Package or container with multiple removable layers

Abstract

The present invention provides a packaging system for products, in particular consumer products. The packaging system has a package member configured to receive products and the package member has an outwardly facing external side surface and an inwardly facing internal surface. In addition, the packaging system has a sheet component having a plurality of layers comprising an inner layer having an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being at least partially directly or indirectly connected the external side surface of the package member. The outer face is on the opposite side of the inner layer from the inner face. The sheet component also has an outer layer having a first side and an opposite second side wherein the second side faces away from the external side surface of the package member and the first side faces toward the external side surface of the package member. In addition the outer layer is removable from the inner layer and package member. As a result of the present invention, consumers are provided with a package of products which can be easily cleaned by a consumer or user once the package becomes soiled. In addition, the present invention provides a discreet package of products, including absorbent personal care articles, which allows discretion during the process of purchasing the absorbent personal care articles and after the absorbent personal care products are placed in storage in the home or other living quarters of the user. Also disclosed is a dispenser for products.

1 . A packaging system for products, said system comprising 
 a package member configured to receive at least one product, said package member comprising at least one outwardly facing external side surface;    a sheet component applied to at least a portion of the external side surface, said sheet component comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, said inner layer comprising an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being at least partially directly or indirectly connected the external side surface of the package member, and the outer face being on the opposite side of the inner layer from the inner face; and an outer layer comprising a first side and an opposite second side wherein the second side faces away from the external side surface of the package member and the first side faces toward the external side surface of the package member, the outer layer being removable from the inner layer and package member.    
   
   
       2 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet component further comprises at least one intermediate layer positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer, each intermediate layer comprising an inner side and an outer side, the inner side and the outer side being opposite each another and the outer side faces away from the external side surface of the package member.  
   
   
       3 . The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein the sheet component comprises between 1 and 10 intermediate layers, and each intermediate layer is removable from the inner layer and the package member.  
   
   
       4 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is removable from the external side surface of the package component.  
   
   
       5 . The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein the inner and the intermediate layers are devoid of any indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the package system.  
   
   
       6 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer of the sheet component is coextensive with the external side surface in which the sheet material is applied.  
   
   
       7 . The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein each of the layers of the sheet component is coextensive with the external side surface in which the sheet material is applied.  
   
   
       8 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the package member has two or more outwardly facing external side surfaces comprising a sheet member applied thereto.  
   
   
       9 . The packaging system of  claim 8 , wherein the package member has at least three to six outwardly facing external side surfaces comprising a sheet member applied thereto.  
   
   
       10 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer face of the outer layer contains indicia indicating the contents of the package member and the inner layer is devoid of indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the package member.  
   
   
       11 . The packaging system of  claim 11 , wherein the external side surface of the packaging member contains indicia which indicates the contents of the packaging member.  
   
   
       12 . The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein the outer surface of the outer layer contains indicia indicating the contents of the package member and the inner layer and the intermediate layers are devoid of indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the package member.  
   
   
       13 . The packaging system of  claim 12 , wherein the inner layer and the intermediate layers each have different decorative features.  
   
   
       14 . The packaging system of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the intermediate layers is devoid of decorative features and is devoid of indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the package member.  
   
   
       15 . The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the inner or intermediate layers comprises an aroma or fragrance which is released when a layer is removed.  
   
   
       16 . The packaging system of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the inner or intermediate layers comprises an aroma or fragrance which is released when a layer is removed.  
   
   
       17 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the product is a consumer product.  
   
   
       18 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer comprises promotional information, educational information, entertainment items or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       19 . The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the inner layers or one of the intermediate layers comprises promotional information, educational information, entertainment items or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       20 . The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein each subsequent layer of the sheet component between the outer layer and the inner layer has higher peel strength than the previous layer.  
   
   
       21 . The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the layers comprises a decorative layer and one or more of the other layers comprise a clear layer.  
   
   
       22 . The packaging system of  claim 21 , wherein a decorative layer is subjacent a clear layer.  
   
   
       23 . The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein one or more of the layers of the sheet component comprise an antimicrobial material.  
   
   
       24 . A dispenser comprising 
 a dispensing member configured to receive and contain a product, said dispenser member comprising an outwardly facing external side surface;    a sheet component comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, said inner layer comprising an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being at least partially directly or indirectly connected the external side surface of the dispenser member, and the outer face being on the opposite side of the inner layer from the inner face; and an outer layer comprising a first side and an opposite second side wherein the second side faces away from the external side surface of the dispenser member and the first side faces toward the external side surface of the dispenser member, the outer layer being removable from the inner layer and dispenser member; and    at least two products contained within the dispenser member.    
   
   
       25 . The dispenser of  claim 18 , wherein the sheet component further comprises at least one intermediate layer positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer, each intermediate layer comprising an inner side and an outer side, the inner side and the outer side being opposite one another and the outer side faces away from the external side surface of the dispensing member.  
   
   
       26 . The dispenser of  claim 25 , wherein the sheet component comprises between 1 and 10 intermediate layers, and each intermediate layer is removable from the inner layer and the dispensing member.  
   
   
       27 . The dispenser of  claim 24 , wherein the inner layer is removable from the external side surface of the dispenser member.  
   
   
       28 . The dispenser of  claim 24 , wherein the inner layer and the intermediate layer are devoid of any indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the dispenser member.  
   
   
       29 . The dispenser of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the inner or intermediate layers comprises an aroma or fragrance which is released when a layer is removed.  
   
   
       30 . The dispenser of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of inner layer or one of the intermediate layers comprises promotional information, educational information, entertainment items or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       31 . The packaging system of  claim 25 , wherein each subsequent layer of the sheet component between the outer layer and the inner layer has higher peel strength than the previous layer.  
   
   
       32 . The packaging system of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the layers comprises a decorative layer and one or more of the other layers comprise a clear layer.  
   
   
       33 . The packaging system of  claim 25 , wherein a decorative layer is subjacent a clear layer.  
   
   
       34 . The packaging system of  claim 25 , wherein one or more of the layers of the sheet component comprise an antimicrobial material.  
   
   
       35 . A sheet component for a dispenser member comprising a sheet component comprising an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer, said inner layer comprising an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being adapted to be directly or indirectly connected to the external side surface of a dispenser member, and the outer face being on an opposite side of the inner layer from the inner face; the outer layer comprising a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the second side faces away from the inner layer, the outer layer being removable from the inner layer and the at least one intermediate layer, and each intermediate layer comprising an inner side and an outer side, the inner side and the outer side being opposite one another and the outer side faces away from the inner layer and towards the outer layer.