Decorative assembly for a floral grouping

Abstract

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

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping having 
 a stem portion and a bloom portion, comprising: 
 providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end, a lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending between the open upper end and the lower end thereof;  
 providing a sheet of material;  
 providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material;  
 forming the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material with the forming device whereby the sheet of material encompasses the lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material while leaving the open upper end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;  
 providing a band; and  
 positioning the band about the sheet of material while the sheet of material and the floral holding material are maintained within the forming device so as to secure the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material such that the open upper end of the floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of material.  
   
     
     
         2 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         3 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material.  
     
     
         4 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         5 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material.  
     
     
         6 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining floral holding material such that the bloom portion of the floral grouping extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining floral holding material prior to forming the sheet of material about at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         7 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining floral holding material such that the bloom portion of the floral grouping extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining floral holding material after positioning the band about the sheet of material.  
     
     
         8 . A method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping having 
 a stem portion and a bloom portion, comprising: 
 providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an upper end, a lower end and an outer peripheral surface;  
 providing a sheet of material;  
 providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material;  
 forming the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material with the forming device whereby the sheet of material encompasses the lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material while leaving the upper end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;  
 providing a band; and  
 positioning the band about the sheet of material while the sheet of material and the floral holding material are maintained within the forming device so as to secure the sheet of material about at least the lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material such that the upper end of the floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of material.  
   
     
     
         9 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 8  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed about the lower end and the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         10 . The method for providing a decorative assembly for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 8  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed above the upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material.  
     
     
         11 . The method transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 8  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         12 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 8  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed above the upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material.  
     
     
         13 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 8  wherein a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed in the floral holding material prior to forming the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         14 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 8  wherein a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed in the floral holding material after positioning the band about the sheet of material.  
     
     
         15 . A method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping having 
 a stem portion and a bloom portion, comprising: 
 providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an open upper end, a lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending between the open upper end and the lower end thereof;  
 providing a sheet of material;  
 providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material, the forming device comprising a platform having an upper support surface and an opening extending through at least a portion of the upper support surface;  
 disposing the sheet of material upon the upper support surface of the forming device such that a portion of the sheet of material is disposed over the opening in the forming device;  
 moving the shape sustaining floral holding material into engagement with the sheet of material and through the opening in the forming device for forming the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material while leaving the open upper end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;  
 providing a band;  
 positioning the band about the sheet of material while the sheet of material and the floral holding material are maintained within the opening of the forming device so as to secure the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material such that the open upper end of the floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of material.  
   
     
     
         16 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 15  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         17 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 15  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material.  
     
     
         18 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 15  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         19 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 15  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material.  
     
     
         20 . The method transporting and displaying a floral grouping of claim wherein a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining floral holding material such that the bloom portion of the floral grouping extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining floral holding material prior to forming the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         21 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 15  wherein a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining floral holding material such that the bloom portion of the floral grouping extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining floral holding material after positioning the band about the sheet of material.  
     
     
         22 . A method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping having 
 a stem portion and a bloom portion, comprising: 
 providing a shape sustaining floral holding material having an upper end, a lower end and an outer peripheral surface;  
 providing a sheet of material;  
 providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material, the forming device comprising a platform having an upper support surface and an opening extending through at least a portion of the upper support surface;  
 disposing the sheet of material upon the upper support surface of the forming device such that a portion of the sheet of material is disposed over the opening in the forming device;  
 moving the shape sustaining floral holding material into engagement with the sheet of material and through the opening in the forming device for forming the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material while leaving the upper end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;  
 providing a band; and  
 positioning the band about the sheet of material while the sheet of material and the floral holding material are maintained within the opening of the forming device so as to secure the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material such that the upper end of the floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of material.  
   
     
     
         23 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 22  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         24 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 22  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed above the upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material.  
     
     
         25 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 22  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         26 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 22  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed above the upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material.  
     
     
         27 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 22  wherein a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the shape sustaining floral holding material such that the bloom portion of the floral grouping extends upwardly therefrom and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the shape sustaining floral holding material prior to forming the sheet of material about at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         28 . The method for providing a decorative assembly for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 22  wherein a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the shape sustaining floral holding material such that the bloom portion of the floral grouping extends upwardly therefrom and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed the shape sustaining floral holding material after positioning the band about the sheet of material.  
     
     
         29 . A method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping having 
 a stem portion and a bloom portion, comprising: 
 providing a floral holding material having an open upper end, a lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending between the open upper end and the lower end thereof, the floral holding material having a substantially conical-shaped configuration;  
 providing a sheet of material;  
 providing a forming device adapted to form the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material;  
 forming the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material with the forming device whereby the sheet of material encompasses the lower end and at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material while leaving the open upper end of the floral holding material substantially uncovered;  
 providing a band; and  
 positioning the band about the sheet of material while the sheet of material and the floral holding material are maintained within the forming device so as to secure the sheet of material about the lower end and at least a portion of the outer peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material such that the open upper end of the floral holding material remains substantially uncovered by the sheet of material.  
   
     
     
         30 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         31 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is automatically positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material.  
     
     
         32 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed about the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         33 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of positioning the band about the sheet of material, the band is positioned about a portion of the sheet of material disposed above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material.  
     
     
         34 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining floral holding material such that the bloom portion of the floral grouping extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining floral holding material prior to forming the sheet of material about at least a portion of the peripheral sidewall of the floral holding material.  
     
     
         35 . The method for transporting and displaying a floral grouping of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining floral holding material such that the bloom portion of the floral grouping extends above the open upper end of the shape sustaining floral holding material and wherein the portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping is disposed within the internal chamber of the shape sustaining floral holding material after positioning the band about the sheet of material.