Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02433204 2003-06-25
"DUAL PURPOSE CHRISTMAS TREE BAG"
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention deals with the field of Christmas tree bags and more
particularly to a combination Christmas tree bag and needle catcher skirt.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Real Christmas trees are popular despite the appearance of
realistic artificial trees. A common problem with such real trees is that the
needles fall off and make a mess during installation and removal, as well as
while the tree is standing. Especially on carpet, these needles can be very
difficult to clean up.
Many people use a tree skirt to cover the Christmas tree stand to
catch some of the needles falling while the Christmas tree is standing on
display.
People also use a Christmas tree bag to cover the tree when the tree is taken
in
or out of the house and thereby catching any falling needles. A device that is
a
combination of a tree skirt and tree bag would be advantageous.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a bag for carrying
a Christmas tree that could also serve as a tree skirt.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a bag
that is easily removed from the Christmas tree after installation of the tree
in the
stand.
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It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a bag
that is easy to carry.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a bag
that is washable, durable and reusable.
The invention accomplishes these objects by providing a sheet
having mating closure means on opposing sides thereof such that when said
closure means are fully mated, said sheet forms a bag, open on each end, of a
size to accommodate a Christmas tree therein, and that when said closure
means are partially mated, said sheet forms a tree skirt.
The mating closure means could be a zipper or hook and loop
(VeIcroT"~) fastener. The tree is simply placed in the bag at the point of
purchase
where the zipper or VeIcroT"~ fastener and the drawstrings are closed. The
trunk
of the tree could extend through the bottom opening and the drawstring pulled
tight around it. In this fashion the tree could be installed in the stand
while still in
the bag. Once the tree is installed the drawstrings can be loosened and the
zipper unfastened so that the bag is easily removed from the tree.
Alternatively the zipper could be unfastened only partially to
facilitate lowering the bag to the bottom of the tree where it will cover the
stand
and act as, or form, a tree skirt.
A handle, such as a strip of fabric-like material sewn to the exterior
of the bag, could be attached to make the Christmas tree in the bag much
easier
to carry.
The bag could be substantially cylindrical, or be tapered to follow
the shape of the tree.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof,
preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description
which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams
where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like
numbers,
and where:
Figure 1 is a side view of the embodiment with the zipper closed;
Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the
zipper partially open;
Figure 3 illustrates the display position of the bag, of the
embodiment of Figure 1, covering the tree stand and acting as a tree skirt.
Figures 4 - 6 are a series of side views of the embodiment of
Figure 1 being moved from the display position over a Christmas tree to
facilitate
neat disposal of same.
Figures 7 and 8 are side views of another embodiment of the
invention illustrating two handles sewn onto the exterior of the bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figures 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the invention. A
sheet 1 has a zipper 2 along two opposing sides thereof such that when the
zipper is fully fastened, the sheet 1 forms a bag 3. Alternatively, if the
zipper is
partially fastened, the sheet 1 forms a tree skirt. In this embodiment the
fastener
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is a zipper, but a VeIcroT"" or other' fastener could be employed as well.
Drawstrings 4 are sewn into the opposing ends of the bag 3. A handle 5 is
formed of a strip of material sewn onto the exterior of the bag 3 to
facilitate
carrying the Christmas tree 6 (as illustrated in Figure 6). Preferably the
sheet 1
is made from nylon, although cotton or other fabric-like material will be
equally
suitable.
Figure 3 illustrates the display position of the bag 3, of the
embodiment of Figure 1, wherein the sheet 1 covers the tree stand 9 and acts
as, or forms, a tree skirt 3b. Needles 7 that fall from the tree 6 land on the
tree
skirt 3b, or in the folds thereof, and are retained and collected there for
the most
part. The skirt 3b can be arranged so that the majority of the needles 7 that
fall
from the tree 6 will land in the folds of the skirt 3b and be collected for
later
disposal with the tree 6. The lower drawstring 4b could be drawn up somewhat
to facilitate catching the needles 7, but could be loose enough to facilitate
pouring water into the tree stand reservoir.
Figures 3 - 6 illustrate the operation of the bag 3 as used to remove
a Christmas tree 6 along with the accumulated needles 7 once the tree no
longer
needs to be displayed. The bag ~ is partially raised to allow the lower
drawstring
4b to be drawn tight around the trunk S of the Christmas tree 6. The bag 3 is
then fully raised and the zipper 2 is fully fastened. Finally the upper
drawstring
4a is drawn closed. The Christmas tree 6 and needles 7 are then enclosed in
the
bag 3. The tree 6 may then be removed from the tree stand 9 and transported
neatly for disposal with the aid of the handle 5. Further, the tree 6 enclosed
in
the bag 3 can be easily carried inside or outside of a vehicle. Installation
of the
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tree 6 is accomplished in substantially the reverse order.
Alternatively the zipper 2 may be completely unfastened and the
bag 3 removed from the tree 6 while it is on display. The bag 6 may be then
utilized later for disposal of the tree 6. A bag 3 of nylon or cotton material
is
durable and washable and will last for several seasons, as opposed to present
bags which are for the most part useable only once.
The cotton, nylon or other fabric-like material of the sheet 1 may be
coloured in traditional Christmas colours such as red or green. The material
falls
in attractive folds around the tree 5, and is as well durable and washable,
allowing the bag 3 to be serviceable for a number of years.
Figures 7 and 8 disclose another embodiment of the invention
wherein two handles 5a, 5b are sE:wn onto the exterior of the bag 3. The two
handles 5a, 5b are substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the
bag 3
so as to further facilitate carrying of the tree 6 contained inside the bag 3.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of
the invention. Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily
occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to
the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such
suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be
resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
