Protective wrappers for consumer products and methods of making

Abstract

A protective wrapper is provided that includes a film having a first sealed end, a longitudinal seal, and a second sealed end with a first height, as well as an opening mechanism. The opening mechanism includes a pair of protrusions extending outward from the first sealed end by a first height, a line of weakness extending inward from a starting point where the pair of protrusions meet, and a pair of indentations extending inward from the second sealed end. The first height of the pair of protrusions is equal to or less than the second height of the second sealed end.

1 . A protective wrapper for a consumer product, comprising:
 a film having a first sealed end, a longitudinal seal, and a second sealed end with a first height;   an opening mechanism having a pair of protrusions extending outward from said first sealed end by a first height, a line of weakness extending inward from a starting point where said pair of protrusions meet, and a pair of indentations extending inward from said second sealed end, wherein said first height of said pair of protrusions is equal to or less than said second height of said second sealed end.   
     
     
         2 . The protective wrapper of  claim 1 , wherein said line of weakness comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         3 . The protective wrapper of  claim 1 , wherein said pair of protrusions have a shape selected from the group consisting of a polygonal shape, a semi-circular shape, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The protective wrapper of  claim 3 , wherein said pair of indentations have a corresponding shape to said shape of said pair of protrusions. 
     
     
         5 . The protective wrapper of  claim 1 , wherein the consumer product comprises a tampon and wherein said first sealed end defines a plunger end of the protective wrapper and said second sealed end defines a barrel end of the protective wrapper. 
     
     
         6 . The protective wrapper of  claim 1 , wherein said line of weakness extends inward from said starting point to an ending point to define a predetermined length, said predetermined length being less than an overall length between said first and second end seals. 
     
     
         7 . The protective wrapper of  claim 1 , wherein said film comprises polyethylene film. 
     
     
         8 . A protective wrapper for a consumer product, comprising:
 a film having a first sealed end, a longitudinal seal, and a second sealed end;   a pair of protrusions extending outward from said first sealed end;   a line of weakness extending inward from a starting point where said pair of protrusions meet; and   a pair of indentations extending inward from said second sealed end, said pair of indentations being hidden within said second sealed end so that said second sealed end has a continuous outer peripheral edge within which said pair of indentations are defined.   
     
     
         9 . The protective wrapper of  claim 8 , wherein said line of weakness comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         10 . The protective wrapper of  claim 8 , wherein said pair of protrusions have a shape selected from the group consisting of a polygonal shape, a semi-circular shape, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The protective wrapper of  claim 10 , wherein said pair of indentations have a corresponding shape to said shape of said pair of protrusions. 
     
     
         12 . The protective wrapper of  claim 8 , wherein the consumer product comprises a tampon and wherein said first sealed end defines a plunger end of the protective wrapper and said second sealed end defines a barrel end of the protective wrapper. 
     
     
         13 . The protective wrapper of  claim 8 , wherein said line of weakness extends inward from said starting point to an ending point to define a predetermined length, said predetermined length being less than an overall length between said first and second end seals. 
     
     
         14 . The protective wrapper of  claim 8 , wherein said film comprises polyethylene film. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making a protective wrapper for a consumer product, comprising:
 cutting a sheet of film along a cut line to simultaneously form a pair of protrusions in a first sheet and a corresponding pair of indentations in a second sheet;   repeating said cutting step so that at least said second sheet comprises said pair of protrusions and said corresponding pair of indentations;   rolling said second sheet and forming a longitudinal seal to form a tube-like shape;   inserting the consumer product in said a tube-like shape; and   forming a second end seal at said indentations so that said corresponding pair of indentations are hidden within said second end seal.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising forming a first end seal at said pair of protrusions. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said first sheet is a leading sheet or a trailing sheet. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising defining a line of weakness in the sheet of film from a starting point where said pair of protrusions meet.