Transport package for needled christmas trees

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport packaging for shedding Christmas trees (1) consisting of a hose section which is pulled over the shedding tree (1) from bottom to top and which can be closed at the bottom and top enclosing the tree (1), characterized in that the hose section (3) is cylindrical or purely conical (8) and is formed at the top as a truncated cone (4, 9) open on both sides, the open bottom of which, pointing towards the top of the tree, has a base circumference that is larger than the cylinder diameter or cone diameter of the hose section (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport packaging for shed Christmas trees, in particular after Christmas, when the tree loses its needles because the average storage time of approximately two weeks has been exceeded.

[0002] In Germany, 42% of households put up a real tree for Christmas and are confronted with the fact that a noticeable trail of needles is left behind during removal. These needles must be laboriously removed from the home and, if necessary, the stairwell. For example, when removing the Christmas tree, scratches and scrape marks from needle branches can be caused on, for example, the walls of the stairwell and / or doors, as these are usually not sufficiently compressed and protected from the outside. This results in considerable additional effort, additional costs, and damage for the user.

[0003] This procedure is repeated when the tree is placed on the street or transported by car.

[0004] To solve this problem, there are already several proposals for placing a cover around the dry tree and closing it with a zipper or strap, among other things. This action causes the dry tree to move vigorously, causing many needles to fall to the ground, requiring considerable rework.

[0005] This and the high production costs have led to this type of transport packaging not being able to establish itself.

[0006] A much simplified solution is proposed in DE 20 2018 001 909 U1.

[0007] This involves a cylindrical fabric body for needle-free transport of Christmas trees and for use with them for decorating. The cylindrical fabric body is sized to the length and diameter of the Christmas tree being wrapped, and the cylindrical fabric body is equipped with a drawstring at each end for tightening the ends of the fabric body. The disadvantage is that, when the fabric body is pulled up, many needles fall past the outside onto the floor. Furthermore, the fabric body does not compress the tree over its entire length, which makes it difficult to move the tree through doorways without leaving streaks.

[0008] Door frames are often damaged during such transport, and it is cumbersome to move a voluminous tree through conventional doors.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment of DE 20 2018 001 909 U1, the cylindrical material body has a varying cross-section from one end to the other. What is cited as an advantage here is actually a disadvantage due to the significantly increased material consumption compared to the cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the branches are not pressed evenly against the trunk, which unnecessarily increases the transport diameter.

[0010] DE 202 07 701 U1 describes a packaging container comprising a film tube for pulling onto a tree and a funnel-shaped extension piece attached to the mouth of the tube. Furthermore, a preparation device for the container is described, which includes an annular channel for receiving the folded tube and the extension piece and has an annular slot through which the folded tube and the extension piece can be removed.

[0011] DE 20 2019 002385 U1 describes a transport aid for large plants and fir trees, which is characterized by the fact that four cut pieces are sewn together on the sides in such a way that they form a cylindrical shape which tapers to a square shape in the upper area.

[0012] US Patent No. 3,954,129 A describes a Christmas tree wrap that can also be used as a decorative base during tree display and as floor or carpet protection under the tree. The wrap consists of a substantially cylindrical casing that is open at the top and has a base with a central opening that is narrower than the top opening. The base is suitable for covering a carpet or floor and a Christmas tree stand and is attached to the tree trunk above the stand.

[0013] US 2008 / 308440 A1 describes reusable tree covering systems and methods that can be used with live or artificial trees. The covering systems can be stored in a bag placed around the lower trunk of the tree, from which the cover or tree bag is withdrawn and pulled upward to substantially enclose the tree for transport and / or storage. The reusable systems can be designed to facilitate removal of the covering systems from the stored / covered tree while minimizing unwanted forces on the tree and the covering system. This can be achieved by providing features that facilitate removal of the covering systems in an upward direction relative to the tree along the stored / covered tree.Since this removal direction is the same direction in which the tree was originally stored / covered and corresponds to the tree's natural bending / storage direction, storage and removal are facilitated by these systems. US 2008 / 308440 A1 discloses a transport packaging according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0014] However, none of the systems of the above-mentioned prior art discloses a transport packaging for needle-bearing Christmas trees according to the features of claim 1 and the dependent claims, as well as the technical effects associated therewith.

[0015] One object of the invention is to provide a permanently sealed transport packaging for Christmas trees that sheds needles, is inexpensive to manufacture and offer, is rapidly biodegradable, and virtually eliminates the scattering of needles on the floor during packaging. Furthermore, the transport packaging according to the invention compresses the tree along its entire length, enabling improved and streak-free removal of the tree through standard doors. Likewise, the transport packaging according to the invention prevents resin residues in the home or during removal.

[0016] The deliberate reduction in the circumference of the tree by means of the disclosed transport packaging is a decisive advantage over the state of the art.

[0017] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims and the drawings.

[0018] The transport packaging according to the invention for needle-bearing Christmas trees consists in one embodiment of a cylindrical tube section which is pulled from the bottom upwards over the needle-bearing tree and which can be closed at the top and bottom, preferably completely, enclosing the tree, the tube section being designed at the top as a truncated cone which is open on both sides and whose open bottom pointing towards the top of the tree has a bottom circumference which is larger than the circumference of the cylindrical tube section.

[0019] The cylindrical hose section thus has a conically enlarged opening at the top. This offers several advantages when pulling up. Firstly, the branches are continuously guided towards the tree trunk until they fill the respective hose section. Secondly, falling needles are caught by the truncated cone and slide into the respective hose section, as is well known with funnels. This prevents needles from falling to the ground.

[0020] It goes without saying that before pulling up, the bottom of the cylindrical hose section must be closed, which can be done with a drawstring or simply with a strap. Once closed, the hose section should fit snugly against the tree trunk. In a preferred embodiment, this drawstring or strap is already integrated into the transport packaging. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the tree can be compressed by pulling up in one movement, for example, with a jerk or pull, without further tying or connecting with additional drawstrings or the like.

[0021] Likewise, the Christmas tree trunk should already be enclosed in the folded transport packaging when setting it up. This avoids unnecessary movement of the tree while attaching the transport packaging.

[0022] If the inner surface of the truncated cone is graphically designed, as provided by an advantageous embodiment, the cone surface can be placed on the folded hose section as a tree decoration, concealing it. The truncated cone is advantageously glued, welded, sewn, or similarly inserted into the opening of the cylindrical hose section.

[0023] It is understood that a further advantageous embodiment provides that the outer surface of the truncated cone is graphically designed, whereby, for example, but not in a restrictive or limiting manner, printing in the form of a logo is possible.

[0024] Of course, it is also possible that the hose section and the cone sock are made from one piece.

[0025] It is further understood that the transport packaging, in particular the tube section and the truncated cone, are made of several pieces, preferably of partial pieces, wherein the tube section and the truncated cone are / are sewn and / or glued or the like together.

[0026] If the respective stump still protrudes slightly into the respective tube section, i.e. the connection between stump and tube section is not made directly at the edges, but somewhat away from them, an abutment is created in the tube section, which prevents the needles from falling out even if they are tilted during transport, without the transport packaging having to be closed at the top.

[0027] In an advantageous further development, access openings or handles can be arranged in the upper area of ​​the truncated cone.

[0028] The transport packaging also works if the upper truncated cone edge is simply grasped when pulling it up. This eliminates the need for openings or handles, which saves manufacturing costs.

[0029] If the transport packaging is pulled up on the Christmas tree, it can also be closed at the top with a drawstring or simply with a ribbon.

[0030] If a cord is used to close the truncated cone, it can be guided through existing openings or handles, if available.

[0031] The materials for the tube section and the truncated cone, as well as the closure elements, are preferably natural materials that are compostable along with the tree. Before composting, the tree can be chipped along with the transport packaging.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the transport packaging for needle-bearing Christmas trees according to the invention consists of at least two, preferably at least three, conical tube sections. The lower conical tube section always has a smaller diameter than the next higher conical tube section.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, three truncated cones / pyramids open on both sides are connected to each other (e.g., glued, sewn, welded, etc.) as tube sections, the open section of which, facing the treetop, has a circumference that is larger in each case. This creates a kind of funnel from tree stump to treetop, which gradually reduces the circumference of the Christmas tree. With this solution, the tree can be carried through apartment doors / front doors without much effort and without contact with walls. A positive side effect is that the needles are already collected during this reduction process, preventing resin from reaching the consumer's hands.

[0034] Preferably, the purely conical embodiments of the transport packaging according to the invention can also be closed at the top and / or bottom; for example, with a drawstring or the like.

[0035] In one embodiment, the transport packaging according to the invention is a recyclable, disposable solution with a low ecological footprint.

[0036] In one embodiment, the transport packaging according to the invention comprises one or more handles to facilitate the removal of the tree by a consumer. The natural materials to be used for the transport packaging are preferably fully recyclable or compostable; for example, natural fibers.

[0037] The invention will be explained using the example of a cylindrical hose section with a truncated cone with reference to the sequence of images Fig.1 to Fig.7 be explained. The Figures 1-3 are not part of the claimed invention.

[0038] Fig. 1shows a Christmas tree 1 on a stand. During the stand, the end of the tree trunk 2 was inserted through the folded cylindrical tube section 3 with its truncated cone 4. The truncated cone 4 is folded outwards with its inner shell, thus concealing the folded cylindrical section 3. Since the inner shell of the truncated cone 4 has a graphic design, this is now visible and simultaneously serves as a Christmas decoration.

[0039] In Fig. 2 shows how the Christmas tree 1, which is now shedding its needles, is packaged.

[0040] In a first step, the cylindrical hose section 3 is connected to the tree trunk 2 using the cord 6 closure, unless this has already been done during the installation. In addition to the cord 6, a simple strap can also be used as a closure.

[0041] In the second step, the truncated cone 4 is grasped at its upper edge and pulled upwards together with the hose section 3. The gripping openings 5 ​​provided here can also be used to grasp the upper edge of the truncated cone. The pulling up should preferably be performed by two people. During the pulling up, the branches, under the pressure of the reduced cross-section between the truncated cone 4 and the cylindrical hose section 3, rest against the tree trunk 2. Fallen needles fall into the stretched truncated cone 4 and slide into the cylindrical hose section 3.

[0042] Once the treetop is reached, what Fig. 3 As shown, the truncated cone 4 is also closed. This is also done by means of a cord 6, which is guided through the access openings 5.

[0043] If the cylindrical hose section 3 together with the truncated cone 4 is longer than the tree height, the closure can be carried out by means of a band directly above the tree top, leaving a free hanging remainder of the truncated cone 4.

[0044] After this packaging, the needle-bearing Christmas tree 1 can be removed from the tree stand and easily transported away.

[0045] The Fig. 4 schematically shows an exemplary sectional pattern of an embodiment of the transport packaging according to the invention with three conical tube sections (7, 8, 9) that widen in diameter from bottom to top. Tube section (7) has the smallest diameter. Tube section (9) has the largest diameter. The middle tube section (8) has a diameter that lies between those of (7) and (9).

[0046] The inventive Figures 5 , 6 ,7 are analogous to the Figures 1 to 3 The above-mentioned reference numerals have the following meanings in the Figures 5 , 6 , 7 the same meanings. Purely conical transport packaging can also have a drawstring (6) on the bottom and / or top; this is not shown here. List of reference symbols

[0047] 1Christmas tree 2Christmas tree trunk 3Cylindrical tube section 4Trunk of a cone 5Access openings 6Cord 7Lowermost truncated cone with smallest diameter 8Middle truncated cone with medium diameter 9Upper truncated cone with largest diameter

Claims

1. A transport packaging for needle-shedding Christmas trees (1) consisting of a tubular section (3), which is pulled externally from the bottom up over the needle-shedding tree (1) and which can be closed (6) at the bottom and top, enclosing the tree (1), wherein the tubular section (3) is configured from three truncated cones (7, 8, 9) which are open on both sides and which are connected to one another as tubular sections, characterized in that the open region of such a tubular section (7, 8, 9) pointing in each case toward the top of the tree has a circumference which is larger in each case.

2. The transport packaging for needle-shedding Christmas trees (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the truncated cones (7, 8, 9) are in each case glued, sewn or welded into the opening of the conical tubular section (3).

3. The transport packaging for needle-shedding Christmas trees (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the tubular section (3, 7, 8, 9) is manufactured from one piece.

4. The transport packaging for needle-shedding Christmas trees (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that engagement openings (5) are provided in the shell of the upper truncated cone (9) in the upper region.

5. The transport packaging for needle-shedding Christmas trees (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the conical tubular section (3, 7, 8, 9) has a graphic design on the inner wall and / or outer wall.

6. The transport packaging for needle-shedding Christmas trees (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the conical tubular section (3, 7, 8, 9) has a drawstring (6) at the bottom side and at the top for closing, enclosing the tree (1).

7. The transport packaging for needle-shedding Christmas trees (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the drawstring (6) of the upper truncated cone (9) is guided through the engagement openings (5) thereof.

8. The transport packaging for needle-shedding Christmas trees (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the transport packaging consists of a natural material which can preferably be composted with the Christmas tree (1).

9. The transport packaging for needle-shedding Christmas trees (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the transport packaging consists of a recyclable material.

10. The transport packaging for needle-shedding Christmas trees (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, further characterized in that the transport packaging has one or more grips / handles for improved removal.

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