Decorative basket assembly and method for producing same

Abstract

A decorative basket assembly is produced by wrapping a wrapping material about an outer periphery of a basket. The basket wrapping material forms both a bow and a closure in a sheet of material about the basket. Methods of wrapping a basket with a basket wrapping material which forms both a bow and a closure are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/729,166, filed Dec. 4, 2000, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/588,961, filed Jan. 19, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,445, issued Dec. 5, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/958,666, filed Oct. 8, 1992.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention generally relates to basket wrapping materials and, more importantly, to decorative basket assemblies produced from wrapping materials having at least a portion of an adhesive and/or cohesive thereon, and methods of producing such decorative basket assemblies.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] Various methods of wrapping baskets have been provided over the years. None, however, have been provided which provide a sheet of material which simultaneously wraps a basket, provides a closure to the wrapping and provides a basket assembly having a decorative bow at the top of the wrapping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] There is a need for a basket wrapping material which simultaneously wraps a basket, provides a closure to the wrapping, and also provides a decorative basket assembly having a decorative bow, formed from the sheet of material. The present invention provides a basket wrapping material which forms a bow in a wrapping wrapped about a basket to provide a decorative basket assembly. The present basket wrapping material is a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery. The sheet of material is constructed of a flexible material. The sheet of material has a plurality of bonding materials disposed on at least one surface. The plurality of bonding materials are utilized to form both a bow and a closure in the sheet of material, when the sheet of material is wrapped about an outer periphery of a basket. When wrapped about a basket, the outer periphery of the sheet of material extends above the basket, thereby forming a wrapping. When one of the plurality of bonding materials is connected to another of the plurality of bonding materials adjacent thereto, an open loop in the outer periphery of the sheet of material is created. Both a bow and a closure in the sheet of material are formed when each of the plurality of adjacent bonding materials is connected together, creating a plurality of open loops in the outer periphery of the sheet of material. The plurality of open loops form both a bow above the wrapping and a closure of the sheet of material about the basket.

[0007] The basket wrapping material may be made from polymeric film, fabric, cloth, fiber, paper, burlap, cellulose, foil or combinations thereof. The basket wrapping material may be formed from a sheet of material having a thickness in a range of about 0.2 mil to about 10 mils. The basket wrapping material may also be formed from a sheet of material having a thickness in a range of about 0.5 mil to about 3.5 mils. The basket wrapping material may have a bonding material which comprises a plurality of adhesive spots which extend about the outer periphery of the sheet of material. The basket wrapping material may, alternatively, have a bonding material which comprises a plurality of cohesive spots which extend about the outer periphery of the sheet of material. The basket wrapping material is a sheet of material which may further comprise a bag, or, alternatively, a sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet of the basket wrapping material of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 1A is an exaggerated cross-sectional partial view of the sheet of basket wrapping material of FIG. 1 taken along the line 1A-1A thereof.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a basket.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modified sheet of basket wrapping material constructed similar to the material of FIGS. 1-1A, but showing a release strip partially connected thereto.

[0012] FIG. 4 is perspective view showing one method of disposing a basket on a sheet of basket wrapping material.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the basket and sheet of basket wrapping material of FIG. 4, showing the basket partially wrapped.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a decorative basket assembly wherein the basket is wrapped with the sheet of basket wrapping material of FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another modified sheet of basket wrapping material.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified basket.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another modified sheet of basket wrapping material.

[0018] FIG. 10 is an exaggerated cross-sectional partial view of the modified sheet of basket wrapping material of FIG. 9 taken along the line 10-10 thereof.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pad of sheets of basket wrapping material.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of basket wrapping material of FIG. 11, showing a sheet of basket wrapping material partially connected to the pad of sheets of material.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of basket wrapping material of FIGS. 11 and 12, showing a sheet of material substantially disconnected from the pad of sheets of basket wrapping material.

[0022] FIG. 14 is perspective view of a continuous roll of basket wrapping material disposed in a dispenser.

[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the sheet of basket wrapping material of FIGS. 1-1A, formed into a roll of material comprising a single sheet of material.

[0024] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of still another modified basket and sheet of basket wrapping material, showing a basket disposed on the sheet of basket wrapping material.

[0025] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a sheet of modified basket wrapping material made in accordance with the present invention, showing an area encircled for use in sectional views.

[0026] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a portion of the sheet of modified basket wrapping material of FIG. 17, showing a portion of the plurality of bonding material spots.

[0027] FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the sheet of modified basket wrapping material of FIG. 18, but showing the bonding of a portion of two of a plurality of bonding material spots resulting in the formation of a loop of basket wrapping material.

[0028] FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion of the sheet of modified basket wrapping material of FIG. 19, but showing the bonding of another portion of two of a plurality of bonding material spots resulting in the formation of an additional loop of basket wrapping material.

[0029] FIG. 21 is a top plan view of a decorative basket assembly wherein a basket is wrapped with the modified basket wrapping material of FIG. 17, showing the bow formed from open loops formed in the basket wrapping material.

[0030] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the decorative basket assembly of FIG. 21, showing the formed bow and closure of the sheet of basket wrapping material about the basket.

[0031] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another sheet of modified basket wrapping material made in accordance with the present invention, showing an area encircled for use in sectional views.

[0032] FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the sheet of modified basket wrapping material of FIG. 23, showing a portion of a plurality of bonding material spot pairs.

[0033] FIG. 25 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the sheet of modified basket wrapping material of FIG. 24, but showing the bonding of a portion of two of a plurality of bonding material spot pairs resulting in the formation of a loop of basket wrapping material.

[0034] FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the sheet of the modified basket wrapping material of FIG. 25, but showing the bonding of another portion of two of a plurality of bonding material spot pairs resulting in the formation of an additional loop of basket wrapping material.

[0035] FIG. 27 is a top plan view of a decorative basket assembly wherein a basket is wrapped with the sheet of modified basket wrapping material of FIG. 23, showing the bow formed from loops formed in the basket wrapping material.

[0036] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the decorative basket assembly of FIG. 27, showing the formed bow and closure of the sheet of basket wrapping material about the basket.

[0037] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another sheet of modified basket wrapping material made in accordance with the present invention, showing the sheet of basket wrapping material formed into a bag.

[0038] FIG. 30 is a top plan view of a decorative basket assembly wherein a basket is wrapped with the sheet of modified basket wrapping material of FIG. 29, showing the bow formed from loops formed in the sheet of basket wrapping material.

[0039] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the decorative basket assembly of FIG. 30, showing the formed bow and closure of the sheet of basket wrapping material about the basket.

[0040] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of another sheet of modified basket wrapping material made in accordance with the present invention, showing the sheet of material formed into a sleeve.

[0041] FIG. 33 is a top plan view of a decorative basket assembly wherein a basket is wrapped with the sheet of modified basket wrapping material of FIG. 32, showing the bow formed from loops formed in the sheet of basket wrapping material.

[0042] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the decorative basket assembly of FIG. 33, showing the formed bow and closure of the sheet of basket wrapping material about the basket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of FIGS. 1-6

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, designated generally by the reference numeral 10 is a basket wrapping material which is constructed in accordance with the present invention for wrapping at least a portion of a basket to provide a decorative basket assembly 11 (FIG. 6). The basket wrapping material 10 is used to wrap about the outer surface of the basket. One such basket is shown in FIG. 2, and is generally designated by the numeral 12. The basket 12 has an upper end 14, a lower end 16, and an outer surface 18. An opening 19 is formed in the basket 12, with a portion of the basket opening 19 intersecting the upper end 14 of the basket 12 forming an inner surface 20. The basket opening 19 is sized and shaped for receiving items (not shown). The basket 12, in embodiments illustrated herein, has a handle 21 (FIGS. 2, 4-6) which is attached to the basket near the basket opening 19. It will be appreciated, however, that baskets 12 without handles may be utilized as described herein. Examples of baskets 12 which are used in accordance with the present invention include, but not by way of limitation, fruit baskets, Easter baskets, picnic baskets, flower baskets, and the like. It will be appreciated that other baskets not mentioned herein but known in the art may also be utilized in conjunction with the present invention.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, the basket wrapping material 10 comprises a sheet of material 22. The sheet of material 22 has an upper surface 24, a lower surface 26, and an outer periphery 28.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sheet of material 22 is round. It will be appreciated, however, that any shape or size of sheet of material 22 or any combination of sheets of material 22, may be used to wrap about the outer surface 18 of a basket 12 of any shape or size. For example, a round sheet of material 22 may be used to wrap a square basket 12, or vice versa. Moreover, when multiple sheets of material 22 are used in combination, the sheets of material 22 need not be uniform in size or shape. It will also be appreciated that the basket wrapping material 10 shown in all embodiments herein is substantially flat.

[0046] The basket wrapping material 10 may be made from a variety of materials. Examples of some basket wrapping materials used in accordance with the present invention are polymeric films, fabric, cloth, fiber, paper, cellulose, burlap, foil, or any combination thereof.

[0047] The term “polymeric film” means a man-made polymer such as a polypropylene or a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane. A polymeric film is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil.

[0048] Each sheet of material 22 may vary in color. Further, each sheet of material 22 may include designs which are printed, etched, and/or embossed; in addition, each sheet of material 22 may have various colorings, coatings, flockings and/or metallic finishes, or be characterized totally or partially by neon, pearlescent, translucent, transparent, iridescent, or the like characteristics. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination. Moreover, each upper and lower surface 24 and 26 of the sheet of material 22 may vary in the combination of such characteristics. That is, the upper and/or lower surface 24 and/or 26 of the sheet of material 22, or any portion thereof, may have any of the above-described features, and/or may be clear, tinted, opaque, translucent or tinted transparent.

[0049] The sheet of material 22 may be constructed of a single sheet of material 22 or a plurality of sheets of material 22. Any thickness of the sheet of material 22 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet of material 22 may be disposed about the outer surface 18 of a basket 12 as described herein. Typically, the sheet of material 22 has a thickness in a range of about 0.2 mil to about 10 mils. In one embodiment, the sheet of material 22 is constructed from one sheet of polymeric film having a thickness in a range from about 0.2 mil to about 3.5 mils.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, a plurality of bonding material spots 30 are disposed on the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22 (only one of the plurality of bonding material spots is identified by the numeral 30). While the bonding material spots 30 are shown herein disposed on the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22, it will be appreciated that the bonding material spots 30 may be disposed on the lower surface 26, or the bonding material spots 30 may be disposed both on the upper surface 24 and the lower surface 26 of the sheet of material 22. The boding material spots 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-1A and 3, are an adhesive. Alternatively, the bonding material spots 30 may be a cohesive, as shown in FIG. 7. In addition, the bonding material spots 30 may comprise an adhesive/cohesive combination. That is, some bonding material spots 30 may be adhesive, while other bonding material spots 30 may be cohesive (not shown). The bonding material spots 30 may cover substantially the entire upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22; or, in a further alternative, the bonding material spots 30 may include a second material (as shown in FIGS. 9-10) having at least a portion thereof impregnated with one bonding material spot 30 or a plurality of bonding material spots 30 (i.e., a bonding material comprising an adhesive, a cohesive, or an adhesive/cohesive combination). The bonding material spots 30 may also only be disposed in certain locations on the sheet of material 22. Any material known in the art and commercially available which is capable of retaining one or more bonding material spots 30 disposed thereon and/or incorporated therein may be utilized.

[0051] The bonding material spots 30 impart sufficient adhesion and/or cohesion to permit the sheet of material 22 to be disposed about the outer surface 18 of the basket 12, with the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22 disposed adjacent the outer surface 18 of the basket 12 so that the bonding material spots 30 on the sheet of material 22 contact the outer surface 18 of the basket 12 for adhesively and/or cohesively connecting the sheet of material 22 to the outer surface 18 of the basket 12. That is, the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22 via the bonding material spots 30 thereon connects to the outer surface 18 of the basket 12. The upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22 may alternatively connect to like portions of itself as well, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this manner, a customized fit of the sheet of material 22 to the outer surface 18 of the basket 12 is obtained, even when the sheet of material 22 is shaped and sized differently than the basket 12. It will be appreciated that when the sheet of material 22 is placed about the basket 12, the sheet of material 22 covers substantially the entire outer surface 18 of the basket 12 to provide the decorative basket assembly 11. It will also be appreciated that the bonding material spots 30 illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 are an adhesive.

[0052] The bonding material spots 30 may comprise a plurality of bonding material spots 30 extending over the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22, as shown in FIG. 1. The bonding material spots 30 may comprise one or a plurality of strips , or alternatively, a variety of shapes and designs, which may be geometric (squares, rectangles, triangles, and the like), or fanciful, or abstract and/or asymmetrical (for example, hearts, flowers, slogans, printed letters or numbers, characters), or any combination thereof. It will be appreciated that the bonding material spots 30 may vary, spot-to-spot, with regard to size, shape, and placement on the sheet of material 22.

[0053] The bonding material spots 30 shown in all embodiments herein may be one or a variety of colors. Ink, dye, pigments, or any combination thereof of any color or combination of colors can be mixed with the bonding material spots 30, to create colored bonding material spots 30. It will be appreciated that all bonding material spots 30 described and illustrated herein are substantially flat.

[0054] The bonding material spots 30 are disposed on the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22 by spraying, lacquering, or painting such bonding material thereupon. Alternatively, the bonding material spots 30 may be disposed upon the sheet of material 22 by any method known in the art. The bonding material spots 30 may also be disposed on the basket 12 by any method described and/or shown herein. The bonding materials (adhesive, cohesive, or combinations thereof) described herein are well known in the art and commercially available.

[0055] The bonding material spots 30 provide non-permanent fastening properties to the sheet of material 22, and to the basket 12, permitting the sheet of material 22 to engagingly contact and connect to the basket 12. “Non-permanent fastening properties,” as used herein, means that the bonding material spots 30 permit the sheet of material 22 to engagingly contact and connect to the outer surface 18 of the basket 12, or alternatively, the outer surface of the sheet of material 22. These same non-permanent fastening properties of the bonding material spots 30 permit a firm yet temporary engagement of the sheet of material 22 to the outer surface 18 of the basket 12, or of the sheet of material 22 to itself. Such non-permanent fastening properties also permit the quick and easy removal of the sheet of-material 22 from the basket 12. The bonding material spots 30 have non-permanent fastening properties which provide sufficient strength of engagement to firmly contact and hold the sheet of material 22 to the outer surface 18 of the basket 12, yet these same non-permanent fastening properties also permit the ready release of the sheet of material 22 from the basket 12 when the sheet of material 22 is pulled away therefrom, without causing portions of the sheet of material 22 to remain attached to the basket 12. Such “non-permanent fastening properties” are found in the adhesives, particularly, but not by way of limitation, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and in some cohesives. Adhesives and/or cohesive bonding materials having permanent fastening properties may alternatively be utilized.

[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the bonding material spots 30 on the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22 may be covered with at least one release strip 32. The release strip 32 is used to protect the bonding material spots 30 before the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22 and the bonding material spots 30 thereon are disposed adjacent the outer surface 18 of the basket 12. The release strip 32 has an upper surface 34, a lower surface 36, and an outer periphery 38. The lower surface 36 of the release strip 32 is disposed adjacent the bonding material spots 30 on the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22. It will be appreciated that the release strip 32 is also substantially flat.

[0057] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate one method of use of the present invention. First, a sheet of material 22 and a basket 12, as described in detail above, are provided. The release strip 32 is removed from the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22. Then, the sheet of material 22 is placed on a relatively horizontal surface with the lower surface 26 of the sheet of-material 22 adjacent the horizontal surface. The basket 12 is then placed in the approximate center of the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22.. An operator then spreads and disposes the sheet of material 22 upward, in a general direction U over the outer surface 18 of the basket 12. The bonding material spots 30 on the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22 engagingly contact the outer surface 18 of the basket 12, simultaneously engaging like portions of itself. The connection of one like portion of the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22 to at least one other like portion thereof creates overlapping folds 39, the sheet of material 22 thereby simultaneously contacting and connecting to the outer surface 18 of the basket while conforming to the outer surface 18 of the basket 12. The bonding material spots 30 on the upper surface 24 of the sheet of material 22 engagingly contact the outer surface 18 of the basket 12, thereby connecting the sheet of material 22 to the outer surface 18 of the basket 12. The connections of the sheet of material 22 to like portions thereof, creating overlapping folds 39, and to the outer surface 18 of the basket 12 produce a contoured and customized fit of the sheet of material 22 to the outer surface 18 of the basket 12 and thereby produces the decorative basket assembly 11 (FIG. 6). The operator continues to dispose the sheet of material 22 upward, in the general direction U, continuing to connect the sheet of material 22 to the outer surface 18 of the basket 12 while substantially covering, surrounding and encompassing the outer surface 18 of the basket 12 with the sheet of material 22, and substantially enclosing the basket 12 in the sheet of material 22 by twisting the remaining portions of the sheet of material 22 which extend above the basket 12 together (not shown), or by pressing them together (FIG. 6), or by using a twist tie (not shown), or by any method or means shown and described herein.

[0058] Unless the sheet of material 22 is precisely sized to fit the outer surface 18 of the basket 12, overlapping folds 39 (only one such overlapping fold being designated with a reference numeral and shown in FIG. 6) are formed in the sheet of material 22. The overlapping folds 39 extend at different angles and over different lengths, and permit the sheet of material 22 to conform to the contours of the outer surface 18 of the basket 12 to create a contoured and customized fit of the sheet of material 22 to the basket 12.

Embodiments of FIGS. 7-8

[0059] Shown in FIGS. 7-8 is a sheet of modified basket wrapping material 22a which is similar to the basket wrapping material 10 shown in FIGS. 1-1A, and described in detail previously, except that the sheet of material 22a is square instead of round, and a plurality of bonding material spots 30a on an upper surface 24a of the sheet of material 22a are a cohesive.

[0060] An outer periphery 28a of the sheet of material 22a is comprised of four sides, namely a first side 40, a second side 42, a third side 44, and a fourth side 46. A basket 12a is similar to the one shown and described in detail previously with reference to FIG. 2, except at least one bonding material spot 30aa is disposed on an outer surface 18a of the basket 12a, the bonding material spot 30aa generally conforming to the outer surface 18a and substantially covering the outer surface 18a of the basket 12a. The bonding material spot 30aa comprises a cohesive. The spot 30aa may be disposed on the basket by any method shown or described herein.

[0061] After the bonding material spot 30aa has been disposed on the basket 12a, the basket 12a may be wrapped in the sheet of material 22a. The sheet of material 22a is disposed about the basket 12a by the same method shown in FIGS. 1-6 and previously described herein in detail. It will be appreciated that overlapping folds, similar to the overlapping folds 39 shown in FIG. 6, will be formed in the sheet of material 22a when same is wrapped about the outer surface 18a of the basket 12a. That is, overlapping folds are formed in the sheet of material 22a by one portion of the upper surface 24a sheet of material 22a and the bonding material spots 30a thereon (cohesive) contacting a similar portion thereof, and contacting the outer surface 18a of the basket 12a having the bonding material spot 30aa thereon (which also is a cohesive). The overlapping folds will extend at different angles and over different lengths, and permit the sheet of material 22a to conform to the contours of the outer surface 18a of the basket 12a to create a customized fit of the sheet of material 22a to the basket 12a (not shown).

The Embodiments of FIGS. 9-10

[0062] Illustrated in FIGS. 9-10 is a sheet of modified basket wrapping material 22b which is similar to the sheet of basket wrapping material 22 shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 3-6, and described in detail previously, except that the sheet of material 22b has bonding material spots 30b on an upper surface 24b of the sheet of material 22b which are an adhesive.

[0063] The adhesive is incorporated partially (shown in FIG. 10) or completely (not shown) in the upper surface 24b of the sheet of material 22b during the extrusion process. The extrusion of man-made polymers into film is well-known in the art. Alternatively, the bonding material spots 30b may be fastened to the sheet of material 22b by heat sealing the bonding material spots 30b to the sheet of material 22b, or, the bonding material spots 30b may be capable of connecting and fastening themselves to the sheet of material 22b, due to their composition; that is, the adhesive, the cohesive, or the adhesive/cohesive combination. It will be understood that the bonding material spots 30b may be fastened to the sheet of material 22b, or alternatively, to the basket(not shown), or both (not shown), by any method shown and/or described herein.

[0064] A basket (not shown) may be wrapped in the sheet of material 22b. The sheet of material 22b is disposed about the basket by the same method shown in FIGS. 1-6 and previously described herein in detail.

The Embodiments of FIGS. 11-13

[0065] A further embodiment and method of use are shown in FIGS. 11-13. A basket wrapping material 10c is made in accordance with the embodiments shown and described in FIGS. 1-6 except a plurality of sheets of material 22c are connected together to form a pad 48 of sheets of material 22c. The pad 48 comprises a plurality of sheets of material 22c stacked one on top of the other and positioned so that the periphery 28c of the sheets of material 22c in the pad 48 are generally aligned.

[0066] The pad 48 further includes a top sheet of material 50, which is the uppermost sheet of material 22c in the pad 48, and a next sheet of material 52 disposed immediately thereunder, the other sheets of material 22c being disposed under the next sheet of material 52 in the pad 48. Each sheet of material 22c has bonding material spots 30c disposed thereon, preferably on an upper surface 24c of each sheet of material 22c, which is adjacent to and engagingly contacts the sheet of material 22c just above it in the pad 48 of sheets of material 22c. The bonding material spots 30c on each sheet of material 22c fastens and connects to a portion of another sheet of material 22c for cooperating to connect the sheets of material 22c into the pad 48.

[0067] The top sheet of material 50 in the pad 48 of sheets of material 22c may be removed by lifting the top sheet of material 50 and releasably detaching the top sheet of material 50 from the next sheet of material 52. In this manner, the next sheet of material 52 becomes the new top sheet of material 50 and the sheet of material 22c below the new top sheet of material 50 becomes the new next sheet of material 52.

[0068] A method of use is illustrated by FIGS. 12-13. A plurality of sheets of material 22c in the pad 48, as previously described, are provided. The operator generally grasps the top sheet 50 in the pad 48 of sheets of material 22c near the periphery 28c thereof and lifts the top sheet 50, thereby releasably detaching a portion of the top sheet 50 from the upper surface 24c of the next sheet of material 52, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The operator continues to lift the top sheet 50, and by lifting and releasably pulling the top sheet 50 away from the next sheet of material 52, as shown in FIG. 13, the operator then releasably disconnects the top sheet of material 50 from the next sheet of material 52 disposed under the top sheet of material 50 in the pad 48.

[0069] A basket (not shown) may then be wrapped using the disconnected sheet of material 22c. The sheet of material 22c is disposed about the basket by exactly the same method shown in FIGS. 1-6 and previously described herein in detail.

[0070] It will be appreciated that when the top sheet of material 50 has been releasably disconnected from the pad 48 in the manner just described, the next sheet of material 52, under the top sheet of material 50, then provides a new top sheet of material 50 and the process can be repeated for disconnecting additional sheets of material 22c.

The Embodiment of FIG. 14

[0071] FIG. 14 shows another embodiment and method of use of the present invention. The basket wrapping material 10d is similar to the basket wrapping material 10 shown in FIG. 7 and described in detail previously, except that the basket wrapping material 10d is contained as a roll 54 of sheets of material 22d in a dispenser 56. The plurality of sheets of material 22d in the roll 54 are connected by perforations 57 (the sheet of material 22d shown partially detached and turned upward for illustration purposes only). Alternatively, the roll 54 may simply be formed as a continuous roll of sheets of material 22d without perforations, and the basket wrapping material 10d may be severed into separate sheets of material 22d by a serrated cutting edge (not shown) contained within the dispenser 56, or by a separate cutting element (not shown). Any number of sheets of material 22d may form the roll 54 as long as it is possible to withdraw at least one sheet of material 22d from the roll 54, as described previously.

[0072] Optionally, a release strip (not shown, but like the release strip 32 described previously) may be used to cover an upper surface 24d of the sheet of material 22d. It will be appreciated that the release strip will detach from the roll 54 in the same manner and simultaneously, with the detachment of the sheet of material 22d.

[0073] After being withdrawn and detached from the roll 54, the sheet of material 22d is disposed about a basket (not shown) by the same method previously described herein in detail in connection with FIGS. 1-8.

Embodiment of FIG. 15

[0074] Illustrated in FIG. 15 is a modified basket wrapping material 10e which is constructed similar to the basket wrapping material 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 3-6 and described in detail previously, except that the sheet of material 22e is rolled into a continuous roll 58 of basket wrapping material 10e without a dispenser. In this embodiment, only one sheet of material 22e is included in the roll 58, although a plurality of sheets of material 22e could be included in the roll 58. The rolled sheet of material 22e acts as its own release strip, thereby protecting bonding material spots 30e on the upper surface 24e of the sheet of material 22e.

[0075] In use, the sheet of material 22e is rolled out and disposed about an outer surface of a basket (not shown) by the same method previously described in detail herein.

Embodiment of FIG. 16

[0076] Disclosed in FIG. 16 is a modified basket wrapping material 10f which is constructed similar to the basket wrapping material 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 3-6, and described in detail previously, except that bonding material spots 30f are disposed on an outer surface 18f of a basket 12f. The bonding material spots 30f are an adhesive, and a sheet of material 22f does not include bonding material spots.

[0077] It will be appreciated that the bonding material spots 30f covering the outer surface 18f of the basket 12f may comprise a solid section, or, alternatively, bonding material spots as previously described, or any combination thereof. In the present embodiment, the bonding material spots 30f on the basket 12f are heart-shaped, while on a handle 21f, the bonding material spots 30f are a solid strip. While the bonding material spots 30f are an adhesive, it will be appreciated that the bonding material spots 30f could also include a second material, comprising an adhesive, a cohesive, or an adhesive/cohesive combination, as previously described herein.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 16, the sheet of material 22f is disposed about the basket 12f by the same method shown in FIGS. 4-6, and previously described in detail herein.

[0079] In a further embodiment (not shown), it will also be appreciated that the bonding material spots could also be disposed both on the outer surface of the basket and on the upper surface of the sheet of material. In this embodiment, the sheet of material would be wrapped about the basket by any method previously shown and/or described herein.

The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS. 17-22

[0080] Disclosed in FIGS. 17-22 is a modified basket wrapping material log comprising a sheet of material 22g, which is constructed similar to the basket wrapping material 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6, and described in detail previously, except that a plurality of bonding material spots 30g are disposed in a particular arrangement on an upper surface 24g of the sheet of material 22g. The plurality of bonding material spots 30g are arranged such that the bonding material spots 30g cooperate to provide both a bow 60 at the top of a wrapped basket 12g and a closure of the sheet of material 22g about the basket 12g, substantially as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. Both the bow 60 and the closure are formed when the plurality of bonding-material spots 30g are connected together in the method described below.

[0081] It will be understood that the plurality of bonding material spots 30g disposed on the sheet of material 22g provide one schematic example of forming a combined closure and bow 60. It will also be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art, after viewing the present disclosure, that the plurality of bonding material spots 30g may be arranged in a different manner, and still form the combined and simultaneous bow 60 and closure.

[0082] The sheet of material 22g shown in FIG. 17 and described in detail herein has a plurality of oval-shaped bonding material spots 30g numbering, but not by way of limitation, sixteen oval-shaped bonding material spots 30g, which are disposed on the upper surface 24g of the sheet of material and positioned near and around the outer periphery 28g of the sheet of material 22g in a generally symmetrical manner. FIGS. 18-20 show detailed views of a portion of the upper surface 24g of the sheet of material 22g near a third side 44g of the sheet of material 22g shown in FIG. 17, the detailed view taken from the area encircled. FIG. 19 shows, in part, the beginning of the formation of both the bow 60 and the closure of the sheet of material 22g after the basket 12g has been disposed on the sheet of material 22g and the sheet of material 22g has been wrapped about an outer surface 18g of the basket 12g. FIG. 19 shows one of a plurality of loops 62 which forms both the bow 60 and the closure, while FIG. 20 shows two of the plurality of loops 62.

[0083] In a general method of use, as illustrated in FIGS. 17-22, the sheet of material 22g is provided, and the basket 12g is disposed thereupon (shown above). The sheet of material 22g is gathered about the basket 12g in any method previously shown or described herein. The outer periphery 28g of the sheet of material 22g is extended above basket 12g. Then, the method illustrated in FIGS. 19-22 is performed to provide a decorative basket assembly 11g substantially as shown in FIG. 21 and 22. That is, one-half of each bonding material spot 30g is connected to one-half of the nearest adjacent bonding material spot 30g. For purposes of illustration only, three of the plurality of bonding material spots 30g illustrated in FIGS. 18-20 are numbered as bonding material spots 30g, 30gg and 30gg′, respectively. As shown in FIG. 19, one-half of bonding material spot 30g is bonded to one-half of bonding material spot 30gg to form one of the plurality of open loops 62 (only one loop designated by the numeral 62) which form both the bow 60 and the closure. As illustrated in FIG. 20, one-half of bonding material spot 30gg is then bonded to one-half of bonding material spot 30gg′ to form yet another of the plurality of open loops 62. This process is continued until all of the plurality of bonding material spots 30g are connected together by the method disclosed herein and illustrated in FIGS. 18-22.

[0084] It will be appreciated that a certain amount of crimping may be provided below the bow 60, but it will also be appreciated that the sheet of material 22g will naturally crimp itself somewhat below the bow 60 in providing portions of the sheet of material 22g which tuck inward while other portions of the sheet of material 22g loop outward, providing the plurality of open loops 62 which form the bow 60. Therefore, as shown in this embodiment, but not by way of limitation, there is a bow 60 formed (FIGS. 21 and 22) which comprises a plurality of open loops 62 (sixteen loops in the present embodiment) and a simultaneous closure of the sheet of material 22g about the basket 12g, the closure forming a wrapping 64 about the basket 12g.

[0085] In alternative embodiments, it will be appreciated that a similar closure could be created with fewer bonding material spots 30g, or, alternatively, by skipping every other bonding material spot, to create, for example but not by way of limitation, a bow with eight open loops, or, alteratively, four open loops, or any other number of open loops which form both a bow and a simultaneous closure of the sheet of material 22g about the basket 12g. That is, if only a bonding material spot 30g in each corner of the sheet of material 22g were utilized, along with a bonding material spot 30g disposed in between each corner (a total, for example only, of eight bonding material spots) then, by the method described above, the eight bonding material spots would form both a closure of the sheet of material 22g about the basket 12g and a bow 60 having eight open loops 62. If only the bonding material spots 30g disposed in each corner of the sheet of material 22g were utilized, then by the method described above, the four bonding material spots 30g would form both a closure and a bow 60 having four open loops 62. It will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art that disposing different numbers of bonding material spots 30g and differing the arrangement of the plurality of bonding material spots 30g on the sheet of material 22g will create closures and bows 60 having differing numbers and/or sizes of open loops 62.

The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS. 23-28

[0086] Disclosed in FIGS. 23-28 is a modified basket wrapping material 10h which is constructed similar to the basket wrapping material 10g shown in FIGS. 17-22 and described in detail previously, except that the sheet of material 22h is round, and a plurality of bonding material spots 30h disposed thereon are disposed about and near a round outer periphery 28h of the sheet of material 22h in a more asymmetrical pattern than that described above and shown in FIGS. 17-22, the plurality of bonding material spots 30h being each a pair of bonding material spots 30h. The present embodiment and method also provides a combined method of forming a bow 60h and a method of closure when the sheet of material 22h is wrapped about a basket 12h to form a wrapping 64h (FIGS. 27 and 28). The wrapping 64 and the basket 12h provide a decorative basket assembly 11h.

[0087] The sheet of material 22h shown in FIGS. 23-26, and described in detail herein has a plurality of the bonding material spots 30h (each spot 30h designating the pair of spots 30h) disposed on an upper surface 24h of the sheet of material 22h and positioned about and near the outer periphery 28h of the sheet of material 22h in a more asymmetrical pattern than that described above and shown in FIGS. 17-22. FIGS. 24-26 are detailed views of a portion of the upper surface 24h of the sheet of material 22h near the outer periphery 28h, taken from the area encircled in FIG. 23. FIG. 25 shows, in part, the beginning of the formation of both a bow 60h and the closure of the sheet of material 22h which is after a basket 12h (FIGS. 27 and 28) has been disposed on the sheet of material 22h and the sheet of material 22h has been wrapped about an outer surface 18h of the basket 12h. FIG. 25 shows one of a plurality of loops 62h which forms both the bow 60 and the closure, while FIG. 26 shows two of the plurality of loops 62h.

[0088] In a general method of use, as illustrated in FIGS. 24-28, the sheet of material 22h is provided, and the basket 12h is disposed thereupon (shown above). The sheet of material 22h is gathered about the basket 12h in any method previously shown or described herein. The outer periphery 28h of the sheet of material 22h is extended above the basket 12h. Then, the method illustrated in FIGS. 25-28 is begun. That is, one bonding material spot 30h of the pair of bonding material spots 30h is connected to the nearest bonding material spot 30h of the nearest adjacent pair of bonding material spots 30h. For purposes of illustration only, three of the plurality of bonding material spot pairs 30h illustrated in FIGS. 24-26 are numbered as bonding material spot pairs 30h, 30hh and 30hh′, respectively. As shown in FIG. 25, the right spot of the bonding material spot pair 30h is bonded to the left spot of the bonding material spot pair 30hh to form one of the plurality of loops 62h (only one loop designated by the numeral 62h) which form both the bow 60h and the closure. As illustrated in FIG. 26, the right spot of the bonding material spot pair 30hh is bonded to the left spot of the bonding material spot pair 30hh′ to form another of the plurality of loops 62h. This process is continued until all of the plurality of bonding material spots 30h are connected together by the method disclosed herein and illustrated in FIGS. 24-28.

[0089] It will be appreciated that a certain amount of crimping may be provided below the bow 60h, but it will also be appreciated that the sheet of material 22h will naturally crimp itself somewhat below the bow 60h in providing portions of the sheet of material 22h which tuck inward while other portions of the sheet of material 22h loop outward, providing the plurality of loops 62h which form the bow 60h. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, a bow 60h is formed which comprises a plurality of open loops 62h (sixteen loops in the present embodiment) and a simultaneous closure of the sheet of material 22h about the basket 12h, the closure-forming a wrapping 64h about the basket 12h and thus a decorative basket assembly 11h.

[0090] It will further be appreciated that, in another alternative, rather than the bonding material spot pairs 30h, there may instead be a provided an alternative bonding material spot pair 30h wherein one in the pair of spots comprises a bonding material, and wherein the other in the pair of spots comprises only a designation, such as, but not by way of limitation, a circle or spot printed on the sheet of material 22h, the circle or spot providing a designation as to where the adjacent bonding material spot of the adjacent bonding material spot pair 30h is to be adhered. This procedure is identical to that described above in detail, and as shown in FIGS. 24-26, except that, rather than adhering bonding material spot-to-bonding material spot, an operator would instead adhere a bonding material spot to a designated circle or marking. In alternative embodiments, it will be appreciated that a similar closure could be created with fewer bonding material spot pairs 30h, or, alternatively, by skipping every other spot, to create, for example but not by way of limitation, a bow with eight open loops, or, alteratively, four open loops, or any other number of open loops which formed both a bow and a simultaneous closure of the sheet of material 22h about the basket 12h. That is, if only a bonding material spot pair 30g in each corner of the sheet of material 22h were utilized, along with a bonding material spot pair 30g disposed in-between each corner (a total, for example only, of eight bonding material spot pairs) then, by the method described above, the eight bonding material spot pairs would form both a closure of the sheet of material 22h about the basket 12h and a bow 60h having eight open loops 62h. If only the bonding material spot pairs 30h disposed in each corner of the sheet of material 22h were utilized, then by the method described above, the four bonding material spot pairs 30h would form both a closure and a bow 60h having four open loops 62h. It will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art that disposing different numbers of bonding material spots 30h and differing the arrangement of the plurality of bonding material spot pairs 30h on the sheet of material 22h will create closures and bows 60h having differing numbers and/or sizes of loops 62h.

The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS. 29-31

[0091] Disclosed in FIGS. 29-31 is a modified basket wrapping material 10i which is similar to the basket wrapping material 10 and the sheet of material-22 described previously, except that a sheet of material 22i is formed into the shape of a bag 70. The bag 70 has an upper end 72, a closed lower end 74 and an outer peripheral surface 76. An opening 77 is formed in the upper end 72, which forms an inner peripheral surface 78 defining a basket retaining space 80. A plurality of bonding material spots 30i, similar to those shown previously in FIGS. 17-22 and described above, are disposed on the inner peripheral surface 78 of the bag 70, the bonding material spots 30i being disposed about and near the opening 77 in the upper end 72 of the bag 70. It will be understood that the bag 70 has all of the characteristics previously described herein for the basket wrapping material 10 and the sheet of material 22. It will also be appreciated that the bag may form any shape, as long as it functions as described herein.

[0092] In a general method of use, as illustrated in FIGS. 29-31, the bag 70 is provided, and a basket 12i is disposed in the basket retaining space 80 (FIGS. 29 and 30) of the bag 70 of the basket wrapping material 10. Once the basket 12i is disposed in the bag 70, the upper end 72 of the bag 70 is gathered together in the same method shown in FIGS. 17-22 and described in detail above to provide a decorative basket assembly 11i. The plurality of bonding material spots 30i are bonded together by the method previously shown and described to form both a bow 60i and a closure of the bag 70.

[0093] Alternative embodiments, as described previously herein, may also be utilized with the bag 70, as can alternative methods of forming the bow 60i and the closure of the bag 70.

The Embodiments and Methods of FIGS. 32-34

[0094] Disclosed in FIGS. 32-34 is a modified basket wrapping material 10j which is similar to the basket material 10 and the sheet of material 22 described previously, except that the basket wrapping material 10j comprises a sheet of material 22j formed into the shape of a sleeve 82. The sleeve 82 has an upper end 84, a lower end 86 and an outer peripheral surface 88. An opening 90 is formed in the upper end 84 and extends through the lower end 86, which forms an inner peripheral surface 92 defining a basket retaining space 94. It will be appreciated that the lower end 86 of the sleeve 82 may also be left closed (not shown), or may be closed before or after a basket 12j is disposed in the basket retaining space 94 to provide a decorative basket assembly 11j (FIGS. 33 and 34).

[0095] A plurality of bonding material spots 30j are disposed on the inner peripheral surface 92 of the sleeve 82 about and near the opening 90 formed in the upper end 84 of the sleeve 82. These plurality of bonding material spots 30i may be disposed in any manner as described above, but for purposes of this embodiment, are shown as similar to the plurality of bonding material spots 30g shown in FIGS. 17-22 and described in detail above.

[0096] It will be understood that the sleeve 82 has all of the characteristics previously described herein for the basket wrapping material 10 and the sheet of material 22. It will also be understood that the sleeve 82 may be formed from one sheet of material 22j wrapped in a cylindrical, frusto-conical or reverse frusto-conical shape, the sheet of material 22j connecting to itself. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that any sleeve may be used as the sleeve 82 as long as the sleeve functions as described herein.

[0097] In one alternative, a sleeve may be formed from a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material (not shown). In this alternative embodiment, the second sheet of material is disposed upon and aligned with the first sheet of material. Then the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material are connected together to form the sleeve, by connecting, for example but not by way of limitation, the first side of the first sheet of material with the first side of the second sheet of material, and by connecting the second side of the first sheet of material with the second side of the second sheet of material, the connection made by the bonding material described herein, by heat sealing, by lacquer, or by any other method known in the art.

[0098] In a general method of use, as illustrated in FIGS. 32-34, the sleeve 82 and the basket 12j are provided. The basket 12j is disposed in the basket retaining space 94 of the sleeve 82. It will be understood that a portion of the sleeve 82 is of a smaller diameter than the outer surface 18j of the basket 12j, so that the basket 12j is frictionally held within the basket retaining space 94 of the sleeve 82. Once the basket 12j is disposed in the basket retaining space 94 of the sleeve 82, the upper end 84 of the sleeve 82 is gathered together in the same method shown in FIGS. 17-22 and described in detail above. The plurality of bonding material spots 30j are bonded together by the method previously shown and described to form both a bow 60j and a closure of the upper end 84 of the sleeve 82.

[0099] Alternative embodiments, as described previously herein, may also be utilized with the sleeve 82, as can alternative methods of forming the bow 60j and the closure of the sleeve 82. It will be appreciated that additional closure means, such as bonding material or other closure means previously described herein, may optionally be added to any of the above described embodiments to assist in closure of the wrapping.

[0100] Changes may be made in the embodiments of the invention described herein, or in parts or elements of the embodiments described herein, or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and/or scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A decorative basket assembly, comprising:

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

and

a basket wrapping material disposed about the outer surface of the basket, the basket wrapping material comprising

a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer edge, and a plurality of spots of adhesive or cohesive bonding material disposed on at least one of the upper or lower surfaces of the sheet of material, whereby adjacent spatially disposed spots of adhesive or cohesive bonding material have been brought into bonding engagement with the outer surface of the basket forming loops in portions of the sheet of material.

2. The decorative basket assembly of claim 1 wherein the loop is an open loop.

3. The decorative basket assembly of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of polymer film, fabric, cloth, fiber, paper, burlap, foil or combinations thereof.

4. The decorative basket assembly of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material has a thickness in a range of from about 0.2 mil to about 10 mils.

5. The decorative basket assembly of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material has a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 3.5 mils.

6. The decorative basket assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of spots of adhesive or cohesive bonding material disposed on the sheet of material comprises a plurality of spots extending about the outer edge of the sheet of material.

7. The decorative basket assembly of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material is a bag.

8. The decorative basket assembly of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material is a sleeve.

9. A method for wrapping a basket, comprising:

providing a basket having an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface, and a basket opening;

providing a sheet of flexible material having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer edge and a plurality of spots of adhesive or cohesive bonding material disposed on at least one of the upper and lower surface of the sheet of material; and

wrapping the sheet of flexible material about the outer surface of the basket whereby adjacent spatially disposed spots of adhesive or cohesive bonding material are brought into bonding engagement with the outer surface of the basket to form loops.

10. The method of wrapping a basket of claim 9 wherein in the step of wrapping the sheet of material about the outer surface of the basket the spatially disposed spots of adhesive or cohesive bonding material are brought into bonding engagement to form open loops.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of flexible material, the sheet of flexible material is a material selected from the group consisting of polymer film, fabric, cloth, fiber, paper, burlap, foil or combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of flexible material, the sheet of flexible material has a thickness in a range of from about 0.2 mil to about 10 mils.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of flexible material, the sheet of flexible material has a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 3.5 mils.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein, in the step of providing a sheet of flexible material, the plurality of spots of adhesive or cohesive bonding material comprises a plurality of spots extending about the outer edge of the sheet of flexible material.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein, in the step of providing a basket wrapping material, the sheet of material is a bag.

16. The cover of claim 9 wherein in the sheet of material is a sleeve.