Methods for forming a preformed flower pot cover having a finish simulating the appearance of cloth

Abstract

Flexible polymeric materials having a cloth-like appearance suitable for use in the formation of flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials are disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A decorative preformed flower pot cover having a textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth disposed on or visible through at least a portion thereof, the decorative preformed flower pot cover comprising: 
 a base having a lower end, an open upper end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space, the base of the decorative preformed flower pot cover having a plurality of overlapping folds of which at least a portion are permanently connected so that the decorative preformed flower pot cover may be substantially flattened and then unflattened to assume the original shape of the decorative preformed flower pot cover;    a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end of the base; and    wherein the decorative preformed flower pot cover is formed from a sheet of polymeric material having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein at least a portion of one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the sheet of polymeric material is modified to provide such surface with a textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth, whereby at least a portion of one surface of at least one of the base and decorative border of the decorative preformed flower pot cover is provided with a textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth.    
     
     
         2 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 1  wherein the sheet of polymeric material is an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mil.  
     
     
         3 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet of polymeric material is printed, embossed, lacquered, textured or combinations thereof to provide the textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth.  
     
     
         4 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 3  wherein the textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth is provided by printing and embossing, and the printed and embossed patterns are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         5 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 3  wherein the textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth is provided by printing and embossing, and the printed and embossed patterns are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         6 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 3  wherein the textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth is provided by printing with a matted ink or lacquering with a matted lacquer.  
     
     
         7 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 3  wherein the textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth is provided by printing with a foamable ink or lacquering with a foamable lacquer.  
     
     
         8 . A decorative preformed flower pot cover having a textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth disposed on or visible through at least a portion thereof, the decorative preformed flower pot cover comprising: 
 a base having a lower end, an open upper end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space, the base of the decorative preformed flower pot cover having a plurality of overlapping folds of which at least a portion are permanently connected so that the decorative preformed flower pot cover may be substantially flattened and then unflattened to assume the original shape of the decorative preformed flower pot cover;    a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end of the base; and    wherein the decorative preformed flower pot cover is formed of a laminated polymeric material having an upper surface and a lower surface, the laminated polymeric material comprising: 
 a polymeric film having an upper surface and a lower surface; and  
 a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein the lower surface of the sheet of material is laminated to the upper surface of the polymeric film; and  
 wherein at least a portion of one of the upper surface of the polymeric film and the lower surface of the sheet of material is modified to provide a textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth so that the textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth is visible through at least a portion of one surface of the laminated polymeric material formed therefrom, whereby the textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth is visible through at least a portion of one surface of one of the base and decorative border of the decorative preformed flower pot cover.  
   
     
     
         9 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 8  wherein the polymeric film and the sheet of material are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         10 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 8  wherein at least a portion of one of the upper surface of the polymeric film and the lower surface of the sheet of material is printed, embossed, lacquered, textured or combinations thereof to provide the textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth.  
     
     
         11 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 10  wherein the textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth is provided by printing and embossing, and the printed and embossed patterns are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         12 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 10  wherein the textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth is provided by printing and embossing, and the printed and embossed patterns are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         13 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 10  wherein the textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth is provided by printing with a matted ink or lacquering with a matted lacquer.  
     
     
         14 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 10  wherein the textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth is provided by printing with a foamable ink or lacquering with a foamable lacquer.  
     
     
         15 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 8  wherein the polymeric film is an expanded core polymeric film and the sheet of material laminated to the polymeric film is a substantially water impervious polymeric film.