Floral wrapper with decorative extension and method

Abstract

A wrapper for wrapping a flower pot and/or floral grouping. The wrapper is constructed of a sheet of material having an extension attached to a portion of the sheet of material. Preferably the extension has a lace pattern thereon. When the wrapper is formed about a flower pot to form a decorative cover, upper edges of the sheet of material and extension cooperate to form a skirt portion preferably having at least two separate edges providing a “two-sheet” effect in the decorative cover. The wrapper may have extensions on opposing ends of the sheet of material and may having one or more additional overlapping extensions.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/135,334, filed Apr. 25, 2002, the specification of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This invention generally relates to wrappers used to wrap floral groupings and/or media, or flower pots containing floral groupings and/or media, and methods of using same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a wrapper of the present invention.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the wrapper of FIG. 1.

[0005] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wrapper of FIG. 3.

[0007] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wrapper of FIG. 5.

[0009] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the wrapper of FIG. 7.

[0011] FIG. 9 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the wrapper of FIG. 9.

[0013] FIG. 11 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the wrapper of FIG. 11.

[0015] FIG. 13 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the wrapper of FIG. 13.

[0017] FIG. 15 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the wrapper of FIG. 15.

[0019] FIG. 17 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 18 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the wrapper of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the wrapper of FIG. 18.

[0022] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a potted plant covered by the wrapper of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention is a wrapper for decorating and covering flower pots, flower pots having floral groupings (plants) therein, floral groupings comprising cut flowers, floral groupings disposed in a “non-pot” floral holding material such as a form or fiber block, and non-pot or non-plant items such as gifts, gift boxes, fruit or candy boxes, and other boxed or unboxed items. The wrapper contemplated herein comprises a primary (first) sheet of material having at least one additional sheet of material attached thereto which comprises an extension of the primary sheet of material and which is generally adjacent to an edge of the primary sheet of material. The extension may or may not extend beyond the edge of the primary sheet of material. Preferably the extension has a lace pattern thereon, or the extension may have any other pattern thereon, or may not have a pattern but may instead have a color, texture, or other decorative effect.

[0024] In the present invention, the extension is attached to the primary (first) sheet of material via a continuous seal, or via a seal only having discrete or intermittent connections. When the wrapper is disposed about a potted plant, the decorative cover formed thereby has a decorative skirt or “ruffle” comprised of a portion of the extension and of the outermost peripheral edge of the sheet of material thereby providing a decorative cover which has the appearance of two separate and different decorative sheets of material which comprise the decorative skirt. Previously, in order to achieve this “two-sheet” effect, the user had to use two entire sheets of material, which were either separate or attached. If the sheets of material were separate, the user was required to place a first sheet on a surface then place a second sheet upon the first sheet then shift the second or first sheet about so as to achieve close alignment of the edges of the sheets so as not to diminish the decorative effect of the two sheet cover when the combined two sheets were wrapped about a flower pot or other item. The process was even more difficult and time consuming when three or more sheets were used for obtaining a “three-sheet” (or more) effect.

[0025] The wrapper of the present invention enables the user to obtain the same “two-sheet” effect as obtained by using two entire sheets but without the extra effort of having to align the two sheets and, moreover, without the higher costs incurred when using two entire sheets. Indeed, the user can obtain any “x-sheet” effect (where x is the number of upper edges in the decorative skirt) by having “x−1” extensions added to the first sheet of material. Users of the present invention, which comprises a first sheet of material, and at least one narrower extension attached to and extending from the first sheet of material, not only enjoy increased ease of application, but also enjoy considerable cost savings due to the significantly reduced labor and material costs obtained by employing the narrower extension.

[0026] As noted above, the present invention contemplates in a preferred version a wrapper made of a decorative first sheet of material having a decorative extension attached thereto which may be a material having a lace or lace-like appearance, and which may have a straight or non-linear upper edge and/or a straight or non-linear lower edge. The first sheet of material may further comprise a detachable upper portion which may be sized to surround and encompass the floral grouping disposed within the flower pot. The upper portion when present may be detachable via a detaching element, including but not limited to, perforations, tear strips, weakened areas, or zippers.

[0027] Also, the wrapper may comprise an adhesive or cohesive bonding material disposed on an inner surface thereof for bondingly connecting the wrapper to the pot or for connecting portions of the wrapper together after the wrapper has been disposed about the flower pot. Alternately, a bonding material may be disposed on an outer surface of the wrapper for securing a crimped portion having a plurality of crimped folds formed in the wrapper about the flower pot or floral grouping to secure the wrapper about the pot.

[0028] These embodiments and others of the present invention are now described in more detail below. It will be appreciated that the examples provided herein are not intended to limit the scope and extent of the claimed invention but are only intended to exemplify various embodiments of the invention contemplated herein.

[0029] Shown in FIGS. 1-2 and designated therein by the general reference numeral 10 is a wrapper for wrapping a flower pot or a floral grouping or other items as described elsewhere herein. The wrapper 10 is constructed of a sheet of material 12 (also referred to herein as the first sheet of material) with a first surface 14, a second surface 16, a first edge 18, a second edge 20, a width 21, a first side 22, and a second side 24, and an extension 26 having an upper edge 28, a lower edge 30, a first side 32,a second side 34, and a width 35. The extension 26 is attached to the sheet of material 12 along a seal 36 and preferably is constructed from a sheet material having a lace or lace-like pattern or appearance. The extension 26 is preferably attached or laminated via the seal 36 to portions of the first surface 14 of the sheet of material 12. The extension 26 preferably extends to or beyond the first edge 18 of the sheet of material 12, such as shown in FIG. 1. Further, the extension 26 is preferably attached near the first edge 18 of the sheet of material 12 of the wrapper 10 such that the location of the seal 36 is near or within several inches (within 0 to 6 inches for example) of the first edge 18 of the sheet of material 12. In a preferred embodiment, the extension 26 has a lace or lace-like pattern 38 disposed thereon. It will be understood however by one of ordinary skill in the art that the extension 26 may comprise any other decorative pattern thereon, or may not have a pattern, but may only be differently textured or colored. The width 35 is preferably about 2% to 25% of the width 21.

[0030] The extension 26 is preferably laminated to the sheet of material 12 at the seal 36 via a heat seal or via an adhesive or cohesive seal but it will be understood that the extension 26 can be attached to the sheet of material 12 via any attaching, connecting, or lamination method as described elsewhere herein or as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first edge 28 of extension 26 preferably extends about one-half to four inches from the first edge 18 of sheet of material 12, and the second edge 30 of extension 26 generally extends from one-half to four to six inches on the upper surface 14 of the sheet of material 12 below the first edge 18. Any or all of the portion of the extension 26 which faces and rests against the upper surface 14 may be secured by seal 36 to the sheet of material 12 however preferably the facing portion is only partially connected. The wrappers 10 may be supplied in a stack of individual wrappers, in a pad wherein the wrappers are attached together, or in a roll, wherein individual wrappers 10 are separated from the roll via perforations preplaced into the webbing of the roll, or by separation via a cutting or shearing implement.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, another wrapper embodied in the present invention is designated therein by reference numeral 10a. Wrapper 10a is constructed of a sheet of material 12a with a first surface 14a, a second surface 16a, a first edge 18a, a second edge 20a, a width 21a, a first side 22a, and a second side 24a, and an extension 26a which has an upper edge 28a, a lower edge 30a, a first side 32a, a second side 34a and a width 35a. Preferably the width 35a is from 2% to 25% of the width 21a. The extension 26a is attached to the sheet of material 12a via a seal 36a, and preferably has a pattern 38a thereon. The wrapper 10a is essentially the same as wrapper 10 described previously except the upper edge 28a of extension 26a is non-linear (e.g., curvilinear) rather than straight. Although the upper edge 28a is shown as having a curvilinear non-linear pattern, it will be understood that the upper edge 28a may have any non-linear pattern, such as for example, sine wave, arced, toothed, angular, crenelate, crenulate, scalloped, or may have a combination of a linear and non-linear pattern. In another embodiment (not shown) of wrapper 10a, the lower edge 30a of extension 26a may be non-linear in a manner similar to upper edge 28a of extension 26a. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the invention, the upper edge 28a of wrapper 10a may be straight, such as shown in wrapper 10 of FIG. 1, while only the lower edge 30a of extension 26a is non-linear.

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral 10b is a wrapper for wrapping a flower pot or floral grouping which is essentially similar to wrapper 10 except as described below. The wrapper 10b is constructed of a sheet of material 12b having a first surface 14b, a second surface 16b, a first edge 18b, a second edge 20b, a width 21b, a first side 22b, a second side 24b, a first extension 26b, and a second extension 40b.

[0034] The first extension 26b has a first edge 28b, a second edge 30b, a first side 32b, a second side 34b and a width 35b. The first extension 26b is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12b via a seal 36b, and preferably has a pattern 38b thereon as discussed above regarding wrappers 10-10a. The second extension 40b has a first edge 42b, a second edge 44b, a first side 46b, a second side 48b and a width 49b. The second extension 40b is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12b via a seal 50b and preferably has a pattern 51b thereon as discussed previously. Preferably the width 35b and the width 49b are each from 2% to 25% of width 21b.

[0035] The first extension 26b is attached to the sheet of material 12b in a manner such that the first edge 28b of the first extension 26b extends to or beyond the first edge 18b of the sheet of material 12b and the second extension 40b is attached to the sheet of material 12b such that the first edge 42b of the second extension 40b extends to or beyond the second edge 20b of the sheet of material 12b.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral 10c is a wrapper for wrapping a flower pot or floral grouping which is essentially similar to wrapper 10b except as described below. The wrapper 10c is constructed of a sheet of material 12c having a first surface 14c, a second surface 16c, a first edge 18c, a second edge 20c, a width 21c, a first side 22c, a second side 24c, a first extension 26c, and a second extension 40c.

[0037] The first extension 26c has a first edge 28c, a second edge 30c, a first side 32c, a second side 34c, and a width 35c. The first extension 26c is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12c via a seal 36c, and preferably has a pattern 38c thereon as discussed above regarding wrappers 10-10b. The second extension 40c has a first edge 42c, a second edge 44c, a first side 46c, a second side 48c, and a width 49c. The second extension 40c is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12c via a seal 50c and preferably has a pattern 51c thereon as discussed previously. Preferably the width 35c and width 49c are 2% to 25% of the width 21c.

[0038] The first extension 26c is attached to the sheet of material 12c in a manner such that the first edge 28c of the first extension 26c extends to or beyond the first edge 18c of the sheet of material 12c and the second extension 40c is attached to the sheet of material 12c such that the first edge 42c of the second extension 40c extends to or beyond the second edge 20c of the sheet of material 12c. Wrapper 10c differs from wrapper 10b primarily in that the first edge 28c of first extension 26c and the first edge 42c of the second extension 40c are non-linear (as defined elsewhere herein), rather than straight.

[0039] Also contemplated herein by the present invention are embodiments of a wrapper similar to wrapper 10c having a first extension and a second extension except wherein only one, rather than both, of the extensions has a non-linear edge (not shown).

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral 10d is a wrapper for wrapping a flower pot or floral grouping and which is similar to wrapper 10 except as described below. The wrapper 10d is constructed of a sheet of material 12d having a first surface 14d, a second surface 16d, a first edge 18d, a second edge 20d, a width 21d, a first side 22d, a second side 24d, and an extension 26d.

[0041] The extension 26d has a first edge 28d, a second edge 30d, a first side 32d, a second side 34d, and a width 35d. The extension 26d is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12d via a seal 36d, and preferably has a pattern 38d thereon as discussed above regarding wrappers 10-10c. Width 35d is preferably 2% to 25% of width 21d.

[0042] Wrapper 10d is similar to wrapper 10 except that the first edge 28d of the extension 26d does not extend beyond the first edge 18d of the sheet of material 12d but rather is positioned a distance below the first edge 18d, for example from one-quarter inch to four to six inches below.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 11-12, shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral 10e is a wrapper for wrapping a flower pot or floral grouping, and which is similar to wrapper 10d except as described below. The wrapper 10e is constructed of a sheet of material 12e having a first surface 14e, a second surface 16e, a first edge 18e, a second edge 20e, a width 21e, a first side 22e, a second side 24e, and an extension 26e. The extension 26e has a first edge 28e, a second edge 30e, a first side 32e, a second side 34e, and a width 35e. The extension 26e is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12e via a seal 36e and preferably has a pattern 38e thereon as discussed above regarding wrappers 10-10d. Width 35e is preferably 2% to 25% of width 21e.

[0044] Wrapper 10e is similar to wrapper 10d except that the first edge 28e of the extension 26e is non-linear (as defined elsewhere herein) rather than straight. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the first edge 18e of the sheet 12e is also non-linear.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 13-14, shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral 10f is a wrapper for wrapping a flower pot or floral grouping, the wrapper similar to wrapper 10b except as described below. The wrapper 10f is constructed of a sheet of material 12f having a first surface 14f, a second surface 16f, a first edge 18f, a second edge 20f, a width 21f, a first side 22f, a second side 24f, a first extension 26f, and a second extension 40f.

[0046] The first extension 26f has a first edge 28f, a second edge 30f, a first side 32f, and a second side 34f, and a width 35f. The first extension 26f is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12f via a seal 36f, and preferably has a pattern 38f thereon as discussed above regarding wrappers 10-10e. The second extension 40f has a first edge 42f, a second edge 44f, a first side 46f, a second side 48f, and a width 49p. The second extension 40f is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12f via a seal 50f and preferably has a pattern 51f thereon as discussed previously. The width 35f and width 49f are preferably 2% to 25% of width 21f.

[0047] The first extension 26f is attached to the sheet of material 12f in a manner that is similar to first extension 26b of wrapper 10b except that the first edge 28f of the first extension 26f does not extend beyond the first edge 18f of the sheet of material 12f and the second extension 40f is attached to the sheet of material 12f such that the first edge 42f of the second extension 40f does not extend beyond the second edge 20f of the sheet of material 12f.

[0048] In an alternative embodiment of wrapper 12f, which is not shown herein, either one or both of first edge 18f and second edge 20f of sheet of material 12f may be non-linear. Similarly, either one or both of first side 22f and 24f may be non-linear. Similarly, either or both of second edge 30f of first extension 26f and second edge 44f of second extension 40f may be non-linear in any of the afore-mentioned embodiments.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 15-16, shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral 10g is a wrapper for wrapping a flower pot or floral grouping, which is similar to wrappers 10c or 10f except as described below. The wrapper 10g is constructed of a sheet of material 12g having a first surface 14g, a second surface 16g, a first edge 18g, a second edge 20g, a width 21g, a first side 22g, a second side 24g, a first extension 26g, and a second extension 40g.

[0050] The first extension 26g has a first edge 28g, a second edge 30g, a first side 32g, a second side 34g, and a width 35g. The first extension 26g is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12g via a seal 36g, and preferably has a pattern 38g thereon as discussed above regarding wrappers 10-10f. The second extension 40g has a first edge 42g, a second edge 44g, a first side 46g, a second side 48g, and a width 49g. The second extension 40g is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12g via a seal 50g and preferably has a pattern 51g thereon as discussed previously. The first edge 28g of first extension 26g and the first edge 42g of second extension 40f are both non-linear rather than straight (as seen in wrapper 10f). The width 35g and width 49g are each preferably from 2% to 25% of width 21g.

[0051] Wrapper 10g is similar to wrapper 10c except the first extension 26g is attached to the sheet of material 12g in a manner such that the first edge 28g of the first extension 26g does not extend beyond the first edge 18g of the sheet of material 12g and the second extension 40g is attached to the sheet of material 12g such that the first edge 42g of the second extension 40g does not extend beyond the second edge 20g of the sheet of material 129.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment of wrapper 10g which is not shown herein, either or both of the first edge 18g and the second edge 20g of sheet of material 12g may be non-linear. Similarly, either one or both of the first side 22g and 24g may be non-linear. In any of the afore-mentioned embodiments, either or both of the second edge 30g of first extension 26g and second edge 44g of second extension 40g may be non-linear.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 17, shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral 10h is a wrapper for wrapping a flower pot or floral grouping and which is similar to wrapper 10b except as described below. The wrapper 10h is constructed of a sheet of material 12h having a first surface 14h, a second surface 16h (not shown), a first edge 18h, a second edge 20h, a first side 22h, a second side 24h, a width 25h, a first extension 26h, a second extension 40h, a third extension 52h and a fourth extension 66h.

[0054] The first extension 26h has a first edge 28h, a second edge 30h, a first side 32h, a second side 34h, and a width 35h. The first extension 26h is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12h via a seal 36h, and preferably has a pattern 38h thereon as discussed above regarding wrappers 10-10g. The second extension 40h has a first edge 42h, a second edge 44h, a first side 46h, a second side 48h, and a width 49h. The second extension 40h is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12h via a seal 50h and preferably has a pattern 51h thereon as discussed previously.

[0055] The third extension 52h has a first edge 54h, a second edge 56h, a first side 58h, a second side 60h, and a width 61h. The third extension 52h is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12h via a seal 62h and preferably has a pattern 64h thereon, as discussed above regarding wrappers 10-10g. The fourth extension 66h has a first edge 68h, a second edge 70h, a first side 72h, a second side 74h, and a width 75h. The fourth extension 66h is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12h via a seal 76h and preferably has a pattern 78h thereon, as discussed previously. Preferably each of widths 35h, 49h, 61h and 75h is 2% to 25% of width 21h.

[0056] The first extension 26h is attached to the sheet of material 12h in a manner such that the first edge 28h of the first extension 26h extends to or beyond the first edge 18h of the sheet of material 12h. The second extension 40h is attached to the sheet of material 12h such that the first edge 42h of the second extension 40h extends to or beyond the second edge 20h of the sheet of material 12h.

[0057] The third extension 52h is attached to the sheet of material 12h in a manner such that the first edge 54h of the third extension 52h extends to or beyond the first side 22h of sheet of material 12h. The fourth extension 66h is attached to the sheet of material 12h in a manner such that the first edge 68h of the fourth extension 66h extends to or beyond the second side 24h of the sheet of material 12h.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment of the wrapper 10h, not shown herein, the first edges 28h, 42h, 54h and 68h of extensions 26h, 40h, 52h and 66h, respectively, may be positioned so as to not extend to or beyond first edge 18h, second edge 20h, first side 22h and/or second side 24h, respectively, of sheet of material 126, in a manner similar to wrappers 10d-10g.

[0059] In another alternative embodiment of the wrapper 10h, or of any embodiment not explicitly shown herein, any one or all of the first edges 28h, 42h, 54h, and 68h may be non-linear. Similarly, any one or all of the first edge 18h, second edge 20h, first side 22h and/or second side 24h, respectively, of the sheet of material 12h may be non-linear.

[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral 10i is a wrapper for wrapping a flower pot or floral grouping and which is similar to wrapper 10 except as described below. The wrapper 10i is constructed of a sheet of material 12i having a first surface 14i, a second surface 16i, a first edge 18i, a second edge 20i, a width 21i, a first extension 26i and an overlapping extension 80i.

[0061] The first extension 26i has a first edge 28i, a second edge 30i, a first side 32i, a second side 34i, and a width 35i. The first extension 26i is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12i via a seal 36i and preferably has a pattern 38i thereon or other decorative effect. The overlapping extension 80i has a first edge 32i, a second edge 84i, a first side 86i, a second side 88i, and a width 89i. The overlapping extension 80i is attached to a portion of the sheet of material 12i via a seal 90i and preferably has a pattern 92i thereon. Each of widths 35i and 89i are preferably from 2% to 25% of width 21i. As shown in FIGS. 18-19, the first extension 26i and the overlapping extension 80i are attached to the sheet of material 12i in an adjacent position. The overlapping extension 80i may be sealed to the first extension 26i rather than to the first surface 14i of the sheet of material 12i. In FIGS. 18 and 19, first extension 26i and overlapping extension 80i are shown as extending beyond first edge 18i of sheet of material 12i but in an alternative embodiment only one or neither of the first extension 26i and the overlapping extension 80i may extend beyond the first edge 18i. Alternatively any one or all of first edges 18i, 28i or 82i may be non-linear, rather than straight, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 20, shown therein and referred to by the general reference numeral 104 is a decorative cover formed when wrapper 10i is disposed about a pot 100 having a floral grouping 104 disposed therein. When the wrapper 10i is formed about the pot 100, a skirt 106 is formed in the decorative cover 104. The skirt 106 is comprised of a first upper peripheral edge 108 formed by first edge 18i, a second upper peripheral edge 110 formed by first edge 28i and a third upper peripheral edge 112 formed by first edge 82i. The upper peripheral edges 108, 110 and 112 are generally concentric about each other. The decorative cover 104 formed by wrapper 10i has an outer peripheral surface 114. Any of the wrappers 10-10h described elsewhere herein, or alternative embodiments thereof, may be disposed about the pot 100 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 20, either by placing the pot 100 upon a portion of the first surface 14-14i of wrappers 10-10i, or by wrapping the wrappers 10-10i circumferentially about the pot 100 then preferably folding portions of the wrappers 10-10i beneath the pot 100, thereby forming a decorative cover from wrappers 10-10i.

[0063] In alternative embodiments which are not shown herein, any of the wrappers shown or described herein may be equipped with overlapping extensions such as shown herein in FIGS. 18-19. Alternatively, any of the wrappers shown or described herein may be equipped with one or more overlapping extensions (e.g., two, three, four, or more).

[0064] Any of the wrappers shown or described herein can be constructed using multiple webs of material which are laminated or attached together to achieve contrasting effects in the completed wrapper, produced for example by using webs of materials having different patterns, colors, textures, or constructed of different materials.

[0065] For example, a 4 inch by 24 inch sheet of film with a printed lace pattern thereon may be laminated to a 24″×24″ sheet of metallized film.

[0066] It may be preferable in some instances and with some equipment to laminate either by overall adhesively laminating or spot laminating or strip laminating the extension material. It is preferable to leave certain portions of the extension unlaminated or unattached so as to provide the appearance of separate sheets as described previously.

[0067] Any of the wrappers described herein may be secured about a pot or potted plant via a securing element such as a rubber band, elastic band, string, ribbon, wire or plastic tie, collar, tape, label, stribbon, metal strip, or any other banding device known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The securing element may be positioned below or above an upper end of the pot. More than one securing element can be used. The securing element may be applied manually or automatically. The securing element preferably is a banding element but may also be an adhesive or cohesive material, barbs on the pot, pins, clips, springs, staples, magnets, heat seals, chemical seals, vibratory seals or any other binding or securing materials known in the art.

[0068] The wrappers described herein can be constructed, in whole or in part, from materials including, but not limited to, polymer films, metallized polymer films, natural films, metallized natural films, printed materials of any type, matted materials of any type, cloth, fabric, spun bonded or melt blown materials, paper, tissue, cellophane, biodegradable materials, recyclable materials, and metal foils. Preferably, the extension is constructed of a material with a lace or lace-like appearance which is different from the material used to construct the sheet of material to which the extension is attached. For example, the sheet of material may be constructed of metallized film, polymer film, foil, spun bonded or melt blown material, fabric, or cellophane, any of which may have different colors, patterns, or textures, while the extension is constructed of a lace-pattern material or of a metallized film, polymer film, foil, spun bonded or melt blown material, fabric, or cellophane having a lace pattern (which may be, for example, cut into or printed on the material), any of which may have different colors, lace patterns, and/or textures. Other materials and methods of providing a material with a lace or lace-like appearance will readily come to the mind of the person of ordinary skill in the art. The separate materials used to construct the wrapper may be laminated together while the webs of material are in a flattened condition. When the wrapper is constructed of only one or more single extensions and does not comprise overlapping extensions as defined herein, the extension does not comprise a “cling-type” self-adhering film.

[0069] The materials from which the wrappers shown or described herein are constructed preferably have a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. Often, the thicknesses of the wrappers are in a range from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils or preferably, in a range from about 1.0 mil to about 5 mils. Preferably, the wrappers are constructed from a material which is flexible, semi-rigid, rigid, or any combination thereof. The wrappers may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of materials. Any thickness of the material may be utilized as long as the material functions in accordance with the present invention as described herein. Any thickness of material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the wrapper may be formed as described herein, and as long as the wrapper may contain at least a portion of a flower pot, potted plant, growing medium or 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] As noted above, the wrappers shown or described herein may be constructed from any suitable material that is capable of being formed into a wrapper as contemplated herein and wrapped about a flower pot and/or a floral grouping disposed therein. Preferably, the materials include treated or untreated paper, metal foil, polymeric film, non-polymeric film woven, or nonwoven fabric, or synthetic or natural fabric, cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, or laminations or combinations thereof. As previously noted, the matrial comprising the extension is preferably not a “cling”-type self-adhering film.

[0071] The term “polymeric film” when used herein means a film made of a synthetic 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.

[0072] The materials comprising the wrappers shown or described herein may vary in color and as described herein consists of designs or decorative patterns which are printed, etched, and/or embossed thereon using inks or other printing materials. An example of an ink which may be applied to the surface of the material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,706, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0073] In addition, the materials may have various colorings, coatings, flocking and/or metallic finishes, or other decorative surface ornamentation applied separately or simultaneously or may be characterized totally or partially by pearlescent, translucent, transparent, iridescent, neon, or the like, qualities. The material may further comprise, or have applied thereto, one or more scents. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination in the material. Moreover, portions of the materials used in constructing the wrappers shown or described herein may vary in the combination of such characteristics. The materials utilized in the wrappers may be opaque, translucent, transparent, or partially clear or tinted transparent.

[0074] The term “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. The floral grouping preferably comprises a bloom or foliage portion and a stem portion and may comprise roots. Further, the floral grouping may be the plant portion of a potted plant. 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 (not shown). The term “floral grouping” may be used interchangeably herein with both the terms “floral arrangement” and “potted plant”. The term “floral grouping” may also be used interchangeably herein with the terms “botanical item” and/or “propagule”.

[0075] 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, foam, and including the nutrients, fertilizers or hormones or combinations thereof required by the plants or propagules for growth.

[0076] The term “botanical item” when used herein means a natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plant, taken singly 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 singly or in combination, or in groupings of such portions such as bouquet of floral grouping. 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.

[0077] In accordance with the present invention and as noted earlier, a bonding material may optionally be disposed on a portion of any of the wrappers shown or described herein to attach each wrapper to a flower pot or to assist in closing or sealing an upper portion of the wrapper, respectively, or in adhering the wrapper to the pot.

[0078] The term “detaching element” where used herein means any element or device such as, but not limited to, perforations, tear strips, zippers, and any other devices or elements of this nature known in the art, or any combination thereof, which enable the tearing away or detachment of one object from another.

[0079] It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that equipment and devices for laminating or securing webs of material together are commercially available, and are well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, detailed discussion of the construction of the wrappers shown or described herein is not deemed necessary. Briefly however, the wrappers shown or described herein may be formed by advancing two or more webs in parallel and sealing portions of them together longitudinally. The webs may be formed into a roll as described elsewhere herein and perforations may be inserted into the webbing for easy separation of individual wrappers by the user.

[0080] The term “flower pot” or “pot” as used herein refers to any type of container used for holding a floral grouping or plant, including vases. Examples of pots, used in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, clay pots, foam pots, wooden pots, plastic pots, pots made from natural and/or synthetic fibers (such as peat moss), and/or any combination thereof. The flower pot is adapted to receive a floral grouping in the retaining space thereof. The floral grouping may be disposed within the flower pot along with a suitable growing medium described elsewhere herein, or other retaining medium, such as a floral foam.

[0081] Preferably the wrappers shown or described herein are sized to contain and conform to at least one of a variety of standard sizes of pots known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as 3½ inch, 4 inch, 4½ inch, 5 inch, 5½ inch, 6 inch, 6½ inch, 7 inch, 7½ inch, 8 inch and 8½ inch pots or pots that are larger than, smaller than, or intermediate between such pot sizes such that preferably when the wrapper is applied about the pot a skirt portion is formed as described earlier which is positioned near the upper rim of the pot.

[0082] 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 of wrapping a flower pot, comprising:

providing a decorative wrapper for wrapping a flower pot, the decorative wrapper comprising:

a first sheet of material having a first edge, a second edge, a first side, a second side, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a width comprising the maximum distance between the first edge and the second edge; and

an extension comprising a second sheet of material having a first edge, a second edge, a first side, a second side, and a width comprising the maximum distance between the first edge of the extension and the second edge of the extension, and the extension having a decorative pattern or decorative effect, and wherein the width of the extension is substantially less than the width of the first sheet of material; and

wherein the extension is attached to the upper surface of the first sheet of material along only a portion of the extension whereby the extension is left substantially unattached to the upper surface of the first sheet of material and wherein the first edge of the extension is completely unattached to the first sheet of material, and wherein the first side of the extension is adjacent to the first side of the first sheet of material and the second side of the extension is adjacent to the second side of the first sheet of material, and wherein the extension extends separately from the first sheet of material; and

disposing the decorative wrapper about a flower pot to form a decorative cover, wherein the decorative cover has a skirt having at least two upper peripheral edges.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the first edge of the extension extends beyond the first edge of the first sheet of material.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the first edge of the extension is substantially adjacent the first edge of the first sheet of material.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the first edge of the extension does not extend beyond the first edge of the first sheet of material.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the first edge of the extension has a non-linear shape.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the first edge of the first sheet of material has a non-linear shape.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the extension has a lace or lace-like pattern disposed thereon.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the width of the extension is between 2% and 25% of the width of the first sheet of material.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the seal connecting the extension and the first sheet of material comprises a plurality of discrete areas of connection.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the seal connecting the extension and the first sheet of material comprises a strip extending substantially entirely between the first side and the second side of the first sheet of material.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper, the decorative wrapper further comprises at least one additional extension which overlaps the first-mentioned extension and is sealed to at least one of the first sheet of material and the first-mentioned extension and wherein the additional extension has a width which is substantially less than the width of the first sheet of material.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper, the wrapper further comprises an adhesive bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof for connecting portions of the decorative wrapper to each other or to the flower pot after the decorative wrapper has been disposed about the flower pot to form the decorative cover.

13. A method of wrapping a flower pot, comprising:

providing a decorative wrapper for wrapping a flower pot, the decorative wrapper comprising:

a first sheet of material having a first edge, a second edge, a first side, a second side, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a width comprising the maximum distance between the first edge and the second edge;

a first extension comprising a second sheet of material having a first edge, a second edge, a first side, a second side, and a width comprising the maximum distance between the first edge of the first extension and the second edge of the first extension, and the first extension having a decorative pattern or decorative effect, and wherein the width of the first extension is substantially less than the width of the first sheet of material; and

a second extension comprising a third sheet of material having a first edge, a second edge, a first side, a second side, and a width comprising the maximum distance between the first edge of the second extension and the second edge of the second extension, and the second extension having a decorative pattern or decorative effect, and wherein the width of the second extension is substantially less than the width of the first sheet of material;

and wherein the first extension is attached to the upper surface of the first sheet of material generally near the first edge of the first sheet of material and along only a portion of the first extension whereby the first extension is left substantially unattached to the upper surface of the first sheet of material and wherein the first edge of the first extension is completely unattached to the first sheet of material, and wherein the first side of the first extension is adjacent to the first side of the first sheet of material; and the second side of the first extension is adjacent to the second side of the first sheet of material, and wherein the first extension extends separately from the first sheet of material;

and wherein the second extension is attached to the upper surface of the first sheet of material generally near the second edge of the first sheet of material and along only a portion of the second extension whereby the second extension is left substantially unattached to the upper surface of the first sheet of material and wherein the first edge of the second extension is completely unattached to the first sheet of material, and wherein the first side of the second extension is adjacent to the first side of the first sheet of material and the second side of the second extension is adjacent to the second side of the first sheet of material, and wherein the second extension extends separately from the first sheet of material toward the second edge of the first sheet of material and wherein the first extension and second extension are disposed on opposing ends of the first sheet of material; and

disposing the decorative wrapper about a flower pot to form a decorative cover, wherein the decorative cover has a skirt having at least two upper peripheral edges.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the first edge of the first extension extends beyond the first edge of the first sheet of material and the first edge of the second extension extends beyond the second edge of the first sheet of material.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the first edge of the first extension is substantially adjacent the first edge of the first sheet of material and the first edge of the second extension is substantially adjacent the second edge of the first sheet of material.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the first edge of the first extension does not extend beyond the first edge of the first sheet of material and the first edge of the second extension does not extend beyond the second edge of the first sheet of material.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the first edge of the first extension and the first edge of the second extension each has a non-linear shape.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the first edge and second edge of the first sheet of material each has a non-linear shape.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the first extension and the second extension each has a lace or lace-like pattern disposed thereon.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the width of the first extension and the width of the second extension each is between 2% and 25% of the width of the first sheet of material.

21. The method of claim 13 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the seal connecting the first extension and the seal connecting the second extension to the first sheet of material each comprise a plurality of discrete areas of connection.

22. The method of claim 13 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper the seal connecting the first extension and the seal connecting the second extension to the first sheet of material each comprise a strip extending substantially entirely between the first side and second side of the first sheet of material.

23. The method of claim 13 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper, the decorative wrapper further comprises a first additional extension which overlaps the first extension and a second additional extension which overlaps the second extension.

24. The method of claim 13 wherein in the step of providing a decorative wrapper, the decorative wrapper further comprises an adhesive bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof for connecting portions of the decorative wrapper together after the decorative wrapper has been disposed about the flower pot to form the decorative cover.