Abstract
The present invention is a novel, theft-resistant, and senior-friendly packaging for consumer and retail products that is cheap and easy to manufacture. The packaging is designed to prevent individuals from gaining access to the enclosed product through tampering with the packaging while at the same time meeting or exceeding federal child-resistant and senior-friendly guidelines. The packaging incorporates plastic material and multiple cuts to be tear-resistant and to halt the propagation of a tear, if one should occur.
Claims
1. A packaging apparatus comprising: a first panel laminated with film; a second panel laminated with film and coupled to the first panel; a first tear-stop cut in the first panel proximate to a perimeter edge of the first panel; and a second tear-stop cut in the second panel proximate to a perimeter edge of the second panel; and wherein the first tear-stop cut encircles an inner area of the first panel; and wherein the second tear-stop cut encircles an inner area of the second panel.
2. The packaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first panel and the second panel comprise one of paperboard, cardboard, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
3. The packaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the film comprises one of biaxial film, polyester, and PVC.
4. The packaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first tear-stop cut is substantially parallel to the perimeter edge of the first panel and is positioned between 0.25 inch and 0.5 inch from the perimeter edge of the first panel; and the second tear-stop cut is substantially parallel to the perimeter edge of the second panel and is positioned between 0.25 inch and 0.5 inch from the perimeter edge of the second panel.
5. The packaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more interior tear-stop cuts proximate to the first tear-stop cut.
6. The packaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one tab edge.
7. The packaging apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one tab edge comprises adhesive.
8. The packaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pull-tab.
9. The packaging apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a perforated cut proximate to the pull-tab.
10. The packaging apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a cut-score proximate to the perforated cut.
11. A packaging apparatus comprising: a laminated panel comprising a first area and a second area; a first tear-stop cut in the panel proximate to a perimeter edge of the first area, wherein the first tear-stop cut encircles an inner portion of the first area; and a second tear-stop cut in the panel proximate to a perimeter edge of the second area, wherein the second tear-stop cut encircles an inner portion of the second area.
12. The packaging apparatus of claim 11, wherein the laminated panel comprises one of paperboard, cardboard, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
13. The packaging apparatus of claim 11, wherein the laminated panel comprises one of biaxial film, polyester, and PVC.
14. The packaging apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the first tear-stop cut is substantially parallel to the perimeter edge of the first area and is positioned between 0.25 inch and 0.5 inch from the perimeter edge of the first area; and the second tear-stop cut is substantially parallel to the perimeter edge of the second area and is positioned between 0.25 inch and 0.5 inch from the perimeter edge of the second area.
15. The packaging apparatus of claim 11, further comprising one or more interior tear-stop cuts proximate to the first tear-stop cut.
16. The packaging apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one tab edge.
17. The packaging apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one tab edge comprises adhesive.
18. The packaging apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a pull-tab.
19. The packaging apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a perforated cut proximate to the pull-tab.
20. The packaging apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a cut-score proximate to the perforated cut.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) A further understanding of the present invention can be obtained by reference to a preferred embodiment, along with some alternative embodiments, set forth in the illustrations of the accompanying drawings. Although the illustrated embodiments are merely exemplary of systems for carrying out the present invention, both the organization and method of operation of the invention, in general, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by reference to the drawings and the following description. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention.
(2) For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following drawings in which:
(3) FIG. 1A depicts a front schematic view of a single strip blister card in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
(4) FIG. 1B depicts a rear schematic view of the single strip blister card of FIG. 1A in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(5) FIG. 1C depicts a side cross-sectional view of the single strip blister card of FIG. 1A in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(6) FIG. 2A depicts a front schematic view of the front card of a multi-strip blister card package in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(7) FIG. 2B depicts a rear schematic view of the front card of the multi-strip blister card package in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(8) FIG. 2C depicts a front schematic view of the rear card of the multi-strip blister card package in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(9) FIG. 2D depicts a rear schematic view of the rear card of the multi-strip blister card package in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(10) FIG. 2E depicts a magnified view of the die-cut portal, cut-score, and the perforated cut of the rear card of FIG. 2C;
(11) FIG. 3A depicts an exploded side view of the front card of FIG. 2A and rear card of FIG. 2C of the multi-strip blister card package in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention and the blister card prior to assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(12) FIG. 3B depicts a side view of the assembled front card, rear card, and blister card of FIG. 3A to create a blister card package in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(13) FIG. 3C depicts an exploded side view of the blister card of FIG. 1A and rear card of FIG. 2C of the multi-strip blister card package in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention and the blister card prior to assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(14) FIG. 3D depicts a side view of the assembled blister card and rear card of FIG. 3C to create a blister card package in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(15) FIG. 4 depicts a front schematic view of the assembled blister card package of FIGS. 2A-3B in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(16) FIG. 5 depicts a front schematic view of an unfolded blister card package of the preferred embodiment of the present invention having a foldable front cover comprising printed instructions, dosage information, and content information;
(17) FIG. 6 depicts a front schematic view of a solid form blister in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
(18) FIG. 7 depicts an alternate embodiment of the present invention adapted for use with security, audit, RFID, or consumer product tags;
(19) FIG. 8A depicts a schematic view of a foldable blister card in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention adapted for consumer electronics products;
(20) FIG. 8B depicts a front schematic view of the assembled blister card of FIG. 8A;
(21) FIG. 9A depicts a schematic view of a foldable package card in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention adapted for consumer postal products;
(22) FIG. 9B depicts a front schematic view of the assembled package card of FIG. 9A;
(23) FIG. 10A depicts a front schematic view of a blister package in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention adapted for small retail products; and
(24) FIG. 10B depicts a rear schematic view of the front blister card of FIG. 10A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(25) Detailed illustrative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiments. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiments for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein which define the scope of the present invention. The following presents a detailed description of a preferred embodiment (as well as some alternative embodiments) of the present invention.
(26) FIG. 1A depicts a front schematic view of a blister card in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Blister card 100 comprises base 101, which is preferably thermoformed from a flexible, semi-rigid plastic. However, base 101 may be constructed from various other materials including, for example, injected mold plastics, thick foil, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl dichloride (PVdC), Aclar, polypropylene (PP), etc. Blister 102 of blister card 100 is a bubble-type portion that is typically manufactured of the same material as base 101. Blister 102 protrudes from base 101 forming a cavity wherein a product may be stored. FIG. 1A illustrates blister 102 containing product 103. As depicted, product 103 is of an elongated oval shape, which is commonly associated with a pharmaceutical-type medicine dosage. However, this type of product is shown for exemplary purposes only and other types of retail products may be utilized in accordance with the present invention. For example, product 103 may include such items as machinery parts, tools, hardware, personal care products, consumer electronics, toy cars, sewing kits, or any other product that may be stored within a blister-type enclosure. Also, the present invention may utilize cold-form blisters, or blisters that are formed from two sheets of foil such that a first sheet forms one or more blisters and a second sheet forms the blister seals. In accordance with the present invention, cold-form blister foils are typically made from layers of various materials, including aluminum, biaxally orientated polyamide (OPA), and PVC, but any suitable materials may be used.
(27) Turning to FIG. 1B, depicted is a rear schematic view of blister card 100, which illustrates backing 105. Portions of backing 105 act as seal 104 for sealing the openings of blister 102. Backing 105 is preferably constructed from aluminum foil. However, other types of foil, films, or other materials such as paper and plastic may be used. Additionally, backing 105 may comprise perforations or cut-scores surrounding portions of the backing. These portions may overlap, follow, or coincide with the perimeter of the blister opening, i.e., seal 104. The perforations or cut-scores may be designed to assist the user in penetrating the portion of backing 105 that acts as seal 104.
(28) FIG. 1C depicts a side view of blister card 100. A user can easily remove product 103 from blister 102 by pushing downward (with respect to the horizontal plane) on blister 102 such that product 103 ruptures or displaces seal 104. Preferably, seal 104 of blister card 100 is frangible to prevent damage to product 103 or other content of blister 102 when the content is pushed through the frangible layer. Blister 102 is preferably constructed from a tear and puncture resistant, durable, flexible, semi-rigid material, thus allowing the user to push on blister 102 forcing product 103 through seal 104 while preventing breakage of product 103. Further, blister 102 may be formed as an indentation in base 101 or may be constructed from a different material that is adhered to base 101.
(29) As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, the blister card package of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is constructed from front card 201 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) and rear card 230 (FIGS. 2C and 2D). Front card 201 of FIG. 2A comprises at least one oval aperture 202. Oval aperture 202 is adapted to fit a blister, which is placed through oval aperture 202.
(30) In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paperboard used to create front card 201 has one side that is laminated and pre-coated with a heat-activated adhesive. Purchasing paperboard with pre-applied adhesive reduces the cost of manufacturing. The paperboard of front card 201 is configured such that the rear of front card 201 is coated with the adhesive. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention uses an adhesive activated by heat, other adhesives including an adhesive activated by some other means (such as pressure) may also be used. Alternatively, front card 201 can be fabricated without adhesive, whereupon adhesive is applied during the assembly process, or a method other than adhesion may be utilized to assemble the blister card package (e.g., crimping, pressure sealing, fusion, fastening, etc.).
(31) For exemplary purposes, front card 201 comprises oval aperture 202. However, any configuration or any number of apertures is contemplated without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In fact, the present invention may utilize irregular, custom, or generic arrangements. Additionally, the design employed by the present invention can accommodate a large volume of oval apertures 202 (or any other shape of aperture) in many various arrangements, thereby making the present invention suitable for various retail, consumer and pharmaceutical products.
(32) An exposed rear view of front card 201 is depicted in FIG. 2B. In the preferred embodiment, the rear side of front card 201 is laminated with a tear resistant plastic film 204, such as polyester. However, any type of tear-resistant material such as polyethylene or polypropylene may be used to create a film. Alternatively, either side of the paperboard may be completely or partially laminated. The laminated material increases the level of theft resistance by making the paperboard highly resistant to tears. Furthermore, the tear resistance of laminated paperboard can be significantly increased by the addition of a tear-stop cut. The tear-stop is a cut applied to the laminated side of the tear-resistant paperboard. A clean, unbroken cut approximately one-quarter inch to one-half inch inside all of the perimeter edges of the card forms tear-stop cut 205. Of course, it is contemplated that the tear-stop may be placed at any point along the paperboard while still performing the functionality of stopping the propagation of side tears. The tear-stop cut fully penetrates the thickness of tear resistant film 204 but does not fully penetrate through the paperboard. Therefore, if a tear is initiated from the outer edge of the sealed card, the tear will not readily continue and run through or beyond tear-stop cut 205. As shown, tear-stop cut 205 may be applied to all perimeters of the card. The tear-stop cut may be placed at any distance from the outer edge of the paperboard and in any arrangement.
(33) A laminated paperboard is highly tear resistant where there are no nicks or cuts along the edge of the paperboard. However, it is very difficult to manufacture a product made from the laminated material without creating small imperfections along the edge of the product. An object of this invention is to create a second edge, a new tear-stop edge, with fewer or no nicks or cuts so that the propagation of tears is eliminated. It is also contemplated that multiple tear-stops can be created within the same product. This layering of tear-stops would further increase the tear resistance of the card.
(34) If a person were to attempt to tear the laminated paperboard from the edge and was successful in beginning a tear, they would quickly arrive at the tear-stop of the laminate and be prevented from tearing across, through, or beyond the remainder of the package. This method of increasing the tear resistance of paperboard materials will be important for improving the child resistance, tamper resistance, and theft resistance of retail products. When an improved tear-resistant paperboard is used in conjunction with a blister card package or other retail package for a consumer product, the ability to easily pilfer the product from the package is greatly diminished. For example, a thief in a retail location can easily tear a 2 inch cubic cardboard box and obtain the small item inside in an attempt to take the small item. To remedy this, the small item may be packaged in a large (e.g., a 12 inch) reinforced paperboard blister pack utilizing at least one tear-cut. A thief capable of creating a first tear may be further defeated by the tear-cut, which prevents the tear from proceeding. To overcome the tear-cut, the thief must expend time and effort to create another new tear. Although rigid plastic packaging known in the art acts as a deterrent in this manner, the present invention allows for the novel use of the tear-cut to further enhance the tear resistance. In addition, this method still provides for a surface that the retailer can utilize to market the product (e.g., a retailer can market the product by printing graphics on the paperboard blister that could not be easily printed on the rigid plastic surfaces commonly utilized).
(35) Front and rear views of rear card 230 are illustrated in FIGS. 2C and 2D, respectively. For the preferred embodiment of the present invention, rear card 230 is fabricated from paperboard purchased with a heat-activated adhesive pre-applied to one side of the paperboard, again, to reduce the cost of manufacturing. The paperboard of rear card 230 is positioned such that the front of rear card 230 contains adhesive and the rear of rear card 230 does not. As described above for front card 230, an adhesive activated by some means other than heat may also be used. Alternatively, the rear card 230 can be fabricated without adhesive and adhesive may either be applied during the assembly process or a method other than adhesion may be utilized to assemble the blister card package. In the preferred embodiment, the front of rear card 230 is laminated with a tear resistant plastic film 237 comprised of polyester or other comparable polymers, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. After assembly, the front of rear card 230 will be hidden. Tear-stop cut 236 may be added to rear card 230 in the manner described with respect to front card 201. Tear-stop cut 236 is placed one-quarter inch to one-half inch from the outer edge and is only visible from the front view of rear card 230, as depicted in FIG. 2C. Thus, in this embodiment, the tear-stop cut is not exposed once the package is assembled.
(36) Rear card 230 comprises perforated cut 232 forming blister panel 233 that can be seen from both the front and rear of rear card 230. However, cut-score 235 may only be seen from the front of rear card 230 as depicted in FIG. 2C. From the back of rear card 230, as shown in FIG. 2D, cut-score 235 may not be visible. This may help enhance the theft-resistance of the package since cut-score 235 is not readily visible to a consumer or potential thief. Cut-score 235 is shown concentrically located within perforated cut 232; however, depending on the material of rear card 230, implementing perforated cut 232 concentrically within cut-score 235 is sometimes preferable. Additionally, the same type of cut (i.e., perforated, cut-score, or tear-stop) could be used for both the inner and outer cut. It is contemplated that any combination or quantity of cut types and locations may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.
(37) Cut-score 235 is only visible from the front of rear card 230 because it does not penetrate the entire thickness of rear card 230. Rather, cut-score 235 only partially penetrates rear card 230. In contrast, blister panel 233 is cut throughout rear card 230 such that the blister panel 233 encircles its oval aperture 202 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) when the blister card packaging is fully assembled. The degree of perforation used to cut perforated cut 232 may be altered to vary the force necessary to remove blister panel 233.
(38) Without cut-score 235, blister panel 233 is not likely to tear cleanly. Cut-score 235 along with perforated cut 232 effectively allow for a clean removal of blister panel 233. Without both cut-score 235 and perforated cut 232, blister panel 233 would not remove cleanly, thus resulting in tearing a blister panel belonging to a product that the user does not desire to remove at that time or possibly damaging the entire blister card package. Additionally, if blister panel 233 is not removed cleanly, blister panel 233 may separate into layers such that one layer is removed and another layer remains attached to rear card 230 or the seal. This can cause difficulties when a user attempts to push the product through the seal. A user may not have sufficient strength to break through the remaining layer of paperboard, or, if the user applies additional force, the force required may damage the product.
(39) Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention uses some form of pre-applied adhesive during the construction of the blister card package, it is also possible to construct the blister card package of the present invention without the use of pre-applied adhesives. Instead, paperboard can be purchased without pre-applied adhesive and the adhesive can be stamped onto the paperboard with a printing press such that adhesive is not applied to the areas slightly larger than the perimeters of blister panel 233.
(40) In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, perforated cut 232 operates in conjunction with cut-score 235, as depicted in FIG. 2E, to ensure a clean tear of blister panel 233. After a user pushes on blister 102 either by hand or with the help from a tool, blister panel 233 is easily torn because blister panel 233 does not stick to the seal, and the tear follows the path of least resistance, i.e., along cut-score 235. Since perforated cut 232 and cut-score 235 are located internal to the blister card package and are not accessible from the exterior of the package. These two features assist in the clean tear of blister panel 233 only after blister panel 233 has been pushed either by hand or with a tool, thereby maintaining the child-resistance of the blister card package.
(41) The perforated cut 232 and cut-score 235 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be die-cut. Moreover, perforated cut 232 and cut-score 235 can be manufactured in a single step utilizing a combination of special die-cut knives. A first oval-shaped blade of the knife preferably has nicks (or a square saw tooth shaped edge) such that the blade creates perforations when pressed into rear card 230. A second oval-shaped blade is preferably recessed such that it only cuts partially through rear card 230, thereby forming cut-score 235. Although cut-score 235 does not extend through rear card 230, the use of a specially manufactured bi-level die, or positioning two die cutting knives at different levels, allows the rear card to be cut in one step, thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing. Although previously described in terms of ovals or a blade having nicks, any other shape which functionally accomplishes the same purpose may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
(42) FIG. 3A depicts an exploded side view of front card 201, blister card 100, and rear card 230 prior to assembly. Blister 102 is aligned with blister panel 233 (FIG. 2C) of front card 201 and rear card 230, respectively.
(43) Shown in FIG. 3B is a side view of front card 201 and rear card 230 after assembly. Blister 102 protrudes through oval aperture 202 of front card 201 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) such that it may be seen and manipulated by a user. Front card 201 is juxtaposed against rear card 230 such that base 101 and seal 104 (FIG. 3A) of blister card 100 (FIG. 3A) are encased between front card 201 and rear card 230. To secure the assembly, front card 201 and rear card 230 are preferably sealed to each other via application of heat and pressure. Preferably, portions of front card 201 and rear card 230 adhere to each other between blister card 100 (FIG. 3A).
(44) An additional embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3C, which depicts an exploded side view of blister card 100, and rear card 230 prior to assembly. Blister 102 is aligned with blister panel 233 (FIG. 2C) of rear card 230.
(45) Shown in FIG. 3D is a side view of blister card 100, and rear card 230 after assembly. Blister card 100 is juxtaposed against rear card 230 such that base 101 of blister card 100 is firmly adhered to rear card 230. To secure the assembly, blister card 100 and rear card 230 are preferably sealed to each other via application of heat and pressure.
(46) To ensure proper operability of the blister card package, seal 104 of blister card 100 (FIG. 1B) is preferably not heat sealed to panel 233 of rear card 230 (FIGS. 2C and 2D). Thus, seal 104 does not tear when panel 233 is removed. Additionally, a portion of panel 233 will not separate and remain attached to seal 104. Various manufacturing methods may be utilized to prevent adhesion of seal 104 to panel 233. One method is to avoid application of heat-activated adhesive to panel 233 or seal 104. For instance, adhesive may be applied only to front card 201 after oval aperture 202 is cut. Alternatively, the heat-activated adhesive may be applied to the entire front surface of rear card 230, and a specially designed heat-sealing plate having voids that correspond to panel 233 and seal 104 may be used to activate the adhesive only in desired areas.
(47) Front card 201 and rear card 230 are of sufficient size to be adhered around a blister card and to ensure child-resistance and durability. Although heat sealing is used for the preferred embodiment of the present invention, various other adhesion techniques may be applied such as pressure sealing, RF sealing, dielectric sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc. The present invention functions equally well with adhesives that do not require heat or pressure.
(48) In an alternative embodiment, front card 201 and rear card 230 can be constructed from a single sheet of foldable paperboard. Consequently, the sheet can be folded and blister card 100 inserted therein to assemble the blister card package. Although paperboard is preferred, various other materials may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
(49) FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the assembled blister card package illustrated in FIGS. 2A-3B. Blister 102 protrudes through oval aperture 202. The laminated sides of the paperboard and the tear-stop cuts are not visible since the rear card is adhered to the front card to form the blister card package. Further, when the contents of blister 102 are hidden or additional surface space for product marketing or product information is required by the retailer or manufacturer, content information can be printed on base 101 of blister strip 100 of FIG. 1. As illustrated by FIG. 4, the content information printed on base 101 is hidden by front card 201 or rear card 230 of FIG. 3B. Yet, the content information can be obtained by cutting the blister card package, tearing apart the blister card package, or by accessing the package through pre-defined perforations.
(50) The preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5 with the front card 501 extended flat and unfolded in the leftward direction. The rear card 230 (FIGS. 2C and 2D) may also be extended in this direction. Fold lines 502 are implemented such that the extended section, left flap 503, easily folds over right flap 504. The folded package may resemble the front and back covers of a book or magazine.
(51) Left flap 503 comprises printed instructions 508 reading, 1. Push on blister to dispense. Additional product information 509 may also be printed on left flap 503. Pre-printed information 505 may also be included on right flap 504 or left flap 503 to indicate dosage number, pill type, or any other relevant information. Alternatively, pre-printed lines 506 or blank area 507 may be positioned adjacent to oval aperture 202 for the user to record or log dosage taken, time of day, day of week, or any other useful information.
(52) The embodiment of FIG. 5 may be folded and placed into a casing comprising paperboard, or any other material, to protect the packaging and to prevent accidental and annoying unfolding. In a further alternative embodiment, left flap 503 may also comprise a blister similar to right flap 504. Left flap 503 and rear card 230 (FIGS. 2C and 2D) may also be extended, folded, printed on, or constructed to hold materials to achieve the desired functionality without departing from the spirit of the invention.
(53) Ultimately, the preferred embodiment of the present invention may require the user to apply enough force on the blister either by hand or with a tool to effectively tear through both the score-cut and the perforated cut. Children will still have difficulty accessing the content of the blister because the foil is not exposed, yet this method is simple enough for competent individuals to understand, especially after reading the instructions. There is only one step necessary to follow in order to dispense the contents from the blister card package and it may be summarized as follows: 1) Using a tool or your hand push the product through the seal.
(54) Advantageously, paperboard can be easily printed on. Therefore, logos, text, images, patterns, designs, and other marketing material may be printed directly on the packaging. This will make the blister card package more attractive to a consumer shopping at a retail location and increase the marketing potential of the product for the vendor. In addition, instructions for the product may also be printed on the paperboard. The method of manufacturing the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a single step for applying release coatings and printed information, thus minimizing the cost of manufacturing. In the preferred embodiment, the printing occurs opposite the laminated side of the paperboard. Moreover, front card 201, rear card 230, or both, may be extended in one or more directions to provide additional area for printed information. Another advantage of paperboard is that it is easily written on, allowing a blister card package user to record information such as when medication was administered or side effects felt after taking the medication. In an alternative embodiment, one sheet of paperboard may be folded to create a front card, rear card and extended side.
(55) Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 6. Solid-form blister 600 comprises a two-dimensional matrix of blisters 602 attached to base 601 and containing product 604. As with blister strip 100, the openings of blisters 602 are enclosed with seals (not shown) similar to seals 104 of FIG. 1B. Therefore, solid-form blister 600 can be encased between a front and rear card in the same manner described in the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, solid-form blister 600 essentially operates in the same manner as extensively described above, however has the capability to contain a larger capacity of blisters 102 as illustrated in FIG. 6.
(56) Several other embodiments of the present invention are adapted for use with consumer and retail goods. FIG. 7 depicts a stiff paperboard tag 700 used to house a security or audit device, such as an RFID tag, security tag, product tag, sensor, or the like. Tag 700 may comprise multiple paperboard layers and be laminated to prevent tampering or degradation of the product or security device contained within tag 700 or tag 700 itself. It is also contemplated that tag 700 may be comprised of other suitable materials in addition to paperboard. At least one tear-stop cut 701 is added to the perimeter of tag 700 to prevent propagation of side tears. In addition, tear-stop cut 701 may also reduce puncture tears initiated from the center area 704 of tag 700. Center area 704 may securely house a security device, audit tag, product tag, RFID tag, or other like object to facilitate consumer product management or inventory control. The device or tag may be embedded or secured within the front and rear cards or paperboard layers of tag 700 or otherwise attached, glued, or affixed to tag 700.
(57) Ideally, tag 700 may be placed within consumer goods and products without the knowledge of consumers to aid in asset management and inventory control. This way, tag 700 is not visible to consumers or potential thieves. Alternatively, tag 700 may contain adhesive or other attaching means, such as circular aperture 702 for tag 700 to be fastened, tied, or otherwise attached to a consumer or retail product via a product tie. Circular aperture 702 may also contain at least one tear-stop cut 703 concentric with circular aperture 702 to prevent ripping or pulling of tag 700 off the consumer product. For example, tag 700 may be utilized to automate checkout at a retail location (with the use of RFID tags, radio transmitters, or the like) or curb product theft.
(58) Another embodiment of the present invention adapted for consumer electronics accessories is depicted in the foldable blister card of FIG. 8A. Aperture 810 is cut from front card 801 conforming to the basic shape of a plastic blister 807 to be inserted between front card 801 and back card 800. Once blister 807 containing the product is inserted, back card 800 is folded behind front card 801. The two cards are then glued or sealed together with the application of heat and pressure, as described above, thereby securing the blister to the blister card. To open the package, a user applies pressure on blister 807, which is attached to aperture 810. This pressure pushes the product through to the back side removing panel 808. Cut-score 804 may be positioned slightly within perforated cut 805, allowing panel 808 to be removed from the package easily and cleanly when pressure is applied from the front side. Since the tears will follow the path of least resistance around the perimeter of the product, the product may be removed quickly, cleanly, and safely from its packaging in this manner. Safe and controlled removal of the product is especially important for electronics and electronics accessories, which may be expensive and fragile. Back card 800 and front card 801 additionally may be laminated and contain tear-stop cuts 806 along the perimeters of front card 801 and back card 800 to prevent the propagation of side tears as described in the previous embodiments.
(59) FIG. 8B shows the assembled, folded blister package of FIG. 8A. Blister 807 is preferably comprised of clear plastic for easy viewing of the product contained within blister 807. Printing may be located anywhere on front card 801 where convenient. Preferably, this printing describes the product contained within blister 807, its features, cost, and any other useful information for the consumer or retailer. Additionally, the package may comprise a hook aperture 809 for hanging multiple packages at a retail location.
(60) Another alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B and is adapted for mailing applications. Envelope 900 is comprised of laminated paperboard, cardboard, PVC, or any other suitable material. Envelope 900 is laminated or embedded with plastic film 901, which could comprise biaxial film, plastic, polyester, PVC, or any like polymer. At least one tear-stop cut 902 is ideally positioned inch to inch from all perimeter edges of envelope 900 to halt the propagation of any side tears in envelope 900. Plastic film 901 and tear-stop cut 902 will minimize any degradation of the product contained within envelope 900 during shipping and processing. In addition, plastic film 901 and tear-stop cut 902 create an effective deterrent from tampering or theft of the products contained within envelope 900. The number and location of tear-stop cut 902 can be varied as desirable. Tab edges 904 enclose the product, which in this case may be stationary to be mailed. Tab edges 904 may contain stamped adhesive (pressure sensitive, heat-activated, or the like) or glues to assist in securing envelope 900 around the product. Perforated cut 903 surrounds pull-tab 905 for easy access to the product after envelope 900 is sealed. In addition a cut-score may be positioned slightly within or outside the perimeter of perforated cut 903 to ensure a clean tear.
(61) FIG. 9B shows the assembled envelope 900 of FIG. 9A. Depending on which side of envelope 900 is laminated, tear-stop cut 902 may be visible from the outside of assembled envelope 900 or tear-stop cut 902 may be hidden from view and only visible from inside envelope 900. Envelope 900 may come preassembled in pre-folded form or unfolded as depicted in FIG. 9A. If envelope 900 is preassembled, the user needs only to insert a product and seal envelope 900 by folding tab edge 904 over pull-tab 905 and securing tab edge 904 to envelope 900. A variety of glues, adhesives, or fasteners may be used to facilitate the sealing of envelope 900.
(62) A final embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B. Blister 1002 houses a small consumer product 1003, such as a child's toy. Front card 1004 is preferably composed of paperboard or stiff paper, although any suitable material may be used. In addition, front card 1004 may be laminated with a plastic material to resist tearing and product tampering (as discussed above). Front card 1004 contains blister aperture 1006, through which blister 1002 is placed. A rear view of front card 1004 is shown in FIG. 10B. Aperture 1006 is adapted to allow blister 1002 to pass through. Tear-stop cut 1012 is positioned along the outer perimeter of the back of front card 1004 and a plastic film 1010 covers the card. A rear card (not shown) is attached behind front card 1004 to complete the consumer product packaging. This arrangement maintains the child resistant and theft-resistant qualities of the card, while at the same time making tear-stop 1012 and film 1010 invisible to the consumer or user.
(63) While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, which embodiments have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, such embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention.
