Abstract: An agent dispenser of the fluid imbibing type having a flexible bag within a membrane and in which a wicking or wetting device is in contact with the outer surface of the membrane to keep such outer surface wet at all times for all attitudes of a containment vessel housing the bag and the membrane. The wicking device is in the form of a fabric tube, such as a stretch knit fabric, or a preformed hydrophilic polymeric sleeve, which can be mounted on the outer surface of the membrane and remain in contact with it so long as there is any liquid in the containment vessel. Since the amount of water drawn by the wicking device is controlled by the membrane porosity and the amount of a solute composition in an intermediate layer between the bag and the membrane, the wicking device provides for a continuous controlled delivery of agent from the inner bag of the dispenser.

Abstract: An improved imbibing agent dispenser having a snap-on closure which is highly reliable, is simple to assemble on one end of the agent dispenser, and can be made at minimum expense without requiring heat or an adhesive to bond the closure to the dispenser. The closure is held in place on the dispenser by a locking feature formed by a shoulder on the end of the dispenser and a ledge on an outer, annular wall of the closure, the ledge being removably hooked beneath and biased toward the shoulder to releasably lock the closure to the dispenser. An important aspect of this closure is that the design provides for the complete containment of a solute component within the dispenser.

Abstract: The package of the present invention comprises a sheath formed from a folded, relatively rigid strip having structure for receiving and releasably holding the ends of the fiber to be packaged. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber is between the two folded over parts of the strip with the ends of the fiber anchored in place in a pair of slits. The sheath is in a pouch formed by a pair of foil members on opposite sides of the sheath. When ready for use, the package is opened by peeling the foil members apart, thereby exposing the sheath and permitting access to the fiber carried by the sheath. An improved apparatus and method are provided to form the package. In the first instance, the sheath is prepared by first folding a strip of relatively rigid material, such as siliconized polyester, then moving the folded strip along a path of travel and feeding the fiber into the region between the parts of the strip as the strip moves.

Abstract: The package of the present invention comprises a sheath formed from a folded, relatively rigid strip having structure for receiving and releasably holding the ends of the fiber to be packaged. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber is between the two folded over parts of the strip with the ends of the fiber anchored in place in a pair of slits. The sheath is in a pouch formed by a pair of foil members on opposite sides of the sheath. When ready for use, the package is opened by peeling the foil members apart, thereby exposing the sheath and permitting access to the fiber carried by the sheath. An improved apparatus and method are provided to form the package. In the first instance, the sheath is prepared by first folding a strip of relatively rigid material, such as siliconized polyester, the moving the folded strip along a path of travel and feeding the fiber into the region between the parts of the strip as the strip moves.

Abstract: The package of the present invention comprises a sheath formed from a folded, relatively rigid strip having structure for receiving and releasably holding the ends of the fiber to be packaged. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber is between the two folded over parts of the strip with the ends of the fiber anchored in place in a pair of slits. The sheath is in a pouch formed by a pair of foil members on opposite sides of the sheath. When ready for use, the package is opened by peeling the foil members apart, thereby exposing the sheath and permitting access to the fiber carried by the sheath. An improved apparatus and method are provided to form the package. In the first instance, the sheath is prepared by first folding a strip of relatively rigid material, such as siliconized polyester, then moving the folded strip along a path of travel and feeding the fiber into the region between the parts of the strip as the strip moves.

Abstract: A package for an intrauterine device-intrauterine device inserter combination and a "pillow pack" carton for the package are disclosed. The package consists of three elements: (1) a thermoformed plastic tray having an elongated, relatively deep cavity for holding the combination, a convexly curved marginal ledge about the cavity, an end wall extending downwardly from each end of the ledge, and a flange extending outwardly from the bottom of each end wall; (2) a cover that fits over the cavity and has the same curvature as the marginal ledge; and (3) an adhesive coating on the inner side of the cover by which the cover is attached to the ledge over the cavity.

Abstract: A package for an intrauterine device-intrauterine device inserter combination and a "pillow pack" carton for the package are disclosed. The package consists of three elements: (1) a thermoformed plastic tray having an elongated, relatively deep cavity for holding the combination, a convexly curved marginal ledge about the cavity, an end wall extending downwardly from each end of the ledge, and a flange extending outwardly from the bottom of each end wall; (2) a cover that fits over the cavity and has the same curvature as the marginal ledge; and (3) an adhesive coating on the inner side of the cover by which the cover is attached to the ledge over the cavity.