Fold and wrap package for catamenial pads providing convenient disposal

Abstract

An improved fold and wrap package providing containment of a catamenial pad prior to its use and for conveniently disposing of a soiled catamenial pad. The fold and wrap package comprises a wrapper comprising a single strip of material having a flap panel, a central panel, and an end panel; and preferably a tape tab for securing the wrapper in a disposal configuration to provide convenient disposal of a soiled catamenial pad wrapped in the wrapper. The fold and wrap package is initially configured to have a pouch and a flap. The pouch is formed by folding the end panel back upon the central panel and frangibly bonding the end panel to the central panel at the longitudinal edges so that the end panel may be easily peeled away from the central panel to provide convenient disposal of a soiled catamenial pad. The pouch is designed so that an unused catamenial pad may be disposed within the pouch with the flap being positioned over the mouth of the pouch and frangibly bonded to the pouch to securely close the pouch prior to use.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fold and wrap package for containing a catamenial pad prior to use and for conveniently and securely disposing of a soiled catamenial pad, said fold and wrap package comprising: a wrapper having a flap panel, a central panel contiguous with said flap panel, an end panel contiguous with said central panel, longitudinal edges, and end edges, said wrapper being initially configured to provide: a pouch comprising said central panel and said end panel, said pouch formed by folding said end panel back upon said central panel and frangibly bonding said end panel to said central panel at said longitudinal edges by frangible bonds so that said end panel may be peeled away from said central panel to provide disposal of a soiled catamenial pad, said pouch being capable of receiving an unused catamenial pad; and   a flap contiguous with said pouch, said flap having a distal end defined by one of said end edges, said flap being formed by said flap panel, said flap panel being folded back upon said end panel to close said pouch, said flap panel being frangibly bonded to said pouch along said longitudinal edges by frangible bonds so that said flap may be peeled away from said pouch to open said pouch to allow removal of an unused catamenial pad and provide disposal of a soiled catamenial pad; and     a tape tab positioned adjacent said distal end of said flap for securing said wrapper and a soiled sanitary napkin secured thereto in a disposal configuration.   
     
     
       2. The fold and wrap package of claim 1 additionally comprising a pouch closure member disposed on said end panel for releasably securing said flap to said pouch. 
     
     
       3. The fold and wrap package of claim 1 wherein said tape tab comprises an adhesive tape tab. 
     
     
       4. The fold and wrap package of claim 3 wherein said wrapper comprises a single layer of polyethylene film. 
     
     
       5. The fold and wrap package of claim 4 wherein said frangible bonds comprise peelable crimped seals. 
     
     
       6. The fold and wrap package of claim 5 additionally comprising a pouch closure member disposed on said end panel for releaseably securing said flap to said pouch. 
     
     
       7. The fold and wrap package of claim 6 wherein said pouch closure member comprises adhesive.