Method of containing a pot or floral grouping in a sleeve having expandable ...

(54) METHOD OF CONTAINING A POT OR

FLORAL GROUPING IN A SLEEVE HAVING
EXPANDABLE SIDEWALLS

(75) Inventor: Donald E. Weder, Highland, IL (US)

(73) Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

(21) Appl. No.: 10/090,009

(22) Filed: Feb. 27, 2002

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2002/0129550 Al Sep. 19, 2002

Related U.S. Application Data

(63)

Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/899,416, filed on Jul. 5, 2001, now Pat. No. 6,401,388, which is a continuation of application No. 09/632,257, filed on Aug. 3, 2000, now Pat. No. 6,279,264, which is a continuation of application No. 09/360,865, filed on Jul. 23, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,125,578, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 09/146,162, filed on Sep. 2, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,105,310, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 09/064, 460, filed on Apr. 22, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,151,830, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 08/788,616, filed on Jan. 27, 1997, now Pat. No. 5,749,171, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 08/237,078, filed on May 3, 1994, now Pat. No. 5,625,979.

(51) Int. CI.7 A01G9/02

(52) U.S. CI 47/72

(58) Field of Search 47/72

(56) References Cited

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(List continued on next page.)

Primary Examiner—Charles T. Jordan

Assistant Examiner—Francis T. Palo

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Dunlap, Codding, &

Rogers, PC.

(57) ABSTRACT

A floral sleeve sized to fit about a flower pot or floral grouping. The sleeve has a base with side gussets and optionally bottom gussets for allowing expansion from a flattened position to an opened position. The sleeve may comprise a detachable upper portion, and a skirt portion. The sleeve is preferably secured about a pot or floral grouping via a banding element.

29 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets

Page 2

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"Silver Linings" Brochure, Affinity Diversified Industries, Inc., 1986. The Silver Linings brochure shows a floral sleeve with a closed bottom. The brochure shows, in one embodiment, a vase with flowers inside a "cut flower" sleeve with the sleeve tied with a ribbon about the neck of the vase.

"Special Occasion Printed Highlophane Bags" Brochure, Highland Supply Corporation, 1990, 2 pages.

"Creative Packaging" Brochure, John Henry Company, Sep. 1992.

"Make Highlander Your Headquarters" Brochure, Highland Supply Corporation, 1991.

* cited by examiner