Fiberfill packaging method and apparatus

Abstract

A method for packaging a product comprises compressing a product in a first direction and a second direction, and transferring the product into a package having an opening, wherein the product is oriented in the package such that neither the first direction nor the second direction are aligned with the opening is disclosed. A packaging apparatus comprises a first plate oriented in a first direction, a second plate oriented in a second direction that intersects the first direction, a third plate oriented in a third direction that intersects the second direction but does not intersect the first direction, and a chute aligned with the third direction.

1 . A method for packaging a product, comprising:
 compressing a product in a first direction and a second direction; and   transferring the product into a package having an opening;   wherein the product is oriented in the package such that neither the first direction nor the second direction are aligned with the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 :
 wherein the product is transferred into the package in a third direction; and   wherein the product is not substantially compressed in the third direction.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the third direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the package comprises a plurality of side surfaces, and the product expands until the product is constrained by the side surfaces of the package. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the product only expands in the first direction and the second direction. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising sealing the package. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product is fiberfill. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first plate oriented in a first direction;   a second plate oriented in a second direction that intersects the first direction;   a third plate oriented in a third direction that intersects the second direction but does not intersect the first direction; and   a chute aligned with the third direction.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising: a loading area configured to receive a product, the loading area intersecting the first direction. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are substantially perpendicular to one another. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 :
 wherein the first plate has a first range of motion extending between a first uncompressed position and a first compressed position;   wherein the second plate has a second range of motion extending between a second uncompressed position and a second compressed position; and   wherein upon placing the first plate in the first compressed position, at least a portion of the second plate is flush with at least a portion of the first plate for at least part of the second range of motion.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 :
 wherein the second plate has a second range of motion extending between a second uncompressed position and a second compressed position;   wherein the third plate has a third range of motion extending between a retained position and a transferred position; and   wherein upon placing the second plate in the second compressed position, at least a portion of the third plate is flush with at least a portion of the second plate for at least part of the third range of motion.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the third plate transfers a product through the chute without substantially compressing the product in the third direction. 
     
     
         15 . A packaged product comprising:
 a package having a plurality of sides and an opening; and   a product disposed within the package, the product having a compressed direction and an uncompressed direction;   wherein the compressed direction is aligned with at least one of the sides and the uncompressed direction is aligned with the opening.   
     
     
         16 . The packaged product of  claim 15  wherein the product is fiberfill. 
     
     
         17 . The packaged product of  claim 15  wherein upon removal of a first portion of the product from the package through the opening, a second portion of the product remains within the package. 
     
     
         18 . The packaged product of  claim 15  wherein the opening further comprises a closure that is selectively opened and closed. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the product remains in the package when the closure is opened. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the package is substantially free of any void space when the closure is closed.