US20040018321A1 - Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same - Google Patents
Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same Download PDFInfo
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- US20040018321A1 US20040018321A1 US10/623,684 US62368403A US2004018321A1 US 20040018321 A1 US20040018321 A1 US 20040018321A1 US 62368403 A US62368403 A US 62368403A US 2004018321 A1 US2004018321 A1 US 2004018321A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- dimensional pattern
- decorative grass
- segments
- sleeve
- sheet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41G—ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS; WIGS; MASKS; FEATHERS
- A41G1/00—Artificial flowers, fruit, leaves, or trees; Garlands
- A41G1/009—Artificial grass
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41G—ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS; WIGS; MASKS; FEATHERS
- A41G1/00—Artificial flowers, fruit, leaves, or trees; Garlands
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G7/00—Flower holders or the like
- A47G7/02—Devices for supporting flower-pots or cut flowers
- A47G7/08—Covers for flower-pots, e.g. ornamental pots
- A47G7/085—Covers for flower-pots, e.g. ornamental pots made of flexible sheets of non-resilient material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/02—Packaging agricultural or horticultural products
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B47/00—Apparatus or devices for forming pockets or receptacles in or from sheets, blanks, or webs, comprising essentially a die into which the material is pressed or a folding die through which the material is moved
- B65B47/04—Apparatus or devices for forming pockets or receptacles in or from sheets, blanks, or webs, comprising essentially a die into which the material is pressed or a folding die through which the material is moved by application of mechanical pressure
- B65B47/06—Apparatus or devices for forming pockets or receptacles in or from sheets, blanks, or webs, comprising essentially a die into which the material is pressed or a folding die through which the material is moved by application of mechanical pressure using folding dies
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/02—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging
- B65B61/025—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging for applying, e.g. printing, code or date marks on material prior to packaging
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/50—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for living organisms, articles or materials sensitive to changes of environment or atmospheric conditions, e.g. land animals, birds, fish, water plants, non-aquatic plants, flower bulbs, cut flowers or foliage
- B65D85/505—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for living organisms, articles or materials sensitive to changes of environment or atmospheric conditions, e.g. land animals, birds, fish, water plants, non-aquatic plants, flower bulbs, cut flowers or foliage for cut flowers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S206/00—Special receptacle or package
- Y10S206/814—Space filler
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24355—Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]
- Y10T428/24446—Wrinkled, creased, crinkled or creped
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24355—Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]
- Y10T428/24446—Wrinkled, creased, crinkled or creped
- Y10T428/24455—Paper
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
- Y10T428/24496—Foamed or cellular component
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24802—Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/04—Processes
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/04—Processes
- Y10T83/0524—Plural cutting steps
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/647—With means to convey work relative to tool station
- Y10T83/6476—Including means to move work from one tool station to another
- Y10T83/6489—Slitter station
- Y10T83/6491—And transverse cutter station
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/647—With means to convey work relative to tool station
- Y10T83/6584—Cut made parallel to direction of and during work movement
- Y10T83/6587—Including plural, laterally spaced tools
- Y10T83/6588—Tools mounted on common tool support
- Y10T83/659—Tools axially shiftable on support
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Botany (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Evolutionary Biology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
- Toxicology (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
- Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)
- Wrappers (AREA)
Abstract
A method for making decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern which constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative grass. Printed designs or materials and/or embossed materials can also constitute a portion of the decor of the decorative grass. The method includes slitting a material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of at least one surface thereof and then cutting the slit material into segments of a predetermined length to provide the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/058,193, filed Jan. 25, 2002, now allowed, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/572,750, filed May 16, 2000, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 09/151,789, filed Sep. 11, 1998, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/967,706, filed Nov. 10, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,255, issued Nov. 24, 1998.
- Not applicable.
- The present invention relates to methods of wrapping floral groupings and flower pots with a sheet of material to provide a decorative cover for such floral groupings and flower pots, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to methods of wrapping floral groupings and flower pots with a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern printed thereon. In one aspect, the present invention relates to decorative grasses having a three-dimensional pattern, design, or printed material provided thereon.
- FIG. 1 is an enlarged, fragmental, perspective view of a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern thereon, the sheet of material used for wrapping floral groupings and flower pots and for producing decorative grass in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet of material of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern disposed on a lower surface thereof and a bonding material disposed on an upper surface along one edge thereof, a floral grouping being disposed on the upper surface of the sheet of material.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the floral grouping of FIG. 3 being wrapped with the sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern on the lower surface thereof by one method of wrapping wherein the sheet of material is provided with a bonding material on the upper surface thereof.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a decorative cover for the floral grouping formed from the sheet of material of FIG. 3 wherein the decorative cover formed from the sheet of material has a conical configuration.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a decorative cover formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern wherein the floral grouping is wrapped with the sheet of material by a second method of wrapping so that the decorative cover formed from the sheet of material has a substantially cylindrical configuration.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flower pot containing a potted plant.
- FIG. 8 is perspective view of a decorative cover positioned about the flower pot of FIG. 7 wherein the decorative cover is formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern disposed thereon.
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a flower pot cover former and band applicator apparatus having the sheet of material of FIG. 2 disposed above an opening of the flower pot cover former and band applicator and having a flower pot disposed above the sheet of material.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a floral sleeve formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern disposed thereon.
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the floral sleeve of FIG. 10 disposed about a floral grouping.
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a floral sleeve having a cinching member wherein the floral sleeve is formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern disposed thereon.
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the floral sleeve of FIG. 12 disposed about a floral grouping.
- FIG. 14 is a side view of a sleeve having a detachable portion wherein the sleeve is formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern disposed thereon.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the sleeve of FIG. 14 having a flower pot disposed therein.
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a flower pot disposed in the sleeve of FIG. 14 wherein an upper portion of the sleeve has been removed to provide a decorative cover having a skirt portion.
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a preformed pot cover formed from a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern thereon.
- FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the preformed pot cover of FIG. 17 having a flower pot disposed therein.
- FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of a male and female mold having a sheet of material disposed therebetween for forming the preformed pot cover of FIG. 18.
- FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a roll of material having a three-dimensional pattern disposed thereon and illustrating a knife edge being actuated by an actuator to cut at least a portion of the roll of material into elongated segments of decorative grass.
- FIG. 21 is an enlarged, fragmental perspective view of one segment of decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern disposed thereon.
- FIG. 22 is an enlarged, fragmental perspective view of one segment of decorative grass having printed material thereon in addition to the three-dimensional pattern disposed thereon.
- FIG. 23 is an enlarged, fragmental perspective view of one segment of decorative grass having embossed material thereon in addition to the three-dimensional pattern disposed thereon.
- FIG. 24 is an enlarged, fragmental perspective view of one segment of decorative grass having printed material and embossed material thereon in addition to the three-dimensional pattern disposed thereon wherein the printed material and the embossed material are in register with one another.
- FIG. 25 is an enlarged, fragmental perspective view of one segment of decorative grass having printed material and embossed material thereon in addition to the three-dimensional pattern disposed thereon wherein the printed material and the embossed material are out of register with one another.
- The present invention comprises methods of wrapping floral groupings, flower pots containing potted plants or other pot means with a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern to provide a decorative cover or sleeve for such floral groupings or flower pots containing potted plants. The present invention also comprises methods for producing decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern. The methods comprise providing a sheet of material having a three-dimensional pattern and wrapping the sheet of material about a floral grouping or a flower pot to provide a decorative cover having a three-dimensional pattern; or by cutting a sheet or roll of material having a three-dimensional pattern to provide segments of decorative grass which have a predetermined width and length.
- Description of FIGS.1-9
- Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, designated generally by the
reference numeral 10 is a sheet of material having anupper surface 14, alower surface 16, and an outerperipheral edge 18. The sheet ofmaterial 10 can be made of a polymeric material, such as polypropylene, metallized foil, paper, cloth, burlap and combinations and laminates thereof. - As shown in FIG. 2, the outer
peripheral edge 18 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 comprises afirst side 20, asecond side 22, athird side 24, andfourth side 26. A bonding material 27 (FIGS. 3 and 4) may be disposed on at least a portion of one or both surfaces of the sheet ofmaterial 10, such as theupper surface 14 thereof as shown in FIG. 3 and 4 and as further illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,364, the specification of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. - The sheet of
material 10 has a three-dimensional pattern 28 on at least a portion of one of the upper orlower surfaces lower surface 16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-6. The three-dimensional pattern 28 may be of any geometrical shape or design which will enhance the aesthetic qualities of adecorative cover material 10. That is, the three-dimensional pattern 28 may be a lace pattern, curlicues, paisleys, swirls, squiggles, and any shape generally associated with botanical items such as leaves, petals, stems, roots, fruits and any other biomorphic shapes. Further, the three-dimensional pattern 28 can be produced in any suitable manner, such as by embossing or printing with a foamable ink which can be of a single color, or portions of the three-dimensional pattern 28 may be printed with foamable inks of different colors so that a portion of the three-dimensional pattern 28 is printed in at least a first color and other portions of the three-dimensional pattern 28 are printed in at least a second color such that the three-dimensional pattern 28 consists of multiple colors. - The three-
dimensional pattern 28 may cover only a portion of the sheet ofmaterial 10 or may cover an entire surface of the sheet ofmaterial 10, or may cover all exposed and/or interior surfaces of the sheet ofmaterial 10. The sheet ofmaterial 10 having the three-dimensional pattern 28 may be employed to provide a decorative cover for a floral grouping (FIGS. 5 and 6) or a decorative cover for a flower pot (FIG. 8); or it may be employed to provide a sleeve for wrapping or covering a floral grouping (FIGS. 11 and 13) or a flower pot (FIGS. 15 and 16); or it may be employed to form a preformed flower pot cover for covering a flower pot (FIGS. 17 and 18); or it may be cut into segments to produce decorative grasses (FIGS. 20-25). The use of the sheet ofmaterial 10 having the three-dimensional pattern 28 to form a decorative cover for a floral grouping or a flower pot, to form a sleeve for a floral grouping or a flower pot, or to form a preformed flower pot cover or to form decorative grass will be described in more complete detail herein. - As noted above, the sheet of
material 10 having the three-dimensional pattern 28 can be utilized to form a decorative cover for a floral grouping or a flower pot. The term “flower pot” as used herein refers to any type of container for holding a floral grouping, or a plant, or even another pot type container. Examples of flower pots and/or pot type containers include, but are not limited to, clay pots, wooden pots, plastic pots, pots made from natural and/or synthetic fibers, or any combination thereof. Such flower pots and or pot-type containers are provided with a retaining space for receiving a floral grouping. The floral grouping may be disposed within the retaining space of the flower pot with a suitable growing medium described in further detail below, or other retaining medium, such as a floral foam. It will also be understood that in some cases the floral grouping, and any appropriate growing medium or other retaining medium, may be disposed in a sleeve formed from the sheet ofmaterial 10 having a three-dimensional pattern 28 if the sleeve is adapted to contain a medium. - “Floral grouping” as used herein means cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower or other fresh and/or artificial plants or other floral materials and may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentation or artificial or natural materials which add to the aesthetics of the overall floral grouping. Further, the floral grouping may comprise a growing potted plant having a root portion as well. However, it will be appreciated that the floral grouping may consist of only a single bloom or only foliage, or a botanical item (not shown), or a propagule. The term “floral grouping” may be used interchangeably herein with the term “floral arrangement”. The term “floral grouping” may also be used interchangeably herein with the terms “botanical item” and/or “propagule.”
- The term “growing medium” when used herein means any liquid, solid or gaseous material used for plant growth or for the cultivation of propagules, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil, humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, and including the nutrients, fertilizers or hormones, or combinations thereof required by the plants or propagules for growth.
- The term “botanical item” when used herein means a natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plant, taken singly or in combination. The term “botanical item” also means any portion or portions of natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plants including stems, leaves, flowers, blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or roots, taken singly or in combination, or in groupings of such portions such as bouquet or floral grouping.
- The term “propagule” when used herein means any structure capable of being propagated or acting as an agent of reproduction including seeds, shoots, stems, runners, tubers, plants, leaves, roots, or spores.
- In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the sheet of
material 10 having the three-dimensional pattern 28 is square. It will be appreciated, however, that the sheet ofmaterial 10 having the three-dimensional pattern 28 can be of any shape, configuration or size as long as the sheet ofmaterial 10 is sufficiently sized and shaped to wrap and encompass a flower pot or a floral grouping. For example, the sheet ofmaterial 10 may have a rectangular, round, oval, octagonal or asymmetrical shape. Further, multiple sheets ofmaterial 10 may be used in a single circumstance to provide a decorative cover or sleeve for a flower pot or a floral grouping. Moreover, when multiple sheets ofmaterial 10 are used in combination, the sheets ofmaterial 10 need not be uniform in size or shape. Finally, it will be appreciated that the sheet ofmaterial 10 having a three-dimensional pattern 28 shown in all embodiments herein is a substantially flat sheet except for the three-dimensional pattern 28 thereon. - Any thickness or stiffness of the sheet of
material 10 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet ofmaterial 10 having the three-dimensional pattern 28 may be wrapped about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping or cut into segments to produce decorative grass, as described herein. Stiffer sheets may be scored to facilitate their folding. The sheet ofmaterial 10 preferably has a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil. Typically, the sheet ofmaterial 10 has a thickness in a range of about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mil. - The sheet of
material 10 is constructed from any suitable wrapping material that is capable of being wrapped about a flower pot or floral grouping. Preferably, the sheet ofmaterial 10 is paper (untreated or treated in any manner), cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), cardboard, burlap, or laminations or combinations thereof having the three-dimensional pattern 28 thereon. - The term “polymer film” when used herein means a man-made polymer, such as a polypropylene or a naturally occurring polymer, such as cellophane. A polymer film is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil.
- The sheet of
material 10 may also be constructed, in whole or in part, from a cling material. “Cling Wrap or Material” when used herein means any material which is capable of connecting to the sheet of material and/or itself upon contacting engagement during the wrapping process and is wrappable about an item, whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engage and connect to other portions of another material, or, alternatively, itself, for generally securing the material wrapped about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping. This connecting engagement is preferably temporary in that the material may be easily removed, i.e., the cling material “clings” to the flower pot or floral grouping. - The cling material is constructed, and treated if necessary, from polyethylene such as Cling Wrap made by Glad®, First Brands Corporation, Danbury, Conn. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, depend upon the size of sleeve or cover and the size of the flower pot or floral grouping in the sleeve or cover, i.e., generally, a larger flower pot may require a thicker and therefore stronger cling material. The cling material will range in thickness from about 0.1 mil to about 10 mil, and preferably from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mil and most preferably from about 0.6 mil to about 2 mil. However, any thickness of cling material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention which permits the cling material to be printed with a foamable ink composition so as to provide the cling material with a three-dimensional printed pattern which is capable of functioning as described herein.
- In one embodiment, the sheet of
material 10 may be constructed from two polypropylene films wherein at least a lower or outer surface of one of the sheets polypropylene film is provided with a three-dimensional pattern. The sheets of polypropylene film having the three-dimensional pattern employed to produce the sheet ofmaterial 10 may be connected together or laminated or may be separate layers. In an alternative embodiment, the sheet ofmaterial 10 may be constructed from only one sheet of polypropylene film having a three-dimensional pattern. - The sheet of
material 10 may vary in color. Further, the sheet ofmaterial 10 may comprise other decorative patterns or designs in addition to the three-dimensional pattern 28 which are printed, etched, and/or embossed thereon. In addition, the sheet ofmaterial 10 may have various colorings, coatings, flocking and/or metallic finishes, applied separately or simultaneously, or may be characterized totally or partially by pearlescent, opaque, translucent, transparent, tinted, iridescent or the like, qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination. Moreover, each surface of the sheet ofmaterial 10 may vary in the combination of such characteristics. - The sheet of
material 10 has awidth 30 extending generally between thefirst side 20 and thesecond side 22, respectively, sufficiently sized whereby the sheet ofmaterial 10 can be wrapped about and encompass a floral grouping or a flower pot. The sheet ofmaterial 10 has alength 32 extending generally between thethird side 24 and thefourth side 26, respectively, sufficiently sized whereby the sheet ofmaterial 10 extends over a substantial portion of the floral grouping when the sheet ofmaterial 10 has been wrapped about the floral grouping in accordance with the present invention as described in detail herein. The sheet ofmaterial 10 may also be wrapped about a flower pot to substantially wrap and cover the flower pot or cut into segments to produce decorative grass in accordance with the present invention. - A plurality of sheets of
material 10 may be connected together to form a roll as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,976, issued Oct. 24, 1995 to Weder et al., entitled “MATERIAL AND ADHESIVE STRIP DISPENSER”, the specification of which is hereby expressly incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. - The ink compositions which can be applied to the sheet of
material 10 to produce the three-dimensional pattern 28 on the sheet ofmaterial 10 can be any ink composition, either solvent-based or water-based, which is compatible with the sheet ofmaterial 10 and which contains a foaming agent capable of foaming the ink composition on curing to produce the three-dimensional pattern 28. Such foamable ink compositions are well known in the printing art. However, for environmental reasons it is preferred that the foamable ink composition be a water-based ink composition. An example of a foamable water-based ink composition which can be employed to produce the three-dimensional pattern 28 on the sheet ofmaterial 10 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,048 entitled “Water Based Ink Composition Free Of Volatile Organic Compounds For Disposition On A Substrate”, the specification of which is hereby expressly incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. - The foamable ink compositions may be applied to the sheet of
material 10 in any conventional manner. The method of application may be manual or mechanical. If the sheets of material are in the form of a roll, then gravure, flexographic procedures, or Mayer rod procedures may be used to apply the foamable ink composition to the sheet ofmaterial 10. - FIGS.3-6 illustrate the wrapping of a
floral grouping 34 with the sheet ofmaterial 10 having a three-dimensional pattern 28 to provide adecorative cover 36 for thefloral grouping 34. The sheet of material 10 (which may optionally have the strip ofbonding material 27 disposed upon theupper surface 14, thelower surface 16 or both, such as the strip ofbonding material 27 disposed along at least a portion of theupper surface 14 so as to be disposed substantially adjacent thefourth side 26 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) is provided, either as an individual sheet ofmaterial 10 or from a pad or roll of material and the like. - The
bonding material 27, if present, may have a backing or release strip (not shown). The backing or release strip may be left applied for a period of time to thebonding material 27 after it is disposed on a surface of the sheet ofmaterial 10 prior to its use as a wrapping material, to protect the bonding qualities of the bonding strip. In operation, an operator may dispose the sheet ofmaterial 10 on a support surface (not shown); thelower surface 16 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 contacting the support surface. - Referring more specifically to FIG. 3, the
floral grouping 34 is placed upon theupper surface 14 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 in a diagonal orientation. Thefloral grouping 34 has an upper bloom orfoliage portion 42 and alower stem portion 44. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the sheet ofmaterial 10 is then wrapped about thefloral grouping 34 by the operator, the operator overlapping a portion of the sheet ofmaterial 10 over another portion of the sheet ofmaterial 10. That is, for example, the operator places thefirst side 20 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 over thefloral grouping 34, as shown in FIG. 4. The operator continues to roll thefloral grouping 34 and the sheet ofmaterial 10 in the direction toward thesecond side 22 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 until theupper surface 14 adjacent to thefourth side 26 firmly engages thelower surface 16 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 and thefloral grouping 34 is substantially encompassed by the sheet ofmaterial 10. Thus, thebonding material 27 disposed on theupper surface 14 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 contacts thelower surface 16 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 to provide thedecorative cover 36 which substantially encompasses and surrounds a substantial portion of thefloral grouping 34. FIG. 5 shows thefloral grouping 34 wrapped in a conical fashion with thebloom end 42 exposed near an open upper end 38 of thedecorative cover 36 and the stem end 44 exposed near a lower end 40 of thedecorative cover 36. - In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 6, the sheet of
material 10 is utilized to wrap thefloral grouping 34. Thefloral grouping 34 is disposed upon the sheet ofmaterial 10 approximately parallel to thefourth side 26 of the sheet ofmaterial 10. The sheet ofmaterial 10 is then wrapped generally about thestem portion 44 of thefloral grouping 34 to a position wherein thefourth side 26 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 generally overlaps thethird side 24 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 in a cylindrical fashion. It should be noted that the sheet ofmaterial 10 may be wrapped a plurality of times about thestem portion 44 of thefloral grouping 34 before the overlapping of thethird side 24 and thefourth side 26 of the sheet ofmaterial 10. As before, the portion of the sheet ofmaterial 10 near thefourth side 26 is disposed generally adjacent another portion of the sheet ofmaterial 10 and the two adjacent portions then are brought into contact where they may be bondingly engaged, thereby securing the sheet ofmaterial 10 generally about thefloral grouping 34 so as to provide adecorative cover 36 a for thefloral grouping 34 wherein thedecorative cover 36 a has an open upper end 38 a and an open lower end 40 a. - In another version of the invention, the sheet of
material 10 may be used to wrap a flower pot or pot-type container, as noted above. Shown in FIG. 7 is a flower pot designated by thereference numeral 50 and which has an openupper end 52, abottom end 54, an outerperipheral surface 56, aninner retaining space 58 within which may be disposed a growing medium. Theflower pot 50 may contain a botanical item, such as aplant 60, which has anupper portion 62 comprising blooms or foliage or both. - The sheet of
material 10 may be wrapped about theflower pot 50 by any one of numerous methods used to wrap sheets of material about flower pots to form decorative pot covers for flower pots, such as adecorative cover 63 disposed about theflower pot 50 illustrated in FIG. 8. The sheet ofmaterial 10 may, for example, be formed by hand about the outerperipheral surface 56 of theflower pot 50 to produce thedecorative cover 63. Thedecorative cover 63 can then be secured about theflower pot 50 by a bonding material or by anelastic band 64 such that the openupper end 52 of theflower pot 50 remains substantially uncovered by thedecorative cover 63, substantially as shown in FIG. 8. - Referring now to FIG. 9, a flower pot cover former and
band applicator device 66 for forming the sheet ofmaterial 10 into thedecorative cover 63 for theflower pot 50 is illustrated. The flower pot cover former andband applicator device 66 comprises aband applicator 68 and a flower pot cover former 70. The flower pot cover former andband applicator device 66 has asupport platform 72 with anopening 74 formed therein. A band, such aselastic band 64, is disposed circumferentially about theopening 74 in thesupport platform 72. - The
lower surface 16 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 is positioned on anupper surface 76 on thesupport platform 72 such that the sheet ofmaterial 10 is positioned over theopening 74 in thesupport platform 72. Theflower pot 50 is positioned above the sheet ofmaterial 10 and is moved in adirection 78 into theopening 74 of the flower pot cover former andband applicator device 66. As theflower pot 50 is moved into theopening 74, the sheet ofmaterial 10 is pressed about the outerperipheral surface 56 of theflower pot 50 thereby forming thedecorative cover 63 about theflower pot 50. Thedecorative cover 63 is then secured about theflower pot 50 by theelastic band 64. Theflower pot 50 having thedecorative cover 63 secured thereto is then moved in adirection 80 out of theopening 74 in thesupport platform 72. - The
elastic band 64 can be applied manually or automatically about thedecorative cover 63 such as by the method shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,599, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. Theband 64 can be applied about thedecorative cover 63 as a tie using a method such as described in “Single Station Covering and Fastening System”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,009, the specification of which is also hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. The sheet ofmaterial 10 can also be applied automatically about thedecorative cover 63, for example by methods shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,733,521 and 5,291,721, both of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. - Instead of securing the
decorative cover 63 about theflower pot 50 via theband 64, thedecorative cover 63 formed from the sheet ofmaterial 10 may be secured to theflower pot 50 by the use of one or more bonding materials. For example, theupper surface 14 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 may have a bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof. When the sheet ofmaterial 10 is disposed about theflower pot 50, at least a portion of theupper surface 14 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 contacts the outerperipheral surface 56 of theflower pot 50 and is thereby bonded and held about theflower pot 50 via the bonding material. - The bonding material may cover a portion of the
upper surface 14 of the sheet ofmaterial 10, or the bonding material may entirely cover theupper surface 14 of the sheet ofmaterial 10. The bonding material may be disposed on theupper surface 14 of the sheet ofmaterial 10 in the form of a strip or in the form of spaced-apart spots. One method for disposing a bonding material on the sheet ofmaterial 10 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637, entitled “Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping”, issued to Weder et al. on May 12, 1992, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. - The term “bonding material” when used herein can mean an adhesive, frequently a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive, or any adhesive/cohesive combination having adhesive qualities (i.e., qualities of adhesion or adhesion/cohesion, respectively) sufficient to cause the attachment of a portion of the sheet of
material 10 to itself, to a floral grouping, or to a flower pot. Since the bonding material may comprise an adhesive and/or a cohesive, it will be appreciated that both adhesives and cohesives are known in the art, and both are commercially available. When the bonding material is a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must be placed on the adjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondingly engaging with the cohesive 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” also includes materials which are sonic sealable and vibratory sealable. The term “bonding material” when used herein also means a heat sealing lacquer or hot melt material which may be applied to the material and, in this instance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations, also must be applied to effect the sealing. - The term “bonding material” when used herein also means any type of material or thing which can be used to effect the bonding or connecting of the two adjacent portions of the material or sheet of material to effect the connection or bonding described herein. The term “bonding material” may also include ties, labels, bands, ribbons, strings, tapes (including single or double-sided adhesive tapes), staples or combinations thereof. Some of the bonding materials would secure the ends of the material, while other bonding materials may bind the circumference of a wrapper, or a sleeve, or, alternatively and/or in addition, the bonding materials would secure overlapping folds in the material and/or sleeve. Another way to secure the wrapping and/or sleeve is to heat seal the ends of the material to another portion of the material. One way to do this is to contact the ends with an iron of sufficient heat to heat seal the material.
- Alternatively, a cold seal adhesive may be utilized as the bonding material. The cold seal adhesive adheres only to a similar substrate, acting similarly as a cohesive, and binds only to itself. The cold seal adhesive, since it bonds only to a similar substrate, does not cause a residue to build up on equipment, thereby both permitting much more rapid disposition and use of such equipment to form articles and reducing labor costs. Further, since no heat is required to effect the seal, the dwell time, that is, the time for the sheet of material to form and retain the shape of an article, such as a flower pot cover or flower pot, is reduced. A cold seal adhesive binds quickly and easily with minimal pressure, and such a seal is not readily releasable. This characteristic is different from, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive.
- The term “bonding material” when used herein also means any heat or chemically shrinkable material, and static electrical or other electrical material, chemical welding material, magnetic material, mechanical or barb-type fastening material or clamps, curl-type characteristics of the film or materials incorporated in material which can cause the material to take on certain shapes, cling films, slots, grooves, shrinkable materials and bands, curl materials, springs, and any type of welding method which may weld portions of the material to itself or to the pot, or to both the material itself and the pot.
- Description of FIGS.10-16
- Shown in FIG. 10 is a decorative cover designated therein by the
general reference numeral 82 which comprises a flexible bag orsleeve 86 of unitary construction having a three-dimensional pattern 87 thereon in accordance with the present invention. Thesleeve 86 may be used as thedecorative cover 82 for a floral grouping or a flower pot. Thesleeve 86 initially comprises a flexible flat collapsed piece of material which is openable in the form of a tube or sleeve. Such sleeves are well known in the floral industry. Further, in accordance with the present invention, thesleeve 86 has a three-dimensional pattern 87, as previously described herein, on at least a portion thereof. Thesleeve 86 has anupper end 88, alower end 90 and an outerperipheral surface 92. Thesleeve 86 may be tapered outwardly from thelower end 90 toward a larger diameter at itsupper end 88. In its flattened state thesleeve 86 generally has an overall trapezoidal or modified trapezoidal shape, and when opened is substantially frusto-conical to coniform. It will be appreciated, however, that thesleeve 86 may comprise variations on the aforementioned shapes or may comprise significantly altered shapes such as square or rectangular, wherein thesleeve 86 when opened has a cylindrical form, as long as thesleeve 86 functions in accordance with the present invention in the manner described herein. The sleeve 86 (or any other sleeve disclosed herein) may have an angular or contoured shape. - The
sleeve 86 has anopening 94 at theupper end 88 and may be open at thelower end 90, or closed with a bottom at thelower end 90. Thesleeve 86 also has an innerperipheral surface 96 which, when thesleeve 86 is opened, defines and encompasses aninner retaining space 98. When thelower end 90 of thesleeve 86 is closed, a portion of thelower end 90 may be inwardly folded to form one or more gussets (not shown) for allowing the lower portion of theinner retaining space 98 to be expandable, for example, for receiving the circular bottom of a pot or growing medium. - The
sleeve 86 is generally frusto-conically shaped, but thesleeve 86 may be, by way of example but not by way of limitation, cylindrical, frusto-conical, a combination of both frusto-conical and cylindrical, or any other shape, as long as thesleeve 86 functions as described herein as noted above. Further, thesleeve 86 may comprise any shape, whether geometric, non-geometric, asymmetrical and/or fanciful, as long as it functions in accordance with the present invention. Thesleeve 86 may also be equipped with drain holes (if having a closed bottom) or side ventilation holes (not shown), or can be made from gas permeable or impermeable materials. - The material from which the
sleeve 86 is constructed is the same as previously described above for the sheet ofmaterial 10. Such materials used to construct thesleeve 86 are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. Any thickness of material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as thesleeve 86 may be formed as described herein, and as long as the formedsleeve 86 may contain at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping, as described herein. Additionally, an insulating material such as bubble film, preferable as one of two or more layers, can be utilized in order to provide additional protection for the item, such as the floral grouping, contained therein. - In FIG. 11 the
sleeve 86 is illustrated having the three-dimensional pattern 87 provided on the outerperipheral surface 92 of thesleeve 86. Afloral grouping 100 is disposed within theinner retaining space 98 of thesleeve 86. Generally, an upper orbloom portion 102 of thefloral grouping 100 is exposed near theopening 94 of thesleeve 86, and a lower orstem portion 104 of thefloral grouping 100 is exposed near thelower end 90 of thesleeve 86. Either end of thesleeve 86 may be closed about thefloral grouping 100. Generally, a portion of thesleeve 86 is tightened about a portion of thestem portion 104 of thefloral grouping 100 for holding thedecorative cover 82 about thefloral grouping 100. For example, thesleeve 86 may be held by atie 106 tied about thesleeve 86, such as is shown in FIG. 11. Other methods for binding thesleeve 86 may be employed, such as the bonding materials described elsewhere herein. - Similarly, it generally may be desired to use the
sleeve 86 as a decorative cover for a flower pot (not shown). The flower pot will generally contain a botanical item or plant. The flower pot can be deposited into theopen sleeve 86 in a manner well known in the art, such as manually, wherein thesleeve 86 is opened by hand and the flower pot deposited therein. - As noted above, a bonding material may be disposed on a portion of the
sleeve 86 or any sleeve described herein to assist in holding thesleeve 86 to the flower pot when the flower pot is disposed within thesleeve 86 or to assist in closing theupper end 88 of thesleeve 86 or adhering thesleeve 86 to the flower pot after the flower pot has been disposed therein, as will be discussed in further detail below. - It will be understood that the bonding material, if present, may be disposed as a strip or block on a surface of the
sleeve 86. The bonding material may also be disposed upon either the outerperipheral surface 92 or the innerperipheral surface 96 of thesleeve 86, as well as upon the flower pot. Further, the bonding material may be disposed as spots of bonding material, or in any other geometric, non-geometric, asymmetric, or fanciful form, and in any pattern, including covering either the entire innerperipheral surface 96 and/or outerperipheral surface 92 of thesleeve 86 and/or the flower pot. The bonding material may be covered by a cover or release strip which can be removed prior to the use of thesleeve 86 or flower pot. The bonding material can be applied by methods known to those of ordinary skill in their art. One method for disposing a bonding material on a surface of thesleeve 86, in this case an adhesive, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. - As noted above, a bonding material may be disposed on at least a portion of the inner
peripheral surface 96 of the sleeve 86 (or any other sleeve described herein), or, alternatively, the bonding material may be disposed on an outer peripheral surface of a flower pot contained within thesleeve 86, while thesleeve 86 may be free of the bonding material. In a further alternative, the bonding material may be disposed both on at least a portion of the flower pot as well as upon at least a portion of the innerperipheral surface 96 of thesleeve 86. In addition, a portion of the bonding material may also be disposed on the outerperipheral surface 92 of thesleeve 86 as well. It will be understood that the bonding material may be disposed in a solid section of bonding material. The bonding material, when present, is disposed on thesleeve 86 and/or flower pot by any method known in the art. - Certain versions of sleeves described herein may be used in combination with a preformed pot cover. For example, a preformed pot cover may be applied to the pot, then the covered pot wrapped or disposed within a sleeve. Either the cover or the sleeve, or both, may have the three-dimensional pattern printed thereon. Examples of sleeves which may be used in this invention are shown in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,979, issued May 6, 1997, to Donald E. Weder which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Equipment and devices for forming sleeves are commercially available, and well known in the art.
- Shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is a
decorative cover 82 a comprising asleeve 86 a having a three-dimensional pattern 87 a disposed thereon, thedecorative cover 82 a being provided with acinching tab 108 having abonding material 110 disposed upon a surface thereof. Thecinching tab 108 can be used to gather portions of thesleeve 86 a together about thestem portion 104 of thefloral grouping 100 as shown in FIG. 13 for holding thesleeve 86 a tightly about thefloral grouping 100. - Shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is another embodiment of a
decorative cover 82 b comprising a flexible bag orsleeve 86 b constructed in accordance with the present invention and designated by thegeneral reference numeral 86 b. Thesleeve 86 b has a three-dimensional pattern 87 b disposed thereon; and thesleeve 86 b has a “detaching”element 112 in predetermined areas for detaching a portion of thesleeve 86 b. Thesleeve 86 b generally initially comprises a flexible flat collapsed piece of material which is openable in the form of a tube or sleeve. Thesleeve 86 b is constructed of the same material and in the same way as described previously herein for thesleeve 86 and may be described exactly the same as the other sleeves described herein except for the additional elements described herein. - The
sleeve 86 b has anupper end 88 b, alower end 90 b, and an outerperipheral surface 92 b. Thesleeve 86 b has an opening 94 b at theupper end 88 b thereof, and thesleeve 86 b may be open at thelower end 90 b or closed with a bottom at thelower end 90 b. In a flattened state, thesleeve 86 b has afirst side 113 a and asecond side 113 b. Thesleeve 86 b also has an innerperipheral surface 96 b which, when thesleeve 86 b is opened, defines and encompasses an inner retaining space 98 b as shown in FIG. 15. When thelower end 90 b of thesleeve 86 b has a closed bottom, a portion of thelower end 90 b may be inwardly folded to form one or more gussets (not shown) for permitting a circular bottom of an object such as aflower pot 117 to be disposed in the inner retaining space 98 b of thelower end 90 b of thesleeve 86 b. - As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the
sleeve 86 b is demarcated into anupper portion 114 and alower portion 116. Thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b is generally sized to contain theflower pot 117. Theupper portion 114 of thesleeve 86 b is sized to substantially surround and encompass aplant 118 contained in the flower pot 117 (FIGS. 15 and 16) disposed within thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b. Thesleeve 86 b is demarcated into theupper portion 114 and thelower portion 116 by the detachingelement 112 which enables the detachment of theupper portion 114 of thesleeve 86 b from thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b. In the present version, the detachingelement 112 is a plurality of generally laterally-oriented or alternating diagonally-oriented perforations which extend circumferentially across the outerperipheral surface 92 b of thesleeve 86 b from thefirst side 113 a to thesecond side 113 b. - In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the
lower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b further comprises abase portion 120 and askirt portion 122. Thebase portion 120 comprises that part of thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b which, when theflower pot 117 is placed into thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b, has an innerperipheral surface 96 b which is substantially adjacent to and surrounds the outer peripheral surface of theflower pot 117. Theskirt portion 122 comprises that part of thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b which extends beyond an open upper end of theflower pot 117 and is substantially adjacent at least a portion of theplant 118 contained within theflower pot 117 and which is left to freely extend at an angle, inwardly or outwardly, from thebase portion 120 when theupper portion 114 of thesleeve 86 b is detached from thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b by actuation of the detachingelement 112. - In the
intact sleeve 86 b, theskirt portion 122 comprises an upper peripheral edge congruent with the detachingelement 112 which is connected to a lower peripheral edge, also congruent with the detachingelement 112, of theupper portion 114 of thesleeve 86 b. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the upper peripheral edge of theskirt portion 122 is congruent with a series of alternating diagonally-oriented lines of perforations which together form a zig-zag and comprise the detachingelement 112. Theupper portion 114 of thesleeve 86 b may also have anadditional detaching element 124 indicated as a plurality of vertical perforations for facilitating removal of theupper portion 114 of thesleeve 86 b and which are disposed more or less vertically therein so as to extend between the detachingelement 112 of thesleeve 86 b and theupper end 88 b of thesleeve 86 b. - The
upper portion 114 of thesleeve 86 b is thereby separable from thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b by tearing theupper portion 114 along both the detachingelement 124 and the detachingelement 112, thereby separating theupper portion 114 from thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b. Thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b remains disposed as thebase portion 120 about theflower pot 117 and as theskirt portion 122 about theplant 118 contained in theflower pot 117, thereby forming adecorative cover 126 as shown in FIG. 16, which substantially surrounds and encompasses theflower pot 117 and theplant 118 contained therein. The three-dimensional pattern 87 b may be provided on only thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b, for example, the base andskirt portions upper portion 114 is left unprinted or is printed with another design. When theupper portion 114 is detached from thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b, thelower portion 116 containing the three-dimensional pattern 87 b is left. - “Detaching element” as used herein, can be any element, or combination of elements, or features, such as, but not by way of limitation, perforations, tear strips, zippers, and any other devices or elements of this nature known in the art, or any combination thereof. Therefore, while perforations are shown and described in detail herein, it will be understood that tear strips, zippers, or any other “detaching elements” known in the art, or any combination thereof, could be substituted therefor and/or used therewith.
- In a general method of use of the
sleeve 86 b as a decorative cover for a flower pot, an operator provides thesleeve 86 b, and theflower pot 117 having theplant 118 disposed in a growing medium contained within theflower pot 117. The operator then disposes theflower pot 117 having theplant 118 contained therein into thesleeve 86 b by opening thesleeve 86 b at itsupper end 88 b and assuring both that the opening 94 b therein is in an open condition, and that the innerperipheral surface 96 b of thesleeve 86 b is somewhat expanded outward as well, as shown in FIG. 15. The operator then manually or automatically disposes theflower pot 117 into the opening 94 b in thesleeve 86 b, theflower pot 117 being disposed generally through theupper portion 114 of thesleeve 86 b into generally thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b, theflower pot 117 remaining in thelower portion 116 of thesleeve 86 b, permitting thesleeve 86 b to substantially surround and tightly encompass theflower pot 117. It will be understood that, alternatively, thesleeve 86 b may be provided with an extension (not shown) so that thesleeve 86 b may be disposed on rods or wickets, whereby theflower pot 117 may then be disposed in thesleeve 86 b either before or after thesleeve 86 b has been removed from the wickets. - Embodiments of FIGS.17-18
- Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, a decorative preformed
flower pot cover 128 is illustrated constructed from a sheet ofmaterial 130 having a three-dimensional pattern 132 on at least one surface thereof, such as alower surface 134. The sheet ofmaterial 130 used in the construction of the decorative preformedflower pot cover 128 is identical to the sheet ofmaterial 10 having the three-dimensional pattern 28 thereon hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 1. - The decorative preformed
flower pot cover 128 has anupper end 136, alower end 138, and an outerperipheral surface 140. Anopening 142 intersects theupper end 136, forming an innerperipheral surface 144 which defines and encompasses a retaining space within which aflower pot 146 containing afloral grouping 148 may be disposed in a manner well known in the art and which is shown in FIG. 18. - The decorative preformed
flower pot cover 128 may be constructed of one sheet ofmaterial 130 having the three-dimensional pattern 132 substantially as shown in FIG. 19, or a plurality of sheets of the same and/or different types of material may be employed in the formation of the decorative preformedflower pot cover 128. The thickness of the sheet ofmaterial 130 may vary widely, and any thickness of the sheet ofmaterial 130 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet ofmaterial 130 is formable into the decorative preformedflower pot cover 128 as described herein. When the sheet ofmaterial 130 is constructed of a plurality of sheets of material, each sheet of material may be connected to an adjacent sheet of material via a bonding material. - The decorative preformed
flower pot cover 128 may be formed using a conventional mold system 150 (FIG. 19) comprising amale mold 152 and afemale mold 154 having amold cavity 156 for matingly receiving themale mold 152. The sheet ofmaterial 130 having the three-dimensional pattern 132 thereon is positioned between the male andfemale molds male mold 152 in adirection 158 and into themold cavity 156 forces the sheet ofmaterial 130 to be formed about the portion of themale mold 152 disposed in themold cavity 156 of thefemale mold 154 so that, upon removal of themale mold 152 from mating engagement with thefemale mold 154 by movement of themale mold 152 in adirection 159, the decorativepreformed pot cover 128 is recovered (substantially as shown in FIG. 17) and thereby forms the sheet ofmaterial 130 into the preformed decorative flower pot cover 128 (FIG. 18). - Methods for forming such preformed decorative pot covers are well known in the art. Two methods of forming such covers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,773,182 and 5,291,721, each of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
- Further, in accordance with the present invention, the preformed
flower pot cover 128 may have a bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof, and may contain printed material or designs and/or embossed material on at least a portion thereof in addition to the three-dimensional pattern described in detail above. - Embodiments of FIGS.20-25
- Referring now to FIG. 20, a
roll 160 ofmaterial 162 having a three-dimensional pattern 164 provided on at least one surface of thereof, such as anupper surface 166 of thematerial 162, is illustrated, together with aknife assembly 168 which is actuated by anactuator 170 to cut at least a portion of the material 162 withdrawn from theroll 160 intoelongated segments 172 ofdecorative grass 174. Thematerial 162 is substantially identical in construction to the sheet ofmaterial 10 having a three-dimensional pattern 28 provided on at least a portion of one of the surfaces thereof as hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 1. That is, thematerial 162 can be made of paper (untreated or treated in any manner), cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), cardboard, burlap, or laminations or combinations thereof. Thematerial 162 may vary in color. Further, thematerial 162 may comprise other decorative patterns or designs in addition to the three-dimensional pattern 164 which are printed, etched, and/or embossed thereon. In addition, thematerial 162 may have various colorings, coatings, flocking and/or metallic finishes, applied separately or simultaneously, or may be characterized totally or partially by pearlescent, opaque, translucent, transparent, tinted, iridescent or the like, qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination. Moreover, each surface of thematerial 162 may vary in the combination of such characteristics. - The three-
dimensional pattern 164 provided on thematerial 162 may be of any geometrical shape or design which will enhance the aesthetic qualities of adecorative grass 174 formed from thematerial 162, or if desired, from the sheet ofmaterial 10. That is, the three-dimensional pattern 164 provided on thematerial 162 may be a lace pattern, curlicues, paisleys, swirls, squiggles, and any shape generally associated with botanical items such as leaves, petals, stems, roots, fruits and any other biomorphic shapes. Further, the three-dimensional pattern 164 may be produced by printing and/or embossing thematerial 162, by etching at least a portion of one surface of the material 162 or by any other method known in the art. - The three-
dimensional pattern 164 may cover only a portion of the material 162 or may cover an entire surface of thematerial 162. Further, the three-dimensional pattern 164 may be positioned on thematerial 162 so that when thematerial 162 is cut intoelongated segments 172 ofdecorative grass 174, the three-dimensional pattern 164 substantially uniformly lies within the boundaries of theelongated segments 172; or the three-dimensional pattern 164 may be positioned on thematerial 162 so that when thematerial 162 is cut intoelongated segments 172 ofdecorative grass 174, the three-dimensional pattern 164 is randomly positioned on theelongated segments 172 whereby the three-dimensional pattern 164 is not uniformly provided within the boundaries of theelongated segments 172. - The
roll 160 ofmaterial 162 is supported on amounted shaft 176. Thematerial 162 having the three-dimensional pattern 164 provided thereon is withdrawn from theroll 160 ofmaterial 162 via aleading edge 178 until a predetermined length of thematerial 162 has been withdrawn from theroll 160 ofmaterial 162. In this position, a portion of thematerial 162 is disposed under theknife assembly 168 having a plurality of cuttingelements 180. Theknife assembly 168 is connected to theactuator 170 which is adapted to move theknife assembly 168 in afirst direction 182 or in asecond direction 184. When the predetermined length of thematerial 162 has been withdrawn from theroll 160 of thematerial 162, theactuator 170 moves theknife assembly 168 in thefirst direction 182 to a position wherein the cuttingelements 180 of theknife assembly 168 severingly engage thematerial 162 to provide a slit web ofmaterial 186. - In another optional mode, the
actuator 170 may rotate theknife assembly 168 to thesecond direction 184 wherein the cuttingelements 180 of theknife assembly 168 severingly re-engages the slit web ofmaterial 186, thereby causing the slit web ofmaterial 186 to be severed into theelongated segments 172 of the decorative grass 174 (FIGS. 20 and 21). Theactuator 170 may comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or a motor and gear arrangement or any other form of arrangement suitable for moving theknife assembly 168 in thefirst direction 182 and, when desired, in thesecond direction 184. After thecutting elements 180 of theknife assembly 168 have cuttingly severed the desired portion of thematerial 162, theactuator 170 is actuated to move theknife assembly 168 in astorage direction 188 to a storage position disposed a distance above thematerial 162 as opposed to the cutting positions previously described. Alternatively, theleading edge 178 of the sheet ofmaterial 162 may be run across a first knife edge (not shown) set in a support surface (also not shown) to form the slit web ofmaterial 186 wherein theactuator 170 actuates a second knife edge (not shown) to cross-cut the slit web ofmaterial 186 intoelongated segments 172 ofdecorative grass 174. Apparatus and methods for making decorative grass and the like is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,388, entitled, “Apparatus For Producing Weighed Charges Of Loosely Aggregated Filamentary Material”, issued to Weder et al. on Mar. 3, 1987, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. - Referring now to FIG. 21, one
elongated segment 172 of thedecorative grass 174 is illustrated. Theelongated segment 172 of thedecorative grass 174, which is produced from thematerial 162 having the three-dimensional pattern 164, is provided with anupper surface 190 having the three-dimensional pattern 164 thereon and a lower surface 192. While theelongated segment 172 of thedecorative grass 174 has been shown as having the three-dimensional pattern 164 on theupper surface 190 thereof, it should be under-stood that theelongated segment 172 of thedecorative grass 174 can be provided with the three-dimensional pattern 164 on the lower surface 192 thereof, or on both the upper andlower surfaces 190 and 192. - The
elongated segment 172 of thedecorative grass 174 has awidth 194 and alength 196 which define the boundaries of theelongated segment 172. The three-dimensional pattern 164 may be confined within the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 of the decorative grass 174 (substantially as shown in FIG. 21); or the three-dimensional pattern 164 may be randomly positioned on theelongated segment 172 so that only a portion of the three-dimensional pattern 164 lies within the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 of thedecorative grass 174. Thewidth 194 andlength 196 of theelongated segment 172 are determined by the design and operational parameters of theknife assembly 168. Further, thewidth 194 andlength 196, as well as the thickness of theelongated segment 172, can vary widely and will generally be dependent on the requirements of individual consumers. For most uses, however, such as when the elongated segments, such assegment 172, are used as a packing material or a decorative grass for use in filling Easter baskets, candy boxes, preparing floral arrangements, wreaths and other decorative purposes, the elongated segments will have awidth 194 of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.125 inches, alength 196 of from about 2 inches to about 24 inches and a thickness from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.0030 inches. Further, in many instances theelongated segments 172 are intertwined into a cohesive mass whereby the elongated segments are provided with flat portions, random longitudinal curls, random transverse curls, crimped or crinkled portions and combinations thereof. - The segments of the
decorative grass 174, such as thesegment 172, can be produced clear or in almost any color required, and the colors can be transparent or opaque including but not exclusively red, green, yellow, pink, orchid and blue. Further, the upper andlower surfaces 190 and 192 of theelongated segment 172 may be of the same color, or of different colors, or have various coatings, flockings, and/or metallic finishes applied thereto. - Referring now to FIG. 22, another embodiment of an
elongated segment 172 a of a decorative grass 174 a is illustrated. Theelongated segment 172 a of the decorative grass 174 a is provided with anupper surface 190 a and alower surface 192 a. Theupper surface 190 a is provided with a three-dimensional pattern 164 a and a printed design and/or printedmaterials 198. Theelongated segment 172 a has awidth 194 a and alength 196 a which define the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 a. The three-dimensional pattern 164 a and the printed design and/or printedmaterials 198 may be confined within the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 a of the decorative grass 174 a (substantially as shown in FIG. 22); or the three-dimensional-pattern 164 a and/or the printed design and/or printedmaterials 198 may be randomly positioned on theelongated segment 172 a so that only a portion of the three-dimensional pattern 164 a, the printed design and/or printedmaterials 198, or the three-dimensional pattern 164 a and the printed design and/or printedmaterials 198 lay within the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 a of the decorative grass 174 a. - As previously stated with reference to the
elongated segment 172, thewidth 194 a andlength 196 a of theelongated segment 172 a are determined by the design and operational parameters of theknife assembly 168. Further, thewidth 194 a andlength 196 a, as well as the thickness, of theelongated segment 172 a can vary widely and will generally be dependent on the requirements of individual consumers. For most uses, however, theelongated segment 172 a will have awidth 194 a of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.125 inches, alength 196 a of from about 2 inches to about 24 inches, and a thickness from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.0030 inches. - The segments of the decorative grass174 a, such as the
segment 172 a, can be produced clear or in almost any color required, and the colors can be transparent or opaque including but not exclusively red, green, yellow, pink, orchid and blue. Further, the upper andlower surfaces segment 172 a may be of the same color, or of different colors, or have various coatings, flockings, and/or metallic finishes applied thereto. - Referring now to FIG. 23, another embodiment of an
elongated segment 172 b of adecorative grass 174 b is illustrated. Theelongated segment 172 b of thedecorative grass 174 b is provided with anupper surface 190 b and alower surface 192 b. Theupper surface 192 b is provided with a three-dimensional pattern 164 b andembossed material 200, such as a design, slogan etc., thereon. Theelongated segment 172 b has a width 194 b and alength 196 b which define the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 b. The three-dimensional pattern 164 b and theembossed material 200 may be confined within the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 b of thedecorative grass 174 b (substantially as shown in FIG. 23); or the three-dimensional pattern 164 b and/or theembossed material 200 may be randomly positioned on theelongated segment 172 b so that only a portion of the three-dimensional pattern 164 b or a portion of the embossedmaterial 200 lie within the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 b of thedecorative grass 174 b. - As previously stated with reference to the
elongated segments length 196 b of theelongated segment 172 b are determined by the design and operational parameters of theknife assembly 168. Further, the width 194 b andlength 196 b, as well as the thickness of theelongated segment 172 b can vary widely and will generally be dependent on the requirements of individual consumers. For most uses, however, theelongated segment 172 b will have a width 194 b of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.125 inches, alength 196 b of from about 2 inches to about 24 inches and a thickness from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.0030 inches. - The segments of the
decorative grass 174 b, such as thesegment 172 b, can be produced clear or in almost any color required, and the colors can be transparent or opaque including but not exclusively red, green, yellow, pink, orchid and blue. Further, the upper andlower surfaces segment 172 b may be of the same color, or of different colors, or have various coatings, flockings, and/or metallic finishes applied thereto. - Referring now to FIG. 24, another embodiment of an
elongated segment 172 c of adecorative grass 174 c is illustrated. Theelongated segment 172 c of thedecorative grass 174 c is provided with anupper surface 190 c and alower surface 192 c. Theupper surface 190 c is provided with a three-dimensional pattern 164 c, printed design and/or printedmaterials 198 c andembossed material 200 c, such as a design, slogan etc., thereon. Theelongated segment 172 c has awidth 194 c and alength 196 c which define the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 c. The three-dimensional pattern 164 c, the printed design and/or printedmaterial 198 c and theembossed material 200 c may be confined within the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 c of thedecorative grass 174 c (substantially as shown in FIG. 24); or the three-dimensional pattern 164 c, the printed design and/or printedmaterial 198 c and/or theembossed material 200 c may be randomly positioned on theelongated segment 172 c so that only a portion of the three-dimensional pattern 164 c, and/or the printed design and/or printedmaterial 198 c, and/or theembossed material 200 c, lie within the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 c of thedecorative grass 174 c. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, the printed design and/or printedmaterial 198 c, and/or theembossed material 200 c are in register with one another. - As previously stated with reference to the
elongated segments width 194 c andlength 196 c of theelongated segment 172 c are determined by the design and operational parameters of theknife assembly 168. Further, thewidth 194 c andlength 196 c, as well as the thickness, of theelongated segment 172 c can vary widely and will generally be dependent on the requirements of individual consumers. For most uses, however, theelongated segment 172 c will have awidth 194 c of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.125 inches, alength 196 c of from about 2 inches to about 24 inches and a thickness from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.0030 inches. - The segments of the
decorative grass 174 c, such as thesegment 172 c, can be produced clear or in almost any color required, and the colors can be transparent or opaque including but not exclusively red, green, yellow, pink, orchid and blue. Further, the upper andlower surfaces segment 172 c may be of the same color, or of different colors, or have various coatings, flockings, and/or metallic finishes applied thereto. - Referring now to FIG. 25, another embodiment of an
elongated segment 172 d of adecorative grass 174 d is illustrated. Theelongated segment 172 d of thedecorative grass 174 d is provided with anupper surface 190 d and alower surface 192 d. Theupper surface 190 d is provided with a three-dimensional pattern 164 d, printed design and/or printedmaterials 198 d andembossed material 200 d, such as a design, slogan etc., thereon. Theelongated segment 172 d has awidth 194 d and alength 196 d which define the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 d. The three-dimensional pattern 164 d, the printed design and/or printedmaterial 198 d and theembossed material 200 d may be confined within the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 d of thedecorative grass 174 d (substantially as shown in FIG. 25); or the three-dimensional pattern 164 d, the printed design and/or printedmaterial 198 d and/or theembossed material 200 d may be randomly positioned on theelongated segment 172 d so that only a portion of the three-dimensional pattern 164 d, and/or the printed design and/or printedmaterial 198 d, and/or theembossed material 200 d, lie within the boundaries of theelongated segment 172 d of thedecorative grass 174 d. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 25, the printed design and/or printedmaterial 198 d and theembossed material 200 d are out or register with one another. - It should be noted that while the three-dimensional pattern164-164 d, the printed design and/or printed
material embossed material material embossed material - Further, as previously stated with reference to the
elongated segments 160, 160 a, 160 b and 160 c, thewidth 194 d andlength 196 d of theelongated segment 172 d are determined by the design and operational parameters of theknife assembly 168. Further, thewidth 194 d andlength 196 d, as well as the thickness, of theelongated segment 172 d can vary widely and will generally be dependent on the requirements of individual consumers. For most uses, however, theelongated segment 172 d will have awidth 194 d of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.125 inches, alength 196 d of from about 2 inches to about 24 inches and a thickness from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.0030 inches. - The segments of the
decorative grass 174 d, such as thesegment 172 d, can be produced clear or in almost any color required, and the colors can be transparent or opaque including but not exclusively red, green, yellow, pink, orchid and blue. Further, the upper andlower surfaces segment 172 d may be of the same color, or of different colors. - Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various components, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims (26)
1. A method for making decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern comprising:
providing a material having an upper surface, a lower surface and a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof;
slitting the material to provide strips of material having a predetermined width; and
cutting the strips of material into segments to provide a decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern.
2. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the material is further provided with a printed design or material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor to the decorative grass
3. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of claim 2 wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the three-dimensional pattern and the printed design or material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor to the decorative grass are positioned within the boundaries of the segments of the decorative grass.
4. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of claim 2 wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the material is further provided with embossed material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern and the printed design or material to provide at least a portion of the decor to the decorative cover.
5. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of claim 4 wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the three-dimensional, the printed design or material and the embossed material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor to the decorative grass are positioned within the boundaries of the segments of the decorative grass.
6. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of claim 4 wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, at least a portion of the printed design or material and the embossed material are in registry with one another.
7. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of claim 4 wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, at least a portion of the printed design or material and the embossed material are out of registry with one another.
8. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the material is further provided with embossed material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor to the decorative grass.
9. The method for making the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern of claim 8 wherein, in the step of providing the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof, the three-dimensional and the embossed material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor to the decorative grass are positioned within the boundaries of the segments of the decorative grass.
10. Decorative grass for use in filling Easter baskets, candy boxes, preparing floral arrangements, wreaths and other decorative purposes comprising a mass of randomly arranged segments of material having a three-dimensional pattern provided on at least a portion of one surface of the segments and wherein the segments of the material have substantially the same width and length and a substantially rectangularly shaped cross-section, and are intertwined into a cohesive mass whereby the segments of the material are provided with flat portions, random longitudinal curls, random transverse curls, crimped or crinkled portions and combinations thereof.
11. The decorative grass of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of the segments of the material are further provided with printed designs or materials on at least one surface thereof which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor of the decorative grass.
12. The decorative grass of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of the segments of the material are further provided with an embossed material on at least one surface thereof which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern and the printed designs or materials to provide at least a portion of the decor of the decorative grass.
13. The decorative grass of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of the printed designs or materials and the embossed material on the segments of material are in registry with one another.
14. The decorative grass of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of the printed designs or materials and the embossed material on the segments of material are out of registry with one another.
15. The decorative grass of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of the segments of material are further provided with embossed material thereon which cooperates with the three-dimensional pattern to provide at least a portion of the decor of the decorative grass.
16. A packing material in the form of decorative grass wherein the packing material comprises:
a plurality of undivided strands of material wherein at least a portion of the strands of material have a three-dimensional pattern thereon and wherein the strands of material have a substantially rectangularly-shaped cross-section.
17. The packing material of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the strands of material are further provided with printed designs and materials thereon.
18. The packing material of claim 17 wherein at least a portion of the strands of material are further provided with an embossed material thereon.
19. The packing material of claim 18 wherein at least a portion of the printed designs and materials and the embossed materials on the strands of material are in registry with one another.
20. The packing material of claim 18 wherein at least a portion of the printed designs and materials and the embossed materials on the strands of material are out of registry with one another.
21. The packing material of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the strands of material are further provided with an embossed material thereon.
22. A method for providing a packing material in the form of decorative grass wherein the packing material comprises a plurality of individual strands of material wherein at least a portion of the strands of material have a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a roll of material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof;
withdrawing a portion of the material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof from the roll of such material;
slitting the portion of the material withdrawn from the roll to provide a slit web material wherein at least a portion of the slit web material has a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof; and
cutting the slit web material to provide a plurality of segments having a substantially rectangular-shaped cross-section wherein at least a portion of the segments have a three-dimensional pattern.
23. The method for providing a packing material of claim 22 wherein, in the step of providing a roll of material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof, the material is further provided with printed designs and materials thereon.
24. The method for providing a packing material of claim 22 wherein, in the step of providing a roll of material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof, the material is further provided within embossed materials thereon.
25. The method for providing a packing material of claim 24 wherein segments of material having a substantially rectangular-shaped cross-section and a three-dimensional pattern provided on at least a portion of one surface of the segments are intertwined into a cohesive mass whereby the segments of the material are provided with flat portions, random longitudinal curls, random transverse curls, crimped or crinkled portions and combinations thereof.
26. The method for providing a packing material of claim 22 wherein, in the step of providing a roll of material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least one surface thereof, the material is further defined as having a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.
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US10/623,684 US20040018321A1 (en) | 1997-11-10 | 2003-07-21 | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
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US08/967,706 US5839255A (en) | 1995-06-07 | 1997-11-10 | Method for forming a preformed pot cover having a three dimensional pattern printed thereon |
US15178998A | 1998-09-11 | 1998-09-11 | |
US57275000A | 2000-05-16 | 2000-05-16 | |
US10/058,193 US6596352B2 (en) | 1997-11-10 | 2002-01-25 | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
US10/623,684 US20040018321A1 (en) | 1997-11-10 | 2003-07-21 | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
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US10/058,193 Continuation US6596352B2 (en) | 1997-11-10 | 2002-01-25 | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
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US10/058,193 Expired - Fee Related US6596352B2 (en) | 1997-11-10 | 2002-01-25 | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
US10/091,901 Abandoned US20020094391A1 (en) | 1997-11-10 | 2002-03-04 | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
US10/412,929 Abandoned US20030188614A1 (en) | 1997-11-10 | 2003-04-14 | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
US10/623,684 Abandoned US20040018321A1 (en) | 1997-11-10 | 2003-07-21 | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
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US10/052,789 Expired - Fee Related US6588309B2 (en) | 1997-11-10 | 2002-01-18 | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
US10/058,193 Expired - Fee Related US6596352B2 (en) | 1997-11-10 | 2002-01-25 | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
US10/091,901 Abandoned US20020094391A1 (en) | 1997-11-10 | 2002-03-04 | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
US10/412,929 Abandoned US20030188614A1 (en) | 1997-11-10 | 2003-04-14 | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
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WO2006012299A1 (en) * | 2004-06-28 | 2006-02-02 | Specialty Filaments, Inc. | Synthetic textured thatch elements for building construction and methods of making the same |
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US20030183974A1 (en) * | 1997-07-14 | 2003-10-02 | Weder Donald E. | Method for making contoured decorative grass |
US6588309B2 (en) * | 1997-11-10 | 2003-07-08 | Donald E. Weder | Decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern and methods for producing same |
US20050118356A1 (en) * | 2003-12-02 | 2005-06-02 | Weder Donald E. | Sheets of material having a decorative pattern formed of glitter |
US6890102B2 (en) * | 2003-04-03 | 2005-05-10 | Kool Wraps, L. L. C. | Gift bag with napped filamentary surface |
US7118276B2 (en) * | 2003-04-03 | 2006-10-10 | Kool Wraps, L.L.C. | Gift bag with napped filamentary surface |
ATE459758T1 (en) | 2003-05-28 | 2010-03-15 | Lankhorst Pure Composites Bv | YARN FOR ARTIFICIAL GRASS, GROUND COVER AND PLAYING FIELD CONTAINING THE SAME, AND METHOD |
KR100942933B1 (en) * | 2003-05-29 | 2010-02-22 | 한라공조주식회사 | Air conditioner for vehicle |
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WO2006012299A1 (en) * | 2004-06-28 | 2006-02-02 | Specialty Filaments, Inc. | Synthetic textured thatch elements for building construction and methods of making the same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20020069739A1 (en) | 2002-06-13 |
US6588309B2 (en) | 2003-07-08 |
US20020094391A1 (en) | 2002-07-18 |
US20020064609A1 (en) | 2002-05-30 |
US6596352B2 (en) | 2003-07-22 |
US20030188614A1 (en) | 2003-10-09 |
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