Packaging having a line of weakness

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a package containing one or more individually wrapped feminine hygiene articles. The package and the wrapper of a feminine hygiene article each have a line of weakness.

1 . A package comprising:
 a. at least one wall defining an exterior surface having a periphery and an interior space of the package, wherein the package comprises a line of weakness having one or more properties;   b. at least one feminine hygiene article contained within the interior space of the package, wherein the feminine hygiene article is disposed in a wrapper having a periphery and comprising a line of weakness having one or more properties; and   
     wherein the package line of weakness has the same or similar properties as the wrapper line of weakness. 
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the same or similar properties of the line of weakness of the package and the line of weakness of the wrapper are at least one of length, pattern, number, direction, location, or after open appearance. 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the package has an after open appearance comprising a hood and a hinge, and the wrapper has an after open appearance comprising a hood and a hinge. 
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the length of the package line of weakness extends less than the entire periphery of the package, and the length of the wrapper line of weakness extends less than the entire periphery of the wrapper. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the length of the package line of weakness extends less than about 95% of the periphery of the package, and the length of the wrapper line of weakness extends less than about 95% of the periphery of the wrapper. 
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the length of the package of line of weakness extends around the entire periphery of the package, and the length of the wrapper line of weakness extends around the entire periphery of the wrapper. 
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the package line of weakness is located in the upper third of the package, and the wrapper line of weakness is located in the upper third of the wrapper. 
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the line of weakness of the package is in an angled direction with respect to an edge of the package, and the line of weakness of the wrapper has the same or similar angled direction as the line of weakness of the package with respect to the wrapper's longitudinal line of weakness. 
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package material is different from the wrapper material. 
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package material is the same as the wrapper material. 
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the feminine hygiene article is a tampon or pessary. 
   
   
       12 . A package comprising:
 a. at least one wall defining an exterior surface having a periphery and an interior space of the package, wherein the package comprises a line of weakness having a length that extends less than the entire periphery of the exterior surface;   b. at least one feminine hygiene article contained within the interior space of the package, wherein the feminine hygiene article is disposed in a wrapper having a periphery and comprising a line of weakness having a length that extends less than the entire periphery of the wrapper; and   
     wherein the package has an after open appearance comprising a hood and a hinge and the wrapper has an after open appearance comprising a hood and a hinge. 
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the feminine hygiene article is a tampon or pessary. 
   
   
       14 . A method of communicating to a consumer properties of a line of weakness on a wrapper of a feminine hygiene article comprising:
 a. providing a package comprising at least one wall defining an exterior surface having a periphery and an interior space of the package, wherein the package comprises a line of weakness having one or more properties;   b. providing at least one feminine hygiene article contained within the interior space of the package, wherein the feminine hygiene article is disposed in a wrapper comprising a line of weakness having one or more properties; and   c. communicating to a consumer the properties of the wrapper line of weakness by having the properties of the package line of weakness the same or similar to the properties of the wrapper line of weakness.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:
 d. opening the package along the line of weakness such that after opening the package comprises a hood and a hinge; and   e. opening the wrapper along the line of weakness such that after opening the wrapper comprises a hood and a hinge.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the same or similar properties of the line of weakness of the package and the line of weakness of the wrapper are at least one of length, pattern, number, direction, location, or after open appearance. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the package line of weakness is located in the upper third of the package and the wrapper line of weakness is located in the upper third of the wrapper. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the line of weakness of the package is in an angled direction with respect to an edge of the package, and the line of weakness of the wrapper has the same or similar angled direction as the line of weakness of the package with respect to the wrapper's longitudinal line of weakness. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the length of the package line of weakness extends less than the entire periphery of the package, and the length of the wrapper line of weakness extends less than the entire periphery of the wrapper. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the feminine hygiene article is a tampon or pessary.