Decorative sleeve cover formed of a polymeric material having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth

Abstract

Flexible materials having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth suitable for use in the formation of decorative flower pot covers and flower pots are disclosed. The flexible materials include polymeric materials, paper and laminates thereof.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A decorative preformed flower pot cover having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth on at least a portion of one surface thereof, the decorative preformed flower pot cover comprising:
 a base having a closed lower end, an open upper end and a retaining space, the base of the decorative preformed flower pot cover having a plurality of overlapping folds of which at least a portion are permanently connected;   a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end of the base; and   wherein the decorative preformed flower pot cover is formed of a sheet of paper and wherein at least a portion of one surface of the sheet of paper is textured or modified so as to provide a texture of appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth so that at least a portion of one surface of the decorative preformed flower pot cover formed therefrom is provided with a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth.   
   
   
       18 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 17  wherein the sheet of paper has a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil. 
   
   
       19 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 17  wherein a substantial portion of the overlapping folds in the base of the decorative preformed flower pot cover extend over different distances and at various and arbitrary angles. 
   
   
       20 . The decorative flower pot cover of  claim 17  where in the decorative border of the decorative preformed flower pot cover is substantially free of permanently connected overlapping folds. 
   
   
       21 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 17  wherein the sheet of paper is further provided with printed patterns, embossed patterns, and combinations thereof in addition to the texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth. 
   
   
       22 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 17  wherein the sheet of paper is printed with a matted ink to provide the texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth. 
   
   
       23 . The decorative preformed flower pot cover of  claim 17  wherein the sheet of paper is printed with a foamable ink to provide the texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth. 
   
   
       24 - 30 . (canceled) 
   
   
       31 . A plant package produced from a sheet of paper wherein at least a portion of one surface of the plant package is modified or textured to provide at least a portion of the plant package with an appearance or texture simulating the appearance or texture of cloth, the plant package comprising:
 a flower pot having a floral grouping disposed therein;   a sleeve formed of a sheet of paper having at least a portion of one surface thereof textured or modified so as to provide the sheet of paper with an appearance or texture simulating the appearance or texture of cloth, the sleeve having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface, at least a portion of at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve being textured or modified to provide at least a portion of such surface with an appearance or texture simulating the appearance or texture of cloth, and wherein the sleeve further comprises:
 a base portion sized to contain the flower pot; and 
 a skirt portion extending beyond an open upper end of the flower pot; and 
   wherein the flower pot is disposed within the inner retaining space of the sleeve such that the flower pot is substantially surrounded and encompassed by the base portion of the sleeve and the skirt portion of the sleeve freely extends at an angle from the base portion of the sleeve.   
   
   
       32 . The plant package of  claim 31  wherein the outer peripheral surface of the base portion of the sleeve is provided with an appearance or texture simulating the appearance or texture of cloth, and wherein at least one surface of the skirt portion of the sleeve is provided with an appearance or texture simulating the appearance or texture of cloth. 
   
   
       33 . The plant package of  claim 31  wherein the paper from which the sleeve is constructed is characterized as having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mil. 
   
   
       34 . The plant package of  claim 31  wherein the paper from which the sleeve is constructed is further provided with a printed pattern disposed on at least a portion of one surface thereof. 
   
   
       35 . The plant package of  claim 34  wherein the paper from which the sleeve is constructed is further provided with an embossed pattern disposed on at least a portion of one surface thereof. 
   
   
       36 . The plant package of  claim 35  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are in register with one another. 
   
   
       37 . The plant package of  claim 35  wherein the printed pattern and the embossed pattern are out of register with one another. 
   
   
       38 - 67 . (canceled) 
   
   
       68 . A flower pot formed of a paper material, the flower pot comprising:
 a bottom, an outer peripheral surface which cooperates with an open upper end to define a retaining space, at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface being textured or modified to provide the flower pot with an appearance or texture simulating cloth.   
   
   
       69 . The flower pot of  claim 68  further comprises a rim extending about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot at a position substantially adjacent the open upper end thereof. 
   
   
       70 . The flower pot of  claim 68  further comprises at least one drain hole positioned in the bottom of the flower pot. 
   
   
       71 . The flower pot of  claim 70  further comprising at least one drain hole positioned through a sidewall of the flower pot such that the at least one drain hole is near a lower end of the flower pot. 
   
   
       72 . The flower pot of  claim 68  further comprising at least one drain hole positioned through a sidewall of the flower pot such that the at least one drain hole is near a lower end of the flower pot.