Rug and methods of manufacturing and packaging

Abstract

A rug a methods of manufacturing and packaging the rug. The rug, once manufactured, can be folded one or more times from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration such that the area thereof is substantially reduced. In example embodiments, the rug is packaged in the folded configuration. A bag, shrink wrap or other packaging is provided for retaining the folded rug.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing and packaging a rug, the method comprising:
 providing a rug comprising first and second ends defining a length therebetween and first and second sides defining a width therebetween, the rug being in an unfolded configuration;   folding the first end second ends along the length to define first and second folded sections;   folding the first and second folded sections along the length to lie against each other;   folding the folded first and second folded sections along the width such that the rug is in a folded configuration; and   placing the folded rug within packaging.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the packaging comprises a bag comprising a zippered portion for opening or closing the bag, and a handle attached to the bag for carrying the folded rug. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the packaging comprises one or more layers of shrink wrap material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising placing the folded rug wrapped in shrink wrap within a cardboard box. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the rug is about 5 feet and the width of the rug is about 3 feet. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rug comprises an area of about 15 square feet. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rug comprises one or more piles of yarn extending from an upper surface thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the piles of yarn can be cut, loop or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rug comprises a polyurethane backing defined on a bottom surface of the rug. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the polyurethane backing is substantially resilient and elastic such that applying one or more folds to the rug does not cause the rug to retain any creases therein. 
     
     
         11 . A method of packaging a rug comprising:
 providing a rug, the rug being in an unfolded configuration;   folding the rug such that the rug is in a folded configuration; and   packaging the folded rug.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein in the unfolded configuration the rug comprises first and second ends defining a length therebetween and first and second sides defining a width therebetween. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein folding the rug to the folded configuration comprises:
 folding the first end second ends along the length to define first and second folded sections;   folding the first and second folded sections along the length to lie against each other; and   folding the folded first and second folded sections along the width such that the rug is in a folded configuration.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the packaging comprises a bag comprising a zippered portion for opening or closing the bag, and a handle attached to the bag for carrying the folded rug. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the packaging comprises one or more layers of shrink wrap material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising placing the folded rug wrapped in shrink wrap within a cardboard box. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the length of the rug is about 5 feet and the width of the rug is about 3 feet. 
     
     
         18 . A packaged rug for placement on a retail shelf comprising:
 a rug, the rug being in a folded configuration; and   one or more layers of material containing the folded rug,   wherein a purchase display can be provided on the one or more layers of material to include any branding, indicia, instructions or other textual or graphical information relating to the rug contained therein.   
     
     
         19 . The packaged rug of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more layers of material comprise a generally transparent bag for containing the folded rug therein, the bag comprising a zippered portion for opening or closing the bag, and a handle attached to the bag for carrying the folded rug. 
     
     
         20 . The packaged rug of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more layers of material comprise one or more layers of shrink wrap material and one or more cardboard layers.