Disposable tree cover system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inexpensive disposable tree cover system particularly useful for enclosing trees to catch shed leaves and needles. One embodiment is directed at a disposable tree cover system that may be attached at the base of the trunk of the tree then extended up and around the tree to provide a shed-proof enclosure for the tree. The material forming the cover system may be inexpensive fabric, cloth, or plastic. If the material is strong enough, handles may be provided on the enclosure to facilitate handling of the tree. The handles also facilitate manipulating the cover system during enclosing of the tree. The disposable tree bay may also be used in other areas, such as shipping of live trees, where the bag would serve as protection for the tree. If desired, the bag may be manufactured of sturdier material so as to be reusable instead of disposable.

1 . A disposable tree storage and transportation bag for containing tree leaves and needles:
 during transport and disposal comprising:   a storage pouch configured to store a bag and configured to fit around a trunk of a tree;   a bag material configured to form a bag around the tree, the bag formed from the bag material comprising:
 a substantially-circular base opening attached to the storage pouch; 
 sides extending outward and upward from the base opening; and 
 a substantially-circular top opening large enough to permit the top opening to pass around the branches of the tree as the top opening is drawn vertically from the bottom of the tree to the top of the tree; 
   means for securing the storage pouch to the trunk of the tree; and   means for closing the top opening;   wherein the storage pouch and the bag material are configured so as to be able to assume at least two configurations: a first stored configuration wherein the bag material is contained within the storage pouch, and a second deployed configuration wherein the bag material is extended from the storage pouch upward and outward to form a tree bag.   
   
   
       2 . The bag of  claim 1  further comprising handles attached to the bag material for at least one of:
 facilitating changing the bag material between the stored and deployed configurations; and   facilitating handling of the tree within the tree bag.   
   
   
       3 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the storage pouch is circular in shape with a hole passing through the pouch configured to accept the passage of the trunk of the tree. 
   
   
       4 . The bag of  claim 3  wherein the storage pouch comprises:
 pouch material shaped to form a storage area in the shape of a donut; and   a rim extending circularly around the storage pouch to provide circular access to the contents of the pouch.   
   
   
       5 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the means for securing the storage pouch to the trunk of the tree comprises a drawstring. 
   
   
       6 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the means for securing the storage pouch to the trunk is an elastically-biased opening. 
   
   
       7 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the means for closing the top opening comprises a string. 
   
   
       8 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the means for closing the top opening comprises an elastically-biased opening. 
   
   
       9 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the storage pouch and the bag material are made from materials selected from the group of plastic, fabric, and cloth. 
   
   
       10 . A method of containing shed needles and leaves of a tree in a disposable tree bag during transport and disposal, the method comprising:
 providing a tree;   providing a storage pouch about a trunk of the tree, the storage pouch containing a tree bag, the tree bag configured to extend upward and outward from the storage pouch and the trunk to enclose limbs of the tree so that the needles and leaves of the enclosed limbs cannot escape the tree bag, the tree bag comprising a top opening sized so as to allow passage of the opening around the branches of the tree;   opening the storage pouch;   extending the tree bag horizontally from the storage pouch about the trunk of the tree;   lifting the tree bag vertically so that the top opening passes over the branches of the tree until the branches of the tree are contained within the tree bag; and   closing the top opening.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising securing the storage pouch to the trunk of the tree. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising leaving the horizontally-extended tree bag in its horizontally-extended position for a time to catch shed tree leaves and needles. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 re-opening the tree bag; and
 lowering the tree bag to re-expose the branches of the tree. 
   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 re-lifting the tree bag to cover the branches of the tree; and
 re-closing the tree bag. 
   
   
   
       15 . A disposable tree storage and transportation bag for containing tree leaves and needles during transport and disposal comprising:
 a storage pouch configured to store a bag and configured to fit around a trunk of a tree, the storage pouch comprising:
 a drawstring contained within the pouch to secure the storage pouch to the trunk of the tree; 
 a rim at which the storage pouch may be opened 
   a bag material configured to form a bag around the tree, the bag formed from the bag material comprising:
 a substantially-circular base opening attached to the storage pouch; 
 sides extending outward and upward from the base opening; and 
 a substantially-circular top opening large enough to permit the top opening to pass around the branches of the tree as the top opening is drawn vertically from the bottom of the tree to the top of the tree; 
   means for closing the top opening;   wherein the storage pouch and the bag material are configured so as to be able to assume at least two configurations: a first stored configuration wherein the bag material is contained within the storage pouch, and a second deployed configuration wherein the bag material is extended from the storage pouch upward and outward to form a tree bag.   
   
   
       16 . The bag of claim  0  further comprising a zipper provided at the rim of the storage pouch to permit opening of the storage pouch. 
   
   
       17 . The bag of claim  0  wherein the storage pouch and rim are made of a material such that the rim may be torn open to permit opening of the storage pouch. 
   
   
       18 . The bag of claim  0  wherein the storage pouch and the bag material comprise an inexpensive disposable material selected from the group of plastic, fabric, and cloth. 
   
   
       19 . The bag of claim  0  further comprising handles attached to the bag material for at least one of:
 a. facilitating changing the bag material between the stored and deployed configurations; and   b. facilitating handling of the tree within the tree bag.   
   
   
       20 . The bag of claim  0  wherein the storage pouch and the bag material are configure to be able to assume a third configuration wherein the bag material forms a skirt around the trunk of the tree.