Method of packaging and selling natural stone

Abstract

This invention comprises a unique method for the sale of natural stone, special packaging for the stone and a method of doing business to make the stone available in high volume stores to the average consumer. The method comprises pre-fabricating the stone into slabs at or near the location where it is quarried, into sizes and shapes which are common, and often standard, in household bathrooms and kitchens. The stone slabs may, or may not, include cut-outs for sinks and faucets of various standard size. The pre-fabricated stone is then packaged in a box or carton which is designed to specially protect the stone, especially at the corners where most damage occurs, and shipping the packages to high volume, do-it-yourself consumer outlets.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A packaged countertop available for purchase at a retail outlet, comprising: 
 a pre cut non man made, non custom ordered solid natural stone slab countertop pre cut to a standard size and packaging for protecting said countertop from damage during shipping and handling of said packaged countertop.    
   
   
       22 . The packaged countertop of  claim 21 , wherein said countertop has at least one opening to accommodate at least one of a sink and a faucet.  
   
   
       23 . The packaged countertop of  claim 21 , further comprising a prefabricated backsplash made of the same natural stone as said countertop, for use with said countertop, wherein said packaging also protects said backsplash from damage during shipping and handling.  
   
   
       24 . The packaged countertop of  claim 21 , further comprising fastening means for attaching a sink to said countertop.  
   
   
       25 . The packaged countertop of  claim 21 , wherein said packaging has a cut-out to enable viewing of a portion of said countertop.  
   
   
       26 . The packaged countertop of  claim 21 , wherein said packing comprises an inner box and an outer box.  
   
   
       27 . The packaged countertop of  claim 26 , wherein said inner box and said outer box each has a cut-out to enable viewing of a portion of said countertop.  
   
   
       28 . The packaged countertop of  claim 21  wherein said inner box has four folding corners for protection of the corners of the natural stone slab corners.  
   
   
       29 . The packaged countertop of  claim 28  in which the each of the four foldable corners comprises fold lines along which the corners will fold.  
   
   
       30 . A packaged countertop available for purchase at a retail outlet, comprising: 
 a pre cut non man made, non custom ordered natural stone slab countertop pre cut to a standard size and having at least one opening to accommodate at least one of a sink and a faucet;    packaging for protecting said countertop from damage during shipping and handling.    
   
   
       31 . The packaged countertop of  claim 30 , further comprising a prefabricated natural stone backsplash, made of the same natural stone as said countertop, for use with said countertop, wherein said packaging protects said backsplash from damage during shipping and handling.  
   
   
       32 . The packaged countertop according to  claim 30 , further comprising fastening means for attaching a sink to said countertop.  
   
   
       33 . The packaged countertop according to  claim 30 , wherein said packaging defines a cut-out to enable viewing of a portion of said countertop.  
   
   
       34 . A kit for sale to a do-it-yourself retail consumer comprising, a pre cut non man made, non custom ordered natural stone slab countertop pre cut to a standard size and having at least one opening to accommodate at least one of a sink and a faucet; a container of an adhesive for attaching a sink to said countertop, packaging for protecting said countertop from damage during shipping and handling.  
   
   
       35 . The kit of  claim 34 , further comprising a prefabricated backsplash made of the same natural stone as said countertop, for use with said countertop, wherein said packaging also protects said backsplash from damage during shipping and handling.  
   
   
       36 . The kit of  claim 34 , in which the adhesive is an epoxy.  
   
   
       37 . The kit of  claim 34  wherein said packaging has a cut-out to enable viewing of a portion of said countertop.