U.S. patent application number 12/823331 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for method and apparatus for compressing and holding in compression woven fabric articles and products thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. Invention is credited to Timothy Michael Arends, Donald Lee Crevier, Stanley Piotrowski, Lawrence Share, Alan Varacins.
Application Number | 20110198260 12/823331 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44368652 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110198260 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Share; Lawrence ; et
al. |
August 18, 2011 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING AND HOLDING IN COMPRESSION
WOVEN FABRIC ARTICLES AND PRODUCTS THEREOF
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.
Inventors: |
Share; Lawrence; (Skokie,
IL) ; Crevier; Donald Lee; (Essex, IL) ;
Varacins; Alan; (Burlington, WI) ; Piotrowski;
Stanley; (Addison, IL) ; Arends; Timothy Michael;
(St. Charles, IL) |
Assignee: |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Glenview
IL
|
Family ID: |
44368652 |
Appl. No.: |
12/823331 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61304734 |
Feb 15, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/524.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 63/02 20130101;
B65B 5/045 20130101; B65B 31/047 20130101; B65B 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/524.8 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/20 20060101
B65D081/20 |
Claims
1-46. (canceled)
47. A packaging of compressible material, comprising: a package
including front and rear walls, a mouth with a reclosable zipper;
and an air valve in a closed position, the air valve further
including an open position; compressible material contained within
the package, the compressible material being in a compressed state
resulting from a compressive force of at least 2.5 pounds per
square inch, and the package being at least partially evacuated of
air; straps secured around the package; and the package being
contained in a tote container.
48. The packaging of claim 47 wherein the compressible material
includes woven material.
49. The packaging of claim 47 wherein the compressible material
includes textile or cloth.
50. The packaging of claim 48 wherein the reclosable zipper
includes two interlocking profiles which, when interlocked, form a
leak resistant seal.
51. The packaging of claim 50 wherein the reclosable zipper
includes a slider.
52. The packaging of claim 50 further including a forming section
around the package, wherein the wrapping straps extend from the
forming section.
53. The packaging of claim 52 wherein the forming section includes
rigid or semi-rigid bottom panel.
54. The packaging of claim 53 wherein the forming section further
includes first and second rigid or semi-rigid side panels extending
from the bottom panel.
55. The packaging of claim 54 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.
56. The packaging of claim 55 wherein the tote container includes a
cloth zipper formed around three sides of the top wall for
attaching to three of the side walls.
57. The packaging of claim 56 wherein the top wall includes a
transparent panel.
58. The packaging of claim 57 wherein one of the side walls of the
tote container includes a handle attached thereto.
59. The packaging of claim 58 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.
60. The packaging of claim 59 wherein the sheet of material has an
appearance which matches that of the woven material.
61. The packaging of claim 47 wherein the packaging, including the
compressible material therein, is sold in a retail
establishment.
62. The packaging of claim 47 wherein the compressive force was
applied while the package was in a tray with side elements, a
configuration of the side elements determining the shape of the
package in the compressed state.
63. The packaging of claim 62 wherein the compressive force was
applied while the package was in a tray with a rear element, a
configuration of the rear element determining the shape of the
package in the compressed state.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/304,734,
filed on Feb. 15, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for
producing compact shipping for woven fabric articles or
compressible materials, such as, but not limited to, bedding
materials.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] In the prior art, it is well known to package woven fabric
articles or compressible materials, such as bedding material, in a
package or bag made from polymeric or similar material. However,
the resulting packaging can be bulky which increases
transportation, storage and display costs throughout the chain of
commerce. Similarly, a consumer may be less prone to buy an
unwieldy package.
[0006] The storage of polymeric bag within a box is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,588,160, entitled "Combined Storage Apparatus",
issued on Sep. 15, 2009 to Chen.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to
provide a method and apparatus for compressing woven fabric
articles or compressible materials, such as, but not limited to,
bedding materials, in order to provide a compact and aesthetically
pleasing package.
[0008] This and other objects are attained by the present
disclosure by providing a method and apparatus wherein compressible
materials are placed into a plastic storage bag, typically of the
type with an air valve and a reclosable zipper. The zipper remains
open, and the compressible material and plastic storage bag are
compressed, typically with a pneumatic or hydraulic apparatus.
After the compression step has been performed, the zipper is closed
thereby retaining the package in its compressed state. The plastic
storage bag, with the compressed woven cloth material therein, is
then placed into a reusable tote bag, typically including a clear
vinyl portion. This results in an aesthetically pleasing container
for display and sale to the customer. This further results in a
tote bag and plastic storage bag which may be used by the consumer
after the retail sale of the compressible material within the
plastic storage bag and the tote bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Further objects and advantages of the disclosure will become
apparent from the following description and from the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical apparatus used for
compressing the woven fabric articles.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the woven fabric article in
the open plastic storage bag prior to compression.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the woven fabric article in
the closed plastic storage bag after compression, with the zipper
open.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the woven fabric article in
the closed plastic storage bag after compression, with the zipper
closed.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the closed storage bag,
including the woven material, without the straps, inside the
unzipped tote container.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the compressed woven fabric
article in the closed storage bag, compared with a prior art
package holding an uncompressed woven fabric article, illustrating
the difference in thickness between the two.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the components of typical
packaging of the final product.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a typical storage bag used
in the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like
numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one
sees that FIG. 1 is a perspective view of pressing apparatus 10 of
the present disclosure. Pressing apparatus 10 includes a frame 12,
typically made from metal, which further includes a ground-engaging
rectangular base 14, upright vertical elements 16 at the corners,
and an upper horizontal portion 18. Tray 20 is positioned on
rectangular base 14. Tray 20 typically includes an extended floor
21 which can serve as a feeding ramp. Tray 20 further typically
includes first and second side elements 22, 24 which are inwardly
and outwardly adjustable to accommodate different sizes of packages
and may be configured as being movable. Tray 20 further typically
includes rear element 25. Rear element 25 may be hinged to provide
further access to package 100 (to be described) and to allow the
package 100 to be pushed out of the rear of pressing apparatus 10.
The use of first and second side elements 22, 24, along with rear
element 25, allows the package 100 (to be described) to be
compressed into a controlled shape, with the contents typically
remaining very flat and smooth. Additionally, different shapes for
the resulting product may be achieved by placing elements into
different configurations.
[0019] Compression arm 30 reciprocates vertically toward and away
from tray 20. Compression arm 30 includes flat compression plate 32
(typically sixteen by sixteen inches for applications involving
bedding materials) which moves toward and away from tray 20 and
impinge against the package 100 (to be described). The compression
plate 32 provides a compression surface and is connected by first
and second horizontal cross-beams 34, 36 which are, in turn,
connected to respective first and second vertical guide rods 38, 40
which are engaged by respective first and second guide apertures
39, 41 and thereby constrained to vertical motion. Vertical drive
rod 37 is connected between pneumatic drive 48 and compression
plate 32. Pneumatic drive 48 thereby moves compression plate 32
vertically and applies a force to compression plate 32, thereby
causing a compression force to be exerted across the area of
compression plate. It has been found that a force of at least 2.5
to 3.5 pounds per square inch typically is required for sufficient
compression of most compressible materials, such as, but not
limited to, woven textile or cloth, particularly those frequently
used for bedding materials.
[0020] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the steps of compressing the
package 100. In FIG. 2, compressible material, such as, but not
limited to, textile, cloth or woven material (typically, a
comforter set or bedding set 102), is placed within a sealable
storage bag 104 of the type shown in FIG. 8, and placed upon tray
20 of pressing apparatus 10, wherein the first and second side
elements 22, 24 and rear element 25 of tray 20 have been adjusted
in accordance with the desired dimensions of the final package 100.
As shown FIG. 8, sealable storage bag 104 includes front and rear
walls 106, 108, typically of transparent polymeric material, with
an airtight or leak-resistant reclosable zipper 110 with first and
second interlocking profiles 112, 114 which can be selectively
opened (separated) or closed (interlocked) by movement of optional
slider 115. Additionally, one of the front and rear walls 106, 108
includes a reclosable air valve 116 with an open position which
allows air to pass freely therethrough and a closed position which
provides an airtight or leak-resistant configuration.
[0021] After the comforter set 102 is placed in the sealable
storage bag 104 as shown in FIG. 2, the reclosable zipper 110 is
left at least partially open and the pneumatic drive 48 is
activated thereby forcing compression plate 32 downwardly thereby
compressing the package 100, including comforter set 102 within
sealable storage bag 104 and driving, expelling or evacuating at
least a portion of the air from the sealable storage bag 104
through reclosable zipper 110. It has been found that, typically,
it is preferable to perform this operation at normal atmospheric
pressure without any vacuum apparatus being applied to reclosable
air valve 116 or any place else on the resealable storage bag 104
as such a vacuum operation typically deforms the comforter set 102,
rendering it unsightly. In other words, a uni-directional
compression is preferred over the spherical compression that would
typically occur in the presence of a vacuum. Similarly, it has been
found that applying vacuum to fur or to suede is particularly
unsightly. After the pressing apparatus 10 has compressed the
storage bag 104 and the contents thereof and driven air out through
reclosable zipper 110 as shown in FIG. 3 (with the reclosable
zipper 110 at least partially open), the reclosable zipper 110 is
closed (as well as reclosable air valve 116, if not already closed)
thereby rendering the storage bag 104 airtight or leak-resistant
and maintaining the reduced size of storage bag 104 and the
contents thereof, as shown in FIG. 4. An alternative aspect of the
disclosure may close the zipper 110 prior to compression and expel
the air through the reclosable air valve 116 during compression and
then close the air valve 116 after compression. However, this
aspect may not be preferred in some higher speed operations. The
air valve 116 is typically provided in order to provide the
consumer with a vacuum storage bag after purchase of the entire
product of FIG. 7 in a retail establishment.
[0022] The storage bag 104 is then removed from the pressing
apparatus 10 and placed into the forming section 200 of the
packaging shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the pressing operation
may be executed with the forming section 200 in place around the
storage bag 104. Forming section 200 includes rigid or semi-rigid
bottom panel 202 and two rigid or semi-rigid side panels 204, 206.
Panels 202, 204, 206 are sized for flush insertion into tote
container or bag 300. Strap portions 208, 210 extend from bottom
panel 202 and terminate in respective snap buckle portions 212,
214. Snap buckle portions 212, 214 can inter-engage in a
conventional manner to form first strap 216. Likewise, strap
portions 218, 220 extend from bottom panel 202 and terminate in
respective snap buckle portions 222, 224. Snap buckle portions 222,
224 can inter-engage in a conventional manner to form second strap
226.
[0023] Strap portions 208, 210, 218, 220 are engaged tightly around
storage bag 104 and snap buckle portions 212, 214 and 222, 224 are
inter-engaged to each other to form first and second straps 216,
226 which are tightly wrapped around storage bag 104, thereby
constraining storage bag 104 and maintaining the size and shape of
storage bag 104.
[0024] The storage bag 104, with forming section 200 engaged
thereto, is then placed within cloth tote container or bag 300,
which serves as an outer container typically formed as a
luggage-type container, thereby further constraining storage bag
104. Tote container or bag 300 includes a bottom wall 302 with a
square or rectangular shape and four side walls 304, 306, 308, 310
extending therefrom. Top wall 312 extends from side wall 304 and
includes cloth zipper 315 around three sides thereof for releasable
attachment with side walls 306, 308 and 310. The terms "top",
"bottom" and "side" are arbitrary in this context as the
orientation of tote container or bag 300 can be easily changed.
Further, top wall 312 typically includes transparent window or
portion 313 so as to allow the purchaser to see the contents of
storage bag 104. Side wall 308 includes handle 314 sewn or
otherwise attached thereto, thereby allowing a customer to carry
the tote container or bag 300, with the storage bag 104 and
comforter set 102 therein.
[0025] After the storage bag 104 and comforter set 102 have been
placed into the tote container or bag 300, an optional fabric
sample 400 (matching in appearance to the comforter set 102) may be
placed over the storage bag 104, including the comforter set 102,
and the zipper 315 of tote container or bag 300 closed, so that the
display through transparent top wall 102 is more aesthetically
pleasing.
[0026] In this way, an appealing and compact package for the
comforter set 102 (or similar woven or similar material objects) is
achieved as shown in FIG. 6. This results in a vacuum storage bag
being sold in a retail establishment with the compressed product
within the vacuum storage bag, so that the product may be removed
and the vacuum storage bag and tote bag reused by the consumer.
Moreover, a comparison between the size of the tote container 300
resulting from the present embodiment and the size of conventional
packaging 500 of bedding materials is shown in FIG. 6. A typical
size of prior art packaging for a queen size set is 21 inches by 16
inches by 12 inches, while the present embodiment may achieve a
size of 21 inches by 16 inches by 6 inches, or a reduction in
volume of fifty percent.
[0027] Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are
most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the
invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it
should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited
thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended
claims.
* * * * *