MXPA97010070A - Method to cover a macet with a fu - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for packaging a potted plant, characterized in that it comprises: providing a flexible sleeve, the flexible sleeve has a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface surrounding a holding space internal to enclose a pot and an adhesive or cohesive bonding material disposed on a portion of at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the inner portion of the sleeve, placing a pot having a floral group in the space of internal retention of the sleeve, wherein the flexible sleeve is placed adjacent an outer peripheral surface of the pot, and form folds in the portion of the sleeve having the joining material, thus formed in the sleeve a folded portion having folds connected superimposed and where the folded portion is formed in such a way that the sleeve is substantially free from being connected in a connected manner to the outer peripheral surface of the pot by the uni-material.

Description

METHOD TO COVER A MACET WITH A CASE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to covers or wraps, and more particularly, to covers or wraps used to wrap pots containing floral clusters and / or means containing floral clusters, and to methods for the use thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view of a sleeve or wrapping having a decoupling element and joining material, and constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2A is a side view of a version of a cover or envelope wherein the perforations have a scalloped pattern.

Figure 2B is a side view of a version of a cover where the perforations have an inverted scalloped pattern. REF: 26511 Figure 2C is a side view of a version of a cover where the perforations have a wavy pattern.

Figure 2D is a side view of a version of a sleeve where the perforations have a zigzag pattern.

Figure 2E is a side view of a version of a cover where the perforations have a rectangular pattern.

Figure 2F is a side view of a version of a cover where the perforations are diagonally inclined.

Figure 3 is a side-by-side sectional view of a sheath constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the cover version of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the sheath of Figure 3 with a release material placed on the bonding material.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a version of the sheath, which has alternating zigzag areas of the bonding material on the inner surfaces.

Figure 7 is a side view of an alternative version of the cover of the present invention, wherein the areas of the bonding material are placed on the portions of the outer surface of the cover.

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the sheath of Figure 7 having a joining material placed on both sides of the sheath.

Figure 9 is a top sectional view of the cover of Figure 8, taken through the bonding material.

Figure 10 is a top sectional view of an alternative version of the cover of Figure 8, wherein the release material is placed over the areas of the bonding material.

Figure HA is a side sectional view of a potted plant positioned within a sheath, such as the sheath shown in Figure 3.

Figure 11B is a side sectional view of a potted plant positioned within a sheath, such as the sheath shown in Figure 8.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a potted plant having a pleated sheath around it.

Figure 13 is a top sectional view of a pleated or folded sheath around a pot.

Figure 14 is an enlargement of one of the pleated pleats shown in Figure 13, where the bonding material is placed on the inner surface of the sheath.

Figure 15 is an enlargement of one of the pleated pleats shown in Figure 13, where the bonding material is placed on the outer surface of the sheath.

Figure 16 is a top sectional view of a pleated sheath around a pot in an alternative style.

Figure 17 is an enlargement of the pleated pleats shown in Figure 16, where the bonding material is placed on the inner surface of the sheath.

Figure 18 is an enlargement of one of the pleated pleats shown in Figure 16, where the bonding material is placed on the outer surface of the sheath.

Figure 19 is a top sectional view of a pleated sheath around a pot, in another style.

Figure 20 is an enlargement of one of the pleated pleats shown in Figure 19, where the bonding material is placed on the inner surface of the sheath.

Figure 21 is a side sectional view of a pleated sheath around a pot, in another style according to the present invention.

Figure 22 is a side sectional view of an enlargement of one of the pleated folds shown in Figure 21, where the bonding material is placed on the inner surface of the sheath.

Figure 23 is a side sectional view of a pleated sheath around a pot, in another style according to the present invention.

Figure 24 is a side sectional view of an enlargement of one of the pleated folds shown in Figure 23, where the bonding material is placed on the outer surface of the sheath.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The present invention contemplates a system for packaging or packing plants, comprising a cover or sheath having a combination of a protective upper portion and a decorative lower portion, having a base and optionally a skirt for packaging a plant planted in a pot. The upper portion can be decoupled from the decorative portion of the packaging system, once the function of the upper cover or envelope has been completed, whereby the decorative cover is exposed and the skirt portion, if present, is allowed. , extend outward from the base. The upper cover and the decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are coupled together by various joining materials. The cover also has a bonding material thereon to form a pleated or folded portion which retains the cover around a pot, without attaching the cover to the pot. The upper sheath portion can be uncoupled via a decoupling means such as perforations, strips and zippers. The cover of the plant may have an extended portion extending from the upper portion to serve as a handle or support device. A preferred version of the invention is a flexible sheath comprising a flattened body having a closed or open lower end, an open upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an internal retention space. The sheath further comprises a lower portion having an internal retention space for enclosing the pot, an upper portion connected to the lower portion, and sized to substantially surround and encompass the floral grouping, when the pot and the floral grouping are placed. inside the sheath, the upper portion is engageable from the lower portion via the decoupling means, such as perforations placed in a predetermined pattern, and a bonding material placed on a portion of the inner peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface or both surfaces, the joining material for connecting the folded portions of the sheath, when the sheath is opened and the pot is placed within the internal retention space, whereby the lower portion of the sheath is held in a position around the pot , and the upper portion of the sleeve in a position around the floral grouping. The sheath may further comprise a release material to prevent the bonding material from being adhesively connected to an opposite portion of the sheath or to a surface thereof. A fastener material can be placed on the upper portion, near the upper end, to seal the upper end of the sleeve to enclose the floral cluster within the upper portion. The upper portion may further comprise openings to enable ventilation of the enclosed floral cluster. The flattened body can also be defined as having a first side which has a first edge, a second edge, an upper edge, a lower edge, an outer surface and an inner surface; a second side, which has a first edge, a second edge, an upper edge, a lower edge, an outer surface and an inner surface, and wherein in a flattened condition of the sheath, the internal surface of the first side rests flat on the inner surface of the second side, and the first edge of the first side is sealed to the first edge of the second side, and the second edge of the first side is sealed to the second edge of the second side. Further details and explanation of the articles and methods of the present invention are provided in the description below.

MODALITIES OF THE FIGURES 1-12 Shown in Figures 1 to 3 and designated herein by the general reference number 10, is a flexible bag or sheath of unitary construction. The sheath 10 initially comprises a flexible flattened piece of material that can be opened in the shape of a tube or sheath. The sheath is preferably tapered in an outward direction from the lower end to a larger diameter at its upper end, as shown in Figure 1, or it may be cylindrical. In its flattened state, the sheath 10 may have a trapezoidal, modified or contoured (non-linear) trapezoidal general shape, and when it is open it is generally substantially frustoconical to conical. It will be appreciated, however, that the sleeve 10 may comprise variations on the aforementioned shapes, or may comprise significantly altered shapes such as square or rectangular, wherein the cover 10 when opened has a cylindrical shape, as long as the cover 10 function in accordance with the present invention in the manner described herein. The cover 10 has an upper end 12, a lower end 14, an outer peripheral surface 16 and in its flattened state has a first sealed edge 18 and a second sealed edge 20, and a first side 22 and a second side 24. The cover 10 has an opening 25 in the upper end 12, and in one version of the invention has a closed bottom in the lower end 14. Preferably, the lower end 14 when closed has a bevel or "V" cut 26, but can simply be sealed along one edge. The first side 22 has a first inner peripheral surface 28, and the second edge 24 has a second inner peripheral surface 30 which together, when the sheath 10 is opened, define and encompass an internal retention space 32 as shown in the Figure 3. When the lower end 14 of the sheath 10 has a closed bottom, a portion of the lower end 14 can be folded inward to form one or more V-cuts, as noted above, to allow a circular bottom of an object such as a plant planted in a pot, is placed within the internal retention space 32 of the lower end 14 of the sheath 10. When present, the V-cut may be a straight, standard V cut, forming a straight bottom edge on the sheath, or the V-cut may have a rounded portion as shown and described in US Patent Serial No. 08 / 606,957, the specification and drawings of which are incorporated by reference. reference in the present in its entirety. The sheath 10 is generally frusto-conical in shape, but the sheath 10 may be, by way of example but not by way of limitation, cylindrical, frusto-conical, a frusto-conical and cylindrical combination, or any other form, as long as the sheath 10 function as described herein, as noted above. In addition, the sleeve 10 can comprise any shape, be it geometric, non-geometric, asymmetric and / or capricious, as long as it operates in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the sheath is of higher dimensions. When used herein the term "higher dimensions" means that the portion of the sheath adjacent to the pot comprises an excess amount of material, sufficient to form the pleated or folded portion. The cover 10 may also be equipped with drainage or vent holes (not shown), or it may be made from permeable or impermeable materials. The material from which the sheath 10 is constructed preferably has a thickness in the range of about 2.54 μm (0.1 mil) to about 762 μm (30 mils), although in some cases the sheath may be much thicker , especially when the sleeve is constructed of multiple layers. Frequently, the thickness of the sheath 10 is in a range from about 12.7 μm (0.5 mils) to about 254 μm (10 mils).

Preferably, the sheath 10 has a thickness in a range of about 2.54 μm (1.0 mils) to about 127 μm (5 mils). More preferably, the sheath 10 is constructed from material that is flexible, semi-rigid, rigid or any combination thereof. The sheath 10 can be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of materials. Any thickness of material can be used, as long as the material operates in accordance with the present invention, as described herein. The layers of material comprising the sheath 10 can be connected together or laminated, or they can be separate layers.

Such materials used to build the sheath 10 are described in US Patent No. 5,111,637 entitled "Method for Wrapping a Grouping Floral "issued to Weder et al. On May 12, 1992, which is incorporated by reference herein. Any thickness of material according to the present invention may be used, as long as the sheath 10 can be formed as described. in the present, and as long as the formed sleeve 10 can contain at least a portion of a pot or potted plant, or a flower cluster, as described herein, in addition, an insulation material such as a film of bubbles, preferably as one of two or more layers, can be used in order to provide additional protection for the article, such as the floral grouping contained therein In one embodiment, the sleeve 10 can be constructed from two films The material comprising the sheath 10 can be connected together or laminated, or they can be separate layers In an alternative embodiment, the sheath 10 can be constructed to only start from polypropylene films. The sheath 10 may also be constructed, in whole or in part, from an adherent material "sheath or adhesive material" when used herein, means any material that is capable of being connected to the sheet of material and / or to itself after the contact coupling during the wrapping process, and is wrapped around an article, whereby the portions of the adherent material are attached to the contact and connected to the other portions of another material, or, alternatively, to itself, for securing in general the material wrapped around at least a portion of a pot. This connection coupling is preferably temporary, since the material can be easily removed, for example, the adherent material "adheres" to the pot. The adherent material is constructed and treated if necessary, from polyethylene such as Adhesive Wrap made from dad®, First Brands Corporation, Danbury, Connecticut. The thickness of the adherent material will depend, in part, on the size of the cover 10 and the size of the pot in the cover 10, for example, in general, a larger pot may require a greater thickness, and therefore more adhesive material strong. The adherent material will be in the thickness range of less than about 2.54 μm (0.1 mils) to about 254 μm (10 mils), and preferably less than about 12.7 μm (0.5 mils) to about 63.5 μm ( 2.5 mils), and even more preferably from less than about 15.24 μm (0.6 mils) to about 50.8 μm (2 mils). However, any thickness of adherent material according to the present invention, which allows the adherent material to function as described herein, can be used. The cover 10 is constructed of any suitable material that is capable of being formed in a sheath, and wrapped around a pot and a floral grouping placed therein. Preferably, the material comprises paper (not treated or treated in any way), cellophane, metal foil, polymeric film, non-polymeric film, fabric (woven or non-woven, or synthetic or natural), cardboard, fiber, mesh, burlap or laminations, or combinations thereof. The term "polymeric film" means a man-made polymer such as a polypropylene or a polymer of natural origin such as cellophane. A polymeric film is relatively strong and not so subject to breakage (substantially not breakable or tear-off), as may be the case with paper or foil. The material comprising the cover 10 may vary in color and may consist of designs or decorative patterns that are printed, engraved, and / or printed thereon, using inks or other printing materials. An example of an ink that can be applied to the surface of the material is described in US Patent No. 5,147,706 entitled "Water Based Ink on Metallic Sheet and / or Organic Synthetic Polymer" issued to Kingman on September 15, 1992, and which is incorporated by reference herein. In addition, the material may have various colorations, coatings, velvety and / or metallic finishes, or other decorative surface ornamentation applied separately or simultaneously, or may be characterized wholly or partially by pearlescent, translucent, transparent, iridescent, neon, or the like qualities. . Each of the aforementioned characteristics can occur alone or in combination, and can be applied to the upper and / or lower surface of the material comprising the sheath 10. In addition, the portions of the material used in the construction of the sheath 10 can vary in the combination of such characteristics. The material used for the sleeve 10 itself may be opaque, translucent, transparent, or partially clear or transparent dyed. It will be generally desired to use the sleeve 10 as a cover for a plant planted in a pot, as is well known in the art. The term "pot" as used herein, refers to any type of container used to contain or retain a floral grouping or plant. Examples of pots used in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, clay pots, wooden pots, plastic pots, pots made from natural mud / or synthetic fibers, and any combination thereof. The pot is adapted to receive a floral grouping in the retention space. The floral grouping can be placed inside the pot together with a suitable growth medium described in more detail below, or other means of retention, such as a floral foam. It will also be understood that the floral grouping, and any suitable growth medium or other means of retention, can be placed in the sleeve 10 without a pot. The term "floral grouping" as used herein means fresh cut 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 ornamental materials or artificial or natural, which are added to the aesthetics of the complete floral grouping. The complete floral grouping comprises a portion of flowers or foliage and a portion of stem. In addition, the floral grouping may comprise a plant planted in a pot, in development, having a root portion (not shown). However, it will be appreciated that the flower cluster may consist only of a simple flower or only of foliage, or a botanical article (not shown), or a propagule (not shown). The term "floral grouping" can be used interchangeably herein with the terms "flower arrangement" and "plant planted in a pot". The term "floral grouping" may also be used interchangeably herein with the terms "botanical article" and / or "propagule". The term "growth medium" when used in the present, means any liquid, solid or gaseous material, used for the growth of the plant, or for the cultivation of propagules, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil, humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, and including nutrients, fertilizers or hormones or combinations thereof, required by plants or propagules for their development.

The term "botanical article" when used herein means a natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plant, taken alone or in combination. The term "botanical article" also means any portion or portions of natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plants, including stems, leaves, flowers, buds, shoots, cones, or roots, taken alone or in combination, or in clusters of such such portions as a floral grouping or bouquet of flowers. The term "propagule" when used herein means any structure capable of being propagated or acting as a reproductive agent including seeds, shoots, stems, vines, tubers, plants, leaves, roots or spores. According to the present invention, a binding material is placed on a portion of the cover 10 to help retain the cover 10 around the pot having the floral grouping therein, when such a pot is placed inside the cover 10. An additional joining material can be placed on a portion of the sheath 10 to help close the upper end of the sheath 10, after the pot has been placed on it, as will be discussed later in detail.

It will be understood that the bonding material can be placed as a strip or block on a surface of the sleeve 10, as described in more detail herein. The joining material can also be placed on either the first side 22, the second side 24, the first inner peripheral surface 28, or the second inner peripheral surface 30, of the sheath 10. Furthermore, the joining material can be placed as points of the bonding material, or in any other geometric, non-geometric, asymmetric, or capricious shape, and in any pattern including coverage of either the entire inner peripheral surface and / or the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 10, and / or the pot or the cover of the pot. The bonding material can be covered by a cover material or release strip, which can be removed before use of the cover, the pot or the cover of the pot. The bonding material can be applied by means known to those of ordinary skill in the art. A method for placing a bonding material, in this case an adhesive, is described in US Patent No. 5,111,637 entitled "Method for Wrapping a Floral Grouping", issued to eder and collaborators on May 12, 1992, which has been incorporated by reference above. The term "binding material or attachment means" when used herein means an adhesive, often a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive which binds only to a surface that has another cohesive of this type on it. . The term "bonding material or bonding medium" also includes materials that are heat sealable and, in this case, adjacent portions of the material must be contacted and then heat must be applied to effect the sealing. The term "binding material or attachment means" also includes materials that are sound-sealable and vibratable-sealable. The term "binding material or attachment means" when used herein, also means a heat sealing lacquer or hot melt material, which may be applied to the material and, in this case, must be applied , heat, sound waves, or vibrations too, to effect the sealing. Alternatively, a cold-sealing adhesive can be used as the bonding material or means. The cold seal adheres only to a similar substrate, acting similarly as a cohesive, and only binds itself. The cold-sealing adhesive, since it binds only to a similar substrate, does not cause a residue to be formed on the equipment, thereby allowing much faster disposal and the use of such equipment to form articles and reduce manufacturing costs. further, since heat is not required to effect the sealing, the residence time is reduced, that is, the time for the sheet of material to be formed and preserved in the desired shape. A cold-sealing adhesive bonds quickly and easily with minimal pressure, and such a seal is not easily detached. This feature is different from, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive. Certain versions of the sleeve 10 described herein may be used in conjunction with a preformed cover for plants, as will be explained in more detail below. As shown in Figure 1, in a preferred version of the invention, the sheath 10 is demarcated in an upper portion 36 and a lower portion 38. As noted above, the lower portion 38 of the sheath 10 is of larger dimensions, that is, it is generally adjusted to dimensions that are at least slightly greater than the size of the pot to be placed within the lower portion, to enable the lower portion 38 to be folded around the outer surface of the pot. The lower portion 38 may have a height equal to or greater than the height of the pot placed within the sheath. The upper portion 36 may optionally have openings 39 near the upper end of the same, to allow the cover 10 to be supported by a support mechanism, such as a pair of shutters (not shown) as is known in the art. The upper portion 36 of the sheath 10 is generally of suitable dimensions to substantially surround and encompass the floral grouping of the potted plant, placed within the lower portion 38 of the sheath 10. The sheath 10 is demarcated in the upper portion 36 and the lower portion 38, by a decoupling element 40 to enable decoupling of the upper portion 36 of the sheath 10, from the lower portion 38 of the sheath 10. In yet another version of the present invention, the sheath can to be comprised only of a "lower portion" which generally encompasses only the pot and may extend around a lower portion of the flower cluster, for example, there is no upper portion to substantially surround and encompass the floral grouping. In the version shown in Figure 1, the decoupling element 40 is a plurality of perforations which extend through the outer peripheral surface 16 of the sheath 10, from the first edge 18 to the second edge 20. The term " decoupling element "or "decoupling means" as generally used herein means any element or means, or combination of elements, or features, such as, but not limited to, perforations, tear strips, tear tabs, zippers, and any other devices or elements of this nature, known in the art, or any combination thereof, which make possible or facilitate the detachment or decoupling of an object from the other. Therefore, while the perforations are shown and described in detail herein, it will be understood that the tear strips, zippers or any other "decoupling elements" known in the art or any combinations thereof, could be replaced by the same and / or used with them. The sheath 10 may comprise drainage or vent holes in the upper or lower portions, to allow movement of gases or moisture to and away from the internal space of the sheath (not shown).

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the decoupling element 40 leaves a straight edge when uncoupled. In any case, once the upper portion 36 is decoupled, the inner portion 38 comprises a base portion 42 and can leave a skirt portion if the decoupling element is not straight. In Figs. 2A-2F the covers are shown which are exactly similar to the cover 10, except that each has an alternative arrangement of perforations, to make possible the separation of the upper portion of a cover, from the lower portion where it is leaves a portion of the skirt extending above the pot. Figure 2A shows a sleeve having a decoupling element 40A, comprising perforations having a festooned pattern. Figure 2B shows a sheath having a decoupling element 40b comprising perforations having an upside-down or inverted, festooned pattern. Figure 2C shows a sheath having a decoupling element 40c comprising perforations having a wavy or sinusoidal type pattern. Figure 2D shows a sleeve having a decoupling element 40d having a pattern of serrated or zigzag perforations.

Figure 2E shows a sheath which has a decoupling element 40e comprising perforations having a rectangular pattern. Shown in Figure 2F is a sleeve having a decoupling element 40f which comprises perforations having a diagonally oriented pattern. Each of these covers, as for the other covers described herein, may have a line of vertically oriented perforations or other decoupling element extending from the upper end of the sleeve to the other line of perforations, to facilitate removal of the upper portion. The base portion comprises that portion of the lower portion 38 which, when the pot is placed within the lower portion 38, has an inner peripheral surface which is substantially adjacent to and surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the pot. The skirt portion comprises that portion of the lower portion 38 which extends beyond the upper edge of the pot, and adjacent to at least a portion of the floral grouping contained within the pot, generally the lower portion of the flower cluster , and which is left to extend freely in a straight line from or at an angle, inwardly or outwardly, from the base portion when the upper portion 36 of the sleeve 10 is decoupled from the lower portion 38 of the sleeve 10, by means of the actuation of the decoupling element 40. In the intact sheath 10, the skirt portion, designated by the reference number 44 in Figure 2A, comprises an upper peripheral edge 46 generally congruent with the decoupling element 40, which is connected to a lower peripheral edge 48 of the upper portion 36 of the sheath 10, also congruent with the decoupling element 40. In Figures 2A-2F, the peri edge The upper ferrule 46 of the skirt portion 44 is congruent with a series of perforations which together comprise the decoupling element 40a-40f. The upper portion 36 of the sheath 10 may also have an additional decoupling element. (not shown) such as a plurality of vertical perforations, to facilitate removal of the upper portion 36, which are positioned more or less vertically therein, extending from the decoupling element 40 towards the upper end 12 of the sleeve 10 When the vertical decoupling element is present, the upper portion 36 of the sheath 10 is detachable from the lower portion 38 of the sheath 10, by breaking the upper portion 36 along the vertical perforations, along the decoupling element 40, whereby the upper portion 36 of the lower portion 38 of the sheath 10 is separated. The lower portion 38 of the sheath 10 remains positioned as the base portion 42 around the pot, as the skirt portion. 44 around the flower cluster, which extends from the pot forming a decorative cover, which substantially surrounds encompasses the pot at least a portion of l floral grouping. It will be understood that the equipment devices for the formation of the strd floral covers are commercially available, are well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. A preferred method is discussed below. As noted above, the sheath 10 preferably has a closed lower end 14. When the lower end 14 is closed, the lower end 14 can have one or more V-blocks or sections 26 formed therein to allow expansion of the lower end 14 , when an object with a wide lower end such as a pot is placed in it. In another version of the present invention, the lower end 14 can be completely or partially open (as shown in Figure 8). Where the term "partially open" is used herein, it means that the lower end of the sheath is partially covered with the sheath material, but has at least one opening therein, for example to allow drainage. As noted above, in the preferred version of the present invention, the sheath 10 comprises an area of bonding material 34 placed on a portion of the inner peripheral surface 28 / or 30 of the base portion 42 of the sheath 10. area of the bonding material 34, when present, functions to make it possible for the portions of the inner peripheral surface 28 to be adhesively connected to the other portions of the inner peripheral surface of the sheath 10, by pleating therein forming a pleated portion or folded, causing the sleeve 10 to be secured around the pot. The sheath 10 is generally provided to the operator in a substantially flattened condition, usually as one of a stack of a plurality of sheaths. During the process of covering the pot, the sleeve 10 is opened, manually or automatically. In the flattened condition of the sheath 10, the bonding material 34 may partially adhere or be cohesive to the opposite inner peripheral surface of the sheath 10. Obviously, it is desirable to avoid a situation in which the bonding material 34 is permanent or strongly attached to the opposite inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 10, because this could make it difficult for the sleeve 10 to be manually or automatically opened for the insertion of the pot. As a result, the bonding material 34 can be made of an adhesive composition which has a low degree of tackiness, such that if the bonding material 34 does not adhere to the opposite inner peripheral surface, it can be easily separated from the surface when the cover is open. Such adhesives with low tack or adhesion are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, are commercially available, in addition, a release material may be placed on the bonding material 34 to prevent its adhesion before use. Alternatively, the bonding material 34 of the pot can be composed of a cohesive material. In the version of the invention shown in Figure 1, the cohesive material is applied only to one of the internal peripheral surfaces, the cohesive material will not join the opposite internal surface, as long as there is no cohesive material to which it can be attached on the opposite internal surface. In yet another version of sheath 10, shown in Figure 3, the sheath has a bonding material 34 placed on both internal surfaces 28 and 30. The bonding material 34 can be any joining material as defined herein, and the sleeve 10 may have a release cover or liner placed on or between the layers of bonding material 34, to inhibit adhesion or cohesion of the bonding material 34 before use of the cover 10, for covering a pot. Shown in Figure 4 is a sectional plan view of the sheath 10, taken through the bonding material 34, wherein the bonding material 34 is placed in strips on opposite internal surfaces 28 and 30 of the sheath. The strips of bonding material 34 may extend completely from one side of the sheath 10 to the other, generally as indicated in Figure 4, or these may extend only part of the distance from one side to the other. As indicated above, the bonding materials 34 may have liners or release reinforcements thereon, to prevent premature adhesion or cohesion thereof, the release liners are indicated in Figure 5 by the reference number 50. The Figure 6 shows a mode wherein the areas of the bonding material 34 are alternated in zigzag through the inner surfaces 28 and 30 of the sheath 10, to minimize the cohesion or adhesion of the areas of the bonding material 34 to the opposing surfaces. . In yet another version of the present invention, shown in Figures 7-10, a bonding material 52 is placed on at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces 22 or 24 of the lower portion 38 of the sleeve 10. In a similar manner to the use of the sheath 10, after the pot is placed in the retaining space of the lower portion 38, the sheath 10a is manually or automatically pleated around the outer peripheral surface of the pot, in the vicinity of the bonding material 52 , whereby folds are formed in the lower portion 38, which are adhesively connected together by the bonding material 52, to secure the cover 10a around the pot. The bonding material 52 is preferably placed on the cover 10a to be in a position below the top edge of the pot, when the pot is placed in the lower portion 38 of the cover 10a. The bonding material 52 can be placed only on an outer side 22 or 24 of the cover 10a, as shown in Figure 7, or it can be placed on both sides 22 and 24 of the cover 10a, as shown in the Figure 8. Figure 9 is a sectional plan view taken through sheath 10a of Figure 8, showing the bonding material 52 on both outer sides 22 and 24, and extending substantially from edge 18 to edge 20, although it will be appreciated that the bonding material 52 may extend only part of the distance from the side 18 to the side 20. As noted above for the sleeve 10, the bonding material 52 on the sleeve 10a may have a release material 54. placed on it, as shown for example in Figure 10. In an alternative version of the sheath 10 or 10a, placed on the upper end of the inner peripheral surface 30 of the side 24, there is a closure fastening material (not show do). After a pot is placed inside the sheath, the upper end portion of the side 24 with the closure fastening material placed thereon can be folded over an upper end portion of the side 22, whereby the upper portion is sealed of the cover. In yet another version of the invention, there is a second closure joining material, which is placed on an upper end portion of the side 22. When the upper end portion of the side 24 having the closure joining material, is folded over the side 22, the closure joining material 68 adhesively couples the second material of closure joint with which a seal is made in the upper end 12 of the cover. Preferably, in this version the first and second fastening materials are both cohesive materials, so that when another casing is pressed against the casing, no joining material will cause the adjacent casings to be connected to each other, with which facilitates the separation of the covers lOn of the pile. It will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the processes for making standard floral covers having open upper and lower ends are well known. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cover is constructed with a closed bottom, which may simply comprise a seal along the lower end of the cover, or more preferably the closed bottom comprises an unfolded portion such as a square or section in V, which when opened makes possible the expansion of the bottom of the cover to allow the insertion of a pot in it.

A version of the apparatus and process used to construct a sheath as described herein is shown in Figures 39-44 and in the appended descriptions in U.S. Patent No. 5,493,809, the specification of which is incorporated by reference in the present, in its entirety. During the operation, when the cover 10 or 10a is opened before the placement of a pot inside the interior space 32 thereof, after opening, the release material 50 or 54, respectively, if present, can be removed. of the space corresponding to the material of union of the cover, before the insertion of the flowerpot in this one. Shown in Figures HA and 11B are the covers 10 and 10a, after which a pot 56 having a floral grouping 58 is placed in them. Figure HA shows the pot 56 placed adjacent and facing the bonding material 34 of the sheath 10, and Figure 11 shows the pot 56 positioned within the sheath 10a with the adjacent bonding material 52, still opposite the surface of the pot 56. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bonding material 34 is a bonding material such as a cohesive which binds only to the surfaces which also have said cohesive. Therefore, the bonding material 34 is not intended to be adhesively connected to the outer surface of the pot 56. Rather, it is designed such that the sleeve 10 is secured around the pot 56 without adhesive connection to the pot itself. . For example, the sheath 10 or 10a can be secured to the pot by forming a folded area 60 in the lower portion 38 of the sheath 10 or 10a, as shown in Figure 12. The folded area 60 is formed by the formation of pleats or pleats 62 in that portion of the sheath 10 or 10a, which has the joining material 34 or 52. Preferably, the lower portion 38 of the sheath 10 or 10a is at least slightly larger than the pot 56, of so that the folds 62 can be formed in the sheath 10 or 10a to secure the sheath around the pot 56. At least some of the folds 62 have overlapping portions that are connected by the bonding material 34 or 52, as explained in more detail later.

MODALITIES OF THE FIGURES 13-24 Shown in Figures 13-24 are several examples of how the folds can be formed in the lower portion 38 of the cover 10 or 10a, for securing the cover 10 or 10a around the pot 56, without adhesive connection of the cover to the pot itself. Figure 13 shows a sheath 10 or 10a having a plurality of folds in which some portions of the folds are connected by a joining material 34, on the inner surface of the sheath (sheath 10) or by a joining material 52 on the external surface of the sheath (sheath 10a). Figure 13 shows a plurality of z-shaped overlapping folds 64, connected by the bonding material (not shown). Each z-shaped overlap fold 64 shown in Figure 13 has an inner portion 66, an outer portion 68 and an intermediate portion 70, which is sandwiched between the inner and outer portions 66 and 68. Figure 14 shows a enlarging an overlapping fold 64 in the form of z which shows the position of the bonding material 32 placed on the inner surface of the sheath 10, relative to the overlapping portions of the sheath 10. The portion 66 is not attached to the portion 70, since there is no joining material placed on the outer surface 16 of the sheath 10 in this embodiment. The inner surface of the portion 70 faces and is attached to the inner surface of the portion 68 of the sheath 10, via the bonding material 32, which is placed on the inner surface of the sheath 10. A similar pattern is repeated for each corresponding z-shaped fold 64, and for each other z-shaped fold 64 in the cover 10. Figure 15 shows an enlargement of a z-shaped overlapping fold 64a., similar to that of Figure 14, except that Figure 15 represents a fold 64 formed in the sleeve 10a, which has a bonding material 52 placed on the outer surface 16 of the sleeve 10a. The fold 64a has an inner portion 66, an outer portion 68 and an intermediate portion 70 sandwiched between the portions 66 and 68. The portion 70 is connected to the portion 66 via the bonding material 52. The portion 68 is not connected to the portion 70, because there is no bonding material interposed between the two portions. Figure 16 shows another way in which the sleeve 10 or 10a can be secured around the pot 56. In this version, there are a plurality of foldings 72 which are similar to the z-shaped foldings 64 shown in Figures 13 -15, except that the foldings 64 shown in Figures 13-15 are placed as pairs of foldings 64"images in the mirror", while in Figure 16 each z-fold fold 72 appears, simply, and not as one of a different pair of adjacent folds 64. Each fold 72 has an inner portion 66, an outer portion 68 and an intermediate portion 70 sandwiched between the portions 66 and 68. The surface 16 of the portion 66 faces the surface 16 of a portion 70. Figure 17 shows such a fold 72 formed in a cover such as the cover 10, wherein the bonding material 34 is placed on an inner surface of the sheath 10. The bonding material 34 touches the outer surface of the pot 56, but does not contact it, because the bonding material 34 is preferably a cohesive bonding material instead of an adhesive material. In such an embodiment, the inner surface of the portion 68 is adhesively connected via the bonding material 34 to the inner surface of the portion 70, while the portions 66 and 70 are not adhesively connected. Figure 18 shows a fold 72 formed in the sleeve 10a, which has the bonding material 52. The outer surface 16 of the portion 66 is adhesively connected via the bonding material 52 to the outer surface of the portion 70.

The portion 68 is not adhesively connected to the portion 70. Figures 19 and 20 show yet another embodiment of the sheath 10 pleated around a pot 56, comprising a plurality of vertically oriented folding 74, in which the portions 76 of the sheath 10 are held together forming a U-shaped fold 74, extending outwardly from the pot 56, and wherein the internal surfaces of the portions 76 of the foldings 74 in the sheath 10, which face each other are adhesively coupled to each other by the bonding material 34, placed on the inner surface of the sleeve 10. A similar bonding pattern is repeated for each U-shaped folding 74 in the sleeve 10. Figures 21 and 22 show another embodiment more of the sheath 10 pleated around a pot 56, comprising one or more horizontally oriented folds 78, in which the portions 80 of the sheath 10 are held together in a form a U-shaped folding 78 extending outwardly and extending around at least part of the circumference of the pot 56. The internal surfaces of the folding portions 80 of the container 78, which are facing each other, they are adhesively connected via the bonding material 34 placed on the inner surface of the sheath 10. The folding 78 in Figure 22 is an enlargement of the folding 78 in Figure 21, to explicitly show the way of connection via the bonding material 34. Figures 23 and 24 show yet another embodiment of the sheath 10a pleated around a pot 56, comprising one more horizontally oriented folds 82, in which the portions 84 of the cover 10a are held together forming a folding 82 in the shape of Inverted U, wherein the tip 86 of the U-shaped fold 82 extends in an inward direction towards the outer surface of the pot 56, with which l a rim is oriented inwards. The outer surfaces 16 of the folding portions 84, which face one another, are adhesively connected via the bonding material 52 placed on the outer surface 16 of the cover 10a. Folding 82 in Figure 24 is an enlargement of folding 82 in Figure 23, to explicitly show the connection made via the bonding material 52. It can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that when sleeve 10 is pleated around the outer peripheral surface of the pot, a combination of the types of foldings shown in Figures 14, 17, 20 and 22, or other foldings not shown herein, for example, the foldings can be formed in the sheath 10. of the holder 74 of Figure 20 may be alternated with the z-shaped foldings 64 or 72 of one or both of Figures 14 and 17. It will be further understood that when the sleeve 10a is pleated around the pot 56, a combination of the types of foldings shown in Figures 15, 18 and 24, can be formed in the sheath 10a. Also, the sleeve 10 or 10a can be pleated around the pot 56 of other shapes, which form pleats having configurations not shown herein. In addition, in another embodiment a sheath (not shown) may have a joining material either on the inner surface and on the outer surface thereof, and thus can obtain any or all of the foldings mentioned herein, simultaneously. Changes may be made in the construction and operation of the various components, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps or sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, such as it is defined in the following claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (30)

1. A method for packaging or packaging a potted plant, characterized in that it comprises: the provision of a flexible sheath or wrap, the flexible sheath has a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding a internal retention space for enclosing a pot, and an adhesive or cohesive bonding material placed on a portion of at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion of the sheath, to form a pleated portion in the cover and hold the cover around the pot; placing a pot containing a floral grouping within the internal retention space of the flexible sheath or wrap, wherein the flexible sheath is placed adjacent to an outer peripheral surface of the pot; and securing the sheath around the pot, by forming folds or folds in the sheath portion, which has joining material, whereby a pleated portion having overlapping and overlapping folds is formed in the sheath. wherein the pleated portion is formed such that the sheath is substantially free from being adhesively connected to the outer peripheral surface of the pot, by the bonding material.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the step of providing the flexible sheath, the flexible sheath comprises a flattened body comprising: a first side having a first edge, a second edge, an upper edge, a lower edge, an outer surface and an inner surface; a second side having a first edge, a second edge, an upper edge, a lower edge, an outer surface and an inner surface; and wherein, in a flattened condition of the sheath, the internal surface of the first side rests flattened on the inner surface of the second side, and the first edge of the first side is sealed to the first edge of the second side, and the second edge of the first side is sealed to the second edge of the second side.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the step of providing the flexible sheath, the flexible sheath further comprises a release material placed on the binding material, which is removed from the sheath before the formation of a pleated portion in the sleeve.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the provision step of the sheath, the bonding material is a cohesive material placed on the inner peripheral surface of the sheath.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the provision step of the sheath, the bonding material is a cohesive or adhesive material placed on the outer peripheral surface of the sheath.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the step of providing a flexible sheath, the flexible sheath further comprises: a lower portion having the internal retention space, and an upper portion connected to the lower portion and suitable dimensions for substantially encircling and encompassing the floral grouping, the upper portion being uncoupled from the lower portion via the decoupling means, and wherein, when the pot is placed within the internal retention space, the lower portion of the flexible sheath is positioned adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the pot, and the upper portion of the sheath extends upwardly from the pot, said upper portion substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the provision step of the flexible sheath, the sheath has a cylindrical shape.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the provision step of the flexible sheath, the sheath has a shape that is tapered from the upper end towards the lower end.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the provision step of the flexible cover, the portion of the cover that surrounds the pot is larger compared to the size of the pot to be placed in it.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the provision step of the flexible sheath, the lower end of the sheath is closed.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that in the provision step of the flexible sheath, the closed lower end comprises a V-shaped or bevelled portion.

12. A container or package for a plant placed in a pot, characterized in that it comprises: a plant planted or placed in a pot, comprising a pot containing a floral grouping, the pot having an outer peripheral surface; and a flexible sheath, the flexible sheath having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an internal retention space, within which the plant is placed in a pot, and a bonding material. adhesive or cohesive placed on a portion of at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the sheath, to form a pleated portion in the sheath, and retain the sheath around the pot; and wherein the potted plant is placed within the internal retention space of the flexible sheath, such that a portion of the flexible sheath is placed adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the pot, and a pleated portion has been formed in the sheath in the portion having the joining material, with the pleated portion having overlapping pleats, the pleated portion secures the sheath around the pot, substantially without the joining material being connected to the outer peripheral surface of the pot.

13. The package or packaging for plant placed in pot according to claim 12, characterized in that the flexible sheath is further defined as being constructed from a material having a thickness in a range from about 2.54 μm (0.1 mils) to about 762 μm (30 thousandths of an inch).

14. The package or packaging for plant placed in pot according to claim 12, characterized in that the flexible sheath is further defined as being constructed from a material having a thickness in a range from about 12.7 μm (0.5 mils) to about 254 μm (10 mils).

15. The package or packaging for plant placed in pot in accordance with the claim 12, characterized in that the flexible sheath is further defined as being constructed from a material having a thickness in a range from about 25.4 μm (1 mils) to about 127 μm (5 mils).

16. The package or packaging for plant placed in pot according to claim 12, characterized in that the flexible sheath is further defined as being constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of treated or untreated paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymeric film , non-polymeric film, cardboard, fiber, cloth, sacking and laminations and combinations thereof.

17. The package or packaging for plant placed in pot according to claim 12, characterized in that the flexible sheath further comprises a skirt portion.

18. The package or packaging for potted plant according to claim 12, characterized in that the flexible sheath further comprises an extended portion to serve as a handle.

19. The container or packaging for plant placed in a pot according to claim 12, characterized in that the flexible sheath further comprises a closure joining material placed near the upper end of the flexible sheath, to seal the upper end of the sheath to enclose the floral grouping in this one.

20. The package or packaging for plant placed in pot in accordance with the claim 12, characterized in that the flexible sheath further comprises openings to make possible the ventilation of the enclosed floral grouping.

21. The package or packaging for potted plant according to claim 12, characterized in that the binding material on the sheath is a cohesive material placed on the inner peripheral surface of the sheath.

22. The container or packaging for potted plant according to claim 12, characterized in that the binding material on the sheath is a cohesive or adhesive material placed on the outer peripheral surface of the sheath.

23. The container or packaging for plant placed in pot according to claim 12, characterized in that the flexible sheath further comprises a lower portion having the internal retention space, and an upper portion connected to the lower portion and of dimensions suitable for substantially encircling and encompassing the floral grouping, the uncoupling upper portion of the lower portion via the decoupling means, and wherein the upper portion of the sheath extends upwardly from the pot, with the upper portion substantially surrounding and encompassing the grouping floral.

24. The container or packaging for plant placed in pot according to claim 23, characterized in that the flexible sheath further comprises a skirt portion, which, when the upper portion of the sheath is uncoupled, extends from the base portion.

25. The container or packaging for plant placed in a pot according to claim 23, characterized in that the flexible sheath further comprises a closure joining material placed on the upper surface near the upper end of the flexible sheath, to seal the upper end of the sheath. funda, to enclose the floral cluster within the upper portion.

26. The package or packaging for plant placed in pot according to claim 12, characterized in that the portion of the sheath surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the pot, has a cylindrical shape.

27. The container or packaging for plant placed in pot according to claim 12, characterized in that the sheath has a shape that is tapered from the upper end towards the lower end.

28. The package or packaging for plant placed in a pot according to claim 12, characterized in that the portion of the cover that surrounds the pot is of larger dimensions compared to the size of the pot placed therein.

29. The package or packaging for plant placed in pot according to claim 12, characterized in that the lower end of the sheath is closed.

30. The container or packaging for plant placed in pot according to claim 29, characterized in that the closed lower end of the sheath comprises a V-shaped or bevelled portion.