BLISTER PACK WITH INTEGRAL ACCESS TOOL
A blister pack (10) includes a blister segment (12) and a tool (T1, T2), both integrally formed with a tray (Y). The blister segment (12) has a blister bubble (14) at least partially surrounded by a blister flange (F). Substrate (16) serving as a gate (18) covers the opening of the blister bubble (14). The tool (T1, T2) is adapted for puncturing the substrate gate (16/18) to gain access to the interior of the blister bubble (14). A blister segment (12) is configured and has reinforcing features (40, 34) so that it may serve as the tool (T1, T2).
This invention relates generally to blister packs and, more specifically, to blister packs including a tool for accessing an interior of a blister.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA blister pack is a type of package that protects one or more items or articles, by sealing the articles between a substantially planar substrate and a concave compartment structure. The concave compartment structure is typically referred to as a blister or a bubble. Blisters are typically formed of a plastic or foil type material and the substrate is frequently paper, foil, plastic, paperboard or a laminate of one or more of these materials. The encased article is typically accessed by pushing the article, from the bubble side of the blister pack, until the article breaks through the substrate. Frequently, the blister pack includes lines of demarcation that define each segment having an individual blister. Each line of demarcation may be a frangible line, such as a perforated line, that facilitates separation of a segment of a blister from the blister pack.
A problem with blisters is that it is often difficult to push the product encased in the blister through the blister substrate. This problem can exist because the substrate is made particularly durable to maintain the freshness and efficacy of the encased product, or to inhibit removal of the encased product in order to increase the child-resistance rating. Thus, a need exists for a means for facilitating removal of an encased item or article from a blister.
One solution has entailed using a tool, which is not packaged with the blister pack, to puncture or cut the substrate of a blister. However, a tool such as this is not always available in every environment. Further, the tool may have a cutting blade that is a hazard to users. Another solution is to include a cutting apparatus in, or as part of, the package that includes the blister pack. However, these cutting apparatuses are manufactured separately from the blister packs and the rest of the package, thereby adding to material and manufacturing costs.
Although prior attempts to solve the problem of removing an encased article from its protective seal are known, there remains a need for a convenient and cost effective means for safely and efficiently penetrating the substrate or protective seal of a blister.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a blister pack that includes at least one blister segment with substrate covering a blister bubble opening and at least one integral tool for penetrating the substrate of the blister segment.
According to one aspect of the invention the tool is at least partially formed from a flanged portion of the blister pack. The blister pack includes a tray and a substrate. The flanged portion of the blister pack includes a substantially planar portion of the tray to which the substrate is attached. Lines of demarcation, including frangible lines and perforated lines, define the tool in the blister pack and facilitate detachment of the tool from the blister pack.
According to another aspect of the invention, the tool comprises a reinforced region and a blade region for cutting and/or puncturing substrate material. The reinforced region reinforces the blade region such that the blade region can penetrate, puncture or cut the substrate of a blister without undue deformation that might limit the tool's effectiveness. In one facet of this aspect, the reinforced region is in the form of a raised member. In another facet of this aspect the raised member is offset from an edge of the tool. In an additional facet of this aspect, the raised member is proximate a cutting edge of the tool.
According to still another aspect of the invention, the tool is at least partially formed from a flanged portion of the blister pack and reinforcement is provided by a folded-over tab structure. The reinforced region of the tool is formed by folding the tab structure of the flanged portion along a fold line.
According to an additional aspect of the invention, the tool includes a blister bubble that defines the reinforced region.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a system is provided including a blister pack and a package. The blister pack includes at least one blister. A tool for penetrating the substrate of a blister of the blister pack is integral to the package.
According to further aspect of the invention, a method for accessing an article in a blister in a blister pack is provided. The blister pack includes at least one blister and at least one tool. The method includes detaching a tool from the blister pack and using the tool to penetrate the substrate of a blister.
Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are included within the scope of the present teaching and are protected by the accompanying claims.
The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as an illustration, specimen, model, or pattern. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments of a blister pack that includes at least one blister and at least one tool for penetrating the substrate of a selected blister. The tool includes a strengthening element that provides structural rigidity to the tool in general and to a penetrating corner of the tool in particular.
To help distinguish the various elements of the invention, the term “blister bubble” will be used to refer to the cavity, blister, bubble or compartment to which access is sought through use of the tool. The term “blister segment” will be used to refer to the segment of the blister pack tray that may be separated from the tray itself. The blister segment comprises a blister bubble at least partially surrounded by a flange and having substrate covering the opening to the interior of the blister bubble.
Referring first to
The planar portion of the tray Y and the corresponding attached portion of the substrate 16 define a flanged portion F of the blister pack 10, and of each blister segment 12. Each portion of the substrate 16 that is disposed over the open end of a blister bubble 14 defines a gate 18 (shown in
Referring to
Referring now to
An end of the fold line 30 that is adjacent to the penetrating corner 32, or is otherwise adjacent to the first edge E1, is offset from the edge E2 by a distance L1. Opposite ends of the fold line 30 are offset a distance L2, L3 from the edges E3, E1, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, the distances L2, L3 are substantially the same.
Referring to
The reinforced region R1 increases the structural rigidity of the adjacent blade region B1, including the penetrating corner 32, such that the blade region B1 can withstand an increased applied force before substantially bending, buckling or otherwise deforming. Accordingly, the exemplary blister segment 12 can be used as a tool T1 for penetrating the gate 18 of a selected blister segment 12′. The selected blister segment 12′ to be opened may be attached to the blister pack 10, as shown in
To access articles that are sealed in a selected blister segment 12′, the penetrating corner 32 of the tool T1 is forced through the gate 18 of the selected blister segment 12′, as shown in
Referring again to
The reinforcing bubble 40 may be disposed such that it is offset from the edges E2, E4. A blade region B2 (shown in
Referring to now
It should be noted that the reinforcing or structural element that provides the reinforced region is not limited to a reinforcing bubble 40 formed from the tray Y. Rather, the structural element may be a protuberance in the form of a rib, a raised element, or an element that is attached to the tray Y or substrate 16 to provide the same functionality.
It should also be noted that the tools T1, T2 do not have to be integral to a blister segment 12, as described above. For example, the tool can be a flanged portion F of the blister pack 10, defined by lines of demarcation 20, or attached by a perforated edge.
In additional alternative embodiments, the blister pack 10 is packaged in a carton (not shown). The carton includes a flap with a reinforcing or structural element, such as a fold line, such that the flap can be used as a tool for accessing a selected blister segment 12′.
The law does not require and it is economically prohibitive to illustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims. Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.
Claims
1. A blister pack (10) comprising:
- a tray (Y) comprising at least one blister segment (12, 12′) integrally formed with said tray (Y), said blister segment (12, 12′) comprising a blister bubble (14) having an opening, and at least one tool (T1, T2) integrally formed with said tray (Y); and
- substrate (18) substantially covering said opening of said blister bubble (14);
- wherein said at least one tool (T1, T2) is adapted for puncturing said substrate (18) to gain access to an interior of said bubble blister (14).
2. The blister pack of claim 1, wherein said at least one tool (T1, T2) is adapted for separation from said tray (Y).
3. The blister pack of claim 2, wherein said at least one tool (T1, T2) is adapted for separation from said tray (Y) by means of weakened lines of demarcation (20) that define a tool perimeter.
4. The blister pack of claim 1, wherein said at least one tool (T1, T2) comprises a tool flange (F) having at least two perimeter edges (E2/E4, E1/E2) that intersect to form a puncturing member (32, 42) for puncturing said substrate (18).
5. The blister pack of claim 4, wherein said tool flange (F) is adapted for withstanding deformation when a force is applied thereto.
6. The blister pack of claim 5, wherein said tool flange (F) is adapted for withstanding deformation by said tool flange further comprising a reinforcement member (34, 40).
7. The blister pack of claim 6, wherein said reinforcement member comprises a protuberance (40) extending outwardly of a plane of said tool flange (F).
8. The blister pack of claim 6, wherein said reinforcement member (34, 40) is disposed proximate said puncturing member (32, 42).
9. The blister pack of claim 6, wherein said reinforcement member (34, 40) comprises a tab (34) foldably adjoined to said tool flange (F).
10. The blister pack of claim 9, wherein said tab (34) is adapted for being folded out of a plane of said tool flange (F).
11. The blister pack of claim 1, wherein said at least one tool (T1, T2) comprises at least one of said at least one blister segment (12) adapted for withstanding deformation when a force is applied thereto.
12. The blister pack of claim 11, wherein said at least one blister segment (12) adapted for withstanding deformation comprises a blister flange (F) extending from at least a portion of a perimeter of said opening of said blister bubble (14), said blister flange (F) having at least two perimeter edges (E2/E4, E1/E2) that intersect to form a puncturing member (32, 42) for puncturing said substrate (18) and wherein said blister flange (F) is adapted for withstanding deformation when a force is applied thereto.
13. The blister pack of claim 12, wherein said blister flange (F) is adapted for withstanding deformation by said blister flange (F) further comprising a reinforcement member (34, 40).
14. The blister pack of claim 13, wherein said reinforcement member comprises a protuberance (40) extending outwardly of a plane of said blister flange (F).
15. The blister pack of claim 13, wherein said reinforcement member (34, 40) is disposed proximate said puncturing member (32, 42).
16. The blister pack of claim 17, wherein said reinforcement member (34, 40) comprises a tab (34) foldably adjoined to said blister flange (F).
17. The blister pack of claim 16, wherein said tab (34) is adapted for being folded out of a plane of said blister flange (F).
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 15, 2007
Publication Date: Mar 5, 2009
Inventors: John Gelardi (Wake Forest, NC), William Rigby (Spring Hope, NC)
Application Number: 12/293,036
International Classification: B65D 75/36 (20060101); B65D 75/34 (20060101); B65D 75/52 (20060101);