Packaging a strip of material in layers with intervening splices

• US 5,966,905 A
• Filed: 10/09/1997
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Nonwovens LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stac Pac Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: O'Connor, Lawrence J., Van Mol, Darrell, Davidson, Mark B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Linda
• Application Number:
  US08/948,256
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 53/429, 53/116, 53/117, 53/434, 53/435, 53/513, 53/520, 53/157, 206/494, 206/524.8, 493/413, 493/414, 493/415, 493/410, 493/411, 493/437, 493/448, 493/439, 493/440, 493/357, 493/356, 493/363
• US Class Current: 53/429
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/67 for web or tape-like material for jumbo rolls or rolls of floor covering B65D85/66; for recording-tape cassettes G11B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/42162 Juxtaposing several piles
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/18242 Juxtaposed sets
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 45/1015 Folding webs provided with predefined fold lines; Refolding prefolded webs, e.g. fanfolded continuous forms

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.

Claims

1. 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.

2. The package according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of stacks include an intermediate stack and a first end portion of the strip of each intermediate stack is connected by said spliced portion to the first end portion of the strip of the next adjacent stack disposed on one side of the intermediate stack and the second end portion of the strip of each intermediate stack is connected by said spliced portion to the end portion of the next adjacent stack disposed on the other side of the intermediate stack.

3. The package according to claim 1 wherein the first end portion of the strip of each stack is coplanar with and connected to the first end portion of the strip of the next adjacent stack by a coplanar first traverse portion containing said spliced portion and extending diagonally across the stacks and the second end portion of the strip of each stack is coplanar with and connected to the second end portion of a next adjacent stack by a second coplanar traverse portion containing said spliced portion and extending diagonally across the stacks.

4. The package according to claim 3 wherein the package is oriented for unwrapping such that the stacks are horizontal and such that the first end of the package is provided by an uppermost one of the stacks and the second end of the package is provided by a bottom one of the stacks and such that the end portions of the stacks lie in vertical planes.

5. The package according to claim 1 wherein the first end portion is connected to said one end portion such that the first surface of the strip of said first end portion is connected to the first surface of the strip of said one end portion and the second surface of the strip of said first end portion is connected to the second surface of the strip of said one end portion.

6. The package according to claim 1 wherein the first end portion is connected to said one end portion such that, when the strip is unwrapped and unwrapping transfers from one stack to the next adjacent stack, no twist is applied to the strip.

7. The package according to claim 1 wherein the stacks are oriented such that the second end portions are horizontal and at a bottom of the stack and the first end portions are horizontal and at a top of the stack and such that the fold lines of the stacks lie substantially in two planes defining sides of the package;

wherein the horizontal second end portion of each stack is connected to a horizontal first end portion of a next adjacent stack by a connecting portion which extends along one side of the package outwardly of the fold lines.

8. The package according to claim 7 wherein that part of the strip defined by the connecting portion and the first end portion contains a twist in the strip.

9. The package according to claim 8 wherein the twist is formed by two folds defining a first connecting portion part aligned with one layer and a second connecting portion part aligned with the next adjacent layer.

10. The package according to claim 9 wherein the folds are arranged to form a fold line at an angle to the horizontal.

11. The package according to claim 10 wherein the fold lines are at an angle of about 45 degrees such that a connecting portion extending from said one stack to said next adjacent stack is substantially horizontal and of minimum length.

74. The package according to claim 1 wherein the package is oriented for unwrapping such that the stacks are vertical.

75. The package according to claim 1 wherein the stacks are secured by a packaging material.

76. The package according to claim 75 wherein the packaging material holds the stacks in a compressed state.

77. The package according to claim 1 wherein the spliced portion is arranged at alternate ends of the stacks in the package so that when the continuous strip is removed from the package there is no accumulated twist in the strip.

78. The package according to claim 1 wherein the side edges of the strip in the adjacent stacks are unattached and directly in contact.

79. The package according to claim 1 wherein the strip is fibrous.

12. A method of forming a package of a strip comprising:

providing a strip having a first side edge, a second side edge, a first surface and a second surface;

forming a plurality of stacks of the 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 first 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 without intervening rigid container walls; and

splicing an end of the strip from each stack to an end of the strip of the next adjacent stack by a splice portion of the strip so as to form a strip that is continuous along its length through the package.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the method includes connecting the bottom strip portion of at least one of the stacks to the top strip portion of a next adjacent stack by said splice portion which extends along one end of said at least one of the stacks outwardly of the fold lines thereof.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the method includes providing a twist in the strip in a part of the strip defined by the splice portion and the top strip portion.

15. The method according to claim 13 wherein the method includes arranging the splice portions of alternate layers at opposed ends of the stacks and arranging each splice portion to connect between the bottom strip portion of one stack and the top strip portion of the next stack in a straight manner so as to be free from a twist.

16. The method according to claim 13 wherein the method includes placing the entire top surface and the entire bottom surface of each of the stacks under compression in a direction at right angles to the top surface and the bottom surface of the stacks and engaging the package by a packaging material which maintains the compression.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the method includes forming the packaging material to define a closed bag surrounding the package, withdrawing air from the bag and sealing the bag against ingress of air.

18. The method according to claim 13 wherein the method includes connecting the top strip portion of one stack by said splice portion to the top strip portion of a next adjacent stack and connecting the bottom strip portion of said one stack by said splice portion to the bottom strip portion of a second next adjacent stack.

19. The method according to claim 13 wherein the method includes connecting the strip from each stack to the next adjacent stack by a splice portion of the strip such that the first surface of the strip is connected to the first surface of the strip and the second surface of the strip is connected to the second surface of the strip.

33. The method of claim 12, including the step of securing the stacks together by packaging material in a single package.

34. The method of claim 12 wherein the side edges of the strip portions of each stack directly contact the side edges of a next adjacent stack.

35. The method of claim 12 including the step of arranging the plurality of stacks such that the strip of each stack has the side edges thereof along the complete length of the strip unattached from the side edges of the strip of a next adjacent stack.

36. The method of claim 12 including the step of forming the strip of each stack by longitudinally slitting a web such that each side edge of the strip is a slit edge completely separated from the strip of a next adjacent stack.

37. The method of claim 16 wherein the compression applied by said compression applying step is sufficient to reduce the thickness of each strip portion of the stack.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the strip is fibrous.

20. A method of forming a package of a strip comprising:

providing a strip having a first side edge, a second side edge, a first surface and a second surface;

forming a plurality of stacks of the 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 first 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 without intervening rigid container walls thus defining a first side stack and a second side stack and a plurality of intermediate stacks and defining for each intermediate stack a first next adjacent stack on one side and a second next adjacent stack on an opposed side;

arranging one of the top and bottom strip portions of the first side stack to form a leading end of the package for supply to an end use machine and one of the top and bottom strip portions of the second side stack to form a trailing end of the package for connection to a further package;

splicing an end of the bottom strip portion of the strip of each intermediate stack by a splice portion to an end of one of the top and bottom strip portions of the first next adjacent stack and splicing an end of the top strip portion of the strip of each intermediate layer by a splice portion to an end of one of the top and bottom strip portions of the second next adjacent stack so as to form a strip that is continuous though the package; and

securing the stacks together by packaging material in a single package.

21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the method includes connecting the bottom strip portion of each stack, except the second side stack, to the top strip portion of a next adjacent stack by said splice portion which extends along one end of said each stack outwardly of the fold lines thereof.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein the method includes providing a twist in the strip in a part of the strip defined by the splice portion and the top strip portion.

23. The method according to claim 21 wherein the method includes arranging the splice portions of alternate layers at opposed ends of the stacks and arranging each splice portion to connect between the bottom strip portion of one stack and the top strip portion of the next stack in a straight manner so as to be free from a twist.

24. The method according to claim 20 wherein the method includes placing the entire top surface and the entire bottom surface of each of the stacks under compression in a direction at right angles to the top surface and the bottom surface of the stacks and engaging the package by the packaging material which maintains the compression.

25. The method according to claim 20 wherein the method includes connecting the top strip portion of one stack by said splice portion to the top strip portion of a next adjacent stack and connecting the bottom strip portion of said one stack by said splice portion to the bottom strip portion of a second next adjacent stack.

26. The method according to claim 20 wherein the method includes connecting the strip from each stack to the next adjacent stack by a splice portion of the strip such that the first surface of the strip is connected to the first surface of the strip and the second surface of the strip is connected to the second surface of the strip.

39. The method of claim 20 wherein the side edges of the strip portions of each stack directly contact the side edges of a next adjacent stack.

27. A method of forming a package of a strip comprising:

providing a strip having a first side edge, a second side edge, a first surface and a second surface;

forming a plurality of stacks of the 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 first 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 without intervening rigid container walls; and

providing for each of the stacks a splice tail portion of the strip extending from the bottom strip portion and extending beyond an end of the stack so as to be accessible for splicing.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein the method includes arranging the splice tail portions of alternate layers at opposed ends of the stacks.

29. The method according to claim 27 wherein the method includes placing the entire top surface and the entire bottom surface of each of the stacks under compression in a direction at right angles to the top surface and the bottom surface of the stacks and engaging the package by a packaging material which maintains the compression.

30. The method according to claim 29 wherein the method includes forming the packaging material to define a closed bag surrounding the package, withdrawing air from the bag and sealing the bag against ingress of air.

40. The method of claim 27 including the step of forming the strip of each stack by longitudinally slitting a web such that each side edge of the strip is a slit edge completely separated from the strip of a next adjacent stack.

41. The method of claim 27 including the step of arranging the plurality of stacks such that the strip of each stack has the side edges thereof along the complete length of the strip unattached from the side edges of the strip of a next adjacent stack.

42. The method of claim 27 wherein the side edges of the strip portions of each stack substantially directly contact the side edges of a next adjacent stack.

43. The method of claim 27 including the step of securing the stacks together by packaging material in a single package.

44. The method of claim 29 wherein the compression applied by said compression applying step is sufficient to reduce the thickness of each strip portion of said stack.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein the strip is fibrous.

31. A method of forming a package of a strip comprising:

providing a strip having a first side edge, a second side edge, a first surface and a second surface;

forming a plurality of stacks of the strip;

in each said 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 first 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 to form a plurality of first fold lines at one end of each stack and a plurality of second fold lines at an opposed end of each stack;

arranging the strip portions 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 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 each 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;

arranging the strip portions of each stack with the first and second surfaces thereof generally parallel to a top surface and bottom surface of each stack with the strip continuous through the respective stack between a bottom strip portion and a top strip portion;

providing for each the stack a splice tail portion of the strip extending from the bottom strip portion and extending beyond an end of the respective stack so as to be accessible for splicing;

applying external compressive force so as to place the entire top surface and the entire bottom surface of each stack under compression in a direction at right angles to the top surface and the bottom surface of the stack; and

engaging the package by a packaging material which maintains the compression.

32. The method according to claim 31 wherein the method includes forming the packaging material to define a closed bag surrounding the package, withdrawing air from the bag and sealing the bag against ingress of air.

46. The method of claim 31 wherein the compression applied by said compression applying step is sufficient to reduce the thickness of each strip portion of the stack.

47. The method of claim 31 wherein the strip is fibrous.

48. A method of forming a package of a strip comprising:

providing a strip having a first side edge, a second side edge, a first surface and a second surface;

forming at least three stacks of the strip;

in each stack repeatedly folding the strip back and forth with the strip continuous through the stack between a bottom strip portion and a top strip portion 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 first 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 thus 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 thus such that the first surface of each strip portion lies directly in contact with the first surface of one next adjacent portion and such that the second surface of each portion lies directly in contact with the second surface of the other next adjacent 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;

arranging the plurality of stacks side by side; and

splicing an end of the strip from each stack to an end of the next adjacent stack by a splice portion of the strip so as to form a strip that is continuous through the package and such that there is no accumulated twist in the strip when said three stacks are unfolded.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the step of splicing so that there is no accumulated twist includes splicing the bottom strip portion of at least one of the stacks to the top strip portion of a next adjacent stack by said splice portion which extends along one end of the stacks outwardly of the fold lines thereof and providing a twist in a part of the strip defined by the splice portion and the top strip portion.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein the step of splicing so that there is no accumulated twist includes splicing the bottom strip portion of at least one of the stacks to the top strip portion of a next adjacent stack by said splice portion which extends along one end of the stacks outwardly of the fold lines thereof and arranging the splice portions of alternate stacks at opposed ends of the stacks.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein each splice portion is arranged to connect between the bottom strip portion of one stack and the top strip portion of the next stack without a twist.

52. The method of claim 48 including the step of securing the stacks together by packaging material in a single package.

53. The method of claim 48 wherein the side edges of the strip portions of each stack are adjacent the side edges of a next adjacent stack without intervening rigid container walls.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the side edges of the strip portions of each stack substantially directly contact the side edges of a next adjacent stack.

55. The method of claim 48 including the step of arranging the plurality of stacks such that the strip of each stack has the side edges thereof along the complete length of the strip unattached from the side edges of the strip of a next adjacent stack.

56. The method of claim 48 including the step of forming the strip of each stack by longitudinally slitting a web such that each side edge of the strip is a slit edge completely separated from the strip of a next adjacent stack.

57. The method of claim 48 wherein the entire top surface and the entire bottom surface of each of the stacks is under compression in a direction at right angles to the top surface and the bottom surface of the stacks and the package is engaged by a packaging material which maintains the compression.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein the packaging material comprises a closed bag surrounding the package from which air has been withdrawn and which is sealed against ingress of air.

59. The method of claim 57 wherein the compression applied by said compression applying step is sufficient to reduce the thickness of each strip portion of said stack.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the strip is fibrous.

61. A method of forming a package of a strip comprising:

providing a strip having a first side edge, a second side edge, a first surface and a second surface;

forming a plurality of stacks of the strip;

in each stack repeatedly folding the strip back and forth with the strip continuous through the stack between a bottom strip portion and a top strip portion 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 first 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 thus 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 thus such that the first surface of each strip portion lies directly in contact with the first surface of one next adjacent portion and such that the second surface of each portion lies directly in contact with the second surface of the other next adjacent 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;

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 without intervening rigid container walls and such that the strip of each stack has the side edges thereof along the complete length of the strip unattached from the side edges of the strip of a next adjacent stack.

62. The method of claim 61 including the step of securing the stacks together by packaging material to form a single package.

63. The method of claim 61 wherein the side edges of the strip portions of each stack substantially directly contact the side edges of a next adjacent stack.

64. The method of claim 61 including the step of arranging the strip of each stack by longitudinally slitting a web such that each side edge of the strip is a slit edge completely separated from the strip of a next adjacent stack.

65. The method of claim 61 wherein the entire top surface and the entire bottom surface of each of the stacks is placed under compression by an external force in a direction at right angles to the top surface and the bottom surface of the stacks and the package is engaged by a packaging material which maintains the compression.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein the packaging material comprises a closed bag surrounding the package from which air has been withdrawn and which is sealed against ingress of air.

67. The method of claim 65 wherein the compression applied by said compression applying step is sufficient to reduce the thickness of each strip portion of said at least one stack.

68. The method of claim 67 wherein the strip is fibrous.

69. A method of forming a package of a strip comprising:

providing a compressible strip having a first side edge, a second side edge, a first surface and a second surface;

forming a plurality of stacks of the strip;

in each stack repeatedly folding the strip back and forth with the strip continuous through the stack between a bottom strip portion and a top strip portion 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 first 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 thus 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 thus such that the first surface of each strip portion lies directly in contact with the first surface of one next adjacent portion and such that the second surface of each portion lies directly in contact with the second surface of the other next adjacent 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;

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 without intervening rigid container walls;

applying an external compressive force so as to place the entire top surface and the entire bottom surface of each of the stacks under compression in a direction at right angles to the top surface and the bottom surface of the stack;

and engaging the stacks by a packaging material which maintains the compression and holds the stacks together as a single package.

70. The method of claim 69 wherein the side edges of the strip portions of each stack substantially directly contact the side edges of a next adjacent stack.

71. The method of claim 69 wherein the packaging material comprises a closed bag surrounding the package from which air has been withdrawn and which is sealed against ingress of air.

72. The method of claim 69 wherein the compression applied by said compression applying step is sufficient to reduce the thickness of each strip portion of said at least one stack.

73. The method of claim 72 wherein the strip is fibrous.

80. 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, wherein each portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a 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;

and 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 stacks being oriented such that end portions of the strip in each stack are horizontal and positioned at a bottom of the stack and at a top of the stack, such that the fold lines of the stacks lie substantially in two planes defining sides of the package;

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 the first end portion;

the second end portion of each stack including a tail portion extending from the bottom of the stack, upwardly along a side of the package toward the top of the package for splicing to the first end portion of the next adjacent stack or to a next package.

81. The package according to claim 80 wherein all of the tail portions are arranged at one side of the package.

82. The package according to claim 80 wherein the tail portions of adjacent stacks are arranged at alternating sides of the package.

83. The package according to claim 80 further comprising packaging material secured around stacks of the strip to hold the stacks in a compressed state.

84. The package according to claim 80 wherein the side edges of the strip in the adjacent stacks are unattached and directly in contact.

85. The package according to claim 80 wherein the strip is fibrous.