Wrapping Material for Providing a Decorative Covering

The present invention relates to a wrapping material and a method for providing a decorative covering for an item wherein the wrapping material is wrapped about the outer peripheral surface of the item and moved over the outer peripheral surface of the item until at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the item is covered by the wrapping material.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a wrapping material constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a flower pot showing one end of the wrapping material of FIG. 1 connected to a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and the wrapping material extending over a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot in a starting position for wrapping the wrapping material generally about a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the flower pot of FIG. 2 with the wrapping material wrapped generally about and extending over substantially all of the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot to provide a decorative covering therefore.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a modified wrapping material constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a cover bottom.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a flower pot showing the cover bottom of FIG. 5 disposed on a lower end thereof.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the flower pot of FIG. 6 showing the cover bottom of FIGS. 5 and 6 connected thereto and showing the wrapping material of FIG. 1 or FIG. 4 wrapped about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and about a portion of the cover bottom to provide a decorative covering for the flower pot and to secure the cover bottom to the flower pot.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a skirt.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a flower pot showing the skirt of FIG. 8 disposed on an upper end portion thereof.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the flower pot of FIG. 9 showing the skirt of FIGS. 8 and 9 disposed on the upper end portion thereof and showing the wrapping material of FIGS. 1 or 4 wrapped about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and about a portion of the skirt for securing the skirt to the flower pot and for providing a decorative covering for the flower pot.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing a floral grouping and showing the wrapping material of FIGS. 1 or 4 wrapped about a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the floral grouping for providing a decorative covering for the floral grouping.

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of a item such as a box containing a gift or the gift itself and showing the wrapping material of FIGS. 1 or 4 wrapped about a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the item for providing the decorative covering for the item.

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of a modified wrapping material having a bottom extension connected to one end thereof for forming the bottom portion of the covering when the wrapping material is used to provide a decorative covering for a flower pot for example.

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of another modified wrapping material having a bottom extension formed on one end thereof similar to the wrapping material shown in FIG. 13 and having a skirt extension formed on the opposite end, the skirt extension being adapted to form the skirt of the decorative covering when the wrapping material of FIG. 14 is used to provide a decorative covering for a flower pot.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view showing a flower pot having the wrapping material of FIGS. 13 or 14 wrapped thereabout.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a flower pot showing the wrapping material of FIG. 14 wrapped about a portion thereof.

The present invention defines a wrapping material 10 shown in FIG. 1 which is adapted to provide a decorative covering for an item. The wrapping material 10 is adapted to be wrapped about a portion of the item for providing a decorative covering for the item. The wrapping material 10 is used for gift wrapping an item in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the wrapping material 10 is wrapped about a portion of the outer peripheral surface of a flower pot 12 (FIG. 2) to provide a decorative covering for the flower pot. In another embodiment, the wrapping material 10 wrapped about a portion of a floral grouping 14 (FIG. 11) to provide a decorative covering for the floral grouping 14 and to provide a means for securing the floral grouping in an assembled position.

The wrapping material 10 has an upper surface 16, a lower surface 18, a first side 20 and a second side 22. The wrapping material 10 has a width 24 which extends generally between the first and the second sides 20 and 22. The wrapping material 10 has a first end 26 and a second end 28.

In one preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, a first strip of adhesive 30 is provided on a portion of the lower surface 18 generally near the first end 26 and the first strip of adhesive 30 extends a distance generally from the first end 26 toward the second end 28. In this embodiment, a second strip of adhesive 32 is provided on a portion of the lower surface 18 generally near the second end 28 of the wrapping material 10. The second strip of adhesive 32 extends a distance generally from the second end 28 toward the first end 26 of the wrapping material 10.

The wrapping material 10 is adapted to be wrapped about a portion of the outer peripheral surface of an item to provide a decorative covering for such item. In one embodiment, the wrapping material 10 is adapted to be wrapped about a portion of the flower pot 12 for providing a decorative covering for the flower pot 12. The wrapping material 10 also is adapted to be wrapped about a portion of an outer peripheral surface formed by a plurality of items for holding the items in a group and providing a decorative covering for such grouping. In this embodiment, the wrapping material 10 is adapted to be wrapped about the floral grouping 14 for holding the floral grouping 14 in a group and for providing a decorative covering for the floral grouping 14.

In one other embodiment, the wrapping material 10 is adapted to be wrapped about at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface formed by an item such as a package 34 which may contain a gift for example. It should be noted that the package 34 also could comprise the gift per se and the wrapping material 10 could be wrapped about the gift per se in lieu of a packaging containing the gift.

The wrapping material 10 is constructed from a material selected from the group materials consisting of cellophane, paper, fabric (synthetic or natural or combinations thereof), foil, man-made organic polymer film, cling wrap, or combinations thereof.

The term "cling wrap" as used herein means any material which is capable of connecting to the sheet of material and/or itself upon contacting engagement during the wrapping process and is wrappable about an item whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engage and connect to other portions of the wrapping material for generally securing the sheet of material wrapped about at least a portion of the item. This connecting engagement is preferably temporary in that the wrapping material may be easily removed without tearing same, i.e., the cling material "clings" to the wrapping material.

However, the present invention also contemplates a wrapping material which remains securely connected to and about the wrapped item until the wrapping material is torn therefrom.

Preferably the cling wrap is constructed and treated if necessary, from polyethylene such as Cling Wrap made by Glad.RTM., First Brands Corporation, Danbury, Conn. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, depend upon the thickness of the sheet of material utilized, i.e., generally, the thicker and therefore heavier sheet of material may require a thicker and therefore stronger cling material. Generally, the cling wrap will range in thickness from less than about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mil. However, any thickness of cling wrap may be utilized in accordance with the present invention which permits the cling wrap to function as previously described.

The term "man-made organic polymer film" as used herein means a man-made resin such as a polypropylene as opposed to naturally occurring resins such as cellophane. A man-made organic polymer film is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil. The man-made organic polymer film is a substantially linearly linked processed organic polymer film and is a synthetic linear chain organic polymer where the carbon atoms are substantially linearly linked. Such films are synthetic polymers formed or synthesized from monomers. Further, a relatively substantially linearly linked processed organic polymer film is virtually waterproof which may be desirable in many applications such as wrapping a floral grouping. Additionally a relatively thin film of substantially linearly linked processed organic polymer does not substantially deteriorate in sunlight. Processed organic polymer films having carbon atoms, both linearly linked and cross linked, and some cross linked polymer films, also may be suitable for use in the present invention provided such films are substantially flexible and can be made in a sheet-like format for wrapping purposes of the present invention.

The term "floral grouping" as used herein means cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, other fresh and/or artificial plants or other floral materials and may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentation which add to the aesthetics of the overall floral grouping.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flower pot 12 has an upper end 36, a lower end 38 and an outer peripheral surface 39. An object opening (not shown) intersects the upper end 36 of the flower pot 12 and extends a distance through the flower pot 12. The object opening (not shown) is sized and adapted to receive soil or the like for permitting a plant or flower to be planted and grown therein in a manner well know in the art.

The width 24 of the wrapping material is less than a height 40 of the flower pot 30. The height 40 of the flower pot 12 extends generally between the upper and the lower ends of the flower pot 12.

In use, the lower surface 18 of the wrapping material 10 generally near the first end 26 thereof is placed generally adjacent a portion of the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12 and generally near the lower end 38 of the flower pot 12 so the first strip of adhesive 30 is disposed generally adjacent the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12. The first end 26 of the strip of material 10 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12 so the first strip of adhesive 30 adhesively connects the first end 26 of the wrapping material 10 to the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12, As shown in FIG. 2, the first end of the wrapping material 10 has been adhesively connected to the flower pot 12 and the remaining portion of the wrapping material 10 is shown in a position wherein one has started to wrap the wrapping material 10 about the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12.

The wrapping material 10 is wrapped about the circumference formed by the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot 12 in a series of wraps, as shown more clearly in FIG. 3. Each wrap is extended once about the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12 while moving each wrap a distance generally upwardly toward the upper end 36 of the flower pot 12 until the wrapping material 10 covers a substantial portion of the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 10. Each wrap of the wrapping material 10 circumferentially about the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12 overlaps a portion of the preceding wrap of the wrapping material 10 whereby the wrapping material 10 substantially covers the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot 10.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the flower pot 12 also includes a rim 42 and the wrapping material 10 is not extended about the rim 42 of the flower pot 12. If desired, the wrapping material 10 also can be extended about the rim 42. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flower pot 12 includes a bottom 44 and the wrapping material 10 is not extended about and does not cover the bottom 44 of the flower pot 12.

Shown in FIG. 4 is a modified wrapping material 10a which is constructed exactly like the wrapping material 10 shown in FIG. 1 and described in detail before, except the wrapping material 10a includes an adhesive 46 which extends substantially over the entire lower surface 18a of the wrapping material 10a. In this embodiment, the wrapping material 10a is adhesively connected to the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12 generally over the entire length of the wrapping material 10a which may be preferred in some applications.

As mentioned before, when the wrapping material 10 or 10a is used to provide a decorative cover for the flower pot 12, the wrapping material 10 or 10a does not cover the bottom 44 of the flower pot 12. Shown in FIG. 5 is a cover bottom 50 which includes a generally circularly shaped base 52 and a rim 54. The rim 54 extends a distance upwardly from the base 52 and extends a distance circumferentially about the base 52. The rim 54 and the base 52 cooperate to form a pot receiving space 56 which is shaped and adapted to receive a portion of the flower pot 12 generally adjacent the lower end 38 thereof.

In use, the lower end 38 portion of the flower pot 12 is disposed in the pot receiving space 56 of the cover bottom 50 so that the cover bottom 50 is disposed generally over the bottom 44 of the flower pot 12 and the rim 54 extends over a portion of the outer peripheral surface 39 generally adjacent the lower end 38 of the flower pot 12, as shown in FIG. 6. After the cover bottom 50 has been placed on the lower end 38 of the flower pot 12, the wrapping material 10 or 10a then is wrapped about the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12 in a manner like that described before in connection with FIGS. 1-3.

A portion of the wrapping material 10 or 10a extends over the rim 54 of the cover bottom 50 and the wrapping material 10 or 10a cooperates to secure the cover bottom 50 to the flower pot 12.

As mentioned before, the wrapping material 10 or 10a does not provide a decorative skirt extending from the upper end 36 of the flower pot 12 which may be desired in some applications. Shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 is a cover skirt 58. The cover skirt 58 has a generally circularly shaped opening 60 formed through a central portion thereof and the cover skirt 58 extends generally outwardly and upwardly from the opening 60. A skirt rim 62 is formed on the cover skirt 58 and the skirt rim 62 extends circumferentially about the opening 60. The skirt rim 62 extends a distance generally downwardly from the opening 60 and the cover skirt 58.

In use, the cover skirt 58 is disposed generally above the flower pot 12 and positioned over the flower pot 12 in a position wherein the upper end 36 portion of the flower pot 12 extends through the opening 60 and the cover skirt 58. In this position of the cover skirt 58, the skirt rim 62 extends circumferentially about and over a portion of the outer peripheral surface 39 generally near the upper end 36 of the flower pot 12. After positioning the cover skirt 58 in this position, the wrapping material 10 or 10a then is wrapped about the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12 in the manner described before in connection with FIGS. 1-7. A portion of the wrapping material 10 or 10a extends over the skirt rim 62 and the wrapping material 10 or 10a thus cooperates to secure the cover skirt 58 to the flower pot 12. In the assembled position, the cover skirt 58 extends outwardly and upwardly from the upper end 36 of the flower pot 12 to provide a decorative skirt portion.

Although the cover skirt 58 is shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 to have a generally circularly shaped upper, the skirt could be formed with various shapes such as scalloped edges or a four cornered skirt also could be formed. In this embodiment, the user has the option of using various skirts of different shapes and having different colors or patterns formed thereon together with various colors or patterns formed on different wrapping materials 10 or 10a to provide various different aesthetic affects. It also should be noted that the cover skirt 58 and the cover bottom 50 both could be used along with the wrapping material 10 or 10a to form the decorative covering in accordance with present invention.

Shown in FIG. 11 is the floral grouping 14 having an upper end with the flower blooms and a lower end. The upper end more particularly is the flower or bloom end of the flower grouping 14.

In this embodiment, the wrapping material 10 or 10a is wrapped about the floral grouping 14 generally adjacent the lower end thereof and extending a distance toward the upper end thereof to provide a decorative covering and to secure the floral grouping in an assembled or connected positioned. The wrapping material 10 or 10a is wrapped about the outer peripheral surface of the floral grouping 14 in the manner like that described before with respect to the flower pot 12.

Shown in FIG. 12 is the package 34 having an outer peripheral surface 68. In this embodiment, the wrapping material 10 or 10a is wrapped about the outer peripheral surface 68 of the package 34 to cover a substantial portion of the outer peripheral surface 68 and provide a decorative covering for the package 34. The wrapping material 10 or 10a is wrapped about the outer peripheral surface 68 in a manner like that described before with respect to the flower pot 12.

Shown in FIG. 13 is a modified wrapping material 10b which is constructed exactly like the wrapping material 10a except the wrapping material 10b includes a bottom extension 70 formed on the second side 22b of the wrapping material 10b. The extension extends a distance outwardly from the second side 22b generally near the first end 26b and extending a distance generally toward the second end 28b.

In use, the bottom extension initially is disposed over the bottom 44 of the flower pot 12 and the remaining portion of the wrapping material 10b is then wrapped about the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12 in a manner like that described before with respect to the wrapping materials 10a or 10b and the flower pot 12 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7, 9 and 10. When the bottom extension 70 is disposed over the bottom 44 of the flower pot 12, a portion of the bottom extension 70 extends over a portion of the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12 generally near the lower end 38 thereof and a portion of the wrapping material 10b then is wrapped about the portion of the bottom extension 70 which extends over a portion of the outer peripheral surface 39 to secure the bottom extensions 70 in an assembled position secured over the bottom 44 of the flower pot 12, as shown in FIG. 15.

Shown in FIG. 14 is another modified wrapping material 10c which is constructed exactly like the wrapping material 10b shown in FIG. 13, except the wrapping material 10c also includes a skirt extension 74. The skirt extension 74 is formed on the second side 22c of the wrapping material 10c and extends a distance outwardly from the second side 22c. The skirt extension 74 extends generally from the second end 28c of the wrapping material 10c a distance generally toward the first end 26c.

In use, the bottom extension 70 is disposed about and secured generally to the bottom 44 of the flower pot 12 in a manner described before in connection with FIGS. 13 and 15 and the wrapping material 10c is then wrapped about the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12. As the wrapping material 10c is wrapped about the outer peripheral surface 39 of the flower pot 12, the last wrap wraps the skirt extension 72 generally about the upper end 36 of the flower pot 12. In this connected position, as shown in FIG. 16, the skirt extension 16 extends generally circumferentially about the upper end 36 of the flower pot 12 and extends generally upwardly and outwardly from the upper end 36 of the flower pot 12.

Changes may be made in the construction of the various components, parts, elements or materials of the various wrapping materials described herein and changes may be made in the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.