Decorative sleeve cover having a matte or textured finish on a surface thereof

Abstract

A flexible sleeve disposable about at least a portion of a flower pot or floral grouping is formed of a flexible polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified to provide a textured or matte finish to the flexible sleeve. The flexible sleeve may also be provided with perforations at preselected areas for removing an upper portion of the flexible sleeve from a lower portion thereof. Methods for wrapping a floral grouping or packaging a plant using the flexible sleeve are also described.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for packaging a plant comprising the steps of: 
 providing a flower pot containing a floral grouping;    providing a flexible sleeve having an upper end, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface and an inner retaining space for receiving the flower pot containing the floral grouping, the flexible sleeve having a matte or textured finish disposed on at least a portion of one surface thereof, the flexible sleeve formed of a polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified to provide the polymeric material with a matte or textured finish, the flexible sleeve having perforations at preselected areas and a bonding material disposed thereon, the flexible sleeve being positionable about the flower pot such that a lower portion of the flexible sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the flower pot and an upper portion of the flexible sleeve extends upwardly from the flower pot, the upper portion of the flexible sleeve being removable from the lower portion of the flexible sleeve along the perforations; and    disposing the flower pot within the flexible sleeve such that the lower portion of the flexible sleeve is positioned adjacent the flower pot and at least a portion of the lower portion of the flexible sleeve is bondingly connected to the flower pot via the bonding material whereby the upper portion of the flexible sleeve extends upwardly from the flower pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping within the flower pot so that when the upper portion of the flexible sleeve is detached from the lower portion of the flexible sleeve along the perforations, the lower portion of the flexible sleeve remains disposed about the flower pot and forms a decorative cover which substantially surrounds and encompasses the flower pot, the decorative cover having a matte or textured finish on at least a portion of one surface thereof.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve, the lower end of the flexible sleeve is closed.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve, the perforations are vertical perforations and circumferential perforations.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve, the polymeric material is an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in a range of between about 0.1 mil and about 30 mil.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flexible sleeve further comprises two or more layers of polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface of one of the layers of polymeric material is modified to provide such layer of polymeric material with a matte or textured finish.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the flexible sleeve, the flexible sleeve is further provided with a printed pattern disposed on at least a portion of one of the outer and inner peripheral surfaces thereof which provides the sleeve with a matte or textured finish.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the printed pattern is provided by application of a matted ink to at least a portion of one of the outer and inner peripheral surfaces of the flexible sleeve.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the flexible sleeve is further provided with an embossed pattern disposed on at least a portion of one of the outer and inner peripheral surfaces thereof which cooperates with the printed pattern to provide the matte or textured finish.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein at least a portion of the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are in registry.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein at least a portion of the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are out of registry.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve, the flexible sleeve is further provided with an embossed pattern disposed on at least a portion of one of the outer and inner peripheral surfaces thereof which provides the flexible sleeve with a matte or textured finish.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the additional step of removing the upper portion of the flexible sleeve by tearing the upper portion away from the lower portion along the perforations.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve, at least a portion of one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion of the flexible sleeve is modified to provide a matte or textured finish thereto.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve, at least a portion of one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion of the flexible sleeve is modified to provide a matte or textured finish thereto.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve, at least a portion of one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion of the flexible sleeve and at least a portion of one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion of the flexible sleeve are modified to provide a matte or textured finish.  
     
     
         16 . A sleeve for containing a flower pot having an upper end and an outer peripheral surface and having a floral grouping disposed therein, the sleeve having a closed lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space, the sleeve comprising: 
 a base portion having at least one of an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface thereof modified to provide such surface with a matte or textured finish, the base portion being tapered, sized and dimensioned so that the inner peripheral surface of the base portion of the sleeve substantially surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot when the flower pot is disposed in the sleeve;    a skirt portion attached to and extending from the base portion and extending beyond the upper end of the flower pot and adjacent to at least a portion of the floral grouping disposed in the flower pot when the flower pot is disposed within the sleeve;    an upper portion connected to the skirt portion and sized to substantially surround and encompass the floral grouping and extend a distance therefrom when the flower pot is disposed in the sleeve, the upper portion detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations whereby, upon detachment of the skirt portion from the upper portion, the skirt portion is provided with an angular upper edge positioned adjacent a portion of the floral grouping and the base portion remains in a position surrounding the flower pot; and    wherein the sleeve is formed of a polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified to provide at least a portion of one surface of at least one of the base portion, the skirt portion and the upper portion of the sleeve formed therefrom with a matte or textured finish.    
     
     
         17 . The sleeve of  claim 16  wherein at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the base portion of the sleeve is provided with a matte or textured finish, and wherein at least a portion of one of an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion of the sleeve is provided with a matte or textured finish.  
     
     
         18 . The sleeve of  claim 16  wherein at least a portion of one of an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface of the upper portion of the sleeve is provided with a matte or textured finish.  
     
     
         19 . The sleeve of  claim 16  wherein the polymeric material is provided with a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil and wherein the matte or textured finish is provided by a printed pattern and an embossed pattern disposed on at least a portion of one surface of the polymeric material.  
     
     
         20 . The sleeve of  claim 19  wherein the printed and embossed patterns provided on the polymeric material are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         21 . The sleeve of  claim 19  wherein the printed and embossed patterns provided on the polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         22 . The sleeve of  claim 19  wherein a portion of the printed and embossed patterns provided on the polymeric material are in registry with one another and wherein a portion of the printed and embossed patterns provided on the polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         23 . The sleeve of  claim 16  wherein the matte or textured finish provided on at least one surface of the polymeric material is produced by printing, embossing, or printing and embossing the polymeric material.  
     
     
         24 . The sleeve of  claim 23  wherein the matte or textured finish provided on at least one surface of the polymeric material is produced by applying a matted ink to at least a portion of one surface of the polymeric material.  
     
     
         25 . The sleeve of  claim 16  wherein the closed lower end of the sleeve contains a gusset.  
     
     
         26 . The sleeve of  claim 16  wherein the polymeric material is an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil.  
     
     
         27 . A plant package, comprising: 
 a flower pot having an upper end and an outer peripheral surface and having a floral grouping disposed therein;    a sleeve formed of a polymeric material, the sleeve having a closed lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space in which the flower pot is disposed, at least a portion of one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve being modified to provide the sleeve with a matte or textured finish, and wherein the sleeve further comprises: 
 a base portion having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface, the base portion being tapered, sized and dimensioned so that the inner peripheral surface thereof substantially surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot;  
 a skirt portion attached to and extending from the base portion and extending beyond the upper end of the flower pot;  
 an upper portion connected to the skirt portion and substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping disposed in the flower pot, the upper portion being detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations; and  
 whereby, upon detachment of the upper portion of the sleeve from the skirt portion of the sleeve, the skirt portion of the sleeve is positioned adjacent a lower portion of the floral grouping and the base portion of the sleeve remains in a position surrounding the flower pot.  
   
     
     
         28 . The plant package of  claim 27  wherein at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the base portion of the sleeve is provided with a matte or textured finish, and wherein at least a portion of one of an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion of the sleeve is provided with a matte or textured finish.  
     
     
         29 . The plant package of  claim 27  wherein at least a portion of one surface of the upper portion of the sleeve is provided with a matte or textured finish.  
     
     
         30 . The plant package of  claim 27  wherein the base portion and the skirt portion of the sleeve are constructed from the polymeric material and the upper portion of the sleeve is constructed from a second material.  
     
     
         31 . The plant package of  claim 27  wherein the polymeric material is an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil.  
     
     
         32 . The plant package of  claim 27  wherein the matte or textured finish is provided by application of a matted ink.  
     
     
         33 . The plant package of  claim 27  wherein the closed lower end of the sleeve has a gusset formed therein.  
     
     
         34 . A method for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot, the decorative cover having a matte or textured finish on at least a portion of one surface thereof, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sleeve formed of a polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified to provide the sleeve formed therefrom with a matte or textured finish, the sleeve having an upper end, a closed lower end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface and an inner retaining space;    providing a flower pot having an upper end and an outer peripheral surface; and    disposing the flower pot in the inner retaining space of the sleeve whereby the sleeve substantially surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and provides the decorative cover having a matte or textured finish on at least a portion of one surface thereof for the flower pot.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve, the polymeric material is an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34  wherein, in the step of providing the sleeve, the matte or textured finish is provided by at least one of printing a pattern on at least a portion of one surface of the polymeric material, embossing a pattern on at least a portion of one surface of the polymeric material, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the matte or textured finish is provided by printing a pattern with a matted ink on at least a portion of one surface of the polymeric material.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the matte or textured finish is provided by a printed pattern and an embossed pattern disposed on at least a portion of one surface of the polymeric material.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the printed and embossed patterns are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the printed and embossed patterns are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38  wherein at least a portion of the printed pattern is in registry with the embossed pattern, and at least a portion of the printed pattern is out of registry with the embossed pattern.  
     
     
         42 . A decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot, the decorative sleeve having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified to provide the decorative sleeve with a matte or textured finish, the decorative sleeve comprising: 
 a sheet of flexible polymeric material having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces of the polymeric material is embossed, printed, or embossed and printed to provide such surface with a matte or textured finish; and    wherein the sheet of flexible polymeric material is formed into a decorative sleeve having an upper end, a closed lower end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface and an inner retaining space into which a flower pot may be disposed such that when a flower pot is disposed in the inner retaining space of the sleeve, the sleeve substantially surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and provides a decorative cover having a matte or textured finish on at least a portion of one surface thereof for the flower pot.    
     
     
         43 . A decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot, the decorative sleeve formed of a flexible laminated polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified to provide a matte or textured finish, the flexible laminated polymeric material from which the decorative sleeve is formed comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface and a lower surface;    a substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film, the substantially water impervious polymeric film having an upper surface and a lower surface;    wherein at least a portion of at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of one of the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film is modified to provide a surface of the flexible laminated polymeric material with a matte or textured finish; and    wherein the flexible laminated polymeric material is formed into a decorative sleeve having an upper end, a closed lower end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface and an inner retaining space into which a flower pot may be disposed such that when a flower pot is disposed in the inner retaining space of the sleeve, the sleeve substantially surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and provides a decorative cover having a matte or textured finish on at least a portion of one surface thereof for the flower pot.    
     
     
         44 . The decorative sleeve of  claim 43  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.