Methods, apparatus, and systems for multi-mattress compression packing

Abstract

Methods of compressing and sealing a plurality of mattresses in an air-impermeable, pliable outer container; and assemblies comprising such a plurality of mattresses. The plurality of mattresses may be rolled into a cylindrical shape for transport from a manufacturer to a distribution center or a retail location. Each mattress may be enclosed in an air-permeable, pliable decorative container that may be suitable for display or transfer to customers. The methods and the assemblies may allow greater efficiency in shipping mattresses to a distribution center or a retail location, and/or greater efficiency in preparing mattresses for display or transfer to customers of the retail location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 placing each of a plurality of foam mattresses into each of a plurality of air-permeable, pliable first containers, such that each first container contains one of the foam mattresses;   compressing the plurality of first containers each containing one of the foam mattresses, to yield a plurality of compressed first containers each containing one of the foam mattresses in a compressed state;   sealing the plurality of compressed first containers into an air-impermeable, pliable second container, to yield a sealed second container containing a plurality of compressed first containers each containing one of the foam mattresses in a compressed state.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 rolling the sealed second container into a cylindrical shape, to yield a rolled sealed second container containing a plurality of compressed first containers each containing one of the foam mattresses in a compressed state.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transporting the rolled sealed second container to a retail location.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein transporting comprises at least one of ground transportation, sea transportation, or air transportation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 unsealing the rolled sealed second container at the retail location.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 removing one of the first containers containing one of the foam mattresses from the second container after unsealing; and   displaying the first container containing the foam mattress to customers of the retail location, transferring the first container containing the foam mattress to a customer's possession, or both.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein four foam mattresses and four first containers are compressed. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein six foam mattresses and six first containers are compressed. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein eight foam mattresses and eight first containers are compressed. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each first container comprises a cloth. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second container comprises a plastic. 
     
     
         12 . An assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of foam mattresses;   a plurality of air-permeable, pliable first containers, wherein each first container contains one of the foam mattresses; and   an air-impermeable, pliable second container enclosing the plurality of first containers each containing one of the foam mattresses.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each first container comprises a cloth. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the second container comprises a plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each foam mattress is in a state of at least partial compression. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the second container is sealed. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the assembly has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the second container contains four foam mattresses and four first containers; six foam mattresses and six first containers; or eight foam mattresses and eight first containers. 
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 compressing a plurality of foam mattresses, to yield a plurality of compressed foam mattresses; and   sealing the plurality of foam mattresses into an air-impermeable, pliable first container, to yield a sealed first container containing the plurality of compressed foam mattresses.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 rolling the sealed first container into a cylindrical shape, to yield a rolled sealed first container containing the plurality of foam mattresses in a compressed state.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 transporting the rolled sealed first container to a retail location.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 unsealing the rolled sealed first container at the retail location.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 removing one of the foam mattresses from the first container after unsealing; and   displaying the foam mattress to customers of the retail location, transferring the foam mattress to a customer's possession, or both.