GB2503678A

GB2503678A - Package for retaining at least one article and a fluent substance

Info

Publication number: GB2503678A
Application number: GB1211791.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Mallet
Original assignee: Biomimetics Health Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Biomimetics Health Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-03
Filing date: 2012-07-03
Publication date: 2014-01-08
Also published as: GB201211791D0

Abstract

A package 100 for articles such as wipes comprises a first container 108 containing a fluent substance and a second container 102 containing the articles and the first container. The first container is openable when the second container is closed, preferably by means of a flexing, folding, snapping or shearing action. This allows adsorption and/or absorption of the substance by the articles. Also disclosed is a package (200, fig. 6) comprising a first compartment (204) containing a fluent substance and a second compartment (202) containing articles and separable from the first by a breakable portion (214, fig 7). Breaking means (216, fig. 8) are provided to break the breakable portion. Also disclosed is a package (300, fig. 13) comprising a first compartment (302) containing a fluent substance and a second compartment containing articles (304). The second compartment has an opening sealed by a closure to allow the articles to be removed one at a time, and the compartments are separated by an openable barrier.

Description

PACKAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF

PROVIDING AT LEAST ONE ARTICLE

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a packaging system for retaining at least one article, in particular at least one wipe, and to a method of providing at least one article.

Background to the Invention

Wet wipes have many uses. For example, they are widely used to clean work areas in medical facilities. Wet wipes are also used, for example, in the treatment of wounds. It may be important that such wipes are sterile and effective against micro-organisms. It may also be desirable that persons using the wipes, such as nurses, can obtain a wipe quickly and simply.

Packages containing wipes are known. A problem with conventional packages of wipes is that the sterilising capacity of the sterilising agent on the wipes degrades, in part at least because the wipes are not sterile prior to impregnation with the sterilising agent. Also, after a package of wipes has been opened and the wipes are exposed to air, the sterilising agent oxidises.

Alcohols are not recommended for sterilizing medical and surgical materials principally because they lack sporicidal effectiveness. They also cannot penetrate protein-rich materials and quickly evaporate from the wipes.

It is an object of the present invention to address these drawbacks.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging system for retaining at least one article, comprising a first sealed container containing a fluent substance, and an openable second container containing at least one article and the first container, wherein the first container is openable when the second container is closed so that the at least one article absorbs and/or adsorbs the substance.

Fluent substance can therefore be released for absorption and/or adsorption by the at least one article before use of the at least one article. Therefore, the material of the article will not degrade due to presence of the substance between manufacture of the packaging system and use of the packaging system. Also, effectiveness of the substance will not reduce due to contaminants on the at least one article between manufacture and absorption/adsorption. Since effectiveness of the substance will not degrade, less substance may be provided, resulting in less bulk and potentially lower costs.

Since the first container is in the second container, its breakage to release the substance may be done in a convenient and tidy way. The size of the first container and the volume of substance can be selected for the packaging system dependent on requirements. For example, where the substance is a therapeutic and/or sterilising agent, and the at least one article is a number of wipes (e.g. 75), sufficient substance may be provided to wet this number of wipes.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing an article having a fluent substance adsorbed thereon and/or absorbed therein, comprising: providing a first sealed container containing a fluent substance, and an openable second container containing at least one article and the first container; and opening the first container when the second container is closed so that the at least one article absorbs and/or adsorbs the substance.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging system for retaining at least one article, comprising a first compartment containing a fluent substance; a second compartment separated from the first compartment by a breakable portion and containing at least one article; and at least one rupturing element, wherein the packaging system is operable to break the breakable portion thereby to aflow adsorption and/or absorption of the substance by the at least one article.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing at least one article having a fluent substance adsorbed andlor adsorbed therein, comprising: providing a packaging system having a first compartment containing a fluent substance, and a second compartment separated from the first compartment by a breakable portion, the second compartment containing at least one article; and operating the packaging system to cause a rupturing means to break the breakable portion thereby to allow adsorption and/or absorption of the substance by the at least one article.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging system for retaining at least one article, comprising at least one article, a first sealed container containing a therapeutic agent, and a second sealed container containing at least one dry wipe; wherein the first container includes an openable barrier and opening of the barrier allows adsorption and/or absorption of the therapeutic agent by the at least one wipe.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing at least one wipe having a therapeutic agent absorbed therein or absorbed thereon, comprising the steps of: providing a first container having a breakable portion and containing the therapeutic agent, and a second container containing at least one dry wipe, wherein the first and second containers are separated by an openable barrier and opening of the barrier allows the therapeutic agent to be absorbed and/or adsorbed by the at least one article; and opening the barrier.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaging system comprising: a first compartment containing a fluent substance; and a second compartment containing a plurality of articles and having an opening sealed by a openable closure, the first and second compartments being separated by an openabk barrier, wherein the barrier is openable to allow absorption andlor adsorption of the substance by the articles, and wherein the second compartment and the artides are arranged to enable removal of one article at a time through the opening.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a plurality of articles having a fluent substance adsorbed andlor adsorbed therein, comprising: opening a barrier separating a first compartment containing a fluent substance and a second compartment containing a plurality of articles; opening a closure to access the plurality of articles; taking an article; and subsequently taking another article.

Optional and/or preferred features of the method or packaging system of the first to eighth aspect are set out in the dependent claims.

In the method or packaging system of the first to eighth aspect, the or each article is preferably an applicator for applying the substance. For example, the applicator may be a wipe or a swab. The wipe or wipes may comprise any disposable absorbent or adsorbent material, including sponge sheets, woven or knitted textile sheets, non-woven textiles sLteh as carded webs, spLinbonded webs, melt-blown webs and air-laid webs or air-laid paper, and/or web-laid sheet materials such as absorbent papers or hydraulically entangled webs. The material of the wipes is preferably chosen to facilitate recycling. For example, the material may be a grade of polypropylene or polyethylene. Preferably the or each wipes is a dry wipe, at least before the fluent substance is absorbed. Preferred wipes are polypropylene non-woven wipes. in this case a halogen stabiliser is preferably included with the wipes.

In the method or packaging system of the first to eighth aspect, the fluent substance is preferably stable, in the context of this disclosure, "stable" means a composition that retains the characteristics required for its intended use for a period of at least one month, preferably three months, more preferably still at least six months when stored in sealed containers at ambient temperature.

In any one of the method or packaging system of the first to eighth aspect, the fluent substance may comprise at least one of: a therapeutic agent, an anti-microbial for use in disinfecting, a cleansing agent and a cleaning agent. The substance may comprise a composition comprising a stable solution of hypochlorous acid, for example as described in UK patent application no. 1021287.6 (publication no. GB2486454 in the name of Biomimetics Health Industries Limited filed on 15 December 2010, or as described in UK patent application no. 1104176.1 entitled "A stable composition of HOCL, processes for its production and uses thereof' in the name of Biomimetics Health Industries Limited filed on 11 March 2011, a copy of which is appended to the present

detailed description.

When the fluent substance is at least one of: a therapeutic agent, an anti-microbial agent, a cleansing agent and a cleaning agent, the packaging system or methods of any one of the first to eighth aspects may be suitable for use in domestic, medical, veterinary, dental and food processing environments, at least. The article/wipe with the substance absorbed therein or adsorbed thereon may be suitable for sanitizing, sterilising, disinfecting, cleaning andlor cleansing hard surfaces, living organisms (for example humans or animals) and environments generally. The substance may be an antibacterial agent, an antiviral agent, an antifungal agent and/or an antisporal agent. The substance may act as a microbiocidal agent (i.e. to kill the micro-organisms) or as a microbiostatic agent (to inhibit or prevent the growth of the micro-organisms). The substance will either completely eradicate the bacteria, viruses, fungi and/or spores or may reduce the number or activity of bacteria, viruses, fungi and/or spores (particularly pathogenic bacteria, viruses, thngi and/or spores) so that they no longer have a detrimental effect.

The articles with the substance therein or thereon may be provided for usc to sterilise equipment or an environment, in particular, articles, for example wipes,

S

may be used to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi andlor spores on surfaces or equipment, for example in homes, medical institutions such as hospitals, doctors' surgeries, veterinary surgeries or dental surgeries or work places. Such wipes are suitable for domestic use, for example to sterilise bathrooms andlor in kitchens in particular on surfaces used for the preparation of food such as work tops etc, or to sterilise equipment used for the preparation of food, such as chopping boards, knives, baby bottles, etc. The article, for example in wipe or swab form, is particularly suitable for treating wounds, cuts or ulcers. The article may be used to treat burns, post-surgical wounds and ulcers, such as static ulcers, pressure ulcers, chronic ulcers, venous ulcers and diabetic ulcers. Other medical conditions both in humans as well as animals may also be treated.

The article, for example in wipe or swab form, may be used for treating topical microbial infections comprising topically applying the substance to the site of the infection using the article. The substance may be applied once or repeatedly over a period of time necessary to allow the antimicrobial infection to be treated.

Further potential uses of the article, when the substance is suitable for the particular Lise, include, but are not limited to: the treatment of sunburn, sun damaged skin, freckles, liver spots, warts, verrucas and acne; the treatment of ageing skin and damaged skin; and the treatment of psoriasis and eczema, cold sores, athlete's foot, and spots and skin ulcers.

The method or packaging system of the first to fourth and seventh and eigth aspects are not limited to use with a substance having therapeutic, anti-microbial, cleansing or cleaning effect. The or each article may be an applicator for applying another substance, for example: * the substance may be sun screen and the article may be a towel or a wipe; * the substance may be a moisturiser and the article may he a swab or wipe; * the fluent substance may be make-up remover and the article a swab or wipe.

Brief Description of the Figures

For better understanding of the present invention, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with rcfcrcncc to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging system, in the form of a wipe dispenser in accordance with an example of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the packaging system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an illustrative, cross-sectional view of the packaging system of the example, which includes an inner container; Figure 4 is an illustrative, perspective view of the inner container of the

example of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a variant of the inner container; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a packaging system in accordance with another example of the invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a container which forms part of the packaging system of the other example; Figure 8 is a side view of another container that forms part of the packaging system of the other example; Figure 9 is a perspective underside view of the container of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a view of a section of the packaging system of the other example, with a portion shown transparent Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views of a packaging system that is a variant on the packaging system of Figures 6 to 10; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a package in accordance with a yet other example of the invention; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a fray that forms part of the package of Figure 13; and Figure 15 depicts the package of Figure 13 in use.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Like parts are denoted by like reference numerals throughout.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and is not limiting. For example, in embodiments, the packaging system may be designed to have a normal orientation in use such that articles may be taken from an opening located at the top of the packaging system. The word "top" should be understood accordingly. Similarly, the packaging system may be designed to rest on a sLibstantially horizontal surface. The term "base" should be understood as being the part of the packaging system which sits on the horizontal surface.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a package system from which one or more articles such as wipes can be taken. The packaging system includes at least the one or more articles and a container containing a fluent substance, for example a therapeutic, cleansing or cleaning agent or anti-microbial suitable for disinfecting.

The fluent substance is typically a liquid, but may be a powder, gel or have other form. The fluent substance may have thixotropic properties.

The container includes an openable barrier in the form of a breakable portion. The breakable portion can be broken to allow adsorption and/or absorption of the substance by the one or more articles. The one or more articles are thus disposed relative to the container so that, when the breakable portion is broken, the substance is absorbed and/or adsorbed by the at least one article.

A "wipe" is referred to herein, but it should be understood that the term encompasses a "swab".

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a wipe dispenser 100 for storing wipes and from which wipes can be taken includes an outer container 102. The outer container has an opening (not shown) therein closed by a closure 104. The outer container 102 is sealed by the closure 104 until the closure 104 is first opened to prevent ingress of contaminants. The closure 104 is such as to allow re-sealing of the outer container 1 02 for example by means of low tack, reusable pressure sensitive adhesive on the closure 104.

Referring to Figure 3, the wipe dispenser 100 also includes a plurality of dry wipes 106 and an inner container 108, both contained within the outer container 102. The inner container 108 defines an inner compartment and an outer compartment is defined between the inner container 108 and outer container 102. The wipes 106 are located between the inner container 108 and the opening in the outer container 102 so that, when the closure 104 is removed, the wipes can be accessed. There may only be a single wipe, or there may be at least 5 wipes or at least 50, depending on intended use for the wipes. There are preferably fewer than 250, preferably still fewer than 100. For example, there may be 75 wipes.

The outer container 102 is substantially formed of a flexible material so that the inner container 108 can be broken when the outer container 102 is closed. By "flexible", it should be understood that the outer container 102 should be sufficiently flexible that it can be deformed so that inner container 108 can be broken in a flexing, folding, bending, snapping or shearing action, as described further below, without opening of the outer container 102. The material of the outer container 102 may also be substantially self-supporting and have resilience, so that the outer container 102 returns to an initial shape after being deformed during breakage of the inner container 108.

The outer container 102 is completely impermeable to micro-organisms (including spores and viruses) before first opening. Generally, the outer container is fornied from sheet material. The sheet material is sufficiently durable to maintain sterility of the package contents during normal handling and storage, and to permit opening of the inner container 102 when the outer container is closed. Typically the sheet material comprises at least one layer of thermoplastic film. The sheet material may be a laminated sheet formed of a plurality of layers. At least a portion of the sheet materia' may be transparent to allow inspection of the package contents. The sheet material may he multiple pieces of sheet material joined together, or a single piece of sheet material folded or curved. The piece or pieces of sheet material are joined along edges thereof by heat or impact adhesive to form seams. The sheet material may include a layer of plastics material. Suitable plastics materials include polyolefins, PVC, PVDC, or LDPE. The sheet material making up the outer container 102 may further comprise a metal layer, such as an aluminium layer. The outer container 102 may be in the form of a pouch or flow wrap, in which it consists substantially entirely of the flexible sheet material.

Alternatively, the oLiter container 102 can be formed of other materials having sufficient flexibility to allow rupturing of the inner container 108.

Methods of manufacture of containers from sheet material are known to persons skilled in the art. For example, the sheet material can be cut to size through the use of a suitable die. Pieces of sheet material can then be sealingy joining by a heat sealing operation.

Referring additionally to Figure 4, the inner container 108 is hermetically sealed and contains a fluent substance in the form of a liquid 110. For example, the fluent substance may be a solution including a hypoclorous acid composition. The inner container 108 includes a breakable portion in the form of a weak portion 112. The inner container 108 is substantially made of rigid material. The inner container 108 is elongate so that the inner container 108 can be broken open in a folding, flexing, snapping or shearing action at the weak portion 112. The weak portion 112 is located across the width of the inner container 108. The weak portion 112 is provided by a thinning of the material of the inner container 108, but it could be provided in alternative ways, for example by scoring. The inner container 108 may he made of a suitable polymer. The inner container 108 is manufactured in two parts, which are sealingly joined together with the liquid 110 inside.

A variant inner container 108a is shown in Figure 5. This inner container 108a comprises a body portion 09a and a cap I 09h. During manufacture, after the substance 110 has been put into the body portion I 09a, the cap 1 09b is used to seal the body portion I 09a.

The inner containers 108, 108a may be manufactured from high-density poly-ethylene. Advantageously, this material is easily recycleable.

In use, when a person wishes to take a first wipe from the wipe dispenser 100, the wipe dispenser 100 is folded, flexed, snapped or sheared such that the inner container 108 breaks at its weakened portion 112. The liquid 110 is then absorbed and/or adsorbed by the wipes 106. The wipe dispenser 100 is preferably inverted such that the inner container 108 is above the wipes or the wipe dispenser shaken for good adsorptionlabsorption of the liquid by the wipes. The closure 104 is then opened and the wipe 106 nearest the opening removed for use. The next closest wipe to the opening can thereafter be taken and so on. The outer container 102 is typically resealed using the closure 104 and then reopened later when a further wipe is required. Sealing of the outer container 104 between taking of wipes to prevent undue exposure of the interior of the outer container 102 to contaminants is desirable.

It will be appreciated that it is not essential for the inner container 108 to be inside the outer container 102. In other embodiments, the packaging system may be in the form of a wipe dispenser comprising first and second containers defining respectively isolated compartments and having a rupturable/breakable barrier between them. Examples of this are now described with reference to Figures 6 to 12.

Referring first to Figure 6, the wipe dispenser 200 comprises a first container 202 defining a first compartment and containing a plurality of dry wipes and a second container 204 defining a second compartment and containing the fluent substance.

The second container 204 includes a rupturable barrier preventing egress of the fluent substance and the wipe dispenser 200 includes a rupturing mechanism operable to rupture the barrier so that the fluent substance can be absorbed/adsorbed by the wipes.

Referring also to Figure 7, the second container 204 is formed of a cylinder 208 having a base at one end thereof closing the cylinder 208 at that end. In the vicinity of the other end thereof, the second container includes a threaded portion 212 extending circumferentially around the interior of the second container 204 for engagement with a corresponding threaded portion on the first container 202.

The fluent substance is sealed within the second container 204 by the rupturable barrier, which is in the form of an impermeable, rupturable sheet 214 sealingly joined circumferentially around the internal surface of the cylinder 208. The second container 204 also includes a tab 215, whose purpose will be described below.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the first container 202 has at one end thereof an opening (not shown) sealed by a closure (not shown). The closure is removable so that wipes can be taken through the opening. The opening can preferably be resealed using the closure after opening. The first container 202 includes at the other end thereof rupturing elements in the form of teeth 216 suitable for rupturing the sheet 214 and supports 218 to which the teeth 216 are joined. The supports 218 are joined to the interior of the cylindrical body and the teeth 216 extend from the supports 218 in an orientation such that rupturing of the sheet 214 will occur when the packaging system is operated in the manner described below. In this particular example, the supports 218 are in the form of diametrically arranged spokes, but it will be appreciated that the supports can take other forms, provided that they allow passage of the fluent substance from the second container 204 to the first container 202.

The first container 202 includes a generally cylindrical body portion and an external threaded portion 213 on the body portion arranged to engage the threaded portion of the second container 204. The threaded portions of the first and second containers 202, 204 engage so as to form an interior chamber defined by the interior walls of the first and second containers 202, 204 and separated into the first and second compartments by the barrier.

Although not shown, the first container 202 contains wipes located between the supports 218 and the opening. The wipes are arranged so that they can be taken one at a time through the opening.

The first container 202 has a recess 220 in the cylindrical body portion in which the tab 215 is initially engaged. When the tab 215 is engaged in the recess 220, the threaded portions of the first and second containers 202, 204 are engaged together such that the first and second containers 202, 204 are attached and such that the teeth 216 are spaced from the rupturable sheet 214. Preferably, when the threaded portions are so engaged, the interior chamber is sealed from the external environment. After the tab 215 is removed from the recess 220, the threaded portions can be thither engaged, such that the teeth 216 pierce the rupturable sheet.

Figure 10 shows a portion of the wipe dispenser 200 with the second container 204 shown as transparent so that the interior of the packaging system 200 can be seen for illListration purposes.

In use, first the tab 215 is broken away. The first and second containers 202, 204 are then respectively twisted so that the respective threaded portions further engage. This further engagement moves together the nipturable sheet 214 and the teeth 216 so that the teeth 216 rupture the sheet 214. The fluent substance is then absorbed and/or adsorbed by the wipes and the wipe dispenser 200 is preferably shaken or inverted to assist this. The closure of the first container 202 is then removed so that wipes can he taken through the opening. The opening can be resealed using the closure.

The wipe dispenser 200A of Figure 11 is a variant of that of Figures 6 to 9. The closure is indicated at 222. A recess 224 is provided in a top of the first container 202a to facilitate lifting of the closure. The first container 202a is larger than the second container 204h in comparison to the example of Figures 6 to 9. Generally, the relative sizes of the containers can be selected in dependence on the absorption and absorption characteristics of the wipes and the properties of the fluent substance. The tab 215a is in the form of a pull-away rubber piece.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, in another embodiment a packaging system is in the fonTi of a package 300. The package 300 includes a container 302 containing a fluent sLibstance (not shown) and a dry wipe 304 affixed to the outside of the container 302.

The container 302 is formed of a tray 306 of semi-rigid material having an outwardly extending lip 308. The tray 306 is closed by a semi-rigid or flexible sheet of material 310 heat seated to the lip 308. The sheet 310 has a breakable portion formed by a line of weakness (not shown) extending at least partially across the width of the sheet 310. The wipe 304 is affixed to the sheet 310 over the line of weakness using an adhesive.

The tray 306 manufactured from high-density polyethylene. The closure sheet 310 may be made of low density polyethylene.

The fray 306 can be formed of rigid material, in which case it can be sheared or snapped to break the fray 306 at the line of weakness. The fray 306 can be formed of semi-rigid material, in which case it can be folded, bent or flexed to break the tray 306 at the line of weakness. The line of weakness can in each case be formed by scoring.

In use, referring to Figure 14, the package 300 is flexed, folded, snapped or sheared to break the container 302 at the breakable portion. The fluent substance 312 flows through the resultant opening and is absorbed into the material of the wipe 304. In this example there is sufficient fluent substance such that it can drip, although this may not be the case.

Thc package may include an outcr container (not shown), which can be removed before use. The outer container may be in the form of a wrapping or pouch of sheet material, which can be torn for removal. Such a wrap keeps the wipe 304 clean. Optionally the interior of the outer container may be steriled.

In any of the embodiments, the substance is preferably stable such that it retains its antimicrobial activity for a period of at least one month, preferably at least three months, and more preferably still at least six months. By way of example, a composition comprising a stable solution of hypochlorous acid is stable for at least one month, preferably at least three months, and more preferably still at least six months. This allows time for the substance to be packaged, stored and transported.

Such a composition and processes for its production and uses thereof are described in the appended specification of UK patent application no. 104176.1.

It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above. In particular, the embodiments generally relates to a packaging system that is suitable for use with wipes and can be used to store wipes isolated from a fluent substance having therapeLitic, anti-microbial, sterilising, cleansing or cleaning properties, but the invention is not limited to such. For example, in embodiments of the invention the at least one article may be a towel and the fluent substance a sunscreen or moisturiser.

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature and step described herein and any combination of two or more such features and/or steps, to the extent that such features or steps or combinations are capable of being carried out bascd on thc prcscnt specification as a wh&c in thc light of thc common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or steps or combinations of features and steps solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features andlor steps. Tn view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications maybe made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A packaging system for retaining at least one article, comprising a sealed first container containing a fluent substance, and an openable second container containing at least one article and the first container, wherein the first container is openable when the second container is closed so that the at least one article absorbs and/or adsorbs the substance.
2. A packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the first container is substantially rigid and has a breakable portion located such that the first container can be opened at the breakable portion in a flexing, folding, snapping or shearing action; and wherein the second container is formed of flexible material, such that the flexing, folding, snapping or shearing action can be performed on the first container through the material of the second container before the second container is opened.
3. A packaging system according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a plurality of articles.
4. A packaging system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one article comprises a plurality of dry wipes and the fluent substance comprises at least one of: a therapeutic agent, an anti-microbial agent, a cleansing agent and a cleaning agent.
5. A packaging system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the breakable portion comprises a line of weakness extending at least partially around the first container and the characteristics of the first container are such that the first container can be opened at the line of weakness in a flexing, folding, snapping or shearing action.
6. A packaging system according to claim 5, wherein the first container is elongate and the line of weakness extends transversely across the first container in the vicinity of the middle thereof, to facilitate folding, flexing, snapping or shearing at the line of weakness.
7. A packaging system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second container includes an opening closed by a closure, the closure being removable to allow access to the at least one articles.
8. A packaging system according to claim 7, wherein the at least one article is located between the opening and the first container to allow access via said opening.
9. A packaging system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluent substance comprises a therapeutic agent comprising a stable solution of hypochlorous acid.tO. A method of providing an artide having a fluent substance adsorbed thereon and/or absorbed therein, comprising: providing a sealed first container containing a fluent substance, and an openable second container containing at least one article and the first container; opening the first container when the second container is closed so that the at least one article absorbs and/or adsorbs the substance.11. A method according to claim 10, wherein: the first container is substantially rigid, has a breakable portion. and can be opened at the breakable portion by applying a flexing, folding, snapping or shearing action to the first container; the second container is formed of flexible material such that the flexing, folding, snapping or shearing action can be perforined on the first container through the rnateria of the second container before the second container is opened; and the opening the first container comprises flexing, folding, snapping or shearing the first container through the material of the second container so that the first container breaks at the breakable portion.12. A method according to claim 10 or claim 11, further comprising opening a closure of the second container to access the at least one article.13. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, using the packaging system of any one of claims 1 to 9.14. A packaging system for retaining at least one article, comprising: a first compartment containing a fluent substance; a second compartment separated from the first compartment by a breakable portion and containing at least one article; and breaking means, wherein the packaging system is operable to cause said breaking means to break the breakable portion thereby to allow adsorption andlor absorption of the substance by the at least one article.15. A packaging system according to claim 14, wherein the breakable portion comprises a sheet and said breaking means comprises said at least one rupturing element for rupturing said sheet.16. A packaging system according to any claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the at least one article comprises a plurality of articles.17. A packaging system according to claim 14 or claim 16, wherein a first container defines the first compartment and a second container defines the second compartment.18. A packaging system according to claim 17, wherein at least one article comprises a plurality of dry wipes and the fluent substance comprises at least one of: a therapeutic agent, an anti-microbial agent, a cleansing agent and a cleaning agent.19. A packaging system according to one of claims 17 and 18, wherein the packaging system is operable to cause said at least one breaking means to break said breakable portion by moving the first container relative to the second container.20. A packaging system according to claim 19, wherein the first container include a threaded portion, and the second container includes a correspondingly threaded portion engaged with the threaded portion of the first container, wherein the packaging system is operable to cause the at least one rupturing element to break the sheet by a twist action of the first container relative to the second container which further engages the threaded portions with each other, wherein the threaded portions, the at least one rupturing means and the sheet are respectively disposed so that when the threaded portions are fttrther engaged, the rupturing means is moved to rupWre the sheet.21. A packaging system according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the packaging system includes a lock means preventing operation of the packaging system to break the breakable portion, wherein the lock means can be removed to allow operation of the packaging system to break the breakable portion.22. A method of providing at least one article having a fluent substance adsorbed and/or adsorbed therein, comprising: providing a packaging system having a first compartment containing a fluent substance, and a second compartment separated from the first compartment by a breakable portion, the second compartment containing at least one article; and operating the packaging system to cause a breaking means to break the breakable portion thereby to allow adsorption and/or absorption of the substance by the at least one article.23. A method according to claim 22, wherein a first container defines the first compartment and a second container defines the second compartment, and wherein operating the packaging system comprises moving the first container rdative to the second container.24. A method according to claim 22 or claim 23, frirther comprising opening a closure of the second container to access the at least one article, and removing an article for use.25. A packaging system for retaining at least one article, comprising at least one article, a first sealed container containing a therapeutic agent, and a second sealed container containing at least one dry wipe; wherein the first container includes an openable barrier and opening of the barrier allows adsorption andlor absorption of the therapeutic agent by the at least one wipe.26. A packaging system according to claim 25, wherein the second container comprises a plurality of dry wipes.27. A packaging system according to claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the barrier comprises a breakable portion, and breaking of the breakable portion opens the barrier.28. A packaging system according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the characteristics of the first container are such that it can be broken at the breakable portion in a folding, flexing, snapping or shearing action.29. A packaging system according to any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the breakable portion comprises a line of weakness extending at least partially around the first container and the characteristics of the first container is such that the first container can be opened at the line of weakness in a flexing, folding, snapping or shearing action.30. A packaging system according to claim 29, wherein the first container is elongate and the line of weakness extends transversely across the first container in the vicinity of the middle thereof, to facilitate folding, flexing, snapping or shearing at the line of weakness.31. A packaging system according to any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein the second container contains the first container.32. A packaging system according to any one of claims 25 to 31, wherein the at least one wipe consist of a single wipe affixed to the exterior of the first container.33. A packaging system according to any one of claims 25 to 32, wherein the second container includes an opening closed by a closure, the closure being openable to allow access to the at least one wipe.34. A packaging system according to any one of claims 25 to 33, wherein the at least one wipe is located between the opening and the first container.35. A packaging system according to claim 25 to 34 wherein the second container is formed of a flexible material, such that the breakable portion can be broken before the second container is opened.36. A packaging system according to claim 27, further comprising breaking means operable to break said breakable portion.37. A packaging system according to claim 36 wherein the breaking means includes at least one rupturing element, wherein the packaging system is operable to cause said at cast one rupLiring element to rupture said breakable portion.38. A packaging system according to claim 37, wherein the packaging system is operable to cause said at least one rupturing element to rupture said breakable portion by moving the first container relative to the second container.39. A packaging system according to claim 38, the first container include a threaded portion, and the second container includes a correspondingly threaded portion engaged with the threaded portion of the first container, wherein the packaging system is operable to cause the at least one rupturing element to rupture the breakable portion by a twist action of the first container relative to the second container which further engages the threaded portions with each other, wherein the threaded portions, the at least one rupturing element and the breakable portion are respectively disposed so that when the threaded portions are further engaged, the rupturing element is moved to rupture the breakable portion.40. A packaging system according to any one of claims 36 to 39, wherein the packaging system includes a lock means preventing operation of the packaging system to rupture the breakable portion, wherein the lock means can be removed to allow operation of the packaging system to rupture the breakable portion.41. A method of providing at least one wipe having a therapeutic agent absorbed therein or absorbed thereon, comprising the steps of: providing a first container having a breakable portion and containing the therapeutic agent, and a second container containing at least one dry wipe, wherein the first and second containers are separated by an openable barrier and opening of the barrier allows the therapeutic agent to be absorbed andlor adsorbed by the at least one article; and opening the barrier.42. A rncthod according to claim 41, whcrcin the harrier cornpriscs a brcakab]c portion in said first container, wherein opening the barrier comprises breaking the breakable portion.43. A method according to claim 41 or claim 42, using the packaging system of any one of claims 25 to 40.44. A packaging system comprising: a first compartment containing a fluent substance; and a second compartment containing a plurality of articles and having an opening sealed by a openable closure, the first and second compartments being separated by an openable barrier, wherein the barrier is openable to allow absorption and/or adsorption of the substance by the articles, and wherein the second compartment and the articles are arranged to enable manual removal of one article at a time throLigh the opening.45. A packaging system according to claim 44, wherein the plurality of articles are a plurality of wipes or swabs.46. A packaging system according to claim 44 or claim 45 wherein said barrier is a breakable portion and breaking of the breakable portion opens the barrier.47. A packaging system according to claim 46, comprising a first container defining said first compartment and a second container defining said second compartment and breaking of the breakable portion opens the barrier.48. A packaging system according to claim 47, wherein the first container is within the second container.49. A packaging system according to any one of claims 44 to 47, wherein fluent substance comprising at least one of: a therapeutic agent, an anti-microbial agent, a cleansing agent and a cleaning agent.50. A method of providing a plurality of articles having a fluent substance adsorbed and/or adsorbed therein, comprising: opening a barrier separating a first compartment containing a fluent substance and a second compartment containing a plurality of articles; opening a closure to access the plurality of articles; taking an article; and subsequently taking another article.51. A method according to claim 36, using the packaging system of any one of claims 44 to 49.52. A packaging system for retaining at least one article, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.53. A method of providing an article, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.