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.