FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] This invention relates to a packet for a condom. More specifically, it relates to a packet for storing and disposing a condom and a method for disposing a used condom in a safe and environment-friendly way.
BACKGROUND
[002] One of the fundamental aspects of human existence is procreation. However, sexual acts in humans are not restricted for the purpose of reproduction alone. Sex is also seen as a means to express love, intimacy and induce pleasure. There are certain practicalities one needs to be aware of when engaging in a sexual act, such as avoiding unwanted pregnancy and keeping safe of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). One of the most practical and effective means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of STDs is a condom. It has become a common part of modern sex life.
[003] While condom is a seemingly simple object, it has several considerations associated with it. One of such considerations is the material of condom. The most common material used for condoms is natural rubber latex. Until recently, latex rubber condoms and the less popular lambskin condoms were the only types of condom available on the market.
[004] However, in the last few years, non-latex synthetic male and female condoms have generated a new variety of condoms. This choice of material in condoms addresses the long felt need due to allergic reaction some people have to rubber latex. Also, this offers a greater choice in terms of quality and make-up of condoms.
[005] Generally, condoms are sold in a multipack with individually wrapped condom packets inside. It is a usual practice for the manufactures to provide condom composition and instructions on the outer pack. However, while carrying a single packet taken either from a dispensing machine or from the outer pack, a user does not have easy access to such information. Even on the packets where such information is provided, it is in small font size and is often overlooked. This poses a risk of using a condom made of material that one may be allergic to or by not using the condom in the right way due to lack of prior knowledge. Therefore, there is a need to provide 2
such information on individual condom packets in a way that prompts a user to read it.
[006] Another major concern associated with a condom is its safe disposal. The most common practice is to wrap a used condom in a tissue and throw it in a bin. However, either due to social stigma associated with sex in certain societies or outright carelessness, some people just flush it down the toilet or secretly throw it outside the window. A condom is not meant to go down the drain and is likely to clog it. This would need a plumber to fix it, which could be expensive and potentially embarrassing. Throwing it outside is littering and also a biohazard. It may pose a health hazard to pets or kids who may unknowingly touch or hold it. Therefore, there exists a need to provide an easy means for a user to correctly dispose a condom after use.
[007] Even when a condom is properly disposed wrapped in a tissue, it is a nuisance for waste pickersto identify it and dispose accordingly. A condom pack is mostly recyclable but the condom itself needs to be land filled or incinerated. Depending on the material, most condoms are biodegradable. However, there need to be a way to easily identify it without posing any hazard to the waste collectors.
OBJECT OF INVENTION
[008] An object of this invention is to provide a packet for a condom that could also be used as a disposal bag. The said packet has the same size and form factor as commonly available individual condom packs but opens up to form a disposal bag to safely dispose the condom after use.
[009] Another object of this invention is to provide a packet for a condom that could easily be identified as a condom disposal bag after use by waste collectors. Also, the packet is formed such that the disposed condom could easily biodegrade upon landfill without the need to be taken out of the bag.
[0010] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a packet for a condom packet with a means to prompt a user to read allergic and precautionary instructions in an easy manner.
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STATEMENT OF INVENTION
[0011] The invention relates to a packet for a condom comprising an inner sheet made of a condom-protecting material; an outer sheet made of a biodegradable material; the inner sheet and the outer sheet sealed together along the edges and folded mid-way along the length to form a pouch for storing the condom; wherein the packet is adapted to open up to form a disposal bag to dispose the condom after use.
[0012] The invention also relates to a method of disposing a condom in its packet after use. The method comprising the steps of: pulling apart the packet from the edges to form a disposal bag for holding the used condom; expanding the disposal bag and dropping in the used condom; sealing the disposal bag by folding over the open end of the bag; disposing off the bag in a bin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The detailed description is described with reference to accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
Fig. 1 shows the top view of a condom packet in its sealed and unopened form.
Fig. 2a, 2b, 2c shows constructional views of the condom packet formed of two sheets.
Fig. 3 shows the top view of the condom packet with an elongate strip pulled out of the packet.
Fig. 4 shows the top view of the condom packet after being pulled apart from the edges.
Fig. 5 shows the top view of the condom packet after being opened up to form a disposal bag.
Fig. 6 shows the top view of the condom packet after disposing off the used condom in the disposal bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present disclosure, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in
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combinations of components related to a packet for a condom. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
[0015] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, inner and outer, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises . . . a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
[0016] Fig. 1 shows a condom packet 100. The packet 100 has rectangular cross-section and is essentially a pouch for storing a new condom. The packet 100 is sealed at all edges to keep the condom safe from external environment. The top edge of the packet 100 has a tearing tab 101 with easy-to-tear markings to enable a user to conveniently open the packet 100 to withdraw the condom. There is a receptacle 102 in form of a narrow opening defined in the outer surface of the packet 100 that runs across the middle of the packet. The construction of this receptacle 102 is described later with reference to Fig. 2.
[0017] The tailing end of an elongate strip 103, which is inserted in the receptacle 102, is also shown in Fig. 1. The elongate strip 103 is placed in the receptacle 102 such that it can be easily pulled out from the packet without opening or damaging the packet 100. The purpose of the elongate strip 103 is described later with reference to Fig. 3.
[0018] The packet 100 can be formed of any suitable material and have any shape and size apt for holding a condom of a specific type.
[0019] Figs. 2a, 2b, and 2c show constructional details of the packet 100. The packet 100 is formed of two separate sheets 201 and 202. As shown in Fig. 2a, in one 5
embodiment, the first sheet 201 has rectangular cross-section and is twice in length than its width. The sheet 201 can be made of any suitable condom-protecting material such as metal foil. In a preferred embodiment, the first sheet 201 is made of plastic-coated aluminium foil. This protects the condom from outer environment and helps retain its moisture. A dried out condom is generally ineffective. It is to be noted that any other suitable material can be used instead of paper to make the second sheet 202.
[0020] Fig. 2b shows the second sheet 202, also having a rectangular cross-section. In one embodiment, the second sheet 202 is same in length as the first sheet 201 but is greater in width than that of the first sheet 201. The second sheet 202 is made of a suitable biodegradable material. In a preferred embodiment, the second sheet 202 is made of a paper coated with fluid-resistant layer. Such coating can make paperoleophobic and/or hydrophobic in nature. This will take care of hygienic disposalby minimising the leakage of contained fluids.
[0021] The second sheet 202 is folded along the dotted lines towards the centre (as shown by the dotted lines) such as to form the receptacle 102 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2c. The second sheet 202 when folded this way has the same length and width as that of the first sheet 201, as shown in Fig. 2c (not drawn to scale). The first sheet 201 and the folded second sheet 202 are then sealed along the three inner edges and then folded mid-way along the length such that the first sheet 102 forms the inner section and the second sheet 202 forms the outer section of the packet 100. Peripheral edges are sealed again to form a pouch. A fresh condom is then packed into the formed pouch and sealed along the top end to form the condom packet 100 as described in Fig. 1.
[0022] Fig. 3 shows the packet 100 with drawn out elongate strip 103. The elongate strip 103 is formed of a paper or any other suitable material for printing instructions on. In one embodiment, the elongate strip 103 has allergic and precautionary instructions for a user. The elongate strip 103 can also have disposal instructions for the condom. The instructions could be provided on either one or both sides of the elongate strip 103. The instructions could be either graphical or textual in nature.
[0023] As the elongate strip 103 is provided externally in the packet 100, the user can review the instructions beforehand and not open the packet if it is not suitable. E.g. if the user is allergic to latex rubber, he would not open the condom packet upon reviewing the instructions on the strip alerting the user of the material of the condom. This would not only protect the user from inadvertently using an unsuitable condom 6
but would also provide instructions for the first time use. The elongate strip 100 is provided in the receptacle 102 such that it can be easily pulled out and could also be inserted back safely if the condom is not suitable for the user. This could be very advantageous when individual packets of condom are bought or the outer pack of the condom is not unavailable, damaged, or thrown away. This would be particularly advantageous for individual condom packs sold through vending machines as all relevant information would be available on a single packet of condom itself.
[0024] Fig. 4 shows the packet 100 after it is pulled apart from the edges. The packet 100 is formed such that it can be easily pulled apart from the edges to split open the packet 100. The front part 301a and the back part 301b of the packet 100 come in the same plane on pulling apart. The pulled apart packet 100 exposes the first sheet (inner sheet) 201 (not shown in the figure). Therefore, on pulling apart, the packet 100 shows two distinct sections formed of the first sheet 201 and the second sheet 202.
[0025] Fig. 5 shows the packet 100 when opened up to form a disposal bag 500. Due to the fold in the second sheet 202, a user can expand the packet 100 such that to form the disposal bag 500. As can be seen in Fig. 5, the fold along the dotted lines shows opening up of the packet 100 by expanding the receptacle 102. This opened up packet 100 is referred to as the disposal bag 500. After use, the user can use this disposal bag 500 to put the used condom for safe disposal. As the disposal bag 500 is still sealed along the three edges, it could safely hold the used condom.
[0026] As shown in Fig. 6, upon putting the used condom in the disposal bag 500, the user can close the packet by folding over the tab 101 to safely contain the condom inside the bag 500. After that, the bag 500 can be put in a bin for collection. In one embodiment, the fold section of the second sheet 202 underneath the receptacle 102 (shown by marker 501) has easy-to-read instructions for the waste collectors. Well-known graphics (such as recycling symbol, condom symbol) or simple text on the bag 500 would enable careful handling and safe disposal of the used condom.
[0027] Upon landfilling, as one part (second sheet 202) of the bag 500 is made of a biodegradable material, it will decompose and also allow the condom inside to decompose (assuming that the condom is also biodegradable). This way the condom can be disposed in a more environment friendly manner without the waste collectors and/or disposal workers to worry about touching the used condom. In another embodiment, the whole bag 500 could be made of a biodegradable material and thus would completely decompose upon landfilling. In yet another embodiment, the bag 7
500 could be made of a suitable material for incineration to allow both the condom and the bag 500 to burn without leaving any hazardous fumes or ashes.
[0028] This invention also discloses a related method to dispose a used condom in its original packet. In one embodiment, after using the condom inside the packet 100, a user tears open the packet 100 from the two side edges and expands the packet 100 to form the disposal bag 500. Then the user puts the used condom inside the disposal bag 500 and folds over the top end of the bag 500 to safely contain the condom inside the bag 500. The user then throws the bag 500 in a suitable bin for collection.
[0029] The waste collectors at a waste sorting unit would readily identify the bag 500 as containing a used condom by the graphical or textual information provided on the outside of the bag 500 and treat it accordingly.
[0030] The disclosed packet 100 (or bag 500) for a condom is carefully designed to allow both safe storage and disposal of the condom. It provides all necessary information to a user as well as to waste collectors on the individual packet itself. It also provides an environmentally safe and sustainable way of disposing condoms. As the outer layer of packet of disposed condom biodegrades, the condom is exposed to good aerobic conditions aiding biodegradation such that the condom biodegrades leading to reduction in the amount of total waste generated.
[0031] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present disclosure. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
FOR GUPTA, Deepak et. al.
Tarun Khurana
Regd. Patent Agent [INPA-1325]
Dated: 27th July, 2017
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We Claim:
1. A packet for a condom comprising:
an inner sheet of a condom-protecting material;
an outer sheet of a biodegradable material;
the inner sheet and the outer sheet sealed together along the edges and folded mid-way along the length to form a pouch for packing the condom;
wherein the packet is adapted to open up to form a disposal bag to dispose the condom after use.
2. The packet of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable material is a paper coated with afluid resistant layer.
3. The packet of claim 1, wherein the condom-protecting material is a plastic- coated metallic foil.
4. The packet of claim 3, wherein the condom-protecting material is a plastic-coated aluminium foil.
5. The packet of claim 1, wherein the packet has a receptacle defined by at least two folds along the width of the outer sheet.
6. The packet of claim 5, wherein the receptacle is adapted to hold an elongate strip.
7. The packet of claim 6, wherein the elongate strip has precautionary and allergic instructions provided for a user of the condom.
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8. The packet of claim 5, wherein disposal instructions for the condom are provided on the outer sheet underneath the receptacle.
9. The packet of any preceding claim, wherein instructions for use and disposal are provided on the back of the packet.
10. A method of disposing a condom in its packet comprising:
pulling apart the packet from the edges to form a disposal bag for holding the used condom;
expanding the disposal bag and dropping in the used condom;
sealing the disposal bag by folding over the open end of the bag;
disposing off the bag in a bin.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising folding over the edges of a receptacle, pre-formed in the packet, to reveal disposal instructions provided underneath.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the disposal bag is at least partially made of a biodegradable material to allow the condom to decompose after land filling.