WO1997042085A1

WO1997042085A1 - A machine and a method for compressing and packing christmas trees and the like

Info

Publication number: WO1997042085A1
Application number: PCT/DK1997/000206
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kim Bech Nielsen; Kurt Rytter Andersen
Original assignee: Psi-16 Aps
Priority date: 1996-05-06
Filing date: 1997-05-06
Publication date: 1997-11-13
Also published as: DK9600153U3; AU2763497A

Abstract

A machine and a method for compressing and packing Christmas trees and the like, the machine comprising a frame (1) defining a substantially horizontal compressing and packing platform (4), substantially vertical abutment means (11) connected to the frame (1) adjacent the compressing and packing platform (4) and first compressing means (6, 6a) connected to the frame (1) and for compressing the trees against the abutment means (11), the first compressing means being adapted to pivot around a first axis, between a first horizontal tree unloading position, and a second tree compressing position wherein the first compressing means (6, 6a) abut the trees in the final compressed condition thereof. The machine further comprising second compressing means (23) arranged pivotable around a horizontal axis and vertically displaceable between a first tree loading uppermost position and a second tree compressing lowermost position by means of third actuating means connected to the frame (1).

Description

A machine and a method for compressing and packing Christmas trees and the like.

The present invention relates to a machine for compressing and packing Christ¬ mas trees, cut-off branches, greenery and the like and comprising a frame defining a substantially horizontal compressing and packing platform, sub¬ stantially vertical abutment means connected to the frame adjacent the com¬ pressing and packing platform and first compressing means connected to the frame and for compressing the trees against the abutment means, the first com¬ pressing means being pivotable around a first axis and defining an upwardly open compressing and packing compartment together with the abutment means and the compressing and packing platform, the first compressing means defining a first compressing surface for abutting and compressing the trees and being adapted to pivot between a first, tree unloading position for providing a sub¬ stantially unhindered access aperture to said compressing and packing com¬ partment for removing the trees in the final compressed condition thereof, and a second, tree compressing position wherein the first compressing surface abuts the trees in the final compressed condition thereof, the machine further compris- ing first actuating means for pivoting the first compressing means between the first position and the second position thereof.

A machine of this type is known from US-patent 3,827,353, the machine comprising a horizontally displaceable vertical compressing wall means arranged opposite stationary vertical abutment wall means, the two wall means defining a compressing compartment therebetween, the compart¬ ment having a packing platform for supporting a pallet on which the trees loaded into the compression department are to be located after being com¬ pressed by displacing the compressing wall means towards the abutment wall means. The length of the compressing compartment between the two wall means prior to the compression operation is longer than the length of the pallet by a distance at least equal to the compression displacement of the compressing wall means thus requiring arrangement of an elevated plat¬ form adjacent the pallet and aligned with the top surface of same so as to avoid jamming trees against the side of the pallet during compression. The compressing wall means is pivotable around a horizontal axis along the bottom edge thereof allowing the compressing wall means to be pivoted to a horizontal position after the compressing displacement so as to enable the pallet with compressed trees to be removed from the compressing compart¬ ment across the horizontal ramp thus formed by the compressing wall means.

A very similar machine is known from WO 97/06065 where the vertical compressing wall means is, however, after the horizontal compressing dis¬ placement in vertical position, pivotable about an axis along the top edge of the wall means to allow the wall means to be pivoted outwards and up- wards away from the compressed trees to allow removal of the pallet with trees through the thus formed aperture in the compression compartment across a separate ramp means swung into position for the unloading of the pallet with trees.

Both these known machines are relatively complicated and lengthy because of the mechanisms and construction length required for the horizontal compressing displacement of the vertical compressing wall means as well as because of the elevated platform necessary to avoid jamming of trees against the side of the pallet during the horizontal compressing operation. Finally, the unidirectional horizontal displacement of the vertical compress¬ ing wall means against the mass of trees to be compressed will tend to lock the trees to one another, thereby reducing or substantially eliminating any redistribution of the trees relative to one another during compression thus tending to reduce the degree of compaction of the trees and increasing any damage to the trees and branches thereof, the term trees throughout the present specification and claims to be understood to cover Christmas trees, cut-off branches, greenery and the like.

The main object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type indicated above, wherein the above disadvantages of the known machines are overcome and providing a relatively simple, easily operatable, compact and cheap machine having good tree compacting properties allowing relatively small damage to the trees to be compressed and packed.

According to the invention, this is achieved by the first actuating means and the first compressing means being adapted to cooperate such that at least a substantial part of the compression of the trees against said abutment means is performed by said first compressing surface during the pivoting of the first compressing means from the first to the second position thereof.

Hereby, any displacement of the first compressing means other than pivot- ing may be reduced or entirely eliminated, thereby reducing the size of the machine and rendering it simpler and less costly, and at least a substantial part of the compression is achieved in a multidirectional rotative manner with respect to the trees thereby allowing redistribution of the trees with re¬ spect to one another. Finally, the elevated platform adjacent the pallet in the compressing compartment may be dispensed with.

The first axis may be vertical, particularly if the first compressing means comprise two pivotable structures each defining a compressing surface each pivotable around a vertical axis, but preferably the first axis is substantially horizontal as this affords the most simple and straightforward construction.

Advantageously, in the currently preferred embodiment of the machine according to the invention, the first axis is arranged adjacent the com¬ pressing and packing platform. Hereby the first compression means will pivot adjacent the platform and a pallet arranged thereon, thereby allowing reducing to a minimum or entirely avoiding any free space between the edge of the pallet and the compression means during the compressing pivoting of the latter.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the machine according to the invention, the first axis is fixedly arranged with respect to the compressing and packing platform. This affords a particularly simple and robust con¬ struction. Furthermore, distinct mechanisms are not required for , on one hand, any displacement, horizontal or otherwise and, on the other hand, the pivoting of the first compressing means as in the known machines described above.

Preferably, the first compressing means furthermore are adapted to pivot to a third, tree loading position intermediate the first and second position thereof, the first actuating means and the first compressing means being adapted to cooperate such that at least a substantial part of the compression of the trees against said abutment means is performed by said compressing surface during the pivoting of the first compressing means from the third to the second position thereof. Hereby a particularly advantageous loading of the trees is obtained, the intermediate position being with the compressing surface arranged at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the surface of the compressing and packing platform although other angles may be utilized as suitable for different materials or trees to be compressed and packed.

Preferably, the machine according to the invention may further comprise second compressing means connected to the frame, defining a second compressing surface and adapted for compressing the trees against the compressing and packing platform. Hereby, an optimal compression of the trees in both the horizontal and vertical direction is obtained

Advantageously, the second compressing surface is arranged pivotable around a substantially horizontal second axis between a first, tree loading, substantially vertical position and a second, tree compressing, substantially horizontal position by means of second actuating means connected to the frame. Hereby, free access to the compressing and packing compartment from above is obtained.

Preferably, the second compressing means are arranged vertically displace¬ able between a first, tree loading, uppermost position and a second, tree compressing, lowermost position by means of third actuating means connected to the frame.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the machine according to the in¬ vention, the second compressing means and the second and third actuating means are adapted to cooperate such that at least a substantial part of the compression of the trees against the compressing and packing platform or any pallet arranged thereon is performed by said second compressing surface during the displacement of the second compressing means from the first to the second position thereof. Hereby a particularly simple and effective construction is obtained.

Advantageously, the second compressing means and the second and third actuating means are adapted to cooperate such that at least a substantial part of the compression of the trees against the compressing and packing platform or any pallet arranged thereon is performed by said second com¬ pressing surface during the pivoting of the second compressing surface from the first to the second position thereof.

Preferably, the length of the compressing and packing platform is sub¬ stantially equal to the length of a pallet, for instance a Euro-pallet, to be arranged on the compressing and packing platform. Hereby, any tendency of jamming of the trees against the edge of a pallet arranged on the com- pressing and packing platform is reduced or entirely eliminated.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the machine according to the invention, the width of the compressing and packing platform is smaller than the width of a pallet to be arranged on the compressing and packing platform for allowing the pallet to rest on the compressing and packing platform with any wheels at the edges of the underside of the pallet suspended alongside the compressing and packing platform. Hereby, the wheels of the pallet will not be damaged by the compressing forces applied to the trees and thereby transmitted to the surface of the pallet.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the machine according to the invention, friction reducing means such as rollers, wheels or equivalent elements, for facilitating horizontal displacement of the compressed trees or pallet with same out of the compressing and packing compartment through the unhindered access aperture thereof are arranged at the top surface of the compressing and packing platform and/or on the first com¬ pressing surface of the first compressing means. Hereby, unloading of the trees and any pallet may be performed manually with use of any additional apparatus.

A particularly practical and efficient continuous operation in a forest or plantation is obtained by the frame being provided with connecting means for releasably connecting the machine to a tractor or the like for moving the machine and providing powering means for powering the first, second and third actuating means, the frame further being provided with coupling means for releasably coupling the machine to a transport and storage waggon for receiving and storing compressed and packed trees. In the currently preferred embodiment of the machine according to the invention, the first compressing means comprise two or more arms constituting at least part of the first compressing surface and arranged pivotably around a horizontal axle located along and adjacent to one edge of a substantially rectangular platform, the arms comprising a lever extension for cooperating with a hydraulic cylinder connected to the frame and adapted to pivot the arms around the axle; the second compressing means comprising an elevator frame slidably mounted in the frame and connected to a hydraulic cylinder connected to the frame and adapted to displace the elevator frame vertically, and two or more arms constituting at least part of the second compressing surface and connected to a transverse beam having a lever extension pivotably connected to the elevator frame and to one or more hydraulic cylinders connected to the elevator frame and adapted to pivot the transverse beam, and, furthermore, slots or channels for releasably receiving wood rods for constituting a frame around the compressed trees and a pallet therefor when held together by a strap means are provided in or adjacent the first and second compressing surfaces as well as in or adjacent a third compressing surface defined by the abutment means.

The invention furthermore relates to a method of compressing and packing Christmas trees, cut-off branches, greenery and the like and comprising the following steps:

- providing an upwardly open compressing and packing compartment defined by: a substantially horizontal compressing and packing platform defined by a frame; substantially vertical abutment means connected to the frame and arranged adjacent the compressing and packing platform; and first compressing means connected to the frame and defining a first com¬ pressing surface for abutting and compressing the trees and furthermore arranged pivotable around a first axis and substantially opposite the abut¬ ment means,

- pivoting the first compressing means to a first, tree loading position wherein the first compressing surface is oblique relative to the compressing and packing compartment, - loading trees into the compressing and packing compartment up to a pre¬ determined level above the compressing and packing platform or any pallet arranged thereon,

- pivoting the first compressing means to a second, tree compressing position wherein the first compressing surface abuts the trees in the final compressed condition thereof such that at least a substantial part of the compression of the trees against said abutment means is performed by the first compressing surface during said compressing pivoting of the first compressing means from the first to the second position thereof and such that the variation of the angle of the first compressing surface with respect to the abutment means during the compressing pivoting operation allows rolling redistribution of at least some of the trees with respect to one another during compression thereof.

Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises the further step of substantially vertically compressing the trees against the compress¬ ing and packing platform by means of second compressing means connected to said frame and defining a second compressing surface, the vertical compressing operation being carried out simultaneously and/or after the pivoting compressing operation of the trees by means of the first compressing means.

Advantageously, the first axis is substantially horizontal.

Preferably, the first axis is arranged adjacent the compressing and packing platform.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention the first axis is fixedly arranged with respect to the compressing and packing platform.

Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises the further steps of:

- subsequent to the pivoting compressing operation by means of the first compressing means, pivoting same to a third, tree unloading position for providing a substantially unhindered access aperture to the compressing and packing compartment,

- removing the compressed and packed trees from the compressing and packing compartment through the access aperture.

In cases where it is of importance to avoid any danger of squeezing the trees against the edge of a pallet arranged on the compressing and packing platform, the method according to the invention may further comprise the steps of:

- prior to the loading of the trees in the compressing compartment with first compressing means in the first position thereof, loading a portion of the total amount of trees in the compressing compartment with the first compressing means in the second position thereof,

- pivoting the first compressing means to the first position thereof, and

- loading the rest of the trees into the compressing compartment.

Hereby, a bed of trees is provided on the platform for preventing any tree or branch thereof from entering the squeezing zone between the first compressing means and the respective edge of the pallet.

Advantageously, the method according to the invention may further comprise the steps of:

- prior to the loading of the trees, releasably arranging wood rods for constitut¬ ing a frame around the compressed trees and a pallet therefor when held together by a strap means in or adjacent the first and second compressing surfaces as well as in or adjacent a third compressing surface defined by the abutment means such that the wood rods,

- arranging and tightening a strap around the wood rods subsequent to the com- pressing operation of the first and second compressing means, and

- releasing the wood rods. Hereby, a very simple and reliable positioning of the wood rods is achieved re¬ quiring practically no bothersome and inaccurate manual positioning of the wood rods.

- connecting a transport waggon to the frame for being pulled by same when a tractor connected to the frame moves same,

- subsequent to the pivoting compressing operation by means of the first compressing means, pivoting same to a third, horizontal tree unloading position for providing a substantially unhindered access aperture to the compressing and packing compartment and bridging the gap between the machine and the transport waggon, and

- removing the compressed and packed trees from the compressing and packing compartment through the access aperture across the horizontal first compressing means to the transport waggon.

Hereby, a very efficient method of packing and distributing packed trees in an extensive forest or plantation is obtained requiring no other mechanical means than the machine according to the invention and a tractor, preferably provided with a lifting means for loading the trees.

A currently preferred embodiment of the machine and method according to the embodiment will be explained in the following solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 is an elevational perspective side view of the machine coupled to the lifting mechanism of a tractor and with the first compression means in the second, tree compressing position thereof and the second compression means and second compressing surface in the second, tree compressing position thereof,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the abutment means and second actuating means of the machine of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 is an elevational perspective view in smaller scale of the machine of Fig. 1 with the first compression means in the first, tree unloading position thereof and the second compression means and second compressing surface in the first, tree loading position thereof,

Fig. 4 is an elevational perspective view of the machine of Fig. 1 with a pallet loaded unto the compressing and packing platform and with cut-away portions to show the first, second and third actuating means,

Figs. 5 and 5 A are diagrammatical side elevational views in smaller scale showing the machine of Fig. 1 in the tree loading position and an inter¬ mediate, tree compressing position, respectively,

Fig. 6 a fragmentary view in larger scale of the packing and compressing compartment of the machine in Fig. 1 with compressed trees arranged on a pallet and wood rods ready to be strapped to the pallet and around the trees,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view in larger scale seen from below of part of the second compression means enclosed in the area indicated by the broken line R in Fig. 1 , a wood rod being arranged in retaining means for same,

Fig 8 is side view partly in section and in larger scale of the elevator frame and pivotable arms of the second compression means,

Figs. 9-10 fragmentary views in larger scale of the wood rod retaining means of the abutment means of the machine in Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 11 a fragmentary view in larger scale of the strap supply rollers of the machine in Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 12 a fragmentary view in larger scale illustrating the final joining of the ends of a strap at the junction between the wood rods of the second compression means and the abutment means, and Figs. 13-15 are various diagrammatical views illustrating the unloading and storage of trees compressed and packed on pallets by means of the machine of Fig. 1.

Referring now to Figs. 1-5 A, the currently preferred embodiment of the machine according to the invention comprises a frame 1 provided with a connecting bracket 2 for attachment of the frame 1 to the lifting yoke 3 of a tractor 3a. The frame 1 defines a packing platform constituted by a bed of horizontal rollers 4 pivotably attached to the frame 1. Adjacent the rear end of the bed of rollers or platform 4 opposite the tractor 3a, a horizontal axle 5 is pivotably attached to the frame 1 , the first compressing means com¬ prising two arms 6 and an intermediary plate 6a defining the first compressing surface and being pivotably connected to the frame 1 by means of the axle 5.

A row of rollers or wheels 7 are pivotably attached to the arms 6 and project slightly above the top surface of the arms 6 (Fig. 4). Slots or channels 8 for receiving wood rods 9 are arranged along the arms 6.

The arms 6 are each provided with a lever extension 10 pivotably connected to the piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder 10a supplied with hydraulic fluid from a pump (not shown). The arms 6 may be pivoted between the horizontal position shown i Figs. 3 and 4, the inclined position shown in Fig. 5 and the vertical position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 A by means of the hydraulic cylinder 10a and the lever extension 10.

The frame 1 is further provided with four fixedly attached, vertical arms 11 (partly cut away in Fig. 2 for the sake of clarity) adjacent the front end of the platform 4 and constituting the vertical abutment means. Four sloping retaining and guiding arms 12 are fixedly attached to the frame 1 above the vertical arms 11. Two vertical slots or channels 13 for receiving wood rods 14 are arranged on either side of the vertical arms 11.

Referring now to Figs. 1-8, the second compressing means comprise a vertically displaceable elevator frame 15 slidably attached to and vertically guided in a U-shaped channel la of the frame 1 by means of rollers 15a, the elevator frame 15 comprising a lower transverse beam 16 and an upper transverse beam 17 (Figs. 7 and 8)

A hydraulic cylinder 19 supplied with hydraulic fluid by a pump (not shown) is attached to the frame 1 below and to the transverse beam 17 of the elevator frame 15 above for displacing the elevator frame 15 up and down.

Two hydraulic cylinders 20 are each pivotably attached to the transverse beam 16 below and to one of two lever arms 21 fixedly connected to a pivotable transverse beam 22 arranged pivotably on the upper transverse beam 27 around a horizontal axle (Figs. 7 and 8).

Three arms 23 are fixedly attached to the pivotable transverse beam 22 and define the second compressing surface. The arms 23 and thereby the second compressing surface defined thereby may be pivoted between the vertical, tree loading position shown in Figs. 3 and 5-5 A and a horizontal, tree compressing position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 by means of the hydraulic cylinders 20 and the levers 21.

The arms 23 are generally V-shaped so that the second compressing surface defined thereby will be particularly well-suited for compressing trees 24 arranged in a compressing and packing compartment 25 defined by the platform 4, the arms 6 and the plate 7 and the vertical arms 11 as shown in Figs. 5 and 5A.

Further arms having a slot or channel 26 for wood rods 27 are fixedly attached to the transverse beam 22 between the arms 23. Two feed rollers or bobbins 28 for a strap 29 for interconnecting the wood rods 9, 14 and 27 and a pallet 30 arranged on the platform 4 after compression of the trees 24 on the pallet 30 (Fig. 6) are rotatably attached to either side of the frame 1.

All surfaces and edges with a tendency to damage the trees during com- pressing operations are provided with baffle plates such as plates 42 in Figs. 1 and 6 and inclined surfaces such as 43 in Fig. 1. In use, the embodiment of the machine according to invention shown in Figs. 1-15 is transported by a tractor as shown in Figs. 1 and 15 from site to site in for instance a forest or plantation of Christmas trees, a train of one or more storage waggons 31 having a platform with rollers 32 being attached to a connector 33 on the frame 1 of the machine.

A pallet 30 is arranged on the platform 4, and the arms 6 are pivoted to the position shown in Fig. 5 while the arms 23 are lifted and pivoted to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5 for allowing trees 24 to be freely loaded into the compressing compartment 25 from above, the arms 12 hindering trees 24 from settling in the pivoting region of the arms 23. When a pre¬ determined level of trees has been loaded into the compartment 25, the arms 6 are pivoted in the direction of the arrow Fl (Fig. 5) to the position shown in Fig. 5 A, whereby the trees 24 are compressed between the arms 6 with the plate 7 and the vertical arms 11 , the arms 12 again preventing trees 24 from being pressed into the pivoting region of the arms 23 and rearwards over the top of the arms 6.

Thereafter, the arms 23 are pivoted to the horizontal position in the direction of the arrow F2, and the elevator frame 15 is lowered in the direction of the arrow F3 to the lowermost position as shown in Fig. 1 and 6 thereby compressing the trees 24 vertically against the platform 4. This operation may be performed stepwise, ie. first pivoting the arms 23 and thereafter lowering the elevator frame 15 with the arms 23 or simultaneously or, in certain cases, the other way around, ie. lowering the elevator frame 15 first and thereafter pivoting the arms 23.

Optionally and depending on the characteristics of the trees or material to be compressed and packed, a first portion of the trees may be loaded into the compressing and packing compartment 25 when the arms 6 are in the vertical position shown in Fig. 5 A, whereafter the arms are pivoted down to the position shown in Fig. 5, and the rest of the trees are then loaded into the compartment, whereafter the process described above is carried out. The object of this intermediary step is to arrange a bottom layer of trees in the compartment with the arms abutting the rear edge of the pallet 30 so as to avoid that any branches may be squeezed between the edge of the pallet and the arms 6 during the compressing operation. This object may also be achieved by arranging a pivotable transverse plate (not shown) on the arms 6 to bridge the gap between the arms 6 and the pallet 30 in the position shown in Fig. 5, the plate pivoting into a flush position with the upper surface of the arms 6 in the position of the arms 6 shown in Fig. 3.

Thereafter the arms 6 are pivoted to the horizontal position shown in Figs. 3 and 13 whereafter the pallet 30 with compressed trees attached to the pallet by the wood rods 9, 14 and 27 and the strap 29 in a manner to be described below is rolled of the machine on rollers 4 and 7 unto the roller 32 of a waggon 31 connected to the rear of the frame 1 as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14. The machine together with the train of waggons 31 may thereafter be moved to another location in the forest and any full waggons 31 may be left for later pick-up and transport to a central shipping facility. To facilitate the moving of the full pallet from the machine to the waggon or unto the ground, the tractor may tilt the machine by lifting the front end slightly whereby the pallet easily or by itself may roll off the machine. Hereby, no additional lifting or pulling equipment is required to unload the full pallets as all unloading operations may be performed manually.

The wood rods 9, 14 and 27 and the straps 29 are arranged around the trees 24 and the pallet 30 in the manner described below with reference to Figs. 6-12.

Before loading of the trees 24 and the pallet 30 into the compressing com- partment 25, the free end of the strap 29 is pulled manually away from the bobbin 28 forwards to the tip of the respective arm 6 and fastened there by means of a fastening device (not shown). A wood rod 9 having a recessed longitudinal channel 35 for receiving the strap 26 is arranged in the slot or channel 8 on top of the strap 29 thus forced into the bottom of the channel 8 and held there by the rod 9. The wood rod 9 is retained in the channel 8 by means of a releasable spring loaded pawl mechanism (not shown). More of the strap 29 is then unwound from the bobbin 28 so that the strap 29 may be inserted in the channel or slot 13 and a pallet 30 be placed over the strap thus located between the pallet and the platform 4, and then the wood rod 14 is placed in the channel 13 on top of the strap and is retained in the channel 13 by means of a releasable spring loaded pawl mechanism (not shown). A special wire or string (not shown) with a hook or the like at the end to grip the loose end of the strap is inserted in each of the slots or channels 26 of the second compressing means and a wood rod 27 is inserted over the wire in the slot and retained therein by means of a releasable spring loaded pawl mechanism (not shown).

After the compressing operation has been carried out, the wood rods 9, 14 and 27 will abut each other as shown in Fig. 6 forming a top frame around the compressed trees with the longitudinal channels 35 of the rods being aligned.

10

The end of the strap fastened at the end of the arm 6 is loosened and is engaged by the hook at the end of the special wire in the channel 26 where¬ after the wire is pulled out towards the front of the machine thereby pulling the strap through the channel 26 in the channel 35 of the wood rod

15 27, more strap being pulled off the bobbin 28 in the process. The strap is severed from the bobbin and two loose strap ends result as shown in Fig. 12. The loose ends are then tightened and interconnected by means of the tightening and binding mechanism 41 arranged in a holder 40 for same. Finally the wood rods are released from the respective slot or channel by 0 releasing the respective pawl mechanism.

The wood rods 9, 14 and 27 are now bound together and to the pallet by the wood rods and the strap 29 arranged in the channels 35 of the wood rods thereby constituting a frame to hold the trees on the pallet and to 25 allow the pallets with trees to be stacked on top of each other for transport to the wholesalers and retailers.

The embodiment of the machine and the method according to the invention described above with reference to the drawings may be modified and 30 altered in many ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein and in the appended claims.

Thus, in the embodiment described above, the abutment means are arranged along the front end of the compressing and packing nearest the 35 tractor, but they may also be arranged along a side with the first compress¬ ing means pivoting around a horizontal axis along the opposite side, the pallet being discharged rearwards along a special ramp swung into position. The second compressing means may be arranged along one of the sides or at the front edge of the platform.

Claims

1. A machine for compressing and packing Christmas trees, cut-off branches, greenery and the like and comprising a frame defining a sub¬ stantially horizontal compressing and packing platform, substantially vertical abutment means connected to the frame adjacent the compressing and packing platform, and first compressing means connected to the frame and for compressing the trees against the abutment means, the first com- pressing means being pivotable around a first axis and defining an upward¬ ly open compressing and packing compartment together with the abutment means and the compressing and packing platform, the first compressing means defining a first compressing surface for abutting and compressing the trees and being adapted to pivot between a first, tree unloading position for providing a substantially unhindered access aperture to said com¬ pressing and packing compartment for removing the trees in the final compressed condition thereof, and a second, tree compressing position wherein the first compressing surface abuts the trees in the final com¬ pressed condition thereof, the machine further comprising first actuating means for pivoting the first compressing means between the first position and the second position thereof, the first actuating means and the first compressing means being adapted to cooperate such that at least a sub¬ stantial part of the compression of the trees against said abutment means is performed by said first compressing surface during the pivoting of the first compressing means from the first to the second position thereof.

2. A machine according to claim 1 , wherein the first axis is substantially horizontal.

3. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first axis is arranged adjacent the compressing and packing platform.

4. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first axis is fixedly arranged with respect to the compressing and packing plat- form.

5. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first compressing means furthermore are adapted to pivot to a third, tree loading position intermediate the first and second position thereof, the first actuating means and the first compressing means being adapted to co- operate such that at least a substantial part of the compression of the trees against said abutment means is performed by said compressing surface during the pivoting of the first compressing means from the third to the second position thereof.

6. A machine according to any of the preceding claims and further com¬ prising second compressing means connected to the frame, defining a second compressing surface and adapted for compressing the trees against the compressing and packing platform.

7. A machine according to claim 6, wherein the second compressing surface is arranged pivotable around a substantially horizontal second axis between a first, tree loading, substantially vertical position and a second, tree compressing, substantially horizontal position by means of second actuating means connected to the frame.

8. A machine according to claim 7, wherein the second compressing means are arranged vertically displaceable between a first, tree loading, upper¬ most position and a second, tree compressing, lowermost position by means of third actuating means connected to the frame.

9. A machine according claim 7 or 8, wherein the second compressing means and the second and third actuating means are adapted to cooperate such that at least a substantial part of the compression of the trees against the compressing and packing platform or any pallet arranged thereon is performed by said second compressing surface during the displacement of the second compressing means from the first to the second position thereof.

10. A machine according to any of the claims 6-9, wherein the second compressing means and the second and third actuating means are adapted to cooperate such that at least a substantial part of the compression of the trees against the compressing and packing platform or any pallet arranged thereon is performed by said second compressing surface during the pivoting of the second compressing surface from the first to the second position thereof.

11. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the compressing and packing platform is substantially equal to the length of a pallet, for instance a Euro-pallet, to be arranged on the com¬ pressing and packing platform.

12. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the compressing and packing platform is smaller than the width of a pallet to be arranged on the compressing and packing platform for allowing the pallet to rest on the compressing and packing platform with any wheels at the edges of the underside of the pallet suspended alongside the com¬ pressing and packing platform.

13. A machine according to any of the claims 3-10, wherein friction reduc¬ ing means such as rollers, wheels or equivalent elements, for facilitating horizontal displacement of the compressed trees or pallet with same out of the compressing and packing compartment through the unhindered access aperture thereof are arranged at the top surface of the compressing and packing platform and/or on the first compressing surface of the first com¬ pressing means.

14. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is provided with connecting means for releasably connecting the machine to a tractor or the like for moving the machine and providing powering means for powering the first, second and third actuating means, the frame further being provided with coupling means for releasably coupling the machine to a transport and storage waggon for receiving and storing compressed and packed trees.

15. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first compressing means comprise two or more arms constituting at least part of the first compressing surface and arranged pivotably around a horizontal axle located along and adjacent to one edge of a substantially rectangular platform, the arms comprising a lever extension for cooperation with a hydraulic cylinder connected to the frame and adapted to pivot the arms around the axle; the second compressing means comprising an elevator frame slidably mounted in the frame and connected to a hydraulic cylinder connected to the frame and adapted to displace the elevator frame vertical¬ ly, and two or more arms constituting at least part of the second com- pressing surface and connected to a transverse beam having a lever extension pivotably connected to the elevator frame and to one or more hydraulic cylinders connected to the elevator frame and adapted to pivot the transverse beam.

16. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein slots or channels for releasably receiving wood rods for constituting a frame around the compressed trees and a pallet therefor when held together by a strap means are provided in or adjacent the first and second compressing surfaces as well as in or adjacent a third compressing surface defined by the abutment means.

17. A method of compressing and packing Christmas trees, cut-off branches, greenery and the like and comprising the following steps:

- providing an upwardly open compressing and packing compartment defined by: a substantially horizontal compressing and packing platform defined by a frame; substantially vertical abutment means connected to the frame and arranged adjacent the compressing and packing platform; and first compressing means connected to the frame and defining a first com- pressing surface for abutting and compressing the trees and furthermore arranged pivotable around a first axis and substantially opposite the abut¬ ment means,

- pivoting the first compressing means to a first, tree loading position wherein the first compressing surface is oblique relative to the compressing and packing compartment,

- loading trees into the compressing and packing compartment up to a pre¬ determined level above the compressing and packing platform or any pallet arranged thereon,

18. A method according to claim 17 and comprising the further step of substantially vertically compressing the trees against the compressing and packing platform by means of second compressing means connected to said frame and defining a second compressing surface, the vertical compressing operation being carried out simultaneously and/or after the pivoting com¬ pressing operation of the trees by means of the first compressing means.

19. A method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the first axis is sub¬ stantially horizontal.

20. A method according to any of the claims 17-19, wherein the first axis is arranged adjacent the compressing and packing platform.

21. A method according to any of the claims 17-20, wherein the first axis is fixedly arranged with respect to the compressing and packing platform.

22. A method according to any of the claims 17-21 and comprising the further steps of:

23. A method according to any of the claims 17-22, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

- pivoting the first compressing means to the first position thereof, and

- loading the rest of the trees into the compressing compartment.

24. A method according to any of the claims 17-23, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

- arranging and tightening a strap around the wood rods subsequent to the com¬ pressing operation of the first and second compressing means, and

- releasing the wood rods.

25. A method according to claim 19 and any of the claims 20-24, wherein the method comprises the further steps of:

- subsequent to the pivoting compressing operation by means of the first com¬ pressing means, pivoting same to a third, horizontal tree unloading position for providing a substantially unhindered access aperture to the compressing and packing compartment and bridging the gap between the machine and the transport waggon, and - removing the compressed and packed trees from the compressing and packing compartment through the access aperture across the horizontal first compressing means to the transport waggon.