Display Package With Swinging Elements And Method Of Use
A blister package is provided including a blister having a pair of moveable article holders that cooperate to retain an article for display. The first article holder extends from the blister and is snap-fit into a snap element when in an article retaining position. The second article holder extends from the blister and engages a stop element when in an article retaining position. Alternatively, the second article holder may be snap-fitted into a second snap element. The snap-fitted engagement of the first article holder secures the article in place within the blister package. A method of packaging an article in a blister package is also provided including the steps of: a) positioning an article between first and second movable article holders; b) snap-fitting the first article holder into an article retaining position that entraps one portion of the article; and c) moving the second article holder into engagement with a stop element or a snap element to assist in holding the second article holder in an article retaining position that entraps a second portion of the article.
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The present invention relates to packaging, and more particularly to blister packages.
A wide variety of products intended for retail sale are packaged in transparent plastic packaging. This type of packaging is desirable because it gives the consumer the ability to see the packaged article at the point of sale. Two of the most common forms of plastic point-of-sale packages includes clamshell packages and blister packages. Clamshell packages typically include a pair of formed plastic components that close around the article to be packaged. The two components are joined together along a hinge so that they can be closed around the article during packaging, much like a clamshell. Although durable, conventional clamshell packaging is relatively expensive to manufacture because it uses a relatively large amount of plastic. It can also be somewhat difficult to package articles in clamshell packages, and to remove articles from clamshell packages.
Blister packages are a relatively inexpensive alternative to clamshell packaging. A conventional blister package include a plastic blister that forms the front of the package and a backing material, such as paperboard, that closes the blister. Blister packages are advantageous because they use less plastic and are therefore relatively inexpensive to manufacture. At the same time, blister packages remain effective in enabling customers to view packaged articles during retail sale. Blister packages vary dramatically in design and configuration. However, many take the form of a “face-seal” blister package. A conventional “face-seal” blister package will include a transparent blister that is secured to the face of the backing material by adhesive. This backing material is typically a paperboard panel, but may be manufactured from other materials. Another common type of blister package is a “mock clamshell,” which is intended to provide the appearance of a clam shell package. The “mock clamshell” generally consists of a vacuum-formed blister and a backing material that is fitted into the rear of the blister, for example, recessed within a flange.
Although providing a number of advantages over clamshell packages, the typical “face-seal” or “mock clamshell” blister package construction may suffer from several drawbacks in certain applications. For example, the blister pocket typically encloses the entire packaged article. This prevents the consumer from touching the article and can make it more difficult for the customer to view the display article. Generally, the pocket utilizes more material than is necessary to retain the display article adding unnecessary costs to production. Moreover, because the conventional blister package can be difficult for the consumer to open by hand, a pair of scissors or even a sharp knife are often required to free a packaged article.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe aforementioned problems are overcome in the present invention, which provides a blister package including a blister having a pair of moveable article holders. The pair of moveable article holders cooperate to retain an article for display. The first article holder extends from the blister and is snap-fitted into engagement with a snap element when in an article retaining position. The second article holder extends from the blister and may be moved into engagement with a stop element when in an article retaining position. Alternatively, the second article holder may also be snap-fitted into engagement with a snap element.
In one embodiment, the packaged article acts to retain the second article holder in an abutting engagement with the stop element. In this arrangement the article can be securely retained by the cooperation of the first article holder, which pivots to a snap-fit engagement with the snap element, and the second article holder, which pivots to an engagement position with the stop element. In a further embodiment, the first article holder extends from the periphery of the blister, and the second article holder extends from an interior of the blister.
In another embodiment, the first article holder has an arm that engages a snap element on the blister. The arm securely snap-fits with the snap element when retaining the article. The characteristics of the arm and/or snap element, such as shape and length, may be varied to provide the stiffness desired to retain the arm in engagement with the snap element. Optionally, the leading edge of the arm may be curved to provide less resistance when snapping the arm into engagement with the snap element. Additionally, the first article holder may be provided with a flange that allows the blister package to stand generally upright on a flat surface when the first article holder is in engagement with the snap element.
In another embodiment, the blister contains a projection that forms a draw to seat the display article. The draw allows the display article to be more effectively retained by the dual article holders. Additionally, the blister may be provided with a hole for hanging the blister package from a display hook at point of sale. A portion of the periphery of the blister may also be provided with a flange which gives the blister package greater stability when set on a flat surface with the article facing the viewer.
In yet another embodiment, the blister is molded to provide a platform recess designed to receive a backer card for display purposes. In this embodiment the platform recess is defined by the back surface of the blister so that the backer card is fitted into the rear of the blister. The blister may include tabs located on the sides of the platform so that the backer card may be snap-fitted into place in the platform recess. The backer card provides a viewing surface on which information about the product being sold can be provided to the customer. The backer card may contain a hole for hanging the blister package from a display hook at point of sale.
In another aspect of the invention, a blister package provides a method for packing an article including the steps of: a) positioning an article between first and second movable article holders; b) snap-fitting the first article holder into an article retaining position to entraps one portion of the article; and c) moving the second article holder into engagement with either a stop element or a snap element that assists in holding the second article holder in an article retaining position to entrap a second portion of the article. In one embodiment, the snap-fitting retention of the first article holder effectively holds the article and second article holder in place, whereby the article is securely retained between the two article holders.
The present invention provides a blister package that is cost effective and relatively easy to manufacture because a single one-sided die can be used in forming the blister package. The invention also reduces production costs because less material is needed to form the dual article holders than would be used to form a conventional blister pocket. In addition, the dual article holders facilitate easy packaging and removal of the article, and allow the customer to touch and more easily view the article at the point of sale. Further, the method of the present invention provides a simple and efficient method for securing an article in a blister package.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the invention and the drawings.
A display package 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown in
The blister 20 is typically constructed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or some other polymer. Although the blister stock is typically transparent or translucent, the stock may be opaque in some applications. The blister 20 can be virtually any desired size and shape depending on the article to be packaged and aesthetic considerations. The blister 20 will vary in thickness from application to application. For standard applications, the blister 20 is likely to have a thickness ranging between 12 and 30 gauge (i.e. 12 to 30 thousands of an inch).
The blister 20 contains a front surface 22, and a back surface 32 as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the first article holder 50 and second article holder 60 are joined to the remainder of the blister 20 along living hinges that permit pivotal movement of the two article holders 50 and 60. The pivoting of the article holders 50 and 60 may be facilitated by perforations, trim lines, die cuts, or other mechanisms generally know in the art. The first article holder 50 may extend from the interior or periphery of the blister 20. For example,
In the illustrated embodiment, the article 300 acts to retain the second article holder 60 in an abutting engagement with the stop element 80 (See
In the illustrated embodiment, the first article holder 50 contains a receptacle 52 designed to receive a portion of the article 300 (See
In the illustrated embodiment, the first article holder 50 is provided with arms 56 that engage the snap element 70 (See
Depending on the type of article being offered for sale, the blister 20 may contain a hanging hole 26 for hanging the blister package 10 from a display hook (See
In some instances, the periphery of the blister 20 may contain a flange 28 extending outwardly from the blister 20 around at least a portion of the periphery of the blister 20 (see
The backer card 40 may be used in some applications. The backer card 40 is typically constructed out of paperboard material. However, other materials commonly known in the art may be substituted. The backer card 40 provides a front and rear viewing surfaces on which product information and other graphics can be displayed. Printed material on the front surface will typically be visible through the transparent or translucent blister 20. The dimensions of the backer card 40 may vary depending upon the size of the package 10 and the article 300 offered for sale. In one embodiment, the backer card 40 defines a hole 42 for hanging the blister package from a display hook at point of sale as shown in
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for packing an article 300 using a blister package 10 containing a blister 20, a snap element 70, a first article holder 50, and a second article holder 60. The package 10 may also include a stop element 80 or a second snap element (not shown). The method includes the steps of: a) moving the first article holder 50 into a securing engagement with the snap element 70; b) moving the second article holder 60 into engagement with either a stop element 80 or a second snap element (not shown); and c) positioning the article 300 between the first article holder 50 and the second article holder 60 such that the article 300 is entrapped between the article holders 50 and 60. The order of these steps is not important. In those embodiments including a stop element, the article 300 is held in place by the first article holder 50, which in turn holds the second article holder 60 in engagement with the stop element 80 as shown in
The above description is that of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any reference claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
Claims
1. A blister package for packaging an article comprising:
- a blister, said blister containing a snap element and a stop element;
- a first article holder extending from said blister, said first article holder being selectively moveable into securing engagement with said snap element;
- a second article holder extending from said blister;
- wherein said first article holder and said second article holder cooperating to retain the article in the package.
2. The blister package of claim 1 wherein said blister includes at least one of a second snap element and a stop element; and
- wherein said second article holder is movable into an article retaining position, said second article holder being retained in said article retaining position at least in part by one of an abutting engagement with said stop element and a snap-fitted engagement with said snap element.
3. The blister package of claim 2 wherein said first article holder pivots into securing engagement with said snap element and said second article holder pivots into engagement with said stop element.
4. The blister package of claim 1 wherein said blister forms a platform recess designed to receive a backer card.
5. The blister package of claim 4 further comprising a backer card and wherein said platform recess defines a plurality of tabs.
6. The blister package of claim 5 wherein said backer card contains a hanging aperture, said backer card being printed with indicia regarding an article for sale.
7. The blister package of claim 1 wherein said first article holder extends from a periphery of said blister.
8. The blister package of claim 7 wherein said second article holder extends from an interior portion of said blister.
9. The blister package of claim 3 wherein said first article holder and said second article holder each define a receptacle for retaining a portion of said article.
10. The blister package of claim 1 wherein said first article holder includes an arm engaging said snap element.
11. The blister package of claim 10 wherein said arm has a leading face that is non-planar.
12. The blister package of claim 1 wherein said first article holder is provided with a flange along a portion of a periphery of said first article holder, said flange allowing said blister package to stand generally upright on a substantially flat surface when said first article holder is moved into securing engagement with said snap element.
13. The blister package of claim 3 wherein said blister defines a draw disposed between said first article holder and said second article holder, said draw seating a portion of said article.
14. A packaged article comprising:
- an article;
- a plastic blister including: a snap element; a first article holder integral with and extending from a periphery of said blister, said first article holder being pivoted into securing engagement with said snap element; a second article holder integral with and extending from said blister, said first article holder and said second article holder cooperating to retain the article.
15. The packaged article of claim 14 wherein said blister includes a second snap element, said second article holder being movable into securing engagement with said second snap element.
16. The packaged article of claim 14 wherein said blister includes a stop element, said second article holder being movable into abutting engagement with stop element.
17. A method for packaging an article in a blister package comprising the steps of:
- forming a plastic blister having a first snap element, a first moveable article holder, and a second moveable article holder, said forming step including forming the blister with at least one of a stop element and a second snap element;
- moving the first article holder into engagement with at least one of the stop element or the second snap element;
- moving the second article holder into securing engagement with the first snap element;
- positioning the article such that it is trapped between the first article holder and the second article holder.
18. The method for packaging an article in a blister package of claim 17 wherein the article and the second article holder cooperatively retain the second article holder in abutting engagement with the stop element.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein said forming step is further defined as thermoforming the blister from a single piece of stock material, each of the first article holder and the second article holder being joined to a remainder of the blister by a living hinge.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said forming step is further defined as thermoforming a contour in a face of the blister to define the stop element.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein said forming step is further defined as thermoforming a contour in the face of the blister to define the snap element.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein said forming step is further defined as thermoforming the blister with the first article holder extending from an interior of the blister and the second article holder extending from a periphery of the blister.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 18, 2006
Publication Date: Feb 21, 2008
Applicant: DISPLAY PACK, INC. (Grand Rapids, MI)
Inventor: Nicholas J. Malone (Rockford, MI)
Application Number: 11/465,477
International Classification: B65D 73/00 (20060101);