Floral sleeve having a shrinkable element

Patent 6571510 Issued on June 3, 2003. Estimated Expiration Date:

July 2, 2022. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

524219

732889

950785

1044260

1063154

1446563

1520647

1525015

1610652

1697751

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Inventor

Weder, Donald E.

Application

No. 189363 filed on 07/02/2002

US Classes:

47/72Jardiniere (e.g., decorative wrapper)

Examiners

Primary: Poon, Peter M.
Assistant: Gellner, Jeffrey L.

Foreign Patent References

4231978 AU. 06/22/1979
654427 BE. 01/22/1965
560532 CH. 04/22/1975
15550 DE. 06/22/2013
345464 DE. 12/22/2013
513971 DE. 11/22/2013
1166692 DE. 03/22/1964
1962947 DE. 06/22/1971
2060812 DE. 11/22/1971
2748626 DE. 05/22/1979
3445799 DE. 06/22/1986
3829281 DE. 05/22/1989
3911847 DE. 10/22/1990
0050990 EP. 05/22/1982
0585579 EP. 03/22/1994
0791543 EP. 08/22/1997
1376047 FR. 09/22/1964
2036163 FR. 12/22/1970
2137325 FR. 12/22/1972
2272914 FR. 12/22/1975
2489126 FR. 03/22/1982
2567068 FR. 07/22/1984
2610604 FR. 08/22/1988
2603159 FR. 03/22/1989
2619698 FR. 03/22/1989
5605 GB. 05/22/1885
1204647 GB. 09/22/1970
2056410 GB. 03/22/1981
2074542 GB. 11/22/1981
2128083 GB. 04/22/1984
2203127 GB. 10/22/1988
2212136 GB. 07/22/1989
2252708 GB. 08/22/1992
224507 IT. 04/22/1996
542958 JP. 02/22/1993
6127555 JP. 05/22/1994
8-19334 JP. 01/22/1996
8301709 NL. 12/22/1984
1000658 NL. 01/22/1996
9315979 WO. 08/22/1993
9712819 WO. 04/22/1997

International Class

A47G 007/08

Abstract

A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a base portion and skirt portion. The sleeve comprises a shrinkable element constructed of a material shrinkable by heating or other means, wherein when the shrinkable element is caused to shrink, a constricted area is formed in the sleeve to help secure the sleeve in a position about a pot, floral grouping, or growing medium disposed therein. The sleeve may have an upper portion which can surround and protect a plant disposed in a pot and which can be detached once the protective function of the upper portion has been completed, thereby allowing the skirt portion to extend from the base portion. The sleeve may have a plurality of expansion elements in the base portion, or may lack such expansion elements.

Other References

Speed Cover Brochure, "The Simple Solution For Those Peak Volume Periods", Highland Supply Corporation, .COPYRGT. 1989
"Speed Sheets and Speed Rolls" Brochure, Highland Supply Corporation, .COPYRGT. 1990
"Color Them Happy with Highlander Products" .COPYRGT. 1992
"Costa Keeps the Christmas Spirit", Supermarket Floral, Sep. 15, 1992
"Super Seller", Supermarket Floral, Sep. 15, 1992
"Halloween", Link Magazine, Sep. 1992
"Now More Than Ever", Supermarket Floral, Sep. 15, 1992
Le Plant Sac Advertisement, published prior to Sep. 26, 1987
"A World of Cut Flower and Pot Plant Packaging" Brochure, Klerk's Plastic Products Manufacturing, Inc., published prior to Mar. 31, 1994, 6 pages
Chantler & Chantler brochure showing Zipper Sleeve™ and Florasheet.RTM., published prior to Mar. 31, 1994, 2 pages
"Stand Alone Plastic Bagmaking" brochure, AMI, Atlanta, GA, Feb. 15, 1996, 2 pages
"Foil Jackets" brochure, Custom Medallion, Inc., Dec., 1996, 2 pages
"Derwent Abstract" of FR 2610604A. It is noted that the abstract is an incorrect English translation of the contents of the French patent. The French patent does not enable or disclose adhesively attaching the covering to the container. 1988
"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, 199