Patent ID: 8357134

Claim:
A packaged tampon comprising a substantially cylindrical wrapper formed of a flexible, sheet-like material that contains the tampon, wherein: a. the substantially cylindrical wrapper is closed at both ends and has a longitudinal seam area in which overlapping portions of the flexible, sheet-like material are attached to each other to form a tubular structure; b. the longitudinal seam area comprises a first, substantially longitudinal attachment zone that defines a first side of the seam area and a second substantially longitudinal attachment zone, opposite the first substantially longitudinal attachment zone that defines a second side of the seam area; and wherein: c. a line of weakness: i. has a first end disposed within the seam area at a first distance from a first end of the tubular structure and adjacent the first substantially longitudinal attachment zone; ii. extends through a gap in the second substantially longitudinal attachment zone; iii. continues generally circumferentially about the wrapper; iv. extends through a gap in the first substantially longitudinal attachment zone at a second distance from the first end of the tubular structure; and v. terminates at a second end disposed within the seam area adjacent the second substantially longitudinal attachment zone.