US 5,966,905 A · Packaging a strip of material in layers with intervening splices

Abstract

A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip, which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and can be connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. The package is compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag. The package can have the stacks oriented vertically or horizontally. When the stacks are horizontal, the spliced portions are vertical and coplanar with the strips and at alternate ends. When the stacks are vertical, the spliced portions extend from the bottom of the stack along one end of the stack to the top of the next stack. A package can be formed with a tail at the end of each stack ready for splicing, but not yet spliced. Accumulating a twist as the stacks are unfolded is prevented either by pre-twisting the splice portions or by providing the splice portions of alternate stacks at opposed ends of the stacks. The package is formed by the method of folding the strip and securing the folded strip with packaging. The method can further include compressing the folded packaged strip, then vacuum sealing the compressed package.

Claims85

Dependent claims

A package comprising:

a plurality of stacks of strip material, each stack formed of a strip of material having a first side edge, a second side edge, a first surface and a second surface;
each stack comprising a plurality of folded portions of the strip, with each portion of the respective stack being folded relative to a next portion about a fold line transverse to the strip;
such that the first surface of each portion lies directly in contact with the first surface of a next adjacent portion and the second surface of each portion lies directly in contact with the second surface of a next adjacent portion;
such that the first side edges of the portions are aligned and also the second side edges of the portions are aligned;
wherein the plurality of stacks of the strip are arranged parallel and side by side without intervening rigid container walls thus defining at least first and second adjacent stacks;
the strip being continuous through each stack from a first end portion of the strip at one end of the stack to a second end portion of the strip at an opposed end of the stack such that a full extent of the strip from the first end portion to the second end portion can be unfolded from the stack by pulling the strip from either end portion;
one end portion of the strip of the first stack forming a first end of the package for supply to an end use machine and one end portion of the strip of the second stack forming a second end of the package for connection to a further package;
the first end portion of the strip of one stack being connected by a spliced portion to one end portion of the strip of an adjacent stack;
such that the strip is continuous through the package and such that a full extent of the strip from the first end portion of said first stack to said one end portion of said second stack can be unfolded for supply to an end use machine.

6 more elements