ASSEMBLY FOR SUPPORTING, DISPLAYING AND/OR TRANSPORTING A FLORAL GROUPING

DISPOSITIF SERVANT A SUPPORTER, PRESENTER ET/OU TRANSPORTER UN ENSEMBLE FLORAL

English Abstract

A method for displaying and/or providing support during transport of a floral
grouping utilizing a shape sustaining
floral holding material and a sheet of material. The method includes the steps
of forming the sheet of material about at least a
portion of the floral holding material with a forming device such that an
upper end of the floral holding material remains substantially
uncovered, and thereafter securing the sheet of material about the floral
holding material with a band.

French Abstract

Procédé servant à présenter et/ou à supporter pendant le transport un ensemble floral au moyen d'une forme soutenant le matériau de retenue de l'ensemble floral et d'une feuille de matériau. Ce procédé consiste à placer cette feuille de matériau autour d'au moins une partie du matériau de retenue de l'ensemble floral au moyen d'un dispositif de mise en place, de sorte qu'une extrémité supérieure du matériau de retenue de l'ensemble floral reste pratiquement à découvert, puis à fixer cette feuille autour du matériau de retenue par une bande.

Claims

12
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one
of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral
materials, the decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral
holding
material, a sheet of material and a band, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,

an open lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber
extending between the open upper end and the open lower end thereof, the
floral holding material having a substantially conically-shaped predetermined
configuration and the floral holding material capable of maintaining its
predetermined configuration as well as being capable of receiving and
supporting the floral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the
open lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral

holding material;
forming the sheet of material about the open lower end and at least a portion
of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material with the forming
device whereby the sheet of material encompasses the open lower end and at
least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material
while
leaving the open upper end of the floral holding material substantially
uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material so as to secure the sheet of
material about the open lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral
sidewall of the floral holding material such that the open upper end of the
floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of
material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.


13
2. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the

floral holding material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the
shape sustaining floral holding material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding

material.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining
floral holding material.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed within the internal chamber of
the
shape sustaining floral holding material such that a bloom portion of the at
least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other
floral
materials extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral
holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least
one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining
floral
holding material prior to forming the sheet of material about at least a
portion
of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.


14
7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed within the internal chamber of
the
shape sustaining floral holding material such that a bloom portion of the at
least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other
floral
materials extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral
holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least
one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining
floral
holding material after positioning the band about the sheet of material.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein fluid is disposed into
the internal chamber of the floral holding material and retained therein by
the
sheet of material.

9. A method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one
of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral
materials, the decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral
holding
material, a sheet of material and a band, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,

an open lower end and an outer peripheral surface, the floral holding material

having a predetermined configuration and the floral holding material capable
of maintaining its predetermined configuration as well as being capable of
receiving and supporting a floral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the
open lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the
floral holding material;
forming the sheet of material about the open lower end and at least a portion
of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material with the
forming
device whereby the sheet of material encompasses the open lower end and at
least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material



15


white leaving the upper end of the floral holding material substantially
uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material so as to secure the sheet of
material about at least the open lower end and at least a portion of the outer

peripheral surface of the floral holding material such that the upper end of
the
floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of
material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed about the open lower end and the
outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the
shape sustaining floral holding material.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the floral
holding material.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining
floral holding material.



16


14. The method of any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed in the floral holding material
prior
to forming the sheet of material about the open lower end and at least a
portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material.

15. The method of any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed in the floral holding material
after
positioning the band about the sheet of material.

16. A method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one
of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral
materials, the decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral
holding
material, a sheet of material and a band, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,

an open lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber
extending between the open upper end and the open lower end thereof, the
floral holding material having a substantially conically-shaped predetermined
configuration and the floral holding material capable of maintaining its
predetermined configuration as well as being capable of receiving and
supporting the floral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the
open lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral

holding material, the forming device comprising a platform having an upper
support surface and an opening extending through at least a portion of the
upper support surface;
disposing the sheet of material upon the upper support surface of the forming
device such that a portion of the sheet of material is disposed over the
opening
in the forming device;
moving the shape sustaining floral holding material into engagement with the
sheet of material and through the opening in the forming device for forming



17


the sheet of material about the open lower end and at least a portion of the
peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material while leaving the open
upper
end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material so as to secure the sheet of
material about the open lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral
sidewall of the floral holding material such that the open upper end of the
floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of
material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the

floral holding material.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the
shape sustaining floral holding material.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding

material.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining
floral holding material.



18


21. The method of any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed within the internal chamber of
the
shape sustaining floral holding material such that a bloom portion of the at
least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other
floral
materials extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral
holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least
one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining
floral
holding material prior to forming the sheet of material about the open lower
end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding
material.

22. The method of any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed within the internal chamber of
the
shape sustaining floral holding material such that a bloom portion of the at
least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other
floral
materials extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral
holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least
one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining
floral
holding material after positioning the band about the sheet of material.

23. The method of any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein fluid is disposed into
the internal chamber of the floral holding material and retained therein by
the
sheet of material.

24. A method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one
of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral
materials, the decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral
holding
material, a sheet of material and a band, the method comprising the steps of:



19


providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,
an open lower end and an outer peripheral surface, the floral holding material

having a predetermined configuration and the floral holding material capable
of maintaining its predetermined configuration as well as being capable of
receiving and supporting a floral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the
open lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the
floral holding material, the forming device comprising a platform having an
upper support surface and an opening extending through at least a portion of
the upper support surface;
disposing the sheet of material upon the upper support surface of the forming
device such that a portion of the sheet of material is disposed over the
opening
in the forming device;
moving the shape sustaining floral holding material into engagement with the
sheet of material and through the opening in the forming device for forming
the sheet of material about the open lower end and at least a portion of the
outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material while leaving the open

upper end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material so as to secure the sheet of
material about the open lower end and at least a portion of the outer
peripheral surface of the floral holding material such that the open upper end

of the floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of

material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed about the outer peripheral surface
of
the floral holding material.



20


26. The method of claim 24, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the
shape sustaining floral holding material.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the floral
holding material.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining
floral holding material.

29. The method of any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed within the shape sustaining
floral
holding material such that a bloom portion of the at least one of cut fresh
flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral materials
extends
upwardly therefrom and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least

one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the shape sustaining floral holding material
prior to
forming the sheet of material about at least a portion of the peripheral
sidewall of the floral holding material.

30. The method of any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed within the shape sustaining
floral
holding material such that a bloom portion of the at least one of cut fresh
flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral materials
extends
upwardly therefrom and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least



21


one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the shape sustaining floral holding material
after
positioning the band about the sheet of material.

31. A method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one
of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral
materials, the decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral
holding
material, a sheet of material and a band, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,

an open lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber
extending between the open upper end and the open lower end thereof, the
floral holding material having a substantially conically-shaped predetermined
configuration and the floral holding material capable of maintaining its
predetermined configuration as welt as being capable of receiving and
supporting the floral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
forming the sheet of material about the open lower end and at least a portion
of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material whereby the sheet of

material encompasses the open lower end and at least a portion of the
peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material while leaving the open
upper
end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material so as to secure the sheet of
material about the open lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral
sidewall of the floral holding material such that the open upper end of the
floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of
material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the



22


sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding

material.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining
floral holding material.

34. The method of any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein a portion of the stem
portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the
shape sustaining floral holding material such that the bloom portion of the
floral grouping extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining
floral
holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the floral
grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining
floral
holding material prior to forming the sheet of material about at least a
portion
of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.

35. The method of any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed within the internal chamber of
the
shape sustaining floral holding material such that a bloom portion of the at
least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other
floral
materials extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral
holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least
one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining
floral
holding material after positioning the band about the sheet of material.

36. The method of any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed in the floral holding material
prior
to forming the sheet of material about the open lower end and at least a
portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.



23


37. The method of any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed in the floral holding material
after
positioning the band about the sheet of material.

38. The method of any one of claims 31 to 37, wherein fluid is disposed into
the internal chamber of the floral holding material and retained therein by
the
sheet of material.

39. A method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one
of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral
materials, the decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral
holding
material, a sheet of material and a band, the decorative assembly formed by a
method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,

an open lower end and an outer peripheral surface, the floral holding material

having a predetermined configuration and the floral holding material capable
of maintaining its predetermined configuration as well as being capable of
receiving and supporting a floral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
forming the sheet of material about the open lower end and at least a portion
of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material whereby the
sheet of material encompasses the open lower end and at least a portion of the

outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material while leaving the
upper
end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material so as to secure the sheet of
material about at least the open lower end and at least a portion of the outer

peripheral surface of the floral holding material such that the upper end of
the
floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of
material; and



24


disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the floral
holding material.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining
floral holding material.

42. The method of any one of claims 39 to 41, wherein a portion of the stem
portion of the floral grouping is disposed in the floral holding material
prior to
forming the sheet of material about the open lower end and at least a portion
of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material.

43. The method of any one of claims 39 to 41, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed in the floral holding material
after
positioning the band about the sheet of material.

44. The method of any one of claims 39 to 41, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed within the shape sustaining
floral
holding material such that a bloom portion of the at least one of cut fresh
flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral materials
extends
upwardly therefrom and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least

one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the shape sustaining floral holding material
prior to



25


forming the sheet of material about at least a portion of the peripheral
sidewall of the floral holding material.

45. The method of any one of claims 39 to 41, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed within the shape sustaining
floral
holding material such that the a bloom portion of the at least one of cut
fresh
flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral materials
extends
upwardly therefrom and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least

one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the shape sustaining floral holding material
after
positioning the band about the sheet of material.

46. A method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one
of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral
materials, the decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral
holding
material, a sheet of material and a band, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,

a lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending
between the open upper end and the lower end thereof, the floral holding
material having a substantially conically-shaped predetermined configuration
and the floral holding material capable of maintaining its predetermined
configuration as well as being capable of receiving and supporting the floral
grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the
lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral
holding
material;
forming the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of
the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material with the forming device

whereby the sheet of material encompasses the lower end and at least a
portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material while
leaving
the open upper end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;



26


providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material while the sheet of material
and the floral holding material are maintained within the forming device so as

to secure the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of
the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material such that the open
upper
end of the floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the
sheet
of material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the

floral holding material.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the
shape sustaining floral holding material.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding

material.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining
floral holding material.

51. The method of any one of claims 46 to 50, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single



27


flower and other floral materials is disposed within the internal chamber of
the
shape sustaining floral holding material such that the a bloom portion of the
at
least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other
floral
materials extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral
holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least
one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining
floral
holding material prior to forming the sheet of material about at least a
portion
of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.

52. The method of any one of claims 46 to 50, wherein a portion of the a
stem portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a
single
flower and other floral materials is disposed within the internal chamber of
the
shape sustaining floral holding material such that a bloom portion of the at
least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other
floral
materials extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral
holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least
one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining
floral
holding material after positioning the band about the sheet of material.

53. A method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one
of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral
materials, the decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral
holding
material, a sheet of material and a band, the decorative assembly formed by a
method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,

a lower end and an outer peripheral surface, the floral holding material
having
a predetermined configuration and the floral holding material capable of
maintaining its predetermined configuration as well as being capable of
receiving and supporting a floral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;



28


providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the
lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral

holding material;
forming the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of
the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material with the forming
device whereby the sheet of material encompasses the lower end and at least
a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material while

leaving the upper end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material while the sheet of material
and the floral holding material are maintained within the forming device so as

to secure the sheet of material about at least the lower end and at least a
portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material such
that
the upper end of the floral holding material remains substantially uncovered
by
the sheet of material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed about the lower end and the outer
peripheral surface of the floral holding material.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed above the upper end of the shape
sustaining floral holding material.

56. The method of claim 53, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the floral
holding material.



29


57. The method of claim 53, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed above the upper end of the shape sustaining floral
holding material.

58. The method of any one of claims 53 to 57, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed in the floral holding material
prior
to forming the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of

the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material.

59. The method of any one of claims 53 to 57, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed in the floral holding material
after
positioning the band about the sheet of material.

60. A method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one
of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral
materials, the decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral
holding
material, a sheet of material and a band, the decorative assembly formed by a
method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,

a lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending
between the open upper end and the lower end thereof, the floral holding
material having a substantially conically-shaped predetermined configuration
and the floral holding material capable of maintaining its predetermined
configuration as well as being capable of receiving and supporting the floral
grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the
lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral
holding
material, the forming device comprising a platform having an upper support



30


surface and an opening extending through at least a portion of the upper
support surface;
disposing the sheet of material upon the upper support surface of the forming
device such that a portion of the sheet of material is disposed over the
opening
in the forming device;
moving the shape sustaining floral holding material into engagement with the
sheet of material and through the opening in the forming device for forming
the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the
peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material while leaving the open
upper
end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material while the sheet of material
and the floral holding material are maintained within the opening of the
forming device so as to secure the sheet of material about the lower end and
at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material
such
that the open upper end of the floral holding material remains substantially
uncovered by the sheet of material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the

floral holding material.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the
shape sustaining floral holding material.

63. The method of claim 60, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the



31


sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding

material.

64. The method of claim 60, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining
floral holding material.

65. The method of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed within the internal chamber of
the
shape sustaining floral holding material such that the a bloom portion of the
at
least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other
floral
materials extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral
holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least
one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining
floral
holding material prior to forming the sheet of material about the lower end
and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding
material.
66. The method of any one of claims 60 to 64, wherein a portion of the a
stem portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a
single
flower and other floral materials is disposed within the internal chamber of
the
shape sustaining floral holding material such that a bloom portion of the at
least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other
floral
materials extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral
holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least
one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining
floral
holding material after positioning the band about the sheet of material.

67. A method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one
of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral



32


materials, the decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral
holding
material, a sheet of material and a band, the decorative assembly formed by a
method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,

a lower end and an outer peripheral surface, the floral holding material
having
a predetermined configuration and the floral holding material capable of
maintaining its predetermined configuration as well as being capable of
receiving and supporting a floral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the
lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral

holding material, the forming device comprising a platform having an upper
support surface and an opening extending through at least a portion of the
upper support surface;
disposing the sheet of material upon the upper support surface of the forming
device such that a portion of the sheet of material is disposed over the
opening
in the forming device;
moving the shape sustaining floral holding material into engagement with the
sheet of material and through the opening in the forming device for forming
the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the outer
peripheral surface of the floral holding material while leaving the upper end
of
the floral holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material while the sheet of material
and the floral holding material are maintained within the opening of the
forming device so as to secure the sheet of material about the lower end and
at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding
material
such that the upper end of the floral holding material remains substantially
uncovered by the sheet of material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.



33


68. The method of claim 67, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed about the outer peripheral surface
of
the floral holding material.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a
portion of the sheet of material disposed above the upper end of the shape
sustaining floral holding material.

70. The method of claim 67, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the floral
holding material.

71. The method of claim 67, wherein, in the step of positioning the band
about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the
sheet of material disposed above the upper end of the shape sustaining floral
holding material.

72. The method of any one of claims 67 to 71, wherein a portion of the stem
portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the shape sustaining floral
holding material such that the bloom portion of the floral grouping extends
upwardly therefrom and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the floral
grouping is disposed within the shape sustaining floral holding material prior
to
forming the sheet of material about at least a portion of the peripheral
sidewall of the floral holding material.

73. The method of any one of claims 67 to 71, wherein a portion of a stem
portion of the at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single

flower and other floral materials is disposed within the shape sustaining
floral
holding material such that a bloom portion of the at least one of cut fresh
flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral materials
extends



34


upwardly therefrom and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the at least

one of cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral

materials is disposed the shape sustaining floral holding material after
positioning the band about the sheet of material.

Description

CA 02388532 2005-09-14
1

ASSEMBLY FOR SUPPORTING, DISPLAYING AND/OR TRANSPORTING A FLORAL GROU PING
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to assemblies for floral groupings,
which assemblies
are preferably decorative, and, more particutarty, but not by way of
timitation, to a method for
providing decorative assembties for floral groupings wherein a sheet-of
material is formed about at
teast a portion of an outer peripheral surface of a floral holding material
and secured thereabout
with a band. The assemblies may be conveniently used for supporting,
displaying and/or transporting
the floral groupings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Briefly and in general terms the present invention provides (i) a method for
disptaying
and/or providing support during transport of a fioral grouping having a stem
portion and a bloom
portion and (ii), in another aspect, an assembly, which is preferably
decorative and which includes a
sheet of material which is formed about at least a portion of an outer
peripheral surface of a florat
holding material and secured thereabout with a band.
In one aspect the method includes providing a shape sustaining ftoral holding
material having
an open upper end, a tower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an intemat
chamber extending
between the open upper end and the lower end thereof; providing a sheet of
material; providing a
forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the lower end and
at least a portion of
the peripherat sidewall of the floral holding material; forming the sheet of
materiat about the lower
end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding
material with the forming
device whereby the sheet of material encompasses the lower end and at least a
portion of the
peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material while leaving the open
upper end of the floral holding
materiat substantially uncovered; providing a band; and positioning the band
about the sheet of
material while the sheet of material and the floral holding material are
maintained within the forming
device so as to secure the sheet of material about the lower end and at least
a portion of the outer
peripheral sidewalt of the ftorat hotding material such that the open upper
end of the floral holding
material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of materiat.


CA 02388532 2007-12-10

la
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one of cut
fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral materials,
the
decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral holding material, a
sheet of material and a band, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,
an open lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber
extending between the open upper end and the open lower end thereof, the
floral holding materiat having a substantially conically-shaped predetermined
configuration and the floral holding material capable of maintaining its
predetermined configuration as well as being capable of receiving and
supporting the ftoral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the
open lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewalt of the floral
holding material;
forming the sheet of material about the open lower end and at least a portion
of the peripheral sidewall of the florat holding material with the forming
device whereby the sheet of material encompasses the open lower end and at
least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding materiat
while
leaving the open upper end of the floral holding material substantially
uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material so as to secure the sheet of
material about the open lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral
sidewall of the floral holding materiat such that the open upper end of the
florat holding material remains substantialty uncovered by the sheet of
material; and
disposing at least a portion of at teast one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.


CA 02388532 2007-12-10

lb
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one of cut
fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a singte flower and other floral materials,
the
decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral holding material, a
sheet of materiat and a band, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral hotding material having an open upper end;
an open lower end and an outer peripheral surface, the floral holding material
having a predetermined configuration and the floral holding material capable
of maintaining its predetermined configuration as welt as being capabte of
receiving and supporting a floral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of materiat about the
open lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the
floral hotding material;
forming the sheet of material about the open lower end and at least a portion
of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material with the
forming
device whereby the sheet of material encompasses the open lower end and at
least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material
while leaving the upper end of the floral holding material substantially
uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of materiat so as to secure the sheet of
materiat about at teast the open tower end and at teast a portion of the outer
peripheral surface of the floral holding materiat such that the upper end of
the
floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of
material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other ftorat materials in at least a portion of
the
internat chamber of the floral holding material.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one of cut
fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral materials,
the


CA 02388532 2007-12-10
ic
decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral holding
material, a sheet of material and a band, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,
an open tower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber
extending between the open upper end and the open tower end thereof, the
floral holding material having a substantially conicatly-shaped predetermined
configuration and the floral holding material capable of maintaining its
predetermined configuration as welt as being capable of receiving and
supporting the floral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the
open lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the florat
holding material, the forming device comprising a platform having an upper
support surface and an opening extending through at least a portion of the
upper support surface;
disposing the sheet of material upon the upper support surface of the forming
device such that a portion of the sheet of material is disposed over the
opening
in the forming devic
moving the shape sustaining floral holding material into engagement with the
sheet of material and through the opening in the forming device for forming
the sheet of material about the open lower end and at teast a portion of the
peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material while leaving the open
upper
end of the florat holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material so as to secure the sheet of
materiat about the open tower end and at least a portion of the peripheral
sidewalt of the florat hotding material such that the open upper end of the
floral holding materiat remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of
material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh ftowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.


CA 02388532 2007-12-10

ld
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one of cut
fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral materials,
the
decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral holding material, a
sheet of material and a band, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,
an open lower end and an outer peripheral surface, the floral holding material
having a predetermined configuration and the floral holding material capable
of maintaining its predetermined configuration as well as being capable of
receiving and supporting a floral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the
open tower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the
floral holding material, the forming device comprising a platform having an
upper support surface and an opening extending through at least a portion of
the upper support surface;
disposing the sheet of material upon the upper support surface of the forming
device such that a portion of the sheet of material is disposed over the
opening
in the forming device;
moving the shape sustaining floral hotding materiat into engagement with the
sheet of material and through the opening in the forming device for forming
the sheet of materiat about the open lower end and at least a portion of the
outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material while leaving the open
upper end of the ftoral holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of materiat so as to secure the sheet of
material about the open tower end and at least a portion of the outer
peripheral surface of the ftoral holding material such that the open upper end
of the floral holding material remains _substantially uncovered by the sheet
of
material; and


CA 02388532 2007-12-10
le

disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the ftorat holding materiat.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at teast one of cut
fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral materials,
the
decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral holding material, a
sheet of material and a band, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,
an open lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber
extending between the open upper end and the open lower end thereof, the
floral holding material having a substantialty conically-shaped predetermined
configuration and the ftorat holding material capable of maintaining its
predetermined configuration as well as being capable of receiving and
supporting the ftorat grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
forming the sheet of material about the open lower end and at least a portion
of the peripheral sidewall of the florat holding material whereby the sheet of
material encompasses the open lower end and at least a portion of the
peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material while leaving the open
upper
end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of materiat so as to secure the sheet of
material about the open lower end and at teast a portion of the peripheral
sidewalt of the ftorat holding material such that the open upper end of the
floral hotding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of
material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
ftowers, a single flower and other ftorat materials in at least a portion of
the
internat chamber of the ftorat holding material.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one of cut


CA 02388532 2007-12-10

If
fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral materials,
the
decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral holding material, a
sheet of material and a band, the decorative assembly formed by a method
comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,
an open lower end and an outer peripheral surface, the floral holding material
having a predetermined configuration and the ftorat holding material capabte
of maintaining its predetermined configuration as well as being capable of
receiving and supporting a ftorat grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
forming the sheet of materiat about the open tower end and at teast a portion
of the outer peripheral surface of the ftorat holding material whereby the
sheet of materiat encompasses the open lower end and at least a portion of the
outer peripheral surface of the ftorat holding material while leaving the
upper
end of the ftorat holding materiat substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material so as to secure the sheet of
material about at least the open lower end and at least a portion of the outer
peripheral surface of the floral holding material such that the upper end of
the
floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of
material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a singte flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one of cut
fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral materials,
the
decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral holding material, a
sheet of material and a band, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,
a lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending
between the open upper end and the lower end thereof, the floral holding
material having a substantially conically-shaped predetermined configuration


CA 02388532 2007-12-10

Ig
and the florat holding material capable of maintaining its predetermined
configuration as well as being capable of receiving and supporting the ftoral
grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of materiat about the
lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral
holding
material;
forming the sheet of material about the tower end and at least a portion of
the peripheral sidewatl of the floral holding material with the forming device
whereby the sheet of materiat encompasses the lower end and at teast a
portion of the peripheral sidewall of the florat holding* material white
teaving
the open upper end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material while the sheet of material
and the ftoral hotding material are maintained within the forming device so as
to secure the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of
the peripheral sidewatl of the floral holding material such that the open
upper
end of the floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the
sheet
of material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materiats in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one of cut
fresh ftowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other florat materials,
the
decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining floral holding material, a
sheet of materiat and a band, the decorative assembly formed by a method
comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral hotding material having an open upper end,
a lower end and an outer peripheral surface, the floral holding material
having
a predetermined configuration and the floral holding materiat capable of
maintaining its predetermined configuration as welt as being capable of
receiving and supporting a floral grouping;


CA 02388532 2007-12-10

lh
providing a sheet of materiat;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of materiat about the
lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral
holding material;
forming the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of
the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material with the forming
device whereby the sheet of material encompasses the lower end and at least
a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral hotding material while
leaving the upper end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material while the sheet of material
and the floral holding material are maintained within the forming device so as
to secure the sheet of material about at least the lower end and at least a
portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material such
that
the upper end of the floral holding material remains substantially uncovered
by
the sheet of material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral holding material.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one of cut
fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other ftoral materials,
the
decorative assembly comprising a shape sustaining florat holding material, a
sheet of material and a band, the decorative assembly formed by a method
comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end,
a lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending
between the open upper end and the lower end thereof, the florat holding
material having a substantially conically-shaped predetermined configuration
and the florat holding material capable of maintaining its predetermined
configuration as well as being capable of receiving and supporting the floral
grouping;


CA 02388532 2007-12-10
11
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the
lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral
holding
material, the forming device comprising a ptatform having an upper support
surface and an opening extending through at least a portion of the upper
support surface;
disposing the sheet of material upon the upper support surface of the forming
device such that a portion of the sheet of material is disposed over the
opening
in the forming device;
moving the shape sustaining florat holding material into engagement with the
sheet of material and through the opening in the forming device for forming
the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the
peripheral sidewatl of the florat hotding material while leaving the open
upper
end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material while the sheet of material
and the floral holding material are maintained within the opening of the
forming device so as to secure the sheet of material about the lower end and
at teast a portion of the peripheral sidewalt of the floral hotding material
such
that the open upper end of the florat holding material remains substantially
uncovered by the sheet of material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single flower and other florat materials in at least a portion of
the
internal chamber of the floral hotding materiat.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method for forming a decorative assembly for supporting at least one of cut
fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower and other floral materials,
the
decorative assembty comprising a shape sustaining floral holding material, a
sheet of material and a band, the decorative assembly formed by a method
comprising the steps of:
providing a shape sustaining ftoral holding material having an open upper end,
a
lower end and an outer peripheral surface, the floral hotding materiat having
a


CA 02388532 2007-12-10

lj
predetermined configuration and the floral holding material capable of
maintaining
its predetermined configuration as well as being capable of receiving and
supporting
a floral grouping;
providing a sheet of material;
providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of materiat about the
lower
end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral
holding
material, the forming device comprising a platform having an upper support
surface
and an opening extending through at least a portion of the upper support
surface;
disposing the sheet of material upon the upper support surface of the forming
device such that a portion of the sheet of material is disposed over the
opening in the
forming device;
moving the shape sustaining floral holding material into engagement with the
sheet
of material and through the opening in the forming device for forming the
sheet of
material about the tower end and at teast a portion of the outer peripheral
surface of
the ftoral holding material white leaving the upper end of the floral hotding
material
substantially uncovered;
providing a band;
positioning the band about the sheet of material white the sheet of material
and the
ftorat holding materiat are maintained within the opening of the forming
device so as
to secure the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of
the
outer peripherat surface of the florat hotding material such that the upper
end of the
floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of
material; and
disposing at least a portion of at least one of cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a
single flower and other floral materials in at least a portion of the internat
chamber
of the floral tiotding materiat.
The present invention atso provides decorative assembties for ftorat
groupings. Other aspects
of the invention invention are reflected by the detailed description which
foltows and/or by the
appended ctairns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fg. I is a pictorial perspective representation of a sheet of materiat
emptoyed in the
construttion of a decorative assembty for a floral grouping constructed in
accordance with the
present invention, the sheet of materiat havirvg a corner upwardty turned to
shauv a lower surface


CA 02388532 2002-04-19

WO 01/28890 PCT/USOO/41312
-2-
thereof.
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view itlustrating a sheet of flexible material
employed in the
formation of a floral holding material of the decorative assembly of the
present invention, the sheet
of flexible material depicted in a unassembled, flatten condition.
Fig. 3 is a partially cutaway, diagrammatic perspective representation of a
floral holding
material formed from the sheet of flexible material of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4A is a diagrammatic perspective representation of a floral holding
material formed
from the sheet of flexible material of Fig. 2 wherein an upper portion of the
floral holding material is
outwardly flared.
Fig. 4B is a partial, diagrammatic perspective representation of the floral
holding material
formed from the sheet of flexible material of Fig. 2 wherein the upper portion
of the floral holding
material is disposed in an inwardly direction.
Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective representation of another embodiment of a
floral
holding material employed in the formation of a decorative assembly of the
present invention.
Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic representation, partially in cross section,
illustrating the floral
holding material of Fig. 4 generally positioned above a sheet of material and
wherein a forming
device is positioned for forming the sheet of material about at least a
portion of an outer peripheral
surface of the floral holding material.
Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic representation, partially in cross section,
illustrating the floral
holding material of Fig. 4 generally positioned in an object opening of the
forming device prior to
positioning a band about a portion of the sheet of material to secure same
about the floral holding
material.
Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective representation of a decorative assembly
for a floral
grouping constructed in accordance with the present invention wherein the
sheet of material is
formed about at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral
holding material of Fig. 4
and secured thereabout with a band.
Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic representation, partially in cross section,
illustrating the floral
holding material of Fig. 5 generally positioned above a sheet of material and
wherein a forming
device is positioned for securing a the sheet of material about at least a
portion of an outer
peripheral surface of the florat holding material.
Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic representation, partially in cross section,
illustrating the florat
holding material of Fig. 5 generally positioned in an object opening of the
forming device prior to
positioning a band about a portion of the sheet of material to secure same
about the floral holding
material.
Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective representation of a decorative assembly
for a floral
grouping constructed in accordance with the present invention wherein the
sheet of material is
formed about at least a portion of the outer peripherat surface of the florat
holding material of Fig. 5
and secured thereabout with a band.
Fig. 12 is a pictorial view of a roll of material and a cutting apparatus for
providing sheets of
material which can be employed in the production of the decorative assemblies
for floral groupings in
accordance with the present invention.


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Fig. 13 is pictorial perspective representation of another embodiment of a
sheet of material
which can be formed about at least a portion of a floral holding material in
accordance with the
present invention, the sheet of material having a corner upwardly turned to
show a lower surface of
the sheet of material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Shown in Fig. 1, and designated by the general reference numeral 10, is a
sheet of material
employed to provide a decorative assembly for a floral holding material in
accordance with the
present invention. The sheet of material 10, which has an upper surface 12, a
lower surface 14 and
an outer periphery 16, can be constructed from any suitable ftexible material
that is capable of
being wrapped or formed about a floral holding material to provide a
decorative assembly for a
floral grouping in the manner described herein after. Preferably, the sheet of
material 10 is
constructed of paper, metal foil, cloth (natural or synthetic or combinations
thereof), denim,
burlap, polymeric film, cling material or combinations thereof.
The term "polymeric film" as used herein means any film made of synthetic or
naturally
occurring polymers. For example, but not by way of limitation, an example of a
synthetic potymer
film is a polypropylene film; and an example of a naturally occurring polymer
fitm is cellophane.
The sheet of material 10 may be any shape and a substantially square-shape is
shown in Fig. 1
only by way of example. The sheet of material 10, for example only, may be
circular or rectangular
or any other geometric shape, such as heart shaped.
The sheet of material 10 may be constructed of a single layer of material or a
plurality of
layers of the same or different types of materials. Any thickness of the sheet
of material 10 may be
utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet of
material 10 is wrappable
about florat holding materials as described herein after. Generally, however,
the sheet of material
10 will have a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil (0.0025 mm) to about 30
mil (0.75 mm), and
more desirably from about 0.1 mil (0.0025 mm) to about 5 mil (0.125 mm).
Additionally, an
insulating material such as bubble film, preferably as one of two or more
layers, can be utilized in
order to provide additional protection for the item supported in the floral
holding material. The
layers of material forming the sheet of material 10 may be connected together
or laminated or may
be separate layers.
A decorative pattern, such as a color, and/or an embossed pattern, and/or
printed
patterns, and/or other decorative surface ornamentation may be applied to the
upper surface 12
and/or the lower surface 14 of the sheet of material 10 or portions thereof
including, but not limited
to, printed designs, coatings, colors, flocking or metallic finishes. When the
decorative pattern
includes both an embossed pattern and a printed pattern, the embossed and
printed patterns may
be in register with one another, out of register with one another, or
partially in register and
partially out of register with one another. The sheet of material 10 also may
be totally or partially
clear or tinted transparent material.
"Cling Wrap or Material" as 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 the decorative assembly formed about the floral holding
material whereby portions


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of the cling material contactingly engage and connect to other portions of the
decorative assembly
for generally assisting in securing the sheet of material about at least a
portion of the floral holding
material. This connecting engagement is preferably temporary in that the cling
material may be
easily removed without tearing the sheet of material, i.e., the cling material
"clings" to the sheet of
material.
The cling material is constructed and treated if necessary, from polyethylene
such as Cling
Wrap made by Glado, First Brands Corporation, Danbury, Connecticut. The
thickness of the cling
material will, in part, depend upon the thickness of the sheet of material
utilized, i.e., generally, the
thicker and therefore heavier sheet of material may require a thicker and
therefore stronger cling
material. The cling material will range in thickness from about 0.2 mil (0.005
mm) to about 10 mit
(0.25 mm), and preferably from about 0.5 mil (0.0125 mm) to about 2.5 mil
(0.063 mm) , and most
preferably from about 0.6 mit (0.015 mm) to about 2 mil (0.05 mm). However,
any thickness of cling
material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention which
permits the cling material to
function as described herein.
Referring now to Fig. 2, a sheet of flexible material 20 employed in the
formation of a floral
holding material 22 (Figs. 3 , 4A and 4B) is illustrated. The floral holding
material 22 is illustrated as
having a substantially conicalty-shaped configuration. However, it should be
understood that the
florat holding material 22 can have any desirable configuration, such as a
tubular or square-shaped
configuration as long as such configuration provides the desired properties to
permit same to
function as the floral holding material 22.
The sheet of flexible material 20 possesses sufficient flexibility to permit
the sheet of flexible
material 20 to be formed into the floral holding material 22, while having
sufficient strength to
provide the floral holding material 22 with required shape-sustaining
properties. Thus, the thickness
of the sheet of flexible material 20 can vary widely, the only requirements
being that the sheet of
flexible material 20 have sufficient flexibility and strength to satisfy the
above-stated requirements.
For reasons which will be herein after described, it may be desirable that the
sheet of flexible
material 20 be constructed of a sufficiently water resistant material to
prevent deterioration of the
floral holding material 22 when the floral holding material 22 is contacted
with a fluid, such as water.
Material possessing the above-identified properties which may be used as the
sheet of flexible
material 20 for fabrication of the floral holding material 22 are polymeric
materials, metals,
cardboard, water-repellent cardboard, poster board, corrugated materials and
the like.
While the sheet of flexible material 20 has been shown as an individual sheet
of material, it
should be understood that sheets of flexible material 20 can be stacked so
that each individual sheet
of flexible material 20 can be removed from the stack and shaped into the
desired configuration of
the floral holding material 22; or, the sheets of flexible material 20 can be
in the form of a roll of
material in which perforations outline the configuration of each sheet of
flexible material 20.
The sheet of flexible material 20 has an upper side 24 having a centrally
disposed recess 26, a
lower side 28, a first end portion 30 and a second end portion 32 which
cooperate to provide the
sheet of flexible material 20 with a substantially semi-circular
configuration. If desired, a
substantially circular-shaped base member (not shown) can be connected to the
lower side 28 of the
sheet of flexible materiat 20. When the sheet of flexible material 20 is
provided with a base member,


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the base member serves to close an open lower end 34 (Figs. 3 and 4A) of the
floral holding material
22 formed from the sheet of flexible material 20.
The stabilize the floral holding material in its desired configuration, the
sheet of flexible
material 20 can be further provided with a connector assembly 36 for
connecting the first end
portion 30 of the sheet of flexible material 20 to the second end portion 32
of the sheet of flexible
material 20 when the sheet of flexible material 20 is formed into the floral
holding material 22
substantially as shown in Figs. 3, 4A and 4B. The connector assembly 36
comprises a male connector
38 and a plurality of female connectors 40. The male connector 38 is disposed
along the upper side
24 of the sheet of flexible material 20 near the first end portion 30 thereof;
and the plurality of
female connectors 40 are spatially disposed in the second end portion 32 of
the sheet of flexible
material 20 near the upper side 24 thereof such that at least one female
connector 40 is adapted to
matingly engage the male connector 38 and thereby connect the first end
portion 30 of the sheet of
flexible material 20 to the second end portion 32 of the sheet of flexible
material 20. The male
connector 38 is illustrated as a tab and the plurality of female connectors 40
are illustrated as
spatially disposed slits provided in the second end portion 32 of the sheet of
flexible material 20 so
that each of the female connectors 40 is alignable with the male connector 38
when the first end
portion 30 of the sheet of flexible material 20 is disposed over the second
end portion 32 of the sheet
of flexible material 20 during formation of the floral holding material 22.
Thus, upon connecting the
male connector 38 with a selected female connector 40, the circumferential
dimensions of the floral
holding material 22 can be varied.
While the sheet of flexible material 20 has been illustrated as having only
one male connector
38, it should be understood that a plurality of the male connectors 38 could
be disposed along the
upper side 24 of the sheet of flexible material 20 for mating engagement with
the female connectors
40 formed in the second end portion 32 of the sheet of flexible material 20.
Further, the
configuration and type of the male connector 38 and the female connector 40
can vary widely, the
only requirement being that the male connector 38 be adapted to matingly
engage and be connectable
to the female connectors 40 so that the first end portion 30 of the sheet of
flexible material 20 can be
securely connected to the second end portion 32 of the sheet of flexible
material 20 so as to form the
floral holding material 22.
To enhance stabilization of a floral grouping 41 in an internal chamber 42 of
the floral holding
material 22 (Figs. 3, 4A and 4B), or to provide an outwardly flared neck
portion 44 about an open
upper end 46 of the floral holding material 22 (Fig. 4A), a plurality of
finger members 48 are formed
in the sheet of flexible material 20 about the centrally disposed recess 26
formed in the upper side 24
of the sheet of flexible material 20 (Fig. 2). The finger members 48, which
extend inwardly into the
sheet of flexible material 20 from the centrally disposed recess 26, desirably
have a rounded or
arcuate shaped or substantially flat distal end 50. Thus, the finger members
48 can be flared
outwardly and thereby provide the flared neck portion 44 extending about the
open upper end 46 of
the floral holding material 22 as shown in Fig. 4A; or the finger members 48
can be pressed inwardly
into the open upper end 46 of the floral holding material 22 so as to engage
the stem portions 52 of
the floral grouping 41 disposed within the internal chamber 42 of the floral
holding material 22 (Fig.
4B). It should also be understood that when the finger members 48 are flared
outwardly as shown in


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Fig. 4A, the stem portions 52 of the floral grouping 41 can be disposed
between adjacently disposed
finger members 48 to stabilize the floral grouping 41 in the floral holding
material 22 and/or to assist
in the arrangement of the floral grouping 41.
Referring now to Fig. 5, a floral holding material 60 is illustrated. The
floral holding materiat
60 has an upper end 62, a lower end 64 and an outer peripheral surface 66; and
the floral holding
material 60 is constructed of a material capable of receiving a floral
grouping 68 such that the floral
grouping 68 is held and supported by the floral holding material 60 without
the need of a pot. The
floral holding material 60 shown in Fig. 5 has a generally cubical
configuration. However, it is to be
understood that the floral holding material 60 may have a generally
rectangular configuration or may
be spherically shaped, semi-spherically shaped, frustum shaped or have any
other shape or
configuration desired in any particular application.
The floral holding material 60 may be the type of material commonly referred
to in the art as
floral foam or OasisTM' or may be soil or artificial soil or other earth
composition so long as the
material is capable of holding its predetermined shape and capable of
receiving and supporting the
floral grouping 68 without a pot. The floral holding material 60 may also be
capable of receiving and
holding water for supplying water to the floral grouping 68 supported therein.
It should be understood that the floral holding materials 22 and 60
hereinbefore described
are merely representative of materials that can be used in the practice of the
present invention and
that the term "ftoral holding material" as used herein encompasses any type of
material that is
capable of holding its predetermined shape and capable of receiving and
supporting a floral grouping
without a pot. In addition, such materials are desirably capable of receiving
and holding water for
supplying water to the floral grouping supported therein.
Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 and designated by the general reference numeral
70 is a
forming device used to form the sheet of material 10 about at least a portion
of a peripheral sidewall
72 a peripheral sidewall of the florat holding material 22 and to maintain the
sheet of material 10
about at least a portion of the outer peripheral sidewall 72 of the floral
holding material 22 during
application of a band 74 so as to provide a decorative assembly 76 (Fig. 8).
The forming device 70
includes a platform 78 having an upper support surface 80 and an opening 82
extending through a
portion of the upper support surface 80, the opening 82 being sized and
configured to permit at
least a portion of the floral holding material 22 and the sheet of material 10
to be positioned there
through.
As more clearly shown in Fig. 6, the sheet of material 10 is placed on the
upper support
surface 80 of the platform 78 and positioned so that the sheet of material 10
generally is centered
over the opening 82 in the platform 78. The floral holding material 22 then is
positioned generally
above the opening 82 in the platform 78 and above the sheet of material 10.
The floral holding
material 22 then is moved in a downwardly direction 84 to a position wherein
the open lower end 34
of the floral holding material 22 engages a portion of the sheet of material
10, preferably a central
portion of the sheet of material 10. The floral holding material 22 then
further is moved in the
downwardly direction 84 thereby pushing the floral holding material 22, along
with a portion of the
sheet of material 10, generally in the downwardly direction 84 and through the
opening 82 in the
platform 78. The floral holding material 22 with the sheet of material 10
formed about at least a


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portion thereof further is moved in the downwardly direction 84 to position
the floral holding
material 22 at a predetermined position within the opening 82 in the forming
device 70 whereby the
sheet of material 10 is over the lower end 34 of the floral holding material
22 positioned generally
about at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall 72 of the floral holding
material 22. In this
position, as shown in Fig. 7, the sheet of material 10 extends about and
covers a substantial portion
of the floral holding material 22, leaving the open upper end 46 of the floral
holding material 22
substantially uncovered so that a bloom or flower portion 86 of the floral
grouping 41 extends
outwardly from the open upper end 46 of the floral holding material 22 (Fig.
8).
The band 74 is applied about the sheet of material 10 and positioned either
around a portion
of the floral holding material 22 in close proximity to the flared neck
portion 44 of the floral holding
material 22 (Fig. 4A) or at a position above the floral holding material 22 so
as to provide the
decorative assembly 76 for the floral grouping 41 (Fig. 8). That is, the
decorative assembly 76 is
formed from the sheet of material 10 and the floral holding material 22
wherein the sheet of material
10 formed about at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall 72 of the floral
holding material 22 such
that the open upper end 46 of the floral holding material 22 remains uncovered
by the sheet of
material 10. After the band 74 has been applied about the sheet of material 10
disposed about at
least a portion of the floral holding material 22, the decorative assembly 76
having the floral grouping
41 supported therein is moved in an upwardly direction 88 to remove the same
from the forming
device 70.
A crimped portion 90 (Fig. 8) is formed in the sheet of material 10 near the
open upper end
46 of the floral holding material 22. The crimped portion 90 is formed by
crimping together
portions of the sheet of material 10 formed about the floral holding material
22. In Fig. 8, the
crimped portion 90 is formed below and substantially adjacent the flared neck
portion 44 of the
floral holding material 22 by placing the band 74 about a portion of the sheet
of material 10 with the
band 74 gathering or bringing together portions of the sheet of material 10.
However, it is to be
understood that the crimped portion 90 could be formed only in portions of the
sheet of material 10
thereby forming circumferentiatly spaced apart crimped portions if desired in
a particular
application; or, the crimped portion 90 could be formed above the open upper
end 46 of the floral
holding material 22 in the same manner as herein after described with
reference to the floral holding
material 60.
A portion of the sheet of material 10 extends a distance above and beyond the
crimped
portion 90 to form a skirt 92 (Fig. 8) extending circumferentiatly about the
open upper end 46 of the
floral holding material 22 and circumferentially about at least a lower
portion of the floral grouping
41 substantially as shown.
The term "band" as used herein means any material which may be positioned
about the sheet
of material 10 to secure the sheet of material 10 about at teast a portion of
the peripheral sidewall of
a floral holding material, such as the floral holding material 22 and the
fioral holding material 60.
Thus, the term "band" as used herein refers to elastic bands or rubber bands
and includes any
other type of material such as string, or ribbon, or metal, or rubber, or
plastic which may be used
to secure a sheet a material about a floral holding material to provide a
decorative assembly for a
floral holding material in accordance with the present invention.


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The band 74 employed to secure the sheet of materiat 10 about a floral holding
material, such
as the floral holding materials 22 and 60 can be applied either manually or
automaticatly. For
example, the sheet of material 10 can be placed about the floral holding
material 22 and then the
ftoral holding material 22 having the sheet of material 10 formed thereabout
can be placed in a
banding applicator. Thus, after the floral holding material 22 with the sheet
of material 10 extended
thereabout is placed in the banding applicator, the operator takes a band and
positions it about the
sheet of material 10.
Band applicators which may be employed in the practice of the present
invention and which
are capable of applying a band about the sheet of material 10 to secure the
sheet of material 10
about the floral holding material 22 as described herein are commercially
available, such as
"BandMaster", a band applicator available from Rubber Band Technology Limited
of Yakima,
Washington.
To automatically band the sheet of material 10 about the floral holding
material 22, the floral
holding material 22 with the sheet of material 10 extended thereabout is
placed in the banding
machine and the banding machine is activated to automatically place the band
74 about the sheet of
material 10. This system can be utilized for automatically placing the band 74
about the sheet of
material 10 in accordance with the present invention.
It should also be understood that the sheet of material 10 can be placed about
the floral
holding material 22 and then the floral holding material 22 having the sheet
of material 10 formed
thereabout can be placed in a holding device including a band holder. The
floral holding material 22
with the sheet of material 10 extended thereabout is placed in the holding
device, and the operator
takes a band from the band holder and pulls it over the holding device and
onto the sheet of material
10.
As shown in Fig. 8, the florat grouping 41 has the stem portion 52 and the
bloom or flower
portion 86. A portion of the stem portion 52 of the floral grouping 41 is
extended into the internal
chamber 42 of the floral holding material 22; and the bloom or flower portion
86 of the floral
grouping 41 extends a distance above the floral holding material 22.
The term "floral grouping" as used herein means cut fresh flowers, artificial
flowers, a single
flower, other fresh and/or artificial plants or other floral materials and may
include other secondary
plants and/or ornamentation which add to the aesthetics of the overall floral
grouping.
It is to be understood that while the formation of the decorative assembly 76
about the floral
holding material 22 utilizing the sheet of material 10, the forming device 70
and the band 74 has been
described above, the same procedures and devices can be employed to form a
decorative cover
about the floral holding material 60 or any other typical floral holding
material.

THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGURES 9 - 11
Referring now to Figs. 9-11, the formation of a decorative assembly 100 (Fig.
11) formed
about the floral holding material 60 utilizing the sheet of material 10 and
the forming device 70
(Figs. 9 and 10) will now be described. As more clearly shown in Fig. 9, the
sheet of material 10 is
placed on the upper support surface 80 of the platform 78 and positioned so
that the sheet of
material 10 generally is centered over the opening 82 in the platform 78 of
the forming device 70.


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The floral holding material 60 is then positioned generally above the opening
82 in the platform 78 and
above the sheet of material 10. The floral holding material 60 then is moved
in the downwardly
direction 84 to a position wherein the lower end 64 of the floral holding
material 60 engages a portion
of the sheet of material 10, preferably a central portion of the sheet of
material 10. The floral
holding material 60 is further moved in the downwardly direction 84 thereby
pushing the floral
holding material 60, along with a portion of the sheet of material 10,
generally in the downwardly
direction 84 and through the opening 82 in the platform 78 to position the
floral holding material 60
at a predetermined position within the opening 82 in the forming device 70
whereby the sheet of
material 10 is positioned generally about at least a portion of the outer
peripheral surface 66 of the
floral holding material 60. In this position, as shown in Fig. 10, the sheet
of material 10 extends about
and covers a substantial portion of the floral holding material 60, leaving
the upper end 62 of the
floral holding material 60 substantially uncovered so that a bloom or flower
portion 102 of a floral
grouping 104 extends outwardly from the upper end 62 of the floral holding
material 60; and a lower
portion 106 of stem portion 108 of the floral grouping 104 extends into the
floral holding material 60.
As shown in Fig. 11, a crimped portion 110 is formed above the upper end 62 of
the floral
holding material 60 by placing the band 74 about a portion of the sheet of
material 10 with the band
74 gathering or bringing together portions of the sheet of material 10. After
the band 74 has been
applied about the sheet of material 10 disposed about at least a portion of
the floral holding material
60, the floral holding material 60 having the sheet of material 10 secured
thereabout by the band 74
is moved in the upwardly direction 88 to remove the decorative assembly 100
from the forming
device 70.
Alternatively, the sheet of material 10 can be crimped by hand to form the
crimped portion
110 and thereafter the band 74, such as a ribbon or string can be tied about
the crimped portion
110 so as to provide the decorative assembty 100 for the floral grouping 102.
That is, the sheet of
material 10 is disposed about at least a portion of the outer peripheral
surface 66 of the floral
holding material 60 such that at least a portion of the upper end 62 of the
floral holding material 60
remains uncovered by the sheet of material 10.
A portion of the sheet of material 10 extends a distance above and beyond the
crimped
portion 110 and forms a skirt 112 (Fig. 11) extending circumferentially about
the upper end 62 of the
floral holding material 60 and circumferentially about at least a portion of
the floral grouping 102
substantially as shown.
The band 74, as hereinbefore described, can be applied about the sheet of
material 10 to
secure same about the floral holding material 60 and thereby provide the
decorative assembly 100,
either automatically utilizing the commercially available automatic or semi-
automatic banding
machines herein before identified, or manually. Further, the band 74 can be
disposed about a
portion of the sheet of material 10 extending about the outer peripheral
surface 66 of the floral
holding material 60; or the band 74 can be applied to a portion of the sheet
of material 10 extending
above the upper end 62 of the floral holding material 60, when the band 70 is
applied about the
portion of the sheet of material 10 extending above the upper end 62 of the
floral holding material
60, care should be exercised to insure that at least a portion of the upper
end 62 of the floral holding
material 60 remains uncovered by the sheet of material 10.


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Referring now to Fig. 12, a diagrammatic representation of a roll of material
120 and a
cutting apparatus 122 is provided which is capable of providing sheets of
material 10a which can be
employed in the production of the decorative assemblies for floral groupings
in accordance with the
present invention. The sheet of material 10a is similar in construction to the
sheet of material 10
herein before described in detail with reference to Fig. 1. Thus, no further
discussion or
characterization of the sheet of material 10a or its use in accordance with
the present invention is
believed necessary for one skilled in the art to understand and practice the
present invention.
The roll of material 120 is supported on a shaft 124 such that material 126
can be withdrawn
from the roll of material 120 until a predetermined length of material 126 has
been withdrawn. In
this position, a portion of the material 126 is disposed under a knife edge
128 of the cutting
apparatus 122. The knife edge 128 is connected to an actuator 130 of the
cutting apparatus 122 so
that the knife edge 128 can be move in a first direction 132 and a second
direction 134 in response to
activation of the actuator 130. When the predetermined length of material 126
has been withdrawn
from the roll of material 120, the actuator 130 is actuated to move the knife
edge 128 in the first
direction 132 to a position wherein the knife edge 128 severingly engages the
material 126 to cut
same from the roll of material 120 and thereby provide the sheet of material
10a. After the knife
edge 128 has cuttingly severed the sheet of material 10a from the roll of
material 120, the actuator
130 is actuated to move the knife edge 128 in the second direction 134 to a
storage position disposed
above the material 126. It should be understood that the cutting apparatus 122
may further include
a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or gear arrangement suitable for moving the
knife edge 128 in the
first and second direction 132 and 134, respectively.
Referring now to Fig. 13, shown therein is a sheet of material 10b which is
similar to the
sheet of material 10 shown and described herein before with reference to Fig.
1, except the sheet of
material 10b has a bonding material 140 disposed thereon. Thus, the sheet of
material 10b has an
upper surface 12b, a lower surface 14b, and an outer peripheral surface 16b.
The bonding material
140 is disposed on the upper surface 12b of the sheet of material 10b. The
bonding material 140 may
extend circumferentially about the sheet of material 10b; or, the bonding
material 140 may be
substantially centrally disposed on the upper surface 12b of the sheet of
material 10b; or, a portion
of the bonding material 140 may extend circumferentially about the sheet of
material 10b and
another portion of the bonding material 140 may be substantiatly centrally
disposed on the upper
surface 12b of the sheet of material 10b. It should be noted that, although
the bonding material 140
may be in the form of spots or spaced apart strips and the spots or strips may
be of any geometric
shape desired in a particular application.
The term "bonding material" as used herein means an adhesive, preferably a
pressure
sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive. Where the bonding material is a cohesive, a
similar cohesive
material must be placed on the adjacent surface of the floral holding
material, such as the floral
holding material 22 and 60, for bondingly contacting and bondingly engaging
with the cohesive
material. The term "bonding material" also includes materials which are 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" as used herein also
means a heat sealing
lacquer which may be applied to the sheet of material and, in this instance,
heat also must be applied


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to effect the sealing. The term "bonding material" as used herein means any
type of material or thing
which can be used to effect the bonding or connecting of the two adjacent
portions of the material
or sheet of material to effect the connection or bonding described herein.
In operation, the sheet of material 10b is formed about at least a portion of
the outer
peripheral surface of a floral holding material in the same manner that the
sheet of material is
formed about the outer peripheral surface 72 of the floral holding material 22
and the outer
peripheral surface 66 of the floral holding material 60 herein before
described. However, when the
sheet of material 10b is formed about a florat holding material, overlapping
portions of the sheet of
material 10b, as well as the crimped portion formed in the sheet of material
during the formation of
the decorative assembly (such as the decorative assemblies 76 and 100 herein
before described) are
bonded via the closure bonding material 140.
The ftoral groupings may be conveniently transported using the assemblies 76,
100 disclosed
herein, the assemblies being useful in providing support for the floral
groupings. Also or
alternatively, the floral groupings may be conveniently displayed for sale or
in enjoyment in the home
or office using the assemblies 76, 100 disclosed herein, especially when the
assemblies are
decorative.
Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various
components,
elements and assemblies described herein and changes may be made in the steps
or the sequence of
steps of the methods described herein without departing from the scope of the
invention as defined
in the following claims.

Representative Drawing