Method of wrapping a flower pot with a cover having an expandable portion

Abstract

A plant packaging method providing a tubular sleeve and attaching the sleeve to a potted plant via a bonding material which may be disposed on the tubular sleeve, or on the pot of the potted plant, and a plant package produced by the method.

1 . A method of wrapping an item, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cover having an upper end, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface and an interior space defined by the inner peripheral surface, the cover further comprising at least one expansion element in at least a portion of a sidewall of a base portion thereof;    providing an item;    disposing the item in the interior space of the cover; and    forming a crimped portion in a portion of the cover.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing an item, the item is selected from the group consisting of a floral grouping, a botanical item, a propagule, a pot, a potted plant, growing medium, retaining medium, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a cover, the cover is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a cover, the cover is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mil.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a cover, the cover is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 1 mil to about 5 mil.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a cover, the cover is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of treated or untreated paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, cling material, and laminations or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the cover is further defined as comprising a portion for serving as a handle or support element.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a cover, the cover further comprises an upper detachable portion.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the upper portion is detachable via a detaching element.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the cover has a bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof for forming a connected portion within the crimped portion.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the cover has a bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof for connecting a portion of the cover to the item.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the at least one expansion element in the base portion thereof comprises vertical folds having a pleated structure, a z-shape in cross-section, or an accordion-type structure.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the cover further comprises a skirt portion extending from the base portion.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the cover has a closed bottom.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the cover has at least one ventilation or drainage hole therein.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a decorative cover, at least a portion of the cover is provided with designs or decorative patterns thereon.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a decorative cover, at least a portion of the cover is provided with at least one of a coloring, a coating, flocking, a metallic finish, other decorative surface ornamentation and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of disposing the item in the interior space of the cover is further defined as disposing the item in the interior space of the cover wherein a portion of the at least one expansion element in the sidewall of the base portion expands to conform to the item.  
     
     
         19 . A method of wrapping an item, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cover comprising: 
 a base portion having an upper end, a lower end, a sidewall and an interior space, the base portion further comprising at least one expansion element in at least a portion of the sidewall thereof; and  
 an upper portion extending from the base portion;  
   providing an item;    disposing the item in the interior space of the base of the cover; and    forming a crimped portion in a portion of the cover.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing an item, the item is selected from the group consisting of a floral grouping, a botanical item, a propagule, a pot, a potted plant, growing medium, retaining medium, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing a cover, the cover is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing a cover, the cover is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mil.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing a cover, the cover is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 1 mil to about 5 mil.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing a cover, the cover is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of treated or untreated paper, cellophane, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, cling material, and laminations or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the cover is further defined as comprising a portion for serving as a handle or support element.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing a cover, the upper portion is detachable from the base portion via a detaching element.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the cover has a bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof for forming a connected portion within the crimped portion.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the cover has a bonding material disposed upon a portion thereof for connecting a portion of the cover to the item.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the at least one expansion element in the base portion thereof comprises vertical folds having a pleated structure, a z-shape in cross-section, or an accordion-type structure.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the cover further comprises a skirt portion extending from the base portion.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing the cover, the cover has a closed bottom.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the cover has at least one ventilation or drainage hole therein.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing a decorative cover, at least a portion of the cover is provided with designs or decorative patterns thereon.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, in the step of providing a decorative cover, at least a portion of the cover is provided with at least one of a coloring, a coating, flocking, a metallic finish, other decorative surface ornamentation and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of disposing the item in the interior space of the cover is further defined as disposing the item in the interior space of the cover wherein a portion of the at least one expansion element in the sidewall of the base portion expands to conform to the item.