Method and apparatus for compressing and holding in compression woven fabric articles

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for compressing woven material or other compressible material, such as, but not limited to, a comforter set or bedding set. The bedding set or other woven material is placed into a reclosable storage bag which includes a reclosable zipper and a reclosable air valve. With the zipper open, the bag is compressed by a compression apparatus, typically in the absence of vacuum being applied, and, thereafter, the zipper is closed. Straps are wrapped around the compressed bag and the compressed bag is placed into a tote container or similar device. The result is a package with reduced volume, which reduces shipping and display costs, and is more aesthetically attractive to the consumer.

1 . A method, including the steps of:
 providing a package including a reclosable zipper;   placing compressible material within the package;   compressing the package thereby expelling a portion of air from the package;   after the compressing step, rendering the package leak resistant; and   after the rendering step, constraining the package.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the compressible material includes woven material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the compressible material includes textile or cloth. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of expelling air from the package is performed with the reclosable zipper in an at least partially open configuration and the step of rendering the package leak resistant is performed by closing the reclosable zipper. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the step of compressing the package is performed in the absence of a vacuum being applied to the package. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of compressing is performed with at least 2.5 pounds per square inch of force applied to the package. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of compressing is performed with at least 3.5 pounds per square inch of force applied to the package. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the package further includes an air valve with an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the reclosable zipper includes two interlocking profiles which, when interlocked, form a leak-resistant seal. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the reclosable zipper includes a slider. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of constraining the package includes wrapping straps around the package. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further including the step of providing a forming section around the package during the step of compressing, wherein the wrapping straps extend from the forming section. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the forming section includes rigid or semi-rigid bottom panel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the forming section further includes first and second rigid or semi-rigid side panels extending from the bottom panel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of constraining the package further includes the step of placing the package into an outer container after the step of wrapping straps around the package. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the outer container is a luggage-type container. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the outer container is a tote container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the tote container includes a rectangular or square bottom wall with four side walls extending therefrom, and a top wall extending from one of the side walls. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the tote container includes a cloth zipper formed around three sides of the top wall for attaching to three of the side walls. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the top wall includes a transparent panel. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein one of the side walls of the tote container includes a handle attached thereto. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further including placing a sheet of material between the package and the transparent panel of the top wall of the tote container, whereby the sheet of material is visible through the transparent panel. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the sheet of material has an appearance which matches that of the compressible material. 
     
     
         24 . A method, including the steps of:
 providing a package including front and rear walls, a mouth with a reclosable zipper; and an air valve with an open position and a closed position;   placing compressible material within the package with the reclosable zipper at least partially open;   compressing the package thereby expelling a portion of air from the package through the reclosable zipper, wherein the step of compressing is performed by a compressing device with a tray for receiving the package and a drive shaft including a compression surface thereon;   after the compressing step, rendering the package leak-resistant; and   after the step of rendering the package leak-resistant, constraining the package.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the compressible material includes woven material. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the compressible material includes textile or cloth. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the step of compressing is performed by a pneumatic drive. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the step of compressing is performed in the absence of a vacuum applied to the package. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the step of compressing is performed with at least 2.5 pounds per square inch of force applied to the package. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the step of compressing is performed with at least 3.5 pounds per square inch of force applied to the package. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the step of compressing is performed with the zipper open and the step of rendering the package leak-resistant is performed by closing the zipper. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the reclosable zipper includes two interlocking profiles which, when interlocked, form a leak-resistant seal. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the reclosable zipper includes a slider. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the step of constraining the package includes wrapping straps around the package. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  further including the step of providing a forming section around the package during the step of compressing, wherein the wrapping straps extend from the forming section. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the forming section includes rigid or semi-rigid bottom panel. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the forming section further includes first and second rigid or semi-rigid side panels extending from the bottom panel. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the step of constraining the package further includes the step of placing the package into an outer container after the step of wrapping straps around the package. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the outer container is a luggage-type container. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the outer container is a tote container. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the tote container includes a rectangular or square bottom wall with four side walls extending therefrom, and a top wall extending from one of the side walls. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the tote container includes a cloth zipper formed around three sides of the top wall for attaching to three of the side walls. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42  wherein the top wall includes a transparent panel. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43  wherein one of the side walls of the tote container includes a handle attached thereto. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  further including placing a sheet of material between the package and the transparent panel of the top wall of the tote container, whereby the sheet of material is visible through the transparent panel. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the sheet of material has an appearance which matches that of the compressible material. 
     
     
         47 - 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of compressing is performed with the package in a tray, the tray including side elements configured to determine a shape of the package after the step of compressing. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the tray further includes a rear element configured to determine a shape of the package after the step of compressing. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the tray includes side elements configured to determine a shape of the package after the step of compressing. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the tray further includes a rear element configured to determine a shape of the package after the step of compressing.