Patent Publication Number: US-10759592-B2

Title: Light emitting diode (LED) light bulb packaging

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/352,887 (entitled Light Emitting Diode (LED) Light Bulb Packaging, filed Jun. 21, 2016) which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Light bulbs have been manufactured in remote locations and shipped to distribution centers and retail stores for many years. Such light bulbs are generally packaged in a material that protects the bulb from damage, and at the same time, adds significant volume, cutting down the number of light bulbs that can be fit into a shipping container. 
     Some bulbs are encased in a rigid plastic which extends significantly in one or more directions beyond the shape of the bulb itself. Other bulbs may be packaged in cardboard, which may be corrugated, but generally has a three dimensional rectangular or cube shape. Since the bulbs are generally rounded, the packaging adds significant volume to the bulb, resulting in fewer bulbs that may be fit into a box or other container for efficient shipping. This can increase shipping costs significantly, as many shipping rates are based on the size of a container being shipped, such as standard shipping containers utilized on container based ships. 
     When the bulbs finally reach a retail outlet, individual bulbs with packaging, or multiple bulbs per package may be put on shelves or hung from hooks in the case of plastic packaging. Such packaging continues to contribute excess volume, resulting in less product being made available for purchase by the final consumer. 
     SUMMARY 
     A light emitting diode (LED) light bulb includes a dome, a base coupled to the dome, an Edison style connector coupled to the base, and a protective sleeve disposed about the Edison style connector, the protective sleeve configured to protect comes of adjacent LED light bulbs from being marked by the Edison style connector. 
     Light emitting diode (LED) based lightbulbs may be constructed of plastic, and packaged loosely in a carton to optimize lightbulb density in the carton. In some embodiments, the LED based lightbulbs may be enclosed in a plastic bag with printing. The printing may include codes to facilitate purchase and may also describe the lightbulbs to consumers to aid in purchasing. 
     In some embodiments, the size of the carton may be optimized to fit a desired number of bulbs with minimal wasted space. In one embodiment, cartons may be reduced or increased in height to minimize wasted space at the top of the carton. Many cartons may be combined together to form pallets of bulbs, and further combined to fit into standard shipping containers. 
     A method includes covering multiple high voltage light emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs having Edison connectors with a protective sleeve that extends at least to an end of each connector, placing the connector covered multiple high voltage light emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs into a conformable polymer container having a hole, adding multiple loose high lumen LED lightbulbs to the container to fill the container, and removing air from the container via the hole such that the loose high voltage LED lightbulbs nest with each other in direct contact with each other such that the container contains a higher density of high lumen LED light bulbs than a same sized container can hold protective packaged equivalent watt incandescent bulbs. 
     A method includes obtaining a container sized to fit multiple high voltage light emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs having Edison connectors, covering each lightbulb connector with a protective sleeve that extends at least to an end of each connector, adding multiple loose high voltage LED lightbulbs to the container to fill the container with the loose high voltage LED lightbulbs nesting with each other, and sealing the container, such that the container contains a higher density of high voltage LED light bulbs than a same sized container can hold protective packaged equivalent watt incandescent bulbs. 
     A container includes six rectangular sides coupled to form a box with one of the sides forming a cover of the box, a plurality of loose high voltage light emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs disposed within the box, wherein each lightbulb includes a protective sleeve disposed over a connector portion of each lightbulb to prevent marking of other lightbulbs by the connector of any one bulb, wherein the box is sealed by the cover, such that the box contains a higher density of high voltage LED light bulbs than a same sized box can hold protective packaged equivalent watt incandescent bulbs. 
     A method includes covering multiple high voltage light emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs having Edison connectors with a protective sleeve that extends at least to an end of each connector and placing the connector covered multiple high voltage light emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs into a container such that the loose high voltage LED lightbulbs nest with each other in direct contact with each other such that the container contains a higher density of high lumen LED light bulbs than a same sized container can hold protective packaged equivalent lumen incandescent bulbs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a representation of an LED lightbulb according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 1A  is an exploded perspective view of an LED light bulb having a dome coupled to base and Edison style connector with a protective sleeve according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the LED light bulb of  FIG. 1A  according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the LED light bulb of  FIG. 1A  showing a bottom of the connector, which in one embodiment is flush with, or slightly recessed within an end of the sleeve according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a representation of carton of LED lightbulbs according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side elevational view of an LED bulb illustrating a dome and base in broken line form, along with a protective sleeve according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the LED light bulb showing the dome, base, and connector in broken line form, along with a protective sleeve, according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2C  is a top view of the LED light bulb according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2D  is a bottom view of the light bulb according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a representation of a front and back of a bag containing multiple bulbs, wherein the bag is labeled for sale according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view of an alternative LED light bulb with a longer sleeve according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 3C  is a top view of the alternative LED light bulb according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 3D  is a bottom view of the alternative LED light bulb according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of an alternative LED light bulb according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side perspective view of the alternative LED light bulb according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 4C  is a top view of the alternative LED light bulb according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 4D  is a bottom view of the alternative LED light bulb according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a photograph of an LED light bulb with a sleeve containing printed material according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a photograph of an LED light bulb with a sleeve separated from the connector according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective elevational view of a sleeve for fitting over a light bulb connector according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 8A  is an exploded perspective view of an LED light bulb having a dome coupled to base and Edison style connector with a protective sleeve according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the LED light bulb of  FIG. 8A  according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the LED light bulb of  FIG. 1A  showing a bottom of the connector, which in one embodiment is flush with, or slightly recessed within an end of the sleeve according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 9A  is a side elevational view of a lightbulb with sleeve according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 9A  showing a bottom with a connector visible according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 9C  is a top view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 9A  according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 9D  is a bottom view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 9A  according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 10A  is a side elevational view of a lightbulb with longer sleeve according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 10A  showing a bottom with a connector visible according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 10C  is a top view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 10A  according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 10D  is a bottom view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 10A  according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 11A  is a side elevational view of a lightbulb with sleeve having a bottom according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 11A  showing the bottom covering the connector according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 11C  is a top view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 11A  according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 11D  is a bottom view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 11A  according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a first LED light bulb packaging method according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a second LED light bulb packaging method according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following description of example embodiments is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
     High voltage light emitting diode (LED) based lightbulbs, one of which is indicated in  FIG. 1 , may be packaged loosely in a container, such as a box, bag, or carton to optimize lightbulb density in the container. This is contrasted with common high voltage incandescent lightbulbs, which generally had relative large and fragile glass domes and delicate filaments, which required protection to avoid damage during shipping. The protection was provided in the form of volume inefficient packaging. 
     The LED lightbulbs, an example of which is shown in  FIG. 1  at  100 , in one embodiment have plastic domes  110 , an Edison base  115 , and a light source within a base  120 , such as one or more LEDs. The dome  110  and light source are significantly more robust than the components of prior incandescent bulbs. Yet for some reason, the packaging of LED lightbulbs has remained consistent with the volume inefficient packaging of the prior incandescent bulbs. 
     In some embodiments, the LED based lightbulbs may be enclosed in a container which is a plastic bag with printing. The printing may include codes to facilitate purchase and may also describe the lightbulbs to consumers to aid in purchasing. 
     The bag may be formed of a conformable polymer material, such as plastic, that allows nesting of the lightbulbs where more than one lightbulb is placed in the container. The bag may also have a hole formed in it to provide a mechanism for hanging the bag for display at a retail store, such as a post or rod. The hole may serve the additional purpose of providing a passage for air to move out of the bag, allowing unrestricted nesting of the bulbs in the bag, as well as nesting of multiple bags when packaged together in a box. Nesting means that the bulbs are contacting each other and result in a high density of bulbs per volume by naturally moving with respect to each other to fill available space. Domes may nest near bases of adjacent bulbs for example such that multiple bulbs take up less volume when nested. 
     In some embodiments, high voltage LED lightbulbs may be placed in a container which is a box or carton, with or without the use of a bag. The size of a box or carton, which may be formed of six rectangles of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, wood, or plastic, and assembled into a box-like structure, may be optimized to fit a desired number of bulbs with minimal wasted space. One of the rectangles may be formed in the shape of a cover or multiple folding pieces coupled to sides of the box to fold to form a top side or cover. Rectangles in one embodiment may include squares. In one embodiment, cartons may be reduced or increased in height to minimize wasted space at the top of the carton. Many cartons may be combined together to form pallets of bulbs, and further combined to fit into standard shipping containers. 
     In one example embodiment, the LED lightbulb has an A-19 form factor. The most commonly used A-series light bulb type is the A19 bulb (or its metric equivalent, the A60 bulb), which is 2 and ⅜ inches (60 mm) wide at its widest point and approximately 4 and ⅜ inches (110 mm) in length, and has a one-inch long (type E26, i.e. 26 millimeters in diameter) Edison screw base. 
     In further embodiments, many different incandescent equivalent wattages, referred to as high voltage bulbs may be used. Some example equivalent wattages that are equated to lumens may include 25 watt-350 lumen, 40 watt-450 lumen, 60 watt-800 lumen, 75 watt-1050 lumen, 100 watt-1600 lumen, 100+ watt bulbs, flood lights, down lights, and tube replacement, 100 volt-285 volt, and other all high voltage lights. 
     High voltage LED lightbulbs are defined as those bulbs that correspond to an equivalent 50 volt or higher voltage incandescent bulb, as defined by the National Electric Code. Another characteristic of such LED lightbulbs is that their counterpart incandescent bulbs generally contain high surface area domes that are made of glass, and are fairly breakable, in addition to containing delicate filaments that produce the light. The high voltage LED lightbulbs are contrasted in that they have domes made of plastic, and LED light sources that are not as fragile as the incandescent domes and filaments. Example high voltage LED lightbulbs may be dropped several feet onto a hard surface and not be damaged, whereas a typical incandescent bulb would likely have a shattered dome and broken filament from the same drop. 
     LED lightbulb  100  includes an Edison base  115 , but may also have a pin base, bayonet twist type base or otherwise adapted for individual or track mounting in many different lighting sources. A-19 LED lightbulbs for example, may be packaged in volumes of 1, 2, or more in plastic bags. The packaging of two or more bulbs in a plastic bag may be slightly cheaper that packaging one per bag, as the additional material cost to do so is nominal. Equivalent incandescent bulb domes that are made of glass may be susceptible to damage by the metal base of other bulbs, breaking by domes bumping into each other, or even just from domes being pressed together, which is one reason they are routinely protectively packaged. 
     When LED lightbulbs are packaged in boxes or cartons as shown generally at  200  in  FIG. 2 , an A-19 equivalent size bulb may be packaged 256 bulbs/box, with 32 boxes/pallet, and 22 pallets per standard shipping container. Note that  FIG. 2  is also representative of the number of bulbs that may be placed in a container where the bulbs contain sleeves that cover the connector and protect domes of other bulbs from becoming marked by the connectors of adjacent bulbs. That comes out to 180,224 bulbs per container for a doubling of the number of bulbs per standard shipping container as compared to bulbs with protective packaging. 
     In one embodiment, one or more bulbs may be placed in bags, such as a bag labeled for retail. The bulbs, such as two, three, four, or more may be placed into bags without the need for individual bulb protective packaging material. The lack of packaging material facilitates nesting of the bulbs within each bag that contains multiple bulbs, and further may facilitate nesting of multiple bags of bulbs placed into boxes. 
     In one embodiment, doubling the number of A-19 size bulbs in the same space, may be accomplished by changing the size of the boxes to be more efficient than simply cutting existing boxes in half. The bulbs being placed in the box may be completely loose or bagged with one or more bulbs per bag. If the half box is increased in size by 12.5%, 12.5% of the number of boxes may be eliminated. The bulbs fit more efficiently in such a box because of increased nesting surface. In one example, an original four boxes stacked, cut in half result in 8 boxes half the size of the original boxes. However, such half boxes may not hold as much as 7 boxes stacked that are 12.5% taller which will result in more nesting area per box and less open space at the top of the box. Finding an optimally sized box for different size bulbs may be done by counting the number of bulbs that fit in various sized boxes and comparing the number to the volume of each box. In further embodiments, a full box that cannot contain additional bulbs may be observed to determine the amount of dead space at the top of the box, and then reducing the height of the box an amount corresponding to the dead space. 
     Using bags as illustrated in  FIG. 3  may have similar savings in space resulting in shipping economic savings, the above is just one example, using the most common of bulbs the A-19 bulb. One or more bulbs may be placed loosely in a bag, such as a biodegradable bag from Cortec corporation, with minimal air left in the bag. The bag may be 1-2 mm thick in some embodiments. Similar benefits may be obtained using high voltage LED lightbulbs of sizes different than A-19, such as A-17 bulbs or A-21 bulbs. The bags may have holes suitable for holding the bags on a display for purchase by consumers. One or more holes may also server a dual purpose of letting air out of the bags to reduce the overall volume of the bags. The bags with bulbs may than be added to boxes without significantly adversely affecting the number of bulbs that the boxes may hold as compared to loose bulbs packaged in the boxes. 
     In some embodiments, the boxes may be sized to be suitable for consumer based display in retail stores. The boxes may also be labeled to facilitate such a display by indicating the watt equivalent value of the bulbs and/or the lumens generated by the bulbs. The size of the box may vary depending on the type of display desired by the retail stores, such as floor standing boxes or boxes that may sit on a stand. The space available for display and the projected volume of sales may also be a factor in determining an optimal size of the box. Larger boxes that can hold 100 or more bulbs efficiently may be desired for high projected volume sales, while boxes holding 20 or so bulbs may be sufficient for lower projected volumes. 
       FIG. 1A  is an exploded perspective view of an LED light bulb  100  having a dome  110 A coupled to base  120 A and Edison style connector  130 A. In one embodiment, a sleeve  140 A is formed in a cylinder to fit over connector  130 A to protect other bulbs from being marked by the connector  130 A when packaged together, such as in a bag, or loosely in a box or container. The sleeve  130 A may be formed of a polymer or other material, such as a paper based material, that can form a friction fit with the connector  130 A when assembled together as shown in  FIG. 1B . A material that shrinks when exposed to heat may also be used for the sleeve in some embodiments. Heat may be applied when the sleeve is applied to the connector to shrink the sleeve into retentive contact with the connector. 
     The sleeve  130 A may be flexible in order to assemble it on the connector  130 A. The sleeve may have a thickness sufficient to ensure it remains on the connector until removed by a consumer purchasing the bulb. The thickness in some embodiments may vary between 1 and 10 millimeters, or may be thicker in further embodiments. The thickness may be limited in various embodiments such that it does not adversely affect the volume taken up by individual bulbs when packaged together, thus facilitating compact storage and reducing shipping volume for shipments of multiple bulbs. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , which is a perspective view of bulb  100 , like components are numbered the same with a “B”. Thus, sleeve  140 B, base  12013  and dome  110 B are shown with the sleeve  140 B assembled over the connector, which is not visible and is shielded from contacting other bulbs when packaged loosely. A consumer, after purchasing such a bulb, may simply cut the sleeve to remove it, or may twist it off the connector, using the threads of the connector to facilitate removal. 
       FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of bulb  100  showing a bottom of the connector  130 C, which in one embodiment is flush with, or slightly recessed within an end of the sleeve  140 C. The dome is labelled as  110 C and base as  120 C. Note that the sleeve is open  FIG. 1C . 
     In some embodiments, the sleeve may be preprinted with information to facilitate informing a purchaser about the bulb, and may also include a bar code or QR code to facilitate tracking by a merchant. The sleeve may alternatively have a label applied thereto by glue or other means of attachment. 
       FIG. 2A  is a side elevational view of an LED bulb  200  illustrating a dome  210 A and base  220 A in broken line form, along with the sleeve  240 A. The side elevational view of  FIG. 2A  in one embodiment is identical on all side views. 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of bulb  200  showing the dome  210 A, base  220 B, and connector  230 B in broken line form. Sleeve  240 B has a bottom that is shown flush with a bottom of connector  230 B in this view. 
       FIG. 2C  is a top view of the bulb  200  with the bulb  210 C shown in broken line form. The sleeve is not visible in this view. 
       FIG. 2D  is a bottom view of the bulb  200  with the dome  210 D, base  220 D, and connector  240 D shown in broken line form. The sleeve is indicated at  230 D. 
       FIG. 3A  is a side view of an alternative bulb  300  shown with a dome  310 A and base  320 A shown in broken line form. A sleeve  340 A is also shown attached to the connector, which is not visible in this view. In one embodiment, the sleeve  340 A in this embodiment extends beyond the connector, as seen more clearly in  FIG. 3B , where the dome  310 B, base  320 B, and connector  330 B are illustrated in broken line form. 
       FIG. 3C  is a top view of the bulb  300 , where only the dome  310 C is visible and is shown in broken line form. 
       FIG. 3D  is a bottom view of the bulb  300  with the dome  310 D, base  320 D, and connector  330 D shown in broken line form. The sleeve is indicated at  340 D. 
       FIG. 4A  is a side view of an alternative bulb  400  shown with a dome  410 A and base  420 A shown in broken line form. A sleeve  440 A is also shown attached to the connector, which is not visible in this view. In one embodiment, the sleeve  440 A in this embodiment extends well beyond the connector, as seen more clearly in  FIG. 4B , where the dome  410 B and base  420 B are illustrated in broken line form, and the connector is not even visible due to the sleeve extending further than in previous embodiments. The extension of the sleeve beyond the connector can ensure that the connector will not mark other bobs when bulbs are loosely packed together. 
       FIG. 4C  is a top view of the bulb  400 , where only the dome  410 C is visible and is shown in broken line form. 
       FIG. 4D  is a bottom view of the bulb  400  with the dome  410 D, base  420 D, and connector  430 D shown in broken line form. The sleeve is indicated at  440 D. 
       FIG. 5  is a photograph of an LED light bulb with a sleeve containing printed material according to an example embodiment. The printed material may include a barcode and other information material describing the origin of the bulb and specifications of the bulb, such as number of lumens, wattage, type of light—soft white, identifying the bulb as an LED light bulb, etc. 
       FIG. 6  is a photograph of an LED light bulb with a sleeve separated from the connector according to an example embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective elevational view of a sleeve  740  for fitting over a light bulb connector according to an example embodiment. In various embodiments, the sleeve may be as long as the connector to protect other bulbs from being marked by the connector, or may be longer to provide additional protection. The length may selected as a balance between packing density of the bulbs and probability of the connector of one bulb marking other bulbs through motion while shipping the bulbs to customer or retail destinations. In some embodiments, the sleeve may include a bottom such that the connector is not visible or accessible to mark other bulbs. The bottom may be made of the same material or a different material, but should be non-harmful to other bulbs when packaged together loosely. 
     In some embodiments, the sleeve may have a slightly ribbed structure to form a better friction fit with the connector such that it stays in place during transit and during retail display of the bulbs. The ribs may also help ensure that the sleeves are not stretched to the point that they split and fall off the connector. The ribs may not be visible to a purchaser during normal use of the sleeves while covering the connectors. 
       FIG. 8A  is an exploded perspective view of an LED light bulb  200  having a dome  810 A coupled to base  820 A and Edison style connector  830 A with a protective sleeve  840 A according to an example embodiment. 
       FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the LED light bulb  200  of  FIG. 8A  according to an example embodiment with dome  810 B, base  820 B, and sleeve  840 B. 
       FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the LED light bulb of  FIG. 1A  showing a bottom of the connector  830 C, which in one embodiment is flush with, or slightly recessed within an end of the sleeve  840 C according to an example embodiment. Also shown are the dome  810 C and base  820 C. 
       FIG. 9A  is a side elevational view of a lightbulb  900  with dome  910 A, base  920 A, and sleeve  940 B. 
       FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 9A  showing a dome  910 B, base  920 B, and sleeve  940 B bottom with a connector  930 B visible according to an example embodiment. 
       FIG. 9C  is a top view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 9A  according to an example embodiment showing dome  910 C. 
       FIG. 9D  is a bottom view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 9A  according to an example embodiment showing dome  910 D, base  920 D, connector  930 D and sleeve  940 D. 
       FIG. 10A  is a side elevational view of a lightbulb  1000  with longer sleeve  1040 A according to an example embodiment. Also shown are dome  1010 A, and base  1020 A. 
       FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 10A  showing a bottom with a connector  1030 E visible according to an example embodiment. Also shown are dome  1010 B, base  1020 B, and sleeve  1040 B. 
       FIG. 10C  is a top view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 10A  according to an example embodiment showing dome  1010 C. 
       FIG. 10D  is a bottom view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 10A  according to an example embodiment. The dome  1010 D, base  1020 D and connector  1030 D are represented in broken lines and do not form a part of the design in these figures. The sleeve  1040 D is shown in solid line form and does for part of the design. 
       FIG. 11A  is a side elevational view of a lightbulb  1100  with sleeve  1140 A having a bottom according to an example embodiment. Lightbulb  1100  is also shown with dome  1110 A and base  1120 A. 
       FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 11A  showing the bottom  1150 B covering the connector according to an example embodiment. Also shown are dome  1110 B, base  1120 B and sleeve  1140 B. 
       FIG. 11C  is a top view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 11A  according to an example embodiment. Dome  1110 C is visible. 
       FIG. 11D  is a bottom view of the lightbulb of  FIG. 11A  according to an example embodiment. Visible are bottom  1150 D, sleeve  1140 D, base  1120 D and dome  1110 D. 
       FIG. 12  is a first LED light bulb packaging method  1200  according to an embodiment. Method  1200  may include covering 1210 multiple light emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs having Edison connectors with a protective sleeve that extends at least to an end of each connector. Method  1200  may include placing  1220  the connector covered multiple light emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs into a conformable polymer container having a hole. Method  1200  may include adding 1230 multiple loose LED lightbulbs to the container to fill the container. Method  1200  may include removing  1240  air from the container via the hole such that the loose LED lightbulbs nest with each other in direct contact with each other such that the container contains a higher density of LED light bulbs than a same sized container can hold protective packaged equivalent watt incandescent bulbs. The conformable polymer container may include a plastic bag and wherein the number of LED lightbulbs placed in the plastic bag is at least two. The hole may be placed proximate a periphery of the container such that the container is positionable on a post for display in a retail store. 
       FIG. 13  is a second LED light bulb packaging method  1300  according to an embodiment. Method  1300  may include obtaining  1305  a container sized to fit multiple light emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs having Edison connectors. Method  1300  may include covering 1310 each lightbulb connector with a protective sleeve that extends at least to an end of each connector. Method  1300  may include adding 1315 multiple loose LED lightbulbs to the container to fill the container with the loose LED lightbulbs nesting with each other. Method  1300  may include sealing  1320  the container, such that the container contains a higher density of LED light bulbs than a same sized container can hold protective packaged equivalent watt incandescent bulbs. 
     Method  1300  may include shipping  1325  the container to a retail store. Method  1300  may include opening  1330  the container to create a display for sale of the LED lightbulbs directly from the opened container. Method  1300  may include packaging  1335  each loose LED lightbulb in a plastic bag without significant air in the bag prior to adding the multiple loose LED lightbulbs to the container. Each bag may contain multiple LED lightbulbs. The container may include a plastic bag. 
     Method  1300  may include stacking 1340 multiple sealed containers on each of multiple pallets. Method  1300  may include adding 1345 the multiple pallets to a standard shipping container. The LED lightbulbs may conform in shape to an A19 sized bulb, each container may contain at least 256 LED lightbulbs, each pallet may hold 32 containers, and the standard shipping container may hold 22 pallets for a total of at least 180,224 LED lightbulbs. The LED lightbulbs may have plastic domes that resist damage when loosely packaged. 
     In obtaining  1305  a container sized to fit multiple light emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs, method  1300  may further include selecting  1350  a container, filling  1355  the container with as many LED lightbulbs as the container can hold and still be closed, measuring  1360  a height of wasted space in the selected container, and obtaining  1365  a container having a height of the selected container minus the height of the wasted space. 
     Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example other components may be added to, or removed from, the described embodiments. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims. 
     The following statements are potential claims that may be converted to claims in a future application. No modification of the following statements should be allowed to affect the interpretation of claims which may be drafted when this provisional application is converted into a regular utility application.