CONTAINER WRAP AND CONTAINER FORMED THEREWITH

Abstract

A container has an upstanding sidewall with opposed outer and inner surfaces extending between a bottom, having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an opposed top formed by an upper edge encircling a first opening having a first diameter and that leads to a receptacle formed by and between the upper surface of the bottom and the inner surface of the sidewall. A sheet of thin, flexible material is applied over and across the lower surface of the bottom and the outer surface of the sidewall and over and across the upper edge of the container terminating with a peripheral extremity that extends inboard with respect to the upper edge of the container encircling a second opening having a second diameter less than the first diameter of the first opening and that leads to the receptacle and that is substantially concentric with respect to the first opening.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/208,413, filed Feb. 24, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wrapping, wrapping methods, and wrapping materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The application of decoration or decorative features to otherwise ordinary items is a longstanding tradition for many. The application of decoration or decorative features to ordinary items, such as flower pots and display containers and the like, is an excellent way to improve the overall appearance of such items, and to conform such items to a particular decor. Common methods of applying decoration or decorative features to ordinary flower pots and display containers and or other like or similar containers often involve the application of paint, stickers, and perhaps suspending decorative ornaments. However, these container-decorating techniques do not always lead to acceptable results, are expensive, and time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the principle of the invention, a container assembly consists of a container including an upstanding sidewall having opposed outer and inner surfaces extending between a bottom, having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an opposed top formed by an upper edge encircling a first opening having a first diameter and that leads to a receptacle formed by and between the upper surface of the bottom and the inner surface of the sidewall. A sheet of thin, flexible material is applied over and across the lower surface of the bottom and the outer surface of the sidewall and over and across the upper edge of the container terminating with a peripheral extremity that extends inboard with respect to the upper edge of the container encircling a second opening having a second diameter less than the first diameter of the first opening and that leads to the receptacle and that is substantially concentric with respect to the first opening. The peripheral extremity of the sheet is preferably constricted with respect to the upper edge of the container. In one embodiment, the peripheral extremity is constricted with elastic material formed in the peripheral extremity. In another embodiment, the peripheral extremity is constricted with a drawstring formed in the peripheral extremity. The sheet is formed of a substantially fluid impervious material in one embodiment, and of a substantially porous material in another embodiment. According to the principle of the invention, a method includes providing a container including an upstanding sidewall having opposed outer and inner surfaces extending between a bottom, having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an opposed top formed by an upper edge encircling a first opening having a first diameter and that leads to a receptacle formed by and between the upper surface of the bottom and the inner surface of the sidewall. The method next includes providing a broad sheet of thin, flexible material having a peripheral extremity, applying the sheet over and across the lower surface of the bottom and the outer surface of the sidewall and over and across the upper edge of the container locating the peripheral extremity at the top of the container, and constricting the peripheral extremity of the sheet relative to the upper edge of the container locating the peripheral extremity inboard with respect to the upper edge of the container to encircle a second opening having a second diameter less than the first diameter of the first opening and that leads to the receptacle and that is substantially concentric with respect to the first opening. In one embodiment, the step of constricting the peripheral extremity of the sheet includes elastically constricting the peripheral extremity of the sheet, such as by applying elastic material to the peripheral extremity of the sheet to elastically constrict the peripheral extremity of the sheet. In another embodiment, the step of constricting the peripheral extremity of the sheet includes applying a drawstring having opposed ends to the peripheral extremity of the sheet, pulling on the opposed ends of the drawstring to constrict the peripheral extremity of the sheet, and securing the opposed ends of the drawstring, such as by tying together the opposed ends of the drawstring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container assembly constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention and shown as it would appear in use maintaining a plant planted in soil material;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container assembly similar to that of FIG. 1 with portions of a wrap of the container assembly broken away to illustrate a container of the container assembly;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section view of the container assembly of FIG. 1, and which is shown as it would appear empty or otherwise free of the plant and soil material illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a sheet of thin, flexible material with portions thereof broken away for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an elastic band positioned above the sheet of material of FIG. 4, which is formed in the shape of a container;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 2 free of the plant and soil material and shown positioned opposite to the wrap prior to assembly;

FIG. 7 is a section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 illustrating elastic material formed in, or otherwise applied to, a peripheral extremity of the wrap;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a container assembly constructed and arranged in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention and shown as it would appear in use maintaining a plant planted in soil material and formed with a drawstring having ends shown as they would appear secured together;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the container assembly similar to that of FIG. 1 with opposed ends of a drawstring of the wrap shown as they would appear unsecured; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmented vertical section view of a portion of the wrap of the container assembly of FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrating the drawstring formed in, or otherwise applied to, a peripheral extremity of the wrap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 in which there is seen a perspective view of a container assembly 20 constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention, and which is shown as it would appear in use maintaining a plant 21 planted in soil or soil material 22 applied to a container 40 of container assembly 20. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of container assembly 20 similar to that of FIG. 1 with portions of a wrap 30 of container assembly 20 broken away illustrating container 40 of container assembly 20 into which soil 22 is applied and held by container 40. The combination of wrap 30 and container 40 forms container assembly 20, in accordance with the principle of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section view of the container assembly 20 of FIG. 1 illustrating wrap 30 applied to container 40, in which container 40 is depicted as it would appear empty, namely, free of the plant and soil material illustrated in FIG. 1. Container 40 consists of an upstanding sidewall 41 having opposed outer and inner surfaces 42 and 43 extending between a bottom 44, having an upper surface 45 and an opposed lower surface 46, and an opposed open top formed by an upper edge 50 encircling an opening 51 having a diameter D1 and that leads to a receptacle 54 formed by and between upper surface 45 of bottom 44 and inner surface 43 of sidewall 41. Container 40 is fashioned of clay, plastic, metal, wood, or the like, and is preferably integrally formed, but may also be fashioned from a plurality of attached parts if so desired. In the present embodiment, sidewall 41 is a continuous sidewall and bottom 44 forms a closed bottom of container 40 such that receptacle 54 is substantially water or fluid impervious. Upper edge 50 is preferably a continuous upper edge encircling opening 51 at the top of container 40, and bottom 44 is preferably a substantially horizontal bottom of container 40. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, container 40 is generally representative of a conventional flower pot that in shape is generally cylindrical and tapers inwardly from the open top of container 40 formed by upper edge 50 to the closed bottom of container formed by bottom 44, that may be positioned atop a support surface to support container 40 in an upright orientation.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3, wrap 30 consists of a sheet 60 of thin, flexible material. Sheet 60 forming wrap 30 is formed to have an overall shape substantially similar to the overall shape of container 40. Sheet 60 forms an upstanding sidewall 61 having opposed outer and inner surfaces 62 and 63 extending between a bottom 64, having an upper surface 65 and an opposed lower surface 66, and an opposed open top formed by an upper peripheral extremity 70 encircling an opening 71 having a diameter D2 and that leads to a receptacle 74 formed by and between upper surface 65 of bottom 64 and inner surface 63 of sidewall 61. Diameter D2 of opening 71 of wrap 30 is less than diameter D1 of opening 51 of container 40. Sheet 60 is preferably integrally formed of a thin film of plastic, cellulosic material, resinous material, or other like or similar material or combination of materials that, according to a preferred embodiment, have non-porous and substantially fluid-impervious properties. In the present embodiment, sidewall 61 is a continuous sidewall and bottom 64 forms a closed bottom of wrap 30 such that receptacle 74 formed by wrap 30 is substantially water or fluid impervious.

Peripheral extremity 70 is preferably a continuous peripheral extremity encircling opening 71 at the top of wrap 30, and bottom 64 is preferably a substantially horizontal bottom of wrap 30. In the present embodiment, peripheral extremity 70 of sheet 60 is formed with elastic material that acts on peripheral extremity 70 of wrap 30 to constrict peripheral extremity 70 of wrap 30 encircling opening 71 thereby constricting opening 71. Looking to FIG. 7, which is a section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6, in the present embodiment a peripheral edge 75 of peripheral extremity 70 of sheet 60 of wrap 30 is folded back upon itself toward inner surface 63 of sheet 60 and is secured in place to inner surface 63 with adhesive, heat bonding, sewing, or the like to form a closed, continuous pocket 76 in peripheral extremity 70 of wrap 30 that encapsulates and maintains the elastic material, which, in the present embodiment, is a continuous elastic band 77 formed of rubber or other elastomer material or like material having the characteristic of elasticity. The elastic material formed by elastic band 77 acts on peripheral extremity 70 constricting peripheral extremity 70 inwardly toward opening 71 thereby constricting opening 71. The elastic material formed by elastic band 77 formed in peripheral extremity 70 allows opening 71 to be widened as needed simply by pulling peripheral extremity 70 outwardly and stretching elastic band 77, whereupon release of such pulling force allows elastic band 77 to constrict back to its original shape constricting opening 71.

To construct wrap 30 with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, sheet 60 is provided in the form of a disk having opposed outer and inner surfaces 62 and 63 (outer surface 62 not shown in FIG. 4) and peripheral edge 75 formed at peripheral extremity 70. Looking to FIG. 5, peripheral edge 75 is drawn upwardly and inwardly toward inner surface 63 to form the substantial shape of wrap 30, and elastic band 77 is applied to sheet 60 proximate to peripheral edge 75. To secure elastic band 77 in place in the present embodiment, peripheral edge 75 is folded back upon itself about elastic band 77 toward inner surface 63 of sheet 60 and peripheral extremity 70 is bunched together during this process to form folds or pleats 80 in sheet 60 at peripheral extremity 70. Peripheral edge 75 is applied against and secured in place to inner surface 63 of sheet 60 with adhesive, heat bonding, sewing, or the like to form, as illustrated in FIG. 7, closed, continuous pocket 76 in peripheral extremity 70 of wrap 30 encapsulating and maintaining elastic band 77.

To install wrap 30 with respect to container 40 with reference in relevant part to FIG. 6 and also FIG. 3, wrap 30 and container 40 are positioned opposite to each other directing bottom 44 of container 40 toward opening 71 in wrap 30 as seen in FIG. 6. Container 40 is moved toward opening 71 in wrap 30 in the direction indicated by the arrowed line A and container 40 is applied bottom 44 first into receptacle 74 of wrap 30 through opening 71 applying sheet 60 of wrap 30 over and across lower surface 46 of bottom 44 of container 40 and outer surface 42 of sidewall 41 and over and across upper edge 50 of container 40 locating peripheral extremity 70 at the top of container 40 defined by upper edge 50. As this process of applying container 40 into receptacle 74 of wrap 30 is carried forward, the flexible character of wrap 30 and pleats 80 formed in peripheral extremity 70 permits wrap 30 to be flexed and manipulated as wrap 30 is pulled over container 40 and permits opening 71 in wrap 30 to be widened as needed by pulling outwardly against peripheral extremity 70 of wrap 30. The elastic characteristic formed in peripheral extremity 70 of wrap 30 as herein described constricts peripheral extremity 70 of sheet 60 relative to upper edge 50 of container 40 stretching wrap 30 about container 40 and locating peripheral extremity 70 of wrap 30 inboard with respect to upper edge 50 of container 40 as shown in FIG. 3 to secure wrap 30 with respect to container 40 and to form opening 71 of wrap 30 having diameter D2 less than diameter D1 of opening 51 of container 40, whereby opening 71 of wrap 30 is substantially concentric with respect to opening 51 of container 40, in accordance with the principle of the invention. To detach wrap 30 from container 40, the foregoing operation of installing wrap 30 with respect to container 40 need only be reversed.

With wrap 30 so installed with respect to container 40 to form container assembly 20 as shown in FIG. 3, sheet 60 is applied over and across lower surface 46 of bottom 44 and outer surface 42 of sidewall 41 and over and across upper edge 50 of container 40 terminating with peripheral extremity 70 that extends inboard with respect to upper edge 50 of container 40 encircling opening 71 having diameter D2 less than diameter D1 of opening 51 to receptacle 54 and that is substantially concentric with respect to opening 51 of container 40. In a further and more specific aspect of the installation of wrap 30 with respect to container 40 to form container assembly 20, upper surface 65 of bottom 64 formed in wrap 30 is applied in juxtaposition across lower surface 46 of bottom 44 of container 40, and inner surface 63 is applied in juxtaposition across outer surface 62 of sidewall 41 between bottom 44 of container 40 and upper edge 50 of container 40 and extends over and across upper edge 50 of container 40 to peripheral extremity 70 encircling opening 71 located substantially concentrically with respect to opening 51 of container 40. The installation of wrap 30 with respect to container 40 provides a convenient wrapping for container 40, and provides a substantially fluid impervious and substantially leak proof covering for container 40. Installation of wrap 30 with container 40 does not interfere with the use and function of container 40, and container 40 may be used in accordance with its intended with wrap 30 attached thereto forming container assembly 20. And so at this point, soil 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2) may be applied to receptacle 54 of container 40 through openings 51 and 71, and plant 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2) may then be planted into soil 22. If desired, sheet 60 may be provided with decorative aspects or features, such as decorative color, indicia, or the like, to provide a decorative effect when installed with respect to container 40 to provide a pleasing or desired appearance. After so forming container assembly 20, soil 22 may be applied to receptacle 54 of container 40 through openings 51 and 71 of container 40 and wrap 30, respectively, and plant 21 may then be planted in soil 22 in the normal manner. Receptacle 54 may be put to any desired use and may thus be filled with any desired material depending on the use to which container 40 is employed.

In a preferred embodiment as herein disclosed, sheet 60 is preferably integrally formed of a thin film of plastic, cellulosic material, resinous material, or other like or similar material or combination of materials that, according to a preferred embodiment, have non-porous and substantially fluid-impervious properties. In an alternate embodiment, sheet 60 may be of a substantially porous material, such as cloth material, mesh material, or the like.

In wrap 30, peripheral extremity 70 is constricted with elastic material, which, in the present embodiment, is provided in the form of elastic band 77. Other forms of elastic material can be formed in or otherwise applied to peripheral extremity to provide the elastic characteristic in peripheral extremity 70 of wrap 30 without departing from the invention.

In another embodiment, the peripheral extremity is constricted with a drawstring formed in the peripheral extremity, and this aspect will now be discussed on connection with container assembly 100 illustrated and described in connection with FIGS. 8-10. Referencing FIGS. 8 and 9, container assembly 100 is common to container assembly 20 in that container assembly 100 shares wrap 30 and container 40 and each and every element thereof as explained above in detail in connection with the embodiment denoted at 20 and shared reference characters are used in connection with container assembly 100 to denote common structure for illustration and reference, with the exception that the elastic material formed by elastic band 77 in wrap 30 of container assembly 20 is replaced in container assembly 100 with a drawstring 110. Like the elastic material formed by elastic band 77, drawstring 110 is formed in or otherwise applied to peripheral extremity 70 of wrap 30 in container assembly 100. Like elastic band 77, drawstring 110 is, with reference to FIG. 10, located in and extends through pocket 76 formed in peripheral extremity 70. The shape of pocket 76 in wrap 30 of container assembly 20 is shaped to receive and accommodate elastic band 77 as seen in FIG. 7, and the shape of pocket 76 in wrap 30 of container assembly 100 is shaped to receive and accommodate drawstring 110. As seen in FIG. 9, peripheral extremity 70 in wrap 30 is severed at and across pocket 76 forming opposed severed ends 70A and 70B in peripheral extremity, and drawstring 110 has opposed ends 110A and 110B that extend from opposed severed ends 70A and 70B, respectively. Drawstring 110 a narrow strip of flexible material, as cloth or leather, and may also be fashioned of elastic material if so desired.

Wrap 30 is applied to container 40 in the same manner as described in connection with container assembly 20, with the exception that ends 110A and 110B of drawstring 110 are loosened or otherwise untied to allow peripheral extremity 70 to be pulled outwardly to enlarge opening 71 to ease and facilitate the installation of container 40 into wrap 30 through opening 71. FIG. 9 shows wrap 30 applied to container 40 of container assembly 100, with ends 110A and 110B of drawstring 110 free, untied, or otherwise unsecured. To constrict peripheral extremity 70 of wrap 30 of container assembly 100 inwardly toward opening 71 to constrict opening 71 to secure wrap 30 in place with respect to container 40 of container assembly 100, ends 110A and 110B are pulled to tighten drawstring 100 to constrict opening 71, and ends 110A and 110B are united or otherwise secured, such as by tying ends 110A and 110B together in knot 111 as shown in FIG. 8. If desired, ends 110A and 110B of drawstring 110 can be secured together with a clasp, clip, or the like. For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 8 and 9 shown container assembly 100 as it would appear in use maintaining plant 21 planted in soil or soil material 22 applied to container 40 like that of container assembly 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:

Claims

1. A container assembly, comprising:

a container includes an upstanding sidewall having opposed outer and inner surfaces extending between a bottom, having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an opposed top formed by an upper edge encircling a first opening having a first diameter and that leads to a receptacle formed by and between the upper surface of the bottom and the inner surface of the sidewall; and

a sheet of thin, flexible material applied over and across the lower surface of the bottom and the outer surface of the sidewall and over and across the upper edge of the container terminating with a peripheral extremity that extends inboard with respect to the upper edge of the container encircling a second opening having a second diameter less than the first diameter of the first opening and that leads to the receptacle and that is substantially concentric with respect to the first opening.

2. The container assembly according to claim 1, further comprising means formed in the peripheral extremity constricting the peripheral extremity.

3. The container assembly according to claim 2, wherein the means formed in the peripheral extremity constricting the peripheral extremity comprises elastic material formed in the peripheral extremity.

4. The container assembly according to claim 2, wherein the means formed in the peripheral extremity constricting the peripheral extremity comprises a drawstring formed in the peripheral extremity.

5. The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is formed of a substantially fluid impervious material.

6. A method, comprising:

providing a container including an upstanding sidewall having opposed outer and inner surfaces extending between a bottom, having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an opposed top formed by an upper edge encircling a first opening having a first diameter and that leads to a receptacle formed by and between the upper surface of the bottom and the inner surface of the sidewall;

providing a broad sheet of thin, flexible material having a peripheral extremity;

applying the sheet over and across the lower surface of the bottom and the outer surface of the sidewall and over and across the upper edge of the container locating the peripheral extremity at the top of the container; and

constricting the peripheral extremity of the sheet relative to the upper edge of the container locating the peripheral extremity inboard with respect to the upper edge of the container to encircle a second opening having a second diameter less than the first diameter of the first opening and that leads to the receptacle and that is substantially concentric with respect to the first opening.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of constricting the peripheral extremity of the sheet further includes elastically constricting the peripheral extremity of the sheet.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of elastically constricting the peripheral extremity of the sheet further comprises applying elastic material to the peripheral extremity of the sheet to elastically constrict the peripheral extremity of the sheet.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of constricting the peripheral extremity of the sheet further includes applying a drawstring having opposed ends to the peripheral extremity of the sheet, pulling on the opposed ends of the drawstring to constrict the peripheral extremity of the sheet, and securing the opposed ends of the drawstring.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the sheet is formed of a substantially fluid impervious material.