Patent Application
20110072719
The present invention relates to a cover for receiving a potted plant.
Potted plants are frequently covered for use directly in the home with foil or polymeric film preshaped into a size into which a pot will fit. Although such covers for conventional plastic pots or clay pots allow the homeowner to display the potted plant without the expense of replanting the plant in an expensive decorative flower pot, such foil and plastic covers are not particularly attractive. Also, such covers are typically preformed to an existing inexpensive flower pot and cannot be removed or used for a variety of different sized flower pots.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a pot cover which is durable, can be employed for a variety of pot sizes and shapes, and yet provide a quality decorative container for displaying live plants in a home or business environment.
The pot cover of the present invention satisfies these needs by providing a foldable die cut pattern which can be imprinted on its exterior surfaces with any of a number of designs to provide the purchaser with a selection of decorative pot covers to conform to the decor of the location in which a plant will be displayed. It achieves this goal by utilizing a relatively inexpensive paperboard which is laminated on at least one side with a polymeric film and printed on its exterior with a decorative design. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pot cover is formed from a die cut pattern which can be folded into overlapping flaps and tabs which are folded and interlocked to define a generally trapezoidal pot cover which can receive a variety of different pot sizes and types and resists moisture. The die cut pattern forming the pot cover can be of a universal shape but formed in a variety of different sizes to accommodate different sized potted plants.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pot covers can be shipped prior to assembly to a retail establishment, such as a nursery, florist, or mass merchandise outlet and either assembled by the merchant or provided with assembly instructions for the purchaser. The pot covers can also be preassembled by the manufacturer and shipped in stacked relationship to the retail merchant. Regardless of the manner in which they are provided to the customer, the pot covers are durable, attractive and provide the consumer with a wide selection of sizes and decorative patterns. The cover defines a container which also can be used to hold fresh flower arrangements, gifts, gourmet foods, candy, or other gift items.
These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description thereof together with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring initially to
Referring now to
Additional side panels 40 and 56 integrally extend from base 10 in a direction orthogonal to side panels 12 and 26. Panel 40 integrally includes triangular flaps 42 and 44 on opposite sides, which adjoin and are integrally coupled to flaps 14 and 30. Side 40 includes an outwardly extending end flap 46, which includes laterally extending tabs 52 and 54 coupled to the generally rectangular flap 46 by angled corners 48 and 50. On the opposite side of base 10 is a similar side panel 56 integrally bordered by triangular flaps 58 and 60, which integrally adjoin flaps 16 and 32, respectively. Extending outwardly from side 56 is a generally rectangular flap 62 having outwardly extending tabs 68 and 70 with angled corners 64 and 66, respectively. The integral triangular flaps 14, 42; 16, 58; 30, 44; and 32, 60 form a foldable web between the sides 12, 26 and 40, 56, as seen in the assembly steps illustrated in
The phantom lines shown in
Next, as illustrated in
This process is continued, as illustrated by arrow B in
Next, the end flaps 18 and 28 are folded over, as shown by arrow D in
Thus, by providing interlocking tabs 52, 54, 68, and 70 with tabs 20, 22 and 34, 36 folded over and under flaps 46 and 62, respectively, the top edges of the pot cover interlock. By providing the V-shaped notches 80, 82, 84, and 86 between adjacent triangular panels 14, 42; 44, 30; 32, 60; and 16, 58, respectively, clearance is provided for the interlocking tabs and flaps to allow the ready assembly of the pot cover. Handholds 24 and 38 are interior of the pot cover and, therefore, are relatively unobtrusive and do not detract from the ornamental appearance of the resultant pot cover when assembled as seen in
The pot cover 1 is preferably made to accommodate standard sized pots, such as 4″, 6″, and 8″ pots, although any desirable size can be employed. For a 6″ pot, for example, the square bottom 10 was approximately 4½″ on each side while the sides had a height of approximately 5¼″ and a width at the top of 6″. The overlapping and interlocking flaps 18, 28, 46 and 62 extended downwardly into the pot cover approximately 2½″. For different sized pots, these dimensions will be varied proportionally. Although the poly-coated paperboard, which is film covered on one or both sides and printed with a decorative design on the exterior surface, is preferred, other foldable, interlocking materials could be employed.
It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications to the preferred embodiment of the invention as described herein can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
