Packaging means

Abstract

An economical packaging means for elongated members such as swab applicators is disclosed. The packaging means comprises of an elongated hollow tube housing slightly longer than the elongated member disposed within a sealed wrapper wherein the elongated member is disposed within the elongated hollow tube housing and protected from being axially compressed and contaminated.

1 . A packaging means comprising: 
 an elongated hollow tube housing;    an elongated member disposed within said elongated hollow tube housing; and    a protective covering enclosing said elongated hollow tube housing with said elongated member;    wherein the packaging means protects the elongated member from being axially compressed and contaminated.    
   
   
       2 . A packaging means as in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated hollow tube housing is slightly longer than said elongated member.  
   
   
       3 . A packaging means as in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated hollow tube housing has a first end and a second end wherein the first end is sealed.  
   
   
       4 . A packaging means as in  claim 1 , wherein said protective covering has a notch formed at one or more of its edges to allow easy opening of the protective covering.  
   
   
       5 . A packaging means as in  claim 1 , wherein said protective covering is made of paper, plastic, or aluminum foil.  
   
   
       6 . A packaging means as in  claim 3 , wherein said protective covering is made of paper, plastic, or aluminum foil.  
   
   
       7 . A packaging means comprising: 
 an elongated hollow tube housing;    a swab applicator disposed within said elongated hollow tube housing; and    a protective covering enclosing said elongated hollow tube housing with said swab applicator;    wherein the packaging means protects the swab applicator from being axially compressed and contaminated.    
   
   
       8 . A packaging means as in  claim 7 , wherein said elongated hollow tube housing is slightly longer than said elongated member.  
   
   
       9 . A packaging means as in  claim 7 , wherein said elongated hollow tube housing has a first end and a second end wherein the first end is sealed.  
   
   
       10 . A packaging means as in  claim 7 , wherein said protective covering has a notch formed at one or more of its edges to allow easy opening of the protective covering.  
   
   
       11 . A packaging means as in  claim 7 , wherein said protective covering is made of paper, plastic, or aluminum foil.  
   
   
       12 . A packaging means as in  claim 9 , wherein said protective covering is made of paper, plastic, or aluminum foil.  
   
   
       13 . A packaging means comprising: 
 an elongated hollow tube housing with a first end and a second end wherein the first end is sealed;    a swab applicator with a handle and an absorbent tip disposed within said elongated hollow tube housing with the absorbent tip disposed near said sealed end of said elongated hollow tube housing; and    a protective covering enclosing said elongated hollow tube housing with said swab applicator;    wherein the packaging means protects the swab applicator from being axially compressed and contaminated.