Packaging system and method

Abstract

A box-less packaging method for a product includes locating expandable foam around a product and printing the shipping information directly to the expandable foam. The steps include scanning a barcode and determining size information related to the product. A containment jig is obtained that fits the size needed for the product. The product is located within the jig and vacuum packaging is applied to the product. The product is spraying around the vacuum packaging within the containment jig with expandable foam. An opening strip is located on the vacuum packaging prior to the expandable foam and remains at least partially external for grasping by a user to remove the product. Printing shipping information onto an exterior surface of the expandable foam for shipping is then performed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A box-less packaging method for a product, comprising:
 scanning a barcode and determining size information related to the product;   obtaining a containment jig;   locating the product within the containment jig;   applying vacuum packaging around the product;   spraying the vacuum packaging around the product within the containment jig with expandable foam; and   printing shipping information onto an exterior surface of the expandable foam for shipping.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product remains within retail packaging. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying vacuum packaging around the product includes embedding an opening strip within the vacuum packaging. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the opening strip is exposed externally to the expandable foam. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable foam surrounds the product. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the containment jig shapes the expandable foam upon application to the vacuum packaging. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shipping information includes product information. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 removing the product surrounded in expandable foam from the containment jig.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adjusting the size of the containment jig to the size of the product.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transporting the product on a conveyor.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing product size information within a barcode for the product; and   locating the barcode on the product.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 regulating the thickness of the expandable foam around the product.