appearing printed pattern thereon wherein the three dimensional appearing printed pattern is produced by application of a plurality of different colors of ink to produce shaded and highlighted areas in the printed pattern which create a perception of depth and thus produce the three dimensional appearance to the printed pattern;

providing a floral grouping having a flower end and a stem end, the floral grouping comprising the item; and

wrapping the sheet of material having the three dimensional appearing printed pattern thereon about the floral grouping with a portion of the sheet of material overlapping other portions of the sheet of material generally between the first and the second ends of the sheet of material and with the sheet of material substantially encompassing and surrounding a substantial portion of the stem end of the floral grouping, the sheet of material wrapped about the floral grouping forming a decorative cover having an opening extending through an upper end thereof and the flower end of the floral grouping being exposed near the opening in the upper end thereof.

29. The method of

claim 28 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

30. The method of

claim 28 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

31. The method of

claim 28 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further to include the steps of:

providing a roll of material, the roll of material having a three-dimensional printed pattern thereon wherein the three-dimensional pattern is produced by application of a foamable ink composition to the roll of material;

unrolling material from the roll of material until a predetermined amount of material has been unrolled from the roll of material; and

cutting the unrolled material from the roll of material to provide the sheet of material having the three-dimensional printed pattern thereon.

32. A method for packaging an item comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having a first end and a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface, the sheet of material having a three dimensional appearing printed pattern thereon wherein the three dimensional appearing printed pattern is produced by application of ink compositions to the sheet of material to produce the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a perception of depth and thus the three dimensional appearance to the printed pattern;

providing a floral grouping having a stem end and a flower end, the floral grouping comprising the item; and

wrapping the sheet of material having the three dimensional appearing printed pattern thereon about the floral grouping with a portion of the sheet of material overlapping other portions of the sheet of material whereby there are no loose flaps formed by the sheet of material, and with the sheet of material substantially encompassing and surrounding a substantial portion of the flower end of the floral grouping and a substantial portion of the stem end of the floral grouping, the sheet of material being wrapped about the stem end of the floral grouping and the flower end of the floral grouping so as to form a decorative cover having an opening extending through an upper end thereof with the flower end of the floral grouping being exposed near the opening in the upper end of the decorative cover.

33. The method of

claim 32 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

34. The method of

claim 32 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

35. The method of

claim 32 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further to comprise the steps of:

providing a roll of the material, the roll of material having a three dimensional appearing printed pattern thereon wherein the three dimensional appearing printed pattern is produced by application of ink compositions to the roll of material to produce the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a perception of depth and thus the three dimensional appearance;

unrolling material from the roll of material until a predetermined amount of material has been unrolled from the roll of material; and

cutting the unrolled material from the roll of material to provide the sheet of material having the three dimensional appearing printed pattern thereon.

36. A method for packaging an item comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having a first end and a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface, the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced by application of a plurality of different colored ink compositions to the sheet of material to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to a visual perception of depth created by shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern;

providing a floral grouping having a flower end and a stem end, the floral grouping comprising the item; and

wrapping the sheet of material having a three dimensional appearing pattern printed thereon about the floral grouping with a portion of the sheet of material overlapping other portions of the sheet of material so that the sheet of material substantially encompasses and surrounds a substantial portion of the flower end of the floral grouping and a substantial portion of the stem end of the floral grouping, the sheet of material having a three dimensional appearing pattern printed thereon wrapped about the floral grouping forming a decorative cover having an opening extending through an upper end thereof with the flower end of the floral grouping being exposed near the opening in the upper end of the decorative cover, the upper end of the wrapping being loosely wrapped about the flower end of the floral grouping.

37. The method of

claim 36 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

38. The method of

claim 36 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

39. The method of

claim 36 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further to include the steps of:

providing a roll of the material, the roll of material having a three dimensional appearing printed pattern thereon wherein the three dimensional appearing printed pattern is produced by application of ink compositions to the roll of material to produce the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a perception of depth and thus the three dimensional appearance;

unrolling material from the roll of material until a predetermined amount of material has been unrolled from the roll of material; and

cutting the unrolled material from the roll of material to provide the sheet of material having the three dimensional appearing printed pattern thereon.

40. A method for packaging an item comprising;

providing a sheet of material having a first end and a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface, the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced by application of ink compositions to the sheet of material so as to produce shaded and highlighted areas in the printed pattern and thereby provide the printed pattern with a perception of depth;

providing a floral grouping having a flower end and a stem end, the floral grouping comprising the item; and

wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon about the floral grouping with a portion of the sheet of material overlapping other portions of the sheet of material such that the overlapping portions of the sheet of material extend generally between the first and the second ends of the sheet of material and the sheet of material substantially encompasses and surrounds a substantial portion of the stem end of the floral grouping.

41. A method for packaging an item comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having a first end and a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface, the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced by application of ink composition to the sheet of material, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which provides the printed pattern with a three dimensional effect;

providing a floral grouping having a stem end and a flower end, the floral grouping comprising the item;

placing a floral grouping on the sheet of material; and

wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon about the floral grouping so that the sheet of material substantially encompasses and surrounds a substantial portion of the flower end of the floral grouping and a substantial portion of the stem end of the floral grouping, the sheet of material being tightly wrapped about the stem end of the floral grouping, the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon wrapped about the floral grouping forming a conically shaped decorative cover having an opening extending through an upper end thereof with the flower end of the floral grouping being exposed near the opening in the upper end thereof, the upper end of the decorative cover being loosely wrapped about the flower end of the floral grouping.

42. The method of

claim 41 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

43. The method of

claim 41 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

44. The method of

claim 41 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further to comprise the steps of:

providing a roll of the material, the roll of material having the printed pattern thereon containing shaded and highlighted areas which provides the printed pattern with a three dimensional effect;

unrolling material from the roll of material until a predetermined amount of material has been unrolled from the roll of material; and

cutting the unrolled material from the roll of material to provide the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon containing shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional effect.

45. A method for packaging an item comprising the steps of:

providing a roll of material having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance, the printed pattern being produced by application of ink compositions to the roll of material;

cutting the roll of material to provide a sheet of material sized to be wrapped about a floral grouping, at least a portion of the sheet of material containing the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with the perception of depth and thus the three dimensional appearance;

providing a floral grouping having a flower end and a stem end, the floral grouping comprising the item;

placing the floral grouping on the sheet of material; and

wrapping the sheet of material containing the printed pattern about the floral grouping with a portion of the sheet of material overlapping other portions of the sheet of material so that the sheet of material substantially encompasses and surrounds a substantial portion of the flower end of the floral grouping and a substantial portion of the stem end of the floral grouping, the sheet of material being wrapped about the floral grouping so as to form a conically shaped decorative cover having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas which provide the decorative cover with a printed pattern with the perception of depth and thus the three dimensional appearance, the decorative cover further characterized as having an opening extending through an upper end thereof with the flower end of the floral grouping exposed near the opening in the upper end of the decorative cover and wherein the upper end of the decorative cover is loosely wrapped about the flower end of the floral grouping.

46. The method of

claim 45 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

47. The method of

claim 45 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

48. A method for covering a floral grouping, the floral grouping having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, the sheet of material having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance, the printed pattern being produced by application of ink compositions to at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the sheet of material, the sheet of material being sized to be disposed about at least a portion of the floral grouping;

a sheet extension connected to the first side of the sheet of material and extending a distance therefrom and extending generally along the entire first side of the sheet of material, the sheet extension being sized for encompassing the upper end portion of the floral grouping;

positioning the sheet of material generally about the floral grouping;

wrapping the sheet of material about the floral grouping so that the sheet of material provides a decorative cover for the floral grouping, the decorative cover having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance; and

wrapping the sheet extension about the upper end portion of the floral grouping so that portions of the sheet extension overlap whereby the sheet extension substantially encompasses the upper end portion of the floral grouping.

49. The method of

claim 48 defined further to include the step of:

forming a line of perforations generally at the connection between the sheet extension and the first side of the sheet of material, the line of perforations extending generally between the first and second ends of the sheet of material; and

removing the sheet extension from the sheet of material by tearing the sheet extension generally along the line of perforations for exposing the floral grouping previously encompassed by the sheet extension.

50. The method of

claim 49 wherein the sheet of material is defined further as being foldable and bendable whereby the sheet of material can be formed by hand about the floral grouping.

51. The method of

claim 50 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

52. A method for providing a cover for a floral grouping having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having a first side, an opposed second side, an upper surface, a lower surface and a sheet extension extending from the first side of the sheet of material, the sheet of material having a printed pattern on at least a portion of at least one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the printed pattern having an appearance of a three dimensional pattern, the printed pattern being produced by application of ink compositions to the sheet of material such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a perception of depth and thus the three dimensional appearance;

providing the floral grouping having an upper end portion and a lower end portion;

wrapping the sheet of material about the lower end portion of the floral grouping such that portions of the sheet of material overlap and substantially encompass the lower end portion of the floral grouping and thereby provide a cover having the printed pattern thereon extending about the lower end portion of the floral grouping; and

wrapping the sheet extension about the upper end portion of the floral grouping such that portions of the sheet extension overlap and substantially encompass the upper end portion of the floral grouping and thereby substantially cover the upper end portion of the floral grouping.

53. A method for wrapping a sheet of material about a flower pot to provide a decorative cover extending about the flower pot, comprising:

providing a flower pot having an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end, the flower pot defining a floral containing space formed therein;

providing a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which produce a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern;

wrapping the sheet of material having the pattern printed thereon about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot such that the open upper end of the flower pot remains substantially uncovered to provide a decorative cover for the flower pot.

54. The method of

claim 53 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

55. The method of

claim 53 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

56. The method of

claim 53 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as being constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof.

57. The method of

claim 53 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material, the sheet of material is further characterized as having bonding means disposed on at least a portion thereof for bondingly holding the decorative cover produced from the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon about the flower pot.

58. The method of

claim 53 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having the printed thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as having a portion which is selectively detachable.

59. A method for covering a flower pot containing a floral grouping wherein the flower pot has an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end and a floral containing space formed in a portion thereof, the floral grouping having an upper end portion and a lower end portion with the lower end portion of the floral grouping being disposed through the open upper end of the flower pot and into the floral containing space and the floral grouping extending through the open upper end of the flower pot a distance outwardly from the flower pot, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and a printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern;

positioning the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon generally near the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot; and

wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so that the inner surface of the sheet of material is disposed substantially adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot whereby the sheet of material provides a decorative cover having a three dimensional appearance for the flower pot.

60. A method for covering a flower pot containing a floral grouping wherein the flower pot has an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end and a floral containing space formed in a portion thereof, the floral grouping having an upper end portion and a lower end portion with the lower end portion of the floral grouping being disposed through the open upper end of the flower pot and into the floral containing space and the floral grouping extending through the open upper end of the flower pot a distance outwardly from the flower pot, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, the sheet of material having a printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the sheet of material sized to be disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and having a sheet extension connected to the first side of the sheet of material so as to extend a distance outwardly from the first side of the sheet of material, the sheet extension being sized for encompassing the upper end portion of the floral grouping;

positioning the sheet of material having the printed pattern with the three dimensional appearance generally near the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot with the upper surface thereof being positioned generally adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot;

wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern with the three dimensional appearance about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so that the sheet of material provides a decorative cover for the flower pot; and

wrapping the sheet extension about the upper end portion of the floral grouping extending from the upper end of the flower pot so that portions of the sheet extension overlap whereby the sheet extension substantially covers and encompasses the upper end portion of the floral grouping extending above the upper end of the flower pot.

61. The method of

claim 60 defined further to include the step of:

forming a line of perforations generally at the connection of the sheet extension to the first side of the sheet of material; and

removing the sheet extension from the sheet of material having the printed pattern with the three dimensional appearance by tearing the sheet extension generally along the line of perforations for exposing the floral grouping previously encompassed by the sheet extension.

62. The method of

claim 60 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof wherein the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the sheet of material is defined further as being foldable and bendable whereby the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon can be formed by hand about the flower pot.

63. The method of

claim 60 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof wherein the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, is defined further as having a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

64. The method of

claim 63 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof wherein the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the sheet of material is defined further as being foldable and bendable whereby the sheet of material having the three-dimensional pattern printed thereon can be formed by hand about the flower pot.

65. The method of

claim 60 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof wherein the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the sheet of material is defined further as having a thickness in a range from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

66. A method for wrapping a sheet of material about a flower pot to provide a decorative cover extending about the flower pot, comprising:

providing a flower pot having an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end, the flower pot defining a floral containing space formed therein;

providing a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern;

wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot such that the open upper end of the flower pot remains substantially uncovered to provide a decorative cover for the flower pot.

67. The method of

claim 66 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

68. The method of

claim 66 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

69. The method of

claim 66 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof.

70. The method of

claim 66 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further characterized as having bonding means disposed on at least a portion thereof for bondingly holding the decorative cover produced from the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon about the flower pot.

71. The method of

claim 66 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as having a portion which is selectively detachable.

72. A method for covering a flower pot containing a floral grouping wherein the flower pot has an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end and a floral containing space formed in a portion thereof, the floral grouping having an upper end portion and a lower end portion with the lower end portion of the floral grouping being disposed through the open upper end of the flower pot and into the floral containing space and the floral grouping extending through the open upper end of the flower pot a distance outwardly from the flower pot, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and a printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the sheet of material being sized to be disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot;

positioning the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon generally near the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot; and

wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so that the inner surface of the sheet of material is disposed substantially adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot whereby the sheet of material provides a decorative cover for the flower pot.

73. A method for covering a flower pot containing a floral grouping wherein the flower pot has an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end and a floral containing space formed in a portion thereof, the floral grouping having an upper end portion and a lower end portion with the lower end portion of the floral grouping being disposed through the open upper end of the flower pot and into the floral containing space and the floral grouping extending through the open upper end of the flower pot a distance outwardly from the flower pot, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end and a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance, the sheet of material being sized to be disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot, the sheet of material having a sheet extension extending outwardly a distance from the first side of the sheet of material, the sheet extension being sized for encompassing the upper end portion of the floral grouping;

positioning the sheet of material having the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance thereon generally near the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot with the upper surface thereof being positioned generally adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot;

wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance thereon about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so that the sheet of material provides a decorative cover for the flower pot; and

wrapping the sheet extension about the upper end portion of the floral grouping extending from the upper end of the flower pot so that the sheet extension substantially covers and encompasses the upper end portion of the floral grouping.

74. The method of

claim 73 defined further to include the step of:

forming perforations between the sheet extension and the first side of the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon; and

removing the sheet extension from the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon by tearing the sheet extension generally along the line of perforations for exposing the floral grouping previously encompassed by the sheet extension.

75. The method of

claim 73 wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is defined further as being foldable and bendable whereby the sheet of material can be formed by hand about the flower pot.

76. The method of

claim 73 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

77. The method of

claim 76 wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is defined further as being foldable and bendable whereby the sheet of material can be formed by hand about the flower pot.

78. The method of

claim 73 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a pattern printed thereon, the sheet of material has a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

79. A method for wrapping a sheet of material about a flower pot to provide a decorative cover extending about the flower pot, comprising:

providing a flower pot having an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end, the flower pot defining a floral containing space formed therein;

providing a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern provides a visual perception of depth resulting from shaded and highlighted areas in the printed pattern;

wrapping the sheet of material having the shaded and highlighted printed pattern thereon about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot such that the open upper end of the flower pot remains substantially uncovered to provide a decorative cover for the flower pot.

80. The method of

claim 79 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

81. The method of

claim 80 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

82. The method of

claim 79 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap and laminations or combinations thereof.

83. The method of

claim 79 wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further characterized as having a bonding material disposed on at least a portion thereof for bondingly holding the decorative cover produced from the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon about the flower pot.

84. The method of

claim 79 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is further defined as having a portion which is selectively detachable.

85. A method for covering a flower pot containing a floral grouping wherein the flower pot has an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end and a floral containing space formed in a portion thereof, the floral grouping having an upper end portion and a lower end portion with the lower end portion of the floral grouping being disposed through the open upper end of the flower pot and into the floral containing space and the floral grouping extending through the open upper end of the flower pot a distance outwardly from the flower pot, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and a printed pattern on at least the lower surface wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance, the sheet of material being sized to be disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot; and

wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so that the inner surface of the sheet of material is disposed substantially adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot whereby the sheet of material provides a decorative cover having a printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance for the flower pot.

86. A method for covering a flower pot containing a floral grouping wherein the flower pot has an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end and a floral containing space formed in a portion thereof, the floral grouping having an upper end portion and a lower end portion with the lower end portion of the floral grouping being disposed through the open upper end of the flower pot and into the floral containing space and the floral grouping extending through the open upper end of the flower pot a distance outwardly from the flower pot, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with the visual perception of depth and thereby creates a printed pattern having a three dimensional appearance, the sheet of material sized to be disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot having a sheet extension extending a distance outwardly therefrom, the sheet extension having a printed pattern thereon and sized to encompass the upper end portion of the floral grouping;

positioning the sheet of material having the printed pattern provided with shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern with the visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance generally near the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot with the upper surface thereof being positioned generally adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot;

wrapping the sheet of material having the printed pattern provided with shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern with the visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so that the sheet of material provides a decorative cover having a three dimensional appearance for the flower pot; and

wrapping the sheet extension having a printed pattern thereon about the upper end portion of the floral grouping extending from the upper end of the flower pot with portions of the sheet extension overlapping so that the sheet extension substantially covers and encompasses the upper end portion of the floral grouping extending above the upper end of the flower pot to provide a decorative protective cover for the upper end portion of the floral grouping.

87. The method of

claim 86 defined further to include the steps of:

forming a line of perforations generally between the sheet extension and the first side of the sheet of material; and

removing the sheet extension having a printed pattern thereon from the sheet of material having the printed pattern provided with shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern on the sheet of material with the visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance by tearing the sheet extension generally along the line of perforations for exposing the floral grouping previously encompassed by the sheet extension.

88. The method of

claim 87 wherein the printed pattern on the sheet extension is provided with shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern on the sheet extension with the visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance.

89. The method of

claim 86 wherein the printed pattern on the sheet extension is provided with shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern on the extension with the visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance.

90. The method of

claim 89 wherein the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon provided with shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern on the sheet of material with the visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance and wherein the sheet extension having the printed pattern thereon provided with shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern on the sheet extension with the visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance are defined further as being foldable and bendable whereby the sheet of material can be formed by hand about the flower pot and the sheet extension can be formed by hand about the upper end portion of the floral grouping extending from the upper end of the flower pot.

91. The method of

claim 86 wherein the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon provided with shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern on the sheet of material with the visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance and wherein the sheet extension having the printed pattern thereon provided with shaded and highlighted areas so as to provide the printed pattern on the sheet extension with the visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance are defined further as being foldable and bendable whereby the sheet of material can be formed by hand about the flower pot and the sheet extension can be formed by hand about the upper end portion of the floral grouping extending from the upper end of the flower pot.

92. The method of

claim 86 wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with the visual perception of depth and thereby creates a printed pattern having a three dimensional appearance, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

93. The method of

claim 86 wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material having a sheet extension and wherein the sheet of material has a printed pattern thereon provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with the visual perception of depth and thereby creates a printed pattern having a three dimensional appearance, the sheet of material and sheet extension are defined further as being foldable and bendable whereby the sheet of material can be formed by hand about the flower pot and the sheet extension can be formed by hand about the upper end portion of the floral grouping extending from the upper end of the flower pot.

94. The method of

claim 93 wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of material having a sheet extension and wherein the sheet of material has a printed pattern thereon provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with the visual perception of depth and thereby creates a printed pattern having a three dimensional appearance, the sheet of material and sheet extension are defined further as having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

95. A method for providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping, comprising:

providing a floral grouping having a bloom portion and a stem portion;

providing a sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which produces a visual perception of depth and thereby provides the printed pattern with a three dimensional effect; and

disposing the floral grouping in the sleeve having the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth whereby the sleeve substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping.

96. The method of

claim 95 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which produces a visual perception of depth and thereby provides the printed pattern with a three dimensional effect, the sleeve is a flexible sleeve having a bonding material thereon and wherein the method further comprises gathering a portion of the sleeve disposed about the stem portion of the floral grouping whereby at least a portion of the bonding material on the sleeve is disposed substantially adjacent at least one other portion of the bonding material for securing the flexible sleeve having the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth about the floral grouping.

97. The method of

claim 96 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which produces a visual perception of depth and thereby provides the printed pattern with a three dimensional effect, the sleeve is further defined as having a first end, a second end, and an outer periphery which forms an outer surface on which the printed pattern having a visual perception of depth is disposed, the sleeve having an opening which intersects both the first and second ends forming an inner surface defined by an inner periphery which forms a retaining space for receiving the floral grouping.

98. The method of

claim 97 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which produces a visual perception of depth and thereby provides the printed pattern with a three dimensional effect, the sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and any combination thereof.

99. The method of

claim 98 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which produces a visual perception of depth and thereby provides the printed pattern with a three dimensional effect, the sleeve is further characterized as having a thickness of from about 0.1 mils to about 30 mils.

100. The method of

claim 95 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which produces a visual perception of depth and thereby provides the printed pattern with a three dimensional effect, the sleeve is further characterized as having a thickness of from about 0.1 mils to about 30 mils.

101. The method of

claim 100 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which produces a visual perception of depth and thereby provides the printed pattern with a three dimensional effect, the sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or any combination thereof.

102. The method of

claim 95 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which produces a visual perception of depth and thereby provides the printed pattern with a three dimensional effect, the sleeve is further characterized as having a thickness of from about 0.5 mils to about 2.5 mils.

103. A method for providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping, comprising:

providing a floral grouping having a bloom portion and a stem portion;

providing a sleeve having a printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern; and

disposing the floral grouping in the sleeve having the three dimensional appearing printed pattern whereby the sleeve substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping.

104. The method of

claim 103 wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the sleeve is a flexible sleeve having a bonding material thereon and wherein the method further comprises gathering a portion of the sleeve disposed about the stem portion whereby at least a portion of the bonding material on the sleeve is disposed substantially adjacent at least one other portion of the bonding material for securing the flexible sleeve having the pattern printed with a three dimensional appearance about the floral grouping.

105. The method of

claim 104 wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the sleeve is further defined as having a first end, a second end, and an outer periphery which forms an outer surface on which the printed pattern having a three dimensional appearance is disposed, the sleeve having an opening which intersects both the first and second ends forming an inner surface defined by an inner periphery which forms a retaining space for receiving the floral grouping.

106. The method of

claim 105 wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the flexible sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or any combination thereof.

107. The method of

claim 106 wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the material from which the flexible sleeve is constructed is further characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

108. The method of

claim 103 wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the material from which the flexible sleeve is constructed is further characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

109. The method of

claim 108 wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the flexible sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or any combination thereof.

110. A method for providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping, comprising:

providing a floral grouping having a bloom portion and a stem portion;

providing a sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of a variety of colors of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance; and

disposing the floral grouping in the sleeve having the three-dimensional appearing pattern printed thereon whereby the sleeve substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping.

111. The method of

claim 110 wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve having a printed patternn thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of a variety of colors of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the sleeve is a flexible sleeve having a bonding material thereon and wherein the method further comprises gathering a portion of the sleeve disposed about the stem portion of the floral grouping whereby at least a portion of the bonding material on the sleeve is disposed substantially adjacent at least one other portion of the bonding material for securing the flexible sleeve having the three-dimensional appearing pattern printed thereon about the floral grouping.

112. The method of

claim 111 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of a variety of colors of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the sleeve is further defined as having a first end, a second end, and an outer periphery which forms an outer surface on which the printed pattern is disposed, the sleeve having an opening which intersects both the first and second ends forming an inner surface defined by an inner periphery which forms a retaining space for receiving the floral grouping.

113. The method of

claim 112 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of a variety of colors of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or any combination thereof.

114. The method of

claim 113 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of a variety of colors of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the material from which the sleeve is constructed is further characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

115. The method of

claim 110 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of a variety of colors of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the material from which the sleeve is constructed is further characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

116. The method of

claim 115 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of a variety of colors of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or any combination thereof.

117. The method of

claim 110 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of a variety of colors of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or any combination thereof.

118. The method of

claim 117 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of a variety of colors of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the material from which the sleeve is constructed is further characterized as having a thickness is the range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

119. A method for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot having a floral grouping disposed therein, comprising:

providing a flower pot having floral grouping disposed therein;

providing a sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance; and

disposing the flower pot in the sleeve having the printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas whereby the sleeve substantially surrounds and encompasses the flower pot with the floral grouping disposed therein.

120. The method of

claim 119 wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve having a printed patternn thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the sleeve is a flexible sleeve having such printed pattern and a bonding material disposed thereon, at least a portion of the bonding material on the flexible sleeve disposed adjacent the flower pot for securing the flexible sleeve about the flower pot.

121. The method of

claim 120 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the flexible sleeve is further defined as having a first end, a second end, and an outer periphery which forms an outer surface on which such printed pattern is disposed, the flexible sleeve having an opening which intersects both the first and second ends forming an inner surface defined by an inner periphery which forms a retaining space for receiving the flower pot containing the floral grouping therein.

122. The method of

claim 121 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern and an bonding material thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the flexible sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or any combination thereof.

123. The method of

claim 122 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern and a bonding material thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the material for constructing the flexible sleeve is further characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

124. The method of

claim 122 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern and a bonding material thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the material for constructing the flexible sleeve is further characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

125. The method of

claim 119 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the material for constructing the sleeve is characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

126. The method of

claim 119 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three dimensional appearance, the material for constructing the sleeve is characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

127. A method for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot having a floral grouping disposed therein, comprising:

providing a flower pot having floral grouping disposed therein;

providing a sleeve having a printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern; and

disposing the flower pot in the sleeve having the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance thereon whereby the sleeve substantially surrounds and encompasses the flower pot with the floral grouping disposed therein.

128. The method of

claim 127 wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the sleeve is a flexible sleeve having a bonding material and such printed pattern thereon, at least a portion of the bonding material on the flexible sleeve disposed adjacent the flower pot for securing the flexible sleeve about the flower pot.

129. The method of

claim 128 wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having a printed pattern and a bonding material thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the flexible sleeve is further defined as having a first end, a second end, and an outer periphery which forms an outer surface on which such printed pattern is disposed, the flexible sleeve having an opening which intersects both the first and second ends forming an inner surface defined by an inner periphery which forms a retaining space for receiving the flower pot containing the floral grouping therein.

130. The method of

claim 129 wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having a printed pattern and a bonding material thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the flexible sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or any combination thereof.

131. The method of

claim 130 wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having a printed pattern and a bonding material thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the material from which the flexible sleeve is constructed is characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

132. The method of

claim 131 wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having a printed pattern and a bonding material thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the material from which the flexible sleeve is constructed is characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

133. The method of

claim 127 wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the material from which the sleeve is constructed is characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

134. The method of

claim 133 wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the material from which the sleeve is constructed is characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

135. A method for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot having a floral grouping disposed therein, comprising:

providing a flower pot having floral grouping disposed therein;

providing a sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth; and

disposing the flower pot in the sleeve having the printed pattern with shaded and highlighted areas whereby the sleeve substantially surrounds and encompasses the flower pot with the floral grouping disposed therein.

136. The method of

claim 135 wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve having a printed patternn thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth, the sleeve is a flexible sleeve having a bonding material and such printed pattern thereon, and wherein at least a portion of the bonding material on the flexible sleeve is disposed adjacent the flower pot for securing the flexible sleeve about the flower pot.

137. The method of

claim 136 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth, the flexible sleeve is further defined as having a first end, a second end, and an outer periphery which forms an outer surface on which the printed pattern is disposed, the flexible sleeve having an opening which intersects both the first and second ends forming an inner surface defined by an inner periphery which forms a retaining space for receiving the flower pot containing the floral grouping therein.

138. The method of

claim 137 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern and a bonding material thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth, the flexible sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or any combination thereof.

139. The method of

claim 138 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern and a bonding material thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth, the material from which the flexible sleeve is constructed is further characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

140. The method of

claim 139 wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve having a printed pattern and a bonding material thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth, the material from which the flexible sleeve is constructed is further characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

141. The method of

claim 135 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve having a printed pattern and a bonding material thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth, the material from which the sleeve is constructed is further characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

142. The method of

claim 141 wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve having a printed pattern and a bonding material thereon wherein the printed pattern is produced on the sleeve by application of ink compositions such that the printed pattern is provided with shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth, the material from which the sleeve is constructed is further characterized as having a thickness in the range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

143. A method for forming a decorative cover about a flower pot, comprising:

providing a flower pot having an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end, the flower pot defining a floral containing space formed therein;

providing at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to a visual depth perception created by the shaded and highlighted areas in the printed pattern;

forming the sheet of material into a preformed pot cover having the printed pattern containing the shaded and highlighted areas, the preformed pot cover comprising a preformed base and a skirt, the preformed base being sized to contain the flower pot and having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and a pot opening formed through the upper end thereof providing access to a pot receiving space, the skirt connected to the upper end of the preformed base so as to extend an distance outwardly from the upper end of the base and terminating with an outer periphery; and

positioning the flower pot in the pot receiving space of the preformed pot cover such that the open upper end of the flower pot remains substantially uncovered and thereby provide the decorative cover about the flower pot.

144. The method of

claim 143 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern has shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to a visual depth perception created by the shaded and highlighted areas in the printed pattern having the printed pattern containing the shaded and highlighted areas, the sheet of material is further defined as having an extension portion connected to the outer periphery of the skirt which is selectively detachable from the skirt.

145. A method for forming a decorative cover about a flower pot wherein the flower pot has an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end and a floral containing space formed in a portion thereof, the floral grouping having an upper end portion and a lower end portion with the lower end portion of the floral grouping being disposed through the open upper end of the flower pot and into the floral containing space and the floral grouping extending through the open upper end of the flower pot a distance outwardly from the flower pot, the method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and a printed pattern on at least the lower surface, the printed pattern being produced by application of a ink compositions to the sheet of material, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which provide a visual perception of depth to the printed pattern;

forming the sheet of material having the printed pattern on at least the lower surface thereof into a preformed pot cover, the preformed pot cover comprising a base sized to contain the flower pot and a skirt, the base having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and a pot opening formed through the upper end thereof so as to provide access to a pot receiving space of the base, the skirt connected to the upper end of the base so as to extend an distance outwardly from the upper end of the base and terminating with an outer periphery; and

positioning the flower pot in the pot receiving space of the base of the preformed pot cover such that the floral grouping extending through the open upper end of the flower pot and a distance outwardly from the flower pot remains substantially uncovered by the preformed pot cover.

146. A preformed flower pot cover disposable about a flower pot, the preformed flower pot cover formed of at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the preformed flower pot cover comprising:

a preformed base having the printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas, the preformed base being sized to contain the flower pot and having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and a pot opening formed through the upper end thereof for providing access to a pot receiving space; and

a skirt connected to the upper end of the preformed base so as to extend an distance outwardly from the upper end of the base and terminating with an outer periphery.

147. The preformed flower pot cover of

claim 146 wherein the skirt is provided with a printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern on the skirt with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern.

148. The preformed flower pot cover of

claim 146 wherein the upper end of the preformed base is disposable above the upper end of the flower pot when the flower pot is disposed in the pot receiving space and wherein the skirt of the preformed flower pot cover is provided with a printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern on the skirt with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern.

149. The preformed flower pot cover of

claim 146 wherein the preformed base is provided with a plurality of overlapping folds.

150. The preformed flower pot cover of

claim 149 wherein at least a portion of the overlapping folds in the preformed base are bondingly connected.

151. A preformed flower pot cover disposable about a flower pot comprising:

a preformed base sized to contain the flower pot and having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and a pot opening formed through the upper end thereof providing access to a pot receiving space forming an inner peripheral surface of the base, the preformed pot cover formed of at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance produced by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern.

152. A plant package, comprising:

a preformed flower pot cover having a printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance due to the visual perception of depth created by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern, the preformed flower pot cover comprising:

a base having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and a pot opening formed through the upper end thereof for providing access to a pot receiving space of the base; and

a skirt extending a distance outwardly from the upper end of the base and terminating with an outer peripheral edge; and

a flower pot disposed in the pot receiving space of the base.

153. The plant package of

claim 152 wherein the base of the preformed flower pot cover is provided with a plurality of overlapping folds.

154. The plant package of

claim 153 wherein at least a portion of the overlapping folds in the base of the preformed flower pot cover are bondingly connected.

155. A preformed pot cover having a printed pattern for covering a pot wherein the preformed pot cover is produced by forming at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon into the preformed pot cover, the printed pattern having a three dimensional appearance resulting from a visual perception of depth created by shaded and highlighted areas in the printed pattern and wherein the preformed pot cover comprises:

a base having an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface, an object opening; and

a skirt extending a distance from the upper end of the base, and wherein the sheet of material has a bonding material on at least a portion thereof, and wherein the forming of the sheet of material into the preformed pot cover having a preformed shape is accomplished by forming the sheet of material into the base and the skirt with the base having a plurality of flattened and overlapping folds which are randomly positioned at various positions with adjacent overlapping portions of at least a portion of the folds being connected via the bonding material and with the skirt having a plurality of overlapping folds which are substantially unconnected, the connected folds in the base cooperating to retain the preformed pot cover in the preformed shape of the preformed pot cover wherein the preformed pot cover is flexible and may be substantially flattened and unflattened to assume the original preformed shape of the preformed pot cover without substantial loss of the preformed shape thereby providing the flexible, yet shape-sustaining nature of the preformed pot cover.

156. The preformed pot cover having a printed pattern for covering a pot of

claim 155 wherein the sheet of material is defined further as being shaped whereby the skirt extends a distance upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of the base of the preformed pot cover.

157. The preformed pot cover having a printed pattern for covering a pot of

claim 156 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is a polymeric film.

158. The preformed pot cover having a printed pattern for covering a pot of

claim 156 wherein, in the step of providing the sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon, the sheet of material is defined as having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

159. A method for forming a decorative cover about a flower pot, comprising:

providing a flower pot having an outer peripheral surface, a lower end and an open upper end, the flower pot defining a floral containing space formed therein;

providing at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern on at least a portion thereof wherein the printed pattern is produced by application of ink to the sheet of material whereby the printed pattern is provided with a three dimensional appearance as a result of a visual perception of depth created by shaded and highlighted areas created in the printed pattern;

forming the sheet of material into a preformed pot cover comprising a preformed base and a skirt provided with the printed pattern having a three dimensional appearance, the preformed base being sized to contain the flower pot and having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and a pot opening formed through the upper end thereof providing access to a pot receiving space, the skirt connected to the upper end of the preformed base so as to extend an distance outwardly from the upper end of the base and terminating with an outer periphery; and

positioning the flower pot in the pot receiving space of the preformed pot cover such that the open upper end of the flower pot remains substantially uncovered and thereby provide the decorative cover about the flower pot.

160. The method for forming a decorative cover about a flower pot of

claim 159 wherein, in the step of providing at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

161. The method for forming a decorative cover about a flower pot of

claim 160 wherein, in the step of providing at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern, the sheet of material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.

162. The method for forming a decorative cover about a flower pot of

claim 160 wherein, in the step of providing at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern, the sheet of material is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof.

163. The method for forming a decorative cover about a flower pot of

claim 160 wherein, in the step of providing at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern, the sheet of material is further defined as having an extension portion connected to the outer periphery of the skirt which is selectively detachable from the skirt.

164. A decorative preformed pot cover for covering a pot made by forming a sheet of material into the pot cover wherein the sheet of material has a printed pattern on at least a portion thereof wherein the printed pattern is produced by application of ink to the sheet of material whereby the printed pattern is provided with a three dimensional appearance as a result of a visual perception of depth created by shaded and highlighted areas created in the printed pattern, the decorative preformed pot cover comprising a base having an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface, an object opening and a skirt extending a distance from the upper end of the base, and wherein the forming of the sheet of material having the printed pattern into the decorative preformed pot cover having a preformed shape is accomplished by forming the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon into the base and the skirt with the base having a plurality of flattened and overlapping folds which are randomly positioned at various positions over the entire outer surface of the base wherein at least some of the overlapping folds are permanently connected and with a majority of the folds extending at various and arbitrary distances and extending at angles to a vertical direction and at angles to a horizontal direction, and with the skirt having a plurality of overlapping folds, the folds in the skirt being left substantially unconnected during the forming of the decorative preformed pot cover, and the connected folds in the base cooperating to provide the flexible, yet shape-sustaining nature of the decorative preformed pot cover and providing the decorative preformed pot cover with a memory of the original preformed shape.

165. The decorative preformed pot cover for covering a pot of

claim 164 wherein the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon is defined further as being formed into the decorative preformed pot cover wherein the skirt of the decorative preformed pot cover extends a distance upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of the base of the decorative preformed pot cover.

166. The decorative preformed pot cover for covering a pot of

claim 165 wherein the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon is defined further as being constructed of a polymeric film.

167. A preformed pot cover for covering a pot made by connecting a first sheet of material to a second sheet of material and forming the sheets of material into the pot cover wherein at least one of the first and second sheets of material has a printed pattern on at least a portion thereof and wherein the printed pattern is produced by application of ink to the sheet of material whereby the printed pattern is provided with a three dimensional appearance as a result of a visual perception of depth created by shaded and highlighted areas created in the printed pattern, the preformed pot cover comprising a base having an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface an object opening, and a skirt extending a distance from the upper end of the base, and wherein the forming of the first and second sheets of material into the preformed pot cover having a preformed shape is accomplished by forming the first and second sheets of material into the base and the skirt of the preformed pot cover, the base of the preformed pot cover having a plurality of flattened and overlapping folds which are randomly positioned at various positions and with adjacent overlapping portions of at least some of the over lapping folds being connected, and the skirt having a plurality of overlapping folds which remain substantially unconnected, the connected folds in the base cooperating to retain the preformed pot cover in the preformed shape so that the preformed pot cover may be substantially flattened and unflattened to assume the original preformed shape of the preformed pot cover without substantial loss of the preformed shape thereby providing the flexible, yet shape-sustaining nature of the preformed pot cover.

168. The preformed pot cover for covering a pot of

claim 167 wherein the forming of the first and second sheets of material into the preformed pot cover is defined further as forming the first and second sheets of material into the preformed pot cover wherein a substantial number of the folds extend at arbitrary angles to a vertical direction and at arbitrary angles to a horizontal direction and extend over different and arbitrary distances.

169. The preformed pot cover for covering a pot of

claim 168 wherein the forming of the first and second sheets of material into the preformed pot cover is defined further as being shaped whereby the skirt of the preformed pot cover extends a distance upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of the base of the preformed pot cover.

170. The preformed pot cover for covering a pot of

claim 168 wherein at least one of the first and second sheets of material is defined further as being constructed of a polymeric film.

171. The preformed pot cover for covering a pot of

claim 168 wherein the first and second sheets of material are defined further as having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

172. A preformed pot cover for covering a pot made by forming at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern into the preformed pot cover wherein the printed pattern is provided with a three dimensional appearance as a result of a visual perception of depth created by shaded and highlighted areas in the printed pattern, the preformed pot cover comprising a base having an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface, an object opening, and a skirt extending a distance from the upper end of the base, and wherein the sheet of material has adhesive means on at least a portion thereof, and wherein the forming of the sheet of material having the printed pattern thereon into the preformed pot cover having a preformed shape is accomplished by forming the sheet of material into the base and the skirt with the base having a plurality of flattened and overlapping folds which are randomly positioned at various positions with adjacent portions of at least some of the overlapping folds being permanently fixed and with the skirt having a plurality of overlapping folds which are substantially unconnected during the forming of the preformed pot cover, and the overlapping fixed folds in the base of the preformed pot cover cooperating to retain the preformed pot cover in the preformed shape of the preformed pot cover wherein the preformed pot cover is flexible and may be substantially flattened and unflattened to assume the original preformed shape of the preformed pot cover without substantial loss of the preformed shape thereby providing the flexible, yet shape-sustaining characteristics of the preformed pot cover.

173. The preformed pot cover for covering a pot made by forming at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern into the preformed pot cover of

claim 172 wherein the sheet of material is defined further as being shaped so that the skirt of the preformed pot cover extends a distance upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of the base of the preformed pot cover.

174. The preformed pot cover for covering a pot made by forming at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern into the preformed pot cover of

claim 172 wherein the skirt is defined further as comprising at least one flared petal like portion with a substantially pointed end.

175. The preformed pot cover for covering a pot made by forming at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern into the preformed pot cover of

claim 172 wherein the skirt is defined further as comprising four flared petal like portions with each flared petal like portion having a substantially pointed end.

176. The preformed pot cover for covering a pot made by forming at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern into the preformed pot cover of

claim 175 wherein the sheet of material as defined further as being constructed of a polymeric film.

177. The preformed pot cover for covering a pot made by forming at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern into the preformed pot cover of

claim 176 wherein the sheet of material is defined further as having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

178. The preformed pot cover for covering a pot made by forming at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern into the preformed pot cover of

claim 172 wherein the sheet of material as defined further as being constructed of a polymeric film.

179. The preformed pot cover for covering a pot made by forming at least one sheet of material having a printed pattern into the preformed pot cover of

claim 172 wherein the sheet of material is defined further as having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.

180. A sheet of material formable into a decorative cover extending about at least a portion of a floral grouping or a flower pot wherein the sheet of material contains a printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thereby a three-dimensional appearance.

181. A decorative sleeve extending about at least a portion of a floral grouping or a flower pot wherein the decorative sleeve contains a printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thereby a three-dimensional appearance.

182. A preformed pot cover formed from a sheet of material having a printed pattern containing shaded and highlighted areas which produce a visual perception of depth and thereby provides the printed pattern with a three-dimensional appearance.

183. A decorative cover for a floral grouping or flower pot formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional appearing printed pattern, the three-dimensional printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus the three-dimensional appearing printed pattern.