DAMAGE EVIDENT CONDOM PACKAGING
Damage evident condom packaging is disclosed. A damage indicating material may be applied between inner and outer wrapper layers. When the damage indicating material is exposed to oxygen, excessive heat and/or excessive pressure, the material changes in appearance to thereby alert the user that the condom package may be compromised. Active and intelligent tamper-evident condom packaging is thus provided.
1 . A condom package comprising:
an inner wrapper layer defining an interior volume structured and arranged to receive a condom;
an outer layer at least partially covering the inner wrapper layer; and
a damage indicating material between the inner wrapper layer and the outer wrapper layer.
2 . The condom package of claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material changes color when exposed to oxygen.
3 . The condom package of claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material comprises methylene blue.
4 . The condom package of claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material is applied to the outer layer.
5 . The condom package of claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material is applied to an interior surface of the outer layer.
6 . The condom package of claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material is applied to the inner wrapper layer.
7 . The condom package of claim 6 , wherein the damage indicating material is applied to an exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer.
8 . The condom package of claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is coextensive with the inner wrapper layer.
9 . The condom package of claim 1 , comprising a pocket between an exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer and an interior surface of the outer layer.
10 . The condom package of claim 9 , wherein the pocket is evacuated.
11 . The condom package of claim 9 , wherein the pocket is at least partially filled with an inert gas.
12 . The condom package of claim 9 , wherein the damage indicating material is located in the pocket.
13 . The condom package of claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material is applied to the inner wrapper layer or the outer layer in the form of indicia.
14 . The condom package of claim 13 , wherein the indicia including a warning symbol
15 . The condom package of claim 13 , wherein the indicia includes instructions to discard the package.
16 . A condom packaging material comprising:
a film layer structured and arranged for wrapping around a condom; and
a damage indicating material applied to the film layer.
17 . The condom packaging material of claim 16 , wherein the damage indicating material changes color when exposed to oxygen.
18 . The condom packaging material of claim 16 , wherein the damage indicating material comprises methylene blue.
19 . The condom packaging material of claim 16 , wherein the damage indicating material is applied to an exposed surface of the film layer.
20 . The condom packaging material of claim 16 , further comprising another film layer with the damage indicating material located between the film layers.
21 . A packaged condom comprising:
an inner wrapper layer defining an interior volume containing the condom;
an outer layer at least partially covering the inner wrapper layer; and
a damage indicating material between the inner wrapper layer and the outer wrapper layer.
22 . A method of making a damage indicating condom package comprising applying a damage indicating material to a layer of material that is structured and arranged to receive a condom therein.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the damage indicating material comprises methylene blue.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the methylene blue is applied to the layer of material in the form of an aqueous dispersion that is then dried, held under a vacuum, and exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
25 . A method of providing an indication that a condom package has been damaged comprising wrapping a condom with at least one layer having a damage indicating material applied thereto.