WO2008120973A2 - Tampon package - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tampon package (1) notably comprising a case with a lower compartment (2) and an upper compartment (3) linked together with a hinge (4), whereby the lower compartment and/or upper compartment have grooves (5) to hold tampons. The invention is notable for the fact that the exterior of the case is equipped with a cord ending in a loop (7) and a storage area for the cord.

Description

Tampon package

The invention concerns a tampon package which comprises a case with an upper compartment and a lower compartment joined by a hinge, whereby there are grooves to hold tampons in the lower compartment and/or the upper compartment .

A similar tampon package is known from the German utility model DE-U-296 02 279. There is also the US-A-5.730.294 which is a carrying case meant for tampons which comprises a case which can be closed with an upper lid, whereby there are grooves in the case to hold the tampons.

Tampons are sold by size in a large package. The individual tampons are covered in cellophane.

In practice, different sizes of tampon are needed as per the course of menstruation whereby the tampons sold in standard sizes are carried loose in, e.g., a handbag (US purse) . The problem here is that the individual cellophane packages are often damaged before the tampons are used, which is undesirable from the point of view of hygiene.

The invention envisages a solution to some of the practical problems occurring.

Hence, the tampon package as per the invention is notable for one or more of the attached patent claims.

A first aspect of the invention is that the tampon package is notable for the fact that the case is equipped with an external cord forming a free-running loop, whereby there is storage space for the cord within the case. This cord very substantially enhances hygienic use of the tampon package as per the invention. Preferably the cord should be made long enough to be hung around the neck to leave hands free for removal and insertion of the tampon.

Particularly where it is necessary to use a public toilet this will avoid any contact with the surroundings.

Moreover, the cord can be stored in the storage area of the tampon package so that when the tampon package is closed this ensures the privacy function, partly because the exterior of the tampon package can be made to resemble a cigar/cigarette case.

According to the invention the advantage of the tampon package is that it hides the tampons from view.

A further aspect of the invention is that the tampon package has grooves that are pre-sized to hold tampons of various sizes.

This easily meets the requirement of carrying tampons of various sizes which are effectively protected against soiling and/or damage prior to use. Yet another distinguishing aspect of the invention of the tampon package is that lower compartment and/or upper compartment is/are equipped with at least one clip band.

The clip band is easy to use, for example, to retain a panty liner. It is desirable that the lower compartment and upper compartment are manufactured from a hard, durable lightweight material which is water resistant.

This will ensure effective protection of the tampons while at the same time the choice of a suitable lightweight material can alleviate the impact on the environment .

Furthermore, it is desirable that the interior of the case is resilient. This type of resilient interior is ideal to effectively retain the tampons placed in the grooves in the interior.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that there are no sharp and/or un-rounded corners .

The invention will be further explained below by means of the attached patent claims not restricted to the example model and with reference to the drawing.

In the drawing a single figure (1) shows a diagram of the tampon case as proposed in the invention.

Figure 1 shows the tampon package (1) manufactured in the form of case with a lower compartment (2) and an upper compartment (3) linked by a hinge (4) .

The lower compartment (2) of the case shown in figure 1 contains grooves (5) to hold tampons.

Figure 1 shows that the grooves (5) are produced in a variety of pre-determined sizes so that the grooves (5) are arranged to hold various sizes of tampons. For example, tampons may be in the sizes mini, normal, super, and super plus with lengths varying from 4.6 cm to 5.2 cm and diameters varying from 1.1 cm to 1.6 cm.

Figure 1 also shows that the interior of the upper compartment is equipped with at least one, and as shown here, two clip binders (6). Panty liners (for example) can be placed behind these clip binders.

A diagram also shows that the case (1) is equipped with an external cord ending in a loop (7) . This cord will preferably be made long enough to enable the case(l) to be worn around the neck, while enabling removal of a suitable tampon while keeping the tampons which are in the grooves (5) in sight.

Preferably the lower compartment of the case (2) and the upper compartment of the case (3) will be manufactured from a hard and durable material which is water resistant. Plastic could be used for this but the preference is for aluminium or another lightweight metal.

The interior of the case (1) is equipped with a resilient interior. In particular this concerns the interior containing the grooves (5) to hold tampons.

The figure also shows that there are no sharp and/or un- rounded edges on the case (1) .

A further favourable aspect of the tampon package (1) as per the invention is that the interior into which the grooves (5) have been made for insertion of the tampons is detachable to enable placement of a desired selection of tampons in a replacement interior in the tampon case 1. Hence, for example, the interior (8) can be configured to take 10 tampons, e.g. four mini tampons and six normal, or three mini tampons, three normal tampons and four super tampons, or any other desired configuration.

Claims

1. Tampon package (1) comprising a case(l) with a lower compartment ( 2 ) and an upper compartment (3), which are joined by a hinge and have grooves (5) made in the lower compartment (2) and/or the upper compartment (3) , whereby it is notable that the case (1) is equipped with an external, looped cord whereby the case has a storage area for the cord (7) .

2. Tampon package (1) as per claim 1, whereby it is notable that the grooves (5) are in pre-determined sizes whereby the grooves (5) are suitable to hold various sizes of tampon.

3. Tampon package (1) as per claim 1 or 2, whereby it is notable that the interiors of the lower compartment (2) and/or the upper compartment (3) have at least one clip binding (6).

4. Tampon package (1) as per claims 1-3, whereby it is notable that the exteriors of the lower compartment (2) and the upper compartment (3) are manufactured from a hard and durable, lightweight material which is water resistant.

5. Tampon package (1) as per one of the claims

1-4, whereby it is notable that the case (1) is equipped with a resilient interior (8) .

6. Tampon package (1) as per claim 5, whereby it is notable that the interior (8) can be removed.

7. Tampon package (1) as per one of the previous claims, whereby it is notable that there are no sharp and/or unrounded corners on the case .