US20050006257A1 - Packaging means - Google Patents

Packaging means Download PDF

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Publication number
US20050006257A1
US20050006257A1 US10/614,885 US61488503A US2005006257A1 US 20050006257 A1 US20050006257 A1 US 20050006257A1 US 61488503 A US61488503 A US 61488503A US 2005006257 A1 US2005006257 A1 US 2005006257A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
hollow tube
packaging means
tube housing
elongated hollow
protective covering
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/614,885
Inventor
Garry Tsaur
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US10/614,885 priority Critical patent/US20050006257A1/en
Priority to AU2003247877A priority patent/AU2003247877A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2003/021098 priority patent/WO2005014426A1/en
Publication of US20050006257A1 publication Critical patent/US20050006257A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D77/0406—Rigid containers in preformed flexible containers

Abstract

An economical packaging means for elongated members such as swab applicators is disclosed. The packaging means comprises of an elongated hollow tube housing slightly longer than the elongated member disposed within a sealed wrapper wherein the elongated member is disposed within the elongated hollow tube housing and protected from being axially compressed and contaminated.

Description

    BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION
  • The present invention relates generally to a package means for elongated members. More specifically the present invention is an easily mass-produced economical packaging for swab applicators.
    • BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
  • Swab applicator generally comprises of a tubular handle with a formed absorbent tip at one or both ends of the tubular handle. The absorbent tip may be made of cotton or a foam absorbent material. The tubular handle may be made of wood, paper, or plastic and it may be solid or hollow. A hollow tubular handle may also contain liquid or cream within its hollow interior.
  • Swab applicators have a variety of applications. Swab applicators are a convenient and sanitary means for applying and removing a variety of substances such as liquids, lotions, creams, and various chemicals and medications. Generally a wrapper made of paper, plastic, or aluminum foil is used to enclose the individual swab applicator to protect it from contamination. However, such wrapper offers virtually no structural support or protection from axial compression of the swab applicator within it.
  • Some swab applicators have piston-like designs that contain liquids or creams within their hollow tubular handle and will leak if they are axially compressed. Other small-elongated objects that should not be compressed axially also require protection from axial compression. Currently, there is virtually no economical and effective packaging to protect the swab applicators and the small-elongated objects from axial compression. A custom made and relatively costly packaging has to be designed and manufactured to protect the swab applicator or the small-elongated object from being axially compressed.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention is an economical packaging means for elongated members such as swab applicators. The packaging means comprises of an elongated hollow tube housing slightly longer than the elongated member disposed within a sealed wrapper wherein the elongated member is disposed within the elongated hollow tube housing and protected from being axially compressed and contaminated.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the packaging means.
  • FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the packaging means.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the packaging means comprises of an elongated hollow tube housing 1 slightly longer than an elongated member such as a swab applicator 2. The elongated hollow tube housing 1 may be cut to predetermined length from generally available straws or hollow tubes. The swab applicator 2 is inserted completely into the elongated hollow tube housing 1. The elongated hollow tube housing 1 will completely enclose the length of the swab applicator 2 to resist axial compression.
  • The elongated hollow tube housing 1 with the enclosed swab applicator 2 is sealed within a protective covering 3 to prevent contamination of the swab applicator 2. The protective covering 3 may be made of paper, plastic, aluminum foil, or any other suitable material to prevent contamination of the swab applicator 2. The protective covering 3 may be provided with an opening means 4 to allow easy opening and removal of the protective covering 3 to allow access to the swab applicator 2. The opening means 4 may be a notch at an edge of the protective covering 3 to allow easy tearing of the protective covering 3.
  • The protective covering 3 provides a much larger printable area than on the elongated hollow tube housing 1 and the enclosed elongated member. The protective covering 3 also provides a completely sealed environment to protect the enclosed elongated member from contaminations. Furthermore, the protective covering 3 uses existing packaging technology and merges it economically and easily with the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the packaging means. The packaging means comprises of an elongated hollow tube housing 1 with one end sealed 5 and is slightly longer than an elongated member such as a swab applicator 2. The elongated hollow tube housing 1 may be cut to predetermined length from generally available straws or hollow tubes. The swab applicator 2 is inserted completely into the elongated hollow tube housing 1. Preferably the end of the swab applicator 2 with the absorbent tip is inserted near the sealed end 5 of the elongated hollow tube housing 1. This will allow the swab applicator 2 to be removed only from the end without the absorbent tip. The elongated hollow tube housing 1 will completely enclose the length of the swab applicator 2 to resist axial compression.
  • The packaging means can be economically and easily mass-produced. The packaging means effectively and economically protects the swab applicator 2 from being compressed axially and contaminated. The swab applicator 2 may be easily removed for application by opening the protective covering 3 and sliding the swab applicator 2 out of the elongated hollow tube housing 1. The packaging means also allows rapid and economic individual feeding and packaging of the swab applicators 2.
  • Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims (13)

1. A packaging means comprising:
an elongated hollow tube housing;
an elongated member disposed within said elongated hollow tube housing; and
a protective covering enclosing said elongated hollow tube housing with said elongated member;
wherein the packaging means protects the elongated member from being axially compressed and contaminated.
2. A packaging means as in claim 1, wherein said elongated hollow tube housing is slightly longer than said elongated member.
3. A packaging means as in claim 1, wherein said elongated hollow tube housing has a first end and a second end wherein the first end is sealed.
4. A packaging means as in claim 1, wherein said protective covering has a notch formed at one or more of its edges to allow easy opening of the protective covering.
5. A packaging means as in claim 1, wherein said protective covering is made of paper, plastic, or aluminum foil.
6. A packaging means as in claim 3, wherein said protective covering is made of paper, plastic, or aluminum foil.
7. A packaging means comprising:
an elongated hollow tube housing;
a swab applicator disposed within said elongated hollow tube housing; and
a protective covering enclosing said elongated hollow tube housing with said swab applicator;
wherein the packaging means protects the swab applicator from being axially compressed and contaminated.
8. A packaging means as in claim 7, wherein said elongated hollow tube housing is slightly longer than said elongated member.
9. A packaging means as in claim 7, wherein said elongated hollow tube housing has a first end and a second end wherein the first end is sealed.
10. A packaging means as in claim 7, wherein said protective covering has a notch formed at one or more of its edges to allow easy opening of the protective covering.
11. A packaging means as in claim 7, wherein said protective covering is made of paper, plastic, or aluminum foil.
12. A packaging means as in claim 9, wherein said protective covering is made of paper, plastic, or aluminum foil.
13. A packaging means comprising:
an elongated hollow tube housing with a first end and a second end wherein the first end is sealed;
a swab applicator with a handle and an absorbent tip disposed within said elongated hollow tube housing with the absorbent tip disposed near said sealed end of said elongated hollow tube housing; and
a protective covering enclosing said elongated hollow tube housing with said swab applicator;
wherein the packaging means protects the swab applicator from being axially compressed and contaminated.
US10/614,885 2003-07-07 2003-07-07 Packaging means Abandoned US20050006257A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/614,885 US20050006257A1 (en) 2003-07-07 2003-07-07 Packaging means
AU2003247877A AU2003247877A1 (en) 2003-07-07 2003-07-07 Packaging means
PCT/US2003/021098 WO2005014426A1 (en) 2003-07-07 2003-07-07 Packaging means

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/614,885 US20050006257A1 (en) 2003-07-07 2003-07-07 Packaging means
PCT/US2003/021098 WO2005014426A1 (en) 2003-07-07 2003-07-07 Packaging means

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050006257A1 true US20050006257A1 (en) 2005-01-13

Family

ID=34395774

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/614,885 Abandoned US20050006257A1 (en) 2003-07-07 2003-07-07 Packaging means

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20050006257A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2003247877A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005014426A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11160403B1 (en) * 2018-04-08 2021-11-02 Arix Grant Zalace Reusable straw assembly with housing and cleaning brush

Citations (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1459831A (en) * 1922-09-19 1923-06-26 Charley L Jones Toothbrush-holding device
US2329360A (en) * 1941-11-29 1943-09-14 Ivers Lee Co Package openable by tearing
US2542206A (en) * 1948-01-30 1951-02-20 Corp E F Kemp Art of packaging nuts
US2835246A (en) * 1954-12-22 1958-05-20 Boettger Paul Handling medical specimens
US2902146A (en) * 1957-05-24 1959-09-01 George O Doherty Sterile package
US3835834A (en) * 1972-02-24 1974-09-17 J Brown Culture transporter
US4014746A (en) * 1973-05-08 1977-03-29 U.S. Medical Research And Development, Inc. Method of and apparatus for collecting cultures
US4014748A (en) * 1975-12-22 1977-03-29 Marion Laboratories, Inc. Anaerobic culture collecting and transporting apparatus
US4409988A (en) * 1973-05-08 1983-10-18 Donald J. Greenspan Apparatus for collecting cultures
US4749655A (en) * 1987-06-01 1988-06-07 Becton Dickinson And Company Specimen collection package
USD306555S (en) * 1987-11-30 1990-03-13 W. A. Lane, Inc. Pouch
US4952204A (en) * 1988-08-10 1990-08-28 Gam-Med Packaging Corporation Dry handle swab assembly and unit
US6267231B1 (en) * 2000-03-16 2001-07-31 Arthur Dale Burns Cotton swab storage unit having automatic swab extraction and retention structure and method of manufacture thereof
US20020045802A1 (en) * 1999-03-17 2002-04-18 Gerard Hascoet Device for protecting a cover, the use of a device for protecting a cover, a method of fitting a cover on a probe, and a method of making a device for protecting a cover
US20020088723A1 (en) * 2001-01-11 2002-07-11 Sonoco Development, Inc. Shipping package for hazardous material vials and other fragile items

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3086647A (en) * 1961-09-20 1963-04-23 Barnes Hind Lab Inc Dispensing package
US3910410A (en) * 1974-03-19 1975-10-07 Continental Can Co Resealable package
US4492305A (en) * 1983-07-08 1985-01-08 Marion Laboratories, Inc. Package for collecting cultures

Patent Citations (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1459831A (en) * 1922-09-19 1923-06-26 Charley L Jones Toothbrush-holding device
US2329360A (en) * 1941-11-29 1943-09-14 Ivers Lee Co Package openable by tearing
US2542206A (en) * 1948-01-30 1951-02-20 Corp E F Kemp Art of packaging nuts
US2835246A (en) * 1954-12-22 1958-05-20 Boettger Paul Handling medical specimens
US2902146A (en) * 1957-05-24 1959-09-01 George O Doherty Sterile package
US3835834A (en) * 1972-02-24 1974-09-17 J Brown Culture transporter
US4014746A (en) * 1973-05-08 1977-03-29 U.S. Medical Research And Development, Inc. Method of and apparatus for collecting cultures
US4409988A (en) * 1973-05-08 1983-10-18 Donald J. Greenspan Apparatus for collecting cultures
US4014748A (en) * 1975-12-22 1977-03-29 Marion Laboratories, Inc. Anaerobic culture collecting and transporting apparatus
US4749655A (en) * 1987-06-01 1988-06-07 Becton Dickinson And Company Specimen collection package
USD306555S (en) * 1987-11-30 1990-03-13 W. A. Lane, Inc. Pouch
US4952204A (en) * 1988-08-10 1990-08-28 Gam-Med Packaging Corporation Dry handle swab assembly and unit
US20020045802A1 (en) * 1999-03-17 2002-04-18 Gerard Hascoet Device for protecting a cover, the use of a device for protecting a cover, a method of fitting a cover on a probe, and a method of making a device for protecting a cover
US6267231B1 (en) * 2000-03-16 2001-07-31 Arthur Dale Burns Cotton swab storage unit having automatic swab extraction and retention structure and method of manufacture thereof
US20020088723A1 (en) * 2001-01-11 2002-07-11 Sonoco Development, Inc. Shipping package for hazardous material vials and other fragile items

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11160403B1 (en) * 2018-04-08 2021-11-02 Arix Grant Zalace Reusable straw assembly with housing and cleaning brush

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2005014426A1 (en) 2005-02-17
AU2003247877A1 (en) 2005-02-25

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STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION