Disposable One-Time Use Package of Mouthwash

This invention relates generally to a disposable one-time use package of mouthwash of the type provided gratis for hotel and motel guests and the restrooms of club houses restaurants, hospitals, dental offices, airplanes, trains and the like. Such disposable one-time use packages of mouthwash are also suitable for inclusion in travel kits, handbags, brief cases, desk drawers, etc.

More particularly, the invention relates to disposable one-time or single use packages of mouthwash comprising small cup containing a single portion quantity (e.g. 5-25 milliliters) of mouthwash for use full strength as an oral rinse followed by disposal of the cup and contents. The cup and its contents are hermetically sealed by a closure disc adhered to the rim of the container and preferably provided with a pull tab to facilitate opening of the package and removal of the closure.

The object of the invention, generally stated, is the provision of an inexpensive sanitary disposable one-time use package of mouthwash suitable for us at various times and in various places where persons want or need an oral rinse without having access to a multi-portion supply. After the contents of mouthwash have been consumed, the containers may be used for filling with water when a follow-up rinse with water is desired.

Disposable one-time use packages of mouthwash have been known and available which are relatively expensive and the containers of which are generally not suitable for filling with water or follow-up usage.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of the invention, reference may now be had to the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a disposable one-time use package of mouthwash embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the package shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on enlarged scale taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

In FIG. 1, a package of mouthwash is indicated generally at 5 comprising a frusto-conically shaped container 6 hermetically sealed by a closure disc 7 which has an integrally attached pull tab 8 to facilitate removal of the closure and opening of the package. Typically, the container cup 6 and closure 7 are formed of materials that are resistant to mouthwash contents generally including an appreciable concentration of alcohol and various other ingredients such as glycerine, detergents, flavors, preservatives, germicides, dyes etc. The cup 6 may be thermo-formed or injection molded from various known food grade plastics resistant to aqueous alcohol solutions such as known grades of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or aromatic polycarbonates (Lexan). The closure disc 7 can be suitably from a laminate including an exposed ply of paper laminated to a concealed ply of aluminum foil or an alcohol compatible plastic coating. Preferably, the mouth or rim of the container 6 has a rolled rim 11 so as to present a smooth surface to the lips of the user. The closure disc 7 may be hermetically sealed to the rim 11 by various known techniques including adhesives, thermo-sealing, or ultra-sonic sealing.

It will be understood that the size of the cup 6 will vary depending upon the size or quantity of the mouthwash contents. Typically, the contents will range from 5 to 25 milliliters in volume. The cost of the package 5 will be sufficiently low so that if desired, two or more of the packages can be used.

For ease in handling, because of their relatively small size, the packages 5 may conveniently be loaded in inexpensive disposable plastic trays, one or more layers deep, with the tray being provided with a cover or overwrap.