401ITB - Coneivore (a tool for picking up pinecones)

Description

The handy Cone-I-Vore allows the user to pick up pinecones without bending over or raking them into piles. Best of all, it protects fingers from the needle-sharp barbs.

Cone-I-Vore's developer is a disabled mother, who took the idea (with permission) from her father-in-law all the way to this worthwhile garden tool.

The Cone-I-Vore comes fully assembled and weighs less than 2.5 pounds.

The well-designed handles allow a comfortable grip as the user thrusts the tool down over a cone. When the tube is full, simply remove the top cone cap and dump out the cones.

Small Cap	Large Cap	The tube holds up to 15 pinecones, depending on their size. It comes with two different-sized cone caps, each uniquely designed to accommodate pinecones of different sizes. The small cone cap has six equal-sized flat fingers, while the large cone cap has six fingers grouped in pairs and angled inward.	Get the Flash Player to see this player.

The developer has carefully tested the nylon used to manufacture the cone caps to ensure it holds up in cold weather and survives the abuse it receives every time the Cone-I-Vore is plunged down over a cone. The six-finger design appears to eat the cones. Each time the unit is plunged down over a cone, a cone goes up into the belly of the 3-foot long, 5-inch diameter, .056-inch thick-wall polypropylene/profax tube.

As with other tools, there are some secrets to using the Cone-I-Vore:

A tree can drop cones up to 17 different sizes; test the unit first to see which cone cap works with your cones.
Scatter the cones with your feet as they are easier to pick up when they are not in a pile.
Use your feet to tip larger diameter cones upright (small end up, large base down) before thrusting down on it with the tool.
Other items, such as regular walnuts, apples, and tennis balls, can be picked up with the unit, but test to see which cone cap works best.
Some cones, e.g., fir, must be collected using the small cap and a twisting motion rather than just pushing down on the cone. First place the tool over the cone and twist to the right and then to the left. This motion helps the tool grab soft and unusual-shaped cones.
Most cones can be collected with the small cap but if large cones are collected too often with the small cap, its finger memory will weaken so it becomes difficult to pick up small cones. In general, if the cone has a hard texture and is over 2 inches long, use the large cone cap. If the cone is soft, flat, or small, use of the small cone cap.
Cones 2 to 7 inches long can be collected with the large cone cap, along with apples, tennis balls, etc.
Softer and flatter fir, magnolia, loblolly, short-leaf, etc., cones from 1 to 7 inches long can be collected with the small cone cap.
The tool works best if it is held with one hand on each handle, 2 to 6 inches above the pinecone, and pushed firmly down over the cone, repeating until the tube is full.
The number of cones collected in the tube depends on the diameter of the cones. However, the last cone you collect will be held in place with the fingers of the cone cap. Use a gloved hand to push the last cone through the cone cap.
A cone can get stuck in the tube because of its size. Use a 3/4-inch dowel 3.5 feet long to push a stuck cone out of the tube.

If you have cones of a particular species and are not sure which cone cap would work best, refer to this list, provided by the developer, which matches cones to the different cone cap sizes.

Cone-I-Vore

Small Cone Cap

Large Cone Cap

Apache Pine
Bishop Pine
Douglas Fir
Eastern Hemlock
Jack Pine
Knobcone Pine
Loblolly Pine
Lodgepole Pine
Pinyon Pine
Pitch Pine
Pond Pine
Red Pine
Sand Pine
Scotch Pine
Short-Leaf Pine
Single-Leaf Pinyon Pine
Spruce Pine
Virginia Pine
Western Hemlock
Whitebark Pine

Apache Pine
California Foothill Pine
Gray Pine (also called Bull or
Digger Pine)
Eastern White Pine
Foxtail Pine
Jeffrey Pine
Knobcone Pine
Limber Pine
Long-Leaf Pine
Ponderosa Pine
Slash Pine
Southwestern White Pine
Sugar Pine (some may be too
large to pick up)
Western White Pine

Important Note 06/19/10: The Cone-I-Vore was designed to pick up mature female pinecones (i.e., pinecones that produce seeds). Mature female pinecones feature opened scales, which allows them to drop their seeds. Dry conditions cause female pinecone scales to open.

The Cone-I-Vore was not designed to pick up male (i.e., pinecones that produce pollen), green, wet, and/or immature pinecones. Generally speaking, these types of pinecones are smaller. Also, moisture can prevent pinecones from opening. Depending on their size, these pinecones may be unsuitable for pickup with the Cone-I-Vore. If you are unable to pick up male, green, wet, and/or immature pinecones, there is nothing wrong with the design of your Cone-I-Vore. Simply put, it is designed to pick up mature female pinecones with fully opened scales.

To read my review on the product, click here. Take a few minutes to read what our satisfied customers have to say by clicking here to read their feedback.

If you'd like to save your back by picking up pinecones quickly and easily without bending over, then order your Cone-I-Vore today!