GB2219782A

GB2219782A - Packaging for condoms

Info

Publication number: GB2219782A
Application number: GB8913576A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Granville Charles Ball
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-06-17
Filing date: 1989-06-13
Publication date: 1989-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 2009-06-13
Also published as: GB8814403D0; GB8913576D0; GB2219782B

Abstract

A packaged condom or contraceptive sheath comprising a packet containing a rolled condom or contraceptive sheath, wherein the two opposing outer faces of the packet are distinguishable by touch so as to enable identification of the orientation of the condom or sheath in the packet and thereby the direction of rolling-on by the user. In Fig. 1, one side of the package is provided with identifying embodiments. Alternatively, a sticker may be attached to one side of the packet. in Fig. 2, a resilient plug 6 is provided with identifying ridges. In another arrangement, an additional element in the form of a clip is included (Figs. 5 - 8). <IMAGE>

Description

Packasins for Condoms'' The invention relates to the packaging of condoms or contraceptive sheaths.

Conventionally, condoms are stored in a rolled fashion in a sealed and air-tight metal foil sachet. On removal of the rolled condom from the sachet it is difficult to orientate the condom prior to unrolling due to the difficulty in determining by sight which is the inner surface of the condom and which is the outer. Under darkened conditions, which are more often the case, the user must try to orientate and unroll the condom by touch alone - an exceptionally difficult task, and one which increases the chances of the user attempting to unroll the condom inside out. When this occurs, the condom will inevitably unroll slightly, after which the user will usually remove the condom, turn it around and roll it on correctly.Apart from the frustration and loss in sensitivity (due to the condom now being somewhat ill-fitting) that this operation causes, there is also a danger that semen and/or a pathogen may have been deposited on the outer surface when the user first tried to unroll the condom, and may be thereafter transmitted to the user's sexual partner. As one of the advantages of the sheath over other forms of contraception is that it reduces the chances of transmitting sexually transmitted diseases, this is clearly a serious drawback.

I am aware of a proposal to provide a condom with an outer domed cap which the user removes after donning the device. This proposal has the serious drawback that removal of the cap may be overlooked, and the cap may be inserted and lost in the female body.

Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the invention to enable safe and easy identification of the orientation of the inner and outer surfaces of the condom (and the correct direction of unrolling) by sight and, more importantly, by touch.

In its broadest aspect, my invention provides a packaged condom or contraceptive sheath comprising a packet containing a rolled condom or contraceptive sheath, wherein the two opposing outer faces of the packet are distinguishable by touch so as to enable identification of the orientation of the condom or sheath in the packet.

Preferably the packet comprises metal or plastics foil e.g. heavy gauge aluminium foil, sealed so as to contain the rolled condom, one face of said packet having an uneven surface e.g.

comprising raised detail, such as ridges, formed e.g. by embossing the foil so as to assist identification of the orientation of the condom by touch. The raised detail may include letters, numbers, symbols or logos. Advantageously the raised detail is visually highlighted by colouring or the like e.g. by lettering comprising instructions to the user, to improve visual identification. Raised lettering may be in Braille, providing a touch-distinguishable surface for sighted users and further instructions for partially sighted or blind users.

Alternatively, one face of the outside of the packet may be rendered distinguishable by touch by applying stickers of a significant thickness to said face. The stickers may be coloured or marked e.g. with instructions to the user, to improve visual identification.

According to a further embodiment of my invention, said packet includes an additional packaging element associated with the condom to enable identification of the orientation of the condom and to assist in correct unrolling of the condom upon removal from the packet, said additional packaging element being adapted to separate from said condom before unrolling thereof.

The form and shape of the additional packaging element may be chosen in dependence on the desired shape (e.g. oval, waisted or circular) of the packaged rolled condom.

Preferably the additional packaging element overlies the outer surface of the condom, preventing the application of this surface to the user. The packaging element may e.g. comprise a plug made of, for example, rubber or sponge elastically retained by the rolled condom, such that unrolling of the condom in the correct direction causes the plug to be freed from the condom, whilst an attempt to unroll the condom incorrectly results in the plug being trapped.

The outer end of the plug may be flared or flanged to locate the plug securely in the rolled condom and to prevent its being pushed right through the rolled condom.

Alternatively the additional packaging element may comprise a clip retaining the rolled condom.

Preferably the packaging element includes raised detail such as ridges, letters, symbols or the like (e.g. in Braille for partially sighted users) formed on one side to enhance identification of the orientation of the condom by touch.

Advantageously the raised detail may be such that it can be detected through one face of the packet to enable identification of the orientation of the condom prior to removal from the packet.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is an illustration of packaging for a rolled condom according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a sideways view of the removal of a condom and packaging element from a container packet according to a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 shows a plan view of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows the removal of the packaging element from the condom of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of a packaging element in the form of a clip for holding a rolled condom; Fig. 6 is a plan view of said clip; Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of said clip with a rolled condom in situ; and Fig. 8 is a plan view corresponding to Fig.

7.

According to Fig. 1 there is shown an airtight packet 1 comprising two rectangular pieces of heavy gauge aluminium foil 2, 3 sealed at the edges containing a rolled condom. One of the rectangular pieces of foil 2 is embossed or pressed to provide a raised outer surface in the form of ridges 4 on one side of the packet 1. By inserting the rolled condom in a predetermined orientation in the packet 2 a packaged condom is produced, the orientation of which may be determined before removal from the packet by examining the surface of the packet for the raised ridges. Whilst this examination may be carried out visually, it may as easily be done in darkened conditions by touching the surface of the packet.

As an alternative to the ridges 4, letters, numerals or symbols may be embossed in one of the pieces of foil. To enhance visual identification, the raised characters or parts may be coloured, and indeed may spell out a suitable message such as "this side on" or the like. Braille may be used similarly.

Alternatively a raised part of the surface of one side may be formed by attaching one or more stickers (not shown) of predetermined thickness to one side of the packet. These may also be coloured for visual identification and may bear a suitable message also.

Figs. 2 and 3 show a rolled condom 5 together with a packaging element in the form of a plug 6 being removed from a packet 8. The plug 6 made from rubber, plastic, sponge or the like to avoid rupture or puncture of the condom 5 is shaped to be firmly but elastically retained by the ring 9 formed by the rolled condom 5, being flanged so as to rest on the top of the outer surface 10 of the condom 5. The plug 6 is formed with ridges 7, so as to enable correct identification of the orientation of the condom by sight or, and more importantly, by touch alone. Identification by touch may also be carried out through the surface of the packet 8. Additionally, due to the retention of the plug 6 by the condom 5, the plug can only easily be expelled by pressing the underside and inner surface 11 of the condom 5 (see Fig. 4) such that the condom will start to unroll in the correct manner. Any attempt to unroll the condom in the other direction would be impeded by the plug 6.

Figs. 5 to 8 show a number of views of an alternative packaging element in the form of a clip 19 made from rubber or plastics or the like.

The clip 19 comprises a top surface 20 and two arms 21, 22 with concave inner surfaces 23, 24.

In use, the rolled condom 25 is held between the arms 21, 22 (Figs. 7 and 8). The orientation of the condom can thus be easily determined by touch or sight from the position of clip 19.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A packaged condom or contraceptive sheath comprising a packet containing a rolled condom or contraceptive sheath, wherein the two opposing outer faces of the packet are distinguishable by touch so as to enable identification of the orientation of the condom or sheath in the packet.

2. A packaged condom as claimed in claim 1, wherein said packet comprises metal or plastics foil sealed so as to contain the rolled condom, one face of said packet comprising raised detail.

3. A packaged condom as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said packet includes an additional packaging element associated with the condom to enable identification of the orientation of the condom and to assist in correct unrolling of the condom upon removal from the packet, said additional packaging element being adapted to separate from said condom before unrolling thereof.

4. A packaged condom as claimed in claim 3, wherein said additional packaging element overlies the outer surface of the condom, preventing the application of this surface to the user.

5. A packaged condom as claimed in claim 4, wherein said additional packaging element is in the form of a plug elastically retained by the rolled condom, such that unrolling of the condom in the correct direction causes the plug to be freed from the condom.

6. A packaged condom as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer end of the plug is flared or flanged to locate the plug in the rolled condom.

7. A packaged condom as claimed in claim 3 or 4 in the form of a clip retaining the rolled condom.

8. A packaged condom as claimed in any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the packaging element includes raised detail to enhance identification of the orientation of the condom by touch, said raised detail being detectable through one face of the packet.

9. A packaged condom substantially as described herein.

10. A packaged condom substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A packaged condom substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A packaged condom substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.