Packaging system

Abstract

There is described a packaging system ( 11 ) which comprises a first chamber ( 12 ) adapted to house a first material ( 15 ) and a second chamber ( 13 ) adapted to house a second material ( 18 ), the first and second chambers being separated by a frangible member ( 14 ). There is also described a sanitary article packaging system which comprises such a system.

1 . A packaging system which comprises a first chamber adapted to house a first material and a second chamber adapted to house a second material, the first and second chambers being separated by a frangible member.  
     
     
         2 . A packaging system according to  claim 1  which comprises a first chamber for housing an article and a second chamber adapted to act as a substrate reservoir, the first and second chambers being separated by a frangible member.  
     
     
         3 . A packaging system according to  claim 2  characterised in that the article is an absorbent article.  
     
     
         4 . A packaging system according to  claim 3  characterised in that the absorbent article is a cotton bud.  
     
     
         5 . A packaging system according to  claim 3  characterised in that the absorbent article is a sanitary tampon.  
     
     
         6 . A packaging system according to  Claim 1  characterised in that the frangible membrane is adapted to allow the first and second materials to be brought into contact without opening the packaging system.  
     
     
         7 . A packaging system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the housing material comprises one or more of the following materials; a polyester, a polyamide, a polypropylene, a polyethylene, a polyurethane.  
     
     
         8 . A packaging system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the housing material comprises a polyethylene laminate.  
     
     
         9 . A packaging system according to  claim 8  characterised in that the polyethylene laminate is selected from polyester/polyethylene, polypropylene/polyethylene, nylon/polyethylene and polyethylene/poly (ethyleneterephthalate).  
     
     
         10 . A packaging system according to  claim 9  characterised in that the laminate is a polyethylene/poly(ethyleneterephthalate) laminate.  
     
     
         11 . A packaging system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the materials are selected from yoghurts and fruit sauces; polymerisable adhesive precursor and a polymer initiator; shampoos and colouring or conditioners, bread sticks and dip, sausages and dips, cake or biscuit bar and cream, chocolate or fudge sauce, e.g. ice-cream, desserts with fruit, chocolate or fudge sauce.  
     
     
         12 . A packaging system according to  claim 1  characterised in that at least one of the materials is a foodstuff.  
     
     
         13 . A packaging system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the materials are selected from yoghurt and fruit sauce; bread sticks and dip; sausages and dip; potato chip and dip; corn chips and dip; cake or biscuit bar and cream, chocolate or chocolate sauce or fudge sauce, frozen dessert, e.g. ice-cream, and fruit or fruit sauce, chocolate or chocolate sauce or fudge sauce.  
     
     
         14 . A packaging system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the materials comprise a shampoo and a colourant or conditioner.  
     
     
         15 . A packaging system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the substrates are adapted to form an adhesive.  
     
     
         16 . A packaging system according to  claim 10  characterised in that the adhesive comprises a monomeric polymer precursor and polymerisation initiator.  
     
     
         17 . A packaging system according to  claim 3  characterised in that the substrate is a lubricant.  
     
     
         18 . A packaging system according to  claim 17  characterised in that the lubricant is selected from one or more of; extracts of sea algae, alginates, agar, cararageen; exudates of plants, tragacanth, gum arabic; extracts of plants, pectins; starch fractions, dextrins, amylopectins, hydroxyethyl starch; derivatives of cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose; fatty substances, monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides of higher saturated fatty acids, polyalkylene glycols; ethoxylated products, polyethylene glycol 200-4000 (PEG), PEG-6-capryl/caprine glyceride; hydrocarbons, paraffin oils, Vaseline; polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, polyacrylates; ethylene glycol, glycerol; lecithin, cholesterin, sorbitan fatty acid esters; silicones; cellulosic polymers and mixtures of any of the aforesaid.  
     
     
         19 . A packaging system according to  claim 18  characterised in that the cellulosic polymer is KY-Jelly.  
     
     
         20 . A packaging system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the substrate is a medicament.  
     
     
         21 . A packaging system characterised in that the frangible member is created by bonding together the walls of the chambers.  
     
     
         22 . A packaging system according to  claim 19  characterised in that the bonding for the frangible member comprises heat and/or pressure crimping.  
     
     
         23 . A packaging system according to  claim 22  characterised in that the crimping for the frangible member is carried out at a temperature of from 125 to 160° C.  
     
     
         24 . A packaging system according to  claim 22  characterised in that the crimping for the frangible member is carried out by applying a pressure of from 10 to 20 psi.  
     
     
         25 . A packaging system according to  claim 22  characterised in that the crimping for the frangible member is carried out with a duration of 0.5 to 1.5 seconds.  
     
     
         26 . A packaging system according to  claim 21  characterised in that the walls for the frangible member are crimped to a depth of from 2 to 10 mm.  
     
     
         27 . A process for the manufacture of a packaging system according to  claim 1  which comprises heat and/or pressure crimping a portion of a strip material to create a first chamber for housing the sanitary article and a second chamber adapted to act as a substrate reservoir, the process of heat and/or pressure crimping crating a frangible member which separates the first and second chambers.  
     
     
         28 . A process according to  claim 27  characterised in that the crimping is carried out at a temperature of from 120 to 160° C.  
     
     
         29 . A process according to  claim 27  characterised in that the crimping is carried out by applying a pressure of from 10 to 20 psi.  
     
     
         30 . A process according to  claim 27  characterised in that the crimping is carried out with a duration of 0.5 to 1.5 seconds.  
     
     
         31 . A packaging system according to  claim 3  which comprises a first chamber for housing a sanitary article applicator and a second chamber, adapted to act as a substrate reservoir, the first and second chambers being separated by a frangible member.  
     
     
         32 . A packaging system according to  claim 31  characterised in that the system comprises a first chamber, adapted to house a tampon applicator and a second chamber, adapted to act as a substrate reservoir, the first and second chambers being separated by a frangible member, the second chamber having a radial end wall, distal to the membrane which is operable to allow transmission of the tampon.  
     
     
         33 . A packaging system according to  claim 31  characterised in that means is provided slidable within the first chamber to drive the tampon out of the applicator.  
     
     
         34 . A packaging system according to  claim 31  characterised in that the applicator material is selected from one or more of cardboard, plastics or plastics film.  
     
     
         35 . A packaging system according to  claim 31  characterised in that the tampon is a bullet-shaped catamenial tampon.  
     
     
         36 . A packaging system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the frangible member is provided with at least one line of tear or weakness to facilitate opening.  
     
     
         37 . A packaging system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the system is provided with means for releasably securing the packaging in a folding arrangement.  
     
     
         38 . A packaging system according to  claim 37  characterised in that the means for releasably securing the packaging in a folding arrangement is an adhesive coated tab.  
     
     
         39 . A packaging system according to  claim 37  characterised in that the adhesive coated tab is coated with a relatively strong adhesive at a first end and a relatively weak adhesive at a second end.  
     
     
         40 . A method of intravaginal delivery of a lubricant or medicament which comprises the use of a sanitary article in a packaging system according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         41 . A method of treating a vaginal disorder which comprises delivering a medicament using a sanitary article in a packaging system according to  claim 19 .  
     
     
         42 . The use of KY-Jelly in the manufacture of a sanitary article packaging system according to  claim 19 .  
     
     
         43 . A method of delivering two separate mixable components which comprises the use of a sachet system according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         44 . The use of a food material in the manufacture of a prefilled foodstuff sachet system according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         45 . The use of an adhesive monomer and/or a polymerisation initiator in the manufacture of a prefilled adhesive sachet system according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         46 . A process for the manufacture of a packaging system as hereinbefore described which comprises heat and/or pressure crimping a portion of a strip material to create a first chamber for housing a first material and a second chamber adapted to house a second material, the process of heat and/or pressure crimping creating a frangible member which separates the first and second chambers.  
     
     
         47 . A process for the manufacture of a sanitary article packaging system as hereinbefore described which comprises the steps of; 
 (i) heat and/or pressure crimping two strips of a laminate material along a first longitudinal edge;    (iii) placing a sanitary article and a material in their respective first and second chambers;    (iv) heat and/or pressure crimping along a second longitudinal edge; and    (v) cutting to produce a sanitary article.    
     
     
         48 . A sanitary article packaging system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.