# US 2008/0302007 A1 · Method of covering a potted plant > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0302007 A1 - Document ID: US20080302007A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/221,654 - Filed: 2008-08-05 - Published: 2008-12-11 - Earliest claimed: 1994-03-31 - Inventors: Donald E. Weder - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080302007A1 ## CPC - B65D 85/52: for living plants; for growing bulbs - A01G 5/00: Floral handling - A47G 7/085: {made of flexible sheets of non-resilient material} - B65B 25/026: {Packaging flower pots} - B65D 65/14: with areas coated with adhesive - B65D 75/5827: {Tear-lines provided in a wall portion (B65D75/5805, B65D75/5816 take precedence)} - B65D 81/36: adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents - B65D 85/505: {for cut flowers} - B65D 2203/00: Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract The present invention describes a method of covering a flower pot with an oversized sleeve, as well as a plant package formed therefrom. The sleeve has an inner diameter which is greater than the maximum diameter of a pot disposed therein. The sleeve may have a detachable upper portion, a skirt portion with a linear or non-linear upper end, or with or without gussets in the lower end or sides. The sleeve may be secured about the pot by crimping a portion of the sleeve having a bonding material thereon, or by using a securing element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A plant package, comprising: a pot having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner retaining space and a maximum diameter, and wherein a floral grouping is disposed within the pot; a decorative preformed sleeve initially having a flattened condition and comprising a body having a tapered shape, the decorative preformed sleeve having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface, an inner diameter, and a pot containing portion, the decorative preformed sleeve having a securing element disposed on at least a portion of at least one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface thereof, and wherein a maximum inner diameter of the decorative preformed sleeve exceeds the maximum diameter of the pot by at least about 10 percent; wherein the pot is disposed within the pot containing portion of the decorative preformed sleeve whereby the upper end of the decorative preformed sleeve is positioned adjacent a lower portion of a floral grouping disposed within the pot such that the floral grouping is not enclosed by the sleeve, and wherein the decorative preformed sleeve is secured about the pot via the securing element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The plant package of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the decorative preformed sleeve is adapted to support the body of the decorative preformed sleeve from a support assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The plant package of claim 1, wherein the decorative preformed sleeve comprises a decorative skirt portion extending from the body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The plant package of claim 3, wherein the inner diameter is measured at a lower end of the decorative skirt portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The plant package of claim 1, wherein the body of the decorative preformed sleeve further comprises a gusset in a lower portion thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The plant package of claim 1, wherein the decorative preformed sleeve further comprises a side gusset in the body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The plant package of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the decorative preformed sleeve comprises a bonding material disposed thereon. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The plant package of claim 1, wherein the securing element is selected from the group consisting of ties, strings, wires, ribbons, rubber bands, collars, rings, staples, tapes, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The plant package of claim 1, wherein the securing element is applied to the decorative preformed sleeve at a position above the upper end of the pot. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The plant package of claim 1, wherein the securing element is applied to the decorative preformed sleeve at a position below the upper end of the pot. ### Claim 11 A plant package, comprising: a pot having an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner retaining space, and a maximum diameter, and wherein a floral grouping is disposed within the pot; a decorative preformed sleeve initially having a flattened condition and comprising a body having a tapered shape, the decorative preformed sleeve having an upper end, a closed, non-gusseted lower end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface, an inner diameter, and a pot containing portion, the decorative preformed sleeve having a securing element disposed on at least a portion of at least one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface thereof, and wherein a maximum inner diameter exceeds the maximum diameter of the pot by at least about 10 percent; wherein the pot is disposed within the pot containing portion of the decorative preformed sleeve whereby the upper end of the decorative preformed sleeve is positioned adjacent a lower portion of a floral grouping disposed within the pot such that the floral grouping is not enclosed by the sleeve, and wherein the decorative preformed sleeve is secured about the pot via the securing element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The plant package of claim 11, wherein an upper portion of the decorative preformed sleeve is adapted to support the body of the decorative preformed sleeve from a support assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The plant package of claim 11, wherein the decorative preformed sleeve comprises a decorative skirt portion extending from the body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The plant package of claim 11, wherein the decorative preformed sleeve further comprises a side gusset in the body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The plant package of claim 11, wherein an upper portion of the decorative preformed sleeve comprises a bonding material disposed thereon. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The plant package of claim 11, wherein the securing element is selected from the group consisting of ties, strings, wires, ribbons, rubber bands, collars, rings, staples, tapes and combinations thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The plant package of claim 11, wherein the securing element is applied to the decorative preformed sleeve at a position above the upper end of the pot. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The plant package of claim 11, wherein the securing element is applied to the decorative preformed sleeve at a position below the upper end of the pot.