Package with contaminate-reducing access element

Abstract

A package to protect a plurality of dry articles during use in a wet environment comprises: a) a contaminate reducing access element; and b) a water repellant chassis. The package is designed such that contamination of the dry articles remaining in the package is reduced during removal of articles for use in the wet environment.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A package to protect a plurality of dry articles during use in a wet environment comprising: 
 a) a contaminate reducing access element;    b) a water repellant chassis;    wherein said contamination of said dry articles in said package is reduced during removal of articles in said wet environment.    
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein said contaminate-reducing access element is aligned relative to said package to enhance the resistance of contamination of the dry articles in said package.  
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1  wherein said contaminate-reducing access element provides access to the leading edge of at least one of said dry articles  
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 3  wherein placement of said contaminate reducing access element is located on the base surface of said package.  
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 4  wherein placement of said base surface comprises a skirt about its perimeter, said skirt being of a height sufficient to raise the base surface of said package to a desired height above a resting surface.  
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5  wherein said skirt is continuous about the perimeter of said base.  
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6  wherein said skirt is made of a water repellant material.  
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 5  wherein said skirt is integrally formed with said water repellant chassis.  
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1  wherein said contaminate-reducing access element comprises a water-resistant, resealable closure covering said access element.  
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 8  wherein said resealable closure is selected from the group consisting of hinged closures, mini-zip-lock closures, adhesive tape closures, and hook and loop closures.  
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10  wherein the closure is a mini-zip-lock closure and wherein the closure is on a face of the package, wherein the length of the ziplock is less than 0.85% the length of the package.  
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 10  wherein placement of said resealable closure is located on the side of said package 90 degrees from the base of said package.  
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 10  wherein the resealable closure is a hinged closure and placement of said hinge is perpendicular to the base of said package.  
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 12  wherein placement of said hinge of said resealable closure is parallel to said base of the package wherein said closure is hinged furtherest from said base.  
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 1  further comprising a environmental moisture removal element selected from the group consisting of a) one or more vents and b) one or more drains.  
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 1  wherein said chassis is constructed wholly or in part of breathable material.  
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is flexible.  
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 1 , comprising a means for attaching said package to a surface.  
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 18  wherein said attachment means is a hanger.  
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 19  wherein said hanger comprises a continuous length of a material, said material having at least one end terminating at and integral with or attached to said chassis.  
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 20  wherein attachment of said hanger to said package is accomplished using glue, heat sealing, ultrasonic bonding, hooks and loops, a hook and lock assembly, a snap, pressure sensitive adhesives and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         22 . A method for protecting a plurality of dry articles during use in a wet environment comprising the steps of: 
 a) placing the package according to  claim 1  in a wet environment;    b) removing from said package at least one dry article;wetting said dry article with moisture until developing a foam;    c) wiping said foaming article over the surface of a user's body; and    d) rinsing said surface with moisture.    
     
     
         23 . A kit to dispense dry articles in a wet environment said kit comprising: 
 (a) a package to protect a plurality of dry articles during use in a wet environment comprising: 
 (i )a contaminate reducing access element; and  
 (ii) a water repellant chassis; 
 wherein said contamination of said dry articles in said package is reduced during their removal in said wet environment.  
 
   (b) a plurality of dry articles arranged in such a manner as to allow dispensing of a single article carrying a personal cleansing composition.    
     
     
         24 . A kit to dispense dry articles in a wet environment said kit comprising: 
 (a) a package to protect a plurality of dry articles during use in a wet environment comprising: 
 (i) a contaminate reducing access element; and  
 (ii) a water repellant chassis;  
   (b) a plurality of dry articles arranged in such a manner as to allow dispensing of a single article; and    (c) a personal cleansing composition in a form of a bar, a liquid, a paste and combinations thereof.