Environmentally friendly textile soft goods retail packaging incorporating vacuum-sealable bags reusable by consumers

Abstract

A display of bedding sets for retail sale includes a first, second, third and fourth textile soft goods products for retail sale. Each includes a first vacuum-sealable bag and a plurality of individual bedding components constituting a bedding set for a particular size of bed. The bedding sets are displayed together on a shelf of a retail store, and the physical dimensions of each retail packaging are substantially the same as the physical dimensions of each other retail packaging.

1 . A consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale, comprising:
 (a) a vacuum-resealable bag having,
 (i) air impermeable walls defining an interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag, 
 (ii) a one-way valve assembly configured to permit air to be evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag but to preclude air from entering the interior space of the vacuum sealable bag through the one-way valve assembly, and 
 (iii) a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-resealable bag in an airtight manner, 
 (iv) wherein the vacuum-resealable bag is configured to maintain a vacuum condition within the interior space when the closure mechanism seals the mouth of the vacuum-resealable bag and air is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from the interior space defined by the vacuum-resealable bag, and 
 (v) wherein the vacuum-resealable bag is configured to be opened and then reclosed such that the vacuum-resealable bag is reusable by a consumer for vacuum-packing after the one or more textile soft goods have been removed from the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag; and 
   (b) one or more textile soft goods located within the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag.   
     
     
         2 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more textile soft goods located within the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag are maintained in a compressed condition resulting from a pressure differential existing between a pressure in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag and a pressure exterior to the vacuum-resealable bag. 
     
     
         3 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 2 , further comprising retail packaging comprising a case in which the vacuum-resealable bag containing the textile soft goods is contained, wherein a hoop strength of the case is sufficient to maintain the textile soft goods in a compressed condition within the vacuum-resealable bag upon equalization of the pressure in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag and a pressure exterior to the vacuum-resealable bag. 
     
     
         4 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve assembly is located in a wail of the vacuum-resealable bag and is configured to receive a nozzle of a vacuum cleaner hose, whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated using a vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         5 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve assembly of the vacuum-resealable bag is configured to expel air from the interior space thereof upon rolling tip of the vacuum-resealable bag by a consumer for creating a pressure differential between a pressure in the interior space of the bag and a pressure exterior to the bag. 
     
     
         6 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 1 , wherein the textile soft goods comprise a plurality of individual bedding components constituting a bedding set. 
     
     
         7 . The consumer textile soft, goods product for retail sale of  claim 1 , wherein none of the textile soft goods are individually packaged. 
     
     
         8 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 1 , further comprising printed media identifying the one or more textile soft goods contained in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag, the printed media being physically associated with the vacuum-resealable bag for viewing by a consumer at retail sale. 
     
     
         9 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 8 , wherein the printed media farther identifies the reusability of the vacuum-resealable bag, 
     
     
         10 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 8 , wherein the printed media comprises an adhesive label that is attached to the vacuum-resealable bag. 
     
     
         11 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 10 , wherein retail packaging of the textile soft goods product for retail sale comprises the vacuum-resealable bag. 
     
     
         12 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the vacuum-resealable bag is transparent such that one or more contents of the vacuum-resealable bag are viewable there through. 
     
     
         13 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 1 , further comprising retail packaging defining an interior space in which the vacuum-resealable bag containing the textile soft goods is contained. 
     
     
         14 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 1 , further comprising retail packaging comprising a case in which the vacuum-resealable bag containing the textile soft goods is contained, the case configured to be opened and then reclosed such that the case is reusable by a consumer after the vacuum-resealable bag containing the bedding set has been removed therefrom by the consumer. 
     
     
         15 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the vacuum-resealable bag is transparent such that one or more contents of the vacuum-resealable bag are viewable there through, and at least a portion of the case is transparent such that one or more contents of the vacuum-resealable bag are further viewable there through, the vacuum-resealable bag being arranged within the case such that the one or more contents of the vacuum-resealable bag are viewable through both the case and the vacuum-resealable bag by a prospective customer at retail sale. 
     
     
         16 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 14 , further comprising printed media identifying the one or more textile soft goods contained in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag, the printed media being physically associated with the vacuum-resealable bag for viewing by a consumer at retail sale, wherein the printed media comprises an adhesive label that is attached to the case containing the vacuum-resealable bag. 
     
     
         17 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 14 , further comprising printed media identifying the one or more textile soft goods contained in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag, the printed media being physically associated with the vacuum-resealable bag for viewing by a consumer at retail sale, wherein the case comprises a pocket, the pocket including a transparent panel through which contents of the pocket are viewable from an exterior of the case, and wherein the printed media comprises a rigid planar member comprising a card insert that is retained within the pocket of the case. 
     
     
         18 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 17 , wherein the pocket includes opposing front and rear transparent panels whereby contents of the pocket are viewable through both the front and rear transparent panels. 
     
     
         19 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 14 , wherein the case defines an interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by the vacuum-resealable bag contained therein. 
     
     
         20 . The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of  claim 19 , wherein the case comprises opposed transparent panels, and wherein corners of the transparent panels include non-transparent components that cover the corners of the vacuum-resealable bag and that reinforce the case and contribute to the hoop strength of the case. 
     
     
         21 . A display of bedding sets for retail sale, comprising:
 (a) a first textile soft goods product for retail sale comprising,
 (i) a first vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valve assembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by the first vacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the first vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the first vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, 
 (ii) textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individual bedding components constituting a first bedding set for a first particular size of bed, the textile soft goods being maintained in a compressed condition resulting from a first pressure differential existing between a first pressure in the interior space of the first vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the first vacuum-sealable bag, the first vacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by the bedding components maintained in a compressed condition therein, and 
 (iii) first retail packaging in which the first vacuum-sealable bag containing the first bedding set is itself contained, the first retail packaging defining an interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by the first vacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the first retail packaging further including printed media that identifies the bedding set contained in the first vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set; 
   (b) a second textile soft goods product for retail sale comprising,
 (i) a second vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valve assembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by the second vacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the second vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the second vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, 
 (ii) textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individual bedding components constituting a second bedding set for a second particular size of bed, the textile soft goods being maintained in a compressed condition resulting from a second pressure differential existing between a second pressure in the interior space of the second vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the second vacuum-sealable bag, the second vacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by the bedding components maintained in a compressed condition therein, and 
 (iii) second retail packaging in which the second vacuum-sealable bag containing the second bedding set is itself contained, the second retail packaging defining an interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by the second vacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the second retail packaging further including printed media that identifies the bedding set contained in the second vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set; 
   (c) a third textile soft goods product for retail sale comprising,
 (i) a third vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valve assembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by the third vacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the third vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the third vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, 
 (ii) textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individual bedding components constituting a third bedding set for a third particular size of bed, the textile soft goods being maintained in a compressed condition resulting from a third pressure differential existing between a third pressure in the interior space of the third vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the third vacuum-sealable bag, the third vacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by the bedding components maintained in a compressed condition therein, and 
 (iii) third retail packaging in which the third vacuum-sealable bag containing the third bedding set is itself contained, the third retail packaging defining an interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by the third vacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the third retail packaging further including printed media that identifies the bedding set contained in the third vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set; and 
   (d) a fourth textile soft goods product for retail sale comprising,
 (i) a fourth vacuum-sealable bag haying a one-way valve assembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by the fourth vacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the fourth vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the fourth vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, 
 (ii) textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individual bedding components constituting a fourth bedding set for a fourth particular size of bed, the textile soft goods being maintained in a compressed condition resulting from a fourth pressure differential existing between a fourth pressure in the interior space of the fourth vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the fourth vacuum-sealable bag, the fourth vacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by the bedding components maintained in a compressed condition therein, and 
 (iii) fourth retail packaging in which the fourth vacuum-sealable bag containing the fourth bedding set is itself contained, the fourth retail packaging defining an interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by the fourth vacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the fourth retail packaging further including printed media that identifies the bedding set contained in the fourth vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set; 
   (e) wherein each of the first retail packaging, the second retail packaging, the third retail packaging, and the fourth retail packaging is displayed on a shelf of a retail store; and   (f) wherein the physical dimensions of the first retail packaging are substantially the same as the physical dimensions of each of the second retail packaging, the third retail packaging, and the fourth retail packaging.   
     
     
         22 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first particular size of bed, the second particular size of bed, the third particular size of bed, and the fourth particular size of bed corresponding to the bedding sets differs from at least another of the first particular size of bed, the second particular size of bed, the third particular size of bed, and the fourth particular size of bed. 
     
     
         23 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 21 , wherein the first pressure differential is less than the fourth pressure differential. 
     
     
         24 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 21 , wherein the first retail packaging, the second retail packaging, the third retail packaging, and the fourth retail packaging each have the same volume and footprint. 
     
     
         25 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 21 , wherein each of the first retail packaging, the second retail packaging, the third retail packaging, and the fourth retail packaging each substantially consumes the same amount of retail shelf space. 
     
     
         26 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 21 , wherein each respective vacuum-sealable bag is configured to be opened and then reclosed such that the vacuum-sealable bag is reusable for vacuum-packing by a consumer after the bedding sets has been removed therefrom. 
     
     
         27 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 21 , wherein the printed media of each of the first retail packaging, the second retail packaging, the third retail packaging, and the fourth retail packaging further identifies the reusability of the vacuum-sealable bag contained therein. 
     
     
         28 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 21 , wherein the one-way valve assembly of each respective vacuum-sealable bag is located in a wall of the respective vacuum-sealable bag and is configured to receive a nozzle of a vacuum cleaner hose, whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated by a consumer using a vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         29 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 21 , wherein the one-way valve assembly of the vacuum-sealable bag is configured to expel air from the interior space thereof upon rolling up of the vacuum-sealable bag by a consumer for creating a pressure differential between a pressure in the interior space of the bag and a pressure exterior to the bag. 
     
     
         30 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 21 , wherein each of the first retail packaging, the second retail packaging, the third retail packaging, and the fourth retail packaging comprises a case that is reusable by the consumer. 
     
     
         31 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 30 , wherein each respective case does not include an airtight seal closing off the interior containment space in which the respective vacuum-sealable bag is contained. 
     
     
         32 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 30 , wherein a hoop strength of each case is sufficient to maintain the textile soft goods of the respective vacuum-sealable bag contained therein in a compressed condition upon a loss of vacuum. 
     
     
         33 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of each respective vacuum-sealable bag is transparent such that one or more contents of the respective vacuum-sealable bag are viewable therethrough, and at least a portion of each respective retail packaging is transparent such that the contents of the respective vacuum-sealable bag contained therein are farther viewable therethrough, whereby a consumer may view the one or more contents prior to purchasing. 
     
     
         34 . A display of bedding sets for retail sale, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of textile soft goods products for retail sale, each comprising,
 (i) a vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valve assembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, 
 (ii) textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individual bedding components constituting a bedding set for a particular size of bed, the textile soft goods being maintained in a compressed condition resulting from a pressure differential existing between a pressure in the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the vacuum-sealable bag, the vacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containment space in which the bedding components are maintained in a compressed condition therein, and 
 (iii) retail packaging in which the vacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set is itself contained, the retail packaging including printed media that identifies the bedding set contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set; 
   (b) wherein the retail packaging of each one of the products is displayed on a shelf of a retail store;   (c) wherein the retail packaging of each one of the products substantially consumes the same amount of retail shelf space; and   (d) wherein the retail packaging of at least one of the products identifies a particular size of bed that differs from a particular size of bed identified by the retail packaging of another one of the products.   
     
     
         35 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 34 , wherein a hoop strength of the retail packaging of each of the products is sufficient to maintain the textile soft goods in the respective vacuum-scalable bag contained therein in a compressed condition upon a loss of vacuum. 
     
     
         36 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 34 , wherein each respective vacuum-sealable bag is reusable for vacuum-packing by a consumer after the bedding sets has been removed therefrom, 
     
     
         37 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 34 , wherein the vacuum-sealable bag of each product defines an interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by the bedding components maintained in a compressed condition therein. 
     
     
         38 . A display of bedding sets for retail sale, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of textile soft goods products for retail sale, each comprising,
 (i) a vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valve assembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, wherein the vacuum-sealable bag is configured to be opened and then reclosed such that the vacuum-sealable bag is reusable for vacuum-packing by a consumer after the bedding set has been removed therefrom, 
 (ii) textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individual bedding components constituting a bedding set for a particular size of bed. the textile soft goods being maintained in a compressed condition resulting from a pressure differential existing between a pressure in the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the vacuum-sealable bag, the vacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by the bedding components maintained in a compressed condition therein, and 
 (iii) retail packaging in which the vacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set is itself contained, the retail packaging defining an interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by the vacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the retail packaging further including printed media that identifies the bedding set contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set and the reusability of the vacuum-sealable bag contained therein; 
   (b) wherein the retail packaging of each of the products is displayed on a shelf of a retail store; and   (c) wherein the physical dimensions of the retail packaging of each of the products is substantially the same, but wherein at least one of the products includes a bedding set for a particular size of bed that is different than the size of bed of the bedding set of another one of the products.   
     
     
         39 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 38 , wherein a hoop strength of the retail packaging of each of the products is sufficient to maintain the textile soft goods in the respective vacuum-sealable bag contained therein in a compressed condition upon a loss of vacuum. 
     
     
         40 . The display of bedding sets for retail sale of  claim 39 , wherein the retail packaging of each product comprise a case that is reusable by a consumer after the vacuum-sealable bag has been removed therefrom.