Feminine hygiene products are widely used. A problem with feminine hygiene products (FHP) is their disposal, particularly in public places. Most women after their use of the feminine hygiene product, flush them down. This problem is worse in public bathrooms where a trash can may not be available for disposing the feminine hygiene product. Flushing the FHP down the toilet can clog the pipes, and cause a back-up of the water.
Most women flush the FHP because it is convenient and can be done in a clean fashion. There is a need in the prior art for allowing a woman to dispose a used FHP in a clean and convenient fashion without flushing the FHP.
In one embodiment provided is a bag for storing a feminine hygiene product after use, comprising: a first and second sheet of water impermeable material joined together to obtain a bag that is enclosed except for an opening on one side of the bag; an interlocking mechanism with a first and second semi-rigid parts, with the first part on the inside of the first sheet running substantially parallel to the opening of the bag and the second part on the inside of the second sheet and substantially parallel to the opening of the bag, wherein the first and second parts when reversably locked together enclose the opening; wherein the bag is suitable size for a feminine hygiene product and the feminine hygiene product is not visible to a user when stored in the bag; wherein when the first and second parts are not locked together, the first and second parts can be pressed by one or more fingers of a single hand to increased the opening of the bag to place the feminine hygiene product inside the bag; and wherein the interlocking parts do not run all the way to where the two sheets are joined. The bag can be made from two sheets that are formed by folding a single sheet onto itself. The bag can be made from plastic. The bag can be made from polypropylene, polyethylene, opaque polypropylene, polyester, Polylactic acid, paper based substrates and non adhesive film substrates. The interlocking parts may not run all the way to where the two sheets are joined. The interlocking parts can be about 3/16 to about ¼ of an inch away from where the two sheets are joined. The feminine hygiene product can be a tampon or a pad. The bag can have finger shaped indentation (circular concave indentations) at the opening for allowing the interlocking mechanism to be compressed to open the opening. The bag can have a gusset bottom. The bag can have a height of about 3 inches to about 7 inches. The bag can have a width of about 2 inches to about 5 inches. The bag can have absorbent material inside. The bag can be scented. The bag can have a U or V shape. The has two or more bags are tearbly attached to each other in an accordion fashion. Each successive bag can be flipped compared to each prior bag.
In one embodiment provided is a bag for storing a feminine hygiene product after use, comprising: a first and second piece of water impermeable material joined together to obtain a bag that is enclosed except for an opening on one side of the bag; semi-rigid interlocking mechanism with first and second parts, with the first part on the inside of the first sheet running substantially parallel to the opening of the bag and the second part on the inside of the second sheet running substantially parallel to the opening of the bag and, wherein the first and second parts when reversably locked together enclose the opening; wherein the interlocking parts do not run all the way to where the two sheets are joined, wherein the bag is suitable size for a feminine hygiene product; wherein when the first and second parts are not locked together, the first and second parts can be pressed by one or more fingers of a single hand to open the bag to place the feminine hygiene product. The bag can have interlocking parts that are about 3/16 to about ¼ of an inch away from where the two sheets are joined.
In one embodiment provided is a dispenser for dispensing any of the bags provided above.
In one embodiment provided is a method for disposing a feminine hygiene product comprising placing the feminine hygiene product in any of the above bags and disposing the bag.
The present invention provides a bag for storing and disposing a feminine hygiene product (FHP)where the bag (1) can be used conveniently to place the FHP inside and then dispose the bag. The bag (1) can be held and opened with a single hand (
The bag can be made from a single piece of material that is folded upon itself to obtain two sheets and then enclosed on the sides(
The bag has an interlocking mechanism with a first and second semi-rigid parts (2). These parts are inside of the bag, one on each sheet, and lock together to enclose the bag. One can be a female and one a male part (
The interlocking parts (2) are semi-rigid. By semi-rigid it is meant that the parts deform when pressed by the fingers (
The interlocking parts do not run all the way to where the two sheets are joined. The interlocking parts can be about 3/16 to about ¼ of an inch away from where the two sheets are joined. This placing away of the interlocking parts (2) makes it easier to keep the bag opened with one hand. If the interlocking parts (2) do not run all the way to the edge, the bag (1) may not completely be sealed. For example, if the bag (1) is filled with water, and pressed, it may leak. Because the FHP is absorbent and only minimal amount of freely available fluid is present, in the absence of pressure on the bag liquid would not normally leak.
The feminine hygiene product can be a tampon or a pad. The bag (1) is suitable size for a feminine hygiene product. In one embodiment, the bag has a height of about 3 inches to about 7 inches and a width of about 2 inches to about 5 inches.
The FHP is preferably no visible to the user. The bag can be opaque, translucent, or only partially transparent.
The material used to make the bag (1) is water impermeable, i.e., liquids are not absorbed by the material used to make the bag. The bag (1) can be made from plastic. Examples of materials include polypropylene, polyethylene, opaque polypropylene, polyester, Polylactic acid, paper based substrates and non adhesive film substrates. The bag (1) can be made of biodegradable materials.
The bag can have a number of features. For example, the bag can have additional absorbent material inside, such as cotton wool. The bag can be scented. Examples of scents include fresh scent, vanilla, lavender, clean scent, and baby perfume.
The bag can come in different shapes, such as wherein the bag has a U (
The bag (1) can come in a package (
The package can then be incorporated in a roll or a dispenser (5, 7). When the package is in the shape of an accordion, a dispenser in the shape of a tissue box(5) can be used where the FHP comes out from an opening (6), such as at top. The design of this dispenser is ideal for public areas, such as bathrooms. The dispenser can also be made with a flap (8), and be used in a purse. The dispensers can be made of plastic, metal, paper, or other suitable materials.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 61/488,087, filed on May 19, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 61/488,104, filed on May 19, 2011.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61488104 | May 2011 | US | |
61488087 | May 2011 | US |