BLISTER ELEMENT FOR PRODUCT PACKAGE

Abstract

Blister shells for packages each have a product receiving area having a substantially round configuration defined, at least in part, by an angled wall. At least one spacing lug is located on an inside surface of the angled wall and at least one anti-rotation boss is located on an inside surface of the angled wall. The at least one spacing lug and the at least one anti-rotation boss keep the plurality of blister shells arranged in a uniform direction during package assembly, and keep products within the blisters from rotating within the blisters of the packages.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/451,376, filed on Mar. 10, 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present arrangement relates to a packaging arrangement. More particularly, the invention relates to a packaging arrangement for fishing reels and the like for display and presentation to a consumer.

2. Description of the Related Art

Several techniques are used by retail facilities to display fishing reels for sale to consumers. For example, reels may be stored in paper boxes, which can be opened to allow access to the reel inside. One advantage of this technique is that the consumer will have the opportunity to operate the reel prior to purchase. Due to shoplifting concerns, however, many retail stores will only locate boxed reels behind a sales counter. As a result, the consumer may not be able to operate the reel except in the presence of a salesperson. In addition, boxed reels are generally not suitable for hanging, or so-called “peg board” display.

Alternatively, reels may be packaged in a “blister pack,” i.e., a sealed package made of transparent and semi-rigid plastic material. Typically, a blister pack will include a hanging aperture for peg board display. In addition, the transparent nature of the blister pack permits the reel to be visually inspected by a consumer.

Because the blister packs tend to be clear, the items inside are visible. Although this is ideal for allowing a customer to see the actual product prior to sale unlike with closed boxes, this presents a problem regarding uniformity of product/packaging.

For example, ideally all packages look the same so they look nice on a display shelf. Additionally, if the product itself within the package is marked with certain information and/or logos then, package to package, this information on the product which is visible through the transparent blister pack should be uniformly arranged so that they look pleasing to the consumer. In the example of fishing reels, such as round fly fishing reels, in existing packaging equipment, it is difficult to get all of the products to be uniformly arranged within their corresponding blister packs so that the labels/information/logos on the products end up uniformly arranged within the blisters, particularly in high speed auto-packaging machines.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY

The present arrangement provides for a transparent plastic container for use in automatic commercial product packaging machines, for items such as fishing reels, which simultaneously configures the products being packaged into uniform upright positions as well as holds the product in such packaging during shipping so that when they are eventually displayed on a rack or peg board, the products therewithin are uniformly arranged.

To this end the present arrangement provides for blister shells for packages. The blister shells each comprise a product receiving area having a substantially round configuration defined, at least in part, by an angled wall. At least one spacing lug is located on an inside surface of said angled wall and at least one anti-rotation boss is located on an inside surface of said angled wall. The at least one spacing lug and the at least one anti-rotation boss keep the plurality of blister shells arranged in a uniform direction during package assembly, and keep products within the blisters from rotating within the blisters of the packages.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a planar view of the blister and card package according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a planar view of the blister and product according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a planar view of the blister and card package in an unsealed position according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stack of shells or blisters according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a blister according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a close up of the inside of a blister according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross section view of two blisters in a nesting arrangement according to one embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a planar view of a stacked blister;

FIG. 9 is a dose up side view of the top and bottom portions of the lugs in stacked blisters according to one embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a planar view of the blister illustrating the anti-rotation boss according to one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the stacked blisters illustrating the anti-rotation bosses according to one embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a planar view of the blister with a square the cut according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the blister with a square the cut according to one embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of illustration, the following description will be for a package including a round blister for the purpose of storing a fishing reel. However, this is for exemplary purposes only. The features of the below described packages implemented on packages for other applicable commercial products are within the contemplation of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, package 10 includes a shell or blister 12 of a selected plastic such as PETG which is polyethylene terephthalate using cyclohexane dimethanol (CHDM) in place of ethylene glycol forming a clear amorphous thermoplastic that can be injection molded and a cardboard backing 14. The design of package 10 is such that fishing red 16 is placed within shell 12 in a circular, spooled orientation as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Preferably, cardboard backing 14 of package 10 may define a hang aperture 24 spaced from the configured blister 12 reel enclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, cardboard backing 14 of the package has two halves 26 and 28; one half 28 has a die cut 29 to fit plastic shell 12. As described below, plastic shell 12 is positioned within the cut 29 of cardboard backing 14. The two halves of cardboard backing 14 are sealed together with plastic shell 12 placed in the cut. As shown in FIG. 3, and as shown in more detail below, two halves 26 and 28 of cardboard backing 14 are eventually sealed together at the edges 31, as denoted by the cross hatching 26.

In one embodiment of the present arrangement, a tab portion 28 projects from shell 12, and is also sealed within the sealed edges 31 of cardboard backing 14 in order to prevent rotation of blister 12 within the cardboard backing 14. In this way, when closed, and when tab 28 is broken by rotation by the user, plastic shell 12 is free to rotate about the cut 29 in cardboard backing 14. A separate brake away tab 22 corresponds to a perforated tab at a corner of cardboard 14 which can be pulled away so as to provide access to the product inside, such as a fishing reel within shell 12, so that a consumer dispenses fishing line as needed.

Turning to the arrangement of shells 12 for shipping and use in an automatic packaging system, referring to FIG. 4, during production of package 10, plastic shells 12 are typically stacked, nesting one inside the other.

As a first point, in order to be able to pull a shell 12 from the stack, shells 12 must have an optimal space between one another. When the taper of the body of shell 12 is at an angle greater than 10 degrees, there is provided a natural spacer which allows the shells to be dispensed from the stack when placed in a magazine for packaging assembly. However, when the taper of a shell 12 is at an angle less than 10 degrees, shells 12 tend to be “sticky” and cannot easily be pulled apart from the stack in auto feeding package assembly machines. As such, the present arrangement forms the angles of shells 12 so that shells 12 are properly spaced from one another within a stack so that they can be easily dispensed from an auto feeding apparatus in the packaging machine.

Further to this end, referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, de-nesting or space lugs 18 are arranged around the periphery of each of shells 12 exhibiting a dual function. In the first case, from the packaged product standpoint, they act to lock the product, such as round fishing spool's 16 in place within shell 12 so that they do not rotate after shells 12 are closed within cardboard backing 14.

The second advantage of space lugs 18 is that they serve as added nesting spacers between shells 12 within a stack in addition to the angled shape of shells 12. As shown in FIG. 7, these nesting spacers 18 provide a definite space 30 between shells (e.g. shells 12a and 12b), with the interior lugs 18 contacting an upper surface 32 of the immediately lower shell 12b. This leaves the lower edges of shells 12 separated from one another for easy grabbing by the auto loading packaging machine with additional spacing above each shell so that no vacuum/suction prevents easy separation of shells.

FIGS. 8 and 9 provide additional illustration of this dual functionality for lugs 18. The top portions of lugs 18 act as locks, locking product spool 16 into blister shell 12. The bottom portions of lugs 18 act as spacers, keeping blister shells 12 separated when stacked together.

Turning now to the assembly of completed package 10, with product 16 correctly oriented and secured within closed sheds 12 and packaged in connection with cardboard backing 14. The dispensing of shells 12, in production, must be dispensed from the stack in a magazine in a specific orientation so that they are placed in the appropriate position within cardboard backing 14 in order to ensure that break away tab 22 is always positioned on an area of cardboard 14 where adhesive sealant will be placed.

In order to be certain that shell 12 is dispensed in the proper orientation, anti-rotational bosses 20, which are preferably triangular shaped and tapered, are positioned around the periphery of shell 12 near de-nesting lugs 18 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10. Bosses 20 prevent shell 12 from rotating while stacked, such as under the vibrations and rotation forces imparted by the packaging machines during operation. Shells 12 remain in the same position when stacked in order to guarantee that they are optimally positioned once dispensed to be placed in cardboard backing 14. In FIG. 6, four such bosses are shown, however the invention is not limited in this respect. Such bosses 20, although shown as tapered, can be any orientation, sizing or grooving so that the shells remain in the same position when stacked in order to ensure that they will be optimally positioned once dispensed. For example, boss 20, can have a plurality of grooves, a plurality of indents, ridges or anything else that functions as a position guide. One or more bosses 20 can be positioned along the peripheral edge of the shell.

In an alternative arrangement, FIGS. 10 and 11 show an anti-rotation bosses 34 positioned in the center of blister shell 12. When stacked, boss 34 interlocks with boss 34 of blister shell 12 stacked immediately below. Due to the pyramid shape of bosses 34, when blisters 12 are stacked, and bosses 34 are interlocked, rotation of blisters 12 is prevented, ensuring that blisters 12 are optimally positioned once dispensed from the stack.

In yet another alternative arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, blisters 12 include at least one square cut edge to allow for easy alignment when blisters 12 are stacked, as discussed above. As with de-nesting lugs 18 and anti-rotation bosses 20 and/or 34, one square cut edge, may be used by alternatively designed auto-feeding mechanisms to prevent rotation of blisters 12 when stacked. It is noted that the square cut shape for one corner of blister 12 is intended as an exemplary shape only. Such shape may be triangular the cut, pentagonal the cut, hexagonal the cut etc.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. Blister shells for packages, said blister shells each comprising:

a product receiving area having a substantially round configuration defined, at least in part, by an angled wall;

at least one spacing lug located on an inside surface of said angled wall; and

at least one anti-rotation boss located on an inside surface of said angled wall,

wherein said at least one spacing lug and said at least one anti-rotation boss keep said plurality of blister shells arranged in a uniform direction during package assembly, and wherein said at least one spacing lug and said at least one anti-rotation boss keep products within said blisters from rotating within said blisters of said packages.

2. The blister shells as claimed in claim 1, wherein said angled wall of said product receiving area is angled at 10 degrees or greater.

3. The blister sheds as claimed in claim 1, wherein said blister shells further comprise a brake away tab corresponding to a perforated tab located on a corner of a cardboard backing for said blister shell.

4. The blister shells as claimed in dam 1, wherein a plurality of spacing lugs are distributed about said inside surface of said angled wall.

5. The blister shells as claimed in claim 4, wherein said spacing lugs are shaped and dimensioned such that they lock a product within blister shell so that said product does not rotate after said blister shell is closed.

6. The blister shells as claimed in claim 4, wherein said spacing lugs are shaped and dimensioned such that they add spacing between blister shells within a stack.

7. The blister shells as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of anti-rotation bosses are distributed about said inside surface of said angled wall.

8. The blister shells as claimed in claim 7, wherein a plurality of anti-rotation bosses are distributed near spacing lugs.

9. The blister shells as claimed in claim 7, wherein said plurality of anti-rotation bosses are shaped as any one of triangular and tapered, a plurality of grooves, a plurality of indents, and a plurality of ridges.