Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
PREFORMED POT COVER HAVING A PAPER-LIKE APPEARANCB
10
SPECIFICATION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to polymeric materials having a
paper-like appearan~~e, and more particularly but not by way of
limitation, to flower pot covers, floral wrappings, ribbon
5 materials and decorative grasses made from such polymeric
materials. In one aspect, the present invention relates to methods
for producing flower pot covers and methods of wrapping floral
groupings and flower pots with a sheet of polymeric material having
a paper-like appearance to provide a decorative cover for such
10 floral groupings and flower pots. In yet another aspect, the
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
present invention relates to methods of producing ribbon materials
and decorative gra:~ses hawing a paper-like appearance or texture.
BR:fEF DE.S~CRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet of polymeric material
having a paper-like appearance constructed in accordance with the
present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet of polymeric
material having a paper-like appearance of Fig. 1 having a bonding
material disposed along one edge thereof.
Fig. 3 is a perspc>_ctive view of the sheet of polymeric
material having a paper-like appearance of Fig. 2 having a floral
grouping disposed t:hereon..
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the floral grouping of Fig. 3
being wrapped with the sheet of material having a paper-like
appearance of Fig. 2 by one method of wrapping.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a decorative cover for the
floral grouping formed from the sheet of polymeric material of Fig.
2 wherein the decorative cover formed from the sheet of material
has a conical configuration.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a decorative cover formed from
a sheet of polymeric material of Fig. 2 wherein a floral grouping
is wrapped with the sheet of polymeric material having a paper-like
appearance by a second method of wrapping so that the decorative
2
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
cover formed from the sheet of polymeric material having a paper-
like appearance has a sub;~tantially cylindrical configuration.
' Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a decorative cover positioned
about a flower pot wherein the decorative cover is formed from a
sheet of the polymeric material having a paper-like appearance of
Fig. 1.
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a flower pot cover former
and band applicator apparatus wherein a sheet of the polymeric
material having a paper-like appearance of Fig. 1 is disposed above
an opening of the flower pot cover former and band applicator and
wherein a flower pot is disposed above the sheet of polymeric
material having a paper-like appearance.
Fig. 9A is a perspective view of a sheet of expanded core
polymeric film having a paper-like appearance wherein an acrylic
heat sealable lacqu~=_r is disposed on at least one surface thereof.
Fig. 9B is a perspective view of a laminated sheet of material
wherein one surface is modified or textured to provide the sheet of
laminated material with a paper-like appearance.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a preformed pot cover formed
from a sheet of the polymeric material having a paper-like
appearance similar to the polymeric material of Fig. 1, a sheet of
the expanded core polymeric film of Fig. 9A, or a laminated sheet
of material of Fig. 9B.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the preformed pot cover of
Fig. 10 having a flower pot disposed therein.
3
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of a male and
female mold having a sheets of material disposed therebetween for
forming the preforTned pot cover of Fig. 10.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a floral sleeve formed from
a sheet of the pol;rmeric material having a paper-like appearance.
Fig. 14 is a perspec?tive view of the floral sleeve of Fig. 13
disposed about a floral grouping.
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a floral sleeve having a
cinching member wherein the floral sleeve is formed from a sheet of
polymeric material having a paper-like appearance.
Fig. 16 is a p~erspec~tive view of the floral sleeve of Fig. 15
disposed about a floral grouping.
Fig. 17 is a side view of a sleeve having a detachable portion
wherein the sleeve is formed from a sheet of polymeric material
having a paper-like appearance.
Fig. 18 is a perspecltive view of the sleeve of Fig. 17 having
a flower pot disposed therein.
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a flower pot disposed in the
sleeve of Fig_ 17 vrherein an upper portion of the sleeve has been
removed to provide a decorative cover having a skirt.
Fig. 20A is a perspective view of a polymeric ribbon material
having a paper-like appearance.
Fig. 20B is a perspective view of a polymeric ribbon material
having a paper-like appearance formed of an expanded core polymeric
film.
4
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
Fig. 20C is a perspective view of a laminated polymeric ribbon
wherein at least or.~e surface of the laminated polymeric ribbon is
modified or textured to provide the laminated polymeric ribbon with
an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.
Fig. 21 is a schematic representation of a system for making
decorative grass having a paper-like appearance or texture in
accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 22A is a perspective view of a segment of decorative
grass having a paper-like appearance produced from the polymeric
material having a paper-hike appearance.
Fig. 22B is a perspective view of a segment of decorative
grass having a paper-like appearance produced from a laminated
polymeric material having a paper-like appearance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Description of Figures 1-9
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, designated generally by the
reference numeral 10 is a aheet or web of polymeric material having
a paper-like finish or appearance (hereinafter referred to as sheet
of polymeric material 10 or the sheet of polymeric material 10
having a paper-like appearance). That is, at least one surface of
the sheet of polymeric material 10 has been modified to provide a
matte or textured finish assimilating the texture and appearance of
paper.
The modification of the sheet of polymeric material 10 to
provide the sheet of polymeric material with a matte or textured
finish assimilating paper ~~an be accomplished in several ways. For
5
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
example, a matte finish can be provided by printing a desired
pattern on the :sheet of polymeric material and thereafter
laminating a matte material, such as a translucent polymeric film
over the printed pattern. To further enhance the paper-like
appearance of the sheet of polymeric material 10, the matte
material may or may not have a plurality of spatially disposed
holes extending therethrough. A matte or textured finish can also
be produced by prim=ing a sheet of polymeric material with a matted
(i.e. dull finish) ink, by lacquering at least one surface of the
sheet of polymeric material with a dull finish lacquer or a matting
lacquer, by embossing the sheet of polymeric material to provide an
embossed pattern simulating the appearance or texture of paper, or
by embossing and printing the sheet of polymeric material to
provide embossed a:nd printed patterns wherein the embossed and
printed patterns may be in registry, out of registry or wherein a
portion of the embossed and printed patterns are in registry and a
portion of the embossed and printed patterns are out of registry.
In addition, a matte or textured finish capable of providing the
sheet of polymeric material with a paper-like appearance can be
achieved by extruding a polymeric resin onto a matted or textured
chill roll or by laminating a second sheet of material to the sheet
of polymeric material.
The sheet of polymeric material 10 having a paper-like
appearance has an upper ;surface 14, a lower surface 16, and an
outer peripheral edge 18. At least one surface of the sheet of
polymeric material 10, such as the lower surface 16, is matted or
6
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
textured as described above to provide the sheet of polymeric
material with a paper-like appearance. The outer peripheral edge
18 of the sheet of polymeric material 10 comprises a first side 20,
a second side 22, a third side 24, and a fourth side 26. A bonding
material 27 (Fig. c:) may be disposed on at least a portion of one
or both surfaces of the ;sheet of material 10, such as the upper
surface 14 thereof as shown and as further illustrated in U.S.
Patent No. 5,181,364, t:he specification of which is hereby
expressly incorporated herein by reference.
The sheet of polymieric material 10 having a paper-like
appearance may be employed to provide a decorative cover for a
floral grouping (Figs. 3 and 6) or a decorative cover for a flower
pot (Fig. 7); or to form a preformed flower pot cover for covering
a flower pot (Figs. 10 and ll); or to provide a sleeve for wrapping
or covering a floral grouping (Figs. 14 and 16) or a flower pot
(Figs. 18 and 19); or to provide a ribbon material having a paper-
like appearance (Fig. 20A); or to produce decorative grass (Figs.
21 and 22A). The use of the sheet of polymeric material 10 having
a paper-like appearance t:o form a decorative cover for a floral
grouping or a flower pot, or to form a sleeve for a floral grouping
or a flower pot, or to foam a preformed flower pot cover, or as a
ribbon material or to produce decorative grasses will be described
in more complete detail h~=_rein.
As noted above:, the sheet of polymeric material 10 having a
paper-like appearance can be utilized to form a decorative cover
for a floral grouping or a flower pot. The term "flower pot" as
7
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
used herein. refers to any type of container for holding a floral
grouping, or a plant., or even another pot-type container. Examples
of flower pots and/or pot-type containers include, but are not
limited to, clay pats, wooden pots, plastic pots, pots made from
natural and/or synthetic fibers, or any combination thereof. Such
flower pots and or pot-type containers are provided with a
retaining space for receiving a floral grouping. The floral
grouping may be disposed within the retaining space of the flower
pot with a suitable growing medium described in further detail
below, or other retaining medium, such as a floral foam. It will
also be understood 'that in some cases the floral grouping, and any
appropriate growing medium or other retaining medium, may be
disposed in a sleeve formed from the sheet of material 10 if the
sleeve is adapted to cont<~in a medium.
"Floral grouping" a:> 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 a:nd/or ornamentation or artificial or natural
materials which adld to the aesthetics of the overall floral
grouping. Further,. the floral grouping may comprise a growing
potted plant having a root portion as well. However, it will be
appreciated that this floral grouping may consist of only a single
bloom or only foliage, or a botanical item (not shown), or a
propagule. The term "floral grouping" may be used interchangeably
herein with the term "floral arrangement". The term "floral
8
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
grouping" may also be use>_d interchangeably herein with the terms
"botanical item" and/or "propagule."
The term "growing medium" when used herein means any liquid,
solid or gaseous material used for plant growth or for the
cultivation of propagu=Les, including organic and inorganic
materials such as :>oil, hmmus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water,
and including tree nutrients, fertilizers or hormones or
combinations thereof required by the plants or propagules for
growth.
The term "botanical item" when used herein means a natural or
artificial herbaceous oz- woody plant, taken singularly or in
combination. The germ "botanical item" also means any portion or
portions of natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plants
including stems, leaves, flowers, blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or
roots, taken singularly or in combination, or in groupings of such
portions such as bouquets. or floral groupings.
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.
In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the sheet of
polymeric material 10 having a paper-like appearance is square. It
will be appreciated., however, that the sheet of polymeric material
10 having a paper-like appearance can be of any shape,
configuration or size as 7_ong as the sheet of polymeric material 10
is sufficiently sized and shaped to wrap and encompass a floral
9
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
grouping or a flower pot. For example, the sheet of polymeric
material 10 may have a rectangular, round, oval, octagonal or
asymmetrical shape. Further, multiple sheets of the polymeric
material 10 may be used in a single circumstance to provide a
decorative cover or sleeve for a floral grouping or a flower pot.
Moreover, when multiple sheets of the polymeric material 10 having
a paper-like appearance .are used in combination, the sheets of
polymeric material 10 need not be uniform in size or shape.
Finally, it will be appreciated that the sheet of polymeric
material 10 having a paper-like appearance shown herein is a
substantially flat sheet. except for the texturing, matting,
embossing, flocking, application of a foamable lacquer or foamable
ink, or other treatments and techniques employed to provide the
sheet of polymeric material 10 with the desired texture or matting
so that the sheet of polymeric material 10 has the appearance of
paper.
Any thickness or stiffness of the sheet of polymeric material
10 may be utilized i.n acco:rdance with the present invention as long
as the sheet of material 1D can be modified to provide the sheet of
polymeric material with a paper-like appearance and the sheet of
material 10 having <~ paper-like appearance can be wrapped about at
least a portion,of a floral grouping or a flower pot or to form a
preformed flower pot cover, or to form a sleeve, or to provide
ribbon material, or to produce decorative grasses, as described
herein. Generally, the sheet of polymeric material 10 will have a
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils, and more
desirably a thicknf~ss of from about 0.5 mils to about 10 mils.
The terms "polymer film", "polymeric film" and "polymeric
material" when used herein means a synthetic polymer such as a
polypropylene, a naturally occurring polymer such as cellophane, an
extruded polymeric material having an expanded core such as
extruded polypropylene h<~ving an expanded core and combinations
thereof. The extruded polymeric material having an expanded core
may also be referred to herein as an expanded core polymeric
material.
"Extruded polymeric material having an expanded core" or
"expanded core polymeric :Film" as used herein means any extrudable
polymeric material or pol~~rmeric film in which the core is expanded
during extrusion, such as. by incorporation of a blowing agent in
the polymeric resin which is being extruded.
The sheet of material 10 may also be constructed, in whole or
in part, from a cling mate>rial. "Cling material" when used herein
means any material which is capable of connecting to the sheet of
material and/or itself upon contacting engagement during the
wrapping process and is wrappable about an item whereby portions of
the cling material contactingly engage and connect to other
portions of another material, or, alternatively, itself, for
generally securing the material wrapped about at least a portion of
a flower pot. This connecting engagement is preferably temporary
in that the material may be easily removed, i.e., the cling
material "clings" to the :Flower pot.
11
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
The cling material i.s constructed and treated if necessary,
from polyethylene :>uch as. Cling Wrap made by Glad°, First Brands
Corporation, Danbury, Connecticut. The thickness of the cling
material will, in p;~rt, depend upon the size of sleeve and the size
of the flower pot in the sleeve, i.e., generally, a larger flower
pot may require a thicker and therefore stronger cling material.
The cling material will range in thickness from about 0.1 mils to
about 10 mils, and more desirably from about 0.5 mils to about 2.5
mils. However, any thickness of cling material may be utilized in
accordance with the pre::ent invention which permits the cling
material to be modified a~.s hereinbefore described to provide the
cling material with a paper-like appearance.
A decorative cover for a floral grouping (Figs. 3 and 6), or
a decorative cover i_or a flower pot (Fig. 7) , or a preformed flower
pot cover for covering a flower pot (Figs_ 10 and 11), or a sleeve
for wrapping or covering .a floral grouping (Figs_ 14 and 16) or a
flower pot (Figs. 1.B and 1.9), or a ribbon material having a paper-
like appearance (Fig_ 20A), or decorative grass (Figs. 21 and 22A)
may also be constricted of a laminated material (Fig. 9B). The
laminated material having a paper-like appearance can be produced
by laminating two o:r more sheets of polymeric film (such as two or
more sheets of polypropylene film or a sheet of polypropylene film
and a sheet of expanded core polymeric film, such as expanded core
polypropylene film) , or k>y laminating a polymeric film (such as
polypropylene film or <~n expanded core polymeric film) to
metallized foil and the like wherein at least one surface of the
12
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
laminated material is textured or modified to assimilate the
appearance or texture of paper. The only requirements in using a
laminated material. having a paper-like appearance to form a
decorative cover for a floral grouping, or a decorative cover for
a flower pot, or a prefortr~ed flower pot cover for covering a flower
pot, or a sleeve for wrapping or covering a floral grouping or a
flower pot, or as ribbon material or decorative grass in accordance
with the present invention is that at least one surface of the
laminated material be capable of being modified to provide the
laminated material with apt least one surface having a ~aper-like
appearance and that the laminated material be sufficiently flexible
or pliable to permit the laminated material to be formed into a
decorative cover for a floral grouping, or a decorative cover for
a flower pot, or a preformed flower pot cover for covering a flower
pot, or a sleeve for wrapping or covering a floral grouping or a
flower pot, or to he used as ribbon material or decorative grass.
It should also be noted that two or more separate sheets of
material can be used to form a decorative cover for a floral
grouping, or a decorative cover for a flower pot, or a preformed
flower pot cover for covering a flower pot, or a sleeve for
wrapping or covering a floral grouping or a flower pot as long as
one of the sheets of material is modified or textured to provide
same with a paper-like appearance.
The sheet of polymeric material 10 or a laminated material
(Fig. 9B) having a paper-like appearance may vary in color.
Further, the sheet of polyn~neric material 10 or a laminated material
13
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
may be provided v~rith other decorative patterns or designs in
addition to the mattingr, texturing, flocking, application of
foamable lacquers or foamable inks, or embossing employed to impart
the paper-like appearance to the sheet of polymeric material 10 or
the laminated material.
As illustrated in Fig. 3, the sheet of polymeric material 10
has a width 30 extending generally between the first side 20 and
the second side 22, respectively, sufficiently sized whereby the
sheet of polymeric material 10 can be wrapped about and encompass
a floral grouping or a flower pot. The sheet of polymeric material
10 has a length 32 extending generally between the third side 24
and the fourth side 26, respectively, sufficiently sized whereby
the sheet of polymeric material 10 extends over a substantial
portion of the flor;~l grouping when the sheet of polymeric material
10 has been wrapped about. the floral grouping in accordance with
the present invention, as described in detail herein. The sheet of
polymeric material 10 may also be wrapped about a flower pot to
substantially wrap and cover the flower pot in accordance with the
present invention.
A plurality of sheets. of polymeric material 10 having a paper-
like appearance ma~,~ be connected together to form a roll as is
shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,459,976, issued October 24, 1995,
entitled "MATERIAL AND ADHESIVE STRIP DISPENSER", the specification
of which is hereby expressly incorporated in its entirety herein by
reference.
14
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
Figs. 3-5 illustrate the use of the sheet of polymeric
material 10 having a paper-like appearance in wrapping a floral
grouping 34 to provide a. decorative cover 36 (Fig. 5) for the
floral grouping 39:_ Th.e sheet of polymeric material 10 may
optionally have a strip of bonding material disposed upon the upper
surface 14, the lower surface 16 or both, such as the strip of
bonding material 27 dispo:aed along at least a portion of the upper
surface 14 of the sheet of polymeric material 10 so as to be
disposed substantially ;adjacent the fourth side 26 thereof
substantially as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Further, the sheet of
polymeric material 10 having a paper-like appearance can be
provided either as an individual sheet or from a pad or roll of
material.
The bonding material 27, if present, may have a backing or
release strip (not shown). The backing or release strip may be
left applied for a period of time to the bonding material 27 after
it is disposed on a surface of the sheet of polymeric material 10
prior to its use as a wrapping material to protect the bonding
qualities of the bonding :strip.
In operation, .an operator may dispose the sheet of polymeric
material 10 having a paper-like appearance on a support surface
(not shown); the .Lower surface 16 of the sheet of polymeric
material 10 (which has been modified to provide the sheet of
polymeric material 10 with a paper-like appearance), contacting the
support surface.
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
Referring more specii:ically to Figs. 3-5, the floral grouping
34 is placed upon the upper surface 14 of the sheet of material 10
in a diagonal orientation. The floral grouping 34 has an upper
bloom or foliage portion 42 and a lower stem portion 44. The
sheet of polymeric material 10 is then wrapped about the floral
grouping 34 by the operator (Figs. 4 and 5), the operator
overlapping a portion of the sheet of polymeric material 10 over
another portion of the sheet of polymeric material 10. That is,
for example, the op.=_rator places the first side 20 of the sheet of
LO polymeric material :LO over the floral grouping 34, as shown in Fig.
4. The operator continues to roll the floral grouping 34 and the
sheet of polymeric material 10 in the direction toward the second
side 22 of the sheet of polymeric material 10 until the upper
surface 14 near second side 22 firmly engages the lower surface 16
L5 of the sheet of polymeric material 10, wherein the floral grouping
34 is substantially encompassed by the sheet of polymeric material
10, and wherein the bonding material 27 contacts the sheet of
polymeric material :LO to provide the decorative cover 36 having a
paper-like appearance which substantially encompasses and surrounds
ZO a substantial portion of the floral grouping 34.
Fig. 5 shows the floral grouping 34 wrapped in a conical
fashion to provide t:he decorative cover 36 for the floral grQUping
34 which has the appearance of being made of paper. When the
floral grouping 34 .is wrapped in a conical fashion, the bloom end
Z5 42 of the floral grouping :34 is exposed near the open upper end of
16
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
the decorative cover 36 and the stem end 44 exposed near the lower
end of the decorative cover 36.
In another embodiment, illustrated in Fig. 6, the sheet of
polymeric material :10 having a paper-.like appearance is utilized to
wrap the floral grouping :34 in a cylindrical fashion. The floral
grouping 34 is disposed upon the sheet of polymeric material 10
approximately parallel to side 24 of the sheet of polymeric
material 10. The sheet of polymeric material 10 is wrapped
generally about the stem portion 44 of the floral grouping 34 to a
position wherein the third side 24 of the sheet of polymeric
material 10 generally overlaps the fourth side 26 of the sheet of
polymeric material :LO in a cylindrical fashion. It should be noted
that the sheet of polymeric material 10 may be wrapped a plurality
of times about the saem portion 44 of the floral grouping 34 before
the overlapping of the third side 24 and the fourth side 26 of the
sheet of material 10. A,s before, the portion of the sheet of
material 10 near the third side 26 is disposed generally adjacent
another portion of the sheet of material 10 and the two adjacent
portions then are brought into contact where they may be bondingly
engaged, thereby securing the sheet of polymeric material 10
generally about the floral grouping 34 so as to provide a
decorative cover 36a for the floral grouping 34 which has the
appearance of being fabricated of paper.
In another version o:E the invention, the sheet of polymeric
material 10 having a paper-like appearance may be used to wrap a
flower pot or pot-type container, as noted above. Shown in Fig.7
17
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
is a flower pot designated by the reference numeral 50 having an
open upper end 52, a bottom end 54, an outer peripheral surface 56,
and an inner retaining space 58 within . which may be disposed a
growing medium. Tlhe flower pot 50 may contain a botanical item,
such as a plant 60, which has an upper portion 62 comprising blooms
or foliage or both,
The sheet of polymeric material 10 having a paper-like
appearance may be wrapped about the flower pot 50 by any one of
numerous methods used to wrap sheets of material about flower pots
to form decorative spot covers for flower pots, such as a decorative
cover 61 having a paper-like appearance disposed about the flower
pot 50 illustrated in Fig_ 7. The sheet of polymeric material 10
may, for example, be formed by hand about the outer peripheral
surface 56 of the flower pot 50 to produce the decorative cover 61
which has the appearance of being fabricated of paper. The
decorative cover 61 can then be secured about the flower pot 50 by
a bonding material or by an elastic band 64 such that the open
upper end 52 of the flower pot 50 remains substantially uncovered
by the decorative cover 61 substantially as shown in Fig. 7.
Referring now to Fig'. 8, a flower pot cover former and band
applicator apparatus 66 for forming the sheet of polymeric material
10 having a paper-like appearance into the decorative cover 61 for
the flower pot 50 of Fig. 7 is illustrated. The flower pot cover
former and band appl'_icator device 66 comprises a band applicator 68
and a flower pot cover former 70. The flower pot cover former and
band applicator device 66 has a support platform 72 with an opening
18
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
74 formed therein. A band, such as elastic band 64, is disposed
circumferentially about the opening 74 in the support platform 72.
The lower surface 16 of the sheet of polymeric material 10
(which has been modified to provide the sheet of polymeric material
10 with a textured or matted surface assimilating paper in
appearance) is positioned on an upper surface 76 on the support
platform 72 such that t:he sheet of polymeric material 10 is
positioned over the opening 74 in the support platform 72. The
flower pot 50 is positioned above the sheet of polymeric mater~,al
10 and is moved in ;~ direction 78 into the opening 74 of the flower
pot cover former and band applicator device 66. As the flower pot
50 is moved into th<: opening 74, the sheet of polymeric material 10
is pressed about the outer peripheral surface 56 of the flower pot
50 thereby forming the decorative cover 61 about the flower pot 50.
The decorative cover 61 (which has a paper-like appearance) is then
secured about the flower pot 50 by the elastic band 64. The flower
pot 50 having the decorative cover 61 is then moved in a direction
80 out of the opening 74 in the support platform 72.
The elastic band 64 can be applied manually or automatically
such as by the method shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,105,599 which is
hereby incorporated. herein by reference. The band 64 can also be
applied as a tie. One method for using a tie is described in
"Single Station Covering and Fastening System", U.S. Patent No.
5,609,009, the specification of which is hereby incorporated herein
by reference. The sheet of polymeric material 10 having a paper-
like appearance can also be applied automatically about the pot 60,
19
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
for example, by methods shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,733,521 and
5,291,721, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
Instead of securing the decorative cover 61 about the flower
pot 50 via the band 64, the decorative cover 61 formed from the
sheet of polymeric material l0 having a paper-like appearance may
be secured to the flower pot 50 by the use of one or more bonding
materials. For axample, the upper surface 14 of the sheet of
polymeric material 10 may have a bonding material such as bonding
material 27 disposed upon a portion thereof. When the sheet of
polymeric material 10 is dLisposed about the flower pot 50, at least
a portion of the upper surface 14 of the sheet of polymeric
material 10 contacts the outer peripheral surface 56 of the flower
pot 50 and is thereby bonded and held about the flower pot 50 via
the bonding material.
The bonding material may cover a portion of the upper surface
14 of the sheet of polymeric material 10 or the bonding material
may entirely cover the upper surface 14 of the sheet of polymeric
material 10. The :bonding material may be disposed on the upper
surface 14 of the sheet o:E polymeric material 10 in the form of a
strip or in the form of: spaced-apart spots. One method for
disposing a bonding material on the sheet of polymeric material 10
is described in U.3. Patent No. 5,111,637, entitled "Method For
Wrapping A Floral C3rouping", issued to Weder, et al. on May 12,
1992, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
The term "bonding material" when used herein can mean an
adhesive, frequent7.y a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive
or any adhesive/cohesive combination, having adhesive qualities
(i.e., qualities of adhesion or adhesion/cohesion, respectively)
sufficient to causs~ the attachment of a portion of the sheet of
polymeric material 10 to itself, to a floral grouping, or to a
flower pot. Since the bonding material may be either an adhesive,
or a cohesive, or an adhesive/cohesive combination, it will be
appreciated that both adhesives and cohesives are known in the art,
and both are commercially available. When the bonding material is
a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must be placed on the
adjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondingly engaging
with the cohesive maaerial. The term "bonding material" also
includes materials which <~re heat sealable and, in this instance,
the adjacent portions of the material must be brought into contact
and then heat must. be applied to effect the seal. The term
"bonding material" also includes materials which are sonically
sealable and vibratory sealable. The term "bonding material" when
used herein also me~~ns a heat sealing lacquer or hot melt material
which may be applied to the material and, in this instance, heat,
sound waves, or vibrations, also must be applied to effect the
sealing.
The term "bonding material" when used herein also means any
type of material or thing which can be used to effect the bonding
or connecting of the two adjacent portions of the sheet of
polymeric material 7.0 to effect the connection or bonding described
21
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
herein. The term "bonding material~ may also include ties, labels,
bands, ribbons, strings, tapes (including single or double-sided
adhesive tapes), staples or combinations thereof. Some of the
bonding materials would secure the ends of the material while other
bonding material may bind the circumference of a wrapper, or a
sleeve, or, alternatively and/or in addition, the bonding materials
would secure overlapping folds in the material and/or sleeve.
Another way to secure the: wrapping and/or sleeve is to heat seal
the ends of the material to another portion of the material. One
way to do this is i.o cont:act the ends with an iron of sufficient
heat to heat seal the material.
Alternatively, a cold seal adhesive may be utilized as the
bonding material. '.Che cold seal adhesive adheres only to a similar
substrate, acting similarly as a cohesive, and binds only to
itself. The cold seal adhesive, since it bonds only to a similar
substrate, does not cause a residue to build up on equipment,
thereby both permitt=ing much more rapid disposition and use of such
equipment to form articles and reducing labor costs. Further,
since no heat is rec;uired to effect the seal, the dwell time, that
is, the time for they sheet of material to form and retain the shape
of an article, such as a flower pot cover or flower pot, is
reduced. A cold ,seal adhesive binds quickly and easily with
minimal pressure, acid such. a seal is not readily releasable. This
characteristic is different from, for example, a pressure sensitive
adhesive.
22
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
The term "bonding material" when used herein also means any
heat or chemically shrinkable material, and static electrical or
other electrical means, chemical welding means, magnetic means,
mechanical or barb-type fastening means or clamps, curl-type
characteristics of the fi:Lm or materials incorporated in material
which can cause tree material to take on certain shapes, cling
films, slots, grooves, shrinkable materials and bands, curl
materials, springs, and any type of welding method which may weld
portions of the material to itself or to the pot, or to both the
material itself and the pot.
Description of Figs. 9-12
Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, a decorative preformed
flower pot cover 1:LO is illustrated constructed from a sheet of
flexible material 112 having a paper-like appearance (Fig. 9A) or
a flexible laminated sheet of material 112a having a paper-like
appearance (Fig. 9E3). In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9A, the
sheet of flexible material 112 used in the construction of the
preformed flower pot cover 110 comprises a sheet of expanded core
polymeric material 7.14 having an upper surface 116, a lower surface
118 and a thicknes:~ in the range of from about 0.5 to about 10
mils, more desirably in the range of from about 0.6 to about 1.25
mils, and a coating of an acrylic heat sealable lacquer 120
disposed on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces 116 and
118, respectively, of the expanded core polymeric film 114. It
should be understood, however, that the sheet of flexible material
112 is not limited to being the expanded core polymeric film 114
23
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
having a paper-like appearance; rather, the sheet of flexible
material 112 can be' any flexible polymeric material (such as the
sheet of polymeric nnaterial 10 herein before described) or flexible
laminated material (such as will be described herein after with
reference to Fig. 9B) which can be modified or textured so that at
least one surface of such polymeric material or laminated material
is provided with a paper-:Like appearance and/or texture.
As previously stated, the modification of the expanded core
polymeric film 114 to provide the sheet of flexible material with
the desired paper-like matte or textured finish can be accomplished
by printing a desired pattern on the sheet of expanded core
polymeric material Bind thereafter laminating a matte material, such
as a translucent polymeric film over the printed pattern. To
further enhance the paper--like appearance, the matte material may
or may not have a pluralii~y of spatially disposed holes extending
therethrough. A matte or textured finish can also be produced by
printing a sheet of expanded core polymeric material with a matted
(i.e. dull finish) ink, by lacquering at least one surface of the
sheet of expanded core polymeric material with a dull finish
lacquer or a matting lacquer, by embossing the sheet of expanded
core polymeric material to provide an embossed pattern assimilating
the texture and appearance of paper, or by embossing and printing
the sheet of expanded core' polymeric material to provide embossed
and printed pattern: wherein the embossed and printed patterns may
be in registry, out of :registry, or wherein a portion of the
embossed and printed patterns are in registry and a portion of the
24
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
embossed and printed patterns are out of registry. In addition, a
matte or textured finish capable a providing the sheet of flexible
polymeric material with a paper-like appearance can be achieved by
extruding a polymer=ic resin onto a matted or textured chill roll to
produce the expande=d core' polymeric material or by laminating a
second sheet of mat=erial to the sheet of expanded core polymeric
material.
When the sheet. of flexible material 112 is formed into the
preformed flower pot cover 110, a plurality of overlapping folds
122 are formed and at leaea a portion of the overlapping folds 122
are connected to adjacently disposed portions of the preformed
flower pot cover 110.
As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the decorative preformed pot
cover 122 has an upper end 125, a lower end 126, and an outer
peripheral surface 128. An opening 130 intersects the upper end
125, forming an inner peripheral surface 132 which defines and
encompasses a retaining space within which a flower pot 134
containing a floral group=ing 136 may be disposed in a manner well
known in the art.
In another embodiment:, a sheet of flexible laminated material
112a (Fig. 9B) is used in the construction of the preformed flower
pot cover 110. The sheet of flexible laminated material 112a
comprises a first sheet of material 114a having an upper surface
116a, a lower surfac=e 118a and a second sheet of material 120a. At
least one surface of: the first sheet of material 114a or the second
sheet of material l2;Oa is modified to provide the sheet of flexible
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
laminated material 112a with the desired paper-like appearance.
The sheet of flexible laminated material 112a having a paper-like
appearance can be produced by laminating two or more sheets of
polymeric film (such as two or more sheets of polypropylene film or
a sheet of polypropylene film and a sheet of expanded core
polymeric film, such as Expanded core polypropylene film), or by
laminating a polymeric film (such as polypropylene film or an
expanded core polymeric film) with a sheet of metallized foil and
the like wherein at least one surface of the laminated material is
textured or modified to .assimilate the appearance of paper_ In
addition to texturing or modifying at least one surface of the
laminated material to pro~ride same with an appearance assimilating
the appearance of paper, at least one of the sheets of polymeric
film or the sheet of metaT.lized foil film may contain embossed and
printed patterns, designs or materials; and the embossed and
printed patterns, designs or materials may be in register with one
another, out of register with one another, or a portion of the
embossed and printed patterns may be in register with one another
and a portion of tile embossed and printed patterns may be out of
register with one another.
The first sheet of material 114a desirably has a thickness of
from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils, and more desirably from about
0.6 mil to about 1..25 mils, and the second sheet of material 120
desirably has a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils,
and more desirably from ;about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils. The
second sheet or material 120 is desirably laminated to the first
26
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
sheet of material 114a with a colored adhesive so as to impart a
desired color to the laminated sheet of flexible material 112a.
While the thickness of the sheet of flexible material 112a can vary
widely and will generally depend on the thickness of the first
sheet of material 114a and the thickness of the second sheet of
material 120, desirable results can be obtained where the laminated
sheet of flexible material 112a has a thickness in the range of
from about 1 mil to about. 20 mils, and more desirably from about
1.2 mils to about 2.5 mils.
As previously stated, the preformed flower pot cover 110 may
be constructed from the sheet of material 10 (Fig. l), or the sheet
of the flexible mai:erial 112 (Fig. 9A) , or the sheet of flexible
laminated material 112a (1?ig. 9B)_ The preformed flower pot cover
110 so formed will have a plurality of overlapping folds formed
therein, at least a. portion thereof being connected. If desired,
the pre formed flower pot cover 110 can be formed of a plurality of
sheets of the same and/or different types of material. The method
and apparatus employed to form the preformed flower pot cover is
substantially identical whether one uses one or more sheets of the
polymeric material 10 (Fid. 1), one or more sheets of the flexible
material 112 (Fig. 9A), or one or more sheets of the flexible
laminated material 112a (:Fig. 9B) or a combination of such sheets
of material. Thus, only the formation of the preformed flower pot
cover 110 using a sheet of the flexible material 112 of Fig. 9 will
be described in detail hereinafter
27
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
The decorative: preformed flower pot cover 122 may be formed
using a conventional mold system 140 comprising a male mold 142 and
a female mold 144 having a mold cavity 146 for matingly receiving
the male mold 142 (Fig. 12). The sheet of flexible material 112 is
positioned between the male and female molds 142 and 144,
respectively. Movement of the male mold 142 in the direction 148
and into the mold cavity 146 forces the sheet of flexible material
112 to be disposed ~~bout the portion of the male mold 142 disposed
in the mold cavity 1.46 of i:he female mold 146 and thereby forms the
LO sheet of material 112 into the preformed decorative flower pot
cover 110 (Figs. 10 and 1.1). Further, in accordance with the
present invention, the pre~formed flower pot cover 110 constructed
from the materials described herein above, may have a bonding
material disposed upon a portion thereof.
Methods for forming pouch preformed decorative pot covers are
well known in the .art. 'Two methods of forming such covers are
described in U.S_ Patent Nos. 4,773,182 and 5,291,721, each of
which is expressly :incorporated herein by reference.
Description of Figs. 13-19
Shown in Fig. L3 is a. decorative cover designated therein by
the general reference numeral 160 which comprises a f lexible bag or
sleeve 162 of unitary construction having a paper-like appearance
in accordance with the present invention. The sleeve 162 may be
used as a decorativc> cover for a floral grouping or a flower pot.
The sleeve 162 initially comprises a flexible flat collapsed piece
of material which i.s openable in the form of a tube or sleeve.
28
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
Such sleeves are well known in the floral industry. Further, in
accordance with the present invention, the decorative cover 160 can
be constructed of the polymeric material 10 (Fig. 1), the flexible
material 112 (Fig. 9A), or the flexible laminated material 112a
(Fig. 9B) , whereby at lea:>t a portion of one surface, preferably an
outer peripheral surface 164 of the sleeve 162, has been modified
to provide the sleeve 162 with a paper-like appearance as
previously described herein. The sleeve 162 has an upper end 166,
a lower end 168 and the outer peripheral surface 164. The sleeve
162 may be tapered outwardly from the lower end 168 toward a larger
diameter at its upper end 166_ In its flattened state the sleeve
162 generally has ~~n overall trapezoidal or modified trapezoidal
shape, and when opened i:> substantially frusto-conical in shape.
It will be apprec»ated, however, that the sleeve 162 may have
variations on the aforementioned shapes or may have significantly
altered shapes such as square or rectangular, wherein the sleeve
162 when opened has: a cylindrical form, as long as the sleeve 162
functions in accordance with the present invention in the manner
described herein. The sleeve 162 (or any other sleeve disclosed
herein) may have an. angular or contoured shape-.
The sleeve 162 has an opening 170 at the upper end 166 and may
be open at the lower end 7.68, or closed with a bottom at the lower
end 168. The slEeve 162 ,also has an inner peripheral surface 172
which, when the sleeve 162 is opened, defines and encompasses an
inner retaining space 174. When the lower end 168 of the sleeve
162 has a closed lower end 168, a portion of the lower end 168 may
29
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
be inwardly folded to form one or more gussets (not shown) for
allowing the lower portion of the inner retaining space 174 to be
expandable, for example, for receiving the circular bottom of a pot
or growing medium.
The sleeve 162 is generally frusto-conically shaped, but the
sleeve 162 may be, Iby way of example but not by way of limitation,
cylindrical, frusto-conical, a combination of both frusto-conical
and cylindrical, or any other shape, as long as the sleeve 162
functions as descriibed herein as noted above. Further, the sleeve
162 may comprise ;any shape, whether geometric, non-geometric,
asymmetrical and/or fanciful as long as it functions in accordance
with the present invention. The sleeve 162 may also be equipped
with drain holes (if having a closed bottom) or side ventilation
holes (not shown) , or can be made from gas permeable or impermeable
materials.
The material from whiLch the sleeve 162 is constructed is the
same as previously described above for the sheet of polymeric
material 10 having a paper-like appearance, or the sheet of
flexible material 11.2 or the sheet of laminated material 112a_ Any
thickness of material may be utilized in accordance with the
present invention as long as the sleeve 162 may be formed as
described herein, i:: provided with a paper-like appearance, and as
long as the formed :sleeve 162 may contain at least a portion of a
flower pot or a floral grouping, as described herein.
Additionally, an insulating material such as bubble film,
preferable as one oi_ two or more layers, can be utilized in order
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
to provide additional protection for the item, such as a floral
grouping, contained. therein.
In Fig,. 14 the sleeve 162 is illustrated having a paper-like
appearance provided on the outer peripheral surface 184 of the
sleeve 162. A floral grouping 176 is disposed within the inner
retaining space 174 of tlhe sleeve 162. Generally, an upper or
bloom portion 178 of the floral grouping 176 is exposed near the
opening 170 of the sleeve 162 and a lower or stem portion 180 of
the floral grouping 176 is exposed near the lower end 168 of the
sleeve 162. Either end oi= the sleeve 162 may be closed about the
floral grouping 176.. Gerierally, a portion of the sleeve 162 is
tightened about a portion of the stem portion 180 of the floral
grouping 176 for holding the decorative cover 160 about the floral
grouping 176. For example, the sleeve 162 may be held by a tie
182 tied about the sleeve 162 such as is shown in Fig. 14. Other
means for binding the sleeve 162 may be employed such as the
bonding materials <iescribed elsewhere herein. For example, as
shown in Fig. 15, a decorative cover 160a is shown which comprises
a sleeve 162a having a paper-like appearance and a cinching tab 184
having a bonding material :L86 disposed upon a surface thereof . The
cinching tab 184 can be used to gather portions of the sleeve 162a
together about the ;stem portion 180 of the floral grouping 176 as
shown in Fig. 16 for holding the sleeve 162a tightly about the
floral grouping 176.
Similarly, it may generally be desired to use the sleeve 162
as a decorative cover for a flower pot (not shown) . The flower pot
31
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
will generally contain a botanical item or plant. The flower pot
can be deposited into the open sleeve 162 in a manner well known in
the art, such as manually wherein the sleeve 162 is opened by hand
and the flower pot deposited therein.
As noted above, a bonding material may be disposed on a
portion of the sleeve 162 or any sleeve described herein to assist
in holding the sleeve 162 to the flower pot when the flower pot is
disposed within the sleeve 162 or to assist in closing the upper
end 166 of the sleeve 162 or adhering the sleeve 162 to the flower
pot after the flower pot. has been disposed therein, as will be
' discussed in furthcsr detail below.
It will be understood that the bonding material, if present,
may be disposed as a strip or block on a surface of the sleeve 162.
The bonding material may also be disposed upon either the outer
peripheral surface 164 or the inner peripheral surface 172 of the
sleeve 162, as well! as upon the flower pot. Further, the bonding
material may be di;posed as spots of bonding material, or in any
other geometric, non-geometric, asymmetric, or fanciful form, and
in any pattern including covering either the entire inner
peripheral surface 172 and/or outer peripheral surface 164 of the
sleeve 162 and/or the flower pot. The bonding material may be
covered by a cover or release strip which can be removed prior to
the use of the sleeve 162 or flower pot. The bonding material can
be applied by means known to those of ordinary skill in their art.
One method for disposing a bonding material, in this case an
32
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
adhesive, is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,111,637, which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
As noted above, a bonding material may be disposed on at least
a portion of the inner peripheral surface 172 of the sleeve 162 (or
any other sleeve described herein), or, alternatively, the bonding
material may be d:isposed~. on the outer peripheral surface of a
flower pot contained within the sleeve 162, while the sleeve 162
may be free of the bonding material. In a further alternative, the
bonding material ma.y be disposed both on at least a portion of the
flower pot as well as capon at least a portion of the inner
peripheral surface 172 of the sleeve 162. In addition, a portion
of the bonding m~~terial may also be disposed on the outer
peripheral surface 164 of the sleeve 162 as well_ It will be
understood that thss bonding material may be disposed in a solid
section of bonding materia 1. The bonding material, when present,
is disposed on the sleeve 162 and/or flower pot by any means known
in the art.
Certain versions of sleeves described herein may be used in
combination with a preformed pot cover. For example, a preformed
pot cover may be applied 1.o the pot, then the covered pot wrapped
or disposed within a sleeve. Either the cover or the sleeve, or
both, may have a paper-like appearance. Examples of sleeves which
may be used in this invention are shown in the specification of
U.S. Serial No. 08/237,0713 which is expressly incorporated herein
by reference in its. entirety. Equipment and devices for forming
sleeves are commercially available, and well known in the art.
33
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
Shown in Figs . 17 and 18 is another embodiment of a decorative
cover 160b comprising a sleeve having a paper-like appearance
constructed from t:he polymeric material 10 having a paper-like
appearance, or the flexible material 112 or the laminated material
112a in accordance with the present invention and designated by the
general reference numeral 162b. The sleeve 162b has a "detaching"
element in predetermined areas for detaching a portion of the
sleeve 162b. The sleeve 162b generally initially comprises a
flexible flat collapsed piece of material which is openable in the
form of a tube or sleeve.. The sleeve 162b is constructed of the
same material and in the same way as described previously herein
and may be described exactly the same as the other sleeves
described herein ~sxcept for the additional elements described
hereinafter.
The sleeve 16:?b has an upper end 166b, a lower end 168b, and
an outer peripheral_ surface 164b. The sleeve 162b has an opening
170b at the upper e:nd 166b thereof, and the sleeve 162b may be open
at the lower end ~.68b or closed with a bottom at the lower end
168b. In a flattened state, the sleeve 162b has a first side 171
and a second side' 173. The sleeve 162b also has an inner
peripheral surface 172b which, when the sleeve 162b is opened,
defines and encompasses an inner retaining space 174b as shown in
Fig. 18. When the lower end 168b of the sleeve 162b has a closed
bottom, a portion of the lower end 168b may be inwardly folded to
form one or more gussets. (not shown) for permitting a circular
bottom of an object: such as a potted plant 176b to be disposed in
34
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
the inner retaining' space 174b of the lower end 168b of the sleeve
162b.
As shown in Figs. 1'7 and 18, the sleeve 162b is demarcated
into an upper portion 1f.8 and a lower portion 190. The lower
portion 190 of the sleeves 162b is generally sized to contain the
flower pot 176b. The upper portion 188 of the sleeve 162b is sized
to substantially surround and encompass a plant 192 contained in
the flower pot 176b disposed within the lower portion 190 of the
sleeve 162b. The sleeve 7.62b is demarcated into the upper portion
188 and the lower portion 190 by a detaching element 194 for
enabling the detachment of the upper portion 188 of the sleeve 162b
from the lower portion 190 of the sleeve 162b. In the present
version, the detaching element 194 is a plurality of generally
laterally-oriented or alternating diagonally-oriented perforations
or other non-linear configurations which extend circumferentially
across the outer peripheral surface 164b of the sleeve 162b from
the first side 171 to the second side 173.
In the embodiment shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the lower portion
190 of the sleeve 162b fu=rther comprises a base portion 196 and a
skirt portion 198. The base portion 196 is that part of the lower
portion 190 which, when the flower pot 176b is placed into the
lower portion 190, )zas an inner peripheral surface which surrounds
the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot 176b. The skirt
portion 198 is that. part of the lower portion 190 which extends
beyond an open upper end of the flower pot 176b and about at least
a portion of the plant 192 contained within the flower pot 176b and
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
which is left to freely extend at an angle, inwardly or outwardly,
from the base portion 196 when the upper portion 188 of the sleeve
162b is detached from the lower portion 190 of the sleeve 162b by
actuation of the det-_aching element 194.
In the intact sleeve 162b, the skirt portion 198 comprises an
upper peripheral edge congruent with the detaching element 194
which is connected to a lower peripheral edge, also congruent with
the detaching element 194, of the upper portion 188 of the sleeve
162b. In Figs. 17 and 18, the upper peripheral edge of the skirt
portion 198 is congruent 'with a series of alternating diagonally-
oriented lines of perforations which together form a zig-zag and
comprise the detaching element 194. The upper portion 188 of the
sleeve 162b may also have an additional detaching element 200
indicated as a plurality of vertical perforations for facilitating
removal of the upper port=ion 188 and which are disposed more or
less vertically therein extending between the detaching element 194
of the sleeve 162b and the upper end 166b.
The upper portion 188 of the sleeve 162b is thereby separable
from the lower portion 190 of the sleeve 162b by tearing the upper
portion 188 along both the vertical perforations 200 and the
detaching element 7.94, thereby separating the upper portion 188
from the lower portion 190 of the sleeve 162b. The lower portion
190 of the sleeve :L62b re>mains disposed as the base portion 196
about the flower pot 176b and as the skirt portion 198 forming a
decorative cover 202 as shown in Fig. 19 which substantially
surrounds and encompasses the flower pot 176b and the plant 192
36
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
contained therein. An outer peripheral surface 124 of the lower
portion 190 of the sleeve 162b, for example, the base and skirt
portions 196 and 198, may be modified to provide the lower portion
190 of the sleeve 162b with a paper-like appearance, while the
upper portion 188 is left unmodified or is printed with a design.
When the upper portion lEte is detached, the lower portion 190 of
the sleeve 162b remains about the flower pot 176b and thereby forms
a decorative cover about the flower pot 176b which has the
appearance of a decorative paper cover. .
"Detaching element" as used herein, means any element, or
combination of elements, or features, such as, but not by way of
limitation, perforations, tear strips, zippers, and any other
devices or elements of this nature known in the art, or any
combination thereof:. Therefore, while perforations are shown and
described in detail herein, it will be understood that tear strips,
zippers, or any other "detaching elements" known in the art, or any
combination thereo:E, could be substituted therefor and/or used
therewith.
In a general method of use of sleeves 162, 162b as a
decorative cover for a flower pot, an operator provides a sleeve
162 or 162b, and the>_ flower pot 176b having a plant 192 disposed in
a growing medium contained within the flower pot 176b. The
operator then disposes the flower pot 176b having the plant 192
contained therein into the sleeve by opening the sleeve at its
first end and assuring both that the opening therein is in an open
condition, and that the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve is
37
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
somewhat expanded outward as well, as shown in Fig. 18. The
operator then manu;~Ily or automatically disposes the flower pot
176b into the opening in the sleeve, the flower pot 176b being
disposed generally through the upper portion of. the sleeve into
generally the lower portion of the sleeve, the flower pot 176b
remaining in the lower portion of the sleeve, permitting the sleeve
to substantially surround and encompass the pot_ It will be
understood that alternatively, the sleeve with an extension (not
shown), may be utilized, the sleeve being disposed on rods, or
wickets and the flower pot then being disposed in the sleeve either
before or after the sleeve has been removed from the wickets.
Embodiments of Figs. 20A-20C
Referring now to Fig. 20A, designated generally by the
reference numeral 210 is a polymeric ribbon material having a
paper-like appearance for forming decorative bows and for wrapping
items. That is, at least one surface of a web of polymeric
material (not shown) is modified to provide a matte or textured
finish 212 assimilating the appearance of paper. The modification
of the web of polymeric material (not shown) to provide the
polymeric ribbon material 210 with a matte or textured finish 212
can be accomplished in several ways. For example, the polymeric
ribbon material 21o having the matte or textured finish 212 can be
produced by printing a w~?b of polymeric material with a matted
(i.e. dull finish) ink, b~,t lacquering at least one surface of the
sheet of polymeric material with a dull finish lacquer or a matting
lacquer, by embossing the aheet of polymeric material to provide an
38
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
embossed pattern ae~similating the texture and appearance of paper,
or by flocking the sheet of polymeric material, or by application
of a foamable lacquer or foamable ink to the sheet of polymeric
material, or by embossing and printing the sheet of polymeric
material to provide embossed and printed patterns wherein the
embossed and printed patterns may be in registry, out of registry
or wherein a portion of t:he embossed and printed patterns are in
registry and a portion of the embossed and printed patterns are out
of registry. In addition, a matte or textured finish capable of
providing the sheet of polymeric material with a paper-like
appearance can be ~~chieve~d by extruding a polymeric resin onto a
matted or textured chill roll. Thereafter, the web of material
having a paper-like appearance can be cut in a conventional manner
to provide the pol~~neric ribbon material 210 having a paper-like
appearance.
Any polymeric material capable of being textured or otherwise
modified to provide the polymeric material with a paper-like
appearance can be employed in the formulation of the polymeric
ribbon material 210. For example, the polymeric material employed
to produce the polymeric ribbon material 210 can be the polymeric
material 10 (Fig. 1), i.e. a polypropylene film having a thickness
of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils, and more desirably of from
about 0.5 mils to about 10 mils, or the sheet of flexible material
112, i.e., an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness of
from about 0.5 to about 10 mils.
39
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
Referring now' to fig. 20B, designated generally by the
reference numeral x:20 is another embodiment of a polymeric ribbon
material for forming decorative bows and for wrapping items. The
polymeric ribbon material is a laminated material comprising a
first web or sheet of material 222 having a thickness of from about
0.5 to about 10 mils, anal more desirably from about 0.6 mil to
about 1.25 mils, arid a second web or sheet of material 224 having
a thickness of from about 0.5 to about 10 mils, and more desirably
from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils. The laminated material
having a paper-like appearance can be produced by laminating two or
more sheets of polymeric film (such as two or more sheets of
polypropylene film or a sheet of polypropylene film and a sheet of
expanded core polymeric film, such as expanded core polypropylene
film), or by laminating .a polymeric film (such as polypropylene
film or an expanded core polymeric film) with a sheet of metallized
foil and the like wherein at least one surface of the laminated
material is textur~=d or modified to assimilate the texture and
appearance of paper. The second web or sheet of material 224 is
desirably laminated to the> first web or sheet of material 222 with
a colored adhesive :~o as to impart a desired color to the polymeric
ribbon material 220. If dlesired the polymeric ribbon material 220
may be treated or otherwise processed to provide the polymeric
ribbon material 22C~ with a matte or textured finish assimilating
the texture and apF>earance of paper so that the polymeric ribbon
material has a paper-like appearance similar to the polymeric
ribbon material 210 hereinbefore described with reference to Fig.
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
20A. That is, a matte or textured finish assimilating paper in
appearance can be painted on the first web or sheet of material 222
and thereafter the second web or sheet of material 224 (which in
this case is desirably a matte material of translucent polymeric
film) is laminated to the' first web or sheet of material 222 to
provide the polymeric ribbon material with a paper-like appearance.
To further enhance the paper-like appearance of the polymeric
ribbon material 220, the second web or sheet of material 224 may or
may not have a plurality of spatially disposed holes extending
therethrough. The matte or textured finish 212 can be produced by
printing at least one of the first and second webs or sheets of
material 222 and 224 with a matted (i.e. dull finish) ink, by
lacquering at least. one surface of at least one of the first and
second webs or shee>ts of material 222 and 224 with a dull finish
lacquer or a mattin<3 lacquer, by flocking at least one of the first
and second webs or sheets of material 222 and 224, by application
of a foamable lacquer or foamable ink to at least one of the first
and second webs or ;sheets of material 222 and 224, by embossing at
least one of the first and second webs or sheets of material 222
and 224 to provide <~n embossed pattern assimilating the appearance
of paper, or by emk~ossing and printing at least one of the first
and second webs or sheets of material 222 and 224 to provide
embossed and printed patterns wherein the embossed and printed
patterns may be in registry, out of registry or wherein a portion
of the embossed and printed patterns are in registry and a portion
of the embossed and printed patterns are out of registry. In
41
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
addition, a matte or textured finish capable a providing the
polymeric ribbon material with a paper-like appearance can be
achieved by extrud_~ng the resin used to produce one of the first
and second webs or sheets of material 222 and 224 onto a matted or
textured chill roll..
Referring now to Fig. 20C, designated generally by the
reference numeral 230 is .another embodiment of a polymeric ribbon
material for forming decorative bows and for wrapping items. The
polymeric ribbon material 230 comprises a polymeric film 232 having
an upper surface 2'.34, a lower surface 236 and a thickness in the
range of from about. 0.1 m.il to about 30 mils, and more desirably,
from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils. An acrylic heat sealable
lacquer 238 can be applied to at least one of the upper and lower
surfaces of the polymeric film 232, such as the Lower surface 236
of the polymeric film 232, and the upper surface 234 of the
polymeric film 232 is desirably modified to provide the polymeric
ribbon material with a matte or textured finish assimilating the
appearance of paper. The modification of the polymeric film 232 to
provide the polymeric ribbon material 230 with a paper-like
appearance can be accomplished in several ways. For example, the
polymeric ribbon material 230 having the matte or textured finish
can be produced by printing a web of polymeric material with a
matted (i.e. dull finish) ink, by lacquering at least one surface
of the sheet of polymeric material with a dull finish lacquer or a
matting lacquer, by flocking the sheet of polymeric material, by
application of a foamable lacquer or foamable ink to the sheet of
42
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
polymeric material, by embossing the sheet of polymeric material to
provide an embossed pattern assimilating paper in appearance, or by
embossing and printing the sheet of polymeric material to provide
embossed and printed patterns wherein the embossed and printed
patterns may be in registry, out of registry or wherein a portion
of the embossed and printed patterns are in registry and a portion
of the embossed and printed patterns are out of registry. In
addition, a matte o:r textured finish capable of providing the sheet
of polymeric material with a paper-like appearance can be achieved
by extruding a polymeric resin onto a matted or textured chill
roll. Thereafter, the web of material having a paper-like
appearance can be cut in a conventional manner to provide the
polymeric film 232.
Any polymeric film capable of being textured or otherwise
modified to provide the polymeric material with a paper-like
appearance can be employ.=d in the formulation of the polymeric
ribbon material 230. .For example, the polymeric film 232 employed
to produce the polymeric :ribbon material 230 can be polypropylene
film having a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils, and
more desirably of from about 0.5 mils to about 10 mils, or an
expanded core polymeric film having a thickness of from about 0.6
to about 10 mils.
Embodiment, of Fias. 21-22B
Referring now to fig. 21, designated generally by the
reference numeral 240 is a system for producing decorative grass
242 having a paper-like appearance in accordance with the present
43
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
invention. That 'Ls, at least one surface of a sheet or web of
polymeric material is modified with a matte or textured finish to
provide a web of polymeric material 244 having a paper-like
appearance (i.e. a;ssimilates paper in appearance) as hereinbefore
described. Thus, the decorative grass 242 produced from the web of
polymeric material 244 having a paper-like appearance will also
have a matte or to}cured finish 246 (Figs. 22A) which provides the
decorative grass 242 with paper-like appearance.
Any polymeric material capable of being textured or otherwise
modified to provide the polymeric material with a paper-like
appearance can be employed to produce the decorative grass 242
having a paper-like appearance. For example, the polymeric
material employed to produce the web of polymeric material 244
having a paper-likes appearance can be polypropylene film having a
thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils, and more
desirably of from .about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils, or an expanded
core polymeric film having a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to
about 10 mils, or laminates having a thickness of from about 1 mil
mils to about 20 mils. The laminates which can be used to produce
the web of polymeric material 244 having a paper-like appearance
can be formed by :Laminating two or more webs of polymeric film
(such as two or more webs of polypropylene film ar a web of
polypropylene film and a web of expanded core polymeric film, such
as expanded core polypropylene film), or by laminating a polymeric
film (such as polypropylene film or an expanded core polymeric film
such as expanded core polypropylene film) with metallized foil and
44
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
the like. The only requirement in using a laminate to produce the
web of polymeric material 244 having a paper-like appearance is
that at least one surface of the laminate be capable of being
modified to provide the laminate with at least one surface having
a paper-like appearance.
The modification of the web of polymeric material 244 to
provide the matte or textured finish can be accomplished in several
ways. For example, the web of polymeric material 244 having the
matte or textured finish which provides the web of polymeric
material 244 with the paper-like appearance can be produced by
printing a web of polymeric material with a matted (i.e. dull
finish) ink, by lacquering at least one surface of the web of
polymeric material with a dull finish lacquer or a matting lacquer,
by embossing the we:b of polymeric material to provide an embossed
pqlymeric material :having the appearance of paper, or by flocking
the web of polymeric mat<~rial, or by application of a foamable
lacquer or foamable ink to the web of polymeric material, or by
embossing and printing the web of polymeric material to provide
embossed and printed patterns wherein the embossed and printed
patterns may be in ,registry, out of registry or wherein a portion
of the embossed and printed patterns are in registry and a portion
of the embossed an~~ printed patterns are out of registry. In
addition, a matte or textured finish capable of providing the web
of polymeric material with a paper-like appearance can be achieved
by extruding a polymeric resin onto a matted or textured chill
roll.
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
Referring again to Fi.g. 21, a roll 248 of the web of polymeric
material 244 having a matte or textured finish is supported on a
mandrel 250 having a brake: assembly 252 operably connected thereto
so that the web of polymeric material 244 having a matte or
textured finish can be controllably withdrawn from the roll 248.
The web of polymeric material 244 having a matte or textured finish
is passed through a pair of tension or nip rollers 254 and 256 and
into a slitter or shredd~=r unit 258 where the web of polymeric
material 244 having a matte or textured finish is slit to provide
a slit web of polymeric m<~terial 260 having a plurality of strips
of predetermined width. The slitting of the web of polymeric
material 244 having a matte or textured finish to produce the slit
web of polymeric material 244 having a plurality of strips of
predetermined width can be accomplished using any well known method
and device. Such common methods of slitting the web of polymeric
material 244 having a matt or textured finish include: (a) slitting
the web of polymeric material 244 having a matte or textured finish
assimilating the appearance of paper to produce side-by-side strips
of material wherein. the longer dimension of the strips is in the
direction of travel of the' web of polymeric material 244 having a
matte or textured finish,, i.e. the machine direction; or (b)
slitting the web of polymeric material 244 having a matte or
textured finish so that the longer dimension of the strips of
material are obliqme to the direction of travel of the web of
polymeric material 244 having a matte or textured finish, i.e.
obliquely to the machine direction.
46
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
The slit web of polymeric material 260 having a plurality of
strips of predetermined width is then passed through a cutting unit
262 where the strips of the slit web of polymeric material 260 are
cut into segments to form the decorative grass 242 having at least
one matted or textured surface 246 which provides the decorative
grass 242 with a paper-like appearance. A segment 264 of the
decorative grass 242 having at least one matted or textured surface
246 which provides the decorative grass 242 with a paper-like
appearance is illustrated in Fig. 22A.
Any conventional device and method can be employed as the
slitter or shredder unit 258 for slitting the web of polymeric
material 260 to produce the slit web of polymeric material 260
having a plurality of strips of predetermined width and as the
cutting unit 262 for cutting the strips of the slit web of
polymeric material 260 to form the decorative grass 242 having a
paper-like appearan~~e. Examples of conventional devices which can
be used as the slitter or shredder unit 258 and/or as the cutting
unit 262 are rotary knives, reciprocating knives, die cutting,
laser cutting, water jet cutting, air jet cutting and the like.
The decorative grass 242 having a paper-like appearance
produced by cutting the strips of the slit web of polymeric
material 260 can then be conveyed to a storage area (not shown)
which may be in the form o:E a suitable bin, or the decorative grass
242 having a paper-like appearance may be conveyed to.a packaging
machine, or conveyed to a baling machine for baling prior to
storage. As other alternatives, the decorative grass 242 having a
47
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
paper-like appearance may be placed into boxes or cartons,
subjected to further processing immediately or held for subsequent
processing.
Referring now to Fig. 22B, designated generally by the
reference numeral 266, is a segment of a decorative grass 268
having a paper-like appearance produced from the laminated material
112a having a paper-like appearance hereinbefore described with
reference to Fig. 9B, except that the both the upper and lower
surfaces of the laminated material 112a is provided with a matted
or textured finish so that the decorative grass 268 is also
provided with a matte or textured finish 270 on an upper and lower
surface 272 and 279: of th.e segments of the decorative grass 268,
such as the segment 266 illustrated in Fig. 22B. However, it
should be understood that the decorative grass 270 having a paper-
like appearance can be produced from any laminated material where
at least one surface of the laminated material can be modified,
such as by matting or texturing, to provide the laminated material
with an appearance assimilating paper.
The decorative grasses having a paper-like appearance prepared
in accordance with the present invention, such as the decorative
grass 242 (Fig. 22A.) and the decorative grass 268 (Fig_ 22B) can
also be provided with various types of curl configurations, can be
crimped or otherwise modified. That is, in addition to providing
the webs of material from which the decorative grasses are produced
with a matted or textured surface which assimilates paper in
appearance, various types of curls, crimps and combinations thereof
48
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
can be imparted to the webs of material prior to slitting the webs
of material to produce slit webs of material, or to the slit web of
material prior to cutting the slit webs of material to produce the
decorative grasses having a paper-like appearance. Any method or
apparatus capable of imparting the desired curl and/or crimp to the
webs of material so that the decorative grasses produced from such
webs of material possess both a curl and/or crimped configuration
and a paper-like appearance can be employed to impart a curl and/or
crimp to the webs of material_ Examples of various methods and
apparatus which ma~,~ be u:~ed to impart curl configurations to the
webs of material employed to produce decorative grasses having a
paper-like appearance are described in co-pending U.S. patent
application U.S. Serial No 08/879,242, entitled "Method and
Apparatus For Making Curled Decorative Grass" which is hereby
expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Crimping machines capable of imparting the desired crimp to
the webs of materiel so that the decorative grasses produced from
such webs of material possess a crimped configuration, as well as
having a paper-like appearance, are well known and commercially
available. One method for imparting a crimp configuration to the
webs of material so that t:he decorative grasses produced from such
webs of material poasess a crimped configuration, as well as having
a paper-like appearance, is disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent
application U.S. Se:rial No. 08/796,182, entitled "Method Of Forming
Curled Or Crimped Decorative Elements Having An Optical Effect"
which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
49
CA 02300032 2000-03-06
Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of
the various components, el~=ments 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.
