Preformed flower pot cover having a matte or textured finish on a surface thereof

Abstract

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

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover, comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 10 mils; and    an acrylic heat sealable lacquer disposed on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the expanded core polymeric film whereby, upon forming the flexible material into a flower pot cover, a plurality of overlapping folds are formed and at least portion of the overlapping folds are connected to adjacently disposed portions of the flower pot cover via the acrylic heat sealable lacquer.    
     
     
         2 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 1  wherein at least the lower surface of the expanded core polymeric film is provided with a cloth-appearing textured or matte finish.  
     
     
         3 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 2  wherein the expanded core polymeric film further contains printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 3  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         5 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 3  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         6 . A flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover, comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils; and    a substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film, the substantially water impervious polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils.    
     
     
         7 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 6  wherein at least the lower surface of the expanded core polymeric film is provided with a cloth-appearing textured or matte finish.  
     
     
         8 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 7  wherein the expanded core polymeric film further contains printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 8  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         10 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 8  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         11 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 8  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         12 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 6  wherein at least on of the upper and lower surfaces of the expanded core polymeric film is printed, embossed or printed and embossed to provide the expanded core polymeric film with a cloth-like appearance.  
     
     
         13 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 12  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         14 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 13  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils and the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         15 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 12  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils, the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         16 . A flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover, comprising: 
 a sheet of material formed of an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 10 mils, the sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein at least the surface of the expanded polymeric film is embossed, printed or embossed and printed to provide the lower surface with a matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth; and    a substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film, the substantially water impervious polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 10 mils.    
     
     
         17 . The flexible material of  claim 16  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         18 . The flexible material of  claim 17  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 1.25 mils, the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils and the flexible waterproof material has a thickness in the range of from about 1.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.  
     
     
         19 . The flexible material of  claim 16  wherein the expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils, the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         20 . A flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative cover about a flower pot or a floral grouping comprising: 
 a sheet of material formed of an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 to about 30 mils, the sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein at least the lower surface of the expanded polymeric film is embossed, printed, embossed and printed or textured to provide the lower surface with a cloth-like appearance; and    a bonding material disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface of the sheet of material.    
     
     
         21 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative cover about a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 20  wherein the bonding material is a pressure sensitive adhesive.  
     
     
         22 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative cover about a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 21  wherein sheet of material is further characterized as having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, and wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is disposed on a portion of the upper surface of the sheet of material substantially adjacent the fourth side of the sheet of material so as to extend substantially between the first and second sides of the sheet of material.  
     
     
         23 . A flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative cover about flower pot or a floral grouping, comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils; and    a substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film, the substantially water impervious polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils.    
     
     
         24 . The flexible material of  claim 23  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         25 . The flexible material of  claim 24  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils and the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         26 . The flexible material of  claim 23  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils, the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         27 . The flexible material of  claim 23  wherein at least one of the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film is provided with an embossed pattern, a printed pattern or an embossed and printed pattern.  
     
     
         28 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 23  wherein at least one of the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film is provided with an embossed pattern and a printed pattern.  
     
     
         29 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 28  wherein the embossed and printed patterns are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         30 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 28  wherein the embossed and printed patterns are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         31 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 28  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         32 . A polymeric ribbon material for forming decorative bows and for wrapping items, the ribbon material comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils wherein at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the expanded core polymeric film is modified to provide the polymeric ribbon material with a cloth-like appearance.    
     
     
         33 . The polymeric ribbon material for forming decorative bows and for wrapping items of  claim 18  wherein the expanded core polymeric film further contains printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         34 . The polymeric ribbon material for forming decorative bows and for wrapping items of  claim 33  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         35 . The polymeric ribbon material for forming decorative bows and for wrapping items of  claim 33  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         36 . A polymeric ribbon material having a cloth-like appearance comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils; and    a sheet of material laminated to at least one of the upper and the lower surface of the expanded core polymeric film, at least one of the expanded core polymeric film and the sheet of material having a cloth-like appearance such that the polymeric ribbon is provided with a cloth-like appearance.    
     
     
         37 . The polymeric ribbon material having a cloth-like appearance of  claim 36  wherein the sheet of material laminated to the expanded core polymeric film is a polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils.  
     
     
         38 . The polymeric ribbon material having a cloth-like appearance of  claim 36  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         39 . The polymeric ribbon material having a cloth-like appearance of  claim 38  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils and the polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         40 . The polymeric ribbon material having a cloth-like appearance of  claim 36  wherein the sheet of material laminated to the expanded core polymeric film is a polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils and wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         41 . The polymeric ribbon material having a cloth-like appearance of  claim 36  wherein at least on of the expanded core polymeric film and the sheet of material laminated thereto further contains printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         42 . The polymeric ribbon material having a cloth-like appearance of  claim 41  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         43 . The polymeric ribbon material having a cloth-like appearance of  claim 41  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         44 . A polymeric ribbon material having a cloth-like appearance for forming decorative bows and for wrapping items, the ribbon material comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of about 0.6 to about 10 mils wherein at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the expanded core polymeric film is printed to provide the polymeric ribbon material with a cloth-like appearance.    
     
     
         45 . A polymeric ribbon material having a cloth-like appearance for forming decorative bows and for wrapping items, the ribbon material comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface and a lower surface mils wherein at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the expanded core polymeric film is provided with an embossed pattern to provide the polymeric ribbon material with a cloth-like appearance.    
     
     
         46 . The polymeric ribbon material of  claim 45  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 10 mils.  
     
     
         47 . The polymeric ribbon material of  claim 46  wherein the embossed ribbon material is further provided with a printed pattern.  
     
     
         48 . The polymeric ribbon material of  claim 47  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are in register with one another.  
     
     
         49 . The polymeric ribbon material of  claim 47  wherein at least of portion of the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are out of register with one another.  
     
     
         50 . The polymeric ribbon material of  claim 47  wherein at least a portion of the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are out of register with one another.  
     
     
         51 . A polymeric ribbon material having a cloth-like appearance comprising: 
 a polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of about from 0.6 mil to about 10 mils; and    a sheet of material having a cloth-like texture laminated to at least one of the upper and the lower surface of the polymeric film wherein the sheet of material having a cloth-like texture is provided with a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils.    
     
     
         52 . A flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative sleeve for positioning about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping comprising: 
 a sheet of material formed of an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 10 mils, the sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein at least the lower surface of the expanded polymeric film is embossed, printed or embossed and printed to provide the lower surface with a cloth-like appearance.    
     
     
         53 . A flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative sleeve for positioning about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping, comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils; and    a substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film, the substantially water impervious polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils.    
     
     
         54 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative sleeve for positioning about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 53  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         55 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative sleeve for positioning about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 54  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils and the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         56 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative sleeve for positioning about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 53  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils, the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         57 . A flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative sleeve for positioning about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping, comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils wherein at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the expanded core polymeric film is modified to provide the flexible material with a cloth-like appearance.    
     
     
         58 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative sleeve for positioning about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 57  wherein the expanded core polymeric film further contains printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         59 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative sleeve for positioning about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 58  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         60 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative sleeve for positioning about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 58  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         61 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a decorative sleeve for positioning about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 58  wherein at least a portion of the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         62 . A flexible material formable into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover, a decorative cover for a flower pot or a floral grouping, or a sleeve disposable about at least a portion of a floral grouping, comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a cloth-appearing textured or matte finish on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof.    
     
     
         63 . The flexible material of  claim 62  wherein the expanded core polymeric film is provided with a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils and wherein the expanded core polymeric film is further provided with printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof.  
     
     
         64 . The flexible material of  claim 63  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         65 . The flexible material of  claim 63  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         66 . The flexible material of  claim 63  wherein a portion of the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another and wherein a portion of the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         67 . The flexible material of  claim 63  wherein the cloth-appearing textured or matte finish of the expanded core polymeric film is produced by printing, embossing, or printing and embossing the expanded core polymeric film.  
     
     
         68 . A flexible material, comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 10 mils wherein at least the lower surface is provided with a cloth-appearing textured or matte finish; and    an acrylic heat sealable lacquer disposed on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the expanded core polymeric film.    
     
     
         69 . The flexible material capable of  claim 68  wherein the expanded core polymeric film further contains printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         70 . The flexible material capable of  claim 69  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         71 . The flexible material capable of being formed into a shape-sustaining flower pot cover of  claim 70  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         72 . A flexible material, comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 10 mils; and    a substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film, the substantially water impervious polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 10 mils.    
     
     
         73 . The flexible material of  claim 72  wherein at least the lower surface of the expanded core polymeric film is provided with a cloth-appearing textured or matte finish.  
     
     
         74 . The flexible material of  claim 73  wherein the expanded core polymeric film further contains printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         75 . The flexible material of  claim 74  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         76 . The flexible material of  claim 74  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         77 . The flexible material of  claim 74  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         78 . The flexible material of  claim 72  wherein at least a lower surface of the expanded core polymeric film is printed, embossed or printed and embossed to provide the expanded core polymeric film with a cloth-like appearance.  
     
     
         79 . The flexible material of  claim 78  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         80 . The flexible material of  claim 79  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils and the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         81 . The flexible material of  claim 73  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils, the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         82 . A flexible material, comprising: 
 a sheet of material formed of an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 10 mils, the sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein at least the surface of the expanded polymeric film is embossed, printed or embossed and printed to provide the lower surface with a matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth; and    a substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film, the substantially water impervious polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 10 mils.    
     
     
         83 . The flexible material of  claim 82  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         84 . The flexible material of  claim 83  wherein the expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 1.25 mils, the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils and the flexible waterproof material has a thickness in the range of from about 1.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.  
     
     
         85 . A flexible material comprising: 
 a sheet of material formed of an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils, the sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein at least the lower surface of the expanded polymeric film is embossed, printed, embossed and printed or textured to provide the lower surface with a cloth-like appearance; and    a bonding material disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface of the sheet of material.    
     
     
         86 . The flexible material of  claim 85  wherein the bonding material is a pressure sensitive adhesive.  
     
     
         87 . The flexible material of  claim 86  wherein sheet of material is further characterized as having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, and wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is disposed on a portion of the upper surface of the sheet of material substantially adjacent the fourth side of the sheet of material so as to extend substantially between the first and second sides of the sheet of material.  
     
     
         88 . A flexible material having an upper surface and a lower surface, comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils wherein at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the expanded polymeric film is embossed, printed, embossed and printed or textured to provide the expanded core polymeric film with a cloth-like appearance;    a substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the upper surface of the expanded core polymeric film, the substantially water impervious polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils; and    a bonding material disposed on at least a portion of one of the upper surface and lower surfaces of the flexible material.    
     
     
         89 . The flexible material of  claim 88  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         90 . The flexible material of  claim 89  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils and the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 1.25 mils.