US2365556A - Prophylactic package - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 19, 1944. KARG 2,365,556

PROPHYLACTIC PACKAGE Filed March 12, 1941 W VI , MUM.

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Patented Dec. 19, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROPHYLACTIC PACKAGE Frank G. Karg, Chicago, 111.

Application March 12, 1941, Serial No. 382,898

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in a prophylactic package, and more specifically to a package for a prophylactic sheath of the type useful in covering an organ, extremity or appendage of the human body as a protection or for the prevention of disease.

In the past prophylactic sheaths have been packaged in many and various ways, but in every instance ofwhich I am aware when the package was opened it was only possible to remove a prophylactic sheath as such, whether or not it was then in condition for use. In other words, the package merely contained one or more prophylactic sheaths, and if it was necessary to moisten the sheath before use as is the case with certain types of sheaths, it was necessary to find a liquid for that purpose. Likewise, if it was desired to use an antiseptic or a prophylactic, a proper medical compound had to be found in some separate location. The necessity of going to various sources for the desired product not only resulted in objectionable inconvenience, but frequently in the case of the antiseptic or prophylactic in the acquisition of an undesirable disease, namely due to the fact that delay was experienced before the application of the antiseptic or prophylactic compound.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a package containing a prophylactic sheath immersed in an antiseptic substance.

Another important object of the invention is the packaging of a so-called skin type prophylactic sheath in a moist substance.

Still another feature of this invention is the packaging of a prophylactic sheath in a manner such that the sheath is substantially floatmg in a liquid or semiliquid.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a package containing a prophylactic sheath substantially fioating in an antiseptic substance, whereby it is a simple expedient to tear open the package and remove the prophylactic sheath ready for instant usage, that part of the body covered by the sheath automatically receiving an application of an antiseptic substance simultaneously with the application of the sheath itself.

Still a further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a simple easily carried package of paper-like material containing a prophylactic sheath and a liquid-like antiseptic substance, in such a manner that the sheath is constantly maintained in a moistened condition by the substance.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a prophylactic package, showing the same with one cover flap raised, embodying principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view of the structure of Figure 1, showing the prophylactic sheath itself in elevation, and also showing one of the cover flaps moved to open position;

Figure 3 is a package of the same general type as that shown in Figure 1, but containing a different type of prophylactic sheath and a slightly different type of substance; and

Figure 4 is a central vertical section, with a sheath shown in elevation, of the structure of Figure 3.

As shown on the drawing:

In that illustrated embodiment of this invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a package which includes an outer covering folded in its midsection as indicated at 5 to provide protective flaps 6 and I disposed on opposite sides of the contents. This outer covering may be made of paper or other suitable material.

Between the flaps 6 and 1 a sealed reservoir is disposed. This reservoir is made up of a pair of initially separate sheets 8 and 9 preferably of some substantially transparent material such as regenerated cellulose or the-equivalent. Of course, the material used must be impervious to liquid. The two sheets 8 and 9 have the marginal portions thereof secured together throughout the entire perimeter. This securement may be provided by crimping the two sheets into tight association, and along the marginal portions the joint may be made liquid tight by the use of a cementitious material, a thermoplastic fusible material, or in any other suitable manner. That margin indicated by numeral H may include the inside sheaths 8 and 9 as well as the marginal portions of the flaps 6 and 1 so that a substantially integral bond between the reservoir sheets and the cover flaps is provided. No other securement means are therefore needed to hold the cover over the inner packet.

Inside the reservoir defined by sheets 8 and 9 is disposed a prophylactic sheath l2, in this in stance a rolled sheath of the latex or rubber type. As is apparent more particularly from the showing in Figure 2, the sheath is substantially floating in an antiseptic substance indicated by numeral l3 which is preferably in a substantially liquid state.

Any suitable antiseptic substance may be used, and a satisfactory substance given by way of example is a substance now marketed under the name Merthiolate which is made up of the following ingredients: sodium ethyl mercury thiosalicylate, eucalypthol, eugenol, and a watersoluble base.

With the antiseptic substance packaged directly with the prophylactic sheath, it is a simple expedient to tear open the package, remove the sheath, apply it to a portion of the body, and that portion of the body is automatically antisepticized with the application of the sheath.

In Figures 3 and 4 I have shown substantially the same packing arrangement including the outer cover and the reservoir provided by sheets 8 and 9, as above described. In this instance, the change from the showing in Figures 1 and 2 resides in the contents of the package.

Within the reservoir defined by sheets 8 and 9 is a folded prophylactic sheath H of the so-called skin type. Such a sheath is substantially fioating in an antiseptic substance designated by numeral Hi. This antiseptic substance l may be substantially the same as above described in connection with Figures 1 and 2, but in the specific illustrated instance is shown as being of less consistency than the substance I3. This is due to the addition of glycerine mixed with the elements above mentioned in a water-soluble base such as gum tragacanth. With the skin type of sheath, glycerine may be used, but such may not be used with the latex or rubber type sheath since it has a deleterious effect on the rubber. I

Another advantage outside of the antiseptic benefit, is provided with the package of Figures 3 and 4. A skin type prophylactic sheath must be moistened before application to the body, and therefore the antiseptic substance [5 performs a dual function in that it maintains the sheath in moist condition ready for use and also antisepticizes with the application of the sheath.

It will be appreciated that herein and in the appended claims wherein the sheath is spoken of and wherein the sheath is described as substantially floating in a liquid-like substance, such description is to include any such arrangement wherein the sheath and substance are in the same compartment in a manner that the sheath becomes coated or impregnated with the substance whether or not an actually literal floating or immersion status exists.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided a novel prophylactic package wherein a prophylactic sheath is maintained moistened or saturated with a liquid-like substance, pref 'erably an antiseptic substance, which package may be readily opened to remove the sheath, and the sheath is ready for instant use, and the body part covered by the sheath is automatically antisepticized with the application ofthe sheath thereover. It will be noted that the packet is extremely light and easily carried, the flaps 6 and 1 of the outer wrapper projecting beyond the inner reservoir arrangement so that the structure may be handled by the flaps, and both the reservoir defining sheets 8 and 9 as well as the outer wrapper may be readily torn to remove the contents.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

A package comprising a first sheet of nonmetallic, thin, and water-impervious material shaped to define an intermediate liquid-tight reservoir and a pair of oppositely directed end tabs, a prophylactic sheath in said reservoir, an antiseptic substance in said reservoir in contact with said sheath, means reinforcing one of said end tabs and providing a finger hold, said means comprising a second elongated sheet of material having an intermediate portion folded about said one end tab and secured thereto and having a pair of spaced opposed and similarly directed end flaps disposed about said reservoir in protecting relation thereto.

FRANK G. KARG.

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