PACKAGE

Abstract

A package includes a front member having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a front sealing surface surrounding the second surface and a front flange extending from the front sealing surface. The front flange has an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface. A back member including a first surface and an opposing second surface, a back sealing surface surrounding the second surface and a back flange extending from the back sealing surface. The back flange has an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface. A joint secures the front sealing surface to the back sealing surface. A cavity is located between the second surface of the front member and the second surface of the back member. A ring member is positioned adjacent the outward facing surface of the front flange and the outward facing surface of the back flange to cover the joint.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to display packages for consumer goods, and more particularly to display packages for consumer goods having a ring member covering the exposed peripheral edges of the front and back members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blister-type packages are popular for storing and displaying articles for sale. The primary components of a blister-type pack are the outer shells made from a formable transparent material, e.g., plastic, and the cavity or pocket created between the outer shells. The formed cavity or pocket contains the product and the outer shells seal the product within the cavity. The consumer can easily examine the product through the transparent plastic. The plastic shell is vacuum-formed around a mold. The pre-formed plastic shells are affixed to another using heat and pressure to activate an adhesive. The adhesive is strong enough so that the package may hang on a peg to be displayed.

Blister packs are typically thermoformed. Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature, formed to a specific shape in a mold, and trimmed to create a usable product. The sheet (or film when referring to thinner gauges and certain material types), is heated in an oven to a high-enough temperature that it can be stretched into or onto a mold and cooled to a finished shape. For high-volume applications, very large production machines are utilized to heat and form the plastic sheet and trim the formed parts from the sheet in a continuous high-speed process, and can produce many thousands of finished parts per hour depending on the machine and mold size and the size of the parts being formed.

Blister packs have the advantage of offering a very attractive solution to display a package allowing the consumer to view the product within the package. While the ability to view the product within the blister pack is attractive to the consumer, the overall acceptance of the blister pack is limited by the negative aspects attributed to the peripheral plastic edge that is created when the outer shells are sealed together. Not only is the peripheral plastic edge unattractive it can also be rather uncomfortable to handle.

Thus, there is a desire to overcome the problem associated with the exposed peripheral plastic edge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a package. The package comprises a front member and a back member. The front member comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface. A front sealing surface surrounds the second surface and a front flange extends from the front sealing surface. The front flange comprises an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface. The back member comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface. The back sealing surface surrounds the second surface and a back flange extends from the back sealing surface. The back flange comprises an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface. A joint secures the front sealing surface to the back sealing surface. A cavity is located between the second surface of the front member and the second surface of the back member. A ring member is positioned adjacent the outward facing surface of the front flange and the outward facing surface of the back flange to cover the joint.

The ring member may be a unitary one-piece member or a one-piece member.

The ring member may be secured to the outward facing surface of the front flange and the outward facing surface of the back flange. The front member and back member may be formed of transparent material. The ring member may be formed of opaque material.

The package may comprise a secondary back flange extending from the back flange with the secondary back flange comprising a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface and a length dimension. The ring member preferably has a thickness dimension greater than the length dimension of the secondary back flange.

The package may comprise a secondary front flange extending from the front flange with the secondary front flange comprising a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface and a length dimension. The ring member preferably has a thickness dimension greater than the length dimension of the secondary front flange.

The front flange has an end edge and the back flange has an end edge, the ring member has a first edge and an opposing second edge, the first edge of the ring member extends beyond the end edge of the front flange and the second edge of the ring member extends beyond the end edge of the back flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a package of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the package of FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ring member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a ring member.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a ring member.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another package of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the package of FIG. 5 taken along section line 6-6.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another package of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the package of FIG. 7 taken along section line 8-8.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another package of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the package of FIG. 9 taken along section line 10-10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a package 10 of the present invention. Package 10 includes a front member 20 and a back member 30. Front member 20 has a first or outer surface 21 and an opposing second or inner surface 22. A front sealing surface 23 surrounds the second surface 22. A front flange 24 extends from the front sealing surface 23. The front flange 24 is oriented perpendicular to the front sealing surface 23. The front flange 24 has an inward facing surface 25 and an outward facing surface 26. Inward facing surface 25 faces toward front member 20 and outward facing surface 26 faces away from front member 20. The front flange 24 has an end edge 27.

Back member 30 has a first or outer surface 31 and an opposing second or inner surface 32. A back sealing surface 33 surrounds the second surface 32. A back flange 34 extends from the back sealing surface 33. The back flange 34 is oriented perpendicular to the back sealing surface 33. The back flange 34 has an inward facing surface 35 and an outward facing surface 36. Inward facing surface 35 faces toward back member 30 and outward facing surface 36 faces away from back member 30. The back flange 34 has an end edge 37.

Joint 40 secures the front sealing surface 23 to the back sealing surface 33. The joint 40 may be a heat seal, pressure seal, or adhesive securing the front sealing surface 23 to the back sealing surface 33. A cavity 42 is located between the second or inner surface 22 of the front member 20 and the second or inner surface 32 of the back member 30.

The front member 20 and the back member 30 may be formed from plastic. The front member 20 and back member 30 may be manufactured from generally translucent or transparent polymers such that consumers can view the articles within the package 10. Opaque materials such as wood/paper pulp or Styrofoam may even be used if transparency is not required for either the front member 20 or back member 30 or both. Examples of transparent or translucent polymers may include, but are not limited to polyolefins (e.g., polypropylene, high density polyethylene or low density polyethylene), polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate), and poly vinyl chloride (PVC). The front and back members may be produced by thermoforming or other known processing methods such as injection molding, blow molding, cold forming, and injection blow molding.

A ring member 50 is positioned adjacent the outward facing surface 26 of the front flange 24 and the outward facing surface 36 of the back flange 34 to cover the joint 40. Preferably the ring member 50 is formed of opaque material such as an opaque plastic. Other opaque materials such as wood/paper pulp may be used for ring member 50. An opaque ring member 50 conceals the joint 40 from the user providing an aesthetically pleasing construction for a consumer. The ring member 50 serves to space the end edges 27 and 37 of flanges 24 and 34 away from contact with the user when handling thus making the package 10 more comfortable for the user to handle. Preferably the ring member 50 is a unitary one-piece member. That is the ring member 50 is continuous with no joints or seams. Alternatively, the ring member 50 may be a one-piece member with a joint or seam. The ring member 50 shown in FIG. 3 is a unitary one-piece member. The ring member 50 shown in FIG. 4 is a one-piece member having a joint or seam 15. The seam may be formed by a heat seal, pressure seal or an adhesive. The ring member 50 may also be a multi-piece member such as shown in FIG. 4A having two or more joints or seams 15.

Preferably the ring member 50 is secured to the outward facing surface 26 of the front flange 24 and the outward facing surface 36 of the back flange 34. The ring member 50 may be secured to the outward facing surface 26 of the front flange 24 and the outward facing surface 36 of the back flange 34 with a heat seal, pressure seal, or adhesive. The ring member 50 surrounds the front member 20 and the back member 30.

The ring member 50 has opposing edges 51 and 52 defining a width dimension 53 for ring member 50. Preferably the width dimension 53 is such that the first edge 51 of ring member 50 extends beyond end edge 27 of front flange 24 and second edge 52 of ring member 50 extends beyond end edge 37 of back flange 34. Having such a width dimension 53 positions the end edges 27 and 37 of flanges 24 and 34 away from any possible contact with the user when handling the package 10 making the package 10 more comfortable for the user.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 there is shown another package 110 of the present invention. Package 110 includes a few additional elements to the package 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Package 110 includes a secondary front flange 28 extending from the front flange 24 and a secondary back flange 38 extending from the back flange 34. The secondary front flange 28 is oriented perpendicular to the front flange 24 extending away from the front member 20. The secondary back flange 38 is oriented perpendicular to the back flange 34 extending away from the back member 30. The secondary front flange 24 includes a forward facing surface 62, a rearward facing surface 63, an end edge 65 and a length dimension 64. The forward facing surface 62 faces away from ring member 50 while the rearward facing surface 63 faces toward ring member 50. The secondary back flange 34 includes a forward facing surface 72, a rearward facing surface 73, an end edge 75 and a length dimension 74. The forward facing surface 72 faces away from ring member 50 while the rearward facing surface 73 faces toward ring member 50. The ring member 50 has an outer surface 56 and an opposing inner surface 57 defining a thickness dimension 54 for ring member 50. The outer surface 56 faces away from front member 20 and back member 30 and inner surface 57 faces towards front member 20 and back member 30.

Preferably, the ring member 50 has a thickness dimension 54 greater than the length dimension 74 of the secondary back flange 38 such that the outer surface 56 of ring member 50 extends beyond end edge 75. Preferably, the ring member 50 has a thickness dimension 54 greater than the length dimension 64 of the secondary front flange 28 such that the outer surface 56 of ring member 50 extends beyond end edge 65.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 there is shown another package 210 of the present invention. Package 210 includes a few additional elements to the package 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Package 210 includes a ring member 50 having a cross-sectional shape different than the cross-sectional shape of the ring member 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The ring member 50 has a first portion 82, a second portion 83 and a third portion 84. Second portion 83 of ring member 50 connects first portion 82 with third portion 84.

The first portion 82 of ring member 50 has an outer surface 56 and an opposing inner surface 57. The outer surface 56 faces away from front member 20 and back member 30 and inner surface 57 faces towards front member 20 and back member 30.

The second portion 83 of ring member 50 has a forward facing surface 85 and a rearward facing surface 87. Forward facing surface 85 of ring member 50 faces away from front flange 24 while rearward facing surface 87 faces toward front flange 24.

The third portion 84 of ring member 50 has an outer facing surface 88 and an opposing inner facing surface 89. The outer facing surface faces away from front member 20 and inner facing surface 89 faces towards front member 20.

The first, second and third portions, 82, 83 and 84, respectively, of ring member 50 allow the ring member 50 to wrap around front flange 50 concealing it from the user.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 there is shown another package 310 of the present invention. Package 310 includes a few additional elements to the package 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Package 310 includes a ring member 50 having a cross-sectional shape different than the cross-sectional shape of the ring member 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The ring member 50 has a first portion 92 and a second portion 93. Second portion 93 of ring member 50 is a protrusion extending inward from first portion 92 towards front member 20 and back member 30. In order to accommodate the second portion 93, front flange 24 and back flange 34 have additional sections. Front flange 24 has additional sections 24A and 24B. Sections 24A and 24B are positioned adjacent to second portion 93 of ring member 50. Back flange 34 has additional sections 34A and 34B. Sections 34A and 34B are positioned adjacent to second portion 93 of ring member 50.

The second portion 93 of ring member 50 and sections 24A, 24B, 34A and 34B allow the ring member 50 to be properly aligned during assembly.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A package comprising:

a. a front member, the front member comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface, a front sealing surface surrounding the second surface and a front flange extending from the front sealing surface, the front flange comprising an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface;

b. a back member, the back member comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface, a back sealing surface surrounding the second surface and a back flange extending from the back sealing surface, the back flange comprising an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface;

c. a joint securing the front sealing surface to the back sealing surface;

d. a cavity between the second surface of the front member and the second surface of the back member; and

e. a ring member positioned adjacent the outward facing surface of the front flange and the outward facing surface of the back flange to cover the joint.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the ring member is a unitary one-piece member.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the ring member is a one-piece member.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein the ring member is secured to the outward facing surface of the front flange and the outward facing surface of the back flange.

5. The package of claim 1, wherein the front member is formed of transparent material.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein the back member is formed of transparent material.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein the ring member is formed of opaque material.

8. The package of claim 1, further comprising a secondary back flange extending from the back flange, the secondary back flange comprising a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface and a length dimension.

9. The package of claim 8, wherein the ring member has a thickness dimension greater than the length dimension of the secondary back flange.

10. The package of claim 1, further comprising a secondary front flange extending from the front flange, the secondary front flange comprising a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface and a length dimension.

11. The package of claim 10, wherein the ring member has a thickness dimension greater than the length dimension of the secondary front flange.

12. The package of claim 1, wherein the front flange has an end edge and the back flange has an end edge, the ring member has a first edge and an opposing second edge, the first edge of the ring member extends beyond the end edge of the front flange and the second edge of the ring member extends beyond the end edge of the back flange.

13. The package of claim 1, wherein the ring member surrounds the front member and the back member.