Method for forming a decorative flower pot cover having a holographic image thereon

Abstract

Processes for producing a holographic material wherein the holographic image is formed on a polished surface of a printing element and then transferred the holographic image to a substrate. A coating is applied to the smooth surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface, the coated surface is embossed or engraved to provide the holographic image, and the holographic image is then transferred to a substrate via a bonding material, thereby producing the holographic material. The holographic material may be used to provide a decorative cover for an object or item, such as a floral grouping or a potted plant.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for forming a decorative flower pot cover having a holographic image thereon, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sleeve having a first end, a second end, an outer peripheral surface and a retaining space, the sleeve comprising an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the lower portion of the sleeve is sized to closely surround and encompass a flower pot disposed therein and the upper portion extends upwardly from a flower pot disposed therein, the upper portion of the sleeve being detachable from the lower portion of the sleeve via vertical perforations and circumferential perforations, the sleeve formed of a holographic material wherein the holographic material is produced by a batch process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a printing element having a polished surface;  
 applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;  
 embossing the coated surface to provide a holographic image thereon, the holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;  
 applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image; and  
 disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material and thus removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element;  
   providing a flower pot having an open upper end, a closed lower end, an outer peripheral surface and a retaining space, the flower pot having growing medium and a floral grouping or a plant disposed in the retaining space thereof; and    disposing the flower pot within the sleeve, whereby the lower portion of the sleeve is positioned substantially adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and the upper portion of the sleeve extends upwardly from the flower pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping or plant disposed in the flower pot, the upper portion of the sleeve being detachable from the lower portion of the sleeve along the vertical and circumferential perforations such that upon detachment of the upper portion of the sleeve, the lower portion of the sleeve remains disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and forms a decorative flower pot cover having a holographic image thereon which constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative flower pot cover.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a flat plate and a platen press.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the surface of the printing element is resilient.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the surface of the printing element is non-resilient.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the coating applied to the smooth surface of the printing element is selected from the group consisting of metallic polymeric film, non-metallic polymer film, foil, metallized lacquer, non-metallized lacquer, iridescent film, ink containing metallized film glitter mixed with a lacquer, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the substrate is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminations thereof and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the substrate has a smooth surface.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve, the sleeve is further defined as having a bonding material disposed thereon.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of removing the upper portion of the sleeve by tearing the upper portion of the sleeve away from the lower portion of the sleeve along the vertical and circumferential perforations.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve, the sleeve is further defined as having a bonding material thereon such that at least a portion of the bonding material on the sleeve is disposed adjacent the flower pot for securing the sleeve about the flower pot.  
     
     
         13 . A method for forming a decorative flower pot cover having a holographic image thereon, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sleeve having a first end, a second end, an outer peripheral surface and a retaining space, the sleeve comprising an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the lower portion of the sleeve is sized to closely surround and encompass a flower pot disposed therein and the upper portion extends upwardly from a flower pot disposed therein, the upper portion of the sleeve being detachable from the lower portion of the sleeve via vertical perforations and circumferential perforations, the sleeve formed of a holographic material wherein the holographic material is produced by a batch process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a printing element having a polished surface;  
 applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;  
 embossing the coated surface to provide an image on the coating;  
 applying a metallic constituent or component to the image to provide a holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;  
 applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image; and  
 disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material and thus removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element;  
   providing a flower pot having an open upper end, a closed lower end, an outer peripheral surface and a retaining space, the flower pot having growing medium and a floral grouping or a plant disposed in the retaining space thereof; and    disposing the flower pot within the sleeve, whereby the lower portion of the sleeve is positioned substantially adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and the upper portion of the sleeve extends upwardly from the flower pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping or plant disposed in the flower pot, the upper portion of the sleeve being detachable from the lower portion of the sleeve along the vertical and circumferential perforations such that upon detachment of the upper portion of the sleeve, the lower portion of the sleeve remains disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and forms a decorative flower pot cover having a holographic image thereon which constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative flower pot cover.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a flat plate and a platen press.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the surface of the printing element is resilient.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the surface of the printing element is non-resilient.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the coating applied to the smooth surface of the printing element is selected from the group consisting of metallic polymeric film, non-metallic polymer film, foil, metallized lacquer, non-metallized lacquer, iridescent film, ink containing metallized film glitter mixed with a lacquer, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the substrate is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminations thereof and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the substrate has a smooth surface.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13  wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve, the sleeve is further defined as having a bonding material disposed thereon.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of removing the upper portion of the sleeve by tearing the upper portion of the sleeve away from the lower portion of the sleeve along the vertical and circumferential perforations.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13  wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve, the sleeve is further defined as having a bonding material thereon such that at least a portion of the bonding material on the sleeve is disposed adjacent the flower pot for securing the sleeve about the flower pot.  
     
     
         25 . A method for forming a decorative flower pot cover having a holographic image thereon, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sleeve having a first end, a second end, an outer peripheral surface and a retaining space, the sleeve comprising an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the lower portion of the sleeve is sized to closely surround and encompass a flower pot disposed therein and the upper portion extends upwardly from a flower pot disposed therein, the upper portion of the sleeve being detachable from the lower portion of the sleeve via vertical perforations and circumferential perforations, the sleeve formed of a holographic material wherein the holographic material is produced by a batch process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a printing element having a polished surface;  
 applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;  
 engraving the coated surface to provide a holographic image thereon, the holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;  
 applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image; and  
 disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material and thus removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element;  
   providing a flower pot having an open upper end, a closed lower end, an outer peripheral surface and a retaining space, the flower pot having growing medium and a floral grouping or a plant disposed in the retaining space thereof; and    disposing the flower pot within the sleeve, whereby the lower portion of the sleeve is positioned substantially adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and the upper portion of the sleeve extends upwardly from the flower pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping or plant disposed in the flower pot, the upper portion of the sleeve being detachable from the lower portion of the sleeve along the vertical and circumferential perforations such that upon detachment of the upper portion of the sleeve, the lower portion of the sleeve remains disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and forms a decorative flower pot cover having a holographic image thereon which constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative flower pot cover.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a flat plate and a platen press.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the surface of the printing element is resilient.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the surface of the printing element is non-resilient.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the coating applied to the smooth surface of the printing element is selected from the group consisting of metallic polymeric film, non-metallic polymer film, foil, metallized lacquer, non-metallized lacquer, iridescent film, ink containing metallized film glitter mixed with a lacquer, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the substrate is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminations thereof and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the substrate has a smooth surface.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 25  wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve, the sleeve is further defined as having a bonding material disposed thereon.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising the step of removing the upper portion of the sleeve by tearing the upper portion of the sleeve away from the lower portion of the sleeve along the vertical and circumferential perforations.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 25  wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve, the sleeve is further defined as having a bonding material thereon such that at least a portion of the bonding material on the sleeve is disposed adjacent the flower pot for securing the sleeve about the flower pot.  
     
     
         37 . A method for forming a decorative flower pot cover having a holographic image thereon, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sleeve having a first end, a second end, an outer peripheral surface and a retaining space, the sleeve comprising an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the lower portion of the sleeve is sized to closely surround and encompass a flower pot disposed therein and the upper portion extends upwardly from a flower pot disposed therein, the upper portion of the sleeve being detachable from the lower portion of the sleeve via vertical perforations and circumferential perforations, the sleeve formed of a holographic material wherein the holographic material is produced by a batch process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a printing element having a polished surface;  
 applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;  
 engraving the coated surface to provide an image on the coating;  
 applying a metallic constituent or component to the image to provide a holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;  
 applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image; and  
 disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material and thus removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element;  
   providing a flower pot having an open upper end, a closed lower end, an outer peripheral surface and a retaining space, the flower pot having growing medium and a floral grouping or a plant disposed in the retaining space thereof; and    disposing the flower pot within the sleeve, whereby the lower portion of the sleeve is positioned substantially adjacent the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and the upper portion of the sleeve extends upwardly from the flower pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping or plant disposed in the flower pot, the upper portion of the sleeve being detachable from the lower portion of the sleeve along the vertical and circumferential perforations such that upon detachment of the upper portion of the sleeve, the lower portion of the sleeve remains disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and forms a decorative flower pot cover having a holographic image thereon which constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative flower pot cover.    
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a flat plate and a platen press.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the surface of the printing element is resilient.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the surface of the printing element is non-resilient.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the coating applied to the smooth surface of the printing element is selected from the group consisting of metallic polymeric film, non-metallic polymer film, foil, metallized lacquer, non-metallized lacquer, iridescent film, ink containing metallized film glitter mixed with a lacquer, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the substrate is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminations thereof and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43  wherein, in the process of producing the holographic material, the substrate has a smooth surface.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 37  wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve, the sleeve is further defined as having a bonding material disposed thereon.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 37  further comprising the step of removing the upper portion of the sleeve by tearing the upper portion of the sleeve away from the lower portion of the sleeve along the vertical and circumferential perforations.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 37  wherein, in the step of providing a sleeve, the sleeve is further defined as having a bonding material thereon such that at least a portion of the bonding material on the sleeve is disposed adjacent the flower pot for securing the sleeve about the flower pot.