Thermoplastic flower pot with a thin skirt

Abstract

A flower pot cover in combination with a retaining medium for holding and retaining a floral grouping. The flower pot cover includes a base portion defining a receiving space receiving at least a portion of the retaining medium so as to hold and retain the retaining medium. The base portion is constructed of a thermoformed plastic material, the base portion has an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end. The sidewall is substantially devoid of overlapping folds and has decorative ornamentation associated with at least a portion of the sidewall.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A flower pot cover in combination with a retaining medium for holding and retaining a floral grouping, the flower pot cover comprising: 
 a base portion defining a receiving space receiving at least a portion of the retaining medium so as to hold and retain the retaining medium, the base portion being constructed of a thermoformed plastic material, the base portion having an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end, the sidewall being substantially devoid of overlapping folds and having decorative ornamentation associated with at least a portion of the sidewall.    
     
     
         2 . The flower pot cover of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion further comprises a closed bottom.  
     
     
         3 . The flower pot cover of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion further comprises an open bottom.  
     
     
         4 . The flower pot cover of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion further comprises a partially closed bottom wherein at least one open area is formed in the bottom.  
     
     
         5 . The flower pot cover of  claim 1 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes a printed pattern.  
     
     
         6 . The flower pot cover of  claim 5 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes an embossed pattern.  
     
     
         7 . The flower pot cover of  claim 5 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes an etched pattern.  
     
     
         8 . The flower pot cover of  claim 1 , wherein the decorative ornamentation is formed by a texture of a mold utilized in forming the base portion.  
     
     
         9 . The flower pot cover of  claim 5 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes an etched pattern and an embossed pattern.  
     
     
         10 . The flower pot cover of  claim 1 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes an embossed pattern.  
     
     
         11 . The flower pot cover of  claim 10 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes an etched pattern.  
     
     
         12 . The flower pot cover of  claim 1 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes an etched pattern.  
     
     
         13 . The flower pot cover of  claim 1 , wherein the decorative ornamentation is selected from a group consisting of printing, etching, embossing and texturing.  
     
     
         14 . The flower pot cover of  claim 1 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes at least two of the ornamentations selected from a group consisting of printing, etching, embossing and texturing.  
     
     
         15 . The flower pot cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a skirt extending from the sidewall of the base portion.  
     
     
         16 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         17 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         18 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         19 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         20 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         21 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         22 . The flower pot cover of  claim 2 , further comprising a skirt extending from the sidewall of the base portion.  
     
     
         23 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         24 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         25 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         26 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         27 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         28 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         29 . The flower pot cover of  claim 3 , further comprising a skirt extending from the sidewall of the base portion.  
     
     
         30 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         31 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         32 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         33 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         34 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         35 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         36 . The flower pot cover of  claim 4 , further comprising a skirt extending from the sidewall of the base portion.  
     
     
         37 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 36 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         38 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 36 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         39 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 36 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         40 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 36 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         41 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 36 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         42 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 36 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         43 . The flower pot cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve portion extending above at least a portion of the base portion.  
     
     
         44 . The flower pot cover of  claim 43 , wherein the sleeve portion has an open upper end.  
     
     
         45 . The flower pot cover of  claim 43 , wherein the sleeve portion extends about at least a portion of a floral grouping.  
     
     
         46 . The flower pot cover of  claim 43 , wherein the sleeve portion has a closed upper end.  
     
     
         47 . The flower pot cover of  claim 43 , wherein the sleeve portion is detachable from the remainder of the flower pot cover.  
     
     
         48 . The flower pot cover of  claim 43 , further comprising a skirt extending from the base portion, and wherein the sleeve portion is connected to the skirt.  
     
     
         49 . The flower pot cover of  claim 48 , wherein the sleeve portion is detachable from the skirt.  
     
     
         50 . The flower pot cover of  claim 48 , further comprising means for detaching the sleeve portion from the skirt.  
     
     
         51 . A flower pot cover in combination with a retaining medium for holding and retaining a floral grouping, comprising: 
 a base portion constructed of a material selected from a group of materials consisting of a thermoplastic material and a thermoset material, the base portion receiving at least a portion of the retaining medium to hold and retain the retaining medium, the base portion having an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end, the sidewall being flexible and shape-sustaining, the sidewall being devoid of overlapping folds and having decorative ornamentation associated with the sidewall.    
     
     
         52 . The flower pot cover of  claim 51 , wherein the flower pot cover is formed from at least one process selected from a group comprising an injection molding process, a blow molding process, an extrusion process, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         53 . The flower pot cover of  claim 51 , wherein the base portion further comprises a closed bottom.  
     
     
         54 . The flower pot cover of  claim 51 , wherein the base portion further comprises an open bottom.  
     
     
         55 . The flower pot cover of  claim 51 , wherein the base portion further comprises a partially closed bottom wherein at least one open area is formed in the bottom.  
     
     
         56 . The flower pot cover of  claim 51 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes a printed pattern.  
     
     
         57 . The flower pot cover of  claim 56 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes an embossed pattern.  
     
     
         58 . The flower pot cover of  claim 56 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes an etched pattern.  
     
     
         59 . The flower pot cover of  claim 51 , wherein the decorative ornamentation is formed by a texture of a mold utilized in forming the base portion.  
     
     
         60 . The flower pot cover of  claim 56 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes an etched pattern and an embossed pattern.  
     
     
         61 . The flower pot cover of  claim 51 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes an embossed pattern.  
     
     
         62 . The flower pot cover of  claim 61 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes an etched pattern.  
     
     
         63 . The flower pot cover of  claim 51 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes an etched pattern.  
     
     
         64 . The flower pot cover of  claim 51 , wherein the decorative ornamentation is selected from a group consisting of printing, etching, embossing and texturing.  
     
     
         65 . The flower pot cover of  claim 51 , wherein the decorative ornamentation includes at least two of the ornamentations selected from a group consisting of printing, etching, embossing and texturing.  
     
     
         66 . The flower pot cover of  claim 51 , further comprising a skirt extending from the sidewall of the base portion.  
     
     
         67 . The flower pot cover of  claim 66 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         68 . The flower pot cover of  claim 66 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         69 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 66 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         70 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 66 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         71 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 66 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         72 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 66 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         73 . The flower pot cover of  claim 53 , further comprising a skirt extending from the sidewall of the base portion.  
     
     
         74 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 73 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         75 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 73 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         76 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 73 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         77 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 73 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         78 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 73 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         79 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 73 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         80 . The flower pot cover of  claim 54 , further comprising a skirt extending from the sidewall of the base portion.  
     
     
         81 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 80 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         82 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 80 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         83 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 80 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         84 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 80 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         85 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 80 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         86 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 80 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         87 . The flower pot cover of  claim 55 , further comprising a skirt extending from the sidewall of the base portion.  
     
     
         88 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 87 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         89 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 87 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         90 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 87 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         91 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 87 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an outer surface and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         92 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 87 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt extends from at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         93 . The flower pot cover as defined in  claim 87 , wherein the sidewall of the base portion includes: 
 an inner surface, an outer surface, and a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the skirt is connected to at least a portion of the sidewall positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         94 . The flower pot cover of  claim 51 , further comprising a sleeve portion extending above at least a portion of the base portion.  
     
     
         95 . The flower pot cover of  claim 94 , wherein the sleeve portion has an open upper end.  
     
     
         96 . The flower pot cover of  claim 94 , wherein the sleeve portion extends about at least a portion of a floral grouping.  
     
     
         97 . The flower pot cover of  claim 94 , wherein the sleeve portion has a closed upper end.  
     
     
         98 . The flower pot cover of  claim 94 , wherein the sleeve portion is detachable from the remainder of the flower pot cover.  
     
     
         99 . The flower pot cover of  claim 94 , further comprising a skirt extending from the base portion, and wherein the sleeve portion is connected to the skirt.  
     
     
         100 . The flower pot cover of  claim 99 , wherein the sleeve portion is detachable from the skirt.  
     
     
         101 . The flower pot cover of  claim 99 , further comprising means for detaching the sleeve portion from the skirt.  
     
     
         102 . A flower pot cover in combination with a retaining medium for holding and retaining a floral grouping, the flower pot cover comprising: 
 a base portion having an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end, the sidewall of the base portion having an outer surface, the base portion receiving at least a portion of the retaining medium to hold and retaining the retaining medium; and    a skirt formed separately from the base portion and extending upwardly and outwardly from the outer surface of the sidewall.    
     
     
         103 . A flower pot cover in combination with a retaining medium for holding and retaining a floral grouping, the flower pot cover comprising: 
 a base portion having an upper end, a lower end, a sidewall extending between the upper end and the lower end, and a bottom, the sidewall of the base portion having an inner surface, the base portion receiving at least a portion of the retaining medium to hold and retaining the retaining medium; and    a skirt formed separately from the base portion and extending upwardly and outwardly from the inner surface of the sidewall.