Abstract:
A packaged tampon and applicator assembly includes a tampon and an applicator assembled together with the tampon and adapted to facilitate insertion of the tampon in a user. A wrapper has an interior space and sealingly encloses the tampon and applicator assembly in the interior space. The wrapper includes a line of weakness formed therein to facilitate tearing of the wrapper along the line of weakness to facilitate opening a portion thereof to provide an opening in the wrapper through which the tampon and applicator assembly is removed from the wrapper. The wrapper is further configured to inhibit separation of the opened portion from the wrapper. The remainder of the wrapper defines a pocket sized for receiving the entire applicator therein following use of the applicator to insert the tampon in the user. Should mention facilitation of the opening via a line of weakness (i.e. perforation).

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to tampon and applicator assemblies, and more particularly to the individual packaging of a tampon and applicator assembly. 
     Vaginal tampons are disposable absorbent articles sized and shaped (e.g., cylindrical) for insertion into a women&#39;s vagina for absorption of body fluids generally discharged during the woman&#39;s menstrual period. Insertion of the tampon into the vagina is commonly achieved using a tampon applicator that comes initially assembled with the tampon. The applicator, which is often made of plastic or cardboard, is disposable. Thus, after the applicator has been used to insert the tampon into the user&#39;s vagina the applicator is discarded. 
     Typically, a single tampon and applicator assembly are packaged together as an individual unit in a disposable wrapper to maintain both the tampon and the applicator in a hygienic condition. Thus, before the tampon and applicator assembly can be used, it must be removed from the wrapper. Conventionally, tampon wrappers are provided with a serrated edge, e.g., having numerous peaks and valleys. The valleys of the serrated edge provide multiple tearing points for use in tearing open the wrapper. One drawback to this approach is that it often leads to small pieces of the wrapper being separated from the wrapper at the serrated edge. As a result, the user must often make multiple tears in order to open the wrapper sufficiently to remove the tampon and applicator assembly, which is frustrating to the user and creates small pieces of wrapper that are difficult to manage (i.e., inconvenient to pick up and throw away). 
     Another known wrapper construction provides a tear strip in the wrapper, typically extending the length of the wrapper. A tab may be attached to the tear strip at its edge so that it can be grasped by the user. In use, a woman grasps the tab and pulls the tab in the direction of the tear strip thereby creating an opening in the wrapper through which the tampon and applicator assembly is removed. The tear strip may also be engaged by tearing a serrated edge in the absence of a tab. Often, the tear strip extends the length of the wrapper. Thus, tearing the tear strip from the wrapper completely tears open the wrapper along its length. As a result, the tampon applicator and wrapper are commonly disposed of separately. Moreover, the tabs can sometimes be difficult to grasp, making it hard to open this type of wrapper. 
     There is a need, therefore, for a packaged tampon and applicator assembly that facilitates opening of the wrapper while maintaining the ability of the wrapper to be subsequently used to hygienically wrap and discard the used tampon applicator. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present invention is directed to a packaged tampon and applicator assembly generally comprising a tampon and an applicator assembled together with the tampon and adapted to facilitate insertion of the tampon in a user. A wrapper has an interior space and sealingly encloses the tampon and applicator assembly in the interior space. The wrapper includes a line of weakness formed therein to facilitate tearing of the wrapper along the line of weakness to facilitate opening a portion thereof to provide an opening in the wrapper through which the tampon and applicator assembly is removed from the wrapper. The wrapper is further configured to inhibit separation of the opened portion from the wrapper. The remainder of the wrapper defines a pocket sized for receiving the entire applicator therein following use of the applicator to insert the tampon in the user. 
     In another aspect, the wrapper has at least one edge margin and is configured such that the line of weakness has one end disposed at the edge margin and a terminal end distal from the edge margin at a location on the wrapper whereby upon tearing of the wrapper along the line of weakness the torn portion of the wrapper remains attached to the wrapper at the terminal end of the line of weakness. 
     In yet another aspect, the wrapper is further configured to have a stop located generally adjacent the terminal end of the line of weakness to inhibit tearing of the wrapper beyond the terminal end of the line of weakness. 
     In still another aspect, the line of weakness is selected from a group consist of a plurality of aligned perforations, a score line, a breakaway line or areas, a chain stitch, a thinning of the wrapper material, or other suitable line of weakness. The lines of weakness may suitably be formed by partial pressure cutting, partial ultrasonic cutting, partial thermal deformation, mechanical thinning, or other suitable techniques. 
     In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a packaged tampon and applicator assembly generally comprising a tampon and an applicator assembled together with the tampon and adapted to facilitate insertion of the tampon in a user. A wrapper has an interior space and sealingly encloses the tampon and applicator assembly in the interior space. The wrapper has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, an unopened length and a width. The wrapper includes a line of weakness formed therein to facilitate tearing of the wrapper along the line of weakness for opening of the wrapper longitudinally thereof to provide an opening in the wrapper through which the tampon and applicator assembly is removed from the wrapper. The wrapper is further configured to define a longitudinally extending pocket following opening of the wrapper. The pocket has a length in the range of about 25 percent to about 80 percent of the unopened length of the wrapper. 
     In still a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a packaged tampon and applicator assembly comprising a tampon and an applicator assembled together with the tampon and adapted to facilitate insertion of the tampon in a user. The applicator has a used configuration following use of the applicator to insert the tampon in the user. The applicator has a length in the used configuration thereof. A wrapper has an interior space and sealingly encloses the tampon and applicator assembly in the interior space. The wrapper has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and an unopened length. The wrapper includes a line of weakness formed therein to facilitate tearing of the wrapper along the line of weakness for opening the wrapper longitudinally thereof to provide an opening in the wrapper through which the tampon and applicator assembly is removed from the wrapper. The wrapper is further configured to define a longitudinally extending pocket following opening of the wrapper. The wrapper is sized and configured such that the pocket following opening of the wrapper has a length in the range of about 40 percent greater than the length of the applicator in the used configuration of the applicator and about 20 percent less than the length of the applicator in the used configuration of the applicator. 
     Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of packaged tampon and applicator assembly in which the tampon and applicator assembly is sealingly enclosed within a wrapper; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a tampon and applicator assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a backside perspective of the packaged tampon and applicator assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the packaged tampon and applicator assembly with the wrapper torn open to permit removal of the tampon and applicator assembly from the wrapper; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the torn open wrapper enclosing the applicator after it has been used; 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevation of a second embodiment of a wrapper for a packaged tampon and applicator assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation of a third embodiment of a wrapper for a packaged tampon and applicator assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation of a fourth embodiment of a wrapper for a packaged tampon and applicator assembly; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation of a fifth embodiment of a wrapper for a packaged tampon and applicator assembly; 
         FIG. 10  is a sixth embodiment of a wrapper for a packaged tampon and applicator; and 
         FIG. 11  is a seventh embodiment of a wrapper for a packaged tampon and applicator. 
       Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1-3 , one embodiment of packaged tampon and applicator assembly is generally designated by reference numeral  18  and comprises a wrapper, generally designated  20  sealingly enclosing a tampon and applicator assembly, generally designated  23  ( FIG. 2 ). The tampon and applicator assembly  23  suitably comprises a vaginal tampon  22  (hereinafter “tampon”) and corresponding applicator, generally designated  24 , for use in inserting the tampon into a woman&#39;s vagina. It is understood, however, that the packaged tampon and applicator assembly described herein is applicable to other types of tampons such as, without limitation, medical tampons, dental tampons, surgical tampons, nasal tampons, and the like. 
     The tampon  22  illustrated in  FIG. 2  has a cylindrical fibrous body that is sized and shaped for insertion into a women&#39;s vagina during her menstrual period to absorb menses, blood, and other body fluid. The tampon  22  includes a withdrawal string  38  that is fastened to the body of the tampon generally adjacent a rearward end thereof. The string  38  is used to pull the tampon  22  from the woman&#39;s vagina. The body of the tampon  22  is made of absorbent materials such as absorbent fibers, including natural and synthetic fibers, compressed into a unitary body of a size that may easily be inserted into the vaginal cavity. Suitable fibers include, for example, cellulosic fibers such as cotton and rayon. Fibers may be 100% cotton, 100% rayon, a blend of cotton and rayon, or other materials known to be suitable for tampon use. The body of the tampon  22  has an elongated cylindrical shape so that it has a sufficiently large body of absorbent material to provide the required absorbing capacity. It is understood that the tampon body can made in a variety of shapes besides cylindrical. 
     The tampon  22  may also include a cover surrounding the fibrous body. The cover prevents the fibers of the tampon body from directly contacting the inner walls of a woman&#39;s vagina. This assures that no fibers will be left behind in the vagina after the tampon  22  is removed. The cover can be tucked into ends of the body of the tampon so as to completely surround and enclose the fibers. The cover can also be constructed from a heat-sealable material to assist in bonding it to the fibers, such as by heat and/or pressure. The cover can be formed from a nonwoven material such as a polyolefin, particularly polypropylene or polyethylene. A suitable material is a spunbond material. Suitable methods and materials for the production of tampons are well known to those skilled in the art. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the tampon applicator  24 , which is used to insert the tampon  22  into a woman&#39;s vagina, comprises an outer tube  40  (broadly, “an insertion portion”) and an inner tube  42  (broadly, “a gripping portion”). The outer tube  40  is sized and shaped to house the tampon  22 . A portion of the outer tube  40  is partially broken away in  FIG. 2  to illustrate the tampon  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the outer tube  40  has a substantially smooth exterior surface, which facilitates insertion of the tampon applicator  24 , and thus the tampon  22 , into a woman&#39;s vagina. When the surface of the exterior layer is smooth and/or slippery, the outer tube  40  will easily slide into a woman&#39;s vagina without subjecting the internal tissues of the woman&#39;s vagina to abrasion. The outer tube  40  may be coated to give it a high slip characteristic. Wax, polyethylene, a combination of wax and polyethylene, cellophane, and clay are representative coatings that can be applied to the exterior layer to facilitate comfortable insertion. The illustrated outer tube  40  is a straight, elongated cylindrical tube. It is understood however that the applicator  24  could have different shapes and sizes than those illustrated and described herein. 
     Extending outwardly from the outer tube is an insertion tip  44 . The insertion tip  44 , which is formed as one-piece with the outer tube  40 , may be dome-shaped to facilitate insertion of the outer tube into a woman&#39;s vagina in a comfortable manner. The illustrated insertion tip  44  is made of a thin, flexible material and has a plurality of soft, flexible petals  46  that are arranged to form the dome-shape. The petals  46  are capable of radially flexing (i.e., bending outward) to provide an enlarged opening through which the tampon  22  can exit when it is pushed forward by the inner tube  42 . The outer tube  40  may be formed without the insertion tip  44 . Without the insertion tip, the outer tube includes an opened end (not shown) through which the tampon  22  can exit when it is pushed forward by the inner tube. 
     The inner tube  42  is an elongate cylinder that is used to engage the tampon  22  contained in the outer tube  40 . A free end  48  of the inner tube  42  is configured for digital manipulation by the user&#39;s forefinger so that the user can move the inner tube with respect to the outer tube  40 . In other words, the free end  48  functions as a grip for the forefinger of the user. It is also possible to form an enlarged ring or flange on the distal end of the inner tube  42  to provide for a larger contact surface for the user&#39;s forefinger. 
     The inner tube  42  is used to push the tampon  22  out of the outer tube  40  and into the woman&#39;s vagina by telescopically moving into the outer tube. As the inner tube  42  is pushed into the outer tube  40  by the user, the tampon  22  is forced forward against the insertion tip  44 . The contact by the tampon  22  causes the petals  46  of the insertion tip  44  to radially open to a diameter sufficient to allow the tampon to exit the outer tube  40  and into the woman&#39;s vagina. With the tampon  22  properly positioned in the woman&#39;s vagina, the tampon applicator  24  is withdrawn. In a used configuration of the tampon applicator  24 , the inner tube  42  is received in the outer tube  40 . As a result, the used configuration of the tampon applicator  24  has a length that is substantially equal to a length of the outer tube  40 . 
     The inner tube  42 , the outer tube  40 , and the insertion tip  44  can be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, paper, paperboard, cardboard, plastic, thermoplastic film, or a combination thereof. If paper, paperboard, or cardboard is used, it can be coated with a wax or water-insoluble polymer to render it water-resistant. Suitable plastic materials include polyolefins, such as low density polyethylene and low density polypropylene. Construction and operation of the tampon and tampon applicator described heretofore is conventional and known to those skilled in the art. For example, such a tampon and tampon applicator are available from Kimberly-Clark Global Sales, Inc. under the tradename KOTEX SECURITY. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the illustrated wrapper  20  suitably has a front panel  26  and a back panel  28  sealingly engaged with the front panel to define an interior space sized and shaped for receiving the tampon and applicator assembly  23  as initially assembled and unused. Thus, the wrapped assembly  18  can be carried as a single unit by the user (e.g., in a purse, backpack, or a pocket) in a sealed, hygienic condition. 
     The wrapper  20  illustrated in  FIG. 1  comprises two side edges  30 ,  32 , two end edges  34 ,  36 , a longitudinal axis LA, and a transverse axis TA. The wrapper  20  is suitably formed from a single-piece of sheet material that has been folded in half about a longitudinal center line of the sheet. Thus, the fold line forms one of the side edges  30  of the wrapper. The front panel  26  of the wrapper  20  is joined with the back panel  28  of the wrapper along the other side edge  32  and at the end edges  34 ,  36 , such as by heat sealing, to seal the interior space of the wrapper. It is understood, however, that the front panel  26  and back panel  28  of the wrapper  20  may be joined in other ways without departing from the scope of the present invention (e.g., adhesive). It is also understood that the wrapper could be formed from two separate panels that are sealed together along both side edges and the end edges such as is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . It is further understood that the fold line may be omitted, e.g., the wrapper may be bent but otherwise uncreased without departing from the scope of this invention. 
     In a sealed configuration of the wrapper  20 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the tampon and applicator assembly  23  is sealingly enclosed in the wrapper for maintaining the assembly in a hygienic condition. The wrapper  20  can be selectively configured from the sealed configuration to an opened configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 4  to permit removal of the tampon  22  and tampon applicator  24  from the wrapper. The tampon  22  and tampon applicator  24  may be arranged in the wrapper  20  so that inner tube  42  can be easily grasped by the user upon altering the wrapper to the opened configuration. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the wrapper  20  suitably has a first line of weakness  50  formed on the front panel  26  of the wrapper and a second line of weakness  51  formed on the back panel  28  of the wrapper. The lines of weakness  50 ,  51  provide a path along which the wrapper is more readily torn to open the wrapper (i.e., configure to the opened configuration). It is understood that the wrapper may have a line of weakness  50  or  51  disposed on only one of the front and back panels, with the other panel being free of a line of weakness and remain within the scope of this invention. 
     The lines of weakness  50 ,  51  suitably comprise a plurality of aligned perforations in the illustrated embodiment. These perforations may be in the form of holes, slits, apertures, voids, or the like, or combinations thereof. The term “line of weakness” is used herein to mean any defined (e.g., intended) structural feature which weakens the wrapper  20  along a predetermined path so that the wrapper  20  is more readily ruptured, or torn, upon application of a tearing force along the line of weakness  50 ,  51  and is not limited to perforations. For example, in other embodiments the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  may comprise a plurality of separation points, a score line, a breakaway line or areas, a chain stitch, a thinning of the wrapper material or other suitable line of weakness. The lines of weakness  50 ,  51  may be suitably formed by partial pressure cutting, partial ultrasonic cutting, partial thermal deformation, mechanical thinning, or other suitable techniques. 
     The lines of weakness  50 ,  51  in the illustrated configuration extend generally adjacent (e.g., along the edge margin of) one of the end edges  34  and generally adjacent one of the side edges  32 . Thus, the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  include transverse components  50 A,  51 A (i.e., the portions of the lines of weakness adjacent the end edge  34 ) and longitudinal components  50 B,  51 B (i.e., the portions of the lines of weakness adjacent the side edge  32 ). The longitudinal components  50 B,  51 B each have a length that is suitably less than the length of the wrapper  20 . For example, in one configuration the longitudinal components  50 B,  51 B of the lines of weakness  50  may have lengths that are between about 20 percent of the length of the wrapper and about 75 percent of the length of the wrapper. In another configuration the longitudinal components  50 B,  51 B of the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  may have lengths that are between about 30 percent of the length of the wrapper and about 60 percent of the length of the wrapper. For example, in the illustrated configuration, the lengths of the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  is about 50 percent the length of the wrapper  20 . While the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  in the illustrated embodiment are substantially equal in the length, the lengths of the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  can be different without departing from the scope of this invention. Thus, the line of weakness  50  on the front panel  26  of the wrapper  20  may be longer or shorter than the line of weakness  51  on the back panel  28  of the wrapper. 
     The lines of weakness  50 ,  51  provide a path of low resistance along which the wrapper  20  may be torn. However, the level of resistance to tearing provided by the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  can be altered. For example, increasing the size of the perforations, increasing the number of perforations, and/or decreasing the spacing between the perforations lowers the resistance to tearing along the lines of weakness. Lowering the tear resistance would make the wrapper  20  easier to open. As a result, less force is needed to tear the wrapper  20  along the lines of weakness  50 ,  51 . However, lowering the tear resistance may increase the risk that the wrapper  20  will unintentionally tear apart or tear more than desired. On the other hand, decreasing the size of the perforations, decreasing the number of perforations, and/or increasing the spacing between the perforations would increase the resistance of the lines of weakness  50 ,  51 , thereby requiring a greater force to tear the wrapper  20  along the lines of weakness. In addition, the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  can have varying tear resistance along their length or a portion of their length. For example, the perforations can be spaced close together along the transverse components  50 A,  51 A of the lines of weakness while the perforations can be spaced further apart along the longitudinal components  50 B,  51 B. In this arrangement, the transverse components  50 A,  51 B of the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  would be easier to tear than the longitudinal component  50 B,  51 B. The tear resistance of the line of weakness  50  in the front panel  26  of the wrapper  20  may be equal to or different than the tear resistance of the line of weakness  51  in the back panel  28  of the wrapper. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the tampon and applicator assembly  23  can be accessed by tearing the wrapper  20  along the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Since the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  define the opening  52 , the opening also has a transverse component  52 A and a longitudinal component  52 B. The longitudinal component  52 B of the opening  52  has a length that is suitably between about 20 percent of the length of the wrapper  20  and about 75 percent of the length of the wrapper. In another configuration, the longitudinal component  52 B of the opening  52  may have a length that is between about 30 percent of the length of the wrapper and about 60 percent of the length of the wrapper. As an example, in the illustrated configuration the length of the longitudinal component  52 B of the opening  52  is about  50  percent of the length of the wrapper  20 . As a result, the integrity of about one-half of the wrapper  20  has not been compromised by the opening  52 . That is to say that about half of the wrapper  20  remains intact to define an intact portion or pocket  54  after the wrapper has been opened ( FIG. 5 ). Since the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  do not extend the full length of the wrapper  20 , the torn portion of the wrapper remains attached to the pocket  54 . Thus, even after it is opened the wrapper  20  remains a single piece. Accordingly, there are no small or separate wrapper pieces that need to be handled and disposed of after the wrapper  20  has been opened. 
     The length and width of the wrapper  20  is sufficiently oversized relative to the tampon and applicator assembly  23  so that the assembly can be repositioned, either laterally, longitudinally or both, within the wrapper to a position in which the line of weakness  50  in the front panel  26  of the wrapper can be aligned in face-to-face relation with the line of weakness  51  in the back panel  28  of the wrapper free from interposition of the assembly  23  therebetween. In the illustrated configuration, the tampon and applicator assembly  23  can be moved downward and to the left as viewed in  FIG. 1 . Moving the tampon and applicator assembly  23  to this position allows the lines of weakness  50 ,  51  in the front panel  26  and back panel  28  of the wrapper  20  to be brought together (e.g., by pinching the wrapper together at the location of the lines of weakness) thereby making it easier to tear the wrapper along both lines of weakness simultaneously. 
     After having created the opening  52  in the wrapper  20 , the tampon and applicator assembly  23  can be removed from the wrapper through the opening. The tampon and applicator assembly  23  can be arranged in the wrapper  20  so that the inner tube  42  is disposed closer to the opened portion of the wrapper than is the outer tube  40 . After the tampon  22  has been inserted into the user and there is no longer a use for the tampon applicator  24 , the tampon applicator is suitably placed back into the pocket  54  formed by the untorn portion of the wrapper. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the torn portion of the wrapper  20  above the applicator  24  may be tucked into the pocket  54  to enclose the applicator within the pocket for hygienic handling and discarding of the used applicator. optionally, the portion of the wrapper  20  above the applicator  24  can be tied together, twisted, or otherwise secured to inhibit the used applicator against unintentionally falling out of the pocket  54 . Broadly, the wrapper  20  is thus configured in an applicator disposal configuration ( FIG. 5 ) in which the used applicator  24  is hygienically stored for placement into a waste receptacle or carried in a relatively sealed manner (i.e., the wrapper prevents the applicator from contacting other articles) by the user until a waste receptacle can be found. 
     In one configuration, the pocket  54  of the wrapper  20  may suitably have a length in the range of about 40 percent greater than a length of the applicator  24  in the used configuration of the applicator to about 20 percent less than the length of the applicator in the used configuration of the applicator. In another configuration, the pocket  54  of the wrapper  20  may have a length in the range of about 15 percent greater than the length of the applicator  24  in the used configuration of the applicator to about 10 percent less than the length of the applicator in the used configuration of the applicator. As an example, in the illustrated configuration the pocket  54  of the wrapper  20  has a length that is approximately equal to that of the applicator  24  in the used configuration of the applicator. 
     The wrapper  20  may suitably be formed from woven material, non-woven material, films, laminates, or a combination thereof. For example, in one suitable embodiment, the wrapper  20  may be made of paper, polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene materials, or the like. In one particularly suitable embodiment, the wrapper  20  is formed of a material that resists tearing beyond the terminal ends of the lines of weakness  50 ,  51 . Suitable examples include, without limitation, a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film; a LDPE/LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) film laminate; a LDPE/MDPE (medium density polyethylene) film laminate; and a LDPE/HDPE (high density polyethylene) film laminate or the like. One particular material suitable for making the wrapper  20  is available from Pliant Corporation under the tradename XP3-999-1459.0. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a second embodiment of a wrapper  120  substantially similar to the previous described wrapper  20  except that the lines of weakness (only one line of which is illustrated in  FIG. 6  and designated  150 , it being understood that a parallel line of weakness is formed in the opposite side of the wrapper) extend only along a side edge  132  of the wrapper. In this configuration, the lines of weakness  150  do not have a transverse component. Moreover, a stop member  160  is positioned adjacent the distal end of each line of weakness  150  to inhibit the wrapper against tearing beyond the ends of the lines of weakness  150 . The stop member  160  can be formed by affixing a tab to the wrapper, applying a spot of adhesive to the wrapper, or spot sealing or bonding (e.g., thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, pressure bonding) the wrapper. It is understood that other types of stop members could be used without departing from the scope of this invention. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a third embodiment in which a wrapper  220  has two parallel, spaced apart lines of weakness  250  in each of the front and back panels (only the lines of weakness  250  in the front panel being illustrated, it being understood that the lines of weakness in the back panel are parallel to those in the front panel). One line of weakness  250  extends generally adjacent one side edge  230  while the other line of weakness extends generally adjacent the other side edge  232 . 
     In a fourth embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a wrapper  320  has lines of weakness  350  (the line of weakness on the back panel not being illustrated, it being understood that the line of weakness on the back panel is parallel to the line of weakness on the front panel) that extends adjacent one of the side edges  332  in a generally crooked pattern, e.g., a non-straight pattern and more suitably a wave pattern.  FIG. 9  illustrates a fifth embodiment in which the wrapper  420  has straight lines of weakness  450  (only the line of weakness in the front panel being illustrated, it being understood that the line of weakness in the back panel is parallel to the line of weakness in the front panel) that extends in a direction skewed or oblique relative to the longitudinal side edge  432  of the wrapper. 
     In a seventh embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a wrapper  520  includes a front panel  526 , a back panel  528 , two side edges  530 ,  532  and two end edges  534 ,  536 . The front and back panels  526 ,  528  are joined along one of the side edges  532  and along the end edges  534 ,  536 , such as by heat sealing. A first line of weakness  550  is formed on the front panel  526  of the wrapper and a second line of weakness (not shown) is formed on the back panel  528  of the wrapper. The first and second lines of weakness are, in this embodiment, substantially the same. Accordingly, only the first line of weakness  550  is shown and described. The line of weakness  550  includes a transverse component  550 A (i.e., the portion of the line of weakness adjacent the end edge  534 ) and a longitudinal component  550 B (i.e., the portion of the line of weakness adjacent the side edge  532 ). The longitudinal component  550 B is disposed on the wrapper inward of the seal along side edge  532  and has a length that is suitably less than the length of the wrapper  520 . The transverse component  550 A, on the other hand, extends through the seal along the end edge  534 . As a result, the transverse component  550 A of the line of weakness  550  has greater rupture strength than the longitudinal component  550 B. In other words, a greater force is required to tear the transverse component  550 A than the longitudinal component  550 B. Thus, the wrapper  550  is inhibited against unintentional tearing along the transverse component. 
     Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. 
     When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     As various changes could be made in the above products without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.