Wet swab captured package

• US 5,320,217 A
• Filed: 06/17/1993
• Issued: 06/14/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Birchwood Laboratories LLC
• Original Assignee: Birchwood Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Lenarz, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Foster, Jimmy G.
• Application Number:
  US08/079,155
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: 132/73, 132/75, 206/205, 206/209, 206/210, 206/229, 206/361, 206/494, 206/812, 206/37
• US Class Current: 206/209
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/1018 comprising a pad, i.e. a cushion-like mass of soft material, with or without gripping means
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 29/007 Nail polish removing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/04 Appliances specially adapted for applying liquid, e.g. using roller or ball
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/0087 for samples
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/001 Packages or dispensers for bandages, cotton balls, drapes, dressings, gauze, gowns, sheets, sponges, swabsticks or towels A61F15/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/58 Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture B65D75/36, B65D85/1027 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/00 Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents dispensing means incorporated in removable or non-permanently secured container closures B65D47/00; for shops, stores, offices, bars, or the like A47F1/04; showcases or show cabinets with dispensing arrangements A47F3/02; magazines for screws or nuts in combination with spanners, wrenches or screwdrivers B25B23/06; for use in connection with the handling of sheets, webs, or filamentary material B65H
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/812 Packaged towel

Abstract

A sealed envelope contains a moistened pad that functions as a swab. The pad is secured to the envelope by an intermediate seal line. When the top of the envelope is removed, the pad is exposed. Since the pad is still captively held to the remainder of the envelope, the liquid on the pad may be dispensed by holding the clean, dry bottom of the envelope. The pad functions as a swab and the remainder of the envelope functions as the applicator handle and reservoir.

Claims

1. A device for supplying a liquid from a swab comprising:

(a) a sealed envelope sealed along its bottom, side and top edges, said envelope including a top and a bottom;

(b) a pad which functions as a swab, said pad positioned within said envelope and held to said envelope by an intermediate seal across said pad and intermediate between the top and bottom edge of said envelope;

(c) an intermediate seal across said pad and intermediate the top and bottom edge of said envelope, said intermediate seal holding said pad to said sealed envelope;

(d) liquid carried within said envelope and capable of wicking through said pad; and

(e) means for opening the top of said envelope above said intermediate seal, said means for opening comprising envelope weakening structure located on said envelope to facilitate removing a top portion of said envelope above the intermediate seal and at a location to provide an opening, such that said pad, while attached by the intermediate seal, will protrude outwardly of the opening.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said pad is a folded sheet and the fold line is positioned adjacent the envelope top.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said opening means comprises weakened regions across said side seals which allow the top end of said envelope to be removed by tearing it off to expose the swab.

4. The device of claim 2 further including a stiffening member inserted between the folded sheets to provide a more rigid swab.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said liquid is selected from the group consisting of medical liquids, cosmetics, paints, solvents, lubricants and adhesives.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said medical liquid is a disinfectant.

7. A device for supplying a liquid from a swab comprising:

(a) a sealed envelope sealed along its bottom, side and top edges, said envelope including a top and a bottom;

(b) a pad which functions as a swab, said pad positioned within said envelope and held to said envelope by an intermediate seal across said pad and intermediate between the top and bottom edge of said envelope, wherein said pad is a folded sheet and the fold line is positioned adjacent the envelope top, further including a stiffening member inserted between the folded sheets to provide a more rigid swab;

(c) an intermediate seal across said pad and intermediate the top and bottom edge of said envelope, said intermediate seal holding said pad to said sealed envelope;

(d) liquid carried within said envelope and capable of wicking through said pad; and

(e) means for opening the top of said envelope above said intermediate seal such that said pad is still held to said envelope and is exposed when said envelope top is removed.