US2973859A - Adhesive bandage - Google Patents

Description

March 7, 1961 P. scHLADERMUNDT Erm.

ADHESIVE BANDAGE Original Filed May 2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 TTORNE March 7, 1961 P. SCHLADERMUNDT ETAL ADHESIVE BANDAGE 2 t e e c. w m y? 2 Z/, \4 Mk w f2 5 /3 l @5 3 I UQ nl L@ E. ,w C 1 z ml w. 6 ,1]4 ,n 5- f w Wx /4 2 WM /0 2 v. Z 0 m 2 d l :il k 1 c l ad m.. H/ MWI, m a n 1 .un 1 .n O

Unite ADHESIVE BANDAGE Continuation of application Ser. No. 582,287, May Z, i1;(961'7'1`h1s application Apr. 2t), 1959, Ser. No.

16 Claims. (Cl. 20G-63.2)

The present invention relates to an individual adhesive bandage of the type having a flexible backing coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and the present application is a continuation of allowed application Serial No. 582,287, filed May 2, 1956, now abandoned. Such an adhesive bandage may consist of a simple strip of adhesive tape or may be of the dressing type, in which an absorbent compress or pad is allixed to the flexible adhesively coated backing to expose the adhesive on the parts of the backing beyond the pad. An adhesive `bandage of this dressing type may take the form, for example, of a strip, patch, spot or so-called middle wound bandage.

The usual adhesive bandage of the general type described has its exposed adhesive surface and its pad or compress, if such pad is provided, protected by a facing sheet member or members, and such a bandage is sterile and is packaged individually in such a manner that sterility is maintained until the package is opened. For that purpose, the bandage, protectively faced as described, is enclosed in an envelope or wrapper. Before such a bandage can be applied to an injured part of the skin, it is necessary to remove the wrapper and then the facing member or members therefrom, in case such facing members are separate from the wrapper.

The present invention is adapted for, although not restricted to, use in individually packaged adhesive bandages `of the type in which the facing member or members serve not only the function of directly protecting the exposed parts of the adhesive surface 'out also as part of the individual Wrapper for the bandage and has, among its objects, to provide a new and improved bandage especially of this type, which is designed to ensure economy of material and ease of manufacture, which is constructed to permit removal of the combined wrapper and adhesive protection or facing and simultaneous withdrawal of the adhesive bandage by a simple balancing peeling operation without distorting the bandage or curling it out of shape, which is designed to permit removal of the adhesive facing and the simultaneous withdrawal of the adhesive bandage without the fingers coming into contact with the pad or compress or with the adhesive surface, which can be conveniently handled for application to the injured skin after at least part of 'the `wrapper is removed without the fingers coming into contact with the pad or compress or with the adhesive surface, which is designed to make it self-evident how the package can be manipulated for its unsealing and removal of the adhesive bandage, which lends itself easily and compactly to storage in a container as part of a pack, and which can be manipulated easily and conveniently in such a container pack for withdrawal of the 4adhesive bandage from its wrapper without the fingers of the manipulating hand or hands coming into contact with the exposed adhesive bandage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an individually packaged adhesive bandage of the general type described, which lends itself to assembly with other similar bandages into a conveniently manageable pack fromwhich the individual bandages may be easily and conveniently 2,973,859 Patented Mar.. 7., 1961 ICC withdrawn successively from their wrappers without the ngers of the manipulating hand or hands coming into contact with the adhesive bandages and while retainingA the empty wrappers with the remaining pack. t

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a perspective of one form of adhesive bandage package unit embodying the present invention butshown with the finger tabs at one end spread apart in the process of being opened to withdraw the adhesive bandage therefrom;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the adhesive bandage package unit taken on lines 2 2 of Fig. l but shown on a larger scale with the different thicknesses exaggerated;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the adhesive bandage package unit taken on lines 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of theadhesive bandage package unit taken on lines 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective showing the wrapper in the construction of Fig. 1 in the process of being removed;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective showing the final steps of removing the last remnants of the wrapper from the adhesive bandage unit;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of another'form of adhesive bandage package unit embodying the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of still another form of adhesive bandage package unit embodying the present in.- vention;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of a further form of adhesive bandage package unit. embodying. the present invention; l

Fig. 10 is a perspective of a container, which holds a pack of adhesive bandage package units illustrated of the type shown in Figs. 1' to 6;

Fig. 11 is a perspective of a container which holds a pack of adhesive bandage package units illustrated of the type shown in Figs. 1 to 6;

Fig. 12 is a perspective of a container which holds a pack of adhesive bandage package units illustrated of the type shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a perspective of a container of 4the matchbook ty-pe which holds a pack of adhesive bandage package units illustrated of the` type shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 14 is a perspective4 of a container which holds a pack of adhesive bandage package units illustrated of the type shown in Fig. 9; and

Fig. 15 is a perspective of a container which holdsa pack of adhesive bandage package units illustrated of. the type shown in Figs. 1 to 6.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings, the invention is shown therein applied to an adhesive bandage package unit of the elongated strip type having an absorbent compress or pad and exposed adhesive surfaces, although as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, it may be applied to other types of adhesive bandages, as will be described more fully hereinafter. The package unit illustrated consists essentially of an adhesive bandage 10 and an expendable wrapper 11 of flexible material therefor. The adhesive bandage 10 comprises a strip 12 of adhesive tape backing material, which may be either wovenV or non-woven fibrous mate,- rial, such as extensible polyvinyl chloride lilm, and Vwhich may have the usual ventilation holes. Deposited on the strip 12 is a layer 13 of pressure-sensitive adhesive, which affords the necessary degree of adhesion for the attach,- ment of the dressing thereto. A dressing padv14, composed preferably of suitably folded woven or non-woven fabric, paper or other absorbent material, is placed on and secured to the adhesive layer 13. This dressing pad 14 is slightly narrower than the adhesive strip 12 and much shorter, and is centered on the adhesive strip to form exposed tape end sections 16 and 17 of adhesive beyond the ends of the pad.

The wrapper 11 individually packages the adhesive bandage 10, so that after sterilization, said bandage will remain sterile. For that purpose, this wrapper 11 comprises a long wrapper sheet 20 extending along opposite faces of the adhesive bandage and a shorter wrapper sheet 21 extending around one end of the adhesive bandage to form with said bandage end a finger tab 22 for the purpose to be described and detachably secured to the wrapper sheet 20 to define therewith an envelope for the adhesive bandage.

The specific materials from which the different components of the adhesive bandage package unit are made are preferably those described in U.S. Patent No. 2,708,083. That patent discloses a facing member which serves as protection for the adhesive surface of the bandage and which is smooth and continuous and constituted of organic material substantially inert with respect to the adhesive. This type of facing member serves to develop substantially the full sticking powers of the adhesive to which it is protectively applied. Materials proposed for that purpose in the aforesaid patent are vinyl chloride resins and copolymers thereof with vinyl acetate and vinylidene chloride, cellulose acetate, cellophane, epoxy resins, etc. and also resins which may be employed as coatings. These materials are also suitable to form for the purpose of the present invention the wrapper sheets 20 and 21 juxtaposed to the adhesive side of the adhesive bandage 10 to serve also as protective facing members therefor. The wrapper sheets 20 and 21 may be made entirely of the inert organic material described, or each may consist of a sheet having an inner coating or lamina of the facing material described applied thereto to form a sheet unit therewith. Also, as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, the wrapper sheets 20 and 21 may be made out of paper presenting smooth surfaces for facing and protective contact with the adhesive parts of the bandage.

The longer wrapper sheet 20 has a projecting free end section 24 serving as part of a finger tab 41, a contiguous section 25, a section 26 adhively secured to part of the exposed tape end section 16 by the layer 13 of pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon, a section 27 extending along and covering the pad 14, a section 28 adhesively secured to the exposed tape end section 17 by the layer 13 of pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon, a at section 29 reversely folded back along a fold line 30 from the line of sheet sections 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 and extending along the strip 12 thereof and an end hesive bandage 10 along the strip 12 thereof and an end section 31 offset along a fold line 32 outwardly from said Wrapper section 29 at an acute angle therewith.

The shorter wrapper sheet 21 has a section 33 with an offset end portion 34 lapped to the offset end section 31 of the wrapper sheet 20 and secured thereto in the manner to be described to form a breakable projecting juncture or seam 35 therewith. This shorter wrapper sheet 21 is reversely folded along a fold line 36 and reversely folded inwardly along a fold line 37 to define two overlapping contiguous sections or folds 38 and 39, with the section 38 in lapping contact with the section 25 of the wrapper sheet 20 and with the inwardly folded end section 39 secured to the end portion of the tape end section 16 of the adhesive bandage by the layer 13 of pressure-sensitive adhesive on said tape end section. The section 25 of the wrapper sheet 20 is attached to the section 38 of the wrapper sheet 21 by a breakable seal line 40 of adhesive or heat-seal extending transversely thereof. The projecting end section 24 of the wrapper sheet 20 and the part of the contiguous section 25 outwardly beyond the transverse seal 40 conjointly form the finger holding tab 41, and the wrapper sheet 4 21 with the end section of the adhesive bandage 10 enclosed between the folds thereof form the finger pulling tab 22.

The two wrappers sheets 20 and 21 are wider than the adhesive bandage 10 and are transversely centered with respect thereto, so that the longitudinal sides of these sheets extend beyond the longitudinal sides of the adhesive bandage. To connect the different fold sections of the wrapper sheet 20 together to form part of an enclosing sealing envelope for the adhesive bandage 10, the sections 25, 26, 27 and 28 on one side of the adhesive bandage up to the transverse seal 40 are secured to the section 29 of the wrapper sheet 20 on the opposite side of the adhesive bandage along their longitudinal confronting margins beyond the longitudinal sides of the adhesive bandage, to form a longitudinal marginal breakable seam 43. Similarly, the longitudinal margins of the sections 33 and 38 of the wrapper sheet 21 on opposite sides of the end section of the adhesive bandage 10 it encloses, and beyond the longitudinal sides of said end bandage section, are secured together substantially up to the transverse seal 40 to form a longitudinal marginal breakable seam 45 which is a substantial continuation of the longitudinal seam 43. The intervening section 39 of the wrapper sheet 21 is preferably narrower than the anking sections 33 and 3S and coextensive in width with the adhesive bandage 10, to permit the longitudinal margins of these sections 33 and 38 to come together in face contact to form the seam 45. The section 38 of the wrapper sheet 21 inwardly beyond the transverse seal 40 up to the fold line 37 is of corresponding reduced Width to permit the marginal parts of the section 25 of the wrapper sheet 20 to come in contact with the opposed marginal parts of the section 29 of the wrapper sheet 20 inwardly of the seam 3S to form continuations of the marginal seam 43.

The character of the means employed to form the different breakable junctures 35, 40, 43 and 4S depends on the character of the wrapper sheets 20 and 21. lf these wrapper sheets 20 and 21 are of thermoplastic material, then these juuctures 35, 40, 43 and 45 may be made by heat-sealing, strong enough to seal and to protect the sterility of the adhesive bandage 10 but weak enough to permit the opposed sections of the wrapper 11 along these junctures to separate upon pulling action, without tearing the wrapper. If the wrapper material is not thermoplastic, or even if thermoplastic, these junctures 35, 40, 43 and 4S may be formed with adhesive of a character which seals and protects the sterility of the adhesive bandage 10 but which nevertheless assures the smooth, easy, orderly removal of the wrapper 11 by peeling operation, in a manner to be described, without tearing the wrapper.

The finger tabs 22 and 41 are exposed and are marked as shown in Fig. 1 to indicate their functions and the manner in which they can be manipulated to effect the withdrawal of the adhesive bandage 10 therefrom. However, even without such markings, it is self-evident from the construction of the package unit, how the unit can be unsealed and the adhesive bandage 10 removed there from. The singular construction of the package unit at its tab end directs attention to this end.

The `adhesive bandage package unit, formed as described, is sterilized either by chemical sterilization or by steam sterilization in a manner well-known in the adhesive bandage art. The materials employed in forming -this package unit will effectively withstand the thermal conditions of both types of sterilization. The adhesive bandage package unit will maintain its sterility, until the package unit is opened.

To effect withdrawal of the adhesive bandage 10 from the wrapper 11, the tab 41 is held by the fingers of one hand, while the other tab 22 is grasped by the fingers of the other hand and pulled to break the transverse seal 40. Thereafter, continued pull on the finger tab 22 whileA the tab 41 is being held causes the marginal seam 43 to open up progressively and gradually by a peeling action and at the same Itime causes the adhesive bandage to peel away from the sections 26, 27 and28 of the wrapper sheet 20 by a balanced operation, which does not hold or curl the adhesive bandage, as shown in Fig. 5. Although the wrapper sheet 20 is flexible, it has enough rigidity to assist in preventing curling of the adhesive bandage 10 during this operation.

After the tab 41 has been pulled to the extent of releasing the adhesive bandage 10 completely from the sections 26, 27 and 28 of the wrapper sheet 2t) and while these sheet sections are aligned with the section 29 of the wrapper sheet, continued pull on the tab 41 lengthwise of the Wrapper sheet 20V will cause said sheet to pull away from the wrapper sheet 21 at the seam 35 until the wrapper sheet 20 is completely removed from the wrapper sheet 21. At this stage, the fingers of one hand continue to hold the adhesive bandage 10 through the finger tab 22, so that the adhesive bandage can be applied through the substantial large area of adhesive on said bandage exposed to the skin or surface affected, without the fingers coming into Contact with the bandage. After the adhesive bandage 10 has been applied to the affected skin or surface except for the end carrying the linger tab 22, the oifset end portion 34 of the wrapper sheet `al serving as a tab is pulled to progressively open up the seam 45, until the end portion of this wrapper section is aligned with the wrapper section 38 as shown in Fig. 6, whereupon continued pull on this end Section longitudinally peels the wrapper section 39 from the end portion ofthe adhesive section 16 of the adhesive ybandage 10. With the wrapper 11 completely removed from the adhesive bandage 10, and the adhesive bandage partially applied, the unapplied part thereof can be pressed down on the .affected skin or surface to complete the application to the skin or surface.

The construction of Fig. 7 is similar to that ofFigs. l' to 6, except as otherwise indicated. In this construction of Fig. 7, the wrapper 11a [for the adhesive bandage 10 comprises two wrapper sheets 20a and 21a. The wrapper sheet 20a has sections 24a, 25a, 26a, 27a and 28a corresponding to the sections 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 respectively of the wrapper 20 in the construction of Figs. 1 to 6 and similarly attached to the face of the adhesive bandage 10. The wrapper sheet 21a, however, extends along the full length of the back of the strip `12. and is secured at one end to one end of the wrapper sheet 20a beyond the corresponding end of the adhesive bandage 1t) by means of heat-sealing or adhesive of the character described in connection with the construction of Figs. l to 6, to `form lan end transverse seam 46. At the other end, the wrapper sheet 21a has a section 38a folded inwardly along the fold line 36a and a contiguous section 39a lfoldled inwardly along the fold line 37a. These two wrapper -sections 38a and 39a overlap with the section 38a in lapping contact with the section `25a of the wrapper sheet 20a and with the inwardly folded end sect-ion 39a attached tothe end portion of the tape end section 16 of the adhesive bandage 105 by the layer 13 of pressure-sensitive adhesive on said tape end section.

The two wrapper sheets 20a `and `21a are secured together along the longitudinal margins beyond the side edges of the adhesive bandage 10 up to the end` transverse end Seam 46 Iby heat-sealing or adhesive of the character described in connection with the construction of Figs. l to 6, to form a seam corresponding to the marginal seam 43 in the construction of Figs. 1 to 6.

The section 25a of the wrapper sheet 20a is secured to the section 38a of the wrapper sheet 21a along a strip area by similar heatsealing or adhesive to form a transverse breakable seal 40a, and the longitudinal projecting margins of the sections 29a and 38a of the wrapper sheet 21a are similarly secured together along their longitudinal marginstto form a marginal seam corresponding to .the marginal seam 45 in the construction of'Figs;V 1 to 6 the intervening fold section 39a of the wrapper sheet 21a being reduced in width to permit the margins of said sheet sections 29a and 38a to come together'into face contact to form the seam described.

The two wrapper sheets 20a and 21a, securedtogether as described, define at one end a holding finger tab'41a and a pulling finger tab 22a'corresponding to the nger tabs 41 and 22 respectively in the construction of Figs. l to 6.

in withdrawing the adhesive bandage 10` from the wrapper 11a in the construction of Fig. 7, the fingertab 41a is held by the fingers of one hand, vwhile the tab 22a in the fingers of the other hand is. pulled tol open up progressively the marginal seam and to peel the ad.- hesive bandage away from the wrapper sheet 20a, until the end transverse seam 46 is reached, whereupon further pull opens up this end seam and effects complete detachment of the wrapper sheet 20a from the package unit. With the fingers of one hand holding the tab 22a, the partially exposed adhesive bandage -10is applied to the affected skin or surface except at the covered end near the tab 22a, and the wrapper sheet 21a is then pulled to peel off the folded endv section 39a of the wrapper sheet 21a from the covered end section of the'bandage. With the wrapper sheet 21a completely removed from the adhesive bandage 10, the end section of the bandage last exposed can be pressed down on the affected skin or surface to complete the application of thebandage.

The construction of Fig. 8 is similar to that of Figs. ly to 6, the only difference being that the wrapper sheet 2Gb corresponding to the wrapper sheet 20 in the con'- struction of Figs. 1 to 6, instead of having an end section of said wrapper sheetcorresponding to the end section 24 in Figs. 1 to 6, projecting longitudinally to form part of the holding finger tab, has its end section 24b folded inwardly along the fold line 5G and attached to I the section 38h of the wrapper sheet 2lb by heat-sealing or adhesive of the character described in connection with the construction of Figs. 1 to 6, to form the break-v able end transverse seal 40hand to define the finger tabs 22h and 41b outwardly beyond said seal. The marginal longitudinal seams lin the wrapper sheetsV 20b and 2lb, to form an envelope for the adhesive bandage 10, are similar to those in the constructions of Figs. 1 to 6, except that at the end of the package unit near the finger tabs 2217 and 41h, themargins of the section 33h of the wrapper sheet 2lb are secured by heat-sealing or adhesive of the character described to the marginsof the section 38h of the wrapper sheet 2lb outwardly beyond the transverse seal 49h, while the margins of the outer foldof the section 25h of the wrapper sheet Zibb inwardly of the transverse seal 4Gb are similarly secured to the margins of the section 2% of the wrapper sheet 2Gb.

The wrapper sheet 2Gb is folded along the fold line Stb at one end of the adhesive bandage 10, as in the constructions of Figs. l to 7, to divide the sheet into panels 24b, 25h, 26b, 27b, and 28h and panel 29h on yopposite sides of the adhesive bandage. Y

The package unit of Fig. 8 may be opened asdescribed in connection with the package unit of Figs. 1 to 6.

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment similar to that of Figs. l to 6 and similar to that of Fig. 8, the only difference being that the wrapper sheet 20c, instead of presenting a single layer along the entire front frace of the adhesive bandage 10 to form a facing member therefor, has its front part doubly folded along a fold line 51 to form two overlapping main sections 52 and 53, the inner section 52 serving as a facing member for the adhesive bandage, while the outer section 53 forms merely an outer wrapper member. At one end of the package unit, the two wrapper sheets 20c and 21C denenger tabs'ZZc and 41e similar to those in the construction'of Fig. 8, the infolded end section 24e of the linger tab 41e being secured to the section 38C of the linger tab 22C by a breakable transverse seal 40C. At the opposite end of the package unit, the wrapper sheet 20c is folded along the line 30C to define the wrapper section 29e along the back of the adhesive strip 12.

The package unit of Fig. 9 may be opened as described in connection with the package unit of Figs. 1 to 6.

The invention has been shown in Figs. l to 9 applied to a form of adhesive bandage containing an elongated rectangular strip of adhesive to which is aixed an absorbent rectangular pad or compress. However, as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, the invention may be applied to adhesive bandages of other shapes. For example, it can be applied to a so-called patch type of adhesive bandage, in which a square piece of backing material coated with adhesive has a square adsorbent pad in the center or to a so-called spot type of adhesive bandage in which a round piece of backing material coated with adhesive has a round absorbent pad in the center, or to a co-called middle wound type of bandage in which a comparatively large piece of gauze in the form of a pad has connected thereacross one or more strips of adhesive tape projecting beyond the gauze.

Also, as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, the adhesive bandage protected and wrapped in accordance with the present invention may consist simply of a piece of adhesive tape without an absorbent pad, such as the pad 14.

Moreover, as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, in all of the forms of the invention shown in Figs. l to 9, the two wrapper sheets 20 and 21 (Figs. 16), the two wrapper sheets 20a and 21a (Fig. 7), the two wrapper sheets 20h and 2lb (Fig. 8) and the two wrapper sheets 20c and 21e (Fig. 9) need not be two separate sheets joined end to end by a transverse seam, but these two sheets may be integrally joined end to end to constitute two sections of a single sheet. For example, the construction may be as shown in Fig. 7, except that instead of the two sheets 20a and 21a being joined together by the transverse seam 46, they are integrally joined together, and actually constitute a single sheet reversely folded around the end of the adhesive bandage to define a fold line like the fold line 3i) in the construction of Fig. 2.

Figs. 10 to 15 show the manner in which the package units of Figs. 1 to 9 may be packed in a dispensing container. Fig. 10 shows a type of container 59 illustrated in connection with the package units of Figs. l to 6, although it is apparent that the container is adaptable with the other types of package units described. In this embodiment of Fig. 10, the container 59 (preferably made of stiff sheet material such as cardboard, leather or plastic) is in the form of an open frame and comprises a rear cover 60 having an end section 61 folded rectangularly in relation to said rear cover to form a top defining a pocket 62 to receive one end of the pack of package units 63 of Figs. l to 6. The cover 60 has a strap 64 near the bottom on the inside preferably of elastic material to receive the empty wrappers as the adhesive bandages are successively removed therefrom to keep them clear of the full package units.

The package units 63 of Figs. 1 to 6 are arranged in a pack with the tab ends 22 and 41 at the top, and the projecting end sections 24 of the wrapper sheets 20 extending into the frame pocket 62 are secured together and to the top 61 of the cover 60 by a staple 65. The package units 63 will thereby hang down from the top 61 of the cover 60 by the projecting tab sections 24 with the wrapper sections 29 of the wrapper sheets 20 facing rearwardly towards the cover.

The container 59, loaded as described, may be eniployed as a portable device, or may be supported or attached to a wall in any suitable manner for easy dispensing operations.

The adhesive bandages 10 are removed successively from their respective wrappers 11 from the rear towards the front. For that purpose, when an adhesive bandage 10 is desired, the cover 60 is raised to dot and dash position shown (in case the container is portable) or the pack is lifted away from the cover 60 (in case the container is attached to a wall with said cover against said wall), and the finger tab 22 of the rearmost package unit 63 is grasped by the lingers of one hand and pulled down, while the end tab section 24 of the wrapper sheet 20 of said unit is held by the staple 65. This action causes the adhesive bandage 10 to peel away from the wrapper sheet 20 and eventually causes the adhesive bandage to be entirely removed from the wrapper sheet 20, while the empty wrapper 20 remains on the container 59 and while the adhesive bandage retains the wrapper sheet 21 forming the finger tab 22. The adhesive bandage 10 can then be partially applied to the affected skin or surface, while held through the finger tab 22, and the wrapper sheet 21 removed in the manner described in connection with the construction of Figs. 1 to 6, to permit the completion of the application of the adhesive bandage.

The empty wrapper sheet 20, folded approximately along the line 30 and retained on the container staple 65, may be stored out of the way of the next full package unit 63 by slipping it under the strap 64 of the cover 60. All subsequent empty wrapper sheets 20 may be similarly stored to permit easy access to the next full package unit 63.

Instead of arranging the pack of package units for the successive dispensation of the adhesive bandages 10 therefrom from the rear to the front, as in the construction of Fig. 10, the pack may be reversely arranged to allow the adhesive bandages to be dispensed successively from the front towards the rear. In that case, some other means is preferably provided, other than that shown in Fig. 10, to store the empty wrapper sheets clear of the full package unit. Fig. l1 shows a suitable container for that purpose. In this construction, the container comprises a flat back 70 of rigid material suitable for support on a wall. Aixed to the upper part of this back 70 is a bracket 71 in the form of a flat wide U-shaped member having side arms 72 with reduced ends passing through said back and upset thereagainst for rigid anchorage, and an interconnecting cross-piece 73 spaced from said back by a gap 74 serving the purpose to be described. The pack of package units 63, similar to those of Figs. 1 to 6, aresupported on this bracket 71 and suspended therefrom in any suitable manner. These package units 63 are arranged in upright position with their tab ends upward and with the linger tab 22 of each package unit in front and the holding tab 41 of the package unit in back.

For supporting the package units 63 in a pack from the bracket 71 in the manner described, the bracket crosspiece 73 may have an opening through which the projecting end sections 24 of the wrapper sheets 20 of the package units 63 extend, and pins, a key, a staple or similar device passing through said projecting wrapper sections may seat on said bracket cross-piece for the support of said package units.

For removing an adhesive bandage 10 from its wrapper 11, the nger tab 22, which is exposed and easily accessible `at the top in front just below the bracket 71, is pulled down while the tab 41 is held by the bracket. This operation serves to peel the adhesive bandage 10 away from the sections 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the wrapper sheet 20. Continued pulling action on the tab 22 is transmitted to the section 29 of the wrapper sheet 20 and serves to separate completely the adhesive bandage 10 from the wrapper sheet 20 which remains supported on the bracket 71. The released adhesive bandage 10 held by the lingers of the hand through the tab 22 may be applied to the aifected skin or surface and the wrapper sheet 21 defining said tab peeled oif the bandage,v as already described in connection with the construction of Figs. 1 to 6. The empty Wrapper sheet 20 is folded back and slipped through the gap 7 4 between the bracket cross-piece 73 and the back 70 and against said back, to clear the next full package unit and render it easily accessible for the withdrawal of the adhesive bandage 10 therefrom.

Fig. 12 shows a modified form of dispensing container adapted particularly for use in connection with the package units of Figs. 8 and 9. The container is illustrated in connection with .the form of package unit 80 shown in Fig. 8 and comprises a back 81 of rigid material adapted to he supported from a suitable wall. The package units 80 are arranged as a pack with their tab ends at the bottom and with the tab 41b of each package unit in front and the tab 22h of the unit in the back. The pack is supported from the back 81 by a staple 82 passing through the parts of the wrapper sheets h between the fold lines 30h and the adjacent ends of the adhesive bandages 10.

The adhesive bandage 10 may be conveniently withdrawn successively from the wrappers from the front to the back. For that purpose, while the tab 41b of the front package unit is held downward by the fingers of one hand, the tab 22b of said front unit is pulled forwardly by the fingers vof the other hand to peel the front sections b, 26h, 27h and 28h of the wrapper sheet 20b from the adhesive side of the adhesive bandage 10. After wrapper sections 25h, 26b, 27b and 28b have been so removed from the adhesive bandage 10, the tab 2212 is v pulled down, thereby separating the wrapper sheet 2lb from the wrapper sheet 20b and withdrawing the adhesive bandage completely away from the wrapper sheet 20h. The empty wrapper 20b remains suspended from the back 81 through the staple 82, while the adhesive bandage is retained through the tab 22b by the fingers of one hand. The adhesive bandage 10 can then be applied to thefafected skin or surface and the wrapper sheet 2lb removed, in the manner already described.

The empty wrappers Zfib may be left hanging from the staple 32 on the back 81V or may beV stored clear of the full package units S0, in the manner similar to that shown in connection with the constructions of Figs. 10 and 1l.

Fig. 13 shows a portable container for holding the packageunits of the constructions of Figs. 1 to 9. The container is particularly adaptable for use in connection with the package units shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and -is illustrated specifically in connection with the package unit 80 of Fig. 8.

The container of Fig. 13 is of fthe matchbooktype and comprises a sinvle sheet 85 of comparatively stiif' material such as cardboard, leather or plastic, folded around the pack to form a case or folder therefor and having an end pocket section 86 which straddles the end of the pack opposite the tab end and which is secured thereto by a staple 87 passing through the parts ofthe wrapper sheet 20h between the foldr lines 30b and the adjacent endsfof the adhesive bandage 10. In closed position of the container, the free end 88 of the sheet 85 is slipped under the opposite end of the sheet to be frictionally retained thereby. The 'adhesive bandages 10 may be withdrawnsuccessively from their respective wrapper on the container of Fig. 13, while the empty wrapper sheets 2lb remain behind on the container, in the. manner described in connection with the container of` Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 shows a portable container, which is similar to that of Fig. 13, to receive package units, such as the package units 90 of Fig. 9. This container comprises a single sheet 91 of, comparatively stiff material, such as cardboard, leather or plastic, folded around the pack to form a case or folder therefor and having an end pocket section 92 `straddling the end of the pack opposite the tab end. This container end pocket section 92 is secured to the pack of package units 90 by a staple 93 passing ing on the tab 22C lengthwise.

. 1i) through the'fpartsy of the wrapper ysheet 20c betweenl they fold line 30e and the adjacent ends ofthe adhesive bandage 10. The sheet 91 is folded to form in additionto f this straddling end pocket section 92 a back 94 anda front cover iiap section 95, the free end'of which is adapted to be `slipped underneath the edge of the stapled downy end section 92 in the closed position ofthe container.

For storing the empty wrapper 20c, the back 94 of the container has on its inside near the outer end a strap 96 of elastic material under which the empty Wrapper sheets 20c may be tucked.

The package units are arranged in the container of Fig. 14 with the tab 41C of each package unit in front and the tab 22e behind. In the operation of withdrawing the adhesive bandages 10 from their wrappers successively, the rearmost package unit 90 is opened tirst, the order of withdrawal being frontwise. In accordance with one procedure of this operation, the tab 22C is held by the fingers of one hand, while the tab 41e is grasped by the fingers of the other hand and pulled frontwise away from the tab 22C, to peel the section 52 of lthe wrapper sheet 20c away from the 'adhesive bandageA 10. At this stage of the operation, thetab 22e is pulled to break the sealed juncture between the wrapper sheets 20c and` 21C and to separate thereby the wrapper sheet 20c from the wrapper sheet 21e forming part of the tab 22C. This effects complete separation of the adhesive bandage 10 from the Wrapper sheet 20c, while saidv wrapper sheet remains attached to the container by the staple93.

As an alternative procedure, the two tabs 22e and 41e are grasped by the fingers of the two hands and pulled apart lateral to the planes of'said tabs to break the transverse seal 40C or this seal may be broken by merely pu-ll- After this seal 40C has been so broken, the tab 22C is pulled lengthwise of the package unit 90, to break the sealed juncture between the wrapper sheets 20c and 21e across their offset confronting ends and to separate thereby these sheets. Continued pull on the tab 22C in this direction will correspondingly pull the adhesive bandage 10 lengthwise yand cause the bandage to peel neatly and lengthwise away from the section 52 of the wrapper sheet 20c while said section 52 unfolds, until the adhesive bandage with the wrapper sheet 21e attached thereto in the form of tab 22e is completely withdrawn from the wrapper sheet 20c, while said wrapper sheet 20c remains attached to the container by the staples 93. y

The adhesive bandage 10, separated from the wrapper sheet 20c. by either procedure described, may be applied and the wrapper sheet 21e removed from said bandage in themanner described. The sections 53 and 29e of the empty wrapper sheet 21C remain on the container along its back 94, while the section 52 of said wrapper sheet is extended along the inside of the cover flap section 95 of the container and tucked under the strap 96 to store the empty wrapper section 52 clear of subsequent full package units in front of said empty wrapper section 52. All of the empty wrapper sections 52 can be similarly stored, until the last adhesive bandage 10 from the last package unit 90 in front is withdrawn.

Fig.V 15 shows a modied form of container adaptable, for example, for use in connection with the form of package unit 63 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6. This form of container is constructed from a single sheet of fiexible materialy such as leather or textile fabric, folded to forml a back 100, -a front cover 101 connected to one end of the back by a fold line 102 anda pocket 103 at the other end of the back to receive the free end of said cover in closed position of the container. Connected to the inside of the front cover 101 near its free end is a strap 104 for storing the empty wrappers 20 thereunder. At oneendv near the fold line 102, a tab 105 preferably cut out from the back 100 is provided with a hole 106 to receive a nail 11 or similar member by which the container may be supported from a wall.

The package units 63 similar to those of Figs. 1 to 6, are arranged in a pack, with their tab ends nearest the fold line 102 of the container and with the linger tab 22 of each package unit in front and the holding tab 41 of the package unit in the back. A staple 107 passes through the upper end of the cover 101 and the stack of projecting end sections 24 of the Wrapper sheets 20 deiining the holding tabs 41.

The withdrawals of the adhesive bandages successively from their wrappers 11 are elfected from front to back in the manner described in connection with the construction of Fig. ll. The empty wrapper sheets 20, however, are tucked underneath the strap 104 of the cover 101 to keep them clear of the full package units 63.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to specific embodiments, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited thereto, but is to be construed broadly and restricted solely by the scope of the appended claims. i

What is claimed is:

1. An adhesive bandage package unit comprising an adhesive bandage including an adhesive tape presenting on its front face an adhesive surface, a wrapper for the adhesive bandage comprising a pair of wrapper sheets, one of said wrapper sheets having an end section folded and wrapped around one end of the adhesive bandage to form a group of three contiguous folds, one fold at one end of said group extending along the rear face of the adhesive bandage, the other two folds overlapping and extending along the front face of the adhesive bandage with the inner fold at the other end of said group attached to the adhesive bandage by the adhesive on said adhesive surface to form with said bandage end a tab by which the adhesive bandage with said one sheet attached may be withdrawn from the other wrapper sheet, and breakable juncture means connecting said wrapper sheets together.

2. An adhesive bandage package unit comprising an adhesive bandage including an adhesive tape presenting an adhesive surface, a wrapper for the adhesive bandage comprising a pair of sheets extending along the adhesive bandage on opposite sides thereof, the marginal confronting parts of the wrapper sheets on opposite sides of the adhesive bandage being attached together to form conjointly an envelope for the adhesive bandage, one of said wrapper sheets having an end section folded and wrapped around an end section of the adhesive bandage and removably attached to said adhesive surface to form with said end section of the adhesive bandage a tab, the other end section of said one wrapper sheet being joined to an end section of the other wrapper sheet by a seam formed near said tab and broken when said wrapper sheets are pulled apart relatively endwise, the other end section of said other wrapper sheet being in the form of Ia tab adjacent to said first-mentioned tab, said other wrapper sheet extending along one face of the adhesive bandage and being reversely folded around that end of the adhesive bandage opposite the end near said tabs to extend along the other face of the adhesive bandage to the seam.

3. An adhesive bandage package unit as defined in claim l, wherein said breakable juncture means is near that end of the package unit opposite the tab end of the package unit.

4. An adhesive bandage package unit as defined in claim 1, wherein the end section of the other Wrapper sheet forms a tab adjacent to the first mentioned tab and is free from folds.

5. An adhesive bandage package unit as defined in claim l, wherein the end section of the other wrapper sheet forms a tab adjacent to the rst mentioned tab and has an inwardly folded end part removably secured to the first mentioned tab across a transverse seal easily broken when the tabs are pulled relatively apart.

6. An adhesive bandage package unit as defined in claim 1, wherein the other wrapper sheet has a portion extending along the front face of the adhesive bandage of single thickness and is attached to said front face by the adhesive surface to serve both as a facing member for the adhesive surface and as part of the wrapper.

7. An adhesive bandage package unit as described in claim 1, wherein the other end section of the wrapper forms a second tab adjacent to the first mentioned tab.

8; An adhesive bandage package unit comprising an adhesive bandage including an adhesive tape presenting an adhesive surface on the front face of the adhesive bandage, a wrapper for the adhesive bandage comprising rst and second sheets extending along the adhesive bandage on opposite sides thereof, the marginal confronting parts of the wrapper sheets on opposite sides of the adhesive bandage being attached together face to face to form longitudinal seams along the sides of the adhesive bandage which can be opened by peeling action and to form conjointly an envelope for the adhesive bandage, said rst wrapper sheet having an end section extending around an end section of the adhesive tape to form a rst tab at one end of the package unit, one of said end sections having a reverse fold connected to the other end section through said adhesive surface to form a peelable connection between said sections causing said adhesive bandage to be peeled away from said first wrapper sheet and said reverse fold to be simultaneously unfolded when said adhesive bandage and said first wrapper sheet are pulled apart lengthwise in planes parallel to said reverse fold, the other end section of said first wrapper sheet being joined to an end section of the second wrapper sheet by a breakable seam located beyond the front face of said adhesive bandage and adapted to be opened without tearing when said wrapper sheets are pulled apart relatively endwise, the other end section of said second wrapper sheet being in the form of a second tab adjacent to said irst tab at said one end of the package unit, the two wrapper sheets joined end to end conjointly forming a wrapper unit extending from said first tab along one face of the adhesive bandage around that end of the adhesive bandage opposite the end near said tabs and along the other face of the adhesive bandage to the second tab, said second wrapper sheet being in one piece and extending from the second tab along the front face of said adhesive bandage and beyond the end of the adhesive bandage opposite the end near said tabs to said breakable seam.

9. An adhesive bandage package unit as described in claim 8, wherein said peelable connection is formed by an end section of said first wrapper sheet folded and wrapped around one end of the adhesive bandage to form said tirst tab and three continuous folds, one fold extending along the rear face of the adhesive bandage, the other two folds overlapping and extending along the front face of the adhesive bandage with the inner fold attached to the adhesive bandage by the adhesive on said adhesive surface.

10. An adhesive bandage package unit as described in claim 9, wherein said breakable seam is located on the rear side of the adhesive bandage and is offset from the adjacent parts of their respective wrapper sheets to permit the otset end of said first wrapper sheet upon rupture of the breakable seam to be used as a third tab to permit said rst wrapper sheet to be removed from the adhesive bandage.

11. An adhesive bandage package unit comprising an adhesive bandage including an adhesive tape presenting on its front face an adhesive surface, a wrapper for the adhesive bandage having an end section folded and Wrapped around one end of the adhesive bandage to form a group of three contiguous folds, one fold at one end of said group extending along the rear face of the adhesive bandage, the other two folds overlapping and extending along the front face of the adhesive bandage with the inner fold at the other end of said group attached tothe adhesive bandage by the adhesive on said adhesive surface to` form with said bandage end a tab by which the adhesive bandage with said attached wrapper end may be Withdrawn from Athe remainder of the wrapper, and breakable juncture means connecting different parts of said wrapper together.

12. An adhesive bandage package unit comprising an adhesive bandage including an adhesive tape presenting an adhesive surface on the front face of the adhesive bandage, a wrapper for the adhesive bandage comprising rst and second sheets extending along the adhesive bandage on opposite sides thereof, the marginal confronting parts of the Wrapper sheets on opposite sides of the adhesive bandage being attached together face to face to formf longitudinalseamsY along the'sides of the adhesive bandage which can'y be openedV by Vpeeling action and to form conjointly an envelope for the adhesive bandage, said first Wrapper sheet having an end section extending around an end section of the adhesive bandage to form a first tab at one end of the package unit and removably attached to said adhesive surface, the other end section of said first wrapper sheet being joined to an end section of the second wrapper sheet by a breakable seam located on the rear side of the adhesive bandage near the tab end of the package unit and adapted to be opened without tearing when said wrapper sheets are pulled apart relatively endwise, the other end section of said second wrapper sheet being in the form of a second tab adjacent to said rst tab at said one end of the package unit, the two Wrapper sheets joined end to end conjointly forming a wrapper unit extending from said first tab along one face of the adhesive bandage around that end of the adhesive bandage opposite the end near said tabs and along the other face of the adhesive bandage to the second tab, said second wrapper sheet being in one piece and extending from the second tab along the front face of said adhesive bandage and beyond the end of the adhesive bandage opposite the end near said tabs to said breakable seam.

13. An adhesive bandage vpackage unit comprising an adhesive bandage including an adhesive tape presenting an adhesive surface on the front face of the adhesive bandage, a Wrapper for the adhesive bandage comprising irst and second sheets extending along the adhesive bandage on opposite sides thereof, the marginal confronting parts of the wrapper sheets on opposite sides of the adhesive bandage being attached together face to face to form longitudinal seams along the sides of the adhesive bandage which can be opened by peeling action and-to form conjointly an envelope for the adhesive bandage, said first wrapper sheet having an end section extending around an end section of the adhesive bandage to form a first tab at one end of the package unit and removably attached to said adhesive surface, the other end section of said rst wrapper sheet being joined to an end section of the second wrapper sheet by a breakable seam located beyond the front face of said adhesive bandage and adapted to be opened without tearing when said wrapper sheets are pulled apart relatively endwise, the other endl section of said second wrapper sheet being in the form of a second tab adjacent to said first tab at said one end of the package unit, the two wrapper sheets joined end to end conjointly forming a wrapper unit extending from said first tab along one face of the adhesive bandage around that end of the adhesive bandage opposite the end near said tabs and along the other face of the adhesive bandage to the second tab, said second wrapper sheet being in one piece and extending from the second tab along the front face of said adhesive bandage and beyond the end of the adhesive bandage opposite the end near said tabs to said breakable seam, the portion of said second Wrapper sheet extending along the front face o-f the adhesive bandage having a part doubly folded along a fold line adjacent to said second tab to form inner fold and outer fold sections both extending along the full length of the front face of the adhesive bandage, the inner fold` section serviti-gasa facing rmember-'for the adhesive, while the outer fold sec tion serves as part of the Wrapper.

14. An adhesive bandage package unit comprising'an adhesive bandage including an adhesive tape presenting an adhesive surface on the Ifront -face of the adhesive bandage, a wrapper for the adhesiver bandage comprisingV first and second sheets extending along the adhesive bandage on opposite sides thereof, the marginal confronting parts of the wrapper sheets on opposite sides of the adhesive bandage being attached together face to face to form longitudinal seams along the sides of the adhesive bandage which can be opened by peeling action and to form conjointly an envelope for the adhesive bandage, said first wrapper sheet having an'end section extending around an end section of the adhesivey bandage Vto form a rst tab at one endl of the' package unit vand removably attached to said adhesivesurface, the other endv section of said first wrapper sheet being joined to an end section of the second wrapper sheet by a breakable seam located beyond v the front face of said adhesive bandage and adapted to be opened without tearing when said wrapper sheets are pulled apart relatively endwise, the other end section of said second wrapper sheet being in the form of a second tab adjacent to said rst tab at said one end of the package unit, the two wrapper sheets joined end to end conjointly forming a wrapper unit extending from said first tab along one face of the adhesive bandage around that end of the adhesive bandage opposite the end near said tabs and along the other face of the adhesive bandage to the second tab, said second Wrapper sheet being in one piece and extending from the second tab along the front face of said adhesive bandage and beyond the end of the adhesive bandage opposite the end near said tabs to said breakable seam, a part of the Wrapper unit extending around one end of the adhesive bandage extending a substantial distance beyond the latter end o-f the adhesive bandage to form a Wrapper unit section of substantial length projecting beyond the latter end of the adhesive bandage and adapted to receive a fastening member by which a number of package units may be held together to form a pack from which the package units may be dispensed successively.

15. An adhesive bandage package unit comprising an adhesive bandage including an adhesive tape presenting an adhesive surface on the front face of the adhesive bandage, a wrapper for the adhesive bandage comprising first and second sheets extending along the adhesive bandage on opposite sides thereof, the marginal confronting parts of the Wrapper sheets on opposite sides of the adhesive bandage being attached together face to face to form longitudinal seams along the sides of the adhesive bandages which can be opened by peeling -action and to form conjointly an envelope for the adhesive bandage, said first wrapper sheet having an end section extending around an end section of the adhesive bandage to form a first tab at one end of the package unit and removably attached to said adhesive surface, the other end section of said first wrapper sheet being joined to an end section of the second wrapper sheet by a breakable seam located on the rear side of the adhesive bandage and offset from the adjacent parts of said wrapper sheets to permit the offset end of said first Wrapper sheet upon rupture of the breakable seam to be used as a third tab to permit said first Wrapper sheet to be removed from the adhesive bandage,

said breakable seam being adapted to be opened without' of the adhesive bandage around that end of the adhesive y bandage opposite the end near said tabs and along the other face of the adhesive bandage to the second tab, said second wrapper sheet being in one piece and-extending from the second tab along the front face of said adhesive bandage and beyond the end of the adhesive bandage opposite the end near said tabs to said breakable seam.

16. An adhesive bandage package unit comprising an adhesive bandage including an adhesive tape presenting an adhesive surface on the front face of the adhesive bandage, a sheet-like wrapper for the adhesive bandage havtaneously unfolded when said adhesive bandage and said Wrapper are pulled apart lengthwise in planes parallel to said reverse fold, said Wrapper extending along the rear face of the bandage around the other end section of said bandage and along the front face of the bandage and overlapping that part of said end section of the wrapper extending along the front face of the bandage to form a second tab adjacent to and overlapping the rst tab, and breakable juncture means connecting dierent parts ing an end section extending from the rear face of the l0 of said wrapper together.

bandage around one end section of said adhesive bandage and along the front face of the bandage to form with said end section of the bandage a tab at one end of the package unit, one of said end sections having a reverse end fold connected to the other end section through said adhesive surface to form a peelable connection between said sections causing said adhesive bandage to be peeled away from said wrapper and said reverse fold to be simul- References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF lCORRECTION Patent, No, 2,973,859 March 7Y 1961 Peter Schlade'mnndt et al.l

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring 'correction and chat the said Letters Patent should readas corrected below.

Column ll line 50,y for "balancing" read balanced column 3il line `X 52, strike out "the strip l2 thereof and an end", and insert, instead and against, the back of the ad` column 7, line l9 for adsorbentf read n absorbent mi line 22 or "cowcalled" read so-called 1.

' Signed and sealed this 29th day of August, 1961'.

(SEAL) Attest:

DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Ptfents ERNEST W. SWIDEEy Attesting Officer

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