IE930586A1 - Improvements in and relating to storage of sanitary items - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (1) has four different compartments (10-13), each for storage of a sanitary towel of a particular size. The container (1) may thus be used for packaging, distribution and retailing of a set of sanitary towels for 10 use during a single menstruation period. This is extremely convenient for a woman.

Description

The present invention relates to sanitary items and in particular to sanitary items for females. Menstruation is a continual problem for most women between puberty and menopause. On average, for between five and seven days of the menstrual period, a woman has varying amounts of discharge. Generally speaking, at the beginning of the period it is relatively heavy and then subsequently the discharge or flow reduces. After a few days it becomes light until its inconvenience is slight.

There are a large number of sanitary protection products available, some of which are prepared for particular situations whether it be for maternity wear, for nighttime, for those with heavier discharge rates than others, commonly referred to as heavy as against light periods, and for minor control of discharge even outside the menstrual period. Often these latter items are used as undergarment liners commonly referred to as panty liners. In many situations there is a need for a slim and unobtrusive sanitary pad such as, for example, with panty liners.

Thus when women use sanitary pads they require not one type but many different types. One of the problems at the present moment is that all these different types of sanitary pads are sold separately, either singly or in bulk. Thus when a woman wishes to buy these items she has to buy several packages of them, which is relatively inconvenient. There are also many ancillary items that are useful such as tissues, used sanitary towel disposal bags all of which have to be purchased separately. A large number of items of considerable bulk have to be purchased if a women is to have a full range of items that she requires. This si OPEN TO PUBLIC iNCPECTiON 'ΈΟΤΚ L 23 - 2 L93Q5B6 The present invention is directed towards overcoming these problems.

According to the invention, there is provided a container constructed for storage of a plurality of different sized sanitary towels, towels of each size being grouped together within the container.

In one embodiment the container comprises a plurality of compartments, each constructed for storage of sanitary towels of a particular size.

In one embodiment the compartments are of rectangular box shape.

In another embodiment, the container is constructed so that all of the compartments are simultaneously accessible for removal of a stored sanitary towel.

Preferably, the compartments are formed from divider walls .

In one embodiment, the walls each have a recess intermediate the ends for easy removal of a sanitary towel.

In one embodiment, the container is a packaging container.

In another embodiment, the container comprises a packaging box, and an insert having the compartments.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a single-unit packaging container for storage of a plurality of different sized sanitary towels. 93058gf According to a still further aspect, the invention provides a container comprising a plurality of different sized sanitary towels for use during a single menstruation period.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging container of the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of an insert of the container; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the insert from the direction of the arrow III of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a side view of the insert from the direction of the arrow IV of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a set of sanitary towels stored by the container; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view from above showing the container when full.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1, there is shown a single-unit container of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The container 1 comprises a cardboard box 2 in which there is a moulded-plastics insert 3. The box 2 comprises a rectangular base portion 4 and an integral lid 5 having a flap 6 folded along a fold line 7. —930586 Referring also to Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive, the insert 3 is now described in more detail. An important aspect of the invention is the fact that the insert 3 comprises four different compartments defined by dividing walls in the moulded plastics insert 3. There is a compartment 10 which extends along the full length of the insert 3 at one side thereof. The compartment 10 is the full depth of the insert 3. There is a compartment 11 which also extends longitudinally in the insert 3, but not for the full length. The compartment 11 also extends to the full depth of the insert 3. Further, there is a compartment 12 which extends longitudinally and also has the full depth of the insert 3. The compartment 12 does not extend the full length of the insert 3. Finally, there is a compartment 13 which extends transversely in the insert 3 and is much shallower than the other compartments, having a depth of approximately only one third of the depth of the other compartments. The compartments have a rectangular box shape, as viewed in plan.

The compartment 10 has a length of approximately 26 cm, a width of approximately 4 cm and a depth of approximately 6.5 cm. As stated above, the compartments 11 and 12 have the same depth. The length of the compartments 11 and 12 is approximately 20.5 cm. The width of the compartment 11 is approximately 9 cm, while the width of the compartment 12 is approximately 5 cm. The compartment 13 has a width of approximately 5.5 cm and a length of approximately 14 cm. The depth is only 2.5 cm.

The compartment 10 is constructed for neat storage of two nighttime sanitary towels. The compartment 11 is constructed for storage of, in this embodiment, six regular sized sanitary towels suitable for the beginning of a menstrual period. The compartment 12 is constructed for storage of, in this embodiment, six slimmer sanitary towels for use as the menstrual period becomes lighter. Finally, the compartment 13 is constructed for storage of four panty liners for use as the period finishes. These sanitary towels are illustrated in Fig. 5 and are indicated respectively by the numerals 20, 21, 22 and 23. In Fig. 6, the container 1 is shown storing the sanitary towels 20 to 23 inclusive.

The dividing walls are recessed downwardly for ease of gripping a particular pod for removal from a compartment.

The invention therefore provides for the packaging, distribution and sale of a complete set of sanitary towels which are suitable for a single menstrual period. It will thus be appreciated that the container is extremely convenient for women as it avoids the necessity to buy several different packets of towels or pads. Further, when a woman wishes to travel, the complete set may be quite easily stored in suitcase, thus considerably reducing the amount of space required and providing convenience for the woman. The fact that all compartments are simultaneously accessible is important, for convenience. The container may be constructed of a more durable material than cardboard for greater strength for transport and use generally.

A very important aspect of the invention is it's simplicity. The problem of having to buy several different packages of sanitary towels has existed for a very long time and thus while the invention may initially appear obvious because of it's simplicity, it is not so. What has been achieved is a major improvement for convenience in purchasing and transport of sanitary items in an extremely simple manner. Prior art containers for storage of different feminine products such as that in US Patent Specification No. 5,004,106 (Blumstock) do not - 6 provide the same features, although it appears that this prior art invention attempts to address the same type of problem.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments 5 hereinbefore described. For example, an insert need not necessarily be contained within a relatively rigid box, but may be stored within a more flexible outer container such as a bag; or pouch. It is envisaged that the container need not have an insert and a separate box.

Further, the container need not necessarily have separate compartments, but may be of a shape suitable for storage of different sized sanitary towels in separate groups. Further, the container of the invention may comprise compartments or be adapted for storage of other sanitary items in addition to sanitary towels such as pre-packaged moist tissues or other sanitary items.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIfSS

1. A container constructed for storage of a plurality of different sized sanitary towels, towels of each size being grouped together within the container.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of compartments, each constructed for storage of sanitary towels of a particular size.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the compartments are of rectangular box shape.

4. A container as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein the container is constructed so that all of the compartments are simultaneously accessible for removal of a stored sanitary towel.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the compartments are formed from divider walls.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the walls each have a recess intermediate the ends for easy removal of a sanitary towel.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container is a packaging container.

8. A container as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the container comprises a packaging box, and an insert having the compartments.

9. Use of a single-unit packaging container for storage of a plurality of different sized sanitary towels. 9305861

10.

11. A container comprising a plurality of different sized sanitary towels for use during a single menstruation period. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.