US20070215515A1

US20070215515A1 - Vendable personal hygiene kits

Info

Publication number: US20070215515A1
Application number: US11/378,771
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul Branham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-17
Filing date: 2006-03-17
Publication date: 2007-09-20

Abstract

A vendable personal hygiene kit includes a primary package having therein a first folded sanitizing wipe, a folded contact barrier sheet and a second folded sanitizing wipe. A method of dispensing personal hygiene kits includes receiving a dispensation request for a personal hygiene kit including a folded contact barrier sheet, a first wipe and a second wipe, and delivering the kit into an access receptacle of a machine such as a vending machine responsive to the dispensation request. A method of assembling a personal hygiene kit includes inserting a folded contact barrier sheet into a first storage envelope, inserting a sanitizing wipe into a second storage envelope, and inserting a secondary package defining the second storage envelope into a primary package defining the first storage envelope.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to prepackaged kits containing personal hygiene products and materials, and relates more particularly to such a kit that is configured for storage and dispensing via a vending machine.

BACKGROUND

Public facilities, and in particular public restrooms, are generally considered environments where infectious disease can be acquired by humans. Rest stops, truck stops, airports, restaurant toilet facilities and even well appointed hotels and other places of public accommodation are known to harbor microorganisms in the air and on surfaces therein. Despite public health attempts at improving washroom design and jurisdictional sanitation standards, the public toilet stool and its environs continue to be perceived as one of the dirtiest places people typically encounter in the course of their everyday activities.
Virtually all modern bathrooms are equipped with a sink, soap dispensers, and towels or hot air dryers. Outhouses in parks and less developed areas remain, of course, a notable exception. Persons who deem themselves sensitive to infection by microorganisms, or those who simply wish to maintain a relatively high level of personal cleanliness often carry various supplemental cleansing and/or sanitizing materials with them. While personal hygiene may of course be maintained and/or improved by carrying a bottle of sanitizing gel or wipes in one's pocket, this strategy has the clear downside of requiring a person to carry around their own cumbersome materials for simply cleansing their hands. Moreover, merely washing and sanitizing one's own hands after using the restroom or touching dirty surfaces does little to protect against germs which may be picked up from incidental or unavoidable contact with a filthy toilet stool. While it is conceivable that a person could sanitize the entire contact area within a public bathroom stall or an outhouse with equipment carted around in their pockets or a backpack, such a personal hygiene strategy is not likely to be widely popular, despite the public health benefits from the reduced risk of acquiring infectious diseases. Not only would this approach be time consuming and cumbersome, some restrooms are cleaner than others, and such drastic measures will not appear to be necessary to most people most of the time. There remain, however, instances where ready access to personal hygiene materials is clearly needed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,813,784 to Thompson discloses one design for a sanitary protection package for personal use. In particular, Thompson is directed to a toilet seat cover made of a paper material that is oversized to cover a toilet seat, and configured to permit easy grasping of the seat by a user. The toilet seat cover may be packed with a disinfectant wipe, however, the package is not well suited for long term storage. Moreover, the Thompson package is relatively complex and requires alignment of the disinfectant wipe next to the toilet seat cover within a recess in a peel-back container. Due to the apparent size and package configuration, the Thompson design is poorly suited to both easy assembly and facile delivery via a machine. In particular, the side-by-side arrangement of the wipe and cover makes the package unduly thick, as the components must be folded an excessive number of times.
A variety of readily dispensable personal hygiene products have found their way into public restrooms, particularly in recent years, as the public has become more aware of the health risks associated with the use of such facilities. Condoms and sanitary napkins have become widely available, at low cost, and the public health benefits from having these and similar articles readily and affordably available to travelers are believed to be highly significant. Similarly, certain portable child diaper changing materials and kits have been introduced into the market, apparently with at least some success. Materials necessary in other aspects of personal hygiene, however, have not previously been contemplated for dispensing in public facilities.
The present disclosure is directed to one or more of the problems or shortcomings set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a personal hygiene kit including a primary package defining a first storage envelope. A folded contact barrier sheet is positioned within the first storage envelope of the primary package, and a fluid impermeable secondary package is also positioned within the first storage envelope, the secondary package defining a second storage envelope fluidly separated from the first storage envelope and at least partially overlying the folded contact barrier sheet. A folded wipe moistened with a sanitizing liquid is positioned within the first storage envelope, the folded wipe being fluidly isolated from the folded contact barrier sheet.
In another aspect, a method of dispensing personal hygiene products is provided, including the step of receiving a dispensation request for a machine stored personal hygiene kit having therein a folded contact barrier sheet at least partially overlying a folded wipe moistened with a sanitizing liquid. The method further includes delivering the personal hygiene kit into an access receptacle of the machine responsively to the dispensation request.
In still another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of assembling a personal hygiene kit including the steps of inserting a folded contact barrier sheet into a first storage envelope defined by a primary package, and inserting a wipe moistened with a sanitizing liquid into a second storage envelope defined by a fluid impermeable secondary package. The method further includes the step of inserting the secondary package into the first storage envelope, including a step of at least partially overlying the secondary package with the folded contact barrier sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an apparatus for dispensing personal hygiene kits in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a personal hygiene kit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 a is a side view of a personal hygiene kit and storage container therefor according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of a personal hygiene kit similar to that shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an end view of a personal hygiene kit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is an open end view of a personal hygiene kit according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a personal hygiene kit similar to that shown in FIG. 5; and
FIGS. 7 a-7 i illustrate steps in folding a contact barrier sheet for use in a personal hygiene kit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a dispensing machine 10 such as a vending machine configured to mount to a wall or the like. Machine 10 includes a body 12 having an access door 14 pivotably coupled therewith. A currency receiver 18 may be coupled with door 14, for example, for receiving coins and the like and responsively generating a dispensation request for dispensing products from machine 10. Rather than a currency receive, component 18 might be part of a mechanism for electronically reading consumer credit card information. Further, it might be mounted inside machine 10 rather than to door 14. Machine 10 is shown in the context of an electronic vending machine, however, it should be appreciated that wholly mechanical vending/dispensing machines are also contemplated herein and may provide a practical implementation strategy due to their typically lower costs. A coin operated mechanical vending machine such as the type common in contemporary public bathrooms may be eminently suitable for use in the context of the present disclosure. A currency collecting device 20 may be disposed within body 12 and operable to collect quarters, tokens, etc. inserted during operation.
A controller 22 such as a computer may further be positioned within body 12 and in control communication with a dispensing apparatus 28. When a consumer inserts appropriate currency into receiver 18, for example, controller 22 may prompt dispensing apparatus 28 to actuate a gate 28. Opening of gate 28 will allow products 40, such as personal hygiene kits described herein, to be delivered into an access receptacle 26 of machine 10 via a dispensing slot 29. Rather than an electronic controller, mechanical actuation means may of course be used. An access window 16 is further provided in door 16, allowing a consumer to reach into receptacle 26 to retrieve the dispensed product. A product storage apparatus 24 may be further positioned within body 12 and configured to store a plurality of individual vendable personal hygiene kits 40.
As used herein, the term “vendable” should be understood as meaning capable of being vended via mechanical means. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that conventional vending machines impose various limitations on the size, shape, weight, etc. of products which they are capable of vending. In general terms, products which are suitable for vending in conventional machines are those having length, width and thickness dimensions that will allow the individual product units to be stored, securely positioned, and selectively retrieved via mechanical or electromechanical means within the machine. Vendable products are typically also configured to be moved progressively along a storage apparatus to occupy spaces progressively closer to a dispensing apparatus as individual units are dispensed. In other words, dispensing of one product typically results in the repositioning of all of the remaining products such that subsequent dispensation requests may be satisfied. Specialized machines specific to certain sizes and configurations of products might of course be designed, however, the present disclosure contemplates the use of existing vending machines having known spatial constraints on the types of products they are capable of vending. The personal hygiene kits described herein are contemplated as all being vendable, however, their use is not restricted to dispensation via vending machines, and they might instead be sold as individual units apart from a vending machine, or in packages having multiple units.
Turning to FIG. 2, there is shown a disassembled personal hygiene kit 40 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Kit 40 may include a primary package 60 defining a first storage envelope 63. Primary package 60 may be made from a flexible material such as foil, plastic or paper, and may include a first panel 61 having a length dimension L and a width dimension W. Primary package 60 may further include a second panel 62 having length and width dimensions substantially equal to those of first panel 61. The first and second panels 61 and 62 may be joined at their peripheral edges to define storage envelope 63, for example, via an adhesive or heat sealing. During assembly, one end of primary package 60 may be held open while other components of kit 40 are inserted therein. It is contemplated that three peripheral edges of the respective panels 61 and 62 will be initially joined together, the other components of kit 40 inserted therein, and the fourth peripheral edge then sealed. Package 60 may include a tearable edge E for removing components of kit 40 sealed therein for use. In other embodiments, a primary package, or a supra primary package outside of package 60, may comprise a cardboard panel formed or folded in a V configuration about the other components, described herein. In such an embodiment, the folded panel may be secured about kit 40 by positioning between calipers or within storage slots in machine 10, or the V-configured panel secured about the other components by some other means such as stapling, gluing or heat sealing. An example of one such design is shown in FIG. 2 a, wherein a V-configured panel/storage container 70 is shown positionable about fully assembled kit 40.
Kit 40 may further include a folded contact barrier sheet 48 that is inserted into first storage envelope 63. Sheet 48, shown unfolded in FIG. 7 a, may be used as a toilet seat cover, and may be fabricated from a paper, plastic or some other material. In one practical implementation strategy, contact barrier sheet 48 may be made from tissue paper or a similar material, akin to a conventional toilet seat cover.
Kit 40 may further include a secondary package 46, which will typically be a fluid impermeable package having a first panel 47 and a second panel 49 of substantially equal lengths and widths, together defining a second storage envelope 51. Secondary package 46 may be made of plastic, metal foils, wax paper or some other material, and may have peripheral edges joined together to define storage envelope 51. Like storage envelope 63, components may be inserted into storage envelope 51 after three peripheral edges have been sealed, then the final, fourth, peripheral edge of panels 47 and 49 sealed to fluidly isolate envelope 51 from other components of package 40, as well as the ambient environment. A folded wipe 42 moistened with a sanitizing liquid such as an alcohol based sanitizing liquid or gel may be positioned within second storage envelope 51 and fluidly sealed therein. Fluidly sealing wipe 42 enables long term storage of wipe 42 without substantial degradation and/or drying. It is contemplated that wipe 42 may comprise a toilet seat sanitizing wipe. In alternative embodiments, sheet 48 might be placed inside second storage envelope 51, and hence inside secondary package 46, and wipe 42 positioned outside of secondary package 46. In such an embodiment, primary package 60 may be constructed from fluid impermeable materials.
Turning to FIG. 3, there is shown a sectioned view across a width of an assembled personal hygiene kit 40, taken approximately mid-way along length L of kit 40 when assembled as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates the stacked arrangement of the various components within package 40. It should be appreciated that components 42, 46 and 48 will typically be sandwiched within package 46 tightly enough that no spaces will exist among the components and the packaging, however, for clarity they are shown slightly spaced apart. Secondary package 46 and sheet 48 will be positioned such that they are at least partially overlying one another, and typically such that they completely overly one another.
As alluded to above, packaging articles in such a way that they are vendable presents various challenges. It has been discovered that positioning the articles in an overlying relationship as opposed to other configurations, such as side by side, facilitates their being compressed down to a relatively thin, easily vended product, and minimizes the number of folds necessary to fit the components within kit 40. Many conventional vending machines are configured to manipulate products having relatively thin peripheral edges, hence, the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 is particularly well suited to dispensation via such a machine, as the thin outer peripheral edges of primary package 60 allow it to be readily manipulated by machine calipers. Although kit 40 is shown somewhat expanded in FIG. 3, it will typically have a very thin profile when packaged for use in a vending machine, allowing many product units to be stored in a relatively small space. In particular, kit 40 will typically have a substantially constant thickness about its peripheral edges, and a slightly greater thickness toward the center thereof, being characterized by convex front and back surfaces. Kit 40 still further will typically have a relatively smooth exterior, and be free of even modest obstructions that can interfere with vending. The selection of a suitably slick plastic, paper, or foil for primary package 60 will assist in constructing a vendable product.
Moreover, personal hygiene kits having configurations similar to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and to a certain extent that of FIG. 4, may be relatively easily assembled by sliding the various components into primary package 46 one on top of the other, as opposed to arranging folded components side by side as in Thompson, described above. By configuring kit 40 for drop in assembly of the components, via an open end, it will be better suited for automated assembly than many known designs.
It will be noted from FIGS. 2 and 3 that secondary package 46 has a width W′ that is greater than about one half of width W of primary package 60. In certain embodiments, width W′ may be slightly less than, but nearly equal to width W of primary package 60. In other words, width W′ may be less than width W only enough to facilitate sliding of secondary package 46 within primary package 60. Secondary package 46 may also have a length L′ that is greater than about one half of length L of primary package 60. Similar to the respective width dimensions, length L′ may be less than length L only enough to allow positioning of secondary package 42 within primary package 60. Wipe 42 may have length L″ and width W″ dimensions that relate to the length and width dimensions of primary package 60 in a manner that is similar to the relationship of length L′ and width W′ of secondary package 42 to the corresponding length and width dimensions of primary package 60.
In terms of specific dimensions, length L of primary package 60 may be less than about five inches in certain embodiments, and in other embodiments may be less than about four and one half inches. Width W of primary package 60 may be less than about three and one half inches, and in certain embodiments may be less than about three inches. The specific dimensions have been discovered to be well suited for a vendable product, using certain conventional vending machines.
Turning to FIG. 4, there is shown an alternative embodiment of a personal hygiene kit 140 according to the present disclosure, wherein a box-shaped primary package 160 is provided having a flap 162 configured to close an open end after insertion of the components therein. Primary package 160 might be, for example, paper or plastic. In one contemplated embodiment, package 160 may be similar to plastic packages of the type commonly used for storing and dispensing over the counter drugs and other health care items. Plastic packages as such may include closable plastic panels configured to snap together and may include a tab with a hole therein for hanging the package on a rod, for example. Flap 162 may also be opened to slide out the components of kit 140 for use, as described herein. Kit 140 may be configured to vend via different machines than kit 40 described above due to its generally rectangular end profile. Kit 140 further includes an additional component, a second folded wipe 150 also moistened with a sanitizing liquid. It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure including both first and second wipes are not limited to the package configuration shown in FIG. 4, and a second wipe may be incorporated into a kit having the general configuration of kit 40 of FIG. 3, or some other configuration. In FIG. 4, secondary package 146 and a first folded wipe 142 are shown as one component, as they might appear if wipe 142 is sealed within package 146. Similarly, second wipe 150 is shown as it might appear sealed within its own fluid impermeable package. In certain embodiments, first and second wipes 142 and 150 may be moistened with different sanitizing liquids, for example, a relatively stronger sanitizing liquid for wipe 142 and a relatively weaker sanitizing liquid for wipe 150, the purposes of which will apparent from the description below.
Turning now to FIG. 5, there is shown a personal hygiene kit 240 according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a primary package 260 is provided in the form of a tube 260. A first wipe 242, which may be within a secondary package 246, may be disposed within primary package 260, as well as a folded contact barrier sheet 248 and a second wipe 250, which may also be within a fluid impermeable package (not shown). The at least partially overlying relationship of the components is apparent from FIG. 5.
FIG. 6 illustrates a kit such as kit 240 within a wrapper 241. It may be noted that kit 240 has a general configuration akin to that of a sanitary napkin packaged for dispensing from a conventional vending machine for such purposes.
Referring to FIGS. 7 a-7 i, there are shown various steps in a folding process which may be used to fold contact barrier sheet 48 into a desired configuration suitable for use in the context of the present disclosure, particularly with regard to embodiments similar to that shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. It should be appreciated that the process described with regard to FIGS. 7 a-7 i is exemplary only, and those skilled in the art will recognize that contact barrier sheet 48 might be folded via a wide variety of techniques to generate a folded configuration that may suitably be used. It will further be noted that contact barrier sheet 38 has a unique design that differs from conventional contact barriers used for protecting oneself from toilet seats considered to harbor foreign microorganisms.
Sheet 48 may include a first portion 48 a and a second portion 48 b, a central aperture 49, a set of slits 52 and a tongue 51. Folding of sheet 48 according to the present disclosure may include making a first fold along a first fold line F₁across a width of sheet 48 in a direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7 a. The next step, shown in FIG. 7 b, may include making a longitudinal fold, along line F₂. This step may bring a back portion of second half 48 b, identified as 48 b′, into view as shown in FIG. 7 c. Another longitudinal fold, along fold line F₃, may render the configuration shown in FIG. 7 d.
Next, another longitudinal fold, along line F₄, may be made to render the folded configuration shown in FIG. 7 e. FIG. 7 e illustrates the next two exemplary steps in the folding process, along fold lines F₅and F₆, carried out in numerical order, to render the folded configuration shown in FIG. 7 f. From FIG. 7 f, sheet 48 may be folded longitudinally once more, along fold line F₇. FIGS. 7 g and 7 h illustrate three more folding steps, transverse folds along fold lines F₈, F₉, and F₁₀, necessary to render the final folded contact barrier sheet 48 as shown in an end view in FIG. 7 i. Thus, approximately ten folds may be made to result in a suitable folded configuration for sheet 48.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Referring to the drawings generally, as described above, personal hygiene kits according to the present disclosure are contemplated to be dispensable to consumers via a variety of different conventional vending machines. It is believed that ready and affordable access to basic personal hygiene materials will have a significant public health benefit, in that the persons will be more likely to follow basic personal hygiene procedures where the necessary effort is minimal. It is emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to vendable personal hygiene kits, and that the particular packaging and assembly strategies disclosed herein will also be applicable to personal hygiene kits dispensed by means other than vending machines, for example, a plurality of units boxed together for retail purchase. Similarly, while it is contemplated that vending will take place via dispensation requests associated with payment, the present disclosure is not limited as such. “Vending” and “vendable” as used herein should not be construed to require some sort of payment or other validation, and personal hygiene kits as set forth herein might certainly be dispensed for free. Hospitals, doctor's offices and other medical related facilities, military installations and academic institutions, for example, may desire to provide personal hygiene kits according to the present disclosure via “vending” machines that dispense the same without requiring payment.
In practice, a kit such as kit 40 will provide a consumer with the means for several self protective steps relating to personal hygiene. Initially, primary package 60 may be opened via tearable edge E, and secondary package 46 removed. It is contemplated that a user will then remove wipe 42 from secondary package 46 via tearable edge E′. The toilet seat may then be wiped down with wipe 42 to provide a relatively sanitary surface. Residual sanitizing liquid on the toilet seat may assist sheet 48 in adhering thereto. It is contemplated that secondary package 46 may be used as a “glove” to enable the user to grasp wipe 42 for use. Next, folded contact barrier sheet 48 may be unfolded and placed over the toilet seat. The unique design of sheet 48 will require minimal modification prior to use.
Once the toilet has been used, the user can flush first wipe 42, secondary package 46, sheet 48 and potentially even primary package 60. To minimize environmental impacts, the components of kit 40 might be made from recycled materials such as recycled paper and/or plastic. It will be recalled that personal hygiene kits according to the present disclosure may include a second wipe 150, also moistened with a sanitizing liquid. It is contemplated that second wipe 150 may be used for sanitizing one's hands after use of the bathroom. To this end, the sanitizing liquid used to moisten second wipe 150 may include moisturizers and the like. Second wipe 150 and any associated packaging may also be flushed after use.
The present description is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed to narrow the breadth of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications might be made to the presently disclosed embodiments without departing from the intended spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, where relatively flexible materials are used in all components of personal hygiene kits described herein, a stiffening panel might be inserted to make the kits vendable via certain vending machines. Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent upon an examination of the attached drawings and appended claims.

Claims

1. A personal hygiene kit comprising:

a primary package defining a first storage envelope;

folded contact barrier sheet positioned within the first storage envelope of the primary package;

a fluid impermeable secondary package also positioned within the first storage envelope and defining a second storage envelope fluidly separated from the first storage envelope and at least partially overlying the folded contact barrier sheet; and

a folded wipe moistened with a sanitizing liquid and positioned within the first storage envelope, said folded wipe being fluidly isolated from the folded contact barrier sheet.

2. The personal hygiene kit of claim 1 wherein said folded wipe is disposed within the second storage envelope, and the folded contact barrier sheet is disposed outside of the second storage envelope, the secondary package substantially overlying the folded contact barrier sheet.

3. The personal hygiene kit of claim 2 wherein:

said primary package included first and second panels having substantially equal length and width dimensions, said first and second panels being joined together at peripheral edges thereof; and

said secondary package includes third and fourth panels having substantially equal length and width dimensions, said third and fourth panels being joined together at peripheral edges thereof.

4. The personal hygiene kit of claim 3 wherein said folded wipe is a first wipe, said kit further comprising a second wipe moistened with a sanitizing liquid and disposed within said first storage envelope, said second wipe being fluidly isolated from said first wipe.

5. The personal hygiene kit of claim 4 wherein each of said primary and secondary packages has a generally rectangular configuration.

6. The personal hygiene kit of claim 5 wherein said secondary package has both length and width dimensions that are greater than about one half of corresponding length and width dimensions of said primary package.

7. The personal hygiene kit of claim 6 wherein said first wipe has both length and width dimensions that are greater than about one half of corresponding length and width dimensions of said secondary package.

8. The personal hygiene kit of claim 7 wherein said primary package includes length and width dimensions less than about 5 inches and about 3.5 inches, respectively.

9. The personal hygiene kit of claim 8 wherein said primary package includes length and width dimensions less than about 4.5 inches and about 3 inches, respectively.

10. The personal hygiene kit of claim 9 wherein said primary package includes a tearable peripheral edge whereby said secondary package and said contact barrier sheet are slidably removable from said primary package, said secondary package further includes a different tearable edge whereby said first wipe is slidably removable from said secondary package.

11. A method of dispensing personal hygiene products comprising the steps of:

receiving a dispensation request for a machine stored personal hygiene kit having therein a folded contact barrier sheet at least partially overlying a folded wipe moistened with a sanitizing liquid; and

delivering the personal hygiene kit into an access receptacle of the machine responsively to the dispensation request.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the receiving step further comprising receiving a dispensation request for a personal hygiene kit having a primary package having therein the folded contact barrier sheet substantially completely overlying a fluid impermeable secondary package wherein the folded wipe is disposed.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the folded wipe is a first wipe, the receiving step further comprising receiving a dispensation request for a personal hygiene kit that includes a second wipe moistened with a sanitizing liquid.

14. A method of assembling a personal hygiene kit comprising the steps of:

inserting a folded contact barrier sheet into a first storage envelope defined by a primary package;

inserting a wipe moistened with a sanitizing liquid into a second storage envelope defined by a fluid impermeable secondary package; and

inserting the secondary package into the first storage envelope, including a step of at least partially overlying the secondary package with the folded contact barrier sheet.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the inserting steps comprise inserting the folded contact barrier sheet and the secondary package, respectively, into an open end of the primary package that is opposite a closed end thereof.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the inserting steps comprise inserting the folded contact barrier sheet and the secondary package, respectively, into an open end of the primary package that is adjacent sealed sides thereof.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of folding the contact barrier sheet prior to inserting the contact barrier sheet into the first envelope, including folding the contact barrier sheet in a folded configuration having a length dimension and a width dimension that are equal to at least about one half of corresponding length and width dimensions of the primary package.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the folding step comprises folding the folding the contact barrier sheet in a folded configuration having a length dimension and a width dimension that are about equal to corresponding length and width dimensions of the primary package.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the wipe is a first wipe, the method further comprising the step of inserting a second wipe moistened with a second sanitizing liquid into the primary package.

20. A personal hygiene kit assembled according to the method of claim 19.