Reservoir barrier wipes, pads and applicators

Abstract

A wipe package includes an impregnated wipe, a sealed package containing the impregnated wipe and having an exterior surface and internal formulary reservoir to provide additional formulary to the impregnated wipe and at least one region on the exterior surface to secure the package to a user's hand or finger when using the impregnated wipe. The sealed package includes a front sheet, a first rear sheet having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a second rear sheet. The impregnated wipe is secured to an interior surface of the first rear sheet, and at least the front sheet and the first rear sheet seal the impregnated wipe. The formulary reservoir is placed adjacent to the impregnated wipe to provide additional formulary. The package materials of the front and rear sheets protect the user's hand from contamination by the impregnated formulary during application.

Description

PRIORITY INFORMATION

This application relates to and claims priority from Provisional Application No. 60/582,707 filed Jun. 23, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to impregnated and non-impregnated wipes and pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to the inclusion of a formulary reservoir to provide additional formulary within the package structure incorporating the wipes and pads as well as to materials and packaging for wipes and pads providing for improved performance and user protection.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various types of wipes, pads and applicators are available in the marketplace. Such wipes, pads and applicators are used for the application of a variety of formularies, such as lotions, sunscreen, insect repellents, and cleaning fluids. These wipes, pads or applicators are typically marketed as an alternative means to distribute a formulary of the particular company marketing the formulary. For instance, an insect repellent company having a proprietary insect repellent may market an insect repellent wipe, a suntan lotion company may market a suntan lotion wipe, and a cleaning fluid company may market a cleaning fluid wipe. For the purposes of simplified description, the inventor will detail the invention around impregnated wipes assuming that impregnated pads and various applicators are one in the same for the application of formulary and that the absorption of liquids or compounds is understandable as a reverse process of application of an impregnated substance.

For the purpose of applying a selected formulary to a surface, a material is impregnated with the selected formulary. The material impregnated with the formulary constitutes the wipe, pad or applicator. A formulary reservoir is integrated into the package structure to dispense new or additional formulary to the wipe, pad or applicator material to provide additional coverage of said formulary to the prescribed surface. The wipe, pad or applicator is then packaged for user convenience and to protect the wipe, for example, from evaporation or contamination, or both.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the increasing popularity of the use of impregnated wipes, pads and applicators for the convenient application of formularies, numerous products developed by companies have not been marketed for use as impregnated wipes. One reason for this unavailability of formularies in impregnated wipes, pads and applicators appears to be the high probability of transdermal migration of the formulary contained in the impregnated wipe through the skin of the user's hand or body parts when in contact with the impregnated wipe. Certain formularies should not come in contact with the skin including products that are toxic, could discolor the skin, have undesirable odors or may leave the user's skin in a condition that the user may not like.

Additionally, numerous pharmaceutical products are intended to be applied only to the point of medical problem and transdermal migration through the user's skin might constitute an overdose of the medication. Further, users of impregnated wipes may not want to receive any formulary on their skin when applying formulary to surfaces other than their own body.

Another reason for the lack of certain formularies in impregnated wipes, pads and applicators is because the methods and processes for the packaging surrounding the impregnated wipe have not addressed the user's need for a secure way to grip or hold the impregnated wipe, pad or applicator and additionally prevent transdermal migration. Further, current systems and methods, anticipated through the prior art, do not provide the capability of a formulary reservoir to dispense additional liquid to the adhered wipe/pad substrate so that the “Barrier Package” will be able to apply the intended formulary to a greater surface area. The present invention solves these and other problems in a manner not revealed in the known prior art and represents a further improvement over this inventor's U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,531 and the related Pending application No. 20030106812.

There are many different impregnated wipes available. Typically, impregnated wipes are pulled out of a bulk container or removed from a single use package prior to usage. The user's skin (hand) will come in contact with the formulary impregnated into the wipe. Additionally, the way that impregnated wipes are delivered to consumers and businesses, in the marketplace, has limited their usage in conjunction with formularies that stain, have undesirable smell or texture, or might present toxic exposure. Examples of known formularies that user's may not want in contact with their skin include: shoe polish, stains, paints, solvents, lubricants, pharmaceuticals and any potential toxic substance.

Based on the foregoing, consumers and businesses are in need of a way to exploit the convenience and portability of impregnated wipes and pads in accordance with formularies that are undesirable when in contact with the user's skin. Accordingly, one aspect involves an innovative approach to improving methods, systems and processes in packaging and impregnated wipe materials to prevent the unwanted migration of formulary from the impregnated wipe to the user's skin.

One aspect involves a wipe package having an impregnated wipe, a sealed package containing the wipe, pad or applicator, and an adjacent formulary reservoir wherein the sealed package has an exterior surface. Further, the wipe package includes at least one receptacle on the exterior surface to secure the package to a user's hand or finger when using the impregnated wipe.

Another aspect involves a applicator package having an impregnated wipe and a non-permeable layer on a rear surface of the impregnated wipe and adjacent formulary reservoir wherein at least the non-permeable layer seals the impregnated wipe in a folded and closed condition.

A further aspect involves wipe package having an impregnated wipe, a sealed package containing the impregnated wipe and having an exterior surface, an adjacent formulary reservoir and at least one receptacle on the exterior surface to secure the package to a user's hand or finger when using the impregnated wipe. The sealed package includes a front sheet, a first rear sheet having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a second rear sheet. The impregnated wipe is secured to an interior surface of the first rear sheet, and at least the front sheet and the first rear sheet seal the impregnated wipe. The receptacle is formed between the exterior surface of the first rear sheet and the second rear sheet.

Another aspect involves a wipe package having an impregnated wipe and a sealed package containing the impregnated wipe, wherein the sealed package has an exterior surface. The wipe package contains at least one or more adjacent formulary reservoir/s to provide said formulary to the wipe or pad. Further, the wipe package has at least one receptacle on the exterior surface to secure the package to a user's hand or finger when using the impregnated wipe. The sealed package includes a front sheet, a rear sheet, and a non-permeable layer on a rear surface of the impregnated wipe. At least the front sheet and the non-permeable layer seal the impregnated wipe. The receptacle is formed between the rear sheet and the non-permeable layer of the impregnated wipe.

A still further aspect involves a wipe package having an impregnated wipe and a sealed package containing the impregnated wipe, wherein the sealed package has an exterior surface. The wipe package contains at least one or more adjacent formulary reservoir/s to provide said formulary to the wipe or pad. The wipe package has further at least one receptacle on the exterior surface to secure the package to a user's hand or finger when using the impregnated wipe. The sealed package includes a front sheet and a rear sheet, which seal the impregnated wipe, and wherein the rear sheet includes the receptacle.

Another aspect involves a wipe package having an impregnated wipe and a sealed package containing the impregnated wipe, wherein the sealed package has an exterior surface. The wipe package contains at least one or more adjacent formulary reservoir/s to provide said formulary to the wipe or pad. The wipe package includes at least one receptacle on the exterior surface to secure the package to a user's hand or finger when using the impregnated wipe, wherein the sealed package includes a front sheet and a rear sheet, which seal the impregnated wipe, and wherein the rear sheet includes the receptacle. An adhesive layer on an exterior surface of the rear sheet is configured to adhere to at least a part of the user's hand.

A further aspect involves a method of manufacturing a wipe package. A packaging material having an interior surface and an exterior surface is provided and a receptacle is formed on the exterior surface of the packaging material. An impregnated wipe is sealed with the packaging material so that the interior surface faces the impregnated wipe, wherein the receptacle is configured to secure the package to a user's hand or finger when using the impregnated wipe. The wipe package contains at least one or more adjacent formulary reservoir/s to provide said formulary to the wipe or pad.

Another aspect involves a wipe package having a rear sheet of packaging material and two impregnated wipes. A first impregnated wipe is attached to the rear sheet, and a second impregnated wipe is attached to the first impregnated wipes. The second impregnated wipe is removable from the first impregnated wipe to expose the first impregnated wipe for use. The wipe package contains at least one or more adjacent formulary reservoir/s to provide said formulary to the wipe or pad.

A wipe or pad in accordance with certain embodiments significantly reduces and or eliminates the transdermal migration of unwanted formulary from the impregnated wipe to the user's skin. A non-permeable barrier exists between the user's skin and the impregnated wipe providing a new improved way to exploit the convenience of impregnated wipes for a greater variety of formularies. For example, the non-permeable barrier is a part of the impregnated wipe packaging or included on one side of the impregnated wipe material. The formulary reservoir integrated into the wipe package provides a means to increase the amount of formulary available for application to the specified surface.

A wipe or pad in accordance with certain embodiments has the advantage of improving the ability of the packaging to stabilize the location or grip, in the user's hand, of the impregnated wipe while using it to apply the formulary. The one or more adjacent formulary reservoirs have the advantage of providing new or additional formulary to the wipe/applicator/pad and or providing the opportunity to mix ingredients (compound and solvent) prior to application.

Preferably, one layer of the packaging may be removed from a second layer to expose the impregnated wipe's surface for application of the formulary. The exposed impregnated wipe is attached to the second layer by a variety of techniques that are known in the art. The second layer acts as the intermediate layer wherein the formulary reservoir is integrated to provide the user the ability to deliver additional or new formulary to the wipe/pad material attached to the second layer. A third layer provides a non-permeable membrane between the impregnated wipe and the user's hand (skin). The fourth layer is attached to the third layer forming a pocket or strap for the insertion of the user's finger(s) or hand to provide additional package stabilization.

Using any of the herein described methods to secure the finger(s) or hand to the impregnated wipe, the active formulary surface may be exposed by separating the edges of the impregnated wipe, maintaining the hand or fingers to the non-permeable coating of the impregnated wipe by die-cut hole, strap or adhesive and effectively applying the wipe formulary without causing transdermal migration. The user may then press on the adjacent reservoir/s to deliver additional formulary to the wipe/applicator/pad.

For summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in more detail below in connection with the attached drawings, which are meant to illustrate and not limit the invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an impregnated wipe package;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the package of FIG. 1, taken along the line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the package of FIG. 1, illustrating the peeling off of the front side packaging sheet;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the package of FIG. 1 with the front side packaging sheet peeled off;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of an embodiment of an impregnated wipe;

FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred method of use of an impregnated wipe;

FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of an impregnated wipe sized and shaped for improved application of formulary to a person's skin.

FIG. 8A is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the impregnated wipe of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8B is a front view of another alternative embodiment of the impregnated wipe of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8C is a front view of yet another alternative embodiment of the impregnated wipe of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a further embodiment of an impregnated wipe illustrating the protective packaging sheet being peeled off,

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the package of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a further embodiment of a wipe/pad package;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the package of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the package of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a further embodiment of a wipe/pad package;

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the package of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the package of FIG. 14; further embodiment of FIG. 15 showing a plurality of perforations in the packaging layer to distribute formulary from the adjacent formulary reservoir;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the wipe/pad package illustrating the peeling off of the front side packaging layer and revealing the applicator pad and perforation/s in the packaging layer to distribute formulary from the adjacent formulary reservoir;

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of a further embodiment of FIG. 17 showing a plurality of perforations in the packaging layer to distribute formulary from the adjacent formulary reservoir;

FIG. 19 is an alternative embodiment of the wipe/package illustrating one or more perforations in the packaging layer to distribute formulary from the adjacent formulary reservoir positioned behind the applicator pad;

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the wipe/pad package illustrating a slit/rupture in the packaging layer to distribute formulary from the adjacent formulary reservoir positioned behind the applicator pad;

FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of the wipe/pad package illustrating an alternative embodiment of the formulary reservoir whereby more than one formulary reservoirs are available;

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the wipe/pad package illustrating the use of a defined channel or capillary to distribute formulary from the reservoir;

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the wipe/pad package illustrating the use of an adhesive strip to secure the location of the wipe/pad package to a specific surface;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the wipe/pad package whereby the wipe material acts as a controlled barrier to maintain the formulary reservoir;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In order to facilitate a complete understanding of various embodiments of the invention, the remainder of the detailed description describes exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein like elements are referenced with like numerals throughout.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a package 20 containing a wipe or pad 22 in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention. The package 20 is preferably formed from thin compliant material, such as sealed paper, plastic or foil, as is well known in the art. It is important that the packaging material is sufficiently non-porous, to minimize or prevent absorption of substance on the wipe 22. In the present embodiment, the package 20 includes a front sheet 26 and a rear sheet 28 and a formulary reservoir 40 formed by the joining of the rear sheet 28 and the intermediate sheet 24. The edges 38 of sheets 24, 26 and 28 are sealed together so that the front sheet 26 can be peeled off of the package 20 if desired. Those in the art will understand that any of several well known sealing methods can be employed to achieve the purposes of this invention.

FIG. 4 depicts an alternative embodiment of an advantageous package 20 for use with formularies which may be particularly bothersome when left on the hands. As depicted in FIG. 4, the package 20 is ready for use after the front packaging sheet 26 (FIG. 3) has been peeled off. Wipe 22 is preferably secured to the interior surface 31 of intermediate sheet 24 of the package 20. Preferably, wipe 22 is adhered, glued, heat sealed or affixed electronically onto surface 31. Also, wipe 22 can be formed from any well-known material, as will be apparent to those in the art. Preferably, such material is significantly porous to promote the absorption/distribution of lotion, fluids or chemicals. A user can apply the impregnated formulary to his or her skin simply by positioning the wipe 22 onto the skin and wiping with one hand placed on the dry exterior surface 30 (FIG. 2) of rear sheet 34 (FIG. 2). Those skilled in the art will recognize the same convenience for protective application of any formulary to any surface such as a table or the surface of a shoe. This embodiment is particularly useful for compounds which may be bothersome to absorb into the user's skin including such formularies as concentrated pharmaceuticals, paints, dyes and toxic chemicals.

Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 5. As explained above, the advantage of having a wipe attached to the package 20 is that it allows the user to avoid leaving residue on his or her fingers after use. Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 5, in order to allow for increased control during application, wipe 22 optionally includes a dry notch 48. This allows the user to place a finger on the interior surface 31 of front sheet 24, within the notch 48, without getting lotion or other fluids on the user's hand. Best results are achieved by placing one's thumb in the notch 48 and the other four fingers on the exterior surface 34 of sheet 24, as shown in FIG. 6. A plurality of notches 48 could also be provided. FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of FIG. 5 enabling those skilled in the art to understand that any geometrical configuration may be produced to achieve similar application performance as depicted in FIG. 6.

The notch 48 may be any of a wide range of shapes. For example, referring to FIG. 8A, the wipe 22 is secured to the interior surface 31 of intermediate sheet 24, as discussed above. However, the wipe 22 is smaller than the interior surface 31 of the intermediate sheet 24 so that a user may place a thumb or other digit on a periphery 80 of the front sheet 24 without contacting the formulary in the wipe 22. This may be advantageous in application of the formulary.

FIG. 8B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the wipe 22 secured to the inner surface 31 of the intermediate sheet 24. The wipe 22 in this embodiment is angled such that the notch 48 permits easy application of the formulary, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. As illustrated in FIG. 8C, the wipe 22 may be configured in any of a wide range of shapes to accommodate a notch 48 in the wipe 22 to permit application of the formulary in the wipe 22 without a user's thumb or other digit contacting the formulary in the wipe 22.

FIG. 9 illustrates the peeling away of the front sheet 26 from the interior surface 31 of the intermediate sheet 24 exposing the wipe/pad 22 ready for application.

FIG. 7 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the present invention. Conventional wipes are typically rectangular or square which can be awkward to use. Accordingly, FIG. 7 illustrates an improved shape for an impregnated wipe. A wipe 34 is shaped and configured for improved manageability and easier application of the impregnated formulary. In particular, wipe 34 is adapted to prevent excessive folding or rolling during use. Wipe 34 has a substantially curvilinear shape, without any sharp corners that would normally promote folding or rolling of the wipe 34. In an embodiment where the curved shape wipe is attached to one side of the package as in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the wipe could have an oval shape as in FIG. 7, which is approximately sized to fit within a person's hand. In this embodiment, the wipe 34, intermediate sheet 24, front sheet 26 and rear sheet 28 may have substantially the same shape. Although shown in an oval shape, wipe 34 could be configured to have any of a variety of suitable shapes (such as circular) and sizes, giving due consideration to the goals of improved manageability, ease of use, and substantial prevention of rolling or folding of the edges of the wipe. Also, wipe 34 might include a dry notch 48 as described above in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6.

Moreover, the periphery of a package 20 need not correspond with the outer dimension of a wipe 22. For example, the package 20 may be square or rectangular and the wipe 22 could be oval or round, as will be readily understood by those of skill in the art. For example, FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate a wipe 22 having an outer periphery which does not correspond with the outer periphery of the package 20.

FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view with respect to FIGS. 1-9 above. In FIG. 10, the formulary reservoir 40 is placed behind the intermediate sheet 24 and rear sheet 28. The majority of the user's hand is placed behind the rear sheet 28 during application and the act of pressing the hand against rear sheet 28 creates pressure inside the formulary reservoir 40 to force additional formulary into the wipe/applicator material 22.

FIGS. 11-16 show a variety of embodiments of wipes and wipe/applicator packages. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the inventive features of these embodiments may be implemented in or combined with the embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 1-10. For example, certain embodiments may include one or more notches 48 shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C. Further, those skilled in the art will recognize that pockets, straps or additional packaging materials may be configured in any angle relative to the package 20 geometry or in any multiples or combinations (Ex. One pocket with one strap attached to the rear sheet 28, two straps attached to the rear sheet 28, etc.) to achieve different functionality in gripping the package 20.

These embodiments significantly reduce the transdermal migration of unwanted formulary from the impregnated wipe to the user's skin. Further, these embodiments have the advantage of improving the ability of the packaging to stabilize the location or grip, in the user's hand, of the impregnated wipe while using it to apply the formulary.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that a variety of packaging materials exist that are suitable to encapsulate impregnated wipes. These packaging materials may be laminated materials or co-extruded materials. Depending on the intended use of the wipe, the packaging materials may be more or less flexible. Further, some materials may include a sealant at selected locations, or covering complete surfaces, so that heat or electronic welds create a seal between the materials at the locations where the heat is applied. Also, packaging materials may be coated with “cold seal” adhesives to achieve the desired results in sealing the package and eliminating the need to electronically weld or heat seal the packaging materials and wipe/applicator materials. Machines that produce the wipe packages can form, weld, seal, glue, shape and die-cut.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an impregnated wipe package 20 configured to allow the user to securely hold the wipe package 20. Similar to the previous embodiments, the package 20 includes a wipe 22 and packaging material including a intermediate sheet 24 and a front sheet 26, which have properties as described above, for example, with respect to FIGS. 1-3. The impregnated wipe 22 is sealed between the front and intermediate sheets 24, 26 to maintain the integrity of the impregnated wipe's formulary. The package 20 includes a formulary reservoir 40 formed by the sealing of the intermediate sheet 24 and the rear sheet 28. The package 20 includes further a second rear sheet 60 secured to the rear sheet 28. FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 11 indicating placement of one or more fingers of the user's hand into the formed pocket under sheet 60. FIG. 13, which is a sectional view of the package 20 shown in FIG. 11, illustrates the four layer packaging structure of the wipe in an open position with the users hand inserted under sheet 60 adjacent to the formulary reservoir 40. FIG. 11 illustrates further a pocket 58 between the rear sheets 28, 60. The pocket 58 allows the user to insert a hand or one or more finger to hold the packaging material containing the impregnated wipe 22. A variety of packaging materials and sealing techniques are well known by those skilled in the art. For example, circumferential boundaries of the second rear sheet 60 may be secured to the rear sheet 28 leaving an opening for the user's hand or fingers. The sheets 28, 60 may be joined by gluing, welding or any other technique used to join sheets of packaging material. Those skilled in the art will understand that the rear sheet 60 may be replaced by a strap 90 as depicted in FIG. 14 below and achieve similar results in securing the package 20 to the user's hand.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an impregnated wipe package 20 configured to allow the user to securely hold the wipe package 20. Similar to the previous embodiments, the package 20 includes a wipe 22 and packaging material including a intermediate sheet 24 and a front sheet 26, which have properties as described above, for example, with respect to FIGS. 1-3. The impregnated wipe 22 is sealed between the front and intermediate sheets 24, 26 to maintain the integrity of the impregnated wipe's formulary. The package 20 includes a formulary reservoir 40 formed by the sealing of the intermediate sheet 24 and the rear sheet 28. The package 20 includes further a second rear strap 90 secured to the rear sheet 28. FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 14 indicating placement of one or more fingers of the user's hand into the formed pocket under sheet 90. FIG. 16, which is a sectional view of the package 20 shown in FIG. 14, illustrates the four layer packaging structure of the wipe in an open position with the users hand inserted under the strap 90 adjacent to the formulary reservoir.

FIG. 17 is one embodiment front perspective view of package 20 depicting perforations to distribute formulary from the rear formulary reservoir. Front sheet 26 is peeled away from intermediate layer 24 revealing an open perforation 70 which allows transport of formulary from the formulary reservoir 40 as described previously above. Those skilled in the art will understand that the perforation 70 of the intermediate layer 24 may be a single perforation or a plurality of perforations to achieve the desired flow of formulary from the formulary reservoir. Further, perforations may be of any geometrical configuration and may be achieved by physical perforation of the intermediate layer 24 by electronic/mechanical means or by rupturing the intermediate layer 24 by the controlled peeling of the front sheet 26. Those skilled in the art will understand controlled adhesions and “weak seal” capabilities to tear or rupture packaging layers.

FIG. 18 is a further embodiment of package 20 showing a plurality of perforations 70 in the intermediate packaging layer 24 to distribute formulary from the adjacent formulary reservoir to the perimeter of wipe/applicator material 22.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of package 20 illustrating one or more perforations in the packaging layer to distribute formulary from the adjacent formulary reservoir positioned behind the applicator pad 22. Perforations 70 are placed in the field of wipe/applicator 22 and are not outside the area covered by wipe/applicator 22 as adhered to intermediate packaging sheet 24. Perforations 70 may only exist on the intermediate sheet 24 or may extend through the wipe material 22. Those skilled in the art will understand that formulary compounds of different chemical makeup and or viscosity may require perforations 70 to extend from the formulary reservoir 40 (described above) through both the intermediate sheet 24 and wipe 22 to achieve the desired application performance.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of package 20 illustrating a slit/rupture 95 in the intermediate sheet 24 to distribute formulary from the adjacent formulary reservoir 40 (described above) positioned behind the wipe/applicator 22. The slit/rupture 95 may be designed to open upon stretching or pulling the intermediate layer 24 in a specific fashion to allow formulary to flow from the formulary reservoir 40 (described above). Those skilled in the art will understand that controlled rupturing of packaging layers may be achieved through a variety of means including electro/mechanical weakening of the packaging material to allow rupturing the layer in a precise location and size. An alternative embodiment to rupture the intermediate layer 24 might be a mechanical device encapsulated within the formulary reservoir 40 similar to a tack or nail to physically rupture the intermediate sheet 24.

FIG. 21 is a rear sectional view of the package 20 illustrating a plurality of formulary reservoirs 40 formed in front of the rear sheet 28. The use of more than one formulary reservoir would provide the ability to reuse the applicator after the initial application by activating an alternative formulary reservoir 40. Another option would be the mixing of two different ingredients (solvent and compound) prior to distributing the final mixed ingredient to the wipe/pad material. It is well known in the prior art that many compounds and liquids have a limited shelf life to be used when they are mixed together. An example may be recognized in the use of epoxy glue. Those skilled in the art will understand that most epoxy glue generally exists in two parts: A and B when stored. To activate epoxy glue, the user mixes together equal parts of fluid A and fluid B. After mixing the epoxy glue starts to harden and within a prescribed period of time will harden. Those skilled in the art will understand that the formulary reservoir may be positioned in a variety of locations on the package 20 to enable additional formulary to the wipe 22 via perforations 70 in the intermediate packaging layer 24.

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of the package 20 showing an alternative embodiment of the formulary reservoir 40 whereby channels/capillaries 97 are formed on the intermediate sheet 24 by controlled sealing of the rear sheet 28 in conjunction with the formation of the formulary reservoir 40. Those skilled in the art will understand that the formation of one or more specific channels or capillaries will enable the flow of formulary from the formulary reservoir in a controlled fashion.

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the wipe/pad package illustrating the use of an adhesive layer 100 to secure the location of the wipe/pad package 20 to a specific surface. Those skilled in the art will understand that the package 20 may be used as an island dressing or bandage to take advantage of its formulary reservoir to provide additional prescribed ingredients to a specific location.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the wipe/pad package whereby the wipe material 22B acts as a controlled barrier to maintain the formulary reservoir. Those skilled in the art will understand that the wipe/pad material 22 may be treated in manufacturing to provide capabilities of sealing and porosity to control liquid movement from the formulary reservoir/s. Accordingly, this alternative embodiment would eliminate the need for the intermediate sheet 24 possibly lower the cost of manufacturing

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the wipe/pad package whereby there are a plurality of layers of wipe material 22 enabling removal of the top layer after initial application and providing a next layer for further application of formulary. 22 B represents the next layer available for application after removal of the top material layer 22. Those skilled in the art will understand that the wipe/pad material 22 may become contaminated after initial application and it would be preferable to continue application after removal of the first layer to reveal a new layer of wipe/pad material. Accordingly, this alternative embodiment would eliminate the need to always use a new package 20 after the first application and subsequent contamination of only the wipe/pad material with additional formulary still remaining in the reservoir 40.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many formularies perform superior at higher temperatures. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein may be configured for using heat to activate the impregnated wipe 22. The impregnated wipe package 20 may, therefore, be configured to withstand increased temperatures to activate the formulary. For example, an impregnated wipe package 20 may include a wipe 22 and packaging material configured for heating in a microwave oven. Further, the impregnated wipe package 20 may include packaging material that insulates a heated impregnated wipe 22 from the user's skin.

In another embodiment, the impregnated wipe packaging 20 may have more than one chamber available to provide formulary to impregnate the wipe at the time of application. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain formularies require mixing immediately prior to application.

In a further embodiment, the impregnated wipe 22 may be configured to be re-closable or re-sealable for multiple uses of the impregnated wipe. Techniques for re-closable packaging are known by those skilled in the art.

For summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A wipe package comprising:

an impregnated wipe;

a formulary reservoir to dispense additional formulary to the impregnated wipe;

a sealed package containing the impregnated wipe and formulary reservoir.

The sealed package having an exterior surface to protect the user's hand during application from contamination by the impregnated formulary of said package.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein at least one receptacle on said exterior surface to secure the package to a user's hand or finger when using the impregnated wipe.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein the receptacle includes a pocket configured to receive at least a part of the user's hand.

4. The package of claim 3, wherein the package includes two receptacles, each receptacle including a pocket configured to receive at least a part of the user's hand.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein the receptacles are positioned on a surface of the package that is opposite the wipe when in use, and wherein the receptacles are spaced apart on said surface so that each receptacle receives at least a part of the user's hand.

6. The package of claim 5, wherein the receptacles are positioned substantially parallel to each other of said surface when the package is in use.

7. The package of claim 5, wherein the receptacles are positioned in opposite corners of said surface when the package is in use.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a strap configured to receive at least a part of the user's hand.

9. The package of claim 8, wherein the strap includes a strip of material secured to said exterior surface.

10. The package of claim 1, wherein the package includes two receptacles, a first receptacle including a pocket configured to receive at least a part of the user's hand, and a second receptacle including a strap configured to receive at least a part of the user's hand.

11. The package of claim 10, wherein the receptacles are positioned substantially parallel to each other on said surface when the package is in use.

12. The package of claim 1, wherein the package includes two receptacles, each receptacle including a strap configured to receive at least a part of the user's hand.

13. The package of claim 12, wherein the receptacles are positioned substantially parallel to each other on said surface when the package is in use.

14. The package of claim 12, wherein the receptacles are positioned at an angle with respect to each other on said surface when the package is in use.

15. The package of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes an adhesive layer configured to adhere to at least a part of the package to a specific location.

16. The package of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes an opening configured to receive at least a part of the user's hand.

17. The package of claim 1, wherein the impregnated wipe, in use, has a substantially rectangular shape.

18. The package of claim 1, wherein the impregnated wipe has a substantially rectangular shaped part and a curvilinear shaped part.

19. The package of claim 18, wherein the package includes two receptacles, a first receptacle including a pocket configured to receive at least a part of the user's hand and positioned within the curvilinear shaped part, and a second receptacle including a strap configured to receive at least a part of the user's hand and positioned within the rectangular shaped part.

20. The package of claim 1, wherein the sealed package includes a front sheet, a first rear sheet having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an a second rear sheet, wherein the impregnated wipe is secured to an interior surface of said first rear sheet, wherein at least the front sheet and the first rear sheet seal the impregnated wipe and contain the formulary reservoir, and wherein the receptacle is formed between the exterior surface of the first rear sheet and the second rear sheet.

21. The package of claim 20, wherein the receptacle includes a pocket formed between the first and second rear sheets.

22. The package of claim 21, wherein the pocket is formed by separating at least the first and rear sheets.

23. The package of claim 20, wherein the first rear sheet forms a non-permeable membrane between the impregnated wipe and the user's hand.

24. The package of claim 20, further comprising a non-permeable layer between the impregnated wipe and the first rear sheet.

25. The package of claim 24, wherein the non-permeable layer is formed by treating a rear surface of the impregnated wipe with a compound so as to make the rear surface non-permeable to formulary used to impregnate the wipe.

26. The package of claim 1, wherein the sealed package includes a front sheet, a rear sheet, and a non-permeable layer on a rear surface of the impregnated wipe formulary reservoir, wherein at least the front sheet and the non-permeable layer seal the impregnated wipe, and wherein the receptacle is formed between the rear sheet and the non-permeable layer of the impregnated wipe.

27. The package of claim 26, wherein the receptacle includes a pocket.

28. The package of claim 1, wherein the sealed package includes a front sheet and a rear sheet, which seal the impregnated wipe, and wherein the rear sheet includes the receptacle.

29. The package of claim 28, wherein the receptacle is a strap.

30. The package of claim 29, wherein the strap is a strip of material secured to the rear sheet.

31. The package of claim 29, wherein the strap is formed by die cutting at least a part of the rear sheet.

32. The package of claim 28, wherein the rear sheet is non-permeable to formulary used to impregnate the wipe.

33. The package of claim 28, further comprising an adhesive layer on an exterior surface of the rear sheet, the adhesive layer configured to adhere to at least a part of a specific location.

34. The package of claim 33, wherein the rear sheet is non-permeable to formulary used to impregnate the wipe.

35. The package of claim 1, wherein the package includes a support sheet to which the impregnated wipe is secured, wherein the impregnated wipe is sealed by the support sheet in a folded condition, wherein the support sheet includes a strap as receptacle.

36. The package of claim 35, wherein the support sheet is non-permeable to formulary used to impregnate the wipe.

37. The package of claim 1, wherein the wipe is sized to substantially cover packaging material to avoid that the packaging material comes into contact with the user's skin.

38. The package of claim 1, wherein a plurality of formulary reservoirs are contained to mix ingredients prior to application.

39. The package of claim 1, wherein an adhesive material layer is attached to the package to adhere the package in a specific location.

40. The package of claim 1, wherein a plurality of layers of wipe/pad material are available for removal from the top material layer in order to provide multiple usages or applications.