FIBERFILL PACKAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS

1 . A method for packaging a product, comprising:

compressing a product in a first direction and a second direction; and

transferring the product into a package having an opening;

wherein the product is oriented in the package such that neither the first direction nor the second direction are aligned with the opening.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.

3 . The method of claim 1 :

wherein the product is transferred into the package in a third direction; and

wherein the product is not substantially compressed in the third direction.

4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the third direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the package comprises a plurality of side surfaces, and the product expands until the product is constrained by the side surfaces of the package.

6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the product only expands in the first direction and the second direction.

7 . The method of claim 1 further comprising sealing the package.

8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the product is fiberfill.

9 . An apparatus comprising:

a first plate oriented in a first direction;

a second plate oriented in a second direction that intersects the first direction;

a third plate oriented in a third direction that intersects the second direction but does not intersect the first direction; and

a chute aligned with the third direction.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: a loading area configured to receive a product, the loading area intersecting the first direction.

11 . The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are substantially perpendicular to one another.

12 . The apparatus of claim 9 :

wherein the first plate has a first range of motion extending between a first uncompressed position and a first compressed position;

wherein the second plate has a second range of motion extending between a second uncompressed position and a second compressed position; and

wherein upon placing the first plate in the first compressed position, at least a portion of the second plate is flush with at least a portion of the first plate for at least part of the second range of motion.

13 . The apparatus of claim 9 :

wherein the second plate has a second range of motion extending between a second uncompressed position and a second compressed position;

wherein the third plate has a third range of motion extending between a retained position and a transferred position; and

wherein upon placing the second plate in the second compressed position, at least a portion of the third plate is flush with at least a portion of the second plate for at least part of the third range of motion.

14 . The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the third plate transfers a product through the chute without substantially compressing the product in the third direction.

15 . A packaged product comprising:

a package having a plurality of sides and an opening; and

a product disposed within the package, the product having a compressed direction and an uncompressed direction;

wherein the compressed direction is aligned with at least one of the sides and the uncompressed direction is aligned with the opening.

16 . The packaged product of claim 15 wherein the product is fiberfill.

17 . The packaged product of claim 15 wherein upon removal of a first portion of the product from the package through the opening, a second portion of the product remains within the package.

18 . The packaged product of claim 15 wherein the opening further comprises a closure that is selectively opened and closed.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the product remains in the package when the closure is opened.

20 . The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the package is substantially free of any void space when the closure is closed.