U.S. patent application number 12/021464 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-30 for packaging having a line of weakness.
Invention is credited to Kimberly Nichole McConnell.
Application Number | 20090188825 12/021464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40412003 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090188825 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McConnell; Kimberly
Nichole |
July 30, 2009 |
PACKAGING HAVING A LINE OF WEAKNESS
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a package containing one or
more individually wrapped feminine hygiene articles. The package
and the wrapper of a feminine hygiene article each have a line of
weakness.
Inventors: |
McConnell; Kimberly Nichole;
(Morrow, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;Global Legal Department - IP
Sycamore Building - 4th Floor, 299 East Sixth Street
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
40412003 |
Appl. No.: |
12/021464 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/440 ;
53/462 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/5805 20130101;
B65D 77/062 20130101; B65D 5/5425 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/440 ;
53/462 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/62 20060101
B65D075/62 |
Claims
1. A package comprising: a. at least one wall defining an exterior
surface having a periphery and an interior space of the package,
wherein the package comprises a line of weakness having one or more
properties; b. at least one feminine hygiene article contained
within the interior space of the package, wherein the feminine
hygiene article is disposed in a wrapper having a periphery and
comprising a line of weakness having one or more properties; and
wherein the package line of weakness has the same or similar
properties as the wrapper line of weakness.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the same or similar properties
of the line of weakness of the package and the line of weakness of
the wrapper are at least one of length, pattern, number, direction,
location, or after open appearance.
3. The package of claim 2, wherein the package has an after open
appearance comprising a hood and a hinge, and the wrapper has an
after open appearance comprising a hood and a hinge.
4. The package of claim 2, wherein the length of the package line
of weakness extends less than the entire periphery of the package,
and the length of the wrapper line of weakness extends less than
the entire periphery of the wrapper.
5. The package of claim 4, wherein the length of the package line
of weakness extends less than about 95% of the periphery of the
package, and the length of the wrapper line of weakness extends
less than about 95% of the periphery of the wrapper.
6. The package of claim 2, wherein the length of the package of
line of weakness extends around the entire periphery of the
package, and the length of the wrapper line of weakness extends
around the entire periphery of the wrapper.
7. The package of claim 2, wherein the package line of weakness is
located in the upper third of the package, and the wrapper line of
weakness is located in the upper third of the wrapper.
8. The package of claim 2, wherein the line of weakness of the
package is in an angled direction with respect to an edge of the
package, and the line of weakness of the wrapper has the same or
similar angled direction as the line of weakness of the package
with respect to the wrapper's longitudinal line of weakness.
9. The package of claim 1, wherein the package material is
different from the wrapper material.
10. The package of claim 1, wherein the package material is the
same as the wrapper material.
11. The package of claim 1, wherein the feminine hygiene article is
a tampon or pessary.
12. A package comprising: a. at least one wall defining an exterior
surface having a periphery and an interior space of the package,
wherein the package comprises a line of weakness having a length
that extends less than the entire periphery of the exterior
surface; b. at least one feminine hygiene article contained within
the interior space of the package, wherein the feminine hygiene
article is disposed in a wrapper having a periphery and comprising
a line of weakness having a length that extends less than the
entire periphery of the wrapper; and wherein the package has an
after open appearance comprising a hood and a hinge and the wrapper
has an after open appearance comprising a hood and a hinge.
13. The package of claim 12, wherein the feminine hygiene article
is a tampon or pessary.
14. A method of communicating to a consumer properties of a line of
weakness on a wrapper of a feminine hygiene article comprising: a.
providing a package comprising at least one wall defining an
exterior surface having a periphery and an interior space of the
package, wherein the package comprises a line of weakness having
one or more properties; b. providing at least one feminine hygiene
article contained within the interior space of the package, wherein
the feminine hygiene article is disposed in a wrapper comprising a
line of weakness having one or more properties; and c.
communicating to a consumer the properties of the wrapper line of
weakness by having the properties of the package line of weakness
the same or similar to the properties of the wrapper line of
weakness.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: d.
opening the package along the line of weakness such that after
opening the package comprises a hood and a hinge; and e. opening
the wrapper along the line of weakness such that after opening the
wrapper comprises a hood and a hinge.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the same or similar properties
of the line of weakness of the package and the line of weakness of
the wrapper are at least one of length, pattern, number, direction,
location, or after open appearance.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the package line of weakness is
located in the upper third of the package and the wrapper line of
weakness is located in the upper third of the wrapper.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the line of weakness of the
package is in an angled direction with respect to an edge of the
package, and the line of weakness of the wrapper has the same or
similar angled direction as the line of weakness of the package
with respect to the wrapper's longitudinal line of weakness.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the length of the package line
of weakness extends less than the entire periphery of the package,
and the length of the wrapper line of weakness extends less than
the entire periphery of the wrapper.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein the feminine hygiene article is
a tampon or pessary.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a package, wherein present in the
package is a wrapped feminine hygiene article.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Producers of feminine hygiene articles attempt to satisfy a
consumer's expectations at several levels. One such level is at the
store shelf where a consumer expects to make a purchase quickly.
However, the consumer often faces a multitude of choices as to
which feminine hygiene article to purchase. As such, packages
containing feminine hygiene articles are often used to help a
consumer make a purchasing decision. For instance, a package may
have distinctive markings or coloration to attract the consumer's
attention to the feminine hygiene articles contained therein. A
package is successful if it can attract the consumer's attention,
and distinguish itself from the competitors around it, such that
the consumer will purchase it.
[0003] In addition to a package distinguishing itself from other
packages, a package should convey to consumers information about
the feminine hygiene article they contain. For instance, often a
feminine hygiene article will be disposed in a wrapper. The wrapper
serves to not only isolate and protect the feminine hygiene
article, but may also have distinct features of its own. To
communicate such features of a wrapper to consumers a number of
methods may be used. For example, packages containing wrapped
feminine hygiene articles may have information about the wrapper
printed on them in the form of words, pictures, or symbols. Other
packages use windows to allow a consumer to view the wrapped
feminine hygiene articles contained therein. Windows though are
often inadequate for properly displaying a wrapper's line of
weakness, as a line of weakness usually extends substantially or
completely around the periphery of a wrapper. And a window is only
capable of displaying a single perspective of a wrapped feminine
hygiene article. However, the functional features of a package have
mostly been ignored as a means to communicate information about the
wrapper containing a feminine hygiene article.
[0004] As such, it would be desirable to provide a package that
communicates information about a feminine hygiene wrapper to a
consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A package is provided which comprises at least one wall
defining an exterior surface having a periphery and an interior
space of the package, wherein the package comprises a line of
weakness having properties. The package contains within the
interior space at least one feminine hygiene article. The feminine
hygiene article is disposed in a wrapper having a periphery and
comprising a line of weakness having properties, wherein the
package line of weakness has the same or similar properties as the
wrapper line of weakness.
[0006] A package is provided which comprises at least one wall
defining an exterior surface having a periphery and an interior
space of the package, wherein the package comprises a line of
weakness having a length that extends less than the entire
periphery of the exterior surface. The package contains within the
interior space at least one feminine hygiene article disposed in a
wrapper having a periphery and comprising a line of weakness having
a length that extends less than the entire periphery. The package
has an after open appearance comprising a hood and a hinge and the
wrapper has an after open appearance comprising a hood and a
hinge.
[0007] A method of communicating to a consumer properties of a line
of weakness on a wrapper of a feminine hygiene article is provided.
The method comprises providing a package comprising at least one
wall defining an exterior surface having a periphery and an
interior space of the package, wherein the package comprises a line
of weakness having properties. The method further comprises
providing at least one feminine hygiene article contained within
the interior space of the package, wherein the feminine hygiene
article is disposed in a wrapper comprising a line of weakness
having properties. The package communicates to a consumer the
properties of the wrapper line of weakness, by having the
properties of the package line of weakness the same or similar to
the properties of the wrapper line of weakness.
[0008] The method may further include the steps of opening the
package along the line of weakness such that after opening the
package comprises a hood and a hinge, and opening the wrapper along
the line of weakness such that after opening the wrapper comprises
a hood and a hinge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a partial cut-away perspective view of an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away perspective view of an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away perspective view of an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a partial cut-away perspective view of an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a partial cut-away perspective view of an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention wherein the package and wrapper are each open along a
line of weakness.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a partial cut-away perspective view of an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention is directed to a package containing
one or more individually wrapped feminine hygiene articles. The
package and the wrapper of a feminine hygiene article each have a
line of weakness. The line of weakness facilitates the opening of
the package or wrapper by providing a weakened tear point. The line
of weakness present on the package communicates to a consumer one
or more of the properties of a line of weakness present on a
wrapper, because the line of weakness on the package has the same
or similar properties as the wrapper's line of weakness. For
example, the line of weakness on the package may have the same or
similar length, pattern, number, location, or after open
appearance, as the wrapper's line of weakness. This allows the
package to communicate to a consumer, at the store shelf, the
properties of the wrapper's line of weakness without the consumer
actually having to open the package to view the wrapper. The
package's communication to a consumer at the store shelf allows the
consumer to select the wrapper that is most convenient for them to
use. For instance, some consumers might prefer a wrapper that when
opened separates into two separate pieces for easy disposal, or a
wrapper that when completely opened remains one piece to store and
dispose of used feminine hygiene articles.
[0018] As used herein, the term "feminine hygiene article" refers
to articles such as, disposable absorbent articles that can be worn
by women for menstrual or incontinence control, such as sanitary
napkins, tampons, pessaries, interlabial products, incontinence
articles, and pantiliners. As used herein, a feminine hygiene
article can include any associated applicator that typically can be
associated with the feminine hygiene article. For example, a
feminine hygiene article can be a tampon that may or may not
include an applicator to facilitate insertion of a tampon into the
vaginal canal or other body cavity.
[0019] As used herein, the term "tampon" refers to any type of
absorbent structure that can be inserted into the vaginal canal or
other body cavity for the purpose of anyone or more of the
following such as absorbing fluid, aiding in wound healing, or for
delivering materials, such as moisture or active materials such as
medicaments. A tampon can include any known tampon configuration,
for example, digital tampons, tampons with traditional plunger type
applicators, or tampons with compact applicators, such as those
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,726,805; 4,846,802; 4,960,417;
5,087,239; 5,279,541; 6,258,075; 6,478,763; or any other known
tampon.
[0020] As used herein, the term "line of weakness" refers to one or
more weakness points arranged in any pattern suitable to facilitate
the opening of a package or wrapper by providing a weakened tear
point. The pattern can extend in one or more directions, for
example the pattern can be straight, bent, angled, curved,
irregular or combinations thereof. One or more of the individual
weakness points can overlap to form a line of weakness. In
addition, or alternatively, one or more of the individual weakness
points can be spaced apart from one another to form a line of
weakness. A line of weakness can be formed in any suitable manner,
such as mechanically, thermally, using a laser, chemically, or
combinations thereof.
[0021] As used herein the term "properties of a line of weakness"
refers to the appearance of a package's or wrapper's line of
weakness, and may include a line of weakness's length, pattern,
number, location, after open appearance or combinations
thereof.
[0022] As used herein, the term "weakness point" refers to a region
of the package or wrapper material where the thickness of the
package or wrapper material is substantially less than the
thickness of the package or wrapper material surrounding the
region. In certain embodiments, an individual weakness point can be
weaker than the surrounding area, for example about 50% weaker,
about 75% weaker, or about 100% weaker. Weakness points can be
formed in any suitable manner, such as by depressions or
perforations.
[0023] As used herein, the term "depression" refers to a weakness
point having a thickness less than the thickness of the surrounding
package or wrapper material but greater than zero. The depressions
can extend into the package or wrapper material from the inner
surface, outer surface or both of the package or wrapper material.
In certain embodiments, individual depressions can overlap each
other when forming a line of weakness, so that a substantially
continuous line of weakness formed by depressions is generated,
such as a score line or groove.
[0024] As used herein, the term "perforation" refers to one or more
weakness points, wherein at least a portion of the region of the
package or wrapper material forming the weakness point can have a
thickness of about zero.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention wherein
a package 20 contains a feminine hygiene article disposed within a
wrapper 40. The package 20, as shown in FIG. 1, may be a box having
one or more walls 22 that define an interior storage space 27 for
storing one or more feminine hygiene articles individually disposed
within a wrapper 40. Each wall 22 has an interior surface, which
forms the interior storage space 27 and an exterior surface, which
forms the exterior surface 24 of the package 20, wherein the
exterior surface 24 has a periphery. In addition, a line of
weakness 28 is present on at least one wall 22 of the package 20,
and a line of weakness 42 is present on the wrapper 40. Further,
the package 20 may be of any suitable shape, such that a line of
weakness 28 present on the package 20 can communicate to a consumer
the properties of the line of weakness 42 of the wrapper.
[0026] A wall 22 of the package 20 may be composed of different
materials or may be composed of substantially the same type of
material. A wall 22 may be a laminate of materials, such as paper,
plastic or both. In certain embodiments, the package can comprise
inflexible materials, such as cardboard, paperboard, cartonboard,
chipboard, plywood, SBS, metal, plastic, paper, card stock, fabric,
ceramic, polymer, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, webs, mesh,
screen, wood, composite, combinations thereof, or any other
suitable material. Alternatively, or in addition, the package can
be made of a flexible material, such as, blown or cast film in a
blend of low density polyethylene and linear low density
polyethylene, metallocenes, ethylene vinyl acetate, surlyn,
polyethylene terephthalate, biaxally oriented polypropylene, nylon,
combinations thereof, or any other suitable material.
[0027] The package 20 can include at least one window 26, such as,
a region of transparency. As used herein, "transparency" means
having the property of transmitting light without substantial
scattering so that items contained within the interior storage
space 27 of a package 20 can be visible to a consumer. The window
26 can comprise a transparent covering, such as, for example, a
transparent film. In addition, or alternatively, the window 26 can
comprise an opening in the package 20 that does not include a
covering. In certain embodiments, the window 26 can comprise a
transparent covering that can be anyone or more of the following,
such as clear, translucent, tinted, or opaque. The transparent
covering can be tinted in any suitable color or combination of
colors. The transparent covering can also, or alternatively, be
printed, embossed or both. In certain embodiments, the window 26
can be an image that depicts or gives the perception of a window,
such as an image that depicts a region of transparency or an
opening.
[0028] The window 26 can be disposed on at least one wall 22 of the
package, such as the front wall, the back wall, or side walls. The
window 26 can be at any location on a wall 22 and can comprise any
suitable amount of a wall 22, for example from about 5% to about
95% of the wall, such as, for example, about 5% to about 75%, about
5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 25%, or any other amount of the
wall. In certain embodiments, feminine hygiene articles having a
wrapper can be positioned adjacent the window such that at least a
portion of the wrapper can be visible through the window.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the package 20 of FIG. 1
containing a wrapper 40 having a feminine hygiene article disposed
therein, in this instance a tampon 50. The wrapper 40 has a length
L, a width W, a top 44, a bottom 46, an outer surface 48 having a
periphery, and a line of weakness 42. Any wrapped feminine hygiene
article or combination of wrapped feminine hygiene articles can be
contained in a package. The feminine hygiene articles are
individually wrapped prior to being contained within a package. In
certain embodiments, a package can contain a single wrapped
feminine hygiene article.
[0030] The material of the wrapper can comprise one or more
materials listed below, such as flexible polymeric films, for
instance, polymeric films made of polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyester, cellophane, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, or
ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer; heat-shrinkable films; stretch
films; pre-stretched elastic material, such as wrapper material
that comprises polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene,
or polyvinyl chloride; polystyrene; polyethylene-terephtalate
(PET); metallic foils, such as aluminum foil; non-occlusive or
porous materials such as nonwovens, wovens, scrims, meshes and
papers, or combinations thereof. Non-occlusive materials can be
made occlusive such as by lamination with or by coating with
occlusive material. In the case of cellulosic papers, examples
include lamination with a polymeric film such as a polyolefinic
composition or coating or impregnation of the paper with wax. In
certain embodiments, wrapper materials can be coated with various
chemical compounds to improve their barrier properties or the
ability for sealing. In addition, the wrapper material can have a
low flexural modulus. The low flexural modulus provides for a low
noise wrapper during transport, as well as during handling and
opening of the wrapper. Further, in certain embodiments, the
material of the wrapper may be the same as the material of the
package. In certain other embodiments, the material of the wrapper
may differ from the material of the package.
[0031] In certain embodiments, the wrapper can be constructed of
one connected piece of wrapper material. In certain other
embodiments, the wrapper may be constructed from multiple pieces of
wrapper material, sufficiently joined together, such that wrapper
material substantially acts as one connected piece of wrapper
material. In certain embodiments, the wrapper can be formed by
closing the wrapper material via heat-sealing onto itself after
wrapping the article. In addition, the wrapper can be bonded or
sealed by being glued, embossed, crimped, sewed, stitched,
entangled, mechanically interlocked, cold pressure welded,
ultrasonic bonded, or combinations thereof.
[0032] A wrapper can be any suitable color. In certain embodiments,
a wrapper can include one or more colors that correspond to a
feature of the feminine hygiene article contained therein, such as
absorbency, size, scent, lotion, or other features. For example,
the feminine hygiene article can be a tampon and the wrapper can
include one or more colors that correspond to the absorbency of the
tampon. In certain embodiments, the wrapper can include one or more
indicia to provide a visual indication of the location of a line of
weakness present on a wrapper. The indicia can be any indicia
suitable for providing a visual indication, such as, color,
opacity, embossment, texture, or other suitable indicia. In certain
embodiments, the indicia can be one or more colors suitable for
indicating the location of a line of weakness, such as any one or
more colors that are darker than, lighter than, or contrasting to
one or more of the colors of the wrapper. The indicia can be one or
more colors. The indicia can be present at any location on a
wrapper suitable for indicating the location of a line of weakness,
such as at a location near to or corresponding to the location of a
line of weakness.
[0033] In certain embodiments, a wrapper can include an opening
aid, such as a means for making it easier for a user to open the
wrapper. The opening aid can assist a user in removing a feminine
hygiene article from the wrapper, by providing a means for the user
to grip the wrapper to break the one or more lines of weakness. The
opening aid can be any suitable means, such as one or more tabs,
flaps, rings, caps, plates, curved plates, sticks, discs,
asymmetrical structures, meshes, screens, flared structures, molded
parts, cut or stamped sheet, or any other suitable opening aid,
such as, opening aids described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,665.
Referring back to FIG. 2, the opening aid can be at any one or more
suitable locations on the wrapper 40, such as, the top 44 of the
wrapper 40, one or more sides of the wrapper 40, or the bottom 46
of the wrapper 40.
[0034] In certain embodiments, the one or more tabs can be formed
from a portion of a wrapper. Alternatively, or in addition, the one
or more tabs can extend from the outer surface of the wrapper, such
as a portion of wrapper protruding from the wrapper. A tab can be
any suitable size. In certain embodiments, a tab will be
sufficiently large to be reliably grasped by the user, such as
handle or finger grip. In certain embodiments, a tab can be
stiffened by heat sealing, or embossing with or without the
addition of heat. In certain embodiments, the tab can also function
as a seal.
[0035] The package and wrapper can have one or more lines of
weakness. A line of weakness can be located at any suitable
location on the package or wrapper. For instance, as shown in FIG.
2, the lines of weakness 28, 42 can be located near the top 29 of
the package 20 or top 44 of the wrapper 40. As used herein, the
"top of the wrapper" means the portion of the wrapper nearest to or
which covers the end of the feminine hygiene article that should be
removed first from the wrapper. For example, when the feminine
hygiene article is a tampon with an applicator, the top of the
wrapper can be the portion of the wrapper nearest to or which
covers the portion of the applicator nearest the insertion end. In
certain embodiments, a line of weakness can be located in, for
example, the upper half of the wrapper, the upper third of the
wrapper, the upper fourth of the wrapper, the upper fifth of the
wrapper, the upper sixth of the wrapper, or any other suitable
location on the wrapper. As used herein, the "top of the package"
refers to the end portion of the package that is opposite the
surface upon which the package would normally be displayed at the
store shelf. For example, in certain embodiments the top of the
package is the portion of the package having the line of weakness
to allow a user to access the wrapped feminine hygiene articles
contained therein. In certain embodiments, a line of weakness can
be located in, for example, the upper half of the package, the
upper third of the package, the upper fourth of the package, the
upper fifth of the package, the upper sixth of the package, or any
other suitable location on the package.
[0036] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3 a line of
weakness 28, 42 can go around the entire periphery of the package
20 or wrapper 40, such that when the package 20 or wrapper 40 is
completely opened, the package 20 or wrapper 40 comprises two or
more unconnected portions. In certain other embodiments, referring
back to FIG. 1, a line of weakness 42 can encompass any amount of
the periphery of the package 20 or wrapper 40 suitable to allow the
package 20 or wrapper 40 to remain in one piece after the package
20 or wrapper 40 is fully opened. For instance, a line of weakness
can extend across less than the entire periphery of a package or
wrapper, for example less than about 95%, less than about 90%, less
than about 85%, less than about 80%, less than about 75%, less than
about 70%, less than about 65%, less than about 60%, less than
about 55%, less than about 50%, less than about 45%, less than
about 40%, or any other suitable amount of the periphery. A line of
weakness can extend a sufficient length along a package or wrapper
to create an opening that is sufficiently large to allow a wrapped
feminine hygiene article to be removed from a package, or a
feminine hygiene article from a wrapper.
[0037] A line of weakness can be provided in any suitable pattern.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a line of weakness 28 can extend
across the package 20, so as to be in a parallel direction with
respect to one or more edges 25 of a package 20. Wherein an edge 25
of a package 20 is formed when two walls 22 intersect, for example
each wall 22 of a package 20 that has a box shape will have four
edges 25. Further, a line of weakness 42 can be provided across the
wrapper 40, for example in a transverse direction with respect to
the length L of the wrapper 40.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, a line of weakness 28, 42 can extend in
an angled direction with respect to an edge 25 of a package 20 or
longitudinal axis LA of a wrapper 40. Any suitable angle can be
used, for a line of weakness 28, 42 on a package 20 or wrapper 40.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, an angle for a line of weakness 28
originating from on an edge 25 of a package 20 can have an upward
angle from the edge 25 towards the top 29 of the package 20. As
further shown, a line of weakness 42 located on a wrapper 40 may
have an angle, such as an angle upward from the initiation point 45
of the line of weakness 42 toward the top 44 of the wrapper 40. In
addition, as shown in FIG. 6 an angle for a line of weakness 28
originating from on an edge 25 of a package 20 can have a downward
angle from the edge 25 towards the bottom 35 of the package 20, and
a line of weakness 42 located on a wrapper 40 may have an angle
downward from the initiation point 45 of the line of weakness 42
toward the bottom 46 of the wrapper 40. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
6 a line of weakness 28 originating from an edge 25 of a package 20
may have an angle T.sup.1 respective to the edge 25 of from about
5.degree. to about 175.degree., such as, for example from about
45.degree. to about 145.degree., such as, for example about
75.degree. to about 125.degree.. A line of weakness 42 originating
from an initiation point 45 may have an angle T.sup.2 respective to
the longitudinal axis LA of from about 5.degree. to about
175.degree., such as, for example from about 45.degree. to about
145.degree., such as, for example about 75.degree. to about
125.degree..
[0039] FIG. 7 shows that in certain embodiments, when a package 20
and wrapper 40 have a similar line of weakness 28, 42, after the
line of weakness 28, 42 is separated during the opening of the
package 20 and wrapper 40, the after opening appearance of the
package 20 and wrapper 40 may also be similar. As the top 29 of the
package 20 or the top 44 of the wrapper 40 is separated from the
other portion of the package 20 or wrapper 40 along the line of
weakness 28, 42 a hood 33, 63 is formed which is attached to the
rest of the package 20 or wrapper 40 by a hinge 31, 61. The
formation of a hood 33, 63 and hinge 31, 61 after opening the
package 20 and wrapper 40 gives the package 20 and wrapper 40 the
same or similar appearance. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in this
embodiment the wrapper 40 can remain in one piece after opening.
The wrapper 40 can then be used to store a used feminine hygiene
article or a portion of the inserted hygiene article, such as an
applicator, or both. In this embodiment, the hood 63 can be
disposed over the used feminine hygiene article or portion of the
inserted feminine hygiene article for increased discretion and
cleanliness during transportation or disposal.
[0040] FIG. 8 shows that a package 20 and wrapper 40 may have a
non-linear line of weakness 28, 42, in that the line of weakness
28, 42 may extend in a curved direction.
[0041] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0042] All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the
Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference;
the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission
that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the
extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document
conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a
document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition
assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
[0043] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
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