Article packaging system

Abstract

The present invention is a modular system for packaging articles for shipment. In particular, a potted plant is sorted according to a grade, placed in a decorative cover, then automatically deposited into a protective sleeve. The potted plant thus packaged is ready for containment within a shipping carton. Various components of the system may be adapted for various packaging needs and circumstances.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of packaging an article comprising the steps of: 
 providing an article having an exterior surface;    applying a cover about the exterior surface of the article to form a covered article;    providing an automatic sleeving means for automatically applying a sleeve to the covered article;    conveying the article to the automatic sleeving means; and    automatically applying a sleeve about the covered article to form a sleeved covered article.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing an article, the article further comprises a potted plant.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  comprising after the step of providing the article the additional step of sorting the article into one of at least two grades in accordance with a predetermined grading criterion.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of sorting the article occurs before the step of applying the cover.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of sorting the article occurs after the step of applying the cover.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of sorting the article comprises using automatic sorting means to sort the article.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of applying the cover about the article is preceded by conveying the article via an article conveying means to a cover applying station wherein the cover is applied about the article.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cover is a preformed cover having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an interior space adjacent and surrounded by the interior surface.  
     
     
         9 .The method of  claim 8  wherein in the step of applying the cover to the article, the article is automatically deposited into the interior space of the cover.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein in the step of applying the cover to the article, the article is manually deposited into the interior space of the cover.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein in the step of applying the cover, the cover is a preformed cover provided by automatic cover supplying means which retrieves the cover from a set of preformed covers and places the cover in an article application position.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of applying a cover is preceded by the step of providing a cover which has been formed by a mold type cover forming means, wherein after the cover is formed, the cover is placed in an article application position for application to the article.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of applying the cover to the article, the cover is applied about the exterior surface of the article by an appressing cover forming means which appresses a sheet of material about the external surface of the article to form the cover.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the cover forming means comprises a plurality of pivoting members which act together to appress the sheet of material about the external surface of the article.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of applying a cover further comprises bonding the cover to the exterior surface of the article.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of applying a cover further comprises bonding the cover to the exterior surface of the article.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of conveying the article further comprises conveying the article on automatic conveying means.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the automatic conveying means further comprises a conveyor belt.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the automatic sleeving means comprises means for automatically opening the sleeve to provide an open sleeve for receiving the covered article.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of automatically applying a sleeve further comprises automatically depositing the covered article into the open sleeve.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the covered article is automatically deposited into the open sleeve by passing the covered article through a guiding means.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of automatically applying a sleeve comprises wrapping a sheet of sleeving material about the covered article to form a sleeved covered article.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the additional step of sealing an upper portion of the sleeve of the sleeved covered article.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the step of sealing further comprises using an automatic sealing device.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the step of sealing further comprises heat sealing.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the step of sealing further comprises sonic sealing.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the step of sealing further comprises vibratory sealing.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the step of sealing further comprises pressure-sensitive sealing.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the additional step of providing a transfer means for engaging the sleeved covered article for conveying the sleeved covered article to a boxing station.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic pushing means.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic gripping means.  
     
     
         32 . A method of packaging a potted plant comprising the steps of: 
 providing a potted plant having an exterior surface;    applying a cover about the exterior surface of the potted plant to form a covered potted plant;    providing an automatic sleeving means for automatically applying a sleeve to the covered potted plant;    conveying the potted plant to the automatic sleeving means; and    automatically applying a sleeve about the covered potted plant to form a sleeved covered potted plant.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein in the step of providing a potted plant, the potted plant further comprises a living potted plant.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  comprising after the step of providing the potted plant the additional step of sorting the potted plant into one of at least two grades in accordance with a predetermined grading criterion.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant occurs before the step of applying the cover.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant occurs after the step of applying the cover.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant comprises using automatic sorting means to sort the potted plant.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the step of applying the cover about the potted plant is preceded by conveying the potted plant via a conveying means to a cover applying station wherein the cover is applied about the potted plant.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the cover is a preformed cover having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an interior space adjacent and surrounded by the interior surface.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein in the step of applying the cover to the potted plant, the potted plant is automatically deposited into the interior space of the cover.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39  wherein in the step of applying the cover to the potted plant, the potted plant is manually deposited into the interior space of the cover.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39  wherein in the step of applying the cover, the cover is a preformed cover provided by automatic cover supplying means which retrieves the cover from a set of preformed covers and places the cover in an application position.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the step of applying a cover is preceded by the step of providing a cover which has been formed by a mold type cover forming means, wherein after the cover is formed, the cover is placed in an application position for application to the potted plant.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 32  wherein in the step of applying the cover to the potted plant, the cover is applied about the exterior surface of the potted plant by an appressing cover forming means which appresses a sheet of material about the external surface of the potted plant to form the cover.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the cover forming means comprises a plurality of pivoting members which act together to appress the sheet of material about the external surface of the potted plant.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the step of applying a cover further comprises bonding the cover to the exterior surface of the potted plant.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the step of applying a cover further comprises bonding the cover to the exterior surface of the potted plant.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the step of conveying the potted plant further comprises conveying the potted plant on automatic conveying means.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the automatic conveying means further comprises a conveyor belt.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the automatic sleeving means comprises means for automatically opening the sleeve to provide an open sleeve for receiving the covered potted plant.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the step of automatically applying a sleeve further comprises automatically depositing the covered potted plant into the open sleeve.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the covered potted plant is automatically deposited into the open sleeve by passing the covered potted plant through a guiding means.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the step of automatically applying a sleeve comprises wrapping a sheet of sleeving material about the covered potted plant to form a sleeved covered potted plant.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 32  comprising the additional step of sealing an upper portion of the sleeve of the sleeved covered potted plant.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54  wherein the step of sealing further comprises using an automatic sealing device.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 54  wherein the step of sealing further comprises heat sealing.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 54  wherein the step of sealing further comprises sonic sealing.  
     
     
         58 .The method of  claim 54  wherein the step of sealing further comprises vibratory sealing.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the step of sealing further comprises pressure-sensitive sealing.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising the additional step of providing a transfer means for engaging the sleeved covered plant and placing the sleeved covered plant into a carton.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic pushing means.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic gripping means.  
     
     
         63 . A method of packaging a potted plant comprising the steps of: 
 providing a potted plant having an exterior surface;    automatically supplying a cover for application about the exterior of the potted plant;    applying the cover about the exterior surface of the potted plant to form a covered potted plant;    providing an automatic sleeving means for automatically applying a sleeve to the covered potted plant;    conveying the potted plant to the automatic sleeving means; and    automatically applying a sleeve about the covered potted plant to form a sleeved covered potted plant.    
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein in the step of providing a potted plant, the potted plant further comprises a living potted plant.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63  comprising after the step of providing the potted plant the additional step of sorting the potted plant into one of at least two grades in accordance with a predetermined grading criterion.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant occurs before the step of applying the cover.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant occurs after the step of applying the cover.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant comprises using automatic sorting means to sort the potted plant.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the step of applying the cover about the potted plant is preceded by conveying the potted plant via a conveying means to a cover applying station wherein the cover is applied about the potted plant.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the cover is a preformed cover having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an interior space adjacent and surrounded by the interior surface.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70  wherein in the step of applying the cover to the potted plant, the potted plant is automatically deposited into the interior space of the cover.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 70  wherein in the step of applying the cover to the potted plant, the potted plant is manually deposited into the interior space of the cover.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 70  wherein in the step of automatically supplying the cover, the cover is a preformed cover provided by automatic cover supplying means which automatically retrieves the cover and places the cover in an application position.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the step of supplying a cover is preceded by the step of forming a cover by a mold type cover forming means.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the step of applying a cover further comprises bonding the cover to the exterior surface of the potted plant.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the step of conveying the potted plant further comprises conveying the potted plant on automatic conveying means.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76  wherein the automatic conveying means further comprises a conveyor belt.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the automatic sleeving means comprises means for automatically opening the sleeve to provide an open sleeve for receiving the covered potted plant.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the step of automatically applying a sleeve further comprises automatically depositing the covered potted plant into the open sleeve.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79  wherein the covered potted plant is automatically deposited into the open sleeve by passing the covered potted plant through a guiding means.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the step of automatically applying a sleeve comprises wrapping a sheet of sleeving material about the covered potted plant to form a sleeved covered potted plant.  
     
     
         82 .The method of  claim 63  comprising the additional step of sealing an upper portion of the sleeve of the sleeved covered potted plant.  
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 82  wherein the step of sealing further comprises using an automatic sealing device.  
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 82  wherein the step of sealing further comprises heat sealing.  
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 82  wherein the step of sealing further comprises sonic sealing.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 82  wherein the step of sealing further comprises vibratory sealing.  
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 82  wherein the step of sealing further comprises pressure-sensitive sealing.  
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 63  further comprising the additional step of providing a transfer means for engaging the sleeved covered plant and placing the sleeved covered plant into a carton.  
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 88  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic pushing means.  
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 88  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic gripping means.  
     
     
         91 . A method of packaging a potted plant comprising the steps of: 
 providing a potted plant having an exterior surface;    providing automatic covering means for automatically applying a cover to the potted plant;    automatically applying the cover about the exterior surface of the potted plant to form a covered potted plant;    providing an automatic sleeving means for automatically applying a sleeve to the covered potted plant;    conveying the potted plant to the automatic sleeving means; and    automatically applying a sleeve about the covered potted plant to form a sleeved covered potted plant.    
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 91  wherein in the step of providing a potted plant, the potted plant further comprises a living potted plant.  
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 91  comprising after the step of providing the potted plant the additional step of sorting the potted plant into one of at least two grades in accordance with a predetermined grading criterion.  
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant occurs before the step of applying the cover.  
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 93  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant occurs after the step of applying the cover.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 93  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant comprises using automatic sorting means to sort the potted plant.  
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the cover is a preformed cover having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an interior space adjacent and surrounded by the interior surface.  
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 91  wherein in the step of automatically applying the cover to the potted plant, the cover is applied about the exterior surface of the potted plant by a cover forming means which appresses a sheet of material about the external surface of the potted plant to form the cover.  
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the automatic covering means comprises an apparatus having a plurality of pivoting members which act together to appress the sheet of material about the external surface of the potted plant.  
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 99  wherein the step of applying a cover further comprises bonding the cover to the exterior surface of the potted plant.  
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the step of automatically applying a cover further comprises bonding the cover to the exterior surface of the potted plant.  
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the step of conveying the potted plant further comprises conveying the potted plant on automatic conveying means.  
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 102  wherein the automatic conveying means further comprises a conveyor belt.  
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the automatic sleeving means comprises means for automatically opening the sleeve to provide an open sleeve for receiving the covered potted plant.  
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 104  wherein the step of automatically applying a sleeve further comprises automatically depositing the covered potted plant into the open sleeve.  
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 105  wherein the covered potted plant is automatically deposited into the open sleeve by passing the covered potted plant through a guiding means.  
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the step of automatically applying a sleeve comprises wrapping a sheet of sleeving material about the covered potted plant to form a sleeved covered potted plant.  
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 91  comprising the additional step of sealing an upper portion of the sleeve of the sleeved covered potted plant.  
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 108  wherein the step of sealing further comprises using an automatic sealing device.  
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 108  wherein the step of sealing further comprises heat sealing.  
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 108  wherein the step of sealing further comprises sonic sealing.  
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 108  wherein the step of sealing further comprises vibratory sealing.  
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 108  wherein the step of sealing further comprises pressure-sensitive sealing.  
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 91  further comprising the additional step of providing a transfer means for engaging the sleeved covered plant and placing the sleeved covered plant into a carton.  
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 114  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic pushing means.  
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 114  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic gripping means.  
     
     
         117 . A method of packaging a potted plant comprising the steps of: 
 providing a potted plant, the potted plant having an exterior surface;    sorting the potted plant into one of at least two grades in accordance with a predetermined grading criterion to form a sorted potted plant;    applying a cover about the exterior surface of the sorted potted plant to form a covered potted plant;    providing an automatic sleeving means for automatically applying a sleeve to the covered potted plant;    conveying the potted plant to the automatic sleeving means; and    automatically applying a sleeve about the covered potted plant to form a sleeved covered potted plant.    
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 117  wherein in the step of providing a potted plant, the potted plant further comprises a living potted plant.  
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 117  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant occurs before the step of applying the cover.  
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 117  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant occurs after the step of applying the cover.  
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 117  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant comprises using automatic sorting means to sort the potted plant.  
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 117  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant comprises manually sorting the potted plant.  
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 117  wherein the step of applying the cover about the potted plant is preceded by conveying the potted plant via a conveying means to a cover applying station wherein the cover is applied about the potted plant.  
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 117  wherein the cover is a preformed cover having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an interior space adjacent and surrounded by the interior surface.  
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 124  wherein in the step of applying the cover to the potted plant, the potted plant is automatically deposited into the interior space of the cover.  
     
     
         126 . The method of  claim 124  wherein in the step of applying the cover to the potted plant, the potted plant is manually deposited into the interior space of the cover.  
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 124  wherein in the step of applying the cover, the cover is a preformed cover provided by automatic cover supplying means which retrieves the cover from a set of preformed covers and places the cover in an application position.  
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 117  wherein the step of applying a cover is preceded by the step of providing a cover which has been formed by a mold type cover forming means, wherein after the cover is formed, the cover is placed in an application position for application to the potted plant.  
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 117  wherein in the step of applying the cover to the potted plant, the cover is applied about the exterior surface of the potted plant by an appressing cover forming means which appresses a sheet of material about the external surface of the potted plant to form the cover.  
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 129  wherein the cover forming means comprises a plurality of pivoting members which act together to appress the sheet of material about the external surface of the potted plant.  
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 130  wherein the step of applying a cover further comprises bonding the cover to the exterior surface of the potted plant.  
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 117  wherein the step of applying a cover further comprises bonding the cover to the exterior surface of the potted plant.  
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 117  wherein the step of conveying the potted plant further comprises conveying the potted plant on atomatic conveying means.  
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 133  wherein the automatic conveying means further comprises a conveyor belt.  
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 117  wherein the automatic sleeving means comprises means for automatically opening the sleeve to provide an open sleeve for receiving the covered potted plant.  
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 135  wherein the step of automatically applying a sleeve further comprises automatically depositing the covered potted plant into the open sleeve.  
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 136  wherein the covered potted plant is automatically deposited into the open sleeve by passing the covered potted plant through a guiding means.  
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 117  wherein the step of automatically applying a sleeve comprises wrapping a sheet of sleeving material about the covered potted plant to form a sleeved covered potted plant.  
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 117  comprising the additional step of sealing an upper portion of the sleeve of the sleeved covered potted plant.  
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 139  wherein the step of sealing further comprises using an automatic sealing device.  
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 139  wherein the step of sealing further comprises heat sealing.  
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 139  wherein the step of sealing further comprises sonic sealing.  
     
     
         143 . The method of  claim 139  wherein the step of sealing further comprises vibratory sealing.  
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 139  wherein the step of sealing further comprises pressure-sensitive sealing.  
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 117  further comprising the additional step of providing a transfer means for engaging the sleeved covered plant and placing the sleeved covered plant into a carton.  
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 145  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic pushing means.  
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 145  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic gripping means.  
     
     
         148 . A method of packaging a potted plant comprising the steps of: 
 providing a potted plant having an exterior surface;    sorting the potted plant into one of at least two grades in accordance with a predetermined grading criterion;    providing an automatic sleeving means for automatically applying a sleeve to the sorted potted plant;    conveying the sorted potted plant to the automatic sleeving means; and    automatically applying a sleeve about the sorted potted plant to form a sleeved potted plant.    
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 148  wherein in the step of providing a potted plant, the potted plant further comprises a living potted plant.  
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 148  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant comprises using automatic sorting means to sort the potted plant.  
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 148  wherein the step of conveying the potted plant further comprises conveying the potted plant on automatic conveying means.  
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 151  wherein the automatic conveying means further comprises a conveyor belt.  
     
     
         153 . The method of  claim 148  wherein the automatic sleeving means comprises means for automatically opening the sleeve to provide an open sleeve for receiving the potted plant.  
     
     
         154 . The method of  claim 153  wherein the step of automatically applying a sleeve further comprises automatically depositing the potted plant into the open sleeve.  
     
     
         155 . The method of  claim 154  wherein the potted plant is automatically deposited into the open sleeve by passing the potted plant through a guiding means.  
     
     
         156 . The method of  claim 148  wherein the step of automatically applying a sleeve comprises wrapping a sheet of sleeving material about the potted plant to form a sleeved potted plant.  
     
     
         157 . The method of  claim 148  comprising the additional step of sealing an upper portion of the sleeve of the sleeved potted plant.  
     
     
         158 . The method of  claim 157  wherein the step of sealing further comprises using an automatic sealing device.  
     
     
         159 . The method of  claim 157  wherein the step of sealing further comprises heat sealing.  
     
     
         160 . The method of  claim 157  wherein the step of sealing further comprises sonic sealing.  
     
     
         161 . The method of  claim 157  wherein the step of sealing further comprises vibratory sealing.  
     
     
         162 . The method of  claim 157  wherein the step of sealing further comprises pressure-sensitive sealing.  
     
     
         163 . The method of  claim 148  further comprising the additional step of providing a transfer means for engaging the sleeved potted plant and placing the sleeved potted plant into a carton.  
     
     
         164 . The method of  claim 163  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic pushing means.  
     
     
         165 . The method of  claim 163  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic gripping means.  
     
     
         166 . A method of packaging a potted plant comprising the steps of: 
 providing an automatic sleeving means for automatically dispensing and opening a sleeve;    opening the sleeve automatically to form an opened sleeve;    providing a cover;    depositing the decorative cover into the opened sleeve to form a sleeved cover;    providing a potted plant having an exterior surface;    conveying the potted plant to the automatic sleeving means; and    depositing the potted plant into the sleeved cover thereby forming a sleeved covered potted plant.    
     
     
         167 . The method of  claim 166  comprising after the step of providing the potted plant the additional step of sorting the potted plant into one of at least two grades in accordance with a predetermined grading criterion.  
     
     
         168 . The method of  claim 167  wherein the step of sorting the potted plant comprises using automatic sorting means to sort the potted plant.  
     
     
         169 . The method of  claim 166  wherein in the step of providing a cover the cover has an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an interior space adjacent and surrounded by the interior surface.  
     
     
         170 . The method of  claim 166  wherein in the step of depositing the cover in the opened sleeve, the cover is automatically deposited into the opened sleeve.  
     
     
         171 . The method of  claim 166  wherein in the step of depositing the cover in the opened sleeve, the cover is manually deposited into the opened sleeve.  
     
     
         172 . The method of  claim 170  wherein in the step of providing the cover, the cover is provided by automatic cover supplying means Which retrieves the cover from a set of preformed covers and places the cover in the opened sleeve.  
     
     
         173 . The method of  claim 166  wherein the step of providing a cover is preceded by the step of forming a cover using a mold type cover forming means.  
     
     
         174 . The method of  claim 169  wherein a portion of the interior surface of the cover has a bonding material applied thereto for bonding to the exterior of the potted plant after the potted plant has been deposited in the sleeved cover.  
     
     
         175 . The method of  claim 166  wherein the step of conveying the potted plant further comprises conveying the potted plant on automatic conveying means.  
     
     
         176 . The method of  claim 175  wherein the automatic conveying means further comprises a conveyor belt.  
     
     
         177 . The method of  claim 166  wherein the step of depositing the potted plant into the sleeved cover further comprises automatically depositing the potted plant into the sleeved cover.  
     
     
         178 . The method of  claim 177  wherein the potted plant is automatically deposited into the sleeved cover by passing the potted plant through a guiding means.  
     
     
         179 . The method of  claim 166  comprising the additional step of sealing an upper portion of the sleeve after the potted plant has been deposited in the sleeved cover.  
     
     
         180 . The method of  claim 179  wherein the step of sealing further comprises using an automatic sealing device.  
     
     
         181 . The method of  claim 179  wherein the step of sealing further comprises heat sealing.  
     
     
         182 . The method of  claim 179  wherein the step of sealing further comprises sonic sealing.  
     
     
         183 . The method of  claim 179  wherein the step of sealing further comprises vibratory sealing.  
     
     
         184 . The method of  claim 179  wherein the step of sealing further comprises pressure-sensitive sealing.  
     
     
         185 . The method of  claim 179  wherein the step of sealing further comprises tying the upper portion of the sleeve.  
     
     
         186 . The method of  claim 166  further comprising the additional step of providing a transfer means for engaging the sleeved covered potted plant and placing the sleeved covered plant into a carton.  
     
     
         187 . The method of  claim 186  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic pushing means.  
     
     
         188 . The method of  claim 186  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic gripping means.  
     
     
         189 . An apparatus for applying a sleeve about a potted plant comprising: 
 sleeve support means for supporting a sleeve;    sleeve opening means for automatically opening the sleeve to form an opened sleeve;    guide means for automatically guiding a potted plant to the opened sleeve whereby the potted plant is disposed within the sleeve to form a sleeved potted plant;    first conveyor means for conveying the potted plant to the guide means; and    second conveyor means for receiving the sleeved potted plant and for conveying the sleeved potted plant to another location for further disposition.    
     
     
         190 . The apparatus of  claim 189  comprising sorting means for sorting the potted plant into one of at least two grades in accordance with a predetermined grading criterion before the potted plant is conveyed to the guide means.  
     
     
         191 . The apparatus of  claim 190  wherein the sorting means further comprises automatic sorting means.  
     
     
         192 . The apparatus of  claim 189  further comprising bonding means for bonding the sleeve to an exterior surface of the potted plant.  
     
     
         193 . The apparatus of  claim 189  wherein the first conveying means comprises a first conveyor belt means.  
     
     
         194 . The apparatus of  claim 189  wherein the second conveying means further comprises a second conveyor belt means.  
     
     
         195 . The apparatus of  claim 189  further comprising sealing means for sealing a portion of the sleeve.  
     
     
         196 . The apparatus of  claim 195  wherein the sealing means further comprises heat sealing means.  
     
     
         197 . The apparatus of  claim 195  wherein the sealing means further comprises sonic sealing means.  
     
     
         198 . The apparatus of  claim 195  wherein the sealing means further comprises vibratory sealing means.  
     
     
         199 . The apparatus of  claim 195  wherein the sealing means further comprises pressure sensitive sealing means.  
     
     
         200 . The apparatus of  claim 195  wherein the sealing means further comprises tying means.  
     
     
         201 . The apparatus of  claim 189  wherein the sleeve opening means further comprises an inflation means for inflating the sleeve thereby opening the sleeve in preparation for receiving the potted plant.  
     
     
         202 . The apparatus of claim  201  wherein the sleeve opening means further comprises a suctioning means for exerting a vacuum against a side of a sleeve thereby slightly opening the sleeve for further inflation by the inflation means.  
     
     
         203 . The apparatus of  claim 189  further comprising disengaging means for removing the sleeved potted plant from the sleeve support means and for placing the sleeved potted plant onto the second conveyor means.  
     
     
         204 . The apparatus of  claim 189  further comprising sensing means for causing the sleeve opening means to open the sleeve in preparation for depositing the potted plant therein.  
     
     
         205 . The apparatus of  claim 189  further comprising a transfer means for engaging the sleeved potted plant on the second conveyor means and placing the sleeved potted plant therefrom into a carton.  
     
     
         206 . The apparatus of claim  205  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic pushing means.  
     
     
         207 . The apparatus of claim  205  wherein the transfer means further comprises an automatic gripping means.  
     
     
         208 . The apparatus of claim  205  further comprising automatic boxing delivery means for delivering a carton into which sleeved potted plants will be placed in preparation for shipping.  
     
     
         209 . The apparatus of  claim 189  wherein the potted plant has been covered with a decorative cover prior to the disposing of the potted plant into the opened sleeve.