US3747293A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Packaging method and apparatus
Assignee: S PINES Inc VAN
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Filing: 1971-12-27
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A split ring is opened and slipped around the base of a live shrub or tree. A generally rectangular flexible wrap member is secured at one end to the ring and the ring is closed. The wrap member includes closure means along its sides such that it can be closed into the shape of a cylinder. The ring and wrap member are then pulled upwardly and as the wrap member passes onto the tree, the closure means are progressively closed. When the leading edge of the wrap member is generally at the top of the tree and the tree is thereby enclosed, the ring is removed from the wrap member and a packaging sleeve is pulled downwardly from a sleeve dispenser positioned above the shrub. The packaging sleeve is pulled over the wrap and the wrap is then pulled upwardly off of the tree while the packaging sleeve is held in place.
Inventors
- 👤 M Slooten
- 👤 J Kass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:32
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B25/00; B65B25/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for packaging shrubs and the like comprising: means defining a split ring, capable of being opened, for passing around the base of a shrub; means for closing said ring defining means; a generally flexible wrap means, capable of being shaped into a generally cylindrical form, for wrapping about said shrub; said wrap means including a part therein from one end to the other when shaped cylindrically; means securing one end of said wrap means to said ring defining means; closure means along said part whereby when said ring defining means is closed and pulled upwardly on said shrub, said closure means can be progressively closed as said wrap means is pulled upwardly from the base of said shrub.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for packaging shrubs and the like comprising: means defining a split ring, capable of being opened, for passing around the base of a shrub; means for closing said ring defining means; a generally flexible wrap means, capable of being shaped into a generally cylindrical form, for wrapping about said shrub; said wrap means including a part therein from one end to the other when shaped cylindrically; means securing one end of said wrap means to said ring defining means; closure means along said part whereby when said ring defining means is closed and pulled upwardly on said shrub, said closure means can be progressively closed as said wrap means is pulled upwardly from the base of said shrub.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising: a stand having an opening at the front side thereof whereby said stand can be positioned about said shrub; lines for securing to said ring defining means; pulley means mounted at the top of said stand, said lines passing over said pulley means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 2 comprising: said stand including a first pair of side members extending along opposite sides of said shrub; at least one first pulley mounted on each said side member; at least one line over each said first pulley and extending downwardly therefrom for securing to said ring defining means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
The apparatus of claim 3 comprising: said side members extending from said front side of said stand to the back side of said stand; each of said first pulleys being positioned towards said front side of said stand; a second pair of pulleys being positioned at said back side, spaced more closely together than said first pulleys; a back support member extending up said back side of said stand; winch means mounted on said back support member; each said line passing over one of said first pulleys and one of said second pulleys and being joined to said winch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 2 comprising: said stand including a top member extending over a shrub embraced by said stand; dispensing means suspended from said top member; a flexible packaging sleeve positioned on said dispensing means for transferring from said dispensing means over said wrap means when said shrub is wrapped in said wrap means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 5 comprising: top pulley means secured to said top member; a line secured to said dispensing means and extending over said top pulley means whereby said dispensing means can be raised or lowered.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said dispensing means comprises: a cylinder onto which flexible packaging sleeves can be loaded; an arm pivotally mounted at the top of said cylinder and extending downwardly towards the bottom of said cylinder; spring means biasing the lower end of said arm into engAgement with said cylinder whereby packaging sleeves cannot fall off said cylinder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 7 comprising: said cylinder having a circumferential lip at the bottom thereof over which packaging sleeves must pass when removed from said cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 8 comprising: said arm including a shoe on the lower end thereof, said shoe extending laterally from said arm and wrapping partially around said cylinder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 7 comprising: said arm extending about its pivotal mounting to said cylinder; a tab projecting laterally from the upper end of said arm away from the axis of said cylinder; said spring means comprising an elongated, axially expanding and contracting spring means; said spring means being operably connected to said cylinder and being wrapped around said arm, and being free to move up and down along said arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said dispensing means comprises: a cylinder onto which flexible packaging sleeves can be loaded; a pair of arms pivotally mounted to the top of said cylinder on opposite sides thereof and extending upwardly and downwardly therefrom; each said arms including a tab projecting laterally from the upper end thereof; a continuous spring means, axially extendible and contractible, wrapped around said cylinder and around said arms, being free to move up or down on said arms, whereby the lower ends of said arms are biased into engagement with said cylinder when said spring means is below the pivot points of said arms and away from engagement with said cylinder when said spring means is above said pivot points.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 11 comprising: said spring means being secured, at least at one point spaced from said arms, to said cylinder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising: said part closure means including a line secured to said wrap means at spaced intervals along the length of said line along one side of said part; a plurality of hooks secured to said wrap means along the other side of said part for hooking into said line at said intervals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said wrap means includes a generally funnel-shaped top portion for pulling over said shrub ahead of said cylindrically-shaped portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising: a plurality of said split rings; means joining said rings at spaced intervals, one above the other, the top ring having the largest diameter with lower rings becoming progressively smaller.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said ring defining means comprises two sections hingedly joined together.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which each said section includes means for securing a line thereto.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of packaging shrubs and the like comprising the steps of: slipping a split ring around the base of said shrub; closing the split in said ring; securing one end of a flexible, generally rectangular wrap means to said ring; pulling said ring upwardly over said shrub; progressively securing together the sides of said wrap means as it is pulled over said shrub.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of packaging shrubs and the like comprising the steps of: slipping a split ring around the base of said shrub; closing the split in said ring; securing one end of a flexible, generally rectangular wrap means to said ring; pulling said ring upwardly over said shrub; progressively securing together the sides of said wrap means as it is pulled over said shrub.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 18 comprising the steps of: pulling a packaging sleeve down over said wrap and said shrub after said wrap has been pulled to approximately the top of said shrub; pulling said wrap off the top of said shrub while holding said packaging sleeve in place.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 19 in which said step of pulling said ring upwardly over said shrub comprises: securing lines to said ring and pulling on said line; said step of pulling a packaging sleeve down over said wrap including removing said lines from said ring after said wrap has been pulled to approximately the top of said shrub and then pulling said packaging sleeve down over said wrap.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 20 in which said step of pulling said packaging sleeve down over said wrap further comprises: positioning a packaging sleeve dispensing means above said shrub and pulling said flexible packaging sleeve off of said dispensing means over said wRap and said shrub.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of packaging shrubs and the like comprising the steps of: encircling the base of a shrub with one end of a flexible, generally rectangular wrap member; securing together the sides of said wrap member at said one end; pulling said wrap member upwardly over said shrub; and progressively securing together the sides of said wrap member as it is pulled over said shrub.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of packaging shrubs and the like comprising the steps of: encircling the base of a shrub with one end of a flexible, generally rectangular wrap member; securing together the sides of said wrap member at said one end; pulling said wrap member upwardly over said shrub; and progressively securing together the sides of said wrap member as it is pulled over said shrub.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |