US3520403A - Adhesive bandage package and dispenser therefor - Google Patents

Description

M. B. MOSHEL July 14, 1970 ADHESIVE BANDAGE PACKAGE AND DISPENSER THEREFOR Filed Aug. 6. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

MARTIN B. MOSHEL ATTORNEY M. B. MOSHEL' Jul 14, 1970 ADHESIVE BANDAGE PACKAGE AND DISPENSER THEREFOR Filed Aug. 6, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I II II II II V/////////////////// m INVENTOR. MARTIN B. MOSHEL ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,520,403 ADHESIVE BANDAGE PACKAGE AND DISPENSER THEREFOR Martin B. Moshel, 588 Concord Lane, Westwood, NJ. 07675 Filed Aug. 6, 1968, Ser. No. 750,577 Int. Cl. B65d 71/00 US. Cl. 206-632 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A package in which an adhesive bandage or other flat, elongated article is wrapped has two flexible leaves separably joined along their longitudinal edges to en close the bandage therebetween with one end of one leaf constituting a tab projecting beyond the adjacent end of the other leaf at which a rigid member extends laterally thereacross and projects beyond the longitudinal edges for reception in grooves provided at opposite sides of an opening at one end of a dispensing receptacle containing a stack of the packages with the tabs thereof projecting through such opening, so that, when a tab is pulled in the direction to withdraw the respective package from the receptacle, the rigid member of such package is retained by the grooves to peel apart the leaves and expose the bandage on the leaf terminating in the pulled tab.

This invention relates generally to the packaging of flat, elongated articles, such as adhesive bandages.

Heretofore, adhesive bandages have been individually Wrapped, usually in paper, and the resulting packages disposed in a receptacle or container. When it is desired to use a bandage, the wrapped bandage first has to be manually withdrawn from the receptacle and thereafter the wrapping has to be removed therefrom. In order to facilitate such removal of the bandage from its wrapping it has been proposed to provide the paper wrapping with a tear string which splits the same along one longitudinal edge when pulled along the wrapping, or to provide the two opposed leaves or plies 0f the paper Wrapping with tabs at one end which may be pulled apart to expose the adhesive bandage enclosed therebetween. However, the foregoing measures still require a two-step operation for obtaining access to a bandage, that is, the withdrawal of a wrapped bandage or package from the receptacle and the stripping of the paper wrapping from the bandage following its withdrawal from the receptacle. This two-step operation is annoying and objectionably time consuming, and the stripping of the paper wrapping from the bandage may be difiicult to achieve, particularly when the bandage is to be applied to a wound on a hand or finger, as stripping of the wrapping requires the use of fingers of both hands.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide adhesive bandages with paper or other similar wrappers for maintaining the sterility thereof and which may be easily stripped therefrom, particularly in response to the withdrawal of a wrapped bandage from a dispensing receptacle containing a supply thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, a package or Wrapping for maintaining the sterility of an adhesive bandage has two leaves separably joined along their longitudinal edges to enclose the bandage therebetween, with one end of one leaf constituting a tab projecting beyond the adjacent end of the other leaf at which a rigid member extends laterally thereacross and projects beyond the longitudinal edges to constitute means by which said adjacent end can be retained against displacement when a pull is exerted on the tab to peel the leaf having such rigid member thereon from the leaf terminating in the tab and thus to expose the bandage.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a dispenser for adhesive bandages or other flat, elongated articles which are wrapped or packaged as aforesaid includes a receptacle to contain a stack of the wrapped articles and which has an opening at one end through which the tabs extend and grooves facing toward each other along the opposite sides of such opening to receive the rigid members so that, when one of the tabs is pulled in the direction to withdraw the respective wrapped article or package from the receptacle, the rigid member of such wrapped article is retained by the grooves to effect the peeling of the wrapping and to expose the bandage outside of the receptacle in response to withdrawal of the package or wrapped article therefrom.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the leaf having the rigid member thereon is perforated or otherwise provided with a laterally extending weakened tearable zone adjacent such rigid member so that, after peeling apart of the leaves of the wrapping, a pull exerted on the perforated leaf results in separation thereof from the rigid member which is left extending across the receptacle opening. If desired, the two leaves may be secured to each other, as by being integral, at the ends remote from the tab and rigid member for separation as a unit from the rigid member, as aforesaid.

A further object is to provide an adhesive bandage package of reduced dimensions for dispensing from a receptacle as described above.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package according to an embodiment of this invention which is shown partly broken away, and in which an adhesive bandage is wrapped;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that the FIG. 1, but illustrating the peeling opening of the package to expose the adhesive bandage therein;

. FIG. 3 is another view similar to that of FIG. 1, but showing a package in accordance with another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a dispensing receptacle for packages according to this invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view which is partly broken away and in section, and which shows the dispensing receptacle of FIG. 4 in the course of the removal of a package therefrom;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 on FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of a dispensing receptacle according to another embodiment of this invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, it will be seen that a package 10 according to this invention contains a flat, elongated article 11 shown in the form of a conventional adhesive bandage composed of an adhesive strip 12 and a gauze pad 13 on strip 12 intermediate the ends of the latter, with removable protective strips 14 and '15 of paper or plastic film covering the exposed adhesive surfaces of strip 12 and overlapping each other on pad 13.

The package 10 for adhesive bandage 11 is shown to comprise two elongated leaves 16 and 17 of paper or other suitably flexible "wrapping material which are superposed and separably joined together along at least their longitudinal edge portions, for example, by a tacky adhesive applied along such longitudinal edge portions,

as at 18, so as to enclose the adhesive bandage 11 therebetween.

In accordance with this invention, an end 19 of leaf 16 projects longitudinally beyond the adjacent end 20 of the other leaf 17 to constitute a pull-tab, and a relatively rigid member 21 of wood, plastic or cardboard is secured, as by adhesive, to the end 20 of leaf 17 and projects laterally beyond the longitudinal or side edges of leaves 16 and 17 to constitute means by which the end 20 of leaf 17 can be retained against displacement with the leaf 16 when the latter is displaced longitudinally by a pull exerted on tab 19 in the direction of the arrow 22 on FIG. 2. Rigid member 21 may be in the form of a rod of circular cross-section, as shown, or it may have a flat, rectangular or other suitable cross-section.

In order to fully enclose or seal the adhesive bandage 11 within the package or wrapping 10 and thereby maintain the sterility of the adhesive bandage until the package or wrapping is peeled or stripped therefrom, as hereinafter described in detail, the end 20 of leaf 17 is preferably separably joined or secured to the underlying zone of leaf 16, as by a laterally extending stripe 23 of tacky adhesive (FIG. 2), and the ends of leaves 16 and 17 remote from tab 19 and 20, respectively, are also preferably joined to each other either by a tacky adhesive, or in a relatively secure manner, as by being formed integral with each other or by a relatively permanent adhesive. Further, leaf 17 is preferably formed with a line of perforations 24 extending laterally thereacross adjacent its end 20 to provide a weakened tearable zone at which leaf 17 can be separated from rigid member 21 in response to a relatively strong pull being exerted on leaf 17 while rigid member 21 is held against displacement.

As is shown on FIG. 2, when a pull is exerted on tab 19 in the direction of arrow 22 while end 20 of leaf 17 is held against displacement in the direction of such pull by retaining the projecting ends of rigid member 21, the effect of the pull exerted in the direction of the arrow 22 is to cause longitudinal displacement of leaf 16 in such direction while leaf 17 is progressively peeled or stripped from leaf 16 so as to present the adhesive bandage 1-1 in exposed condition on leaf 16. After leaf 17 has been completely peeled from leaf 16, and in the case where leaves 16 and 17 are securely attached to, or made integral with each other at the ends thereof remote from tab 19 and end 20, a continued pull on tab 19 is transmitted through leaf 16 to leaf 17 to separate the latter from rigid member 21 by tearing along the perforations 24.

In the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the adhesive bandage 11 is packaged or wrapped in its fully extended condition. However, as shown on FIG. 3, the length of the package 10a in accordance with this invention may be substantially reduced by packaging or wrapping the adhesive bandage 11a with one end portion of its adhesive strip 12a being folded over the gauze pad to reduce the length of the packaged bandage and hence also the lengths of the flexible elongated leaves 16a and 17a required to enclose the adhesive bandage, which leaves are shown to be integral at the ends remote from tab 19a. The package 10a is otherwise similar to the previously described package 10 and has its several parts identified by the same reference numerals, but with the letter a appended thereto,

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, it will be seen that a dispenser 25 for adhesive bandages or other flat, elongated articles which are wrapped or packaged according to this invention generally comprises a receptacle 26 dimensioned to contain a stack S of the previously described packages or 10a and having an opening 27 extending vertically at one end of the receptacle and of sutficient width to permit the projection therethrough of the tabs '19 of the pack-ages in the stack S contained within the receptacle. Further, receptacle 26 has grooves 28 in the inner surfaces of its side walls 29, which grooves face or open toward each other along the opposite sides of opening 27 to receive the projecting ends of rigid members 21 of the packages 10 in stack S. As shown, grooves 28 may also open longitudinally at the top edges of side walls 29 so that, prior to the closing of the open top of receptacle 26 by a lid 30, the stack S may be loaded into receptacle 26 through the open top thereof and have the ends of rigid members 21 inserted in grooves 28 through the open upper ends thereof. Receptacle 26, as described, may be formed of metal, cardboard or other suitably rigid material, or it can be conveniently molded of a suitable plastic, and the lid 30 may be molded integrally with the receptacle, as at a thin web or selfhinge (not shown) which connects one end of lid 30 to the top of receptacle 26 at the end of the latter remote from opening 27. Such lid 30 can be moved pivotally from a raised or open position to the closed position shown on FIGS. 4 and 5 following the loading of the stack S in receptacle 26, and the lid may be heat sealed or otherwise permanently retained in its closed position. Alternatively, if it is desired to make the dispenser 25 reuseable, lid 30 may be suitably retained in its closed position in a releasable fashion. Further, a removable cover 31, for example, of a clear or transparent plastic, may be provided to fit over, and be frictionally retained on the end of receptacle 26 having the opening 27 therein, thereby to enclose the projecting tabs 19 of packages 10.

As shown particularly on FIG. 5, the height of receptacle 26 is selected so as to correspond substantially to the height of the stack S of packages to be contained therein, whereby rigid members 21 of such packages substantially occupy the full lengths of grooves 28.

When it is desired to dispense an adhesive bandage 11 from the dispenser 25 according to this invention, the cover 31 is removed from receptacle 26, and the tab 19 of a selected package is pulled in the direction of the arrow 22 on FIG. 5, that is, in the direction to withdraw the selected package from the receptacle. The pull exerted on tab 19 withdraws the respective leaf 16 of the package from receptacle 26 through the opening 27 thereof, while the end 20 of leaf 17 is held against such movement with leaf 16 by reason of the engagement of rigid member 21 in grooves 28, whereby to effect peeling or stripping of leaf 17 from leaf 16. Thus, as shown on FIGS. 5 and 6, the adhesive bandage 11 is progressively exposed on leaf 16 and, upon complete withdrawal of the latter from receptacle 26, the fully exposed bandage 11 can be merely lifted from leaf 16 for use in the conventional manner. Following the complete withdrawal of leaf 16 from the receptacle, a pull may be exerted on leaf 17 to tear the same at perforations 24 in the case where leaves 16 and 17 are only attached to each other by a tacky adhesive. In the case where leaves 16 and 17 are integral or securely attached at the ends remote from tab 19, the pulling of tab 19 is continued so as to effect tearing of leaf 17 along perforations 24 for separation from the respective rigid member 21, which in each case is left extending across opening 27 and engaged, at its ends, in grooves 28.

It will be apparent that the engagement of the projecting ends of rigid members 21 in grooves 28 serves normally to retain packages 10 within receptacle 26, that is, to prevent the inadvertent removal of the packages through opening 27, in addition to effecting the peeling or stripping of the wrapping from each adhesive bandage in response to the withdrawal of the respective tab and leaf 16 from the receptacle, as described above. Further, since the rigid members 21 continue to extend across opening 27 after the dispensing of the respective bandages 11, and since the rigid members substantially occupy the full lengths of grooves 28, there is no need to provide a loading spring or similar element within the receptacle 26 for maintaining compact the stack of packages remaining within such receptacle.

Although FIG. 5 illustrates the removal or dispensing of a bandage contained in the package 10 which is at the top of the stack of such packages remaining within receptacle 26, it is to be noted that any selected tab of the packages in the stack may be pulled for dispensing the respective bandage. By reason of the foregoing, it is possible to provide a dispenser according to this invention that accommodates packaged adhesive bandages of two or more widths.

For example, as shown on FIG. 7, a dispenser 25b according to this invention which is generally similar to the previously described dispenser 25 may have the opening thereof at one end of the receptacle 26b formed with portions 271: and 27c of relatively large and relatively small widths, respectively, to accommodate therein the tabs of packages 1% and c which are of similar widths. The portions 27b and 276 of the end opening of receptacle 26b have grooves 28b and 280 extending alOng their opposite sides to receive the projecting ends of the rigid members of the respective packages 10b and 10c, which packages are arranged in grooves, one above the other, to provide the stack of packages within receptacle 26b. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, pulling of the tab of a selected one of the packages 100 will effect the dispensing of a relatively narrow adhesive bandage, whereas, pulling of the tab of a selected one of the packages 10b will effect the dispensing of a relatively wide adhesive bandage, in the manner described above with respect to FIG. 5.

It will be apparent that, in the above described embodiments of this invention, the withdrawal of a package from the receptacle 26 or 26b by means of a simple pull on the tab of the package automatically results in the stripping of the paper or other flexible wrapping from the selected bandage and thus conveniently affords access to the bandage without the necessity of removing the paper wrapping therefrom after the withdrwal of the package from the receptacle.

Although illustrative embodiments of this invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in this art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A package containing a flat, elongated article and comprising two elongated flexible leaves which are superposed and separably joined together along thin longitudinal edge portions and which enclose the article therebetween, one end of one of said leaves projecting longitudinally beyond the adjacent end of the other of said leaves to constitute a tab by which said one leaf can be pulled, and a relatively rigid member secured to said adjacent end of said other leaf and projecting laterally beyond said longitudinal edges to constitute means by which said adjacent end of said other leaf can be retained against displacement with said one leaf by a pull exerted on said tab, whereby to peel said other leaf from said one leaf for exposing said article on the latter.

2. A package according to claim 1, in which said other leaf has a weakened tearable zone extending laterally thereacorss adjacent said rigid member so that, following the peeling of said other leaf from said one leaf, a pull exerted on said other leaf is effective to separate the latter from said rigid member at said tearable zone.

3. A package according to claim 2, in which said tearable zone is constituted by a line of perforations in said other leaf.

4. A package according to claim 2, in which said leaves are secured to each other by being integral at said ends remote from said tab and rigid member.

5. A package according to claim 1, in which said flat, elongated article is an adhesive bandage.

6. A package according to claim 5, in which said bandage includes an adhesive strip and a gauze pad located on said strip intermediate the ends of the latter, and one end portion of said strip projecting beyond said pad is folded over the latter, thereby to minimize the length of said leaves required to accommodate said bandage therebetween.

7. A package according to claim 6, in which said leaves are integral with each other at the ends thereof remote from said tab and rigid member.

8. The combination of a stack of packages each containing a fiat, elongated article and comprising two elongated flexible leaves which are superposed and separably joined together along their longitudinal edge portions and which enclose said article therebetween, one end of one of said leaves projecting longitudinally beyond the adjacent end of the other of said leaves to constitute a pull tab, a dispensing receptacle containing said stack of packages and having an opening at one end through which said tab of each of the packages projects, and cooperative means in said receptacle adjacent said opening and on said other leaf of each package to retain said adjacent end of said other leaf against displacement out of said receptacle through said opening, whereby, when a tab of a package is pulled in the direction to withdraw the package from said receptacle, said other leaf is peeled from said one leaf to expose the respective article on the latter outside of said receptacle.

9. The combination according to claim 8, in which said cooperative means includes relatively rigid means projecting laterally from the opposite sides of said other leaf at said adjacent end thereof for each of said packages, and grooves in said receptacle facing each other along opposite sides of said opening and receiving said rigid means of each package in said stack.

10. The combination according to claim 9, in which said rigid means of each package includes a rigid member secured to said other leaf at said adjacent end and extending laterally thereon beyond said longitudinal edges of the leaves.

11. The combination according to claim 10, in which said other leaf of each package has a weakened tearable zone extending laterally thereacross adjacent the respective rigid member so that, after exposing of an article on said one leaf of the respective package by said pulling of the tab thereof, pulling of said other leaf is effective to separate the latter from said rigid member thereof at said tearable zone so as to leave said rigid member extending across said opening.

12. The combination according to claim 10, in which said opening has portions of relatively large and relatively small widths, respectively, and said packages are of corresponding relatively large and small widths and are arranged in said stack so as to have the tabs thereof project through the portions of said opening which are of corresponding widths.

13. The combination according to claim 8, in which said fiat, elongated article in each of said packages is an adhesive bandage.

14. The combination according to claim 13, in which said bandage includes an adhesive strip and a gauze pad located on said strip intermediate the ends of the latter, and one end portion of said strip projecting beyond said pad is folded over the latter to minimize the length of said leaves required to enclose the bandage.

15. The combination according to claim 14, in which said leaves of each package are integral with each other at the ends thereof remote from said tab and said rigid means.

16. The combination according to claim 8, in which said cooperative means includes, for each of said packages, a rigid member secured to said other leaf at said adjacent end thereof and projecting laterally beyond said longitudinal edges of the leaves, and grooves in said receptacle facing each other along the opposite sides of said opening and receiving said rigid member of each of the packages in said stack, and in which said other leaf of each package has a line of perforations extending laterally thereacross adjacent said rigid member so that, after exposing an article of a package by pulling on the tab thereof, continuation of said pulling can separate said leaves of the package fromthe respective rigid member at said perforations so as to leave said rigid member extending across said opening.

17. The combination according to claim 16, in Which said receptacle has a height substantially equal to that of said stack so that said rigid members of the packages substantially occupy the full lengths of said grooves, said receptacle has a lid to close the top thereof and said grooves open longitudinally at the upper ends thereof to receive said rigid members and permit loading of said stack into said receptacle through the top of the latter prior to the closing of said lid.

18. The combination according to claim 17, further comprising a removable cover to extend over said opening and enclose said tabs.

8 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1940 Greaves 22171 2/1951 Yoos 221-70 I FOREIGN PATENTS 1,215,721 11/1959 France.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner J. M. CASKIE, Assistant Examiner

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