Method of wrapping a pot with a conformable sleeve

Abstract

A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants or comestibles. The sleeve has a closed curved bottom. The sleeve may also have an expansion element such as a gusset, pleats, random folds or elastic material for enabling the lower portion of the sleeve to conform to the shape of the pot, thereby providing a decorative cover about the pot. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of wrapping a potted plant comprising a pot having an outer peripheral surface and a bottom, and having a floral grouping, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sleeve having a flattened state and comprising: 
 a convexly curved lower end, a tapered side wall, and a gusset portion in the convexly curved lower end; and  
   providing the potted plant and opening the sleeve and disposing the sleeve about the potted plant.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve further comprises an upper portion which is sized and dimensioned to substantially enclose the floral grouping disposed within the pot.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion of the sleeve is detachable from the sleeve via a detaching element in the sleeve.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gusset portion of the sleeve has a straight inner fold.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gusset portion of the sleeve has a curved inner fold.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of treated or untreated paper, metal foil, polymeric film, non-polymeric film, cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A method of wrapping a potted plant comprising a pot having an outer peripheral surface and a bottom, and a floral grouping, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sleeve having a flattened state and comprising a side wall, a convexly curved lower end, a gusset portion in the lower end, and an upper portion detachable via a detaching element in the sleeve; and    opening the sleeve and disposing the sleeve about the potted plant.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the upper portion of the sleeve is sized and dimensioned to substantially enclose the floral grouping disposed within the pot.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the gusset portion of the sleeve has a straight inner fold.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the gusset portion of the sleeve has a curved inner fold.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of treated or untreated paper, metal foil, polymeric film, non-polymeric film, cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof.