Method of covering a flower pot

Abstract

A plant package produced by the method of providing a tubular sleeve having a lower portion and an upper portion detachable from the lower portion and disposing the tubular sleeve about a potted plant.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A plant package comprising a pot having a shape, an upper rim, and a lower end, and containing a floral grouping, the pot contained within a tubular sleeve, the plant package produced by the method comprising: 
 providing a tubular sleeve having a lower portion having an upper end, a sealed lower end, and having a decorative color or pattern thereon, an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface, an inner retaining space surrounded and defined by the inner peripheral surface, the upper end having an edge, the tubular sleeve initially having a flattened condition and the tubular sleeve further comprising an upper portion detachable via a detaching element, the upper portion adapted to support the tubular sleeve from a support assembly, and the lower portion comprising excess material for forming a bottom in the sealed lower end and wherein the portion of the lower portion which covers the pot has a tapered shape; and    opening the tubular sleeve to expose the inner retaining space and disposing the pot and floral grouping contained therein into the inner retaining space.    
     
     
         2 . The plant package of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the lower portion has a drainage hole therein.  
     
     
         3 . The plant package of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the lower portion has a ventilation hole therein.  
     
     
         4 . The plant package of  claim 1  wherein in the step of opening the tubular sleeve the lower portion substantially conforms to the shape of the pot when the pot is disposed within the inner retaining space.  
     
     
         5 . The plant package of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the edge of the upper end of the lower portion is non-linear.  
     
     
         6 . The plant package of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the lower portion comprises a plurality of portions which comprise a skirt portion.  
     
     
         7 . The plant package of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the detaching element comprises a line of perforations, a zipper, or a tear strip.  
     
     
         8 . The plant package of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the detaching element comprises perforations having a non-linear pattern.  
     
     
         9 . The plant package of  claim 1  wherein in the step of opening the tubular sleeve at least a portion of the detaching element is positioned near the upper rim of the pot.  
     
     
         10 . The plant package of  claim 1  wherein in the step of opening the tubular sleeve the lower portion has a base portion which substantially corresponds to the shape of the pot.  
     
     
         11 . A plant package comprising a pot having a shape, an upper rim, and a lower end, and containing a floral grouping, the pot contained within a tubular sleeve, the plant package produced by the method comprising: 
 providing a tubular sleeve having a lower portion which covers the pot, the lower portion having an upper end, a sealed lower end, and having a decorative color or pattern thereon, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface, and an inner retaining space surrounded and defined by the inner peripheral surface, the upper end having an edge, the tubular sleeve initially having a flattened condition and the tubular sleeve further comprising an upper portion detachable via a detaching element, the upper portion adapted to support the tubular sleeve from a support assembly, and the sealed lower end having a gusset therein and wherein the portion of the lower portion which covers the pot has a tapered shape; and    opening the tubular sleeve to expose the inner retaining space and disposing the pot and floral grouping contained therein into the inner retaining space.    
     
     
         12 . The plant package of  claim 11  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the lower portion has a drainage hole therein.  
     
     
         13 . The plant package of  claim 11  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the lower portion has a ventilation hole therein.  
     
     
         14 . The plant package of  claim 11  wherein in the step of opening the tubular sleeve the lower portion substantially conforms to the shape of the pot when the pot is disposed within the inner retaining space.  
     
     
         15 . The plant package of  claim 11  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the edge of the upper end of the lower portion is non-linear.  
     
     
         16 . The plant package of  claim 11  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the lower portion comprises a plurality of portions which comprise a skirt portion.  
     
     
         17 . The plant package of  claim 11  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the detaching element comprises a line of perforations, a zipper, or a tear strip.  
     
     
         18 . The plant package of  claim 11  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the detaching element comprises perforations having a non-linear pattern.  
     
     
         19 . The plant package of  claim 11  wherein in the step of opening the tubular sleeve at least a portion of the detaching element if positioned near the upper rim of the pot.  
     
     
         20 . The plant package of  claim 11  wherein in the step of opening the tubular sleeve the lower portion has a base portion which substantially corresponds to the shape of the pot.  
     
     
         21 . A plant package comprising a pot having a shape, an upper rim, and a lower end, and containing a floral grouping, the pot contained within a tubular sleeve, the plant package produced by the method comprising: 
 providing a tubular sleeve having a lower portion which covers the pot, the lower portion having an upper end, a sealed lower end, and a decorative color or pattern thereon, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface, and an inner retaining space surrounded and defined by the inner peripheral surface, the upper end having an edge, the tubular sleeve initially having a flattened condition and the tubular sleeve further comprising an upper portion detachable via a detaching element, and the sealed lower end having a horizontal seal therein and wherein the portion of the lower portion which covers the pot has a tapered shape; and    opening the tubular sleeve to expose the inner retaining space and disposing the pot and floral grouping contained therein into the inner retaining space wherein the upper portion surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping.    
     
     
         22 . The plant package of  claim 21  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the lower portion has a drainage hole therein.  
     
     
         23 . The plant package of  claim 21  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the lower portion has a ventilation hole therein.  
     
     
         24 . The plant package of  claim 21  wherein in the step of opening the tubular sleeve the lower portion substantially conforms to the shape of the pot when the pot is disposed within the inner retaining space.  
     
     
         25 . The plant package of  claim 21  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the edge of the upper end of the lower portion is non-linear.  
     
     
         26 . The plant package of  claim 21  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the lower portion comprises a plurality of portions which comprise a skirt portion.  
     
     
         27 . The plant package of  claim 21  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the detaching element comprises a line of perforations, a zipper, or a tear strip.  
     
     
         28 . The plant package of  claim 21  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the detaching element comprises perforations having a non-linear pattern.  
     
     
         29 . The plant package of  claim 21  wherein in the step of opening the tubular sleeve at least a portion of the detaching element if positioned near the upper rim of the pot.  
     
     
         30 . The plant package of  claim 21  wherein in the step of opening the tubular sleeve the lower portion has a base portion which substantially corresponds to the shape of the pot.  
     
     
         31 . A plant package comprising a pot having a shape, an upper rim, and a lower end, and containing a floral grouping, the pot contained within a tubular sleeve, the plant package produced by the method comprising: 
 providing a tubular sleeve having a lower portion which covers the pot, the lower portion having an upper end, a sealed lower end, and having a decorative or color pattern thereon, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface, and an inner retaining space surrounded and defined by the inner peripheral surface, the upper end having an edge, the tubular sleeve initially having a flattened condition and the tubular sleeve further comprising an upper portion detachable via a detaching element and wherein the portion of the lower portion which covers the pot has a tapered shape; and    opening the tubular sleeve to expose the inner retaining space and disposing the pot and floral grouping contained therein into the inner retaining space and the tubular sleeve substantially free of overlapping folds in the lower portion when the pot is disposed therein wherein the upper portion surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping.    
     
     
         32 . The plant package of  claim 31  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the lower portion has a drainage hole therein.  
     
     
         33 . The plant package of  claim 31  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the lower portion has a ventilation hole therein.  
     
     
         34 . The plant package of  claim 31  wherein in the step of opening the tubular sleeve the lower portion substantially conforms to the shape of the pot when the pot is disposed within the inner retaining space.  
     
     
         35 . The plant package of  claim 31  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the edge of the upper end of the lower portion is non-linear.  
     
     
         36 . The plant package of  claim 31  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the lower portion comprises a plurality of portions which comprise a skirt portion.  
     
     
         37 . The plant package of  claim 31  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the detaching element comprises a line of perforations, a zipper, or a tear strip.  
     
     
         38 . The plant package of  claim 31  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve the detaching element comprises perforations having a non-linear pattern.  
     
     
         39 . The plant package of  claim 31  wherein in the step of opening the tubular sleeve at least a portion of the detaching element if positioned near the upper rim of the pot.  
     
     
         40 . The plant package of  claim 31  wherein in the step of opening the tubular sleeve the lower portion has a base portion which substantially corresponds to the shape of the pot.