PAPER BOARD SECURITY CARD WITH FORMED CONTENT RETAINING ELEMENTS

Abstract

Paperboard security packages are disclosed wherein content items are contained between two cards and held in place by one or more straps.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/391,548 filed on Oct. 8, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present application is directed to security packages and, more particularly, to a paperboard security card with formed content-retaining elements. In one embodiment the package is a security card/package predominantly formed from paper board.

In one embodiment the package includes straps and full or partial cavities that in combination with main opposing cards or panels retain, secure and display content. The opposing cards or panels may be made of paper board and can include a non paper based layer that prevents or limits tearing, access and or disassembly of the package to gain access to package. The package may include one or more formable elements to be integrally formed as a portion of the card. The formable element may be folded and positioned over an opening or flap area that is formed in the card and or panels of a card. The formable elements of the card can also be made formed as a separate card that is placed, bonded and or attached over an opening or flap formed the card or panel. The formable element may be positioned and or placed in such a way that one side is fixed and a portion is allowed to move and slide into and through the opening and or flap into a desired form.

Another embodiment includes one or more straps that extend from the card or panels. These straps may be trap sealed between tear resistant cards to secure a product item, to allow primary package visibility and at the same time protect against product tampering and theft. The package has a reduced number of components and removes the need for a vacuumed form structure as may typically be used in blister card security packaging. The package may be shipped to a converting and finishing location in a partially preformed state and or in a flat or semi flat state. The package may be formed from a single sheet or card that is then folded, formed and bonded into a finished structure.

The strap or straps may include crease or score lines to conform to the contents, such as a tubular container. The strap may be tipped on opposite sides of the front and back cards so that when the seal tool comes into contact with the package, the straps may slide in a wrapping movement around the contents (such as a tubular container). The tool seal pattern may be stepped to contact the package at different heights, to accommodate the thickness of the package at various points such as the perimeter seals, the strap seals, and the product border. The strap or straps may be printed with graphics such as SKU graphics which may mask certain parts of the product, such as masking or covering a UPC code on the product. The straps or straps may be situated to avoid covering the end or ends of the product, for example to leave visible the cap of a tubular container and allow its color or other characteristic to be seen.

Manufacturers and retailers of consumer goods, such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, health and beauty products and the like, typically package their products in tamper resistant security packages. For example, many consumer goods are packaged in blister or clamshell packages formed by positioning a consumer good in a flanged blister made from various polymeric and/or paperboard materials and sealing the flanged blister between two paperboard substrates. Consumers have voiced disapproval of such packages because of the difficulty of opening the same and the potential for being cut on a rough edge especially of plastic blisters. Packages may therefore be made based largely on paperboard, for example, NATRALOCK packages. Packaging made primarily of paperboard is more sustainable than packaging made from petroleum-based plastics. The paperboard used in such packages may be tear-resistant as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,635.

It would be useful to have a security package that has provides tear-resistant, tamper-resistant, and theft-resistant features, allowing visibility of a product without necessarily using a transparent blister material such as plastic.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a package is disclosed which comprises a containment region for holding an item, the package formed of sheet material and comprising an opening through which an item may be placed into or removed from the containment region.

Other aspects of the disclosed packaging structures will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of parts of an exemplary package;

FIG. 2 shows a step in the assembly of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the resulting, finished package;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the parts of another exemplary package;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of parts of another exemplary package;

FIG. 6 shows a step in the assembly of the package of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows the resulting, finished package;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of parts of an another exemplary package;

FIG. 9 shows the resulting, finished package;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of parts of another exemplary package;

FIG. 11 shows the resulting, finished package;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of parts of another exemplary package;

FIG. 13 shows a step in the assembly of the package of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows the resulting, finished package;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a blank fir another exemplary package;

FIG. 16 shows the resulting, finished package;

FIG. 17 shows perspective views of a sleeved package;

FIG. 18 shows a blank for another exemplary package, and the resulting package;

FIG. 19 shows a Hank for another exemplary package, and the resulting package,

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of parts of another exemplary package;

FIG. 21 shows the resulting, finished package and variations thereof;

FIG. 22 shows views of another exemplary package, which is curved; and

FIG. 23 shows views of another exemplary curved package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will be made to FIGS. 1-23 which show various embodiments of paperboard security packages. Where there is more than one of the same feature, sometimes only one will be denoted by a reference numeral. If different packages have a common feature, it may only be described one time. Similar features are sometimes denoted by the same numeral even if not identical. Where assembly steps are described, these steps are exemplary and are not to be limiting as to the sequence of operations used to arrive at the final package. Also, directions such as up, down, top, bottom, front, back, etc. are used for convenience in describing the package and are not meant to be limiting. The packages described may be made of one or several blanks (that is, the cut sheet parts from which the package components are made by folding and other steps). However, it should be understood that certain unitary blanks may be provided instead as more than one part, and certain blanks may be combined into single blanks, while still arriving at the same finished package.

The packages are shown holding example contents in the form of a cylindrical container; however, other shapes of contents including non-container items may also be held in the packages. One content item is shown in each package; however two or more content items may be held be appropriate modifications to the package, such as larger apertures and straps, or multiple apertures and or straps.

FIG. 1 shows in perspective the exploded parts of a package 1 including a front card 10, front strap 20, rear strap 30, and rear card 40. In the Figure, straps 20, 30 are shown with shading to help distinguish them. Front card 10 and rear card 40 may include card apertures 12, 42 respectively which may be aligned with one another. The cards may also include hang hole 14 and hang hole 44 respectively which may be aligned with one another. The package may be designed to hold contents such as a container 50 that may have a cap 52.

FIG. 2 shows a step in assembling package 1, where the front card 10 and front strap 20 are move downward toward container 50, and the rear strap 30 and rear card 40 and moved upward toward the container. Such movement may be part of a packaging process accomplished manually or with the help of automated equipment. To assist in this process, front strap 20 may be affixed to the lower (or inward) side of front card 10, for example by heat sealing, adhesive, hot melt, stapling, or other method. Likewise rear strap 30 may be affixed to the upper (or inward) side of rear card 40. It may only be necessary to affix one end of each strap to its respective card, in order to allow other end of the strap to move freely and wrap around the container 50 as it comes into contact with the container.

If the attached strap ends are on opposite sides of the package, for example if the front strap 20 is affixed to the left side of front card 10, and rear strap 30 is affixed to the right side of rear card 40, then as the straps contact the container 50, any friction existing between the straps and the container may tend to rotate or “roll” the container (in this case, probably counterclockwise viewed from the lower end of the package, since frictional forces from both straps will tend to be applied in the same angular direction. This may be beneficial, for example, if at least a portion of the strap surface in contact with the container 50 has a coating or substance that is relatively tacky or rough or has a relatively high coefficient of friction, which might tend to better secure the container or keep the container from rotating in the finished package.

On the other hand, if the attached strap ends are on the same side of the package, then any friction existing between the straps and the container may tend not to rotate or roll the container, but instead the straps may “skid” across the container, since the frictional forces from the two straps will be in opposite angular directions. With such a configuration it may be beneficial to provide on at least a portion of the strap surfaces in contact with the container a coating or substance that is relatively smooth or has a relatively low coefficient of friction, for example to avoid scuffing is surface.

When the front card 10 and rear card 40 have been thus brought together, as shown in FIG. 3, they may be joined by heat sealing or other adhesive or mechanical means forming the package 1. The process of bringing cards 10, 40 and straps 20, 30 into close contact with container 50 may cause a central portion of each strap 20, 30 to be wrapped around container 50 thereby securing the container, which may otherwise protrude through card apertures 12, 42. The ends of the straps 20, 30 may be captured between the front card 10 and rear card 40 and held therebetween with heat sealing, adhesive, or other means. The straps 20, 30 may be positioned so as to make certain portions of container 50 to be visible (for example the brand name, the product name, the cap, etc) or hidden (for example a single-item UPC or SKU number or manufacturer's number when multi-unit or retailer number is desired to be shown instead elsewhere on the package).

The material used for the cards and straps may be coated on one or both surfaces. For example, one surface may have a graphics-receptive coating, while the opposite surface may have a coating for heat sealing and/or tear resistance. It may sometimes be desirable to have the graphic-receptive surfaces of the cards and straps to face outwards on the finished package, while the tear-resistant or heat-seal surfaces may face inwards. If more than one card and/or straps are formed from a single blank, for example hingedly joined together, the blank may be designed so as to place the respective surfaces on the desired outward or inward orientation in the finished package.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative construction for a package 1A, similar to package 1 or FIG. 1, except the front strap 20 may be formed as an extension from front card 10, the extension (that is the strap) being folded behind (inwardly) relative to front card 10 along fold line 26. Likewise the rear strap 30 may be formed as an extension of rear card 40, and folded in front of (inwardly) relative to rear card 40 along fold or score line 36. Assembly of the package 1A is otherwise similar to the assembly of package 1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

With finished package 1 as shown in FIG, 3 (and likewise, package 1A which is not shown in finished form), the container 50 protrudes approximately equally through both the front and rear cards. However, the size of card apertures 12 and 42, and the lengths of straps 20 and 30, may be adjusted so that container 50 in the finished package protrudes further forward or backward. For example, with a cylindrical container 50 as depicted, reducing the width of rear card aperture 42 (or omitting rear card aperture 42) may cause the container 50 to move forward in the package. Front strap 20 may be lengthened if necessary to accommodate its longer wrapping path, and rear strap 30 may be omitted if rear card aperture 42 is omitted.

While FIGS. 1-4 depict packages holding only one container 50, packages could be designed to accommodate multiple containers. For example the front and rear card apertures could be made twice as wide and the straps approximately twice as long to accommodate two containers. The front and rear cards overall size might also need to be increased, depending on the size of the containers. Alternately, the front and rear cards might be provided with multiple card apertures, and longer or multiple straps for holding the multiple containers.

It may be advantageous to preform strap or straps 20, 30 before the item or container 50 is loaded. Preforming of the straps may be done by a machine process such as tamping or stamping the strap to shape prior to loading of the item. This may be particularly well suited for products that may otherwise not be rigid enough to form the strap during product loading or sealing. Furthermore, performing the strap to shape before loading provides a nest position for positive placement of a product item such as container 50. By preforming the strap or straps may be shaped to match the contour of the product item, for example in a cylindrical shape for container 50 as shown in FIGS. 1-4, or in another shape to match the contour of other product items.

FIG. 5 shows in perspective the exploded parts of another package 2 including a front card 10, front strap 20, rear strap 30, and rear card 40. Front card 10 and rear card 40 may include card apertures 12, 42 respectively which may be aligned with one another. The ends of these card apertures may have inward-protruding end tabs 12a, 42a such as semicircular segments. The cards may also include hang holes 14, 44 respectively which may be aligned with one another. The package may be designed to hold contents such as a container 50 that may have a cap 52.

Straps 20, 30 as shown in FIG. 5 may comprise one or more arms 24, 34 that will wrap container 50. Each strap may include one, two, or more of such arms, whose widths may be equal or different. Each strap may include one or more strap aperture 22, 32.

FIG. 6 shows a step in assembling package 2, which may be part of a packaging process accomplished manually or with the help of automated equipment. To assist in this process, front strap 20 may be affixed to the lower (or inward) side of front card 10, for example by heat sealing, adhesive, hot melt, stapling, or other method. It may only be necessary to affix one end of each strap to its respective card, in order to allow other end of the strap to move freely and wrap around the container 50 as it comes into contact with the container. In one method, the strap area al may be affixed to the front card 10, leaving strap area a2 free to move. Likewise rear strap 30 may be affixed to the upper (or inward) side of rear card 40. In one method, the strap area a4 may be affixed to rear card 40, leaving strap area a4 free to move.

The straps 20, 30 may be nestled between their respective cards and the inward-protruding end tabs 12a, 42a as shown, or the straps may be simply placed upon the cards without interacting with end tabs 12a, 42a.

When the front card 10 and rear card 40 have been thus brought together, as shown in FIG. 7, they may be joined by heat sealing or other adhesive or mechanical means forming the package 2. The process of bringing cards 10, 40 and straps 20, 30 into close contact with container 50 may cause a central portion of each arm 24, 34 to be wrapped around container 50 thereby securing the container, which may otherwise protrude through card apertures 12, 42. The ends of the straps 20, 30 may be captured between the front card 10 and rear card 40 and held therebetween with heat sealing, adhesive, or other means.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of parts for an alternative construction for a package 2A, similar to package 2 in FIG. 5, except the card apertures 12, 42 of FIG. 5 are each replaced with one or more (here two are shown) side flaps 12b, 42b hingedly attached to cards 10, 40. Package 2A and its assembly are otherwise similar to the package 2 shown in FIGS. 5 through 7.

Finished package 2A is shown in FIG. 9. The side flaps 12b (and side flaps 42b, not shown) open sideways as container 50 is pushed outwardly during the assembly process. As shown in FIG. 9, container 50 protrudes approximately half way forward of front card 10, that is, about equally through both the front and rear cards. However, the size of side flaps 12b and 42b, and the lengths of straps 20 and 30, may be adjusted so that container 50 in the finished package protrudes further forward or backward. For example, with a cylindrical container 50 as depicted, reducing the width of rear side flaps 42b (or omitting side flaps, and leaving the rear card without an opening for the container 50) may cause the container 50 to move forward in the package. Front strap 20 may be lengthened if necessary to accommodate its longer wrapping path, and rear strap 30 may be omitted if rear side flaps 42b are omitted.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of parts for an alternative construction for a package 3, similar to package 2 in FIG. 5, except arms 24′, 34′ may be scored, creased, partially cut, perforated, or otherwise formed to facilitate wrapping the arms around container 50. If the arms are cut, scored or perforated, such scoring or perforation may be made so as to penetrate only partially through the arm. If a tear-resistant material is applied to one of the surfaces of the arm(s), then the scoring or perforation may be done from the opposite surface, leaving the tear resistant layer intact.

Finished package 3 is shown in FIG. 11, showing the folded, creased, scored or perforated arms 24′ wrapping container 50. As shown in FIG. 11, container 50 protrudes approximately half way forward of front card 10, that is, about equally through both the front and rear cards. However, the size of card apertures 12 and 42, and the lengths of straps 20 and 30, may be adjusted so that container 50 in the finished package protrudes further forward or backward. For example, with a cylindrical container 50 as depicted, reducing the width of rear card aperture 42 (or omitting the rear card aperture and leaving the rear card without an opening for the container 50) may cause the container 50 to move forward in the package. Front strap 20 may be lengthened if necessary to accommodate its longer wrapping path, and rear strap 30 may be omitted if rear card aperture 42 is omitted.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a blank for an alternative construction for a package 4, similar in some respects to package 2 in FIG. 5, excepting the construction is made from a single blank and only one strap 20 is utilized. Thus front card 10 is hingedly attached to rear card 40 and to front strap 20. The view shown in FIG. 12 is from the “inside” of the structure before forming. The arms 24′ of front strap 20 may be scored, creased, partially cut, perforated, or otherwise formed as shown in view 4A to facilitate wrapping the arms around container 50. If the arms are cut, scored or perforated, such scoring or perforation may be made so as to penetrate only partially through the arm. If a tear-resistant material is applied to one of the surfaces of the arm(s), then the scoring or perforation may be done from the opposite surface, leaving the tear resistant layer intact.

FIG. 13 shows a step in forming package 4, where rear card 40 is folded along score line 16 relative to front card 10, and front strap 20 is folded along score line 26 relative to front card 10. Container 50 is moved into a position between rear card 40 and front card 10/front strap 20. Forming steps are shown in views 4B, 4C for a package having a preformed strap or arms.

Finished package 4 is shown (from the front side now) in FIG. 14, with the folded, creased, scored cut, or perforated arms 24′ wrapping container 50. As shown in FIG. 14, container 50 protrudes forward of front card 10, that is, entirely or almost entirely through the front card, since the rear card 40 lacks a card aperture. A similar view is shown view 4D.

FIG. 15 shows a plan view of a blank for forming a package 5 and FIG. 16 shows a finished package 5. In some respects package 5 is similar to the packages shown in the previous FIGS. However, package 5 may be made of a single blank which includes a front card 10 and rear card 40, hingedly attached together along a fold tine. The fold line may be partially cut to facilitate folding or provide clearance for front strap 20 and rear strap 30 that are hingedly attached to front card 10 and rear card 40 respectively.

Package 5 as shown depicts a package that will accommodate a container 50A which a larger diameter to length ratio than the containers previously illustrated. Furthermore the container 50A has a larger diameter relative to the width of front card 10 and rear card 40, so that it may be advantageous to have straps 20, 30 that are longer than the width of the cards, in order that the straps in the finished package will be long enough to wrap around the container 50A.

Referring again to FIG. 15, the dimensions of relative dimensions of the cards 10, 40 and straps 20, 30 may be adjusted to achieve a variety of package configurations. To securely hold the content item 50, the height h2 of straps 20, 30 may be made equal to or slightly less than the height h2 of card aperture 12, 42. For relatively slim product items, as shown in FIGS. 1-14, the it may be desired to have width w2 of the card aperture 12, 42 to be relatively small compared with the width w1 of card 10, 40 itself and the width w2 of straps 20, 30 may be less than the width w1 of the card. For example with a card having a width w1=3 inch, holding a cylindrical container 50 have a diameter D=0.5 inch, with the container 50 protruding equally through front card aperture 12 and rear card aperture 42, a suitable width for a strap may be about w2=w1−D+0.5*PI*D, or approximately 3.9 inches. However, the strap width w2 may be less than this, but preferably long enough so that both ends of the strap are captured between the front and rear cards.

For larger diameter items, as shown in FIGS. 15-16, it may be desired to have the width of card aperture w2 to approach the width w1 of the card itself, and the width w4 of the strap may exceed the width w1 of the card. For example with a card having a width w1=3 inch, holding a cylindrical container 50 have a diameter D=2 inch, with the container 50 protruding equally through front card aperture 12 and rear card aperture 42, a suitable width for a strap may be about w2=w1−D+0.5*PI*D, or approximately 4.1 inches. If more of less of the container 50 protrudes through the front (or back) card aperture, the associated strap width w2 could be correspondingly increased or decreased. However, the strap width w2 is preferably long enough so that both ends of the strap are captured between the front and rear cards.

FIG. 17 shows a sleeve 6 that may be used with any of the packages described. herein, for example to form sleeved package 6A. Sleeve 6 may include a front face 60 and a rear face 70. A window 62 may be provided in front face 60 (or in rear face 70, or both faces). A package such as package 5 may be slid into sleeve 6, resulting in sleeved package 6A. The container 50 held by package 5 may be visible through sleeve window 62. The sleeve may help protect the package, assist it in standing upright, have graphics to draw attention to the package, etc.

FIG. 18 shows another package 7A where the front card 10 and rear card 40 include a pliable area 80 formed by scoring, creasing, partially cutting, perforating, or other suitable means. The front and rear cards are folded together with an item 50 placed between them adjacent pliable area 80, and the two cars are then sealed together, for example along their edges and along item seal perimeter 85. This creates a finished package seen in plan view as package 7B and end view as package 7C.

FIG. 19 shows another package 7D where the front card 10 and rear card 40 include a pliable area 80 formed by scoring, creasing, partially cutting, perforating, or other suitable means. A window area 82 is provided within the pliable area 80. The front and rear cards are folded together with an item 50 placed between them adjacent pliable area 80 and window area 82, and the two cars are then sealed together, for example along their edges and along item seal perimeter 85. This creates a finished package seen in plan view as package 7E and in end view as package 7F. The item 50 is visible through the window 82.

FIG. 20 shows in perspective the exploded parts of another package 8 including a front card 10 and rear card 40. Front card 10 and rear card 40 may include card apertures 12, 42 respectively which may be aligned with one another. The package may be designed to hold contents such as a container 50 that may have a cap 52. A tag 54 may be attached to container 50. The tag 54 may be part of a label 56 that may be attached to the container, and may wrap at least partly around the container. There may be more than one tag 54.

FIG. 21 shows the assembled package 8, with the tag 54 held between front card 10 and rear card 40. Other package variations are also shown. In package 8A the tag 54 and label 56 are the full height of the container. In package 8B, the container is situated along a side of the package. In package 8C the container is situated at a lower corner of the package, and in package 8D the container is situated at a lower edge of the package. In both of packages 8C and 8D, the bottom of the container may provide a standing area to support the package in an upright stance. The container may also be situated at other locations on the package, or at an angle as shown with package 8E. More than one tag 54 may be used for each container as with package 8D, and more than one container may be held by the package in one aperture as shown with package 8F, or in more than one apertures as shown with package 8G. Aperture 12, 42 may be closely sized to fit container 50, as shown in packages 8, 8A, 8E, 8F, and 8G or may be somewhat larger as in packages 8B, 8C, and 8D. Features shown with packages 8A-8G, such as location, number, and orientation of the container, may also be utilized in other packages disclosed herein,

FIG. 22 shows another package, whose front card 10 and rear card 40 are curved about a vertical axis, with a concave side facing to the rear. As with packages described above, a container 50 may be held in the package by one or more straps 20, 30. The package is shown from a front view 9A1, top view 9A2, side view 9A3 and rear isometric view 9A4.

FIG. 23 shows another package, whose front card 10 and rear card 40 are curved about a horizontal axis with a concave side facing to the front. As with packages described above, a container 50 may be held in the package by one or more straps, or one or more arms such as arms 24. The package is shown from a front view 9B1, top view 9B2, side view 9B3 and front isometric view 9B4.

The packages here may comprise paperboard or plastic, and may be opaque, translucent, or transparent. While the packages have been shown holding a cylindrical container 50, it should be understood that other shapes of contents, including non-container items, may be housed within the packages.

The features described for various packages herein may be alone or in combination with other described features. It is to be understood that a variety of materials may be used to form these packages. However, for sustainability purposes, a paperboard based material may be used and for improved theft deterrence a tear resistant paperboard may be used. Package materials may include tear-proof materials such as DURAFOLD paperboard, tear-resistant materials such as NATRALOCK paperboard, as well as other types of paperboard or plastic materials. The packages may be made of one or more layers of material, including but not limited to one, two, three or more layers of material. Different parts of the packages may comprise different materials and/or different numbers of layers.

Packages made of tear-resistant material may be difficult to open without first initiating a tear, which can often most readily be done by using a knife or scissors. However, a package may be provided with a pre-cut tear initiation point, such as a perforation or a notch cut into the tear-resistant material, for example near its periphery. In such a case, to avoid unauthorized opening of the package before it is sold, a security tag may be used to cover up the tear initiation point. Use of a security device to cover a tear initiation point is also described in U.S. Provisional Application 61/025,102 filed on Jan. 31, 2008 and in International Application PCT/US09/32321 filed on Jan. 29, 2009, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties.

The packages disclosed herein may be comprised mostly of paperboard, for example as described in International Application PCT/US08/051245. The paperboard used in such packages may be tear-resistant as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,635. However, the packages disclosed herein may also comprise plastic materials.

The packages disclosed herein may be made from one or several blanks (that is, the cut sheet parts from which the package components are made by folding and other steps). However, it should be understood that certain unitary blanks may be provided instead as more than one part, and certain blanks may be combined into single blanks, while still arriving at the same finished package.

Where more than one blank is used, the blanks may be assembled in various stages, including assembling a unitary blank into a package, assembling separate blanks and then joining them to form a package, and joining two or more blanks together, for example by heat sealing, gluing, mechanical fastening, or otherwise and then forming the combined blanks into the package.

Portions of the packages may be made of one, two, or more layers of material. It is to be understood that additional layers of material may be used based on manufacturing preferences. Portions of certain cards or straps may be folded over or around the portions of other cards or straps, creating multiple layers of material.

Claims

1. A package for holding an item, the package comprising:

a front card comprising a front card aperture;

a rear card; and

at least one strap positioned between the front and rear cards;

wherein said item protrudes at least partly through said front card aperture and

wherein said strap is wrapped around a protruding portion of said item and retains said item within the package.

2. The package of claim 1, further comprising an aperture in said rear card.

3. The package of claim 1, further comprising an additional strap.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein the front card, rear card, and strap are formed from separate pieces of material.

5. The package of claim 1, wherein at least two of the front card, rear card, and strap are hingedly joined together.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein said strap comprises a plurality of arms and at least one strap aperture.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein said strap is formed with one or more creases, score lines, folds, perforations, or cuts.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein at least one of said front card, rear card, and strap are formed of a tear resistant material.

9. The package of claim 1, further comprising a rear card aperture in said rear card, and at least one additional strap.

10. The package of claim 9, wherein position of said item relative to said front card is determined at least in part by the widths of said front card aperture and said read card aperture.

11. The package of claim 1, wherein at least one of said front card, said rear card, and said strap comprise paperboard.

12. The package of claim 1, wherein said front card, said rear card, and said strap all comprise paperboard.

13. The package of claim 1, wherein said strap is an extension of a label attached to said item.

14. The package of claim 13, wherein said label is at least partly wrapped around said item.

15. The package of claim 1, wherein said strap is preformed to match a contour of said item.

16. The package of claim 1, wherein said strap has an item-facing surface in contact with said item, and at least part of said item-facing surface has a high coefficient of friction.

17. The package of claim 1, wherein said strap has an item-facing surface in contact with said item, and at least part of said item-facing surface has a low coefficient of friction.

18. The package of claim 1, wherein said front card and rear card are curved about an axis.

19. A package for holding an item, the package comprising:

a front card and a rear card joined together along a hinge region;

a pliable area disposed along the hinge region and extending at least partly into each of said front and rear cards,

wherein said item is wrapped and contained within said pliable area when said front card and said rear card are folded together about said hinge region.

20. The package of claim 19, wherein said pliable area comprises a window region.