Abstract:
A packaging for a stack of articles of absorbing materials such as cotton wool tampons or similar hygiene articles, and where the packaging protects the mentioned articles against soiling and spray from above, as well as the sides, and also preventing contamination from below. The packaging can stand steady on the supporting surface and a the same time easily permit the articles withdrawal, one by one, from the packaging. The packaging is constructed with supporting devices so that the withdrawal aperture faces downwards and is elevated above the supporting surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a packaging for stacking of absorbing materials such as cotton wool tampons and such hygiene articles. The packaging consists of (1) a first end, (2) a second end and (3) a closure face and (4) a cylindrical (rounded) side wall which embodies a storage for the articles and which also connects the first end and the second end to the final closure face and thus enabling the withdrawal of one article at a time. The aperture on at least one side is smaller than the withdrawn article in the same direction, whilst the second end encounters the resting-points that define a resting surface to support the packaging on its supporting surface. The aperture can be re-closed as of free choice. 
     A packaging of a stacked cotton wool tampons is known from U.S. Pat. No. 1,890,295 A. This packaging is suitable for transport of cotton wool tampons from the production line to retailers and further to the end users and protects the tampons against dust and spray from an area above after the packaging is opened. In connection with the withdrawal (dispensing) of the tampons this packaging includes an aperture, which faces the support face, which also can be closed by a flap, hinged to the underside of the packaging. 
     FR 1 552 648 A1 discloses a support of the above-mentioned type for flexible sheet-formed articles such as round-shaped cotton wool tampons, where the dispenser is constructed with an aperture that is smaller than the article. The stack of articles is lead towards the dispensing aperture by the aid of an intermediate platform with the help of a spring-loaded device. 
     The drawback of these types of packagings is that the aperture for removal of the articles is situated on the end face of the packaging, which also forms the supporting platform. Should these packages be placed on the supporting platform such that the end wall with its aperture faces downwards so as to avoid soiling and spray from above, this will enable the end wall to be subject to soil and moisture that is situated below the supporting platform level and thus enabling these impurities to enter the packaging and damage the contents of the packaging. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,626 discloses a packaging comprising a first space containing the absorbing material, and a second space, which is situated below the first space. Thus, the first space is elevated above the supporting surface so as to protect this from puddles of water on the supporting surface. The aperture for dispensing the articles is situated in the compartment wall and the articles are therefore not protected in the same way against soil and spray. 
     US 2005 276653 A1 discloses a dispensing device with a container for dispensing stacked commercial sample single dose cosmetic applicators through an aperture at its bottom. The cosmetic applicators comprise a flat applicator portion and a grasping element or handle containing the sample and positioned perpendicularly to the flat applicator portion when stacked inside the packaging. The packaging comprises a supporting structure connected to the bottom of the container. The supporting structure is in the form of a large foot comprised of a sheet of material, which has been bent twice to form an inverted U-shape. The grasping element extends out of a bottom aperture such that a cosmetic applicator can be withdrawn by pulling the grasping element. 
     WO 00/01271 A1 discloses a dispensing device for cotton pads adapted for withdrawing such articles one by one. The device comprises an enclosing wall defining an internal volume containing a number of cotton pads stacked with flat surfaces abutting each other in a longitudinal dimension of said volume. The volume terminates in said longitudinal dimension at a first, closed end and at an opposite, second end, said second end comprising an end wall with an aperture for withdrawing an outermost article, a cross-sectional dimension of said aperture being less than a cross-sectional dimension of said stacked articles such as to allow for withdrawing one of said articles nearest to said aperture through said aperture by means of deformation of said article. 
     The aim of the invention is to produce a packaging for a stack of absorbing materials, such as cotton wool tampons or similar hygiene articles, where the packaging protects the articles against soil and spray from above and the sides as well as prohibits contamination from below and also from the supporting surface. A further purpose is to enable articles to be withdrawn from the packaging one by one. 
     Another aim of this invention is to produce a packaging with sufficient ventilation in the vicinity around the outmost article, which is not protected by the end walls, and so to eliminate biological contamination in the form of mould and bacterial cultures. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To achieve the above mentioned objects, the device according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim  1 . Advantageous embodiments are defined in dependent claims  2 - 10 . 
     By means of the supporting means the end wall aperture is elevated above the supporting surface and thereby limits the packaging contact area of the part of the packaging, which contains the articles, and thus avoid that any fluids in the vicinity of the supporting surface enter the packaging, damaging this or the contents. 
     The end with the aperture covers the packaging resting points on which the package can stand. The resting points can at least be three, a rounded edge or comprise one or more surfaces. The resting points are levelled with each other and define the resting surface. When the packaging stands upon the resting surface it then, at all times, supports the packaging&#39;s point of gravity. 
     The second end of the packaging, in comparison to the end wall, forms a resting surface for the protruding support devices of which the resting points, that lie within an outward going distance to the end walls aperture. When the packaging is standing on the resting surface, the aperture faces downwards and is raised higher than the supporting surface. By this, the articles, and especially the outermost article, are protected against dust, soil and spray from above as well as avoiding contact with the supporting surface and soil and moist that can be on the supporting surface. 
     In accordance with the invention, the packaging is mainly formed as a container of a stiff or semi stiff material such as cardboard, plastic or metal. The rounded surface of the packaging is formed as a tube, which embodies and holds the stack of articles. It is advantageous that the tube has body dimensions that fit the articles&#39; dimensions and form—but can, however, have any other geometric shape. The material should be suitable for eliminating dust and spray—but, as a result of the special construction, which will reduce the packaging contact with the surface, need not be able to sustain continued contact with water other places than the packaging resting points. 
     This means that the packaging design can have a greater freedom in choice of materials and construction. In a preferred embodiment this can be produced as single use packaging. The packaging can be filled during production and be finally sealed at the first end by folding, heating, welding or adhesion methods or by fitting an end wall. In specific cases, where reusable packaging is used, the packaging&#39;s first end can be closed with a removable flap cover allowing refilling. 
     Basically, the articles can be removed from the packaging in two directions. A radial direction, which is substantially at a 90-degree angle to the axis of the stack or an axial direction, that is substantially parallel to the axis of the stack. In a preferable embodiment the packaging longitudinal axis, which runs from the first to the second end of the packaging, will extend in a parallel axis so that the articles can be withdrawn one by one in that direction. 
     According to the invention, and in an advantageous embodiment, the supporting device is formed by an elongation of the packaging&#39;s circular wall. In this way, the supporting devices can easily be produced at low cost. 
     When in use in a moist environment it is advantageous that the supporting devices include ventilation openings that permit airflow so as to avoid formation of mould within the area that is enclosed by the packaging&#39;s outer wall, the supporting device and the supporting surface. 
     In an advantageous embodiment the resting points form a straight line. The packaging rests steadily on this closed line, which forms the resting surface. This will reduce the possibility of water damage to the packaging as contact with the supporting surface. 
     In another embodiment the supporting devices are formed as a number consisting of at least three legs. By this, the packaging rests only on a few points and thus further reduces the possibility of the supporting surface being damaged by fluids. Furthermore, the packaging will be less sensitive to uneven supporting surfaces, thus making the packaging even steadier. 
     The articles can be forced towards the aperture simply by the weight of the stack of articles, but will mainly be led to this with the aid of an advancing device. I an advantageous embodiment, the advancing device would be formed by the help of an intermediate base, which lies towards the end of the article stack opposite the aperture and thus presses against the opposite end. The thrust force can be attained by attaching the intermediate base to the packaging by the aid of elastic elements, which can be pre-tensioned at the filling stage so that the intermediate base and the stack of articles are forced or drawn to the aperture and thereby brought into contact towards the aperture in the end wall. In accordance with the invention, alternative embodiments such as “screw” devices as known from for example lipsticks, can be implemented. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings the following is shown: 
       FIG.  1 —A first embodiment of a packaging in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG.  2 —The packaging in accordance with  FIG. 1  and as seen from below. 
       FIG.  3 —The packaging in accordance with  FIG. 1  showing the spring-loaded intermediate base. 
       FIG.  4 —An alternative embodiment seen from the front of a packaging in accordance with the invention as a tube. 
       FIG.  5 —The packaging in accordance with  FIG. 4  seen from the side and in cross section. 
       FIG.  6 —The packaging in accordance with  FIG. 4  seen from below. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a first embodiment of the packaging in accordance with the invention. The packaging comprises a first end, a second end complete with a end-wall, a cylindrical (rounded) wall  4 , which encloses a volume area  5  to comprise a stack  12  of flat, flexible and absorbing articles  10 . The end-wall  3  covers an aperture  6  for withdrawal of the articles  10 . The aperture  6  has a dimension d, in the shown embodiment a diameter of a circular aperture, where the dimension d is less than that of the articles&#39; dimension D in the same direction. The stack of articles  12  lie with the outermost article  11  against the end wall  3  and are retained by this. The outermost article  11  is, however, accessible for withdrawal through aperture  6 . The articles  10  can easily be withdrawn one by one by grabbing the outermost article and withdrawing this through aperture  6 . 
     The rounded wall  4  is extended outwards over the aperture  6 &#39;s level so as to form supporting devices  8 . When the packaging is placed on a supporting surface with aperture  6  in the end wall  3  facing downwards, the packaging rests only on supporting points  7  by the supporting devices  8 &#39;s end. The aperture  6  is elevated above the supporting surface such that articles  10 , and especially the outermost article  11 , do not come into contact with soil or fluids on the supporting surface. Another advantage with this embodiment is that the packaging&#39;s contact with the supporting surface is reduced to a straight supporting face. 
     The packaging has an advantageous cross section, which is adapted to the articles&#39; dimensions and shape, which in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a round shaped end-wall cross section, which can have another arbitrary geometric shape such as an ellipse or an enclosed polygon. Furthermore, an aperture  6  assumes any shape what-so-ever as long as the conditions are fulfilled so that the aperture  6 &#39;s dimensions d is less than those of the articles&#39; dimensions D in the same direction. 
       FIG. 3  shows a specifically advantageous embodiment in accordance with the invention where the article stack  12  is in contact towards the aperture  6 &#39;s end-wall by the aid of an advancing system. In the shown embodiment the advancing system is shaped as an intermediate base  14 , which is forced against the article stack&#39;s ends that faces away from the aperture by the aid of elastic elements such as springs  15 , which connect the intermediate base  14  with the rest of the packaging. In the shown embodiment the spring  15  is a spring-loaded device positioned between the intermediate base  14  and, for this packaging, the associated end-wall  18 . The spring  15  is tensioned when filling with articles  10 , and the article stack is thus brought into contact with aperture  6 . So as to protect the outermost articles  11  during transport the apertures can be held closed with thin foil which can be held in place with an attached lid, which is adjacent to the end-wall  3 &#39;s side, which faces outwards (is not shown in the drawings). Alternatively, or as a supplement, the packaging can include a lid  16  which, during transport, is fitted on the packaging&#39;s second end  2  so as to protect the outermost article  11 , and which is demountable and possibly can be fitted on the packaging&#39;s first end  1 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4-FIG .  6  shows an alternative embodiment for the packaging in accordance to the invention. The packaging is constructed as a tube, where the rounded wall  104  is a tube with a significant elliptical cross section with a small main axis and a larger main axis. The packaging is filled with folded articles  110  as shown in  FIG. 5 , and the packaging is thereafter closed at its first end  101  by permanently squeezing the rounded wall  104 , for example by rabbeting, welding or adhesion. The other end,  102 , covers the end-wall  103  with its slit-formed aperture  106 . The aperture  106 &#39;s dimensions d and the folded articles  110 &#39;s dimensions D in the same direction is measured, as shown in  FIG. 5 , in parallel with the ellipse&#39;s small main axis. The articles  110  press against the aperture  106  on account of the weight and their elasticity, which seeks to elongate each article in a single level. When the outermost article  111  is withdrawn through aperture  106 , the following article is drawn towards the aperture as a result of the friction between the articles  110  supported by the above-mentioned elasticity force that seeks to stretch each article to a single level. 
     When the packaging is placed vertically in the resting points  107 , the aperture  106  and thus the whole article stack  112  is elevated above the supporting face by the aid of the supporting device  108 , which in the  FIG. 4-FIG .  6  shown embodiments is developed as leg  117  forming an extension of the rounded wall  104  towards the end-wall  103 . By forming the supporting devices  108  as a leg  117  another advantage is attained as the packaging&#39;s contact with the supporting surface is reduced to few resting points  107  without influencing the stability. On the contrary, a packaging standing only on a number of legs  117  and resting on a number of resting points is even more steady on uneven surfaces. 
     In case of there being fluids on the resting surface, a damp environment can occur within the space internally in the packaging surrounded by the supporting face as well as the supporting devices  108 , the end-wall  103  and the outermost article  111 . In such damp environments there is a danger of formation of mould and bacterial cultures or other types of biological contamination. So as to avoid accumulation of humid environments in contact with the outermost articles  111  the supporting devices  108  can be developed with ventilation apertures  109  in the form of holes in the side and/or as an intermediate space between the legs  117 . 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
     
         
         
           
               1 ,  101  The packaging&#39;s first end 
               2 ,  102  The packaging&#39;s second end 
               3 ,  103  End-wall 
               4 ,  104  Rounded wall 
               5 ,  105  The packaging&#39;s internal volume 
               6 ,  106  Aperture 
               7 ,  107  Resting points 
               8 ,  108  Supporting devices 
               10 ,  110  Articles 
               11 ,  111  Outermost article 
               12 ,  112  Article stack 
               13 , Article stack axis 
               14 , Intermediate base 
               15 , Spring 
               16 , Cover 
               18 , End-wall at packaging&#39;s first end  1 ,  101   
               109 , Ventilation opening 
               117 , Leg 
             d, Apertures  61 ,  106  dimension 
             D, Articles  10 ,  110  dimension in the same direction.