Patent ID: 6612097
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: B65B,B65D,B65H

Abstract:
A method of forming a package of strip comprising:forming a plurality of stacks of a strip; in each stack repeatedly folding the strip back and forth so that the stack contains a plurality of folded overlying strip portions of the strip, with each strip portion being folded relative to one next adjacent strip portion about a second fold line transverse to the strip and relative to a second next adjacent strip portion about a second fold line transverse to the strip and spaced from the first fold line; arranging the strip portions of each stack to form a plurality of first fold lines at one end of the stack and a plurality of second fold lines at an opposed end of the stack; arranging the strip portions of each stack such that the first surface of each strip portion lies directly in contact with the first surface of one next adjacent strip portion and such that the second surface of each strip portion lies directly in contact with the second surface of the other next adjacent strip portion; arranging the strip portions of each stack with the first side edges thereof lying directly on top of and aligned with the first side edges of others of the strip portions of the stack and with the second side edges thereof lying directly on top of and aligned with the second side edges of others of the strip portions of the stack; arranging the strip portions of each stack with the first and second surfaces thereof generally parallel to a top surface and a bottom surface of the stack, with the strip of each stack continuous through the stack between a bottom strip portion and a top strip portion; arranging the plurality of stacks side by side with the side edges of the strip portions of each stack adjacent the side edges of a next adjacent stack; compressing the stacks in a direction at right angles to the top and bottom surfaces so as to reduce the height of the stacks from a rest height to a compressed height; containing the compressed stacks in an enclosure of packaging material engaging the top and bottom surfaces so as to maintain the compression thereon; and providing for each of the stacks a splice tail portion extending from the bottom strip portion and extending beyond an end of the stack so as to be accessible for splicing; and characterized in that the enclosure comprises a bag having side walls with a length thereof substantially equal to the compressed height.