IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,015,751

Granted Patent B2

US 8,015,751 · App. 12/378,564 · Granted Sep 13, 2011

Compressed packaged articles and methods of making, transporting, shipping and using same

Assignee: Wanda M. Weder & William F. Straeter

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 8,015,751
App. No.: 12/378,564
Granted: Sep 13, 2011
Kind: B2

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Abstract

The present invention relates, in general, to articles that are packaged in a compressed state relative to an uncompressed fully articulated state and methods of making and using same. In a specific embodiment, but not to be considered as limiting, the articles so packaged in a compressed state are plant covers that are either substantially rigid and/or substantially flexible.

Claims (103)

1. A method for packaging a plurality of nested flower pot covers, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of nested flower pot covers having a length, a width and a height;

providing a holding assembly having a retaining space, the holding assembly having a compressed and an uncompressed condition;

placing the plurality of nested flower pot covers in the retaining space of the holding assembly; and

compressing the holding assembly from the uncompressed to the compressed condition such that the plurality of nested flower pot covers are compressed along at least one of the length, width and height of the plurality of nested flower pot covers while causing expansion of at least a portion of each of the plurality of nested flower pot covers in at least one direction other than the direction of compression, thereby providing a package containing a plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the holding assembly is selected from the group consisting of bags, boxes, tubes, and combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of securing the holding assembly via a means for securing such that the plurality of nested flower pot covers are maintained in the compressed condition.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the securing means is selected from the group consisting of telescoping cartons, bags, shrink wrap, stretch wrap, bands, tape, adhesive, cohesives, staples, wires, ribbons, strings, barbs and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nested flower pot covers in the compressed condition are compressed to a percentage of the uncompressed condition selected from the group consisting of from about 5 to about 10 percent, from about 10 to about 15 percent, from about 15 to about 20 percent, from about 20 to about 25 percent, from about 25 to about 30 percent, from about 30 to about 35 percent, from about 35 to about 40 percent, from about 40 to about 45 percent, from about 45 to about 50 percent, from about 50 to about 55 percent, from about 55 to about 60 percent, from about 60 to about 65 percent, from about 65 to about 70 percent, from about 70 to about 75 percent, from about 75 to about 80 percent, from about 80 to about 85 percent, from about 85 to about 90 percent, from about 90 to about 95 percent and from about 95 to about 99 percent.

6. The method of claim 1 further including means for dispensing at least one of the compressed nested flower pot covers from the package containing the plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing a holding assembly, the holding assembly is further defined as at least one sheet of material.

8. A method for packaging a plurality of flower pot covers, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of flower pot covers having a length, a width and a height;

providing a holding assembly having a retaining space, the holding assembly having a compressed and an uncompressed condition;

placing the plurality of flower pot covers in the retaining space of the holding assembly; and

compressing the holding assembly from the uncompressed to the compressed condition such that the plurality of flower pot covers are compressed along at least one of the length, width and height of the plurality of flower pot covers while causing expansion of at least a portion of each of the plurality of flower pot covers in at least one direction other than the direction of compression, thereby providing a package containing a plurality of compressed flower pot covers.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the holding assembly is selected from the group consisting of bags, boxes, tubes, and combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of securing the holding assembly via a means for securing such that the plurality of flower pot covers are maintained in the compressed condition.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the securing means is selected from the group consisting of telescoping cartons, bags, shrink wrap, stretch wrap, bands, tape, adhesive, cohesives, staples, wires, ribbons, strings, barbs and combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the flower pot covers in the compressed condition are compressed to a percentage of the uncompressed condition selected from the group consisting of from about 5 to about 10 percent, from about 10 to about 15 percent, from about 15 to about 20 percent, from about 20 to about 25 percent, from about 25 to about 30 percent, from about 30 to about 35 percent, from about 35 to about 40 percent, from about 40 to about 45 percent, from about 45 to about 50 percent, from about 50 to about 55 percent, from about 55 to about 60 percent, from about 60 to about 65 percent, from about 65 to about 70 percent, from about 70 to about 75 percent, from about 75 to about 80 percent, from about 80 to about 85 percent, from about 85 to about 90 percent, from about 90 to about 95 percent and from about 95 to about 99 percent.

13. The method of claim 8 further including means for dispensing at least one of the compressed flower pot covers from the package containing the plurality of compressed flower pot covers.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of flower pot covers, the plurality of flower pot covers are nested.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of flower pot covers, the plurality of flower pot covers are unnested.

16. The method of claim 8 wherein, in the step of providing a holding assembly, the holding assembly is further defined as at least one sheet of material.

17. A method for packaging a plurality of flower pot covers, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of flower pot covers having a length, a width and a height;

compressing the plurality of flower pot covers from an uncompressed condition to a compressed condition such that the plurality of flower pot covers are compressed along at least one of the length, width and height of the plurality of flower pot covers while causing expansion of at least a portion of each of the plurality of flower pot covers in at least one direction other than the direction of compression;

providing a holding assembly having a retaining space; and

placing the plurality of flower pot covers in the compressed condition in the retaining space of the holding assembly thereby providing a package containing a plurality of compressed flower pot covers.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the holding assembly is selected from the group consisting of bags, boxes, tubes, and combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of securing the holding assembly via a means for securing such that the plurality of flower pot covers are maintained in the compressed condition.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the securing means is selected from the group consisting of telescoping cartons, bags, shrink wrap, stretch wrap, bands, tape, adhesive, cohesives, staples, wires, ribbons, strings, barbs and combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the flower pot covers in the compressed condition are compressed to a percentage of the uncompressed condition selected from the group consisting of from about 5 to about 10 percent, from about 10 to about 15 percent, from about 15 to about 20 percent, from about 20 to about 25 percent, from about 25 to about 30 percent, from about 30 to about 35 percent, from about 35 to about 40 percent, from about 40 to about 45 percent, from about 45 to about 50 percent, from about 50 to about 55 percent, from about 55 to about 60 percent, from about 60 to about 65 percent, from about 65 to about 70 percent, from about 70 to about 75 percent, from about 75 to about 80 percent, from about 80 to about 85 percent, from about 85 to about 90 percent, from about 90 to about 95 percent and from about 95 to about 99 percent.

22. The method of claim 17 further including means for dispensing at least one of the compressed flower pot covers from the package containing the plurality of compressed flower pot covers.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of flower pot covers, the plurality of flower pot covers are nested.

24. The method of claim 17 wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of flower pot covers, the plurality of flower pot covers are unnested.

25. The method of claim 17 wherein, in the step of providing a holding assembly, the holding assembly is further defined as at least one sheet of material.

26. A method for packaging a plurality of nested flower pot covers, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of nested flower pot covers having a length, a width and a height;

compressing the plurality of nested flower pot covers from an uncompressed condition to a compressed condition such that the plurality of nested flower pot covers are compressed along at least one of the length, width and height of the plurality of nested flower pot covers while causing expansion of at least a portion of each of the plurality of nested flower pot covers in at least one direction other than the direction of compression;

providing a holding assembly having a retaining space; and

placing the plurality of nested flower pot covers in the compressed condition in the retaining space of the holding assembly thereby providing a package containing a plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the holding assembly is selected from the group consisting of bags, boxes, tubes, and combinations thereof.

28. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of securing the holding assembly via a means for securing such that the plurality of nested flower pot covers are maintained in the compressed condition.

29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the securing means is selected from the group consisting of telescoping cartons, bags, shrink wrap, stretch wrap, bands, tape, adhesive, cohesives, staples, wires, ribbons, strings, barbs and combinations thereof.

30. The method of claim 26 , wherein the nested flower pot covers in the compressed condition are compressed to a percentage of the uncompressed condition selected from the group consisting of from about 5 to about 10 percent, from about 10 to about 15 percent, from about 15 to about 20 percent, from about 20 to about 25 percent, from about 25 to about 30 percent, from about 30 to about 35 percent, from about 35 to about 40 percent, from about 40 to about 45 percent, from about 45 to about 50 percent, from about 50 to about 55 percent, from about 55 to about 60 percent, from about 60 to about 65 percent, from about 65 to about 70 percent, from about 70 to about 75 percent, from about 75 to about 80 percent, from about 80 to about 85 percent, from about 85 to about 90 percent, from about 90 to about 95 percent and from about 95 to about 99 percent.

31. The method of claim 26 further including means for dispensing at least one of the compressed nested flower pot covers from the package containing the plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers.

32. The method of claim 26 wherein, in the step of providing a holding assembly, the holding assembly is further defined as at least one sheet of material.

33. A method for packaging a plurality of flower pot covers comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of flower pot covers having a length, a width and a height;

securing the flower pot covers in the compressed condition thereby providing a package containing a plurality of compressed flower pot covers.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of placing the package containing a plurality of compressed flower pot covers in a holding assembly, wherein the holding assembly is selected from the group consisting of bags, boxes, tubes, and combinations thereof.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the holding assembly is secured via a means for securing such that the plurality of flower pot covers are maintained in the compressed condition.

36. The method of claim 35 , wherein the securing means is selected from the group consisting of telescoping cartons, bags, shrink wrap, stretch wrap, bands, tape, adhesive, cohesives, staples, wires, ribbons, strings, barbs and combinations thereof.

37. The method of claim 33 , wherein the flower pot covers in the compressed condition are compressed to a percentage of the uncompressed condition selected from the group consisting of from about 5 to about 10 percent, from about 10 to about 15 percent, from about 15 to about 20 percent, from about 20 to about 25 percent, from about 25 to about 30 percent, from about 30 to about 35 percent, from about 35 to about 40 percent, from about 40 to about 45 percent, from about 45 to about 50 percent, from about 50 to about 55 percent, from about 55 to about 60 percent, from about 60 to about 65 percent, from about 65 to about 70 percent, from about 70 to about 75 percent, from about 75 to about 80 percent, from about 80 to about 85 percent, from about 85 to about 90 percent, from about 90 to about 95 percent and from about 95 to about 99 percent.

38. The method of claim 33 further including means for dispensing at least one of the compressed flower pot covers from the package containing the plurality of compressed flower pot covers.

39. The method of claim 33 wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of flower pot covers, the plurality of flower pot covers are nested.

40. The method of claim 33 wherein, in the step of providing a plurality of flower pot covers, the plurality of flower pot covers are unnested.

41. The method of claim 33 wherein, in the step of providing a holding assembly, the holding assembly is further defined as at least one sheet of material.

42. A method for packaging a plurality of nested flower pot covers comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of nested flower pot covers having a length, a width and a height;

securing the nested flower pot covers in the compressed condition;

providing a holding assembly having a retaining space; and

placing the nested flower pot covers in the secured compressed condition in the retaining space of the holding assembly thereby providing a package containing a plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers.

43. The method of claim 42 , wherein the holding assembly is selected from the group consisting of bags, boxes, tubes, and combinations thereof.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein in the step of securing the holding assembly, the holding assembly is secured via a means for securing such that the plurality of nested flower pot covers are maintained in the compressed condition.

45. The method of claim 44 , wherein the securing means is selected from the group consisting of telescoping cartons, bags, shrink wrap, stretch wrap, bands, tape, adhesive, cohesives, staples, wires, ribbons, strings, barbs and combinations thereof.

46. The method of claim 42 , wherein the nested flower pot covers in the compressed condition are compressed to a percentage of the uncompressed condition selected from the group consisting of from about 5 to about 10 percent, from about 10 to about 15 percent, from about 15 to about 20 percent, from about 20 to about 25 percent, from about 25 to about 30 percent, from about 30 to about 35 percent, from about 35 to about 40 percent, from about 40 to about 45 percent, from about 45 to about 50 percent, from about 50 to about 55 percent, from about 55 to about 60 percent, from about 60 to about 65 percent, from about 65 to about 70 percent, from about 70 to about 75 percent, from about 75 to about 80 percent, from about 80 to about 85 percent, from about 85 to about 90 percent, from about 90 to about 95 percent and from about 95 to about 99 percent.

47. The method of claim 42 further including means for dispensing at least one of the compressed nested flower pot covers from the package containing the plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers.

48. The method of claim 42 wherein, in the step of providing a holding assembly, the holding assembly is further defined as at least one sheet of material.

49. A method for packaging a plurality of nested flower pot covers, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of nested flower pot covers having a length, a width and a height;

providing a means for compressing and securing the plurality of nested flower pot covers, wherein the plurality of nested flower pot covers are compressed along at least one of the length, the width and the height while causing expansion of at least a portion of each of the plurality of nested flower pot covers in at least one direction other than the direction of compression; and

compressing and securing the plurality of nested flower pot covers in a single step utilizing the compressing and securing means thereby providing a package containing a plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers.

50. The method of claim 49 further comprising the step of placing the package containing a plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers in a holding assembly, wherein the holding assembly is selected from the group consisting of bags, boxes, tubes, and combinations thereof.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein the holding assembly is secured via a means for securing such that the plurality of nested flower pot covers are maintained in the compressed condition.

52. The method of claim 51 , wherein the securing means is selected from the group consisting of telescoping cartons, bags, shrink wrap, stretch wrap, bands, tape, adhesive, cohesives, staples, wires, ribbons, strings, barbs and combinations thereof.

53. The method of claim 49 , wherein the nested flower pot covers in the compressed condition are compressed to a percentage of the uncompressed condition selected from the group consisting of from about 5 to about 10 percent, from about 10 to about 15 percent, from about 15 to about 20 percent, from about 20 to about 25 percent, from about 25 to about 30 percent, from about 30 to about 35 percent, from about 35 to about 40 percent, from about 40 to about 45 percent, from about 45 to about 50 percent, from about 50 to about 55 percent, from about 55 to about 60 percent, from about 60 to about 65 percent, from about 65 to about 70 percent, from about 70 to about 75 percent, from about 75 to about 80 percent, from about 80 to about 85 percent, from about 85 to about 90 percent, from about 90 to about 95 percent and from about 95 to about 99 percent.

54. The method of claim 49 further including means for dispensing at least one of the compressed nested flower pot covers from the package containing the plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers.

55. The method of claim 49 wherein, in the step of providing a holding assembly, the holding assembly is further defined as at least one sheet of material.

56. A method for packaging a plurality of nested flower pot covers, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of nested flower pot covers having a length, a width and a height;

providing a compressing assembly capable of compressing the plurality of nested flower pot covers along at least one of the length, the width and the height while causing expansion of at least a portion of each of the plurality of nested flower pot covers in at least one direction other than the direction of compression;

placing the compressing assembly about the plurality of nested flower pot covers;

activating the compressing assembly such that the plurality of nested flower pot covers are compressed by the compressing assembly from an uncompressed condition to a compressed condition; and

securing the compressed plurality of nested flower pot covers in the compressed condition thereby providing a package containing a plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers.

57. The method of claim 56 further comprising the step of placing the package containing a plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers in a holding assembly, wherein the holding assembly is selected from the group consisting of bags, boxes, tubes, and combinations thereof.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein the holding assembly is secured via a means for securing such that the plurality of nested flower pot covers are maintained in the compressed condition.

59. The method of claim 58 , wherein the securing means is selected from the group consisting of telescoping cartons, bags, shrink wrap, stretch wrap, bands, tape, adhesive, cohesives, staples, wires, ribbons, strings, barbs and combinations thereof.

60. The method of claim 56 , wherein the nested flower pot covers in the compressed condition are compressed to a percentage of the uncompressed condition selected from the group consisting of from about 5 to about 10 percent, from about 10 to about 15 percent, from about 15 to about 20 percent, from about 20 to about 25 percent, from about 25 to about 30 percent, from about 30 to about 35 percent, from about 35 to about 40 percent, from about 40 to about 45 percent, from about 45 to about 50 percent, from about 50 to about 55 percent, from about 55 to about 60 percent, from about 60 to about 65 percent, from about 65 to about 70 percent, from about 70 to about 75 percent, from about 75 to about 80 percent, from about 80 to about 85 percent, from about 85 to about 90 percent, from about 90 to about 95 percent and from about 95 to about 99 percent.

61. The method of claim 56 further including means for dispensing at least one of the compressed nested flower pot covers from the package containing the plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers.

62. The method of claim 56 wherein, in the step of providing a holding assembly, the holding assembly is further defined as at least one sheet of material.

63. A method for packaging a plurality of nested flower pot covers, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of nested flower pot covers having a length, a width and a height;

providing a holding assembly, the holding assembly having a retaining space that has at least one of a length, a width and a height that is less than the at least one of the length, the width and the height of the plurality nested flower pot covers; and placing the plurality of nested flower pot covers into the retaining space of the holding assembly and thereby compressing the plurality of nested flower pot covers from an uncompressed condition to a compressed condition along at least one of the length, the width and the height of the nested flower pot covers while causing expansion of at least a portion of each of the plurality of nested flower pot covers in at least one direction other than the direction of compression, thereby providing a package containing a plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers.

64. The method of claim 63 , wherein the holding assembly is selected from the group consisting of bags, boxes, tubes, and combinations thereof.

65. The method of claim 63 further comprising the step of securing the holding assembly via a means for securing such that the plurality of nested flower pot covers are maintained in the compressed condition.

66. The method of claim 65 , wherein the securing means is selected from the group consisting of telescoping cartons, bags, shrink wrap, stretch wrap, bands, tape, adhesive, cohesives, staples, wires, ribbons, strings, barbs and combinations thereof.

67. The method of claim 63 , wherein the nested flower pot covers in the compressed condition are compressed to a percentage of the uncompressed condition selected from the group consisting of from about 5 to about 10 percent, from about 10 to about 15 percent, from about 15 to about 20 percent, from about 20 to about 25 percent, from about 25 to about 30 percent, from about 30 to about 35 percent, from about 35 to about 40 percent, from about 40 to about 45 percent, from about 45 to about 50 percent, from about 50 to about 55 percent, from about 55 to about 60 percent, from about 60 to about 65 percent, from about 65 to about 70 percent, from about 70 to about 75 percent, from about 75 to about 80 percent, from about 80 to about 85 percent, from about 85 to about 90 percent, from about 90 to about 95 percent and from about 95 to about 99 percent.

68. The method of claim 63 further including means for dispensing at least one of the compressed nested flower pot covers from the package containing the plurality of compressed nested flower pot covers.

69. The method of claim 63 wherein, in the step of providing a holding assembly, the holding assembly is further defined as at least one sheet of material.

Continuity (3)

Continuation 11100205 · Apr 6, 2005

Provisional Application 60644544 · Jan 18, 2005

Related Publication 20090159480A1 · Jun 25, 2009