PACKAGE OF A CONDOM HELD BY A HOLDER
The invention relates to a package of a condom held by a holder. A package for a condom held by a holder; the package comprising a condom holder with a condom flatly arranged and held therein, the holder being provided with means for holding said holder in one hand, a skin at least partially enclosing the holder with condom held therein, and a case covering the condom on both sides of the plane of condom; the case being displaceably arranged with respect to the holder. According to the invention, the skin is attached to the case or is at least partially constituted by the case. The device of the invention allows the user unpack and put on a condom in a quick and comfortable way, only slightly distracting the user from sexual intercourse.
This application claims the benefits from International Application PCT/RU2007/000453 filed on Aug. 22, 2007 and priority application RU 2006130828 filed on Aug. 22, 2006. The contents of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference and in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to barrier contraceptives, in particular to a device for unpacking a condom held by a holder.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA condom is a skin made of natural latex or another material, covering the penis entirely or partially. Condoms are used to protect from sexually transmitted diseases and/or undesirable pregnancy. A traditional condom is shown in
To make it compact and easy to use, a condom is usually rolled into ring. Actually, it can also be rolled in an opposite direction to that traditionally used for rolling a condom. A condom can also be bellowed or otherwise folded. When stored, a condom is usually sealingly packed into a skin generally formed as a package of a flexible sheet material which is usually strong enough to provide tightness and protect the condom during storage and transportation (see
It can be unnecessary to unroll down a micro-condom because it covers only the balanus. Therefore, a micro-condom only requires a minimal degree of unrolling, if any.
The main disadvantage of traditional condoms is that it takes a long time and much effort to unpack and put on a condom. As a result, the user's attention is distracted away from sexual intercourse.
It is necessary to tear the package to unpack a traditional condom. To do this, the user should examine the package to find means designed to facilitate unpacking, e.g. a notch, and then use both hands to grip the package on both sides of the notch and pull them in different directions. It is not possible to open the package without looking at it. Furthermore, in order to perform each of the mentioned operations, it is required to use both hands. It is also necessary to use both hands to put the condom on. However, typically, the user has only one free hand, and uses the other one to support himself or has it under woman's head (see
The movements of this hand are therefore restricted. Generally, this position is uncomfortable, and the user can release his second hand only for a short time.
Therefore, for unpacking and putting on the condom, the user can use freely only one of his hands, occasionally using his second hand.
When putting on a condom, every moment spent can be critical for the user. Requirements for swift, convenient and easy handling of condom package are much higher than those for any other packed product used in private life. It is known that some people do not use condoms even when necessary, and the main reason for this is that they have to spend a long time and much effort to put a condom on, resulting in distraction of their minds from the sexual intercourse. If this problem is solved,
a) the overall condom usage will increase; whereas
b) the number of people who either do not use condoms at all, or use them rarely while having high-risk sexual intercourses, will decrease.
This could help to solve the spreading HIV problem as well as decrease the uncontrolled birth rate growth (especially in overpopulated developing countries).
Devices known as condom holders hold a condom, in most cases hold the edge of a rolled condom, and therefore allow the user grasp a condom holder and put the condom on by applying the condom on top of and down the penis (see e.g.
A condom holder can be a hollow ring with a groove extending along its circumference and defining a recess for receiving a condom. The shape and location of the groove can vary (e.g., see U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,357, Martin et al, 1988).
When the inner diameter of the holder is greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the condom ring, the recess can open to the outside. In this case, forces arise directed to the center of the condom ring, which do not let this ring pop out of the groove.
This kind of holder is disclosed in the following patents: JP6154260 (Toshihiro, 1994), JP7308336, Tadashi, 1995), U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,784 (Harari, 1996), DE19641107 (Raabe, 1998), U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,286 (Stratton, 1995), FR2751869 (Loyer, 1998).
Also known are condom holders either embracing the whole condom ring (e.g. see U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,449, van der Valk 1992) or having one discontinuity, either C-shaped or U-shaped (e.g. see U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,491, Parrone, 1989). Holders can either hold the condom ring with spaced fasteners (e.g. see FR2727858, Vegega, 1996) or continuously along the whole circumference of the ring.
Other means of holding the edge of a rolled condom can be used, e.g. the condom ring can be held by a pair of rollers (e.g. see WO9801095, Liehs, 1999).
A condom held with a holder can be rolled up both in the direction traditionally used for rolling condoms and in opposite direction (e.g. see U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,120, Persson et al., 1996). On its circumference, a condom can also be bellowed or folded in any other manner (e.g. see WO9319704, Wheeler, 1993).
Further, ribbons (see
However, it is not easy to hold the condom with one hand using these ribbons, excluding the case when the ribbons are connected to a rigid base actually forming a holder. For example, WO9407444 (Van Kempen et al., 1994) comprises two ribbons connected to a U-shaped base (see
Holders help to put on a condom with comfort. Actually, some condom holders such as “rigid” holders consisting of a single piece and holders with ribbons connected to a rigid base allow the user to put a condom on using one hand, without changing his position and therefore reduce the distraction from the sexual intercourse.
However, the problems related to unpacking process remain unsolved even with these holders. In background art, the package is either not mentioned at all, or it is presumed that a condom with holder is packed traditionally: hermetically sealed in a soft plastic package, as shown in
WO9629262 (Kursner, 1996), WO9220595 (Forster et al., 1992), WO9502379 (Andrews, 1995) disclose opening a package by pressing it, whereas the package breaks due to notches therein. Apparently, after opening the package the condom should be taken out of it. In said patents, the pressing of the package has generally the same result as breaking of the package.
JP6179476 (Masamitsu, 1994), U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,661 (Abadi, 2000) comprise the package with one side covered by a light removable lid. This lid is removable to get access to the condom.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,358 (Lin, 2001), FR2706429 (Lajaz, 1994) describe a condom package opening in the same manner as a can of beer, using a metal pull-tab.
WO9608220 (Vilmorin, 1996), U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,908 (Arbin, 1999) disclose a cased condom, where the case consists of two pieces connected by a hinge like a powder case. After opening the package, the condom should be taken out of it.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,103 (Swisher, 1993) discloses a foiled condom received in a device having hinged lower and upper halves. Blades arranged inside the device cut the foil of condom when it is inserted into the device. Then, foil pieces covering the condom on top and bottom can either be pulled out by the user or fall out while opening the halves. Precise time-consuming manipulations are necessary for unpacking the condom using this device, and furthermore, the condom can be damaged by the blades.
Several additional outer packages, openable in different ways, are also known, e.g. see CA2130536 (McVicar et al., 1996) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,841 (McBeth, 1992). The inner package remains sealed when the outer package is opened.
GB2253352 (Jones, 1992), U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,019 (Jones, 1994) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,949 (Jones, 1997) describe a condom packed together with a holder in a package and received in a case, the case being provided with a hinged lid. In order to open the case, the lid must be opened (thus opening the package). However, after opening the package, said package must be spread and the holder with condom must be taken out. It is clear that these steps require concentration and time.
FR2751869 (Loyer, 1998), JP11004844 (Katayama, 1999), JP11019110 (Mitsuoka et al., 1999) describe a holder covered on its top and bottom by light lids provided with pull-tabs. A condom packed in this manner can be unpacked by removing the lids, pulling the pull-tabs in succession. In this case, it is necessary to find a pull-tab and pull it with one hand while holding the package with the other hand. Thus, several steps must be carried out using both hads each time.
A method for unpacking a condom with a holder by stretching the package is known (see
WO02069861 (Van Rensburg W. 2002) discloses a method for unpacking a condom by breaking the package along the weakened lines, whereupon the halves of the holder remain in the user's hands with the condom therebetween, ready for putting on. However, the process of putting on the condom requires using both hands.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,357 (Martin et al., 1988), U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,231 (Thompson, 2000) describe a device requiring the removal of a protective disc covering the condom held by a holder from one side. Another protective disc on the other side is removed by penis while putting the condom on.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,374 (Wester, 1997) discloses a device where a condom held by a holder is exposed by turning up two protective sheets covering the condom on both sides.
All methods described above also distract the user from sexual intercourse.
WO9801095 (Liehs, 1999) comprises a “gun” as an unpacking device, where the holder with condom is placed in the “barrel”.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,286 (Stratton, 1995) describes the invention where two surfaces (made of a thin film) are broken by the penis while putting the condom on. The user can unpack and put this condom on using only one hand, therefore the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,286 is referred to as “ready-to-use” type.
However, breaking the film by penis is uncomfortable for the user. Further, if the film is so thin that it can be pierced by penis, it means that the condom cannot be stored in real-life conditions, and can be easily damaged. Therefore, the condom is to be stored in some other package e.g. a paper envelope, thus, package problem still remains. Furthermore, the film should be lubricated from the bottom to make the user feel comfortable. Hence, the condom is to be kept in another package to protect the lubricant. At last, a film designed to be broken by penis should be covered in order to protect it from contamination.
In JP2000232988 (Tanabe et al., 2000), package parts covering a condom held by a holder also break under pressure exerted by penis. This package is to be held in a certain manner. The package has means into which the user's fingers shall be inserted to stretch the package.
WO9846495 (Flock, 1998) discloses a package containing a traditional condom, the package having a central weakened line terminating with notches on the edges of the package. Pouches are provided on the package sides parallel to the weakened line. To open this package, the user should hold the package in one hand and insert his bended thumb into one of the pouches. Then the user moves his thumb to straighten it. As a result, the package is stretched and torn along the weakened line. The upper part of the torn pack probably remains on user's thumb and can be flung off later, while its lower part with the condom remains in the user's hand. Thus, after the package is torn, the condom should be released from the lower part of the package and then held in a proper manner. The aforementioned procedure is not convenient for the user and requires some skill to perform it using one hand. Furthermore, holding a soft package and pressing it to the palm with the fingers while tearing the package by the thumb placed in the pouch also seems to be uncomfortable. It is necessary to hold the package tightly, otherwise it can slip out and remain unrent.
Further, the incorporation of a weakened line into a condom package does not contribute to safety: the package could be torn while stored in the pocket. Thus, such kind of package is generally stored in an additional rigid package, e.g. cardboard or plastic case. Extracting the package from the case makes the procedure of unpacking and putting on the condom more complicated and requires using the second hand.
It shall also be noted that a condom described in WO9846495 (Flock, 1998) is not provided with a holder that would allow the user to put the condom on using one hand, therefore Flock does not solve the problem of conveniently putting on a condom.
A device that seems to be the closest to the one claimed herein is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,397 (30.06.02, A61F6/00).
A package for a condom held by a holder disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,397 and represented in
Due to the fact that the holder is used, the device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,397 is convenient when putting on the condom. However, the unpacking process requires a series of consequent steps where both hands shall be used. In particular, to remove the cover, the user shall hold the cover in his hand and displace the cover with respect to the housing, while holding the frame with his other hand. Further, the user, still holding the frame in his hand, displaces the frame with respect to the housing held in his other hand. Therefore, both hands shall be used over the whole unpacking process which is too long under the circumstances. Further, the part of the frame to be held in hand small and difficult to grasp. Furthermore, the design of the housing does not allow quick removal of the housing in transverse direction after putting the condom on, and this is also uncomfortable for the user who has to take the housing off by shifting it backwards along the whole length of the penis.
The purpose of this invention is to provide a compact and durable device to ensure convenient, fast and reliable unpacking mainly with one hand, and also a convenient process of putting on the condom using a holder with one hand.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe problem is solved by providing a package for a condom retained by a holder; the package comprising a condom holder with a condom flatly arranged and held therein, the holder being provided with means for holding the holder in one hand, a skin at least partially enclosing the holder with the condom held therein, and a case covering the condom on both sides of the plane of condom; the case being displaceably arranged with respect to the holder; according to the invention, the skin is attached to the case or is at least partially constituted by the case.
Therefore, in order to unpack the condom, it is required to remove the case by displacing the case with respect to the holder in the plane of condom. To perform this, the user holds the holder in one hand, while grasping the case and removing it with the other hand in one action. As a result, the condom surfaces are fully exposed. Only the operation of removing the case requires using the second hand, and the condom with holder is in one hand and ready to be put on. As a result, the distraction of the user from sexual intercourse during condom unpacking procedure is minimal, and the process is convenient for the user.
By the convenience of the unpacking process it is understood that the procedure is performed using only one hand, while the other hand is used only for a short time, e.g. in situation represented in
The skin can be provided with means for breaking the continuity of the skin.
The skin can comprise a sheet having its edges connected to each other; wherein the strength of the connection between these edges is lower than the strength of the sheet, so that the connection between these edges constitutes said means for breaking the continuity of the skin.
The edges of the sheet can be overlapping or turned up and connected to each other. If said edges are overlapping, one of the edges of the sheet can be provided with at least one pull-tab attached to the case.
The means for holding the holder in one hand can be located on one end of the skin, while the means for breaking the continuity of the skin can be located in such manner that the distance between the means for breaking the continuity of the skin and said end of the skin is shorter than the distance between the means for breaking the continuity of the skin and the opposite end of the skin. This arrangement of the means for holding the holder in one hand and the means for breaking the continuity of the skin provides the full exposure of condom surfaces and excludes the necessity of additional skin removal actions when unpacking the condom.
The means for breaking the continuity of the skin can include at least one weakened line.
The holder can include a hollow open ring with a shaped groove extending along its inner circumference, wherein the condom is received in this groove The holder can be provided with two stretching members defining a space in which the condom can be placed; the members being provided with fasteners for holding the condom, the fasteners extending into this space. The holder can be adapted to displace the stretching members away from each other.
This leads to the lowering of friction between the holder and the sensitive skin during the process of putting on the condom, which provides more comfortable process of putting on the condom. Furthermore, the increase of the ring area provides much easier process of putting on the condom in a situation when the process is performed by the feel and with unsufficient illumination.
The holder can include a bar with the stretching members attached to the ends thereof; wherein the holder is provided with levers having their larger arm formed by said stretching members, and a pivot located on the ends of said bar; said displacement of the stretching members away from each other being effected by displacing said levers.
Said stretching elements can be connected to each other by a flexible web.
Furthermore, each of said stretching members can be adapted to be bent into the area defined by said members.
The stretching member can consist at least of two parts connected with a flexible web by means of which this stretching member is adapted to be bent.
Said stretching members can be angular and are movably connected to each other and arranged in such a manner that their first sections, each including at least one fastener for holding the edge of the condom are opposite to each other, and their second sections, angled with respect to the first sections, extend along each other, said connection of the angular stretching members being arranged at their second sections in such a way, said displacement of the angular stretching members is provided by displacing their second sections along each other with corresponding displacement of their first sections at least away from each other.
The holder can include a guideway with an opening embracing the second sections.
The holder can be U-shaped, with its inner part facing the condom and embracing it. In this case, the holder can include at least two ribbons, one end of said ribbons being attached to the holder, while the other end is extended along the outer surface of the condom and rolled into ring together with the condom.
The holder can include a part protruding through the skin.
Means for holding the holder in one hand are usually connected to the holder by means of at least one part protruding through the skin. Said part connecting the means for holding the holder in one hand and the holder, can sandwiched between two layers of sheet material, while a segment of the skin adjacent to said part protruding through the skin is attached thereto and separated from the rest of the skin with weakened lines.
The skin can be a package made of two sheets connected at the edges.
The skin can be hermetically sealed.
The case can comprise a box having one open end, and the skin is received inside this box and attached thereto.
The means for holding the holder in one hand can be located on the open end of the box.
The box can be provided with at least one cutout adjacent to the open end of the box.
One end of the box can be covered with a flap cover attached to the box.
The box can be formed of two parts connected to each other like pieces of a soapbox.
The means for holding the holder in one hand can include a removable lid covering the box.
The means for holding the holder in one hand can include a U-shaped frame having it sends connected to the box by means of mechanical interaction.
The opposite sides of the U-shaped frame can extend on both sides of the first sections of the angular stretching members; and the crosspiece bridging the opposite sides of the U-shaped frame is flexible, so that the ends of the opposite sides of the U-shaped frame adjacent to said crosspiece can be displaced towards each other for pressing the holder out of the U-shaped frame and also for displacing the free ends of the U-shaped frame towards each other in order to displace the first sections of the angular stretching members away from each other.
The device can include a rest attached to the skin, and the box is provided with a cutout for accommodating the rest.
The box can have semicircular lugs on two opposite surfaces of its open end; and the removable lid has on its boxfacing end semicircular cutouts matching the lugs.
A rest section can be provided on the upper surface of the box.
The package can comprise two flexible plates, the edges of these plates being connected to each other thus forming an outer container; the skin can be placed in this container and attached thereto; and the means for holding the holder in one hand are located on one end of the container, and the same end of the container is open.
The outer container can be provided by at least one cutout adjacent to the open end of the outer container.
The package can be provided with at least one stopper preventing or hindering accidental unpacking.
The package can have a ribbon attached both to the box and the lid, the ribbon running along the connection line of the box and the lid.
A ribbon attached to the box and the lid can be placed transversely to the connection line of said box and said lid.
The stopper can comprise two elements coming into a mechanical engagement when connected; one of said elements being located at the open end of the box in the middle part of one of its sides, the other element being located on the end of the lid where it is connected to the box.
The open end of the outer package can be stuck by a protective film; the film having a cutout in the area where the means for holding the holder in one hand project from the package.
Further follows the detailed description of the invention with references to enclosed figures, which represent:
In
A condom holder 7 with a condom 8 is placed in the box 1, as shown in
On the outer edge, an extension 13 is attached to the ring 10 of holder 7; at the end of said extension, a plank 14 is formed passing transversely to the plane of condom and adjacent to the extension 13 at its central part, as shown in
In this embodiment, the ring 10 of the holder 7 is open due to the fact that said ring includes a gap 15 located opposite to the extension 13 and used to remove the holder in lateral direction after putting on the condom.
The ring 10 of the holder 7, the extension 13 and the plank 14 can be implemented as a solid or as several parts rigidly connected to each other.
The package also comprises a removable lid 16 covering the box 1 and attached to the holder 7. The removable lid 16 has one open end consisting of two plates 17 and 18; each of said plates has a flange 19 and 20 respectively on three sides. The plank 14 is secured inside the lid 16 or is implemented as a solid with said lid. In this embodiment, the plank 14 and the plate 18 are implemented as a whole, as shown in
The ring 10 of the holder 7 with the condom 8 are received in a skin formed by a pack 9, similar to the pack of traditional condom; said pack is made of one folded sheet 21 connected on its edges as shown in
Pack 9 can be provided with weakened lines, along which it can be easily torn.
Said weakened lines can be provided by forming the package of two-layered film. One layer of the film (thin and solid) is impenetrable, and the other (more rigid) is provided, in desired areas, with weakened lines (e.g. perforated lines); along which the package can be torn.
A preferable arrangement of the weakened lines is shown in
The pack 9 with holder 7 and condom held therein is received in the box 1. The pack 9 surfaces which are in the plane of condom are adjacent to the inner surface of box parts 5 and 6. The pack 9 is bonded, e.g. glued to parts 5 and 6. Preferred arrangement of the glueing spots 65, 66, 67 and 68 is shown in
The package assemblage process is shown in
In order to unpack the condom, the user holds the lid 16 in his hand and displaces the box 1 with respect to the lid 16 in the plane of condom. To separate the box from the lid, the user briefly takes the lid with his other hand. The holder is attached to the lid 16, and the pack 9 is attached to the box 1, therefore the separation of box and lid results in tearing the pack 9. Thus, the holder 7 with its condom is released from the pack 9, as shown in
Thus, fast and easy unpacking is achieved. As a result of the unpacking procedure, the user holds the lid 16 (with the condom holder) in his hand, and the condom is fully exposed, i.e. ready to be put on. The use of the second hand while unpacking takes a short time and resolves into a simple action of separating the lid and the box. Furthermore, the shape and size of the lid 16 allow the user to hold it in one hand comfortably. As a result, the distraction of the user from sexual intercourse during condom unpacking procedure is minimal. Further, the condom can be put on using the same hand after unpacking. This feature provides additional convenience.
In another embodiment shown in
The connection between the holder 7 and the lid 16 can be detachable, as shown in
The package assemblage process is shown in
The condom unpacking process is shown in
The unpacking process can also be performed using one hand. In order to perform this, the lid 16 is held in one hand and the box 1 is displaced by the thumb of the same hand, thus tearing the pack 9. The box 1 can be simply shrugged off thereafter. Therefore, in this embodiment the unpacking and putting on procedures can be performed using only one hand. This makes the process more comfortable for the user.
The box made of two parts can be additionally provided with various stoppers which prevent accidental displacement of the box 1 with respect to the lid 16, and therefore prevent accidental unpacking. In order to unpack the condom, the stopper must be removed.
As shown in
In this embodiment, the unpacking process is similar to that in the embodiment described above with reference to
As shown in
The stopper can also be formed by a ribbon 36 passing transversely to the connection line 35 between the box 1 and the lid 16, and attached to the box 1 and the lid 16, as shown in
In
The holder 7 is provided with a handle 38; two opposite surfaces 39 and 40 of said handle are ribbed. The surfaces 39 and 40 are placed in the cutouts 36 and 37 respectively, matching the parts 3 and 4, as shown in
The assemblage process is shown in
In order to unpack the condom, the handle 38 is held in one hand, while displacing the box 1 with respect to the handle 38 in the plane of condom. In this case, due to the fact that pack 9 being attached to the box 1, the pack 9 is torn; the holder 7 with condom is released from the package.
Due to fact that the handle of the holder is recessed in the box 1, this design provides the secure protection of the condom with the holder when worn in a pocket, without any additional stoppers. Also, due to the fact that the surfaces 39 and 40 of the handle are located on the surface of the box, the condom package is always ready for the unpacking and does not require any additional stoppage removal actions from the user, providing the additional convenience.
In another embodiment represented in
When unpacking, the user holds the box 1 in one hand, while pulling the ribbon 42 with the other hand. The pack 9 attached to the box 1 is torn and the holder 7 with the condom leaves the box.
A variation (not shown in figures) is possible, where the open end of the box 1 is provided only with the cutout 36, and the cutout 37 is not used.
In the embodiment represented in
In another embodiment, the holder 7 with the condom retained is placed in the pack 9, received in the outer pack 47 and is attached to said outer pack, as shown in
In order to prevent the handle from displacement and to keep the continuity of the pack 9, the pack can be provided with a protective ribbon 51 covering the open edges of the outer pack 47 and glued to the pack 47 on two sides, as shown in
As it is clear from “background art” section, there are a lot of variations of condom holders currently known. Any of said holders can be used in the condom unpacking device of the invention, as the condom holder itself is not the subject of this invention. In the embodiments described above, the condom holder formed as a hollow open ring with shaped groove passing along its inner circumference was observed. Furthermore, the condom holders represented e.g. in
In another embodiment, as represented in
In this embodiment, the holder with the condom retained is placed in the pack 9 in such manner that the handles 61 and 62 are located outside the pack 9, as shown in
The pack 9 is provided with a weakened line 63, as shown in
As shown in
In order to unpack the condom, the box 1 is held in one hand, and the holder is displaced with respect to the box 1 in the plane of condom, while holding said holder by the handles 61 and 62. The pack 9 is therefore torn and the holder with the condom retained comes out, as shown in
In another embodiment, as represented in
Further, the condoms rolled up both in the opposite direction to the one traditionally used for rolling condoms or folded in some other manner, shortened condoms (microcondoms), and holders thereof.
As shown in
The package can be made of multilayered sheet material, including a layer of polypropylene (this material is used for chips and peanuts packages); such arrangement makes the package durable and, on the other hand, provides easy tearing of the package after the small initial rent.
The pack can also be provided with notches facilitating the tearing thereof, as shown in
An embodiment is also possible, as shown in
As shown in
Lid 69 is a box with one open end. A cutout 73 is formed on the end of the lid 69 opposite to the open end; said cutout is used to place the rest 74.
The frame 70 is faced towards the package 75 by the inner side thereof, embracing a part of said package; the condom holder 76 is received in the package. The other part of the package 75 is covered by the lid 69, as shown in
The holder 76 includes two stripe-like stretching members 77 and 78 arranged crosswise and provided with lug 79 and groove 80 respectively, as shown in
Strips 77 and 78 are mostly Z-shaped. Fasteners 79 are formed on one end 82 of each stripe, while pins 84 are formed on the other end 83 of each stripe. The holder 76 is placed in the U-shaped frame 85, shown in
The holder 76 placed in the frame 85 is received in the package 75, consisting of two parts 91 and 92 connected to each other, as described with reference to
Part 91 of the package is provided with lugs 94 formed on the end thereof and placed on two sides of the plane of condom (
The rest 74 is U-shaped and faced towards the package 75, embracing it. The rest 74 is attached to lugs 94 of part 91 of the package 75; said lugs are deflected towards the rest, as shown in
The device is operated as shown in
Then, the user presses the ribbed sections 72 of the frame 70, as shown with arrows in
Then the user presses the ends 97 of the frame 70 using the fingers of the same hand holding the device; said ends are displaced towards each other, as shown with arrows in
The lid 69 of the case can be designed differently. As shown in
When unpacking, the user holds the frame 70 with one hand, while pulling the lid 69 with the other hand. The part 91 of the package is attached to the lid 69, and the part 92 is attached to the frame 70, therefore the package is torn. Further procedure is similar to the one described with the reference to
The invention can be implemented in many embodiments other than those described herein, within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A package for a condom retained by a holder; the package comprising a condom holder with a condom flatly arranged and held therein, the holder being provided with means for holding the holder in one hand, a skin at least partially enclosing the holder with the condom held therein, and a case covering the condom on both sides of the plane of condom; the case being displaceably arranged with respect to the holder, characterized in that the skin is attached to the case or is at least partially constituted by the case.
2. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the skin is provided with means for breaking the continuity of the skin.
3. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the skin comprises a sheet having its edges connected to each other; wherein the strength of the connection between these edges is lower than the strength of the sheet, so that the connection between these edges constitutes said means for breaking the continuity of the skin.
4. The package according to claim 3, characterized in that the edges of the sheet are overlapping.
5. The package according to claim 4, characterized in that one of the edges of the sheet is provided with at least one pull-tab attached to the case.
6. The package according to claim 3, characterized in that the edges of the sheet are turned up and connected to each other.
7. The package according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for holding the holder in one hand are located on one end of the skin, while the means for breaking the continuity of the skin are located in such manner that the distance between the means for breaking the continuity of the skin and said end of the skin is shorter than the distance between the means for breaking the continuity of the skin and the opposite end of the skin.
8. The package according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for breaking the continuity of the skin include at least one weakened line.
9. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder includes a hollow open ring with a shaped groove extending along its inner circumference, wherein the condom is received in this groove.
10. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder is provided with two stretching members defining a space in which the condom can be placed; the members being provided with fasteners for holding the condom, the fasteners extending into this space.
11. The package according to claim 10, characterized in that the holder is adapted to displace the stretching members away from each other.
12. The package according to claim 11, characterized in that the holder includes a bar with the stretching members attached to the ends thereof; wherein the holder is provided with levers having their larger arm formed by said stretching members, and a pivot located on the ends of said bar; said displacement of the stretching members away from each other being effected by displacing said levers.
13. The package according to claim 11, characterized in that said stretching members are connected to each other by a flexible web.
14. The package according to claim 11, characterized in that each of said stretching members is adapted to be bent into the area defined by said members.
15. The package according to claim 14, characterized in that the stretching member consists at least of two parts connected with a flexible web by means of which this stretching member is adapted to be bent.
16. The package according to claim 10, characterized in that said stretching members are angular and are movably connected to each other and arranged in such a manner that their first sections, each including at least one fastener for holding the edge of the condom are opposite to each other, and their second sections, angled with respect to the first sections, extend along each other, said connection of the angular stretching members being arranged at their second sections in such a way that said displacement of the angular stretching members is provided by displacing their second sections along each other with corresponding displacement of their first sections at least away from each other.
17. The package according to claim 16, characterized in that the holder includes a guideway with an opening embracing the second sections.
18. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder is U-shaped, with its inner part facing the condom and embracing it.
19. The package according to claim 18, characterized in that the holder includes at least two ribbons, one end of said ribbons being attached to the holder, while the other end is extended along the outer surface of the condom and rolled into ring together with the condom.
20. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder includes a part protruding through the skin.
21. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that means for holding the holder in one hand are connected to the holder by means of at least one part protruding through the skin.
22. The package according to claim 21, characterized in that said part connecting the means for holding the holder in one hand and the holder, is sandwiched between two layers of sheet material.
23. The package according to claim 22, characterized in that a segment of the skin adjacent to said part protruding through the skin is attached thereto and separated from the rest of the skin with weakened lines.
24. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the skin is a pack made of two sheets connected at their edges.
25. The package according to claim 24, characterized in that the skin is hermetically sealed.
26. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the case comprises a box having one open end, and the skin is received inside this box and attached thereto.
27. The package according to claim 26, characterized in that the means for holding the holder in one hand are located on the open end of the box.
28. The package according to claim 26, characterized in that the box is provided with at least one cutout adjacent to the open end of the box.
29. The package according to claim 26, characterized in that one end of the box is covered with a flap cover attached to the box.
30. The package according to claim 26, characterized in that the box is formed of two parts connected to each other like pieces of a soapbox.
31. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for holding the holder in one hand include a removable lid covering the box.
32. The package according to claim 16, characterized in that the means for holding the holder in one hand include a U-shaped frame having its ends connected to the box by means of mechanical interaction.
33. The package according to claim 32, characterized in that the opposite sides of the U-shaped frame extend on both sides of the first sections of the angular stretching members; and the crosspiece bridging the opposite sides of the U-shaped frame is flexible, so that the ends of the opposite sides of the U-shaped frame adjacent to said crosspiece can be displaced towards each other for pressing the holder out of the U-shaped frame and also for displacing the free ends of the U-shaped frame towards each other in order to displace the first sections of the angular stretching members away from each other.
34. The package according to claim 32, characterized in that the device includes a rest attached to the skin, and the box is provided with a cutout for accommodating the rest.
35. The package according to claim 26, characterized in that the box has semicircular lugs on two opposite surfaces of its open end; and the removable lid has on its box-facing end semicircular cutouts matching the lugs.
36. The package according to claim 26, characterized in that a rest section is provided on the upper surface of the box.
37. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the package comprises two flexible plates, the edges of these plates being connected to each other thus forming an outer container; the skin is placed in this container and attached thereto; and the means for holding the holder in one hand are located on one end of the container, and the same end of the container is open.
38. The package according to claim 36, characterized in that the outer container is provided with at least one cutout adjacent to the open end of the outer container.
39. The package according to claim 1, characterized in that the package is provided with at least one stopper preventing or hindering accidental unpacking.
40. The package according to claim 39, characterized in that it has a ribbon attached both to the box and the lid, the ribbon running along the connection line of the box and the lid.
41. The package according to claim 39, characterized in that a ribbon attached to the box and the lid is placed transversely to the connection line of said box and said lid.
42. The package according to claim 39, characterized in that the stopper comprises two elements coming into a mechanical engagement when connected; one of said elements being located at the open end of the box in the middle part of one of its sides, the other element being located on the end of the lid where it is connected to the box.
43. The package according to claim 37, characterized in that the open end of the outer package is stuck by a protective film; the film having a cutout in the area where the means for holding the holder in one hand project from the package.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 20, 2009
Publication Date: Jun 18, 2009
Applicant: ZAO "EASYTAIL" (Saint Petersburg)
Inventor: Alexander Leonidovich Felitsyn (Saint Petersburg)
Application Number: 12/389,403
International Classification: B65D 85/08 (20060101);