Packaging device and method for shipping furniture

Abstract

A method for shipping a piece of furniture having a back section secured to a seat section that involves the steps of: (a) removing the back portion from the furniture; (b) placing at least one protective shipping sleeve over an edge portion of the back section; and (c) inserting the back section with the at least one sleeve and the seat section into a shipping container. A packaging apparatus suitable for overnight delivery which includes a shipping container and at least one shipping sleeve capable of receiving an edge portion of the back section of the furniture with the at least one shipping sleeve postioinable within the shipping container to abut a side wall of the shipping container is also disclosed.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method for shipping a piece of furniture having a back section secured to a seat section, the method comprising the steps of: 
 removing the back section from the seat section;    placing at least one protective shipping sleeve over an edge portion of the back section; and    inserting the back section with the at least one sleeve and the seat section into a shipping container.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the furniture is a chair.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of covering at least a portion of the furniture with a protective material.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of covering includes providing the protective material constructed of a bubble wrap.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of covering includes placing protective material around the seat section.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step of enclosing the covered furniture in a bag prior to the step of inserting.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of securing accessory parts of the furniture to the furniture.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising placing the accessory parts in to a bag.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of taping the bag to the furniture.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of securing the accessory parts to the shipping sleeve.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of positioning the back section to overlie the seat section.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of placing the back section to overlie arms which are connected to the seat section.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of nesting the back section between the arms.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  further providing the shipping container having outside dimensions of approximately 26 inches in width, 26 inches in depth, and 25 inches in height.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  further providing the shipping container having a DIM of no greater than 130 inches.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of shipping the furniture within the container via overnight delivery.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of inserting further includes the step of positioning a portion of the at least one sleeve to abut at least one sidewall of the shipping container.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of inserting includes positioning the at least one shipping sleeve to abut opposing sidewalls of the shipping container.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of placing includes positioning two shipping sleeves such that a first sleeve is placed over the edge portion of the back section and a second sleeve is placed over an opposing edge portion of the back section.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of inserting further comprises: 
 abutting the first shipping sleeve against a first sidewall of the container adjacent an edge of the back section; and  
 abutting the second shipping sleeve against an opposing second sidewall of the container, where the second sidewall of the container is adjacent an opposing edge of the back section.  
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the further the step of providing the at least one shipping sleeve constructed of corrugated cardboard.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 placing a first protective shipping sleeve and a second protective shipping sleeve over the edge portion of the back section and an opposing edge portion of the back section, respectively;  
 wrapping the seat section in a protective material;  
 positioning the back section to overlie the seat section;  
 placing the back and seat section within a protective bag; and  
 positioning the protective bag into a shipping container with the first and second protective shipping sleeves each abutting at least one sidewall of the shipping container.  
 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  in which the step of inserting includes positioning the back section between the seat section and a sidewall of the shipping container.  
     
     
         24 . A packaging apparatus for packaging a piece of furniture having a back section removable from a seat section, the packaging apparatus comprised of: 
 a shipping container; and    at least one shipping sleeve capable of receiving an edge portion of the back section of the furniture, the at least one shipping sleeve positionable within the shipping container to abut a sidewall of the shipping container.    
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein at least a portion of the at least one shipping sleeve abuts at least one sidewall of the shipping container with the at least one sleeve positioned within the shipping container.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the at least one shipping sleeve abuts opposing sidewalls of the shipping container.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising a first and second shipping sleeve in which the first shipping sleeve is positionable over the edge portion of the back section and the second shipping sleeve is positionable over an opposing edge of the back section.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein the first sleeve abuts a sidewall of the container adjacent an edge of the back section and the second sleeve abuts a second sidewall of the container where the second sidewall is adjacent the opposing edge of the back section.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the at least one shipping sleeve is constructed of corrugated cardboard.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the shipping container has outside dimensions of approximately 26 inches in width, 26 inches in depth, and 25 inches in height.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the shipping container is suitable for use by an overnight delivery service.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the shipping container has outside dimensions of approximately 26 inches in width, 24 inches in depth, and 27 inches in height.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the DIM of the shipping container is no greater than 130 inches.