Method of covering a potted plant

Abstract

A method of covering a flower pot with an oversized sleeve. The sleeve has an inner diameter which is greater than the maximum diameter of a pot disposed therein. The sleeve may have a detachable upper portion, a skirt portion, with a linear or non-linear upper end, or with or without gussets in the lower end or sides. In the method the sleeve is secured about the pot by a crimping a portion of the sleeve having a bonding material thereon, or using a banding element to form a crimped portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of covering a potted plant, comprising: 
 providing a pot having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner retaining space, and a maximum diameter, the pot having a floral grouping disposed at least partially within the inner retaining space;    providing a decorative preformed sleeve initially having a flattened condition and comprising a body having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface, an inner diameter, and having a pot containing portion, and wherein the inner diameter exceeds the maximum diameter of the pot by at least about 10 percent;    opening the decorative preformed sleeve and disposing the pot and the floral grouping within the pot containing portion of the opened decorative preformed sleeve; and    applying a banding element about a portion of the decorative preformed sleeve so as to form a crimped portion with overlapping folds therein, thereby securing the decorative preformed sleeve about the pot.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the decorative preformed sleeve, the decorative preformed sleeve further comprises an upper portion extending from the upper end of the body of the decorative preformed sleeve which is detachable therefrom via a detaching element.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein, in the step of providing the decorative preformed sleeve, the upper portion of the decorative preformed sleeve is sized to substantially surround and enclose the portion of the floral grouping extending beyond the upper end of the pot.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein, in the step of providing the decorative preformed sleeve, the upper portion of the decorative preformed sleeve is adapted to support the body of the decorative preformed sleeve from a support assembly and wherein the body of the decorative preformed sleeve is detachable from the upper portion.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the decorative preformed sleeve, the decorative preformed sleeve further comprises a decorative skirt portion extending from the body.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the decorative preformed sleeve, the body of the decorative preformed sleeve further comprises a gusset in a lower portion thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the decorative preformed sleeve, the decorative preformed sleeve further comprises a side gusset in the body.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein, in the step of providing the decorative preformed sleeve, the upper portion of the decorative preformed sleeve comprises a bonding material disposed upon an upper end thereof for sealing the upper end of the upper portion or for attaching the upper portion to an upper portion of an adjacent decorative preformed sleeve in a pad or stack of decorative preformed sleeves.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the decorative preformed sleeve, the banding element is selected from the group consisting of a tie, a string, a wire, a ribbon, a rubber band, a collar, a ring, and a tape.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the decorative preformed sleeve, the banding element is applied to the decorative preformed sleeve at a position above the upper end of the pot.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the decorative preformed sleeve, the banding element is applied to the decorative preformed sleeve at a position below the upper end of the pot.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the decorative preformed sleeve, the banding element is pre-attached to the decorative preformed sleeve before the pot and floral grouping are disposed within the decorative preformed sleeve.