Abstract: A plant packaging method providing a tubular sleeve having a non-linear upper edge and disposing the sleeve about a potted plant.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve has a bonding material disposed upon an inner and/or outer portion of the sleeve for crimping the sleeve adjacent the pot to hold the sleeve about the pot.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system including a floral sleeve having a decorative pattern thereon. The sleeve may have a lower portion sized to cover a pot and an upper portion which can surround a plant disposed in the pot and which can be detached after the protective function of the upper portion is complete or which can be used to support the sleeve from a support device prior to use. The decorative pattern preferably has an arcuate upper boundary in the flattened condition which when opened, gives the sleeve the appearance of having an upper edge which is parallel to the upper rim of the pot disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a floral grouping using a wrapper formed of an optical effect material having a holographic design which constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative wrapper. The optical effect material may include printed matter and/or embossed pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor of the decorative cover. The method also includes crimp connecting means for holding overlapping portions of the wrapper in a crimped position adjacent a stem portion of the floral grouping.

Abstract: A plant package includes a flower pot containing a floral grouping and a flexible sleeve which may be provided with detaching elements at preselected areas. The sleeve may further include a bonding material which connects the sleeve to the flower pot when the flower pot is positioned within the sleeve. When the sleeve is positioned about the flower pot, a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the flower pot, and an upper portion of the sleeve extends upwardly from the flower pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping contained within the flower pot. At least a portion of the sleeve is removable via the detaching elements, leaving a portion of the sleeve which forms a decorative plant cover.

Abstract: A wrapper for wrapping a flower pot and/or floral grouping or other item. The wrapper is constructed of a sheet of material having a central decorative portion and a peripheral decoration. When the wrapper is formed about a flower pot to form a plant package including a decorative cover, the variation in the decoration of the wrapper provides the cover with a “two-sheet” effect which provides the cover with the appearance of being constructed of at least two separate sheets. The wrapper may also comprise a decorative extension or detachable portion.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system including a flexible floral sleeve having a base portion and a skirt portion, and optionally an upper detachable portion which may be sized to surround a plant disposed in a flower pot. The base portion is generally made from two flat panels substantially free of overlapping portions and the skirt portion has a plurality of overlapping portions which allow the skirt portion to expand outwardly from the upper end of the base portion.

Abstract: A wrapper for wrapping a flower pot and/or floral grouping or other item. The wrapper is constructed of a sheet of material having a central decorative portion and a peripheral decoration. When the wrapper is formed about a flower pot to form a decorative cover, the variation in the decoration of the wrapper provides the cover with at least a “two-sheet” effect which provides the cover with the appearance of being constructed of at least two or more separate sheets. The wrapper may also comprise a decorative extension or detachable portion.

Abstract: A wrapper for flower pots. The wrapper is a sheet of material with each segment having a lower portion sized to surround a sidewall of the flower pot and an upper portion detachable from the lower portion via a detaching element such as perforations. The sheet of material can be formed about the flower pot and the adjacent edges of the segment joined and sealed.

Abstract: A pot cover includes a bottom and a lateral envelope. The lateral envelope is in the form of a flat-foldable elastic body and is vertically extendable, over variable height and adjustable to the height of the pot. The elastic body includes moreover an edge supporting at least fastening mechanism to maintain the pot cover over the pot, in a deployed position.

Abstract: A method of wrapping a potted plant in a decorative cover wherein the cover is a flattened sleeve. Upon opening of the sleeve, the sleeve has a bottom which may be closed, and the sleeve is sized to fit a pot. The potted plant is disposed within the inner retaining space of the open sleeve, and the pot is positioned on the bottom of the sleeve such that the sleeve covers at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pot to provide the decorative cover for the potted plant.

Abstract: A floral sleeve initially having a flattened condition and openable therefrom for use in covering, containing or wrapping a floral grouping, botanical item, pot, or pot having a floral grouping or botanical item therein. The sleeve has a curvilinear lower end, and may have a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a non-linear or linear upper edge. When having a detachable upper portion, the sleeve has a detaching element which when employed to detach the upper portion, leaves a linear, or non-linear upper edge on the lower portion of the sleeve, the curvilinear lower end of the sleeve may have a gusset therein.

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

Abstract: Decorative grasses formed from a laminated material constructed of a layer of cloth and at least one layer of polymeric film wherein at least one surface of the laminate is provided with a decorative pattern or design. At least a portion of the layer of polymeric film is laminated to the layer of cloth, as well as methods for forming same, are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system including a floral sleeve having a decorative pattern thereon. The sleeve may have a lower portion sized to cover a pot and an upper portion which can surround a plant disposed in the pot and which can be detached after the protective function of the upper portion is complete or which can be used to support the sleeve from a support device prior to use. The decorative pattern preferably has an arcuate upper boundary in the flattened condition which when opened, gives the sleeve the appearance of having an upper edge which is parallel to the upper rim of the pot disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: An adhesive and material dispenser for dispensing single sheets of material from stacks of sheets of material or from rolls of material and applying an adhesive to the sheet. The adhesive is applied by contacting the adhesive portion of an adhesive transfer tape to the sheet. The sheet of material with the adhesive applied thereto can be used to wrap floral arrangements or flower pots or other articles. The dispenser may be combined with an automatic pot wrapping apparatus so the adhesive application and decorative pot wrapping sequence can be combined into one continuous operation.

Abstract: A method of wrapping a potted plant in a decorative cover wherein the cover is a flattened sleeve. Upon opening of the sleeve, the sleeve has a bottom which may be closed, and the sleeve is sized to cover a pot. The potted plant is disposed within the inner retaining space of the open sleeve, and the pot is positioned on the bottom of the sleeve such that the sleeve covers at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pot to provide the decorative cover for the potted plant.

Abstract: A plant packaging system and method comprising a combination of a protective upper portion and a decorative lower portion having a base portion and a skirt portion for packaging a potted plant or a botanical item and a growing medium without a pot. The upper portion may be detachable from the lower portion of the sleeve. The lower portion may have a skirt portion which has a non-linear upper peripheral edge. The lower portion may be tapered and may have a gusset in the lower end.

Abstract: Various sleeves and bags or packaging goods, especially floral groupings such as bouquets and pot plants, can be provided using the present invention. Exemplary sleeves are manufactured with an outer wall and an inner wall, each of which is formed of two layers. The outer layers are a transparent or semitransparent sheet material such as polypropylene, and the inner layers are a nonwoven fabric material made of a compatible polymer. The outer and inner layers of each wall may be printed with complementary images or patterns. The inner and outer layers of the one or both walls may be fastened to each other not only along the side edges of the sleeve, but also at discrete locations along the top edge where the sleeve is opened. The connection can be made using glue or the equivalent, by melting or welding the two layers together, or by punching a tab of the outer layer through the inner layer. The top and bottom edges of the inner and outer layers may be coincident, or not.

Abstract: A container which is a flattened sleeve which includes a lower portion having a base portion and a skirt portion and optionally an upper portion attached to the base portion. The container contains a growing medium and a botanical item without having a pot disposed therein.

Abstract: A plant packaging method providing a tubular sleeve having excess material therein and attaching the sleeve to a potted plant via a bonding material.

Abstract: A plant packaging method providing a tubular sleeve having a tapered base and a decorative skirt therein and securing the sleeve about a pot via a bonding material.

Abstract: A floral sleeve sized to fit about a flower pot or floral grouping. The sleeve has a base with side gussets and optionally bottom gussets for allowing expansion from a flattened position to an opened position. The sleeve may comprise a detachable upper portion, and a skirt portion. The sleeve is preferably secured about a pot or floral grouping via a banding element.

Abstract: A plant package comprising a pot covered with a plant cover, the plant cover at least comprising a base portion, and optionally having a skirt or a detachable upper portion. The plant cover has a heat shrinkable bonding material for heat shrinking to secure the plant cover about the pot.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system including a flexible floral sleeve having a base portion and a skirt portion, and optionally an upper detachable portion which may be sized to surround a plant disposed in a flower pot. The base portion is generally made from two flat panels substantially free of overlapping portions and the skirt portion has a plurality of overlapping portions which allow the skirt portion to expand outwardly from the upper end of the base portion.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot containing a floral grouping with a flexible sleeve having a bonding material thereon which connects the sleeve to the pot when the pot is positioned within the sleeve. In one version, the sleeve is positioned about the pot and a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the pot, an upper portion of the sleeve extending upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping contained within the pot, at least a portion of the sleeve being removable via the detaching elements, leaving a portion of the sleeve which is a decorative plant cover.

Abstract: A floral container sized to contain a flower pot or a growing medium and a plant, the floral container having a base and a detachable upper portion constructed in the configuration of an accordion fold which can be expanded vertically. The floral container may optionally have a skirt portion.

Abstract: A method for packaging a plant using a flexible sleeve having a cloth-like appearance.

Abstract: A sleeve comprising a lower portion preferably having a base portion and a skirt portion for packaging a floral grouping or plant. The sleeve may have a protective upper portion which can be detached from the lower portion of the sleeve once the protective function of the upper portion has been completed. The sleeve has one or a plurality of horizontally or diagonally positioned expansion elements for allowing expansion of the base portion and/or skirt portion.

Abstract: A floral sleeve and method of using the floral sleeve to cover a pot. The floral sleeve has an inwardly folded bottom gusset for forming a bottom in the sleeve which is concealed by the lower sidewall of the sleeve when the sleeve is opened and a pot is disposed therein. The sleeve may have a detachable upper portion.

Abstract: A method of covering a flower pot with an oversized sleeve. The sleeve has an inner diameter which is greater than the maximum diameter of a pot disposed therein. The sleeve may have a detachable upper portion, a skirt portion, with a linear or non-linear upper end, or with or without gussets in the lower end or sides. In the method the sleeve is secured about the pot by a crimping a portion of the sleeve having a bonding material thereon, or using a securing element.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as flower pots. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the flower pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a bonding material disposed upon an inner or outer portion of the sleeve for attaching the sleeve to the flower pot or other item.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming a decorative covering about a flower pot or a floral grouping, wherein the decorative covering has a graphic image that is prominently displayed on a selected portion of the decorative covering. The graphic image may be a masterpiece of art produced by one of the Great Masters of the Renaissance, at least a portion of a musical score, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for forming a flower pot cover with an indented ring portion to retain the flower pot cover on the flower pot. The apparatus includes a male and female die. The female die has a plurality of fingers movable radially into an opening of the female die. The male die has a recess formed between the lower end and the upper end and adapted to receive the fingers of the female die to form the indented ring portion of the flower pot cover when the sheet of material is pressed between the female die and the male die.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of packaging floral groupings in self cooling modified atmosphere packages.

Abstract: Flexible polymeric materials having a cloth-like appearance suitable for use in the formation of flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A substantially liquid impermeable package for wrapping about a floral grouping or potted plant is disclosed, as well as methods for producing and using same. The substantially liquid impermeable package is formed of a flexible sleeve constructed from a material which is substantially liquid impermeable and which includes at least one layer of polymeric film. The flexible sleeve is provided with seals in a sidewall and closed lower end thereof which are substantially liquid impermeable.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot containing a floral grouping with a flexible sleeve having a bonding material thereon which connects the sleeve to the pot when the pot is positioned within the sleeve. In one version, the sleeve is positioned about the pot and a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the pot, an upper portion of the sleeve extending upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping contained within the pot, with at least a portion of the sleeve being removable via detaching elements, leaving a portion of the sleeve which is a decorative plant cover.

Abstract: A plant pckaging method providing a tubular sleeve having excess material therein and attaching the sleeve to a potted plant via a bonding material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming a decorative covering about a flower pot or a floral grouping from a sheet of material, the sheet of material having printed thereon a graphic image that is prominently displayed on a selected portion of the decorative covering. The graphic image may be a masterpiece of art produced by one of the Great Masters of the Renaissance, at least a portion of a musical score, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a base portion. The sleeve may have an upper sleeve portion which in one embodiment is sized to surround a plant disposed in a pot and which can be detached once the function of the sleeve has been completed. The sleeve has a plurality of folds comprising expansion elements for allowing portions of the base portion to expand, when a pot is disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: A floral sleeve sized to contain a botanical item and a growing medium and having a base portion with expansion elements in the sides for allowing expansion from a flattened position and method of using same. The sleeve may comprise a detachable upper portion, and a skirt portion.

Abstract: A plant packaging method providing a tubular sleeve having excess material therein and attaching the sleeve to a potted plant via a bonding material.

Abstract: A plant packaging system and method comprising a combination of a protective upper portion and a decorative lower portion having a base portion and a skirt portion for packaging a potted plant or a botanical item and a growing medium without a pot. The protective upper portion can be detached from the lower portion of the package system once the protective function of the upper portion has been completed. The sleeve may be provided without a detachable upper portion. The lower portion may have a skirt portion which has a non-linear upper peripheral edge. The lower portion may be tapered and may have a gusset in the lower end.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular system for packaging articles for shipment. In particular, a potted plant is placed in a cover, then automatically deposited into a protective sleeve. The potted plant thus packaged is ready for containment within a shipping carton. Various components of the system may be adapted for various packaging needs and circumstances.

Abstract: Flexible polymeric materials having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth suitable for use in the formation of decorative flower pot covers are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of floral sleeves having a uniform design or pattern and printed circumferentially about a lower end thereof without requiring the waste of significant portions of sheet material is provided. The method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of web portions along lines defined by coextensive first side edges and coextensive second side edges of printed portions. In another aspect, the method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of overlapping web portions provided with a plurality of printed portions along a plurality of lines which traverse the printed portions and each of the corresponding unprinted portions to form a plurality of sleeves wherein each sleeve has an upper portion and a lower portion with the lower portion having a printed portion extending continuously about the exterior circumference of the lower portion of the sleeve while the upper portion is free of any printing contained in the lower portion of an adjacently formed sleeve.

Abstract: Wrappers and sleeves for floral groupings formed from a material constructed of a layer of cloth and a layer of polymeric film wherein at least a portion of the layer of polymeric film is laminated to the layer of cloth, as well as methods for forming same, are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A floral sleeve sized to contain a pot or floral grouping, the floral sleeve having a rigid bottom member which can be folded down from a flattened position to an open position for forming a rigid bottom in the floral sleeve. The floral sleeve may comprise a detachable upper portion, a skirt portion, a bottom gusset and/or side gussets.

Abstract: A floral sleeve sized to fit a flower pot, the sleeve generally having a conical shape and having a bonding material disposed thereon for connecting the sleeve to a pot disposed within the sleeve or connected via a banding element to a pot disposed within the sleeve.