Decorative plant holder

Abstract

A plant holder has an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer has a sidewall portion, a bottom surface, and a first free end. The inner layer is secured to the sidewall portion and has a second free end. The outer layer is made of a first flexible material and the inner layer is made of a second flexible material. The first flexible material and second flexible material differ in at least one property selected from the group consisting of material type, texture, thickness, density of fibers, print, pattern, color, opacity, and combinations thereof.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present technology relates to packaging materials, and more particularly to materials used to hold potted plants for decorative purposes.BACKGROUND

[0002] Potted plants are often sold in plain, sturdy containers to support the plant and allow proper air and moisture flow in the soil. Potted plants are often placed in decorative plant holders to minimize moisture leakage from the container and provide a pleasing appearance. Decorative plant holders are generally rigid / semi-rigid or flexible. Rigid / semi-rigid holders are often molded, such as molded plastic, or heat- or press-formed, such as foil covers. Plastic molded covers retain their shape and are made in different sizes / shapes to accommodate different sizes of flower pots. Heat- or press-formed holders, such as decorative foil holders, often use square sheets of material that are pressed into a generally cylindrical shape with the extra material at the top of the holder forming a ruffled or petal-like appearance. These holders retain their shape and provide an element of moisture resistance (e.g., prevent moisture from leaking out of the pot).

[0003] Flexible plant holders are often made of materials such as plastic, fabric, burlap, or synthetic materials, and the material is formed in some way into a generally cylindrical shape. In some cases, the material is provided as a rectangular or rounded sheet and then folded to form a cylindrical shape. The material may be secured in place so that it retains its shape with a plant contained in the plant holder, such as, for example, by using an adhesive or other substance, or secured in place around a potted plant so that it gets its structure from the potted plant, such as, for example, by tying the material around a potted plant. These flexible plant holders, however, often lack the moisture resistance of the rigid / semi-rigid holders.

[0004] It is desirable to provide a potted plant holder which addresses one or more of these issues. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview. It is not intended to either identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0006] Disclosed herein is a plant holder. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a plant holder comprises an outer layer having a sidewall portion, a bottom surface, and a first free end; an inner layer secured to the sidewall portion and having a second free end; and a moisture barrier; wherein the outer layer is made of a first flexible material and the inner layer is made of a second flexible material, and wherein the first flexible material and second flexible material differ in at least one property selected from the group consisting of material type, texture, thickness, density of fibers, print, pattern, color, opacity, and combinations thereof.

[0007] In accordance with some embodiments, the first material and second material differ in at least one property selected from the group consisting of material type, texture, color, print, and pattern. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the outer layer contains a water-resistant coating.

[0008] In further embodiments, the bottom surface is round.

[0009] In still further embodiments, the first and second free ends are cut in a zigzag pattern to form a plurality of pointed ends. In some embodiments, the plurality of pointed ends of the inner layer are longer than the plurality of pointed ends of the outer layer. In yet further embodiments, the pointed ends of the outer layer and the pointed ends of the inner layer are offset.

[0010] In embodiments, the sidewall is formed from at least two pieces of flexible material. In further embodiments, the two pieces of flexible material are joined at a connection portion. In still further embodiments, the connection portion is sewn.

[0011] In embodiments, the inner layer is formed from a single piece of flexible material. In further embodiments, the inner layer is secured to the sidewall at a distance from ¼ to ¾ of the way from the bottom surface to the free end of the outer layer.

[0012] In embodiments, the plant holder further comprises at least one decorative element on the sidewall.

[0013] In embodiments, the outer layer and inner layer together form a cavity with a bottom end closed by the bottom surface and an open upper end. In further embodiments, the diameter of the bottom end of the cavity is less than the diameter of the open upper end.

[0014] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the claimed subject matter are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of various ways in which the subject matter may be practiced, all of which are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The systems, devices and methods may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, and simply illustrate the principles of the systems, devices and methods. The accompanying drawings illustrate only possible embodiments of the systems, devices and methods and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a decorative plant holder in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view thereof with the plant removed;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof;

[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded view thereof;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the assembly thereof;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 3.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view thereof;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a left elevational view thereof;

[0024] FIG. 9 is a right elevational view thereof;

[0025] FIG. 10 is a top elevational view thereof; and

[0026] FIG. 11 is a bottom elevational view thereof.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Aspects of the system and methods are described below with reference to illustrative embodiments. The references to illustrative embodiments below are not made to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Instead, illustrative embodiments are used to aid in the description of various aspects of the systems and methods. The description, made by way of example and reference to illustrative reference is not meant to be limiting as regards any aspect of the claimed subject matter.

[0028] Shown in FIG. 1 is a decorative plant holder 100 holding a potted plant 200. The plant holder comprises an outer layer 10 and an inner layer 20. The outer and inner layers 10, 20, respectively, together form a generally cylindrical cavity which is open at one end to receive the potted plant 200.

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, an exemplary configuration of an outer layer 10 and inner layer 20 is shown. In particular, in the embodiment shown, the outer layer 10 has a bottom surface 14 secured to a sidewall portion 17 at connection portion 16 (shown in dotted line), while the upper free end 12 is zigzag cut forming a plurality of pointed ends 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. The inner layer 20 is shown similarly zigzag cut on its free end to form a plurality of pointed ends 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d. The pointed ends 22 of the inner layer 20 are offset from the pointed ends 12 of the inner layer 10.

[0030] In the embodiment shown, the bottom surface 14 is round, though other geometries may be used for the bottom surface to create pot holders of different shapes. In further embodiments, the bottom surface 14 may have one or more drainage holes.

[0031] Also shown in FIG. 2 is moisture barrier 60. In the embodiment shown, the moisture barrier 60 is a plastic liner. The plastic liner is shown as a sheet of plastic which has been shaped into a cup-like form that fits the interior bottom of the outer layer 10. In such embodiments, as shown, a plastic liner moisture barrier 60 is secured to the inner layer 20, and as shown more clearly with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer layer 10, at connection portion 18 (shown in dotted). However, in further embodiments, the moisture barrier 60 may take a different form or shape, such as, preferably, a coating on the inner layer 20 and / or outer layer 10, independently in whole or in part. That is, while in the embodiment shown the moisture barrier 60 does not cover the entirety of the interior of the cavity, in further embodiments, and particularly when the moisture barrier 60 is a coating on the outer layer 10 and inner layer 20, the moisture barrier 60 covers the entirety of the interior of the cavity.

[0032] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the structure of an exemplary embodiment of a decorative plant holder 100 in further detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer layer 10 comprises a bottom surface 14 and a sidewall portion 17 made of two distinct pieces 17a, 17b of material. As shown more clearly with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the decorative plant holder 100, as a whole, is shown to have a bottom diameter d 1 that is smaller than the upper diameter d 2 of the open end. The sidewall portion 17, and specifically the two pieces 17a, 17b of the present embodiment, have a shorter arc length a 1 at the bottom then the arc length a 2 at the top. The result is a sidewall portion 17 which, when the pieces 17a, 17b are assembled, flares outward and upward from the bottom surface 14.

[0033] In other embodiments, the sidewall portion 17 can be more or fewer pieces in order to form the generally cylindrical cavity and flared sidewall portion 17.

[0034] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the pieces 17a, 17b of the sidewall portion 17 are secured to each other at connection portions 19. In the specific embodiment shown, the pieces 17a, 17b are sewn together. In further embodiments, the connection portions 19 may include adhesives, including, but not limited to, glues, tapes, pressure sensitive adhesives, contact adhesives, reactive adhesives, epoxies, and water- and other solvent-based adhesives, heat seals, physical connections using threads or strings, including, but not limited to, sewing, stitching, knitting, crocheting, and tying, and any combination or combinations of these.

[0035] The completed sidewall portion 17 is secured to the bottom surface 14 at connection portion 16. As with connection portion 19, the embodiment shown has the bottom surface 14 and sidewall portion 17 sewn together, but any combination or combinations of connection portions as described with respect to connection portion 19 may be used herein with respect to connection portion 16.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, the inner layer 20 is a single piece of material secured into a tube-like formation at connection portion 29. As with the sidewall portion 17, it is understood that the inner 20 may be provided in one, two, or more than two pieces which can be connected together to form the whole. While the inner layer 20 is shown as sewn at connection portion 29, any combination of combinations of connection portions may be used for connection portion 29 as described with reference to connection portion 19.

[0037] In the embodiment shown, in which the moisture barrier 60 is a plastic sheet, the inner layer 20 and the moisture barrier 60 are secured to one another and the outer layer 10 at connection portion 18. In some embodiments, particularly when the moisture barrier 60 is a coating on the inner surface of the outer layer 10 and / or inner layer 20, the inner layer 20 is secured to the outer layer 10 at connection portion 18.

[0038] As shown more clearly with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner layer 20 does not go all the way down on the inside of the sidewall portion 17 to the bottom surface 14. Rather, the connection portion 18 occurs from ¼ to ¾ of the distance from the bottom surface 14 to the start of the pointed ends 12 of the outer layer 10. In still further embodiments, the connection portion 18 is at from ¼, or 1 / 3 to 1 / 2, or 2 / 3, or ¾ of the distance from the bottom surface 14 to the start of the pointed ends 12 of the outer layer 10.

[0039] As described with respect to the prior connection portions, including, for example, connection portion 19, connection portion 18 is illustrated as sewn, but may be any combination or combination of embodiments as described with respect to connection portion 19.

[0040] In the embodiment shown, in which the moisture barrier 60 is a plastic sheet, it is shown that the moisture barrier 60 overlaps the inner layer 20 for a portion at connection portion 18. In other embodiments there may be more or less overlap, or even no to minimal overlap at all, i.e., the inner layer 20 and moisture barrier 60 are secured directly to one another at their edges.

[0041] The embodiments shown include a decorative element 30 secured to the outer layer 10. In the particular embodiments shown, such as with reference to FIGS. 1-2 and 7-9, the decorative element 30 is a ribbon tied around the decorative plant holder 100. It will be appreciated that the decorative element 30 may take various forms, such as bows, ribbons, ties, elastic elements, appliques, stitching, dyes or paint, textural elements, etc. Further, and with particular reference to FIGS. 7-9 and 11, the decorative element 30 is shown encircling the entire decorative plant holder 100. In some embodiments, a decorative element 30 may be disposed at intervals around the plant holder 100 or only at one or some portions of the plant holder 100. In still further embodiments, multiple decorative elements 30 may be included, such as, for example, a ribbon as shown in the Figures along with a second ribbon higher or lower than the first ribbon.

[0042] The decorative element 30 is held in place by securing structures 40, which in the embodiment shown are loops on the outer layer 10, which secures the decorative element 30 between the outer layer 10 and the securing structures 40. In other embodiments, the securing structures 40 may take different forms, such as, for example, holes, openings, gromets, adhesive areas, hooks, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, sewing, tying, elastic, knitting, crocheting, and any combination or combinations thereof. In some instances, the securing structure may require an element of the securing structure to be secured to both the outer layer 10 and the decorative element 30, such as, for example, in the instance of hook and loop fasteners.

[0043] The securing structures 40 are shown as sewn to the outer layer 10. It will be appreciated that the structure, position and form of attachment of the securing structures 40 may vary appropriately to suit the specific form and structure of the decorative elements.

[0044] Turning to FIGS. 6-11, the structure and form of the free ends of the outer layer 10 and inner layer 20 are considered in further detail. The free ends of both the outer layer 10 and inner layer 20 are zigzag cut to form a plurality of pointed ends 12, 22, respectively. In the particular embodiments shown, the outer layer 10 and inner layer 20 each terminate in four pointed ends 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, respectively. With specific reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the pointed ends 12 of the outer layer 10 are offset relative to the pointed ends 22 of the inner layer 20 to create an 8-pointed star-type shape when viewed from the top or bottom.

[0045] In further embodiments, the outer layer 10 and inner layer 20 may have more or fewer pointed ends, and the outer layer 10 may have a different number of pointed ends than the inner layer 20. In still further embodiments, the pointed ends of the outer layer 10 and inner layer 20 may have different shapes or configurations, such as rounded, ruffled, squared, leafed, lobed, any other form and any combination and combinations thereof.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, the valleys 13, 23 between the pointed ends 12, 22 of the outer layer 10 and inner layer 20, respectively, initiate at approximately the same distance from the bottom surface 14. The pointed ends 22 of the inner layer 20 extend higher than the pointed ends 12 of the outer layer 10. In other embodiments, however, the ends of the outer and inner layers may extend equally or unequally, or the pointed ends 12 of the outer layer may extend beyond the pointed ends 22 of the inner layer.

[0047] In further embodiments, the ends 12, 22 may start at different points so that the valleys 13 of the outer layer 10 are deeper or shallower than the valleys 23 of the inner layer 20. In still further embodiments, the spacing between ends 12, 22 on the outer layer 10 and inner layer 20, respectively, may take a form other than pointed valleys, such as squared spaces, curved spaces, gaps, any other type spacing arrangement, and any combination and combinations thereof.

[0048] The outer layer 10 and inner layer 20 of the decorative plant holder 100 are made of a flexible material, such as knit or woven materials, including but not limited to fabrics, cottons, linens, burlap, and any combination or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible material is treated on one surface (the ultimately inner surface) with a water-resistant coating.

[0049] In the particular embodiment shown, the outer layer 10 is a first material and the inner layer 20 is a second material. The first material and second material preferably differ in at least one way, such as the type of material, texture, color, thickness, density of fibers, print / pattern, and opacity. In a preferred embodiment, the first material and second material differ in at least one property selected from the group consisting of material type, texture, color, print, and pattern. For example, in an embodiment, the first material is a burlap material and the second material is a fabric material, preferably a fabric material having a decorative or aesthetic pattern. In a further embodiment, any decorative element is aesthetically complimentary with the second material.

[0050] Additional discussion of embodiments in various scopes now follows:

[0051] E1. A plant holder comprises an outer layer having a sidewall portion, a bottom surface, and a first free end; and an inner layer secured to the sidewall portion and having a second free end; wherein the outer layer is made of a first flexible material and the inner layer is made of a second flexible material, and wherein the first flexible material and second flexible material differ in at least one property selected from the group consisting of material type, texture, thickness, density of fibers, print, pattern, color, opacity, and combinations thereof. E2. The plant holder of E2 wherein the first material and second material different in at least one property selected from the group consisting of material type, texture, color, print, and pattern. E3. The plant holder of any of E1-E2, wherein at least a portion of the first material contains a water-resistant coating. E4. The plant holder of any of E1-E3, wherein the bottom surface is round. E5. The plant holder of any of E1-E4, wherein the first and second free ends are cut in a zigzag pattern to form a plurality of pointed ends. E6. The plant holder of E5, wherein the plurality of pointed ends of the inner layer are longer than the plurality of pointed ends of the outer layer. E7. The plant holder of any of E5-E6, wherein the pointed ends of the outer layer and the pointed ends of the inner layer are offset. E8. The plant holder of any of E1-E7, wherein the sidewall is formed from at least two pieces of flexible material. E9. The plant holder of E8, wherein the two pieces of flexible material are joined at a connection portion. E10. The plant holder of E9, wherein the connection portion is sewn. E11. The plant holder of any of E1-E10, wherein the inner layer is formed from a single piece of flexible material. E12. The plant holder of any of E1-E11, wherein the inner layer is secured to the sidewall at a distance from ¼ to ¾ of the way from the bottom surface to the free end of the outer layer. E13. The plant holder of any of E1-E12 further comprising at least one decorative element on the sidewall. E14. The plant holder of any of E1-E13, wherein the outer layer and inner layer together form a cavity with a bottom end closed by the bottom surface and an open upper end. E15. The plant holder of E14, wherein the diameter of the bottom end of the cavity is less than the diameter of the open upper end.

Claims

1. A plant holder comprising: an outer layer having a sidewall portion, a bottom surface, and a first free end; andan inner layer secured to the sidewall portion and having a second free end; wherein the outer layer is made of a first flexible material and the inner layer is made of a second flexible material, andwherein the first flexible material and second flexible material differ in at least one property selected from the group consisting of material type, texture, thickness, density of fibers, print, pattern, color, opacity, and combinations thereof.

2. The plant holder of claim 1, wherein the first material and second material different in at least one property selected from the group consisting of material type, texture, color, print, and pattern.

3. The plant holder of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first material contains a water-resistant coating.

4. The plant holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is round.

5. The plant holder of claim 1, wherein the first and second free ends are cut in a zigzag pattern to form a plurality of pointed ends.

6. The plant holder of claim 5, wherein the plurality of pointed ends of the inner layer are longer than the plurality of pointed ends of the outer layer.

7. The plant holder of claim 1, wherein the pointed ends of the outer layer and the pointed ends of the inner layer are offset.

8. The plant holder of claim 1, wherein the sidewall is formed from at least two pieces of flexible material.

9. The plant holder of claim 8, wherein the two pieces of flexible material are joined at a connection portion.

10. The plant holder of claim 9, wherein the connection portion is sewn.

11. The plant holder of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is formed from a single piece of flexible material.

12. The plant holder of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is secured to the sidewall at a distance from ¼ to ¾ of the way from the bottom surface to the free end of the outer layer.

13. The plant holder of claim 1, further comprising at least one decorative element on the sidewall.

14. The plant holder of claim 1, wherein the outer layer and inner layer together form a cavity with a bottom end closed by the bottom surface and an open upper end.

15. The plant holder of claim 14, wherein the diameter of the bottom end of the cavity is less than the diameter of the open upper end.

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